^{Photo by Thomas Schweighofer on Unsplash} 

It seems as though photography workshops are becoming more and more popular these days, and with good reason.

Not only do many workshops take you to incredible places around the globe, but you also get to learn more about photography in a small group setting from experts that truly want to help you become a better photographer.

I’ve been on a few workshops myself, and it’s always been a great learning experience, and the connections made with other photographers have lasted long after the workshop’s conclusion. 

Below, I’ve listed a few more benefits of photography workshops as a means of encouraging you to take the leap. 

Benefits of Photography Workshops #1: Reinvigorate Your Passion

^{photo by Remains via iStock} 

I don’t need a list of reasons to attend a photography workshop… I need one. Passion is at the heart of what every phenomenal photographer does and when I inevitably need a pick-me-up in terms of creativity, I head to a photography workshop. 

The reason why there are a hundred videos out there about reigniting your passion for photography is that it’s really hard to love something that sometimes does nothing but take.

If photography were a relationship it’s 9 times out of 10 a relationship you should leave! 

Photography burnout is too real sometimes. And if you continue to take every shot that comes your way, not changing anything about your reality and not changing anything about your schedule then that burnout is only going to get worse.

There have been points in my career where I was so burned out and I couldn’t even afford an in-depth photography workshop, so instead I opted for a photography class at the local community college that I attended on scholarship. We’ve all been there.

The answer to, “Why take a photography class,” is a simple one. You will receive an exciting change of pace and a mentor to walk you through it all.

Explore how to keep your passion for photography alive in the video above by TheSnapChick.

Benefits of Photography Workshops #2: Shoot in Exploratory Locations

^{Photo by Aniket Deole on Unsplash} 

It has been scientifically proven that those who explore new locations together stay together longer in their relationship. People who stray from regular routines also benefit physically, and mentally via surges of dopamine.

Scientifically speaking, exploring new locations makes sense. The need for exploration also makes common sense, especially when facing burn out like I talked about above.  

One of the most useful photography workshops I encountered during one of many burn out periods in my career was Creative Photo Academy. I was living in California at the time and was desperately trying to find a photo academy that had both smaller classes and larger travel workshops that were not entirely out of my price range.

I’ve gone on multiple international trips with the guys over at Creative Photo Academy since this time and every time I see places I’ve never seen before (even if I’ve been to that particular city). 

One trip I’ve got my eye on is their Cultural Safari which is happening next year. 

^{Photo by Javi Lorbada on Unsplash} 

The team is going to be visiting Tanzania for a 10-day safari, including a day trip to Lake Eyasi where they will photograph the vanishing Hadzabe people and the Serengeti. 

To find out more info about this trip, visit their website.

Even if you can’t afford a luxurious trip abroad, you can capture new, exciting locations by taking a photography class or by doing a cheap, $30 photo walk.

Whether you go near or far, spend a few bucks or a bunch, there are plenty of opportunities to join like-minded folks on a photography exploration!

Learn More:

• Why You Should Rent Camera Gear Before You Buy 
• Best Entry-Level DSLR Kit 

Benefits of Photography Workshops #3: Receive Beneficial Critiques 

As you can see in the video above, unless you want to put your work up for harsh criticism on VICE  and then probably not get chosen, it’s pretty freaking hard to receive beneficial critiques.

Many photography workshops will come with a mentor, or set of mentors, to walk you through specific shots they want you to get. While these mentors are there as tour guides, they’re also there as teachers and as such should be more than willing to look over the shots you’re taking and tell you where you can expand upon your knowledge.

It’s also nice receiving encouragement from people who have visited a location a thousand times before and who are telling you they’ve never seen a shot quite like the one you just made! 

Benefits of Photography Workshops #4: Meet People in the Photography Field

^{Photo by David Marcu on Unsplash} 

Networking events are awful and boring and don’t really exist for photographers. You can go to a wedding expo if you’re a wedding photographer but you’re going to be pitching yourself to clients, not other photographers. How do you meet people in this industry, especially since it’s so competitive?

Well, one way to do so is through a photography workshop. You’re most likely going to be meeting people who are at a similar stage in their photography career as you, which means you’re going to have people to give you criticism, help you with streamlining boring administrative tasks and maybe even connect you to a client. 

Thinking in a less business-savvy way, workshops also allow you to meet friends who are interested in something you love, photography.

As I noted earlier, those bonds you make with people you meet on photography workshops often last well beyond. I have many friends in the photography community that I’ve met at workshops over the years, and those relationships are just as valuable to me as the photography skills I’ve gained.

Learn More:

• Paul's Photo Review 
• Must-Have Gear for New Photographers  

 

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^{photo by sergeyryzhov via iStock}

"Camera store near me"...

Raise your hand if you have Googled this exact phrase. While looking for the closest camera store near you, you might notice that many smaller camera stores have closed during the last 10 years.

Heck, even a few larger stores who have been around for a very long time have packed their bags and turned off the lights!

So, what camera stores are still here, and which ones are the best?

This list is meant to shine a light on a number of camera stores that are standing tall and adapting to changing markets. The next time you feel the urge to search for the camera store nearest you, we hope this list will be of help.

Table of Contents

• Adorama
• B&H Photo Video
• Paul's Photo
• Roberts Camera
• KEH Camera
• MPB
• Unique Photo
• Samy's Camera
• Amazon
• Abe's of Maine
• Best Buy
• Hunt's Photo
• National Camera Exchange
• Mike's Camera
• Precision Camera & Video

“Camera Store Near Me”: Things to Consider 

 ^{photo by Vasyl Dolmatov via iStock}

When you Google “camera store near me,” you shouldn’t necessarily go to the one that’s at the top of the list.

Instead, there’s a few things you should consider when comparing the results when you make this all-important search:

• Return policy. Scope out the returns information on each store’s website before you buy. You’ll be surprised how much variation there is.
• Consider the location. I live in California, so Samy’s, which is based here, can probably get gear to me faster than MPB, which is based in New York City. If you find similarly priced items at multiple stores, the speed with which you get your order could be the determining factor for which “camera store near me” is your best bet.
• Beware of taxes. If I buy from a retailer in California, I have to pay sales tax. That can add up to a pretty penny if you’re buying something like a Nikon Z7. In some cases, you can avoid paying sales tax, depending on where the store is based.
• Study up on selection. While most of the camera stores on this list have substantial inventories, some have better than others. What’s more, if you’re looking for something specific, the best camera store near you might be the only one that has what you need!
• You get what you pay for. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Many camera stores sell gray market gear - cameras, lenses, and the like that are for another market. So, that super cheap full frame camera you find at your favorite camera store might have a French owners manual and battery charger with a European plug. Worse still, gray market gear does not come with a manufacturer’s warranty. The retailers below are good about identifying gray market goods, so just keep your eyes peeled.

There's also a number of things to consider about the camera itself.

In the video above, I go over some of the most common mistakes people make when buying a camera.

Without further ado, here’s our picks for the best camera stores, in no particular order.

Learn More:

• Camera Basics and Photography for Beginners
• The Exposure Triangle Explained in Plain English

Adorama

Adorama is one of the most popular camera stores both in New York City (where their brick-and-mortar store is located) but also online.

That’s due in part to their enormous selection of camera gear, TVs, computers, and all sorts of other electronics.

For nearly 40 years, Adorama has been serving the photography community and doing so with excellent customer service. It’s no wonder that Adorama gets such rave reviews from their customers and from publications like Consumer Reports.

^{photo byEXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER via iStock}

If you aren’t quite ready to pull the trigger and buy brand-new gear, Adorama also has used gear for sale (you can sell or trade in your old gear, too). There’s also a rental program so you can test drive a particular camera or lens before you buy.

Adorama often has coupons that make your purchase a little easier on the wallet, a 30-day money-back guarantee on most items, and they even have their own credit card that gets you perks like no interest on large purchases.

Our Adorama review gives you a deeper picture of whether it should be the best “camera store near me.”

Recommended Photography Books:

• Picture Perfect Lighting: An Innovative Lighting System for Photographing People
• The Dramatic Portrait: The Art of Crafting Light and Shadow
• The Landscape Photography Book: The Step-by-Step Techniques You Need to Capture Breathtaking Landscape Photos Like the Pros
• The Art, Science, and Craft of Great Landscape Photography

B&H Photo Video 

Another top choice for the best camera store is B&H Photo Video.

Opened way back in 1973 by Blime and Herman (thus, the B&H), the store had humble beginnings in Tribeca, New York. Today, though, it’s one of the top camera stores in the country and has its massive home base in Midtown Manhattan.

Like Adorama, B&H has a huge selection of camera gear as well as all kinds of other electronics. Whether you need a camera body, a video camera, a computer or computer software, or something in between, chances are B&H will have it in stock.

For those of us in the United States, B&H has free 7-10 day shipping on the bulk of their inventory. If you place an order over $49, you can get free expedited shipping that cuts delivery time to 3-7 days.

Learn More:

• Camera Basics and Photography for Beginners
• Nikon D850 Review

photo by EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER via iStock

 If you desire, you can become a B&H rewards member and earn points on purchases. Those points can be redeemed later for discounts, though points expire after six months.

Purchases that don’t work out can be returned within 30 days, provided the item is still in brand-new condition in its new, unaltered box.

B&H prides itself on education, and has an Explora section where you can read free articles, watch videos, and listen to podcasts on all things photography. If you’re in the New York area, you can also go to the store and participate in photography presentations, often free of charge.

Paul’s Photo

If you’re on the west coast like me, and in particular, in the Los Angeles area, Paul’s Photo is a top choice for the best “camera store near me.”

Unlike some of the other options on this list, Paul’s Photo is a small, family-run business. That means that they actually get to know you as a customer rather than you just being another dude in line.

But don’t think that because they’re a small outfit that they can’t deliver the photography goods you need. You can shop online or at their store, where they have a great selection of the latest gear and gizmos you might need for creating photos and videos.

Something else worth mentioning is that Paul’s Photos is basically a one-stop shop for photographers.

 photo by EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER via iStock

You can buy or rent gear, have your photos printed, take a photography class, or sign up for a photography adventure to places like Vietnam, Tuscany, and Africa. 

I also really appreciate how much Paul’s Photo focuses on education. They aren’t just there to sell you stuff; instead, they genuinely want to help you better understand your gear and how to use it to take great photos.

I recently wrote an in-depth Paul’s Photo review. Check it out to learn more about one of the best camera stores in L.A.!

Roberts Camera

 

Like Paul’s Photo, Roberts Camera is a small, family-owned business that started out as a little mom and pop shop that sold everything from fishing gear to jewelry. In the late 1960s, owners Robert and Rose Pallman decided to start selling cameras as well.

Based in Indiana, Roberts Camera has since grown into an excellent source of photography gear both for locals and those of us far and wide that need to buy gear online.

From cameras and lenses to video equipment to TVs and other electronics, Roberts Camera has just about anything you could want or need for your photo and video adventures.

If you just need a particular lens or camera body for a few days, you can rent one, or if you’re a new photographer and you want to learn some new skills, you can head over to Roberts Camera and participate in their educational events.

And since it’s a smaller operation, you get that down-home, friendly customer service you’d expect. In fact, they consistently have some of the best-reviewed customer service in the industry!

Learn More:

• KEH Camera Review: What You Need to Know
• Types of Photography: 19 Popular Photography Genres You Can Try

KEH Camera

It’s been about four decades since KEH opened their doors, and in that time they’ve become the largest pre-owned camera store in the world.

In some cases, you can find deals up to 40 percent off the retail price when you buy used cameras, lenses, and other gear. That obviously represents a significant savings over buying brand-new stuff.

What’s nice about KEH is the process by which they rate their inventory. It’s not a matter of a simple visual inspection - instead, they have an industry-leading 10-point rating system that ensures each item they list for sale is accurately described.

 photo by EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER via iStock 

Items are graded on a wide scale, from new at the top to “as-is” at the bottom. In between, there are highly specified grades such as “like new” and “like new minus” so you get a pinpoint idea of just how good of shape the item is in.

There’s a 180-day warranty on the used items you purchase, and a 14-day return policy for peace of mind as well.

Of course, if you have gear you aren’t using anymore, KEH will buy it from you. You can go online and get an instant quote to see what it’s worth and start the process of unloading some of your old, unused gear.

MPB

Another worthwhile option for the best “camera store near me,” particularly for used gear, is MPB.

What started as one of the largest used retailers in Europe, MPB expanded over here to the U.S. several years ago with operations based in the New York City area.

Since then, their inventory has grown by leaps and bounds, and you can find just about any type of camera, lens or other photography accessory you might need in their collection of used gear.

Like KEH, MPB grades the used gear they buy based on several factors, including its level of functionality, cosmetic appearance, and its physical condition. Furthermore, items are valued based on their current market value and the level of demand for the item.

 ^{photo by ArisSu via iStock}

If you decide to sell or trade your old gear to MPB, they’ll even pick up the tab for shipping!

If you’re a buyer, you can rely on the grading system MPB has developed to determine the exact condition of the item before you buy. Their product specialists painstakingly inspect every single item in their inventory, that way you’re assured that the condition of the item you look at online is the condition of the item that arrives at your doorstep.

When you buy an item, you can choose from all kinds of shipping options, from next-day priority for situations in which you need your gear fast to No Hurry Deliver that takes up to a week in the lower 48 states.

Items you purchase have a six-month warranty, and there’s a seven-day return policy on most items.

Be sure to learn more about MPB by reading our detailed MPB review.

Unique Photo

Based in New Jersey, Unique Photo might not have the name recognition of Adorama or B&H, but they’re still one of the top options for the “best camera store near me.”

Unique Photo was founded more than 50 years ago in Brooklyn, and while it’s become a worldwide leader in photographic equipment, the company’s workers haven’t forgotten what it means to have humble beginnings.

As such, this family-owned business provides incredible customer service that gets high marks from customers far and wide.

  photo by EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER via iStock 

Like many of the other options on this list, Unique Photo isn’t just a camera store. You can buy and sell all kinds of gear, rent photography equipment, have your photos printed, and even buy darkroom supplies. 

Unique Photo also has a Unique University, where you can participate in classes and workshops to refine your photography skills.

Additionally, Unique Photo has gear repair services, 0% financing for 12-months, and a VIP rewards program that allows you to earn points towards money you can spend in the store.

Samy’s Camera

Samy’s CameraSamy’s Camera is a California-based company that I’ve personally used before to buy a couple of different rigs.

The first was a Nikon D800 back in the day. I actually drove across L.A. specifically to go to Samy’s to get that camera. The drive was awful, but the experience of working with the fine folks at Samy’s made it worth it.

I was so happy with my experience there that I returned a few years later to pick up a Sony a6300, which I still use to this day. Again, their customer service experience was top-notch.

Of course, Samy’s is a full-service store with all kinds of photography goodies, gear for video making, studio supplies, drones, and much more.

^{photo by electravk via iStock} 

Over the last four decades, Samy’s has developed a reputation as having a friendly, knowledgeable staff that helps walk you through your purchase so you feel comfortable with what you’re buying. There’s even educational programs to help you develop your skills even further!

Samy’s has a used and trade-in program as well, so if you’re a little short on cash for that new camera you’ve been eyeing, you can sell or trade in your old stuff to help offset the cost.

Add in guaranteed 1-3 day shipping on purchases of $49 or more, leasing options, a rewards program, and more, and you have the makings of one of the best camera stores around!

Amazon

Obviously, Amazon needs no introduction given that it’s the largest company on the planet.

And while it isn’t exactly your local mom-and-pop camera store that you can run to and handle the gear before you buy, it would be silly not to include Amazon on a list of places where you can get photography gear.

Since Jeff Bezos has a hunger for market dominance, Amazon is honestly the most likely candidate for the closest “camera store near me” for most people in the world.

As noted earlier in this article, some retailers on this list sell gray market items. And while most of these companies clearly identify their gray market goods, sometimes Amazon isn’t so great about it.

This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t shop at Amazon for photography gear. Quite the contrary - it’d be hard to match their inventory of cameras, lenses, and other photo gear. Just be careful when placing an order that you’re not getting gray market equipment if you don’t want it.

Abe’s of Maine

Like numerous other camera stores on this list, Abe’s of Maine started as a small mom-and-pop shop.

Founded in 1979 in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, Abe’s has since grown to be one of the most popular camera stores in the United States and is one of the best places to buy a camera online.

In addition to a state-of-the-art showroom and warehouse in New Jersey, Abe’s of Maine has a huge online inventory of photography gear and other necessities.

Unsurprisingly, Abe’s humble beginnings mean that its commitment to customer service is second-to-none. In fact, the company’s mantra is to meet your needs and exceed your expectations every day. 

Abe’s is known for having great sales on its merchandise, so consistently checking in with them to see what’s on sale could be hugely beneficial for you. They offer 12 months no interest financing, too.

When you buy online, you can typically get free ground shipping in the United States. Once you get the item, if it doesn’t quite work out, you can return it within a 14-day period.

Best Buy

Perhaps aside from Amazon, Best Buy likely has the best name recognition among the greater public than any other camera store on this list.

What Best Buy brings to the table that none of these other companies does is that they have hundreds of brick-and-mortar stores across the country. Chances are there’s one in your town, or at least within a couple of hours of where you live.

That’s nice from an “I need to see it and touch it before I buy it” perspective.

 ^{photo by Sakkawokkie via iStock}

Of course, you can also buy camera gear from Best Buy online, which is a much better option if you’re looking for a greater selection of gear. To be honest, Best Buy’s stores do not have a good selection of cameras and lenses at all, so before you hop in the car and drive to one, you better check that store’s inventory online.

Another potential issue is that most of what Best Buy has in stock in their stores is geared towards beginner photographers. If you’re an enthusiast, and certainly if you’re a professional, this is not your best option.

However, with a 15-day return policy, free shipping on many items, and door-busting sales throughout the year, Best Buy is one of the best online camera stores for beginner photographers.

Hunt’s Photo

Hunt’s PhotoHunt’s Photo is based in New England and has been doing business there for about 70 years.

In that time, the fine folks at Hunt’s have garnered a reputation as being some of the most friendly, knowledgeable folks in the industry.

Today, Hunt’s is still family-owned, but they’ve expanded their footprint well beyond New England with a robust online retail store. 

You’ll find excellent prices at Hunt’s, and with a 30-day return policy, you have ample time to test-drive your purchases to determine whether they’re the right fit for you. 

  photo by EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER via iStock 

If you live in New England, you can join the Hunt’s team for educational courses, photo walks, and the like, where you can learn new skills and meet other photography enthusiasts.

From audio and video gear to used gear to binoculars, lighting, and gear rentals, Hunt’s is definitely a full-service photography store that’s worth checking out. Particularly if you’re in New England, Hunt’s is one of the top “camera stores near me” for sure!

National Camera Exchange

Yet another option for the “best camera store near me” started as a regional business. National Camera Exchange has been in business in the Minneapolis area since 1914, and has been going strong ever since.

With both new and used gear for sale, you can likely find precisely what you need at National Camera Exchange. If your order is over $50, you get free shipping, and there’s a 30-day return policy to go along with that (though a restocking fee applies on purchases over $1,500).

In addition to a wide selection of DSLRs, mirrorless, and point-and-shoot cameras, National Camera Exchange also has a nice selection of lenses, video equipment, lighting gear, camera bags, tripods, memory cards, and just about any other goodie you might need for your kit.

   photo by EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER via iStock 

You’d do well to keep tabs on their sale items and clearance items, as you can save quite a bit of money on new gear. National Camera Exchange also has deep discounts on refurbished and outlet items.

There’s printing services, a cleaning and repair department, archiving services, and much, much more, too. There’s a reason why people in the upper midwest turn to National Camera Exchange - they have excellent services, good prices, and a knowledgeable staff.

Mike’s Camera

 

Mike’s CameraMike’s Camera is a regional photography supplier based in Colorado and Northern California. If you’ve never heard of them, you’re missing out!

Not only is Mike’s a great place to buy a new camera or other new photography gear, but it’s also a prime choice for having your photos printed. And that’s not just paper prints - you can get all sorts of items from metal prints to custom frames to mugs to calendars when you work with Mike’s.

Mike’s also has a gear rental service and an extensive repair shop as well. And no matter what you need Mike’s to do for you, you’ll get excellent customer service throughout the process.

In fact, Mike’s has won tons of photography industry awards thanks to their commitment to the customer. That includes the Best Camera Store Award by Photo Trade News.

Precision Camera & Video

Austin, Texas-based Precision Camera & Video is yet another regional camera store that has deep roots locally, but a wide net thanks to a robust online store.

Specializing in both new and used equipment, Precision Camera likely has just what you’re looking for no matter your budget.

In addition to selling photo gear, they also have rental and repair services, an on-site photo lab, and they offer educational courses for folks that live in the Austin area.

Interestingly, Precision camera uses their classroom space as a studio as well, so if you’re in Austin and need a studio, Precision can accommodate!

If you’re not in Texas, you benefit from not having to pay sales tax, and with free ground shipping on orders of more than $200, you can end up saving a pretty penny.

 

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Canon M50 EOS Camera

The Canon EOS M50 is a new entry-level mirrorless camera released by Canon on March 23, 2018. The camera comes with an affordable price and an interesting set of features so it might be a good choice for beginners in photography.

If you are looking for a more capable mirrorless camera, you should read our review on the Canon EOS R, but the EOS M50 is a lot cheaper and easier to use so you should consider trying out this model if you are still learning about photography.

Check out what this camera can do in the following review!

The Canon EOS M50 Specs

The EOS M50 features a 24.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor that allows an ISO range of 100-25600, which can be expanded to 51,200. This means the camera can produce very good quality images in different light conditions.

In addition, the EOS M50 is the first Canon camera that incorporates a DIGIC 8 image processor. The new processor offers better speed and improved auto-focus over the earlier models in the EOS M Series, while now there is also a possibility for 4K/24p video capture. If you are looking for a 4K HD video camera then Canon 5D Mark IV is the one that you should prefer.

Get a detailed look at this camera in the video above by Kinotika.

 

Ready to upgrade but don't want to pay full price? Find a pre-owned Canon M50.

 

The M50 Boasts Good Autofocus

The EOS M50 incorporates Dual Pixel CMOS AF which is really fast and accurate. The focus area includes up to 99 AF points, while it can be expanded to 143 AF points with certain lenses.

One of the novelties is also the new Eye Detection AF which can be used to track subjects while keeping the focus on their eyes.

Shutter speeds range from 1/4000th to 30 seconds, and in a fully automated mode, you can use an electronic shutter which allows the camera to work in a silent shooting mode.

The EOS M50's 4K Video is a Blessing and a Curse

Although 4K video seems like a great improvement over the earlier models in the EOS M Series, it comes with certain disadvantages. Unfortunately, the footage captured in 4K has a 1.6x crop since it doesn’t use the entire breadth of the sensor.

On the good side, a high-speed 120p mode is possible in HD, while you can also create a slow-motion effect for your videos. In addition, there is an option to pull 8MP stills from 4K footage.

Get another review on this camera in the video above by Kai W.

Connectivity Options With the Canon EOS M50

The EOS M50 camera incorporates 1.04M-dot vari-angle touchscreen LCD and 2.36M-dot OLED EVF.

It has built-in Wi-Fi, NFC (Near Field Communication), and Bluetooth technologies which will allow you to easily connect your camera to smart devices and transfer files.

By using the help of the Transfer Utility 2 app, the camera can automatically transfer images to your computer when your Wi-Fi connection is on. Also, Wi-Fi capabilities allow you to remotely control the camera.

Canon EOS M50 Price

The Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera is priced at $629.99 for the body only, while you will need to add $20 for the camera and an EF-M 15-45mm lens.

For our money, the better bet is the kit with the 15-45mm lens.

The camera comes in both black and white color as well.

If you're looking to save some cash, consider buying a used EOS M50. At the time of writing, pre-owned M50's in like new condition could be found for about $524.00.

Have Canon questions? Ask in the Canon Camera Forum.

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^{photo by nortonrsx via iStock}

The Canon EOS R and Canon 5D Mark IV are two different camera types. On the one side, we have mirrorless while on the other we have a DSLR camera.

Nevertheless, these two models share a lot in common. First of all, they are both full-frame cameras with a 30.4 MP CMOS sensor, while there are similarities in other features as well.

This review has an aim to compare and point out the strengths and weaknesses of these two cameras in order to help you decide which one has the potential to do a better job for you.

Canon EOS R vs Canon 5D Mark IV – Sensor, Processor, and ISO

As we already mentioned, these two cameras have the same type of sensor (CMOS) and they share the same resolution (30.4 MP). Additionally, they both feature low pass filter which means there should not be substantial differences in image quality between these two models.

The Canon EOS R sports a new Digic 8 processor, while there is an older Digic 6+ processor in the Canon 5D Mark IV. The updated processor in the newer camera allows slightly different ISO sensitivity and it speeds up other features as well.

Because of the difference in processor, the DSLR model allows native ISO sensitivity from 50 to 32000, while the mirrorless camera has a native ISO range of 50-40000.  

Overall, you will rarely use high levels of ISO, so this should not be a difference that matters all that much. Both cameras have good grounds for marvelous photography.

 

 

Canon EOS R vs Canon 5D Mark IV – Design

Since we are comparing two different types of camera, there are substantial differences in their design.

First of all, the Canon EOS R is significantly lighter (1.45 lb. vs 1.96 lb.) which is not strange if you take into consideration that it is a mirrorless model.

Additionally, the EOS R is also smaller than the 5D Mark IV (3 x 5.9 x 4.6" vs 5.35 x 3.87 x 3.32"), so it is a lot easier to carry it around.

The differences in size or weight are not minor, so this might be the key factor in deciding which model to buy. Still, you might want to check other features as well since it is generally more important what is inside the camera than how big or heavy it is.

Editor's Tip: Can't quite afford the EOS R or the 5D Mark IV? Sell your old camera and use the proceeds to offset the cost! In my MPB review, I discuss why it's one of the best places to sell (and buy) used cameras and lenses. Check it out, and see why MPB is a top choice for used photography gear.

Canon EOS R vs Canon 5D Mark IV – Viewfinder and LCD

As it is typical for mirrorless cameras, the EOS R has an electronic viewfinder. It has a 23mm eyepoint, approx. 3.69 million dots and magnification of 0.76x.

^{EOS R}

On the other side, the Canon 5D Mark IV uses the optical viewfinder which has a 21mm eyepoint and magnification of 0.71x.

Although the viewfinder on the EOS R seems better, since it is electronic, it will drain the camera’s battery much faster. While you can take 900 shots with the 5D, you can take only 370 shots with the EOS R before your battery runs out (540 if you turn on the Eco mode).

^{Canon 5D Mark IV}

Both cameras incorporate an LCD touchscreen, but the one in the Canon 5D Mark IV is fixed and has lower resolution (1.62M dots) than the one in the Canon EOS R (2.1M dots).

Moreover, the display in the mirrorless model is selfie-friendly and it allows you to take photos from different angles much easier.  

 

 

Canon EOS R vs Canon 5D Mark IV – Autofocus, Speed, and Video

^{photo by guruXOOX via iStock}

Both cameras we are comparing in this article feature Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus, but the Canon EOS R has much more focus points than its DSLR brother (5655 vs 61).

Additionally, the EOS R also has much better capabilities to acquire focus in lower light. The mirrorless model has a minimum sensitivity of -4Ev, while the 5D Mark IV has a minimum sensitivity of -6Ev.

When it comes to speed, there are no big differences. The EOS R performs a bit better since it offers 8 frames per second, but the 5D Mark IV is not much behind with 7 frames per second.

Both cameras offer 4K video up to 30p (with a 1.7x crop) and Full HD up to 60p.

It is worth mentioning that Canon EOS R has only one SD card slot, which might be annoying if you need a lot of storage space.

Get more information about these two cameras in the video above by Atti Bear.

Canon EOS R vs Canon 5D Mark IV – Lenses

Although they were produced by the same company, being different camera types – the Canon EOS R and Canon 5D Mark IV don’t use the same lens mount.

The EOS R is a mirrorless camera that comes with a new RF mount. This brand new lens mount has the same diameter as the EF mount (54mm), but it has much shorter flange distance (20 mm vs 44mm).

Canon has produced lenses for the EF mount since 1987, so there are hundreds of different ones to choose from. On the contrary, the RF mount was introduced with the EOS R, so there are only four lenses at the moment:

• Canon RF 24–105mm f/4 L IS USM
• Canon RF 28–70mm f/2 L USM
• Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM
• Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro

Recently, however, Canon has announced that they will release six new RF lenses:

• Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM
• Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM DS
• Canon RF 28–70mm f/2.8 L IS USM
• Canon RF 15–35mm f/2.8 L IS USM
• Canon RF 70–200mm f/2.8 L IS USM
• Canon RF 24–240mm f/4–6.3 IS USM

Canon EOS R vs Canon 5D Mark IV – Price

Finally, the price can be a deciding factor when buying a camera.

Although they are in the same price range, the Canon EOS R is at the moment a bit cheaper than the Canon 5D Mark IV.

The price of a brand-new Canon EOS R is $2,299.99 (for the body only), while you need to spend $2,999.99 for the Canon 5D Mark IV.

You can save some money if you buy used, though. While there isn't a massive selection of used EOS R cameras at the moment, you can sometimes find them for about $2,000 for the body only. Since the 5D Mark IV is older, there are usually many more used models available for well under $2,400.00.

Have Canon questions? Ask in the Canon Camera Forum.

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The Canon EOS RP is a new mirrorless camera recently announced by Canon, and it will hit the store shelves by the end of February.

With a suggested price of $1299.00, the Canon EOS RP is one of the cheapest full-frame mirrorless models ever released, while it is also one of the most portable cameras of this category.

Although it has such an affordable price, the EOS RP offers powerful features for great photography because of which we believe this camera will be very popular among different types of photographers.

In this review, we offer a quick rundown of the camera's primary specs and features.

Ready to upgrade your camera? Save money and buy used now.

Canon EOS RP - Specs

It hasn’t past long since Canon launched the EOS R, its first full-frame mirrorless model. So what is different with the EOS RP?

To begin with, the EOS RP was built around a 26.2-megapixel sensor. If you compare it with the previous mirrorless model released by Canon, it has only 4.1 megapixels less. To be fair, this difference is barely noticeable in reality. If you are not a professional photographer who wants to make huge prints or if you don’t spend a lot of time cropping your images, this amount of megapixels is definitely quite enough.

There are many similar features shared among the EOS RP and its older sibling, the EOS R. To name a few, they both have Digic 8 image processor, Dual Pixel autofocus, fully articulating 3-inch touchscreen, 2.36-million-dot electronic viewfinder, an ISO range of 100- 40,000 (expandable to 50-102,000), and 4K video at up to 24 frames per second.

 

Buy New Buy Used

 

As it was the case with the Canon EOS R, the EOS RP has a 1.6x crop in 4k video mode. Although this might be annoying if we take into consideration the camera’s price and portability this can’t be seen as a big disadvantage if you are not primarily interested in making videos.

Additionally, the camera offers continuous shooting mode of up to five frames per second when autofocus is locked, and up to four frames per second if you are tracking a moving subject. This is not a mind-blowing feature, and it can’t produce great results if you are into photographing action, but it is quite enough for all other purposes.

There are also Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies which will allow you remote control or wireless transfer of files.

Canon EOS RP – Design

If you are looking for a relatively cheap camera that is highly portable, but still has all the modern features, the Canon EOS RP will knock you out.

Overall, the camera looks very similar to the EOS R, although it had to ditch a few things such as top LCD because of its compact size.

The EOS RP’s body weighs only 17 ounces. That is 5 ounces less when you compare it with the EOS R which was already a light-weighted model.

Additionally, the camera has dimensions of 5.22 x 3.35 x 2.76 inches which means that it can be carried around without being a burden after long hours of walk.

Canon EOS RP – Lenses

The EOS RP is the second Canon’s model with new RF-mount. This means there are not a lot of RF-mount lenses to choose from at the moment, but you can always use the EOS R System adapter in order to attach the existing EF and EF-S lenses.

Additionally, along with the EOS RP, Canon announced they will release six additional lenses by the end of 2019:

• Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM
• Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM DS
• Canon RF 28–70mm f/2.8 L IS USM
• Canon RF 15–35mm f/2.8 L IS USM
• Canon RF 70–200mm f/2.8 L IS USM
• Canon RF 24–240mm f/4–6.3 IS USM 

 

 

Canon EOS RP – Price

You can already pre-order the Canon EOS RP and get your hands on it by the end of the February.  

As we already mentioned, you will need to pay around $1,299 for the camera body alone or approximately $2,399 if you want to add the 24-105mm RF-mount lens.

For a limited time, you can also get a mount adapter and a grip at no extra cost.

Have Canon questions? Ask in the Canon Camera Forum.

Want to see if there are used Canon EOS RP cameras available? Read my MPB review to discover why MPB should be your top choice for finding used gear.

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Canon Powershot G9 X Mark II vs Panasonic DMC-LX100

Not everyone needs a full frame professional DSLR or a fancy mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses.

In fact, many beginner and enthusiast photographers simply need something more powerful and capable than their smartphone. A compact camera fits the bill.

The market is flooded with excellent compact cameras from Sony, Canon, Panasonic, Fujifilm, and more.

In this compact camera comparison, we pit two excellent options against one another - the Canon Powershot G9 X Mark II vs the Panasonic DMC-LX100.

Canon Powershot G9 X Mark II Overview 

The Canon Powershot G9 X Mark II is a small, lightweight, and slim camera that makes it an ideal for both still photography and videography.

Its 1-inch sensor has 20.1 megapixels of resolution, and paired with Canon’s DIGIC 7 image processor, the camera operates quickly and efficiently.

The Powershot’s sensor has an impressive ability to capture a wide dynamic range, which means your photos will retain detail in both highlighted and shadowed areas. This is aided by the back-illuminated sensor, which helps improve low-light shooting performance. 

Image sharpness with this camera is exceptional as well. This is due to several factors, not the least of which is the built-in optical image stabilization system.

The aforementioned DIGIC 7 processor makes this camera a speed demon. It has a lightning-fast startup time so you’re less likely to miss critical shots, and with 8.2 fps continuous shooting, you can capture fast motion in beautiful detail.

 

 

Canon has also given this camera enhanced tracking and detection capabilities, which allows the camera to lock onto the subject. Paired with face tracking, this means that you can keep moving subjects in focus with greater ease and minimize blurry, out-of-focus shots.

The wide aperture 28-84mm f/2.0-2.9 zoom lens means you can take photos in low light situations without boosting the ISO. Shooting at a wide aperture like this also enables you to create nice background blur that helps set portrait subjects apart from the rest of the image.

Other features of note in the G9 are Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC, an ISO range of 125-12800 and a 3-inch fixed touchscreen LCD.

Get a full hands-on look at this camera in the video above by Backpacking Videos. 

Panasonic DMC-LX100 Overview 

Though the DMC-LX100 has been replaced with the DMC-LX100 II, the original version is still a highly capable camera. A look at its specs demonstrates this fact.

Armed with a 12.8-megapixel micro 4/3” sensor, this camera doesn’t have the resolution of the Canon, yet it still produces excellent results with images that are detailed, sharp, and rich in color.

Paired with a 24-75mm Leica DC Vario-Summilux zoom lens, you have the capability of photographing wide-angle landscapes, intimate portraits, street scenes, and even wildlife.

What’s more, with an aperture range of f/1.7-f/2.8, you get excellent low-light performance. The nine-blade aperture also creates smooth background blur.

This camera has manual controls that allow you to take greater initiative in creating your photos. There are dedicated aperture and focus rings, as well as controls for shutter speed and exposure compensation.

 

 

This little camera is also a champ with video. With 4K recording capabilities, you can create detail-rich footage. Additionally, when shooting at 30 fps in 4K, each individual frame can be extracted as an 8-megapixel still image. 

Unlike the Canon, the Panasonic has a viewfinder, and an electronic one at that. With 2.764-million-dots of resolution, the viewfinder affords you another level of control when composing your images.

Other features of note in the LX100 include 11 fps burst shooting, an ISO range of 200-25600, an optical image stabilization system, and a fixed 3-inch LCD.

See a detailed review of the Panasonic LX100 in the video above by Adam Savage’s Tested.

Canon Powershot G9 X Mark II vs Panasonic DMC-LX100

^{Canon Powershot G9 X Mark II}

When comparing these cameras head-to-head, there are many similarities.

Both cameras have a small form factor and are lightweight. Both also have built-in zoom lenses with comparable focal range and apertures.

Additionally, both cameras have optical image stabilization and similar ISO ranges that give you improved low light performance. Both cameras have Wi-Fi, RAW image support, face detection focus, and manual focusing modes too.

^{Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100}

NFC is a common feature, as is remote control via a smartphone app. Both cameras also have manual exposure controls, timelapse recording modes, and high-resolution LCDs.

The primary difference between these cameras is the sensor.

In the Canon, you find a more resolute 20-megapixel sensor, which is great if you want to make large prints, but it’s a 1-inch sensor. By comparison, the Panasonic’s sensor is 1.9 times larger. Even though it’s less resolute with 12.8-megapixels, the larger sensor means improved low-light performance and large pixels for better image quality. Larger sensors also give you more control over depth of field.

If action photography is what you’re after, the Panasonic wins. It has a faster maximum shutter speed of 1/4000 seconds (compared to 1/2000 seconds in the Canon) and has a faster burst shooting rate (11 fps vs 8.2 fps).

The fact that the Panasonic has an electronic viewfinder is a big deal as well, especially considering there is no viewfinder in the Canon. As noted earlier, a viewfinder can greatly assist you with composition, and electronic viewfinders provide information and feedback that help you perfect your shots.

The Canon wins out in a few areas, too.

The touchscreen LCD is a nice touch, and it is more resolute than the LCD found on the Panasonic. This is advantageous for inspecting the details of the photos you take. It also means a brighter, crisper display that’s easier to see during daytime shooting. 

Furthermore, the Canon has a greater reach with its lens (84mm vs 75mm in the Panasonic), which can make a difference when shooting far-off subjects. The Canon also has Bluetooth and is slightly smaller and lighter than the Panasonic.

Canon Powershot G9 X Mark II and Panasonic DMC-LX100 Prices 

These cameras are evenly matched when it comes to features, but the same cannot be said for their prices.

At the time of this writing, the Canon Powershot G9 X Mark II price is $479.99. The Panasonic DMC-LX100 price is currently $599.99, which is a $200.00 savings.

Since price is often the overriding factor for many photographers, the question is, is the Panasonic so much better that it warrants spending an additional $120.00?

For me, the answer to that question is yes.

 

The Panasonic has a larger sensor, better features for action photography, better ISO performance, and a beautiful electronic viewfinder. Those things alone are enough for me to spend another $120.00.

However, when it comes to image quality, build quality, features, and lens performance, these cameras are very evenly matched. That makes the Canon an excellent choice as well.

In that case, it will likely come down to feel. Get your hands on both cameras, test them out, see how they fit in your hand, and examine their features, controls, and so forth. Sometimes how a camera works and feels can be the deciding factor.

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^{Image Credit: structuresxx via iStock} 

Sony has established itself as a leader in the mirrorless camera market.

That's been true for a long time now, and with new offerings like the Sony a7S II and the Sony a7RIII that have incredible specifications, making the decision of what Sony camera to buy can be difficult.

Both of these cameras are fantastic, but there are enough differences between them that could sway you in favor of one over the other.

In this Sony a7S II vs Sony a7R III side-by-side comparison, I break down the essential specs so you can decide which of these great cameras is best for you.

Sensor Specifications

While both the Sony a7S II and Sony a7R III utilize a full frame Exmor CMOS sensor, there are important differences in the technologies that each camera uses.

For starters, the a7S II features 12.2-megapixels of resolution while the a7R III has 42.4-megapixels.

What's more, the a7R III is , which means the sensor's photosites are closer to the surface of the sensor, allowing them to capture light more effectively.

On top of that, the a7R III lacks an anti-aliasing filter, which gives it better performance when it comes to image sharpness.

Autofocus System Performance

Another crucial difference between these cameras is their autofocus system features and performance.

The a7S II has a 169-point autofocus system with contrast-detect points. It offers -4EV at f/2, which gives it one more stop of sensitivity than the a7R III. That's handy for capturing low-light still images.

The a7R III has a hybrid autofocus system with 399 phase-detect points and 425 contrast-detect points, making it a much faster system than what's found on the a7S II.

That makes the a7R III a more suitable camera for action photography, like sports, while the a7S II might be a better choice for low-light photography.

Get an in-depth look at the a7R III's autofocus performance in the video above by Jared Polin.

ISO Sensitivity

You might be surprised to learn that the a7S II has a much wider ISO range than the more expensive a7R III.

That's because the a7S II was purpose-built for video shooting, and as a result, Sony incorporated a much wider ISO sensitivity range into that camera.

The a7S II has a native ISO range of 100-102400, with an extended range of 50-409600, making it a much more capable low-light camera than the a7R III, which has the same extended ISO range, but due to the greater number of megapixels, the a7R III's sensor produces much more noise.

For an in-depth discussion of the a7S II's low-light performance, check out the video above by Linus Tech Tips.

In-Body Camera Stabilization and Continuous Shooting Speeds

Both of these cameras have the advantageous feature of in-body stabilization.

But, again, the manner in which these systems work is slightly different.

The a7R III, for example, has five-axis stabilization that offers up to 5.5 stops while the a7S II offers "just" 4.5 stops.

Likewise, these cameras offer different continuous shooting speeds.

The a7S II offers a maximum of 5fps shooting, which isn't all that great in today's market. The a7R III, though, has 10fps capabilities, which makes it a great option for sports or wildlife photography.

What's more, the a7R III has a buffer that can handle 76 JPGs or 28 uncompressed RAW files.

Editor's Tip: Ready to upgrade your camera but don't have a huge budget to do it? See how far you can stretch your dollar for a new camera.

Electronic Viewfinder and Rear LCD

Both of these cameras sport excellent EVFs and LCDs.

The a7S II has a 2.36-million dot EVF while the a7R III has the same 3.69-million dot EVF that's found in Sony's flagship a9 model.

Both EVFs offer 0.78x magnification, a maximum refresh rate of 100fps/120fps, and a 23mm eyepoint.

The LCDs on these cameras are the same size at three inches wide and they both tilt, but the a7R III's display is also touch-enabled while featuring higher resolution (1.44-million dots) than the a7S II (1.228-million dots) as well.

Video Capabilities

Both the a7S II and the a7R III have 4K video capabilities at 30p and can record video at their full pixel readout. That means that all the pixels in the camera's sensors are used for video, and then downsampled to 4K resolution.

That, in turn, means that both cameras produce exceptionally detailed video with no moire or aliasing.

Both cameras offer two video shooting modes as well - full frame mode in which the entire sensor is used and Super35/APS-C mode, in which the video is cropped by about 1.5x.

The Super35 mode is advantageous because it gives you better quality, particularly when shooting at high ISO values.

However, as noted earlier, due to it's less resolute sensor and incredible ISO Range, the a7S II is considered by many to be the better of the two cameras for shooting video.

Final Thoughts

As we've worked through the side-by-side comparisons of these cameras, one thing is clear - regardless of which of these cameras you buy, you're getting a rig that's highly capable and feature-rich.

What it will likely come down to is whether you need a camera primarily for photos or videos - the a7R III is better for photos (especially action photography) while the a7S II is better for videography, especially in low light.

Price is surely a factor as well.

The Sony a7S II runs about $2,400 for the body only while the Sony a7R III will set you back a shade under $3,000.

Are both cameras a big investment? You bet. But are they both rockstar rigs that any photographer would love? Absolutely!

 

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^{Photo by Cole Sanada via iStock}

I've been to Death Valley quite a few times over the years.

On some occasions, I was just visiting - it's quite the place to explore! But on other occasions, I wanted to try my hand at Death Valley photography.

I have the advantage of being from California and being a photographer, so I know a few of the photography hot spots around Death Valley. But what if you're unfamiliar with the area?

That's where a Death Valley photography workshop comes in...

Unless you know where to go (and when to go, for that matter), it can be a little overwhelming planning a photo expedition to Death Valley. Besides, it's a hot, unforgiving place, so planning a trip on your own can be a bit stressful - you want to ensure you have all the details of your trip locked down so that you're safe and have the opportunity to take some great photos.

If you visit Death Valley as part of a workshop, though, it's all planned out for you. All you need to do is bring your camera and enjoy the ride! Your tour guide will determine when and where to go so that you can walk away with the best possible shots.

Below, I've listed some top-notch Death Valley photography workshops. If you want to visit this area for a photography trip, one of these workshops will be just the right ticket.

Jeff Sullivan Photography Death Valley Photography Workshops

^{Jeff Sullivan Photography}

Jeff Sullivan is a master landscape photographer who leads a variety of photography workshops, most of which are in the Great Basin area of Southern California and Nevada.

In fact, Jeff spent five years researching and writing a guidebook to photographing Southern California. That guide includes more than 40 locations for taking epic photos in Death Valley National Park. Jeff is currently working on a guide specific to the park that has more than 200 locatations (and counting!).

In other words, no one knows Death Valley like Jeff!

^{Jeff Sullivan Photography}

Jeff has multiple Death Valley photography workshops for the 2021-2022

These workshops offer real-time guidance on photographing Death Valley. This includes feedback and instruction from Jeff, so you not only get to explore the most beautiful Death Valley photography spots, but you also get feedback to improve the photos you take.

Jeff personally leads his small group workshops (which are limited to 3-4 attendees). On your tour, you'll find that Jeff has planned every detail and timed each trip to take advantage of the beauty of the park, including spring wildflowers, Death Valley night photography, meteor showers, and more.

With dates throughout 2022, there's a Death Valley photography workshop that will fit any schedule!

Learn more about the Jeff Sullivan Photography Death Valley Photography Workshop

Creative Photo Academy Death Valley Adventure

^{Creative Photo Academy}

Another top option for exploring Death Valley photography spots is the Creative Photo Academy Death Valley Adventure.

This workshop is scheduled for January 14-17, 2022, so time is running out to get registered!

This is certainly a workshop you don't want to miss. Led by Mark Comon, you'll get to explore the best locations around Death Valley National Park under the ideal lighting conditions to capture the best photos.

This workshop is all about learning by doing. You aren't there to listen to photography lectures all day long. Instead, you'll be out in the Park, getting guidance on the technical and artistic aspects of photography from Mark, and shooting the gorgeous landscapes you see before you.

During your time in Death Valley, you'll explore canyons, dry lake beds, sand dunes, and many other interesting features.

You'll have the opportunity to take photos in the early morning and late evening light, so spectacular golden hour photos await!

While you're there, you can enjoy learning your craft amongst like-minded colleagues in a small group setting. It's certainly a long weekend of Death Valley photography that you don't want to miss!

Learn more about the Creative Photo Academy Death Valley Adventure

Death Valley Photo Tours

^{Death Valley Photo Tours}

Led by Michael Gordon, Death Valley Photo Tours offers you a holistic experience while exploring Death Valley National Park.

These workshops not only focus on capturing the images of a lifetime, but they are also a learning experience about photography, nature, wildlife, and the history of the area.

When describing Michael's tours, it's best to use the term "first-class experience." After all, you simply show up and Michael and his team take care of the rest!

^{Death Valley Photo Tours}

Michael plans the tour itinerary, offers photographic expertise, and personally guides you from one location to the next inside Death Valley National Park.

Using more than 25 years of experience exploring this area, Michael will take you from one breathtaking location to the next, giving you the opportunity to capture incredible images of this incredible place.

Tours accommodate guests of all experience levels. You can opt for a three-day tour, a four-day tour, or a five-day tour if you like. You can also design a custom private tour!

Learn more about Death Valley Photo Tours

Jim Patterson Photography Death Valley Photography Workshop

^{Jim Patterson Photography}

Though Jim Patterson resides in the Seattle area, he has spent most of his life in California. And with years of experience exploring the Death Valley area, he has the knowledge of the area and the photographic expertise to make a photography workshop well worth your while.

Jim's goal is to help you have that "a-ha" moment behind the lens. He helps facilitate that partly because of his knowledge of where and when you should be to capture the breathtaking beauty of Death Valley.

The other part of Jim's ability to help his students find success is his focus on explaining photographic theory and philosophy. He gives you the background you need to be successful, offers loads of examples to explain photographic topics, and offers on-the-spot feedback to help you understand what you're doing well and what you might need to work on to get the best images.

^{Jim Patterson Photography}

In the context of a small group, you'll visit gorgeous Death Valley photography spots. Beginners will learn the basics of camera settings while more advanced students will focus on compositional techniques to improve their Death Valley photography.

Additionally, you'll explore many different areas of Death Valley, including heading out at night for night photography and light-painting, weather permitting.

Jim's next Death Valley photography workshop is coming up in March 2022, so head over to his website (linked below), sign up, and get ready!

Learn more about Jim Patterson Photography Death Valley Photography Workshop

TJ Thorne Wonders of Death Valley Landscape and Nature Photography Workshop

^{Photo by freebilly via iStock}

This workshop is led by not one, but two world-class landscape photographers - TJ Thorne and Alex Noriega.

Together, TJ and Alex will guide you through a photographic experience unlike any other in Death Valley.

You'll begin by meeting at Stovepipe Wells in Death Valley, which will serve as your base camp for making forays into the park. Subject matter for your Death Valley photography workshop will include badlands, mountains, canyons, sand dunes, and flats.

Of course, the itinerary is flexible to allow for changing weather and light, so you can be assured of being in the right place at the right time to capture the endless beauty of Death Valley.

No matter where you are in the park, TJ and Alex will focus on helping you develop a better understanding of what it takes to create the most compelling images.

You'll learn photographic techniques in the field to maximize the quality of your shots, photo processing techniques to bring out the richness and character of your images, and many other photography techniques in between.

In other words, this workshop is all about going beyond the basics and giving you a full photography experience that will have a positive impact on your development as a photographer.

Learn more about TJ Thorne Wonders of Death Valley Landscape and Nature Photography Workshop

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^{Photo by James Bold on Unsplash}

Just recently, the World Press Photo competition winners were announced. These striking images are a reminder of how powerful a medium photography is. Aside from some truly breathtaking photos, there was something else very intriguing about this year’s winners. 

If you look at the metadata of the images, like Photolari.com did, you’ll see that the majority of the winning images were taken on a DSLR. In fact, it wasn’t even close in the DSLR vs mirrorless matchup.

DSLR vs Mirrorless: What World Press Photo Winners Used 

 

Photolari’s examination of the metadata revealed that over 71% of winning photojournalists used a DSLR. Just 4.4% used a mirrorless camera.

Within those categories, it should be no surprise who the big players are. 

Far and away, Canon and Nikon were the most popular DSLRs, with the Canon 5D Mark IV being used for six of the winning images, the Canon 5D Mark III being used for five, and the Canon EOS 1DX Mark II being used for three photos. The Canon 6D, the Canon 5DS R, and the Canon 1DX made appearances on the list as well.

On the Nikon front, the Nikon D5 was used for four winning shots. The Nikon D850 was used to capture three of the winning images. Other Nikon DSLRs on the winning list include the Nikon D3S, the Nikon D800, the Nikon D300, the Nikon D4, and the Nikon D7200.

Editor’s Tip: Of all the camera gear you use to capture images, your lens is the most important. If you’re itching to upgrade your camera, think twice and consider upgrading your glass. If that Nikon D750 you have in your camera bag still works just fine, keep it, buy an upgraded lens or two, and enjoy improved image quality right off the bat.

Among mirrorless cameras, FujiFilm was the most popular brand, with the X-Pro 2, the X100T, X100s, and X100 all being used to capture one winning image each.

Surprisingly, Sony, which has really come on in recent years with fantastic camera after fantastic camera, only had one camera on the list - the a7R III.

So, the question is, why are DSLRs still so popular among photojournalists when there are equally capable, smaller, and lighter mirrorless cameras available?

Learn More:

• The Nikon D750 is a Great Camera for Photographers on a Budget 

Why Photographers Still Use DSLRs

First and foremost, I suspect that many photojournalists are simply sticking with what they know when it comes to the camera they use. 

I mean, if you’ve been rocking a Canon 5D Mark III for six years and it still works, why change?

What’s more, in many cases, photojournalists use cameras provided by the agency for which they work. That being the case, some photographers don’t really have a choice as to whether they use a DSLR or mirrorless camera.

And while the likes of Canon and Nikon have released adapters that allow older lenses to be used with their new mirrorless systems, if photography agencies decided to switch from DSLRs to mirrorless cameras, they’d be on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars to swap out all those camera bodies. In other words, it’s just not financially worth it.

Another reason why so many photographers have stuck with DSLRs is their reliability.

I have a Nikon D850 - which is one of the best DSLRs, by the way - that has proven to be a workhorse no matter the situation, no matter the weather. It’s rugged and dependable, and I trust it to work just fine whether it’s below zero and snowing or above 100 degrees and raining. 

That durability has likely been passed on to the Nikon Z7, but I simply don’t know yet because I just recently added the Z7 to my kit.

Without having had the opportunity to put it through its paces, I don’t know how it will perform in challenging conditions. I know exactly how my D850 will perform, so given the opportunity to take one or the other on an important photo shoot, I’ll choose the D850 for now.

Really, it just comes down to familiarity and reliability. The mentality of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” certainly applies here.

It’s not that DSLRs have better sensors or better ISO performance or better burst shooting speed. Mirrorless cameras are equally as good, if not better.

But when your old standby DSLR is still working fine, why bother switching?

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^{Photo by Caleb Jones on Unsplash} 

Father’s Day photography gifts can be hard to come up with, especially when you feel like he has all of the equipment that he’ll ever need (and then some).

But, we did some deep, dark internet research to find unique photography gifts for Father’s Day that won’t break the bank, and that will definitely leave him smiling for quite some time!

Good Father’s Day Photography Gift Idea: A Wide-Format Print

^{Photo by Kari Shea on Unsplash}

No photography man cave is complete without some beautiful works of art, works that the father in your life created, hanging on his wall.

What photography gift for dad could be better than a wide-format print of his own kids?

Paul’s Photo provides wide-format prints with incredible speed (just 24-48 hours) that can be as large as 44” by 120”, or the size of two or three toddlers!

They also have incredible customer service and triple check the photo’s contrast, color, and profile for the type of paper being used to ensure dad’s totally happy with his newest prized possession.

Learn More:

• Best Entry Level DSLRs
• Why I Need a Nikon Z7 and Why You Need One Too

Better Father’s Day Gift Idea: A Photo Book

^{Photo by Charles ?? on Unsplash}

While a wide-format print is one of the better Father’s Day photography gift ideas, it definitely doesn’t top a photobook.

I don’t know what it is about seeing your work prominently displayed on a coffee table that really makes you feel like a professional, but for $50, these leather photo books are a pretty cheap ego boost for dads with a camera.

And if your budget is a little tighter this year, or if your dad likes things a little more rustic, you can spring for the linen cover for $30.

You save $20, but there's no sacrifice in the wow factor with this photo book!

Best Father’s Day Gift Idea: A Photography Adventure

^{Photo by Hu Chen on Unsplash}

If you’re feeling more generous this year, then a photography adventure courtesy of Creative Photo Academy might be in store.

If he had it his way, his Father’s Day photography gift would certainly include a roundtrip flight to somewhere like Africa or Cuba.

Creative Photo Academy offers all kinds of photography adventures that could take dad around the world. On top of the beautiful vacation, Creative Photo Academy is led by professional photographers who have made each trip dozens of times.

What this means is that dad would have unparalleled dives into the culture he could find nowhere else.

The Cuba trip, which is happening next March, is a week-long excursion into Old Havana (car photographers rejoice!), tobacco fields and a cigar factory, and the playing grounds of three of Cuba’s favorite sports (boxing, ballet, and baseball).

You can also sneak yourself into the trip with the couple’s package if you’re feeling especially adventurous!

For those of you that can’t drop thousands of dollars on photography gifts for dad, Creative Photo Academy definitely still has options (like the Bristlecone Night Sky adventure, which sells out every year).

One I suggest is the Eastern Sierra package. Your photography gifts for Father’s Day are not complete if they don’t come with some good, old-fashioned Americana!

Visit ghost towns, photograph sweeping landscapes, and maybe even camp your way through the experience if you want to go off the grid.

Each one of Creative Photo Academy’s adventures are small and customized to the group’s wishes. It’s a phenomenal way to meet people from all over the world, and a great to learn photography tricks as well!

Learn More:

• Why You Should Rent Photography Gear Before You Buy
• DSLR Vs. Mirrorless: Why DSLRs Are Still King

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^{photo byBartekSzewczyk via iStock}

Ask any professional portrait photographer what artificial lighting they use for outdoor portraits, and the chances are good that many of them will respond by saying they use a monolight.

Monolights are ideally suited for outdoor portrait photography because their light output is highly adjustable and their heads can be fitted with modifiers and other attachments to modify the light.

The problem with monolights is that they aren’t exactly lightweight, nor are they easy to carry around, especially once you have a modifier, light stands, and so forth in tow as well.

Besides, there’s a much cheaper option than using a monolight, and that, my friends, is a speedlight.

Editor’s Tip: One of the best accessories you can have in your camera is a good speedlight. As you’ll see in this article, speedlights are hugely versatile, and can be used for outdoor portraits, indoor portraits, headshots, action portraits, and much more. Whether you need a speedlight for Canon, a speedlight for Nikon, or something in between, PAUL'S PHOTO has a great selection of flashes, modifiers, light stands, and more.

Speedlight vs Monolight 

^{photo by Vladimir Vladimirov via iStock}

If you’re not familiar with outdoor flash photography, you might not know the essential differences between speedlights and monolights. 

For starters, both speedlights and monolights are strobes, though speedlights are smaller and lighter weight than their monolight counterparts, making them an excellent choice for outdoor flash photography, as shown above. 

Secondly, monolights are usually reserved for situations in which a large area needs to be lit. Additionally, monolights (like the one shown below) are often better suited to situations in which you need to shoot rapidly (monolights have excellent recycle time that helps keep up with rapid shooting) or when you want to enhance the natural light when shooting outdoors. 

^{photo by angiii via iStock} 

Conversely, speedlights are better suited in very dark situations, like photographing an event indoors, or when you just need a punch of light to enhance the ambient light that’s available.

Third, monolights are more powerful and they have more options for modifying the light than do speedlights. For these reasons, monolights are often used in studio portraiture, though you’ll see portrait photographers using them for on-location shots as well. Of course, all that power and modification options mean monolights are more expensive.

Another difference between speedlights and monolights is that monolights are usually manually controlled, where speedlights are usually automatic or TTL (Through the Lens), which simply means the camera and a “preflash” work together to determine the appropriate flash output power for the given situation.

Lastly, speedlights are much more portable, and they’re more capable of accommodating very high shutter speeds.

So, while there are some similarities between monolights and speedlights - not the least of which that you can use either one to create classic portrait lighting patterns - you can see that there are far more differences.

Get a few more details on speedlights vs monolights in the video above by Joe Edelman.

How to Use a Speedlight for Outdoor Portraits

Despite a few limitations (i.e., power and modification options), you can use a speedlight (like this Promaster speedlight for Canon) to capture gorgeous outdoor portraits quite readily.

There’s really just two steps you’ll need to undertake to maximize your results when using a speedlight outdoors.

Using a Flash Outdoors in Daylight: Step 1, Modify the Light

 ^{YouTube Screenshot/Manny Ortiz}

Using a speedlight for an outdoor daytime portrait allows you to fill in some of the shadows that you get when shooting outdoors.

To best fill in those shadows, you need to modify the light to soften it. Doing so results in more even light that minimizes highlights and shadows and results in a well-exposed, well-lit outdoor portrait.

Above, you can see what an outdoor portrait during the daytime might look like without the benefit of a speedlight and modifier. But as you can see below, the results are much different once a speedlight and modifier are introduced. In fact, using a single light for portraits can often get you beautiful results. 

 ^{YouTube Screenshot/Manny Ortiz}

Now, in this specific situation, there was some cloud cover to help diffuse the sunlight, so the results were quite good. But when the sun is out in full force, using a single speedlight and modifier can be a little more tricky.

Speedlight for Outdoor Portraits: Step 2, How to Deal With Bright Sun

^{YouTube Screenshot/Manny Ortiz}

When the sun is shining brightly, the first thing you should do is have the model face away from the sun and toward your modified speedlight. 

Doing so accomplishes a couple of things - first, the model is less likely to squint because the sun will be at their back, and second, by facing toward the speedlight you can use it to lighten the model’s face.

Above, you can see how effective this can be. However, there’s a few problems.

^{YouTube Screenshot/Manny Ortiz}

When the sun is so bright, the speedlight’s recycle time will be much greater because you have to use it at full power. That being the case, you should be prepared to take multiple photos in an effort to get the flash to trigger so you have that nice fill light that you’re after.

Another issue is that speedlights have to be placed very near the model because they don’t have enough power to compete with sunlight. This restricts you a little bit in terms of composition and posing options, otherwise, your speedlight and modifier might make an appearance in the shot (as you can see in the upper-left corner of the shot above).

Outdoor Flash Photography: Recap

So, to recap, to tackle outdoor flash photography, you don’t need a big, heavy, expensive monolight. 

Instead, you can use a speedlight and an inexpensive softbox to get pleasing results. 

You just have to place the modified speedlight close to the model and ensure that their back is to the sun. Additionally, when shooting in full sun, be aware that your speedlight’s recycle time will be extended, so you’ll need to be patient. 

Get more details on how to use a speedlight outdoors in the video above by Manny Ortiz.

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Nikon D5300 Vs Nikon D5600

The Nikon D5300 and Nikon D5600 are two entry-level DSLR cameras. Both of them are budget-friendly and easy to use which makes them a good choice for those with a limited budget or for novices in photography.

Although they are relatively cheap when you compare them to other DSLR models, the D5300 and D5600 can still make great photos and videos, so they are both on the top of the list of the most popular consumer cameras ever. 

As you would have guessed by looking at model numbers, the Nikon D5600 is a newer model. It was released in 2016, almost three years after its predecessor - the Nikon D5300 (the D5400 was never released).

The D5600 is a great deal for its price, but how much better is it than its older brother? Should you spare a few bucks and opt for the older camera?

Check out this comparison and find answers to these questions.

Ready to get your hands on a Nikon D5300 or Nikon D5600? In my MPB review, you'll learn why buying a used D5300 or D5600 is a great option.

Nikon D5300 vs Nikon D5600 – Features comparison

There are no differences in sensor size and resolution between the Nikon D5300 and Nikon D5600. Both models were built around a 24MP CMOS sensor (23.5 x 15.6 mm) with no optical low-pass filter. Additionally, they both have the same EXPEED 4 processor.

^{Nikon D5300}

Although they share an identical sensor and processor, these two cameras differ in terms of the ISO sensitivity range. The D5300 has a native ISO range from 100 to 12,800, while its successor allows a native ISO range of 100 to 25,600.

The cameras also have very similar capabilities when it comes to other features. They allow 5 fps continuous frame rate and Full HD (1920x1080p) recording up to 60 fps.

^{Nikon D5600}

Additionally, they both have Multi-CAM 4800DX autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection and 39 focus points (including 9 cross-type sensor).

Get a detailed comparison of these cameras in the video above by TechMizan+.

 

 

Nikon D5300 vs Nikon D5600 – Body Comparison

Since they come from the same series, it is not strange that the D5300 and D5600 have a very similar design.

There are no substantial differences in size and weight between the two models. The Nikon D5600 is only a bit smaller (2%) and moderately lighter (3%).

While the D5300 has dimensions of 4.9 x 3.9 x 3.0 inches and weight of 17.1 oz., its successor has a size of 4.9 x 3.8 x 2.8 inches and weighs 15.0 oz.

Both cameras are relatively compact and light-weight, although you should bear in mind that neither of them is weather sealed.

Nikon D5300

While a few drops of water or snow should not do much harm to these cameras, they are not recommended to use in freezing conditions or during a storm.

Both cameras have a 3.2″ rear LCD screen (1.037k dots) that can be turned for 180 degrees. This allows you flexible shooting positions and makes your life a lot easier if you are a vlogger or selfie-lover.

The only difference in display is that the D5600 has a touchscreen instead of a conventional panel. This is really important because touchscreen technology makes focusing a lot easier.

Additionally, both cameras include an optical viewfinder with 95% coverage and 0.55 magnification, along with a built-in flash.

^{Nikon D5600}

The optical viewfinder can be of help if you want to take photos in overly bright conditions. On the contrary, the built-in flash is handy if you want to take photos when it is very dark.

If you don’t find built-in flash useful enough, there is an option to attach external flash on both cameras.

Nikon D5300 vs Nikon D5600 – Connectivity Comparison

First, we should say the Nikon D5300 has very good connectivity options. It has built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, and it lacks only Bluetooth technology.

As everyone expected, the D5600 adds Bluetooth capabilities, but strangely – it ditches GPS tracking.

Additionally, both cameras have HDMI output so you can watch your photos or videos on an external screen.

If you are into video recording, it is useful to know that both models have a built-in microphone, but there is also a port for connecting an external one.

Still, none of them has a jack for external headphones or speakers.

It might be worth mentioning the D5600 has longer battery life. While the D5300 allows you to take 600 shots per battery charge, you can take 970 shots with the D5600.

 

 

 

Nikon D5300 vs Nikon D5600 – Price Comparison

The best thing about these two cameras is their price. You can buy the Nikon D5300 for only $473.59 (body only), while Nikon D5600 price is around $596.95.

Both cameras have been on the market for many years, so there is an option for you to buy used models and save a lot of money. For example, you can find the D5300 for only $325.00. For this price, you will get a quite capable camera.

Should you buy the Nikon D5300, D5500 or D5600? Get an answer to this question in the video above by BVC Co.

Nikon D5300 vs Nikon D5600 – Final Thoughts

If you are a beginner in photography and you don’t want to spend a lot of money on equipment before you overcome the basics, you can’t go wrong whether you opt for the Nikon D5300 or Nikon D5600.

Although the newer model has slightly better features for photography, there are not a lot of differences between these two models. Learn more about Nikon D3300 price on our website PhotographyTalk.com.

^{Nikon D5300}

The D5300 has an advantage over the D5600 only because of the price and GPS tracking. The D5600 is better in any other category, but not in a mind-blowing way.

If you want to buy a new camera, then maybe it is better to opt for the Nikon D5600. In case you don’t mind buying a used one, the D5300 can also be a quite good solution. Read detailed Nikon D5600 review on our website PhotographyTalk.com.

^{Nikon D5600}

Either way, you will have a decent DSLR camera that can take you into the world of photography. Additionally, each of these two cameras can fulfill your needs for creativity until you are ready to spend a few more bucks to buy a more professional camera.

Have Nikon questions? Ask in Nikon Camera Forum.

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^{Photo by Lisa Fotios via Pexels}

If you’re in the market for a capable mid-range camera that won’t bust your budget, the Nikon D7500 is worth a long, hard look.

Sharing many features with Nikon’s flagship APS-C camera, the D5, the D7500 is a highly capable camera that’s feature-rich and fast as well.

In this Nikon D7500 review, learn about the camera’s essential specifications, its performance, price, and other critical features. 

Nikon D7500 Specs

 

The D7500 brings a variety of high-end features to the table that you don’t see in every camera at this price point.

That’s because, as I noted above, the D7500 borrows many of its features from the flagship D5 model. This includes its 20.9-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, its EXPEED 5 image processor, and its 180K-pixel RGB high-resolution metering sensor.

 

Other essential specifications include:

• 51-point phase-detect autofocus system
• 8 fps burst shooting (50 RAW files and more than 100 JPEGs)
• 4K UHD video capabilities (with a 1.5x crop)
• In-camera batch processing for RAW files
• Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth

In addition, Nikon has outfitted this camera with a huge 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen LCD with 922k dots, a deeper grip for a better holding experience, and perhaps best of all, weather sealing.

These features represent significant upgrades over lower-tier, entry-level models that might cost a few hundred dollars less, but also don’t offer the same functionality and longevity.

Get a detailed look at the Nikon D7500 in the video above by Jared Polin.

 

 

Nikon D7500 Features In Depth

 

Perhaps the biggest claim to fame for the D7500 is its speed.

With a maximum burst shooting rate of 8 fps, the D7500 is no slouch when it comes to photographing sports, wildlife, and other subjects that require speed.

This is no surprise given that the D7500 is essentially a baby D5, which itself is a speed demon.

Not only is the 8 fps rate 2 fps faster than its predecessor, the D7200, but the D7500 also has a buffer that’s three times the size of the D7200s. That’s a significant jump that makes this camera a much better option for speedsters than the D7200. Read more about Nikon D750 review on our website PhotographyTalk.com.

 

Something that did not change from the D7200 to the D7500 is the autofocus system with 51 phase-detect autofocus points. While other cameras in this range offer autofocus systems with more AF points, Nikon was smart to leave well enough alone.

This autofocus system is reliable, accurate, and fast, and with the inclusion of a new 180K-pixel RGB high-resolution metering sensor, 3D tracking is much-improved as well.

One thing that throws people off about the D7500 is that its imaging sensor is less resolute than its predecessor - 21-megapixels on the D7500 versus 24-megapixels on the D7200. Less megapixels is a bad thing, right?

Wrong.

 

As mentioned earlier, the D7500 inherited its sensor from the D500. This is what allows the D7500 to have such fast readout speeds, such an excellent burst shooting speed, and 4K video capabilities.

On top of all that, this sensor is well known for producing superb image quality, so though it “loses” three megapixels of resolution, image quality is not affected. In fact, despite having less pixels, the D7500 does an excellent job of minimizing aliasing that puts it on par with the more resolute D7200.

 

Get a great deal on a Nikon D7500. Start shopping now.

 

The D7500 also performs well in low-light situations and when shooting at high ISOs. This is due in large part to the components it shares with the D500, which is similarly capable at high ISOs.

It should be noted, however, that the D7200 outperforms the D7500 in low-light shooting, but their performance is close enough that this likely wouldn’t make a difference to most shooters.

 

Something else of note on the D7500 is the excellent touchscreen LCD.

Photographers that heretofore have shunned shooting in Live View might find the ideal companion for doing so in the D7500.

The LCD is big and bright, and though it isn’t the most resolute LCD out there with “just” 922k dots, it’s still a highly useful and capable display.

The most useful part, of course, is the touch capabilities that allow you to change focus by tapping the screen rather than maneuvering the AF point around with a D-pad. It’s important to note that autofocus in Live View on the D7500 is contrast-detect only, so it isn’t nearly as fast as autofocus would otherwise be on this camera.

 Nikon D7500 Best Uses

^{Photo by troy williams on Unsplash}

As noted earlier, the D7500 is a speed demon that is well-suited to action photography, sports, wildlife, and other fast-moving subjects. The 8 fps burst speed, huge buffer, and excellent subject recognition paired with a solid autofocus system makes it a prime choice for these types of pursuits.

Something else that makes this a great action photography camera is its 3D Tracking feature, which is supremely accurate assuming you’re shooting in good light. Paired with the automated autofocus fine-tune feature that allows you to quickly calibrate front-focused and back-focuses lenses, you have all the necessary features to tackle even the fastest-moving of subject matter.

 

 

But the D7500 isn’t just about action.

Landscape photographers will appreciate the beefy grip and weather sealing for days when the weather isn’t exactly cooperating.

Travel photographers and street photographers will no doubt love the fact that the D7500’s body weighs 26.2 ounces. While this is far heavier than mirrorless options out there, it’s still a fairly small and lightweight camera as far as DSLRs are concerned. 

 _{Photo by jabari timothy on Unsplash}

The D7500 is a good option for portrait enthusiasts as well. The autofocus system with 3D tracking is highly effective when shooting at close range, even if light is not abundant. What’s more, the camera’s default settings of matrix metering with Face Detect results in highly accurate focusing. 

In other words, the Nikon D7500 is an excellent all-around camera, that, while well-suited for action photography, offers plenty of features for other photographic pursuits.

Nikon D7500 Final Thoughts 

 

The Nikon D7500 has many remarkable features that make it an excellent choice for enthusiast photographers who want to upgrade their camera but aren’t ready to jump into a full frame.

Likewise, new photographers that want to start out with a better camera, yet won’t be overwhelmed with complicated controls, should consider this as a good choice as well.

Best of all, since the D7500 is nearing its second birthday, prices have come down and it is now a very affordable camera. The body only, for example, is just $1000 brand-new while a kit with a 18-55mm G VR lens is $620. Those prices represent a savings of $100 and $570, respectively (though this deal is set to expire March 30, 2019).

With blazing speed, excellent autofocus performance, beautiful image quality, weather sealing, a touchscreen LCD, and many more features, this is a camera that has tons to offer photographers of all kinds.

For additional details about this camera, check out the in-depth review video above by Maarten Heilbron.

 

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^{photo by AdrianHancu via iStock}

In this article, we will compare two giants among DSLR full frame cameras: the Nikon D810 and Nikon D850.

Both models are very popular among photographers, as they have shown to be a great companion and worthy money-making equipment.

The D810 was already established as one of the best semi-pro cameras at the time of the release of its successor, the D850. Many users fell in love with the D810 and almost five years later, they are still not willing to replace it with any other camera.

The D850 was released in 2017, as the successor to the D810. It comes with many improvements over the older camera but at a higher price. While you can buy the D810’s body for just under $2,800.00, you will need to spend $3,300.00 for the Nikon D850.

In this comparison article, we see if the D850 is a worthy replacement of its older sibling or if it is better for you to save $500 and opt for the D810.

Nikon D850 vs Nikon D810 Body Comparison

^{Nikon D850}

If you put the Nikon D850 and D810 beside one another, you will hardly notice any difference in their design. They are both weather-sealed and mostly built of magnesium-alloy which makes them capable of enduring harsh weather conditions and gives them a longer lifespan.

Both cameras weigh around 2 pounds without a lens or accessories attaches, and although the D850 is a bit heavier, it will be hard to notice this difference in reality.

^{Nikon D810}

Generally speaking, both models are professionally built and they feel good in hand because of the deep grip and intelligent ergonomics.

Although there are few minor differences in button positions, if you are already familiar with the D810, you will get accustomed to the D850 in no time.

 

 

The main physical difference between the D810 and D850 is that the newer camera lacks a pop-up flash which was a nice feature enjoyed by users of the D810.

On the other hand, the D850 incorporates a tilting LCD display instead of the flat screen that could be found on the older model. The new display in the D850 also adds touchscreen technology and offers a higher resolution as well.

Get a detailed hands-on review of this camera in the video above by Park Cameras.

Nikon D850 vs Nikon D810 Features

Although they closely resemble each other, the D850 is a worthy upgrade to the Nikon D810 as it adds a lot of new features while improving the old ones.

To start with, the D850 offers a 45.7MP full frame sensor which is an impressive upgrade over the already astonishing 36.3MP sensor that is in the core of the D810. 

Additionally, there are huge differences in video recording capabilities between these two models. If you are more into making movies than into taking stills, you will definitely need to stick to the D850.

The Nikon D850 offers 4K UHD (3840 x 2160p) video recording at frame rates up to 30fps and full HD footage at up to 120 fps. If you compare it with the D810’s capability to capture Full HD footage at up to 60p, you will understand why it can’t compete with video features offered in the D850.

Decide which camera better suits your needs by watching the video above by Finding Middle Earth.

 

Save money and buy a pre-owned Nikon D850 or Nikon D810

 

The cameras also differ in terms of speed.

The Nikon D810 offers 5fps continuous shooting. This is an average speed, but the D850 improves it even more, as it offers 7fps continuous speed and up to 9fps with an optional battery grip.

Along with speed, the D850 also carries improvements in autofocus technology.

While there is a 51-point AF system with 15 cross-type points in the D810, there is now a 153-point AF system with 93 cross-type points in the Nikon D850.

Additionally, the D850 works better while focusing subjects in low-light conditions, as it can focus down to -4EV, in comparison to the D810 that can focus as low as -2EV.

Nikon D850 vs Nikon D810 ISO Comparison

At the time of its release, the D810 was one of the best DSLR models on the market because of its 36.3MP full-frame sensor with no low-pass filter.

Five years later, it is still a major player and there are only a few new cameras that offer a bigger resolution for the same amount of money as you would need to spend on the D810.

^{Nikon D810}

Although it provides superb image quality, the D810 hardly competes with its successor that offers a stunning 45.7MP back-illuminated, full-frame sensor.

The back-illuminated (BI) sensor technology in the D850 improves its low-light performance, while a larger amount of megapixels allow you to preserve more details if you decide to crop your images or make huge prints.

^{Nikon D850}

The D850 also tops out its predecessor in terms of offering a better ISO range.

The Nikon D850 has a native ISO range from 64 to 25,600 (expandable to 32-102,400) in comparison to the D810 that offers a native ISO range from 64 to 12,800 (expandable to 32-51,200).

For another hands-on look at these cameras, check out the video above by Matt Granger.

 

 

Nikon D850 vs Nikon D810 Long Exposure Photography

^{Nikon D850}

Before you ditch your D810 because of higher ISO capabilities and bigger amount of megapixels in its successor, bear in mind there are no substantial differences in image quality produced by these two cameras.

While the D850 offers a better ISO range and higher image quality at high ISO, both cameras produce noise on high ISO settings so you will want to stick to the lower levels.

^{Nikon D810}

At the low end of ISO, both cameras produce similar results and it will be hard for you to find any differences in quality between images.

To get a better understanding of what we are talking about, you can watch the video below by Attilio Ruffo, where he tests long exposure photography on both camera models.

Nikon D850 vs Nikon D810 Lenses

If you own a Nikon D810, it is a good thing that you can use your old lenses if you decide to switch to the D850.

Both cameras have the same Nikon F lens mount, and this gives you a possibility to choose among 400 different NIKKOR products.

^{Nikon D810}

The type of lenses you decide to attach to your camera should match your photography style.

One of the best options to choose from is definitely the Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens because of its mix of versatility with affordable price ($946.95).

The Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR is a bit more pricey ($2396.95), but aimed to produce great results in any situation.

^{Nikon D850}

If you are into Macro photography you might want to go with the Nikon 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR Micro,while the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSMworks great for shooting portraits.

Nikon D850 vs Nikon D810 Comparison

At the end of the day, the choice between these cameras is quite close.

In terms of performance, the D850 has some chits in its favor, but the D810 is certainly no slouch.

If you're into shooting video, the D850 is a better choice, but if you're on a tighter budget, the D810 is the better option.

Either way, both of these full frame cameras offer tons of features and versatility and will be a rock-solid camera for you.

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^{Photo by Sylwia Bartyzel on Unsplash}

Let’s be clear from the start: Whether you go with the Nikon D850 or Sony a7R III, you will not have any regrets. Both cameras offer great features for versatile activities, and each of them has a lot to offer in terms of quality and capabilities.

But, which one is better? The Nikon D850 or Sony a7R III?

As they are both ranked pretty high among photographers, it will not be very easy to answer this question. Still, there are certain situations in which one model performs better than the other.

In this comparison article, you can see which camera better suits your needs!

Nikon D850 vs Sony A7R III - Body Comparison

The first big distinction between the Nikon D850 and Sony a7R III is that they are a different type of cameras. While we have DSLR Nikon on one side, on the other we have mirrorless Sony.

Mirrorless cameras have become very popular during the past few years because they provide DSLR-like features in a compact and lightweight body. This is why Sony’s camera has a big advantage when it comes to size and weight.

The Nikon D850 is 32% bigger and 35% heavier than the Sony A7R III, although the camera does not seem to be burdensome with the weight of 2.22 lb and size of 5.75 x 4.88 x 3.11 inches.

However, if enhanced portability is all that you are looking for, you will probably opt for the Sony A7R III.

Bear in mind that DSLR cameras still have some advantages over mirrorless models and one of them is longer battery life. The D850 will allow you to make 1840 shots before your battery runs dead in comparison to only 650 shots with the A7R III. You will notice this is a huge difference, so Nikon’s camera clearly wins in this battle. Read more about Nikon D850 review on our website PhotographyTalk.com.

One of the reasons because of which mirrorless models have smaller battery life is that they use an electronic viewfinder that allows you to see a sample of your footage before you press the shutter button. On the contrary, DSLR models have an optical viewfinder which gives a clearer and lag-free picture. Whether you prefer an electronic or optical viewfinder, in any case, it should not be a deal-breaking criterion.

 

 

Both cameras are dust-proof, weather-sealed, and built to have a long life. There is a tilting LCD touch-screen on each camera, although the one in the Nikon D850 provides better resolution and it’s bigger by 0.2 inches.

The Nikon D850 also incorporates a top deck display which can be useful to view or make changes to settings while you are in the process of shooting.

Decide which camera works better for you after watching the video above by Tony & Chelsea Northrup.

Nikon D850 vs Sony A7R III - Features

Although they are different types of camera, the Nikon D850 and Sony A7R III produce similar results when they are put in practice.

The Nikon D850 offers a 45.7 MP BSI-CMOS full-frame sensor while there is the same type of sensor of 42 MP in the Sony A7R III. Despite of minor differences in sensor size and resolution, each camera makes images of great quality so it would be a tough decision to decide which sensor performs better.

The Sony a7R III, however, beats the Nikon D850 at continuous shooting and autofocus performance.

Sony’s mirrorless model offers continuous shooting at 10fps, while the Nikon D850 shoots at only 7fps. This is not a huge difference, but more frames per second can be of use for action photographers. Also, the silent mode works better in the a7R, although the D850 also has an option for silent shooting.

 

Need to finance a new Nikon D850 or Sony a7R III? SELL YOUR OLD GEAR AND USE THE PROCEEDS TO UPGRADE YOUR KIT.

 

When it comes to autofocus, the Sony a7R III has 425 focus points, which is much more in comparison to 153 autofocus points in the Nikon D850. Still, it is worth mentioning that both cameras have an impressive autofocus system.

One more thing that Sony a7R III has and the Nikon D850 lacks is in-camera image stabilization system which is helpful in reducing the effects of camera shake.

The Nikon D850 is a more capable camera when it comes to video. Both cameras offer 3480 x 2160 video resolution and 4K features. Still, the D850 allows you to create 8K-resolution time-lapse videos, which is not possible with Sony’s camera.

Get a detailed hands-on review of this camera in the video above by Finding Middle Earth.

Nikon D850 vs Sony A7R III – ISO comparison

If you are looking for a camera with a higher ISO setting, then you would opt for Sony’s model. The Sony A7R III has a native ISO range from 100-32,000 (expandable to 50-102,400). The Nikon D850, in comparison, has a max ISO of 25,600 (expandable to 102,400).

On the other hand, the Nikon D850 excels at the low end of ISO, and it can go as low as 64 ISO (expandable down to ISO 32). According to Nikon, this is the lowest base ISO of any DSLR or mirrorless camera.

While the D850 has greater dynamic range, the a7R III takes photos in low light with less noise.

 

 

Nikon D850 vs Sony A7R III – Lenses

For both cameras, you will need to use interchangeable lenses. The D850 has a larger flange-to-focal-plane distance which means that its lenses are bigger and heavier than those built for the mirrorless Sony.

However, you will have much better lens selection if you choose to go with the Nikon D850. A wide array of lens choice for Nikon’s cameras is a big advantage of the D850 over the Sony a7R III.

Still, what is good is that you can use an adapter on Sony’s camera to attach lenses made by other companies such as Canon or Nikon.

Nikon D850 vs Sony A7R III – Price Comparison

There is no big difference in Nikon D850 price and Sony a7R III price. While you can buy the body of D850 for just under $3,100.000, you will need to spend $3,200.00 for the a7R III.

The Nikon D850 with AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED Lens is priced at $5,300.00, while the Sony a7R III with 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T FE OSS Full Frame Zoom Lens costs $4,100.00.

Of course, you can buy either of these cameras used and save yourself a good bit of money.

For example, a used Sony a7R III in like new condition is currently going for $2,679.00, a savings of over $500 from the new price. Likewise, a used Nikon D850 in like new condition can be found for $2,909.00, a savings of just under $200.

Ultimately, your choice between the two may very well come down to brand preference and whether you want a DSLR or a mirrorless camera. Otherwise, these cameras are quite well matched!

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Nikon Z9 and Z5 - Nikon Rumors

Those of you that follow my posts here on PhotographyTalk know that I'm a big Nikon guy.

I've been working with the Z6 for quite some time now, and it's afantastic camera (you can read my Nikon Z6 review to find out why).

So you can imagine how excited I was this morning when I stumbled upon the latest Nikon rumors that include the theory that the Nikon Z5 and Nikon Z9 will be announced this year!

Editor's Tip: When these new Nikon models debut, get yours fast and simple at Paul's Photo. I shop at Paul's Photo for a number of reasons, not the least of which is their top-notch customer service. Whether you buy online or visit their store here in Los Angeles, you'll get your questions answered in a jiff by real people that care about you as a customer. Find out why Paul's is a great camera store in my Paul's Photo review.

Nikon Z9 Set to Take Nikon's Mirrorless Lineup Up a Notch

Granted, this is all still speculation, but the rumor mill is churning that the Z9 will be the pro-grade, top-tier mirrorless camera that many Nikon folks feel the Z7 is not. Rumor has it that the announcement of the Z9 could happen as soon as this summer, which means we could get official word from Nikon about the Z9 in a matter of weeks. We shall see.

Debuting their high-end mirrorless camera this summer would be a smart move for Nikon. After all, the 2020 summer games are a year away, so that gives photographers time to adopt the system and learn how to use it.

What's more, the 2020 summer games are in Tokyo in Nikon's backyard, so Nikon will want as many pros at the Olympics using its cameras.

Specs are not known about the Z9 at this time, but I would be willing to bet the farm that there will be two card slots given the intense backlash Nikon has gotten about the single slot on the Z7.

Nikon Z5 and Z3 Expand Into APS-C Territory

Again, this is just speculation, but the word on the street is that the Z-series will soon include APS-C models.

Specifically, the Nikon Z5 - which is expected to be officially announced before the end of the year - is rumored to be an APS-C model with a sensor in the 30-32 megapixel range.

Again, expect two card slots, and also expect the body to be perhaps a touch smaller than the Z6.

There's yet another Z-series camera on the horizon, the Z3.

The smallest member of the Z lineup isn't expected until next year, and is thought to be in the 24-26 megapixel range with an even smaller form factor than the Z5, a fixed LCD, and no electronic viewfinder.

For Now, the Nikon Z6 and Nikon Z7 are on Sale

While we await these new Nikon cameras to debut, there is news to report on the Z6 and Z7.

Both cameras are currently on sale - the Nikon Z7 sale saves you $600 and the Nikon Z6 sale saves you $200.

If you ask me, the Z7 sale is a smokin' deal. I know that some folks are annoyed by the single card slot and bemoan the fact that it isn't a true flagship camera, but as someone with both a Nikon D850 and a Nikon Z7, I find myself using the Z7 80 percent of the time - I enjoy it that much.

But, hey, that's just me. Maybe you're better served waiting for the Nikon Z9. I'm sure it'll be worth the wait!

Via Nikon Rumors and Digital Camera World

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^{*Photo is of the Nikon D5}

If you’re here looking for all of the details on the Nikon D6, then you’re in luck. Rumors have been swirling the last few days about all the new technology Nikon plans to include, how they’re trying to compete with Canon, and whether the price tag will be worth it.

While all of the Nikon D6 specs are still rumor, we’ve got them all right here for you. And, some of them are bound to be true.

Nikon Rumors: Nikon D6 Specs

 *Photo is of the Nikon D5

The Nikon D6 had better have in-body image stabilization considering a prominent rumor going around is that the D6 unveiling was delayed thanks to the addition of this technology.

Supposedly, the D6 will also have dual CFExpress memory card slots, new dual EXPEED processors, built-in WiFi, and a 3.2 million-dot touchscreen LCD. 

The Nikon D6 may also feature:

• .76-.78x 100% viewfinder
• Multiple silent shooting modes
• Better AF than the Nikon D5

Nikon Rumors 2019: Will the D6 Be Mirrorless?

*Photo is of the Nikon D5

Some purists will say that the D6 better be a DSLR. Why mess with something that’s worked for ages? Others will say that it’s time for DSLRs to go away, and making the D6 a mirrorless camera will help Nikon compete with Canon’s forthcoming high-end mirrorless rigs.

The rumor seeming to win out about whether the Nikon D6 will be a mirrorless is that it will be a DSLR with mirrorless-like qualities, such as in-body image stabilization and the ability to take incredible video.  

However, Nikon’s president did admit in an interview that a mirrorless camera similar to the D5 was being developed. Which leads me to believe that we’ll be getting both: a D6 DSLR and a Z series mirrorless version. My theory is proven more true by the fact that Nikon confirmed new Z series cameras are headed for the brand this year.

Nikon Rumors 2019: Nikon D6 Release Date 

 ^{photo by voyata via iStock} 

As TechRadar is reporting, Nikon may be looking to release the Nikon D6 in time for the 2020 Olympics. Since the Nikon D5 is known for being a phenomenal sports photography camera, and since the 2020 Olympics are being hosted in Nikon’s home city of Tokyo, it’s a pretty convincing argument.

Nikon Rumors also suggests that prototypes are already in testing, which could mean an early 2020 announcement.

Nikon D5 Specs and Nikon D5 Price 

The Nikon D5:

• Shoots 12 frames per second
• Shoots 4K video
• Comes with Dual CompactFlash
• Has a 3.2” screen

For some of us, the closest we can get to the newest cameras are the older versions of those cameras.

So, realistically, I’m probably not going to be able to afford the price tag on the Nikon D6 considering I haven’t even been willing to shell out for a Nikon D5. But, everytime a new Nikon camera drops, or gets ready to drop, then another Nikon suddenly drops in price and I can expand my collection.

While the Nikon D5 price was egregious when it first dropped, thanks to places like Paul’s Photo, I was still able to rent one and play around with it for a few days. 

So, whether you’re looking to try out the D5 before upgrading to the D6 when it inevitably drops next year, or maybe you’re in my boat and are thinking about splurging for the D5 now that it won’t cost a year of rent, the guy’s over at Paul’s Photos can help you out. 

They currently have a $500 rebate on the Nikon D5, making it a smooth $5,999. On the other hand, if you really have your eye on the Nikon D6, but want to try the line out before you buy, then you can also rent the D5 for as cheap as $150.

 

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Nikon Z6 Review

Earlier this year, Nikon finally entered the market of full-frame mirrorless cameras by launching the Nikon Z Series and its first two models, the Z6 and Z7. While the Z7 comes with professional features and high-resolution offering, the Z6 is designed as an all-rounder with more affordable pricing.

Mirrorless Nikon cameras are designed to give you DSLR-like features in a lighter and smaller body.

By releasing the first two full-frame mirrorless models, Nikon had an aim to satisfy the needs of all types of photographers. The Z7 offers super-high resolution 45.7-megapixel sensor but comes at a high price. This is why many enthusiast-oriented photographers choose the Z6 as the more affordable alternative.

See if this is the camera for you in our Nikon Z6 review.

Editor's Tip: Ready to upgrade to the Nikon Z6 but don't have enough cash? SELL YOUR OLD GEAR AND USE THE PROCEEDS TO BUY A NEW CAMERA.

Nikon Z6 Specs

The Nikon Z6 is advertised as the most adaptable camera Nikon has ever created.

This camera includes a 24.5 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, a new hybrid AF system with 273 points and 90% coverage, and an ISO sensitivity range of 100–51,200 (expandable to a whopping 204,800).

Additionally, the Z6 features 12fps burst mode, full frame (no crop) 4K video, powerful in-body 5-axis VR image stabilization, stellar Z-mount lenses, improved connectivity options over Nikon DSLRs, and many other interesting features that make this camera ideal for producing great videos or stills in just about any environment. Learn more about Nikon D3300 DSLR camera on our website PhotographyTalk.com.

To see the Nikon Z6 in action, check out the video above by Kai W.

New Z Lenses

The Z series features Nikon’s new Z lens mount which is 11mm wider than the F mount and has a shorter flange focal distance.

There are only three Z-mount lenses on the market at the moment - the Nikkor Z 24-70 F4 S (shown above), Nikkor Z 50mm F1.8 S, and Nikkor Z 35mm F1.8 S, but the list will surely expand in the future.

Although Nikon Z cameras use a new lens mount, there is an option to buy an FTZ mount adapter which will allow you to use any lenses you already have in your possession. That makes the transition from a Nikon DSLR to the Z series much, much easier.

Nikon Z6 Appearance

The Nikon Z6 has a magnesium alloy body and looks pretty much the same as its bigger brother, the Z7.

The camera uses a touchscreen interface technology (3.2 inches, 2.1-million dots) which allows you to easily navigate settings.

A tilting screen is also a handy option which makes shooting at high and low angles much, much easier. There are also multiple displays and screens such as 0.80x 3.6m-dot EVF and dot-matrix OLED on the top for quick reference of camera settings.

Get a better idea of the layout of the Z6's controls in the video above by The Art of Photography.

Editor's Tip: Have old Nikon lenses you no longer need or want? TRADE THEM IN AND USE THEIR VALUE TO UPGRADE YOUR LENS KIT.

Connectivity

One of the disadvantages of the Nikon Z6 is that it uses a single XQD card slot.

On the other hand, the camera has advanced connectivity options. You can record directly to an external recorder with 10-bit output via HDMI, while you can also simultaneously record 8-bit 4K movie files to the memory and an external recorder.

The camera also has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Bluetooth technology allows you to automatically transfer 2MB photos as soon as you take them, while you can also send photos of higher quality manually. There are also options for remote shooting with SnapBridge version 2.5.

Nikon Z6 Price

You can pick up a brand-new Z6 body for $1,999.99, while we suggest you add around $250 for Nikon Mount Adapter FTZ so you can use a variety of lens options for the best results. Learn more about Nikon D810 camera on our website PhotographyTalk.com.

There are many different kits available as well, including the Z6 with the 24-70mm f/4 S lens (shown above) which runs about $2,600.00.

Overall, the Nikon Z6 is a great mixture of excellent low-ISO performance, speed, and versatility packed in a lightweight mirrorless body. We are sure you will enjoy it as soon as it comes into your hands.

Have Nikon questions? Ask in the Nikon Camera Forum.

 

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^{Photo by Banter Snaps on Unsplash}

Nikon Z6 vs Sony a7III

In this review, we will be comparing the Nikon Z6 and Sony a7 III, two all-rounder cameras released during the last year (2018).

These two models share a lot in common, although they were designed and produced by two competitive companies, Nikon and Sony.

First of all, they are both mirrorless cameras built around a 24 MP full-frame sensor. Moreover, they have similar features, price range, and target group.

Despite resembling each other in some respects, there are things that can make difference between these two camera models and we’ll point them out in this article.

Need a new camera but can't afford new prices? Read my MPB review to learn why it's one of your best options for finding great used cameras.

Nikon Z6  vs Sony a7 III – History

Last year, the major companies in the photography world, Canon and Nikon, released their first full-frame mirrorless cameras. By doing this, they ended a long-lasting reign of Sony on the mirrorless market.

For years, Sony was the leader in producing full-frame mirrorless cameras. By removing the internal mirror that is characteristic for DSLR cameras, the company was able to create very compact devices that have the same features as DSLR models produced by its competitors.

With this being said, it is not strange there are similarities between the Nikon 76 and Sony a7 III.

The Z6 was released six months after the a7 III, and Nikon probably had in mind Sony’s model when they prepared their first semi-pro full-frame camera.

This becomes even more obvious if you take into consideration the Nikon Z6 came in pair with the high-end Nikon Z7.

It was the same move as Sony did earlier by launching the Sony a7 III shortly after its high-end twin, the a7R III.

The Nikon Z6 was obviously made to challenge Sony’s camera, but how successfully it fulfilled its purpose?

Nikon Z6  vs Sony a7 III – Design

^{Sony a7 III}

Mirrorless cameras are often associated with compact size and lightweight, but the Nikon Z6 and Sony a7 III are not among the most compact cameras ever made. We have done in-depth Nikon Z6 review on our website PhotographyTalk.com.

With dimensions of 5.0 x 3.8 x 2.9 inches and weight of 23.0 ounces, the Sony a7 III is only a hair smaller and lighter than the Z6. The difference is microscopic so we can’t say there are disparities in the size and weight of these cameras.

^{Nikon Z6}

When it comes to design, the Sony a7 III might be inconvenient in certain situations, since they made the handgrip too small. Okay, it is not the smallest ever, but if you are using heavy lenses you might feel exhausted after handling the camera too long.

Nikon learned from Sony’s mistakes and made the grip a bit larger which made the camera feeling more comfortable after a long day of shooting.

 

 

Nikon Z6  vs Sony a7 III – EVF and LCD

^{Sony a7 III} 

Both cameras incorporate an EVF and a rear LCD screen. Unfortunately, none of them have a display that fully articulates.

The LCD screen is tiltable on both cameras, but you can’t turn it around to make a selfie. Vloggers will hate this, but I am sure they will find their way to use these cameras nevertheless.

So, what are differences in the LCD screen and EVF? For the beginning, let’s just say that Nikon’s camera clearly wins in this battle.

^NIKON Z6

The LCD screen on the Nikon Z6 is a bit larger (3.2 inches vs 3.0 inches) and it has a bigger resolution (2100k vs 922k). Additionally, its touchscreen allows you bigger possibilities than Sony’s model.

The EVF in the Nikon Z6 also has better resolution than the one in the Sony a7 III (3690k dots vs 2359k) and just a slightly higher magnification (0.8x vs 0.78x).

Finally, the Nikon Z6 also has a top OLED screen which is handy for quickly checking camera settings, while the Sony a7 III doesn’t have this feature.

Nikon Z6  vs Sony a7 III – Common Specs

 

Sony a7 III 

Before we focus on specs that distinguish these two cameras, let’s see what they share in common.

First of all, they both feature a 24 MP BSI sensor (35mm) with optical low pass filter, 5-axis in-body stabilization, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other connectivity options such as HDMI, microphone port, and headphone jack.

NIKON Z6

The Nikon Z6 and Sony a7 III also have the same native ISO sensitivity range from 100 to 51,200.

Additionally, both cameras can record 4K videos up to 30fps and Full HD videos up to 120fps.

If you are interested to know more about video features of these two cameras, check out the video above by Gerald Undone.

 

 

Nikon Z6  vs Sony a7 III – SD Card and Battery Life

The Nikon Z6 has only one XQD card slot, while Sony’s model accepts two SD cards. Although XQD cards perform better, having two SD cards can be of great assistance especially if you are a wedding photographer or a videographer.

Double card slot has shown to be very useful and practical so it is a big disadvantage for the Z6 that it lacks one.

Along with bigger storage, the Sony a7 III also has longer battery life. It is possible to make 610 viewfinder shots with Sony’s camera, while Nikon’s model makes only 310.

Nikon Z6  vs Sony a7 III – Autofocus

The other thing where the Sony a7 III has an advantage over the Nikon Z6 is autofocus. It is not a huge difference and both cameras have impressive autofocus system, but – to start with - the Sony a7 III has more autofocus points.

While there are 273 hybrid autofocus points in Nikon, there are 693 phase-detect points and 425 contrast-detect points in Sony’s camera.

Although the number of autofocus points doesn’t necessarily imply bigger precision and speed, users have expressed more satisfaction with the autofocus system in the Sony a7 III.

The Nikon Z6 has shown to be unpredictable in certain situations. For example, it might have issues to acquire the target in continuous autofocus tracking.

Nikon Z6  vs Sony a7 III – Continuous Shooting Speed

When it comes to continuous shooting speed, the Nikon Z6 appears to perform a bit better than the Sony a7 III.

The Z6 offers 12 fps continuous shooting, while the a7 III allows only 10 fps.

Once again, the difference is not substantial, but since the cameras are very similar it might make a difference to those who are into sports or wildlife photography.

It is worth mentioning that continuous shooting at 12fps while using the Nikon Z6 comes with certain limitations. The exposure will be locked on the first frame, and viewfinder will not keep up with live view.

You will need to reduce the speed to 5.5 fps if you want live view without blackouts on Nikon’s camera.

The same thing goes for the a7 III, although this camera allows live view without blackouts up to 8fps.

In the video above, The Slanted Lens compared the picture quality, video quality, dynamic range and autofocus testing of the Nikon Z6 and Sony A7III.

Nikon Z6  vs Sony a7 III – Lenses

 

Since we are comparing two cameras developed by different companies, you won’t find strange they have different lens mounts.

The Nikon Z-mount has a diameter of 55mm and flange distance of 16mm. On the other hand, the Sony E-mount has a diameter of 46mm and flange distance of 18mm.

As we already touched upon, Sony has a long history of creating mirrorless models, so there is a wider choice of lenses for mirrorless cameras produced by this company.

At the moment, there are 48 E-mount lenses that you can choose for your mirrorless Sony.  Additionally, you can buy the A-mount adapter for E-mount cameras in order to use lenses that were designed for Sony’s DSLR models.

The situation is a bit different with Nikon’s camera.

By launching the Z6 and Z7, Nikon introduced the new Z-mount system and four types of lenses that were specifically designed for these two cameras and for all other mirrorless models that will follow-up.

Since there hasn’t passed much time since Nikon unveiled its new mount system, at the moment there are only five lenses to choose from.

The company is preparing new lenses, and the Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 Noct should be released any day soon. In the meantime, you can also use the F-Mount Nikkor lenses if you buy the optional Mount Adapter FTZ.

Nikon Z6  vs Sony a7 III – Price

 

There is virtually no difference in price between these two cameras.

If you want to buy a new Nikon Z6 (body only) you will need to spend just under $2,000, while the Sony a7 III (body only) costs $1998.00.

If a couple of bucks makes a difference, then we can say the Sony a7 III is the more affordable one. You could always buy used, too, and save a little cash!

Still, don’t forget you will need to buy a lens too.

The Sony a7 III with 28-70mm lens costs $2,198.00, which is around $400 less than you would need to spend on the Nikon Z6 with 24-70mm lens.

If you take this into consideration, the Sony a7 III seems to be more affordable option.  Another comparison you'll enjoy: Sony a6400 vs Sony a6500 vs Sony a6300.

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^{photo by JacobLund via iStock}

Panasonic has launched its new LUMIX S Series full-frame mirrorless cameras - LUMIX S1R and LUMIX S1. These two cameras were already announced at Photokina in 2018, but after a long time of waiting, the company finally introduced the full specifications of these models.

Both cameras feature a full-frame sensor and new L-mount, but they have different specs aimed at different types of photographers. While the S1R offers bigger resolution and features more suitable for professional photography, the videographers will probably have more interest in the S1 which is also more affordable than its high-resolution twin.

The Panasonic S1 and S1R will be on sale at the beginning of April (2019). This leaves you with plenty of time to decide if one of them might be the camera you were waiting for. This review article will help you to make the right choice, so let’s begin!

FIND GREAT DEALS ON PANASONIC CAMERAS AND OTHER MAJOR BRANDS!

Panasonic S1 VS S1R – Sensor and ISO

The main difference between the S1R and S1 is their sensor.

The Lumix S1R incorporates a stunning 47.3-megapixel CMOS sensor (36mm x 24mm) without Low Pass Filter. Supported with a Venus processing engine, the camera offers a maximum native ISO of 25600 (expandable to 51200).

^{Panisonic S1}

With this amount of megapixels, the S1R stands out as the highest resolution full-frame mirrorless camera ever. If this is not enough, the camera also features a High-Resolution mode which allows you to make 187-megapixel photos.

On the other side, we have the Lumix S1 which incorporates a 24.2-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor (35.6mm x 23.8mm) with a maximum native ISO of 51,200 (expandable to 204800).

^{Panasonic S1R}

Although the other model has a smaller sensor and resolution, the S1 is quite capable – especially for those who are more into recording videos than into shooting stills.

 

 

Panasonic S1 VS S1R – Features

The two cameras share a lot of common features. They have the same Venus Engine, Dual I.S. (image stabilization), 4K video recording up to 60fps, contrast-detection 225-area depth-from-defocus autofocus system, shutter rated for 400K actuations, and 9fps continuous shooting.

^{Panasonic S1}

Additionally, both cameras offer WiFi and Bluetooth 4.2 technologies so you can easily transfer your data to smart devices such as a smartphone or laptop.  

Get a detailed hands-on review of this camera in the video above by B&H Photo Video.

Learn More:

• Paul's Photo Review
• Must-Have Gear for New Videographers

Panasonic S1 VS S1R – Video

As we already mentioned in the introduction, the Panasonic S1 is much better for video recording. Both cameras offer 4K 60p/50p video recording, and Panasonic claims it is the first time ever for Digital Single Lens Mirrorless camera.

^{Panasonic S1}

The Panasonic S1 beats S1R in terms of video recording because it doesn’t have a crop and enables full-pixel readout of signals in 4K 30p/25p. Also, the S1 has a much smaller time-limit for video clips.

Each camera is time-limited while recording 4K video at 60fps. The only difference is that the S1 allows you to make recordings up to 30 minutes, while the S1R limits you to only 15 minutes. Additionally, there is no recording time limit on the S1 for 4K at 30 or 24p.

^{Panasonic SR1}

The S1 is expected to have an upgrade in 2019 which will allow 4:2:2 10-bit 4K 30p/20p internal video recording and 4K 60p/50p HDMI output as well as V-Log, but this will come at a certain price.

Furthermore, both cameras offer a slow motion in FHD at 150/180 fps.

Check out another hands-on review of the Panasonic Lumix S1 in the video above by Park Cameras.

 

 

Panasonic S1 VS S1R – Design

The S1 and S1R look almost identical. Both cameras have the same weight of 2.25 pounds when you add a battery and XQD card. Although this might seem a little bit heavy in comparison to other similar camera models such as the Nikon Z7, Canon EOS R, or even Nikon D850, the company claims it is because of its great in-body stabilization system.

^{Panasonic S1}

Both cameras are weather-sealed and built to have a long life. Each of them has a 5.76-million-dot viewfinder along with a 2.1-million-dot 3.2-inch triaxial tilting touchscreen LCD. Additionally, there is also a top LCD display which is useful for quickly checking settings.

^{Panasonic S1R}

There are two card storage slots in both cameras and you can use either a UHS-II SD or XQD card.

Learn More:

• Sony a6400 Review
  
• Nikon Z6 Review: Full Frame Mirrorless All-Rounder

Panasonic S1 VS S1R – Lenses

The Panasonic LUMIX S Series will have the new L-Mount which was developed by Leica Camera.

In 2018, Panasonic, Leica Camera, and Sigma joined the new L-Mount Alliance in order to create a cross-format lens mount that will allow lenses made by different manufacturers to be used on each other’s system cameras.

The L-Mount has a diameter of 51.6 millimeters and flange distance of 20 millimeters, and it is suitable for both full-frame and APS-C cameras.

^{Panasonic S1}

Along with publishing the two new camera models, Panasonic unveils three new interchangeable lenses based on the L-Mount system:

• the LUMIX S PRO 50mm F1.4 (S-X50) / large-aperture lens
• the LUMIX S PRO 70-200mm F4 O.I.S. (S-R70200) / sport, action and wildlife lens, and LUMIX S 24-105mm F4 MACRO O.I.S. (S-R24105) / general purpose lens.

At this moment, there are already fifteen L-mount lenses produced by Leica. Panasonic announced they will release even more L-Mount lenses by the end of the year, while they have promised to release a total of ten lenses by the end of 2020.

Panasonic S1 VS S1R – Price

^{Panasonic S1R}

Both cameras will be released at the beginning of April. The Panasonic S1 is priced at $2,499.99 for the body only.

The Panasonic S1R is a bit more expensive and you will need to spend $3,699.99 for the body only. Of course, when bundled with lenses, both cameras are more expensive.

Naturally, if you can find used Panasonic S1's or S1R's, you can save some cash as well.

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^{Photo by EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER via iStock} 

Though names like B&H Photo Video and Adorama are more widely recognized, for those of us in the L.A. area, Paul's Photo is synonymous with a great selection of photography gear and even better customer service.

What's more, Paul's Photo has a printing lab, sensor cleaning services, classes, private lessons, and much more.

It's truly a one-stop shop for photographers!

If it isn't evident already, I have high praise for Paul's Photo. Learn why in my detailed review below.

Paul's Photo Review

What I like most about Paul's Photo is that it's a small, family-owned, locally-owned store.

This isn't to say that the likes of B&H or Adorama are bad. Quite the contrary.

But those sites simply can't compete with the down-home feel you get when you walk into Paul's Photo, nor can they match the customer service experience you get when you work with experts in person in the store.

Call me old fashioned, but there's something to be said for being able to go into Paul's Photo and see and touch the gear before committing to buying it.

Better yet, it's nice to be able to ask questions and get opinions from Paul's knowledgeable staff.

It's this combination of product knowledge, selection, customer service, and price that has kept Paul's photo going strong and serving the local community for over 50 years.

Believe me, when you walk through the doors to Paul's Photo, you immediately know that you're in good hands!

Paul's Photo Gear

Paul's Photo isn't just a camera store.

In fact, they have a wide selection of must-have photography gear, including camera bodies and lenses, lighting equipment, bags and cases, tripods, and video cameras.

You can get batteries and battery packs, memory cards and card readers, lens filters, tripod heads, camera straps and vests, and a host of other accessories as well.

Heck, Paul's Photo even has a selection of film cameras and film for those of us that enjoy kicking it old school.

Truly, no matter what you need, Paul's Photo has it in the store or online.

Paul's Photo Rentals

If you need a special piece of gear for a short period of time or simply want to give an item a test-drive, you can rent it from Paul's Photo.

They have a solid selection of cameras, lenses, studio lighting, and projection equipment available to rent.

You can check gear availability on the Paul's Photo website, and if you have any questions or concerns about the process, you can contact Paul's directly and speak with a real, live human being that will help you figure out exactly what you need.

Paul's Photos Printing Lab

Have some awesome photos you want to turn into prints? Paul's Photo can help you with that, too.

From canvas and metal to photo books and calendars, you can get just about any kind and type of photo you want.

The printing lab at Paul's Photo can have traditional paper prints done in 30 minutes to three hours depending on workload, and with in-store and online ordering, you can make quick work of getting prints of your favorite photos.

If you're like me and you have tons of old negatives lying around, Paul's can help you transform them into digital prints. They offer retouching and editing services, image restoration, fine art printing, and a whole host of other services as well.

If you're going to entrust anyone with your photos, it's hard to find a more trustworthy operation than these guys!

Paul's Photo Classes and Workshops Review

Something else that sets Paul's Photo apart from other camera stores is that they have a comprehensive slate of photography classes and workshops available year-round.

Through their Creative Photo Academy branch, you can take beginner, intermediate, and advanced photography classes that run the gamut from learning the basics of camera controls to capturing the beauty of landscapes to mastering exposure and composition.

They also offer intensive workshops and excursions as well.

In fact, I attended their Ansel's Sierra Tour adventure last year and had the time of my life.

It was a small group setting, which was great for getting one-on-one time with instructor (and Paul's Photo owner) Mark Comon, who spent every moment of the excursion taking interest in each participant and doing his best to ensure the success of each attendee. The small group arrangement was also nice for meeting other photographers and getting to know people that are as passionate about photography as I am.

A number of the folks on the Sierra trip were repeat customers, too, which says a lot about the quality of these photography adventures!

On top of that, Mark is just simply one of the most genuine, caring people I've ever met.

It's that kind of commitment to the customer and dedication to providing the best possible service that will keep me going back to Paul's Photo over and over again.

If you haven't experienced the Paul's Photo difference, pop in to the store at 23845 Hawthorne Blvd. in Torrance, CA or visit their website to see what they have in store for you.

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^{Photo by Joseph Pearson on Unsplash}

If you’re a beginner photographer and you need a camera kit, I’ve got the perfect suggestion for you: the Nikon D3500.

Not only is the Nikon D3500 packed with features and easy to use, but it’s also budget-friendly. That’s especially true now that you can get $350.00 off a D3500 bundle that includes the camera body and two lenses. A great camera and two lenses for about $500.00. Nice!

Below, I’ve outlined some of the D3500’s best features and specs so you can decide if it’s the right camera for you.

Nikon D3500 Specs 

 

Though the D3500 is firmly in the beginner category, that doesn’t mean that Nikon has skimped on its specifications.

It has a robust 24-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor that offers excellent image quality. The camera lacks a low-pass filter, which might not mean anything to you as a beginner photographer, but the result of that is that images are sharper. That’s a good thing!

Additionally, this camera features:

• An 11-point autofocus system
• An ISO range of 100-25600
• 5 fps continuous shooting
• Face detection focusing
• Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
• A 3-inch LCD

The D3500 can also be controlled via your smartphone via Nikon’s SnapBridge for easier selfies and group photos. Remote functionality also aids in getting sharper photos since the possibility of moving the camera when the shutter is triggered is eliminated.

This camera also has an incredible battery life rated to over 1,500 shots.

See a hands-on test of the D3500 in the video above by Photo Genius. 

Nikon D3500 Handling 

If you’re graduating to a DSLR from a compact camera or your smartphone, the D3500 is a good choice because it’s small and lightweight as far as DSLRs go.

The camera body measures 4.9 x 3.9 x 2.8 inches and weighs in at just 12.9 ounces. Granted, the size and weight increases when a lens is attached, but it’s still an easy camera to utilize all day long without feeling strain or fatigue in your arms and shoulders.

Despite its small size, the D3500 offers a large, deep grip that makes for a comfortable shooting experience.

Though these features might not seem all that sexy, they matter when you’re out shooting for long periods of time!

 Nikon has also tweaked the layout of the buttons and dials, and their positioning now makes more sense for beginners with the dedicated controls grouped to the right of the LCD. The buttons and dials are all easily reachable with one hand as well. 

Nikon D3500 Image Quality 

 

The Nikon D3500 has quickly developed a solid reputation for its image quality, which makes sense given its lineage.

Its predecessor, the Nikon D3400 has an excellent reputation as far as image quality is concerned, and the D3500 builds on that.

With an updated sensor and a new EXPEED imaging processor, the D3500 outperforms the D3400 when it comes to top-notch image quality. 

And that image quality isn’t just among entry-level DSLRs. Instead, the D3500 can go toe-to-toe with much more expensive cameras when it comes to the color rendition, saturation, and exposure.

Nikon D3500 Pros & Cons 

 

This camera’s best advantages are its image quality, size, battery life, and ease of use.

As noted earlier, the D3500 can match up with much more expensive cameras in the image quality department, but it’s still incredibly easy to use, even if you don’t rely on Guide Mode to get you started.

Of course, as a Nikon camera, there are virtually endless possibilities for adding lenses. That being the case, the D3500 is a solid option not just for brand-new photographers, but it will also serve your purposes as you learn, grow, and develop your skills as a photographer.

 

There are some issues, though.

For starters, the D3500’s LCD is fixed is not touch-enabled. For a camera that was released in 2018, that’s just unacceptable, even for a basic DSLR.

Another issue is that you can’t preview images on your smartphone when using SnapBridge. The whole point of SnapBridge is to give you remote control over your camera, but that doesn’t do you much good when you still have to look at the back of the camera to see the images you’ve taken.

Nikon D3500 Price 

 

The D3500 has always been priced well, but at the time of this writing (March 2019), its price is better than usual.

Nikon offers a D3500 bundle with an AF-P 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens and an AF-P 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED lens that’s normally $850.00. However, that same bundle is currently on sale for just $499.99.

I won’t pretend that either of these lenses are the best in the world, but they are more than functional for beginner photographers. Besides, the camera alone is worth that price so two lenses are a nice bonus.

The D3500 is normally a great deal, particularly given the wide range of features I’ve outlined above. But if you act now, you can get an incredible deal on one of the best entry-level DSLRs on the market right now.

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^{Image Credit: bobakphoto via iStock}

To say that photography has changed a lot over the last few years would be a huge understatement.

I mean, I'm not all that old, and not only did I learn photography using a film camera and a dark room, but it wasn't until my senior year of high school that I saw a digital camera in person, let alone used one.

Indeed, photography is a field that's constantly changing, and the innovations that photography companies are making are, in a word, incredible.

That being the case, I thought it would be fun to look at a few companies that have products and services that are thrusting photography into the future.

Excire Search & Excire Search Pro

One aspect of photography that's long-needed some innovation is in the post-processing space, and Excire has led the charge to do so.

Their Search and Search Pro AI Plugins for Lightroom are a breath of fresh air that makes organizing and finding your images a veritable breeze.

Instead of uploading your photos to Lightroom and having to tag all your photos yourself, Excire's plugins do that work for you.

For example, Excire Search has 125 keywords that allow you to organize your photos based on common subjects, like "mountain" as well as common features, like the predominant color in the shot.

That means that if you want to search your archives for a photo that has predominantly orange tones that also has a mountain in it, Excire Search will find it. Talk about innovative!

Excire Search Pro steps things up a bit further with over 500 keywords (and counting!) that can be added to your Lightroom catalog.

That means that your jaw-dropping photo of a sunset at the beach will automatically be tagged with "sunset," "beach," "orange," and so forth. Just think of all the time you'll save not having to manually tag all of those things!

Excire Search Pro also gives you the power to transfer keywords to photos already in your library, so those thousands of old images you have can be organized and easily searched.

On top of it all, the folks at Excire want to pay it forward, which is why they set aside a portion of the sales from Excire Search Pro to support non-profit organizations in the U.S. Not bad, right?

As if that's not enough, Excire was just named the Best Software Plugin by the Lucie Technical Awards. If that's not a great endorsement of this innovative product, I don't know what is!

Learn More:

• Problems Photographers Face
• Top 10 Gifts for Photographers Under $150 - 2018 Edition

Nikon Z7

Nikon might've been late to the full frame mirrorless party, but it seems to me that they more than made up for it with the Z7.

Introduced earlier this year, the Z7 finally brings Nikon into the mirrorless war in a meaningful way.

Just check out these specs:

• Backside-illuminated 45.7-megapixel full frame CMOS sensor
• EXPEED 6 image processing
• 9fps continuous shooting speed
• ISO range of 64-25600; expandable to 32-102400
• 493-point autofocus system
• 5-axis sensor-based image stabilization
• 3.2-inch tilting, touch-enabled LCD with 2.1 million dots
• OLED electronic viewfinder with 3.69 million dots and 0.80x magnification

As if those flagship specs aren't enough, the fact that all of that is crammed into a small, lightweight (and beautiful) mirrorless body is just a bonus.

Additionally, if this is what Nikon put out on its first mirrorless camera, then just imagine what the future holds. Talk about exciting!

For more details about the Nikon Z7, read this in-depth review.

Formatt-Hitech 100mm Firecrest Ultra Ken Kaminesky Signature Edition Master Filter Kit

Formatt-Hitech makes some of the most capable lens filters on the market, but their Firecrest Ultra filters are next-level good.

And what's so great about these filters is that you can get them in kits specifically designed for certain types of photography.

Take the Ken Kaminesky Signature Edition Master Filter Kit as a prime example...

Not only do you get three neutral density filters (a 3-stip, 6-stop, and 10-stop), but you also get two soft-edge ND grads (a 2-stop and a 3-stop).

That means that no matter if you prefer to shoot traditional landscapes or long exposures, architecture or cityscapes, you'll have the filters you need to get the job done.

What's more, since these filters are crafted to have the utmost clarity and the lowest possible reflectivity, you get superb results each time.

That's thanks to Formatt-Hitech's innovative secondary lap and polish process that ensures flatness and consistency for improved image quality.

This particular kit also comes with a filter holder, adapter or step rings, and a polarizing filter as well. It's the complete package for photographers that want to step up their game to produce the best-quality images possible.

Learn More:

• Your Guide to Neutral Density Filters
• Get Started in Long Exposure Photography With These Quick Tips

SIRUI SR-Series Tripods

There's a ton of great tripods out there for photographers of all types, but if you're a professional photographer, SIRUI's new SR-Series of tripods is certainly worth a look.

I've used Sirui tripods for years now, and I can say that they are among the best I've ever had.

Their SR-Series is no exception, with eye-popping features to back up the legendary SIRUI name.

Consider these specifications:

• 55-pound weight capacity
• Maximum height of 80 inches with optional 2-stage center column
• 1/2-turn twist leg lock system
• 3-position leg angle mechanism
• Flat top plate with 3/8-inch mounting screw
• Integrated 75mm bowl

And that's just the start!

There are three models in the SR-series, each seemingly better than the last.

The SR-3204 is a particular favorite of mine because it's made of lightweight carbon fiber, has four leg sections, an integrated bubble level, anti-slip warmers, and rubber and stainless steel spiked feet.

This tripod also compacts down to 21.4-inches, that way you can carry it more easily.

SIRUI has really thought of everything with these tripods, and the price is certainly worth admission!

Read an in-depth review of the SIRUI SR-Series tripods.

Acratech GP Ball Head

Of course, a great tripod needs a great ball head, and if you ask me, Acratech makes the best ball heads in the business.

One of the reasons why Acratech is so popular is because they manage to keep innovating their products as the years go by.

The GP Ball Head is no exception...

This rig is incredibly versatile, with the capability of being used as a gimbal, a leveler, and for smooth panning shots, too.

The GP will hold a whopping 25 pounds, so even if you've got a big DSLR and a big lens, you needn't worry about the GP's ability to give you the best performance.

There's an integrated bullseye level for helping you remain parallel with the horizon, a double-speed knob, and a quick-release clamp for when time is of the essence.

Acratech has also included a detent pin to keep the plate and your camera in one place.

All that in a package that weighs just one pound!

Learn More:

• 10 Predictions for the Future of Photography
• It's Time to Buy Better Photography Gear

Click Props Backdrops

You might be wondering how photography backdrops can be updated or innovated, but you might be surprised.

These are heavy duty, wrinkle free, matte finish, walk-on with Stiletto heels, get ‘em dirty (like REALLY DIRTY), wipe-down, mop-up, light weight, take ‘em anywhere VINYL Backdrops!

In the right hands, plain old backdrops can be turned into an innovative and exciting segment of the photography industry, and that's exactly what Click Props Backdrops is doing.

For starters, they have an incredible array of designs - hundreds in fact - so no matter the look you're trying to achieve, they've got a backdrop for you.

And don't think that the only advantage of buying a Click Props Backdrop is in the selection...

Instead, Click Props Backdrops has managed to meet high-quality standards while keeping their prices low.

That means that you can get a high-quality, realistic-looking backdrop that's durable, hangs beautifully, and is easy to clean, all without breaking the bank.

The 550gsm vinyl will hold up against the daily uses and abuses of portrait photography while the 12 reinforced grommets that line the top of the backdrop ensure that it hangs flat. Not into grommets? Use your clamps, put them on a roller or try their easy to use magnet system, Magnefix!

Is making great products innovative? Not necessarily. But if you want to be on the forefront of portrait photography, you better take a good, hard look at Click Props Backdrops!

Learn more about Click Props Backdrops.

Holdfast MoneyMaker Solo

^{Photo by Brandon Burk}

Not a lot of photography products can claim that they can completely change how you approach taking photos, but the Holdfast MoneyMaker Solo sure can.

I've had a Holdfast MoneyMaker Dual Camera Harness for several years now, and it is a fantastic product. My only complaint is that it can't be used with just one camera.

Well, Holdfast solved that problem in their usual fine-crafted way with the single-camera MoneyMaker Solo.

Not only is this thing gorgeously made out of a single full-grain leather hide, but it's also incredibly functional, too.

^{Photo by Brandon Burk}

The stabilizer strap keeps the Solo right where you want it, while the big, contoured shoulder pad keeps fatigue at bay.

The best part of this strap, though, is the innovative Belt Anchor, which keeps your camera in the same position next to your body no matter if you're standing, sitting, stooping, or running around like a wild person.

Even better, the Belt Anchor can be detached and reattached with one hand, so you can keep your camera safe without worrying about missing a shot.

That's not a bad combination of features if you ask me!

Learn More:

• This Will Change How You Approach Photography
• Top 10 Camera Straps of 2018

Peak Design Travel Line 45L Camera Bag

The Travel Line 45L Camera Bag is not any old camera bag. In fact, I'm not sure if calling it a camera bag will suffice. It's more of a complete travel system.

I mean, one look at the graphic above, and you begin to get a feel for how photographers will carry their gear in the future.

Peak Design has thought of everything, from the pickpocket-resistant zippers to the weatherproofing from top to bottom. The shell was even made in an environmentally friendly manner. Nice!

There's tons of handles on this thing, that way you can pick it up no matter which end is up.

The shoulder straps and waist belt are all nicely padded, and they all stow away in case you're checking your bag. After all, you don't want your straps getting torn off!

Inside is a photographer's dream with a wide-mouth opening so you can actually see everything inside the bag.

There's a dedicated organization panel to keep all your gear nice and neat, too.

Add in an expansion zipper that adds 10 liters of extra space, dual side-access panels for easy gear retrieval, and a variety of pouches and cubes to keep your gear safe and organized, and you have the makings for a bag that seems like it's from 3018, not 2018!

Get all the specs on the Peak Design Travel Line 45L here.

CanvasHQ 

When I think of ways to upgrade one's photography experience, I immediately think of CanvasHQ.

I've been a customer of these guys for a good, long while now, and that's because they have proven to be a reliable source of high-quality canvas prints.

What I appreciate the most about CanvasHQ is their commitment to the process of printing and finding ways to improve upon it.

And if you ask me, they have certainly done so.

CanvasHQ uses only the highest-quality materials, from commercial-grade inks to high-end fine-art canvas to kiln-dried, handmade frames. I mean, have a look at my most recent purchase from these guys and tell me that the quality isn't top-notch!

Apart from the quality, you can't dismiss the fact that the CanvasHQ crew has excellent customer service. If you have a question, a real-life human will answer the phone. If you aren't in love with your print, CanvasHQ will make it again or refund your money within 30 days of purchase.

On top of that, they have lightning-fast turnaround times - I often get my prints within three days of my order.

If that's not bringing innovation to photography, I don't know what is!

Learn More:

• A First-Timer's Guide to Getting Professional Prints of Your Photos
• How to Create a Stunning Photo Wall Display

iMovR Lander Treadmill Desk

When talking about innovation in the photography industry, that discussion cannot be complete without mentioning iMovR.

This is a company that's reinventing how photographers, other creatives, and all workers in general can get their daily tasks done.

I have their Lander Treadmill Desk, and I can tell you with the utmost confidence that getting that desk has been one of the best decisions I've ever made.

The fact that it allows me to tackle my daily activities while sitting, standing or walking on a treadmill has allowed me to stave off negative effects like lower back pain while also getting in a little exercise over the course of the day.

Aside from the health benefits you get from being able to work in various positions, iMovR offers a multitude of choices that allows you to customize your desk.

Choose from 16 different colors for the desktop, three different colors for the base, and various widths that range from 41-inches to 83-inches.

The desk comes equipped with a smooth electric lift that raises and lowers the desk, and you can program four favorite heights into the control paddle for ease of use. You can even raise or lower the desk using a smartphone app!

It even comes with a health coach to remind you when it's time to change position.

In a word, this desk is incredible. Click here for a detailed review of my experience with the iMovR Lander Treadmill Desk.

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^{Image Credit: Linda Raymond via iStock}

One of the great things about shopping for a photographer is that there are virtually endless possibilities of gifts you can get them.

That's especially true with a budget of $2,500...

From computers to cameras, lenses to drones, printers to giant canvas prints, and lots of things in between, you can give a thoughtful and functional photography gift this holiday season.

Here are our top picks for gifts for photographers under $2,500.

Lensfinder

Let’s face it - photography gear can be expensive. Really expensive.

That’s a problem year-round, but when you’re holiday shopping and have tons of gifts to buy, it’s even more difficult to justify getting your loved one the $1,000 lens that they really want.

Fortunately, Lensfinder can help in more ways than one.

On the one hand, you can find great deals on pre-owned camera lenses at Lensfinder. 

That means that you can get a truly top-notch lens for the photographer in your life but do so without busting your budget. It’s a win-win!

On the other hand, if you have some old lenses that you don’t use anymore, you can list them for sale on Lensfinder. When the lens sells, you can use it for holiday spending money for the photographer in your life. 

^{Image Credit: xxmmxx via iStock}

The best part? You can list your lenses for sale for free. 

There’s only a transaction fee (just 3.99%) when the lens sells (with a maximum fee of $500). If your lens doesn’t sell, there’s no charge at all!

And for peace of mind, the Lensfinder platform has advanced fraud filtering for both buyers and sellers as well as mediation services in the event that there’s a problem.

Payments are made and received via PayPal, so you can rest easy knowing that the transaction is safe and secure.

In other words, Lensfinder is the ideal solution for your holiday shopping needs. Either use it to find a loved one a killer lens or use it to sell old gear to pad your pockets for holiday spending!

Learn more about Lensfinder

Nikon D750

One of the things that many photographers don’t like about photography is that cameras can be quite spendy, especially for higher-end full frame rigs.

But there are ways that you can help your favorite photographer get the gear upgrade they want by buying previous models of top-shelf cameras. 

The Nikon D750 is the perfect gift idea this holiday season not only because it offers great performance, but because it has been updated with new models a few times now, it can be found for a good price. 

In fact, Paul’s Photo has D750s in stock for hundreds below the $2,500 mark. You can opt for the camera body by itself for just $1,699.99 or you can opt for the camera and a 24-120mm lens for $2,199.99. That means you can give the gift of professional-grade gear without even coming close to your $2,500 budget.

The 24-megapixel sensor on the D750 is superb, with an excellent level of sharpness and detail as well as impressive noise control, even when shooting at the camera’s maximum extended ISO, which is a healthy 51200.

Additionally, the D750 has a big 3.2-inch LCD with 1.229 million dots, giving photographers a bright, detailed view of the images they take. To assist in high-angle and low-angle shooting, the D750’s LCD also tilts to give photographers a better view.

There’s headphone and microphone ports for photographers that want to pursue videography - which they can do in full HD at up to 60p - and the body is weather-sealed to protect against rain, snow, dust, and other environmental elements that you definitely don’t want getting into the camera. Speaking of the body, it’s made of magnesium alloy and carbon fiber, so it’s strong and durable while also being lightweight.

For photographers that need a fast camera to capture action, the D750 is a solid choice with a quick and responsive 51-point autofocus system and a continuous shooting speed of 6.5fps.

And don’t think that this camera is just for professional photographers, either.

Though it has many professional features, the D750 is certainly a camera that enthusiast photographers will appreciate. 

That’s due in part to the fact that the D750 has features like Wi-Fi for quick sharing of photos as well as a layout that’s familiar to Nikon shooters that got their start on cameras like the Nikon D7200. 

In other words, whether the photographer on your list is a seasoned veteran that needs a good second or third camera or an enthusiast that wants to upgrade from an APS-C camera to a full frame, the D750 is a great choice that’s packed full of features.

And, as noted earlier, you can find D750s for a great price at Paul’s Photo!

Learn more about the Nikon D750 Body Only or the Nikon D750 Kit with a 24-120mm Lens

DJI Mavic PRO Platinum MaXX Mod Kit

For serious drone pilots, the DJI Mavic PRO Platinum MaXX Mod Kit from Drone World is an ideal holiday gift idea. 

This drone has been meticulously designed and tested to ensure the best flying experience possible. With advanced technology, this is one of the most capable drones on the market today. 

That’s thanks in part to the MaXX Mod Kit’s world-first Hot-Swap antenna system. The system includes three custom-made antennas that allow you to fly with a stronger signal for further distances because these antennas gain up to four times more coverage than stock antennas. The carbon fiber propellers also aid in achieving better balance, improved acceleration, and faster speeds. 

But this drone kit isn’t just about flying faster and further. It also includes a Thor Super-Charging Station that charges the Mavic Pro’s batteries four times faster than the stock charger. What’s more, you can charge four batteries and one remote at the same time so you spend less time waiting for your drone to charge and more time actually flying it.

Additionally, this kit includes all the accessories that you need to make the most of having a drone. That includes a backpack and a hard case for transporting your gear, L-series lens filters for taking more pleasing photos and videos, a sunshade for viewing the drone’s live feed in bright conditions, a memory card, a battery bank, prop guards, and much, much more. 

In other words, the DJI Mavic PRO Platinum MaXX Mod Kit is a drone enthusiast’s dream! 

Learn more about the DJI Mavic PRO Platinum MaXX Mod Kit

Epson SureColor P800 Printer

The final piece of the puzzle for creating gorgeous photos is printing them, and there is no better printer for doing so at home than the Epson SureColor P800. 

The SC-P800 was designed for unparalleled print quality. It uses Epson’s UltraChrome HD inks that ensure printed images have both vivid colors and unmatched density of blacks, as well as a significantly improved longevity. 

What’s more, the photographer on your shopping list this year can print media up to 17-inches wide whether that’s on poster board, photo paper, or fine art paper.

Does your favorite photographer love black and white photos? The SC-P800 delivers on that front with a special black-and-white mode for beautifully toned professional-looking prints with three-level black ink technology.

What’s more, they won’t run out of ink anytime soon with the SC-P800’s production-capacity cartridges that hold 80ml of ink each.

“While I’ve been using this printer for a short period of time, I’ve noticed very quickly what cards Epson holds over my Canon photo printers. This thing rocks!” - Alex Schult, Founder of PhotographyTalk 

Something else photographers will appreciate about this printer is that it has complete connectivity options. That includes Apple AirPrint as well as Google Cloud Print. The printer also supports USB 2.0, wireless n3, Wi-Fi Direct3, and 100mbit ethernet.

This printer also features Epson’s Print Layout utility, which is a standalone application for both Windows and Mac. Print Layout gives photographers a step-by-step selection of frequently used printing options, including color settings, layout, and printer selection that makes printing quick and easy. Just what photographers want! 

Add to that an intuitive interface with an easy-to-use 2.7-inch tilting touch panel color LCD, a compact design that doesn’t take up too much space, a sheet feeder for photo or matte media, and the option of adding a 17-inch-wide roll paper adapter for creating panoramas of up to 10 feet in length, and you have the all the makings of a top-of-the-line printer that any photographer would love to receive this holiday season.

Learn more about the Epson SureColor P800 Printer

CanvasHQ Canvas Prints

What's so great about giving the gift of a canvas print to a photographer is that they can have their own work or the work of someone else printed.

Not only that, but companies like CanvasHQ work with you to create custom-sized prints that will fit perfectly wherever your favorite photographer wants them to hang.

The problem, of course, is that many online printing companies are just plain bad, so a lot of people end up giving prints that either wear out over time or just look terrible right from the start.

That's not the case with CanvasHQ, though...

CanvasHQ uses only the finest canvas and inks to create prints that have ideal color, contrast, and vibrancy.

What's more, they handcraft the frames behind the canvas using kiln-dried wood that's true and straight.

That means that their canvases don't just look like a million bucks, but they're also constructed to last a lifetime.

Speaking of lifetime, their prints come with a lifetime guarantee from fading, cracking, and bubbling. There's also a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you don't fully love your print.

Talk about peace of mind!

And with a budget of $2,500, you can order the photographer on your list a whole house worth of awesome prints!

Learn more about CanvasHQ Canvas Prints.

Holdfast Roamographer Duffle Bag, Camera Bag, and MoneyMaker

This might just be the ultimate photography setup...

If you want to impress a photographer, go ahead and give them a bundle of products from Holdfast.

Holdfast's venerable Roamographer bags not only look incredible, but they're also incredibly functional, too.

Give them the Roamographer Duffle Bag for those long weekends out taking photos.

The duffle is handcrafted out of American Bison hide and has a shearling lined shoulder strap for easy carrying. It's the perfect bag for a quick trip, and with a metal frame that keeps the bag open during packing and unpacking, two boot bags to keep your shoes away from your clothes, and tons of pockets for small items, it'll become their favorite getaway bag.

To carry their gear, you can include a Holdfast Roamographer Camera Bag as well.

Like the duffle, the camera bag has a vintage aesthetic but with modern features.

The camera insert cradles each camera item, ensuring their safety during transit.

The carrier straps accommodate a tripod for easy carrying, and the shearling lined shoulder strap makes it easy on your favorite photographer's shoulder to carry the bag, too.

While you're at it, you can throw in a Holdfast MoneyMaker dual camera system.

The dual straps mean that a photographer can carry up to three cameras in ultimate comfort, and with their gear right at their fingertips for safe carrying.

What's more, for quick shots, their cameras are easy to reach, making the MoneyMaker just about the most functional gear you could give a photographer this holiday season.

And, like all other Holdfast products, the MoneyMaker looks like a million bucks.

You can pick up all three of these products and still have money to spare with a $2,500 budget!

Learn more about Holdfast products.

Microsoft Surface Book 2 Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD Storage

Microsoft's second-generation Surface Book is a great gift idea for photographers because it's such a versatile and functional computer.

For starters, the Surface Book 2can be used as a traditional laptop or you can fold the screen back and use it as a tablet.

The gorgeous 13.5-inch PixelSense Display offers a 3:2 viewing ratio that's perfect for editing photos, and with improved glass, better sensing elements, and improved touch accuracy over its predecessor, this thing is the height of functionality.

The Surface Book 2 also got an upgrade in the processor and GPU departments, so it can handle more tasks more quickly.

The improved graphics card selection gives photographers better performance when editing videos as well.

Not all photography tasks require a huge desktop computer, nor do they require a traditional laptop.

That's what makes the Surface Book 2 such a great gift idea for photographers...

They can use it in laptop mode when editing photos, switch to tablet mode to quickly take notes at a client meeting, and continue to switch back and forth as they need throughout the day.

Plus, the Surface Book 2 is available for well under $2,500, so you'll have money left to spend!

Learn more about the Microsoft Surface Book 2

Canon 6D Mark II

If the photographer you're shopping for is a Canon fan, and they want to upgrade their shooting experience, a Canon 6D Mark II is a great choice for doing so.

Priced at $1,999.99 at Paul's Photo, the 6D Mark II won't bust your budget, yet it provides tons of features that make it such a great camera.

It has a new 26.2-megapixel full frame sensor that offers excellent resolution and a wide dynamic range. That means photographers can take photos that have brighter highlights and deeper shadows without the risk of losing detail in those areas.

Additionally, the 6D Mark II has a massive ISO range that extends to 40,000 natively and 102,400 in its expanded range.

That means that this camera offers excellent low-light performance.

And though this camera's LCD is on the smallish side, it folds out, is fully articulating, and is touch-enabled.

Not only does that give photographers more leeway when composing low-angle and high-angle shots, but the touchscreen capability also improves the functionality of the camera.

Add in a solid autofocus system, up to +/- 5 EV exposure compensation, 6.5fps burst shooting speed, and features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and GPS, and you have the makings of a highly capable, modern camera that will perform well for years and years to come.

Learn more about the Canon 6D Mark II

Sony Alpha a7III With 28-70mm Lens

There's no doubt that Sony makes some of the best cameras in the world - I can attest to that fact given that I own one.

So why not impress the heck out of the photographer on your holiday shopping list with an awesome Sony a7III with a 28-70mm lens?

This camera might be small and lightweight, but it packs a mighty punch with a 24-megapixel full frame Exmor R backside illuminated CMOS sensor.

Paired with that is a BIONZ X image processor and front-end LSI for beautifully fast performance.

Speaking of performance, it's tough to beat the a7III's autofocus system, which sports a whopping 693 AF points.

Add to that 10fps shooting, UHD 4K video capabilities at 30p, and 5-axis SteadyShot INSIDE stabilization, and you have the makings of one incredible camera...

Of course, this Sony has more tricks up its sleeve with a 2.36-million dot Tru-Finder OLED electronic viewfinder, a 922k-dot tilting LCD with touchscreen capabilities, Pixel Shift multi-shooting, built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, and a weather-sealed body.

Trust me - this camera is an awesome rig that any photographer would appreciate getting this holiday season.

But what makes it even better is that an FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS lens is part of the deal.

If you ask me, one of the most versatile lenses is the 28-70mm because it gives you all the range you need to work from wide-angle to short telephoto.

Perhaps best of all, this gift idea is $2,199.99, so it's not even close to your $2,500 budget!

Learn more about the Sony Alpha a7III with 28-70mm lens

ProMediaGear TR424L Carbon Fiber Tripod

When it comes to the best tripods on the market, it's tough to argue against ProMediaGear.

These professional-grade tripods are built with versatility and durability in mind.

I own this particular model, and I can tell you without a doubt that no other tripod is going to match the quality of this thing.

It can hold up to 125 pounds of gear, thanks in part to its thick carbon fiber legs. That's a ton of gear!

The legs also have an independent spread and three-position angle locks, that way you can adjust the tripod to be level no matter the terrain.

The quarter-turn twist locks are a favorite feature of mine because they allow you to set up the tripod in short order, that way you don't miss must-have shots.

I photograph a lot of landscapes, so I appreciate the fact that this tripod has big rubber feet to give it more stability, even on soft soil. There's even metal spikes stored inside the bottoms of each leg for added grip when need be!

When folded, the TR424L is just 26.3-inches tall. It's not exactly lightweight, but at least it's small enough to fit into your camera bag.

This rig also offers tons of versatility in terms of height.

From a low of just 6.7-inches to a high of 77-inches, you can frame up just about any shot imaginable with this tripod.

If you have a professional photographer on your holiday shopping list, this tripod is a great gift idea. And with a price of $1,200, you'll still have loads of cash left over from your $2,500 budget!

Learn more about the ProMediaGear TR424L Carbon Fiber Tripod

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^{Image Credit: evgenyatamanenko via iStock}

With a budget of $5,000, you can go hog wild on photography gear for the photographer on your list.

Whether they want a camera or a photography trip, a new drone or a new computer, there are tons of options to consider.

Honestly, the hardest part of having a $5,000 budget is simply deciding how you're going to spend it!

Here's our list of the best gifts for photographers under $5,000.

Lensfinder

Let’s face it - photography gear can be expensive. Really expensive.

That’s a problem year-round, but when you’re holiday shopping and have tons of gifts to buy, it’s even more difficult to justify getting your loved one the $1,000 lens that they really want.

Fortunately, Lensfinder can help in more ways than one.

On the one hand, you can find great deals on pre-owned camera lenses at Lensfinder. 

That means that you can get a truly top-notch lens for the photographer in your life but do so without busting your budget. It’s a win-win!

On the other hand, if you have some old lenses that you don’t use anymore, you can list them for sale on Lensfinder. When the lens sells, you can use it for holiday spending money for the photographer in your life. 

^{Image Credit: xxmmxx via iStock}

The best part? You can list your lenses for sale for free. 

There’s only a transaction fee (just 3.99%) when the lens sells (with a maximum fee of $500). If your lens doesn’t sell, there’s no charge at all!

And for peace of mind, the Lensfinder platform has advanced fraud filtering for both buyers and sellers as well as mediation services in the event that there’s a problem.

Payments are made and received via PayPal, so you can rest easy knowing that the transaction is safe and secure.

In other words, Lensfinder is the ideal solution for your holiday shopping needs. Either use it to find a loved one a killer lens or use it to sell old gear to pad your pockets for holiday spending!

Learn more about Lensfinder

DJI Inspire 2 Eagle Edition Kit

Designed especially for prosumers, commercial applications, and business applications, the DJI Inspire 2 Eagle Edition Kit by Drone World represents one of the top drone kits that’s currently available.

The DJI Inspire 2 was already a great drone, but after Drone World’s engineers worked their magic, you truly have a beast of a machine. The new HD Helical Antenna offers four-times better performance, including 720p resolution with minimal latency. That means you get more consistent and reliable video feed performance from the drone. You can see this drone kit in action in the video below:

This kit also comes packed with lens filters that allow you to enhance the images you take with the drone. That includes two dual-stacked neutral density/polarizer filters, a polarizer, and a variable neutral density filter that ranges from ND 2 to ND 64.

And to minimize the time you’re charging your Inspire 2’s batteries, this kit includes a battery hub and charger that charges two items simultaneously. Even better, you can plug four devices into the hub and it will automatically charge the two that have the highest battery percentage so you can get back to flying sooner rather than later.

 

Other accessories in the Inspire 2 Eagle Edition Kit include a power bank portable battery charger, a 64GB memory card, a controller sunshade for easier video viewing in bright conditions, and an FPV mini drone, among many other items. That’s not to mention that a hard-sided rolling case is also included with room for the drone, up to 16 batteries, a remote, monitors, lenses, and all the other gear you need to tackle professional drone work.

This drone kit takes what was already a fantastic drone and makes it even better. Between the expertly designed and crafted accessories outlined above and the Inspire 2’s inherent capabilities - up to 5.2K recording, a top speed of 67 mph, a dual-battery system with 27-minute flight time, intelligent flight modes, obstacle avoidance, and other technologically-advanced features - you have the makings of a professional filmmaking drone like no other. See these and other features in the video above.

Learn more about the DJI Inspire 2 Eagle Edition Kit

National Photographic Adventures

National Photographic Adventures is one of the premier photography tour companies in the world.

Spearheaded by master photographer Kevin Vandivier, a 40-year veteran of photography, National Photographic Adventures will put the photographer on your holiday list in some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, providing opportunities to learn and grow as a photographer along the way.

With Kevin's expertise - he's won multiple awards, been published in Life Magazine, National Geographic, and Texas Monthly, and shown his work all over the world - photographers of all skill levels will find a wealth of opportunities to learn from Kevin's experiences.

Speaking of experiences, National Photographic Adventures specializes in taking participants to unforgettable places.

From Texas Hill Country to Iceland, Monument Valley to Teton National Park, there's no shortage of places for your favorite photographer to experience the beauty of the world with their camera.

Better still, each adventure is limited to just seven people, so each attendee can benefit from one-on-one learning time with Kevin.

From composition to lighting to processing images, photographers on these adventures will learn essential techniques for improving their images.

Each participant's work will also be published in National Photographic Magazine, with several copies given to each attendee for sharing with friends and family.

Taken together, all these benefits make a trip with National Photographic Adventures the ultimate photography gift for 2018! 

Learn more about National Photographic Adventures

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

 

If the photographer on your shopping list is a Canon fan, why not upgrade their camera experience with a top-of-the-line Canon EOS 5D Mark IV?

The 5D Mark IV is a workhorse of a camera that offers tons of features for photographers that want to step up their game.

The 30.4-megapixel full frame CMOS sensor captures clean, bright images, and the camera's DIGIC 6+ image processor makes the camera a powerful addition to any photographer's kit that's looking for images that have fine detail and high resolution.

The 5D Mark IV offers excellent low-light shooting capability with a native ISO range of 100-32000.

For occasions when the ISO really needs to be pushed, the camera is capable of shooting at up to ISO 102400.

Even at higher ISOs, the 5D Mark IV offers low-noise images with excellent sharpness in a variety of shooting conditions.

Of course, the camera is packed with modern features that any photographer will appreciate.

That includes GPS, Wi-Fi, and NFC, an enhanced autofocus system, a weather-sealed body, and a 3.2-inch touchscreen LCD monitor, among many other amenities.

Any Canon shooter would love to have this camera, and with pre-owned models going for around $2,500, you can make that dream come true for your favorite photographer while saving half of your budget!

Learn more about the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

Nikon D850

 

I shoot with a Nikon D850, and I can personally attest that this is one of the best cameras on the market today. I can say that because I’ve tested and owned cameras from Sony, Nikon, Pentax, FujiFilm, and other manufacturers over the years. In a word, this camera is incredible, and any professional photographer would love to get this for the holidays this year! 

Perhaps that most impressive feature of the D850 is its sensor, a 45.7-megapixel back-illuminated behemoth that produces jaw-droppingly detailed images.

In fact, no other camera has beaten the Nikon D850 when it comes to image quality testing from DxOMark. The D850’s sensor was the first to achieve a perfect 100/100 score, and only the Sony A7R III has ever matched that mark.

Not only does the sensor produce gorgeously detailed images, but it also offers excellent dynamic range so you get beautiful highlights and shadows without losing detail, even when the lighting conditions would challenge other cameras. The sensor also performs beautifully in low-light situations, offering an unmatched level of noise control, even when pushing the ISO to the limits. 

The D850 also has a fantastic 153-point autofocus system with 99 cross-type points that gives you the ability to set and maintain focus on a variety of subjects, even those that move quickly, like wildlife. The 7fps burst shooting speed is an excellent feature for capturing action as well, and with an optional battery grip, the burst shooting speed can reach 9fps.

The massive buffer - it can handle 170 12-bit RAW files - is a much-appreciated feature for photographers that need to shoot a lot of photos in rapid fashion as well.

As if all that isn’t enough, the D850 has cutting-edge features that truly make it a one-of-a-kind camera. 

It’s got built-in focus stacking that allows you to combine up to 300 images, a silent shutter mode that’s perfect for things like wedding photography, wireless control via Nikon’s SnapBridge, a tilting touchscreen LCD, a weather-sealed body...the list goes on and on.

Aside from the incredible list of specifications this camera has, it’s just a great camera to use. 

The beefy grip feels good in your hands, and the layout of the buttons and knobs on the camera has that familiar Nikon feel. That makes it easy to learn where everything is so you can make on-the-fly adjustments without even taking the camera away from your eye.

And for a big, professional camera, it doesn’t feel like you’re carrying around a giant rig. I wouldn’t say that the D850 is lightweight, but it at least feels like it’s a svelte camera, even after carrying it around for a few hours. 

So, the moral of the story here is that if you’ve got a budget of $5,000, the Nikon D850 should get strong consideration as the ideal gift for the photographer on your holiday shopping list.

Best of all, with incredible pricing at Paul’s Photo, you can pick up the D850 for your favorite photographer without even coming close to the $5,000 mark!

Learn more about the Nikon D850

Microsoft Surface Studio

If you really want to impress the photographer on your holiday shopping list, it's hard to go wrong with the Microsoft Surface Studio.

With a gorgeous 28-inch PixelSense display to delight their eyes, the Surface Studio is a fantastic computer for editing photos.

And since the screen is both tilting and touch-enabled, it's also highly functional for editing photos and other daily tasks of being a photographer.

Throw in the Surface Pen and Surface dial, and you have the ultimate computing package for photographers.

Plus, since the Surface Studio's giant screen has a Zero Gravity Hinge, it's super simple to adjust - very light pressure on the screen will move it backward or forward as needed.

This particular model has an Intel Core i7 processor for fast computing, 32GB of RAM, and 2TB of disk space, so it'll be a fast companion with tons of storage for your favorite photographer for years to come!

Learn more about the Microsoft Surface Studio

Nikon Z7 Mirrorless Full Frame Camera and 24-70mm f/4 S Lens

Nikon just released the Z7 full frame mirrorless camera to much fanfare, and any professional photographer that you're shopping for this holiday season would no doubt love to have one of these in their camera bag.

For starters, the Z7 has a top-of-the-line 45.7-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor that captures beautifully detailed shots.

Paired with an EXPEED 6 Image Processing Engine, this camera makes quick work of taking photos, even in sub-optimal conditions.

The 493-point phase-detect autofocus system helps ensure photographers get their subjects in sharp focus, and the built-in 5-axis vibration reduction comes in handy for handheld shooting without worrying as much about camera shake.

Like any modern camera should have, the Z7 also sports ultra high definition 4K video capabilities at 30p.

Whether shooting photos or video, photographers will appreciate the large 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen LCD as well.

The Nikon Z7 features a 3.6m-dot electronic viewfinder, 9 fps continuous shooting, and a native ISO range of 64-25600.

There's a top panel dot-matrix OLED screen, an XQD card slot, and the Z7 is compatible with current FX lenses (with an adaptor).

In other words, this little full frame mirrorless camera packs a solid punch, and at just under $4,000 from National Camera Exchange, you can give this camera and a new NIKKOR 24-70mm f/4 S lens this year without even coming close to your $5,000 budget!

Learn more about the Nikon Z7 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera

eMotimo spectrum ST4 Run & Gun Bundle

For the photographer on your list that's itching to add videography to their repertoire, the eMotimo spectrum ST4 Run & Gun Bundlespectrum ST4 Run & Gun Bundle is a perfect gift with a $5,000 budget.

Included in this bundle are a spectrum ST4 4-axis motion control unit, a eMotimo heavy duty L-bracket for mounting a camera, an eMotimo Fz focus motor, and iFootage Shark Slider with both two-foot and four-foot lengths.

Also included is an iFootage integration kit with the motor of your choice, a uSD card with instructions, an Arca compatible quick release clamp for tilt, and an Arca compatible plate for pan axis.

In other words, this bundle is loaded for bear with all the fixings a photographer needs to create breathtaking cinematic films and time-lapse videos!

Learn more about the eMotimo spectrum ST4 Run & Gun Bundle

Arca-Swiss F-Classic 4x5 View Camera

For discerning photographers that enjoy working in medium format, it’s tough to beat the Arca-Swiss 4x5.

This is a professional-grade tool that is both easily transported and produces high-quality images.

It’s made specifically for 4x5 medium format film and digital backs made to fit medium format digital camera systems.

It’s a fully modular system, too, with a wide array of accessories for everything from viewing to conversion.

Whether it’s used for film or digital prints, this camera will bring a smile to any photographer’s face!

Best of all, it's well below the $5,000 budget mark, so you can give an awesome gift and save a ton of money, too!

Learn more about the Arca-Swiss F-Classic 4x5 View Camera

Amazon Gift Card

Totally stumped regarding gift ideas for photographers on your list?

Why not go the easy route and get them an Amazon gift card?

Though a gift card isn't exactly the sexiest gift, when the photographer in your family sees that you dropped $5,000 into a few gift cards (there's a $2,000 limit per card), they'll love it just the same.

With an Amazon gift card, they can buy whatever they want - a new lens, a second camera body, lighting gear, a laptop - you name it!

As far as flexibility goes, there's nothing better to give a photographer than a gift card with some serious money loaded onto it!

Learn more about Amazon gift cards

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If you’re like me, despite all your best efforts, you still find yourself scrambling to find gifts for people on your holiday list at the last-minute.

And if you have photographers on your shopping list, the task of getting them the perfect gift can be even more difficult and stressful because photographers can be a picky bunch to buy for.

But don’t worry…

I’ve got a pretty darn good list of incredible photography gifts that will put a smile on any photographers face!

Click Props Backdrops

One thing I can’t stand is an ugly portrait backdrop. Another thing I can’t stand are backdrops that are flimsy, hard to clean, or simply don’t hang well.

And I’m not alone…

Sure, the background of a portrait isn’t the star of the show, but that doesn’t mean that photographers want to make-do with sub-optimal backdrops. 

That’s where Click Props Backdrops comes in…

Click Props Backdrops has dedicated themselves to creating not just a HUGE collection of backdrops, floorgrounds, and combo sets, but they’ve also managed to create products that tick all the boxes when it comes to beauty, quality, ease of use, care, and price.

Consider this - these backdrops are made of heavy-duty vinyl so you get the ultimate in durability and performance over the long-term. But they’re also ultra lightweight, so the photographer on your list can literally set up the backdrop by themselves in a matter of seconds.

The backdrops have a series of reinforced grommets for easy hanging, or if your favorite photographer prefers, these backdrops can be custom-ordered without grommets and used with a roller system for even faster, easier setup.

And no one wants to use backdrops that they have to worry about getting dirty. That’s why Click Props Backdrops makes their products out of 550gsm vinyl that’s durable and easy to clean. Just wipe it down and it’s ready to go! 

On top of that, Click Props Backdrops has an enormous selection of products. We’re talking hundreds of different colors and styles that will fit any photographer’s aesthetic!

Plus, these backdrops are reasonably priced, so you can fulfill the wishes of the photographer on your holiday shopping list without breaking the bank.

What’s not to like about that?! 

Learn more about Click Props Backdrops

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens from Mike's Camera

If you have a Nikon shooter on your holiday shopping list, an ideal gift for them is the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens.

Why is it an ideal gift?

That's easy...it's incredibly versatile.

From wide-angle to telephoto, this lens does it all! It has a 10.7x zoom range, a close focus range of just 18 inches (at any focal length!), and VR II image stabilization that gives photographers up to 4 shutter speeds of leeway when shooting handheld.

All that translates into this being a powerhouse lens that will help your favorite photographer take better, sharper photos and videos.

The lens is optimized for edge-to-edge sharpness with two extra-low dispersion elements that also offer superb color correction with minimal chromatic aberrations.

Likewise, the three aspherical lens elements eliminate coma and other aberrations, even when shooting at wide apertures.

This lens is one of the most versatile and reliable lenses that Nikon makes. That's why it's a perfect gift idea for the photographer in your life!

Learn more about the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens

DJI Mavic 2 Pro/Mavic 2 Zoom

DJI has been at the forefront of drone innovation for years now, but they’ve taken it up another notch with their latest drones, the Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom. That’s good news if you’re looking for an incredible, cutting-edge gift for the photographer on your holiday list. 

Though these drones share the same heritage and the same name, they actually have very different purposes - and some interesting features that set them apart from one another. 

In the case of the Mavic 2 Pro, it’s armed with a one-inch 20MP CMOS sensor that’s housed in a Hasselblad camera - the same camera that’s found in DJI’s Phantom 4 Pro. The lens opens to f/2.8 and closes down to f/11, giving photographers and videographers excellent range for manipulating depth of field and shooting in low-light situations.

The Mavic 2 Zoom is geared more towards photographers and videographers that need a little bit more range with their drone’s lens. That’s why it’s outfitted with a 24-48mm lens paired with a 1/2.3-inch sensor that creates 12MP images. 

But just because the Mavic 2 Zoom has a smaller sensor doesn’t mean that its photos and videos are somehow low-quality. In fact, both the Mavic 2 Zoom and Mavic 2 Pro shoot 4K video at up to 100MB per second, and the Mavic 2 Zoom has a “super resolution mode” that allows photographers to stitch nine individual images together to create a single 48-megapixel behemoth.

Both drones can fly at a maximum speed of 44mph, have a maximum flight time of 31 minutes, and have DJI’s latest obstacle avoidance system that’s armed with 10 sensors.

In other words, DJI has stepped up its game and created two incredible, versatile drones that make ideal holiday gift ideas for photographers, videographers, and drone enthusiasts.

Learn more about the DJI Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom

SnapPro

If you're shopping for a loved one that wants to start a photography business - or perhaps they already have and are struggling to find clients - SnapPro is a fantastic gift.

SnapPro is the best photography directory out there, and by gifting a membership to your favorite photographer, they'll be more likely to find clients (and more of them, too!).

This amazing photography directory is a database that lists its member photographers from all over the U.S. and Canada.

Consumers that need a photographer just head to SnapPro, enter their location and their specific needs (i.e., wedding photographer), and matching photographers are provided.

Users can then compare photographers side-by-side, and when they've chosen one, SnapPro connects the consumer to their chosen photographer. Easy, right?!

For the photographer on your holiday shopping list, SnapPro is a ready-made place to find clients.

But not only that, photographers can find jobs working for other photographers. For example, if your loved one is a portrait photographer and wants to pick up an extra gig, they can contact a wedding photographer to see about working as a second shooter.

So, basically, SnapPro is a photography community that can help the photographer in your life jumpstart their career.

This holiday season, give the gift of ongoing work by giving your loved one a SnapPro membership. It's even free to join!

Learn more about SnapPro

Nikon Z7 from Paul's Photo

If you really need to impress the photographer in your life with a great gift and they're a Nikon shooter, a new Nikon Z7 should get you in their good graces.

This camera is, in a word, incredible...

Just check out these specs:

• Backside-illuminated 45.7-megapixel full frame CMOS sensor
• EXPEED 6 image processing
• 9fps continuous shooting speed
• ISO range of 64-25600; expandable to 32-102400
• 493-point autofocus system
• 5-axis sensor-based image stabilization
• 3.2-inch tilting, touch-enabled LCD with 2.1 million dots
• OLED electronic viewfinder with 3.69 million dots and 0.80x magnification

If you aren't familiar with camera speak, let me translate: this camera is awesome!

One of the best features of this camera is its sensor.

I shoot with a Nikon D850, and its sensor is widely considered the best ever made. The Nikon Z7's sensor is every bit as good.

Likewise, the Z7 has a fantastic autofocus system with 493 AF points. That makes this a perfect gift idea for photographers that work in sports, wildlife, and other venues in which capturing action is a must.

Additionally, the Z7 is lightweight, so if you've ever heard the photographer on your holiday list complain about carrying around a big, heavy DSLR, the Z7 is a great choice.

Not only that, but this camera has superb video functionalities with 4K video recording. Nikon even has a spate of new lenses to go with the Z7, though there's also an adapter that allows photographers to use their old Nikon lenses with the Z7, too.

Like I said before, if you want to impress your loved one this year, a Nikon Z7 is a great choice!

Learn more about the Nikon Z7

SIRUI SR-3204 Tripod

I've used SIRUI tripods for a long time now, and to say that I've been supremely happy with them is an understatement.

But now I have one of SIRUI's newest tripods - the SR-3204 - and it's even better than I thought possible.

A big part of what's so great about this tripod is that it has jaw-dropping statistics.

It holds up to 55 pounds of gear and can reach a maximum height of 80 inches with the optional two-stage center column.

Additionally, SIRUI has implemented excellent twist-lock leg mechanisms that make it quick and easy to set the tripod up and tear it down when you're done shooting.

Helping in the ease-of-use department is the fact that these tripods have three-position leg angles, so you can position the tripod just right to get the shots you want.

Add in the fact that there's an integrated bubble level, a removable flat top plate for converting the tripod from still photography to videography usage, and a 1/4-inch socket on the spider for attaching accessories, and you have the perfect tripod for the photography enthusiast on your holiday shopping list!

It's got all the features, versatility, and durability that your favorite photographer could possibly want.

Learn more about the SIRUI SR-3204 Tripod

Vallerret Photography Gloves

Whether the person on your holiday shopping list lives in the American Southwest, the Arctic Tundra, or somewhere in between, a pair of warm, functional photography gloves is an ideal last-minute gift. 

If you’ve ever tried to operate your camera with traditional gloves on, you know that you just end up taking your glove off because you can’t press the buttons, let alone operate a touch-enabled screen on your camera or smartphone.

But Vallerret Photography Gloves solves that problem with gloves that have magnetic FlipTech finger covers on the thumb and pointer finger, as shown on the Women’s Nordic Glove shown above.

That means that instead of your favorite photographer freezing their hands off, they can keep their hands nice and toasty while still having the ability to get the job done with their camera. 

Better still, Vallerret has a wide variety of gloves for men and women, as well as for different climate needs from light winter to mild winter to deep winter.

If you’re shopping for someone that lives in a temperate climate, the Vallerret Primaloft/Merino liner is a perfect gift idea.

This glove is supremely soft and warm and can be used as a standalone glove on mild days or as a base layer under any of Vallerret’s other gloves allowing you to layer up and adapt to the conditions. It’s even got conductive suede on the index fingers and thumbs that allows for using touch screens without removing the gloves.

If you’re shopping for someone that has more hard-core needs, Vallerret’s Skadi Zipper Mitt.

This versatile two-in-one mitten and glove is the height of functionality, with a Merino wool and Primaloft blend inner glove and a mitten shell that’s made of Goat leather, laminated soft twill, and two-ply DWR suede to resist water and provide excellent wind protection. 

The inner gloves give photographers touch screen finger and thumb access while the 100% merino wool lining keep their fingers toasty warm.

As you’d expect, the Skadi Zipper Mitt has the magnetic FlipTech finger caps as well. 

Add in a non-slip grip on the palm, a jersey cuff for supreme comfort, a wrist strap for security, and a handy SD card pocket, and you have the makings of an expedition-worthy glove for the deep winter! 

Learn more about Vallerret Photography Gloves

Excire

One of the biggest problems I have (and many other photographers, too) with Lightroom is that it's just so laborious to manually tag my photos.

So, rather than tagging any of them, I just upload them to my Lightroom library. Needless to say, it's a huge mess.

Not anymore, though...

With Excire, you can give the gift of beautifully organized and searchable images thanks to artificial intelligence.

Here's how it works...

Excire Search and Excire Search Pro are plugins that can be added to Lightroom that use AI to tag photos automatically.

With Excire Search, there's 125 common keywords available, so every shot your loved one has of boats or mountains or dogs will be organized and easily identified.

It'll even tag images for the predominant color in the shot as well as tag images based on the people in them.

For example, a photo of an older woman will be tagged "woman" and "elderly."

Excire Search Pro takes things up a notch with over 500 common keywords that can be used for searching and organizing photos.

Better still, Excire Search Pro has a keyword transfer function, so it can be used to search images already in Lightroom.

That means the photographer on your list won't have to hunt around in their thousands of images for the one photo they want.

On top of all that, Excire is an award-winning plugin and they have a 30-day free trial available. What's not to like about that?!

Learn more about Excire Lightroom Plugins

Kizoa

It might seem strange to have a video-making program on a list of the best last-minute gifts for photographers, but in this day and age, photographers need the ability to create video.

Kizoa provides them with all the tools to do so...

This program has been around for the better part of a decade, and in that time, the Kizoa team has perfected it and made it into a high-powered yet easy-to-use video-making machine.

It has a vast suite of tools ranging from music and transitions to special effects and texts to make professional-looking videos.

There's even pre-made templates designed by the pros to get you started!

Additionally, all the nuts and bolts are there that you'd expect - tools for straightening, rotating, and cropping so that the final product fulfills the creative vision.

Kizoa is easy to use as well. Photographers can log in from their computer and use the cloud-based platform or they can download the free Kizoa app to their iOS device and edit while they're on the go.

Sharing work is super easy as well - there's Facebook and YouTube integration as well as the ability to burn movies to DVDs or download them in a variety of formats.

Best of all, Kizoa starts at $30 for a membership - a one-time fee for lifetime access. Nice!

If you want a budget-friendly gift that keeps on giving, consider buying Kizoa for your favorite photographer.

Learn more about Kizoa

Holdfast MoneyMaker Solo

^{Image Credit: Brandon Burk}

If you're shopping for a photographer that like to shoot fast and quick with minimal gear, the Holdfast MoneyMaker Solo is a great gift idea.

That's because this camera strap was purpose-built for single camera shooters.

It's made of beautiful leathers and metals that provide a comfortable carrying experience, superb durability, and they look incredible as well.

^{Image Credit: Brandon Burk}

The big, contoured shoulder strap makes this a comfortable strap to wear, even for hours on end.

The integrated stabilizer strap helps keep the shoulder pad in place to enhance comfort and security.

What's more, there's a Belt Anchor on the other side of the strap to anchor the camera on the hip, that way when your favorite photographer is walking, stooping, kneeling down, or somewhere in between, their camera will stay put.

^{Image Credit: Brandon Burk} 

The ingenious thing about the Belt Anchor is that it can be released with one hand so that photographers can quickly raise their camera to their eye to get the needed shot.

Then, with one-handed action, the Belt Anchor can be re-engaged.

This rig is versatile, too, given that you can add a Holdfast Cell Phone Pouch or a Lens Pouch for carrying a bit more gear.

It's beautiful, comfortable, durable, and made in the USA. What better gift is there than that?!

Learn more about the Holdfast MoneyMaker Solo

CanvasHQ Canvas Prints

Photographers are always looking for great prints of their work, and CanvasHQ certainly delivers great prints.

I mean, sure, you can get a photographer a cheap paper print for Christmas, but what's the point of underwhelming them?

Instead, a large-format canvas print from CanvasHQ is the way to go. I should know...I have dozens of prints from these guys!

CanvasHQ does it right with a dedication to the process of constructing each print as though it's for their own loved one.

They only use the finest materials - including archival-grade canvas - so that the print looks great now and for generations to come.

Even the frame is meticulously crafted from kiln-dried wood, that way you're assured that the print doesn't bow or bend over time.

The inks they use are top-of-the-line as well. They're water-resistant, scuff-resistant, and UV-resistant, too.

Add to that the fact that they offer a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee and quick turnaround times, and you have a recipe for the perfect last-minute gift!

Learn more about CanvasHQ

HiiGuy Camera Strap

Ask any photographer, and they'll tell you that a good camera strap is worth its weight in gold.

After all, it's hard to take photos when their shoulders and necks hurt because their cheap camera strap is digging into their muscles.

But a great camera strap doesn't have to cost you a ton of money this holiday season...

The HiiGuy Camera Strap is ideal for any photographer, no matter if they shoot with a big DSLR or a tiny mirrorless camera.

The strap is comfortable with a big shoulder pad and a highly adjustable length to accommodate any height of photographer.

The mount plate is padded to prevent scratching the camera, and there's a handy integrated zipper pouch on the shoulder pad for keeping an extra memory card or two.

There's even a three-year warranty in case something goes awry.

With that kind of peace of mind, you can't go wrong with giving the gift of a HiiGuy camera strap this holiday season!

Learn more about the HiiGuy Camera Strap

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^{photo byperkmeup via iStock}

I have a habit, a dirty, nasty habit of splurging to purchase the newest cameras and the newest lenses the moment they hit the market. While this means I’m great at writing reviews, it also means I have no money in my bank account most of the time and I’m guessing if you’re reading this you might be in the same boat. Get more information about Nikon D3500 review on our website PhotographyTalk.com, its my favorite camera.

Camera equipment is one of those sweet niches in life where renting actually does make more sense than buying.

Below, learn a few reasons why you should rent camera gear before you buy. 

Advantages of Renting Camera Gear

Like Creative Ryan points out in his video, the number one advantage of renting camera gear is that it’s more cost effective than buying.

There are so many equipment options in the photography industry. It’s one of the industries where workers have complete autocracy over their purchasing power.

If you work in marketing or graphic design, you need to own Apple; if you work in the gig economy, it makes the most sense to own a hybrid. Photography is the one industry with a wide playing field, even if most photographers still adhere to brand loyalty pretty ardently. You don’t have to!

And if you want to try all of the brands, then you probably can’t afford to purchase them.

Another advantage you’ll enjoy if you rent camera gear is it gives you time to build up your budget to purchase the camera you really want to buy. 

And you’re never going to find the camera you really want to buy if you don’t get to play with it hands-on by renting it in the first place.

Renting Lenses Can Boost Your Photography Skills

  ^{photo by Pollyana Ventura via iStock}

Renting lenses can increase your creativity in your photography more than almost anything else besides education.

Lenses are a great way for you to trick out your camera to fit your photography niche. As an example, a lot of photographers who specialize in architecture will have a tilt-shift lens, which is a lens that allows you to adjust the focal plane on an angle with the camera sensor.

However, if you’re not an architectural photographer, you may still want to play around with a tilt-shift lens. Why not? You can take incredible photos of anything taller than you with a tilt-shift lens. 

If you’re a landscape photographer, imagine the mountains you can shoot with a rented lens that you would never otherwise think of trying.

Plus, when you get the chance to shoot a large assignment, something with a little extra wiggle room in the budget, it’s the perfect time to rent a different lens.

Should You Rent Camera Gear Online or In Store? 

 ^{Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash}

Whether you want to rent a camera for a day or a month, there are photography rental stores for you.

The first option people typically go with is a camera rental store near them, meaning a brick and mortar camera rental store.

The best pro of renting in store is that you get better communication with the salespeople. You can ask questions about specific gear more easily, build relationships with the salespeople and maybe even get discounts for being a frequent customer.

I can’t tell you the amount of times I’ve searched the web for “camera rentals near me.” The issue is I live in a remote town and I don’t want to make a stop while I’m traveling for work at a camera rental store.

So, I usually shop online.

Borrow Lenses is one option for online rentals that I’ve used in the past. It’s part of a large corporation that also owns Shutterfly, so they usually have some sort of a 10-15% off deal going on. 

They also allow you to either ship the equipment to your home (useful for those of us not located in large cities), or pick it up in store.

However, the biggest pro with Borrow Lenses is also the biggest con. It’s a huge company, so the customer service can be shotty.

If you want the best of both worlds (online and in store), I can’t recommend Paul’s Photo enough. When I’m shopping in store, equipment can frequently be outdated (especially in my tiny town).

 

Plus, I’m usually not looking for circa 2010 Nikon lens rentals; I want the newest options that small camera stores usually can’t afford.

I recently went online frantically searching for a Nikon Z7 rental and found it from Paul’s Photo. The daily rental rate on a camera that costs upwards of $4,000 was just $125 through this store.

And the real reason I went with Paul’s Photo over the slew of other camera rental stores near me is that they have a try-before-you-buy option. 

While challenging yourself with the latest and greatest Nikon or Canon lens rentals is proven to increase your creativity, I’d be lying if I said I never wanted to purchase the equipment after I tried it. It’s why I’m almost always in the negative on my business; I can’t stop buying the newest mirrorless cameras.

The guys over at Paul’s Photo give you 50% off your rental day if you purchase the same equipment in the next 3 days.

Finally, unlike Borrow Lenses, Paul’s Photo is a mid-sized company. Their customer service is unparalleled in the camera rental game. They literally have a profile on their store’s general manager on their website.

For me, Paul’s Photo is a happy medium. 

Send Us Your Stories

Good luck with your camera rental adventure, and as always, be sure to post your camera rental stories for us. Especially if they’re funny!

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