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.
Sony ZV-1 vs ZV-1M2

Sony ZV-1 vs ZV-1M2: An Upgrade Of Compromises And Diminishing Returns

Sony’s ZV-1 “vlog” centric camera arrived in 2020 and was met with some divided opinions about the direction Sony was taking with this new video-first camera. At its launch, I was the Vice President at the public relations company working with Sony’s camera division, and I recall how some of the briefings were met with more enthusiasm than others.

leica q3

Hands-On With the Leica Q3: Is This the Perfect Street Camera?

Ask nine out of 10 influencers, and the Leica Q2 will still be on their favorites list even though it's three years old. Its timeless styling made it an instant classic, but credit goes to the venerable 28mm f/1.7 Summilux for delivering the goods. Now Leica has released its latest version, the Q3, and we got our hands on a pre-production version to try out.

Apple Final Cut for iPad Review

Apple Final Cut for iPad Review: Lots Here, But Some Things Still Missing

It's no secret that I have had an anti-Apple attitude in the past. As much as I may have made jokes at their expense, I have nothing against them. My perceived bias stems more from a fierce loyalty to the PC; I use to custom-build gaming rigs as a kid. Ever in search of more gaming power, I saw Macs as boring, work computers. However, now that I'm older, what I truly need a computer for is exactly that -- work.

Nikon Z Mount 17-28mm f/2.8

Nikon Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Nightscape and Astrophotography Review

Last September, Nikon released the Z mount 17-28mm f/2.8 lens. Immediately, two specifications piqued my interest when it came to how this lens would perform with astrophotography and nightscapes: it was a wide-angle lens and also fast at f/2.8.

Sigma 17mm f/4 Contemporary Review

Sigma 17mm f/4 DG DN Lens Review: Good Things Come in Small Packages

There just aren't a lot of ultra-wide full-frame prime lenses to choose from. There are plenty of zoom lenses to choose from, however, compact dedicated ultra-wides are in short supply. Cue Sigma to save the day with its brand new Contemporary series 17mm lens. But is this the hero we were looking for?

The Best Photography Print Labs in 2023

One of the most frequently asked sets of questions I receive from other photographers is: What print lab do you use? Which online photo printing service is the best quality? Who prints the best quality photos?

Laowa Argus 28mm f/1.2: Trash or Treasure? A Little Bit of Both

When I reviewed the Laowa Argus 35mm f/0.95 I was struck by how bad it was, but also how good it could be. Normally, I rate a lens based on how well it handles flare, how sharp it is, and how well it controls chromatic aberrations. Going by the above criteria, the Argus should have failed spectacularly.

Nikon Zfc Review

Nikon Zfc Review: Lots of Style But Lacking in Substance

The Nikon Zfc is a crop sensor mirrorless digital camera designed to replicate the classic Nikon FM2 Film camera, often considered one of the best 35mm film cameras of all time. While the system looks amazing and definitely brings a huge hit of nostalgia, does it live up to that legacy?

Pentax 100mm macro review

Pentax 100mm f/2.8 Macro Review: Great Quality in an Outdated Package

When it comes to macro photography, having the right lens is critical for achieving the best possible images. As such, the updated $547 HD D FA Macro 100mm F/2.8 ED AW from Pentax brings a refreshed optical formula optimized to work better with larger megapixel DSLR's but, sadly, not much else.

Insta360 Flow Review: Great Promise, Big Hype, Major Problems

The Insta360 Flow is a gimbal for smartphones that, on paper, looks like the perfect solution for vlogging, YouTube creators, and social media influencers. The Insta360 Flow’s promise is artificial intelligence (AI) tracking in a compact gimbal that can be folded and taken anywhere.

Wide-Eyed with the Carl Zeiss 16mm f/8 Hologon

Dramatic, restrictive, and humbling are three words I'd use to describe the Carl Zeiss 16mm f/8 Hologon Ultra-wide lens that I shoot adapted to Leica M film cameras.

Xencelabs Pen tablet review

Xencelabs Pen Display 24 Review: Putting Wacom on Notice

At this point in the "Tablet Debate", the argument about who makes the best tablets for photographers will shift back and forth between Xencelabs and Wacom depending on who you talk too and what deep-down preferences they have. While Wacom may have reigned supreme for a very long time, it's hard to deny that with the launch of the $1,899 Pen Display 24 Studio Series, Xencelabs has officially given Wacom a reason to worry.

Vivo X90 Pro

Vivo X90 Pro Review: Back on Track

The Vivo X90 Pro isn’t the brand’s top device, given there’s a Pro+ version out there, but this phone isn’t one to take lightly. Vivo isn’t shy about the credibility and relevance it wants in the market, even if its phones aren’t all that visible in North America yet.

Xiaomi 13 Pro

Xiaomi 13 Pro Review: Reaching for the Crown

The Xiaomi 13 Pro may be a successor to the previous 12 Pro, but it’s just as easy to argue that it’s more a continuation of the 12S Ultra that was only released in China. That was the first to use the Type 1 (13.1 x 9.8mm) Sony IMX989 sensor -- the same one from the popular Sony RX100 -- only customized to Xiaomi’s liking.