Gear of the Month | August 2023

An exciting year for camera releases is showing no signs of slowing down. In July, Sony gave us the new A6700, but now the firm is back again with two more cameras – and this time, they’re full-frame. Travel and landscape photographers will definitely want to check out what the A7CR and A7C II can do, as well as Sony’s new G Master 16-35mm lens. We’ve got everything you need to know.

But there’s more to cover. Tamron’s f2 zoom for full-frame mirrorless has arrived for Nikon Z-mount, and there’s a new gorgeous XCD prime for Hasselblad XCD users to gush over. If you’re looking for something more affordable, this is your month, because Kodak has brought out a host of low-cost compact cameras in formats we didn’t think manufacturers were making any more. From a superzoom bridge to an underwater adventurer, there’s plenty for beginner and budget-conscious photographers to get their hands on. Let’s dive in and look at all the key photo and video releases from August.

Since the inception of Sony’s full-frame mirrorless range, the Sony A7R cameras have always been about ultra-high resolution. The Sony A7C, introduced later, was a mirrorless camera designed to be as small and compact as possible. So, astute readers among you may be able to join these dots and put together what the brand new Sony A7CR is all about.

The Sony A7CR could very well be the ultimate camera for travel shooting. It places the magnificent full-frame 61MP BSI Exmor R CMOS sensor from the A7R V inside a body that weighs just 515g. It also adds in the latest advancements in AI-powered subject-tracking autofocus, meaning it can accurately identify specific subjects, even in dim conditions, and keep hold of them as they move.

The A7CR also inherits touch controls that were introduced on the vlogging-focused ZV-E1, making for an intuitive handling experience. Terrific for high-resolution stills and great-looking 4K video, the Sony A7CR is a pocket-friendly camera that’s got power where it counts.

You can see what we thought of the new Sony A7CR, and the new Sony FE 16-35mm f2.8 G Master II Lens (featured below) in our hands-on video where we put the new kit through its paces in Budapest:

This Mark II lens is remarkably lightweight, and makes for an ideal complement with Sony’s most lightweight full-frame mirrorless cameras. The Sony FE 16-35mm f2.8 G Master II is geared towards travel shooters who are aiming to produce professional-quality images; to that end, its premium optical construction delivers pin-sharp images right to the edges of the frame. It can shoot as close in as 22cm, and has an 11-blade aperture that means its large maximum aperture can be used to create images with attractive bokeh. It’s a lightweight, do-everything lens for getting the best out of Sony’s high-end sensors.

The more affordable counterpart to the Sony A7CR, the A7C II updates Sony’s range of portable full-frame cameras to deliver plenty of first-rate features for photographers and videographers alike. It captures 33MP images, and consistently nails sharp shots thanks to that AI-powered autofocus – the hybrid system offers 759 phase-detection points. The A7C II enjoys all the advantages of full-frame, like generous dynamic range and shallow depth of field, and fits them in a compact body that’ll suit anyone on the hunt for a travel-friendly setup.

It’s always a good month when we get to see a new Hasselblad XCD lens. The Hasselblad 28mm f4 P XCD joins an exceptional line-up, delivering high-end performance to meet the exacting standards of the ultra-high resolution sensors in digital medium format cameras like the X2D 100C. The 28mm f4 boasts a linear stepping motor and smaller focusing lens group, which means it can acquire focus quickly and accurately. This pairs beautifull with the X2D 100C’s phase-detection autofocus, making it more versatile and responsive than ever. 

It’s been a while since we’ve seen a new beginner-friend compact camera, which is why it’s great to see this simple, affordable and effective model arrive from Kodak. The Pixpro FZ45 shoots 16MP images and sports a 4x zoom lens that can widen out to 27mm for group shots. It also captures 1080p Full HD Video, and even finds room for face-detection. The camera is powered by two commonly available AA batteries that are included in the box, meaning you’ve got everything you need to get shooting straight away.

This compact is similar to the FZ45, but provides a little more power and versatility for those who want it. The zoom lens on the Pixpro FZ55 is a 5x optic rather than 4x (starting at 28mm), and the camera is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Once again, you get 16MP stills and 1080p Full HD video at the touch of a button.

This SLR-styled bridge camera gives you serious zoom range without the bulk, weight and expense of big telephoto zoom lenes. The Kodak Pixpro AZ255 boasts a whopping 24x optical zoom, and adds in optical image stabilisation to make the far end of the zoom lens genuinely useable. Despite this, it weighs just 336g, making it easily portable for travel shooting. 

Be ready for anything with this classically styled tough compact camera. The Kodak Pixpro WPZ2 is shockproof against drops of up to 2m, waterproof down to depth of 15m, and full sealed against sand, dust and grit. It sports a 4x zoom lens, a 16-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, and a high-capacity lithium-ion battery rated to up to 2,000 shots or 70 minutes of Full HD video.