Anamorphic lenses continue to get smaller and more affordable. However, few offer autofocus. The new Sirui 40mm T1.8 1.33x anamorphic lens checks all these boxes for Super35 and APS-C mirrorless cameras.
Meyer Optik Görlitz is expanding its lens mount support to Leica R mount, increasing the number of mounts its lenses are available for to at least 11 and sometimes as many as 12.
It has been a busy year for new photo and video gear, and many excellent new cameras, lenses, and other gear hit store shelves in 2024. A lot of this gear is, admittedly, pricey and sometimes niche. Renting gear is a great way for artists to get their hands on the best tools without breaking the bank, and every year, the biggest photo rental company, Lensrentals, shares info on which gear was most popular that year.
2024 was a great year for technology and photography. While we recently published The PetaPixel Awards, that's based on a vote from the entire staff. Sometimes, gear that is award-worthy isn't necessarily our favorite (and vice versa), so we wanted to take a moment to call out some gear from this year that we just think is neat.
Anamorphic lenses open a new world of creative possibilities for filmmakers like me, but they can also transform still photography.
The Apple Vision Pro has always been able to take the screen from a Mac and display it in a virtual space as a massive, private monitor but starting today, the new Wide and Ultrawide settings are available.
No camera system provokes more opinion and vitriol than Micro Four-Thirds. It is the most divisive system out there; you either love it or stay clear. Micro Four-Thirds (MFT) cameras have been around for a long time, with the story beginning in 2008 when Panasonic brought out the G1, closely followed by the Olympus E-P1. In the here and now, this is a system under the microscope, and thanks to several factors, the next 12 months could be critical for its future and survival.
We are proud to announce the results of the fourth-annual PetaPixel Awards where we are able to honor the best new photography products released in the last year. 2024 was a heck of a year for photography and the results showed that: it was the closest batch of voting in the awards' history.
Power solutions must be directly relevant to cameras and photography or just downright cool to be covered on PetaPixel. Genki's new Moonbase power strip falls clearly into the latter category, sporting an "out of this world" style and a lot of versatility for tech-savvy users.
Lighting company Amaran today launched the Amaran Go, a compact, MagSafe-compatible two-way mini LED for smartphones. The mobile lighting solution aims to reduce the barrier to entry for aspiring content creators.
Many smartphones released in China and other overseas countries never make it to the United States. PetaPixel tries to cover the most interesting of these devices because there are many international readers. Oppo is one of the most interesting smartphone companies with no official presence in the United States, and its latest flagship phone, the Oppo Find X8 Pro, is a Hasselblad-powered doozy of a phone.
Canon joined the growing number of camera manufacturers making custom cropping guides available to high-volume photographers, such as school portrait photographers. Like others, Canon is charging an upgrade fee for using custom gridlines. However, Canon is the first to require a camera to be sent to a service center for the upgrade.
Rode unveiled the next-generation Wireless Go (Gen 3), the latest iteration of what Rode calls "the world's most popular wireless microphone."
Sigma's refreshingly candid CEO, Kazuto Yamaki, sat down with Sigma UK's Tim Berry for a nearly half-hour-long interview concerning a diverse range of topics, including Yamaki's favorite photographers, why Sigma remains a "Made in Japan" brand, and an upcoming lens.
Hasselblad is a name that screams premium optics at a premium price. However, Hasselblad recently developed a line of more compact and somewhat more affordable lenses categorized under the “P” for portable moniker.
For several decades, there were two big names -- both of which happened to be German -- in the 35mm camera world that stood like skyscrapers among all companies. You’ve undoubtedly heard of both of them: Carl Zeiss and Leitz Camera, more commonly known as Zeiss and Leica.
Despite being ahead of its time, the Pentax K-1 (and its Mark II upgrade) was a camera system that promised so much yet appears to have run out of road. Born seemingly from an R&D department whose chains had been freed, the engineers went wild, strayed off-script, and produced a camera full of innovation. Fast forward to 2024, and a lack of lens support paired with no upgraded models in over six years leaves Pentax owners in an unwanted state of limbo where even the most loyal customers are now compelled to look elsewhere.
Lexar announced two new portable SSDs today, each with a maximum 2TB capacity and the promise of high-speed transfer speeds via USB 3.2 Gen 2. Both are also under $200, making them a compelling option for the traveling photographer or as an on-site backup option.
Chinese optics company Kipon, known for its lenses and optical adapters, released two new 0.62x focal reducers for medium-format cameras.
Samyang announced the AF 35mm f/1.4 P, the first lens in what it is calling its Prima Series. Made for Sony E-mount, Samyang says the new lens sets the standard for its manufacturing technology as the first in its third generation of products.
Earlier this year, Canon made the (great) decision to allow third-party manufacturers to bring autofocus-equipped lenses to RF mount, albeit only RF-S (APS-C) lenses. Since that announcement, companies like Tamron and Sigma announced RF-S lenses. Now South Korean lens maker Samyang is getting in on the action by bringing its 12mm f/2 ultra-wide prime to RF mount.
I like the ultra-compact Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L lens very much. It’s easy to carry around in the camera bag. It’s very sharp and well-corrected. But the inability to attach a teleconverter is a huge strike against a fast 70-200mm lens and video shooters don’t like the shifting balance as you zoom the extendable lens elements.
Professional cinema company Arri announced a new Alexa camera, the Alexa 265. This new-generation 65mm camera is significantly smaller and lighter than the standard Alexa 65 and features an improved large-format image sensor.
Every year, PetaPixel recognizes the top cameras, lenses, and photography accessories in The PetaPixel Awards. Selections are voted on by the PetaPixel staff and while final awards will be announced next week, we are happy to share our nominees in each of the categories today.
Profoto announced the Pro-B3, a new nearly $4,000, 750Ws battery-powered flash that it says is designed to meet the demands "of the world's best action and extreme photographers."
This holiday season, upgrade your gear and save on select Tamron lenses for your Sony E-mount, Nikon Z mount or FUJIFILM X-mount camera! Enjoy big discounts on a wide-range of lenses including fast zooms like the 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 for Sony E-mount and the versatile 35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD for Sony E-mount and Nikon Z-mount! With a diverse selection of lenses available, Tamron provides outstanding quality and performance to assist you in capturing breathtaking images during this holiday season -- and in any season.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday offered many deals for photographers looking to upgrade their equipment while saving a few dollars in the process. Typically, this online promotion on steroids allows brands and camera store chains to push stock that has been on the shelves for a couple of years and is likely to be superseded by newer models over the coming months. However, there are a few models that buck typical trends.
Fujifilm has a problem, albeit a good one, in that it is struggling to make enough cameras to meet demand. The excess demand has resulted in a significant issue: scalpers, people who buy a popular product to resell it at a markup. Fujifilm is doing something about it, at least in Japan.
A new camera cart company, Schlepp, has launched its first product on Kickstarter: the small yet robust Schlepp One.
Earlier this year, Human Things successfully got a batch of handheld gaming accessories backed on Kickstarter, and that included the Genki SavePoint -- a tiny M.2 2230 SSD enclosure with a magnetic back and 100-watt pass-through charging.
For the last several years, PetaPixel has published its awards for the best cameras, lenses, smartphones, and more. This year, we're expanding the PetaPixel Awards with a new category: People's Choice.
Some of Nikon’s most popular and performant DSLRs used the smaller DX format -- Nikon’s term for an APS-C sensor. But as it shifted its strategy to mirrorless, all of its high-end cameras use the FX, or full-frame format.
Earlier this year, Nikon announced limited edition Zfc models in collaboration with Heralbony, a Japanese art agency that works and promotes art from neurodiverse artists. The formerly Japan-only cameras are now coming to the United States.
Milwaukee-based Retrospekt reignited its relationship with Sanrio for a new Hello Kitty collaboration. This time, Retrospekt and Sanrio are back in the saddle for the Hello Kitty "Howdy Partner" collection, comprising a trio of new analog photography products, including a 35mm film camera.
Keks announced the KF-01 hot-shoe flash, a simple and compact on-camera strobe that it says is a "perfect blend of timeless design and simplicity" that is "designed for the film photographer."
Friend of PetaPixel and Cameralabs founder Gordon Laing is back with another entry in his excellent Retro Review series. Laing's latest target is Nikon's 2005 APS-C camera, the Nikon D200.
Now that Canon has released the R1 and Sony has updated its a1 II platform, the Nikon Z9 has stiff competition. The title of "flagship camera" represents the pinnacle of each company's technological abilities and becomes the outward face of that company for all to judge. Should a flagship camera be able to handle anything that is thrown at it? And is there such a thing as a "best" right now?
Medium format cameras have long been cherished by photographers for their ability to produce images with exceptional detail, rich tones, and a unique aesthetic that’s difficult to replicate in smaller formats. While these cameras were historically the tools of professional studios and well-funded enthusiasts, the growing interest in film photography has created a vibrant market for medium format options that cater to a range of budgets. This guide is here to help you navigate the world of budget-friendly medium-format film cameras and find the perfect model to match your creative ambitions without breaking the bank.
DJI has released the Power Expansion Battery 2000, a modular extension option to the brand’s Power 1000 portable charging solution that sees the system greatly increase its power capacity and potential to photographers who are working remotely in locations where mains power isn’t available or those who may need to frequently recharge power-hungry equipment, such as drones.
I wanted to love this camera so desperately. When I first looked at the X-M5, I was won over by its handsome design and compact nature. And the world needs more stylish little cameras like this, which are within the reach of most people’s budgets. However, we might lose too much to make this lower $799 price possible. Most of the technical specs and features were covered in a previous video and subsequent article, but I want to focus on the make-or-break features today.
Leica M-mount cameras and lenses are legendary for their precision craftsmanship and stunning image quality. But let’s face it -- Leica glass can be intimidatingly expensive. If you’re dreaming of getting the most out of your Leica setup -- whether it be digital or analog -- without spending a small fortune, you’re in the right place. The truth is that these days, you needn’t buy the most expensive glass to get incredible results; most major manufacturers are making lenses that are, at minimum, good. Many of them are making excellent optics, including those relatively new to the scene.
2024 has been an exciting year for film photography enthusiasts, and the thrill is not over. Lomography, well known for its analog cameras, unveiled the Lomourette Half Frame camera today. The 35mm camera can capture 72 images on a single roll of film.
Tamron announced that its 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD will be available for Canon RF mount in December. Tamron initially said this lens was coming to RF mount back in April.
Tamron is a prolific lens maker for numerous camera systems, including the Sony E-mount. Since Sony released the speedy a9 III late last year, which offers 120 frames per second of continuous shooting, third-party lens makers have been updating lenses to keep pace. The latest lens to receive the update is Tamron's 70-180mm f/2.8 telephoto zoom.
Fujifilm and Google announced a collaboration between Fujifilm's Instax series and Google's flagship Pixel 9 Pro smartphone.
A lot of the conversation surrounding Sony's new flagship camera, the a1 II, concerns the camera's image sensor. The 50-megapixel backside-illuminated stacked sensor is the same as the one featured in the original a1 which released in 2021. While some describe the reused sensor as disappointing, it is normal for Sony to use the same sensor across multiple iterations of the same camera series.
The DJI Mic 2 has proven extremely popular among content creators thanks to its excellent audio quality and wireless functionality. DJI's new Mic Mini, weighing just 10 grams (0.35 ounces), promises to pack great wireless mic performance into an extremely compact package.
A new YouTube video showcases the incredibly detailed process of how Sigma manufactures a 70-200mm zoom lens from start to finish.
Earlier this month, the Leitz Photographica Auction previewed some of the 423 lots that were for sale over the weekend in Vienna, Austria, including a rare Leica M prototype auction organizers expected to sell for as much as 700,000 euros (about $735,000). Now that the auction has occurred, it turns out the estimate was far too low -- the Leica M prototype sold for 2,040,000 euros ($2,143,509).
Way back in 2017, Nikon expanded from lenses into lens accessories with the launch of the Arcrest line pro-level filters. It recently announced a new Gold Edition set that adds Nikon's iconic gold ring to any of its lenses.