How I Got the Xtra Muse 2 Pro Even Though It’s Banned
Xtra’s Muse 2 Pro isn’t currently available in the U.S., but I have one. Here’s how I got it and my first impressions.
The Latest
A New Super-Resolution Microscopy Technique Lets Scientists Study Cells In Real Time
A new fluorescence microscopy technique promises to create super-resolution images from a single exposure and give scientists a remarkable look inside cells.
Nicolas Rachline’s Haunting Photos Capture the Solitude and Beauty of Modern Life
A photographer’s cinematic, Edward Hopper-esque photographs capture the solitude of contemporary life as well as its fragile beauty.
Sigma 20-60mm f/2.8-4 DG Contemporary Review: Versatility is a Virtue
More and more, I find myself prioritizing convenience in a lens rather than ideal optical performance. Having a lens that is compact and versatile with a focal range that covers more of an ultra-wide field of view, means that I don't have to bring a second lens with me.
Photos of Bureaucrats From All Over the World
Jan Banning has been photographing bureaucrats from all over the world since 2002. He first published his acclaimed book, Bureaucratics, in 2008. He recently released Bureaucratics Revisited, which explores his archive and includes fresh work.
This New App Is the First to Send Custom Recipes to Fujifilm Cameras Wirelessly
Huginn is a new iPhone and iPad app that can wirelessly send custom film recipes directly to a Fujifilm camera, making it a distinct offering in an increasingly crowded app landscape. Per its developer, the Forge, Huginn is the first app to send recipes wirelessly to Fujifilm cameras.
How India and Pakistan Shaped Influential Fashion Photographer Frank Horvat’s Career
A new book explores the images groundbreaking fashion photographer Frank Horvat took in India and Pakistan early in his career, and how the experience shaped his work.
The Reel Snaps on The Reel are up-to-the-minute updates and quick hits from the PetaPixel news desk.
IMAX Ain’t About the iPhone Duo
The iPhone Duo may not have Apple's flashiest cameras, but it does have the iPhone lineup's biggest screen. It also has a 1.4:1 aspect ratio, which is awful close to the 1.43:1 aspect ratio of IMAX film. Mark Praschan wondered on X if the Duo's screen might advance the adoption of the 1.43:1 aspect ratio for video content. IMAX clapped back: "love this for them... still not watching movies on a phone."
Well, given that the nearest IMAX theater is hours away from me and the closest one that shows IMAX 70mm film is three states away... I am still not watching IMAX, either.
OWC Acquires Video Management Platform OpenDrives
OWC, a leader in high-performance storage, memory cards, and software, has acquired OpenDrives, a storage management software company. OpenDrives is trusted by many media production companies and studios worldwide, including CNN, HBO, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount, FOX Sports, NFL Network, NBC Sports, Disney, and more.
"OWC has always been about removing the barriers between people and their creative work. Bringing OpenDrives into OWC allows us to take that mission further by connecting the high-performance storage and workflow solutions our customers rely on with powerful software-defined data management services, giving customers a more seamless way to capture, create, collaborate, and access their content wherever their work takes them," says Larry O’Connor, Founder and CEO, Other World Computing (OWC).
"I’m also excited to welcome OpenDrives’ employees to OWC, broadening our team to more than 250 people around the world," O'Connor continues.
The OM System PEN Already Sold Out In Japan
The OM System PEN is an undeniably pretty camera. Its style has seemingly struck a chord with customers, too. Per Asobinet, OM Digital Solutions announced that the PEN is already backordered in Japan. While companies are required by law to announce potential shipping delays, making announcements like this pretty common for new photo gear, it's still good news for OM. It's less good for photographers who didn't preorder fast enough to secure October delivery, though. Here in the US, B&H still expects preorders for the black and silver PEN cameras to ship on October 14.
Hands-On With the iPhone 18 Pro’s New Camera Controls
PetaPixel is on the ground at Apple Park with Jason Vong and going hands-on with the new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max smartphones. They introduce a brand-new 48MP camera with a variable aperture, ranging from f/1.48 to f/4. Apple has added Pro Camera Controls to iPhone, providing direct access to the new variable aperture, shutter speed, white balance, and more. While these types of controls have been available in third-party apps before, Apple is making them easy to use for everyone with the built-in Camera app.
Man, I Want This Stupid Thing!
Apple has unveiled the iPhone Duo, its long-rumored foldable smartphone. It looks incredible.
Sure, its cameras aren't as good as the new Pro Camera system in the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, and it costs a whopping $2,000 with 256GB of storage. But it's so sleek, and who wouldn't want more screen real estate without a bigger footprint?
I've used folding phones before and always found them to offer a compromised experience in nearly every way. But if any company can make a foldable actually feel good to use, it's probably Apple. Yes, I'm a shill. A stupid, stupid shill from whom Apple is trying very hard to extra a huge sum of money from. And honestly, it might just work. Then again, the iPhone 18 Pro has a variable aperture... and that's cool, too.
Live From Apple Park
We're doing things a little differently this year. For our iPhone coverage, we've got a guest host on the channel: Jason Vong! We'll bring you our hot takes on what Apple announces later this afternoon. Tomorrow, catch a special, extra-long episode of The PetaPixel Podcast.
How to Watch Apple Unveil its Newest iPhone Lineup Today
It is annual iPhone event day, and Apple is gearing up to announce a bunch of new iPhone models. There's a lot of smoke about Apple potentially revealing its first-ever foldable today, plus expected iPhone 18 Pro handhelds. PetaPixel will be sharing all the news as fast as possible, but you can follow along live on Apple's website, Apple TV, and YouTube, too.
You Can Get the Camp Snap 2 In an Icy New Color
The Camp Snap 2 announced in June has a cool new colorway: Arctic Frost. The translucent clear colorway joins five other translucent color choices, including Cosmic Grape, Strawberry Splash, Blue Rush, Twisted Lime, and Tangerine Drift. Like all the other color choices, the Arctic Frost Camp Snap 2 is available for $69.99. It should be available through B&H soon as well.
DaVinci Resolve 21.1 Adds Over 100 New Tools and Functions
Blackmagic Design has released DaVinci Resolve 21.1, and there are a lot of changes. A full breakdown is available on Blackmagic's support website, but some highlights include improved sharpening for RAW images; DNG file support for lens distortion, aberration, and shading; new support for DJI D-Gamut2 and D-Log2; support for GoPro Log; and a ton of tweaks, bug fixes, and workflow improvements. DaVinci Resolve 21.1 is free, while the more powerful Studio version is $295 for a lifetime license.
25 Years After the World’s Deadliest Terror Attack, Photographers Recall 9/11
25 years ago today, the United States suffered the largest terrorist attack in world history, killing nearly 3,000 people and injuring countless more. The death toll continues to climb as people succumb to illnesses and diseases related to the attacks. It is widely considered the "most photographed event in history."
Atomos’ New Shinobi 7 II Is its Brightest Shinobi Monitor Yet
At IBC 2026 today in Amsterdam, Atomos announced the Shinobi 7 II, its brightest Shinobi monitor yet.
A Glowing Endorsement of CineStill’s Super Popular 800T Film
With this week’s Film Friday we are hitting the highest point on the Cinestill triangle so to speak. Today we are taking a look at Cinestill 800T, arguably their flagship film and definitely the most popular of their film offerings.
Did the New PEN Impress You? Plus Apple Adds Aperture | The PetaPixel Podcast
This week on The PetaPixel Podcast, the team discusses OM System's new PEN camera and then transitions to Apple Park where they are joined by Jason Vong and The Verge's Allison Johnson to talk Pros and Duo.
The Best Deals on Portrait Lenses for Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras
Portraiture is an extremely popular genre of photography, and like wildlife and sports photography, it comes with relatively stringent gear demands. You typically need a standard or telephoto lens with a fast aperture, like a 50mm f/1.4 or 85mm f/1.8 lens. But fast glass doesn't have to break the bank thanks to these great deals.
Will Adobe’s AI-Driven, Record-Setting Revenue Ease Wall Street’s Worry?
Adobe has had a busy start to the month. Last week, its Board of Directors selected Adobe's next President and CEO, and this week, the company posted record-setting Q3 financial results.
Desview’s Three New Pro Video Monitors Have Accurate Color and Big, Bright Screens
Desview has unveiled three new professional field monitors. The OL14 Pro, OL16 Max, and OL16 Ultra 12G are all built for professional video workflows and promise the features and performance that pros require.
The Unknown Photographer Who Got His First Camera From a German POW Soldier
A photographer took thousands of incredible images of pivotal moments in postwar Europe and mid-century America with a Leica camera taken from a captured German soldier -- which were only discovered by his family after his death.
Angelbird’s New CFexpress 4.0 Type A Memory Cards Are Ready for the FX5
Wise isn't the only memory card company to show off a new product at IBC 2026 in Amsterdam. Long-time memory maker Angelbird is getting in on the fun, too, with a new generation of CFexpress 4.0 Type A cards.
What Happens When Your Photograph Becomes a Viral Meme?
Shooting a viral image is a surefire sign that you're doing something right, right? Yet most photographers who shoot something trendworthy quickly lose control of their original work.
Wise’s MK-IV CFexpress 4.0 Type B Memory Cards Are Basically Future-Proof
Wise Advanced, more commonly known as just Wise, has announced new CFexpress 4.0 Type B memory cards. The new MK-IV series cards introduce dual VPG certification, preparing Wise's memory cards for the next generation of cinema cameras.
ON1 Photo RAW 2027 Promises Much Better Image Quality
ON1 has unveiled Photo RAW 2027, the latest version of its all-in-one, nondestructive RAW photo editor and management software.
40 Award-Winning Photos From Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026
The winners of the Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026 competition have been revealed, showcasing an incredible array of exceptional underwater and marine-related photos that reflect the beauty of the world's oceans and all their inhabitants.
Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold Review: Some New Looks but the Same Old Phone
Google uses the word “Pixel” for its smartphone lineup, but what was once a camera-centric drive to stand out from the pack has become more of a stay-at-home, iterative lateral crawl. Granted, foldable phones aren’t mobile camera trend-setters, but their price tags suggest mid-range or mediocre shouldn’t be on the menu.
BenQ’s New 4K Monitors Are Purpose-Built for Serious Video Editors
BenQ has announced the Creative Pro PV3250U and PV2750U monitors. They are BenQ's first professional monitors designed specifically for video color grading that include 3D LUT hardware calibration and dedicated content tools.
The Beautiful iPhone Duo Has Serious Camera Compromises
As we have seen time and again, foldable smartphones very rarely offer the same camera and photo features as their slab phone counterparts. Apple's debut foldable, the eye-catching and highly hyped iPhone Duo is no exception. At least for now, mobile photographers cannot have everything. The iPhone Duo's Cameras Apple describes the iPhone Duo's camera system as a "48MP Dual Fusion camera system," a fancy way of saying it has two rear cameras, rather than the three found on the iPhone 18 Pro and …
Insta360’s Luna Pro Goes Global and Has Most of the Ultra’s Features
Insta360 has announced the Luna Pro, the newest camera in its Luna Series of gimbal cameras co-engineered with Leica.
Sigma Celebrates You, the Photographer, As It Marks 65th Anniversary
Amid the shuffle and chaos of Apple's annual iPhone event, yesterday also marked Sigma's 65th anniversary, and the company celebrated in very Sigma fashion with a sincere letter to the world and a beautifully animated video featuring technicolor camera and lens parts.
Director Danny Boyle Says He Used AI to Animate Photos in Latest Film ‘Ink’
The director Danny Boyle has taken the unusual step of admitting that he used generative AI on his latest movie, Ink.
The Electrifying Finalists of the Music Photography Awards 2026
Abbey Road Studios has announced the finalists of its Music Photography Awards 2026, a competition shining a light on photographers who capture the energy and artistry of the music scene.
Your Apple Watch Is Always Listening, Will Anyone Ever Be Honest Again?
News just broke that the new Apple Watch Series 12 will have a feature called "Siri Recap" that uses "ambient listening" to "take notes" that users can later review as a summary.
Apple’s iPhone Duo Argues No Other Foldable Has Gotten It Right
Apple has finally unveiled its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo. It features a book-style design, a relatively small outer display, and an expansive 7.6-inch inner display.
iPhone 18 Pro Has Apple’s Fastest Lens Yet Thanks to Variable Aperture
Apple has unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, its latest flagship slab smartphones. They promise significant improvements across all facets, including the camera.
There Are 3,824 Comments on the FCC’s Latest Drone Ban; Nearly 99% of Them Oppose It
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently proposed a law to ban the import and sale of some foreign-made drones with "military-grade" technology on "national security" grounds. During a public comment period, which ended last week, 3,824 comments were filed. 98.6% of the comments oppose the FCC's rule as written.
A NASA Photo Processing Technique to Study Mars Has Discovered Ancient Art on Earth
A rock art enthusiast used an image processing technique that scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory developed to improve the detail of satellite photos of Mars' rocky surface to reveal ancient, faded artwork here on Earth.
Australia Plans New Law to Let Users Switch Off Social Media Algorithms
The Australian government plans to introduce another world-first social media law by allowing people the choice to opt out of content recommended by algorithms.
Sirui’s New $599 Saturn V2 Anamorphic Lenses Rotate for Vertical Video
Sirui has announced the Saturn V2, a new full-frame anamorphic lens series that supports both horizontal and vertical shooting orientations through its rotating design.
I Turned Jordan Drake Into a Knight Using ChatGPT’s New Image Model
ChatGPT has updated its image generator, which promises to be more faithful to source photos.
US Police Warn Meta Smart Glasses Could Be a Security Threat
Police forces across the U.S. are concerned that Meta smart glasses could be used to secretly record inside jails and police facilities and potentially aid acts of terrorism.
Extraordinary Photos Show Octopus ‘Riding’ a Dolphin
Remarkable photographs show an octopus seemingly "riding" a dolphin in the waters off the South West coast of the U.K.
CBS Denies ’60 Minutes’ Promotional Photo is Manipulated
CBS has been forced to deny that its new promotional photo for the upcoming 60 Minutes series was manipulated.
OM System PEN Review: Too Familiar But Oh-So-Pretty
The idea behind the original Olympus PEN camera was deeply poignant. Like an actual pen, the PEN camera should be something you can take anywhere. It offers utility, for example, to sign a check or write in a tip on a receipt. But it is also a creative tool for sketching, writing a poem, or whatever inspires you along the way. The humble pen also has a third layer: it need not always be humble. It can instead be a stylish piece of functional jewelry, showing a touch of class peeking out of a …
OM System Revives and Reimagines the Legendary PEN
The PEN has returned. OM Digital Solutions has announced the OM System PEN, the first PEN series camera released under the OM System brand.
OM System’s Updated 14-42mm Kit Lens Is Splashproof and Focuses Closer
Alongside the new OM System PEN, OM Digital Solutions has announced the refreshed M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 III standard zoom lens. This compact new kit lens offers a 35mm equivalent focal length range of 28-84mm, making it well-suited to a wide variety of scenarios.
The Current Chapter of Pentax DSLRs Is Officially Over
Ricoh Imaging has announced that all current K series digital SLR cameras are officially discontinued and this chapter of Pentax SLR cameras has ended. That said, a new one is being written now behind the scenes.
Meet Lexar Muse, the Credit Card-Sized SSD for Your iPhone
Pulling out a card to hold tons of data and capture ProRes video on an iPhone at a moment’s notice is exactly what the Lexar Muse is made for. Billed by Lexar as the “world’s thinnest portable SSD,” it shaves down to a single millimeter at its thinnest point and weighs a featherweight 40 grams. It’s thin enough to fit in a sleeve with your banking and ID cards.
The A.I. Chatbot Dilemma
A.I. chatbots are inundating the world, and few people are talking about it.
The Original ‘Star Wars’ Is Coming to IMAX 70mm Theaters in 2027
70mm IMAX films are having a moment right now thanks to Christopher Nolan's epic blockbuster, The Odyssey, which is the first feature film shot entirely on IMAX cameras. If Disney has its way, the good times will keep on rolling in 2027 with a pair of Star Wars films screening in IMAX 70mm film.
Sony FE 8-14mm f/3.5 Fisheye G Review: Fisheye Finally Fulfilled
It has been lean times for fisheye fans invested in the Sony E-Mount. While we’ve seen some affordable third-party options, the last full-frame fisheye with a Sony badge on it was a 16mm for the A-Mount (that was 20 years ago!). Now, Sony is doing its best to rectify the situation with its $1,600 FE 8-14mm f/3.5 G, a fisheye zoom lens which features many of its latest technologies.
The 8-14mm f/3.5 Fisheye G Is Sony’s First Full-Frame Fisheye in 20 Years
Sony has announced the FE 8-14mm f/3.5 Fisheye G, the first Sony fisheye lens for E-mount and the first full-frame Sony fisheye in 20 years.
Scammers Are Extorting Instagram Users With Bogus Copyright Strikes
Owners of large Instagram accounts are receiving false copyright claims and then paying ransoms to extorters, according to a report by the BBC.
Xiaomi’s Gorgeous 18 Fold Smartphone Has Leica Cameras
After a teaser last week, Xiaomi has fully unveiled its first wide foldable phone, the Xiaomi 18 Fold. The new handheld features a wide 5.38-inch cover display and an expansive 7.58-inch 120Hz inner AMOLED display.
Lawsuit Challenges Authorities Which Used Drones to Photograph Homes Without Warrants
A lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) over drones photographing people’s homes without warrants has forced a California county to overhaul how it conducts aerial surveillance.