Boox has refreshed its ultra-thin Go 10.3 E Ink tablet with a lighter design, the option of a front light or not, and Android 15 for a more productive and versatile device.
Category: Consumer Tech, Technology
Tags: Tablet, E-Ink, Productivity, E-reader
The latest Global Energy Crisis (Version 7.3) made the opening of the 2026 Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS) much more important than it might have been just a few weeks ago. Spiking petrol pump prices act directly on the hip-pocket nerve and as the world's car manufacturers formed up to face the Thai masses, the mood was remarkably upbeat.
Category: Automotive, Transport
Tags: 2026 Bangkok International Motor Show, Electric Vehicles, Hyundai, Nio, BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, Gallery
Electric bikes are increasingly splitting into two camps: practical commuter tools and high-performance machines that edge into motorcycle territory. The Flux X26 from AOTOS sits firmly in the latter, positioning itself as a hybrid that prioritizes ride experience, power and design, while layering in a suite of connected features more commonly seen in smart devices – but the icing on top is a dedicated boost button!
Category: Sponsored Content
Tamron's booth at CP+ 2026 was decked out with a headline-grabbing Back to the Future display (complete with an actor dressed as Doc Brown). The theme extended to a wall showing some of the company's most significant lenses from the past.
Photo from video: Dale Baskin
"The most significant shift across the entire imaging landscape has undoubtedly been the mainstream adoption of AI-generated imagery," says Kei Nagai, the section manager of Tamron's Overseas Sales Department, when asked about the most important trend in imaging of the past year.
Out of all the companies we interviewed at the CP+ trade show this year, Tamron is one of the few to bring up that particular elephant in the room. But the company thinks the newfound popularity of computer-generated images could make real-world photography more relevant, not less.
"While it has become much easier to create an image that matches one’s specific intent, we believe this will change what people demand from photography," Nagai says. "While the importance of expressiveness and authenticity remains fundamental, we anticipate that the intrinsic value of the experience of taking a photograph – the act of capturing a moment yourself – will become even more significant than before."
It wasn't the only time AI came up in the interview, which covered a range of topics from the health of the overall market to how Tamron comes up with which focal ranges its zooms should cover.
An opportunity to growAsked to describe the overall health of the camera industry, Nagai says that the mirrorless camera and lens ecosystem has matured significantly, making it easier for people to find gear that matches their goals. Despite that maturation, Tamron still thinks it has room to grow.
"While CIPA forecasts suggest the overall market remains relatively flat, we see this as an opportunity to grow our share by continuing to introduce truly compelling and innovative products," says Nagai. He cites lenses like the 35-150mm F2-2.8 as options that give Tamron the opportunity to win in a certain niche.
Nagai says that taking on the risk of developing those kinds of lenses with non-traditional focal length ranges is at the heart of what the company does. "We believe that these challenges are our 'Significance of existence' – our very reason for being," he says.
Tamron's latest lens, the 35-100mm F2.8, is relatively small and lightweight for a fast zoom with its zoom range."By listening closely to user feedback and challenging ourselves with unique focal ranges, perhaps by slightly shifting a standard range or offering a faster aperture, we aim to provide lenses that strike a perfect balance between performance, size, and price in ways that traditional zoom ranges cannot."
While Tamron has seen a lot of success with its strategy of making "unique focal ranges," it'll be interesting to see if it'll face more competition in that field in the mid-term. As companies flesh out their mirrorless lineups and start branching out into more obscure or ambitious focal ranges (see: Sony's 50-150mm F2, which is a similar concept to Tamron's 35-150mm F2-2.8, though much more expensive), their lenses may seem less out there and more mainstream.
As for deciding whether to come out with new lenses that fill the gaps left by camera manufacturers' first-party lineups or bring existing designs to new mounts, Nagai says Tamron tries to do both.
"We are moving toward simultaneous multi-mount launches""In the past, we often expanded to other systems after launching the Sony E-mount. However, with recent releases like the 16-30mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 and the upcoming 35-100mm F/2.8 Di III VXD, we are moving toward simultaneous multi-mount launches." He says the company believes "it is essential to take a holistic view of the entire market and existing lineups to carefully determine which spec and mounts to prioritize."
One potential area of growth that we didn't hear about was the possibility of adding new mounts to its repertoire. We asked if the success the company had seen with its APS-C lenses for Canon's RF system meant there was any possibility that we might see some of its full-frame options make it to the system, but Nagai says he can't offer any comment on that matter.
Balancing innovation and value Tamron's 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 may miss out on 20mm compared to a traditional 70-200mm F2.8, but it's less than half the price of Sony, Nikon and Canon's flagship offerings.As we've seen manufacturers start to release second-generation iterations of their mirrorless lenses, it hasn't been uncommon to see them come with higher price tags than their predecessors. While some of Tamron's G2 lenses have been slightly more expensive than the originals, they're still usually substantially cheaper than many of their peers. Nagai says the company "sets a target cost based on a comprehensive analysis of market conditions" for each lens.
"To achieve these targets, our optical design, mechanical design, and electronic R&D teams collaborate closely with our procurement department from the earliest stages," he says, which lets the company hit the price points it does.
Our improved AF performance is a direct result of our ability to control our VXD linear motorsDespite the focus on an "accessible" price tag, Nagai says the company has been able to find ways to improve autofocus and stabilization performance, including utilizing new types of autofocus motors. "Our improved AF performance is a direct result of our ability to control our VXD linear motors at a much higher level," he says, citing improved speed when running calculations and the ability to stop the motors faster.
He also says the company has continued to use AI, along with a variety of other methods and devices, to improve its stabilization systems. He says the 28-300mm F/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD has the latest iteration of the tech, adding: "We hope our users look forward to what we have in the pipeline." He also says the company will "continue to develop 'smart' features that allow users to customize their gear," as it did with the Tamron Lens Utility app and Link connector, which let you do things like execute focus pulls and adjust the response curves of your focus rings.
This article is based on an interview with Tamron at CP+ 2026, which was expanded via email to include more comprehensive detail. It has been edited for clarity and flow.
An electric enduro motorcycle is nothing new. They’ve been popping up in big numbers, of late. From big-name manufacturers like Stark to niche startups and even some Chinese brands, the electric off-road dirt bike space is buzzing with capable options. So what’s special about this one?
Category: Motorcycles, Transport
Tags: Enduro, Electric Motorcycles, Off-road, Dirt Bikes, Kickstarter
Welcome back to our Question of the Week series! This reader-focused series aims to get our photographic community to share thoughts on all sorts of photography-related topics in our forums. We pose questions about gear, favorite camera stores, advice, problem-solving and more, and you share your thoughts and opinions.
This week, we’re leaning into the holiday spirit! The season of giving (and occasionally re-gifting) is upon us, and that means it’s time to unwrap some memories – both heartwarming and hilarious.
What are the best (and worst) photography-related gifts you've received?What’s the best photography-related gift you’ve ever received? Maybe it was a dream lens that caused you to take on an adventure deep in the mountains, or a handmade camera strap that’s now an essential part of your kit. And what about the worst? Perhaps someone thought you needed yet another "World’s Best Photographer" mug, or that odd lens filter set that turned every photo a shade of green.
In this edition of our Question of the Week series, we want to hear your gift stories: the memorable, the useful and the truly baffling. Share your favorites (and flops) in the forum link below. Photos of the gifts (or what you created with them) are also more than welcome! We'll highlight some of your most entertaining and heartfelt responses in next week's roundup.
We've seen a small number of modular phones with replaceable parts over the last few years, and Lenovo's been following Framework's lead in developing a modular laptop. What if you're in the market for something in between?
Category: Consumer Tech, Technology
Since the launch of a major forum upgrade late last year, we've been making tweaks and changes here and there as you've reported issues and suggested features.
Today, we've rolled out a major package of improvements specific to the forums, including visual enhancements, new direct message features, an improved search algorithm and more. Check out the notes below and let us know if you have any questions.
Style and VisibilityLet us know if you experience any issues with these changes, or have any questions.
Related, we are still working on removing the dropdown Read references, so you only see Unread notifications come up in this space. Similar contrast and other readability improvements are still on the list to adjust as well. And we are hoping to make adjustments to main website areas that link to or use the forums in various ways. This includes resolving page errors associated with user review creation and similar product page links.
Visit the forum announcement to discuss these changes with our community.
A wooden dragon sculpture that gently flaps its wings has become a crowd-funding hit, but after seeing the traditional handcrafted work that's been put into every single model, making each one unique, the value of such a piece becomes strikingly clear.
Category: Around The Home, Consumer Tech, Technology
Tags: Kickstarter, Dragon, Art, Sculpture, Interior Design, Home decor
An "extreme" hard-sided 4x4 camper rig for under £30,000? That's exactly what Dacia launched a few years ago in adding an overnight "Sleep Pack" to its venerable Duster and Jogger utility vehicles. Now the Romanian badge expands its in-vehicle camping series out to new vehicles and new components. The result is an even more impressive family of rugged, low-profile micro-RVs that cost well less than the typical on- or off-road camping rig.
Category: Campervans, Adventure Vehicles, Outdoors
Tags: Renault Dacia, mini-campervan, RV, camper-in-a-box, Camping, Outdoors and Camping, Campervan
Our sample galleries serve two main purposes: to let you see how a camera or lens performs, but also to show that we've actually put in the hours with the product.
The recent Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG II Art was released during a particularly gray Seattle February, but Richard had a UK trip lined-up, and apparently doesn't know the difference between work and vacation.
Read about our experience with the Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG II Art
A friend was kind enough to shoot a short video as he fleshed out the gallery with some portraits from London, so join us for a quick stroll around London's Soho, to see one of the ways we collect sample images.
The Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG II Art made a pleasantly compact travel companion.
Photo: Richard Butler
You can see our full gallery below and, as always, download the original Raws, to form your own conclusions.
Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG II Art sample galleryPlease do not reproduce any of these images on a website or any newsletter/magazine without prior permission (see our copyright page). We make the originals available for private users to download to their own machines for personal examination or printing; we do so in good faith, so please don't abuse it.
Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Click here to open it in a new browser window / tab.Thank you to Panasonic for the loan of a Lumix DC-S1RII to capture this gallery. All images were processed using our standard lens workflow in Capture One, with the manufacturer's distortion correction applied but no correction of vignetting. There is extremely minor pincushion distortion before the correction is applied: we do not consider it to be an essential part of the lens design, if you prefer not to use it or your preferred software does not support lens corrections.
Although so-called "clipless" pedals are great for serious cycling, they can be pretty inconvenient for simple trips to the store and such. Redshift Sports' Mousetrap Pedal Adapters are made to help, by instantly adding platforms to clipless pedals.
Bumpboxx has been in the party speaker business for over a decade, with a number of models styled like 'ghetto blasters' that you can carry on your shoulder all old-school like. Its latest product is a proper throwback boombox, complete with cassette decks and a CD player – along with thoughtful features that make it easy to live with.
Category: Consumer Tech, Technology
Tags: Speakers, Bluetooth Speakers, Retro, Boombox, Cassettes, CD Player
Consumer tech giant Hisense unveiled a high-end tri-laser projector at CES 2026 that put out 6,000 lumens and could throw visuals at 300 inches. It's a beast, and we now have more details and, most importantly, pricing.
Category: Home Entertainment, Consumer Tech, Technology
Tags: Hisense, Projectors, Laser, 4K UHD
This compact tiny house doubles down on one of the major benefits of small living: freedom. The home runs off-grid and combines an easy-to-tow configuration with an open layout that's arranged on one floor.
Category: Tiny Houses, Outdoors
Tags: Building and Construction, Tiny Footprint, Micro-House, House, Home
Panasonic has announced the Lumix DC-ZS300, which will be known as the TZ300 in other markets. It's a pocketable compact with a 15x, 24-360mm equiv zoom lens in front of a Type 1 (13.2 x 8.8mm) BSI CMOS sensor. But, unlike its predecessor, there's no viewfinder if your travel takes you to sunnier climes.
For those who have memorized Panasonic's compact lineup, the specs set out in the company's press release will be very reminiscent of its ZS200 / TZ200, announced in February 2018. Other than the absent viewfinder, the other significant change is the adoption of the newer USB-C socket. The actual interface is likely to be the same as before as, like the previous model, the ZS300 can be charged, but not powered, over USB.
The ZS300 has a zoom covering an impressive 24-360mm equivalent range. Its maximum aperture drops from F3.3 at the wide end to F6.4 by its full reach. The Type 1 sensor means there's a 2.72x crop factor at play.
The ZS300's Macro mode can focus down as close as 3cm (1.2") at its widest focal length, but this increases to 100cm (39.4") at the long end of the lens. Based on what we've been shown and told, it's likely to retain the fixed 1840K dot (960 x 640 px) fixed rear screen from the mid-life ZS200D update, along with a small pop-up flash.
We wonder whether Panasonic has found it difficult to source the field-sequential viewfinder panels used in older models, but still think a travel zoom will be limited by the absence of any sort of viewfinder.
Image: Panasonic
Focusing on the positives, though: the announcement of the ZS300 as a new model suggests you might actually be able to buy one. The deletion of the viewfinder means that, unlike the more EU-compliance updated G97 model, its price has only gone up by a relatively modest $100 in the eight years since the Micro-B USB version was launched.
We're still awaiting full specs and availability information, but we're told the ZS300 will be available in silver or black variants for $899, ex tax.
Panasonic Introduces New Pocket-sized *1 15x Zoom Travel Camera: LUMIX ZS300Newark, N.J. (Mar. 24, 2026) – Panasonic is pleased to introduce the new LUMIX ZS300, a pocket-sized *1 digital compact camera designed for travelers and everyday creators who want exceptional image quality in a portable form. Whether you’re photographing distant landmarks on a vacation, capturing vibrant night views in a busy city, or recording spontaneous moments with friends, this versatile camera adapts to any situation.
The LUMIX ZS300 combines a powerful 15x optical zoom with a 1.0type BSI CMOS sensor to deliver clear, detailed images even in challenging lighting. Its LEICA certified lens covers a 24–360mm *2 focal range, enabling everything from sweeping landscapes to faraway subjects to be captured with crisp precision. The high sensitivity sensor minimizes noise in nighttime scenes, preserving natural brightness and fine detail at approximately 20.1 megapixels.
For creative close-up shooting, the ZS300 features AF Macro, allowing users to focus as close as 3cm. Small objects—from delicate flowers to everyday accessories—can be captured with sharp clarity. Despite its advanced capabilities, the compact camera body fits easily into a pocket or bag, making it ideal for daily carry and travel.
For video shooting, the ZS300 offers 4K recording at 3840 × 2160, providing lifelike detail for travel scenes and fast-moving action. Highspeed FHD 120fps recording offers smooth slow-motion expression, while 4K PHOTO captures moments at 30 frames per second, letting you extract the perfect shot.
To ensure stable and blurfree shooting, POWER O.I.S. effectively compensates for handshake at telephoto or in low-light environments. When filming while walking, 5axis HYBRID O.I.S.+ provides smooth, stable video.
A variety of 22 creative filter effects allow users to tailor the look of their photos to match their personal style. A builtin flash ensures bright, clear results even in dark settings such as indoor parties or nighttime portraits.
With Bluetooth® connectivity and WiFi® image transfer via the Panasonic Image App, sharing photos and videos from the ZS300 is fast and convenient. USB TypeC® charging *3 provides added flexibility, allowing users to power the camera on the go using AC adapters, PCs, or portable power banks.
Main Features 1. High Image Quality*1 Approx. 111.2 (W) x 66.4 (H) x 45.2 (D) mm. Dimensions exclude protrusions.
*2 35mm camera equivalent: 24-360mm
*3 Power supply is not available.
Safety on a motorcycle is a double-edged sword. On one hand, safety is paramount when you’re riding on two wheels. But on the other hand, how far are you willing to go to safeguard yourself without interfering with the riding experience?
Category: Motorcycles, Transport
Tags: Scooter, Yamaha, Trike, Airbags, Safety, Airbag, Road Safety
Left: Mitsuhiro Suzaki, Deputy General Manager of the Lens Technology and System business unit.
Right: Yasufumi Machitani, General Manager of Sony's Camera Business Department
Photo: Dale Baskin
"In terms of imaging quality, needless to say, the image sensor is one of the most important factors," says Yasufumi Machitani, General Manager of Sony's Camera Business Department, addressing where he thinks the next noticeable improvements to stills will come from.
"Sony Group has the Sony Semiconductor Solutions Group, which develops and produces image sensors," he says. "So the image sensor development group and the camera and lens group closely communicate. That means we can discuss future products: What kind of image sensor there should be, or what kind of signal processing we can do on the camera side. We can align the image sensor technology and the camera development together, which we think is a great advantage for us."
Advancements in image quality were just one of the topics we discussed with Sony executives during our interview with them at CP+ 2026, but it, and the company's desire for innovation, is something that came up a lot during our discussion.
"There is still solid demand" Sony says vlogging cameras like the ZV-E10 II have been received well by the younger generations.Discussing the state of the camera market, Machitani says he thinks the market will continue to grow. "If you look at the CIPA numbers, there was growth this year. I think there's still solid demand from customers, in terms of our core business of camera bodies and lenses." According to him, the growth comes from several places, citing conventional uses and also newer use cases, such as live streaming and 3D photogrammetry. "We think that creators are diverse and their demands are varied. But in general, [stills/video] hybrid usage is popular," he says.
While there have been concerns that the growth may be temporary, spurred by people switching from DSLR systems to mirrorless, Sony also talked a lot about the next generation of photographers: younger people who may be buying their first camera.
"In general, hybrid usage is popular""We see generational differences in how people shoot," he says. "Especially younger customers stepping up from smartphones, they often shoot both photos and video. They are a different type of customer from traditional enthusiasts. They start recording their life with smartphones, but they want more creative control, which is hard to get. So they switch to compact cameras or to the Alpha system for photography. And then they try to shoot video too."
Another interesting generational divide Sony sees has to do with colors and editing. Atsushi Ueda, General Manager of the Imaging Marketing Division's Marketing Communication Department, says more experienced photographers will value specs like a claimed 16 stops of dynamic range. "Advanced photographers tend to shoot Raw, while many younger photographers enjoy the real-time creativity using Creative Look for different color and tones. So, with our Alpha lineup, we can cover different types of customers," he says, referring to the customizable color modes that apply to your JPEGs and HEIFs.
The compact question The last entry in Sony's RX100 series, the VII, came out in 2019.Machitani says that Sony has seen the compact camera market growing, and specifically cites the ZV series of vlogging cameras (which are a mix of interchangeable and fixed lens designs) as being particularly well-received by younger generations. "I think there are two aspects," he says. "Everyone is now getting used to taking photos with their smartphone. They start to become eager for better devices or tools to capture great image quality or express their feelings. So that's why a dedicated camera is necessary. And the second point is, at the same time, interchangeable mirrorless cameras are also getting bigger. Photo enthusiasts, or even professionals, need a more compact one to carry around every day, or for holidays and family time."
"Users of our competitors' mirrorless cameras also love this RX1 series"In the case of Sony's latest compact, the RX1R III, he says the audience for it isn't just people who already own another Sony camera. "The people who buy an RX1R Mark III also tend to have a mirrorless camera. Not only a Sony camera, but users of our competitors' mirrorless cameras also love this RX1 series."
An RX1R III, cut in half at Sony's CP+ booth.While the RX1R III and the ZV-series cameras fill their own niches, Machitani says Sony hears customers who are asking for a new entry in the more all-rounder' RX100 series. "We understand the necessity and requests for the RX100 series," he says. When asked if Sony views its vlogging compacts as a good solution for photographers looking for a fixed lens camera, he adds: "I think ZV-series and RX series are different concepts, so they meet different needs." In other words, it seems the vlogging cameras aren't intended to be a replacement.
"This is a basic model, but we try to raise the standard"Machitani cites the a7 V's "4-axis multi-angle monitor" as a feature requested by creators and hybrid shooters that also benefits purely stills photographers.
Photo: Mitchell Clark
Despite the references to hybrid shooters and younger generations interested in video and color profiles, Sony made it clear that the innovations that benefit those users aren't wasted on people purely interested in photography.
"If you look at the a7 Mark V, which we recently just launched, this camera is also very good for traditional photographers," Machitani says. "We think creators and their demands are very diverse, and sometimes there are conflicts. But we try to understand their needs, and try to meet them in our future products or services, and deliver several solutions to meet their diverse demands."
When we asked if there were any specific features from the a7 V that were good for hybrid users and photographers, he gave us a few examples. "We renewed the image sensor and BIONZ XR2 processing unit. Although we say this is a 'basic model,' we try to raise the standard for the camera industry so that everyone can easily capture the decisive moment or the important scenes in their lives. So the BIONZ XR2 processor is now combined with AI processing unit functions from the latest Alpha-series cameras. So this is a basic camera, but the basic is great." He also cites blackout-free shooting and the combination tilting/swivel screen as features, and says the latter was requested by lots of creators.
Finding the balanceThe idea of balancing the needs of different audiences came up again in our discussion of lenses with Mitsuhiro Suzaki, Deputy General Manager of the Lens Technology and System business unit. "We continue to expand the E-mount lens lineup in order to meet our diverse creators' needs," he says, citing the Sony FE 50-150mm F2 GM as an example of a new offering that's popular with both photographers and videographers.
"If we tried to make a 50-200mm F2, the size and weight would increase significantly"As for how they decide what kind of lenses to make, Suzaki says they start by thinking about how they can create something that gives people new options. For the 50-150mm, they started with the concept of a fast zoom lens that was still compact, and experimented with a few different focal lengths, trying to find the right balance of weight, optical performance and balance. "Some people said 'we wish Sony made the 50-150 compatible with teleconvertors' or that they'd prefer a 50-200 F2. But if we tried to make a 50-200mm F2, the size and weight would increase significantly, and it would become a much more specialized lens," he says. "We believe this specification is the most reasonable and versatile choice for many creators."
When it comes to actually bringing a lens like that to market, Suzaki says it requires a lot of different disciplines. "We combine optical design, lens element technology, actuator technology, and mechanical engineering. Together, these technologies enable lenses with this level of performance." He also says it's not just a matter of selecting the right material to create lens elements, but also turning it into a precision surface that can be mass-produced. "This kind of development requires a long period of time and a great deal of trial and error."
On affordability, value and innovation The a7 V has more all-around capability than its predecessor, but is also launching at $400 more than the a7 IV (which itself was $500 more than the a7 III).As prices for enthusiast-tier cameras creep higher, especially in the US, we thought it would be interesting to ask how affordability factors into their product planning. Machitani mostly demurs, saying that the company will "determine product specifications by comprehensively considering overall product value and balance," but Ueda points out the company's strategy of keeping older generations of its products on sale at different prices, such as in the case of the a7 V ($2899), IV ($2199), and III ($1699).
"We need to do something unique, something different for our customers."Ueda adds that people look to Sony for something else: "Basically, from the customer's point of view, their request to Sony is innovation. So we need to do something unique, something different for our customers. That's our purpose." It's an interesting response, as "innovative" and "affordable" are labels rarely shared by the same products.
This article is based on an interview by Dale Baskin and Mitchell Clark at CP+ 2026. It has been edited for clarity and flow.
South African camping trailer specialist Invader is developing the all-new Viator as a roomier, more luxurious alternative to its smaller fold-out trailers. Like its other models, the Viator packs low and rugged for on/off-road travel and expands at camp. But it features a longer body and transformable furnishings that combine for a more complete floor plan that includes a bathroom, retractable dining area, queen bedroom and oversized multi-slide outdoor kitchen.
Category: Outdoors
Tags: Caravan, Camping, Trailer, trailers, Off-road, RV, Outdoors and Camping
The heated race to achieve the extreme cold that quantum technologies demand may have a frontrunner. Chinese scientists have developed an alloy that almost reaches absolute zero, the coldest possible temperature, without using the scarce isotope, helium-3.
Category: Materials, Engineering, Technology
Tags: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Cooling, Helium
