Most underwater robots lose contact with the surface the moment they descend. But a new antenna technology, borrowed from the physics of medical implants, is rethinking how submarine machines talk to each other – and to us.
Category: Engineering
Tags: University of Florida, Communications, Underwater drones, Antenna
Being in my line of work means that I'm exposed to all sorts of products and companies. Because of that, it's not often that I'm truly surprised by something. Recently, though, I had the opportunity to visit Supersense in Vienna, Austria, and I was left surprised and, frankly, delighted by a company doing something rather special.
I first heard of Supersense a few years ago through the An Impossible Project documentary. Supersense describes itself as an "all analog palace manufactory," focusing on analog products for each of the senses (hence the name). Indeed, if you're someone who loves old technology, Supersense is a dream come true. Chris Holmquist, the Production Manager at One Instant (a part of Supersense), graciously offered to show me around the entire space and share more about what makes Supersense tick.
Found in a historic, Venetian-style building in Vienna, the Supersense space is filled to the brim with analog processes of all types: a print shop with printing presses and die-cutters (touch), vinyl cutting tools (hearing), a restaurant (taste and smell) and One Instant, the makers of the world's only peel-apart packfilm (sight). The space also houses one of just seven 20x24 cameras in existence – a Wisner-based large format giant capable of producing the world's largest instant photographs.
As a photographer who loves anything film-related, I was especially keen to learn more about One Instant. The project was born out of Supersense's founder, Florian 'Doc' Kaps' love of photography and his mission to bring back instant film (which previously led to the revival of Polaroid).
Each piece of Type 100 film takes 20 minutes to assemble, at minimum.One Instant is a tiny team making peel-apart instant film by hand. None of the process is automated at this point, and so every single step is handled by the team. If you think that sounds painstakingly slow and tedious, you're not wrong. Each piece of Type 100 film takes 20 minutes to assemble, at minimum. And that's only if all of the components are perfectly lined up and ready to go, which is rarely the case, so realistically, it takes much longer.
The handmade process naturally means the film is expensive: a pack of three Type 100 sheets costs $60, and a single sheet of 8x10 film will run you $66. Those are all pre-assembled options, but One Instant also offers DIY kits to offer a somewhat more affordable option, saving users just over $6 per sheet of film. These kits let photographers handle the final assembly process, minus the darkroom-reliant steps, thus keeping costs down.
At this point, One Instant is still using legacy Polaroid materials, including negatives, paper, and the pods that contain the chemistry. The goal is to gradually move away from that, so they aren't relying on old-stock materials, thus making the peel-apart film more future-proof. Given the success of Polaroid film's revival, I look forward to seeing what the future holds for the One Instant project.
You can learn even more about the process and the DIY packfilm specifically in the video below.
I admit, I'm usually more drawn to rugged pickups and 4x4 SUVs than most other four-wheeled machines. But every now and then, along comes a hatchback that gets me drooling. Toyota's latest Corolla GRMN hot hatch just got me reaching for a towel.
Category: Automotive, Transport
Tags: Toyota, Hot hatch, Japan, Nurburgring
Royal Enfields are notoriously good at being the lab rat for all kind of customization. In fact, its Shotgun 650 was itself ‘inspired by custom’ per the company… and that bike is exactly what serves as the donor heart of this gorgeous one-off creation.
Category: Motorcycles, Transport
Tags: Royal Enfield, Custom Bikes, Custom, Retro, Streamliner
Polydrops once noted it went through more than 100 CFD simulations to finalize the thin, tapered form of its wing-like P21 family camping trailer. But apparently, it wasn't finished. Because as it ruggedized the P21 into off-road form, it also further massaged the vessel's already slippery aerodynamic profile. So whether you're worried about draining the battery of your Rivian R2 or sipping up every last drop of gas during a far-flung backcountry tour, the P21X helps ensure that doesn't happen ... and then it sleeps you and the family comfortably.
Category: Camping Trailers, Adventure Vehicles, Outdoors
Tags: Caravan, polydrops, trailers, Trailer, RV, Off-road, Off-grid, Aerodynamic, Camping, Outdoors and Camping
This is one of those “I swear I’ve seen that before” moments. MG has officially pulled the covers off its latest and greatest coupe, the 07, and the images are uncanny … resembling the Porsche Taycan in more ways than one.
Category: Automotive, Transport
Tags: MG, Electric Vehicles, Hybrid, PHEV, China, SAIC, Porsche
Presta valves are one of those things that a lot of serious cyclists use, but perhaps secretly hate. Well, those folks might have a much more loving relationship with the Aether valve stem, which does away with a traditional Presta valve's problematic core.
Suddenly there’s a new Audi. And it’s a head-turning, 217-mph, 1,001-bhp, hybrid supercar called the Nuvolari.
Category: Automotive, Transport
With its length of 24 ft (7.3 m), the Goa is on the smaller side even for a tiny house. However, it has been carefully designed for full-time living and packs in two bedrooms, a practical kitchen, and a bathroom with a bathtub.
Category: Tiny Houses, Outdoors
Tags: Building and Construction, Tiny Footprint, Micro-House, House, Home, Tiny Footprint
Most photographers strive to find a camera system that fits easily into a small bag when traveling. But the people behind the 20x24 Project are traveling the world with a camera so big that it doesn't fit in a plane. The above video from the group is a fantastic introduction to the project, along with the camera's wild history.
The video very briefly walks through the general story of Polaroid and instant photography, but the main focus, of course, is the behemoth of a camera. It touches on the camera's surprising origins, its unlikely rise to fame among some of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century, and how it ended up back in action after years in storage. It's also an exciting look at what's to come from the camera.
The video at the top of the article was the project's introduction, but it is well underway now, and the team has since released several episodes featuring the artists they have worked with so far. You can check out one of those below and see all their videos on the 20x24 Project channel on YouTube.
Engineers at MIT have successfully tested a hybrid propulsion system for small satellites that combines the raw punch of chemical rockets with the long-haul efficiency of electric thrusters – and crucially, both run on the same fuel. This tech could propel cheap, briefcase-sized spacecraft to Mars and beyond.
Category: Space Systems, Engineering
Hermeus's Quarterhorse aircraft is still pushing the supersonic flight envelope, but the US Department of Defense is already so keen on the concept that it's awarded the company US$159 million to explore the military applications of the technology.
Category: Military, Engineering
Tags: SR-71, Hermeus, Supersonic, US Army, US Navy
String theory is perhaps the greatest tragedy of modern science. Mathematically elegant and celebrated savior of divided physics, it is nonetheless crippled by one simple fact – it is utterly untestable.
Tags: string theory, relativity, Quantum Physics, Particle physics
Bigger name brands like Earthroamer and Winnebago might get more hype, but Supertramp has been quietly launching some of the market's sleekest, most compelling expedition campers since the Flagship LT debuted in 2021. At this point, other companies might start trying to diversify with a new style of RV, e.g. an adventure camper van, but Supertramp instead brings adventure van-level comfort and pricing to the back of a snarling Ford Super Duty truck. Its all-new Paragon might just be the absolute Goldilocks of adventure rigs, bringing together state-of-the-art construction and a market-undercutting pricing structure.
Category: RVs and Motorhomes, Adventure Vehicles, Outdoors
Tags: RV, Motorhomes, Motorhome, expedition vehicles, Off-road, Off-grid, Camping, Outdoors and Camping, Truck, Ford
Leatherman has become synonymous with the style of plier multitool it first brought to market in 1983. But not every single Leatherman plier tool has taken on the ubiquitous X-like form with plier teeth emerging simultaneously from split swiveling handles. The Crunch was a different breed of plier-based multitool with a set of angled pliers that emerged via a unique triple-folding action. It attracted its share of lovers and detractors over the years before retiring just a few years ago. Now it's back for one last run, and it's earned itself a military-grade promotion. Meet the Captain's Crunch.
Category: Knives and Multitools, Gear, Outdoors
Tags: Leatherman, Multitools, Outdoors and Camping, Tools, DIY
Chloe Heys, University of Lancashire; Kevin Arbuckle, Swansea University, and Matilda Brindle, University of Oxford/ The Conversation
Tags: Birds, Sex, Wildlife, Zoo, Swansea University, University of Oxford, Animal science, Behavior
Demolition of old structures at the end of their service life results in large amounts of waste and carbon emissions, not to mention the labor involved and the cost of producing new materials. According to official statistics, construction and demolition waste accounts for more than one third of all waste generated in Europe.
Category: Materials, Engineering
Tags: TU Graz, Building and Construction, Reuse
By the time you're spending over $3,000, you're looking at getting one of the best cameras around. You should expect it to deliver exceedingly detailed images and capture high-end video, all without having to compromise much on speed for when the action picks up.
For most applications, a camera around $3000 will be more than enough, but if you and your photography need the very highest image quality or some specialist capability, the cameras in this guide are among the best we've yet seen. There are a handful of dedicated sports/photojournalism cameras or luxury models above the $6000 upper limit we've set ourselves, but these are usually such singular offerings that we're assuming you don't need our help in choosing if you're seriously considering them.
At this level, there aren't really any bad picks, so if you have any investment at all in the lens system of one company, this should probably be the deciding factor for you. But we'll highlight the particular strengths we found in each camera, just in case you are planning to switch systems.
Our recommendations:45MP Stacked CMOS sensor | Eye-controlled AF subject selection | Up to 30fps continuous shooting
The EOS R5 II is one of the most all-around capable cameras we've tested.
Photo: Richard Butler
Buy now:
Buy at AdoramaBuy at B&H Photo What we like:See the EOS R5 II Studio Scene
Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Please open this article's permalink in a browser to view this content. Should I still buy the EOS R5?Short answer: yes. It lacks some of the newer camera's features like eye-controlled subject selection, action priority modes and AI noise reduction, but if those don't matter to you – or aren't worth the $400 MSRP premium of the EOS R5 II – the EOS R5 is still plenty capable in 2026.
Buy now:
Buy w/ 24-105mm f/4 at Amazon.comBuy at AdoramaBuy at B&H Photo Another great option: Nikon Z846MP Stacked CMOS sensor | 20fps Raw, 30fps full-size JPEG shooting | 8K/60 and 4K/120 video
The Nikon Z8 delivers just about everything: speed, AF, video and, most importantly of all, image quality.
Photo: Richard Butler
Buy now:
Buy at Amazon.comBuy at AdoramaBuy at B&H Photo What we like:The Nikon Z8 is a fast-shooting stills and video-capable mirrorless camera with a 46MP Stacked CMOS sensor. It's an extremely strong competitor compared to the EOS R5 II, but Canon's action sports settings and eye control push it over the edge.
If those things don’t matter much to you, you can pretty much base your decision on whether you prefer Nikon or Canon’s lens lineup. They’re broadly similar, and both brands tightly control which options third-party manufacturers can offer.
The Z8 has a large, comfortable grip with well-placed controls. There's a good level of customizable controls and ergonomics that match the pro-focused Z9. The viewfinder resolution is low but the brightness and lack of lag make it one of best-suited to action. Video quality is excellent with a choice of Raw and 10-bit gamma/compressed formats with up to 8K/60 or 4K/60 derived from it. There's also a less-detailed 4K/120p option. Tools such as waveforms and dependable AF make it easy to shoot with. The Nikon Z8 is a hugely capable all-rounder, combining resolution, autofocus performance and video capabilities not seen before at this price. It's not a small or light camera but it makes you feel ready for anything, photographically while you're carrying it. Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Please open this article's permalink in a browser to view this content. A cheaper option?At $3300, the Panasonic Lumix S1RII retails for substantially less than the Z8 and EOS R5 II while offering similar resolution, speed and video features. But while we found it to be a quite capable camera, its autofocus UI and performance are a fair bit behind what Canon and Nikon offer, to the point where we'd recommend paying the extra if you think you'll be frequently shooting moving subjects. If you mostly shoot still subjects and/or videos, though, it may well be worth considering for the savings.
Buy now:
Buy at Amazon.comBuy at AdoramaBuy at B&H Photo High-spec high res: Sony a7R VI66MP Stacked CMOS sensor | >30fps with e-shutter, 10fps mech | >4K/120p video
Photo: Mitchell ClarkBuy now:
Buy at Amazon.comBuy at AdoramaBuy at B&H Photo What we like:It's a camera that focuses mainly on image quality – something it does better than any other full-frame options – but with a sensor fast enough to stretch to shooting action, wildlife and video if needed. Sony has also been less restrictive with what lenses can be made for its mount, meaning you have plenty of options.
It has a reasonably comfortable grip with extensive, well-placed controls around the body. It lacks the shoulder dial of the a9 and a1 models, but generally lets you gain fast access to the settings you want. It delivers higher resolution and higher dynamic range, backed with an impressive AF system and best-in-class battery life The a7R VI's autofocus is very fast and extremely reliable, with very effective tracking and subject recognition. It can shoot at up to 30fps in e-shutter mode, but you'll need to use lossy compressed Raw to maintain the best AF and least distortion at those speeds. Battery life is excellent, thanks to a large new battery. The Sony a7R VI isn't the same kind of high-res, high-speed allrounder as rivals such as the EOS R5 II or Nikon Z8, despite what its specs imply. But it delivers higher resolution and higher dynamic range, backed with an impressive AF system and best-in-class battery life, making it a formidable photographic tool in all but the most frenetic circumstances.See the Sony a7R VI studio scene
Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Please open this article's permalink in a browser to view this content. Should I still buy a Sony a7R V?The Sony a7R V isn't as fast, but, unlike the a7R IV before it, has Sony's latest menu system. If you're only planning on shooting landscapes or other slow-moving subjects, and aren't that interested in video, it may be worth going with the older model and rolling the savings into a nice lens or two.
The compact option: Sony a7CR61MP BSI CMOS sensor | 4K/60p video with 10-bit color | Dedicated ‘AI’ processor for AF system
You can't do much to shrink the lenses, but the a7CR is both the smallest and least expensive camera here.
Photo: Richard Butler
Buy now:
Buy at Amazon.comBuy at B&H PhotoBuy at MPB What we like:The Sony a7CR is a compact, full-frame camera with a 61MP BSI CMOS sensor. Despite its small size, it packs in most of the features found in Sony’s larger bodies while still delivering stunning detail, without sacrificing much performance.
The a7CR is impressively small for a full-frame camera. The addition of a front control dial improves handling significantly. Notably, there’s no joystick for positioning the AF point, and the viewfinder is small and very low resolution for a camera costing this much. "If you're looking for maximum resolution in a travel-sized body, the a7RC is tough to beat." The a7CR's 61MP sensor can capture a lot of detail, putting it ahead of most full-frame rivals; though it is a little noisier in low light. JPEG colors are pleasing, and excellent sharpening makes the most out of the 61MP sensor. Raw files provide plenty of latitude to pull up shadows at base ISO. The a7CR delivers impressive results for its size. It essentially provides the same level of image quality, and most of the same features, as Sony's a7R V, but in a smaller package. In exchange for the small size, you make a few compromises, like no AF joystick, but if you're looking for maximum resolution in a travel-sized body, the a7CR is tough to beat.Read our in-depth Sony a7CR review
Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Please open this article's permalink in a browser to view this content. IQ above all else: Fujifilm GFX 100S II102MP BSI medium format sensor | In-body image stabilization | 5.76M dot viewfinder
Photo: Mitchell ClarkBuy now:
Buy at AdoramaBuy at B&H Photo What we like:The Fujifilm GFX 100S II is a 100MP medium format mirrorless interchangeable lens camera with built-in image stabilization.
This camera is perhaps the most specialized pick on this list: it's not especially fast or versatile but in terms of image quality, it essentially offers the best levels of detail we've ever seen. It's a true step up over even the best of its full-frame rivals (some of which comes from its lenses - the GF primes often being particularly good).
Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Please open this article's permalink in a browser to view this content. Why you should trust usThis buying guide is based on cameras used and tested by DPReview's editorial team. We don't select a camera until we've used it enough to be confident in recommending it, usually after our extensive review process. The selections are purely a reflection of which cameras we believe to be best: there are no financial incentives for us to select one model or brand over another.
Nikon Z8 | NIKKOR Z 24-120mm F4 S | F4 | 1/320 sec | ISO 320
Photo: Alberto Tanikawa
Alberto Tanikawa specializes in creative still-life photography, with a particular focus on knives and whisky bottles. Much of his work is created in carefully controlled nighttime setups, where he uses RGB lighting, grids and diffusers to craft dramatic scenes and unique color combinations. The images he shared for this article highlight his passion for lighting and detail-oriented product photography.
"I've been a visual guy since childhood, getting started with a film point and shoot in the 80s-90s, then starting a career as a wedding photographer in the early 2000s, and eventually moving to the service side of photography in 2014. I may not shoot professionally anymore, but I think I enjoy my photography even more now that I shoot for myself, not for clients."
This story is part of our What's in your bag? community spotlight series. The series showcases the diverse gear and photography of our community, and shares their stories of how that gear helped them to capture the perfect shot.
Have your photography featured on the DPReview homepage! Find out how.
"This is a custom Spyderco Paramilitary 2 (PM2) pocket knife, lit by three Kelvin RGBACL lights. The deep amber light helped bring out the texture of the knife's shredded carbon scale, while a dark cyan light helped create a sharp line/plane for the knife to stand on. A “bluerple” light overhead helped fill in some of the contours on the dark top area."Nikon Z8 | NIKKOR Z 50mm F1.2 S | F5.6 | 1/60 sec | ISO 800
Photo: Alberto Tanikawa
Home base: United States
Favorite camera and lens: "I had been shooting forever with my Nikon D3, but yearned for higher res AND fast frame rates. When rumors of the Z8 began circulating, I started saving for the day it would be released. It's a very capable hybrid camera."
"I would say today's mirrorless autofocus is so good that I can now get so many more keepers when shooting fast lenses than I ever could in my DSLR days. But I've become more selective of what I keep, sometimes to a detriment. Lens flares, for example, were something I always avoided like the plague, but recently I saw that they could add interest to my photos."
What's in Alberto's bag Alberto's camera bagPhoto: Alberto Tanikawa
Primary cameras: Nikon Z8
"Steel and caffeine. A deep blue light overhead set to its lowest setting helps give the knife blade the tint I desired. The knife is a Bark River Knives JX6 II in Magnacut steel. Two opposing 5600K lights with diffusers (top left and bottom right) help light the coffee beans and shine a light on the rest of the knife materials."
Nikon Z8 | NIKKOR Z 50mm F1.2 S | F5.6 | 1/100 sec | ISO 12800
Photo: Alberto Tanikawa
"If I'm hiking for a while, or am limited in some way on what I can bring, I carry my Z8, Z 24-120 F4 S, and an extension tube for closeups. If shooting video, however, I bring my Z8 in a rig, and the accessories (external monitor, sound recorder, mics, cables, lenses and V-mount battery) in my backpack. For light painting, I use my old Pocket Wizards IIIs along with multiple Kelvin RGBACL lights. Radio triggers are great for their bulletproof dependability and range, by the way."
"Shot of my Bark River Knives JX6 II out on a trail. I found a tree stump, stuck the knife there and started shooting. This was shot on my Nikon Z8 and Z 24-120 F4 S. I noticed a ladybug crawling on the knife, so I kept shooting. I composited five images to give the impression of multiple ladybugs, when in fact it's the same one."Nikon Z8 | NIKKOR Z 24-120mm F4 S @ 120mm | F4 | 1/400 sec | ISO 200
Photo: Alberto Tanikawa
"If shooting a still subject, take the time to fix any undesirable reflections, hairs, dust, etc, during the shoot. Thinking 'I'll just fix it in post' might sound easy in this age of AI editing, but I would rather fix things right there and then. Besides, I don't want to subcontract my thinking or creativity to AI – hopefully that keeps my brain active and sane for longer."
How should other photographers capture the best light possible?"Don't be afraid to experiment, but do it safely, and think things through. There are apps like PhotoPills, which help photographers figure out location and time to shoot that perfect Manhattanhenge, for example, and other apps that help locate astronomical events. There are so many sources of knowledge around the web, DPReview being a prominent one."
"Don't be afraid to experiment, but do it safely, and think things through." "Kuksas and hazmat whiskey. Kuksa is the Finnish word for wooden cup, and I carved these two by hand out of cherry burl and apple wood (left to right). The board, the kuksas, and the bottle were also among my creations (in black walnut). I used all of my Kelvin RGBACL lights and one small camping light to get this look in my darkened living room."Nikon Z8 | NIKKOR Z 50mm F1.2 S | F1.8 | 1/50 sec | ISO 3200
Photo: Alberto Tanikawa
"One thing I did while learning the ropes of wedding photography was to look at magazine photos and try to figure out how they were lit. This served as a great exercise and also helped me curate the lighting styles I found most pleasing. I've used this knowledge to apply to my current photography of still life subjects."
Alberto really enjoyed writing the content for this spotlight article and would be grateful for you to join him in discussion in the forums. Thanks, Alberto, for being featured!
If you'd like to share your photography, tell us about your main camera, lens choices, key settings and strategies. Your photos and story could be featured in the next article!
Editor's note: This article continues a series, 'What's in your bag?', highlighting DPReview community members, their photography and the gear they depend on. Would you like to be featured in a future installment? Tell us a bit about yourself and your photography by filling out this form. If you're selected for a feature, we'll be in touch with next steps.
Submit your photos and story to be featured in 'What's in your bag?'
The future world's tallest building has passed a major construction milestone. Saudi Arabia's JEC Tower has now reached 102 floors and is rapidly progressing toward its planned height of more than 1 km (0.62 miles).
Category: Architecture, Engineering
Tags: Building and Construction, Skyscrapers, Saudi Arabia, World's Tallest
