Articles
Review recap: What we put to the test in 2024 (so far)
DPReview News |
| Photo: Richard Butler |
We're coming up on the end of the year, but are hard at work on getting a few more reviews done by 2025. In case you missed a thing or two here and there, here's a recap of the reviews and testing we've done this year so far!
October
Sony ZV-E10 II: Review
Sony's ZV-E10 II is a stripped-down version of its APS-C flagship, the a6700, with a focus on vlogging. As such, our review mainly takes the form of a video, which you can watch above.
Nikon Z6III: Review
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| Photo: Richard Butler |
Throughout our tests, the Nikon Z6III proved to be an incredibly capable camera at its price point. Its 24MP 'partially-stacked' sensor provided plenty of detail while also reading data out at a much higher speed, allowing for fast burst rates and video shooting with little risk of rolling shutter. We also appreciated its honed ergonomics and bright, high-resolution viewfinder.
Be sure to check out our Z6III sample gallery as well.
Panasonic 18-40mm F4.5-6.3: Sample gallery
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| Photo: Mitchell Clark |
Panasonic's 18-40mm F4.5-6.3 collapsable lens is meant to be an ultra-lightweight and compact companion to the company's S9 camera and is now being sold as a kit with the creator-focused offering.
Fujifilm X-M5: Initial review
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| Photo: Mitchell Clark |
The X-M5 is an entry-level offering from Fujifilm focused on vlogging and content creation. It's based around the company's 26MP X-Trans sensor and comes equipped with a film simulation dial, AI-trained subject detection autofocus and – unlike many other vlogging-focused options – a mechanical shutter.
You can also view the sample gallery we shot with the X-M5.
Fujifilm XF16-55mm F2.8 II: Sample gallery
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| Photo: Richard Butler |
Another product Fujifilm launched in October was a second-generation of the company's 16-55mm F2.8 lens. It's essentially an APS-C version of the venerable 24-70, but unlike the first generation, the XF16-55mm F2.8 II is actually around 1/3 lighter than many of its full-frame counterparts. Its smaller size and weight convinced editor Richard Butler to take a preproduction copy with him on vacation to the UK, which gave him the opportunity to capture an incredible sample gallery.
Lowepro Photo Sport 300 photo pack: Review
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| Photo: Dale Baskin |
DPReview editor Dale Baskin has had the Lowepro Photo Sport 300 AW II for over 10 years and has put thousands of miles on the pack during his adventures across the planet. Given that it's still going strong and that you can still pick one up today, we decided it was time for a review.
September
Google Pixel Pro 9 Fold: Sample gallery
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| Photo: Mitchell Clark |
Google's flagship folding phone uses a different camera setup than the regular Pixel 9 Pro, so we shot a separate gallery to get a feel for what kind of performance you can expect from a phone that costs $1,800. Our sample guide article also discusses the experience of shooting with a phone that has a foldable 8" screen.
Sigma 28-105mm F2.8 DG DN Art: Sample gallery
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| Photo: Mitchell Clark |
Sigma's 28-105mm F2.8 DG DN Art is a lens for L-mount and Sony E-mount that's surprisingly compact given its focal range and maximum aperture. We got the chance to shoot with it on a holiday weekend at Glacier National Park.
Hasselblad XCD 20-35mm F3.2-4.5 E: Sample gallery
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| Photo: Dale Baskin |
Another lens released in September was the Hasselblad XCD 20-35mm F3.2-4.5 E, an ultra-wide zoom lens for the company's medium-format cameras. Our sample gallery was shot in Washington, DC and Oregon, giving us an idea of how the lens performs when shooting architecture and landscapes.
Canon EOS R5 II: Review
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| Photo: Richard Butler |
Canon's EOS R5 II is the company's latest high-end, full-frame mirrorless camera with a Stacked CMOS sensor and many of the autofocus features of the company's new flagship R1 model. It's so feature-rich that, in some ways, it was a struggle to review it; it's a tool for so many different types of photographers that it was nearly impossible for us to put ourselves in all those shoes. However, it's still clear that the EOS R5 II is an extremely capable camera for most use cases.
Leica Q3 43: Review
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| Photo: Richard Butler |
The Leica Q3 43 is essentially what it says on the tin: a Q3 with the 28mm fixed lens replaced by a 43mm one, giving the camera a 'normal' focal length that some photographers will find more pleasing. The built-in lens is almost shockingly sharp, and the package as a whole is an impressive and premium photographic tool – as you would hope, given the $6895 price tag.
You can also view our Q3 43 sample gallery.
August
Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 II: Sample gallery
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| Photo: Dale Baskin |
Sigma announced the second generation of its 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art lens in May, and we were able to shoot with it on our trip to Japan. However, we wound up publishing our sample gallery in August, as we wanted to ensure that the sample we'd used was representative.
Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL: Sample gallery
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| Photo: Dale Baskin |
We shot a sample gallery with Google's latest flagship smartphones, making sure to test out each of the three cameras, as well as the night mode. Spoiler alert: the gallery isn't the last time Glacier National Park will feature in one of our tests.
Fujifilm X-T50: Review
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| Photo: Richard Butler |
The Fujifilm X-T50 is a classically-styled mid-level APS-C mirrorless camera that uses Fujifilm's stabilized 40MP X-Trans sensor. We found that it's an excellent choice for those looking to learn the art of photography, or who want to upgrade from a smartphone – as long as they have some cash to spare.
You can also browse the sample gallery we shot with a production model.
Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II: Sample gallery
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| Photo: Dale Baskin |
This summer, Sony released the second generation of its FE 85mm F1.4 GM lens, which weighs around 20% less than the first-generation model. We shot a sample gallery with it and were generally impressed with how sharp the results were.
July
Leica D-Lux 8: Initial review
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| Photo: Richard Butler |
The Leica D-Lux 8 is an updated 17MP enthusiast zoom compact camera, with a switch dedicated to taking different crops of its Four Thirds-sized sensor. It definitely comes at a premium price, but it's also one of the last enthusiast compacts left on the market.
While writing our initial review, we also shot a sample gallery with it.
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN for Canon RF: Sample gallery
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| Photo: Mitchell Clark |
The Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN itself isn't new this year, but the version for Canon's RF mount is. It fills a gap in the lineup of fast standard zooms that made sense for Canon APS-C cameras, making them a little easier to recommend.
Canon EOS R1: Initial review
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| Photo: Dale Baskin |
In July, Canon announced the EOS R1, a new high-end sports and photojournalism camera and the company's first mirrorless camera to bear the 1-series label. It features a 24MP stacked full-frame sensor and can shoot up to 40fps in E-shutter mode.
While attending Canon's North American launch event for the EOS R1, we took a sample gallery using a preproduction model.
Canon EOS R5 II: Pre-production sample gallery
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| Photo: Dale Baskin |
Alongside the EOS R1, Canon also announced the EOS R5 II, an update to its high-end, high-resolution hybrid camera. Like the EOS R1, it features sports-focused Action Priority autofocus modes, which is why the sample gallery we shot with a pre-production model features plenty of basketball pictures.
June
Sigma 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN: Sample gallery
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| Photo: Richard Butler |
The Sigma 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN is a wide-to-medium zoom lens for E-mount and L-mount cameras.
We were able to test it out throughout the UK, from downtown London to the serene countryside.
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH7: Initial review
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| Photo: Dale Baskin |
Panasonic's GH-line of Micro Four Thirds cameras has historically been focused on video shooters. While the GH7 is no exception, it also has a surprisingly complete suite of photography features.
In addition to our initial review, we also released an initial impressions video.
Nikon Z6III: First-look video and sample gallery
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| Photo: Richard Butler |
In June Nikon announced the Z6III, a full-frame camera designed for hybrid shooters and featuring a 25MP 'partially-stacked' sensor. It can shoot Raw video internally, and has a higher-resolution sensor than its predecessor.
We shot a video breaking down what's new with the camera and a sample gallery with a preproduction model on a fairly typical spring day in Seattle.
Pentax 17: Review
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| Photo: Dale Baskin |
The Pentax 17 is perhaps an unusual product for DPReview to cover, given that it's a film camera. However, it was hard to pass up the opportunity to review the first new film camera we've seen from a major manufacturer in decades.
The Pentax 17 takes half-frame photos, letting you squeeze double the shots out of any given roll of film – a sign of the times in an age where film prices have only been going up.
May
Fujifilm X100VI: Review
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| Photo: Richard Butler |
The Fujifilm X100VI is a photographers' fixed-lens camera that combines a stabilized 40MP APS-C sensor with a 35mm equivalent F2 lens.
We had plenty of good things to say about it when we published our in-depth review in May, but even months later, it's still not easy to buy one. Still, give the full review a read so you know whether you want to jump on the opportunity to get it if one ever shows up – or to just live vicariously through us.
Google Pixel 8a: Sample gallery
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| Image: Mitchell Clark |
Japan is one of our favorite places to shoot sample galleries, especially when it's raining. We got the opportunity to do one for Google's budget phone while visiting the country to cover the launch of the Panasonic S9.
Sigma 15mm F1.4 Diagonal Fisheye: Sample Gallery
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| Photo: Jose Francisco Salgado |
After Sigma's announcement of the astrophotography-focused 15mm F1.4 DG DN Art, we teamed up with photographer José Francisco Salgado to put it through its paces in the Canadian sub-arctic.
Fujifilm XF16-50mm F2.8-4.8 R LM WR: Sample gallery
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| Photo: Jeff Carlson |
The Fujinon XF16-50mm F2.8-4.8 R LM WR is Fujifilm's second-generation premium kit zoom, and we were able to take preproduction samples in Stockholm, Sweden.
Sony A9 III: Review
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| Photo: Richard Butler |
The Sony A9 III is the company's latest high-end sports/action photography camera, with a 24MP global shutter.
In our in-depth review, we found some image quality trade-offs, but in return, you get the ability to shoot at 120fps without fear of banding.
Panasonic S9: Initial review
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| Photo: Dale Baskin |
The Panasonic S9 is a full-frame camera designed specifically with content creators in mind. It has a dedicated button to select a LUT (look up table) to quickly change the look of footage or pictures in-camera.
Alongside our initial review, we published a sample gallery largely shot in Osaka, Japan, which now includes Raws and images with LUTs applied.
Fujifilm X-T50: First look video and preview samples
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| Photo: Richard Butler |
In May, Fujifilm announced the X-T50, an APS-C camera aimed at beginners, featuring a dial dedicated to controlling the company's 'film simulation' color profiles. At launch, we published our initial review, first look video and a sample gallery taken with preproduction hardware.
April
Panasonic S5II: Review
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| Photo: Richard Butler |
The Panasonic S5II had the unfortunate luck of landing in our office right about the time we found out that our parent company planned to close DPReview in 2023, so it never went through our regular review process. We've been looking for an opportunity to review it ever since we joined forces with Gear Patrol last summer and finally found the time.
The timing turned out to be good: Panasonic was able to provide us with an early version of the camera's new firmware (v3.0), so we were able to test it with the latest features. Read our review to find out why we think this camera is such a great all-around performer for enthusiasts and pros alike.
Sony FE 16-25mm F2.8 G: Sample gallery
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| Photo: Shaminder Dulai |
The Sony FE 16-25mm F2.8 G is a relatively compact wide-angle zoom lens aimed at street and travel photographers.
We were able to get our hands on the lens for a day and figured most readers would be curious to see some examples of street and architectural photography, so we hit the streets of downtown Seattle and ducked into the Seattle Public library when the weather turned ugly.
Viltrox AF 40mm F2.5 Z: Sample gallery
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| Image: Dale Baskin |
The Viltrox AF 40mm F2.5 Z is a full-frame lens for Nikon Z-mount cameras.
We were able to test it out in Seattle and Oregon, testing the normal lens in a variety of lighting situations.
March
Sony FE 24-50mm F2.8 G: Sample gallery
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| Photo: Eric Limer |
Sony's FE 24-50mm F2.8 G is a fast, compact walk-around lens for its full-frame E-mount cameras. We took it out in snow and sun in New Jersey to put it through its paces.
In practice, we found that it makes for a light and portable package with convenient and satisfying hands-on controls and quick and quiet focus.
Buy now:
Leica SL3: Initial review
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| Photo: Richard Butler |
The Leica SL3 is a 60MP DSLR-shaped mirrorless camera built around Leica's L-mount. It brings a lot of technology from the Leica M11 models but also features a radically redesigned interface. In March we published our initial review.
Panasonic Lumix S 28-200mm F4-7.1 Macro OIS: Sample gallery
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| Photo: Dale Baskin |
Panasonic's newest zoom lens, the Lumix S 28-200mm F4-7.1 Macro OIS, is so small that it just begs to be used for travel, so we took it on a trip to Japan to see if it lives up to its promise. It proved to be an outstanding choice, allowing us to cover a wide range of focal lengths without ever feeling like we were dragging around too much gear. We were pretty pleased with the optical performance, too.
