Here's your latest photography news roundup — 20 stories to catch up on:
15 Photos to Inspire You to Enter the Sony World Photography Awards 2027
Sony World Photography Awards 2027 remains open for entries, and the World Photography Organization has announced the jury for this 20th edition. To mark the occasion, 15 already-submitted photos have been published, previewing the high standard of this year's competition.
Xiaomi is upgrading the cameras in its 18 Pro and Pro Max to 200MP models
Xiaomi is updating its 18 Pro series with 200MP cameras, deepening its partnership with Leica. Both Pro and Pro Max models will share the same triple-camera system, a major upgrade over the previous generation.
The Composition Habit That Fixes Cluttered Street Photos
A simple compositional habit can turn chaotic street photos into clear, powerful images. The common problem: shooting everything that catches your eye, only to find messy frames at home — crowds, harsh light, and no clear subject. The article explains how to spot and fix this frequent street photography mistake.
A Reported Bluetooth Flaw Just Put 16 DJI Drones Under the Microscope
Researchers have flagged a possible Bluetooth security vulnerability in 16 DJI drone models, raising concerns about device safety. Still, it's too early to confirm whether hackers could actually take control of the affected drones.
Are We Out of Touch? | The PetaPixel Podcast
This week's episode of the PetaPixel Podcast discusses how camera brands seem to misunderstand the so-called "smartphone generation." The hosts make their case firmly on this controversial topic.
iPhone 18 Pro Max sample gallery: variable aperture in real shooting conditions
Apple has introduced a variable aperture on the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and DPReview has published a sample gallery shot across various lighting conditions and subjects. The images show real-world results at F1.48, highlighting the technology's actual impact on image quality.
Nikon Has Forgotten the Photographer
The author, a decades-long Nikon shooter, argues the brand keeps making technically excellent cameras while losing sight of what photographers actually need. It's not a blanket critique of camera quality, but a warning about the direction Nikon's product development is heading.
This DPReview community member zooms in on mesmerizing insects using an Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II
Photographer Peter Swan from Durham captures stunning insect and macro shots with a compact Micro Four Thirds kit built around the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II. He shares his gear and approach for capturing these fascinating tiny details.
Custom Bracket for the Hasselblad XPan Finally Centers It on Tripods
A new accessory from Mutiny solves a long-standing issue with the Hasselblad XPan (and its Japanese twin, the Fujifilm TX-1): the awkwardly placed tripod thread. This custom bracket allows proper centering on tripods — a fix fans of this still-unique camera have long been waiting for.
What Contact Sheets Reveal About How You Actually Shoot
Contact sheets reveal how you really shoot, beyond the myth of Henri Cartier-Bresson's "decisive moment," often misunderstood by less experienced photographers. The article explains why the ability to pick the best frame from a set is what separates good photographers from average ones.
PortraitPro Biggest Sale Ever: 50% OFF + EXTRA 40% OFF with code EPZSS - Ending Soon!
PortraitPro is running its biggest-ever sale: 50% off downloads plus an extra 40% off with code EPZSS. The offer is limited-time only, ending at midnight on September 30, so interested users should hurry.
Ilford Pan F+ Is a Beautifully Sharp, Dramatic, and Fine-Grained Film
Ilford Pan F+ belongs to the "Sub-100 Club" of films with ISO under 100, standing out for exceptional sharpness, fine grain, and dramatic contrast rendering. It's a favorite among photographers seeking maximum detail and a distinct black-and-white aesthetic.
Unboxing S50 Pro: The Latest Smart Telescope from Seestar
Seestar launched its newest smart telescope, the S50 Pro, late last month, confirming why 2026 is being called "the year of smart telescopes." The article offers an unboxing and first look at the new device.
How the James Webb Telescope Images Get Their Colors: The Honest Answer to 'Is It Real?'
Spectacular James Webb images, like the famous "Cosmic Cliffs" in the Carina Nebula, don't show colors the human eye would actually see. Almost all the light Webb captures is infrared and invisible to us, so the colors we see are assigned via filters to represent the data. The article explains why this makes the images more impressive, not less authentic.
On Concrete Remnants of London's Aylesbury Estate, Harriet Mena Hill Preserves a Community
Artist Harriet Mena Hill documents the community of London's Aylesbury Estate, a housing complex currently being demolished. Through her work, she captures traces of residents' lives left on the concrete remains, preserving the memory of a place and the people who called it home.
Why are you all so obsessed with global shutters?
A DPReview opinion piece questions the widespread enthusiasm for global shutters, noting that many call camera makers "crazy" for not including them in budget models. The author admits confusion at this obsession, suggesting the tech's benefits should be weighed against real costs and user needs.
What else is new?
Leica has released a silver LUX grip, app v2.0, and a new Steve McCurry "artist look," while the M-mount lens market welcomes the Mandler 50mm f/1.4 PRE-ASPH E46 and the Lailens 50mm f/1.5 Kino Plasmat. Also briefly noted: Fujifilm's exhibition of all 15 GFX Challenge Grant winners, the Sony FX5 cinema camera's delayed launch with no new date announced, and SmallRig deals available via Amazon Prime.
Tourist's Photo Accidentally Leads to Discovery of New Flower Species
A tourist photographed an unfamiliar flower and posted it online — and the photo led, by accident, to the discovery of a new plant species. A simple vacation snapshot turned into an unexpected scientific contribution.
Tusk for Mac backs up your photos and tracks every copy, even on unplugged drives
Tusk for Mac is a backup solution that copies photo and video projects across multiple drives, NAS, and cloud storage, verifying the integrity of each copy. The app keeps track of every file's location even after a drive is unplugged and set aside, making files easier to find later.
SmallRig's New Light Folds Down to Make Location Lighting Easier
SmallRig has released the OrBrella FM 60B, a foldable LED light that integrates a diffusion system into a single portable unit. The design aims to make setting up and using light on location faster and simpler.