Recent Gear Articles

What Were the Best and Worst Cameras of the Last Decade?

While sales have fallen off a cliff, innovation continued apace during the twenty-tens (tenners? Tennies? Tenties? Your suggestions below, please), and Kai Wong has kindly put together a list of the best and worst of the decade — both in terms of specific cameras but also technological developments — with the help of his candid cohort, Lok Cheung.

Fstoppers Reviews Four Camera Backpacks

Opinions on which camera backpack a photographer should use are probably only second to which camera system they should use. With so many brands of packs out there, and not to mention multiple versions by each of the manufactures, it can be challenging to pick a backpack. To help the readers of Fstoppers, I took a look at four backpacks to see how they stack up.

My 10 Most Used Pieces of Gear in 2019

With the year coming to an end, it’s a great time to take inventory and see what you did right and what needs improvement. This also translates to your gear. What was used the most and what should be thrown up for sale? This is a list of my most used gear for 2019.

Nikon D780 Rumored Specs and Announcement Date Emerge

There is no doubt that camera companies are increasingly moving into the mirrorless realm, but that does not mean DSLRs are totally done for. Fans of Nikon's DSLRs will be happy to hear that the wildly popular D750 is due to get an update fairly soon.

Cramming a Large Keylight Into a Backpack

Recently Caleb Pike demonstrated an old trick with new tech, and it’s eye opening how much lighting one can cram into a tiny space these days.

A Canon DSLR Mirrorless Hybrid Camera?

Are you a DSLR person, or are you a mirrorless person? What if you could be a DSLR/mirrorless person? Yes, a camera that acts as both a DSLR and a mirrorless. Would this be the best of both worlds or the worst of each system hacked together?

Here's Why the iPhone Is the Best Camera for Beginners

There have been plenty of occasions where someone has asked me which camera they should buy up to a certain price point. My first question almost always is to ask them what smartphone they currently have. The reason for this is because smartphone cameras have come such a long way that they’re now viable tools for photography and video.

PSA: Use Night Sight to Improve Your Photos, Even When It’s Not Night

I’ve always known about Google’s Night Sight mode on Pixel phones as a method to take pictures in near darkness, but it seemed somewhat overkill in daylight. As it turns out, it can actually push your pictures to DSLR-like levels of detail and sharpness if you use it right.

What Took the Crown as Best Camera of 2019?

As 2019 draws to a close, it's time to start working out which camera should be awarded the best of the year. Mirrorless, DSLR, and medium format all get a mention in this list, but which body manages to take the top spot?

A Review of the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens

Canon's RF lenses have generally been well received, being noted for their high optical quality, even when compared to some of the company's best EF mount glass. This great video takes a look at the RF 50mm f/1.2L USM lens from its performance to its image quality.

A Review: Shooting With the Nikon Coolpix P1000

Back in 2018 Nikon released the Coolpix P1000, a super zoom bridge camera with an optical zoom of 125 times. No other camera has this optical zoom range. It could be an alternative for all those part time wildlife shooters. Or perhaps not?

What Was the Best Lens of 2019?

2019 has seen a wealth of new glass with some truly amazing lenses coming to market. With new mirrorless systems starting to mature and third party manufacturers starting to make very smart compromises when it comes to keeping down the cost, how do you choose a winner?

The Canon 1D X Mark III Is Coming Soon

The 1D series is Canon's best, always showcasing a lot of their top tech and being the choice of many professionals who need a rugged, capable body that they know they can rely on to get the shot no matter the conditions. And as we approach an Olympic year, the next iteration, the 1D X Mark III, is soon on its way, likely available for preorder in the next month.

A Look at the Astrophotography-Oriented Canon EOS Ra

The Canon EOS Ra is a specialized camera, but one that is quite intriguing for anyone interested in astrophotography. This great video takes a first look at it to see if it is right for you.

A Review of the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 Lens

A fast 35mm lens is one of the staples of many photographers' kits, making Sony's FE 35mm f/1.8 an intriguing option. This great, comprehensive review takes a look at the lens to help you decide if it deserves a place in your camera bag.

The First 10 Things You Should Do With a New Camera

Did your dreams come true this holiday season? Are you holding a shiny new camera, eager to mount a lens and run out to start shooting? Before you do that, be sure to read this list of 10 things you should do to make sure you maximize your experience with your new camera.

Sony FE 100-400mm Versus FE 200-600mm Lens Comparison

In 2019, Sony released the well-received FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens. Although it comes with a lower price tag and a longer focal length than the FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS, the overlap in other areas can make deciding between the two a challenge.

Is Canon Planning a Retro Design for the 1D X Mark III? Sadly Not

Canon is traditionally a very conservative brand, and it’s rare to see it stray too far from the middle of the road, but in what might have been a comparatively bold move, for a moment, it seemed that the forthcoming EOS 1D X Mark III would have a wonderfully old school design.

Is Low-Light Footage From the Canon C500 Mark II at ISO 12,800 Useable?

Wait a minute. Who would dare to shoot at such an ISO? Just use a fast lens and don't go over ISO 1,600. Well, in this case, the camera was set to such an uncommon ISO to help us understand if it's worth paying for the Canon C500 Mark II to use it in low-light situations.

Fstoppers Reviews the Tamron 35mm f/2.8 Lens

Following on from the success of its f/2.8 standard and wide-angle zoom lenses for Sony, Tamron is in the process of launching a selection of primes. I’ve been using the 35m f/2.8 Di III OSD M 1:2 for the last couple of weeks, and it’s proven fun and surprising.

Is Nikon Planning a Second Mirrorless APS-C Camera for Next Year?

Following the release of the diminutive and affordable Z 50 a few months ago, Nikon is thought to be following up with a second, higher-specification APS-C camera due for release at the end of next year. What are the specifications and how much will it cost?

A Few Pro Tips to Help You Produce Sharper Portraits

When I first started out in photography, one of the things I personally struggled with was producing sharp results consistently. There are a lot of factors that can cause your images to appear blurry or appear to lack detail. Over time, as you develop your experience, you can minimize the number of shots you take that aren't as sharp as one would prefer.

Is This the Most Ostentatious Leica Ever Released?

Leica has announced the launch of the M10-P White, an edition of the stealthy M10-P that is definitely not inconspicuous. If the color isn’t enough to raise an eyebrow, the price probably will.

Affordable Performance: A Review of the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens

Sigma's 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art lens for Sony's E mount and the Leica L mount is quite the exciting piece of glass for mirrorless shooters, because it is offered at an impressively affordable price, particularly compared to similar lenses. Can its performance hold up to its more expensive counterparts? This great video review answers that question for you.

Switching to Mirrorless? A Wildlife Photographer's View: Michelle Valberg

Imagine you’re somewhere deep in the Pacific Rain Forest to take pictures of the elusive spirit bear. It’s wet, and it’s cold. On top of that, the light is patchy, the shadows are dark. There’s a bit of movement down river. You lift your camera to your eye to capture the moment. In your imagination, what were you holding? A DSLR and a long lens? In actual fact, for some photographers, more and more often, it’s a mirrorless kit.

10 Tips for Traveling With Photography Gear

The holidays bring a lot of traveling, something that can be quite a pain for photographers carrying lots of fragile equipment. In this article, I discuss 10 helpful tips to ensure that you and your photography gear arrive to your destination both safely and headache-free.