It’s been a busy week here at the DPReview offices, but we’ve still been able to comb through the accessory releases to find some new and interesting products. We’ll be taking a look at an upgraded digital picture frame, some new flashes and more. But first, as always, the deals!

Sales of the week

Photo: OM System

OM System’s OM-5 is a small, lightweight camera that comes with a bunch of computational photography features and an IP53 weather resistance rating. It’s currently on sale for $300 off, which means you can pick it and a lens up for under $1000.

Photo: Panasonic

Like the OM-5, Panasonic’s G9 II uses a Four Thirds sensor, though it packs it into a much larger body. It can shoot at much faster burst rates and has an extremely capable suite of video features, and it’s currently $200 off.

Bring on the light

This week, both Sony and Godox each unveiled updated versions of their flash units. Sony quietly released replacements for its HVL-F46RM and HVL-F28RM units, adding an A to the name of both, while Godox announced the third iteration of its TT520.

On the left is the HVL-F46RMA with the HVL-F28RMA on the right. Image: Sony

The HVL-F28RMA is a compact and relatively affordable unit. Sony says it redesigned the flash head and internal layout, resulting in a smaller flash that suits compact mirrorless cameras. It offers wireless radio communication and a dust- and moisture-resistant design.

Pre-order at B&H
The HVL-F46RMA is a wireless radio flash that supports the a9 III’s ultra-fast sync speeds, syncing up to 1/80,000 sec. It also offers intelligent communication with compatible cameras, allowing you to control various parameters within the camera itself and it works with the camera’s face detection autofocus.

Pre-order at B&H

Image: Godox

Godox’s updated flash, the TT520 III, features an LCD screen, which the previous model lacks. It offers eight levels of power control in 1/3 stop increments and Godox promises up to 400 full-power flashes with a 1.8 sec recycle. The flash also supports 433MHz wireless triggering for flexible off-camera use. Godox didn’t provide specifics on when it would be available or how much it’ll cost, and retailers – including the Godox website – currently don’t have it listed.

Show off your work

Image: Aura

Digital picture frame company Aura recently announced its latest model, the Aspen. It offers a 12-inch anti-glare HD display with a paper-textured mat around it. Even with the built-in stand, it’s just 1.1 inches thick, so it won’t take up much space on an end table or bookshelf. A built-in speaker allows you to play videos, and the app provides unlimited storage and simple sharing tools.

Buy at Aura

Buy at Amazon

A pricing update

Image: Fujifilm

On April 8, Fujifilm announced the Fujifilm Mini 41, but at the time, it didn’t reveal US pricing for its latest instant camera. Fujifilm recently informed us that the camera will cost $130, though B&H has it listed at $100. B&H may be behind on updating the pricing, but it isn’t clear at this time.

Pre-order at B&H

The most adorable cameras

Image: Bandai Namco

While not a broad release that you can purchase online, a fun find this week was broader access to Nikon gashapon. Nikon announced a collaboration with Bandai Namco last year, bringing a set of miniature Nikon cameras to gashapon capsule vending machines in Japan. Now, they’ve made their way to the US. If your local store has the Nikon machine*, you can put some money into it, and it’ll spit out either a Nikon F, Z Fc, SP or Z9, complete with a matching lens that can actually be removed from the camera and placed onto another one.

* – We here at the DPReview office took a field trip to our local Uwajimaya to try and find one and were partially successful – the machine was there, but the capsules were sadly out of stock.

A surprising use for the Sony a9 III

Finally, for this week’s video, we’re sharing a unique use of the Sony a9 III. Arc Eye is using multiple a9 IIIs along with ILX-LR1 industrial box cameras to create 3D photogrammetry & 4D volumetric content for both creative and industrial use. The video only shows the setup, not the final results, but it is a wild contraption and fascinating to see the broad application of the camera.

Read last week’s roundup

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This week brought a wave of firmware updates from Sony and Nikon, targeting full-frame and APS-C models. Sony released new software for the a7C, a7 III and ZV-E10, delivering stability improvements and minor tweaks. Nikon released updates for its flagship mirrorless Z9 and the newer Z50II, aiming to refine performance and fix a few lingering bugs. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s new.

Sony

a7C updates for Version 2.01 (Mac) and (Windows)

a7 III updates for Version 4.02 (Mac) and (Windows)

ZV-E10 updates for Version 2.02 (Mac) and (Windows)

• Allows the camera to display a notification when new software is available
  WPA and WEP functionalities are no longer supported.
• You can no longer select WPA or WEP when connecting to Wi-Fi. Please use the more secure WPA2 moving forward.
• Improves the operational stability of the camera.
• Note: This update is only available for Windows and macOS. A memory card version is not provided.

Please note: the firmware updates are identical across these three camera models.

Nikon

Z9 updates for Version 5.20 (Mac) and (Windows)

• Added support for “NX Field,” a remote shooting system for corporate users. Note: “NX Field” app for smart devices may not be available in some countries and regions.
• Renamed d14 [Display on during burst] in [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
• Fixed the following issues:
  • Pressing the playback button after repeatedly shooting bursts would in rare cases corrupt the display of all images.
  • In rare circumstances, optimal exposure could not be achieved during burst shooting after changing the exposure in mode M.
  • In synchronized release, pressing the shutter-release button of the master camera halfway initiated autofocus on the remote camera with the following setting selected. ▸ [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] > a6 [AF activation] > [AF-ON only]

Z50II updates for Version 1.01 (Mac) and (Windows)

• Pre-Release Capture is now available using a SmallRig SR-RG2.
• Added “русский” (Russian) to [Language] in [SETUP MENU] for Z50II cameras sold in the Middle East region.
• Renamed d13 [Display on during burst] in [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
• Fixed the following issues:
  • In rare cases, the camera would stop responding when it was reconnected to SnapBridge after it was connected to Nikon Imaging Cloud while connecting to SnapBridge.
  • In synchronized release, pressing the shutter-release button of the master camera halfway initiated autofocus on the remote camera with the following setting selected:
    ▸ [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] > a6 [AF activation] > [AF-ON only]

That’s it for this week. Make sure to check in every Friday, from here on out, for a round-up of firmware updates on all major camera models. Have a great weekend!

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The photography industry has weathered economic uncertainty, technological disruption and rising operational costs. However, according to Zenfolio’s newly released 2025 State of the Photography Industry report, conducted in partnership with other creative businesses including Format, ShootProof and Professional Photographers of America (PPA), it’s also finding strength through adaptability, community and more thoughtful business strategies.

Now in its 6th consecutive year, the report draws on insights from more than 4,500 photographers in 70 countries. North Americans accounted for 79% of the participants, while photographers from Korea and Bolivia chimed in for the first time. The findings reveal an industry in transition but not in retreat.

One of the standout trends is the return to personalized service. Photographers who conduct viewing appointments after a shoot see as much as 20% more revenue than those who rely on online delivery alone. “Clients value the personal touch,” the report notes, adding that face-to-face sessions create opportunities to upsell prints and foster long-term relationships.

A sign of the times? Full-time, self-employed work is on the rise compared to part-time. Copyright: © Zenfolio

As it turns out, adaptability pays off. Photographers who expanded their service offerings by pivoting to additional genres such as corporate headshots, drone photography, newborn portraits or sporting events were often rewarded with lucrative revenue streams. The report highlights that being open to last-minute gigs and unfamiliar styles that breach one’s comfort zone is now a competitive advantage instead of a compromise.

Nevertheless, the financial pressure is real. Between 65 and 70% of photographers reported increased business costs in 2024, including equipment and insurance. Zenfolio encourages professionals to revisit their pricing strategies and delivery models. Many new photographers still rely on selling digital files, but seasoned pros continue to profit from print sales. Print credits and tiered packages are recommended methods for boosting margins.

Technological change, particularly AI, is also reshaping the industry. Rather than replacing photographers, AI tools are helping them streamline their workflows. From culling and editing to delivering final images, that efficiency frees up more time to focus on the creative vision and client service that can’t be automated.

AI tools help with workflow so photographers can focus on other aspects of the business, especially creative vision. Copyright: © Zenfolio

Drone photography was introduced to the survey for the first time this year. The findings include that it is not only gaining traction but outpacing smartphone use among professional photographers. While the adoption of mirrorless cameras saw a slight dip, traditional cameras remain dominant.

Finally, the report underscores a less tangible but perhaps more critical theme: the value of community. From online forums to local peer groups, photographers who engage with one another are more likely to grow in business, confidence and creativity. State of the Photography Industry 2025 is free to view and includes helpful advice and actionable tips.

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