Tether Tools makes the entire tethering workflow easy. From cables to accessories, everything is designed to work together right out of the box. But they also make workstations. Their new AeroTrac is a compact, lightweight workstation you can customize with accessories for your specific workflow. Built for photographers, it works just as well for audio, video, and podcasting setups.

Check it out at tethertools.com/aerotrac

Now saving when you shop for your favorite gear at B&H Photo is even easier with the B&H Payboo Credit Card which lets you Save the Tax — you pay the tax, and B&H pays you back instantly! Terms apply, learn more at http://bhphoto.com/payboo. Credit card offers are subject to credit approval.

Payboo Credit Card Accounts are issued by Comenity Capital Bank

A few weeks ago, Jordan Drake challenged Chris Niccolls and Jaron Schneider's historical camera pricing knowledge with a test: are cameras actually more expensive now than they were 10 or more years ago? The answer was mostly no, but it got them thinking... was the same the case for lenses?

em>Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/

We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.

In This Episode:

• 00:00 - A very jetlagged intro
• 14:52 - Despite Nikon's lawsuit, Viltrox says it isn't adjusting its product roadmap plans
• 17:12 - OM System's new camera is an astro-focused OM-3
• 21:43 - Zeiss Aatma T1.5 primes are small, fast, and extremely expensive
• 25:29 - Nikon posts huge losses
• 27:59 - Fujifilm had record-high profits and Canon's camera business grew, too
• 30:46 - Viltrox's first L-mount lens is the 16mm f/1.8
• 31:57 - Canon announced two new wide-angle lenses
• 37:20 - Canon's new limited edition G7 X mark III looks great, but you'll probably never own one
• 40:15 - Ricoh Pentax is releasing a limited edition camera strap made from recycled train seats
• 42:59 - Are lenses actually more expensive now?
• 1:03:50 - What have you been up to?
• 1:08:30 - Check out the Exposure Festival in Calgary
• 1:11:07 - Tech Support
• 1:32:23 - Feel Good story of the week

We would like to thank this week's PetaPixel Podcast sponsor, OM SYSTEM. They have been a big supporter of PetaPixel over the years and we were lucky enough to recently get the chance to travel to Costa Rica with OM SYSTEM Ambassador and Master Bird Photographer Ben Knoot, and it was an amazing experience. You can watch the episode on our YouTube channel.

Did Chris and Jordan’s journey to Costa Rica inspire you to capture your own travel moments? OM SYSTEM is running a street and travel photo contest right now.

Grand Prize: OM-3 or OM-5 Camera Kit + WANDRD camera bag

How to Enter:Post your best street or travel photo on Instagram (must be a NEW post)Use hashtag #TravelWithOMSYSTEMTag @omsystem.camerasComplete your entry hereDeadline: February 16th Winners Announced: March 2nd

Enter the contest today!

Last week, we found out that the Z-mount might not be quite as open as we previously thought because Nikon is suing Viltrox. While right now it could be as simple as seeking royalties for using the mount, it could also just as easily end up being a similar situation to Canon, who runs a closed mount.

Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/

We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.

We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.

In This Episode:

• 00:00 - Intro (and Chris's favorite bird photos from Costa Rica)
• 17:43 - Leica is reportedly considering a sale: https://petapixel.com/2026/01/26/leica-camera-considering-selling-a-majority-stake-for-1-2-billion-report/
• 21:59 - TTArtisan chose a unique color scheme for this lens: https://petapixel.com/2026/01/23/this-might-be-the-ugliest-lens-ive-ever-seen/
• 25:25 - Ektar and Tri-X join Kodak's line of directly distributed films: https://petapixel.com/2026/01/21/ektar-and-tri-x-are-now-being-distributed-directly-by-kodak/
• 29:37 - Sony has a new global shutter, square sensor: https://petapixel.com/2026/01/19/sonys-newest-global-shutter-image-sensors-are-square-and-speedy/
• 31:35 - Nikon ZR gets its first firmware update: https://petapixel.com/2026/01/26/nikon-zr-update-extends-max-recording-time-to-6-hours/
• 37:28 - Nikon is Suing Viltrox: https://petapixel.com/2026/01/21/nikon-files-lawsuit-against-viltrox-in-china-over-z-mount-patent-report/
• 57:27 - What have you been up to?
• 1:01:55 - Tech support
• 1:24:57 - Feel good stories of the week

With a PetaPixel Membership, not only can you support original PetaPixel reporting and in-depth reviews, but you can also remove ads from the website and gain access to some seriously great perks, too. Members get $15 off the Moment Store, 5% off certified pre-owned gear from KEH, 25% off the PetaPixel Merch Store, and now can download full-resolution RAW files and JPEGs from the latest cameras and lenses.

It costs just $3 per month or $30 per year. Join today!

This week on The PetaPixel Podcast, the team is in New York City and spends time chatting in different hotel rooms together! The big topic that has been on everyone's mind lately is pricing, and the idea that photography has become too expensive. Jordan thought it might be worth checking to see if that's really the case, and quizzes Chris and Jaron on if modern cameras really are pricier than they were just a few years ago.

Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/

We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.

We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.

In This Episode:

• 00:00 - Intro from New York City hotel rooms!
• 10:08 - Evoto messed up big
• 14:54 - The "Await" camera is trying to mimic the experience of film
• 21:17 - The Sony a7 V is killing it in Japan
• 24:30 - Thypoch's new lens is based on 1970s cinema optics
• 27:59 - Let's talk one more time about the GR IV Monochrome's price
• 34:39 - Are cameras actually more expensive now?
• 57:35 - What have you been up to?
• 1:03:50 - Tech support

With a PetaPixel Membership, not only can you support original PetaPixel reporting and in-depth reviews, but you can also remove ads from the website and gain access to some seriously great perks, too. Members get $15 off the Moment Store, 5% off certified pre-owned gear from KEH, 25% off the PetaPixel Merch Store, and now can download full-resolution RAW files and JPEGs from the latest cameras and lenses.

It costs just $3 per month or $30 per year. Join today: https://petapixel.com/members/

This week on The PetaPixel Podcast, Chris Niccolls, Jordan Drake, and Jaron Schneider are joined by Sarah Teng to talk about the Instax Mini Evo Cinema. And, in a weird bizzaro world twist, it's Chris who has to convince Sarah that it's great. She's not sold, but Chris absolutely loves this weirdo video/printer/instant camera hybrid.

Also, the Ricoh GR IV Monochrome finally has a price and release date, but it's a lot more expensive than the base model. Apple launched a new suite of creative apps called the Creator Studio, Adorama was literally giving X half cameras away, and you can get a GoPro-branded laptop for some reason.

Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/

We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.

We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.

In This Episode:

• 00:00 - Intro, and Sarah Teng is back!
• 12:11 - The Ricoh GR Monochrome costs $700 more than the base model
• 16:32 - Fujifilm is releasing an all-white X half in China
• 17:52 - Meanwhile, Adorama is literally giving X halfs away
• 20:33 - Pentax isn't sure how to make the DSLR popular again
• 26:43 - You can get a GoPro laptop, if you're into that
• 30:56 - Nikon's 24-105mm f/4-7.1 is a new kit zoom for the Z5 II
• 32:57 - The OM-D E-M10 Mark IV isn't being discontinued
• 36:20 - Apple Creator Studio is the long-awaited competitor to Adobe Creative Cloud
• 44:15 - Is the Mini Evo Cinema the best Instax camera ever?
• 1:03:54 - What have you been up to?
• 1:10:10 - Tech support
• 1:16:28 - Feel good story of the week: Don't ever change, Radio Shack

Do you ever get tired of manually searching for, organizing, and culling your images? We do, too, and that’s where Excire can help!

Excire’s photo-management software harnesses AI to make tedious tasks 10x faster, easier, and more fun. Thanks to Excire, you can easily get your images organized, stay on top of culling, and instantly find any photo in your catalog—so you can spend less time managing your images and more time doing what you love! 

And since the AI runs locally on your computer, you’ll never have to worry about privacy or security. Best of all, Excire can be integrated seamlessly into your current workflow, either using the standalone image organizer, Excire Foto 2025, or the Lightroom Classic plugin, Excire Search 2026. To purchase an Excire lifetime license or to download a 14-day free trial, visit http://excire.com/en/shop/! 

PetaPixel viewers can receive 15% off their purchase with the special discount code PETAPIXEL.

Surprise! The PetaPixel Podcast team got together one more time for the true Season 4 finale! Grab a glass of eggnog, don your Santa hats, and pull the pole out from the crawlspace, because it's time for the annual airing of grievances!

Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/

We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.

We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.

In This Episode

• 00:00 - Intro (Your most vivid Christmas memory)
• 13:53 - DJI drones have been banned in the US
• 16:30 - Fujifilm to spend nearly $32 million expanding Instax film production
• 20:18 - Benro's electronics Variable ND filter automatically adjusts its strength
• 24:56 - Leica made major updates to the SL3 and Q3 series autofocus
• 26:48 - All visual arts students worldwide can now join ASMP for free
• 27:50 - Ricoh's GR IV HDF is coming soon and has a new electronic shutter
• 31:56 - The Annual Airing of Grievances
• 52:51 - What have you been up to?
• 58:52 - Tech Support

The holiday season is here, and the OM SYSTEM Holiday Savings Event continues. Right now, you can save up to $400 on many of the cameras and lenses that OM SYSTEM makes, including the popular travel camera, the OM-3.

But that's not all: right now, almost every lens in the M.Zuiko lineup is on sale right now. Whether you're building your first OM SYSTEM kit or adding to an existing collection, there's never been a better time to go light without compromising on image quality. Check out the full lineup at explore.omsystem.com/petapixel or visit your local authorized OM SYSTEM retailer today!

Now saving when you shop for your favorite gear at B&H Photo is even easier with the B&H Payboo Credit Card, which lets you Save the Tax — you pay the tax, and B&H pays you back instantly! (Save the Tax on eligible purchases shipped to eligible states.) Or you can pay over time with 6 and 12 month financing (on minimum purchases of $199 for 6 months, and $599 for 12 months). Terms apply, learn more at http://bhphoto.com/payboo.

Credit card offers are subject to credit approval. Payboo Credit Card Accounts are issued by Comenity Capital Bank.

Now for the fifth year in a row, PetaPixel has gathered its team together to gaze into the future and see the facts, the truths, that will come to pass in the camera industry in 2026. As always, we are prepared to be very wrong.

Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/

We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.

We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.

In This Episode:

• 00:00 - Intro (were you naughty or nice this year?)
• 09:53 - No, Sony did not intentionally brick third-party lenses, Viltrox confirms
• 13:17 - Sony a7 V dynamic range is really good
• 15:41 - Ironically, The Stringer used photos from Dave Burnett without permission or attribution
• 17:37 - About that 7Artisans Floral Bloom lens
• 21:06 - Japan railway pleads with photographers to stop being dangerously dumb
• 25:51 - Z9 got yet another firmware update
• 26:38 - The CP+ Photo Show in Japan will be the biggest ever
• 29:35 - BOLD Predictions for 2026, feat. DPReview's Richard Butler
• 1:28:14 - What have you been up to?
• 1:37:02 - Feel good story of the week

Now saving when you shop for your favorite gear at B&H Photo is even easier with the B&H Payboo Credit Card, which lets you Save the Tax — you pay the tax, and B&H pays you back instantly! (Save the Tax on eligible purchases shipped to eligible states.) Or you can pay over time with 6 and 12 month financing (on minimum purchases of $199 for 6 months, and $599 for 12 months). Terms apply, learn more at http://bhphoto.com/payboo.
Credit card offers are subject to credit approval. Payboo Credit Card Accounts are issued by Comenity Capital Bank.
Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/
We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.
We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.
In This Episode

• 00:00 - Intro
• 08:03 - Affinity sees 3M downloads in 33 days
• 12:02 - Martin Parr passed away
• 14:06 - This photographer built his own medium format rangefinder (and so can you)
• 17:05 - Tamron 150-500mm firmware update
• 20:13 - Crucial SSDs are no more
• 22:55 - The Antigravity A1 is now available
• 25:55 - Green lenses are beautiful
• 28:16 - The 2025 PetaPixel Awards
• 29:26 - Accessory of the Year
• 24:55 - Software of the Year
• 37:47 - Workstation of the Year
• 42:48 - Smartphone of the Year
• 48:25 - Zoom Lens of the Year
• 52:12 - Prime Lens of the Year
• 56:43 - People's Choice Award: Camera of the Year
• 1:00:35 - Camera of the Year
• 1:07:09 - Photo Company of the Year
• 1:07:38 - Technology Innovation of the Year
• 1:09:19 - What have you been up to?
• 1:16:43 - Tech Support
• 1:31:57 - Feel Good Story of the Week

Do you ever get tired of manually searching for, organizing, and culling your images? We do, too - and that’s where Excire can help! Excire’s photo-management software harnesses AI to make tedious tasks 10x faster, easier, and more fun. To purchase an Excire lifetime license or to download a 14-day free trial, visit http://www.excire.com/en/shop!

EXCIRE BLACK FRIDAY SALE: PetaPixel viewers can receive 30% off their purchase with the special discount code PETAPIXEL30 -- valid through December 7th!

Now saving when you shop for your favorite gear at B&H Photo is even easier with the B&H Payboo Credit Card, which lets you Save the Tax — you pay the tax, and B&H pays you back instantly! (Save the Tax on eligible purchases shipped to eligible states.) Or you can pay over time with 6 and 12 month financing (on minimum purchases of $199 for 6 months, and $599 for 12 months). Terms apply, learn more at http://bhphoto.com/payboo.

Credit card offers are subject to credit approval. Payboo Credit Card Accounts are issued by Comenity Capital Bank.

In July, The PetaPixel Podcast team was joined by Camera Labs' Gordon Laing to give mid-term grades to every major camera and lens manufacturer. Now that the year has ended, it’s time for them all to get graded on their finals in this annual tradition!

Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/

We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.

We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.

In This Episode

• 00:00 - Intro
• 08:26 - You can now edit 32K video in Resolve
• 10:29 - Sony's new smartphone sensor promises 17 stops of DR
• 12:39 - Thypoch's new Eurka 28mm f/2.8 is inspired by another cool, obscure lens
• 16:04 - The custom film simulation recipe from the limited edition GFX100RF
• 17:11 - Review Roundup
• 25:28 - Grading Every Camera Maker in 2025 Feat. Gordon Laing
• 27:17 - Canon
• 34:21 - Nikon
• 40:12 - Sony
• 53:35 - Panasonic Lumix
• 1:03:28 - Fujifilm
• 1:14:18 - Hasselblad
• 1:18:02 - OM System
• 1:24:16 - Leica
• 1:28:55 - Sigma
• 1:35:26 - Tamron

Do you ever get tired of manually searching for, organizing, and culling your images? Excire’s photo-management software harnesses AI to make tedious tasks 10x faster, easier, and more fun. To purchase an Excire lifetime license or to download a 14-day free trial, visit http://www.excire.com/en/shop!

EXCIRE BLACK FRIDAY SALE: PetaPixel viewers can receive 30% off their purchase with the special discount code PETAPIXEL30 -- valid through December 7th!

Now saving when you shop for your favorite gear at B&H Photo is even easier with the B&H Payboo Credit Card, which lets you Save the Tax — you pay the tax, and B&H pays you back instantly! (Save the Tax on eligible purchases shipped to eligible states.) Or you can pay over time with 6 and 12 month financing (on minimum purchases of $199 for 6 months, and $599 for 12 months). Terms apply, learn more at http://bhphoto.com/payboo.

Credit card offers are subject to credit approval. Payboo Credit Card Accounts are issued by Comenity Capital Bank.

Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/

We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.

We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.

In This Episode

• 00:00 - Intro
• 08:37 - The Kodak Snapic A1 is a $99 film camera with a double exposure switch
• 11:06 - The AP has switched to DaVinci Resolve
• 12:29 - Arri closed two facilities dedicated to lighting
• 16:12 - Leica's M EV1 is finally available in the US after delays due to the government shutdown
• 17:15 - Q3 Monochrom was announced
• 22:41 - Lumix significantly improved S1 II and S1R II record times
• 25:27 - Laowa made a new half-macro tilt shift lens
• 28:36 - Fujifilm teamed up with a Japanese artist for a limited edition GFX100RF
• 31:35 - The world's biggest walk-in camera is for sale
• 34:38 - "The Stringer" Utterly Ruins the Reputation of Nick Ut and the AP
• 1:29:12 - Read Matt's review of "The Stringer" on PetaPixel
• 1:29:24 - While you were out taking pictures, Polar Pro studied the blade

The holiday season is here, and so is OM SYSTEM’s Black Friday pricing. Right now, you can save up to $400 on many of the cameras and lenses that they make.

The OM-1 Mark II, their professional powerhouse perfect for bird and wildlife photography, with blazing-fast autofocus and class-leading stabilization, is $400 off. For those looking for an even lighter all-around travel kit, the OM-3 and M.Zuiko 12-45mm F4.0 PRO package is only $2099.99. And if you’re looking to upgrade your glass, you’ll find big savings on almost al M.Zuikol lenses.

Check out the full lineup at explore.omsystem.com/petapixel and take your photography to the next level without breaking the bank.

Now saving when you shop for your favorite gear at B&H Photo is even easier with the B&H Payboo Credit Card, which lets you Save the Tax — you pay the tax, and B&H pays you back instantly! (Save the Tax on eligible purchases shipped to eligible states.) Or you can pay over time with 6 and 12 month financing (on minimum purchases of $199 for 6 months, and $599 for 12 months). Terms apply, learn more at http://bhphoto.com/payboo.

Credit card offers are subject to credit approval. Payboo Credit Card Accounts are issued by Comenity Capital Bank.

The PetaPixel team uses different cameras and lenses every day as part of our job but behind the scenes, we carry around a few pieces of mainstay gear that we just can't live without. This week, The PetaPixel Podcast team reveals the equipment they've been carrying this year that keeps the wheels of journalism turning.

We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio

In This Episode

• 00:00 - Intro; Chris and Jordan are working a shift at the Camera Store Next Week!
• 12:25 - We just got the best look yet at Jeff Bridges' WideluxX project
• 15:10 - ARRI is trying to mimic film with a digital plugin
• 18:11 - Fujifilm released the film simulation LUTS it promised
• 20:49 - Light Lens Lab has recreated the Leica Summilux 35mm f/1.4
• 24:56 - Mint addresses major Rollei 35AF shortcoming
• 27:40 - Lumix is shutting down its pro services in the UK and Europe
• 31:34 - The R6 Mark III can overheat
• 34:34 - Basketball player runs back onto the court with camera strapped to his leg
• 36:51 - Everything ELSE you missed!
• 41:00 - The Fantasy Camera Draft poll results
• 44:46 - Do you do graphic design? Reach out!
• 45:54 - The gear we use every day (2025 edition)
• 1:07:49 - Chris teases an upcoming new Wotancraft Pilot sling bag
• 1:11:22 - New segment alert: Review Roundup!
• 1:19:51 - What have you been up to?
• 1:23:58 - Tech support
• 1:35-45 - Feel good story of the week