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When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission. Nikon Z5II | Nikkor Z 24-70mm F2.8 S | 70mm | 1/80 sec | F5 | ISO 500 | Raw reprocessed in-camera: WB warmed, D-lighting Normal
Photo: Richard Butler

This week, we published our full review of the Nikon Z5II, naming it one of the best value cameras available for under $2000. As always, our review process involved getting out with a production sample of the camera and taking a bunch of pictures to see how it performs in a variety of settings.

The Z5II uses a familiar sensor, so there aren't many surprises when it comes to image quality, though that's frankly part of the appeal. It produces remarkably good results for a fully-featured camera at this price point.

You can see the sample gallery below, and download the Raws to see how they fare with your editing workflow.

See the sample gallery

Please do not reproduce any of these images on a website or any newsletter/magazine without prior permission (see our copyright page). We make the originals available for private users to download to their own machines for personal examination or printing; we do so in good faith, so please don't abuse it.

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If you're somehow feeling nostalgic for rainy winter days, you can also check out the samples we took during our time with a pre-production copy of the Z5II.

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Image: Viltrox

If you use your camera, you will eventually need to clean it and your lens(es). That's especially true if you are traveling with your camera or spend a lot of time in the outdoors. Viltrox aims to make keeping your gear clean a little bit easier with its affordable, all-in-one lens cleaning kit. The kit is aimed at those on the go, with all components stored inside a carrying case.

The cleaning kit includes essentials like a bulb blower, lens cleaning spray, microfiber cloths and a lens pen.

Images: Viltrox

The Viltrox Camera Lens Cleaning Travel Kit comes with all the essentials to keep your lens free of debris and smudges. The silicone bulb blower is perfect for gently blowing away dust. It's one of the cleaning tools we recommend for all photographers, and is useful for cleaning lenses, your camera body and safely removing dust from a sensor.

The kit also features a dual-ended carbon lens pen, another useful tool for cleaning your gear because of its versatility. The brush side helps softly brush away materials, while the carbon side lets you remove smudges without damaging your glass. The kit also includes 10 microfiber lens cloths and alcohol-free lens cleaning fluid for more stubborn spots. Finally, there are eight individually wrapped cleaning swabs with non-shedding tips for hard-to-reach spots.

Image: Viltrox

All of the items come in a hard carrying case to keep the tools together. The hard-sided design also keeps the materials protected and clean, preventing you from making things worse. Additionally, the case features a carabiner for clipping it onto your pack so that you have it on hand when you need it. It's not as small as other cleaning kits, nor as a DIY kit could be, but it is a convenient option.

At $13, the Viltrox lens cleaning kit is also very affordable. It doesn't come with any sensor cleaning items, but that's not something you should typically be doing in the field, anyway.

Buy now: Buy at Viltrox

2025 iPhone Photography Awards

The iPhone Photography Awards (IPPAWARDS) has announced the winners of its 18th annual photo competition, showcasing photos shot entirely on iPhones. This year's contest received submissions from more than 140 countries, and winners were selected across 14 categories, ranging from people to cityscapes, in addition to the overall Grand Prize and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Prize winners. We're sharing the overall contest winners and the 1st Prize winners of each category, but you can see the complete portfolio of winners, including 522 Honorable Mentions, on the contest's website.

The iPhone Photography Awards, founded in 2007, is the world's 1st and longest-running iPhone photography competition.

Photographer of the Year: Grand Prize

Photographer: Jarod Peraza (USA)

Title: Viajero Nocturno

Equipment: iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Villa de Leyva, Colombia

© IPPAWARDS - Jarod Peraza

Photographer of the Year: 1st place

Photographer: Carol Addassi (USA)

Title: Passage

Equipment: iPhone XS

Location: Central Park in Manhattan, New York City

© IPPAWARDS - Carol Addassi

Photographer of the Year: 2nd place

Photographer: Thiago Bernardes de Souza (Brazil)

Title: Moto Cães

Equipment: iPhone 15 Pro Max

Location: Brasília, Distrito Federal

© IPPAWARDS - Thiago Bernardes de Souza

Photographer of the Year: 3rd place

Photographer: Martha Nance (USA)

Title: Foggy morning on the Corrotoman

Equipment: iPhone 15 Pro

Location: Merry Point, Virginia

© IPPAWARDS - Martha Nance

Abstract: 1st place

Photographer: Sunny Hsiao-Mei Cheng (Taiwan)

Title: Liminal

Equipment: iPhone 12 Pro

Location: San Francisco, California

© IPPAWARDS - Sunny Hsiao-Mei Cheng

Animals: 1st place

Photographer: Jayne Parker (New Zealand)

Title: Close Encounter

Equipment: iPhone 15 Pro

Location: Vava’u Island group of Tonga

© IPPAWARDS - Jayne Parker

Architecture: 1st place

Photographer: Aleksandra Debiczak (United Kingdom)

Equipment: iPhone 13 Pro

Location: Burano, Italy

© IPPAWARDS - Aleksandra Debiczak

Children: 1st place

Photographer: Julia Zyrina (The Netherlands)

Title: When the chestnut trees bloom

Equipment: iPhone 11

Location: Blitterswijck, the Netherlands

© IPPAWARDS - Julia Zyrina

Cityscape: 1st place

Photographer: Adrian Beasley (United Kingdom)

Title: The Timeless Tyne Bridge

Equipment: iPhone 13 Pro

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

© IPPAWARDS - Adrian Beasley

Landscape: 1st place

Photographer: Jens Petersen (Germany)

Title: Lübeck Amazonas

Equipment: iPhone 15 Pro

Location: Trave River, Lübeck

© IPPAWARDS - Jens Petersen

Lifestyle: 1st place

Photographer: Leo Huang (Taiwan)

Title: Who lost the elephant balloon?

Equipment: iPhone 14 Pro

Location: Yilan, China

© IPPAWARDS - Leo Huang

Nature: 1st place

Photographer: Mark Sarmiento (Australia)

Title: Winter Bamboos

Equipment: iPhone 14 Pro

Location: Japan

© IPPAWARDS - Mark Sarmiento

People: 1st place

Photographer: Karolina Zielony (United Kingdom)

Title: Vibrant Colours of The Neighbourhood

Equipment: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina

© IPPAWARDS - Karolina Zielon

Portrait: 1st place

Photographer: Valeria Cammareri (Italy)

Title: I am the King

Equipment: iPhone 12 Pro

Location: La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina

© IPPAWARDS - Valeria Cammareri

Series: 1st place

Photographer: Dominic Dähncke (Spain)

Title: Puzzle

Equipment: iPhone XS

Location: La Palma, Canary Islands

© IPPAWARDS - Dominic Dähncke

Other: 1st place

Photographer: André Skagervik (Sweden)

Title: Winter Lines

Equipment: iPhone 12

Location: Norrköping, Sweden

© IPPAWARDS - André Skagervik

Last week, we shared that a company is creating a new folding instant camera inspired by the iconic Polaroid SX-70. It's quite nice timing, then, that shortly after we saw that news, we stumbled on Mr. Polaroid, a Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) documentary about Polaroid and its creator, Edwin Land.

The documentary provides a fascinating look into Land's background, the history of Polaroid and the cultural importance of instant photography. It touches on how Land enrolled in Harvard at 17 but dropped out after only one semester. He moved to New York City in 1927, and soon after, developed polarizing filters intended to reduce headlight glare – though they were never used for that purpose.

Those polarizing filters were of significant importance to the military during WWII, which led to success for Polaroid. But Land knew he would need something new when the war effort was over. Photography became his new focus, and he dreamed of a camera that could give people a printed photograph on the spot, instantly. So, in 1943, he launched a secret project nicknamed SX-70. However, it wasn't until 1969 that the prototype of what we now know as the SX-70 was created because of the project's complexity.

Edwin H. Land, founder, Polaroid Corp.

Photo: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by Bernard Gotfryd, [Reproduction number e.g., LC-USZ62-12345]

The documentary takes us through the company's history, including the public reveal of the first instant photograph (taken with an 8x10 view camera) and the camera models that came with further development. It was interesting to learn a little about Meroë Morse, a pioneering chemist at Polaroid, and how Polaroid was hiring women at a time when there weren't many jobs available for women. It was also fascinating to learn that Land was closely involved with the CIA and the US military during the Cold War.

There's a lot of information packed into the hour-long documentary, including where the Polaroid shake came from and some of the science behind instant photography. It doesn't shy away from some of the controversy surrounding Land and Polaroid, either. It's well worth a watch for instant photography fans and history buffs alike.

Image: Antigravity

Last month, Insta360 announced its new sub-brand, Antigravity, with a teaser for its foray into the drone market. Now, details about the company's first drone – the Antigravity A1 – are here. Besides the drone, Antigravity is also releasing the Vision goggles and Grip controller for more immersive flight experiences.

As initially teased, the A1 drone will offer 8K 360-degree capture, which Antigravity says is a first for a drone. "We didn't want to just build another drone. We wanted to create an entirely new way to fly," said BC Nie, Head of Marketing at Antigravity.

Of course, 360 cameras aren't new, and the Antigravity drone builds on what Insta360 has created with its X series of cameras. As with 360 action cameras, the drone uses a dual-lens camera system for 360-degree capture. The lenses are mounted on the top and bottom of the drone, which Antigravity says results in complete capture with no blind spots.

The system then uses "advanced stitching technology" to make the drone invisible in the final footage and when flying with goggles. Insta360 cameras (and DJI's new Osmo 360 camera) have a similar process to make selfie sticks invisible for uninterrupted captures, but having that ability with real-time video is extra important. After all, if you're flying with the goggles on, you don't want any distractions in footage that could make flying more of a challenge or lead to a crash.

Antigravity says the Grip controller responds to hand gestures.

Photo: Antigravity

Antigravity says that the A1 uses its FreeMotion technology and responsive head tracking for more immersive flight. Its Grip controller enables drone control with "natural hand movements," doing away with stick controls like other drones use. The Vision goggles allow for an FPV flying experience.

One of the main benefits of 360 video is greater flexibility when editing, since it provides every viewpoint from the drone instead of having to record separate takes. Antigravity says that it will have its own app that integrates much of the technology and features of Insta360 Studio and the Insta360 app, though with features specific to drone footage. That likely means there will be plug-and-play templates to make editing the 360 footage quick and easy, even for those without extensive editing experience.

The A1 folds down to be quite compact.

Images: Antigravity

The A1 weighs 249g, falling just under the 250g limit that exempts it from requirements like registration or Remote ID for recreational flyers in the US, as well as similar regulations in other countries. The relatively compact size also makes it easier to pack when traveling. It promises to be an accessible option for seasoned drone pilots and those with zero drone experience alike.

Questions remain about some of the Antigravity A1 specs, including still photo capabilities, battery life, price and more, but Antigravity says those won't be available until closer to launch. The company says the drone is scheduled to launch in January 2026. We do know that the A1 will be launched globally, including officially availability in the US, unlike DJI's latest products.

Outside of the drone and its accessories, Antigravity has also opened applications for its "co-creation project." Selected individuals will receive a pre-production Antigravity A1 to test and provide feedback, which could be integrated into the retail version. There's even a financial reward on the table, with contributors eligible for part of the $20,000 reward pool.

Press release

Antigravity Unveils A1: The World's First 8K 360 Drone

Los Angeles – [August 14] — Antigravity, a drone brand incubated by Insta360 and third parties, has today unveiled its first product: Antigravity A1, the world's first drone¹ equipped with 8K 360-degree capture. A1 redefines what drones can do by combining an immersive flying experience with intuitive controls.

360 Capture, Reimagined for Flight

At the heart of Antigravity A1 is a dual-lens camera system that captures everything around it in 360 degrees. The lenses are mounted on the top and bottom of the drone's fuselage, enabling complete environmental capture with no blind spots.

Advanced stitching technology renders the drone invisible when viewed through the goggles and in the final footage. The result is immersive, clean video that places drone pilots directly inside the scene without distractions.

360 Immersive Flight

A key feature of Antigravity A1 is its unparalleled level of immersion. The drone, the Vision goggles, and the Grip controller work together to enable a new way to explore the skies.

With Antigravity's unique FreeMotion technology and responsive head tracking, pilots can look freely in any direction while flying the drone using intuitive hand gestures. This separates flying the drone from viewing the surroundings, allowing pilots to look in one direction while flying in another. The result is a level of immersion that makes it feel as if you're really there — turning Antigravity A1 into a tool for aerial exploration.

The 360 immersion doesn't end when the drone lands — recorded footage can be viewed in 360 degrees over and over again, letting users discover new angles every time they watch.

Designed for Limitless Creativity

Antigravity A1 is built to fit into everyday life. Its dual-lens setup mirrors the capabilities of Insta360's popular X Series, making it easy for anyone to capture stunning 8K 360 footage — this time in the sky.

Every angle is recorded, giving creators the power to reframe their footage in post and make sure they never miss a shot. This enables powerful new editing possibilities like dynamic camera moves, Tiny Planet effects, and horizon flips. Creating cinematic FPV-style footage is now more accessible than ever. This technology also allows users to export multiple angles from a single clip in any aspect ratio without losing quality.

Lightweight and Travel-Ready

Weighing only 249g, Antigravity A1 meets regulatory requirements in most countries and regions. It's the perfect drone for creators, families, travelers, and first-time pilots seeking a powerful yet accessible tool for aerial storytelling. Its compact size makes it easy to pack, carry, and launch in seconds.

A New Standard in Ease of Use and Safety

Antigravity A1 is built with simplicity in mind. Pilots fly using the Grip controller, which responds to natural hand movements, eliminating the need for traditional stick controls. Paired with the Vision goggles, users can freely explore their surroundings in real time with full 360-degree visibility. To ensure that Antigravity A1 is used solely for exploration and storytelling, it includes a payload detection to prevent misuse or unauthorized modifications.

"We didn't want to just build another drone. We wanted to create an entirely new way to fly," said BC Nie, Head of Marketing at Antigravity. "A1 is the first step in reimagining flight as something anyone can enjoy — something that is safe, intuitive, expressive, and endlessly creative."

Antigravity A1 Key Features

• 8K 360-degree capture with top-and-bottom lens configuration.
• Compact and lightweight at 249g for license-free flying in most countries and regions.
• Invisible drone effect through advanced image stitching.
• Intuitive point-to-fly controls with the Grip controller.
• 360 immersive live view and head tracking via the Vision goggles.
• Never miss a shot with easy post-flight reframing and editing.
• Safety features including return-to-home and a payload detection system.

Availability

Antigravity A1 is scheduled to launch globally in January 2026. Final pricing, bundle details, and regional availability will be announced closer to launch.

In the meantime, applications are now open for the first-ever Antigravity co-creation project. We're inviting creators from around the world to join the journey and help shape the future of Antigravity products.

Selected participants will receive a pre-production Antigravity A1 to test, explore, and share their ideas. The best ideas will be integrated into the retail version, and contributors will have a chance to win a share of the US$20,000 reward pool.

Applications are open at www.antigravity.tech.

Image: MirageC / Moment via Getty Images

Our community here at DPReview truly is a wealth of information. We see all of the helpful knowledge shared in the forums on a daily basis, along with the passionate opinions on gear, trends, techniques and more. To help spark those conversations and give you all another place to share your thoughts, we're kicking off a 'Question of the week' series in the forums. It's your chance to share your insight, and an opportunity to be showcased in the forums or on the homepage.

Question of the week

As the name suggests, the forum's 'Question of the week' will highlight a new question every Wednesday in the Open Talk forum. We'll throw out one thought-provoking question each week, and you all get to comment with your own take.

These questions may come from the DPReview team, or could come from you in the community as well. If you have an idea for a question, please share it in a forum post response. We'll be sure to recognize those whose queries we use.

Week one: What five questions should you ask yourself when buying a new camera?

To kick this series off, we were inspired by our recent conversation with Mathew Anderson, our new Community Manager. Last week, some of the DPReview team sat down to chat with Mathew about what his new camera should be. Instead of keeping that in a private Slack channel, we recorded it so you all could hear our thoughts, too. It was a great chat, and you can watch the full video on our YouTube channel.

Importantly, though, that discussion highlighted that for anyone buying a new camera, there are some critical questions you should ask yourself first. So, we're curious, what five questions do you think are most important to ask when buying a new camera? Head on over to the 'Question of the week' post in the Open Talk forum to share your take.

For this kick-off question, we'll be highlighting five distinct answers on the homepage. We'll make those selections on Monday and update this post with the results, so be sure to get your thoughts in before then!

Click here to answer the Question of the week

Photo: jorge mata / iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

Capturing memorable moments with your camera is always a special feeling, but the process doesn't end there. If you want to edit or share your photos in some capacity, you'll also need to get them off your camera and onto your phone or computer. With so many cameras – both new and retro – on the market, figuring out the best way to transfer your images can be confusing. In this guide, you'll find the various options for moving photos off your camera so you can share them with the world (or just your close circle).

Wireless transfer options From left to right, the Sony, Canon and Nikon apps all allow wireless transfer.

If you have a relatively new camera, there are likely some wireless options for transferring photos that can be very convenient. First, many camera companies have developed apps, including Canon Camera Connect, Sony Creators App, Nikon SnapBridge, Panasonic Lumix Lab and Fujifilm XApp. The apps connect your mobile device to your camera via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, allowing you to move files to your phone wirelessly.

Unfortunately, those apps can be very hit or miss. Essentially every brand's app has issues with unstable connections, leading to interrupted transfers. Slow transfers are also a common complaint, as are frequent app crashes and issues with transferring Raw files. Additionally, there may be an app for your camera brand, but it may no longer support your particular camera. Some are better than others, and issues may be device-dependent, but they can lead to frustrating experiences.

Outside of apps, some cameras support direct-to-cloud uploads, meaning you can send your images from the camera to a cloud service without first going through your phone or computer. Depending on your camera, you may be able to connect to services like Google Photos, Google Drive, Lightroom, Frame.io and more. It's a convenient option for backups, but like the above apps, reviews of direct-to-cloud features are mixed in terms of reliability. In most cases, you'll need Wi-Fi connectivity to use this option, which may not always be available, such as when shooting in remote areas.

Plug your camera in

Most recent cameras feature a USB-C port that can be used for data transfer.

Photo: Mitchell Clark

While wireless connections are ideal, their unreliability means you may have to use another method. Plus, if you have an older camera that doesn't support wireless transfers, you'll need a different way to transfer images.

Modern cameras feature USB ports that allow you to connect to a computer. USB-C has become the standard on recent cameras, though some older models may rely on Micro USB or Mini USB. This transfer method is simple but requires a USB cable that supports data transfer (some are charge-only).

With the right cable, once you plug into both your camera and computer, you generally only need to turn your camera on. Then, the camera will show up as a removable drive so that you can copy your images to your computer. However, very old digital cameras may not support transfer without a driver or software, which may not be supported anymore.

Use a card reader Image: OWC

A card reader is one of the most reliable and fastest methods for transferring images from your camera to a computer or phone. That's especially true if you have a camera that doesn't work with the methods mentioned above.

Card readers are separate devices that plug into your computer or phone, though some computers may feature an integrated SD card slot. Some card readers are only compatible with one type of memory card, such as SD format, while others offer multiple slots for different types of cards.

The key is to know what type of card your camera uses so that you can get the correct card reader. A CompactFlash card, for example, won't fit in an SD card slot. Luckily, card readers are available for just about every format, including outdated ones like Memory Stick and xD.

Another thing to consider is that a card reader will impact the speed of file transfers. If you invested in fast memory cards and frequently need to transfer lots of files, especially large files, you'll also want to pay for a high-quality card reader with fast transfer rates. Budget readers are fine for more casual use, but will be slower.