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I’ve been testing film cameras for years, and the Lomography Lomo MC-A easily just became my favorite
7:35 pm | April 2, 2026
Author: admin | Category: Cameras Compact Cameras Computers Gadgets | Tags: | Comments: Off

Lomography Lomo MC-A: two-minute review

New additions to the ranks of the best film cameras are a lot more common in 2026 than they were a few years ago, with offerings arriving from the likes of Kodak, Rollei and Pentax.

Into this increasingly competitive market steps the Lomography Lomo MC-A. With a sleek metal chassis, this compact film camera looks and feels like a premium product. It puts a reassuring amount of weight in your hands, and a welcome degree of control at your fingertips. This is no simple point-and-shoot — the Lomo MC-A is something much more sophisticated.

Let’s run through the basics. The Lomography Lomo MC-A is a compact analog camera that takes 35mm film. It sports a 32mm Minitar-II lens with a five-element construction and a maximum aperture of f/2.8, and offers control of key settings like aperture (running up to f/16) and shutter speed (1/500 sec to bulb). It can read DX coding, meaning it can automatically detect a loaded film’s ISO speed, and it also has a flash, an exposure compensation dial, and a multiple-exposure mode.

Also key to its appeal is the autofocus — something of a rarity on analog compacts. The Lomo MC-A uses a zone-based focusing system, with focal distance settings for 0.4m, 0.8m, 1.5m, 3m and infinity. You can select your zone manually, or make use of the LiDAR-based autofocus system, which will analyse the scene and judge the correct zone to use.

While it's not going to give you anywhere near the level of responsiveness and accuracy of the autofocus systems in new digital mirrorless cameras, this system still makes the MC-A a much more photographically versatile camera than a simple fixed-focus point-and-shoot, allowing you to home in on a specific subject in the frame for dynamic imagery.

Man's hand holding the Lomography Lomo MC-A analog compact camera, front-facing, with lens cap on

(Image credit: Future | Jon Stapley)

In a world where cheap film cameras are not hard to come by, the $549 / £499 / AU$799 Lomo MC-A might sound like a bit of an ask. But it has the potential to give you much better images than a point-and-shoot like the $99 Kodak Snapic A1, or than the $60 point-and-shoot from the 1990s you found at a garage sale.

Of course, the flip-side of this is that it makes the camera a little trickier to get to grips with. With the ability to focus comes the ability to mis-focus; and with the ability to control exposure comes the potential for misjudging it.

However, I’ve spent a considerable amount of time with the Lomography MC-A, and in my opinion it’s the best new film camera you can buy. It’s more versatile than the cheap point-and-shoots, and provides better value for money than the overpriced half-frame Pentax 17.

It’s not without its quirks and issues, which we'll get into, but it consistently delivers great-looking imagery on beautiful 35mm film — and can you ask for much more than that? In my view, this is now the benchmark for new film cameras to meet.

Close view of Lomography MC-A film camera, showing 32mm f/2.8 lens

(Image credit: Future | Jon Stapley)

Lomography Lomo MC-A: price and availability

As mentioned, the Lomography MC-A is priced at $549 / £499 / AU$799. That puts it about on a par with the Pentax 17, and given that it’s a better-made camera offering full-frame quality rather than half-frame, I think it offers better value for money.

You also get plenty in the box in addition to the camera itself: a glass UV filter, a lens cap, a protective fabric wrap, a leather hand strap, colored gel flash filters, a CR2 battery rechargeable via USB-C, a Splitzer lens attachment (for creating split-effect multiple exposures), a book of inspirational images, and a sticker sheet.

Lomography Lomo MC-A: design

  • Sturdy metal build feels hefty and premium
  • Viewfinder is a little cramped
  • Top LCD is neat, but practically not that useful

Your first reaction to picking up the Lomo MC-A will likely be to marvel at its heft. It's not a heavy camera in the grand scheme of things — you can use it one-handed without issue — but at 332g its metal-based build is substantially weightier than most modern point-and-shoots (which tend to be nothing but plastic). While I wouldn't risk dropping it, the MC-A feels reasonably tough, and I don't worry about it when it's in my bag — the supplied fabric wrap is also a help here.

Film-loading is simple — once the roll is secured in place, you simply make sure the leader is sitting with the perforations aligned to the teeth, and then close the back and you’re ready to go. The first time you load it, you might be a little dubious as to whether the film has actually taken, but the camera will warn you if it hasn't — and you can triple-check by winding on one frame and checking whether the rewind crank on the camera's base rotates as you do so.

The top LCD screen provides a counter of how many shots you’ve spent, as well as flash setting, focus setting and battery level. When you half-depress the shutter button the screen switches to displaying exposure information, though you’ll likely rarely see this, since when you half-depress the shutter button you’re almost certainly looking through the viewfinder.

Photograph of the Lomography Lomo MC-A, with grass visible in background, showing detail of top plate and LCD screen
Future | Jon Stapley
Photograph of the Lomography Lomo MC-A, with grass visible in background, showing wider view of top plate with engraving and dial controls
Future | Jon Stapley
Photograph of the Lomography Lomo MC-A, with grass visible in background, showing switch to set focusing distance
Future | Jon Stapley
Photograph of the Lomography Lomo MC-A, with grass visible in background, showing top plate dials, engraving and screen
Future | Jon Stapley
Photograph of the Lomography Lomo MC-A, with grass visible in background, showing detail of lens aperture ring
Future | Jon Stapley
Photograph of the Lomography Lomo MC-A, with grass visible in background, showing detail of top plate with controls and LCD screen
Future | Jon Stapley

The optical viewfinder does the job, but personally I find it quite small and cramped. A bigger viewfinder — maybe even one big enough for a readout of exposure information — would go a long way towards making composition feel more comfortable. There are two in-viewfinder LEDs, a blue one to let you know focus is locked, and an orange one to warn you if you’re getting a slow shutter speed that will likely cause image blur.

I find these lights a bit distracting and oblique, especially when the real-estate of the viewfinder is so small to begin with. A bigger viewfinder with room to display the exposure information displayed on the top LCD screen would have made much more sense to me.

Photograph of man's hand holding the Lomography Lomo MC-A analog compact camera, showing side-on view

(Image credit: Future | Jon Stapley)

Winding on film is done manually, via the delightfully retro-felling mechanical lever that springs back with a satisfying snap. The lever itself has quite a lot of travel, and you want to make sure you pull it all the way to the end with every frame – some users have reported a little bleed between frames, likely caused by the lever not being quite cranked far enough and the camera allowing the exposure anyway. In all my time with the MC-A, this only happened to me once, but it's worth being aware of.

Control of exposure is achieved via the dials on the top plate and the tiny aperture ring around the lens, which pops out from the front very slightly when the camera is activated. Settings can be dialed in manually or set to automated program mode, and in most situations, the camera will judge well enough that you can use the latter.

The tiny lens comes with an absolutely darling little lens cap. This is, I am embarrassed to report, incredibly easy to accidentally leave on — and the Lomo MC-A lacks a handy feature like the Pentax 17's ability to detect when the cap is on and refuse to capture an image until it's removed. If you're going to be taking the camera in and out of your pocket all day to capture little moments, I'd consider using the supplied clear UV filter as a lens protector instead. Just... trust me.

Overall though, the Lomo MC-A is a nicely designed object. Its premium metal build puts a reassuring weight in your hands, and the satisfying snap of the wind-on lever never gets old.

Lomography Lomo MC-A: performance

  • Autofocus works well once you're used to it
  • Lens is nicely sharp, though has a vignette
  • Exposure metering is solid

Ultimately, the image is the important thing, and I really liked a lot of the images I got back from the Lomo MC-A. The 5-zone autofocus system allows for the creation of much more dynamic and varied images than are possible with a fixed-focus compact.

You have to maintain some distance, as the camera isn’t one for close-focusing; the minimum claimed distance is 0.4m, but I would give it even more latitude than that. In general, it will probably take running a roll to get used to the ins and outs of the autofocus. Your first scans will likely have a fair few blurry misfires, until you get in the habit of slowing down, taking a breath, and waiting for that blue LED to turn solid before firing the shutter.

Once you get the hang of it though, you can capture images with a sharp main subject and a nicely defocused background, and even moving subjects as long as they're not too speedy. A striding pedestrian is perfectly possible to capture in a sharp image, but a speeding bike is a bit more of an ask.

Images offer a good level of detail. The 32mm lens allows you to fit plenty in the frame, without being so wide that the perspective becomes distorted and non-naturalistic, and its quality is sufficient to hold up to a bit of cropping if you want to hone in on your subject in editing.

There is a pronounced vignette to the lens, noticeable when you capture an image with a lot of empty space, like a big blue sky. It can also flare a little when shot into direct light, producing pronounced optical effects. I don’t mind these quirks, personally — I think they rather add to the low-fi feel. But if you’re looking for optical flawlessness, it ain’t here.

If I'm adding to my wishlist for the next MC-A, or future accessories for this one, a teleconverter for the lens could be an interesting way to expand its versatility.

Scan of Lomo MC-A image shot on Kodak Gold 200 showing London street scenes
Kodak Gold 200Future
Scan of Lomo MC-A image shot on Kodak Gold 200 showing London street scenes
Kodak Gold 200Future
Scan of Lomo MC-A image shot on Kodak Gold 200 showing London street scenes
Kodak Gold 200Future
Scan of Lomo MC-A image shot on Kodak Gold 200 showing London street scenes
Kodak Gold 200Future
Scan of Lomo MC-A image shot on Kodak Gold 200 showing London street scenes
Kodak Gold 200Future
Scan of Lomo MC-A image shot on Kodak Gold 200 showing London street scenes
Kodak Gold 200Future
Scan of Lomo MC-A image shot on Kodak Gold 200 showing London street scenes
Kodak Gold 200 (images like this are where you really notice the vignette)Future
Scan of Lomo MC-A image shot on Kodak Gold 200 showing London street scenes
Kodak Gold 200Future
Scan of Lomo MC-A photograph taken on Kodak ColorPlus 200, showing scenes from London's Hampstead and Camden
Kodak ColorPlus 200Future | Jon Stapley
Scan of Lomo MC-A photograph taken on Kodak ColorPlus 200, showing scenes from London's Hampstead and Camden
Kodak ColorPlus 200Future | Jon Stapley
Scan of Lomo MC-A photograph taken on Kodak ColorPlus 200, showing scenes from London's Hampstead and Camden
Kodak ColorPlus 200 (there's some pronounced flare from the direct light here)Future | Jon Stapley
Scan of Lomo MC-A photograph taken on Kodak ColorPlus 200, showing scenes from London's Hampstead and Camden
Kodak ColorPlus 200Future | Jon Stapley
Scan of Lomo MC-A photograph taken on Kodak ColorPlus 200, showing scenes from London's Hampstead and Camden
Kodak ColorPlus 200Future | Jon Stapley
Sample photograph from the Lomo MC-A shot on Lomography 400, showing scenes from London's Primrose Hill
Lomography 400Future | Jon Stapley
Sample photograph from the Lomo MC-A shot on Lomography 400, showing scenes from London's Primrose Hill
Lomography 400Future | Jon Stapley
Sample photograph from the Lomo MC-A shot on Lomography 400, showing scenes from London's Primrose Hill
Lomography 400Future | Jon Stapley

Realistically, you probably won't want to manually dial in your aperture and shutter speed for every single shot — and the good news here is that the Lomo MC-A's auto exposure modes generally do a commendable job.

I shot the majority of my test images using Aperture Priority mode – setting the aperture myself, and letting the camera handle shutter speeds. Exposures came back mostly well-balanced; I did notice a mild bias towards overexposure, particularly when the sun was out in full force, so you may want to consider dialing back half a stop using the exposure compensation dial if you think an image might run the risk of heavy glare.

Naturally, the look of your images is going to be predominantly dictated by the film you load. On my recent outings with the Lomo MC-A, I ran through some Kodak Gold 200, Kodak ColorPlus 200 and Lomography's own Lomo 400, the results of which you can see on this page.

I had the shots professionally developed, with scans at a resolution of 3130 x 2075, producing file sizes of around 5-7MB. I think the MC-A's lens is sharp enough that you could scan at higher resolutions than this.

Should I buy the Lomography Lomo MC-A?

Photograph of a man's hand holding the Lomography Lomo MC-A analog compact camera, front facing

(Image credit: Future | Jon Stapley)

Buy it if...

You want a new film compact
Avoiding the potential minefield of the used market, this is a camera you can be sure is going to work.

You want control over your images
A zone-based focusing system and a range of aperture and shutter speed settings provide photographic flexibility.

You like a proper retro feel
Everything from the vignetting lens to the delightful mechanical wind-on lever makes this camera a delightful throwback with real retro charm.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a tight budget
There are much cheaper ways to get hold of a camera that shoots film, whether you go for a new compact or try the second-hand market.

You want a flexible zoom lens
The 32mm prime locks you into a particular perspective – no bad thing in my opinion, but some may prefer a versatile zoom.

How I tested the Lomography Lomo MC-A

Photograph of Lomography Lomo MC-A standing in grass

(Image credit: Future | Jon Stapley)
  • I received a loan unit of the Lomography MC-A for testing, though I've since purchased one for myself.
  • I’ve run a total of five rolls of 35mm color film through the camera over about three months.
  • I’ve shot in variable light conditions and have taken the camera to a number of locations, mostly around London.

I’ve now rattled through five rolls of film with the Lomography MC-A, making for a total of around 180 frames. I’ve tried my hand at street photography with it to test the autofocus system, have shot landscape-style images from landmarks like London’s Primrose Hill, and have used both the auto and manual focusing and exposure modes. I’ve made it my main driver for several days out, as well as taking it on dedicated photo walks.

First reviewed March 2026

I had an absolute blast flying the DJI Avata 360 — it’s ‘the 360 drone to beat’
3:01 pm | March 26, 2026
Author: admin | Category: Cameras Computers Drones Gadgets | Tags: | Comments: Off

DJI Avata 360: one-minute review

Antigravity launched the world's first 360 camera drone in 2025, but now drone market-leader DJI has arrived with its own spin on the concept – and it's a quite different beast from the somewhat pedestrian Antigravity A1.

The clue's in the name: the DJI Avata 360 is not only a 360 drone but also an Avata drone — the latest model in DJI's line of sporty FPV flyers. If the A1 is a Fiat 500 (tiny, eye-catching, innovative, but not especially nippy), the Avata 360 is a VW Golf GTI – unassuming at first glance and much heavier, but faster, more responsive and more practical, yet (and here's where my automobile analogy breaks down) somehow cheaper too.

The Avata 360 looks a lot like the DJI Avata 2, or perhaps a larger DJI Neo 2, albeit with one obvious difference: its front-mounted camera has two lenses rather than one. Arranged on opposite faces of the gimbal, these record everything surrounding the drone (while using software to seamlessly unify the footage and remove any trace of the drone itself), allowing the user to re-frame footage in post-production using DJI's mobile or desktop apps.

@techradar

♬ original sound TechRadar

DJI Avata 360 drone on bright orange landing pad

The Fly More Combo bundles each include a sturdy fold-out landing pad — vital for touching down and taking off on long grass or uneven terrain (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

I'll get more into how the 360 editing works in the full review below, but for now I'll just say that anyone who's used 360 cameras in the past will have little trouble creating some very impressive clips with this aerial version.

Where the Avata 360 differs from (and beats, in my view) the A1 is that, firstly, it offers a choice to fly it using a traditional twin-stick controller or the goggles-and-motion-controller FPV method. The A1 only supports the latter, and that means I need to bring a buddy along to act as spotter every time I fly it. If I'm on my own, I can't use the A1 at all (not legally, anyway), whereas I have the option to fly the Avata 360 using a RC 2 controller — no spotter required.

And in FPV mode I simply found the Avata 360 more enjoyable to fly than the A1: the design means it's faster, more agile and more responsive, even in high coastal winds, and switching it to single-camera mode (which uses one front-facing camera instead of the 360 setup, and records 4K 60fps footage) almost transforms it into an Avata 2.

Overall, the DJI Avata 360 feels like a more well-rounded (no pun intended) and flexible 360 drone than the A1, and at a more affordable price to boot.

DJI Avata 360: price and release date

  • Launched on March 26 2026
  • Significantly cheaper than the Antigravity A1 360 drone
  • Available in four kits, including two Fly More Combos
DJI Avata 360 drone
Future | Sam Kieldsen
DJI Avata 360 drone
Future | Sam Kieldsen

DJI launched the Avata 360 on March 26 2026, with four different packages available. If you already own some form of compatible controller, you can buy the drone and a single battery for just £409 / AU$799. Packaged with DJI's excellent RC 2 touchscreen and twin-stick controller, it's £639 / AU$1,159.

Note: I haven't included US dollar pricing here, and you may have guessed the reason; DJI's troubles in the US are well documented elsewhere on TechRadar. Suffice to say this drone will not be officially launching in the States, which is a great shame.

There are also two Fly More Combo bundles, both priced at £829 / AU$1,619, each of which includes a nice bunch of extras. Both include the drone, three batteries, a charging cradle (able to recharge all three batteries simultaneously, with support for 100W and 65W fast charging), a set of spare propellers, a folding take-off and landing pad (very useful when launching from tricky terrain or long grass, and something I've not seen included in a Fly More Combo before), and a sturdy, sectioned sling bag to keep everything in. But one of the Fly More Combos includes the RC 2 controller, and the other the DJI Goggles N3 and RC Motion 3. So you're immediately set up for either standard or FPV flight.

This is a really affordable drone, especially when compared to the competition. Even with recent discounts, the Antigravity A1 Standard Combo (which includes the drone plus Vision goggles, a Grip controller, drone carry case and an extra set of propellers) costs over £1,000.

  • Price score: 5/5

DJI Avata 360: specs

Antigravity A1 specs

Camera:

2 x 64MP 1/1.1-inch square CMOS sensors

Video resolution:

8K, 6K, 4K

Frame rates:

60, 50, 48, 30, 25, 24fps

Flight modes:

Cine, Normal, Sport

Storage:

42GB internal, microSD card slot

Battery:

2700mAh, up to 22 minutes flight time

Charger type:

USB-C / Battery Charging Hub

Weight:

455g / 16oz (approx.)

Dimensions:

246 x 199 x 55.5mm / 9.7 x 7.8 x 2.2 inches

DJI Avata 360: Design and build quality

  • Flat, non-folding design
  • Labelled UK1 / C1 class, weighing around 455g
  • Choice between RC 2 or Goggles/RC Motion 3 control

DJI Avata 360 drone

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Rather than a folding design, DJI has opted for the same flat quadcopter shape it's recently used for the Avata 2, Neo and Neo 2. This means it's ready to go in moments (just pull off the included camera cover, if you're using it, and double tap the power button) and also that there are built-in prop guards to help protect the propellers from damage during collisions.

The Avata 360 isn't a super-lightweight drone; DJI claims it's around 455g, but my digital scales showed it to weigh 469g – well over the old sub-250g legal sweet spot. However, thanks to recent changes to UK law, this is no longer the issue it once was. This is the first drone I've seen that's labelled 'UK1' class, meaning that under new CAA guidelines it can be flown over uninvolved people (but not crowds) and closer than 50m to people horizontally. It can also be flown in residential, recreational, commercial and industrial areas. So, that's a good thing – it means I didn't have to venture to the middle of nowhere to test it properly.

It also means DJI hasn't had to make build-quality compromises to hit that magical sub-250g weight. The Avata 360 feels solid, sturdy, and likely to survive minor collisions without catastrophic damage, which isn't something I would say about the dainty, sub-250g Antigravity A1.

DJI Avata 360 drone
The DJI Goggles N3 are included in one of the Avata 360 Fly More Combos, alongside an RC Motion 3 controller.Future | Sam Kieldsen
DJI Avata 360 drone
The RC Motion 3 controller, designed for FPV flight.Future | Sam Kieldsen
DJI Avata 360 drone
The RC 2 standard controller.Future | Sam Kieldsen
DJI Avata 360 drone
The Avata 360 is a class UK1 drone (or C1 in the EU), so it can be flown almost anywhere.Future | Sam Kieldsen

With no extended landing gear or feet, the drone doesn't have much clearance from the ground when landing or taking off, so it's important to launch and land on a flat, even surface in order to avoid potential damage. I found the folding orange landing pad including with the Fly More Combos very useful during testing, as landing even on short grass could cause issues.

The Avata 360 has a USB-C port on its side for file transfer and direct recharging, alongside a microSD slot for adding extra storage. That's optional, though, because there's a reasonable 42GB of internal storage built-in. Batteries slot straight into the back and come with the customary four-LED indicator to provide at-a-glance info on remaining power.

Control-wise, you have the choice between using a standard stick controller or a set of FPV goggles and a motion controller. In testing, I used the DJI RC 2 (it's also compatible with the RC-N2 and RC-N3, according to DJI) as my standard controller, and the DJI Goggles N3 paired with a DJI RC Motion 3 (you could also use the Goggles 3 or FPV Remote Controller 3) as my FPV setup, and found both to be excellent – they're sturdily built and comfortable to use. The Goggles N3 don't have a fancy exterior display like Antigravity's do, but on the plus side I can wear them with my glasses on, which I couldn't do on the Antigravity Goggles.

Finally, DJI has designed the Avata 360's camera lenses to be user-replaceable, should they get scratched, during flight or otherwise. The lenses do protrude a little, which does make them more susceptible to contact than most drone cameras, so this feels like a good move from the company.

  • Design score: 5/5

DJI Avata 360: Features and flight performance

  • Omnidirectional vision system with front-facing LiDAR and down-facing infrared sensors
  • 18m/s maximum speed and Level 5 wind resistance
  • Up to 22 minutes of flight time per battery

Like most DJI drones, the Avata 360 is an assured and safety-conscious flyer. It comes with full omnidirectional obstacle avoidance, using a combination of vision, LiDAR and infrared sensors to spot hazards in all directions, plus a reliable return-to-home mode and respectable battery life of up to 22 minutes' flight time (I would put the real-world use closer to 15 minutes, based on my testing, but much will depend on environmental factors – your mileage may vary, as they say).

In the air, it's a nimbler and nippier drone than the Antigravity A1. I found it performed very responsively even in windy conditions, and in Sport Mode (which disables the safety sensors), it's capable of hitting speeds of up to 18m/s (around 40mph). The low-latency O4+ video transmission system is remarkably stable, which helps keep the drone under control at all times. While testing, I never experienced a single loss of signal or even a noticeable reduction in the live-view quality.

DJI Avata 360 drone

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

As mentioned, at launch there are two ways to fly the Avata 360: using a standard twin-stick controller or with an FPV headset and motion controller. I love the fact that DJI has given buyers a choice — which for me is one of the main advantages this drone has over its competitor the Antigravity A1, which only offers goggles- and motion controller-based flight. With the Avata 360, a twin-stick controller is perfect for solo trips, as it doesn't require a spotter and the controls are identical to those of standard camera drones like the DJI Mini 5 Pro or Air 3S. It's easy to pick up and fly immediately, with no need to master the intricacies of motion controllers or strap on a set of goggles.

  • Flight performance score: 5/5

DJI Avata 360: Image and video quality

  • Paired 1/1.1-inch sensors offer up to 8K 60fps videos and 120MP photos
  • Single-camera mode also available for traditional FPV video capture
  • 10-bit video and flat D-log M color profile supported

The Avata 360 is equipped with two 1/1.1-inch sensors paired with ultra-wide lenses, which work in tandem to capture everything around it in up to 8K resolution at 60fps. That beats the Antigravity on specs alone (it captures 8K, but only up to 30fps), but the larger sensor size and higher bitrate also make the general image quality higher.

With support for 10-bit video and the flat D-log M color profile, this means the Avata 360 offers excellent video for a 360 drone. It won't trouble the DJI Air 3S or DJI Mavic 4 Pro when it comes to real pro-quality aerial footage, but the Avata 360 can really hold its own in terms of detail and dynamic range.

Once you've captured your 360 footage, it can be reframed using one of DJI's apps. I edited videos on both the DJI Fly mobile app and the DJI Studio desktop app, and both work well and in much the same way. You can choose your desired viewpoint, then save it as a keyframe, and the app will automatically, and smoothly, transition from one keyframe to the next. You can then export the video, with 8K 360 recording resulting in final videos of up to 4K resolution.

For those who don't want to reframe, there's single-lens mode. This records 4K 60fps footage using only a single forward-facing lens, which is delivered as a standard 'flat' video that can't be reframed after the fact. It's akin to recording a video on any of DJI's other camera drones, really — what you see is what you get.

It's also possible to snap 120MP panoramic 360 photos, which can then be edited into short videos or cropped and reframed much like a 360 video. I personally rarely felt the need to take a still shot while reviewing, as video is where the Avata 360 really shines in my opinion, but the feature is there should you need it.

Overall, I'm highly impressed by the Avata 360's camera performance. The base quality is higher than that of its only true rival, the Antigravity A1, and its 360 editing is just as good.

  • Image and video quality score: 5/5

DJI Avata 360: testing scorecard

DJI Mini 5 Pro

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Price

Cheaper than rivals, and excellent value for its specs and features

5/5

Design

A sturdy drone with user-replaceable lenses

5/5

Performance

Packed with safety features and great in the air

5/5

Image and video quality

Superior to the Antigravity A1, and excellent all-round

5/5

Should I buy the DJI Avata 360?

Buy it if...

You want the best 360 drone
The Avata 360 beats the Antigravity A1 in every area barring size – and even that's not a major issue given the Avata's UK1 / C1 rating.

You want a flexible, versatile drone
The Avata 360 is both a 360 drone and an FPV drone, and very capable in both roles. It can also be flown using a standard controller, giving you more options.

Don't buy it if...

You want the simplest drone around
360 footage needs to be edited in post-production, and while this isn't a particularly tricky task to master, it does add an extra layer of complexity.

You'd like the best image quality
While the Avata 360's camera is very capable, I'd say DJI's Mini 5 Pro, Air 3S and Mavic 4 Pro all offer superior image quality.

DJI Avata 360: also consider

Antigravity A1

This ground-breaking 360 drone has some issues: it's prohibitively expensive, and can be flown only via a motion controller and goggles which, while undoubtedly immersive, requires you to bring a spotter at all times. It's not as zippy or thrilling as flying an FPV drone, and the Avata 360 has it beat for fun, but its 8K 360 video is impressive and the drone's small folding design makes it slightly more travel-friendly than its DJI rival.

Read our in-depth Antigravity A1 review

DJI Avata 2

If you're not bothered about 360 footage, the DJI Avata 2 offers a welcome balance between the forgiving, beginner-friendly flight of a regular camera drone and the adrenaline-inducing controls of a traditional FPV drone. It'll zip through gaps and skim across terrain to give you exciting shots, but won't plummet into the ground at the slightest mistake. FPV purists might scoff, but the rest of us will be having a blast.

Read our in-depth DJI Avata 2 review

DJI Avata 360 drone

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

How I tested the DJI Avata 360

  • All flight modes and control methods tested
  • Photos and videos captured
  • Tracking and safety features tested

DJI sent me an Avata 360 a couple of weeks before its official launch, along with an RC 2 controller, an RC Motion 3 grip controller and a Goggles N3 headset. That meant I had the time to fly it in a range of locations and using both a traditional controller and an FPV setup. I did test the drone in some windy conditions at times, but in general flew it in fine weather and good light — aside from the very foggy day you see in one of the sample videos above.

I flew in every available flight mode for both twin-stick and FPV motion flying, tested the drone's subject-tracking capabilities and how capable it was of detecting and avoiding obstacles.

Once I had recorded footage and captured still photos, I later transferred it from the drone's internal storage to my iPhone and computer for editing and reframing, for which I used the DJI Mimo and DJI Studio apps. I also exported reframed footage from DJI Studio to further tweak in DaVinci Resolve Studio, resulting in the sample videos and photos you see above.

I tested the Birdfy Bird Bath Pro for a month — it’s the most entertaining bird cam yet, but there’s a catch
9:00 pm | March 23, 2026
Author: admin | Category: Cameras Computers Gadgets | Tags: | Comments: Off

Birdfy Bird Bath Pro: one-minute review

I've tried out multiple bird feeder cameras, and let me tell you, the charm is yet to wear off. They are a top gadget for nature lovers, getting a close up view of your neighborhood birdlife.

Birdfy is one of the top names in this space — in fact, its 5-star Feeder 2 Duo sits in the top spot of my best bird feeder cameras guide. It went one step further from alternatives, adding a second motion-sensitive camera for two angles, to its bird identification skills and continuous year-round power (pricier models tend to feature a solar panel).

Then at CES 2026, Birdfy and Birdbuddy showcased new products and exciting new features to further enhance the garden birdlife experience. Chief among them was Birdbuddy's sound identification and Birdfy's 360-degree bird feeder camera, plus a new type of bird camera — the Bird Bath Pro.

Birdfy Bird Bath Pro camera in a garden

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

If it wasn't already obvious from the name and my product-in-situ pictures, the Bird Bath Pro is not a bird feeder camera, but a bird bath camera.

It's an excellent foil to a bird feeder camera, providing an entertaining close-up look at other bird behavior such as preening and splashing, but in reality, I found its most exciting features lacked polish, while the design could do with looking a little more natural. I'd still recommend the product, mind you, and I hope that some issues, such as bird tracking and identification performance, can be improved with updates.

Birdfy Bird Bath Pro: price and availability

  • Available with or without the stand, from $269.99 / £319.99 / AU$392
  • It comes in blue or off-white
  • There's free lifetime AI detection and unlimited cloud storage

The Birdfy Bird Bath Pro is available in blue or off-white versions, and can be purchased with or without the stand. As you can see, I had the off-white version; neither looks particularly natural and requires dressing up to better attract birdlife.

The 'Non-stand' version costs $269.99 / £319.99, while the 'Stand' version is $349.99 / £349.99. At the time of writing, there are big savings on those prices: the 'Non-stand' for $179.99 / £209.99 and the Stand version for $299.99 / £229.99.

In Australia, the Birdfy lists the RRP of the 'Non-stand' and 'Stand' models as AU$392 and AU$465, respectively. However, Birdfy doesn't ship the bird bath to Australia. You can find it at some Australian retailers, but often with a higher mark up due to import taxes.

On the Birdfy US and Birdfy UK sites, there's a lifetime AI service for free (bird detection). However, if you opt for an AI subscription in the US, it brings down the price of the Bird Bath Pro by $30, though you'll need to pay up should you want the AI service subscription at any point, which is $4.99p/m.

Birdfy Bird Bath Pro: specs

Birdfy Bird Bath Pro specs

Sensor

Unknown

Photo

2MP wide camera, 3MP portrait camera

Video

1080p wide camera, 2K portrait camera

Memory

N/A

Dimensions

30in / 76.5 cm height with stand, 3.5L basin capacity

Weight

6.9lbs / 3.1kg (without stand), 10.8lbs / 4.9 kg (with stand)

Battery

9,000mAh battery and a 1.9W solar panel, fountain has a 1.6W solar panel

Birdfy Bird Bath Pro: design

  • Setup takes mere minutes
  • I'd prefer a more natural-looking design
  • Rugged build quality, decent solar power performance

OK, so it resembles a child's high chair, but the Bird Bath Pro is actually kind of neat. It's a cinch to set up — you'll be up and running in minutes once you've completed an initial charge of the camera unit by USB.

Once in place, the camera's power stays topped up thanks to a beefy 1.9W solar panel. The water fountain is solely solar powered (1.65W), and I found it requires direct sunlight to work fully. It'll power out completely without bright daylight.

Of course, the Bird Bath Pro needs topping up with fresh water, and Birdfy recommends adding natural features to it in order to readily attract birdlife — I put good use to a growing collection of beach stones my children like to collect during holidays on the coast.

I set up the device where I live in the UK in March (which is early Spring), initially with the weather still pretty cold, and found it took several days for birds to get curious, despite seeing them active in the garden at a nearby feeder and collecting for nests and so on. A feeder camera has a more obvious, immediate lure.

Birdfy Bird Bath Pro camera in its box, in a garden
Tim Coleman
Birdfy Bird Bath Pro camera in a garden
Tim Coleman
Close up of the Birdfy Bird Bath Pro camera's stand, on grass
Tim Coleman
Birdfy Bird Bath Pro camera in a garden
Tim Coleman
Close up of the Birdfy Bird Bath Pro camera's solar panel
Tim Coleman
Close up of the Birdfy Bird Bath Pro camera's fountain
Tim Coleman
Birdfy Bird Bath Pro camera in a garden
Tim Coleman

The app offers additional tools such as an audible alarm on the camera to scare off unwanted visitors, while Birdfy also promotes the device's rugged credentials — the camera protector is supposedly scratch-proof and UV resistant, so it shouldn't yellow over time.

Having used the Birdfy Bird Bath Pro for a month or more, it's clearly a durable product.

The main downside, based on my own experience, is that the Bird Bath Pro hasn't attracted nearly the same number or variety of birds as my bird feeder camera close by, over the same period. (In the summer heat, it might be a different story.) That said, it's a nice foil to a bird feeder camera, should you already own one and love it.

Birdfy Bird Bath Pro: performance

  • Dual cameras; a 2MP / 1080p wide, and a tighter 3MP / 2K portrait
  • The portrait camera can move side to side, tracking visitors
  • Visitors are identified, with recording pop-up notifications, but accuracy could be better

There are twin cameras set within the Bird Bath Pro's removable and USB rechargeable unit: one for a wide-angle view of the entire bath, and another at a slightly higher vantage point, which can track subjects from side to side and with a tighter portrait-format field of view for more detailed shots.

Image quality is typically lo-fi compared to a smartphone; the tight portrait lens shoots 2K video and 3MP stills, while the wide camera is just 1080p video and 2MP stills. However, as far as bird feeder cameras go, the portrait lens especially is decent quality.

Once movement is detected, the Bird Bath Pro kicks into action, recording photo and video clips for both cameras and sending a 'Motion alert' notification through the free companion app. My unit came with the free lifetime AI service, and automatically detected a European Robin as a first sighting.

Close up of the Birdfy Bird Bath Pro's camera
Tim Coleman
Birdfy Bird Bath Pro camera in a garden with fountain
Tim Coleman
Birdfy Bird Bath Pro camera in a garden
Tim Coleman
Close up of the Birdfy Bird Bath Pro camera's fountain
Tim Coleman
Birdfy Bird Bath Pro camera in a garden with fountain
Tim Coleman

I received infrequent bursts of 'motion alert' notifications in the app on my Android phone throughout my test, as well as 'bird' and 'animal' sightings, only to find recorded clips of motion in the surroundings (even plants moving in the wind), or a fly on one of the rocks, rather than detected birdlife. It pays to be smart about where you position the camera for maximum effect and minimal false alerts.

The first location I tried was a spot typically in the shade for most of the morning, but with good exposure to daylight in the afternoon until partway into the evening. Here I found the camera unit maintained its charge day-by-day over the course of my month-long review period, and I have no doubt it would maintain this performance year-round.

Photos and video clips are displayed chronologically in the app's gallery, and Birdfy provides unlimited cloud storage for those files for up to 30 days. You can manually add favorite clips and new sightings to a Collections folder for easy access, and you're free to download the files at any point. Many rival bird camera brands pin you down to monthly subscriptions for such features.

It's also possible to view the camera's live feed on your mobile device from anywhere with an internet connection, and manually record should you wish.

View from the Birdfy Bird Bath Pro's camera, set in a wild garden among trees, with a European Robin visiting the device
Tim Coleman
View from the Birdfy Bird Bath Pro's camera, set in a wild garden among trees, with a European Robin visiting the device
Tim Coleman
View from the Birdfy Bird Bath Pro's camera, set in a wild garden among trees, with a European Robin visiting the device
Tim Coleman
View from the Birdfy Bird Bath Pro's camera, set in a wild garden among trees, with a European Robin visiting the device
Tim Coleman
View from the Birdfy Bird Bath Pro's camera, set in a wild garden among trees, with a European Robin visiting the device
Tim Coleman
View from the Birdfy Bird Bath Pro's camera, set in a wild garden among trees, with a European Robin visiting the device
Tim Coleman
View from the Birdfy Bird Bath Pro's camera, set in a wild garden among trees, with a European Robin visiting the device
Tim Coleman
View from the Birdfy Bird Bath Pro's camera, set in a wild garden among trees, with a European Robin visiting the device
Tim Coleman
View from the Birdfy Bird Bath Pro's camera, set in a wild garden among trees, with a European Robin visiting the device
Tim Coleman
View from the Birdfy Bird Bath Pro's camera, set in a wild garden among trees, with a European Robin visiting the device
Tim Coleman
View from the Birdfy Bird Bath Pro's camera, set in a wild garden among trees, with a European Robin visiting the device
Tim Coleman
View from the Birdfy Bird Bath Pro's camera, set in a wild garden among trees, with a European Robin visiting the device
Tim Coleman

The portrait camera levels up image quality, though I found subject tracking hit and miss; the camera's side-to-side movement seemed totally random at times. On the occasions it worked, the erratic movement of birds proved hard to keep up with (check out my sample videos below).

The portrait camera has plenty of potential and could set this Birdfy product apart, but in my experience, it needs more work to fulfill its promise.

I contacted Birdfy about the performance of the portrait camera and supplied footage. I got this reply:

"The camera's tracking algorithm is based on optical flow. The tracking will be affected by the changing patterns of light and shadow on the surface of rippling water (movements of/contrast between the reflections of trees' branches and the sky).

"The team will put in every effort to optimize and update the algorithm so as to tweak this feature. We'll continuously keep you posted on the progress of this."

While that's no guarantee of future performance improvements, it's reassuring to know that Birdfy is looking into it, and I know that its customer service is very good.

Lens flare in bright light is also an issue — I experienced a pronounced red halo in sunny conditions. Also, being a bird bath, the cameras are prone to being splashed on when birds visit. That's not an issue in terms of durability, but droplets on the camera do spoil photo and video recordings.

Should you buy the Birdfy Bird Bath Pro?

Birdfy Bird Bath Pro camera in a garden

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Buy it if...

You want a subscription-free wildlife camera

Birdfy's app is free, as is the AI service and unlimited cloud storage (for up to 30 days), meaning you can enjoy photos and videos on your mobile device without being pinned down by a costly monthly subscription.

You already own and love a bird feeder camera

If you already use a bird feeder camera and enjoy the gadget, then the Bird Bath Pro is a sensible complementary product, giving a similar viewing experience but from a different type of stage — a splash pool rather than a seed tray!

Don't buy it if...

You want frequent visitors

In my experience, a bird feeder camera is much more popular with the local birdlife than a bird bath.

You'd like an attractive feature in your garden

Birdfy has a range of bird cameras, including attractive natural-looking feeder cameras made from wood. In my opinion, the Bird Bath Pro's design is unattractive, being unatural for the spaces it's designed for.

Birdfy Bird Bath Pro camera in a garden

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

How I tested the Birdfy Bird Bath Pro

  • I set up the product in my garden within close proximity to my home router
  • I tested it for over a month during the springtime in the UK
  • It saw out mixed weather: sun, cloud, rain, wind, cold

Birdfy sent me the Bird Bath Pro following CES 2026 in January, when it was winter (in the UK), but I began my review period once spring was setting in, two months later. I placed the product in various spots in my garden, generally with mixed sunlight and shade, and close to the natural cover of bushes. I decked the bath with stones to make it appear more natural.

I paired the Bird Bath Pro with Birdfy's companion app on my Android phone and used the app daily, receiving regular motion alerts (of which there were more than of actual visiting birds), and saved my favorite photos and video files to my 'Collections' in the app.

  • First reviewed March 2026
I tested the Aura Ink over months, and it ‘captures the spirit of photo frames more authentically’ than LCD — but it’s not perfect
2:00 pm | March 12, 2026
Author: admin | Category: Cameras Computers Gadgets Home Photography Smart Home | Comments: Off

Aura Ink: review

Aura makes stunning digital photo frames. The Aura Walden, for example, currently sits atop a sideboard in my home with its sleek frame, slick mount and punchy 15-inch display — and it also sits atop our list of the best digital photo frames.

So when Aura unveils an entirely new frame with a display that's unlike any other I’ve tested, naturally it has my attention. Said frame is the Aura Ink.

The Ink features an energy-efficient 13.3-inch color E Ink display, for a print-like rendering of your images. Unlike other LCD digital frames, the Ink is Calm Tech Certified — consider it a digital detox thanks to its natural, muted display.

Its E Ink Spectra™ 6 display can render millions of colors, but look closely and detail is dotty, despite its 1600 x 1200 resolution and 150ppi density. The Ink lacks the vibrancy and clarity of Aura’s other LCD digital frames, such as the Walden and Aura Aspen, or Lexar’s Pexar and Starlight, but it does work well in bright interiors, especially for artworks and minimalist photography rather than detail-rich photos. Ultimately, it's much closer to the look of printed photos.

The Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame's presentation box, propped against a chest, illuminated by the golden hour sun
The Aura Ink comes in a beautiful presentation box, making it feel every inch a premium productTim Coleman
The Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame's presentation box, illuminated by the golden hour sun
Tim Coleman
The close up of the Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame's presentation box, illuminated by the golden hour sun
Tim Coleman
The Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame's presentation box, opened with the frame inside
Tim Coleman
The Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame's presentation box, opened with the frame inside
Tim Coleman

What’s disappointing, however, is that Aura has kitted the Ink out with a somewhat glossy-finish panel, which can suffer from glare. I suspect it's no worse than the Walden and Aspen frames, but those LCD displays are illuminated, and as such they're significantly punchier.

Given that the Ink reflects light rather than emits it (like LCD does), it is, in reality, a niche frame. It needs the right conditions — well-lit rooms, but not too sunny — to shine, where it's probably my new favorite digital frame. If I had to choose between the Ink and Walden frames, though — and I've observed both side by side — it’s the latter that gets my vote for display versatility, even if it's yet another digital display to look at.

That said, the Aura Ink has super-low power consumption and a run time of around three months without a continuous power supply. No cables are needed, just a quarterly charge (assuming you only change the displayed image once per day).

A close up of the The Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame's bezel and mount
The Ink has a sleek bezel, slick mount, and slim profileTim Coleman
A close up of the The Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame's display power light
Tim Coleman
A close up of the The Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame's stand
Tim Coleman
A close up of the The Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame's three control buttons
Tim Coleman

Eliminating the reliance on ugly trailing cables is a design win. With regular LCD digital frames, cables are a necessary evil, and tricky to hide when mounting the frame on a wall, though they are less of an issue if you’re resting the frame on a surface.

I’ve come across one or two frames which are supplied with a white cable instead of a black one, including the Walden, which goes some way in disguising the cable (assuming your walls are licked with a light shade of paint). But there’s no doubt that a no-cable-at-all setup is the dream option.

Like the Walden, the Ink's display is housed in an attractive frame with a sleek bezel and a 1.5-inch mount (the off-white border between the bezel and the image). It also features a variety of mounting options, being positionable to display images in landscape and portrait format whether the frame sits on a table, bookshelf or other surfaces, or is fixed to a wall.

Aura has made the Ink impressively slimline — it measures just 0.6 inches deep, compared to the around one-inch depth of most other frames I've tested.

A phone being held, displaying the Aura companion app for digital photo frames, in front of the The Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame on a sideboard
Pairing the frame to a device with the Aura app installed is a doddle. You'll be up and running in minutes. Not that a wireless connection with the app is the only method of uploading images to the frameTim Coleman
A closeup of the Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame's display, in pairing mode
Tim Coleman
A closeup of the Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame's display, in pairing mode
Tim Coleman
A closeup of the Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame's display, in pairing mode
Tim Coleman
A phone being held, displaying the Aura companion app for digital photo frames, in front of the The Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame on a sideboard
Tim Coleman
A phone being held, displaying the Aura companion app for digital photo frames, in front of the The Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame on a sideboard
Tim Coleman
A phone being held, displaying the Aura companion app for digital photo frames, in front of the The Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame on a sideboard
Tim Coleman
A phone being held, displaying the Aura companion app for digital photo frames, in front of the The Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame on a sideboard
Tim Coleman

It charges via USB-C, and the port is easily accessible, which is not something I can say for the Walden's fiddly power input. The USB-C port is for charging only, however — you can't connect devices to add images.

Nor does the Ink have a memory card slot — all image uploads are via the companion app. And it displays photos only; there's no sound. All told, the Ink is as stripped-back as digital frames come.

The Ink shares the same companion app as all Aura frames, which delivers one of the best user experiences in the market and works seamlessly for wireless uploads and display updates, from anywhere with an internet connection.

The Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame on a sideboard
In fairly dark rooms, the Ink's display will look fairly dimTim Coleman
The Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame on a sideboard, alongside the Aura Walden frame
I placed the Ink next to the Aura Walden frameTim Coleman
The Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame on a sideboard, alongside the Aura Walden frame
See how much punchier an LCD display isTim Coleman
The Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame on a sideboard, alongside the Aura Walden frame
I think there's a time and place for each type of displayTim Coleman
The Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame on a sideboard, alongside the Aura Walden frame
But perhaps it's the Aura Ink that captures the spirit of photo frames more authenticallyTim Coleman

Updating the displayed image on the Ink is an odd experience if you happen to be looking at the frame at the time. The frame flashes rapidly for the best part of a minute while the pixels of the existing image clear and are refreshed with the new one.

The Ink is limited to a maximum of 12 image changes per day. This is not Google Photos in a frame, where you might gather around with family, enjoying a rolling image gallery of holiday snaps, but one where you choose your image and live with it for the day or longer.

A close up of the The Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame's display, showing slight glare
I was slightly disappointed by the degree of glare on the frame's display. Tim Coleman
A close up of the The Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame's display, showing slight glare
Glare is far from a dealbreaker, mind you.Tim Coleman
A close up of the The Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame's display
Becuase of the tech involved, the display is 'dotty', meaning you can see the colored pixels when looking up close. Tim Coleman
A close up of the The Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame's display, showing the dotty detail
There's less contrast in images versus those displayed on an LCD frameTim Coleman
A close up of the The Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame's display, showing the dotty detail
There's the dotty detail, seen close up. It's not an issue for me as it's not obvious at the typical viewing distanceTim Coleman
A close up of the The Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame's display, showing the dotty detail
I've shone an LED light panel on the frame here, and the display becomes a little punchier – that's because it reflects light rather than emitting it. The best environment for the frame therefore, is well lit rooms. Tim Coleman

The real sting in the tail is how much the Aura Ink costs: $499 (pricing and availability for other regions is yet to be confirmed). You really are paying a premium for the E Ink display; even Aura's larger 15-inch LCD digital photo frames cost much less.

I've had the Ink frame in my home for several months, and I'm still somewhat undecided. I think it's the better frame to place on a wall than an LCD type, especially in a bright interior, where it's unbeatable. It's undeniably a premium product, and probably worth paying extra for, especially if you're weary of excessive screen time. However, LCD frames are more versatile.

Aura Ink: price & release date

Aura unveiled the Ink frame in October 2025, and it's available in one display size — 13.3-inch — for $499 in the US. At the time of writing it's not directly available outside the US; previous Aura frames have typically gone on sale globally approximately six months after their US launch, and hopefully the same will be true for the Ink.

I've mentioned the Walden frame a few times, which is a larger 15-inch LCD frame but with a much lower price tag, costing around 40% less. Put simply, you're paying a big premium for the Ink's E Ink display.

The Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame on a sideboard

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Aura Ink: specs

Dimensions

14.1 x 11.4 x 0.6 inches (287 x 206 x 25mm)

Display size

13.3-inch

Resolution

1600 x 1200 (150 pixels per inch)

Aspect Ratio

16:10

Touch Screen

No

Sound

No (no video)

Orientation

Portrait or landscape

Storage

N/A

Connectivity

Wi-Fi (but no SD card, and USB for charging only)

The close up of the Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame's presentation box, illuminated by the golden hour sun

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Should I buy the Aura Ink?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

No local storage, no video or sound, and limited connectivity

3/5

Design

Sleek frame, slim profile, innovative display

4.5/5

Performance

Niche, natural and 'dotty' display; slow and limited image refreshes

4/5

Value

It's almost twice the price of 15-inch LCD frames

3/5

Buy it if…

You want a natural photo frame display
Yes, it's dull compared to an illuminated LCD frame, but the Ink's display is natural, and is one less 'blue light' screen to look at.

You're happy enjoying selected images
The Ink doesn't offer the slideshow-style display of multiple images you get with LCD digital frames and smart displays like the Amazon Echo Show series. Rather, it's designed for appreciating individual images over longer periods.

Don’t buy it if…

You love a punchy display, especially at night
The display reflects light rather than emitting it, so this is not a frame for dark environments or nighttime viewing

You'd rather not rely on an app
With no local storage or external storage connectivity, the Ink relies on Aura's companion app for image uploads.

Aura Ink: also consider

The Aura Ink 'E Ink' digital photo frame on a sideboard, alongside the Aura Walden frame

The Aura Ink (left), alongside the 15-inch Aura Walden (right) (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Aura Ink

Aura Walden

Pexar 11-inch Digital Picture Frame

Display size

13.3-inch

15-inch

11-inch

Resolution

1600 x 1200, 149.5 pixels per inch

1600 x 1200, 133 pixels per inch

2000 x 1200, 212 pixels per inch

Aspect Ratio

16:10

16:10

5:3

Touch Screen

No

Yes

Yes

Sound

No

Built-in speaker

Built-in speaker

Orientation

Portrait or landscape

Portrait or landscape

Portrait or landscape

Storage

N/A

32GB

32GB

Connectivity

Wi-Fi, USB-C (charging only), no SD card slot

Wi-Fi, USB, SD card slot

Wi-Fi, SD card slot, USB-A, USB-C

Aura Walden
At 15 inches, the Walden has the largest display of the three frames in this comparison, and it shares the design traits and companion app of the Ink. The LCD display has a fairly modest pixel density, but it's nonetheless crisp, and the swipe-to-scroll bar on the frame's top is a neat design touch. Read my Aura Walden review

Pexar 11-inch Digital Picture Frame
The Pexar 11-inch is the low-cost option of the three frames in this comparison, but it still features a reflection-free screen and punchy display, with detail-rich 212-ppi pixel density. Read our full Pexar 11-inch Digital Picture Frame review.

How I tested the Aura Ink

  • I tested the Aura Ink over several months
  • I uploaded a selection of photos from my Android phone
  • I placed the frame on various surfaces around my home, in vertical and horizontal formats

Aura sent me its Ink frame and I set it up in my home months before writing this review. Unlike other reviews published soon after the Ink's release, I've actually tested its long battery life – and yes, the three-month battery life based on no more than a single image change per day is accurate.

I've placed the Ink on a sideboard close to a window, in a dim corner of my front room, and various other spaces around the house.

I've uploaded a variety of photos to the frame through Aura's companion app for Android — both minimalist and detail-rich images, in vertical and horizontal formats.

I already have the Aura Walden in my home, so I've been able to make direct comparisons between the two frames.

I tested the affordable GoPro Lit Hero — and it might be the brand’s most confusing action cam yet
4:00 am | March 7, 2026
Author: admin | Category: Action Cameras Cameras Computers Gadgets | Comments: Off

GoPro Lit Hero: two-minute review

GoPro is a name that's synonymous with the action cam market, with the brand having largely been responsible for the explosion in popularity of such cameras over the past two decades. The brand has come a long way since its first Hero camera, a 35mm film-compatible wearable model released in 2004.

Now the likes of the GoPro Hero 13 Black and GoPro MAX 2, are considered amongst the best action cameras available, and largely dominate the market. And despite rumors that the company intends to kill off the Hero Black range, GoPro has dismissed the speculation. In other words, the GoPro family seemingly has a bright future ahead. In fact, as I completed this review, GoPro announced the next generation GP3 processor which will power a new wave of GoPros for 2026 and beyond.

That being said, the direction of the range can sometimes take an odd turn, and one such example is 2025’s GoPro Lit Hero, a sort of replacement for the GoPro Hero (2024), which was itself a weird compromise of price over specification.

You certainly can’t criticize the camera’s portability — it’s one of the smallest and lightest action cameras you can find anywhere, and there’s no danger of it weighing you down whilst out on a cycle ride or when travelling. Before hopping on a plane, there was none of the usual "Should I, shouldn’t I?" dilemma I often experience when choosing what to take on a trip, and it was a simple case of "Why not?" and throwing it into my camera bag.

The GoPro Lit Hero action camera

The Lit Hero is unmistakably a GoPro product, albeit a much stripped-down one (Image credit: Peter Fenech)

There haven’t been many compromises in terms of build quality, and the Lit Hero feels rugged despite its diminutive size.

However, the tiny screen makes changing settings a challenge, while there isn’t a lot of room for camera controls on the body, making the handling experience frustrating at times. The screen itself isn’t always easy to use for image previews and is quite fiddly. It’s not a camera you can use in a hurry, which is a problem given the type of content you’d probably shoot with it.

There's very little in the way of manual controls: if you just want a point-and-shoot camera, you'll be fine, but if you hope to take control over the image-making process, there isn’t much here to satisfy a creative appetite.

Image quality is passable, but not mind-blowing. The camera struggles in low light thanks to its tiny imaging sensor, and despite offering 4K shooting, footage is anything but pro-level. Stills and video are sharp enough, but quickly lose detail as the sensitivity is increased. Meanwhile, colors are quite natural.

Overall, the GoPro Lit Hero is an affordable entry to the action cam market, and is a good take-anywhere choice. It won’t draw too much unwanted attention, or take up room in a bag. The problem is that too much has been stripped away to facilitate the small size. If you were expecting a simplified Hero Black, with similar properties, just smaller, you would probably be disappointed.

I'm not sure who the Lit Hero was designed for, specifically. Yes, it's an entry-level camera, so beginners might benefit. However, the naming convention is confusing, and I'm uncertain as to why such a powerful LED was incorporated. It's also still not that cheap, which I fear is more because of the brand name than any real premium advantages it offers.

As a result, the camera doesn't really hit any target market well. It sounds mean, but it might be best suited for filmmakers who want a camera that they're happy to risk destroying in the pursuit of extreme shooting angles. Otherwise, I can't think of anyone in particular to whom I'd recommend the Lit Hero.

GoPro Lit Hero specs

GoPro Lit Hero specs:

Type:

Action camera

Sensor:

1/2.8-inch CMOS

LCDs:

1x rear 1.76-inch touchscreen

Memory:

Micro SD

Lens:

15mm equivalent, f/2.3

Battery:

Embedded rechargeable 1255mAh Enduro Lithium-Ion

Video:

Up to 4K/60p, 4K/30p (4:3)

Photo:

12MP (4000 x 3000 pixels)

Dimensions:

56.6 x 48.4 x 29.45mm (W x H x D)

Weight:

3.3oz / 93g

The GoPro Lit Hero Action Camera

(Image credit: Peter Fenech)

GoPro Lit Hero: Price and availability

  • Released October 21 2025 worldwide
  • The GoPro Lit Hero retails for $269.99 / £239.99 / AU$419.95
  • The Starter Bundle includes a Shorty mini tripod, bike mount and case for $344.99 / £304.99/ AU$539.95

The GoPro Lit Hero went on sale from October 21 2025 for a price of $269.99 / £239.99 / AU$419.95, but months later and with the next generation of GoPros set for 2026 it can be purchased for less. The camera is available in kits too, including the Starter Bundle, which includes a bike mount and camera case and retails for $344.99 / £304.99 / AU$539.95.

Other activity-specific bundles are available, such as the Water Activities Bundle ($332.99 / £296.99 / AU$519.95), Bike and Camp Bundle ($349.99 / £399.99 / AU$ 546.95) and a Kid’s Bundle for $359.99 / £322.99 / AU$ 572.95, which supplies a Shorty mini tripod, case and Flexible Grip Mount.

  • Price score: 3.5/5

GoPro Lit Hero: Design

  • Small 1.76-inch LCD touchscreen
  • Waterproof to depths of 16ft / 5m
  • Super-lightweight at 3.3oz / 93g

The Lit Hero certainly looks the part, and has many of the traditional design markers of a GoPro product. The rear of the camera is dominated by the 1.76-inch LCD screen, with no physical buttons or controls whatsoever. This isn’t unusual for an action camera, and the same is true of a higher-end model like the DJI Osmo Action 6. The difference there is the screen size, which at 2.5 inches is much easier to interact with and operate.

The monitor on the Lit Hero is so small that my fingertips dwarfed some of the icons, making the precise selection of settings tricky when on the move and when outside in winter, digits numb from the cold. The active area of the screen is much smaller than the back of the camera, too, so there really isn’t much control real estate to be working with. If, like me, your hands are on the large side, it’s something to be aware of if the Lit Hero is on your shopping list.

It’s also not the most detailed LCD I’ve ever used, and it’s not ideal for judging the sharpness of captured images and footage. A few times, I thought I’d got the subject in focus, only to find the camera had back-focused upon opening the images and footage on the large screen of my laptop.

The GoPro Lit Hero Action Camera

(Image credit: Peter Fenech)

The touch function is useful (well, actually essential as it happens), but it isn’t hugely responsive, and it can take a few taps to get the desired menu to open, or multiple swipes with wet or muddy fingers to scroll through previews. Overall, it’s definitely a good idea to download the dedicated GoPro Quik app onto your phone, via which you can more accurately quality-control your footage.

The rest of the body is incredibly simple, which is both a negative and a positive. On one hand, this means you have to rely on the tiny screen to operate most of the camera’s functions, frozen fingers or not, but it also gives the Lit Hero a reassuringly unintimidating layout for beginners. There aren’t so many buttons that you might be worried about accidentally changing a setting you subsequently can’t figure out how to reset.

The Polycarbonate and TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) construction material is easy to grip, with a good amount of texture to provide friction even when the camera is wet. At no point did I worry about it slipping from my hands while using it handheld.

The other inescapable side-effect of such a small body is that when handling it, even just to remove it from a bag, it’s easy to touch the lens and leave behind fingerprints. It’s easily wiped clean, but this can be irritating.

  • Design score: 4.5/5

GoPro Lit Hero: Performance

  • Quick startup for rapid shooting
  • Lack of built-in digital or optical stabilization is frustrating
  • Super-powerful LED lamp is too intense for most uses

The camera itself is quick to start up, which was something I was concerned about, given the expected shrinking of the processor assembly to allow for the Lit Hero’s tiny dimensions. There’s very little delay between pressing the power button on the top of the camera and it being capture-ready.

Focus is also quick, at least as far as I could tell from my ‘hit rate’, looking back through captured images – looking at the screen, it’s very difficult to see the focusing in action, especially given the wide focal length. This was impressively maintained in low light and I didn’t notice a significant increase in out-of-focus shots in poor ambient lighting.

A big downside for me is the lack of integrated image stabilization. Rather than using an optical or sensor-shift IBIS system, you must first transfer footage to your smartphone using the GoPro Quik app, then apply algorithmic stabilization there. I’m not a fan of digital stabilization anyway, but not having it applied in-camera means you can’t preview how the final footage will actually look at the point of shooting. It’s a laborious extra step that slows things down.

The GoPro Lit Hero Action Camera
The bright front LED panel is what lends the Lit Hero its namePeter Fenech
The GoPro Lit Hero Action Camera
Peter Fenech
The GoPro Lit Hero Action Camera
Peter Fenech

An added frustration is that the connection between my phone and the Lit Hero was fairly unstable. It kept dropping out, meaning that live previews of what the camera could see using my phone screen were so pixelated as to be largely useless. The transfer speeds were also predictably sluggish. Yes, it’s possible this is due to the age of my handset, or even a model-specific compatibility issue, but I’d experienced no such issue when pairing it to the Insta360 X4 Air and Insta360 X5 the day before.

The ‘Lit’ element of the camera’s name stems from the powerful LED torch on the front of the body. It’s really the only instantly noticeable change from the GoPro Hero (2024). I wasn’t sure a camera could ever be defined by its built in flash or continuous light, but oh wow, did this thing get my attention.

It’s inexplicably bright. For the size of the camera, the light output is impressive if not completely overkill. It’s so bright at the maximum setting that I found it impossible to perform a piece to the camera with it shining in my eyes. Of course, it might come in useful in dark conditions, but I found it just looked ugly in most cases. I found it helped when shooting underwater clips in a sediment-filled stream, but the exposure fall-off is very obvious and unsightly.

On a positive note, the battery life is decent, and I could easily get around an hour and a half of continuous use out of it, in chilly outdoor temperatures, before it ran out of juice. Since the battery is integrated and can't be swapped, this is good news.

I found the body warmed up pretty rapidly when shooting longer video clips; not problematic, but a little uncomfortable when using it handheld. I found the more powerful DJI Osmo Action 6 heated up less quickly after prolonged use.

  • Performance score: 3.5/5

GoPro Lit Hero: Image quality

  • 4K video looks good in brighter light, with natural color rendition
  • Photo and video quality drop significantly at higher sensitivities
  • No log mode for later color grading

With such a small (1/2.8-inch) imaging sensor at its heart, the Lit Hero is limited in its light-gathering capacity. As such, noise levels are quite high at every sensitivity. There are very few manual controls, with no true PASM modes that allow the user to manipulate exposure settings, meaning you’re at the mercy of the camera’s own decisions, often resulting in grainy footage.

While it’s easier to hide in fast-moving video, the mushiness of detail is clearly visible in stills. In daylight conditions, results are actually quite sharp, but this isn’t maintained for long as ambient light falls.

The autoexposure system is fairly dependable, and it was able to quickly assess each scene during my testing and correctly adjust the parameters to prevent obvious overexposure. Similarly, the auto white balance does a good job of keeping colors natural, even under mixed lighting. This is all good news since there’s little opportunity to amend these settings yourself.

Images take using the GoPro Lit Hero

The LED creates a strong exposure fall-off in low light situations (Image credit: Peter Fenech)

Images take using the GoPro Lit Hero

Some back-focussing occured at close working distances (Image credit: Peter Fenech)

I’d equate the experience and resulting images to those from a basic smartphone or compact camera – I wouldn’t recommend the Lit Hero for ‘serious’ still photography work, but it’s good enough for off-the-cuff content creation and vacation shots.

There isn’t much latitude for post-processing work either. Shadows can be blocked quickly, probably because the camera seems to be biased towards underexposure to keep the highlights in check, but it’s not a good idea to lift these too far. There is no Log mode so color grading must be applied to the pre-processed video, which can break down the tones if pushed too far.

  • Image quality score: 3.5/5

GoPro Lit Hero: testing scorecard

GoPro Lit Hero

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Price

As one of the most affordable action cameras available, the Lit Hero won't break the bank, but it's still questionable value for the spec on offer

3.5/5

Design

I have no real complaints about the design. Yes, it's fiddly but that's the trade-off for such a portable size

4.5/5

Performance

The screen isn't particularly responsive, the camera isn't that quick to operate, and it gets warm quite quickly after extended shooting

3/5

Image quality

While not terrible, the small sensor struggles in low light and detail turns mushy. Colors are good though, if not punchy.

3/5

Should I buy the GoPro Lit Hero?

Buy it if...

You're married to GoPro

If you have plenty of existing GoPro accessories and are very familiar with the system, the Lit Hero might make a useful, extra-small addition to your collection. It could also serve as a B-roll camera or backup model in the field.View Deal

You're on a tight budget

If you aren't ready to invest in a high-end action camera such as the GoPro Hero 13 Black, the Lit Hero is an ideal entry point to the GoPro ecosystem. If you need a model for occasional use, or alternatively, a sacrificial camera for extreme punishment that you don't mind being destroyed, the price of the Lit Hero is appealing.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You need top-level quality

There's only so much a 1/2.8-inch sensor can achieve, and if you need footage and stills for a professional project, you'd be better off with a less entry-level specification. Images from the Lit Hero probably won't cut it for anything other than casual, everyday needs.View Deal

You like creative control

There isn't much to the Lit Hero's menu system, indicating a lack of any true manual intervention in the image creation process. There's a limited choice of frame rates and no log mode for later grading. View Deal

Also consider

Insta360 Go 3S

In many ways the Go 3S is the best of both worlds: you get both an incredibly portable, wearable action camera and the benefits of the Action Pod, including easier handling and improved battery life. You get 4K resolution at up to 30p, waterproofing up to 33ft / 10m, and a slow-motion mode in 1080p of 200fps. If you want a truely tiny action cam that is tough enough to withstand some punishment, the Go 3S has no true rival beyond the DJI Osmo Nano (see below).

Read our in-depth Insta360 Go 3S review

DJI Osmo Nano

Proving there's life beyond GoPro, the DJI Osmo Nano offers some brilliantly modular features. Not only does it weigh a mere 52g, but you also get the benefit of some professional features, like the excellent DJI D-Log M mode for advanced color grading possibilities in post-processing. It also provides 4K recording, using a larger 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor – the same one featured DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro. If you want a camera that's light enough to go everywhere with you, without compromising heavily on spec, this is a great choice.

Read our in-depth DJI Osmo Nano review

How I tested the GoPro Lit Hero

  • I used the GoPro Lit Hero over one week, both indoors and out
  • I worked in a range of lighting conditions and weather to test the durability of the body and functionality
  • The camera was submerged to analyze the waterproofing capability

While I always like to subject action cameras to some degree of punishing conditions, I like to use them as I might as part of an average shoot for which it was designed. As such, I don't make a habit of dropping them out of windows or running them over with a Jeep.

Instead, I took the GoPro Lit Hero with me on several outdoor shoots, in a range of weather, from rainy to full sun. I used the camera to capture behind-the-scenes content of my shoots and environmental imagery. This included submerging it in a stream and getting it down and dirty in muddy undergrowth.

I left the camera recording for extended durations to test battery life and heat management. I shot both still photos and video, then processed these in Adobe Lightroom and DaVinci Resolve to see how much detail I could recover from the extreme ends of the tonal range. Images shown here are the unprocessed out-of-camera Jpgs and video (cut together in the case of the latter).

  • First reviewed February 2026
I tested the super affordable Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM — it’s a ‘beautiful mess of a lens’ that I can’t help but love
2:35 pm | March 3, 2026
Author: admin | Category: Camera Lenses Cameras Computers Gadgets | Tags: | Comments: Off

One minute review

The Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM is a beautiful mess of a lens. It's impossibly light, cheap, and wide, but nonetheless comes with a few optical niggles that will likely make the more discerning pixel peepers baulk.

At $599 / £479 / AU$699.95, the RF 45mm f/1.2 has the potential to be an essential component of any Canon shooter's kit bag. And, it has to be said, it's a lens that doesn't really have any rivals or alternatives at this price point. No other brand, third-party or otherwise, offers an autofocus full-frame lens with f/1.2 for $600. Canon is definitely worthy of praise for this - it's an innovative, forward-thinking lens from a brand that's often criticized for its closed mount.

As mentioned, however, optically, the RF 45mm f/1.2 leans more towards 'character' than perfection. The bokeh is busy and swirly, while the chromatic aberration is off the charts at the widest aperture. Even with in-camera corrections, this lens imparts its character on every image if you're shooting wide.

You also don't get weather sealing or a lens hood. While this lens is well built and a great pairing with any of the brand's high-end mirrorless bodies, it's very much a lens that's been shoehorned into a specific price point. I can forgive the lack of weather sealing, but paying extra for the hood feels slightly miserly to me.

A picture of the Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM mounted on a Canon EOS R6 Mark II from the side.

(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)

If you can look past its flaws, however, the 45mm f/1.2 does offer a lot for the price. No other Canon lens right now offers as many creative options as this 45mm in the standard focal length. Emphasis on the 'creative' here, mind you, because the wide aperture opens possibilities for shots simply not possible on the usual kit lens.

Aside from serious low-light chops, this lens is also fantastic for environmental portraits, where you can blow out the background on a relatively wide scene.

In summary, the 45mm is an often frustrating lens, but one I can't help but like. I don't think it's a 'killer' lens that will cause Nikon and Sony users to switch, but it certainly is unique and praiseworthy. Is it one of the best Canon lenses? Technically, absolutely not. But is it worth it? Absolutely... if you're looking for 'character' rather than 'perfection', that is!

Price and availability

  • It costs $599 / £479 / AU$699.95
  • Lens hood is a separate purchase

At $599 / £479 / AU$699.95, the RF 45mm f/1.2 is cheap for a Canon full-frame RF lens, let alone one with such a wide aperture. It's much closer in price to the entry-level Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM (£239 / $219 / AU$299) than premium L-series glass - and offers a similar level of optical quality for the budget-conscious.

It's a good thing Canon has made this lens, too, as the brand currently doesn't support third-party glass on its full-frame mount. Unlike rival mounts from Nikon and Sony, Canon users have fewer low-cost alternatives outside of the usual starter primes and kit lenses.

Luckily, this lens is a great example of Canon doing something a little different. It's not quite a budget lens, but it's certainly unique, and definitely a sign that the brand is willing to try new things for its RF mount.

Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM: specs

Canon RF 45mm STM f/1.2 specs

Type:

Standard prime

Mount:

Canon RF

Sensor:

Full-frame

Focal length:

45mm

Max aperture:

f/1.2

Minimum focus:

0.45m, 0.13x max magnification

Filter size:

67mm

Dimensions:

78 x 75mm

Weight:

12.2oz / 346g (lens only)

Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM: design

  • Extremely lightweight for such a prime
  • AF/MF switch, but otherwise very basic
  • Customizable control ring

A picture of the Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 lens

The RF 45mm f/1.2 features a customizable control ring and MF/AF switch, but is otherwise very minimalist (Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)

As you'd imagine from a relatively affordable lens, the RF 45mm f/1.2 has quite a minimalist design. You do get a few handy controls, however, such as the MF/AF switch and a fully customizable control ring right next to the lip of the lens' barrel.

The action on the focus ring is smooth and well-damped, but the control ring has a nice solid click to it that pairs nicely with its burled metal finish. Otherwise, the lens features a wholly plastic build apart from the mount — you can expect a metal mount in all modern Canon lenses, including the higher-end L series models.

Speaking of which, build quality for the RF 45mm f/1.2 doesn't feel that far off from the premium lenses. There's nothing here to suggest that this is a cheaper lens in the RF line-up, aside from the lack of the distinctive red barrel ring. In the hand, the RF 45mm f/1.2 feels solid and sturdy enough for a lens of this type.

With that said, Canon has cut a few corners to build this lens at a price. For one, you don't get a lens hood included - nor does the lens feature any weather sealing. Perhaps the lens will hold up to some light rain, but I certainly didn't want to risk it with my review unit.

A picture of the Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 lens mounted on the Canon EOS R6 Mark II from the front.

(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)

These points aside, the most impressive thing about the RF 45mm's design is that it weighs just 12.2oz / 346 grams - something that feels almost impossible for a lens with this kind of aperture. It really is the main selling point for this lens, in my opinion. The 45mm is so compact that you'd be mistaken into thinking this lens is an f/1.8 prime, given its size.

As you can see from the product pictures on this page, the 45mm pairs nicely with the EOS R6 Mark II, which is a full-frame body with a substantial hand grip. The lens is actually twice the weight of Canon's RF 50mm F1.8 STM prime (160g), but it's still light enough to hit that sweet spot where you don't feel like you're lugging around a huge piece of glass everywhere.

As stated, I tested this lens on the R6 Mark II. I think you'll also be fine if you pair this 45mm up with the Canon EOS R8, but the R8's comparatively small grip may result in a slight amount of front-heaviness. This is a light prime considering the aperture, but it's certainly no pancake lens.

Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM: Performance

  • Significant chromatic aberration at f/1.2
  • STM autofocus is reliable
  • Good center sharpness at all apertures

A picture of the Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 lens mounted on the Canon EOS R6 Mark II from the top.

(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)

You may be wondering - if the RF 45mm is cheap, small, and extremely wide, what's the catch? Well, unfortunately, there are a few quirks when it comes to outright image quality for the 45mm F1.2 STM. This is definitely a 'character lens', for better or worse.

Firstly, the good stuff. If you're looking for those dreamy, blown-out backgrounds, then this lens definitely delivers. The aperture is so massive that you can get a good level of background separation here, even with relatively wide scenes. I could see this being a good option for environmental or full-body portraits on a budget.

The 45mm also offers a good level of sharpness. This is particularly the case in the centre of the frame, but stopping down the lens offers a great level of edge-to-edge sharpness. But of course, who's buying this lens to stop it down?

Canon RF 45mm f/1.2
Canon R6 Mark II, JPEG, taken at f/1.2Future / Alex Whitelock
Canon RF 45mm f/1.2
Close of up corner bokehFuture / Alex Whitelock
Canon RF 45mm f/1.2
Canon R6 Mark II, JPEG, taken at f/1.2Future / Alex Whitelock
Canon RF 45mm f/1.2
Close of up corner bokehFuture / Alex Whitelock

No, people are going to buy this lens because they want to make full use of that f/1.2 aperture at this exceptional price. Annoyingly, there are a few caveats when shooting wide open with this lens, however.

The first is the busy bokeh - something which I think will likely be the most contentious attribute for prospective buyers. There's no escaping that, at f/1.2, you get a significant cat's-eye effect on the bokeh with the 45mm. Once you see it, you can't really un-see it, and the swirling effect gets more extreme towards the edge of the frame. I think some people will love the distracting swirly effect of this lens, whereas others will find it too busy.

After using the lens in a range of scenarios, I'm somewhere in the middle of the two camps. As you can see from the samples, the bokeh balls not only have quite strong cat's-eye shapes, but also hard to remove fringing. They're technically very imperfect, but there's obviously something to be said for a lens with this much character if you're going for a certain 'vintage' look. It's definitely subjective.

Canon RF 45mm f/1.2
Canon R6 Mark II, JPEG, taken at f/1.2Future / Alex Whitelock
Canon RF 45mm f/1.2
Future / Alex Whitelock

One thing I'm less on the fence about, however, is the extreme level of chromatic aberration this lens exhibits at its widest aperture. I don't think I've used a modern lens with this much CA in recent years.

The image above is a good example. You can see a significant amount of purple fringing around the backlit pattern on the wall. Towards the center of the frame, CA is relatively well controlled, but the fringing gets progressively worse toward the edges. It's notable because this particular shot is a JPEG straight from the Canon EOS R6 Mark II, with all in-camera lens correction applied.

If you do buy this lens, you're going to have to get well acquainted with the de-fringing tool in your photo editing app of choice. Luckily, this is one of the quickest and easiest fixes that anyone can make these days, so it's not a complete deal breaker for a relatively affordable lens like this.

In terms of focusing, the RF 45mm F1.2's proprietary STM stepping motor isn't as quick or silent as the ones featured in Canon's higher-end models, but it is more than sufficient, and able enough to provide quick and reliable autofocus at f/1.2 when paired with the brand's latest full-frame bodies.

One thing I did notice is a very small amount of focus breathing when close focusing at f/1.2. There is also a very slight whining noise when acquiring focus, which again, could be something worth considering if you're thinking about using this lens for video. With the example I've included above, you can see the lens slightly hunting for focus when it attempts to re-lock on the closer object.

Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM sample images

Canon RF 45mm f/1.2
Canon R6 Mark II, JPEG, taken at f/1.2Future / Alex Whitelock
Canon RF 45mm f/1.2
Canon R6 Mark II, JPEG, taken at f/1.2Future / Alex Whitelock
Canon RF 45mm f/1.2
Canon R6 Mark II, JPEG, taken at f/1.2Future / Alex Whitelock
Canon RF 45mm f/1.2
Canon R6 Mark II, JPEG, taken at f/1.2Future / Alex Whitelock
Canon RF 45mm f/1.2
Canon R6 Mark II, JPEG, taken at f/4Future / Alex Whitelock
Canon RF 45mm f/1.2
Canon R6 Mark II, JPEG, taken at f/1.2Future / Alex Whitelock
Canon RF 45mm f/1.2
Canon R6 Mark II, JPEG, taken at f/5.6Future / Alex Whitelock

Should you buy the Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM?

Buy it if...

You want to shoot environmental portaits
I think this lens is perfect for slightly wider scenes where you still want to separate the subject from the background.

You shoot a lot of low-light work
What's an f/1.2 aperture good for? Low light, of course! It shouldn't even need to be said that this lens's extremely wide aperture is fantastic for making sure as much light as possible hits your camera's sensor.

Don't buy it if...

You need something weather sealed
As a cheaper lens in the Canon line-up, the RF 45mm doesn't feature any environmental sealing. This one isn't for use in extreme inclement weather.

You need perfect image quality
While the RF 45mm offers an extremely wide aperture, this comes with some optical trade-offs. This lens has a lot of character, unlike the more 'perfect' L-Series models.

How I tested the Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM

An image of the Canon RF 45mm f/1.2, showing the front of the lens

(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
  • Canon provided me a sample unit for one week
  • I paired the lens with the Canon EOS R6 Mark II
  • I compared optical performance at various apertures

Canon provided TechRadar with the Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM for one week only, which is a relatively short window for a lens review. With that said, I was able to fully test the lens in both studio and real-world scenarios.

During my week with the Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM, I tested the lens across a wide range of apertures for both video and photography. In that time, I made sure to try to get examples at f/1.2 to show prospective buyers what to expect with such a wide aperture - including the various flaws that this lens sometimes showcases.

First reviewed March 2026

I tested Kodak’s cheap and pocketable film camera, and it’s packed with retro-futuristic charm
3:00 pm | March 1, 2026
Author: admin | Category: Cameras Compact Cameras Computers Gadgets | Comments: Off

Kodak Snapic A1: one-minute review

The Kodak Snapic A1 is a 35mm analog film camera designed and manufactured by Hong Kong-based Reto Production – the same company behind other licensed Kodak analog models like the Ektar H35N and Charmera. Priced from just $99, it's one of the more affordable ways to dip your toes into the world of film photography, and it comes loaded with enough retro charm to justify that novelty appeal.

The design is immediately striking. Available in off-white or dark gray, the clean-lined plastic body has just enough Kodak orange on the shutter button and logo to feel authentically branded without going overboard. It's a look that calls to mind the retro-futuristic aesthetic of classic science fiction movies rather than a straightforward throwback, and in my book that's a good thing. It slipped into my jacket pockets with ease, and the included neck strap and protective pouch are welcome additions that more budget-focussed cameras often skip.

Feature-wise, you get a three-element glass lens at 25mm with a fixed f/9.5 aperture and 1/100s shutter speed. There are two manual focus settings, plus an auto flash with red-eye reduction, automatic film advance and rewind, and a double-exposure shooting mode. A small but practical OLED panel on top displays battery life, remaining exposures, and current settings. It's basic by design, but thoughtfully put together.

Kodak Snapic A1 camera

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

In good outdoor light, I found that the Snapic A1 delivers characterful, grainy 35mm shots with that all-important analog look. Vignetting and some chromatic aberration are present, but these feel like features rather than flaws. Indoors, however, the flash struggles; it lacks the reach and power to properly illuminate subjects beyond a few feet, making indoor shots a more hit-or-miss experience, particularly with slower film.

The main practical gripes are minor but worth flagging. The Mode button sits awkwardly on the left edge of the top plate, and it's easy to accidentally trigger it depending on how you hold the camera. There's also no lens cap, which makes the pouch essential rather than optional. And while the price is genuinely affordable for the hardware, film and processing costs ramp up fast. A single 36-exposure roll and a set of digital prints can run close to $40 / £30, meaning the ongoing cost of ownership is considerably higher than buying the camera itself.

Taken as a whole, I think the Kodak Snapic A1 is a fun, well-designed entry point into analog photography – and one of the best new film cameras for the money. It won't satisfy anyone looking for creative control or technical precision, but for casual shooters who want a stylish, pocketable film camera that just works, it hits the mark at a price that's hard to argue with.

Kodak Snapic A1: price and availability

  • $99 / £99 / AU$179
  • Ongoing costs of 35mm film and processing

The Kodak Snapic A1 is available to buy now, and refreshingly cheap at just $99 / £99 / AU$179.

Also supplied in the box are two handy accessories: a soft microfiber drawstring pouch for keeping the camera protected when not in use, and a corded strap that's long enough to fit around the user's neck or shoulder. Kodak could have shipped this with just a tiny wrist strap, so I was impressed with the extras.

You will, however, need to supply your own batteries (2 x AAA), and there are the added costs of 35mm film, its development and potential printing to consider as well. This can quickly add up: buying a roll of 36-exposure Kodak ColorPlus film and getting some medium-quality digital prints costs me almost £30 in the UK (around $40 / AU$ 57). So, despite the affordability of the hardware, the Snapic A1 isn't a particularly cheap camera to own.

Kodak Snapic A1 camera

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Kodak Snapic A1: specs

Format:

35mm

Lens:

25mm f/9.5

Focus:

0.5m to infinity (two-stage)

Flash:

Built in

Exposure:

Auto

Battery:

2x AAA

Viewfinder:

Optical, direct vision

Size:

118 x 62 x 35mm, 120g

Kodak Snapic A1: design

  • Small, stylish and built from sturdy plastic
  • Just 120g in weight and 118 x 62 x 35mm in size
  • Film is easy to load thanks to large rear door and auto wind

Kodak Snapic A1 camera

The top plate's OLED panel is a clever and very useful touch. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Kodak (or Reto, to be precise) has kept things pleasingly nostalgic with the styling. The camera body is ABS plastic but built to nice sturdy standards, and its clean lines and ivory white front (it's also available in a dark gray color finish), with a couple of flashes of classic Kodak orange on the shutter button and logo, bring to mind the retro-futuristic production design of something like 2001: A Space Odyssey. It's not just another 1950s or 60s-esque camera, and I really like that.

At under 120g and just 118 x 62 x 35mm in size, the camera is genuinely pocket-sized and I found it very easy to bring along to social events and out on hikes. There's no lens cap to protect the glass front element, which makes the included protective pouch all the more valuable.

While the Snapic A1 is fairly bare-bones in terms of features and functions, it does have some interesting design touches. By flicking a switch underneath the lens, for instance, I could toggle between close-up (0.5 to 1.5m) and far-off (1.5m to infinity) focus. And, up on top, there's an OLED panel that provides at-a-glance info on remaining exposures, battery life and the current flash and focus settings. It's monochrome and tiny, but easy to read and perfectly equipped for its job.

Kodak Snapic A1 camera

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

My main gripe with the design is the placement of the Mode / M.E. button, which sits right on the left edge of the top plate, curving around to the left side of the camera. Often, when I was gripping the camera and about to take a shot, my left forefinger would hit this button and change the shooting mode. Depending on how you hold the camera, this may never become an issue for you, but it forced me to adjust the way I took photos, which I found a little annoying.

Getting film in and out of the camera is easy thanks to a large, easy to open rear door that provides plenty of room to work. There's a tiny plastic window on the door so that you can instantly see whether or not any film is inside. And, in a nice user-friendly touch, film winds on automatically between shots and will fully rewind once a roll is complete.

Kodak Snapic A1: performance

  • Strong, characterful 35mm photos
  • Flash isn't particularly powerful
  • Solid battery life

Most cheap 35mm cameras use plastic lens elements, but the Kodak Snapic A1 has a three-element glass lens. It has a wide-angle 25mm focal length and a rather narrow fixed aperture of f/9.5, along with a fixed shutter speed of 1/100s.

There's the two-stage manual focus I mentioned above, as well as a flash (which can be set to automatic, on or off, and has a red-eye reduction mode), but other than that there's no way to control your exposures. This is very much a point-and-shoot camera, and while that's not necessarily a bad thing – simplicity is welcome – it does mean you need to know its limits if you want to get the best out of it.

Kodak Snapic A1 sample photo
Future | Sam Kieldsen

I shot using Kodak ColorPlus 200 speed film, with which the camera performs well outdoors in the daytime. I managed to capture some striking snaps that I'm very happy with, and I love the grainy look of those images. Indoors, however, I found that the flash doesn't have the reach or power to illuminate subjects more than a few feet away. It may fare better with 800 or 1600 speed film, of course, but in my experience my most successful indoor shots were all close-up portraits, where the flash could do its job properly.

Are the Snapic A1's photos "high quality" by today's standards? Not really – if you pull out a 10-year-old smartphone it'll take sharper, cleaner images than these; there's noticeable vignetting around the edges, particularly in the corners, and some chromatic aberration too.

Kodak Snapic A1 sample photo
Future | Sam Kieldsen
Kodak Snapic A1 sample photo
Future | Sam Kieldsen
Kodak Snapic A1 sample photo
Future | Sam Kieldsen
Kodak Snapic A1 sample photo
Future | Sam Kieldsen
Kodak Snapic A1 sample photo
Future | Sam Kieldsen
Kodak Snapic A1 sample photo
Future | Sam Kieldsen
Kodak Snapic A1 sample photo
Future | Sam Kieldsen
Kodak Snapic A1 sample photo
Future | Sam Kieldsen

But I don't think quality is ever really the point with a cheap 35mm camera – the look and feel of analog photos can't easily be replicated by digital filters and algorithmic tweaking, and you buy an old-fashioned camera like this for, ironically, the novelty of shooting on film. Yes, its photos aren't noise-free or razor-sharp edge-to-edge, but they have real texture and character.

If you do want to get a little more creative, the Snapic A1 can capture double exposures – just hold down the Mode button to select it, and the OLED panel will make it clear whether you're shooting the first or second exposure.

Kodak Snapic A1 sample photo

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Battery life feels pretty solid to me. After shooting a 36-exposure roll of film on the camera, the battery indicator still showed as full, and according to Kodak users should be able to shoot around 10 rolls of 24-exposure film on a single pair of AAA alkaline batteries. Your mileage, of course, may vary depending on which batteries you're using and how frugal you are with the flash.

Should you buy the Kodak Snapic A1?

Kodak Snapic A1 camera

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Buy it if…

You want a break from digital photography
There's nothing like analog photography – and the Snapic A1 is one of the cheaper, simpler ways to shoot on 35mm film.

You want a compact, stylish novelty
Small, lightweight and stylish, this camera makes for a great talking point at parties, and it's beautifully simple to use.

Don’t buy it if…

You're not prepared for ongoing costs
Yes, the camera itself is cheap – but film and processing is very expensive these days, particularly in comparison to digital photography.

You want to learn about analog photography
The stripped back controls mean this is about as point-and-shoot as it gets. If you want to learn more, buy an old SLR or rangefinder.

Also consider

If you like your photography truly hands-on, consider the Lomography Konstruktor F (best film cameras), a plastic 35mm camera that you have to build yourself. It’s cheap to buy, though a little challenging to construct.

The Olympus Trip 35 (in our best film cameras round-up) is an all-time classic 35mm compact with auto exposure, zone focusing and a selenium metering cell around the lens that requires no batteries. A good used one won’t cost the earth and will give you great results.

How I tested the Kodak Snapic A1

  • Used over a few weeks in different lighting conditions, indoors and outside
  • Tested with Kodak ColorPlus 200 film
  • Film sent to Analogue Wonderland for processing and development

Testing a film camera is a much slower process than reviewing a digital camera, because you can't look at the photos right away. In fact, I reviewed the Kodak Snapic A1 (a sample of which was sent to me by a PR rep) over a period of well over a month, taking it with me to various parties, hikes and events and snapping a photo or two until my 36-exposure roll of Kodak ColorPlus 200 film was spent.

I made sure to use the camera in all kinds of conditions – indoors and outdoors, day and night, bright and overcast – testing out the flash and focus controls.

I then sent the film to UK-based online film retailer and developer Analogue Wonderland for processing. They created digital scans for me to download – I opted not to pay extra for physical prints.

I had high hopes for this cheap, well-designed vlogging camera – but then I reviewed the footage
6:00 pm | February 18, 2026
Author: admin | Category: Action Cameras Cameras Computers Gadgets | Comments: Off

SJCAM C400: one-minute review

The SJCAM C400 is an ultra-compact action camera that comes with an optional handle accessory, transforming it from a tiny wearable cam into a handheld vlogging setup. Starting at around $160 / £155 (without the handle), it undercuts the latest offerings from DJI and Insta360 by a significant margin — but unfortunately, you get what you pay for.

The camera itself is charmingly small and lightweight, making it easy to wear on a pendant or fix to a hat for POV filming. It includes a built-in touchscreen, which is a huge boon compared to similarly sized rivals like the DJI Osmo Nano or Insta360 Go cameras, which lack this feature.

When slotted into the handle, the C400 takes on a whole new character, becoming a comfortable handheld vlogging camera with a rotatable screen that works for both horizontal and vertical content, with the added benefit of an extra battery.

However, image quality is where the C400 seriously stumbles. Despite supporting 4K at 30fps and various video modes, the footage is poor, with an odd combination of over-sharpening and under-detail, plus prominent muddy digital artifacts. Still photos don't fare much better, with detail falling off drastically towards the frame edges. When compared directly to footage from an Insta360 GO Ultra or DJI Osmo Nano, the difference is stark — and it becomes immediately clear why those cameras cost a little more.

Audio quality doesn't help matters. While the built-in microphone copes indoors or in calm conditions, it struggles with wind noise, and there's no option to connect an external mic.

The digital stabilization works, but in an artificial way that draws attention to itself, while enabling horizon leveling drastically reduces resolution. There's also no built-in waterproofing or magnetic mounting — both missed opportunities on a camera this size.

On the plus side, battery life is impressive, with the camera managing around 190 minutes of 4K recording on its own, and much, much longer when docked in the handle. I managed to get 495 minutes of recordings with the handle, in fact.

In short, the C400 offers an appealingly compact form factor and decent battery life at a bargain price, but its poor image and audio quality make it hard to recommend unless budget is your absolute priority. I'd recommend checking out one of my recommended alternatives in my best action cameras and best vlogging camera guides.

SJCAM C400 action camera

The core camera unit is small and lightweight, and unlike its rivals has room for a functional touchscreen on its front (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

SJCAM C400: price and availability

  • Priced from $159 / £153
  • Sold with and without handle
  • A range of accessories is available

The SJCAM C400 is available in three bundles: the C400 Pocket (just the camera with no handle or accessories); the C400 (which includes the handle); and the C400 Vlogging Bundle (which includes the handle, a mini tripod, a pendant mount, a 64GB microSD card and a carry case). Prices vary wildly depending on the bundle and the country you're shopping in, and seem to be fluctuating too, so I would suggest shopping around to ensure you get the best price for whatever package you're after.

In terms of value the camera seems like a bargain in comparison to the latest models from rival companies like DJI and Insta360. But considering its level of performance, I think you should seriously consider spending a little more elsewhere, particularly if you value image quality.

SJCAM C400: specs

SJCAM C400 specs

Sensor

1/2.8-inch CMOS

Max Resolution

24MP photos
4K 30fps footage

Weight

189g / 7oz (with handle); 54g / 1.9oz (camera only)

Dimensions

143.5 x 38.5 x 38.5mm (with handle); 68 x 32 x 25.5mm (camera only)

Displays

1.3-inch (camera); 2.29-inch (handle)

Operating Time

Camera: 190 mins
Camera + handle: 495 mins

Connectivity

Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB-C

Storage

microSD card up to 512GB

Waterproofing

N/A

SJCAM C400: design

SJCAM C400 action camera
Future | Sam Kieldsen
SJCAM C400 action camera
Future | Sam Kieldsen
SJCAM C400 action camera
Future | Sam Kieldsen
SJCAM C400 action camera
Future | Sam Kieldsen

The C400 package I was sent for review has two main components: the C400 camera itself and a handle accessory that incorporates controls, an extra touchscreen, a tripod mounting thread and an additional battery.

The main C400 camera is charmingly tiny and lightweight, if not quite as small as the DJI Osmo Nano or some of the Insta360 Go editions; if you really must have the tiniest, lightest 4K action cam, the C400 isn't it. Still, for POV filming purposes I found it compact enough to wear on a pendant around my neck, or fixed to my hat, without causing any bother whatsoever.

The camera unit has a small touchscreen (which is a huge boon – you don't get one on the DJI Osmo Nano or Insta360 Go), built-in microphone, microSD card slot for storage, and a tiny button that handles power and shutter duties. Sadly, unlike some rivals, it doesn't include a magnet for fixing it easily to metal surfaces, which is a missed opportunity.

Another missed opportunity is waterproofing, which I'd expect on a small action camera. Sadly, it's not mentioned anywhere on the spec or features sheet, although an optional waterproof case (with a 30m depth rating) is available.

SJCAM C400 action camera

The optional pendant mount also includes a magnetic clip add-on for the C400. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

When the C400 is slotted into the handle it takes on a whole new character, transforming from mini cam into a handheld vlogging camera somewhat reminiscent of the DJI Osmo Pocket series. The handle has a pleasingly comfortable design, and its good-sized rotatable screen caters to both horizontal and vertical content, and it also gives recording time a boost with its own supplementary battery.

I preferred using the camera in this arrangement than on its own, due to it being easy to hold and control – even if it clearly lacks the physical gimbal-based stabilization of DJI's Pocket range.

Additionally, it works as a wireless remote control for the camera, with a range of around 30 feet.

A quick word on the companion app: it's pretty good! Once it was installed and I'd established a Wi-Fi link between the C400 and my iPhone, I was able to remotely control the camera and download photos and videos wirelessly. Getting the phone and camera linked up the first time was a bit of a struggle, but once the connection was set up I was able to simply re-connect by scanning a QR code on the camera's screen.

SJCAM C400: Performance

SJCAM C400 sample photo
Future | Sam Kieldsen
SJCAM C400 sample photo
Future | Sam Kieldsen
SJCAM C400 sample photo
Future | Sam Kieldsen
SJCAM C400 sample photo
Future | Sam Kieldsen
SJCAM C400 sample photo
Future | Sam Kieldsen

The camera supports 4K video capture at up to 30fps, 2K at up to 60fps, and 1080p at up to 120fps (for slow-motion playback), plus H.264 and H.265 compression, a 'wide dynamic range' mode and a high-bitrate recording option.

Despite selecting all of these in an attempt to see the C400 performing at its best, I found image quality to be disappointingly poor even in good outdoor lighting, and even worse indoors.

You can view my sample video below to get a clearer picture (no pun intended), but the image seems to me to be a curious mix of being simultaneously over-sharpened and under-detailed, with distracting, muddy digital artifacts very prominent.

Still photos didn't impress either, with detail falling off massively towards the edges of the frame – and there's a huge amount of wide-angle distortion that doesn't appear to be correctable outside of post-production manual tweaking.

The two forms of digital image stabilization on offer — general and horizon leveling — do work, but they do so in an artificial way that really draws attention to the fact that they're working. Using horizon leveling also reduces the resolution quite drastically.

When compared to the videos straight out of an Insta360 GO Ultra or DJI Osmo Nano, the difference is stark – and it's immediately clear where that extra money goes.

Audio quality is passable in calm conditions, but as my video illustrates, the built-in microphone doesn't cope well with wind noise at all — and there's no way to connect an external microphone to better capture sound. So vloggers may have to record their audio separately, then sync it in post-production, which is hardly the sort of simplicity you'd hope for.

There's better news on the battery life front, at least, and I was impressed by the C400's stamina. To test it, I set video quality to 4K at 30fps and left the C400 (without its handle) recording. It managed to capture around 190 minutes of footage before the battery died. When docked inside the handle, it of course lasts even longer, and in my test it lasted 495 minutes (over eight hours!) in total.

Should I buy the SJCAM C400?

SJCAM C400 action camera

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Buy it if...

You want a super-cheap compact action camera
The C400 is about as small and light as action cams come, and much cheaper than new alternatives from DJI and Insta360.

You need a small camera with a screen
The C400 is tiny, but still makes room for a decent-sized touchscreen on its front — something you won't find on pricier rivals.

Don't buy it if...

You’re particular about image quality
The C400's image quality is not its strong point, and if you want to create polished, professional-looking content, you're better off with a DJI or Insta360 alternative.

You want a well-stabilized vlogging camera
Don't confuse this with a DJI Pocket, despite how it looks on its handle. There's only electronic stabilization here, and it's not particularly convincing.

SJCAM C400: also consider

The Insta360 Go Ultra on a white background

Insta360 Go Ultra

The latest model in the long-running Go series of ultra-compact action cameras, the Ultra is a little larger than some of its predecessors, but makes up for it with its superb 4K 60fps (or 30fps in Active HDR) footage. It's surprisingly capable in low light, and waterproof to boot.

Read our in-depth Insta360 Go Ultra review

DJI Osmo Nano

Despite being DJI's first serious attempt at an ultra-compact action camera, the Osmo Nano is a waterproof modular marvel with stabilized 4K 60fps video that excels for sports and vlogging, and even supports 10-bit D-Log M. It's pricier than the C400, but still cheap for what it offers.

Read our in-depth DJI Osmo Nano review

How I tested the SJCAM C400

SJCAM C400 action camera

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
  • I tested the camera for a week
  • I used it for vlogging and capturing photos, assessing image quality on my phone and laptop
  • I tested all its features and various accessories

I tested the SJCAM C400 for around a week, using it to record videos and photos both handheld and using some of the accessories included with my review sample. The sample was supplied by SJCAM, and included not only the camera and handle, but a waterproof case and range of mounting options such as a magnetic pendant. I tested all its main functions including electronic image stabilization and battery life, before transferring all photos and videos to my iPhone and subsequently MacBook Air for close inspection.

First reviewed February 2026

I tested the Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 Pro for two months — here’s why this classic portrait lens beats pricey first-party glass
4:00 am | February 14, 2026
Author: admin | Category: Camera Lenses Cameras Computers Gadgets | Tags: | Comments: Off

Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro: one-minute review

I've had a busy time reviewing Viltrox lenses this year – including a range of primes such as the cheap and characterful 'body cap' 28mm f/4.5 lens, my dream reportage photography 35mm f/1.2 lens, the buttery bokeh-delivering 135mm f/1.8 LAB and the lightweight 50mm f/2 Air. Now, it's the turn of the AF 85mm F1.4 Pro.

It's designed for full-frame and is currently available for Sony and Nikon cameras only, with no word yet on an L-mount version (Fujifilm's X-mount is APS-C, and there's already an equivalent 56mm F1.2 Pro lens available). It's the first 'Pro' autofocus lens I've tested in Viltrox's range, which also includes the AF 50mm F1.4 and various APS-C lenses, including the 27mm F1.2 and 75mm F1.2 (for Sony E, Fujifilm X and Nikon Z).

In short, it's the classic portrait lens for pro photographers, with upper-body portraits and dreamy animal portraits (think cats and dogs) being its speciality. I also like the focal length for street photography.

Side barrel of the Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens in photographer's hand, outdoors and with bronze-colored ferns in the background

Just 15mm in length – Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5 is a true body-cap lens, with a much faster f/4.5 aperture than other such optics, including the Panasonic 26mm f/8. If you don't mind something a little larger and pricier, there are f/2.8 alternatives (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

In the hand, the Viltrox 85mm F1.4 Pro's rugged build quality is immediately evident – this is a weather-sealed metal lens, with a range of external controls for photo and video work, even if it lacks the digital display found in Viltrox's flagship 'LAB' lenses.

Image quality is top drawer in every regard, too, demonstrating everything you'd hope for in a portrait lens; detail is sharp, bokeh is smooth, lens distortions are minimal. And then comes the mic drop: this lens costs just $589 / £569 / AU$919 – that's a third of the price of Sony's 85mm F1.4 GM II, and almost half the price of Sigma's 85mm f1.4 Art DG DN. It's regularly on sale for less, too.

Surely we can forget these rival lenses then, and save a packet with the Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro instead? Not quite. At 800g and measuring 108.5mm in length, this is a hefty lens that's a fair bit heavier than rivals. If an 85mm f/1.4 lens is your workhorse optic, it could be well worth forking out extra for a lighter alternative.

Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro: price and availability

  • Available in Sony E and Nikon Z-mount versions
  • It costs $598 / £569 / AU$919
  • Viltrox regularly discounts its lenses – there's 15% off the AF 85mm F1.4 Pro at the time of writing

Viltrox's 'Pro' series, which includes the 85mm F1.4 lens, sits between its flagship 'LAB' series, and above its lightweight 'EVO' in terms of both price and quality. At $598 / £569 / AU$919, it's not a cheap lens by any means, and is the priciest of a trio of Viltrox 85mm lenses, with an f/1.8 and f/2 EVO also available. That said, the f/1.4 aperture is a better option, especially for pros who work in challenging situations, including indoors and low light.

The lens is currently available in Sony E and Nikon Z versions, but not L-mount or Canon RF (don't expect the latter – Canon has locked Viltrox out. But for reference, Canon's own 85mm F1.4L VCM costs 3x the price of Viltrox's, and for me is very similar).

A fairer comparison for value, then, is against Nikon and Sony's own 85mm lenses, plus lenses from other third parties such as Sigma. Nikon doesn't have a f/1.4 version in its range yet.

Here's how the Sony and Nikon-mount 85mm lenses stack up (spoiler alert – the Viltrox wins on value):

Sony E mount

Nikon Z mount

Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro

$598 / £569 / AU$919

$598 / £569 / AU$919

Nikon Z 85mm F1.2 S

N/A

$2,999 / £2,799 / AU$4,749

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S

N/A

$849 / £789 / AU$1,399

Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art

$1,319 / £979 / AU$1,596

N/A

Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II

$2,049 / £1,799 / AU$2,499

N/A

Sony FE 85mm F1.8

$649 / £499 / AU$949

N/A

Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro: specs

Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5 specs

Type:

Mid-telephoto prime

Mount:

Sony E, Nikon Z

Sensor:

Full-frame

Focal length:

85mm

Max aperture:

f/1.4

Minimum focus:

0.79m, 0.13x max magnification

Filter size:

77mm

Dimensions:

84.5 x 108.5mm

Weight:

28.2oz / 800g (lens only)

Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro: design

  • Durable, weather-sealed design, but prone to scratches
  • Around 25% heavier than alternatives
  • External controls suit photo and video work
Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens attached to a Nikon camera, mounted to a tripod outdoors and with bronze-colored ferns in the background
Tim Coleman
Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens in photographer's hand, outdoors and with bronze-colored ferns in the background
Tim Coleman
Closeup of the Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens's controls
Tim Coleman
Rear mount of the Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens in photographer's hand, outdoors and with bronze-colored ferns in the background
Tim Coleman

The Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro's build quality and design are clearly excellent, and remind me of Sony's current standard-focal-length GM lenses – and even more so of Canon's new range of hybrid 'VCM' lenses, which includes a triple-the-price 85mm F1.4L VCM. As mentioned, Viltrox isn't permitted to make Canon RF lenses, but I've used both the Canon RF 85mm F1.4L VCM and Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro, and I'm having a hard time spotting any meaningful differences, besides the Canon lens being 25% lighter.

There's a ridged aperture ring that can be set to clicked or smooth adjustments between aperture values, and which could host a follow-focus mechanism for cinematic manual focusing, equipping the Viltrox 85mm lens well for photo and video work. Elsewhere, there's an AF/MF switch, a custom button, plus a large focus ring – every control is beautifully dampened / smooth in operation.

A rear rubber seal confirms the weather-sealing, and you'll find a USB-C port within the metal rear mount, through which future firmware upgrades can be installed.

Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens attached to a Nikon camera, mounted to a tripod outdoors and with bronze-colored ferns in the background
Tim Coleman
Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens attached to a Nikon camera, mounted to a tripod outdoors and with bronze-colored ferns in the background
Tim Coleman

Viltrox supplies a chunky lens hood which easily screws on and off, while the lens accepts the common 77mm size of threaded filters.

There's a reassuring weight to the metal lens, although it's perhaps a little too weighty for its own good; at 800g it's around 25% heavier than the aforementioned Sony, Sigma and Canon equivalents. Measuring 108mm in length, it's similar in size to the Sony lens but bigger than Sigma's.

Despite its weight, I thought the balance between the Viltrox lens and mid-range Nikon camera, with which I was testing the lens, felt pretty good. I wouldn't want it any heavier or longer, but it just about sits within comfortable limits – and it would be an even better match with chunkier a Nikon Z8.

Over the course of two months with the lens I've managed to look after it, and it still looks pristine. However, I've tested other Viltrox lenses in other scenarios with less care, including the AF 35mm F1.2 LAB which has a similar finish, and they've proved to be prone to scratches. I'm not going to test that theory for the sake of it, but that's my word of warning.

Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro: Performance

  • 11-blade rounded aperture with f/1.4 to f/16 range, capable of smooth bokeh
  • Speedy and reliable VCM autofocus
  • Extremely sharp between f/2 and f/8
Close-up of the Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens attached to a Nikon camera, mounted to a tripod outdoors and with bronze-colored ferns in the background, emphasis on the lens aperture blades
Tim Coleman
Close up of the Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens attached to a Nikon camera, mounted to a tripod outdoors and with bronze-colored ferns in the background, emphasis on the lens aperture blades
Tim Coleman
Close up of the Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens attached to a Nikon camera, mounted to a tripod outdoors and with bronze-colored ferns in the background, emphasis on the lens aperture blades
Tim Coleman
Close up of the Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens attached to a Nikon camera, mounted to a tripod outdoors and with bronze-colored ferns in the background, emphasis on the lens aperture blades
Tim Coleman
Close up of the Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens attached to a Nikon camera, mounted to a tripod outdoors and with bronze-colored ferns in the background, emphasis on the lens aperture blades
Tim Coleman

That big f/1.4 aperture is for sure a major selling point of the lens, especially when you consider that Viltrox already has two 85mm lenses for full-frame cameras in its range: the original 85mm f/1.8 and an 85mm f/2 EVO – the latter is the lightweight and affordable choice.

You can see how chunky the diameter of the lens is in the product gallery above, plus how big the lens aperture is through the range, with a generous 11-blades creating a circular aperture for attractive bokeh.

Like Canon's range of hybrid lenses, the Viltrox 85mm lens employs a Voice Coil Motor (VCM) which drives autofocus, and the result is snappy autofocus – it's quicker in my experience than Viltrox's pricier 135mm f/1.8 LAB.

Focusing is internal, meaning the lens size remains unchanged as it focuses, and that there are 'floating' lens elements inside. That means there's an unsettling rattling noise when moving the lens when it's not on the camera, or when the camera is not turned on. There's nothing to worry about here – that's totally normal, and it's the same with all such lenses. Those elements 'lock', and are ready to go for focusing when paired with a camera that's turned on.

Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens sample gallery: man in a blue beanie, with blurry bronze-colored ferns in the background
f/1.4Tim Coleman
Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens sample gallery: man in a blue beanie, with blurry bronze-colored ferns in the background
f/1.8Tim Coleman
Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens sample gallery: man in a blue beanie, with blurry bronze-colored ferns in the background
f/2Tim Coleman
Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens sample gallery: man in a blue beanie, with blurry bronze-colored ferns in the background
f/4Tim Coleman
Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens sample gallery: yellow gauze, focused on one flower
f/1.4Tim Coleman
Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens sample gallery: yellow gauze, focused on one flower
f/1.8Tim Coleman
Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens sample gallery: yellow gauze, focused on one flower
f/2Tim Coleman
Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens sample gallery: yellow gauze, focused on one flower
f/2.8Tim Coleman
Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens sample gallery: yellow gauze, focused on one flower
f/4.5Tim Coleman

Image quality impresses, truly. Detail is incredibly sharp, especially between f/2 and f/8, where lens distortion is also pretty much non-existent. Open the lens to f/1.4 and there's vignetting (darkening in the corners), but that's gone by somewhere between f/2 and f/2.8.

Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens sample gallery: man holding the Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo Cinema camera
An 85mm f/1.4 lens is a good option for product photography – I used it for my Instax Mini Evo Cinema shotsTim Coleman
Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens sample gallery: man in blue beanie hat, outdoors
And of course it's a top choice for portraiture, especially head and shoulder shotsTim Coleman
Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens sample gallery: man holding daughter on an open elevated view
I can't take credit for this photo – unlike the previous self portraits where I've shot remotely through Nikon's app, my son took this one of me with my daughter on a hikeTim Coleman
Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens sample gallery: a dog on a sandy trail looking up to its human
It's also a decent option for animal portraits!Tim Coleman
Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens sample gallery: a dog on a sandy trail looking up to its human
Tim Coleman
Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens sample gallery: a dog on a sandy trail looking up to its human
Tim Coleman
Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens sample gallery: lady in front room in front of a Christmas tree
The f/1.4 aperture lets in plenty of light, which makes the lens a great choice for low light / indoor shotsTim Coleman
Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens sample gallery: young man holding a guitar in a living room at night
Tim Coleman

Only in the most extreme scenarios, and with all lens corrections turned off, have I seen chromatic aberrations in my photos. One example was an image that included dew drops on a backlit cobweb.

Bokeh is super-smooth. Provided you're relatively close to your subject and shooting between f/1.4 and f/2.8, you'll typically get smooth and big bokeh that's rounded in shape – no ugly onion-ring effect in sight.

Increase focus distance and, as bokeh consequently gets smaller, it can go a little cats-eye in shape. Overall, however, bokeh looks lovely, and is a real reason to opt for this 85mm lens over Viltrox's other offerings.

Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens sample gallery: moss and autumn leaves at the base of a tree
At f/5, detail is staggeringly sharp across the entire frameTim Coleman
Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens sample gallery: moss covered branch
Again, f/5.6 delivers crisp detail, and with the compression effect of the mid telephoto focal length, the background can still be blurred here for decent subject separationTim Coleman
Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens sample gallery: branch decorated with water droplets on a winter's day
I opted for f/1.4 here for a dreamy effectTim Coleman
Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens sample gallery: tree bark covered in fungi
One big strike against the lens is its limiting minimum focus distance. I wish I could get closer to subjects like this fungiTim Coleman
Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens sample gallery: cobwebd among long grass, decorated with water droplets on a winter's day
The out of focus dew drops in this photo exhibit a little chromatic aberration distortion, but I'd expect that from such a subject, and with lens corrections turned off.Tim Coleman

As is the case with other 85mm f/1.4 full-frame lenses, macro photography is not the Viltrox lens's forte. Minimum focus distance is 0.79m, making for a modest 0.13x maximum magnification. To be clear, the Sony and Sigma alternatives are no better.

Close focusing beyond the lens's capabilities is hardly the regular concern of a portrait photographer, but for me I like mixing up what I photograph, and would appreciate more versatile close focusing – it would make for a more complete lens.

Should you buy the Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro?

Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens attached to a Nikon camera, mounted to a tripod outdoors and with bronze-colored ferns in the background

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Buy it if...

You specialize in portraiture
Upper-body portraits, animal portraits – if these are your thing, you'll want to pick up a pro lens like this.

You're a pro on a budget
You'll get similar performance from this lens to what you'll get from much pricier alternatives.

Don't buy it if...

You regularly shoot long and demanding portrait sessions
If portrait photography is your full-time job, it could be worth stretching your budget to a pricier but lighter alternative (Sony users in particular).

You'd like a versatile prime
With modest close-focusing, the 85mm lens is fairly niche – it works well for portraiture and street / documentary photography, but not a great deal else.

How I tested the Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro

Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro lens in photographer's hand, outdoors and with bronze-colored ferns in the background

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
  • Viltrox loaned me a Z-mount version of the lens
  • I paired it with my full-frame Nikon Z6 II
  • My review period spanned two months, and I used the lens in a range of scenarios

Viltrox sent me a Z-mount version of the lens at the back end of 2025, which has given me plenty of opportunity to test it out in various scenarios with my Nikon Z6 II full-frame mirrorless camera (but not with an APS-C body).

I set up my Z6 II for the lens, including the various subject-detection autofocus modes (Auto area, with specific subject detection based on what I was shooting).

I used it indoors and outdoors, in good light and bad, and I shot sequences of the same photos through the aperture range in order to check for lens distortion, sharpness, bokeh and so on.

First reviewed February 2026

I flew the world’s lightest bi-copter drone, and it’s the most fun I’ve had outside of FPV drones – but there’s a catch
8:00 pm | February 13, 2026
Author: admin | Category: Cameras Computers Drones Gadgets | Tags: | Comments: Off

V-Copter Falcon Mini: one-minute review

From ZeroZero Robotics, the drone company responsible for the impressive HoverAir X1 Pro and ProMax selfie drones, comes another interesting model: the V-Copter Falcon Mini. This is a sub-250g version of the V-Copter Falcon, which was released in 2020 and weighed 26.8oz / 760g. The original Falcon was admired for its unique design, and gained a cult following, but it never quite made it into the mainstream.

With the launch of the more regulator-friendly sub-250g Falcon Mini, with availability on Amazon on the horizon, it looks like this new model has greater potential than its predecessor. You may be wondering what makes these drones interesting, and it’s the simple fact that they’re bi-copters rather than quadcopters, so they only have two motors and two sets of rotors, rather than the standard four.

The advantage here is that the Falcon Mini is extremely agile and quiet compared to standard quadcopters. You can even install the propellers upside down to fly the drone upside down in Reverse Flight mode, which is a bit gimmicky, but is possible due to the rotors having tilt mechanisms that help to keep the drone steady in a hover and during flight.

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This is a drone that’s more about flight than image capture, in my opinion. Sure, the Falcon Mini has a camera, and can capture up to 4K 30fps video and shoot 12MP JPEGs, but the camera is completely automatic. With no manual control, not even exposure adjustments, you're beholden to how the camera’s light meter responds to what’s in front of it. So, nipping around upright and in Reverse Flight mode are the order of the day.

V-Copter Falcon Mini top view unfolded

(Image credit: James Abbott)

V-Copter Falcon Mini: price and release date

  • Available at Amazon US by the end of February 2026
  • European launch by the end of March 2026
  • Standard kit and Fly More Combo available

The Falcon Mini will officially launch at the end of February 2026, after a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo raised $519,461 from 1,338 backers. The drone will be available at Amazon US at this time, with two kits available: Standard and the Fly More Combo.

The Standard kit will cost $379 in the US, while ZeroZero Robotics says the European launch will follow by the end of March, with a retail price of £379. The Fly More Combo will cost $399 / £399, respectively.

The Standard kit is the single-battery option, while the Fly More Combo includes a couple of extra batteries, a two-battery charging hub and a carry bag. This option, as with all drones, is going to be the best option for most people because of value, and the simple fact that more batteries increase flight times.

I'll update this page with links for purchase once the product is available to buy.

  • Price score: 3/5

V-Copter Falcon Mini: specs

V-Copter Falcon Mini specs

Camera:

12MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS

Video resolution:

4K

Frame rates:

4K 30fps / 2.7K up to 50fps / 1080p 50fps

Video transmission range:

Up to 1.5 miles

Flight modes:

Normal, Sport, Turbo

Battery:

2330mAh; up to 34 minutes flight time

Charger type:

USB-C / battery charging hub

Weight:

8.78oz / 249g

Dimensions:

Folded: 7.24 x 3.74 x 2.36 inches / 183.9 x 95 x 59.9mm

Unfolded 5.91 x 8.98 x 5.12 inches / 150.1 x 228.1 x 130mm

V-Copter Falcon Mini: Design

  • Unique bi-copter design
  • Folding propeller arms
  • Tilting rotors

The one thing you cannot get away from is the Falcon Mini's unique design: it’s a bi-copter rather than a quadcopter, like we’re used to. Not only does this drastically change the way the drone looks, but it also makes the Falcon Mini surprisingly quiet in flight when compared to quadcopters. To compensate for having just two rotors, there are proprietary tilt-rotor controls and twin servo motors that precisely adjust the angles of the propellers to create balance and stability during flight. These also allow for fast acceleration by tilting the propellers.

Moving back to the basic design, as the name suggests, the V-Copter Falcon Mini creates a unique V shape in the sky. At certain angles, only having two propeller arms makes it tricky to see in the sky because it's such a compact drone.

Folded, the Falcon Mini is just 7.24 x 3.74 x 2.36 inches / 183.9 x 95 x 59.9mm, and it extends to 5.91 x 8.98 x 5.12 inches / 150.1 x 228.1 x 130mm when unfolded, with a weight of 8.78oz / 249g. You can buy the Falcon Mini in two colors: Matte Black and Canary Yellow.

V-Copter Falcon Mini top view
James Abbott
V-Copter Falcon Mini bottom view
James Abbott
V-Copter Falcon Mini motor close up
James Abbott
V-Copter Falcon Mini battery and charger
James Abbott

If you opt for the Fly More Combo you’ll benefit from a two-battery charging hub. This is, of course, much quicker for charging batteries than doing it individually in the drone. However, it’s strange that ZeroZero opted for just two battery slots when the Fly More Combo includes three batteries.

ZeroZero claims that the 2330mAh batteries provide up to 34 minutes of flight time, but during testing this was much shorter in real-world flying conditions. Flight times were around 20 minutes until batteries reached 20% and indicated that performance had been limited, and that the drone should be landed. Battery testing took place on a mild winter day in temperatures of around 50F / 10C, so battery life should improve slightly during warmer months, although I can't see that it would ever reach 34 minutes.

V-Copter Falcon Mini controller with phone attached
James Abbott
V-Copter Falcon Mini controller front view
James Abbott
V-Copter Falcon Mini controller rear view
James Abbott
V-Copter Falcon Mini controller button detail
James Abbott

The controller is simply designed and looks quite minimalist, although you have all the direct-access controls you need, including standard control sticks, a Return to Home/Stop button, a flight mode button, a photo button and a video button.

The phone holder folds back and stows away alongside the control sticks, and it’s rotated over to the front to hold your phone above the control sticks for use. With the vertical mode switched on, rotating your phone to portrait orientation sets the Falcon Mini to capture upright photos and videos.

  • Design score: 4/5

V-Copter Falcon Mini: Features and performance

  • Three flight speeds
  • Reverse flight (upside-down)
  • Agile flight

The Falcon Mini flies just like a standard quadcopter, although it’s considerably quieter. ZeroZero claims that it’s 50% quieter than a quadcopter, which makes sense since it has 50% the propellers and motors. Noise has been measured to be 62 decibels at two meters by ZeroZero, and it’s fair to say that the drone is noticeably quieter than the many quadcopters I've flown.

Flight, as previously mentioned, doesn’t feel dramatically different to a quadcopter despite only having two rotors. To compensate for less motors, the rotors tilt forward to boost airflow and generate thrust, with each rotor moving independently to allow for sharper turns. This, combined with the tilting rotors, does mean that the Falcon Mini can accelerate quickly when in its faster flight modes.

Normal mode allows for speeds of up to 8.9mph, Sport up to 26.8mph and Turbo up to 35.8mph. Sport is the mode that you’ll probably use the most, since it’s like Normal on other drones. Normal and Sport are accessed using a button on the controller, while Turbo is accessed via the V-Copter app. This option sits alongside Orbit and Zoom Out automated flight modes and the Reverse Flight Mode. Reverse Flight enables you to fly the Falcon Mini upside down, where it looks like it’s skating in mid-air rather than simply flying.

To do this, you have to refit the propellers upside down and use the Reverse Flight Kit, which is a plastic bracket that locks the propeller arms in their extended/unfolded position. Reverse Flight makes the drone even more agile in some respects, and with the propellers facing down you have to use hand take-offs and landings, which isn’t as bad as it sounds because you can grab the drone's airframe with your fingers, well away from the propellers.

For Reverse Flight, you’ll definitely need to be outside in an open area to reduce the risk of crashing. When you’re indoors, due to the lack of GPS signal the Falcon Mini goes into an indoor flight mode, in which the drone flies slower and is less responsive. It’s useful, but this isn’t the type of drone you’d typically want to fly indoors, unlike the HoverAir X1 Pro/ProMax with their built-in propeller guards.

Video transmission is 1.5 miles, which suggests the signal isn’t as strong as drones that offer transmission over six miles or more. What I did find during testing is that even when flying the Falcon Mini just a few hundred meters away from me in open space, I did occasionally receive low-signal warnings, and there was sometimes a lag in the camera view on the app screen.

Flight seems to be where the Falcon Mini Excels, thanks to its fast acceleration and agility. Plus, let’s not forget Reverse Flight, which is a bit of a gimmick, but it is unique and takes advantage of the drone’s innovative design. For me, this drone is about as fun as you can get with a camera drone in terms of flight, before you have to move on to FPV drones like the DJI Avata 2 to enjoy the most thrilling flights.

  • Performance score: 4/5

V-Copter Falcon Mini: Image and video quality

  • Fully automatic camera
  • Up to 4K 30fps video
  • Photos captured in JPEG only

V-Copter Falcon Mini camera close up

(Image credit: James Abbott)

The Falcon Mini certainly sits within the camera drone category, and surprisingly comes with an extremely basic camera; this is what makes me think that this is a drone designed more for fun and flying than it is for image creation. The camera features a 12MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor, which appears to be the same spec as the original V-Copter, but it could be a different, newer sensor.

This can capture video in 4K at 30fps, 2.7K up to 50fps and 1080p at 50fps, while vertical video is captured in 2.7K at 30fps. Photos can only be captured in JPEG format, which is a shame because raw files provide more editing flexibility. You capture photos in landscape and portrait format.

V-Copter Falcon Mini video

The camera is fully automatic – you just aim the camera and shoot – so it’s easy to use, but this does mean you have no control over exposure at all. It’s best to shoot with the sun behind the drone to avoid overexposure or underexposure, which does limit creativity somewhat.

Photo of flooding taken with a V-Copter Falcon Mini
James Abbott
Photo of a town taken with a V-Copter Falcon Mini
James Abbott
Photo of a river running through a town taken with a V-Copter Falcon Mini
James Abbott
Photo of a derelict car park taken with a V-Copter Falcon Mini
James Abbott
Photo of a derelict car park taken with a V-Copter Falcon Mini
James Abbott
Photo of a bridge from above taken with a V-Copter Falcon Mini
James Abbott
Photo of buildings taken with a V-Copter Falcon Mini
James Abbott
Photo of allotments taken with a V-Copter Falcon Mini
James Abbott
Photo of an industrial estate at night taken with a V-Copter Falcon Mini
James Abbott
Photo of an industrial estate at night taken with a V-Copter Falcon Mini
James Abbott

Vertical shooting can be initiated by rotating the camera holder on the controller to portrait orientation. This is cropped vertical rather than natively captured vertical, as on the DJI Mini 5 Pro, but it’s still useful for capturing social media-ready footage. You simply have to activate the feature in the app menu, and it appears to use your phone’s accelerometer rather than the position of the phone holder.

Despite having only 50% of the rotors of ‘standard’ camera drones, the Falcon Mini’s 3-axis mechanical gimbal keeps footage smooth and lets you adjust the camera's angle depending on what you’re shooting, as with most drones.

There’s also a Night Mode for shooting at Night which, in a nutshell, optimizes the automatic camera for night capture. It works well, and I found most photos and videos captured at night to be satisfactory, but you can see heavy image processing in both cases, and the results are far from professional quality.

  • Image and video quality score: 3/5

V-Copter Falcon Mini: testing scorecard

DJI Mini 5 Pro

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Price

The drone isn't expensive, but it should be cheaper than the direct competition.

3/5

Design

The design is undoubtedly unique, and works surprisingly well.

4/5

Performance

The Falcon Mini Flies well, and has the Reverse Flight mode trick up its sleeve.

4/5

Image and video quality

Image quality and camera functionality are what let this fun-to-fly drone down.

3/5

Should I buy the V-Copter Falcon Mini?

Buy it if...

You'd like fun-to-fly drone
The Falcon mini is more about fun flight than it is for quality image capture – if you like to smile as you fly, this is about as fun as you can have outside of FPV drones.

You don’t need the best image capture
If you’d like a camera that can capture 4K video and photos with a fully automatic and worry-free camera, that's what you get with the Falcon Mini.

You want to turn heads
Being a bi-copter alone is enough to turn heads, but you’ll definitely do it with Reverse Flight, which enables you to fly upside down.

Don't buy it if...

You’d like obstacle avoidance
The Falcon Mini, like most sub-250g drones, doesn’t offer obstacle avoidance, so you have to take greater care when flying close to obstacles.

You want great image quality
If you're looking for the best image quality currently available in a sub-250g camera drone, the DJI Mini 5 Pro is your best bet by a long shot.

You'd prefer more features
The Falcon Mini is unique in its design and can even be flown upside down, but beyond this, its features are basic compared to those of some other mini drones.

V-Copter Falcon Mini: also consider

DJI Neo 2

The DJI Neo 2 is a selfie drone that can also be flown like a camera drone and an FPV drone with the required accessories. It offers obstacle avoidance, which is useful when flying the Neo like a camera drone or as a selfie drone. Video can be captured up to 4K, while photos can be captured in JPEG format, all for an impressively affordable price.

See our DJI Neo 2 reviewView Deal

DJI Mini 5 Pro

If you’d like a camera drone that's the best sub-250g model available, the DJI Mini 5 Pro is what you’re looking for. This impressive drone features a rotating camera with a 1-inch sensor and impressive image quality and features. This is a drone that’s perfect for beginners and professionals alike, thanks to its great image quality, safety features, build quality and more.

See our DJI Mini 5 Pro reviewView Deal

V-Copter Falcon Mini in flight against a blue sky

(Image credit: James Abbott)

How I tested the V-Copter Falcon Mini

  • I tested the drone over a period of several weeks
  • I tested all of its features, including image and video capture
  • I assessed flight performance in its various modes

I tested the V-Copter Falcon Mini over several weeks, trying out all of the features and functionality, including Reverse Flight (upside-down flight). The drone was used in the same way as other camera drones to assess both flight performance and camera performance. The Falcon Mini was flown through a range of maneuvers to see how smooth and stable flight is with just two sets of rotors.

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