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Fujifilm X-T30 review: A street photography and 4K-video champ
Amid all the drama in the full-frame mirrorless camera world, Fujifilm quietly unveiled the world-beating APS-C sensor X-T3, last fall. With an all-new 26.1-megapixel X-Trans 4 backside-illuminated (BSI) sensor, it was a major improvement on the X-T2 in speed, autofocus capability, ergonomics and, especially, video. Then, to further press its advantage on Sony, Fujifilm subsequently launched the X-T30 with the same sensor and image quality as the X-T3, for $600 less. Despite that price gap, the X-T30 is packed with features. It has full APS-C 4K video, shooting speeds up to 30 fps and AI-powered face- and eye-detection autofocus. All of that is squeezed into a lightweight, well-designed body that's ideal for travel and street photography. You can't have everything, though, so the X-T30 is missing some features found on its higher-end sibling. To find out how it would fare against rivals, like Sony's A6400, I took it for a spin on the streets of Paris.
Apple users: Review your iPad Pro 12.9!
According to senior mobile editor Chris Velazco, Apple's iPad Pro 12.9 is a lot of things: specifically, sleeker, faster, and more flexible than previous iterations. However, he also noted in his review that the upgraded device is expensive, that its OS is still limited and that the overall experience remains somewhat disappointing. Ultimately, the iPad Pro 12.9 garnered a good, but not great, score of 84. There's certainly plenty to love about this version of the tablet like its A12X Bionic chipset and precise Pencil input, but it doesn't quite match Apple's vision of replacing a laptop for day-to-day work.
Tech can take your photography to the next level
Whether you're interested in taking better photos, video or both, the best thing you can do is to practice and take the time to get to know your equipment. But, if you're finding situations where you're struggling to get the perfect shot, or looking for ways to stretch creatively, there's a world of gadgets out there you can use to mix things up.
Do Micro Four Thirds cameras have a future?
For years, photographers and industry pundits have predicted the demise of the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) camera system. Many believe that the smaller sensor has been superseded by APS-C cameras and the ever-growing lineup of full-frame mirrorless shooters. "Not suddenly, but slowly over the course of the next couple of years," photographer and author Tony Northrup said in a YouTube video last October. The upload, which attracted more than 200,000 views, triggered a wage of counterarguments from prominent MFT users like Peter Forsgård, Joseph Ellis and others. Six months later, there's still no consensus.
The cameras YouTubers love
It's easy to forget that for some of the world's biggest YouTube creators, their rise to internet stardom all started with making videos on a webcam. That's exactly how people like Marques Brownlee (aka MKBHD) and Justine Ezarik (aka iJustine), who now have more than 8 and 5 million subscribers, respectively, began their careers as YouTubers almost a decade ago. But for both of them, gone are the days of using a webcam to create video content. As technologies such as full-frame mirrorless cameras, 4K and 8K have emerged, so too has Brownlee's and Ezarik's desire to up their production value -- especially since their channels focus on consumer electronics. In 2019, videos from Ezarik and Brownlee can rival quality from TV shows and films, thanks to their investment in cameras like Sony's A7III and RED's 8K-ready DSMC2 Brain. The latter is a $60,000 system, which shows just how serious Brownlee is about the videos he makes. And Ezarik and Brownlee aren't the only ones trying to push the envelope for YouTube creators. Jacques Slade, whose channel about sneakers and tech has more than 1 million subscribers, works with a camera setup that consists of three Sony A7 IIIs. Popular YouTuber Casey Neistat, meanwhile, switches among a Canon 6D Mark II DSLR and Sony's A7R II and A7S II full-frame mirrorless shooters. It's clear there isn't a one-camera-fits-all solution for YouTube creators; they each have their own preference based on the brands they like, their audience and what they're shooting on any given day. For example, when Brownlee isn't using his RED 8K camera because he needs a smaller and lighter shooter, he'll jump to the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II. That's a long way from the webcam he started with on YouTube in 2009. To learn more about Brownlee's and others' choices, we spoke to some of the world's biggest YouTubers, who talked about the cameras they started with, what they're using now and what they recommend for newcomer creators.
How to pick a lens for your mirrorless camera in 2019
When buying a mirrorless camera, there's an equally crucial side question: What lenses do I need for this thing? The glass you place in front of that sensor plays a key role in how your photos or videos look and what kind of shooting you can do. It's a complex decision too. You need to consider factors like sharpness, distortion, speed, prime or zoom and, most important, price. In this guide, I'll touch on all that and look at some of the best lenses for Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm and Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras.
Our favorite camera bags (that don't look like camera bags)
We love Lowepro and Manfrotto backpacks. They're often big, well-padded and offer tons of support for your aching back and shoulders. If you've invested in a mirrorless system, however, they can also feel like overkill. Many photographers (ourselves included) are searching for knapsacks that are smaller, stealthier or just plain stylish. Something that can blend in with urbanites and doesn't scream, "Hello, I'm a photographer with a bag full of seriously expensive kit!" Here, we run down a few of our favorites for both casual and professional shoots. They're also fashionable enough that you can use them as everyday backpacks.
Use the camera in your brain to master street photography
Like many camera buffs, I've done a fair amount of street photography, stalking subjects in markets, parks and tourist areas. Unfortunately, I often come away with little to show for it. That's particularly frustrating, because I live in Paris on a beautiful street with endlessly interesting subjects and settings. My challenges with the genre -- poor ideas, a fear of confrontation and technical challenges -- certainly apply to other types of photography. However, they're magnified on the streets, due to the improvisational nature and factors out of my control, like subjects, lighting conditions and weather.
How to buy a mirrorless camera in 2019
You can mark down 2019 as the year that mirrorless cameras vaulted to the top of photographers' wish lists. They sold nearly as well as DSLRs in 2018, thanks largely to Sony, and may outsell them for the first time in 2019. That's because the number available exploded at the end of 2018 and most of the important new cameras are mirrorless models. All of them have improved autofocus tech, better electronic viewfinders and excellent 4K video features. Nikon, Canon and Fujifilm are determined to cut into Sony's market share, so they all released new models -- to various degrees of critical acclaim. And it's working: Where Sony once had 99.5 percent of the full-frame mirrorless market in Japan, for instance, its share has dropped to 60 percent. More choice is terrific, but it does make your buying decision more difficult, which is why we're here. Our deep and detailed camera guide, dedicated to mirrorless models, will help you sort out which one that suits you best, depending on your needs and budget.
What we're buying: Google's discontinued Chromecast Audio
In this week's IRL, Senior Editor Terrence O'Brien sings the praises of Chromecast Audio, which Google killed off in January. But that doesn't mean he's giving up on it. On the contrary, it's now more precious to him than ever.
Lenovo Smart Tab review: A hybrid smart display that lives up to the hype
Tablets often go unused, and when you do want to play with it, it's probably dead because you forgot to charge it. At least, that's what happens to me. Lenovo, however, has come up with a potential solution to the neglected tablet dilemma: the Smart Tab. It was a finalist for Best of CES this year in the smart home category, and here's why: You can place it inside a companion Bluetooth speaker dock, at which point it becomes an Alexa-powered smart display similar to Amazon's Echo Show. This way, when the Smart Tab is not being used as a tablet, it still has a purpose as a smart display. And unlike a normal smart display that's meant to stay in one place, it, of course, can also be used as a portable tablet. As a standalone Android device, the Smart Tab is pretty mediocre. But as a smart display, it's great.
How to find the best deals on Switch games in Nintendo's eShop
If you're anything like us, you've already enjoyed two wonderful years with your Nintendo Switch, and there's no end to the honeymoon phase in sight. Though you're probably sinking way too much time into trying to win a round of Tetris 99 right now, between Nintendo's first-party classics and the eShop's vast catalog of celebrated indie titles, there's always something new to play. This endless supply can take a toll on the finances, though, especially when the same game is often more expensive on the Switch than it is on PCs and other consoles. But there is a way to save a few bucks here and there by buying games at their cheapest, and making your money go further is simply a case of shopping around.
What we’re buying: Laptop bags (and an iPhone case) edition
We're back with another edition of "What we're buying," which focuses on gadgets and apps that our editors use in their everyday lives. This time, we're looking at the bags and cases that we put our valuable gadgets in. Deputy Managing Editor Nathan Ingraham sings the praises of his leather and canvas laptop bag, Senior Editor Devindra Hardawar fawns over a leather iPhone card case, and Senior Editor Nicole Lee loves the flexibility of her neoprene backpack.
What we're buying: A terrible replacement baby monitor
This week's IRL tale has nothing to do with new year's resolutions. Thankfully. Instead, Senior Editor Dan Cooper tries to replace his decent (but broken) baby monitor, and finds that cheaper models no longer cut it.
Check out our improved and expanded buyer's guide!
Remember gdgt? The social network-slash-product database where gadget enthusiasts rated the things they'd bought (and bookmarked the stuff they wanted)? Well, it never went away: For the past few years, the gdgt database has lived on at Engadget, where we've continued to serve up things like specs, user ratings and aggregated reviews from sites we trust. Over the past year, we've sought to bring back the best of gdgt and merge it with the Engadget's Buyer's Guide. Our vision is a one-stop, comprehensive buyer's guide -- one where our readers can help each other make better purchasing decisions. We already had all the ingredients we needed -- we just needed them to live under the same proverbial roof.
What we're buying: Making the switch from Apple to Samsung
Associate editor Mariella Moon struggled when her old iPhone's touchscreen stopped responding. She went to the other side, and picked up a Samsung Galaxy S8. She's still with it -- but she's being careful.
The PC games and accessories we recommend to students
Once you've got your classes and living situation squared away, it's time to plan out the next crucial part of your academic year: gaming. If you've opted to play on PC, you face a daunting flood of titles, peripherals and components. And most likely, you're going to gravitate toward options that won't break the bank. Lucky for you, we've picked out the right stuff to kit out your gaming rig. Battle royale games are all the rage, so if you haven't already, try out PUBG or the free-to-play Fortnite. Since tracking enemy footsteps is a big way to stay alive in those games, pick up a pair of Astro A20s for budget-friendly surround-sound. Whether it's Dorito crumbs or spilled soda, the durable Razer Black Widow Ultimate keyboard will put up with whatever happens in your dorm. And for you serious desktop PC players, we'll point out the best qualities of AMD and NVIDIA's midrange GPUs. (All told, we recommend three laptops in our guide.) It's gonna be a great year for study breaks. Find all that and lots more in our full selection of picks.
How to better secure your smart home
With the advent of gadgets like doorbell cameras, smart kitchen appliances and data-logging sensors that track your sleep, the smart home now extends to even the most intimate areas of the household. It's great for general convenience, like knowing whether you left the heater on or locked the door behind you, but these connected devices also bring with them a host of security concerns.
What we're buying: An official third-party PS4 controller for Xbox converts
This week's hardware IRL keeps us indoors and out of the sun. UK Bureau Chief Mat Smith replaced his elderly in-box PS4 DualShock with Hori's Onyx, the first licensed third-party wireless controller to land, though it's no longer the only one. After 20 years of DualShock, how's he coping with the change?
The best free and inexpensive mobile games
If you're a gamer on a budget, you don't have to drop hundreds of dollars on a console or $60 a pop on the latest triple-A titles. Chances are you already have a fantastic gaming machine in your pocket: your smartphone. While you won't get the graphics of a high-end PC or the community of PSN, your phone can scratch that gaming itch for a fraction of the price.
