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Canon offers free repairs for black EOS R50 cameras with mode dial issue

DP Review Latest news - Fri, 08/01/2025 - 11:23
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission. Image: Canon

Canon USA, Australia and Asia have issued a notice for owners of the black EOS R50 regarding a potential issue with the mode dial. The company apologized and is offering free repair services to those experiencing issues.

In the announcement, Canon says that a small number of R50 units may have a stiff or difficult-to-operate mode dial. It added that the dial may break and detach from the camera entirely in some instances. This issue only impacts the black model of the R50 and does not apply to the white version.

Canon provided specific serial numbers, allowing users to check if their camera may be at risk. Cameras with the first two digits of serial numbers between 19 and 23 are included in the batch of impacted units. The service advisory is for customers in Asia, Australia and the US.

So, what do you do if you own a black R50? Canon says that any black R50 with those serial numbers is eligible for a free inspection and repair. If you want to take advantage of the free service, you first need to create a Canon account and register your camera. Canon will perform free repairs for this issue until July 31, 2028.

Categories: Photo News

Tariff watch: Fujifilm cameras and lenses are now up to 15% more expensive

DP Review Latest news - Fri, 08/01/2025 - 09:24
Camera photo: Fujifilm

Rumors had been swirling for weeks about a looming increase in Fujifilm prices in the US on August 1, and now those rumors are confirmed. Prices of Fujifilm cameras and lenses have increased, with list prices for US customers as much as $800 higher than they were in July.

The price increases apply to both cameras and lenses. We noted prices at B&H and Fujifilm yesterday and compared them to list prices as of today. Most of the company's camera lineup has seen an increase, with the exception of a few older models. The X half and X-E5 remain consistent, but those prices already had the tariffs factored in at the time of launch. The rest have been increased by anywhere from 10 to 15%.

The GFX100 II, for example, jumped from $7,500 to $8,300, resulting in a $800 difference. Percentage-wise, the X-S20 saw the most substantial change, with a 15% increase. Most of the lenses we looked at increased from $100 to $200.

US retailer Moment shared about the increase with a list of cameras and their respective prices. It also addressed the fact that many Fujifilm cameras are backordered, explaining that, according to Fujifilm, "all open backorders containing these affected products will be subject to the price increase." That's far from good news for those who have backordered cameras and expected a certain price. If you ordered from Moment, though, it said it is paying the difference in price so that customers don't have to. How other retailers plan to handle this is unclear.

This increase should come as no surprise, given the tariff situation in the US. Most other camera brands had already increased prices, including Canon, Nikon, Sony, Leica and Sigma. Canon even recently said that it will potentially increase prices again. Japan and the US recently reached a new trade agreement with a 15% tariff rate on goods shipped to the US, but that's still higher than the 10% rate that had been in place since May.

Categories: Photo News

What is the best way for beginners to learn photography?

DP Review Latest news - Fri, 08/01/2025 - 06:00
Photo: Abby Ferguson

Photography can be an overwhelming hobby for those starting out. There are mountains of technical jargon, endless gear choices, and it can also seem like you need to know it all right off the bat. Plus, it can be discouraging when you are bombarded with work from experienced photographers on social media all the time.

While living in a time when information is so easily accessible can certainly be a good thing, there is plenty of confidently incorrect (or at least misleading) information out there as well. Knowing what is right and what is worth paying attention to can only add to the intimidation factor when getting into photography. To help you sift through the noise, here are some good ways to start your photography journey (or refresh your skills if you've been here for a while).

DPReview's Intro to photography series

First, a shameless plug: we started the DPReview Intro to photography series for just this reason. This video series breaks down concepts into easily digestible content, like "What is shutter speed?" It dives into terms and techniques for videographers and photographers alike. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel and check back at the DPReview website to stay updated on the series.

Outside of our videos, we've also been focused on putting out beginner-focused articles. These touch on everything from travel photography to gear care.

In all of our beginner content – videos and articles alike – we aim to simplify complex terms and concepts while maintaining accuracy. It can be hard to unlearn bad technique or knowledge, so we want to ensure you have the correct information right out of the gate.

Brand and retailer websites Image: Tamron

Did you know that many camera brands and retailers produce educational content? Canon, Nikon and Sony all produce content with helpful information that you can trust. Sometimes, it's materials specifically for their gear, but it is frequently general photography content related to technique and creativity. Tamron also has what it calls Tamron University, offering free master classes put on by pro photographers.

Beyond camera brands, some retailers also offer educational content. B&H Explora, for example, is filled with a wide range of informational articles and videos. Likewise, Adorama's blog has articles on everything from editing to composition tips to gear.

Read books

Books are great resources for learning techniques and terms and for finding inspiration.

Photo: Abby Ferguson

I know, who reads books anymore? But books can still be a superb source of information, and, for some, that format is easier to learn from than videos or reading on a screen. There are loads of fantastic photography books that cover anything you may be trying to learn, from the technical to creative and even theory.

Photography textbooks, such as Photography by Barbara London, Jim Stone and John Upton, or Digital Photography Complete Course by David Taylor, offer a wealth of information that will cover every step of the process, from learning your camera to editing, printing and more.

Beyond the technical side of things, photography books (as in, books of photographs) are a fun way to learn about composition and find inspiration. Simply looking at loads of pictures is a great way to learn about the medium and expand your knowledge of what's possible, helping you improve your images.

Enroll in a class or workshop Organizations like Maine Media offer a wide variety of in-person and online workshops.

Sometimes, a more structured format is the best way to learn and grow. That doesn't mean you need to get a four-year degree in photography, though. Taking a single semester of an introductory photography course is a great place to kickstart your learning. It will help you learn the basics more in-depth and set you up to keep learning outside of class. One of the best parts of taking a class is having the opportunity to get feedback on your work, so that you aren't trying to learn in isolation.

Many small community colleges offer photography classes that can be relatively affordable (at least when compared to larger universities). You could also take an online photography class if you don't have a college near you but want access to that structured format. These can be offered through colleges and universities, as well as through smaller organizations that put on workshop-style courses online. Maine Media is one such example, but there are many options available.

Use social media with a grain of salt

Of course, YouTube and Instagram are all full of individuals teaching photography. Likewise, a lot of advice is available in forums like ours or Reddit. These platforms are free and easily accessible, which is ideal. However, as with anything online, there's also a lot of iffy information.

That's not to say that you can't learn from YouTube videos or forum posts. YouTube is full of experts who share their opinions and knowledge. But there are just as many people who don't necessarily have all the facts straight. If someone is saying something that contradicts everyone else, perhaps give it some extra thought before implementing their advice.

There's no replacement for practice Photo: Mitchell Clark

All of the above resources are excellent tools for learning how to use your camera and take better images. Use them on their own, or use a combination of all of them. However, there is no replacement for simply using your camera. You can read about how to adjust exposure all day. But unless you practice those skills and experiment to see firsthand what happens when you change certain settings, that information likely won't fully click.

Categories: Photo News

Are you an American looking to buy a used camera from overseas? Do it quick.

DP Review Latest news - Thu, 07/31/2025 - 12:22
You may soon have to pay tariffs on older gear too, if it's shipped from outside the US.
Photo: Abby Ferguson

The US' de minimis exemptions, which used to protect purchases under $800 from tariffs and duties, will be going away on August 29th, according to the White House. The policy change will have a massive impact on direct-to-consumer brands like AliExpress or Temu, but could also affect Americans shopping for photography gear or used cameras.

For example, say you were searching for a camera – say a PowerShot S120 – on eBay, and found one for $300 that ships from Japan. If you ordered it today and it arrived before August 29th, the price would be the price. You wouldn't have to pay anything on top of it.

However, if you bought that same camera after the de minimis exemptions go away, you'd then have to pay duties and tariffs on top of the purchase price. Yes, those recently announced tariffs even apply to used goods. It's also worth noting that the tariff you'd pay depends on where the good was originally made, not where it's shipping from; if you're buying a Chinese-made camera from Japan, you'll pay the 30% tariff that applies to Chinese exports, not the 15% one for Japanese goods.

The change could substantially increase the cost of buying vintage cameras in the US

This could substantially increase the cost of buying vintage cameras in the US, so if you've been hunting for something in particular, now may be the time to act. Of course, it won't make a difference on items over $800, as those wouldn't have been exempted anyway.

There is some nuance to exactly how much extra you'll be charged, as it's different depending on how your package is shipped. However, the upshot is that you'll be paying more than you would've on packages that came in before August 29th.

This change has been on the horizon for a while. Recent legislation passed in the US already mandated that the exemptions would end on July 1, 2027, and goods from China and Hong Kong haven't been exempt since early May. People buying new gear have also been dealing with prices inflated by tariffs for months, but now even used gear isn't necessarily a safe harbor.

Categories: Photo News

Dark spots in your photos? Here’s what might be causing them

DP Review Latest news - Thu, 07/31/2025 - 06:30
Photo: Abby Ferguson

We've all been there: You pull up the photos you just took on your computer or phone, only to notice dark blobs in the same place on every image. It can be confusing and alarming if you're unfamiliar with them. Luckily, those spots are typically nothing to be concerned about. They are even a rather inevitable part of photography. Here's what you need to know.

What causes those spots?

See those tiny white specs on the sensor? Those are pieces of dust that are stuck, creating sensor spots.

Photo: Abby Ferguson

While your first thought may be that a smudge on the lens caused the spots, that's not the case. Smudges on the front or rear element don't appear as clearly defined dark spots. Instead, those dots or squiggles you see are sensor spots.

Sensor spots are caused by hair, fuzz, grease, dust or other debris landing on your camera's sensor. Dust takes the form of dark circles, while hair and other fibers show up as dark squiggles. If you use an interchangeable lens camera, you expose your sensor to dust and debris every time you change lenses. That's especially true if you change lenses outside or in dusty rooms.

There are ways to reduce the potential for sensor spots when changing lenses (which you can learn about in a separate article), but no matter what, you'll likely end up with sensor spots at some point.

Even compact cameras with fixed lenses can get spots, though. Dust has a way of working into places. So if you notice these types of spots on images taken with a compact, it doesn't mean that your camera is broken.

How to identify sensor spots Taking a photo of a white desk or plain blue sky can help you identify how dirty your sensor is. In this case, the sensor is in desperate need of a cleaning.

If you suspect you have sensor spots, there is an easy way to confirm that is what you are seeing, and it wasn't just a bug flying past. All you need to do is take a photo of a cloudless sky or flat, white surface. Anything that is uniformly bright with little texture will do.

To clearly show any sensor spots, close down your aperture to a large aperture value, such as F16 or F22, and adjust shutter speed and ISO so that you end up with a roughly correct exposure (essentially not an overly dark image). Switch to manual focus and focus to infinity if using a perfectly smooth subject like the sky, or slightly defocus to smooth out the background if working indoors.

You can look at the photo on your camera's display, though it's helpful to transfer the image to a computer to get a good picture of what's going on. If you identify spots on your images, there's no need to panic. You can clean your sensor, provided you use the right tools and follow the right steps. We'll be sharing more on that soon, so be sure to stay tuned.

Categories: Photo News

DJI takes on the 360 action camera market with the Osmo 360

DP Review Latest news - Thu, 07/31/2025 - 05:00
Image: DJI

At the start of this week, 360 camera brand Insta360 announced it was entering the drone game, and now, drone giant DJI has announced a 360 camera. The Osmo 360 promises "the sharpest photos possible on the 360 camera market." It also claims a few firsts, including the first 360 camera to shoot 8K 50fps 360° video and the only 360 camera capable of recording continuously for 100 minutes in 8K 30fps.

DJI proudly boasts about the sensor found in the Osmo 360. It features two sensors that, when added together, result in around the same area as a Type 1 sensor. DJI says it is an "industry-first square HDR image sensor" that is specifically designed for 360° capture. It offers 13.5 stops of dynamic range, which, when combined with the F1.9 aperture, should help with capturing footage in low-light and high-contrast settings.

Image: DJI

The Osmo 360 supports up to 8K 50fps 360° video, as well as 4K 100fps for slow motion needs. The camera can also record at up to 5K 60fps with a single lens when 360° video isn't necessary, resulting in a 155° field of view. Or, the Boost Video mode offers a 170° field of view at up to 4K 120fps. On the photo side of things, the Osmo 360 can capture 120MP 360° photos.

Image: DJI

Beyond image quality, DJI also promises plenty of other benefits, including long battery life. DJI says it is capable of recording continuously for 100 minutes, even at 8K 30fps resolution, or 180 minutes with the Osmo 360 Battery Extension Rod accessory. It can also handle cold conditions, with over 1.5 hours of recording possible in temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F). Charging also promises to be fast, with 12 minutes of charging resulting in 50% battery.

The Osmo 360 also provides access to DJI's tracking and control features. Intelligent Tracking will lock onto and track people, vehicles, pets and more. It is compatible with gesture and voice control, and offers the company's RockSteady 3.0 stabilization to reduce shake and smooth out video while moving. Users also have access to its HorizonSteady mode to automatically keep footage level.

Image: DJI

Like the Insta360 360° cameras, the Osmo 360 hides the selfie stick in footage with no editing necessary. Users can edit content from the Osmo 360 on either the DJI Mimo or DJI Studio apps, or using the Premiere plugin. Additionally, the Osmo 360 offers 105GB of built-in storage.

The camera offers an IP68 waterproof rating and can be used at depths up to 10 meters (32.8'). However, DJI says it is not recommended to use the camera body for long-term underwater shooting or with high water impact pressure. It also explained that the fisheye lens design will result in light refraction that may cause distortion and stitching errors when underwater.

Unfortunately for US customers, the DJI Osmo 360 will not be for sale in the US via official DJI channels. It added that it doesn't have a current timeline for when it will be available in the US.

For those outside of the US, the camera is available today. In Europe, the Standard Combo costs €480, while the Adventure Combo costs €630. In Canada, the Standard Combo is $430 while the Adventure Combo is $580 (the DJI Store can only accept USD, EUR and RMB).

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Press release:

DJI Revolutionizes 360 Camera Market with the Osmo 360

New 360 Camera Offers Industry-first Features Including 1-inch 360° Imaging and Native 8K 360° Video

July 31, 2025 - DJI, the global leader in civilian drones and creative camera technology, today launches the Osmo 360. As the company’s first foray into 360 cameras, the Osmo 360 delivers new imaging innovation to elevate existing industry standards, bringing creators the flexibility needed for any creative vision.

The Osmo 360 delivers the sharpest photos possible on the 360 camera market with 1-inch 360° imaging*. It is the first 360 camera to shoot ultra-high-spec 8K/50fps 360° video, and is the only 360 camera that can shoot continuously for 100 minutes in 8K/30fps*.

"With the Osmo 360, DJI is challenging the status quo of the 360 camera market," said Christina Zhang, Senior Director of Corporate Strategy at DJI. "We are revolutionizing panoramic innovation by leveraging DJI’s long history of innovation in creative camera technology. With each technological breakthrough, from 1-inch 360° imaging with industry-first square HDR sensor, to outstanding low-light performance, we aim to change what’s possible in a 360 camera."

Standout 1-inch 360° Image Quality and Native 8K 360° Video

Specially designed for 360° capture, the Osmo 360’s industry-first square HDR image sensor maintains the same 360° image field as a traditional 1-inch rectangular sensor, while eliminating the unused area of traditional rectangular sensors. This results in 25% more sensor utilization, as well as outstanding image quality and lower power consumption, all in an ultra-compact, lightweight camera body.

The Osmo 360 is also the first 360 camera to feature native 8K/30fps 360° panoramic video with large 2.4μm pixels, boasting an industry-best run time of 100 minutes at 8K/30fps. The large pixel size - double the industry standard size of 1.2μm - captures more picture details, less noise, better low-light performance, and higher dynamic range. Also supporting ultra-high-spec 8K/50fps 360° video, Osmo 360 sets a new standard for video resolution in 360 cameras.

With an impressive 13.5 stops of dynamic range, combined with the larger pixel size and f/1.9 aperture, which significantly increases the amount of light intake, the Osmo 360 captures crisp, vibrant footage - even in low light settings or high-contrast scenes like sunrise and sunset.

Additional Creative Features:

  • Invisible Selfie Stick: The Osmo Invisible Selfie Stick vanishes from 360° videos with no editing needed, providing third-person views typically captured by a cameraman.
  • High Frame Rate Video: For those that want to capture split-second details at a high frame rate, the Osmo 360 can also shoot in 4K/100fps 360° video.
  • Slow Motion: Capture video in up to 4x slow motion mode to make every awe-inspiring moment last longer.
  • 120 MP 360° Photo: To capture a single moment in time, users can take an ultra-clear 360° photo up to 120 megapixels, achieving razor-sharp detail for still images.
  • Gesture and Voice Control: Start or stop recording with a simple palm gesture, or use voice control to go hands-free.
  • HorizonSteady and RockSteady: With HorizonSteady enabled, the footage remains level no matter how the camera is rotated. In single-lens mode, RockSteady 3.0 effectively reduces shakes while retaining the dynamic impact of motion, delivering a more immersive first-person perspective.
  • GyroFrame and Intelligent Tracking: DJI Mimo’s GyroFrame allows users to to adjust the 360° composition using motion control, while intelligent tracking makes it possible to lock onto and track people, vehicles, pets, and more.
  • Multi-Platform Editing Support: Edit videos with DJI Mimo or DJI Studio. DJI Studio offers a full suite of tools, and the Premiere plugin streamlines the workflow to create stunning 360° videos.

Performance as a Single Lens Action Camera

Effortlessly switch between the front and rear lenses without stopping recording - perfect for capturing travel vlogs in one seamless take. Osmo 360 can be used as a first-person action camera with single-lens mode, offering crisp 5K/60fps flat videos with a sweeping 155° ultra-wide angle. Boost Video mode provides an even broader 170° field of view and smooth 4K/120fps video.

Convenient to Carry, with Long Battery Life

For creators on the go, Osmo 360 prioritizes convenience with 105GB of built-in storage. Weighing just 183g, the advanced stacked design allows the camera to pack two large 1-inch 360 imaging lens modules into one, ultra-compact body. Moreover, the Osmo 360 is built to thrive in extreme conditions, capable of recording for over 1.5 hours in freezing conditions as low as -20° C (-4° F)1. The battery can record continuously for 100 minutes* at 8K/30fps resolution, which can be extended for another 180 minutes* with the Osmo 360 Battery Extension Rod. In just 12 minutes, Osmo 360 reaches 50% power to ensure creators are never without a camera for long.

The Benefits of the DJI Ecosystem

Osmo 360’s magnetic quick release design works with Osmo Action series accessories, while also featuring a 1/4" thread hole for easy compatibility with traditional gear.
Osmo 360 offers the OsmoAudio™ Direct Microphone Connection*, allowing users to connect Osmo 360 directly to two DJI microphone transmitters without a receiver, capturing studio-quality sound.

For more information, please refer to: https://www.dji.com/360

1 When capturing 360° content, Osmo 360's CMOS sensor features an imaging area equivalent to that of a 1- inch CMOS sensor with a 4:3 aspect ratio.
2 All data was tested in controlled conditions. Actual experience may vary. For more details, please refer to https://www.dji.com/360.
3 Direct connection to the first-generation DJI Mic is not supported. DJI microphones are sold separately.

Categories: Photo News

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