Jon Stapley

Freelancer

Writer, photographer and editor Jon Stapley is an expert in all things cameras and digital art.

Articles by: Jon Stapley

Photograph of the Godox C100 compact camera with transparent screen / viewfinder

The Godox C100 is the weirdest camera and the weirdest light meter I've ever used — it's an intriguing concept, but it misses the mark on both counts

By Jon Stapley Published

Difficult to use, and producing middling imagery, the C100 isn't quite what I hoped.

GoPro Hero 13 Black in the hand

GoPro CEO says cameras are 'what we were founded to do and it’s what we will always do' following merger uncertainty — but I'll believe it when I see it

By Jon Stapley Published

It's a step in the right direction — but a long list of disclaimers reminds us to keep a pinch of salt handy.

All three of the GoPro Mission 1 series of action cameras side by side over a dark studio background

I love action cameras, but GoPro's new merger means I'm canceling my Mission 1 pre-order — here's why

By Jon Stapley Published

I'm not sure I can trust that GoPro consumer cameras will be supported in the future — it sounds like the company will have other priorities.

4 Comments
Photograph of a chameleon in a sandstorm

Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 just released a sneak peek at its incredible shortlisted winning entries — and it proves that DSLR cameras still rule this photography genre

By Jon Stapley Published

These spectacular shortlisted images for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 competition show that there's life in the DSLR yet!

2 Comments
Black and white photo of the late David Hockney creating a 'joiner' photographic collage of the National Museum of Photography

This World Photography Day, I’m getting lost in the late David Hockney’s incredible Polaroid composites

By Jon Stapley Published

Hockney's cubism-inspired collages of dozens of Polaroid images are the perfect way to celebrate World Photography Day.

Three-way split image showing Poke Ball themed Polaroid Now camera, Pikachu-themed Polaroid Go camera and Sylveon themed Polaroid Go Camera

Gotta snap 'em all: Polaroid unveils limited edition Pokémon cameras and film, and I'm obsessed

By Jon Stapley Published

Polaroid marks 30 years of Pokémon with limited edition cameras and film — I'll take the Pikachu-styled Polaroid Go Gen 3, thank you very much

Three-way split image showing photographs of the Canon EOS R10, EOS R7 and EOS R8

Canon tipped to release three new EOS R mirrorless cameras before the end of 2026 — I know which one I’m most excited for

By Jon Stapley Published

And one of them might be the digital version of the AE-1 that everyone's been asking for!

A group of friends look at a camera outdoors during the day

‘When I'm peering down the lens… the rest of the world vanishes. It's just me and the photo’ — research shows the mental health benefits of a daily photography habit

By Jon Stapley Published

Research indicates that getting out with a camera can reduce anxiety and promote mindfulness, and the effect is all the greater if you do it regularly.

Photograph of the Valoi Easy35 V2 film scanner

I loved this portable DIY 35mm film scanner with built-in light, and it could save me a lot of money — but it’s not as simple as it sounds

By Jon Stapley Published

I have fallen in love with this scanner, but its equipment requirements mean it's not for everyone.

Photograph of the Kodak EC35 film camera

Kodak's new point-and-shoot 35mm film camera comes in 7 vibrant colors, costs just $35, and brings back one of my favorite pieces of camera design

By Jon Stapley Published

Reminiscent of the classic Olympus Mju, the new 35mm film camera costs just $35.

Photograph of a young woman holding the Lomography Half-frame Simple Use Reloadable Film Camera

Lomography just created a super affordable, idiot-proof film camera that doubles your number of photos — and it comes pre-loaded with a roll and the instructions are literally printed on the body

By Jon Stapley Published

This is possibly the most idiot-proof camera ever made, with instructions literally printed on the body.

Triptych of three images from the iPhone Photography Awards 2026, including a black cat, an erupting volcano, and a parrot perched on a watermelon

A stunning low light capture of a volcanic eruption in Guatemala sweeps the 2026 iPhone Photography Awards — and it was taken on an iPhone 15 Pro

By Jon Stapley Published

Turns out you don't need the latest tech to win prestigious prizes.

Man's hand holding the GoPro Hero 13 Black action camera, with a TechRadar 'Amazon Prime Day' logo next to it superimposed

The GoPro Mission 1 may be top of the range, but my Prime Day pick is the heavily discounted Hero 13 Black

By Jon Stapley Published

The Hero 13 Black is still a great action camera, and these price drops make it unbeatable value.

Photograph of the Canon EOS RP sitting on a stone wall, with TechRadar 'Amazon Prime Day' graphic beside it

This Prime Day might be your last chance to buy this full-frame Canon camera — and it’s heavily discounted

By Jon Stapley Published

Canon is discontinuing one of its most popular cameras — get it for a bargain price while you can!

DJI Osmo Action 4 lying face-up on the ground, with TechRadar 'Amazon Prime Day' logo superimposed

You don't need to skimp with a cheap action cam — DJI's discounted Action 4 is better quality — and much better value at its lowest-ever price

By Jon Stapley Published

With punchy 4K video and 18m waterproofing, this is the best buy for adventurous vloggers on Prime Day.

Split image with a Polaroid I-2 camera on the left and an Instax Wide Evo camera on the right

Polaroid vs Instax: I’m an instant camera addict and I’m team Polaroid all the way — here’s why

By Jon Stapley Published

Here's why I will always pick Polaroid instant film over Fujifilm Instax, despite the cost.

Photograph of man's hand holding Polaroid Go Gen 3 camera in white

The Polaroid Go Gen 3 is a palm-sized instant camera that produces lovely little prints — in the right conditions

By Jon Stapley Published

Recommended

The Polaroid Go Gen 3 is a minor refresh with a new lens and flash — even better for instant-film selfies,

Photograph of man's hand holding Camp Snap 2 digital camera, in yellow colorway

I tested the Camp Snap 2, and the follow-up to the viral screen-free compact camera is slimmer, quicker and more creative, and still deliciously cheap

By Jon Stapley Published

Recommended

With faster shooting and new filters, the Camp Snap 2 is basically the first camera again, but better. It'll sell like gangbusters.

Photograph of Camp Snap 2 small digital compact camera in white

Camp Snap returns with another ultra-cheap screen-free compact camera — and this is the new feature I’m most excited about

By Jon Stapley Published

Camp Snap's latest screen-free digital compact doesn't tinker with a winning formula, but adds a few upgrades I like the sound of.

Young man happily holding a Polaroid Go Gen 3 tiny instant camera to his eye, with the sea and a sunset visible in the background

Polaroid just launched the ‘world’s smallest instant camera’ — and this pocketable hit of 1980s nostalgia only has one big drawback

By Jon Stapley Published

Right place, right time — I think current trends for cute cameras and screen-free experiences are good news for the new Polaroid Go Gen 3.

Photograph of Peak Design Travel Backpack 2-in-1

I'm a travel photographer, and I'm already dreaming of my next trip with Peak Design's clever new 2-in-1 backpack and camera bag

By Jon Stapley Published

Peak Design's four new camera bags got funded on Kickstarter to the tune of $2.4 million — but there's one I'm especially excited about

Ben Biggs holding his custom 'Blackbird' drone

Custom drone makers hit 453mph to (unofficially) break the record for fastest drone on earth — and hand-made sawtooth carbon fiber propellors made all the difference

By Jon Stapley Published

Carbon fiber propeller blades have powered a custom drone to break a world speed record – but it hasn't been officially recognised.

Photograph of Camp Snap CS-Pro digital compact camera

Camp Snap’s upgraded screen-free retro compact camera hits the right notes, and I love how affordable it is

By Jon Stapley Published

Recommended

The 'Pro' upgrade to the Camp Snap loses the shutter lag, ups the resolution, and adds a dial for retro-style filters.

2 Comments
Photograph of RewindPix digital compact camera

I'm an analog photography nut, and this cheap compact is as close as a digital camera has come to capturing the feel of shooting film

By Jon Stapley Published

Recommended

Offering a treasure-trove of app-based film looks, the RewindPix is a heck of a lot of fun for retro-loving photographers.

A YouTube teaser for a Sony camera with the slogan Ready for the next R

Sony and Canon are unveiling new cameras on the same day next week — and I know which one I’m more excited about

By Jon Stapley Published

Sony has shared a teaser on it YouTube channel of a new 'R' camera – releasing the same week as a mysterious new Canon camera.

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