The Ultra-Compact Viltrox 26mm f/2.8 EVO Doesn’t Skimp on Features
Viltrox has announced the AF 26mm f/2.8 EVO, a super compact, autofocus-equipped pancake lens that somehow crams two control rings onto a body that is less than an inch thick.
Jaron Schneider is an award-winning commercial filmmaker, an internationally published consumer technology journalist, and long-time digital imaging expert across the fields of both video production and traditional photography. He is also the host of the PetaPixel Podcast.
The former A/V Editor of Digital Trends, Features Editor of Imaging Resource, and Editor in Chief of Resource Magazine, Schneider's production work – which includes clients such as Verizon, Redwood Credit Union, Grammy-Award-winning band Train, Food Network's Guy Fieri, UC San Diego Scripps Institute, the San Francisco WETA ferry system, and luxury Swiss watchmakers Cartier and Maurice Lacroix – has been featured across multiple networks, including CNN, ABC Network News, Gizmodo, Huffington Post, Business Insider, The Daily Mail, Telegraph UK, and Jalopnik.
Viltrox has announced the AF 26mm f/2.8 EVO, a super compact, autofocus-equipped pancake lens that somehow crams two control rings onto a body that is less than an inch thick.
Fujifilm has published a firmware roadmap for the Fujifilm Eterna 55 cinema camera, the contents of which it says are designed to further expand its capabilities and applications as a filmmaking tool.
Tamron has announced the 12-20mm f/2.8 (Model A084) lens, a new fast-aperture and ultra-wide zoom lens for Nikon Z and Sony E-mount full-frame cameras. Not only is this an entirely new lens formula, but it represents a branding shift for the company, too.
The United States Copyright Office notified Congress today that it will move forward with its plan to increase group registration of photographs from $55 to $85 in 120 days, unless it intervenes.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has published official guidelines that address how to showcase women athletes without overly sexualizing the camera angles.
When Insta360 launched the Luna Ultra last month, it seemed to have plenty of stock to address demand. However, the same couldn't -- and still can't -- be said about its accessories, namely its neutral density filters.
Summer 2026 is shaping up to be an incredible season for astrophotography. At ProMaster, we believe that the right equipment shouldn’t just support your camera, it should be an extension of your creative process.
Analog Cafe has published a new film price report that looks at the cost of different film stocks around the world and compares them to previous marks.
Kono has announced three new C-41 35mm color films with strong visual identities. Mojo, Offbeat, and Bebop each bring a different color cast to the equation, giving the three films unique vibes and character.
Fujifilm has announced the Fujinon GF19-35mm T3.5 PZ OIS WR lens, its second cinema power zoom lens for large format filmmaking with the GFX system.
Ricoh has announced that it will release a special edition GR IV that commemorates the 30th anniversary of the launch of the Ricoh GR1, the origin of the high-end compact camera series.
This week on the PetaPixel Podcast, Hasselblad and Capture One finally resolve their differences (but Phocus isn't going anywhere), DJI's LOFIC sensor has really impressive dynamic range, and Insta360's CEO describes a future where there are no camera operators.
For the past year, Google has been adding new AI-powered features into Google Photos, continuing a trend of cramming generative AI into as many aspects of its hardware and software businesses as possible. That continues today with the addition of Video Remix.
When Delkin announced the Valor Pro memory card last week, I had to admit the branding is certainly bold, but ultimately what matters is whether the performance backs it up. It was a lot, but in the end it doesn't matter what the card looks like, it matters how it performs.
The Sigma Foundation has announced its third book, Trevor Key, which it says is the first to honor Key's processes and prescience and is an enduring visual love letter to the future of image-making.
Capture One and Hasselblad have announced a partnership, finally bringing the two brands together after years of division. Starting with Capture One version 16.8.3, photographers can now import, organize, and develop Hasselblad RAW files (.3FR) directly in Capture One.
Manfrotto has announced the Uncover bag series, which it refers to as a range of carry solutions designed for creators and urban travelers whose daily routines are in constant motion between work, content creation, and weekend trips.
This week on The PetaPixel Podcast, Godox became a camera manufacturer with the introduction of the C100, a very weird, screen-less point and shoot camera. Also, Adobe acquired Topaz, Samyang finished its "holy trinity," and Nikon did something it has never done before.
Delkin has announced the Valor Pro CFexpress Type B memory card, a 1TB capacity high-speed option that is designed, assembled, and tested in the United States and is emblazoned with the American flag.
Along with the explosion of miniature cameras since the runaway success of the Kodak Charmera took the world by storm has been the tangential surge of other compact cameras. Godox's new C100 falls into that second category.
For the past year, I've been focusing mainly on panoramic photography. It started with the Hasselblad XPan, which led me to purchase the Fujifilm TX-1, and even made me go further into the 3D printed 120 format world with Sasquatch, CCB, and Exposing Engineering. But that's all analog, and digital photographers deserve an option, too.
Oberwerth has announced an "ever-ready" case for the Leica D-Lux 8. It perfectly fits over the camera to keep it padded and secure, but leaves access to the ports and quickly opens so important moments aren't missed.
Moment has announced the T-Series Mobile II lens series, which it says has been redesigned from the ground up with more glass, improved sharpness, and even more character.
Leica has announced the APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100mm f/2.8 lens, a modern revival of the highly-regarded 100mm f/2.8 R-mount lens originally released back in 1987.
Leica has announced the Summilux-SL 50mm f/1.4 ASPH., which it says is the most compact 50mm f/1.4 lens on the market -- across all mirrorless lens mounts.
Other World Computing (OWC) has announced a new "Core" branded, 256GB memory card designed to blend high-speed with affordability.
This week, the PetaPixel Podcast team is joined by its newest team member, Dmitry Koshutin! He and Jordan debate the efficacy of action and gimbal cameras for professionals. Also, VSCO's new One pricing model is super confusing, Sony showcased its first LOFIC sensor, Fujifilm tipped its hat to its fall plans, and so much more!
Pelican has announced the Next Generation Protector Series, an update on its most well-known hard cases that most photographers simply refer to as a "Pelican case."
NiSi has announced the 16mm f/2.8 ultra-wide prime lens for Fujifilm GFX and Hasselblad XCD mounts. With a 35mm equivalent focal length of 12.6mm, the lens is not only extremely wide, but it is also the fastest such prime lens available for medium format systems.
For the past several months, the photography community has been subjected to the strangest series of product launches that we've ever seen. I use the word "launches" very loosely, because two-thirds of those products have yet to actually "launch."
Often, videographers and video editors are forced to use two separate headphones: one for production and one for personal use. Fender's new Mix headphones are somewhat unique in that they seem designed to adapt to whatever you might need in a given moment with minimal complexity to get there.
This week, Lee Morris at Fstoppers published a video titled "Your Memory Cards Are Probably Fake." In it, he asserts that scam companies are so prevalent and so good at faking their products that it's likely nearly every photographer is a victim.
Xtra has revealed a host of specifications and a pricing window for its impending Muse 2 Pro, a DJI Osmo Pocket 4P look-alike that will be the only challenger to Insta360's Luna Ultra in the United States.
This was a big week of news, and the PetaPixel Podcast team tackles every story. DJI and Insta360 are going to battle both in the market and in the courts, the Kodak Charmera is back with new designs, and there are claims that the new Otus lenses from Zeiss are actually just Cosina lenses... but is it true? All that and more!
Fujifilm has announced that it will host one of its Fujikina events in New York City this fall. Taking place from October 16-18, Fujifilm says to expect a full list of scheduled events in the coming months.
This week, Microsoft announced new Surface and Surface Pro laptops, which are powered by Snapdragon X2 processors. These ultra-thin, ultra-light laptops promise more performance for the average user, and part of that pitch is shipping them all with Affinity.
Reto, the company behind the Snapic A1 and the the wildly successful Kodak Charmera blind box keychains from last year, is back with a new set: the Kodak Charmera Millennium Edition.
Earlier this week, I published a "review" of sorts of the Nikon S3 rangefinder, which I believe to be one of the most beautiful cameras ever made. Through that experience, though, I was reminded of Nikon's vintage glass, and once again baffled by how the company hasn't remade them.
Insta360 has countersued DJI for what it asserts are violations of five utility patents covering technology used in gimbal and 360-degree cameras. Insta360 claims these technologies are incorporated into several major DJI products, including the Osmo Pocket, Ronin/RS, Osmo Mobile, and Osmo 360.
This morning, DJI filed two lawsuits in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas against Insta360, asserting it violated both design and utility patents. Insta360 is preparing its defense.
Insta360 has announced a limited-edition Hello Kitty-themed Go Ultra bundle, which includes not only a pink camera emblazoned with the iconic Sanrio character but also a set of themed physical accessories and digital extras.
We were sitting on a train between neighborhoods in Osaka, Japan, when Chris Niccolls turned to me. "I'm thinking of buying a new camera," he said. I was shocked. Chris, who has a different camera in hand every week because of his job as a reviewer, actually wanted to own one. "I want something small."
DJI has filed two patent lawsuits against Arashi Vision Inc., which does business as Insta360, regarding its new Luna gimbal camera. One lawsuit alleges two violations of design patents while the other alleges four utility patent violations.
Mixbook has announced what it calls Story Mode, a new prompt-based photo book creation tool that is built on "patent-pending AI technology" designed to allow users to describe what they want in a photo book. The company says it speeds up creation by 3.5x and cuts time to order in half.
In our never-ending efforts to make PetaPixel Memberships more valuable, we've added three new perks to our already stacked list of benefits. And the best part? The price isn't changing.
I like rangefinders. When I got back into photography, it was through the experience I had with the Fujifilm X100VI. While not a true rangefinder, it scratched that itch. Later that year, at the urging of Chris Niccolls, I picked up a Voigtlander Bessa R2a, and my fate was sealed.
After trickling out information slowly since it initially revealed the camera back in February, Insta360 has finally pulled the curtain fully off the Leica-branded gimbal camera it calls the Luna Ultra.
PetaPixel is expanding its coverage into headphones, but specifically their use through the lens of how a videographer would use them. In the field, at their desk, and while traveling, every videographer and editor has them, and the standard by which they all should be judged is the Sony MDR-7506.
Milan-based app studio Bending Spoons has filed for an initial public offering (IPO) in the United States with a potential valuation of $20 billion.
Moment is updating its Long Weekend camera bags and accessories with a bright, summer-themed color while adding a couple of new pieces to the line: a new crossbody camera pouch and a braided rope camera strap.