Reviews

Expert reviews of the latest digital cameras, lenses, lighting products, accessories, phones, photography-editing software, and more. PetaPixel tests state-of-the-art products in the photo industry and provides insights and recommendations for photographers to make informed purchasing decisions.
A man smiles and points at a camera he is holding. The camera has no lens attached. Behind him, a logo reads "Micro Four Thirds" on a dark background.

The Best Micro Four Thirds Lenses for Every Situation

Jordan and I regularly give our two cents about the lenses we enjoy the most from each of the major manufacturers. Taking each brand in turn, we list our favorite wide-angle, normal zooms, normal primes, portrait, and telephoto lenses. However, we have never tackled the Micro Four Thirds system, which is unique because it has two major OEM manufacturers that can share lenses. This gives us roughly twice as many optics to sift through, but we managed to narrow it down.

Two men holding camera lenses and beverages, smiling in a living room. The words "Best & Worst" and "2024 Edition" are displayed in bold letters above them. One wears a plaid shirt, the other a denim shirt.

The Best and Worst Cameras and Lenses of 2024

Some of the best traditions are holiday traditions. Turkey at Thanksgiving, pumpkin carving at Halloween, and Christmas trees loaded with decorations are some of the cherished classics but undeniably, the greatest of them all is our annual Best and Worst camera gear roundup.

Four action cameras, including DJI, Insta360, and GoPro models, are placed on a concrete surface with grass and a blurred background. A "PetaPixel Reviews" banner is in the bottom left corner.

The ‘Perfect’ Travel Camera Might Not Be One Camera, But Three

For years, my wife and I have been aimlessly stuck in a first-world conundrum. We enjoy traveling, and like most folks, we enjoy capturing photos and videos of our trips as keepsakes that remind us of the tremendous experiences we have been fortunate to have. But whenever we have considered buying a dedicated camera for our travels, we just haven’t been able to pull the trigger.

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Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z Review: Excellent Features Come at a Cost

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.

A person lying on a wooden deck poses with three cameras from Sony, Nikon, and Canon. The person is smiling, resting their chin on their hands. A brick wall serves as the background. The text "PetaPixel Compares" is displayed in the top right corner.

Canon R1 vs Nikon Z9 Vs Sony a1 II: 2024 Flagship Camera Review

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?

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Fujifilm X-M5 Review: Agonizingly Close to Entry-Level Excellence

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.

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Sony 28-70mm f/2 GM Review: One of the Best Lenses Ever Made

I’m an outlier in the photo world, especially regarding glass. I dislike the 35mm focal length, and as much as I love a good 24mm lens, a 28mm lens is even better. Maybe this is why I immediately gravitated to the quirky Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 zoom when it first came out. Despite its massive form factor, this bulbous gem of a lens quickly became a favorite of mine.

A photographer with a large telephoto lens takes a picture at a crowded outdoor sports event. The stadium is filled with spectators, and a large screen is visible in the background. The image has a "PetaPixel Hands-On" text overlay.

Sony a1 II Hands-On First Impressions: Expensive Excellence

The original Sony a1 is one of the most capable, advanced, and expensive flagship cameras ever. When it first came out, it wowed potential buyers with a fast-scanning 50-megapixel sensor without major rolling shutter issues while offering fast burst rates. It has been almost four years since then, and now we have a version II from Sony in our hands. Does the apple fall far enough from the tree to make it worth the $6,500 cost?

A photography lens on a table, accompanied by its packaging box and a storage case. The box features "LIGHT" branding and a small text, "Petapixel Reviews," is overlaid on the bottom right. The background is an out-of-focus room.

Light Lens Lab 28/2.8 9 Element Lens Review: Impressive and Character Rich

Light Lens Lab (LLL) has released a re-creation of Leica’s first generation 28mm f2.8 Elmarit lens introduced in 1965. The Leica lens has become a collector's item known as the 28mm 9 Element. It contains nine spherical surfaced lenses in six groups and the fast f2.8 aperture was a significant improvement from the Summaron f5.6 lens that preceded it. If you can find an original Leica 28mm 9 Element (V1) lens on eBay, prices range from $8,000 to more than $15,000.

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DJI Neo Review: Aerial Creativity in the Palm of Your Hand

Small drones aren’t a new concept, but when they’re dependable in creating content, they change perceptions, which describes the DJI Neo in a nutshell. As much as DJI has captured so much of the consumer drone market, the Neo also feels like a response to what others have done.

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Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro Di III VXD Review: The Legend Continues

Tamron has been in the lens-making business for decades and was initially known for making affordable optics if not always professional-grade optics. Many enthusiasts flocked to Tamron super-zooms for the inherent convenience and low cost that they represented. However, there is a focal length that gained legendary status amongst amateurs and professionals alike and the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro found its way into even the most discerning camera bags.

A sleek silver computer device with an apple logo is placed on a wooden desk in front of a large monitor. A digital camera and a keyboard are nearby. The text "PetaPixel Reviews" is overlaid on the image.

M4 Pro Mac mini Review: Pro Performance in a Tiny, Affordable Package

The latest-generation Mac mini sports a fresh and improved design and Apple's newest M4-series processors. The facelift and performance bump close the gap between the Mac mini and Apple's fantastic Mac Studio desktop in multiple ways, making the new Mac mini an extremely compelling choice for photographers and video editors alike.

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Apple MacBook Pro with M4 Max Review: Another Performance Leap

Apple has steadily been improving the performance of its M-series chip generation over generation and if you're just comparing results versus the previous iteration, "steadily" would be the key word. However, with M4 Max, Apple is showing a notable jump in performance, especially for video editors.

Close-up of a camera lens with "10 ZERO-D f/2.8" engraved on it. The lower left corner displays "PetaPixel Reviews" with the words in a white and blue rectangular box. The lens and branding are in sharp focus.

Laowa 10mm f/2.8 Zero-D Review: A Fun Lens That Has Some Tradeoffs

In recent years, Venus Optics has developed a reputation for crafting innovative and unique optics, making a name for itself by producing lenses that often push the boundaries of engineering. I’d go so far as to say Venus Optics has become one of, if not the most exciting manufacturers on the market.

A green Honor smartphone rests on a wooden surface with its camera side facing up. A logo in the bottom left corner reads "PetaPixel Reviews.

Honor Magic V3 Review: The Thinnest Foldable Has Some Magic

There’s something happening with foldable phones that isn’t as apparent in North America, and devices like the Honor Magic V3 make that clear. Thinner, lighter, yet also packing a bigger battery and large screen, Honor puts together a compelling combination further enhanced by the camera array.

A vintage Rollei 35 AF camera with a wrist strap resting on a wooden surface, partially illuminated by sunlight. A PetaPixel Reviews logo is overlaid in the bottom left corner.

Mint Rollei 35AF Review: Style Over Substance

Pentax's popular Pentax 17 showed the market that there is demand for a new-production analog film camera. It wasn't clear if this risky venture would float, but the Pentax 17 has found a loyal following and now we have another player ready to make waves: Mint's Rollei 35AF.

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An 18-40mm Lens and New Firmware Give the Lumix S9 a Second Wind

When I first tested the Panasonic Lumix S9, it took a while to truly understand the intention behind it. Although compact and adorable, the it lacked an EVF and had a very basic control structure. Clearly, the S9 was intended for beginner photographers or creators who desired a simple and approachable camera.