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 Camp Snap’s retro video camera – and it’s a cut-price portal to a simpler time

By Sam Kieldsen published 9 August 25

Review Camp Snap has followed up its cult point-and-shoot stills snapper with a similarly stripped-back, nostalgia-fuelled camcorder channelling the spirit of 1960s 8mm analogue technology.

I review drones for a living, and I rarely encounter something as game-changing as this upcoming water sports drone

By Sam Kieldsen published 9 August 25

The drone market has settled into comfortable evolution, but the wet and wild HoverAir Aqua seems set to give things a much-needed shake-up

DJI's first 360 drone could land sooner than expected to take on Insta360's Antigravity debut – here's what to expect

By Sam Kieldsen published 7 August 25

Early reports claim that DJI is preparing a panoramic camera drone powered by dual lens technology, similar to what we’ve seen in its Osmo 360 action camera.

DJI Osmo 360 vs Insta360 X5: the premium 360 cameras battle it out in a hands-on test

By Sam Kieldsen published 5 August 25

How does the new DJI Osmo 360 stack up against the established top 360 camera, the Insta360 X5?

I tested DJI’s impressive first 360 camera, but Insta360 still has the edge

By Sam Kieldsen published 31 July 25

Best in Class

The DJI Osmo 360 is a premium 360 camera at a fantastic price, and the first true threat to the supremacy of the Insta360 X5.

I test drones for a living – here's why Insta360's Antigravity debut is the most exciting one for years

By Sam Kieldsen published 29 July 25

Antigravity is promising to make its first drone easy to master and family friendly – and there are two big ways I can already see how that could be achieved.

A DJI drone carrying the Insta360 Sphere accessory

Insta360 strikes back – surprise 'antigravity' drone leak shows it’s planning to take on DJI in the skies

By Sam Kieldsen published 21 July 25

Action camera maker Insta360 appears to be preparing to launch not one but two aerial drones. Here's how they might differ from DJI's flying cameras.

I spent two weeks shooting with the Fujifilm X-E5, and there are solid reasons for its painful price hike

By Sam Kieldsen published 18 July 25

Recommended

Fujifilm's latest X-series model blends the charm and compactness of the X100VI with the versatility of a mirrorless camera.

Insta360 X5 360 camera on a selfie stick

Insta360 drops a big firmware update and new accessories for its flagship 360 camera, making the best even better

By Sam Kieldsen published 15 July 25

Insta360 has added software improvements to exposure, low-light performance and battery life and released several new add-ons for its superb X5 360 camera.

I tested Insta360's first wireless mic and it's another solid entry-level choice – but it can't quite match the DJI Mic Mini

By Sam Kieldsen published 15 July 25

Despite its budget-friendly price, Insta360's Mic Air works like a charm with the company's X5 and Ace Pro 2 cameras.

Kodak's retro Super 8 camcorder is outrageously expensive, but I've found this super-cheap digital alternative

By Sam Kieldsen published 11 July 25

Heavily inspired by the original 8mm home movie cameras of the 1960s, Camp Snap’s digital camcorder finally has a release date.

I tested Akaso’s first 360 camera and it beats Insta360 and GoPro for value, just don’t take it underwater

By Sam Kieldsen published 7 July 25

Recommended

Akaso's capable 360 camera slots in at a price point where it currently faces little competition from the market's big beasts like GoPro and Insta360.

A TV showing a scene from the movie They Cloned Tyrone on Netflix

Netflix explains how it's quietly upgraded the image quality of your favorite movies and TV shows – and it's all about film grain

By Sam Kieldsen published 6 July 25

Netflix’s AV1 Film Grain Synthesis technology, which brings an evocative cinematic look to video content while improving streaming performance, is being rolled out worldwide.

DJI robot vacuum leak suggests the Roomba rival is getting closer – and could have an unusual design feature

By Sam Kieldsen published 30 June 25

An image posted on X apparently shows the purported DJI Romo cleaner inside its docking station, and the design is quite striking.

Don’t buy a 360 camera – the new DJI Osmo 360 just leaked again, and it’s expected to launch imminently

By Sam Kieldsen published 26 June 25

The DJI Osmo 360, rumored for an imminent launch, resembles a slightly shorter and wider Insta360 X5 in these four leaked images.

I used the PolarPro Quartzline ND filter set and it added a whole new facet to my landscape photography toolkit

By Sam Kieldsen published 25 June 25

Recommended

These brass-framed neutral density filters can slow down shutter speeds for video motion blur, wide-open aperture shooting and multi-second exposure times.

This fun point-and-shoot camera is like a cross between a Fujifilm X100VI and Camp Snap – and it now has a confirmed price tag

By Sam Kieldsen last updated 24 June 25

Quick backers to this retro-styled throwback camera will be able to obtain it for a special early bird price.

Forget DJI – Insta360’s new coin-sized wireless mic looks like a Mic Mini killer, here’s why

By Sam Kieldsen published 24 June 25

Insta360 has launched its first wireless microphone, a small and affordable model compatible with not only its own stable of action cameras but smartphones and more.

DJI Mini 5 Pro leaks give us our first glimpse of the beginner drone and a potential release date – here’s what we know

By Sam Kieldsen published 23 June 25

A new leaked photo provides hints towards at least one potential new feature for DJI’s next ultralight drone, and its official launch date could be very soon.

The DJI Mavic 4 Pro in flight, Fujifilm GFX100RF compact camera in the hand, and the Insta360 X5 amdist mud spray

I've tested more than 25 cameras in the past year – here are my 5 favorites of 2025 so far

By Timothy Coleman published 19 June 25

We look back over the camera calendar for the first half of 2025, picking out our favorite models so far, plus a look ahead to what the rest of the year might bring.

Fujifilm X-E5 on a wooden bench, with the XF 23mm f/2.8 lens removed and propped up against the camera

“$1,700 for a camera that’s not weather sealed?” Fujifilm fans lambast the new X-E5, but I think it’s a decent deal – here’s why

By Sam Kieldsen published 19 June 25

In the US, the Fujifilm X-E5 retails for double its predecessor’s launch price, but features, specs and other factors all warrant consideration before condemning the cost.

Left to right: The Ricoh GR III on black background, the DJI Air 3S in flight at golden hour, the Canon EOS R5 Mark II camera in the hand with 50mm lens attached

Camera rumors for 2025: new gear we're expecting soon from DJI, Sony, Canon and more

By Timothy Coleman last updated 16 June 25

The most exciting and credible camera rumors for 2025, for leading brands, in one round up.

Two DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro cameras on a rock, front and back, with mountain backdrop

DJI rumors point to three major product launches next month, including a new 360 camera

By Sam Kieldsen published 12 June 25

A serial leaker claims that DJI’s next trio of creative products – two new cameras and a wireless microphone – will all be released in July 2025.

Fujifilm teaser suggests the rumored X-E5 is imminent – and it looks like an affordable X100VI alternative

By Sam Kieldsen published 5 June 25

Ahead of the June 12 Fujifilm X Summit, a new 15-second video shows off Fujifilm’s forthcoming rangefinder-style camera – albeit in silhouette.

DJI says it ‘welcomes’ imminent US drone ban review – here’s why

By Sam Kieldsen published 4 June 25

With the Trump administration threatening a total US sales ban on Chinese-made drones, DJI senses an opportunity to burnish its reputation and banish doubts over security.

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