2023 PetaPixel Awards: Cameras, Lenses & Industry Trends
The 2023 PetaPixel Awards
This episode features the editorial staff of PetaPixel coming together to discuss and vote on the best gear and software released throughout the year. Rather than individual opinions, this list represents a consensus from the entire team.
Award Winners
• Software of the Year: Blackmagic Camera App for iOS
• Computer of the Year: Apple MacBook Pro M3 Max
• Smartphone of the Year: iPhone 15 Pro Max
• Zoom Lens of the Year: Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
• Prime Lens of the Year: Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Art
• Camera of the Year: Nikon Z8
Industry Analysis and Trends
"Mirrorless mounts that we were promised were going to be better are finally showing that the zoom lenses we're getting in mirrorless this year are bananas."
Key Takeaways
• Lenses: There is a clear industry trend toward high-performance, compact, and lightweight mirrorless lenses with experimental focal lengths.
• Cameras: The Nikon Z8 dominated the Camera of the Year category due to its massive versatility, rugged build, and high-performance sensor.
• Technology: The discussion touched upon the merits of global shutter versus rolling shutter in live concert photography, as well as the continued maturation of phase-detect autofocus across different camera manufacturers.