Awesome Cameras

The Insta360 X4 dual-lens action camera can take 360° videos at up to 8K at 30fps. Combine this with all of its user-friendly features, such as the selfie stick remover, image stabilization, and HDR mode, and you get a truly versatile outdoor shooter. It can also act as a 4K camera that can capture angles you simply cannot take on single lens cameras.

Beaverlab’s digital telephoto camera has a 400mm lens and can shoot distant objects at 36x optical/200x digital magnification. Its 48mp sensor can capture craters on the moon and animals in motion. It works with a smartphone app for monitoring and tweaking your shots. It can also capture 4K video and HDR. There’s also a 40mm version for closer subjects.

Switzerland’s I’m Back teamed up with Yashica to create “the smallest mirrorless camera ever invented.” The ultra-compact digital camera fits in the palm of your hand and offers interchangeable lenses. It packs a 1/2.33 inch Sony IMX117 12-megapixel sensor that can also shoot 4K video, a flip-out 2-inch display, an HDMI output, and a flash hot shoe.

Leica’s follow-up to its SL2 camera is smaller, lighter, and has a much larger hand grip, making it more comfortable for extended use. The SL3 also has a new, hand-built full metal housing rated IP54 for water and dust resistance. The 60MP hybrid autofocus shooter also debuts Leica’s clearer and more intuitive touchscreen user interface.

The engraved markings on camera control knobs often have painted details to highlight functions. Camera repair technician Ryan Jones of RJ Repairs shows how he restores these details on a vintage Leica by applying Testors enamel model paint using a dental pick and then removing the excess using a Q-tip. It’s so satisfying to see the crisp shapes after cleanup.

Captain Disillusion’s latest educational video about video explains how the speed and way a shutter opens and closes affects still and moving images. You’ll learn how shutters work in film cameras, CCD camcorder sensors, and modern CMOS-based digital cameras. Plus, why rolling shutters cause image distortion and the tech that can minimize it.

This LEGO version of the iconic Polaroid OneStep SX-70 camera is based on a fan-submitted design. The 516-piece kit creates a near-perfect replica of the instant camera, and has a point-and shoot mechanism that ejects illustrated plastic “photographs.” The vibrant Time-Zero Supercolor film box provides storage for the three included photos.

Love the grainy look of real 35mm film? It turns out you can still get compact film cameras from Ilford. The reusable Sprite 35-II Film Camera has a fixed-focus 31mm f/9 wide-angle lens and fixed 1/120s shutter speed, providing boundaries to challenge your creativity. It comes in silver/black, black/black, and silver/red versions and has a built-in flash.

This awesome new LEGO Creator series kit is just under 20 bucks and makes a great gift for photographers. The 261-piece set offers three building options: a 35 mm camera with film cartridges, a camcorder, or a mini television. The only thing wrong with it is that it won’t ship until right after Christmas.

With the front-facing Nextbase 622GW, the world’s leading dash cam maker delivers the best ride-along ally for 24/7 on-the-road protection. High-def 4K recording captures crystal clear images, and it doesn’t miss a detail thanks to advanced image stabilization to eliminate playback shakes and blurs.

Japan’s Sigma Corporation makes all kinds of camera lenses. Process X takes us on a factory tour for a look at how their interchangeable lenses come together, from polishing glass to assembling tiny components and even hand-painting the dial markings. Production requires precision and cleanliness from start to finish. No wonder lenses are so expensive.

Do you love the image quality of your old 35 MM camera? This gadget lets you take advantage of analog optics but captures images digitally. The I’m Back Film adds a Sony digital image sensor in the light path of 35 MM cameras and snaps in where a film cartridge usually goes. An electronics and battery pack attaches to the bottom of the camera.

Serious photography calls for big cameras with large image sensors and lots of lenses. This extra large backpack offers padded storage for a DSLR or two mirrorless cameras, 6 to 8 lenses, 2 to 3 flashes, accessories, a 15.6″ laptop, and a tablet. It also offers multiple tripod carrying positions, and comes with a rain cover.

The Polaroid I-2 represents a major leap over prior instant cameras. It’s Polaroid’s first analog camera with manual controls. The camera has shutter speeds from 1/250 to 30 seconds and apertures from f/8 to f/64, plus a long-exposure bulb mode. It’s also got automatic and multiple exposure modes and a sharp 98mm f/8 lens with LiDAR autofocusing.

Lomography’s lo-fi analog camera captures 35mm panoramas with a creamy, dreamy aesthetic. Its unique lens can be injected with water-based liquids to create a variety of in-camera effects. It includes four interchangeable aperture plates and exposes panoramic images all the way onto the film’s sprockets.

Sony’s Alpha 7CR mirrorless camera packs a punch in a compact body. Its 35mm full-frame sensor captures 61 MP images, and its pixel-shift mode can assemble 240.8 MP images. It shoots from ISO 50 to 102400 and can record 10-bit, 4K60 video. It accepts standard FE-mount lenses and has 7-step, in-body image stabilization to keep shots smooth.

The Alpha 6700 is the latest in Sony’s compact mirrorless camera line has a 26MP APS-C sensor that shoots oversampled 6K/4K video at 60 FPS, 4K video at up to 120 FPS, 1080p at 240 FPS, and pro-quality stills at up to 11 FPS. AI tech improves tracking and object recognition for perfect focus. Available body only, with a 16-50mm or 18-135mm power zoom lens.

Anyone who has worked with 3D graphics software knows about composing scenes with virtual cameras. Sirrandalot used Blender’s Cycles path-tracing engine to model a 3D camera body, simulate the optical properties of a film camera, then render scenes through its virtual lens. Check out the final not-photos on Imgur. (Thanks, Orion!)

Canon’s pocket-size camera is ideal for vloggers. It shoots 4K/30 and 1080p/60 video through a 19mm equiv. wide-angle F2.8 lens and captures crisp images with a 20.9 MP 1″ sensor. It offers landscape and portrait modes, high-quality stereo mics, and can live stream out of the box. A 180º touchscreen monitor lets you check yourself as you record.

Ever wonder how photographers capture those amazing images of lightning? It’s all about timing the shot perfectly. The MIOPS FLEX Bolt automatically detects lightning and triggers your camera’s shutter at the right time. The add-on sits in your DSLR or mirrorless camera’s hot shoe and connects to any standard trigger input.

This unique metal fidget toy looks like a tiny rangefinder camera. Its front is packed with neodymium magnets so you can slide it back and forth. Plus, it has a clicky shutter button, a rotating lens, and a magnetic teeter-totter on its back. It’s available in stainless steel or titanium.

This tiny camera lets you discreetly monitor and record activity in your home, office, on your body, in your car, or even on your bike. It has a built-in clip and can attach magnetically to metal surfaces, beaming video back to your phone wirelessly. It runs for up to 90 minutes per charge. Save $29 in The Awesomer Shop.

Canon and Takara Tomy teamed up to create this special Nemesis Prime Transformer that turns from a Decepticon into a Canon EOS R5 camera. When in disguise, the 80% scale camera looks just like the real thing, though sadly, it doesn’t snap photos. Preorder by 4.6.2023 for 1.2024 shipping.