Gear Reviews

Fstoppers gear reviews are written by photographers who actually use the equipment — not benchmark testers looking at spec sheets. This section covers cameras, lenses, lighting, accessories, bags, software, and everything else in a working photographer's kit. The goal is always the same: give you an accurate picture of whether something is worth your money before you spend it.

Just How Impressive Are Kase Wolverine Filters?

When it comes to landscape photography, the most important accessory in the bag is without a doubt your set of filters. Investing in a good set of filters can vastly improve the quality of your images and make your workflow much more efficient and enjoyable. This awesome video review takes a look at the Kase Wolverine system and why it is so desirable.  

Fstoppers Reviews the Panasonic Lumix S5 Mirrorless Camera

Everyone is talking about the Canon, Sony, and Nikon full frame mirrorless cameras. But there is another brand that isn’t getting a lot of attention: Panasonic. It released the Lumix S5 last year and now I got a chance to review this camera.

 

How Does an M1 Mac Compare to a PC for Photo and Video Work?

Apple's M1 Macs caught the attention of a lot of the industry, and while they blew old Intel Macs out of the water, PCs are still around too, of course. So, how do M1 Macs hold up against PCs for photo and video work? This great video comparison takes a look. 

What Is the Best Supertelephoto Zoom Lens for Sony Cameras?

Supertelephoto zoom lenses are some of the most versatile out there, suitable for a wide range of genres and scenarios. Sony shooters have a lot of great choices when it comes to such lenses, and this excellent video compares four of the best options from Sony, Sigma, and Tamron.  

What It's Like Shooting One of the Most Ridiculous Lenses Ever Made

As far as ridiculous lenses go, the Sigma APO 200-500mm f/2.8 EX DG probably takes the cake in both design and price. As such, it is exceedingly rare to see a photographer get their hands on one, but that is just what this video shows, and it is quite interesting to see this beast in action and what it can do. 

Nikon Z 7II for Landscape Photography: 6 Months On

The Nikon Z 7II is a high-resolution full frame camera and the updated brother of the z7. Now 6 months on, how has the camera performed for me shooting landscapes? Faultless in my opinion. Well, except for one thing, but I'll speak about that later. 

General Use Large Tripod Shoot-Out and Comparison

Tripods are not the most interesting photography tool to research and debate over the positives and negatives of their features, but chances are, you will own and use that tripod for at least two camera upgrades. This makes your tripod something you will end up relying on for quite some time.  

How Does the Sony a1 Compare to the Canon EOS R5?

The Sony a1 and Canon EOS R5 are the two best cameras available from the respective companies at the moment, and both offer the sort of remarkable performance and advanced features that professionals and advanced hobbyists demand. So, which is right for you? This excellent video review makes a thorough comparison between the two cameras.  

Comparing the Sony a1 to the a7R IV

The Sony a1 and a7R IV are two of the most advanced mirrorless cameras out there, and both offer very high-resolution sensors in tandem with a range of other advanced features. So, which one is right for you? This excellent video review compares the two of them with a particular focus on wildlife and landscape work. 

Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 Versus Instax SQ6 Which Is Better?

Fujifilm Instax cameras are some of the most popular instant cameras on the market. In some sense, Fujifilm Instax cameras have revived instant photography. With all the different-sized film and types of cameras available, it can be difficult choosing the right one for you. Here is a comparison that might be of help.  

Which Nikon Macro Lens Is Right for You?

Nikon mirrorless shooters have two new lenses at their disposal, the NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 Macro and the NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro. While both offer the 1:1 magnification of a true macro lens, there are some major differences between the two. This helpful video review compares both options to show you which is the proper one for your work. 

Comparing the Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM to the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM

Canon has been blazing full speed ahead with its RF lenses, with two of the new models being the RF 800mm f/11 IS STM and the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM. Both feature some of the company's latest designs and features, but offer vastly different capabilities and price points. Which one is right for you?

Is the New NIK Silver Efex Pro 3 Really Worth the Upgrade?

As a long-time user of Silver Efex, I wanted to answer the question for myself: is the update to the Nik Silver Efex Pro plugin alone worth the upgrade? So, I downloaded the latest version of the Nik plugin suite from the DxO website and gave it a test drive. Here are my initial impressions. 

Can Tamron's 35mm f/1.4 Outperform the Canon 35mm f/1.4 at Half the Price?

Canon's 35mm f/1.4L II USM lens is known for being sharp, with a beautiful rendering and strong performance. Nonetheless, like most Canon L lenses, it is rather expensive. Tamron's SP 35mm f/1.4 Di USD undercuts the Canon's price significantly. However, can its image quality and performance match the more expensive option?

Is This the Best Lens for New Wildlife Photographers?

Wildlife photography can be a tremendously fun and interesting genre, but it often requires very long focal lengths, and the lenses involved can be very expensive. Canon's RF 600mm f/11 IS STM offers the kind of focal length wildlife photographers need at a very affordable price, albeit with some compromises to get to that price level. Is it still worth it?

A Review of the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens

Supertelephoto prime lenses are often prohibitively expensive, but in the past few years, we have seen a big influx of much more affordable supertelephoto zoom lenses. For Sony shooters, there is the FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS, and this fantastic video review takes a look at how it performs in practice.  

We Review the New Shimoda Explore V2: A Travel-Ready Backpack for Creators

Shimoda just launched their new backpack lineup, the Explore V2 Series. It’s a travel-ready backpack that comes in three sizes and is built for travel and landscape photographers who spend their time globetrotting with a camera in tow. This feature-rich new bag by a brand specializing in adventure camera bags is definitely worth checking out! 

Using the World's 1st Versatile VND Filters With Landscapes

Neutral density filters are generally found in two forms, circular filter systems, and square filter systems. Each of these systems has its respective advantages and disadvantages. However, a company called Freewell seems to have produced a filter system that manages to offer the best of both worlds.

 

A Comparison of 10 Popular Wildlife Lenses

Nowadays, with companies like Tamron and Sigma putting out impressive, high-quality lenses, photographers have more choices than ever when it comes to wildlife equipment. If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the options, this awesome video compares 10 of the best to help you pick the right one for you.  

Comparing Canon's Impressive RF 50mm f/1.2L to the EF 50mm f/1.2L

The Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L was one of the company's most well-known and popular lenses, but it was a rather quirky model that was not without flaws in both autofocus performance and image quality. On the other hand, the new RF 50mm f/1.2L USM quickly established that the company had set a new standard for itself when it came to lens design and image quality.

5 Reasons to Consider the Fujifilm X-T30 Mirrorless Camera

The Fujifilm X-T30 is a more affordable version of the company's flagship line, but it still comes with an impressive range of features that make it useful for a wide range of photo and video scenarios. This great video discusses five reasons it makes an excellent choice for a lot of users.  

Can a $900 M1 Mac Mini Keep Up With a $14,000 Mac Pro?

The Mac Pro is in a class of its own as far as Apple computers go, but the new M1 Macs have turned the industry on its head, offering frankly ludicrous performance for their price. Can a $900 Mac Mini keep up with a Mac Pro model that goes for over 15 times the price? The results are mightily impressive, and this great video shows you what you can expect.  

A Long-Term Review of the Fujifilm X-T4 Mirrorless Camera

Fujifilm's X Series has been highly refined over several generations and is now a powerful system capable of tackling a wide variety of scenarios that still maintains the design and controls that won it praise upon its release.

Are Fuji's f/1.4 Primes Lenses Worth the Premium Over the f/2 Versions?

Fujifilm shooters are lucky to have a lot of choices in prime lenses, with many focal lengths having both f/1.4 and f/2 options. And as such, you might wonder if the f/1.4 versions are worth the premium price or if you would be better suited sticking with the more affordable f/2 versions.

Can Sony's Budget 85mm Keep Up With Its Premium Version?

Sony's G Master lenses are well known for their strong performance and image quality, but of course, with that comes a premium price tag. At the 85mm focal length, there is the budget-friendly f/1.8 lens in addition to the f/1.4 G Master, and it comes in at only about a third of the price. However, can it keep up with the more expensive option?

A Review of the Samyang AF 24mm f/1.8 FE Lens

A wide-aperture 24mm lens is one of the most useful primes you can carry in your bag, offering a wide but not too wide focal length that can work in a variety of scenarios. The Samyang AF 24mm f/1.8 FE offers great image quality at an affordable price, and this great video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect from it.  

Comparing the Video Quality Between the Canon EOS R5 and Sony a1

 The Sony a1 and Canon EOS R5 are two of the most powerful cameras out there, both offering impressive 8K video capabilities among other features. How do they compare on the video front? This excellent video review discusses the video capabilities of both after six months of usage.  

Comparing the Sony a7 III to the Nikon Z 6II

Both the Sony a7 III and Nikon Z 6II are relatively affordable hybrid full frame bodies, meant for professionals who need to be able to tackle multiple scenarios with ease. If you are wondering which of the two is right for you, this great video compares their performance to help you decide. 

6 Reasons to Choose the New Canon EOS M50 Mark II

It’s all about full frame mirrorless cameras nowadays. If you don’t go for such a camera, you are not taken seriously. Why not choose a mirrorless crop camera? I have six reasons to go for the new Canon EOS M50 Mark II. 

A Review of the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens

The 24-70mm f/2.8 lens is the workhorse of choice for a wide range of photographers in many different genres, but if you do not need the extra stop of aperture, you can save a lot of money and gain some extra reach by opting for a 24-105mm f/4 lens.

A Review of the Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM Lens

An ultra-wide angle zoom lens with a wide maximum aperture is a highly versatile optic that can excel in a lot of situations ranging from landscape photography to events coverage. For Sony shooters, there is the FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM, and this great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of image quality and performance you can expect from it in practice.  

How Big of an Issue Is the Canon EOS R5's Overheating in the Real World?

When the Canon EOS R5 was first announced, one of its marquee features was its 8K raw video, but videographers quickly ran into issues with the camera overheating when recording in both 8K and 4K, leading some to question just how useful the camera actually is for video work. How much is this truly an issue in real-world usage, though?

The Loupedeck Live Saved My Workflow

When it comes to tools designed to help you edit, the main factor for me is time. Yes, I want tools to make things easier and more intuitive, but at the end of the day, those features must help save me time. The Loupedeck Live does all that and more.  

Comparing the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 to the Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VXD

A supertelephoto zoom lens is a fantastically versatile piece of equipment that can open up new creative opportunities in a wide variety of genres. Nowadays, there is a range of options available to photographers, and this excellent video compares two of the most intriguing lenses: the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 and the Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VXD. 

Fujifilm Pixel Shift Versus Hasselblad Multi-Shot: 400-Megapixel Files Compared

The Fujifilm GFX 100 and the Hasselblad H6D 400c are both high-resolution monster cameras. Each camera can shoot 100-megapixel files, and if you use the pixel shift features, you can produce huge 400-megapixel images. This is more resolution than any camera on the market, and we decided to compare both camera systems. 

How Good Is the Nikon Z 6II Mirrorless Camera?

Nikon was a bit slow out of the gate in the mirrorless race, but they are now on their second generation of the Z 6 and Z 7 models, and they bring with them some improvements and new features over the original cameras. This excellent video review takes a look at the Z 6 II and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it. 

How Good Is the Fujifilm X-E4 Mirrorless Camera?

One of the unique features of the Fujifilm X Series is that almost every camera model has the same sensor, which means if you do not need top-shelf professional features, you can still get the best image quality the company has to offer. The X-E4 uses the company's newest X-Trans sensor and adds a range of new and useful features while keeping an affordable price.

We Review the New Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VXD Lens

As a working professional, I rely on my gear and need it to perform in all conditions. Recently, I was given the opportunity to field-test the new Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VXD. It may just surprise you, as it did me. 

A Review of the Fujifilm GFX 100S for Cityscape Photography

The GFX 100S is one of the most impressive cameras available now, offering high-level medium format image quality with a feature set traditionally reserved for full frame bodies, and put together at an impressively competitive price.

How Does Canon's RF 50mm f/1.2L Compare to the EF Version?

The Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM lens was one of the first in the company's full frame mirrorless line, and it turned a lot of heads by establishing a new standard of quality that has been continued by many subsequent RF lenses. Just how much better is it than the original EF 50mm f/1.2L, and is it worth upgrading?

How Effective Are Apple AirTags for Photographers?

Apple's AirTags offer the ability to track and find anything you attach them to by leveraging the vast worldwide network of Apple mobile devices. As expensive and precious as our photo equipment is, they are an intriguing option for giving ourselves a bit of security and peace of mind. This great video review takes a look at AirTags for photo equipment and how they perform.