cameras

ISO Testing the Canon R5, R6, 5D Mark IV, and 1D X Mark III

Whenever Canon comes out with new cameras, one of my most important real-world tests is determining how clean the images look at higher ISOs. I am not testing this for scientific reasons, I am doing this test because I shoot in low light quite often and want the highest quality images for my clients. I also thought that you and the rest of the world might be interested in this as well.

Canon Just Won Mirrorless with the EOS R5 and R6

When Sony first started producing full-frame mirrorless cameras, the leading manufacturers at the time pretty much sneered at it. Ricoh, for example, still seemingly believes that DSLRs are due to make a comeback and that mirrorless cameras are just a fad. With how the industry has been progressing, it’s clear that mirrorless is the future and Canon is probably the company to rule.

Nikon Shuts Down Equipment Repairs

Nikon USA has announced the temporarily suspension of all equipment repair services due to the spread of COVID-19. The decision was made in compliance with federal guidelines, and in the interest of protecting employees' health and safety.

Why Did Canon Just Now Decide to Wake Up?

Last night we got our first official glance at Canon's vision for their future in the R5 development announcement, and it looks to finally be an example of full-frame mirrorless taken seriously. In a morning discussion here at PetaPixel, the question was raised: why did Canon just now decide to wake up?

How an Anti-Aliasing Filter Impacts a Camera’s Photos

Some cameras on the market these days leave out the traditional optical low pass filter (OLPF), also known as the anti-aliasing filter, to increase sharpness at the expense of increase moiré patterns. If you're not sure what exactly this trade-off is, check out this 10-minute comparison video by New Zealand-based wedding photographer Richard Wong.

What’s Your Rangefinder’s Effective Base Length?

Looking to buy your first rangefinder? Here’s a tip: start with the lenses! Effective Base Length, or EBL, is often left with little or no consideration by SLR shooters looking for their first interchangeable lens rangefinder.

Is Fujifilm Losing Its ‘Kaizen’ Mojo?

After launching its X-Series line of cameras with the X100 back in 2011, Fujifilm began developing a reputation for 'Kaizen' (literally "change good" in Japanese), or pushing out frequent major firmware upgrades that breathe new life into older cameras.

A Helpful Gear Guide for New Event Photographers

Event and wedding photographer Mik Milman has released a handy buying guide that lists all of the gear a beginner needs if they want to get into this niche. From camera bodies, to glass, to flash guns, he covers all the bases so you don't waste money buying stuff you don't actually need.

PetaPixel’s Cameras of the Year 2019

Every camera made today is great. This is a statement I have stood behind for several years now because it's true. It's hard to go wrong with any camera made today because the technology gap has narrowed considerably. But even so, each year there are cameras that stand out from the rest and deserve praise.

The State of Canon’s RF Mount, One Year Later

For Canon, Nikon, and Panasonic, 2018-2019 was the first year where they all truly "went for it" when it comes to full-frame mirrorless. All three released full-frame mirrorless cameras, and all three seemed to have different priorities with those releases. In this first of three segments, we're going to take a look at each of these companies in their first year and evaluate where each of them stands today in what is now a very competitive market.

This is How Film Cameras Added Dates to Your Photos

Before EXIF data landed on the scene through the rise of digital photography, film cameras could superimpose the current date directly onto your photos, allowing you to see when you shot each one as you flipped through an album. If you've ever wondered how that date was included, here's an interesting 14-minute teardown by Applied Science that reveals the secret.

Modern Cameras, or: A Look at Two Decades of Progress

Twenty years. They have gone by fast. I can remember the first time I saw a camera with a screen on the back of it at a sporting venue, and now a camera without one is considered vintage. However, the look of modern cameras is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to changes.

Who is the King of Compacts? Ricoh GR III vs Fuji X100F

If you’re going to get serious about shooting all the time, the best camera you can buy yourself is a quality compact. High-end DSLRs and interchangeable lens mirrorless cameras can be intimidating to shoot with for the everyday photos, not to mention an unnecessarily heavy load to carry. A compact is a camera you can take everywhere that will distinguish you from other "phonetographers" in both improved control and image quality.

Yashica Unveils Three 35mm Cameras and Two New Films

Yashica's Y35 digiFilm camera drummed up a great deal of excitement on Kickstarter but was universally panned by reviewers and early adopters when it finally launched in 2018. Apparently unfazed, Yashica just returned to Kickstarter with plans to launch three new film cameras and two new films.

The Cameras That Shot the Winning Photos of World Press Photo 2019

World Press Photo just announced the winning photos for the 2019 edition of it's world's most prestigious photojournalism contest. Camera metadata shared alongside the top photos is again providing us with an inside look at what gear the world's top photojournalists are using at the moment.

The EOS RP is a New Low for Canon

Prior to Canon releasing its first full-frame mirrorless camera, I wrote an article discussing how Canon will dominate the mirrorless industry. Many of you made fun of the title, which was fair enough; the comments did make me chuckle.

Why Aren’t Cameras More Expensive?

It was January 2009 and I was preparing to shoot the newest campaign for the television show, Deadliest Catch. Truth be told, I had made very little the year prior because the world was experiencing a market recession, and the first budgets that many companies cut were in advertising. But then came the phone call saying that I had been awarded the photo shoot. I immediately called the camera store, for I actually didn’t own a camera at the time, having sold my Nikon D3 in the preceding weeks.

Where Mirrorless is Headed in 2019

2018 was an important year for mirrorless. As we kick off the new year, it's a good time for some reflection on the market. I've written quite a bit about where we are now that all the big players are seriously in the mirrorless game. This time I thought I'd write about what I think each company will/should be doing in the coming year+.

5 Things More Important Than Camera Brand

Debating which camera brand is best is a sure way to create a lively discussion among photographers. It’s easy to endlessly discuss specs and online reviews and to think that the latest model will give us some missing edge. But what about when you really put images to the test with prints?

Analog is Left but Digital is Right?

Having learned photography in the time of manual analog film cameras, I know digital feels different. And for me, it’s all about the "left and right of photography."

Can Hasselblad Compete Against Fujifilm in Medium Format?

Hasselblad. The company that went to the moon. A company known for producing some of the most iconic cameras in history. Since 1948, when Hasselblad produced its first consumer camera, it has built a strong reputation within the industry. As with many companies, it has had a few bumps in the road, but for the most part, it remains a highly respected organization.

Sony E-mount Wasn’t Designed for Full Frame, Leica Exec Says

As the mirrorless camera wars are heating up, the major players are touting their cameras' designs, features, and specs as being superior to what the competition offers. Leica is firing some shots at Sony, the current market leader in the space: Leica claims that Sony's E-mount wasn't designed for full frame cameras.

Here’s the Sony a7 III, Nikon Z7, and Canon EOS R Side-by-Side

The Sony a7 III, Nikon Z7, and Canon EOS R are three of the main cameras battling it out in the full-frame mirrorless camera wars. In case you're wondering how the three cameras compare in size with one another, the Dutch camera store Foto Hans Keuzekamp has shot a set of photos showing them side-by-side.

You Don’t Need a New Camera

Recently I worked on an image of the sand dunes of the Namib. I had woke while it was still dark and made my way to the desert, each foot sinking into the sand as I battled the dunes. Morning had just broken by the time I got my camera out and the sun was so low that it really gave body and form to the landscape.

Was the Fujifilm GFX a Mistake? Should Fuji Have Gone Full-Frame Instead?

Of all the current camera manufacturers, if you were to call me a fanboy of any of them, Fujifilm would be the most accurate. There’s good reason too: it produces some of the best cameras on the market and its commitment to offering meaningful updates, after the fact, is uniquely wonderful.