One of the last great truly great DSLRs to come out was the full-frame Nikon D850. In our original review, we praised it for being ‘the perfect blend of high-resolution, speed and performance. It is possibly the high-water mark of DSLR design – a classic.’

Via this Amazon bundle deal, you can get the Nikon D850 DSLR with a camera bag, cleaning kit, capacious 128MB memory card (SanDisk) and much more for $1,999. Ok, there is no lens, but Nikon F mount lenses are great value and there is a vast choice. Stock is limited on the D850 though so don’t delay.

Nikon D850 key features

• 45.4million-pixel FX format sensor
• 55-point AF system
• Nikon F-mount
• Wireless functionality
• ISO 64-102,400
• Records up to 4K video at 60fps

See more great deals below and check out John Gilbey’s recent long-term test of the Nikon D850 here.

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From DxO: DxO PhotoLab ⁹ features DeepPRIME pioneering technology that will transform your RAW files beyond what you thought possible. Get noise-free results, vibrant colors, and spectacular detail.

Use DeepPRIME XD2s for your most challenging files, and DeepPRIME XD3 X‑Trans for Fujifilm RAW images. The intensive processing eliminates noise and recovers details from extremely high-ISO RAW files captured in low-light conditions like never before, giving you the true potential of your camera.

Discover DeepPRIME XD3 X-Trans – Achieve the true image quality of your Fujifilm camera with the next generation of noise reduction and detail extraction for Fujifilm X-Trans sensors. In DxO PureRAW 5.3, this groundbreaking technology emerges from beta and now supports all Fujifilm X-Trans cameras.

New with DxO PhotoLab 9 – Introducing DxO AI Masks, new AI Masks harness the power of artificial intelligence to create smart, pixel-precise selections which can be combined with U Point Technology enabling the photographer to make image adjustments faster and easier than ever before. Select the sky, to enhance it, then select different objects with the image to make other image adjustments to achieve the image quality you desire. Photographers can even apply localised noise reduction and lens sharpness to their images to achieve great image fidelity.

DxO has worked on improving the workflow, introducing image stacking, and direct access to the project palette in customise mode. With PhotoLab 9, you get new batch renaming tools giving full control over image file names. 

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Makers spend millions making smartphone photography foolproof, but sometimes it’s good to bypass the JPEG processing, AI and other clever tech inside your phone handset – and simply shoot ‘raw.’

This gives you the original ‘raw’ image as captured by your iPhone without too much extra processing, so it puts you back in the driving seat when it comes to creative decisions.

Now, there is nothing wrong with JPEG or all the auto-fix everything and computational photography/AI features now built into iPhones, but as with conventional cameras, it’s useful to know how to shoot raw on your phone. Who doesn’t want the best-possible photos?

Case study: Zach Leon

A lot of pro smartphone photographers now shoot raw as a matter of course. To find out why, we caught up with Zach Leon, a successful iPhone photographer and influencer.

Originally from the US but a digital nomad since 2016, Zach Leon is always travelling and relies upon his iPhone to record his insights, passions and adventures. Below, Zach explains why he often chooses to shoot raw. See his website and @zachtheleon on Instagram. All image credits: Zach Leon.

Take back control

‘If we wish to carry our photo skills over to our phones, shooting raw is a great way to retain control over our images. Rather than relying on your phone to guess at your individual taste, shooting raw practically guarantees you will express it.

For a family photo or casual selfie with friends, the iPhone’s JPEGs do their job well, but if you’ve left your dedicated camera at home or you’d like to take your mobile shots to the next level, consider shooting raw.

With a minimally processed image and exposure controls at your fingertips, you can ensure your creative vision is realised.

Nailing the shot on your iPhone

Shooting raw comes with its benefits, namely extra latitude when you come to edit your images, as no additional processing has been applied by the phone. But what can we do to ensure we’re getting the best results before taking the shot?

Tied for first and second is nailing composition and focus. These two can’t be altered in editing, so it’s important to get them right the first time. Then, my advice regarding composition would be to get in close. I’m a 35mm guy, so I’m not used to the 28mm or wider lens in my phone. I often find myself taking two or three steps closer to get the shot I want.

As for focus, tap your screen where you want to set it, or, if it’s a particularly important shot, shift into manual focus to override the phone’s estimation. Third, and finally, set your exposure as you want it.

If you want dark shadows, make them dark. Relying on post-processing to fix poor/incorrect exposure can be a pain and could unnecessarily degrade your image.

How to activate raw shooting

I prefer to use an iPhone 13 – you’ve been able to shoot raw on iPhones since 2016 – but Android phones are fine for shooting raw, too. Simply go to your iPhone Settings> Camera>Formats, then turn on Apple ProRAW or ProRAW & Resolution Control (depending on your model).

I’ve found that Lightroom Mobile does the trick for me and I use it for both my shooting and editing. In terms of shooting, I’ve added the Lightroom widget to my home screen, making it only one extra gesture away compared to the Apple camera app.

Within the app I can adjust my exposure, white balance, shutter speed and more. After I’ve taken the photo, it appears in the gallery portion of the app, ready to be processed and exported.

The beauty of using Lightroom Mobile is that I can easily access and adjust my presets. Ultimately, this seamless set-up encourages me to shoot raw on my phone whenever I go to take a photo, providing me with exactly what I need to reach my mobile photography goals.

Don’t forget to edit the photos, too

I mentioned Lightroom Mobile earlier, and when shooting raw on your phone, editing is a necessity. You can end up with a flat, seemingly lifeless image, and it’s up to you to revive it. Personally, I start by applying one of my mobile presets. I use these as a base for the sake of consistency, followed by minor, individual adjustments.

Within the presets are general things like tone curve adjustments, tweaks to shadows and highlights, and common colour shifts. Afterward, I’ll make final adjustments to my exposure and white balance, as the presets don’t account for each image’s specific requirements.

It may seem an extra burden, but playing around at the editing stage is half the fun. This is where your taste really comes through – where the photo becomes wholly yours, rather than what the phone maker thinks you want.’

Further reading
I review iPhones for a living: these are the best iPhones for photography

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And so surely a mirrorless camera, already less bulky than a DSLR, will prove a better bet than a smaller sensor incorporating point-and-shoot compact? Even if one will fit into my swimming shorts and the other most definitely won’t. A fair assumption to make, right?

However, assumption is not always born out in practice.

If I’m not looking to make wall sized prints from whatever I’ll be shooting and it’s more about preserving a memory of people and place than creating something the National Portrait Gallery might want, a compact snapshot would seem the clear winner. With the bonus that it doesn’t immediately identify me as a ‘professional’ photographer, or the owner of expensive gear that may prove a lure for local pick pockets.

A recent trip to Pollença in Majorca found me capturing the colourful scenes and fruit at the local Sunday market. The two 16MP cameras I had with me on my travels were the decade-old Olympus PEN E-PL7 mirrorless with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 compact zoom and, by contrast, the point-and-shoot Stylus TG-870, otherwise known as the Olympus ‘Tough’, with its own internally stacked 5x optical zoom. It can survive being dunked in the sea or used by teenagers, plus it’s also less obvious and intrusive.

Only when I brought my mirrorless camera out to capture the façade of the church in the square did a local biker perched on the front wall suddenly show an interest, waving me away with a furrowed brow and indicating he didn’t want to be included in any shot. Would I have got the same reaction with gear that instead suggested ‘happy snapper’?

So, another thing to bear in mind on my travels is people are much more wary and suspicious when it comes to street photography in this digital age, how images may be used and where they might end up – even, it seems, in a busy tourist location. Cartier Bresson’s decisive moment has become a moment of possible tension. In such circumstances an unobtrusive snapshot or smartphone becomes a plus, a more ‘obvious’ high end camera becomes a con.

E-PL7 · f/11 · 1/1000s · 42mm · ISO1000

That said, whether there are people in my scene or not, a larger sensor, in the case of the E-PL7 a Four Thirds 17.3x13mm CMOS chip, remains an advantage. Not least in giving me the ability to crop the image and still preserve a good amount of information and detail. Whereas cropping an image from a 1/2.3-inch sensor, as found in my TG-870 ‘Tough’, will potentially result in visible degradation of the image when viewed 100% – but not always. Naturally it depends on the size of my crop.

TG-870 · f/5.1 · 1/200s · 12.6mm · ISO125

Traveling anywhere with a camera runs the risk of damage in transit, the lens getting elbowed in a busy throng, or worst of all, stolen. For these reasons again a compact camera, more affordable than a compact system camera / mirrorless, gets another tick, with a ‘toughened’ compact, like the TG-870, the most sensible choice of all. It’s not like I feel I’m missing out in terms of handling. After all, more recent compacts, though thinner on the ground than a decade ago, feature Wi-Fi, touch screens and typically 4K, 30fps video capture alongside 16MP or 20MP stills.

But I feel I’m being cleverest when I pair the above with a compact and lightweight mirrorless like the E-PL7 that is neither much deeper in profile – save for the addition of a compact, removable zoom lens – or a great deal weightier overall. The E-PL7 is a manageable 357g without lens, compared with 221g for the TG-870.

In which case it simply comes down to my pulling the mirrorless out of my rucksack when I’m feeling artistic and want to capture as much detail as its sensor and glass gives me. And then using the point-and-shoot snapshot for when I’m at the beach, by the pool, or simply want something I can sling in the rucksack and go about my business stress-free.

So, to sum up the pros and cons of each, while I feel the mirrorless camera is giving me better image quality and more manual control, the compact snapper provides greater portability and, in generally being much cheaper, there’s less concern during transportation – in that it’s not as much of a gut punch if something happens to it.

Yes, I can’t change the lens on the point-and-shoot, but its short focal length zoom is adequate for everyday snaps and achieving wide-angle landscapes, group shots or close-up selfies.

Fine quality (least compression) JPEGs straight out of the compact reveal well saturated colours, even if, when scrutinising enlarged sections, they’re a little less well defined and lacking in contrast compared with my mirrorless, which has maintained shadow and corner detail much better.

But viewed standalone, if you know you’re going somewhere with plenty of natural daylight and mostly bright blue skies, and aren’t aiming for creative shallow depth of field or bokeh style effects, then a compact snapper will do just fine for family holidays. Even if I’ll still be tempted to reach for the mirrorless when I know a scene or a subject is potentially a ‘keeper’ and so want to capture it in the best quality available to me ain that moment

Ultimately, accepted photographic wisdom dictates that the best camera for the job is the camera you have with you. Even if, for 90% of photographers, that ‘camera’ is neither a dedicated compact nor mirrorless, but a smartphone.

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The Nikon Zf at a glance:

• 24.5MP full-frame sensor
• ISO 100-64,000 (standard)
• Up to 14fps continuous shooting
• 3.69m-dot, 0.8x EVF
• 3.2in, fully articulated touchscreen
• 4K 30p video; 4K 60p (1.5x crop); Full HD 120p
• Nikon Zf in-depth review

From Nikon: Nikon Inc. is pleased to announce the release of a new silver edition of the full-frame/FX-format Nikon Z f mirrorless camera. The Nikon Z f combines a timeless design inspired by an iconic Nikon film camera with the superior performance of a full-frame mirrorless camera.

Three new Premium Exterior^*1, color options will also be available, providing more choices for users to customize the color of their Z f camera body^*. Additionally, the Zf will support a new Film Grain feature that adds grain to photos and videos, further expanding creative possibilities.

Designed to resemble the silver plating on film-era cameras like the Nikon F, the metallic texture creates an authentic feel suited to the premium, full-frame retro design. Three new Premium Exteriors color options have been added: Cognac Brown, Teal Blue, and Mauve Pink – all with an embossed texture. These are subtle, yet elegant tones that complement the silver body, providing more options for customizing the exterior of the camera than ever before. In addition to the three colors, Moss Green, Stone Gray, Sepia Brown are available –allowing for six color variations in total. Additionally, the sophisticated design will help inspire users every time they pick up the camera.

A Film Grain Feature for Film-Like Expression
A future firmware update for the Nikon Z f will offer the new Film Grain feature, which adds grain to photos and videos. Users will be able to achieve more creative imaging expression in accordance with the scene and their intent by adjusting grain size (3 options) and strength (6 options). By combining this feature with Imaging Recipes, (downloadable imaging presets created by Nikon and creators) and Picture Controls, users will enjoy film-like expression tailored to their personal and creative style. This update is scheduled for release within 2025.

Price and Availability
The new Nikon Z f Silver Edition will be available in late September for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $2,199.95, or $2,299.95* for the new premium exterior options. For more information about the latest Nikon products, including the vast collection of NIKKOR Z lenses and the entire line of Z series cameras, *please visit nikonusa.com.

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The Nikon Coolpix P950 is a classic example of a superzoom bridge camera, so don’t let this bumper bundle deal on Amazon US pass you by (these cameras are getting harder and harder to find).

Along with the camera, you get a quality 64GB memory card, tripod, a stylish bag and other genuinely useful accessories.

In our original review, we praised the Nikon Coolpix P950 for being a more than satisfactory camera. Check out this attractive bundle deal below.

Nikon Coolpix P950 key features

• 16MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor
• 24-2000mm equivalent f/2.8-6.5 lens (83x optical zoom)
• Micro USB in-camera charging
• 4K/30p video recording
• 3.2-inch, 921k-dot vari-angle TFT LCD
• 0.39-inch OLED EVF 2360k-dots

See more great deals below.

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It’s hard to imagine a band more photographed, mythologised, and lionised than Oasis. Yet Jill Furmanovsky’s new tome, Oasis: Trying to Find a Way Out of Nowhere, proves there are still fresh ways to see the Gallagher brothers and their swaggering cohorts. Furmanovsky, who has photographed rock royalty from Pink Floyd to Amy Winehouse, brings not just her lens but her loyalty — she’s been embedded with Oasis since their first thunderclap in 1994.

Chaos, Charisma and Close-Ups

The book, boasting over 500 images, is less a greatest hits package than a cinematic reel of chaos and charisma. We get the candid backstage moments, the sweat-drenched stage shots, the tumbleweed quiet of airports and hotel lobbies. Furmanovsky is there for the explosions and the implosions — the wide-eyed beginnings of Definitely Maybe, the cocaine-fuzzed excess of Be Here Now, the weary grandeur of the later tours. She catches Liam in full messianic flight and Noel looking like the bemused general of a rogue army he can’t quite control.

What elevates this beyond the usual rock-photo cash-in is the intimacy. Furmanovsky’s access wasn’t granted, it was earned. The trust between band and photographer crackles on every page. You feel the proximity: the banter, the brawls, the fragile moments of stillness when the world wasn’t watching.

Noel the Reluctant Philosopher

Noel’s commentary, threaded through the book, adds extra bite. His words snap and spark like lighter fluid, part myth-making, part mischief. Reading him riff on the very images he lived through is like being in a pub lock-in with the world’s most reluctant rock philosopher.

The design is bold, the sequencing cinematic. Flip through and you don’t just relive Oasis — you re-enter the 1990s: the baggy jeans, the bucket hats, the union jacks repurposed as cultural armour. It’s Britpop in high definition, with the benefit of hindsight and the ache of nostalgia.

Is it a idol worship? Inevitably. But it’s also history. Furmanovsky has managed to pin down the lightning that was Oasis — a band forever on the brink of either world domination or self-destruction. For fans, this is essential. For doubters, it’s proof that sometimes the myth really was the man.

Oasis: Trying to Find a Way out of Nowhere by Jill Furmanovsky and Noel Gallagher

$65, Thames & Hudson, Hardback, 304 pages, ISBN: 9780500030646 : Published October 2025 – available to pre-order here

The post Oasis Returns to America — And So Do Their Glory Days appeared first on Amateur Photographer.

It’s also debatable how much Canon and Nikon are committed to the DSLR market, with no new models from these brands for roughly 5 years. Because of this, the most likely route to purchase for DSLRs, is going to be on the second-hand market, where you can get high-end models for bargain prices. Pentax are the only brand that say they are still focused on the DSLR market, but they only shipped 10,000 units in 2024.

• DSLR vs mirrorless: which is best?

Considering how much focus is now placed on mirrorless camera, with new cameras, and new lenses being released every year, from all brands, it makes sense to invest in these, especially if you care about warranty, and future releases. Mirrorless cameras have continued to evolve into high-speed, high-resolution models with the latest AI and auto-focus technology, with image quality improvements that are difficult to ignore.

Even though the mirrorless camera market is growing, with 5.22 million sales in 2024, this is nothing compared to the smartphone market, where it’s reported that 1.22 billion units were sold (source).

Related reading:

• Nikon now sells 11 mirrorless cameras for every DSLR
• In the DSLR market, there’s one winner, and nobody else even comes close
• Worldwide Mirrorless camera shipments up by 10% with one brand growing fastest

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Sources: DCLife.jp, via Nikonrumors.

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It will be interesting to see how these numbers look next year, as very few Nikon DSLRs are still available to buy new, and if you’re still looking to buy a DSLR, then another brand is likely to be more readily available.

• Worldwide Mirrorless camera shipments up by 10% with one clear winner growing fastest
• In the DSLR market, there’s one clear winner, and nobody else even comes close

In terms of DSLRs, there is only one brand left committed to DSLRs, and that’s Pentax who are releasing new models, and lenses (albeit sporadically). Nikon and Canon have both committed fully to mirrorless cameras and lenses, with no new DSLRs or DSLR lenses planned to be released. This does make buying new DSLRs and DSLR lenses more difficult, but if you’re prepared to buy second-hand, then some real bargains can be found.

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Sources: DCLife.jp, via Nikonrumors.

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Despite strong numbers from Canon, which are still down right impressive, this is in contrast to the mirrorless camera market which sells 5 cameras for ever 1 DSLR sold, with Canon selling over 2 million mirrorless models in 2024. It will be interesting to see how the market changes in 2025, when figures are released.

• Mirrorless camera shipments up by 10% with one clear winner growing fastest

Canon’s budget DSLR cameras include the Canon Rebel T7 / EOS 2000D, a camera that is often available for under $500 / £500 with a kit lens, making it one of the most affordable interchangeable lens cameras available, as most mirrorless cameras often cost a lot more.

At AP, I’m always left wondering how much of a wise investment a DSLR is, especially as Canon (and Nikon) are never going to release new lenses for this system, as they have entirely switched to releasing new mirrorless cameras and lenses. However, if price is a factor, and the lens you want is available (either new or second-hand), then a DSLR can still provide excellent images.

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Sources: DCLife.jp, via Nikonrumors.

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