Verdict: 4.5 stars The Sony A7 II was launched back in November 2014, which is a long time ago in the fast-moving world of digital camera technology. Yet for everyday stills photography, not that much has changed. Its 24MP sensor is on a par with modern rivals, its hybrid AF system lacks AI subject recognition but is still fast and responsive, and while its burst speed is a modest 5fps and it doesn’t shoot 4K video, these are not things that everyone needs. As a general purpose stills camera, the A7 II still feels fresh and modern – and it’s so cheap it’s hard to believe Sony can afford to keep selling it.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 III review in 2023
Verdict: 4.5 stars The OM-D E-M1 III may have been superseded by the OM-1, but it runs it very close in so many areas that – depending on the type of photography you do – it could prove just as good. You can occasionally buy it new, but it’s most likely you’ll need to buy used. I bought my example in excellent condition from MPB at well under half the price of a new OM-1.
Nikon D800 review in 2023
Verdict: 4.5 stars The Nikon D800 is the first of Nikon’s full frame DSLR multi-megapixel monsters, but Nikon had been making cameras for decades up to this point, so there’s nothing unfinished or experimental about either its design or operation. This is a tough, durable, effective DSLR that captures still images of a resolution that only a handful of cameras surpass even today.
Nikon’s retro revival is great to see, but it burned its boats with lenses
The Nikon Z fc offers beginners and vloggers a charming old-school camera look with thoroughly modern tech inside, while the new Nikon Z f delivers the same retro charm in an altogether better-made full frame model. So what’s the problem?
Sony wants $149 to add gridlines to your viewfinder
The announcement came via Alphauniverse, the official community site for Alpha users. It’s a paid for software upgrade key that will only apply to the A7 IV at first and won’t be available until March 2024.
Film simulations don’t go far enough
Fujifilm makes a big deal about its cameras’ built in film simulations. You can recreate the look of Velvia, Provia, Astia, ACROS and a host of other famous film emulsions, we’re told. Yeah, right.
Fujifilm X-T1 review in 2023
Verdict 4.3 stars The Fujifilm X-T1 is a terrific low-cost used choice that makes a great camera for photography students and enthusiasts today. Its traditional external exposure controls are perfect for re-discovering the lost art of exposure, and its excellent build quality and handling make it a very satisfying camera to use.
Has Black Friday backfired for the camera industry?
Perhaps not just for the camera industry, but this is the one I know best and where I can best see what has been happening. I have spent some years at the front line of camera journalism and the heavily orchestrated sales bonanzas of Black Friday, Cyber Monday and to a lesser extent Amazon Prime Day.
The myth of megapixels and print sizes
A question I constantly get, and I constantly see being asked online, is ‘how big a print can I get from this camera or that camera?’ Any printing expert can work this out with a pocket calculator and I’ll show you how. The trouble is, it’s wrong. Not because the figures don’t add up, but because we’re looking at this the wrong way.
It took the Fujifilm X-H2 to make me realize how good the X-H1 was
I reviewed the Fujifilm X-H1 for Digital Camera World back in 2018. I loved it but I was cautious about the specs because it seemed a modest gain over the X-T2 at the time. Now, in 2023, I realise just how good the X-H1 was. And that is after using the later X-H2 and X-H2S.