Camera

Just recently, Nikon sneakily posted a countdown timer for an online launch event on a number of its homepages. Speculation and cleverly-hidden details point to the potential launch of the Z8. The full-frame Nikon Z8, pitched as a new model in the company's premium mirrorless lineup, seems set to launch on May 10, 2023.

Micro Four Thirds is an interesting concept in a world where every camera manufacturer has its own lens mount that works with a limited lens selection. The collaborative effort between the likes of Panasonic, OM Systems, Blackmagic Design, Leica, and DJI, among others, instead developed a lens mount and sensor ecosystem in an attempt to achieve inter-compatibility and openness that was sorely lacking in the photography world.

Hohem is currently holding a sale on the motorized gimbals it makes specifically for action cameras such as those of the GoPro HERO Black series or Insta360 ONE R. They include the iSteady Pro4 for the newest of such gadgets, or the older Pro3 on which those with older models like the HERO8 Black can make some savings. Some deals also come as bundles with tripods or other accessories.

As a photography beginner, you might immediately look to buy an entry-level DSLR or mirrorless camera, while the correct move may actually be buying a used or open-box high-end or mid-ranger from a few years ago instead. From full-frame to Micro Four Thirds and beyond, there is plenty of excellent camera gear that can be had for a good deal if you look.

DJI has introduced a new member of the Mavic 3 series. Billed as the Pro option to the Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Classic, the Mavic 3 Pro adds a second telephoto camera while retaining a 4/3-inch primary and a 1/1.2-inch telephoto camera. The Mavic 3 Pro comes in a Cine variant too.

According to a renowned leaker, Google will offer an improved 50 MP camera in its Pixel 8 series. While the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series relied upon the ISOCELL GN1, Google's next-generation flagships will feature the more capable ISOCELL GN2 from the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra.

DJI has now confirmed the release date of the Mavic 3 Pro, only a week after launching the Inspire 3. Meanwhile, more leaks have emerged with various details about DJI's next high-end drone.

Updated to Android 13 at the end of 2022 and available on Amazon since January 2022, the Sony Xperia 5 III has been discounted a few times in the last year. Those interested can get this Qualcomm Snapdragon 888-powered handset now for 30% off, so they will cash out US$698 instead of the US$999.99 retail price.

DJI has announced the Inspire 3, its latest professional-grade drone. Capable of shooting 8K videos, the DJI Inspire 3 has a Zenmuse X9 full-frame camera, a lens mount and can fly at up to 94 km/h for nearly 30 minutes between battery swaps.

Oppo has stolen a march on Honor by beating it to the top of DxOMark's camera leaderboard. Pipping the Magic5 Pro by a point, the Find X6 Pro also outperforms the Galaxy S23 Ultra, iPhone 14 Pro Max, Pixel 7 Pro and the Mate 50 Pro, among other flagship smartphones.

The Mavic 3 Pro is edging closer to release, although not before DJI introduces the Inspire 3. In the meantime, hands-on photos of the Mavic 3 Pro have surfaced online, as have new details about the drone's third camera.

Google has finally improved Night Sight mode for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. Rolling out in a new Google Camera update, Night Sight should now work as well on the Pixel 6 series as the current Pixel 7 series. Not all Pixel 7-related Night Sight features have been added to the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, though.

The Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus may have a relatively large primary camera. However, DxOMark's detailed camera analysis shows once again that having a high-resolution camera does not necessarily correlate with good image quality. Instead, the device's huge 200 MP camera falls short of some of its 12 MP peers.

Hohem has announced an Easter 2023 sale with up to 15% off its line of hand-held gimbals and their accessories. Those mobile videography tools include the new iSteady M6, normally priced at over US$200 with its innovative module that confers both AI tracking and RGB fill light functions on the product. The right code can bring that price down to just under US$190, however.

DJI is preparing to refresh the Mavic 3 series again after releasing the Mavic 3M a few months ago. This time, the company has developed the Mavic 3 Pro, a tweaked Mavic 3 which appears to feature a third camera dedicated to providing 3x optical zoom capabilities.

DJI has confirmed plans to host another drone-related launch event. Dubbed 'Inspiration Arrives', the event will showcase the Inspire 3 rather than the also anticipated Mavic 3 Pro.

Insta360 has announced that it is offering a better shot at getting one of its high-end cameras for potentially lifestyle vlog- or even VR-quality content during its 2023 Spring Sale. The deals in question include up to US$110 off the innovative, modular ONE RS action camera, the top-end version with the 1-inch sensor and Leica branding included. Then again, Amazon still does better on some options.

DJI has introduced the Goggles Integra, which has launched alongside the RC Motion 2 remote control. Both are arriving as accessories for the DJI Avata, the pair should be more comfortable to use than their predecessors and cheaper than previous accessories to boot, despite the inclusion of 100 Hz Micro-OLED panels in the DJI Goggles Integra.

The new ZV-E1 is touted as the ideal camera to get started as a creator in 2023. It combines specs such as the 12MP 35mm full-frame Exmor R sensor, flip-out touchscreen and Sony's new AI features from premium alpha-series cameras with increasingly classic features of the ZV series such as a "high-performance" integrated microphone with its own fluffy wind-sock and straightforward controls.

Samsung is now distributing a major camera update to the Galaxy S23 series, starting in South Korea. The update, which is available on the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23 Plus and Galaxy S23 Ultra, should also be headed to the US soon, among other markets.

The 360-degree full-view 70mai Dash Cam Omni has just made its debut in North America. With a list price of US$199.99 for the US and CAD$279.99 for Canada, this 1080p dash camera features AI motion detection, built-in GPS and 128 GB eMMC storage, collision detection with a total buffered emergency recording of 15 seconds, and more.

The Google Photos app now contains hints that a number of significant videography upgrades will debut with the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Centred on artificial intelligence, it appears that Google will expand its 'Unblur' technologies to videos, among other improvements.

Sony is now slated to make a new addition to its ZV line of 'vlogging cameras' at the end of March 2023. The "ZV-E1" may be an upgrade on the existing E10, with elements from up-to-date a7r and a7s cameras this time. It may also shoot in 4K with an ISO rating that goes up to 409,000 for light-capture.

The iSteady M6 is the latest generation of motorized gimbals from Hohem, and as such is touted as the most advanced and premium iteration of its series thus far. To this end, the OEM sells it as a bundle with a magnetic module to provide both an RGB fill light and "AI auto-tracking" rated to work in all the apps one might want. It also has the expansion screws to secure more accessories, and is rated to handle that weight as well as that of a smartphone.

The Xiaomi 13 Pro is the company's latest camera flagship. However, it cannot match the camera performance of Xiaomi's best effort yet, the Mi 11 Ultra. While the Xiaomi 13 Pro fares well overall, it cannot usurp the Xiaomi 12S Ultra either.

Leaker @UniverseIce claims to have received information about which primary camera sensor the Galaxy Z Fold5 will feature when it arrives later this year. Apparently, it could be more of the same for the Galaxy Z Fold series, with Samsung unable to utilise the ISOCELL HP2 from the Galaxy S23 Ultra in its next-generation foldable smartphone.

Samsung is supposedly working towards delivering major camera updates for its latest Galaxy S23 series devices. A new One UI 5.1 update is slated to fine-tune the camera experience for even the Galaxy S23 Ultra and its 200 MP sensor. According to a reliable leaker, the update could arrive later this month in most markets.

Huawei is stepping up its teasers for the P60 Pro. Now, the company's CEO has hinted at the device's excellent low-light capabilities even with its telephoto lens. The P60 Pro may only be a few weeks away launching too, with Huawei having seemingly scheduled a March 23 launch event for numerous new products like the Mate X3, Watch 4 series and the Band 7.

The new Honor Magic5 Pro is already making a name for itself. While the device has only just arrived, it has already been ranked as having the best-combined cameras and display of any modern smartphone, Apple iPhone 14 Pro series, Google Pixel 7 Pro and Galaxy S23 Ultra included.

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra Concept relies on an exposed sensor with a 1-inch format, over which Xiaomi attaches Leica M full-frame lenses. A comparison between the Xiaomi 12S Ultra Concept and the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max highlights what a US$43,000 smartphone can do and some of its shortcomings.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra may appear to be a camera powerhouse, but camera benchmarks suggest otherwise. The Galaxy S23 Ultra is an improvement over the Galaxy S22 Ultra, but its camera performance cannot keep pace with the best around from Apple, Google and Huawei, among others.

It appears that the DJI Inspire 3 is edging ever closer to release. Reputedly, the Inspire 3 could replace the Inspire 2 as soon as next month, with DJI having now sent the former to Key Opinion Leaders (KOL) for beta testing. The Inspire 3 is rumoured to utilise the Zenmuse X9 too, a full-frame camera that can record videos in up to 8K quality.

DJI is offering refurbished Mavic 3 drones at a healthy discount compared to brand-new retail units. According to the company, all refurbished aircraft come with new parts, packaging and its standard warranty. Refurbished Mavic 3 units are eligible for DJI Care too, even with their US$300 discount.

DJI has announced the Mini 2 SE, the company's latest budget drone. The Mini 2 SE comes with a 1/2.3-inch CMOS camera sensor and a 2,250 mAh battery that can deliver 31 minute flight times. DJI's latest drone is capable of capturing videos in 2.7K/30 FPS too, all for US$369.

DJI is looking to kick off its 2023 round of drone releases with a cheaper model. Reputedly, the Mini 2 SE is next in line, which will be another sub-250 g drone. While the Mini 2 SE matches the Mini 2 in most areas, DJI has dispensed with a Mini 2 selling point to differentiate the pair.

The Vivo X90 Pro Plus may offer sparkling camera hardware on paper, with a 50 MP and 1-inch primary camera, as well as two high-resolution telephoto sensors. However, camera analysis reveals that the Vivo X90 Pro Plus does not have enough to topple the likes of the Huawei Mate 50 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max or even the iPhone 13 Pro.

Adobe and Samsung have collaborated to bring Adobe Lightroom to the Galaxy S23 series. Available across the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23 Plus and the Galaxy S23 Ultra, the collaboration integrations Adobe Lightroom within the Expert RAW app and even allows you to synchronise images to your desktop via cloud storage.

GoPro has just launched its fifth-gen Million Dollar Challenge, which is open to participants worldwide. As the name suggests, it is a video clip contest with a US$1 million prize-pool. It is open to users of the HERO11 Black and Mini action-cams in 2023, which is also the first year that submissions made through the OEM's Quik App will be accepted.

EZVIZ' latest home security camera offers 360-degree surveillance in an FHD resolution and a 2-way talk function. However, the OEM asserts that it stands out with its Smart Night Vision, designed to address some potential problems with its existing IR-enabled rivals. It has landed with a special offer to mark its launch on Amazon.

Samsung is set to reveal the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, and Galaxy S23 Ultra next month. The biggest and the most expensive of these, the Galaxy S23 Ultra, will allegedly rock the 200 MP ISOCELL HP2 camera sensor. Following countless rumors, the company has officially announced the sensor and, at least on paper, the HP2 looks quite capable.

With a list price of US$179.99, the Amazon bundle that brings together the Kodak Mini Shot 3 Retro wireless instant camera/photo printer and no less than 68 printing sheets is now available for US$99.99 (44% off). An accessory gift bundle is also available, but it only comes with a 19% discount.

DJI has announced a series-first Mini addition, touted to allow users to "Move Lighter" under the same new RS 3 gimbal name. It has been designed to weigh half as much as its Pro sibling, yet is touted as an ideal companion for a range of cameras, full-frame mirrorless units with their lenses included. It also integrates its own little touchscreen, although there is also a dedicated Bluetooth shutter button.

Although there are no numbers mentioned, one Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra teaser that surfaced in China reveals that the next-gen device will come with "megapixels that'll make you say wooow" and highlighted the fact that a "wow resolution is coming." Another warm-up video revealed that "Stunning night photos are coming" as well.

The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is expected to launch in a few months as Xiaomi's main, and most ambitious, mainstream smartphone for the year. According to a new leak, however, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra will retain the same 50 MP sensor used on the Xiaomi 12S Ultra.

To fortify its foothold in the business world, Lenovo is embarking on a bold quest: Bringing the Think brand over to the Smartphone universe. The new ThinkPhone by Motorola has a visual design inspired by ThinkPad laptops and some features to make it enterprise ready.

LG Innotek has announced a new smartphone camera micro-component that can enable 4x-9x optical zoom without loss of quality and one that will alleviate the need for massive camera bumps. The company is partnering with Qualcomm to develop software for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 to take advantage of the module's zoom actuator that can move in 1 µm increments.

While phones like the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, Xiaomi 12S Ultra, and iPhone 14 Pro Max are critically regarded as being the best camera smartphones on the market, thanks to their class-leading hardware and advanced computational photography, it appears public opinion without brand bias leans towards an entirely different smartphone: the Google Pixel 6A.

Available from 32 GB to 1 TB, the SanDisk Extreme family of microSD memory cards is now down by up to 47% on Amazon. This generous discount is applied to the 1 TB version, which can be acquired for US$159.99, down from a list price of US$299.99. The 256 GB and 512 GB capacities also come with discounts over 40%.