Sam Kieldsen

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

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

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

Enlaps Tikee Mini+ on a wall

Best timelapse cameras for construction, events or speeding up nature

By Timothy Coleman Last updated

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

GoPro Hero7 Silver

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

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

HoverAir Aqua waterproof drone

'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

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

HoverAir Aqua drone

'There's nothing else like it on the water' — the HoverAir Aqua drone is practically a must-buy for solo watersports fans

By Sam Kieldsen Published

Recommended

The HoverAir Aqua is the world's first waterproof self-flying camera, and a genuinely innovative drone built for life on the water.

SmallRig DJI Osmo Action 6 photography cage

I never thought I'd use an action camera for street photography — then SmallRig changed my mind

By Sam Kieldsen Published

SmallRig's cage won't make your action cam a Leica — but it might just make you want to use it for street photography.

Insta360 Mic Pro wireless microphone

I tested the Insta360 Mic Pro and its noise cancelling is best in class — but its two headline features are more niche than they sound

By Sam Kieldsen Published

Editor's Choice

The Insta360 Mic Pro beats the DJI Mic 3 at noise cancelling, and has a couple of unique tricks up its sleeve to boot.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20L V2 front view

Best camera bags: top backpacks, satchels and cases for protecting your camera gear

By Timothy Coleman Last updated

Buying guide The best camera bags and backpacks for photography, based on in-depth testing.

Lead image for the best cheap video camera round-up, including the Sony ZV-1

Best cheap video camera 2026: bargain picks for every kind of filmmaker

By James Capell Last updated

Our guide to the best cheap video cameras for 2026 is here to help you find the filmmaking bargain for you and covers compact, system, action and vlogging cameras.

DJI Osmo Mobile 8P smartphone stabilizer

I tested the DJI Osmo Mobile 8P — and DJI has fixed the one thing holding its smartphone gimbal back

By Sam Kieldsen Published

One small improvement over its predecessor makes the Osmo Mobile 8P the new go-to small stabilizer for smartphones.

Man holding Canon camera against cloudy sky

Canon is launching a new camera next week, and I predict it'll be a vlogging-style full-frame model

By Sam Kieldsen Published

Canon shared a teaser on its socials of its next camera with the tagline 'One camera, many stories', plus a May 13 launch date. Here's what it could be

The OM System OM-3 mirrorless camera in person's hands, one half of the image is black and white, the other is color

OM System could be planning a monochrome OM-3 — the 'affordable' black-and-white-only camera is rumored to launch this year and could be a true Leica killer. Here's why that makes perfect sense

By Sam Kieldsen Published

A monochrome OM-3 would be a bold move, and a sign that unusual cameras are going more mainstream

The Antigravity A1 drone with goggle and motion controller (left), a 3D gaussian splatting rendering of a lighthouse

I turned my local beauty spot into an immersive 3D environment using Splatica and my Insta360 cameras — and the whole process is surprisingly easy

By Sam Kieldsen Published

Splatica revealed a hidden talent in my Insta360 X5 camera and Antigravity A1 drone – and you can try it too

Fujifilm X-M5 in user's hands, Panasonic Lumix S1 II on a wooden surface outdoors

The best video cameras: finest choices for filmmakers and videographers

By James Capell Last updated

Updated Looking for the best video camera? I've ranked all of the finest options you can buy today, based on our team's expert in-depth testing.

An image of the Panasonic Lumix ZS99 / TZ99

Best point-and-shoot camera: I've tested a range of carry-everywhere models for simple shooting

By James Capell Last updated

Updated Looking for the best point and shoot camera you can buy? We've rounded up all of the top options for every budget.

DJI Mic 3 wireless microphone

The best wireless mics: I've tested the top wearable microphones for content creators

By James Capell Last updated

Buying guide Compact, versatile and simple. We rank the best wireless mic you can buy right now.

DJI Mic Mini 2 wireless microphone

I tested the DJI Mic Mini 2 and the thing that excited me the most is the new low pricing — there’s no better value small wireless mic

By Sam Kieldsen Published

Editor's Choice

The differences between this second-gen edition of DJI's Mic Mini and the original are mostly cosmetic, but at this price it seems unfair to quibble.

DJI Lito X1 camera drone

DJI Lito X1 vs DJI Mini 4K: 7 reasons to upgrade to DJI's latest beginner drone

By Sam Kieldsen Published

The newly released DJI Lito X1 comes with a host of features and specs that make it our favorite beginner drone – but the DJI Mini 4K retains some appeal.

5 Comments
DJI Lito X1 camera drone

'A huge step up over the Mini 4K, and my favorite new beginner drone’ — the DJI Lito X1 quadcopter sets new standards, and it’s incredible value too

By Sam Kieldsen Published

Editor's Choice

It's less fun than the Neo 2 and more straight-laced than the Flip – but DJI's new entry-level champion is simply fantastic value for money.

DJI Avata 360 vs Antigravity A1

DJI Avata 360 vs Antigravity A1: I compared the world's first 360 camera drones, and there was one clear winner

By Sam Kieldsen Published

There are now two 360 drones available to buy, but is the DJI Avata 360 or the Antigravity A1 the better of these flying panoramic cameras?

DJI Neo 2 selfie drone taking off from someone's hand

DJI has teased a new entry-level drone — but it'll have to be special to outshine my beloved Neo 2

By Sam Kieldsen Published

DJI seems poised to launch two new entry-level camera drones — a move that seems a little strange given it already offers several cheap, affordable and highly capable models.

An 'Earthrise' photo taken by NASA on the Artemis II mission next to a Nikon D5 DSLR

NASA reveals 'generational' Earthset photo taken on a Nikon D5 — the decade-old DSLR with one secret weapon over modern cameras for space photography

By Sam Kieldsen Published

The Nikon D5's still-unbeaten low-light performance and proven build quality made it NASA's choice for the Artemis II mission's most important photographs.

The Sonos Play, DJI Avata 360, and iOS logo

ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from the landmark social media addiction trial to more Netflix price hikes

By Hamish Hector Published

The week's biggest tech news stories from Sonos, DJI, iOS, and more for March 28, 2026.

DJI Avata 360 drone

I had an absolute blast flying the DJI Avata 360 — it’s ‘the 360 drone to beat’

By Sam Kieldsen Published

Editor's Choice

DJI's first 360 drone is flexible, affordable, user-friendly and very capable, and doubles as a creditable FPV flyer.

The ESP32 self build rocket drone being held up, with a blue sky and palm tree backdrop

Who needs a DJI? This ultimate DIY drone hits 67mph and costs just $155

By Sam Kieldsen Published

Max Imagination has shared the painstaking design and build process that went into creating his cheap, speedy FPV drone, and provides full instructions for anyone who wants to repeat his feat.

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