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.

A Review of the Nikon Z 50 Camera

The Nikon Z 50 offers a sub-$1,000 entry point into Nikon's mirrorless system in a compact and lightweight crop sensor body, making it an intriguing option for many photographers. This helpful review takes a look at the new camera to help you decide if it is a good choice for your work. 

A Review of the Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art Lens

The Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art lens is one of the newest from the company and one of the first designed specifically for mirrorless cameras. With its ultra-wide aperture, it looks to be an interesting option for Sony E and Leica L shooters, and this great review takes a thorough look at it. 

Powerhouse Camera: A Look at the Panasonic S1H

The Panasonic S1H is a highly capable camera that offers a lot of flexibility for photographers and videographers alike. Those specifications make it a very interesting potential option for the kits of a lot of users if it can hold up in real-world use. This great video tests out the new camera to help you decide if it is right for you.  

Fstoppers Reviews the New AI-Powered Infinite Texture Panel

One of the most useful tools I've been using for the last year has been the Infinite Color Panel. This is my most used add-on in Photoshop and it consistently produces fantastic results. Recently a new tool was released called Infinite Texture Panel and I wanted to see what it was all about. 

A Review of the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens

The ultra-wide angle f/2.8 zoom lens is a staple in many professional photographers' bags, but such a lens tends to be less than cheap. That is why third party options that offer comparable image quality have gained so much traction in the last few years. This great video review takes a look at the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art lens. 

Fstoppers Review: Plugable's Thunderbolt 3 Drive

A well-devised digital storage system should be one of the most crucial considerations for every digital creative. With larger and larger camera sensors constantly emerging on the market, we find ourselves needing to accommodate and functionally access enormous raw and video files. Like many photographers, I face a near-constant search for the perfect storage solution.

Tiny and Capable: A Review of the DJI Mavic Mini

The DJI Mavic Mini is a ludicrously small drone, but that does not necessarily mean it does not come without a set of professional features. This great review takes a comprehensive look at the new drone to help you decide if it is the right one for you.  

Topaz Mask AI: How Much AI Is There Really?

AI has surely become a catch phrase, and we are seeing it all the time in photography applications. Luminar touts AI and Topaz, and even Adobe is jumping on the AI Bandwagon. Topaz Mask AI is one of the latest apps using AI, and I put it to the test. 

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

Most of the talk about Canon's mirrorless system has centered around the bonkers lenses they have been releasing, particularly the RF 28-70mm f/2L lens. But for those who do not want to spend a fortune or carry around a massive lens, options like the RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM offer a much more reasonable route into the RF lens system.

Shooting With a Classic 35mm Film Camera: The Canon A-1

The Canon A-1 is one of the most well known classic film cameras, and even to this day, it is an absolute blast to photograph with and one that I totally recommend trying out. This great video review takes a look at the camera and how it holds up in the modern age. 

Leica Announces the SL2 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera: My First-Hand Impressions

Leica has just announced its successor to its full-frame mirrorless camera, and it just might be a sign they are listening to the demands of professional photographers. The Leica SL2 has a 47.3-megapixel sensor, an updated Maestro III processor, and is capable of 20 fps bursts. It can shoot video up to 5K 30 fps, C4K 60 fps, and has 5-axis IBIS.  

The Best Camera for Under $500

Photography is super expensive. There is no getting around that; even $500 is a lot of money, and there is very little at that price point. However, I think I have found the best camera for $500. 

An In-Depth Look at the Sigma Fp

The Sigma fp is one of, if not the absolute smallest full-frame mirrorless digital camera in existence. With 4K video and 24-megapixel stills and at just 432 grams with the battery, this is a camera that bats far above its weight. 

The Google Pixel 4 Versus the Canon RP for Night Photography

The Google Pixel 4 is a brand new phone that shows off the best in computational photography, while the Canon EOS RP is a full frame beast of a camera. Which of these will end up on top when it comes to night photography? 

Resolution to Spare: A Review of the Sony a7R IV

The Sony a7R IV is the latest entry in Sony's popular series of high-resolution cameras, and it brings with it a huge bump in resolution along with other improvements. Is it the right camera for you? This great review takes a thorough look at the camera to help you decide. 

A Review of the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM Lens

The Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM lens is an absolute monster in both size and ambition, blowing past the traditional professional zoom aperture of f/2.8 by a full stop and offering photographers a uniquely capable piece of equipment. Is it worth the size and the price? This excellent review takes a look at the lens to help answer that question. 

Reviewing a Legend: The Canon 50mm f/1.0L USM Lens

In 1989, Canon introduced a truly insane lens: a 50mm f/1.0 with autofocus. The lens has become a bit of a legend in the photography world, highly sought after by many collectors even three decades later. This video takes a look at the lens and what it's like shooting with it. 

A First Look at Nikon's Insane Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct Lens

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct lens is in another stratosphere in terms of design and well, price. Who exactly is this lens meant for? This first look video takes a look at this unique and interesting piece of glass. 

A Year With the Nikon Z 6: How Does Nikon's Mirrorless Camera Fare in the Long Run?

The Nikon Z 6, along with the Z 7, were the first cameras to use the company's new Z mount and their first foray into the rapidly developing professional mirrorless market. It has now been about a year since the Z 6's release, giving photographers and videographers time to really get to know the camera and see how well it works in professional settings.

A First Look at the Fujifilm X-Pro3 Camera

The X-Pro3 is the latest camera from Fujifilm in their highly lauded X Series, and with it comes a highly interesting design with lots of features and power to spare. Is this unique camera the right one for you? This excellent first look video will give you a pretty comprehensive overview that should help you decide.  

Ludicrously Cheap: A Review of the 7artisans 35mm f/1.4 Lens for Sony Cameras

There is cheap, and then there is the ludicrously cheap 7artisans 35mm f/1.4 lens. With such a low price tag, can it begin to compete with its many more expensive counterparts in the crowded 35mm market? This great video review takes a look at this interesting lens to answer that exact question. 

Wide and Fast: A Review of the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Mirrorless Lens

The ultra-wide angle zoom lens is a staple for many photographers in several genres, but it is normally neither a cheap nor simple lens, making it an investment any photographer should think carefully about. Sigma's entry, the 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art, comes in both E mount and L mount flavors, making it an attractive option for mirrorless shooters. Is it the right choice for you?

Comparing the Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS to the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS

Sony now has two newer high-level supertelephoto zoom lenses on the market, and since they have overlapping zoom ranges, you might be wondering which is the right choice for you. This great comparison takes a look at both lenses and gives lots of sample photos to help you decide which is right for you. 

Fstoppers Reviews DJI's Digital FPV System

When DJI's digital FPV system was first announced, it was big news for a lot of people in the drone industry. How does this new system stack up against what already exists in FPV and how will DJI's Digital HD FPV system play a role in its new ecosystem? 

Luminar 4 Is Coming Soon: Here Is Fstoppers' Advance Review

There has been much talk about the upcoming version of Luminar 4 from Skylum software. I've tested an early beta release and found the new features, particularly sky replacement, rather incredible. Others will be more interested in the new AI Portrait tools, to which I also gave some attention.

Raw Power: A Review of the Panasonic S1H

The Panasonic S1H is a real powerhouse of a camera that has captured the attention of quite a few videographers and filmmakers. With its deep list of impressive specs, you might be wondering if it is the right camera to add to your kit. This excellent video review takes a look at it to answer that exact question. 

A Comparison of the Autofocus in the a7R III, a7R IV, and a9

Sony's a7R III, a7R IV, and a9 are some of the latest and greatest from the camera manufacturer, and with them come some powerful autofocus capabilities for demanding photographers. How do the three cameras stack up against each other? This excellent comparison review takes a look at the autofocus systems in all three cameras to help see which is right for you.  

A Comprehensive Review of the Sony a7R IV

The Sony a7R IV brings the company's latest innovations and improvements to the popular line of high-resolution full frame cameras. Along with its new sensor come a bevy of new upgrades and refinements to existing features, making it an interesting choice for a lot of photographers.

Fstoppers Reviews the Canon EOS M6 Mark II

Canon recently launched the successor to the EOS M6 with the aptly named EOS M6 Mark II. It's a seemingly innocent camera that looks almost exactly like its predecessor but is packed with very significant upgrades inside. 

Testing the Moment Superfish Lens

My wife and I went to Copenhagen for the weekend to shoot 7 models together. We stayed in this awesome Scandinavian-styled apartment with a lot of wood finishing and great character. I wanted to try out the Moment Superfish lens to shoot some interiors, typically what I think these lenses will mostly be used for. 

Recover Photos From Damaged Memory Cards for Free: Fstoppers Reviews PhotoRec

Few things are more terrifying than a corrupted or accidentally formatted memory card. When that recently happened to me, I hastily hopped on the Internet to find memory card recovery software. After several hours of searching, I came across an obscure but free tool, and a few hours later, all my images and videos were safely and securely transferred to my hard drive. 

A Comparison of Canon and Fujifilm Colors

When it comes to camera brands most appreciated by photographers for their colors, Fujifilm and Canon generally get top nods. Which of those two do you prefer? Try out this blind comparison test to see if your preference is really as strong as you think!  

Bokeh Monster: A Review of the Sigma 105mm f/1.4 Art Lens

Sigma's Art series of lenses continues to impress, and perhaps one of the most alluring in the entire lineup is the 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art, which offers excellent wide-open sharpness along with the ability to turn any background into a gooey swath of bokeh. How good is it? Check out this quick and practical review. 

Shooting NFL Football With the Sony a7R IV

Traditionally, professional sports photographers use top-level cameras with low-to-medium resolution, as these cameras typically have the fastest frame rates, which are needed to capture professional athletes in action. But with Sony putting fast burst rates even in their higher-resolution cameras, sports photographers can now have the best of both worlds.

Flagship Power: A Long-Term Review of the Fuji X-T3

The Fuji X-T3 is one of the latest powerhouses in the company's line of highly popular cameras, and with it comes a plethora of features that have attracted both photographers and videographers. Is it right for you? This great video review takes a very practical look at the camera after long-term usage. 

Do You Need to Upgrade? A Comparison of the Sony a7R IV to the a7R III

Sony surprised pretty much everyone when they recently announced the a7R IV, the latest in their line of high-resolution full frame cameras and an update to the a7R III. While the a7R IV has a lot of great features and upgrades, the a7R III is quite the powerhouse itself, and you may be wondering if you need to upgrade.

Large Format Is Still Completely Unrivaled: Canon 5DS R Versus 4x5 Large Format Film

Over the last couple of months, I've been getting to know a photographer called Adam French who lives in the same city as me. French is a photographer who primarily shoots with a large format film camera. I was utterly blown away by some of the work he produced, and I asked him if he'd be interested in working with us on a YouTube video.