Articles by Sam Kieldsen

Sam has been writing about tech and digital culture for over 20 years, starting off in video games journalism before branching out into the wonderful worlds of consumer electronics, streaming entertainment and photography. Over the years he has written for Wired, Stuff, GQ, T3, Trusted Reviews and PC Zone, and now lives on the Kent coast in the UK – the ideal place for a camera reviewer to ply their trade.

Articles by: Sam Kieldsen

I tested the DJI Mic Mini 2S — its flagship features and budget price make it the ‘sweet spot’ in DJI’s wireless mic range

By Sam Kieldsen Published 17 August 26

Editor's Choice

This mid-tier wireless mic borrows internal recording, 32-bit float and AI noise cancelling from the DJI Mic 3 — and costs half the price

I compared the Insta360 X6 and X5 — these are the 5 upgrades that really make a difference for 360 footage

By Sam Kieldsen Published 12 August 26

The Insta360 X6 beats the X5 in five head-to-head tests, but the gap isn't as wide as the spec sheet suggests — here's what's actually worth paying more for

I test 360 cameras for a living and the new Insta360 X6 is my favorite — but the price is hard to swallow

By Sam Kieldsen Published 12 August 26

Best in Class

Insta360's new flagship pairs larger sensors with class-leading image quality in any light, plus useful pro-level video tools.

DJI unveils the Mic Mini 2S — here are 5 upgrades you can expect over the regular Mic Mini 2

By Sam Kieldsen Published 4 August 26

DJI has launched the Mic Mini 2S, building on the Mic Mini 2 with internal recording, four-transmitter connectivity, AI-powered noise canceling, and a redesigned charging case.

Bird spotting scope on tripod in bird watching hide

I tested the world's first AI spotting scope for birders — and it's brilliant in places, frustrating in others

By Sam Kieldsen Published 3 August 26

The GoBirding Vision Master's on-device bird recognition impresses, but shaky autofocus and stabilization issues hold it back.

Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3 and Nextbase iQ dash cams mounted to vehicle windscreens

The best dash cam: we've tested the finest car cameras by Garmin, Nextbase, 70mai and more

By James Capell Last updated 28 July 26

Updated Searching for the best dash cam for your car? We've rounded up the finest choices available for every budget, and packed this guide with tonnes of buying advice.

Top plate of theFujifilm X100VI in the hand

The best compact cameras: we've tried and tested these take anywhere models

By Timothy Coleman Last updated 25 July 26

Updated Our best compact camera guide will help you find the right pocket camera for you, whatever your budget.

University engineers have figured out how to build an 'invisible' drone — here's the science behind it

By Sam Kieldsen Published 20 July 26

It's all gone very blurry for this partially AI-engineered drone, which spins itself into a hard to spot haze

Tornyol autonomous drone and its base station

A mosquito-hunting killer drone is available for preorder – and I have questions

By Sam Kieldsen Published 18 July 26

Before welcoming an AI-guided hunter-killer into the backyard, it's worth asking what else it could eventually be trained to target.

A DJI FlyCart 100 drone transports material over Mount Everest

DJI drones are saving Mount Everest from being the 'world's highest garbage dump' — FlyCart 100 removes over 10,000kg of waste to save Sherpas from an eight-hour trek across a hazardous icefall

By Sam Kieldsen Published 9 July 26

DJI's FlyCart 100 is airlifting waste off the mountain in eight-minute hops

A blow for Canon? Sony FX5 cinema camera tipped to launch soon with a time-saving video feature fans have demanded for years

By Sam Kieldsen Published 8 July 26

A new report claims Sony will announce the FX5 on July 22, complete with open gate recording, an optional new EVF, and a 16.6MP stacked sensor that trades resolution for other benefits.

skyrover x1 drone flying against a blue sky

The FBI has seized over 600 drones around World Cup matches across all 11 US host cities — and that's bad news for all drone fans

By Sam Kieldsen Published 6 July 26

A flagrant disregard for clear rules could affect the whole US drone community

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I tested the affordable Ruko U11Mini 4K drone — and it's no match for DJI's new flyer

By Sam Kieldsen Published 2 July 26

A parade of issues and quirks means this entry-level camera drone is difficult to recommend

Heipi 3-in-1 Travel Tripod W28S folded away, in the hand

The best travel tripod: finest lightweight supports for your camera

By Timothy Coleman Last updated 30 June 26

Buying guide Lightweight, strong and compact, we rank the best travel tripods you can buy right now.

Sony FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II lens in the hand attached to Sony A6700

Best Sony lenses: we've tested top lenses for Sony mirrorless cameras

By Timothy Coleman Last updated 30 June 26

Updated If you've got a Sony mirrorless camera, these are the lenses you need to know about.

I tested the Leica SL3-P, and it's a masterclass in restrained design

By Sam Kieldsen Published 25 June 26

Recommended

The Leica SL3-P is built for photographers who'd rather be invisible than impressive, and it largely delivers on that promise.

The twin camera lenses of the Xtra Muse 2 Pro on a black background, next to the dual lenses of the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 Pro

Can’t buy the DJI Pocket 4P? This 'remarkably similar' dual-lens camera will rescue US creators soon

By Sam Kieldsen Published 18 June 26

The Xtra Muse 2 Pro is coming to the US this summer

Sony A1 II mirrorless camera with FE 28-70mm F2 lens, outdoors on a tripod with autumn leaves background

Best Sony camera: top choices for both stills and video

By Timothy Coleman Last updated 17 June 26

Updated Searching for the best Sony camera? Whether you need a full-frame powerhouse or a travel-friendly compact, we've ranked the best models in its impressive range.

The Kodak WPZ2 is less than half the price of Tough TG-7 — even still, should you buy it? I tested the cheap waterproof camera on vacation, and here’s my verdict

By Sam Kieldsen Published 17 June 26

One of the most affordable rugged cameras around, the Kodak PixPro WPZ2 is a 16MP point-and-shoot that's waterproof to 15m.

DJI Mini 4K beginner drone in flight with soft focus tree foliage in the background

The FBI says it’s already seized 13 drones in Atlanta near World Cup stadiums — and pilots could face fines up to $100,000 if they don’t follow these new rules

By Sam Kieldsen Published 16 June 26

The FBI has already confiscated dozens of drones near match venues, but here’s how to keep your flights within the law

Best timelapse cameras for construction, events or speeding up nature

By Timothy Coleman Last updated 12 June 26

Updated Spanning a broad range of prices and features, these are our top timelapse camera picks for you

Photo diptych with DJI Mini 5 Pro in the air on the left, and the DJI Neo 2 in person's hand on the right

The best beginner drones: we've tested the top flying cameras for new pilots

By James Capell Last updated 9 June 26

Updated Looking for the best beginner drone? I've rounded up all the top, novice-friendly models with cameras in this handy guide, including DJI alternatives.

Is GoPro the next Kodak? AI could bring down the action cam pioneer as filings raise ‘substantial doubt’ about its future

By Sam Kieldsen Published 3 June 26

Due to slim profit margins and fast-rising memory prices, action camera giant GoPro may have some difficult financial decisions to make very soon.

A close up of the Birdfy Feeder 2 Duo Camera

The best bird feeder camera for birdwatching at home

By Timothy Coleman Last updated 2 June 26

Updated If you want to see which feathered friends are visiting your garden, we've reviewed the best bird feeder cameras for you

'Nobody had dared try to solve it... until us!' — MQ Wang on how his company Zero Zero Robotics invented the world's first waterproof drone

By Sam Kieldsen Published 2 June 26

We talked with the Zero Zero Robotics co-founder and CEO about the challenges of building a truly groundbreaking flying camera.

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