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.
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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.

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ProGrade PG10 SSD Review: The Best Sustained Performance, Period

ProGrade's new PG10 SSD, available in 2TB, 4TB, and 8TB capacities, sports fast USB 4.0 technology and promises swift maximum speeds. However, while it's not the quickest drive in short sprints we have tested, its primary appeal is sustained performance, even when moving huge batches of files.

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Leica Q3 43 Review: It’s All About The New Lens

Photographers love fixed-focal-length cameras since a single lens forces you to think carefully about the composition and move within the scene to capture the shot. There is a simplicity and a meditative experience to be had, wandering the streets with a compact camera on your shoulder. Make no mistake though, the Leica Q3 43 is a pricey piece of bling at $6,895.

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TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS Review: Tiny, Fast, Quiet, and Impressive

TerraMaster's F8 SSD Plus NAS was released recently and is designed for users who demand high-speed performance that can travel with them and doesn't create excessive noise like its SATA Drive siblings. The new system seems to cater to professionals and casual users who need fast network storage that doesn't take up a lot of space in their homes or offices. The question is, does it deliver on its promise, and is it worth the price?

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The Apple iPhone 16 Pro / Pro Max Review for Photographers

After Apple concluded its keynote featuring the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, I dove into my review of this new smartphone as a photographic and videographic tool in the sunshine of California. Jordan Drake shot our entire video review on the iPhone 16 Pro and I scoured the area around Monterey and Santa Cruz to take pictures with the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

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Kodak Super 8 Camera Review: Does This Make Any Sense?

If I told you that Kodak just released a new camera that shoots Super 8 film but has a digital LCD, an SD card slot, and it costs $5,500, you’d probably be as confused as I was. But the Kodak Super 8 Camera has arrived and I’m going to try and make sense of it.

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Zhiyun Weebill 3E Cinepeer Gimbal Review: A Great Starting Point for Content Creators

Gimbals have become an essential tool for filmmakers and content creators who demand smooth, professional-quality footage while on the move. With the Weebill 3E Cinepeer, Zhiyun continues its legacy of affordable, compact, and surprisingly useful stabilizers that offer high-end performance at a mid-range price. But how does it hold up in real-world scenarios?

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Hasselblad XCD 20-35mm f/3.2-4.5 Review: It’s Good and It Better Be

Most photographers probably don't think Hasselblad makes zoom lenses. In a sea of primes, the company makes the general-purpose 35-75mm lens and even the older H-mount system only has a couple. But Hasselblad has finally branched out into the wide-angle realm with a new 20-35mm f/3.2-4.5 zoom lens. It is very good -- and it better be with this asking price.

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Nikon 50mm f/1.4 Hands-On: Filling a Much-Needed Gap

Nikon makes some incredible prime lenses, from the illustrious 58mm f/.95 Noct to the 50mm f/1.2 S -- the latter of which is the more practical, yet is very expensive even though it is very good. Nikon also makes a full spread of f/1.8 and f/2 prime lenses across a wide range of focal lengths. What Nikon have curiously ignored are any f/1.4 primes, at least until recently.

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The Ultimate Guide To Accessory Shoe Light Meters

The film photography market has been inundated with new accessory shoe light meters for the last several years. Some are revisions of previous models with lower price points and slight changes. Several are completely new and unique designs.

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Fujifilm Instax Wide 400 Review: Back to Basics

Fujifilm Instax instant film brings in a huge amount of income to its imaging division and is a cornerstone of Fujifilm's dominance in the analog arena. With that much popularity, it's odd that we've had to wait so long for a new entry in the Wide series.

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Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Review: Smaller, Sharper, Speedier

Every manufacturer should have a good, fast 85mm lens, and the fact is, Sony already makes one. Sony has been on a real kick lately to update some of its earlier -- and questionable -- lenses that were released near the beginning of the E-mount system. I liked the original G-Master 85mm f/1.4 but it had some flaws and is showing its age.

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Canon EOS R5 Mark II Review: Canon’s Most Capable Do-It-All Camera

When Canon released its latest flagship camera, the EOS R1, it was fair to say that it was overshadowed by the humble R5 Mark II. Like a thief in the night, the mantle for the most exciting Canon camera of 2024 was stolen by the R5 Mark II, and for very good reason. I got my hands on a full-production model and decided that a road trip was in order.

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Google Pixel 9 Pro Review for Photographers: It’s All About AI

As I write this, there is a Pixel 9 Pro XL in my hand with a beautiful, newly designed camera bump -- but what's inside is largely the same as what we've seen before. Sure, Google says they're more durable, have a longer battery life, and feature a redesigned imaging pipeline from the sensor to the photo, but what is the real improvement from last year's model? Well, some would say that the improvement isn't real at all, because the Pixel 9 is all about the powerful new generative AI tools added to the Magic Editor.

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Google’s Pixel 9 Pro May Have Finally Made AI Useful

We have been extremely skeptical of AI tools, especially as they relate to photography. But today during the launch of the Pixel 9 Pro, Google said its latest round of Gemini-powered AI would be actually helpful and after seeing some of what it can do, we might agree.

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Apple iPad Pro (2024) Review: The Best Tablet Still Has Room to Improve

Apple's new, redesigned, M4-powered iPad Pro is an incredible tablet. Across many applications and use cases, it is one of the best products Apple has ever made. However, there are times when the iPad Pro feels like it falls short of its promise and potential. Which side of the scale tips farther -- the good or the bad -- depends on the user.

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Nikon Z6 III Review: A Little Rough Around the Edges

Nikon is on a roll and the Z6 III is the latest feather in its cap. The Z6 III promises to be the versatile and affordable workhorse in the Nikon lineup but it could lack refinement upon closer inspection. We tested the Z6 III as a final production unit and the findings were enlightening. The Z6 III might have a few cracks in its otherwise sterling armor.