Equipment

Photographers use all kinds of equipment to craft their art, from cameras and lenses to lights and accessories. We cover the latest news and information on the tools of the trade in the photography industry.
Two views of a compact, retro-style camera: the left image shows a person holding the camera and viewing a landscape on its screen; the right image shows the camera resting on a hand, displaying its front and lens.

3D-Printed Kit Gives the DJI Osmo Nano Vintage Hasselblad Style

The DJI Osmo Nano is a clever, compact modern action camera with cutting-edge features. But what if it looked and acted less like a modern action camera and more like a classic waist level-viewfinder Hasselblad camera? For some reason, there's a 3D-printed shooting kit that answers that very question.

A black camera lens with engraved focus and aperture markings, including a yellow "75" for the focal length, sits upright against a gradient dark background. The lens features a textured grip and metallic mounting ring.

SG-image’s New 75mm f/1.2 Medium Format Portrait Prime Is Under $500

SG-image is a relatively new Chinese lens company making a wide range of lenses, including autofocus and manual lenses for photography and video across many different camera systems and lens mounts. The company's latest, a 75mm f/1.2 prime, is designed for Fujifilm GFX and Hasselblad XCD-series medium-format cameras.

A close-up of a gloved person holding a Sony camera with a large lens. The image includes the "PetaPixel Reviews" logo in the bottom left corner.

Sirui Aurora 35mm f/1.4 Review: Sirui Succeeds Again

With all the budget lens manufacturers available to a prospective buyer, it’s hard to separate the wheat from the chaff. Sirui is a well-known manufacturer of tripod gear, and when I heard they were making lenses too, I was very skeptical.

A hand holds a black Leica camera in the center of a park pathway lined with benches and autumn trees, with yellow leaves scattered on the ground.

Photographer Transformed a Panasonic Lumix G9 II Into a Leica Look-Alike

"Programmer by day, photographer by weekend" Cristian Băluță could not find the precise camera he wanted in the market, so he made it himself. Băluță expertly took the internal components from the Panasonic Lumix G9 II Micro Four Thirds camera and put them inside a Leica M replica body he made. It was a labor of love, and while the photographer admits the result isn't necessarily the dream camera he imagined, the project is incredible.

A variety of professional photography lights, including LED panels, ring light, and strobes, are arranged on a peach background with fireworks. Some lights are on stands, and a smartphone displays color controls.

Save Big on the Lighting Gear That Can Improve Your Photos in 2026

The new year is the perfect excuse to finally upgrade the lighting gear that shapes every shot you take. Whether you are refining a home studio, stepping into video production, or simply tired of fighting inconsistent light, better lighting delivers immediate, visible improvements to your work.

A close-up of a Hasselblad digital camera body, showing the lens mount and sensor. The camera sits on a grid-patterned surface with a black background.

The Hasselblad X2D II 100C Honors its Legacy While Embracing the Future

The Hasselblad X2D II 100C is the company's best demonstration yet of how medium format photography doesn't have to come with compromises. Gone are the days of huge, heavy cameras, sluggish and unreliable autofocus, and an obtuse user experience. The X2D II 100C delivers the exceptional image quality photographers expect from medium format and represents the mature roadmap of the company to stand out in the medium format camera industry.

The word "PENTAX" in bold red letters is centered against a dynamic, glowing digital background with orange and white lines, grids, and light streaks, suggesting technology and innovation.

The Future for Pentax is Uncertain, but Ricoh is Committed to the Brand

The Pentax brand has been largely quiet for the last several years. Outside of the Pentax 17 and the K3 Mark III Monochrome, there has not been significant activity. Speaking to PetaPixel, Ricoh President Yasutomo Mori and Kazunobu Saiki, General Manager of Ricoh's Camera Business Division, both promise that Ricoh is committed to the Pentax brand, despite the quiet situation.

Side-by-side images of a Meike 85mm f/1.8 camera lens: on the left, the lens stands upright with branding visible; on the right, the lens lies on its side showing the front glass element.

Meike Found a Loophole for Canon’s Closed RF Mount

It's 2026, and Canon has been making full-frame EOS R-series mirrorless cameras since 2018. That has not stopped Chinese lens company Meike from releasing a new 85mm f/1.8 Mark II lens for Canon EF-mount DSLR cameras, which seems strange at first glance, but is actually a clever way to bypass Canon's restrictions on third-party full-frame RF lenses with autofocus.

A hand adjusts the settings on a Westcott FJ200 strobe light, which is mounted on a tripod. The background is out of focus with autumn-colored foliage.

Westcott’s FJ250 Strobe Boasts the Best Battery Life in its Class

Westcott's new FJ250 250Ws Touchscreen Strobe is an exciting entry-level monolight for photographers who need reliable power, fast performance, and a compact footprint on location. Positioned in Westcott's refreshed lineup below the FJ400 II and FJ800, the FJ250 replaces the popular FJ200 and introduces several user-requested upgrades into a more accessible package.

A black camera backpack is shown next to a camera and three lenses. The bag is open, revealing organized compartments with a camera body attached to a lens, plus three additional lenses.

Think Tank’s New Photo Backpacks Ditch Dividers for Pouches and Straps

Think Tank's redesigned Shape Shifter 25L and 37L backpacks promises to better serve photographers whether they are working in the field, transporting gear from shoot to shoot, or traveling afar. Think Tank specifically targets the backpack at fast-moving photojournalists, but it is built for all photographers who need to carry a lot of gear safely and access it quickly.

A Nikon Z series digital camera with a zoom lens hangs from a black strap, suspended in front of a blurred, beige outdoor background.

The Nikon 24-105mm f/4-7.1 Is a New Kit Zoom to Pair with the Z5 II

Nikon has announced the Nikkor Z 24-105mm f/4-7.1 zoom lens for Nikon full-frame mirrorless cameras. While it is available on its own, the lens is also being paired as a kit with the Z5 II, giving photographers a third configuration option with one of the most compelling entry-level full-frame cameras on the market.

Four camera stabilizers, each holding a different device: a DSLR camera, a mirrorless camera, a smartphone, and an action camera, are displayed on black podiums against a dark background.

Hohem’s New Gimbals Have a Built-in Camera for AI Subject Tracking

Hohem has announced the iSteady MT3 series, bringing its latest artificial intelligence–driven tracking tools to a new generation of prosumer camera stabilizers. Designed to support mirrorless cameras, action cameras, and smartphones, the MT3 lineup focuses on intelligent subject tracking, flexible mounting, and long battery life in a compact, travel-ready design.

A laptop with a blue glowing logo on screen is placed on a dark surface, surrounded by two suitcases and two action cameras on tripods. The arrangement suggests travel or outdoor content creation.

GoPro and Asus Are Making a Co-Branded ProArt Laptop

GoPro is getting into the personal computing space. Announced at CES, the action camera company is partnering with PC brand Asus in a ProArt GoPro Edition laptop, which the two companies say is designed specifically for modern content creators.

A drone with propellers and a remote control.

Antigravity A1 Drone Review: There Has Never Been Anything Quite Like It

If you're looking at picking up a drone, you probably are thinking of one made by DJI, or another DJI, or yet a third DJI option. Others have tried, but largely, all have failed to get a solid foothold. However, this only refers to the drone market that appeals to the creative videographers. When it comes to the first-person view (or FPV) market, there are many brands vying for attention.

A rugged black Glyph external hard drive is connected to a laptop, sitting on a mouse pad next to a keyboard and a black pen.

Glyph Says Its New Atom EX SSDs Are Unbeatable For Creative Workflows

Glyph has announced two new portable SSDs: the Atom EX40 and the Atom EX20. Both are described as rugged, high-speed NVMe portable SSDs that are built for high-intensity, demanding creative workflows. The company says most other SSDs aren’t designed for this kind of work, "but their spec sheets won't admit it."

Three camera lenses labeled AF 24mm, AF 50mm, and AF 85mm are displayed on a dark reflective surface with a warm gradient background, positioned upright with the 50mm lens in the center.

7Artisans’ New f/1.8 APS-C Primes are ‘Lite’ in Name, Size, and Price

7Artisans is continuing its push into autofocus territory with the announcement of three new APS-C prime lenses designed to balance modern convenience with aggressive pricing. The newly unveiled AF 25mm f/1.8, AF 35mm f/1.8, and AF 50mm f/1.8 Lite target Sony E and Fujifilm X shooters looking for compact, everyday primes without the cost or bulk typically associated with first-party glass.

Three professional camera zoom lenses are shown standing upright side by side against a backdrop of large, out-of-focus golden lights. Each lens has visible brand and model markings.

Zooms Dominate Map Camera’s Best-Selling Lenses of 2025

Alongside sharing its 10 best-selling digital cameras of 2025, major Japanese photography retailer Map Camera also revealed last year's 10 best-selling lenses. It's a diverse mix of affordable, versatile zoom lenses, compact primes, and professional-grade f/2.8 "holy trinity" zooms.

A black external hard drive, labeled "OWC Envoy Pro Elektron," connected to a laptop via a USB-C cable, placed on a wooden surface. A digital camera is partially visible next to the hard drive.

OWC Launches World’s First 8TB Thunderbolt 5 Portable SSD

Other World Computing (OWC) unveiled the world's first Thunderbolt 5 8TB drive that is bus-powered, meaning it doesn't require a separate power adapter. The new 8TB version of the existing Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 SSD breaks new ground and is designed for creatives on the go who require the ultimate external SSD performance.

A black external hard drive with a blue indicator light is placed on a wooden desk, partially beneath a computer monitor displaying app icons. A small, silver computer device is positioned nearby.

OWC Unveils Wild 192TB Version of its Fast ThunderBlade X12 RAID SSD

Nearly a year to the day after unveiling its Thunderbolt 5-equipped ThunderBlade X12 RAID SSD solution for professional creators, Other World Computing (OWC) has announced that its ThunderBlade X12 RAID SSD now comes with double the maximum capacity, bringing it to a whopping 192 terabytes (TB).

Side-by-side image of two microphones on abstract wavy backgrounds: the left mic is surrounded by purple lines, while the right mic is encircled by green lines, both with a futuristic, digital design.

Shure’s New USB-C Mic Promises Pro Audio on Smartphones

Audio company Shure unveiled the MV88 USB-C, a new USB-C stereo microphone, today at CES Unveiled 2026. The Shure MV88 combines a classic stereo condenser mic with a USB-C connector, promising accessible, high-quality audio on a smartphone or tablet.

Four mirrorless camera bodies from Nikon, Lumix, Canon, and Sony are arranged in a grid on a marble background, each showing their lens mounts and sensors.

Mid-Range Cameras Have Never Been This Good

We got not one, not two, but three fantastic mid-range full-frame cameras in 2025: the Panasonic Lumix S1 II, the Canon EOS R6 Mark III, and the Sony a7 V. These join the Nikon Z6 III, which launched just 18 months ago. The mid-range mirrorless camera segment has never been this competitive, fresh, and fantastic, which is outstanding news for photographers.

Two digital cameras are shown side by side on a dark green background: the left camera has no lens and exposes its sensor, while the right camera has a classic design with a mounted lens.

2025 Was the Year of the Photographic Experience

There are so many fantastic, capable digital cameras available these days. Nearly every new camera from all the major manufacturers can take great photos, has reliable autofocus, and offers a competitive feature set. Ultimately, the biggest differentiator between most cameras is the experience of using them. 2025 delivered many new cameras that not only provide a great experience, but a different one that celebrates the act of photography itself and what it means to capture photos.

A small yellow Kodak digital camera with a large attached lens is shown. On the left, the camera is held in hand facing forward; on the right, the camera is attached to a bulky manual lens, also held by hand.

What Happens When You Put Big Lenses on the Tiny Kodak Charmera?

The Kodak Charmera keychain camera has been a smash hit. Sold in blind boxes, the 1.6-megapixel retro-styled toy camera was one of the biggest photo gifts of the holidays. However, straight out of the box, its capabilities are arguably a bit lacking, thanks in large part to its tiny built-in lens. That's where expert camera modifier James Warner, or Snappiness as he's known online, comes in. What would happen if you gave the Kodak Charmera a better, bigger lens?