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.
Fujifilm GFX 100 II

Fujifilm GFX 100 II Review: Pushing Medium Format Boundaries

Fujifilm has come to dominate the medium format market and for good reason. Combining the ergonomic controls and autofocusing capabilities of its APS-C cameras with the colossal image quality from the 100-megapixel sensor has paid dividends for the company. Although Fujifilm also uses a 50-megapixel sensor, it's the latest sensors in the GFX 100 line of cameras that steal the show.

Pergear Action Camera Review: 5K and 50MP for Just $80

I think Pergear likes my reviews! Here I am, reviewing an “action camera,” which is the opposite of my habits. But, I review gear and share my honest opinion with all the information in the open.

Sigma 70-200mm Review

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN OS Sports Lens Review: Long Awaited

Sony is on its second version of a pro-level 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master lens. Tamron recently released its second 70-180 f/2.8 G2 lens. A professional 70-200mm f/2.8 was one of the first lenses released by Panasonic for its Lumix full-frame bodies. And in all this time, where has Sigma been? Well, the wait is over. Sigma has finally released the 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN OS Sports series lens, but was it worth the wait?

Pentax 50mm Review

Pentax 50mm FA f/1.4 HD and Classic Review: A Tale of Two Fifties

I consider myself an ardent supporter of Ricoh/Pentax products and have always endeavored to review its cameras and lenses when many others have chosen not to. I also think that the Pentax brand has really found its niche as more of a boutique manufacturer, focusing on the classic SLR design -- a move that I think makes a ton of sense in today's waning market.

Sony a9 III Hands-On: Finally, An Actual Game-Changer

This week, Sony announced the a9 III featuring the world's first full-frame 24-megapixel sensor to feature a global shutter in a interchangeable lens mirrorless camera. There have only been a few times in my reviewing career where I would, in all seriousness, call something an actual game-changer. This is certainly one of those moments.

Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 VXD VC G2: Making a Good Thing Even Better

The original Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD has quite a wordy title to say. Luckily, it's worth the hassle because it is one of my favorite lenses in recent memory. Sharp, compact, and affordable, the Tamron 70-180 f/2.8 was an immediate hit. However, debuting on Sony E-mount, we now have a brand new version, and it promises to shake things up again.

Kodak Ektar H35N Half Frame Camera Review: More Sharpness, More Fun

Lately, it seems like everyone wants to save money on film while still having fun shooting it. So, on the heels of the wildly successful 72-photos-per-roll, Kodak Ektar H35, Hong Kong camera maker, RETO, just released an upgraded version of their smash hit half frame point-and-shoot, the H35N.

Leica M11-P Review

Leica M11-P Review: As Authenticated as They Come

The Leica M11 series now consists of three cameras. We have the original M11 which I very much enjoyed using on the streets of New York. Then, the M11 Monochrom was released and became an instant classic. I loved taking black-and-white images with it all over Montana. Now we have the release of the M11-P which apart from some minor cosmetic changes is largely the same as the original M11. So, why then should we get excited about such a similar camera?

Shure SM7dB Review

Shure SM7dB Review: Luxurious, Perfect Sound Every Time

You have definitely seen the Shure SM7 series before because it's basically the gold standard of podcast microphones and can be found in studios around the world. Now, thanks to a built-in preamp, the SM7dB lets anyone get that silky smooth sound every time -- no fuss, no hassle.

Vivo v29

Vivo V29 Review: There’s Not Enough New Here

Only months after launching the V27 Pro and V27, Vivo comes back with the V29 as yet another option, giving its V-Series a fair bit of attention. Releasing successive models within the same calendar year is unusual for any brand, but Vivo seems to think pumping them out in shorter cycles is serving a market that wants them.

Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 Review

Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary: Compact Compromises

The first thing you notice about the Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary is just how compact and adorable it is. In fact, Sigma claims that it is the smallest and lightest ultra-wide APS-C zoom lens on the market. Having used it myself, I wouldn’t disagree with that statement.

DJI Osmo Action 4

DJI Osmo Action 4 Review: Big Sensor, Big Impact

Without skipping a beat, DJI has released its newest Osmo Action camera. This year’s big advancement is its larger-sized sensor which is 25% bigger than last year’s model. Is it enough reason to go with the new Osmo Action 4? I think yes.

Unistellar eQuinox 2

Unistellar eQuinox 2 Review: An Expensive But Easy Telescope Camera

Most "serious" astrophotographers will balk at the idea of a smart telescope. While it may miss some of the professional level tools, resolution, and precision, the $2,499 eQuinox 2 from Unistellar does provide easy access to the cosmos for up to 10 viewers at a time, making it a great (albeit expensive) tool for beginners and casual stargazers to enjoy viewing interstellar objects in minutes.

iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max Review

The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max Review for Photographers

Apple's iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max bring a lot to the table across the board, from a gaming-ready chip, to USB-C, and -- of course -- photography. It is that last point where we are putting the emphasis, and this review is specifically for those of you who care about the iPhone as a camera.

Best Keyboards

The Best Keyboards in 2026

Having a solid keyboard is crucial for any desk setup, whether that’s in an office or at the dining room table. But not all keyboards are built equally, and not every model is best suited for each task. These are the best keyboard options across use cases.

Panasonic G9 II hands-on review

Panasonic G9 II Hands-On: It’s Made for Photographers, But is it Really?

The original Panasonic G9 was quite a revolutionary camera. Built around a modern and intimidatingly professional-looking body, the G9 featured blazing-fast burst rates, an exceptionally good EVF, and motion-compensated multi-shot mode. However, it has been seven years since the G9 launch -- a long time to wait for a successor.

Pergear 60mm f/2.8 Mark II Review: A Basic Macro Lens at an Attractive Price

A while ago, after I reviewed an inexpensive shift lens, Pergear contacted me to review a lens available only in Sony and Nikon mounts. I told them I did not have cameras that would take the lens. Later, I learned that they reissued their 60mm f/2.8 macro lens, Mark II.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Review: Judging This Book by Its Cover

Foldable phones are probably going to be a viable part of future mobile devices, but for now, they’re not moving the needle forward in image quality. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is no different, except it makes a better case that the rear camera lenses are much better off when there’s a larger cover screen all around them.

GoPro Hero12 Black Review

GoPro Hero 12 Black Review: A Step, Not a Leap, Forward

It seems like every year a new GoPro action cam model is released. This creates a dynamic where changes are often incremental and many users hold off on purchasing the latest and greatest. However, every once in a while, GoPro makes a worthwhile change that demands attention. Is 2023 one of those years?

Jaguar photographed with a7CR

The Perfect Travel Camera? The Sony a7CR on Safari in Brazil

The wetlands of Brazil’s Pantanal region aren’t as well known as the Amazon, but it’s still home to an incredibly diverse ecosystem. With dozens of species of mammals and rodents and hundreds of species of birds, it is a wildlife photographer’s dream. Jaguars roam the shoes of the river while capybara and caiman flee from the hunting cats. Birds are everywhere you look, and their calls are pervasive throughout the day.

Sony a7C II and aC7R First Impressions Review

Sony a7C II and a7CR Hands-On: Entry-Level No Longer

The original Sony a7C was very much an entry-level camera. I really liked the minimalistic styling; a strong departure from the boxy DSLR look of the other Alpha cameras, and it was easy to navigate, but suffered from what many entry-level cameras suffer from: a lack of manual control dials, and a bargain basement viewfinder. But now we've got an upgrade. Or rather, upgrades.

Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II

Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II Review: Easy to Recommend

The classic professional photographer's kit has for decades consisted of the holy trinity of f/2.8 zoom lenses: a 16-35mm, 24-70mm, and 70-200mm. Armed with these, a photographer can cover almost any shooting situation. When Sony first started its full-frame mirrorless camera line, it quickly made these professional zoom lenses under the G Master moniker. Unfortunately, these lenses were not able to deliver the high-grade results that many of the other brands could.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Review

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Review: Baby Steps Forward

If you’re looking for dramatic shifts in image quality from Samsung, its foldable phones aren’t going to give it to you. Instead, you get a combination of incremental changes and far more flexibility in deployment than you otherwise might with a standard smartphone.

8K Camera Shootout

Sony A1 vs Canon R5 C vs Nikon Z8: Which Camera is Best for 8K Video?

In the last decade, 4K video recording has gone from a format only used in high-end productions to a feature found on even the most entry-level cameras and smartphones. It was inevitable that there would be another resolution bump as sensors and computing power improved, and now we have a number of compelling full-frame mirrorless cameras that can record 8K video internally (right to the memory card). We decided to compare the most compelling 8K-capable, full-frame mirrorless cameras to see which was your best option today: the Sony Alpha 1, Canon R5 C, and Nikon Z8.

Apexel APL-FL19 Two-Light Kit: Fit For Tabletop Photography

A while ago, I reviewed a couple of attachments by Apexel for phone cameras. They asked me to review their night vision scope but I told them nobody would believe my review of a product like that! I inquired if I could write a review of a couple of LED light kits and they agreed.

Canon RF 28mm Review

Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 Review: A Golden Pancake or a Flop-Jack?

If there was ever a focal length that the manufacturers tend to put by the wayside, it's the trusty 28mm prime lens. You see, ultra-wide lenses are dynamic and 24mm lenses are admittedly more versatile. However, the 28mm range is probably my preferred focal length for walking the streets with only one prime lens.

Fujifilm XF 8mm

Fujifilm XF 8mm f/3.5 Review: Great Things Do Come in Small Packages

A 12mm full-frame equivalent lens isn't my idea of a versatile do-everything piece of kit, but Fujifilm really needs something like this to supplement the very expensive -- and heavy -- XR 8-16mm f/2.8 zoom. That is a great lens, but it's beyond many people's needs and budgets. Enter the Fujifilm 8mm f/3.5 prime.