Articles from Usman Dawood

Camera sales have dropped significantly over the past decade. Cameras with built-in lenses dropped a massive 94% between 2010 and 2023. Smartphones are the reason for this drop in sales.

Zhong Yi Optics has introduced the Mitakon 55mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro, a $399 manual focus prime built for both full frame and medium format cameras. Offering up to 5x magnification, it gives photographers a chance to capture the smallest details without stepping into prohibitively expensive territory.

Samsung Electronics will manufacture three-layer stacked image sensors for Apple’s iPhone 18 at its Austin, Texas, plant, using a chipmaking technology described as a global first. The deal fits with Apple’s pledge to invest $100 billion in U.S. manufacturing.

White balance is something most photographers know affects how colors appear, but a recent video argues that almost every camera, even high-end cinema models, is designed in a way that makes precise control harder than it needs to be.

Zoner Studio’s Spring 2025 update introduces a smarter, faster way to edit photos, built around a powerful new AI-driven Local Adjustments tool. Formerly known as Zoner Photo Studio X, the software has been renamed to reflect its evolution—but everything familiar is still here, just with more power under the hood.

Culling is an essential part of a photographer’s workflow. However, sorting through thousands of images takes up precious time and focus. This article looks at how AI-assisted tools like Imagen’s Culling Studio help speed things up without losing creative control.

Vivo’s new V50 smartphone is making a point: great photography doesn’t have to come from expensive camera gear.

The holidays are the time for family, good food, and bokeh—lots and lots of bokeh. That's why in this article, we're going to discuss how to take buttery, clean bokeh photos and how to edit them with ZPS X and its latest update.

Photographers and videographers should probably be concerned about the scary "boogeymachine" that is AI. It's very likely that in the next decade, many photo and video jobs will be replaced by AI, and this will inevitably change the photo and video industry.

Vivo has launched its latest flagship smartphones, the X200 and X200 Pro, to the global market. The most notable change is that Vivo has used a smaller camera sensor this year compared to the X100 Pro models.

Intrepid Camera launched its latest Kickstarter campaign to introduce a brand-new large format electronic shutter compatible with Copal 0 lenses and a 150mm f/6.3 Cooke Triplet lens, giving photographers modern tools for large format cameras.

Viltrox has outdone itself by producing a 10x zoom lens designed for medium format sensors. With a large 60 mm image circle, this lens can comfortably cover camera sensors such as those found in the GFX 100S II and the Hasselblad X2D. What's even more impressive is that it has a constant aperture of T5.6.

GoPro has announced its latest flagship action camera, the Hero 13 Black. This new camera comes with the same sensor as the previous model, with a few tweaks. However, GoPro has also announced a series of lenses for the new camera.

A recent YouTube video was filmed entirely on 35mm film. Currently, this might be the only YouTube video that has ever been shot predominantly on film, and the look it produces is definitely interesting.

Vivo has launched its latest V40 series of smartphones, featuring the V40 and V40 Pro. Co-engineered with ZEISS, these new models promise several key features that improve on the popular previous V30 series.

Mirrorless camera gimbals have become some of the most popular filmmaking accessories. With smaller, lighter cameras becoming more capable than ever before, many creatives are now opting for lightweight setups. For this reason, we compared two gimbals from Zhiyun to determine which is the best.

Under Armour's latest ad has caused outrage among many creatives due to it being produced by AI. The ad uses the likeness of famous heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua and elements that were previously filmed for Under Armour, along with AI, to produce a brand new video.

Working as a photographer for over a decade has helped me realize one important thing: I hate editing photos. I absolutely love every aspect of being a photographer, except for the editing. This is why Aftershoot has been incredibly useful to me.

Fujifilm is currently managing incredible demand for its X100 series of cameras. Despite the latest X100VI only being released a couple of months ago, the backlog has already grown to immense proportions. In our latest video, we speak to Fujifilm to see why this is the case.

Laowa, the lens brand from Venus Optics, has once again produced a groundbreaking wide angle lens: the new 10mm f/2.8 Zero-Distortion lens. A demo unit of this lens was available for testing at the Photography Show in Birmingham, and we decided to produce some test images and clips to see how it performed.

The NAB Show is back and is set for April 13-17 in Las Vegas. This year, learn about the creator economy, innovation in media, engage in workshops, and network with industry leaders.

Fujifilm Instax cameras are the most popular instant cameras, offering a range of sizes from mini to wide, providing plenty of options. My favorite format is the Instax square film, and with the release of the new Instax SQ40, we conducted a comparison against the SQ6 to determine the best square format instant camera.

Shooting in raw with your smartphone is a simple tweak that can significantly enhance your smartphone photography. We're diving into how this feature can improve the quality of your pictures, offering more detail and better color accuracy. It's a practical look at how this tech can upgrade your everyday shots.

The Sigma fp and fp L cameras, recognized as the world's smallest and lightest full frame interchangeable lens cameras, are products of Sigma's meticulous design and manufacturing process. A recent video reveals the detailed behind-the-scenes of how Sigma designs, machines, and assembles these cameras.

Venus Optics has recently announced the Laowa FF II 10mm f/2.8 C&D Dreamer, marking Laowa's initial foray into the autofocus lens market. Known for their manual focus lenses, particularly in the realms of extreme macro and cine lenses, this represents a new direction for the brand.

Fujifilm was the focus of our recent video where we compared two of its camera models: the Fujifilm X100V and the X-T5, equipped with the 23mm f/2.0 lens. This comparison isn't just about the cameras themselves, but rather a deeper look and comparison between the lenses.

Camera phones are now being taken more seriously than ever before. The improvements in technology have made it so that the results you can produce with a smartphone, in many cases, can rival those of "proper" cameras. And this year, one major award has been given to Apple for its latest flagship phone.

Winter photography is a realm where Kevin Bruseby excels, capturing the stark and serene beauty of winter. His journey reflects a blend of discovery and unique challenges associated with capturing the essence of the coldest season. Drawing from the tranquil Scandinavian winters, Bruseby describes his journey as one filled with discovery and challenges.

Instant photography has long held a special place in the hearts of photo enthusiasts, offering the unique charm of instant, tangible memories. In this modern era where digital photography predominates, the allure of instant film cameras persists, blending nostalgia with contemporary technology. 

Sony is rapidly rising as a leading camera manufacturer. This article explores how their innovative E mount system and bold approach to features have challenged the Canon and Nikon's duopoly in the photography industry.

Phase One, Quantum Systems, and Trimble have unveiled the P5, a cutting-edge 128 MP medium-format UAV camera. Under 700 g, it’s crafted for unmatched aerial survey precision and image clarity, revolutionizing high-res data capture in lightweight survey gear.

Billingham, the UK-based family business famous for its camera bags since 1973, is marking its 50-year anniversary. To commemorate half a century of production, the company has released a limited edition series of their most popular bags, each fashioned in black canvas and leather with red stitching, signaling a departure from their usual styling cues.

Full-frame cameras have faced recent criticism, deemed unnecessary by advocates of smaller formats. This article aims to counterbalance the discussion, presenting arguments for why full-frame cameras may indeed hold the top spot for photographers.

In the world of LED lights, Hobolite has once again pushed the envelope, revealing the “Micro” to their lineup. At first glance, its compactness is enchanting, promising both convenience and functionality. The real question, however, is: does it deliver?