Feed aggregator

DJI has announced its latest wireless lavalier microphone, the DJI Mic 3. The new device combines the compactness of the Mic Mini, which was released less than a year ago, with the functionality and higher-end features of the Mic 2.

Like the Mic Mini, the Mic 3 is a discrete option. The transmitter portion weighs 16g (0.56oz), which is only slightly heavier than the Mic Mini and 12g (0.42oz) lighter than the Mic 2. It can be attached to subjects with the detachable, rotating clip or with an included magnet. It also shares the Mic Mini's transmission range in ideal conditions, promising to connect at distances of up to 400m (just under 1/4 mile). That's a substantial bump from the Mic 2's 250m (820') range.

The Mic 3 gains some firsts from DJI, including the first DJI mic to offer voice tone presets. Users can select between Regular, Rich and Bright, which will professionally tune voices by boosting low frequencies or enhancing high frequencies. DJI says it will be helpful for interviews with multiple people who have different vocal characteristics.

The new mic is also the first DJI mic with two Adaptive Gain Control modes: Automatic and Dynamic. Automatic mode can suppress sudden volume spikes and prevent clipping. This mode promises to be helpful for outdoor environments with dramatic volume, such as sporting events. Dynamic mode automatically adjusts gain in response to volume changes to maintain consistent loudness, which DJI says is ideal for studio settings.

Mic 3 provides Lossless Audio to deliver uncompressed 48kHz 24-bit audio directly to the receiver. It also offers two-level active noise canceling. DJI didn't specify if it carried over the Mic 2's 'Intelligent' noise cancellation, which doesn't require manual selection of a level.

It keeps the 32-bit float internal recording found on the Mic 2. However, it adds dual-file internal recording: one with the original track, and another with the algorithm-enhanced version. Unfortunately for some, the transmitter packs lack a 3.5mm jack, just as the original Mic Mini did. As a result, users won't be able to use traditional lav mics.

The system can work with up to four transmitters and eight receivers at once (though those have to be purchased separately), making it a worthwhile option for large group recordings. Additionally, the Mic 3 Receiver offers Quadraphonic mode, which supports independent output of four audio tracks, though only when paired with select Sony cameras or computer software.

In terms of battery life, DJI says the Mic 3 transmitter can last up to eight hours, while the receiver lasts up to 10 hours. The optional charging case provides 2.4 full charges.

DJI says a five-minute charge will provide two hours of battery life.
Image: DJI

The DJI Mic 3 will be on display at IFA in Berlin from September 5-9. It is available with two transmitters, one receiver and the charging case, or users can opt for a single transmitter and receiver with no charging case.

Unfortunately for US users, as has been the case with other DJI releases lately, the Mic 3 will not be available for sale in the US through DJI’s official channels. The base model retails for £169 / €199, while the kit with a charging case costs £259 / €309.

Press release:

Expanding the DJI OsmoAudio™ Ecosystem, DJI Mic 3 is compact, lightweight, and discreet – with premium audio and a smarter experience

Aug 28, 2025 – DJI, the global leader in civilian drones and creative camera technology, today announced DJI Mic 3, an ultralight wireless microphone offering powerful performance and unmatched versatility. Building on previous generations of the DJI Mic series, Mic 3 supports up to four transmitters and eight receivers, making multi‑camera production and group recordings effortless. It is also the first in the series to feature an adaptive gain control that automatically prevents clipping or dynamically balances the volume, along with three voice tone presets and two-level noise cancelling. Another first is the dual-file 32-bit float internal recording with 32 GB of storage.

Lightweight, Versatile, and Ready to Go

The DJI Mic 3 Transmitter is compact and discreet, weighing just 16 grams. The microphone angle can be flexibly adjusted with the detachable, rotating clip, ensuring optimal audio capture no matter how it’s attached. It can be worn with either a magnetic or a clip-on attachment. The DJI Mic 3 windscreens can also be purchased in five different colors to easily match clothing or the environment.

Creators can easily bring Mic 3 along from location to location for multi-scene shooting while recharging on the go. The all-in-one charging case neatly holds two transmitters and one receiver. The transmitters can be stored without needing to remove the windscreen and magnetic clip. There is also space for the magnets and locking cables.

An Upleveled, Premium Audio Experience

Crafted to offer all content creators an unprecedented level of control and creativity, Mic 3 is equipped with intelligent features that enable dynamic, high-quality sound. It is the first DJI microphone to feature two Adaptive Gain Control modes. For outdoor environments with dramatic volume, such as sporting events, Automatic mode suppresses sudden volume spikes and prevents clipping. Meanwhile, Dynamic mode automatically adjusts gain in response to volume changes, ensuring consistent loudness - ideal for quiet indoor settings like studios.

Mic 3 is the first DJI microphone to offer three voice tone presets: Regular, Rich, and Bright. Ideal for interviews with multiple people with different vocal characteristics, this feature professionally tunes voices, boosting low frequencies to reduce muddiness or enhancing high frequencies to improve clarity.

Simultaneously, two-level active noise cancelling reduces background sounds such as air conditioning to deliver crisp and clear audio. With the windscreen attached, wind noise can be further reduced. Finally, the Lossless Audio feature enables the transmitter to deliver uncompressed 48kHz 24-bit audio directly to the receiver, capturing audio in stunning, high-fidelity detail.

Flexibility Made for Collaboration, Versatility and Reliability

With its capacity of up to four transmitters and eight receivers at once (additional transmitters and receivers are sold separately), you'll get crystal-clear audio on every device whether it’s a group interview or multi-camera shoots, making post-production a breeze. When set to Quadraphonic mode, the DJI Mic 3 Receiver—paired with select Sony cameras or computer software—supports independent output of four audio tracks. This enables precise track separation and flexible mixing, giving you greater creative freedom in post-production.

For complex, large environments such as trade shows or sporting events, Mic 3 features an impressive range of 400 meters and strong resistance to interference*, with automatic frequency hopping between 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands ensuring rock-solid transmission*.

Offers Dual-File 32-bit Float Internal Recording and Timecode Support for Easier Post-production

Internal recording protects material from wireless interference or device issues, ensuring users never need to worry about lost audio. The Mic 3’s dual-file internal recording saves both the original track and the algorithm-enhanced version. This allows for creative flexibility and simplifies post-production processing. With two internal recording specifications - either 24-bit or 32-bit floating point - Mic 3 provides a dynamic range that adapts better to complex sound environments, able to capture every nuance of a voice from a whisper to a shout. The transmitter offers high-precision timecode functionality, embedding timecode data during internal recording. Within a 24 hour period, the timecode won’t deviate for more than one frame*, guaranteeing precise synchronization across multiple cameras and allowing effortless alignment of footage in post-production.

Powering All-Day Creation

A fully charged Mic 3 transmitter lasts up to eight hours*, and the receiver lasts up to 10 hours*. The charging case provides 2.4 full charges, achieving 28 hours of extended use. A five-minute quick-charge can power the DJI Mic 3 for two hours*, while just 50 minutes is needed for a full charge*. The Mic 3 also offers multiple power-saving features to prevent the need for recharging. For example, Auto Power-Savings puts the receiver and transmitter to sleep if not in use, while Auto Power-Off turns them off after a period of inactivity.

Simple, Straightforward Connection within DJI Ecosystem and Beyond

With a direct connection to the DJI OsmoAudio™ ecosystem, DJI Mic 3 pairs with Osmo 360, Osmo Action 5 Pro, Osmo Action 4, or Osmo Pocket 3 without a receiver, delivering premium audio while minimizing the amount of gear needed and simplifying a creator’s workflow. To connect with other devices, Mic 3 features a locking 3.5mm TRS output port, a 3.5mm TRRS monitoring port, and a USB-C port. It can also connect directly to smartphones via Bluetooth without a receiver.

For more information about DJI Mic 3 and its remarkable features, please visit:
https://www.dji.com/mic-3

* All data was measured using a production model in a controlled environment. For more information, visit: https://www.dji.com/mic-3

Google's newest smartphone, the Pixel 10, introduces a significant change to its camera configuration: unlike previous base model Pixels that featured a two-camera setup, including a main (wide) and an ultra-wide camera, the Pixel 10 adds a telephoto camera, matching the triple-camera setup of the more expensive Pixel 10 Pro models.

However, as we've reported previously, a higher number of cameras doesn't mean better cameras. There's a trade-off for that extra lens. To add the telephoto camera, Google downgraded the Pixel 10's main camera, giving it a smaller sensor than the one on the Pixel 9.

Similarly, the Pixel 10's ultra-wide camera has a smaller sensor, a slower aperture, and lower resolution than the one found on the Pixel 9. These changes result in a pair of cameras that are notably less capable than those found on its predecessor.

Are these trade-offs worth it? The answer might be yes for casual camera users who aren't concerned about critical image quality. More advanced photographers, however, will find more reason than ever to spend extra money on Google's Pixel Pro models to get the improved camera performance they desire.

What do you think of these trade-offs? Check out our sample gallery and let us know in the comments.

View our Google Pixel 10 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 (in conjunction with this review); we do so in good faith, so please don't abuse it.

Last week, Google announced its Pixel 10 phone lineup, which includes the Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL and 10 Pro Fold. The standard Pixel 10 saw the most significant camera changes, while the three Pro models kept the same camera hardware as the previous generation. You can see more details of the four phones and how the Pixel 10 stacks up next to the Pixel 9 on paper in our detailed comparison.

While the hardware remains consistent in the Pro phones, Google said it made other improvements. Those promised upgrades take the form of largely AI-based software changes and a Tensor G5 chip. We've had the opportunity to take the Pixel 10 Pro XL around for a few days, testing the cameras to share a sample gallery with you all.

We shot the phone in Raw + JPG mode for most of the testing period so that you can check out the Raw files as well. However, for those looking forward to picking up a Pixel phone to use Raw files, be aware that accessing them on anything other than your phone isn't very straightforward.

One of the features that differentiates the Pro and Pro XL models from the other devices in the lineup is Pro Res Zoom up to 100x instead of 20x. Google says this feature uses a combination of cropping and generative AI. We made sure to test out the Pro Res Zoom feature, and included the processed and unprocessed versions so you can compare. The generative AI results are often very lackluster, but given how intense the crop is, it doesn't have much information to work with.

See the sample gallery

Google's latest flagship lineup is now available for preorder. The Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL will be fully released on August 28, though the Pixel 10 Pro Fold won't be widely available until October 9.

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.

It's been a big week for Content Credentials, the tech made to provide more transparency around how images were created and edited, and whether AI was involved in the process. First, Google announced that its latest lineup of Pixel phones would include the metadata on every photo they took; a first for the smartphone world. Then, Nikon announced that Z6III owners will be able to attach credentials to images they take with the camera for free.

Both moves represent big steps forward for their respective industries. While the Pixel is a tiny player in terms of smartphone market share, other companies tend to follow Google when it introduces new features. The company adding Content Credentials to its phones could push larger players like Samsung and Apple to do the same, especially as they continue to walk the line between pleasing investors and annoying customers by adding AI-powered camera features.

The Pixel 10, 10 Pro and 10 Pro Fold are the first phones to attach Content Credentials to their photos.
Image: Google

Over in the dedicated camera world, Content Credentials have largely only been available to members of the press and those who can afford a Leica. While the Nikon Z6III certainly isn't an entry-level camera, it's much more affordable than most of Leica's offerings. It's also nice to see that Nikon currently isn't charging for access to this feature, though it's possible that'll change in the future.

These changes are important because they could represent a turning point for Content Credentials. While the standard is backed by the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA), a veritable who's who of imaging tech, its future as an important part of imaging and trust on the internet hasn't necessarily been assured.

As it stands now, an image with Content Credentials may get a special badge on some sites, and you can inspect images to see if they have them with various tools. However, very few people on the web are liable to do that, because almost no images have them. They may be useful to newshounds consuming a lot of photojournalism as proof that an image is authentic (or, at least, not faked in a very specific way), but if you only trusted images with Content Credentials, you'd end up thinking every image you saw on the Internet was fake*.

If the tech makes its way into the cameras most people are actually using, though, that could start to change. The presence or absence of Content Credentials could become a meaningful contribution to an image's trustworthiness, rather than just being a curiosity. While it certainly wouldn't be a silver bullet against mis- and disinformation and the rise of generative AI, it could wind up being a more useful tool if it's something you can come to rely on most authentically-shot images having.

While that future seems more likely now after this week, it is still a long way off. One of the issues with Content Credentials is that every link in the chain from your camera to the device it's displayed on needs to support them. If you edit them with software or upload them to a service that strips out the metadata, it won't do you or your viewers any good.

But while the ecosystem around them is still young, it's obviously growing. Recently, Fastly, a massive content delivery network, joined Cloudflare in announcing that a vital part of its image pipeline will now preserve Content Credentials, and Adobe is making strides in ensuring that most of its software works with them, too.

The weakest link may still be web browsers, as the major ones currently don't flag images that have credentials unless you install a third-party extension. Even just Chrome making it seamless to see and inspect Content Credentials could do a lot to boost consumer awareness of the tech.

That doesn't feel impossible, though. Until now, there's arguably been a chicken-and-egg problem with Content Credentials and the web; almost no one was using them, so it was hard to justify putting in the work to support them. But if Nikon and Google end up being just the tip of the iceberg, we could see a lot more demand for the tech coming soon.

* Admittedly, there are probably worse assumptions to make.

Two weeks ago, we started our new 'Question of the week' series in our forums. The series aims to get our vibrant community (that's you) thinking and talking about a range of photography-related topics. We'll be sharing a question every other Wednesday, and, at times, we'll also be sharing our favorite responses on the homepage. It's an opportunity to receive recognition for participating in these discussions and our way of highlighting our incredible community.

Without further ado, let's dive into our second 'Question of the week!"

Last time, we asked, "What five questions should you ask yourself when buying a new camera?" You all had some great advice to share (and still do, as comments are still coming in). But we thought one common topic warranted further discussion: lenses. After all, there's a lot to think about when buying a new lens.

So, this week, we are sticking to a familiar format: What five questions should you ask yourself when buying a new lens? Whether you're adding to an extensive collection or just starting to build out your kit, we want to know the five most important things you should consider when shopping for a new lens.

For those of us in the US, it's a holiday weekend, so we'll share our favorite responses in a post on the homepage on Tuesday; be sure to get your responses in to the forum post before then!

Click here to answer the Question of the week

Nikon has announced firmware version 2.0 for the Z6III, adding a dedicated bird mode autofocus mode, in-camera focus limiter, focus shift shooting and more. As part of the firmware update, the camera will also open up the ability to sign photos with C2PA-compliant Content Creditals to everyone, not just pros.

If you've read our coverage on the Nikon Z8's latest firmware, most of the features in this update will likely sound familiar. Perhaps the most exciting for Z6III owners, though, is the addition of bird mode autofocus.

While the Z6III could recognize birds as a subject, its algorithms weren't as advanced as the ones from the Z9 and Z8 when it came to picking them out against high-contrast backgrounds, or keeping up with them in flight. The updated bird detection should increase the Z6III's accuracy when it's tracking small, fast birds, or species that don't look all that similar to other birds.

The Z6III is finally getting the more advanced bird autofocus that's been available in not just the Z8 and Z9, but the Zf and Z50II as well.
Image: Nikon

The absence of bird mode autofocus on the Z6III was especially odd since cheaper, lower-performance cameras like the Nikon Zf and Z50II had it, leading to Nikon pre-announcing that it would be coming to its capable all-rounder by the end of 2025. Now, it's finally here, a fair bit ahead of the deadline.

Another update to the autofocus system is the addition of in-camera focus limiter settings, which let you add precise distance limits on how close and/or far away you want the camera to search for a subject. While some lenses have a similar feature built in, being able to set limits in software lets you use the feature with any lens, which can help make the autofocus even more precise, as it can ignore anything outside of the window you've specified.

The camera also gains the ability to shift focus while taking high-resolution multi-shot images with its pixel shift function. That allows you to get a deeper depth-of-field in your images, though the feature unfortunately doesn't work in camera; like with regular pixel shift images, you'll have to process the focus stacking using Nikon's desktop NX Studio software.

The Z6III is also getting the 'Auto Capture' feature from the Z8 and Z9, which lets you set up the camera to automatically take a burst of pictures when certain conditions are met. For example, you could set it to release the shutter when the camera detects something moving in a specific direction, or when something enters the scene a certain distance away. It can also be combined with bird mode, taking a burst of photos when the autofocus system recognizes a bird in your selected area of the frame.

While we've covered the headline features, there are still many other things the update brings to the Z6III; Nikon told us there were over 70 features that have been added, enhanced or upgraded with V2.0. For example, you can now use the camera as a USB webcam without the need for extra drivers or software, thanks to UVC, and it's also compatible with Nikon's NX Field software, letting pro shooters control multiple cameras at once.

While the V2.0 update brings the Z6III up-to-date with the rest of Nikon's lineup in terms of features, it also introduces something new: widespread support for C2PA Content Credentials. While Nikon has piloted support for the cryptographic metadata on the Z6III, it's only been available to pros, similar to Sony's implementation.

Now, though, even Z6III owners who don't work for press agencies will be able to use Content Credentials to verify that their photos were shot with a camera rather than generated by AI. You'll need to generate a certificate and install it to your camera via Nikon's Imaging Cloud, but the process is free (though Nikon did say that was "for now").

Nikon promised this update late last year, but it's exciting to see that it's finally here, and that it won't just be limited to a select group of users.

You can see a complete run-down of all the features included in the update on Nikon's website. You can download it for free now.

Buy now:

Press Release:

Support for a dedicated [Birds] mode for subject detection and the “Nikon Authenticity Service” that increases the credibility of images

MELVILLE, NY (August 27, 2025) – Nikon Inc. is pleased to announce the release of firmware version 2.00 for its full-frame/FX-format mirrorless camera, the Nikon Z6III. This marks the first major update since the launch of the Z6III and introduces several features equivalent to those found in the flagship Nikon Z9 and Nikon Z8.

With its already incredible high-speed performance, this firmware update adds the long-awaited [Birds] mode to subject detection, offering an enhanced shooting experience for both still and videos. Plus, the Auto Capture function now enables automatic shooting under pre-configured conditions, supporting flexible shooting styles tailored to various situations.

Additionally, for the first time for a Nikon product, the Z6III supports the Nikon Authenticity Service*1 – a solution primarily aimed at media organizations and creators who require a high level of trustworthiness in their work. The service is compatible with the C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity) standard, clearly recording provenance information from shooting through to editing to ensure greater transparency and reliability of content.

Nikon will continue to enhance its products through firmware updates that address user needs, while also fostering an environment in which all photographers and creators can engage in creative and professional activities with confidence and peace of mind.

Improved Subject Detection with Dedicated [Birds] Mode

A dedicated [Birds] mode has been added to the Z6III’s subject-detection options. When [Birds] mode is selected, the camera automatically tracks birds in flight with great precision, keeping them in focus even against complex, high-contrast backgrounds such as forests and rocky mountains. This allows photographers to concentrate on framing images, helping to meet their expectations. There is also a [Focus limiter setting] that can be assigned to a custom control to limit the shooting distance range, for more accurate focusing on the desired subject. In addition, the [JPEG fine] image quality setting can now be selected when Pre-Release Capture, which records images for up to one second before the shutter-release button is fully pressed, is used during full-frame shooting at 60 fps. This makes it possible to capture the moment a bird takes flight with superior image quality.

C2PA Compliance With Image Provenance Function

Nikon is committed to developing an image provenance function that supports confirmation of image authenticity, aiming to protect individuals and enterprises in the imaging industry from any unfavorable results caused by falsification and/or image manipulation, and to realize a society in which creative and business activities can be conducted with greater peace of mind. Z6III firmware version 2.00 includes an image provenance function that complies with the C2PA standard and is part of the Nikon Authenticity Service. By making a prior request through Nikon Imaging Cloud, users can load the digital certificate necessary for recording provenance data onto the Z6III.

The image provenance function adds metadata – such as information about the equipment used and data that makes it easy to verify whether the image has been tampered with, including a digital signature – to captured image files. This enables users to prove that a photo was taken with a Nikon camera.*2 If the image is then edited repeatedly using C2PA-compliant editing software, additional provenance information can be embedded in the image alongside the original shooting data, making it possible to prove that no misleading edits have been made.*3 In addition, image provenance data can be viewed in Nikon Imaging Cloud.

*1 There are some restrictions on shooting when the image provenance function is enabled.
*2 Provenance information is not embedded in images that are edited in-camera.

Auto Capture Function Expands Shooting Possibilities in Any A Variety Of Situations

Firmware version 2.00 adds the Auto Capture function, which enables automatic shooting with pre-configured conditions. This allows users to specify the subject type, direction of movement, and shooting distance range*4 to capture previously difficult scenes, such as those that require shooting in places or positions where photographers would disturb their subject. The function is also equipped with a scheduling feature that allows the user to specify the day and time to initiate Auto Capture in advance, reducing battery consumption between camera setup and the start of shooting. In combination with a USB-to-Ethernet adapter*5, it enables high-speed data transfer even to remote destinations, meeting the high demands of professional environments.

Expanded Functions and Improvements to Operability

• An [Automatic monitor display switch] function for disabling the eye sensor when the vari-angle monitor is deployed has been added, a first for the Nikon Z series.
• A function that allows users to exit the zoom view with a half-press of the shutter-release button when the focus mode is set to manual has been added.
• Pixel shift shooting can now be used in combination with focus shift shooting or AE bracketing settings for more precise photographic expression than ever before.
• A [Recall shooting functions] option that allows users to recall previously stored settings – including shooting mode, shutter speed, aperture value, and ISO sensitivity – with the press of a button has been added to the roles that can be assigned to a custom control.
• Adds support for USB streaming (UVC/UAC), which allows the camera to be used as a webcam by simply connecting it to a computer or smartphone.
• By default, firmware updates are now installed automatically after the camera connects to Nikon Imaging Cloud (a note about setting the camera’s date and time has been added to the instructions for connecting to the cloud to prevent connection errors between Nikon Imaging Cloud and the camera).
• Operation has been simplified by automatically displaying an update confirmation dialog on the camera monitor after registering an imaging recipe in Nikon Imaging Cloud.

Nikon Z6III owners can visit the website here to learn more about the new firmware. Nikon will continue to enhance its products through firmware updates that address user needs, while also fostering an environment in which all photographers and creators can engage in creative and professional activities with confidence and peace of mind.

*1 To use the service, registration with Nikon Imaging Cloud and an application for the use of a digital certificate are required. Also, it may not be available in some countries or regions.

*2 There are some restrictions on shooting when the image provenance function is enabled.

*3 Provenance information is not embedded in images that are edited in-camera.

*4 The [Advanced: Distance] feature can be used when a NIKKOR Z lens is attached. It may not function with other lenses.

*5 Commercially available USB-to-Ethernet adapter with a USB Type-C connector is required. Please refer to the user manual for a list of USB-LAN adapters that have been confirmed to work correctly.

Earlier this year Laowa introduced the 8-15mm F2.8, a fisheye zoom lens for a variety of full-frame mounts. Now, it's bringing the lens to medium format mounts, introducing a version of it for Fujifilm's GFX mount and Hasselblad's XCD.

The lens is a unique offering for creative shots. When it was first announced, the company pitched it as an option that would allow users to select between a circular image with black edges at the wide end, and a diagonal fisheye image that fills the entire rectangle of the image when zoomed to 15mm. It also offers a fast F2.8 aperture for low-light use.

However, it's a bit of a different story with the new medium format versions. While the mounts may fit on cameras with larger sensors, the optics are still designed for full-frame. As a result, it will not fully cover the image circle of the medium-format cameras. even when at 15mm. At 8mm, there is a lot of space around the circular fisheye image. At 15mm, where the full-frame versions fill the frame, the medium format versions will still have black corners.

Laowa says that the new mount versions are still compact and lightweight. Both versions weigh roughly 650g (1.4 lbs). The FFX model is 101.2mm (3.98") long, while the XCD version is 96.36mm (3.79") long.

The Laowa 8-15mm F2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye lens for GFX and XCD mounts are available for purchase for $699.

Press release:

Anhui, China, August 26, 2025 – Laowa is thrilled to introduce GFX and XCD mount options for its 8–15mm f/2.8 full-frame zoom fisheye lens. Originally crafted for full-frame systems, this lens now brings its signature circular fisheye effect to Fujifilm GFX and Hasselblad XCD medium-format cameras. While the image doesn’t fully cover the larger sensor area, photographers can creatively crop to achieve their desired composition—unlocking fresh possibilities for imaginative framing and bold visual storytelling.

Overview of the Laowa 8–15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye Lens

The Laowa 8–15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye is a full-frame lens designed to deliver exceptional creative flexibility through its dual fisheye capabilities. Offering both a 180° circular fisheye and a diagonal fisheye effect, users can effortlessly switch between two distinct visual styles to suit their artistic vision. With a constant f/2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range, the lens performs brilliantly in low-light environments and enables faster shutter speeds—ideal for capturing dynamic scenes such as sports or action shots. Its close 16cm (6.3") minimum focusing distance empowers photographers and videographers to get up close and personal with their subjects, producing dramatic compositions with bold fisheye distortion and immersive visual impact.

Previously available in full-frame mounts including Sony E, Nikon Z, L mount, and Canon RF, the lens is now expanding its compatibility with the addition of GFX and XCD mount options for medium-format users. Despite the new mounts, the lens remains lightweight and compact, measuring 101.2mm × Ø76.4mm (GFX) and 96.36mm × Ø76.4mm (XCD), with a weight of approximately 650g.

Performance on Medium Format Cameras

When paired with medium-format systems like Fujifilm GFX or Hasselblad XCD, the Laowa 8–15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye delivers a unique visual experience—producing a bold circular fisheye image at 8mm and a broader diagonal fisheye effect at 15mm. As the lens was originally designed for full-frame cameras, its image circle doesn't fully cover the larger medium-format sensor, resulting in a circular or partially cropped frame. Photographers can embrace this dramatic aesthetic or crop the image to suit their desired composition, unlocking fresh opportunities for playful framing and creative exploration on medium-format platforms.

The Laowa 8–15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye delivers its most complete circular fisheye effect at 10mm.

Creative Cropping Possibilities

In addition to its distinctive fisheye rendering, the Laowa 8–15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye opens up a world of creative cropping options for medium-format users. One standout choice is the XPan-style 65:24 panoramic crop, a favorite among GFX and XCD shooters for transforming circular fisheye images into cinematic, widescreen compositions. Photographers can also experiment with classic aspect ratios like 4:3, 1:1, and 16:9—each offering a unique interplay of scale, framing, and perspective.
Thanks to the high-resolution capabilities of modern medium-format sensors and the lens’s superb optical performance, these crops retain remarkable detail while inviting fresh interpretations of fisheye photography. Whether aiming for dramatic panoramas or balanced square frames, users can craft visuals that are both technically sharp and artistically bold.

Pricing & Availability

LAOWA 8-15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye (GFX and XCD Mount) are available to purchase via Venus Optics official website (Home - LAOWA Camera Lenses) and authorized resellers from the 26th August, 2025.

The US price is $699. Pricing varies in different countries.