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The Photography 2025 News Awards
From groundbreaking cameras to the lab that makes your images shine, your votes will decide the winners in this tenth anniversary Photography News Awards special
|16.09.2025
2 min read
Crown your photo champions
For a whole decade, Photography News has been putting the power in your hands to crown the best in the business. While other industry awards are decided behind closed doors, ours have always been shaped entirely by the people who matter most: you, our readers. That’s why a victory in these awards really matters.
This is your chance to give a vote of confidence to the brands, products and services that make your photography special. To really celebrate and say thanks to the hardware, software and services that make a difference to your photographic life.
Here’s how it works. In categories spanning every corner of modern imaging – cameras, lenses, lighting, accessories, workflow, retailers and services – the PN team shortlists standout contenders. These are products we have first-hand experience with, that have set new technological milestones or been praised by readers, experienced photographers and testers. Then it’s up to you to choose the champions.
To mark the changing landscape of image making, we’re taking this chance to change some categories around, merge others together and add new ones. These include best analogue camera – to recognise the resurgence in film – and best camera for content creation.
So browse the list, pick out your favourites and cast your votes in our simple survey. You don’t have to vote in every category, just the ones in which you have an opinion, expertise or experience.
Ten years in, and your voice matters more than ever – let’s make this anniversary one to remember!
Closing date: 19 November 2025
The world of cameras continues to burst with innovation, and the shortlist for this year’s Photography News Awards proves it. Whether you’re chasing the ultimate in portability, pure image quality, sporting speed, video functionality or creative versatility, there’s a model here that deserves to be recognised. Even if you’re one of the many rejecting digital and going back to analogue, your vote counts.
In the Micro Four Thirds camp, the OM System OM-3 blends rugged build with exceptional computational photography features, making it a go-anywhere tool for stills and video. And its rival, the Panasonic Lumix GH7, is a filmmaker’s dream, offering pro-level codecs and unmatched stills and moviemaking flexibility in a compact form. But there are plenty of others to choose from also.
For APS-C mirrorless, the Canon EOS R50 V makes vlogging and everyday shooting easy, while the Fujifilm X-E5 combines retro styling with Fujifilm’s signature colour science. The Nikon Z 50II delivers solid stills and video performance in a lightweight, travel-friendly body or maybe you’re a fan of Sony’s A6700. Make your choice and vote.
In the full-frame mirrorless class, the Canon EOS R6 Mark II offers blistering autofocus and great low-light ability, the Nikon Z 6III is a versatile all-rounder thanks to its new partially stacked sensor, the latest Panasonic Lumix S1 II brings exceptional stabilisation and colour depth and the Sony A7R V wows with ultra-high resolution for detail-rich work.
The professional full-frame contenders raise the stakes even higher. Canon’s EOS R1 is built for speed and reliability under pressure, the Panasonic Lumix S1R II offers superb resolution and ruggedness, while the Sony A1 II combines speed, resolution and video capability like no other. There are lots of top-end models for you to select from.
For those chasing ultimate image quality, the medium format category is mouthwatering. Fujifilm continues to make massive waves here, and its GFX100 II and GFX100RF deliver huge resolution with surprisingly agile handling, while the Hasselblad 907X 100C pairs iconic design with impeccable colour reproduction. Or perhaps the ultimate is the Phase One XC 23 IQ4 in your eyes.
Video specialists already know the power of the full-frame Canon EOS C80 cinema camera, while the Panasonic Lumix S1 II has all-round filmmaking excellence and the Sony FX2 has a compact powerhouse design. Take your pick and have your say.
Compact camera fans aren’t left out – there are lots of options to choose from. Take a look at the Fujifilm X100VI which has already achieved cult status for its hybrid viewfinder and image quality, the Leica Q3 exudes premium craftsmanship and the new Sony RX1R III delivers full-frame detail inside a pocket-sized package.
For content creators, the Canon EOS R50 V and Panasonic Lumix S9 are sleek, social-media-ready hybrids, the Sony ZV-1 Mark II is made for vlogging and Fujifilm’s X half and X-M5 are very different but keep the colour-rich aesthetic influencers love.
Even analogue gets its spotlight, as the Instax Mini 41 brings instant fun, while the Leica M6 remains the ultimate rangefinder for film purists. Perhaps you think differently, so take a look at the list and cast your vote.
Z 6III. Image: Nikon
It’s been an incredible time for lenses as manufacturers continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible. The boom in mirrorless cameras with larger lens mounts, explosion in video-focused social media content creators and push to longer, faster and lighter lenses has seen lots of incredible glass coming onto the market. And the restrictions forced on optical designers by DSLR designs are gone, paving the way to some groundbreaking optics.
While cameras are upgraded relatively often, lenses are a longer-term investment that can make a very real difference to your work.
In the category for zoom lenses, there is a substantial choice, from super wide to super long and from video-focused to all stills. This year has seen Nikon make its first move into dedicated video lenses with its new Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ, joining old firm rival Canon with its hybrid offerings like the RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z VCM, as well as pure stills glass such as the RF 16-28mm f/2.8 IS STM.
Sony continues to shock the market with zooms like the incredible FE 50-150mm f/2 GM and there’s a lighter Leica standard, the Vario-Elmarit-SL 28-70mm f/2.8 ASPH. But much kudos goes to indie brands such as Tamron with its 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD and especially Sigma with its 300-600mm f/4 DG OS Sports and 14-40mm f/1.8 DC Art.
In the wide-angle class, Sigma once again impresses with its 16mm f/1.4 Contemporary, but has competition from camera brands’ marque lenses, plus Samyang with its Prima AF 35mm f/1.4 P FE and AF 12mm f/2 RF-S.
Canon, Nikon, OM System, Leica and Hasselblad all possess stunning standard options, but it’s a welcome return to the all-manual Zeiss Otus range with the new 50mm f/1.4 ML.
This is joined by its 85mm brother in the telephoto class. That’s where the biggest guns go to battle, such as the Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR, Sigma 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS, Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS and Nikon Z mount lenses like the 400mm f/4.5 VR S or stunning 135mm f/1.8 S Plena.
With so many incredible options, pick your best!
85mm f/1.4 Otus ML. Image: Zeiss
Accessories aren’t just nice-to-have add-ons, they’re essential bits of kit that keep your shots sharp, your equipment safe, your sound audible and your exposures bang on. And, if you’ve made the leap to content creation – especially video – you’ll know there’s a whole array of extra buys that will make your life so much easier.
Audio is crucial and microphones essential. Your audience might put up with below-par visuals, but not dodgy sound. You’ll need an on-camera mic, as your camera’s own tiny, tinny one just won’t cut it. Rode and Sennheiser are obvious choices and work on any camera, but Canon users should look at the brand’s DM-E1D as it goes right on the multi-interface shoe with no need for any wires. Similarly, Sony users should check out similar tech in the ECM-B1M. Or perhaps go wireless, with the latest Rode Wireless Go (Gen 3), Sennheiser Profile, Hollyland Lark M2S and Shure SLX-D systems all offering something unique.
On-camera monitors might be seen as video-first buys but are also useful for stills, offering more precise framing and exposure tools. The latest Atomos Ninja TX is an obvious front-runner, but check out options from the likes of Blackmagic and SmallHD too.
For tripods, a fluid head is essential when shooting video, but the Manfrotto One and Kenro Karoo 3-in-1 also promise excellent stills from the same set of sticks. If you are stills only, you can’t go wrong with the Gitzo GT2543L Mountaineer, Peak Design Pro Lite, Benro Tortoise 24CLV or Manfrotto 190X Pro Aluminium 4-Section.
There are three categories for bags – backpacks, roller/hard case and shoulder/sling bag. Choose from the traditional Billingham 555 Mk II, rock-solid Peli 1535 Air, Think Tank Airport Roller Derby V2 and lots more.
When it comes to filters, there’s the VND kit, more traditional Lee LEE100 system or new Polarpro Helix range. Help us filter out the very best!
Ninja TX. Image: Atomos
Mastering light is a key skill for seriously good photographers, as it’s not always possible to wait for golden hour or for the sun to come out – or go in! Lighting equipment is a crucial choice, whether you want the action-stopping power of flash on the go or just in the studio. Or the what-you-see-is-what-you-get nature of continuous lights that also happen to be ideal for video and content creators.
The traditional on-camera flash – often used wirelessly off-camera by strobist fans – is an essential buy for just about everyone. Well-heeled Canon mirrorless owners should take a look at the new Speedlite EL-1 (Version 2), but there are lots of indie brands offering something more to owners of all cameras. The Godox V1 Pro is a powerful unit that won’t break the bank, while its iA32 is a tiny flash perfect for travel and small cameras.
There’s real power from Profoto’s A10 too, and the Danish brand has lighting kit to suit all needs, with the Pro-B3 and B10X Plus also nominated in the portable flash class. But there’s fierce competition from Elinchrom with its One and Three models. That rivalry continues in the studio flash category, with both brands shortlisted here. Add in Neewer and Pixapro at the affordable end and Broncolor at the high end, and that’s a lot of choice.
Continuous LEDs continue to grow in popularity and come in all sorts of flavours. For powerful COB monolights, look at the Neewer FS150C, Nanlite FC-500B or powerful Profoto L1600D. Slim panel lights from Amaran, Aputure and Nanlite offer something different, so let your voice be heard on the matter.
Knowled M1000R. Image: Godox
A simple click of the shutter isn’t how great photos are made – that’s just the start of the journey. From that raw frame to the final print or display, every image passes through a series of crucial stages. Each step demands the correct tools, and the choices you make along the way can make all the difference to the finished result.
The workflow category in the PN Awards celebrates the kit that keeps photographers’ creative pipelines running smoothly. This year’s shortlist once again spans the entire process – from the moment you save and view your files to sharing them.
It includes high-quality imaging monitors that ensure colours are accurate and details are precise, as well as reliable devices to keep those screens perfectly calibrated. You will find powerful image editing software that brings your creative vision to life alongside photographic printers that turn pixels into tangible works of art. With AI coming on strong in image cataloguing and editing to automate some of the key but essential tasks, there’s a lot of new technology to get your head around and vote for.
Of course, a print is only as good as the paper it’s made on, so premium photographic papers are also in the spotlight delivering texture, tone and permanence. Behind the scenes, the indispensable heroes like memory cards and external storage devices are there to keep your images safe, secure and ready to work on whenever a burst of inspiration strikes.
Whether you’re documenting events, shooting weddings or creating competition-worthy club images, our workflow shortlist offers something for every photographer. These products don’t just support your craft, they take your images from vision to reality.
Display Plus HL. Image: Calibrate
While many might complain at the demise of local camera shops, the industry is still packed with great service providers who can impart expert knowledge and offer huge stocks, equipment repairs or rental and lots more at keen prices. These are the essential businesses making the world of photography a better place. From bricks-and-mortar shops to internet-based mega-businesses, these are the cream of the crop – deservedly so.
Retailers are the front line, and it’s a worthy list of nominations, from family-owned, multi-site operations like Wilkinson Cameras to specialists such as Grays of Westminster and big retailers such as Wex Photo Video.
Many are also huge players in the fast-growing used market, where specialists like MPB and Ffordes Photographic are key players. These used kit experts help you not only buy tested second-hand gear but also take your old kit for cash or part exchange. It’s sustainability in action.
With categories for photo labs providing museum-quality prints or stunning photobooks, training services that will sharpen your skills and the best insurance policy providers, all our nominees offer great service and value for money. So if you have had a great buying experience from one of our shortlisted companies, it’s time to reward them with your vote.
Photobooks & photo gifts. Image: Cewe
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