DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY NEWS FROM ePHOTOzine

© Zoner Studio
 

 

With its Fall Update, the popular Czech photo editing and management software introduces features that accelerate photo selection, streamline editing, and simplify export. Users will greatly value the faster workflow, simpler selection of their best photos, and the ability to enlarge images without losing quality.

“At Zoner Studio, we’re taking the path of gradual evolution, bringing real value with each step. This update once again helps users work with their photos faster and easier,” says Jan Kupcik, Product Manager at Zoner Studio. 

 

AI Close-ups: Select your best shot in seconds

The most notable new feature is the enhanced AI Close-ups. Previously, it only detected faces. Now, it can automatically detect entire figures, animals, vehicles, and airplanes. This allows users to immediately focus on the most important parts of a photo and easily compare multiple shots without manually zooming in. This dramatically speeds up the selection process when sorting through dozens of portraits or action photos. The feature works entirely offline, with local calculations and results displayed in seconds.

  AI Resize: Enlarge photos without losing quality

The Zoner Studio Fall Update expands your creative possibilities—you can now enlarge photos without compromising their quality. Whether you re preparing a photography exhibition, printing an album, or want to keep the original dimensions of a cropped photo, AI Resize gives you freedom without compromise.

 

Efficiency without excess

Zoner Studio remains the easiest way to start editing photos for photographers who want highquality, realistic results without unnecessary effects. The Fall Update brings more than just two new tools. There are numerous improvements across the entire interface to make everyday editing faster and more intuitive: easier selection, quicker edits, and streamlined export. Zoner Studio continues to be simple, fast, and affordable—whether you re working with family portraits, wildlife, or event photography.

For more information, please visit the Zoner Studio website.

 

About ZONER Inc.

ZONER Inc. is a Czech technology company specializing in photo management and editing software. Its flagship product, Zoner Studio, has long been among the leading photo editing software, as recognized by the EISA Photo Software 2025–2026 Award. Zoner Studio stands out for its unique combination of powerful functionality and user-friendly design. It’s trusted by first-time users for its intuitive interface and valued by experienced photographers for its wide range of advanced tools. Zoner Studio offers a complete, cost-effective solution without a steep learning curve. 

 

Penda Photo Tours has opened entries for its Penda Travel Photography Competition 2025. Open to all photographers around the world, it offers a chance to win a dream safari in Botswana. It will also raise funds for Wild Shots Outreach, a nonprofit that teaches wildlife and conservation photography to young people in South Africa who have limited access to resources.

 

Photography with Purpose

Penda’s collaboration with Wild Shots Outreach underscores the belief that photography can do more than just create striking images - it can build connection, agency, and opportunity. Based in the Greater Kruger area in South Africa, Wild Shots Outreach gives young people from disadvantaged communities access to cameras, mentoring, workshops, and bursaries to help them engage with their natural heritage and pursue pathways in conservation, storytelling, and creative careers. By entering the competition beyond the free first submission, contributors will be directly supporting the work of Wild Shots Outreach - helping fund equipment, education, and program expansion.

 

Competition details

• Main Prize: Botswana Photography Safari

The overall winner will receive a space on an exclusive guided photo safari in Botswana, running 17–23 July 2026. The prize is worth USD 4,995 and includes accommodation in a private camp, guidance by professional wildlife photographer Alan Hewitt, and exclusive wildlife photography opportunities (lions, leopards, elephants, and more).

• Category Prizes & Runners-up

Category winners will receive a camera bag by VINCOV, a boutique brand of quality camera accessories, and runners-up will receive VINCOV camera straps.

• Competition Categories

The competition has three categories; Wildlife, Landscape, and People. Photographers can enter in all categories, and there is no limit to the number of entries.

• Entry Terms

The first image entry is free. Additional entries (in sets of up to 10) are available for USD 10, with all profits going to the nonprofit partner.

• Deadline & Announcement of Winners

Entries close on 10 December 2025, and winners will be announced on 15 January 2026. 

 

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Judges

The entries will be judged by a panel of eight professional photographers with diverse backgrounds and impressive portfolios. This includes former White House photographer Susan Sterner, National Geographic photographer Tyrone Turner, and Fuji-Film ambassador and wildlife conservation photographer Alan Hewitt. Judging will be based on storytelling, technical excellence, creativity, and overall impact.

Alan Hewitt, explains what he’ll be looking for when judging the entries;

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of the judging team for Penda Photo Tours’ photography competition! I’ll be looking for quite a few qualities in the submissions; first and foremost, technical excellence, sharpness and focus, correct exposure, pleasing composition and careful and natural processing. Getting these right are crucial.

With these qualities in mind, behavioural insight and natural history context is also important. Can we learn something from the photography or does it evoke curiosity? Creativity use of light is always interesting, as is trying to incorporate surroundings. Crucially, I’ll also be looking for respectable ethics, no signs of disturbance or stress to the subject/s or habitat and also authenticity, avoiding set ups and manipulation.

Let’s celebrate the beauty, resilience, and diversity of wildlife and culture in this competition, and I hope these images inspire us all to continue to cherish and protect the natural world and respect its diversity of cultures.”

 

Last year’s winner

The competition ran for the first time in 2024, and the winning image was ‘Taken by a Ghost’ by Pandora Maund. In July this year, Pandora ventured to Botswana to cash in her prize.

“The Penda safari has got to be the best prize I have ever won,” Pandora says. “I'd been looking at the various safaris Penda offers, as I really liked the small numbers to a vehicle and guide ratio, and then to win a trip was such a wonderful surprise.

Botswana had been on my bucket list for a while and it didn't disappoint. We had some super sightings including large herds of elephants, lions, jackals, zebras, and much more. But my favourites have to be the leopard and the brown hyena, neither of which I had been able to photograph before on other safaris. The drivers and photography guides Alan and Mike really knew their subjects and ensured we got the best sightings possible with lots of tips on how to get the best shots. All in all a wonderful experience. Many thanks to Penda for running such a great competition.”

View Pandora's winning image and the other category winners.

 

How to enter

Photographers interested can submit entries (JPEG, max 2 MB) through the competition page on Penda’s website. All entrants must agree to terms including permission for Penda to use images for marketing purposes, with due credit.

For more details, including full rules, judge bios, and past winners, please visit the competition website.

 

About Penda Photo Tours:

Penda is a travel company specialising in photographic safaris and tours, designed for photographers of all levels to explore and capture the natural world, wildlife, culture, and landscapes. Penda was founded in 2016 with trips in Africa, and has since expanded throughout the rest of the world.

 

About Wild Shots Outreach:

Wild Shots Outreach is a South African nonprofit that uses photography as a vehicle to engage disadvantaged youth with their wild spaces. Founded in 2015, it offers training, workshops, bursaries, and pathways to careers in conservation and creative sectors. 

Winter's on its way which may mean dark nights and cold mornings but it does bring ample photography opportunities for those who don't mind braving the cold. We can capture sunrises at more reasonable hours and depending how low the temperatures drops, we could even see some snow filled landscapes appearing in people's portfolios. In preparation, here's 30 tutorials to kick-start your winter photography with a bang. 

 

1. Photographing Winter Portraits

Living in the UK, most of the best clothing in our wardrobes is probably winter stuff so why not encourage people to get out and about with their favourite coats, hats and scarves and have fun shooting some outdoor winter portraits.

 

 

2. Shooting Winter Landscapes

Water in the landscape makes a great photograph at any time of the year but in winter, after we've had heavy rainfall or fog's settled in, lakes and rivers suddenly take on a new look that's well worth braving the cold to capture.

 

 

3. Photographing Winter Birds

Winter days leave us with a shortage of daylight hours to photograph, but also is not the perfect time for birds to find food, with much less food about and less daylight time to feed.

 

 

4. Winter Wedding Photography

Winter weddings are becoming ever more popular. As a wedding photographer, the natural light on a winter day may only be short, but if you are comfortable using available light whether it be tungsten or candlelight, you can create some really atmospheric photos.

 

Image courtesy of Limeleaf Weddings.

 

5. Working With Winter Sun

While winter may often be associated with wet, gray, and generally downbeat weather conditions, when the sun makes an appearance it is perfect for landscapes.

 

Image from  Landscape Photography: The Four Seasons title from Ilex.

  6. Winter Photography Tips 

Whether portraying a bitterly cold day or a snowy Christmas scene, there are certain things to consider when heading out for a winter photography shoot. I have put together a number of tips which have proved invaluable.

 

Photo by Barry Chignell

  7. How To Shoot Winter Silhouettes

The low position of the sun in winter makes it a perfect time to shoot silhouettes. You just need to find a bright background (the sky's perfect) and the right subject to give you a shot with series impact.

 

 

8. Winter Wildlife Photography Tips

Learn how to take great images of winter wildlife around the coast, in your garden and in various conditions. 

 

 

9. Snowboarding Photography Tips 

Nathan Gallagher gives ePHOTOzine some tips for capturing snowboarders in action on the snow as well as tips on capturing portraits in the studio. 

 

 Photos by Nathan Gallagher.

 

10. Coping With Contrast In Winter

The low angle of sun in the winter may bring with it fantastic lighting, but it can also cause problems when it comes to contrast in your images.

 

Photo from Landscape Photography: The Four Seasons title from Ilex.

 

11. Even More Winter Wildlife Photography Tips

Winter can be a great time to photograph wildlife. With the trees bare, it can be a lot easier to spot illusive species such as deer and foxes. A telephoto zoom lens will be a necessity, and you'll need a tripod and possibly a hide, too depending on what you intend to look for.

 

 

12. Indoor Themed Winter Portrait Tips 

With winter approaching, more people will be heading indoors but this doesn't mean you have to stop looking for ways to bring your portraits to life. Of course, if you have a willing subject you can brave the cold and venture outside to capture some great winter imagery. But if the cold isn't for you, then going indoors works very well at this time of year too.

 

Photo by Michael Alan Bielat.

 

13. Photographing Mountains In Winter

There are plenty of great mountain ranges scattered around the UK that are well worth a photo at any time of year but in winter, when a covering of snow's fallen or a hard frost has settled they tend to look even more impressive.

 

 

14. Tips On Photographing Ice In Winter 

Ice is only frozen water – so it's clear, isn't it? Far from it, and I love ice – naturally occurring on lake edges, round waterfalls, as icicles, however it forms. I'm only going to look at natural formed ice, rather than ice made in freezers and photographed in studio conditions; although either makes amazing pictures.

 

Photo by John Gravett

 

15. 10 Top Robin Photography Tips 

Robins can be found in their numbers and as many would agree, they are very photogenic and this becomes even more true at this time of year when the cold weather sets in, bringing snow to cover the ground.

 

 

16. Tips On Photographing Frost And Ice

Frost might not be good for plants but it is great for photographers who are looking for winter scenes and interesting abstracts to add to their portfolio.

 

 

17. Fast Moving Vs. Slow Moving Waterfalls - How To Capture Both With Your Camera

When capturing waterfalls you can make water appear as if it's frozen in time so every splash and droplet is captured in frame or you can go to the opposite end of the scale and smooth the flow of water out into almost a dry-ice, cloud-like texture. At this time of year there's the added option of capturing frozen shapes that water's created when it's splashed up over rocks and grass found at the edges of the falls, too.

 

 

18. Top Cold Weather Photography Tips

 It won't be long before the temperatures drop and we're venturing out over the Christmas break with cold weather photography in mind. Here's a few ideas how to prepare yourself – and your camera equipment – to ensure you get the most out of your cold-weather photography.

 

 

19. Tips On Photographing Snow & Ice

Winter brings a new range of photo opportunities where familiar colourful scenes are suddenly covered in a blanket of snow. Bare trees become stark outlined silhouettes against a brilliant white backdrop, grasses poke out from below white canopies and old barns look like sets from pantomimes.

 

 

20. Urban Christmas Light Shoot

As the majority of festive pictures are of parties taken on small apertures on compacts with auto flash, having a good image of the Christmas lights, particularly with people in them will really stand out and as a result are a great subject to have a go at photographing.

 

 

21. Cold Weather Photography Tips

The temperatures are slowly dropping which means it's a good time to start thinking about cold weather photography and how you can protect yourself as well as your kit. 

 

 

22. How To Take Black & White Shots Of Snow Scenes

Find out how using the black & white medium can add so much more to your snowy landscape shots. 

 

Photo by John Gravett

 

23. How To Photograph Frost

Set your alarm, wrap up warm and get outside to capture the magic of a frosty start. You don't have to head to far either as you'll find plenty of frost-themed images right in your back garden. 

 

Photos by John Gravett

 

24. More Snow Photography Tips

Snow scenes are very picturesque. They make excellent additions to your landscape portfolio but they can be tricky to photograph. Here are some tips to help you take better snow scene photos and make your time in the chilly outdoors more enjoyable.

 

Photo by Mark Elliott 

 

25. Tips On Photographing Stormy Seas

For those who don't mind a fierce wind and cold weather, winter is a great time to shoot at the coast. Why? Well it's quieter as you don't tend to get many tourists visiting out of season and strong winds can create strong sea swells which means they'll be plenty of big waves crashing into cliffs and sea walls to capture.

 

 

26. Capturing Snowy Landscapes

What better excuse do we need as photographers than a blanket of snow for wonderful photographic opportunities, but it's important to get a few techniques right to ensure you capture everything at its best.

 

Photos by John Gravett

 

27. Photography Tips On Capturing Patterns In Ice

When temperatures begin to fall, lakes, ponds, puddles and even waterfalls (when it's really cold) freeze, all of which make excellent close-up photography subjects.

 

 

28. Explanation On Why Snow Can Appear Blue And How To Fix It

We all know the feeling of photographing in snow on a bright, crisp day, only to realise that the snow is coming out blue in your pictures. This is generally due to one or two errors which can be quickly and easily put right. 

Photos by John Gravett

29. Snow Photography For Beginners

Snow can be quite tricky to capture and can leave many beginner photographers asking questions. To help them out, here we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about snow photography.

 

 

30. Quick Tips On Taking Photos In Icy Conditions

If you're out in icy conditions, there are a few hazards to contend with which are particular to the weather. Yes, this includes obvious things like taking care to not slip but there are other problems you may not have thought of too. 

 

 

 

1. Be Early

Arrive at your chosen spot about half an hour before the sun's due to set as you'll need time to set your equipment up and to find your angle. You'll need your tripod as shutter speeds will be slow and working hand-held will only result in shake. If you have one, attach your remote release up, too, to stop your movement rocking the camera when you go to press the shutter button. Many cameras allow you to fire the shutter via a Smart Phone, eliminating the need for a remote release. You might want to fire off a few test shots to see if your composition works but do remember the light will change.
 

2. Get Ready

Make sure your focus is correct then turn off autofocus as it tends to struggle in darker conditions. Check your white balance and set your ISO to 100, although, if you want to quicken the shutter speed slightly, you can knock it up a couple of notches. Then, you just have to stand and wait for the sun to begin setting. You might want to pack a flask of something warm and make sure you have your coat with you for this bit!
 

3. The Sun's Setting

Once the sun has gone below the horizon don't think it's time to put your equipment away so you can head home, you need to keep taking photos, adjusting the exposure length as you do to capture as many different results as possible.

 

 

4. Watch Out For Bright Light Sources

If you have the moon in shot or other bright lights such as street lamps, and you use a longer shutter speed it can result in flare but this isn't always a bad thing as an overexposed street lamp, particularly on a damp evening, can look quite good.
 

5. Where Works?

Getting out above the city so you can shoot down on it. Capturing the city lights against the dark blue sky as they switch on works well but do get in among the city buildings too. At busy junctions, you'll be able to capture light trails as traffic flows by while a bridge will give you a nice leading line with lights dotted along either side of it. Have a look for shop signs that are lit up or if you're visiting one of our well known seaside towns, you'll have a long street of illuminations to capture.

© Nikon

 

Nikon is pleased to announce the release of firmware version 3.00 for its stylish full-frame mirrorless camera, the Nikon Zf.

Firmware version 3.00 for the Zf brings the Film Grain feature, which adds a grainy effect to photos and videos with image processing. This feature allows users to fine-tune the size and intensity of grain, and changes the appearance of grain with each shot, for unique images that resemble those captured with conventional film cameras. Moreover, combining this feature with Imaging Recipes and Picture Controls, allows users to easily create unique effects with a simple press of the shutter-release button.

 

© Fujikawa Hinano

Sample image captured with the Film Grain feature enabled

 

In total, more than twenty changes and improvements have been added to increase the Zf’s operability and functionality.

For the full list of updates, visit the Nikon download centre here.

Nikon continuously strives to meet users' needs through regular firmware updates, providing useful functions.

As well as having practical uses, fisheye lenses can be a lot of fun. The distortion produced by this type of lens allows the user to take interesting, quirky shots of everyday objects, turning what can be quite simple shots into top creative captures. Plus, you don't have to own a fisheye lens for your DSLR to have a go at this technique as there are plenty of gadgets out there that will turn your Smart Phone images into fish-eye masterpieces. Here are 8 top examples of fisheye photography that you can take some inspiration from next time you're out with a really wide-angle lens. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Samsung Electronics today announced the launch of its new microSD Express card lineup, the P9 Express, designed to deliver next-gen gaming experiences and optimised for leading platforms, including the Nintendo Switch™ 2.

Based on the PCIe interface and NVMe protocol, SD Express technology significantly enhances data transfer performance compared to UHS-I cards, making it ideal for environments that demand high-capacity processing and fast data transmission.

The P9 Express is especially valuable for hardcore console gamers who frequently enjoy a diverse range of games and Downloadable Content (DLC), often demanding additional storage capacity beyond the internal storage. To meet different gaming needs, it is available in both 256GB and 512GB options. It also provides an ideal solution for multiple users sharing a single console, where ample capacity is required for several different game installations, helping gamers overcome limited internal storage and enjoy a wide variety of titles without compromise. When used with a dedicated SD Express interface, the P9 Express delivers sequential read speeds up to four times faster than UHS-I), enabling creators and professionals to efficiently move large volumes of data from devices to PCs, laptops, or workstations). This combination of high-speed performance and reliability makes the P9 Express an excellent choice for both immersive gaming experiences and demanding professional workflows, such as editing, rendering and managing large media files.

By leveraging ultra-fast transfer speeds, Host Memory Buffer (HMB) support, and advanced Dynamic Thermal Guard (DTG) technology, originally developed for SSDs, the P9 Express delivers a smooth gaming experience comparable to playing directly from internal storage. DTG technology intelligently monitors and regulates the card’s temperature, preventing overheating and maintaining consistent performance, even during long gaming sessions. HMB enhances performance by efficiently utilising the host system’s memory to accelerate data access, further improving responsiveness during gameplay. With maximum sequential read speeds of up to 800MB/s—up to four times faster than conventional UHS-I cards—this combination ensures stability, allowing gamers to stay fully immersed in gameplay without throttling or interruptions.

To protect valuable data—whether it’s saved game progress for gamers or large media files for creators and professionals—the P9 Express features safeguarding against water immersion, extreme temperatures, X-ray exposure, accidental drops, dust, and pressure. These robust protections ensure data integrity and sustainable performance, giving users peace of mind during extended gaming sessions as well as demanding professional workflows.

The 256GB and 512GB) models will be available for purchase in November. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRPs) are £58.59 for the 256GB model and £99.99 for the 512GB model.

For more information — including warranty details — please visit the Samsung website.

 

Skylum, a leading innovator in photo editing software, announces the fall update for its award-winning image editing program Luminar Neo. This version includes powerful enhancements to existing features as well as innovative new additions such as a Luminar Neo ecosystem, Restoration, and an AI editing assistant.

 

New features in Luminar Neo software Luminar Neo Ecosystem and Spaces

With Luminar Neo Ecosystem, users' devices connect to form a powerful cross-device editing ecosystem. This allows users to access and edit images on any of their devices. Seamless transfer of photos and adjustments between mobile devices and desktops, for example, allows creatives to implement their initial ideas and inspirations directly on their mobile devices while on the go. Back at their desk, they can continue the work process.

With Spaces, hobbyists and professional photographers can share personalized, curated web galleries that inspire, connect, and bring their work to life with their community, customers, and other creatives—without needing their own website.

Available to Ecosystem Pass holders and with Cross-Perpetual and Max-Perpetual licenses.

 

Professional-quality photo restoration

A new photo restoration feature allows users to restore historical or aged photos that show cracks, stains, or discoloration. Monochrome, color-cast, or faded photos are given a new lease on life with natural colors. Users can breathe new life into their old, valuable family and souvenir photos, for example. All it takes is a scan—or even just a photo of the original.

Available to Ecosystem Pass holders, in the 2025/2026 Upgrade Pass, and in Cross-Perpetual and Max-Perpetual licenses.

 

AI Assistant: An intelligent chatbot provides editing tips

Another new feature is an AI Assistant integrated into Luminar Neo, which provides editing tips, shares inspiration, and assists with specific steps through continuous image analysis. If users get stuck or need creative inspiration, the assistant is there to help.

Available to Ecosystem Pass holders, in the 2025/2026 Upgrade Pass, and in Cross-Perpetual and Max-Perpetual licenses.

 

Free upgrade for all existing users: Light Depth

The AI-powered “Relight AI” feature, which specifically adjusts light and exposure in a photo to balance the subject and background, has been replaced by the new, even more powerful “Light Depth” feature. Lighting conditions can now be specifically adjusted to achieve a more dramatic effect. Users can add virtual light sources and move them three-dimensionally within the image space for a realistic effect.

Available to all users

 

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Availability and pricing

The new features and enhancements will be available in early November 2025 with the next product update.

• Existing customers can access the new Ecosystem with the Ecosystem Pass for €69. New customers can access the Cross-device Perpetual for €109 and Max Perpetual licenses for €129.

• Restoration and the AI Assistant are included in the Ecosystem Pass, the 2025/2026 Upgrade Pass for €49, and also in the Cross-device Perpetual and Max Perpetual licenses.

• The new Light Depth feature will be available to all users upon release.

• Owners of the Ecosystem Pass and the 2025/2026 Upgrade Pass can also look forward to the 2026 Spring Update in spring 2026.

For more information on prices and access, please visit the website.

 

Black Friday Special

• Existing customers: The Ecosystem Pass and the 2025/2026 Upgrade Pass are available at a 50% discount for a limited time.
• New customers can get the Cross-device Perpetual, Max Perpetual, and Desktop Perpetual licenses at a 77% discount for a limited time.

 

Luminar Neo is available for purchase on the official Skylum website, as well as in the Microsoft Store and the Apple Mac App Store.

For more information on pricing and subscriptions, visit the Skylum website.

The self-timer feature is something which is available on most camera models and it's a shutter delay that when activated, stops the shutter from firing and taking the picture when the shutter button or release is pressed for a designated amount of time. This delay is useful for a number of reasons which are listed below. 

 

1. Close-Up Work

The other advantage of having a timer is to save you having to use a cable release when the camera is mounted on a tripod or resting on a secure base. You set the timer and the delay means there's no hand contact that could potentially cause camera shake when the shutter is pressed. The 10-second delay is not really necessary for this, so that's where the shorter delays come in handy.

 

 

2. Self Portraits And Group Shots

The idea is you can take self-portraits without having to be seen stretched out as you fire the camera at arms' length. All you do is activate the timer, press the shutter release and move in front of the camera, strike a pose - all within the timer's limit - and then you'll be the focus of your photo.

It can also be used to ensure you're in a family or group shot. You can arrange a small or larger group of people and allow space for yourself, activate the timer and move into the shot. This saves you having to give the camera to the waiter or tourist to take the photo, preventing an embarrassment or even potential theft!

 

3. Low Light Photography 

As with close-up work, your camera's self-timer can be used to reduce the chances of camera shake spoiling your shots when working in low light. At this time of year, your self-timer will be useful in dark woodland where you may be photographing close-ups of fungi. Again, you won't need a really long delay, a couple of seconds will be fine. 

 

 

4. Check Your Focus

There are a few things to do to help improve your photos when using the self-timer. The first is ensuring accurate focus. If you're doing a self-portrait you won't be in the photo when you press the shutter and as a result, the picture could end up blurry as the camera could lock focus on the background. One way around this is to point the camera at something that is at the same distance that you will be when the photo is taken. Press the shutter release and recompose before running in front of the camera. In a group shot this is easy - make sure you either focus on a person to the side if you're going to be in the centre or focus on the centre person and join the group at the edge.

 

5. Check The Edges Of The Frame

The other thing to avoid is a table edge being in the frame when you are taking a group shot in a restaurant or bar and decide to use a nearby table as support. The camera, when set to wide-angle, may pick up an edge of the support. Move the camera so it's right at the edge of the table, making sure it's balanced well and cannot fall off!

Another problem you may be faced with when resting the camera on a flat surface is that the height may not be right when you look through the viewfinder and often the heads or feet of your group will be cut off. If this happens, try and angle the camera so all of your group is in the shot.

 

‘Forest’ by BathBun stood out in the Gallery this week, earning the title of ‘Photo of the Week’ (POTW).

This is a fantastic shot and a fine example of great photography. Taken along the Oregon coast, it presents a group of Sea Palms growing on rocks washed by the tide. The long exposure turns the rushing water into soft white streaks, giving the scene a dreamy, almost misty look. The dark forms of the Sea Palms rise above the flow, adding contrast and focus to the scene. The monochrome treatment enhances the mood, giving it an atmospheric and fascinating feel. It is well seen with great subject choice, fine balance and a well-deserved POTW.

Every Photo of the Week (POTW) winner will be rewarded with a Samsung 128GB PRO Plus microSDXC memory card with SD adapter, providing top-tier storage for all your creative needs across multiple devices. But that's not all! In January 2026, we’ll crown our 2025 Photo of the Year winner, who will take home the ultimate prize of a Samsung Portable 1TB SSD T7 Shield, courtesy of Samsung. It’s time to shoot, submit, and showcase your best work for a chance to win these incredible rewards!

 

Leading up to Halloween you may like to spend some time in your local graveyard... you will find plenty to photograph and much of it will be in the detail. You should remember that graveyards are, by their very nature, places that should be treated with respect, but don’t let that put you off: as long as you behave yourself you shouldn’t get into too much trouble.

  1. Kit Choices 

A zoom lens with close focusing capabilities will be useful and a tripod will certainly improve the quality of your pictures. If you fancy doing something a little more dramatic you could also consider using some 'off camera' lighting, either a flash or even a torch.
 

2. Detail Is King Here

First, look around for interesting details, there shouldn’t be any shortage of these. They could be stone, lichen or moss, text on the gravestones, sculpture, ironwork, trees or the flowers left on the graves. When you have found something that interests you, look at it carefully and decide how best to make a picture out of it. Consider where the light is coming from, what angle will best suit the subject and how tight you should frame it. It is these decisions that will make the pictures ‘work’ or not. If you are getting in really close then try using different apertures: isolating the detail by shooting wide open or stopping right down to get the subject sharp from front to back. 

 

3. Think About What Distractions 

When you are looking at detail, it is usually best to try and frame in such a way that there is no distraction in the foreground or background – unless you are making some specific use of them. To do this, you may need to get right in close. If your camera then struggles to find something to focus on, try switching to manual, focus as close as the lens will permit and then move the camera to get the subject sharp.

  4. Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark 

You can also get some spooky results by waiting until it is dark and then shooting with the camera on a tripod and ‘painting’ with a torch. Get the camera focused on what you want to photograph, a gravestone for instance, set the ISO to around 200 and the shutter to ‘B’ then do a test, open the shutter and ‘paint’ with your torch. With digital cameras, you can see the result straight away so review the picture and adjust the amount of time you take to do your ‘painting’. If your torch is not bright enough you might start to get problems with noise, but it is easier to get subtle shading if you have a little longer so don’t use a super bright torch. It may take a while to get it right, but it’s very rewarding when it works.   

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The latest winner of our popular daily photography theme which takes place in our forums have been chosen and congratulations go to Arkwright (Day 18 - Backlight).

 

Daily Theme Runners-Up

If you didn't win this time, keep uploading your images to the daily competition forum for another chance to win! If you're new to the Daily Theme, you can find out more about it in the Daily Theme Q&A. 

Well done to our latest runners-up, too, whose images you can take a look at below.

  Day 19

Cross Polarisation

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  Day 20

Vista and View

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Day 21

Bad Weather Landscape

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Day 22

Kitchen Item

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  Day 23

'Busy' Theme

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Day 24

Town Architecture

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You’ll find the Daily Themes, along with other great photo competitions, over in our Forum. Take a look to see the latest daily photo contests. Open to all levels of photographer, you’re sure to find a photography competition to enter. Why not share details of competitions with our community? Join the camaraderie and upload an image to our Gallery.

  As photographers, when we think of mood, we think of stormy, dark and dramatic, but mood can equally relate to any lighting type that evokes a feeling. Photographically then, mood can readily be associated with weather conditions – calm and misty mornings, dramatic cloudy days with sunbeams and often, the most dramatic mood can be obtained on those days you might think offer less promise – as it only takes a break in stormy clouds to give a magnificent, moody image.

 

How To Capture Mood In Your Images

To capture dark and dramatic mood successfully, be prepared to wait for breaks in the weather, sometimes you just have to sit out the rainy spells – in the car if you're lucky; but when the weather breaks you can be rewarded with a few minutes really exciting lighting.

When the light does come, be prepared to work quickly. Good lighting doesn't wait for the photographer, and often its over just as quickly as it arrived, so think in advance whether you are going to need a graduated ND filter, or if you need to bracket the shot to put together an HDR (High Dynamic Range) picture. Don't wait for the light before considering that you need a filter or need to bracket exposures to cope with the contrast range, as when the light's gone – it's gone. Checking your histogram after the event to find that your exposure is wrong it's too late – you can't bring it back.

For misty, early morning moody images, again the weather forecast is an essential pre-planner – there is no point sleeping in to find that you've just missed a delicate, moody sunrise. Similarly, there is little point getting up early to find the weather isn't ideal.

The key to capturing mood is to pick the right day and location – as is all landscape photography, but the real secret is to be fully prepared for when the "mood" arrives.

Photo by Joshua Waller 

 

Objects which look like they’re growing out of people’s heads, unwanted ‘hot spots’, unsightly rubbish and general clutter are just some of the things which can spoil a shot thanks to them pulling attention away from your main subject. However, with a few simple adjustments, you can have clutter-free backgrounds that’ll leave all attention where it’s meant to be, as shown in the image below.

 

1. Make Sure You Check The Frame

Ok, it may seem like something rather obvious to list, however, it’s a simple step some of us forget to do, especially when we don’t have much time to take the shot. But taking the time to study the background of the frame can stop unsightly highlights and objects spoiling your shots.

 

2. If Possible, Remove Clutter

So, you’ve checked the frame and seen there are a few unsightly elements which means the next step is to remove them. In some places this can physically mean picking objects up and moving them out of frame, however, this isn’t always possible as you’re not always taking photos in locations where you can just pick up and move objects as you wish. When working in locations such as this, you’ll have to do one of the following that’s listed further down the page instead.

 

 

 

3. Move Locations Or Positions

Try hiding the distracting object with your subject or if it’s not possible, see if moving a couple of steps to the left or right may help. Again, it’s a simple and quite obvious thing to do but it can make a huge difference to the overall look of the final shot.

 

4. Be Patient

If you’re shooting in a busy town centre or in another location where there are lots of people walking through your shot, set your gear up, position your subject and just wait for your background to clear. If you have people trying to be a nuisance, pulling faces and generally being annoying in the background, just patiently wait for them to move on as they’ll get bored a lot sooner than you will.

 

5. Change Your Depth Of Field

Using a larger aperture to throw your background out of focus (and creating bokeh) can hide distracting objects and allow all attention to fall on your subject which is pin-sharp. However, areas that are overexposed and strong colours can still pull the eye towards them even if they are blurry so just be aware of that and check for any objects that may do this.

 

 

6. Adjust Your Zoom

Cropping some of the background out by using your zoom to pull your subject in so they fill the frame more will remove distracting objects and ensure your subject is the main point of focus.

 

7. Move Your Feet

Don’t just think you can use your zoom to get closer to your subject. Move your feet to find a different angle, a better background or to simply ‘zoom in’ closer to your subject.

 

Photo by Joshua Waller 

 

8. Use Simple Backgrounds

Plain walls, studio backgrounds and even the sky can be used as backgrounds and they won’t distract your viewer. For smaller items, use pieces of card, paper or material as backgrounds which you can slip behind your subject, hiding whatever unsightly items are behind it.

 

9. Change Your Angle

If you can’t move your subject you’ll have to move. Try shooting from a lower position so you can use the sky, for example.

 

10. Edit In Post Production

Even though it’s always best to get it right in camera, you can edit your shots during post-production to fix your background. You can, among many other things, clone, crop, remove backgrounds completely and adjust brightness levels of all or parts of your shots. Take a look at ePHOTOzine’s techniques for more editing tips.

 

Image Credit: Society of International Nature and Wildlife Photographers (SINWP)

 

The Society of International Nature and Wildlife Photographers (SINWP) is urging photographers worldwide to submit their best bird images now - the Bird Photographer of the Year 2025 competition closes on 31 October 2025.

This prestigious contest, run in aid of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), has raised over £16,138 to date through past competitions.

With entry priced at a minimum of £1 per image, 100% of donations go directly to the RSPB to support their vital work in protecting avian wildlife and habitats.

“We are thrilled by the response so far, but time is running out,” said Colin Jones, SINWP CEO. “We strongly encourage all bird photographers - from hobbyists to professionals - to enter their best work before the deadline. Together, we can make a significant contribution to the RSPB and elevate awareness of birds and their conservation.”

 

Key Competition Details

Closing date: 31 October 2025

Entry fee: Minimum £1 per image (no maximum)

Prizes: The overall winner receives the Bird Photographer of the Year 2025 trophy and certificate, one year’s free professional membership of SINWP, a copy of the Anthropics Collection, among other rewards.

 

For details on how to enter see here https://sinwp.com/bird/

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to upgrade your action camera, this might be it. DJI’s new Osmo Action 5 Pro Essential Combo has just dropped in price, and it’s easily one of the most capable compact cameras we’ve seen this year. With waterproofing, class-leading stabilization and crisp dual touchscreens, it’s built for anyone who wants to capture life’s fast moments without the bulk or cost of a full setup.

This deal is time-sensitive and stock may fluctuate rapidly.

View this deal here - Click here to view / purchase the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro Essential Combo on Amazon

Why this deal matters: You get DJI’s latest 1/1.3″ sensor, dual OLED touchscreens, advanced stabilization, and waterproof capability in a more minimalist, cost-optimized package.

What We Like

• Pro-grade imaging in compact form – The 1/1.3″ sensor (with ~2.4 µm effective pixel size) gives you better low-light performance and an improved dynamic range over older action cams. Amazon
• Dual OLED touchscreens – Front and rear displays make framing, monitoring, and adjusting settings far more intuitive (especially for vlogging or POV mounting). Amazon
• Top-tier stabilization / horizon correction – DJI’s 360° HorizonSteady keeps your footage level even through aggressive motion. Amazon
• Waterproof & rugged – Rated IP68 to 20 m without a case, enabling you to go underwater or in the elements straight away. Amazon
• Decent battery life in cold / extreme conditions – The included Extreme Battery Plus (1,950 mAh) is quoted to last ~4 hours (3.6 hours at –20 °C) in constrained conditions. Amazon

Things to Watch Out / Caveats

• Essential bundle only – You get core components (camera, battery, frame, mount) — no extra accessories (e.g. extra batteries, filters) are included. Buyers wanting a full kit may find the “Adventure / Pro” bundles more complete.
• Price volatility — Because this is a new release, prices and stock may vary quickly; what’s true now may shift tomorrow.
• Regional warranty / import risk — If buying from Amazon US (or a non-local retailer), check warranty coverage and shipping / import fees for your region.
• Lens / accessories ecosystem still expanding — While DJI’s action ecosystem is mature, some niche accessories or third-party mounts may lag behind more established brands.

Performance & Use-Case Expectations

From DJI’s specs and our understanding of similar models:

• For action sports, motorcycling, biking, surfing, skiing — this camera should deliver smooth, stable footage with horizon correction, even in challenging light.
• For vlogging / POV shooting, the dual screens and voice commands give you more flexibility than many prior action cams.
• For underwater / extreme environments, the IP68 rating allows direct use without housing, but for deeper dives or rugged conditions you might still prefer a protective housing.
• For hybrid content creators who mix action clips with B-roll / studio content — it’s a solid companion, though image quality will still be behind larger sensor mirrorless cameras in low light.

If you don’t need the advanced features (dual screens, stabilization, 4K/120), a more basic action cam may suffice — but this deal narrows the premium gap.

Who Should Buy & Who Might Wait

Buy now if you:

• Want a premium action cam without paying for full “Pro / Adventure” bundles.
• Regularly shoot in motion, extreme angles, or want excellent stabilization.
• Value compact form + versatile mounting over carrying large rigs.

Consider waiting if you:

• Already own a capable action cam and only need incremental improvement.
• Want more included accessories out of the box.
• Are cautious of buying from overseas sellers (warranty / returns risk).

Check the Deal Here

Click here to view / purchase the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro Essential Combo on Amazon

Prices and availability are subject to change — always verify before ordering.

Final Thoughts

This is a strong entry-level “Pro” deal not the full package, but enough to unlock many of DJI’s headline features at a leaner cost. For creators who don’t want to carry extra gear, the Essential Combo makes smart trade-offs.

If you spot a better regional offer (UK / EU) or see stock changing, drop a comment below and we’ll update if a better deal emerges.

ePhotozine may earn a commission from qualifying purchases via our links.

The zoom lengths on compact cameras keep growing and even though this makes more photographic subjects accessible to compact users, it does bring one problem and that's camera shake.

Manufacturers do install modes and features to help combat the issue, such as the shake reduction, but there are still a number of things that you can do to ensure your images are sharp every time.

 

1. Use A Support

When you think of a camera that sits on a tripod your first thoughts will probably be of a DSLR but just because you're using a camera with a body much smaller than a DSLR doesn't mean you shouldn't use a support. This can be a tripod, monopod, something smaller such as a Gorilla Pod or even a beanbag. 
 

 

2. Use Your Camera's Self-Timer

Even when you're using a support the small action of pressing the shutter button can still move the camera slightly and cause shake. As a result, when shooting a static subject you can use your camera's self-timer function so there's a delay between you pressing the shutter button and the exposure beginning. 
 

3. Increase The ISO

As longer shutter speeds mean the camera has to be held still for longer periods of time, shake can be a problem, particularly when working hand-held. To increase the shutter speed you can switch to a higher ISO but do take care when increasing ISOs as noise will be introduced at some levels. Where possible, try to stay below ISO400. If long shutter speeds are a must, always use a support as working without one will just result in shake spoiling your shots.
 

4. Check The Image On Your LCD

As images can be previewed on the built-in LCD screens available on compact cameras it means that shots can be checked for sharpness before leaving the location you're shooting in. However, it's not always that easy to tell if a shot is sharp by just checking the screen so if your camera has the option, it's always worth using the zoom magnifier when previewing to get a closer look at the shot. 

 

 

5. Edit In Post Production

You can slightly sharpen images in various pieces of editing software but don't overdo it as the shot won't look right. Boosting the contrast a little can help as well, but again don't go too mad with it. There are ways to reduce noise, too if high noise is a problem. 

A – Aperture

When it comes to picking an aperture, you don't want to go too wide as this will shorten your shutter speeds so choose an aperture around f/8 or f/11 to start and go from there.

 

 

B – Bulb

Using the BULB setting will keep the shutter open until you take your finger off the shutter button (this is when a release is handy as you can keep the shutter open without having to touch the camera). This can be useful for light trails as you'll be able to take more control over the length of the exposure, stopping and starting it more precisely.

 

C – Compact Camera

If you're an owner of a newer compact camera you may be thinking you won't be able to try this technique but you could be wrong as many modern compacts now offer longer shutter speed ranges.

 

D – DSLR

Even though you can use a compact you're probably still better using a DSLR or an advanced smaller camera that has the power of a DSLR without the body size. This way you can guarantee you'll have the longer shutter speeds needed, plus the option of using Bulb mode (model depending).

 

E – Exposure times

There's no exposure time that's set in stone for this technique so you'll need to experiment until you find a shutter speed that gives you the results you're looking for. Although, a 10-30-second exposure should capture light trails perfectly.

 

F – Find A Location

It's often worth scouting for locations in the daytime so you're not wasting time when the sun's setting searching for ideal spots.

 

Photo by David Pritchard

 

G – Guide The Eye

Compositional rules still apply here so don't forget the power of using lead-in lines in your shots. The light trails can be used as a line to lead the eye through the image to a point of interest which could be a town, city or building glowing in the background.

 

H – Height

Find a spot, after the sun begins to set, where vehicles will pass under/by you with their lights on. The most obvious is a bridge but any high vantage point will work. You could also find a spot that looks over a road that winds down the side of a hill so car lights are turned into sweeping s shapes. 

 

Photo by Joshua Waller

 

I – In The Car

Give the light trail technique an extra twist by shooting from a moving car. Obviously, you can't drive and control the camera at the same time so you'll need a willing friend to help you with this technique. For more tips on this form of light trail photography, have a read of this: Photographing Light Trails From A Car

 

J – Juxtaposition

To really create a sense of movement and pace, shoot your light trails in a built-up area where you can juxtapose still buildings, trees and other objects with the light trails created by traffic.

 

Photo by Joshua Waller

 

K – Keep Checking The LCD

As you'll be experimenting with shutter speeds you should view your images on the LCD screen after capture to see if the shutter speed you used was long enough. For example, you may find the light trail ends half way through the image rather than carrying on until the car has exited the frame which means you need a slightly longer exposure time to capture the full length of the light trails.

 

L – Low ISO

Keep your ISO as low as possible (100 if you can) so noise doesn't cause you too many problems.

 

M – Mount Your Camera On A Support

Due to the length of the shutter speeds you need to use some kind of support. A Tripod's best but you can use a monopod if you prefer.

 

N – Night

You may think that well after the sun has set is a good time for capturing images of light trails and there's nothing wrong with capturing shots at this time, however twilight and just after the sun has set can produce some rather cracking results. Not only will there be more ambient light but there will also be more traffic around which means more chances to get the shot right.

 

Photo by David Pritchard

 

O – Overexposed

Keep an eye out for spots of light such as street lamps overexposing as these bright dots of light spoil your images.

 

P – Patience

You can't expect to set-up, press the shutter and have the perfect shot so patience is very important for this technique. You could find yourself waiting a while for traffic to actually pass through your frame or for the ambient light to be just right, plus with the trail and error approach you could be outside a while.

 

 

Q – Traffic Queues

Find points in your town where you can guarantee large amounts of traffic will flow through. Crossroads can be perfect as they will create lines that criss-cross and move around each other in various directions.

 

R – Roundabouts

Instead of straight lines, why not set-up near or above a roundabout which will give you the opportunity to capture circular patterns of light in your shots.

 

S – Street Level

To give your light trail shots a different twist, don't head for a high vantage point. Instead, take a stroll around the streets, looking for locations where you'll be able to capture light trails from lower angles.

 

Photo by David Clapp

 

T – Trigger – Remote Or Cable

To reduce camera shake, trigger your camera without actually touching it via a remote / cable release. If you don't have one, you can use your camera's self-timer on its shortest setting.

 

U – Underexposed

If you find the shot's underexposed open up the aperture and just make it smaller if it's too bright. Try not to go too wide with your apertures, though, as this will result in more of the shot appearing out of focus. If you find the light trails to be too short you'll need to use a longer shutter speed to extend them through your shot.

 

V – Very Warm Clothing

Don't forget your warm clothing as temperatures are starting to drop lower as we head towards winter.
 

W – Wide-Angle Lens

If you're working from a car, you need to fix the camera, with a wide-angle lens on a tripod into the passenger seat well or back seat of the car. This will mean you'll be able to see the whole windscreen through the viewfinder. When using wider lenses out in the field for this technique, a lens hood will be useful for shielding the lens from ambient light.

 

X – X-Factor

Light trail photography is a great way to add drama and punch to your night-time urban shots and with a little practice, it's rather simple to master.

 

Photo by David Clapp

 

Y – You Should Consider Using Manual Focus

Due to the low light level and lack of contrast, your camera lens may end up continuously searching if you try to use auto focus so switch to manual for more control.

 

Z – Zooming & Panning

Get creative and experiment with zoom or try panning after pressing the shutter to introduce different effects. After all, this is a fun technique, plus you want to capture something original.  

 

   

You've read the technique now share your related photos for the chance to win prizes: Photo Month Forum Competition  

© Ralph Robinson / Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards

 

Nikon has revealed the highly anticipated shortlist for the 2025 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards. This year’s selection consists of 40 standalone images, 3 portfolio entries and 10 video entries – a captivating mix of inspiring and delightfully funny images, reminding us of the world’s most beguiling wildlife.

Among the colourful contenders for funniest wildlife image of 2025 is a dancing gorilla, a choir of lions and a quick-thinking frog on lookout duty! This year, there are also 10 amazing videos of wildlife’s most comical moments caught on camera, with highlights including a surfing heron and an orangutan getting up to mischief. The expert judges will be busy over the coming weeks deciding their favourite comedy critters.

The world’s most entertaining wildlife photography competition received a record number of entries this year. With nearly 10,000 submissions from 108 countries received, they all compete to win top prizes, including Nikon’s Z6III full-frame mirrorless camera, Z50II mirrorless camera and Nikon’s brand-new compact cinema camera, the ZR. The winner will also secure a once in a lifetime, one-week safari trip courtesy of Alex Walker's Serian in the Masai Mara, as well as some of the best-selling photography rucksacks in the business from ThinkTANK.

Founded in 2015 by photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE and Tom Sullam, the awards combine exceptional wildlife photography with the power of humour to spotlight conservation. Every image is authentic, with no AI or digital manipulation allowed.

Comedy Wildlife is teaming up again with sustainable conservation organisation, the Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN), which over the past thirty years has invested £24 million in 220 conservation leaders in 80 countries. An inspiring effort which the awards are thrilled to champion.

Stefan Maier, Nikon Europe Senior General Manager Marketing says: “The Nikon Comedy Wildlife finalists are in, and we’re excited to share with you the brilliant images showcasing unique talent of photographers from every corner of the globe. These images combine wit and wonder to celebrate nature’s character, while emphasising the urgency of conservation. At Nikon, we’re proud to support a competition that sparks joy while reminding us why our wild world is worth protecting.”

Tom Sullam, Comedy Wildlife Competition Co-founder says: “We had an awesome year last year and are absolutely delighted to be able to partner with the Nikon team again for 2025. Their ongoing support has supercharged the competition, reaching more people in more countries than ever before, helping us raise awareness of animal and habitat conservation and crucially, highlight the fundamental importance of having wildlife on our planet and in our lives. These inspiring and funny photos and videos do just that. It’s a privilege to be part of this exciting journey, making us all laugh and we can’t wait to announce the winners in December.”

The Overall Winner, Category and Highly Commended Winners will be announced on Tuesday 9th December at a special awards evening in London. This will be followed by a one-week, free exhibition from 10th-16th December, where Nikon will showcase the 2025 Award Finalists at the Gallery@Oxo.

 

© Alison Tuck / Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards

 

Competition categories include: 

• Alex Walker’s Serian Mammals Category 
• Spectrum Photo Birds Category 
• ThinkTANK Reptiles and Amphibians Category 
• Fish and Other Aquatic Species 
• Insects Category 
• Nikon Young Photographer (up to 25yrs.) 
• Nikon Junior Category (up to 16 yrs.) 
• Amazing Internet Portfolio Category 
• Nikon Video Category 

 

This year’s shortlist is being reviewed by Nikon Creators Cameron Whitnall, Hannah Stitfall and Roxy Hemadani. They’ll be joined by TV presenter Kate Humble, actor and comedian Hugh Dennis, renowned wildlife photographer Will Burrard-Lucas and Nikon Ambassador Daisy Gilardini, as well as wildlife expert and co-founder of the Born Free Foundation, Will Travers OBE, and passionate conservationist, Bella Lack.

For more details, please visit the official Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards website.

The Fujifilm X-T30 III in the hands of Will Cheung at a pre-launch event held at Fujifilm’s House of Photography.

 

Fujifilm’s popular line-up of X Series cameras has a model for every conceivable type of image-maker from entry-level shooter to high-end multi-media producer. 

The new X-T30 III replaces the X-T30 II, which is no longer in production and naturally retains key attractions of its predecessor including the same compact dimensions and rangefinder-style design. Equally naturally, the new model has several important features and performance upgrades which we will cover in this First Look.

The target consumer for the X-T30 III is predominately the stills photographer who wants a fully featured but lightweight camera to record their family, travel and daily snaps. Introduced alongside the X-T30 III is the XC13-33mm f/3.5-6.3 OIS zoom, which has a full-frame equivalent range of 20-50mm, and of course, it can be partnered with any interchangeable lens X Series camera. 

The X-T30 III is competitively priced at £829 / $999 body only or £999 / $1149 with the XC 13-33mm f/3.5-6.3 OIS lens.

 

The stylish X-T30 III will be available in three finishes: Black, Charcoal Silver and Silver. Body price is £829 / $999 and the X-T30 III kit with the XC13-33mm f/3.5-6.3 OIS zoom lens is £999 / $1149.

 

Fujifilm X-T30 III Features

The X-T30 III is an APS-C format 26.1 megapixel camera in a rangefinder-style body. The sensor is the tried and tested back-illuminated X-Trans CMOS 4 and it is partnered with the high-speed X-Processor 5 processing engine. This processor can process pictures twice as quickly as the previous model and uses the latest subject detect autofocus, which uses deep learning technology. The system can automatically recognise and track human subjects but it can also detect a wide range of subject types including animals, birds, airplanes, cars and insects. Performance with humans has been enhanced to cope with people wearing glasses or masks. The X-T30 III uses an improved, 5th generation AF algorithm, the same as that used in the flagship X-HS2. This algorithm can deal especially effectively with moving and small subjects.

 

The X-T30 III shares the familial look of Fujifilm X-T models and build quality rates highly especially considering its budget price tag of £829 / $999 body only.

 

Film Simulation picture settings have played a major part in the success of Fujifilm cameras, so it’s no surprise to see them playing a key role in the X-T30 III. It has 20 Film Simulations including Reala Ace, and while these settings can be accessed traditionally via the menu, this camera allows instant access to them using a dedicated control dial. This has six permanently assigned simulations, three positions that can be populated as desired with personal favourite recipes and quality settings and one setting that mirrors the picture style assigned in the menu. The dedicated dial makes it incredibly easy to add individualism to your shots as you shoot with the dial a constant reminder of what picture mode you have set and what’s on offer.

 

The X-T30 II’s menu structure will be familiar to Fujifilm X-series users and newcomers will soon get to grips with the easy to navigate layout. Control layout is also typically Fujifilm and the buttons and dials are reassuringly positive in use.

 

For users who prefer ease of use, an Auto Mode Selector delegates the camera to detect the scene and set optimal shooting settings for the best results. Auto is one option and there are 14 others including portrait, landscape, night, fireworks and flowers.

For those users looking to shoot action and nature, the X-T30 III can shoot at impressive burst speeds while pre-shot capture is available too. A burst speed of 30fps is possible with a 1.25x crop using the electronic shutter and this drops to 20fps with the full format. Select the mechanical shutter and burst speed is still an impressive 8fps and you’ll get 38 shots using lossless compressed Raw. Pre-shot capture with the electronic shutter works from 8fps for full-format images up to 30fps with a 1.25x crop.

While the X-T30 III is primarily aimed at still shooters, it still has a rich vein of video features that include 6.2K video at 24, 25 and 30P, 4K at 24, 25, 30, 50 and 60P and Full HD at 240P, and video can be shot with digital image stabilisation for smooth footage even when shooting while walking.

 

Turn the camera on and you get a warning to twist the XC13-33mm f/3.5-6.3 OIS to its working position. On its own the lens weighs in at just 125g and sells for £329 / $399.

 

Fujifilm X-T30 III Key Features

• Prices: £829 / $999 body only, X-T30 III with the XC 13-33mm f/3.5-6.3 OIS lens £999 / $1149, XC 13-33mm f/3.5-6.3 OIS £329 / $399
• Available from November 2025
• Black, Charcoal Silver or Silver options
• APS-C format
• Back-illuminated 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor
• X-Processor 5
• Mechanical shutter 30secs to 1/4000sec
• Electronic shutter 30secs to 1/32,000sec
• Face/eye detection AF
• Subject detection automatically recognises animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes, trains, insects, and drones
• Native ISO range 160-12,800, extendable to ISO 80-51,200
• 20 Film Simulation modes including Reala Ace and Nostalgic Neg
• Accepts 1xSD UHS-I card
• 425 frames from a fully charged battery (economy mode)
• Rear 3in LCD monitor 1.62million dots
• 6.2/30P internal recording in 4:2:2 10-bit quality
• High speed video at 4K/60P and 1080/240P
• Built-in pop-up flash GN7/ISO 200/m
• Body measures 118.4 x 82.8 x 46.8mm
• Weighs 338g with battery and SD card

 

Fujifilm X-T30 III Handling

The X-T30 III’s control design follows in the footsteps of previous X Series cameras and means key settings are visible immediately. The Auto setting brings in optimal settings for a wide variety of subjects automatically including portrait, portrait enhancer, landscape, night, fireworks, snow, flowers and text.

 

There is much to like about the X-T30 III’s handling, not least the fact that it’s like putting on your favourite slippers. I own several Fujifilm X-T cameras and have used and tested all the models over many years, so picking up the X-T30 III, everything felt comfortable with key controls exactly where you expect to find them. Clearly, the target market for this camera will not have the same deep association with X Series cameras but the X-T30 III’s design and layout is so clean that familiarity won’t take long. The same level of usability applies to the camera’s menu which is straightforward to navigate and not too deep.

Good handling starts with the on/off switch, which is perfectly placed for the right forefinger, so you can walk around with the finger poised ready to flick the camera on and by the time it is raised to the eye, you’re ready to grab the shot. 

 

No problems with the X-T30 III’s handling. The contoured handgrip provides a secure purchase and it’s no problem just walking around with the camera in hand ready to shoot. Control design and layout also rate highly making the whole package great to use.

 

One key design innovation over its popular predecessor is the provision of a dedicated Film Simulation dial, which sits on the far left of the body. With six permanent settings and four slots that you can fill as you please, that means ten of the 20 available Film Simulations are instantly available to call on.

I had the XC13-33mm f/3.5-6.3 OIS to try with the X-T30 III. This lens, equivalent to 20-50mm in full-frame, is a manual retracting zoom and in its parked state, it really is quite small and it doesn’t grow much when extended to its working position. It works well and AF with the X-T30 III was accurate and swift. Its Optical Image Stabiliser has a 4-stop benefit. The X-T30 III itself does not have an in-body image stabiliser.

 

Portability rates highly in the X-T30 III with its light, compact body. Here it is shown partnered with the new XC13-33mm f/3.5-6.3 OIS, a compact manual zoom with the wide end giving the full-frame equivalent of 20mm.

 

Fujifilm X-T30 III Sample Photos Previous Next

 

Please note that the photographs shot for this First Look were taken with a pre-production camera and the firmware of production cameras that go on sale in November might be different. The lens used was the XC13-33mm f/3.5-6.3 OIS lens, again a pre-production sample.

I shot JPEGs and Raws for this preview but only out of camera JPEGs are shown here because there was no Raw processor available at the time.

 

The X-T30 III features a dedicated Film Simulation mode dial with six fixed presets. Around its base, there’s a lever to activate the integral flash.

 

Standard/Provia

 

V Vivid/Velvia

 

S Soft/Astia

 

CC Classic Chrome

 

RA Reala Ace

 

A Acros

 

Fujifilm X-T30 III Film Simulation modes

The X-T30 III has a complement of 20 Film Simulation modes which includes the filter variants in the monochrome settings. The dedicated Film simulation dial has six permanent presets: STD Standard/Provia; V Vivid/Velvia; S Soft/Astia; CC: Classic Chrome; RA Reala Ace; A Acros. Three FS settings let you set other modes you enjoy using and the C mode is for the mode selected within the Film Simulation menu. The long and the short of it is that you have instant access to ten of the 20 available colour settings. Within the bracketing menu, there is the usual option of producing three shots with different colour settings at one shutter button push.

As expected, the Film Simulations performed to the usual high standard as you can see from the sample shots taken at the six fixed settings below. The sample JPEGs were taken with the XC13-33mm f/3.5-6.3 OIS lens at 33mm with an exposure of 1/240s at f/6.3 and ISO 1000 – it was a very dull day!

 

Fujifilm X-T30 III ISO Previous Next

 

The sample camera we used was pre-production so not suitable for a full ISO test. However, to give us some idea of the camera’s performance in this key area, we did shoot a scene at a range of speeds. The resulting files are out of camera JPEGs taken a default level of in-body noise reduction.

A full ISO test will have to wait for a production sample of the X-T30 III but we were impressed with what we found. The level of noise even at ISO 12,800 was well controlled and didn’t impact on image quality greatly, as you can see from the enlarged sections below. Colours looked good with the standard Provia Film Simulation mode and detail looked crisp and nicely rendered.

 

Fujifilm X-T30 III Initial Verdict

The Fujifilm X-T30 III promises to be an excellent camera at a budget-busting price. It’s sure to appeal to budding creatives and newcomers to mirrorless plus it will also attract more experienced photographers wanting a great value and well specified camera. Existing X-System users might also consider the X-T30 III as a capable back-up body.

Whatever the situation, the X-T30 III has all the credentials you would expect of a Fujifilm X Series camera and of course, it buys you entry into the brand’s eco-system with the support of a huge range of lenses. Speaking of which, the new XC13-33mm f/3.5-6.3 OIS is an interesting proposition with its 20mm (35mm equivalent) wide end, and its compact stature makes it a fine companion for this camera and others within the Fujifilm range.

Visit our Equipment Database to see more images of the Fujifilm X-T30 III along with specs.