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 Alpha 1 Review: Yeah, It Really Is That Good

The Sony Alpha 1 is really impressive on paper. What it can do has taken the industry by storm and the expectations of this camera are just as high as its $6,500 price. Clearly, it has been the focus of a lot of hype. So, does it live up to those expectations?

Apple M1 Mac mini Review: The Best Mac for Most Photographers

When Apple debuted the M1 system on a chip (SOC), it released three computers equipped with the same CPU/GPU/RAM combo: the M1 MacBook Air, the M1 MacBook Pro, and the M1 Mac mini. It might seem like this makes for three redundant options, but after reviewing the MacBook Pro and spending a month with the new Mac mini, I can confidently say that the Mac mini is the best choice for the majority of photographers. To explain why, I need to turn to economics.

Clubhouse for Photographers: Social Media as We Know It is About to Change

Many photographers have had the same reaction that I did upon hearing about yet another new social media app hitting the radar: a yawn and a roll of the eyes. We have seen countless apps and image-sharing sites emerge with fanfare and then fail to gain traction in the crowded sphere of social media, and we feel pressed to carve out time for the platforms that we already use.

A Brief Review of the Sigma 24mm f/3.5 DG DN Contemporary for Sony E

My favorite "walking around" and landscape focal length is 35mm equivalent. I have some 24mm lenses which approximate that field of view on my APS-C camera. One is the Tamron 24mm f/2.8. But despite its great resolution, it is slow to focus and pretty large. So after being very pleased with my Sigma 45mm Contemporary, I decided to give their new 24mm version a try. I'm glad I did.

5 Things You Should Know Before Buying the Apple Pro Display XDR

When Apple unveiled the Pro Display XDR in June of 2019, I'll admit that I drank the cool-aid in big refreshing gulps. From design to execution, I had every reason to believe that this monitor would change the creative landscape, bringing reference displays in a price range attainable by mere mortals. But one year and 7 months later, as I sit staring at my very own review unit, I've had to temper my enthusiasm with a small dose of reality.

Hands-On First Impressions with the Fujifilm X-E4

When Fujifilm announced the X-S10 near the end of 2020, many thought that it might be the end of the X-T30/X-E3 line. With the announcement of the new X-E4, Fuji not only continues the compact rangefinder-style design, they also make it a very competitive camera.

Dell mini-LED 4K HDR Monitor Review: Setting the Bar at $5,000

In the age of digital photography, your monitor is as important as the camera you shoot with or the lenses you use. But as more high-end options hit the market every year, the line between "worth it" and "overkill" is starting to blur. Dell's new 32-inch 4K HDR PremierColor mini-LED monitor, an elite display by any standard, is helping to draw that line a little bit clearer.

An Ultra-Wide-Angle Mirrorless Lens Shootout: Sigma 14-24mm vs Tamron 17-28mm

Let’s talk about the most interesting and hardest lens to master: the ultra wide angle. This is a fantastic lens that lets you share unique perspectives of almost any subject by cramming a whole lot of environment in a single frame. If you are in the market for one of these, follow on as I compare two of the best on the market.

Is the Ricoh GR III Still a Worthy Street Photography Camera in 2021?

If someone were to ask you what type of camera is best for street photography, what would your answer be? In the early 2000s, when digital street photography was only for hipsters, your answer would probably be some kind of stylish rangefinder, and, if you had an extra kidney to sell, maybe even a Leica M. That all changed when Ricoh introduced the Ricoh GR in 2013 (and before that the GR Digital series in 2005).

First Look: Sigma 35mm f/2 and 65mm f/2 DG DN C

Earlier this month, Sigma announced three new lenses for Sony E and Panasonic/Leica L Mount cameras: The Sigma 35mm f/2, 65mm f/2, and 24mm f/3.5. These lenses, while bearing the “Contemporary” badge, are part of a new “I series” category.

Apple Silicon M1 MacBook Pro Review: This Changes Everything

On January 15th, 2008, Steve Jobs pulled a MacBook Air out of a manila envelope and changed laptop computers forever. Blink and you might have missed it: the instant when an entire industry shifted to accommodate a new breed of device that made more sense to more people. And last month, Apple had the audacity to do it again.

Apple ProRAW Review: The Best Way to Shoot RAW on an iPhone

Earlier today, Apple officially released Apple ProRAW via iOS 14.3. This new hybrid image format claims to give you the best of both worlds: AI-powered computational photography on the one hand, and the flexibility of a 12-bit RAW file on the other. But does it deliver the goods? In a word: yes.

Dell XPS 17 Review: A Photo Editing Powerhouse with a Stunning Display

When Dell decided to bring back the XPS 17, I was skeptical. Most 17-inch laptops fail to give you enough performance to justify the drop in portability; what you end up with is either too big, not powerful enough, or both. That's what makes the XPS 17 so special. This is a 17-inch laptop built with creative professionals in mind.

Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S Review for Astrophotography

I took the Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S out to see how it performed taking astrophotography and nightscape photos with a Nikon Z6. I’ve compiled notes and comparison images to help those out who are looking at purchasing this lens for astrophotography and nightscape photos.

XP-Pen Artist Pro 24 Review: Editing Photos on a 24-Inch Pen Display

There are two big leaps you can make in your photo editing workflow. The first is moving from a mouse-and-keyboard setup to a pen tablet like the Wacom Intuos Pro—almost everybody does that at some point. But if you really want to kick your experience up to another level, there's one more step you can take: you can buy yourself a high-resolution pen display.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max: Real Pro Photography

Over at Halide HQ, we’ve been busily working away on a very deep, technical analysis of what’s new in iPhone 12 cameras this year. All four of ’em. On Friday, we got our hands on the final iPhones in this year’s line-up, the iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone 12 Pro Max.

Ricoh GR III: A Real-World Review from Vietnam

Ricoh is not a brand uppermost in the minds of most photographers on the market for a new mirrorless camera. Sony, Fuji, and Panasonic seem to have dominated market visibility, if not the actual market, for high-end mirrorless cameras systems for the past five or so years, with late-comers Canikon gaining traction with their most recent offerings.

A Sony a7C Review: ‘You’re Not Losing a Whole Lot’

Youtuber and photographer Dustin Abbot has published his "definitive review" of the Sony a7C camera where he sought to determine if it was better or worse than the a7 III. In this lengthy 29-minute video, Abbott covers the IBIS, shutter and burst mode, focus system, and sensor performance.

One Year With the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8

After a little over a year of owning the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8, I think it’s time to write a review. This will be no way a technical review but based more on actual usability and real-world use.

Hands On with the Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD for Sony E-mount

As a landscape and travel photographer, I often carry around an ultra-wide-angle 14mm lens and the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8. Last week I was able to test the latest addition to the Tamron series for full-frame mirrorless cameras: the 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD. And I think I've found the perfect addition to my usual 2-lens kit.

Nikon Z6 II Autofocus Test: A Solid Improvement Over the Z6

Wedding and event photographer Taylor Jackson has been shooting with the original Nikon Z6 pretty much since it came to market. So when the Nikon Z6 II came out promising improved autofocus, TWO image processors, better video, and a battery grip, he jumped on it.

Fujifilm X-S10 Review: The Welterweight Challenger

Fujifilm is considered by many to be the champion of the APS-C sensor space. Heavyweights like the X-T4 and the X-Pro3 dominate the ring with first-class features – for an equally heavyweight price. So, what is available to someone with a more modest budget who still wants to get in the ring?

Hasselblad 907X Hands-On Review and Vintage Lens Test

I have been so excited about this Hasselblad 907X camera. In this hands on review of the Hasselblad 907x and CFV II 50C we show you an image quality test, discuss the ergonomics and try it out on our Hasselblad 500cm with some vintage lenses. Check it out to see what we got!

Sony LA-EA 5 Adapter Review: A Nice Gesture From Sony

It has been a while since we talked about Sony A-mount. The A99 II felt like the last hurrah for the format when it was announced, and seeing continued support in any way probably wasn't necessary from Sony, who has clearly moved on to the E-mount. The LA-EA 5 adapter, though, shows that despite not needing to, they still care about A-mount users.

Sam Hurd’s PIXII Rangefinder Review: It’s Complicated

Sam Hurd recently published a video review of the PIXII Rangefinder: a rear-LCD-less, smartphone-connected, M-mount rangefinder developed by PIXII, an upstart camera manufacturer. And while his introductory statement that it is the "worst camera I have ever owned" does more to get the click than convey his actual opinion, it doesn't look like the PIXII is a camera you should be picking up just yet despite some extremely promising design choices.

The $4.5K Fuji XT-1 Forensics Package Doesn’t Really Create UV Photos

UV photography has many obstacles. Ultraviolet light, or light from 200nm – 400nm in wavelength, is notoriously difficult to image with normal camera equipment. A normal digital camera will record images in the visible light spectrum, or 400nm – 700nm in wavelength. To unlock sensitivity to those shorter wavelengths, a camera has to be physically modified to allow passage of light below 400nm.

Canon EOS R5 Underwater Photo and Video Review

The summer 2020 release of the Canon EOS R5 made one thing clear - Canon has decided to set the photographic standard for this decade. Without a doubt, the EOS R5 is the top image maker of 2020 and could potentially go unmatched in the camera world for another few years.

A Comparison of Variable ND Filters

Is there a good variable ND filter out there? Today, we’re going to take a look at variable ND filters. We compare Peter McKinnon’s Polar Pro, B&W, Syrp, and Tiffen variable ND Filters. Let’s see if those pricey Peter McKinnon filters are worth it compared to some of the less expensive options.

CFexpress: A Real-World Performance Comparison

The newest, best cameras coming on the market use a new kind of memory card called CFexpress Type B. They’re fast, but they’re new, so users don’t really have an impression of which ones might be better to buy. This review shows tests from the better of the ones available and presents the results so that readers can use the factors most important to them to choose the best card for themselves.