📸 Latest Photography News Roundup
Here's what's new in the world of photography — gear, art, and everything in between.
What Else Is New?
The OM System PEN launch has been pushed to November, but Amazon preorders are back and first reviews are out. Also new: Squarehood accessories for the Ricoh GR IV, NiSi's JetMag Pro 49MAG magnetic filter system for Leica M/Q/D-Lux lenses, and a rare discount on Leica M gear.
Say Hello to PÉPET, a Pear-Shaped, Palm-Size Paper Pal
The artist behind this project brings pear- and apple-shaped characters to life as palm-sized paper figures full of personality. PÉPET is the latest addition to this playful, inventive series, supported through Colossal Membership.
The ColorChecker Turns 50: The 24 Squares That Outlived Almost Everything Around Them
The iconic 24-patch color calibration card turns 50 this year. Its design has barely changed since 1976, and it's still made, sold, and used by photographers because it answers a question cameras alone can't: what's the true color of an object.
A Glowing Endorsement of CineStill's Super Popular 800T Film
In a new Film Friday episode, PetaPixel dives into CineStill 800T, the brand's flagship and most popular stock, exploring why it's so beloved among film shooters.
New Product Announcements at the 2026 IBC Show
IBC 2026 brought several new releases, including Sirui's Saturn V2 1.6x full-frame anamorphic lenses with vertical mounts (E/Z/L/X/RF) and DZOFilm's Arles cine zooms. More lenses from Chinese brands are expected next week.
ToupTek AE676M: Is This the Only Astronomy Camera You Need?
ToupTek's new AE676M astro camera aims to merge the two main categories on the market — fast frame rates for planetary imaging and efficient, low-noise cooling for deep-sky shots — into one versatile setup.
This Week in Photo Gear: The Launches You May Have Missed
A roundup of this week's gear releases: a Micro Four Thirds rangefinder-style camera, Apple's first phone with a variable-aperture lens, and a wave of new lenses.
Did the New PEN Impress You? Plus Apple Adds Aperture | The PetaPixel Podcast
The team shares first impressions of OM System's new PEN camera, then heads to Apple Park to talk with Jason Vong and Allison Johnson (The Verge) about Apple's new Pro and Duo models.
Hannah Buechler Loops Thousands of Colorful Loom Bands like Brushstrokes
Artist Hannah Buechler turns thousands of colorful loom bands into an unconventional artistic medium, using them like brushstrokes to create vibrant, inventive works.
Why You Aren't Getting Useful Feedback on Your Photography
Generic "constructive" criticism rarely helps you grow as a photographer. The fix: ask explicitly for critique instead of general opinions — a small shift that leads to far more useful feedback.
This 24-inch Camera Was Built to Spy from 80,000 Feet
The San Diego Air & Space Museum has unveiled a never-used reconnaissance camera built for the Lockheed A-12, designed to shoot from about 80,000 feet and produce six-foot-long negatives — a striking relic of Cold War-era spy tech.
The Best Deals on Portrait Lenses for Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras
Great portraits call for fast standard or tele lenses like a 50mm f/1.4 or 85mm f/1.8 — and they don't have to break the bank. Here's a roundup of solid deals for full-frame mirrorless shooters.
Seven Harsh Truths About Photography Nobody Warns You About
Every creative project takes longer than planned, and your photos will get worse before they get better. Seven uncomfortable truths photographers should accept early to save years of frustration.
Is the Sigma 85mm F1.2 Art the New Portrait Champion for E and L Mount?
Sigma's new 85mm F1.2 Art for Sony E and L-mount gets a DPReview sample gallery focused almost entirely on portraits — does it earn the crown for portrait shooters?
Sigma's 85mm f/1.2 Undercuts Sony's G Master by a Wide Margin
Sigma's 85mm f/1.2 DG DN Art is the first autofocus 85mm f/1.2 for Sony E and the first of its kind for L-mount. It's priced below Sony's own 85mm f/1.4 G Master II, making it a compelling portrait option.
Past the Fold: The iPhone Duo Versus the Others
Apple enters the foldable phone race late with the iPhone Duo, joining rivals already several generations in. DPReview compares Apple's first attempt to the established competition.
NASA-IBM's New Lunar Foundation Model: AI to Study Lunar Images
NASA and IBM built an AI "foundation model" trained on 17 years of imagery from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, covering craters, lava plains, boulders, and ridges — aimed at helping researchers analyze the Moon's vast image archive more efficiently.
Sigma 20-60mm f/2.8-4 DG Contemporary Review: Versatility Is a Virtue
This ultra-wide zoom prioritizes flexibility and convenience over outright optical performance, offering a practical one-lens solution for shooters who'd rather skip carrying multiple lenses.
The First Photograph of a Tornado Was Taken in 1884 by a Kansas Fruit Grower
On April 26, 1884, a Kansas fruit grower captured the earliest known tornado photograph — a faint gray thread against a washed-out sky. Far less dramatic than the famous (and reportedly retouched) twin-funnel tornado image, it remains the oldest confirmed shot of its kind.
Responding to Your Takes on the OM System PEN, iPhone 18 Pro, and More
The DPReview team wraps up a busy week in cameras, responding to reader reactions on the new OM System PEN and iPhone 18 Pro rumors, among other topics.