The last six months have been jam-packed with gear launches galore. There have been so many “can’t miss” products that we couldn’t fit them all into one recap. Consequently, just in time for the holidays, we’ve compiled Part 2. This list features more of the hottest new tools, cameras, and lenses launched earlier this year. You can check out Part 1 here. Sigma’s groundbreaking 200mm f/2 Sports lens and ultra-wide 12mm f/1.4 Contemporary lens are just the beginning. Don’t forget Nikon’s sleek new Z f mirrorless and next-gen 24–70mm f/2.8 S II. This roundup delivers!
We’ve also included Hasselblad’s X2D II 100C medium-format marvel. Additionally, Panasonic’s long-reaching LUMIX S 100–500mm and OM System’s fast new 50–200mm f/2.8 IS PRO. Further, DZOFILM’s Vespid Prime II cine lenses, the compact powerhouse RICOH GR IV, and more. Consider this your go-to guide to gear that can take your photography and filmmaking up by several notches!
Pushing Creativity at Both Ends: Sigma’s 200mm f/2 Sports Lens and 12mm f/1.4 Contemporary
Three of Sigma’s August lens releases push creative boundaries at both ends of the spectrum. First, the 200mm f/2 DG OS Sports Lens. Essentially, this is a 200mm f/2 telephoto prime for full-frame mirrorless cameras—every bit as impressive as it sounds. This lens makes subjects pop. With its bright F2 aperture, gorgeous bokeh, and strong compression, it’s suitable for shooting portraits or fast-moving indoor sports. Plus, it’s got weather sealing, 6.5-stop image stabilization, and Sigma’s fast, precise HLA autofocus system.
For those who shoot Sony E and L-Mount, there is no need to adapt this beauty.
On the other end of the spectrum is the 12mm f/1.4 DC Contemporary Lens. This is an ultra-wide-angle prime for APS-C cameras. It captures everything from sweeping landscapes to star-filled skies with crisp detail and rich color. It is compact enough for everyday shooting. This lens is designed for both stills and video, and is a lightweight powerhouse that delivers big visual impact.
Check out Sony E, Canon RF, and Fujifilm X mount versions.
It’s All in the Detail: Hasselblad’s X2D II 100C Medium-Format Mirrorless
The Hasselblad X2D II 100C is built for creators who won’t settle for anything less than true-to-life color and incredible detail. Its 100MP medium-format CMOS sensor, paired with Hasselblad’s Natural Colour Solution and HDR, captures images with stunning depth and realism. A new AF-C mode with subject detection and 10-stop 5-axis stabilization keeps every shot sharp and steady, even in tricky light.
The design has been refined, too. It has a lighter matte graphite body, improved grip, and intuitive controls. For instance, a responsive 5D joystick and customizable buttons make it a joy to use. The camera has 1TB of built-in SSD storage and a bright tilting OLED display. Naturally, full XCD lens compatibility. It’s as practical as it is powerful. Thanks to Phocus Mobile 2, you can wirelessly edit and transfer your images. This keeps your creative flow seamless from capture to finish.
Compact, Powerful, and Lightning Fast: RICOH GR IV
The RICOH GR IV digital camera carries forward everything photographers love about the GR series. Including stellar image quality, lightning-fast response, and pocketable design—now taken to the next level. It features a newly developed back-illuminated APS-C sensor. This is paired with the GR ENGINE 7 for incredible detail, low noise, and vibrant color. Accordingly, a new GR lens delivers exceptional clarity. Furthermore, the redesigned lens barrel cuts startup time to just 0.6 seconds—the fastest in GR history.
Compact yet powerful, the GR IV offers upgraded connectivity with dual Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi for easy sharing and remote control. Additionally, an improved control layout and longer battery life for effortless shooting anywhere. Paired with new accessories like the lightweight RICOH GF-2 External Flash, this camera is built for creators who want high-end performance in a take-anywhere form.
Nikon’s NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II: Precision and Artistry in One
The new Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II takes a pro favorite and makes it even better. The full-frame mirrorless lens has an internal zoom mechanism. It brings new levels of balance, stability, and dust resistance. This is perfect for gimbals, matte boxes, and fast-paced shoots. Even better, it delivers buttery-smooth focus transitions while a new optical formula boosts sharpness, bokeh, and flare resistance for standout image quality in any light.
With close focusing down to 9.5 inches, a constant f/2.8 aperture, and 11 rounded diaphragm blades for dreamy, natural bokeh, this lens is built for creators who want both precision and artistry in one compact, rock-solid zoom.
Up Close with the Panasonic LUMIX S 100-500mm f/5-7.1
Get close—way up close—with the Panasonic LUMIX S 100-500mm f/5-7.1, an ultra-telephoto zoom built for the LUMIX S Series full-frame mirrorless lineup. Covering everything from detailed wildlife shots to fast-moving motorsports and sweeping landscapes, it delivers crisp resolution, smooth bokeh, and incredible versatility. Pair it with a teleconverter to reach a jaw-dropping 1000mm, and you’re ready for just about any scene. With a closest focusing distance of 0.8m and up to 7 stops of Dual I.S. stabilization, this lens keeps every shot steady, sharp, and full of life.
OM System’s M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm f/2.8 IS PRO
The M.Zuiko Digital ED 50–200mm f2.8 IS PRO lens from OM System pushes the boundaries of what a super-telephoto zoom can do. Marketed as the world’s only fully weather-sealed 100–400mm equivalent lens with a constant f/2.8 aperture, it packs serious reach and speed into a surprisingly compact 2.37-lb (1,075g) body. Paired with Olympus’ powerful 5-axis Sync IS, it delivers steady, handheld shots even at extreme focal lengths—perfect for wildlife, sports, and outdoor work. Add the MC-20 2x teleconverter, and you’re looking at up to 800mm of reach, plus IP53 weather sealing for all-weather reliability and 1:1 magnification at just 0.78m. With in-camera Focus Stacking, 50-fps continuous AF shooting, and intuitive controls like four function switches and an L-Fn button, the 50–200mm f/2.8 IS PRO is built to handle whatever the environment throws at you.
DZOFILM’s Vespid Prime II series of lenses
The Vespid Prime II series of lenses from DZOFilm builds beautifully on the success of the company’s original primes launched in 2020. The new lineup takes everything filmmakers loved about the first generation and sharpens it—resulting in higher resolution, richer color consistency, and far better control over flare and chromatic aberration.
Covering full-frame and VV sensors with a constant T1.9 aperture, the Vespid Prime II series of lenses includes six focal lengths. 18mm, 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, and 105mm. Each lens is lightweight at around 800 grams, has an 80mm front diameter, and supports Cooke /i metadata. And thanks to its precisely ground aspherical elements, you get edge-to-edge sharpness with minimal distortion.
Sigma Introduces Even More Game-Changing Lenses
Whether you’re shooting portraits or capturing the everyday, you’ll want to take a closer look at these three game-changers from Sigma:
The Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG Art Lens (for the Sony E) is a 135mm autofocus lens with an F1.4 maximum aperture—a true game-changer for portrait photographers. It delivers incredible depth, clarity, and emotion, with smooth, rounded bokeh and tack-sharp detail from edge to edge, even wide open. Dual HLA focusing motors provide quick, accurate autofocus, and complete weather sealing means it’s ready for anything. (Also check out the L Mount version here.)
A modern take on a mirrorless classic, the Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG II Art Lenskeeps the luminous F1.2 aperture of the original but trims the weight by 30% and the length by 20%. The result is a lighter, more refined lens that still offers breathtaking sharpness, creamy bokeh, and almost zero focus breathing—perfect for both stills and video. Dual HLA motors ensure fast, silent focusing to keep up with any creative pace. (Also check out the L Mount version here.)
Finally, the Sigma 20–200mm f/3.5–6.3 DG Contemporary Lens (for the Sony E) is a high-power zoom lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras that covers 20mm wide angle to a 200mm telephoto. Compact, weather-sealed, and surprisingly versatile, it’s built for travel and everyday shooting alike, offering a 1:2 magnification ratio for close-ups and fast, reliable autofocus wherever your next adventure takes you.
Nikon’s Z f Mirrorless Camera, Silver: Modern Mirrorless Performance
Inspired by the chrome-plated classics of the film era, the new Nikon Z f Mirrorless Camera, Silver is the perfect combination of iconic design and modern mirrorless performance. Standout features include Subject Recognition with 3D tracking, Eye Detection AF for photos and videos, Pre-Release Capture, Auto-Mode enhanced by Deep Learning, ISO 100-64,000 for stills with low noise across the entire range. ISO 100-51,200 for video, HEIF Image Format with Richer Tonal Gradation, and so much more.
Crisp and Cutting Edge: Sigma’s 28-45mm T2.0 Cine Lens
Sigma kicked off its new AF Cine Line this past September with the impressive 28-45mm T2.0, a lens that fuses the precision of cinema glass with the speed and smarts of modern autofocus. Built on the acclaimed Sigma Art optical system, it delivers gorgeous image quality and crisp rendering, while the fast, near-silent AF ensures smooth, reliable tracking on set. Designed for the demands of professional film production, it handles multiple shooting styles and environments with ease—perfect for today’s hybrid filmmakers.
With advanced optics, a rugged, pro-grade build, and intuitive handling, the 28-45mm T2 brings Sigma’s cutting-edge tech to the big screen—opening fresh creative possibilities for every filmmaker behind the lens.
