Search results for: outdoors buying guide
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by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
After the smartphone revolution, it appeared that the days of the compact camera were done. How wrong we were. It’s true that a few years back, point-and-shoot options were few and far between. There were just a handful of options on the market, and some industry titans even left the market entirely. Despite the long-rumored demise of the compact camera, it seems that photo enthusiasts still desire a dedicated device without the distractions that come with a smartphone.
What is a compact or “point-and-shoot” camera? Just because a camera is “
by Bjorn Petersen · Posted
In a world where photographers are being asked to capture video and filmmakers need to shoot photos, having one tool that can do both is a major asset—especially in the world of wedding photography where it’s often the same team putting together both the photographs and the video. For this type of scenario, Sony’s latest camera solutions offer some of the best options for hybrid shooting.
Here are some of the best
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are right around the corner! Finding the right gifts can be a challenge, especially when it seems like they already have everything. Luckily, we’ve got the best gift ideas for the outdoorsy photographer parent in your life. Whether mom and dad are avid hikers, bird watchers, beachgoers, or polar bear guides in Svalbard, Norway, we’ve got you covered.
Camera
In a surprising twist, a camera is our first suggestion. One of the first things any outdoorsman should consider is a tool to record what they see so
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are both right around the corner, and we’ve got some helpful tips on getting your photographer parent the perfect gift. Unless you’ve been given specific instructions, camera gear can be a challenging thing to shop for. You never know what accessories mom or dad already have, and some gear is so specific that unless you’re a photography enthusiast yourself, you’d be hard-pressed to know what’s what. But you know what accessory isn’t too technical? Bags. In this guide, we’re going to look at some of our top picks
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
If there's one photo accessory that we all have too many of, it's bags. Whether our kit outgrew the previous one, or we found a new must-own style, there will always be something new. For those just getting started, even choosing the right style may be overwhelming. Well, we're here to help.
There are a lot of bags out there, so to narrow down the options, we're looking at the current selection from the Ruggard brand. Below, we've
by Luke Rollins · Posted
Subject and style may vary, but consistency is a quality shared by all successful photo studios. When working indoors, that begins with lighting. Strobes remain the bread and butter of many still photography studios. Unlike natural light, which can be finicky and unpredictable; on-camera flashes, which are not typically designed for studio use; or continuous lights, which can become costly as output increases; strobes are built to withstand the rigors of studio life while providing flexible and powerful light. But with so many options on the
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
If renowned landscape photographer Ansel Adams were alive today, he would surely be astounded at the variety of cameras available. When compared to his hulking 8x10 view camera, today’s cameras look like child’s play. He would also be flabbergasted at the image quality these little devices produce.
This year, we have a bottomless well of cameras
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
Choosing a lens is a highly personal choice, and that’s especially true for wildlife photography. This is in the realm of the telephoto lens after all. While almost any focal length lens works for landscapes and other types of photography, in general, when it comes to photographing animals in the wild, you'll want to have the longest reach you can. In this guide, we’re going to discuss the factors one should consider when purchasing a lens for wildlife photography.
Focal Length
The first and most straightforward factor to consider is focal
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
A gift guide for something everyone already gets (for free) in the box with their new camera? Yes! Almost every camera on the market today comes with its own camera strap. For the most part, those camera straps are pretty solid. But, hear me out, aftermarket camera straps are a fantastic upgrade to your or a loved one’s camera.
Need more convincing?
Best Reasons to Ditch the OEM Strap
As serviceable and perfectly fine as the strap
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Family portraits are a great way to capture a moment in your family’s history. You may find yourself wanting to capture family photos every few years or so, more often when the little ones are, well, little. Maybe you’re looking for a way to take matters into your own hands, or maybe you’ve been taking your own family photos for years and have found yourself being asked to take photos of friends, family members, or even paying clients.
Family portraits can be a lot of fun to shoot. Maybe you’ve been taking photos of your kids and want to
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Winter brings with it some of the best photographic opportunities imaginable. As the temperatures begin to drop, our approach to photography changes a bit. Cooler weather brings with it snow, stunningly colorful evening skies, wintering birds, and an assortment of beautiful weather conditions. Some of the best photographic opportunities present themselves in these unfortunately cold times. That being said, if we prep ourselves and our gear appropriately, we can capture stunning images.
Before You Head Out
First, some safety precautions. Cold
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Typically confined to the northernmost latitudes of our planet, the northern lights—or "aurora borealis"—are a natural spectacle many dream of seeing. Recently, it may seem like auroras are occurring more often and are visibly farther south than ever before. Maybe you've already seen one or even photographed one with your phone.
While rare, exceptionally powerful auroras have been seen with the naked eye as far south as Alabama. These are uncommon, but in mid-latitude states, visible auroras are a bit more frequent. Last summer, I found myself
by Luke Rollins · Posted
While 2025 continued many of the photo industry's developments (emphasis on hybrid developments, splashes of niche camera releases, sequels to established camera series), it also formalized the compact digicam trend that had emerged on social media in recent years, with several companies releasing (or re-releasing) point-and-shoot cameras. As the floor for image quality continues to rise, and with yesteryear's flagship features trickling down to today's mid-market offerings, manufacturers are distinguishing themselves through body design,
by Luke Rollins · Posted
It's been a strong year for the L-Mount Alliance, who recently announced the addition of their tenth member Viltrox to bring a credible low-cost manufacturer into the fold for the future. The three pillars of the group—Leica, Sigma, and Panasonic—each had distinctive years in 2025, further entrenching in their proven lanes to build out an ecosystem that, as of the
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Anyone who has dabbled in pet photography knows that it can be a rewarding yet challenging experience. While pets are considered to be part of the family, they’re still animals who walk to the beat of their own drum and do things at their own pace. Even the best listeners can be easily distracted or have trouble sitting still for more than two seconds. If you’re considering trying your hand at photographing our fuzzy friends, we’ve put together this helpful guide for you. In this guide, we’re going to cover the essentials for those with a