Cutting-edge tablets, powerful new lenses, and lighting gear. The past few months have delivered a wave of exciting new tools for photographers and filmmakers. We’re here to help you catch up—and maybe inspire a few kit upgrades. Whether you’re a photographer, filmmaker, or content creator, the latest launches bring fresh tools to elevate creativity and performance. These include updated Wacom Cintiq tablets and pen displays. A variety of tools like the Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 Art DC lens, DJI Mic 3, and NanLite Wand. Additionally, Leica SL3-S bundles, and Westcott FJ400-SE 400Ws Daylight Studio Strobe. Here’s a look at some of the standout arrivals making waves right now. (Check back for Part 2 in the coming weeks!)
Wacom Cintiq Tablet Refresh: Slimmer, More Modern, and Sharper Resolution
In June, Wacom released its first major refresh of its flagship Cintiq pen display lineup. They launched the new Cintiq 16, 24, and 24 Touch models. These updates bring a slimmer, more modern design. Additionally, sharper 2.5K resolution, and the highly responsive Wacom Pro Pen 3 for precise control. The Cintiq 24 Touch adds 10-finger multi-touch support. All models offer versatile USB-C connectivity—making the Cintiq 16 especially convenient with its single-cable connection to compatible computers. With these refinements, Wacom has made its renowned creative displays even more powerful and streamlined. Check out the Wacom Cintiq 24 Creative Pen Display, or the Wacom Cintiq 16 Creative Pen Display.
Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Art: A Compact, Lightweight APS-C Zoom
This APS-C zoom is made exclusively for mirrorless cameras. This zoom builds on the beloved 18–35mm f/1.8, expanding the range while trimming the weight to just 535g. With the Sigma 17–40mm f/1.8 DC DN Art lens, you still get that bright, constant f/1.8 aperture . This is rare on Zoom. The fast aperture enables crisp, shallow-depth shots in a compact, travel-friendly design. Available in Sony E, Fujifilm X, L-mount, and Canon RF. This lens is a modern classic, offering sharpness, brightness, and versatility for both photography and video.
Watch Adorama Senior Content Producer Fernando Martinez’s hands-on review featured on AdoramaTV
Shop the Sigma 17-40mm f1.8 ART DC Lens on the Adorama site
The DJI Mic 3: Performance at its Best
DJI’s latest wireless mic system, the DJI Mic 3, takes everything creators loved about the previous version. Markedly, they leveled those things up for real-world versatility. The transmitter is compact, lightweight, and barely noticeable. You can clip it on, magnet it to your shirt, or flip it sideways for the perfect angle. Key highlights include adaptive gain control for consistently clean audio, dual-file 32-bit float recording for maximum editing flexibility. Additionally, an integrated timecode makes syncing video a breeze. With four-channel output, dual-band anti-interference, and an extended battery life, DJI Mic 3 is clearly built for performance.
Leica 100 Years Collection: The Celebration Continues
All year long, Leica has been celebrating a century of photographic excellence. Therefore, they have released a limited-edition lineup that pays tribute to the 1925 Leica I. After all, this is the camera that started it all. Among the standout releases are the following four, all released this past June. First up is the impressive Leica D-Lux 8 100 Years of Leica edition. Certainly, this camera draws inspiration from the original Leica I. It has an engraved “100” emblem on the hot shoe and a finely textured shutter release. Behind its classic design, it’s all modern muscle: a large 4/3″ sensor (approx. 21.77MP total), 4K video, RAW (DNG) support, and the fast Leica DC Vario-Summilux 10.9–34mm f/1.7–2.8 ASPH zoom lens.
Next, the Leica SOFORT 2 100 Years of Leica, a special edition of Leica’s popular hybrid instant camera. This anniversary model features elegant design touches that nod to a century of craftsmanship. For example, a nickel-colored shutter release and lens cap, as well as a subtle “100” engraving marking the milestone. Blending analog charm with digital convenience, the SOFORT 2 lets you capture, print, and share your favorite moments instantly. It pairs effortlessly with the Leica FOTOS app. This allows you to transfer and print images from your smartphone or other Leica cameras—all in signature Leica style.
Binoculars and a Book!
Even the Leica Trinovid 10×40 binoculars join the celebration. Accordingly, it is dressed in a heritage-inspired nickel finish with cross-knurled controls. Further, a leatherette body that echoes the timeless design of the original Leica I. Inside, advanced Leica optics deliver vivid color, crisp contrast, and stunning detail. Perfect for observing nature or the world in motion. Price: $2,799. Shop here.
Completing the lineup is the 100 Leica Stories book, a beautifully crafted, 320-page hardcover. This book captures the spirit, innovation, and artistry behind the iconic brand. Filled with insight, high-quality imagery, and step-by-step Leica camera techniques, this book makes for a great addition to any Leica user’s library.
NanLite Wand Full-Color RGBW LED Light Stick: Creative Light
Wherever You Go Light, compact, and endlessly versatile, NanLite’s newest wand (released this past August) puts creative lighting at your fingertips. Weighing just 420 grams, it delivers 36,000 colors and a wide 2700K–7500K white range, with built-in effects to add mood or motion in a snap. Control it on the wand or wirelessly via the NANLINK App, and power it however you like—NP-F batteries, USB-C PD, or a power bank. With removable barndoors and a diffuser for shaping and softening light, this little wand is ready to go wherever your ideas take you.
Westcott’s FJ400-SE 400Ws Daylight Studio Strobe
Fast, reliable, and surprisingly simple, the Westcott FJ400-SE 400Ws Daylight Studio Strobe hits 5500K with a 0.5–1 second recycle time, giving you accurate, ready-to-shoot light in a flash. Intuitive controls, a bright LCD, and auto memory recall make adjustments effortless. Six stops of output control give you amazing control. A Bowens mount, along with an included reflector and gels, allows you to shape and color light on the fly. AC-powered and fully compatible with FJ Wireless, it’s studio-ready straight out of the box, with remote control and creative tweaks available through the StudioLink app.
Westcott’s 1×3 ClickBox Strip Softbox for Controlled Light
Looking for controlled, directional light in seconds? The Westcott ClickBox with Bowen S-Mount could be the answer. This slim 1×3 strip softbox sets up quickly via a secure click-in frame and push-button release. It’s perfect for fast-moving studio or location shoots that require rim, hair, or accent lighting to add polish and depth to your portrait or video work. It pairs well with the FJ400, L120B, and other S-mount lights. Add an optional 40-degree grid for even greater control.
Leica SL3-S Kits: A Bundle for Every Shoot
Leica’s 100th Anniversary celebration wouldn’t be complete without the June debut of five new SL3-S Kits—each one a perfect reflection of the brand’s precision, performance, and design. Paired with a range of versatile Vario zooms and fast prime lenses, these kits give photographers and filmmakers the freedom to capture anything and everything. The SL3-S Vario 28-70 Kit pairs the SL3-S system camera with the compact Vario-Elmarit-SL 28–70mm f/2.8 ASPH zoom lens—the smallest in the SL lineup but one that offers a versatile combo for both photo and video. The 24MP sensor delivers speed and clarity, with precise PDAF autofocus, 30 fps continuous shooting, and an impressive 96MP multi-shot mode. With 6K video and seamless connectivity, it’s built for high-end production.
Next, the SL3-S Vario Kit 24–70, which pairs the SL3-S with a compact zoom that easily transitions from reportage to portrait to landscape, delivering bright, consistent optics without changing lenses. The SL3-S Vario Kit 24-70 & 70-200 expands that range even further with two fast zooms that are ready for everything from sweeping wide-angle scenes to tight telephoto compositions. For those who favor compact power, the SL3-S Prime Kit 35 offers a lightweight 370g fixed-focal-length lens ideal for street, landscape, and reportage photography—even in low light. Rounding out the collection, the SL3-S Prime Kit 50 pairs the SL3-S with a nimble, all-purpose 50mm lens that shines in portrait, travel, and event settings.
The Aputure Storm 400x Packs a Punch
Built on the same foundation as Aputure’s flagship STORM 1200x and XT52, the new STORM 400x packs serious power into a more compact form. Its innovative “BLAIR” LED chipset combines Blue, Lime, Amber, Indigo, and Red emitters to deliver richer color and beautifully accurate white light. With a wide CCT range from 2,500K to 10,000K, full ±G tint control, and IP65 weather resistance, it’s built to perform anywhere—whether you’re in the studio or out on location. Delivering 26,500 lux at 1 meter (5600K) and top-tier color accuracy (CRI and TLCI ≥95), the STORM 400x is a true workhorse for creators who care about precision, consistency, and flexibility.
Canon Firmware Updates
Canon’s latest firmware updates (released in July) deliver smart new upgrades to its mirrorless lineup with the Cropping Guide Firmware, now available for the EOS R6 II (version 1.6.0) and EOS R8 (version 1.5.0). Designed to make composition effortless, it displays on-screen guides that help you frame consistently aligned shots—perfect for portraits, team photos, or any setup that needs precision. Each guide matches standard print sizes (8 “x10” or 5 “x7”) with magenta and cyan lines and a handy foot marker for ideal positioning, cutting down time in post.
Canon also recently rolled out the Speedlite EL-1 (Version 2) flash and RS-80E3 Remote Switch, rounding out a lineup built to simplify pro workflows. The firmware updates also span models from the EOS R1 and R3 to the R5 II, R7, R10, R50, and PowerShot series, bringing sharper performance and fresh creative tools across the board.
More information on the Canon EOS R8 and EOS R6 II.
Sony RX1R III: A Premium Compact Digital
Sony’s RX1R III is the kind of camera that makes you fall in love with photography all over again, delivering stunning full-frame performance in a design small enough to take anywhere. Its 61MP Exmor R CMOS sensor pairs with a fixed ZEISS® Sonnar T* 35mm F2 lens that captures every nuance with clarity and depth. Backed by Sony’s advanced AI autofocus, BIONZ XR processing, and a versatile 3-in-1 Step Crop function (35mm, 50mm, 70mm), the RX1R III adapts to any scene—from cinematic street shots to intimate close-ups as near as 20 cm. With 12 Creative Look presets, including three film-style profiles, you can play, explore, and create with style. Accessories like the TG-2 Thumb Grip and LCS-RXL Body Case round out the experience. Notable accessories include the Sony TG-2 Thumb Grip for RX1R III and Sony LCS-RXL Body Case for RX1R III.
Watch Salvatore D’Alia’s hands-on review on AdoramaTV.
DJI Osmo 360
The all-new DJI Osmo 360 takes immersive capture to the next level, featuring a new square HDR image sensor that delivers the same field of view as a traditional 1-inch sensor—while boosting efficiency by 25 percent for sharper image quality and lower power use. As DJI’s first camera to record native 8K/30fps 360-degree video with large 2.4μm pixels, it produces incredibly detailed, vibrant footage, even in tricky lighting like city nights or golden-hour scenes. With up to 13.5 stops of dynamic range, 120MP photos, and 4K/120fps 170° Boost Video, this compact, lightweight camera is made for creators who want pro-level results without the bulk. Choose the Standard Combo for everyday adventures or the Adventure Combowith extra batteries and a multifunctional charging case.
Tamron 16-30 F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 Lens
TAMRON’s G2 Trinity is officially complete with the recent release of the 16-30mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2. Building on the success of the 17-28mm, this next-gen ultra-wide zoom expands your field of view while keeping the same compact, travel-ready feel that photographers love. From sweeping landscapes to creative close-ups, the 16-30mm F2.8 G2 captures every detail with stunning clarity and smooth, cinematic bokeh. Together with the 28-75mm F2.8 G2 and 70-180mm F2.8 G2, it completes TAMRON’s fast G2 zoom trio—an all-around powerhouse that takes you from ultra-wide to telephoto with ease. A high-performance lineup built to make pro-level results feel effortless.
