Awards
Cameras continued Lenses
BEST VIDEO-FOCUSED CAMERA
BEST WIDE-ANGLE LENS
BEST TELEPHOTO LENS
BEST SUPERZOOM LENS
WINNER Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR
WINNER Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM There are some phenomenal long lenses in our shortlist, but the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM reigns supreme. Its 5x range enables tighter crops and shots, while the superb performance even at maximum aperture has made this lens a must-buy for wildlife photographer. With a nano USM motor for slick, responsive and near-silent AF and an optical image stabiliser with 5EV benefit (6EV with IBIS-equipped cameras), handling of this lens is exemplary. It also focuses close for a long lens – 90cm at 100mm and 120cm at 500mm. ALSO NOMINATED: Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM Fujifilm XF56mm f/1.2 R WR Fujifilm XF150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 FE II Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD Zeiss Otus 100mm f/1.4
Extra-low dispersion and aspherical glass elements in this Z lens keep distortion controlled throughout the whole zoom range, while flare and ghosting are minimised thanks to Nikon’s Arneo coating. ALSO NOMINATED: Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM Canon RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM Fujifilm XF18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR Nikon Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Samyang AF 35-150mm f/2-2.8 FE
WINNER Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Art
WINNER Nikon Z 8
Leading independent lens brand Sigma has an extensive selection of lenses in its range, but this superfast ultra wide is one of its most remarkable. It’s the world’s first 14mm prime lens with an f/1.4 maximum aperture. While it appeals to scenic and interior photographers, there’s an extra attraction to astro shooters where its fast speed comes in useful.
The Nikon Z 8 has brilliant stills skills with its stacked 45.7-megapixel CMOS sensor; it can record Raws at 20fps and its big buffer allows sustained burst shooting. The 493-point AF system has 3D tracking, subject detection and deep-learning algorithms for superfast and accurate focusing. When it comes to video, the Z 8 can shoot up to 8K/30p for 90 minutes and 4K/30p for over two hours. There is a wide choice of recording formats including Nikon Raw, ProRes Raw or in 8- or 10-bit in MOV H.265. Whether you want great out-of-camera footage or Raw video that gives you the potential of colour grading and contrast control in editing, the Z8 does not disappoint.
ALSO NOMINATED: Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM Fujifilm XF8mm f/3.5 R WR Irix 21mm f/1.4 Laowa Argus 28mm f/1.2 FF
Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD
BEST STANDARD LENS
Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S Nikon Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm f/2.8 Power OIS Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM Art
ALSO NOMINATED:
Blackmagic PCC 6K G2 Canon EOS C70 Canon EOS R5 C Kinefinity Mavo Edge 6K Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 II X Red Komodo 6K Sony FX30 Z Cam E2-F6
Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG DN Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Voigtlander 29mm f/0.8 Super Nokton
WINNER Nikon Z 28-75mm f/2.8
Nikon’s Z series features many exotic optics – this could seem one of its less spectacular. But a closer look shows the smaller zoom range helps keep bulk to a minimum, making it the perfect photowalk lens. ALSO NOMINATED: Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM Fujifilm XF16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR Irix 45mm f/1.4 Dragonfly Laowa Argus 35mm f/0.95 FF OM System M.Zuiko Digital 20mm f/1.4 Pro
BEST MACRO LENS
BEST BRIDGE/COMPACT CAMERA
Panasonic Lumix S 50mm f/1.8 Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE II Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD Tokina Opera 50mm f/1.4 FF
Editor’s Choice: Samyang AF 75mm f/1.8 FE
WINNER Leica Q3
WINNER Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro
Samyang is renowned for offering impressive performance at affordable prices, and this holds true with the AF 75mm. Weighing just 230g and measuring 69mm, it’s a perfect companion for everyday photography – excelling with portraits. Shooting wide open produces large and beautiful background bokeh, while the advanced optical formula ensures excellent sharpness across the frame with minimal aberrations. AF is delivered by Samyang’s stepping motor working quietly, quickly and accurately even when close to its 69cm minimum focusing distance. Sony E-mount and Fujifilm X Mount camera owners on the lookout for a quality portrait AF lens at a great price should check out this dinky little lens. Roger Payne – Editor
Compact cameras have almost vanished off the face of the earth, but Leica’s unique approach has resulted in stunning machines such as its Q3. The camera offers three resolutions (60, 36 and 18 megapixels) and is fitted with the Summilux 28m f/1.7 lens with a macro mode. It has an advanced AF system with 315 zones and various focus detection options. The Q3 is also built to be durable, and includes IP52 dust- and splash-proof rating.
The Sigma 105mm f/2.8 is available in Sony E-mount and Leica L-Mount. While the lens has a macro tag, the focal length is great for flattering portraits at a comfortable working distance. Notably, the macro potential boasts a minimum focusing distance of 29.5cm, allowing life-size magnification. ALSO NOMINATED: Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Fujifilm XF30mm f/2.8 R LM WR Macro Fujifilm XF80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm f/3.5 Macro IS Pro Voigtlander 110mm f/2.5 Macro APO-Lanthar
Editor’s Choice: Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4
The sleek design and smooth focusing action of the Zeiss Otus make it an utter joy. Optical performance proves sharp wide open and improves when stopping down – and it’s resistant to flare. The downside? It’s only made in Canon EF and Nikon F mounts. Roger Payne – Editor
ALSO NOMINATED: Canon Powershot G7 X Mark III Fujifilm X100V Nikon Coolpix P950 Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 Ricoh GR IIIx Sony RX100 VII Sony ZV-1 Mark II
16 Photography News | Issue 113
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