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by Luke Rollins · Posted
Everyone and their mothers are in on the digicam trend, a fact reflected in the used-market prices found across most platforms. Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay, B&H Used--everywhere you look, the best-known models are selling for prices that often meet or exceed their debut MSRP.
Take that old favorite of mine, the Canon S95. Extraordinarily capable, exceedingly pocketable, I got it for a song ($130) back in 2023. Three years later, the going rate has more than tripled, with the average price sitting above $400 and pushing $500
by Luke Rollins · Posted
At first glance, studio photography and the compact camera may seem strange bedfellows. The type of work associated with the studio—still life, product photography, portraiture, macro photography—usually wants cameras with larger sensors and interchangeable lenses, especially in professional applications. Compact, point-and-shoot cameras, for their part, have their natural home in everyday, travel, nightlife, and street applications, where their discretion and size become virtues.
It might seem almost cruel to introduce the compact to the
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
It's only natural that after using a pair of binoculars, some birders will find that they yearn for more, and the only way to practically get more reach is to use a spotting scope. These are essentially terrestrial telescopes, using one optical path to magnify an even greater distance than our typical handheld optics can manage.
As covered in our guide to choosing a spotting scope, finding the right scope can be as
by Steven Wong · Posted
When processing photos for clients, you probably want to get in and out of the editing bay as quickly as possible. But it can be challenging to find the right professional display or monitor that fits into your workflow and budget. Don’t worry, we’re here to help with three things to keep in mind when considering a professional display. That way, you can find the perfect look and get back to shooting.
Color Accuracy
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
The new school year is nearly upon us, which means it’s time to start stocking up on necessary gear and supplies. For film and photo students, that means finding the camera and gear that’s right for you.
Generally, schools require a DSLR or mirrorless camera with detachable lenses and full manual controls. Far from the smartphone or point-and-shoot pocket camera many of us are used to. To help you get the perfect tool, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite cameras broken down into four categories:
Best Overall Cameras
Best Mid
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Choosing a pair of binoculars can be as easy or as daunting as you want it to be. We’ve covered the technical aspects of binoculars, from magnification to glass quality, and how they affect your choice, but not everyone wants to get into all that. While yes, once we know the basics, we can better choose the pair that meets our particular needs, but that assumes we want to get into all that. If you do, check out our
by Richard Stevens · Posted
It’s been a great year for consumer tech, with some standout releases from some of our favorite brands. With new releases just around the corner, we’re excited to see what’s on the horizon. For now, I wanted to highlight a few products that caught my attention this past year. I’ll even showcase a couple of products that have been around for a while but deserve to be mentioned among the very best home entertainment gear available.
My Favorite OLED TV:
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Printing your work can be a very satisfying experience. The level of control you have when you do it yourself is unmatched and can be extremely rewarding. There's also the feeling of holding one of your photographs in your hand, which just can't be beat. Especially when compared to looking at them on a small smartphone screen.
Many choose to stick with classic glossy or matte photo papers, which are the perfect solution for most of your images. That said, there are unique, textured papers more reminiscent of the thicker papers of old. These
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
After the smartphone revolution, it appeared that the days of the compact camera were done. How wrong we were. It’s true that a few years back, point-and-shoot options were few and far between. There were just a handful of options on the market, and some industry titans even left the market entirely. Despite the long-rumored demise of the compact camera, it seems that photo enthusiasts still desire a dedicated device without the distractions that come with a smartphone.
What is a compact or “point-and-shoot” camera? Just because a camera is
Posted
One of the most polarizing questions in the mind of any photographer is “Should—or shouldn’t I—get an agent?”
The role of an agent in a photographer’s career is often misunderstood, leading hungry creatives to think that securing representation is their number one key to success. In truth, the relationship between a photographer and agent is far more nuanced than simply booking more assignments.
by Luke Rollins · Posted
Of the many decisions a wedding photographer makes, the choice between digital and film might be the most crucial of all, determining both how one shoots and the look of the final product.
The technology that turns an entire congregation into content creators also unlocks immense advantages, creative and logistical, for wedding photographers. And yet, twenty-plus years into the age of digital photography, the aura of film remains as strong as ever and is sought after
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
If renowned landscape photographer Ansel Adams were alive today, he would surely be astounded at the variety of cameras available. When compared to his hulking 8x10 view camera, today’s cameras look like child’s play. He would also be flabbergasted at the image quality these little devices produce.
This year, we have a bottomless well of cameras
by John Foldi · Posted
What’s the best camera, you may ask? Why, it’s the one you have on you. For many people, smartphones are exactly that. In fact, we often treat our smart devices as cameras first, phones second. And why not? Thanks to the rapid advancement of mobile camera technology, smartphones have greatly outpaced and subsequently replaced many entry-level point-and-shoot cameras. Although higher end ones are having a bit of a comeback, smartphones are just oh so convenient. But what if you want to take your smartphone photography to the next level? Enter
by Luke Rollins · Posted
While 2025 continued many of the photo industry's developments (emphasis on hybrid developments, splashes of niche camera releases, sequels to established camera series), it also formalized the compact digicam trend that had emerged on social media in recent years, with several companies releasing (or re-releasing) point-and-shoot cameras. As the floor for image quality continues to rise, and with yesteryear's flagship features trickling down to today's mid-market offerings, manufacturers are distinguishing themselves through body design,
by Luke Rollins · Posted
It's been a strong year for the L-Mount Alliance, who recently announced the addition of their tenth member Viltrox to bring a credible low-cost manufacturer into the fold for the future. The three pillars of the group—Leica, Sigma, and Panasonic—each had distinctive years in 2025, further entrenching in their proven lanes to build out an ecosystem that, as of the