Hello, dear reader, happy holidays! It’s the most wonderful time of the year, as streets are decorated and lit up, making it a fantastic time to take your camera out for a spin. If you know me or are familiar with my work as a senior reviews writer at Tom’s Guide, you’ll know that not only do I adore cameras, but I review them day in and day out. Since joining the team in April 2024, I’ve tested my fair share of instant, mirrorless and film cameras.
2024 was a great year for photography gear, but it can be argued that 2025 has been even better, something I didn’t think was possible. Major releases from Sony, Canon, Fujifilm, Leica and so on, have proven that gear continues to evolve, making photography more accessible and better than it ever has been.
Nikita Achanta
Full list of cameras I’ve tested this year
Every camera I’ve tested this year
- Sony A1 II : $6,998 / £5,900 @ Amazon
- Sony ZV-1F : $599 / £499 @ Amazon
- Sony A7 V : $2,898 @ Adorama / £2,799 @ Clifton Cameras
- Canon EOS R5 Mark II : $4,399 / £3,321 @ Amazon
- Canon PowerShot V1 : $1,029 / £959 @ Amazon
- Canon EOS R50 V : $949 / £732 @ Amazon
- Fujifilm GFX100RF : $5,599 @ Adorama / £4,699 @ Clifton Cameras
- Fujifilm X half : $849 / £699 @ Amazon
- Fujifilm X-T30 III : $999 / £829 @ Amazon
- Panasonic Lumix GH7 : $1,999 / £1,599 @ Amazon
- Leica M11-D : $10,055 @ Adorama / £7,899 @ Clifton Cameras
- Leica Q3 43 : $7,380 @ Adorama / £5,890 @ Clifton Cameras
- Leica SL3 : $5,665 @ B&H / £4,489 @ Clifton Cameras
- Nikon Coolpix P1100 : $1,049 / £880 @ Amazon
- Sigma BF : $2,199 @ B&H / £1,969 @ WEX
- Novocolor Swiss+Go 35mm : £39 @ Amazon
- Camp Snap Screen-Free : $69 @ Walmart / £65 @ Oliver Bonas
- Camp Snap CS-8 : $149 / £152 @ Camp Snap
- Pentax 17 : $496 @ Best Buy / £489 @ Clifton Cameras
- Kodak Ektar H35 : $59 / £61 @ Amazon
- Kodak PIXPRO C1 : $119 / £79 @ Amazon
- Fujifilm Instax Wide Evo : $409 @ Best Buy / £319 @ WEX
- Fujifilm Instax mini 41 : $116 @ B&H / £94 @ Amazon
- Fujifilm Instax mini LiPlay+ : $199 @ Walmart / £189 @ Amazon
- Lomography Lomo’Instant Automat : $149 @ Amazon / £100 @ Selfridges
- Lomography Diana Instant Square
- Lomography Lomo’Instant Wide Glass
- Hori Piranha Plant Cam : $39 @ Walmart / £39 @ Amazon
My best shots on digital cameras
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I absolutely adore animals and birds, so I love photographing wildlife whenever I can — and this year, there was no better camera to do that with than the Sony A1 II. It didn’t take long for the A1 II to become one of my favorite cameras, and that’s thanks to its plethora of pro-level specs packed into a body that handles sublimely.
A 50.1MP sensor means you can crop right in, 8.5-stops of IBIS ensure you can shoot at slow shutter speeds, and the high-res 9.4-million-dot viewfinder with a maximum 240fps refresh rate means you never miss the action. Its ridiculously fast autofocus system and 30fps blackout-free burst shooting make it the best mirrorless camera for any high-speed photography.
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Speaking of high-speed cameras, I also tested the Canon EOS R5 Mark II this year, and I was amazed at just how easy this pro-shooter was to use straight out of the box. It shares a few characteristics with the aforementioned A1 II: 30fps burst shooting, 8.5-stops of IBIS, intelligent autofocus, and more.
But its stacked 45MP sensor (whose stacked nature enables speedier readouts to minimize rolling shutter distortions) and in-camera 180MP upscaling make it a formidable full frame camera — and the best that came out in 2025. Whether it’s sports, wildlife, portrait, studio or landscape photography, the EOS R5 Mark II is up to the challenge.
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2025 was also the year I finally got the hype behind Leica cameras, having tested my fair share here at Tom’s Guide. The Leica M11-D was one of the most challenging cameras I’d tested, due to its lack of autofocus and rangefinder nature, and I believe it made me a better photographer. Pinpoint precision while focusing enables you to get stuck in the detail, while the 60MP sensor captures images that are bursting with life.
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Other Leicas I tested this year were the Leica Q3 43 and the Leica SL3, both formidable mirrorless snappers. The former is all about pin-sharp precision, and the camera utilizes Leica’s most advanced autofocus system, as well as a 60.3MP sensor that makes any mundane scene look beautiful. The SL3, on the other hand, is the meeting point of power and luxury, boasting 5-stops of IBIS and 8K/30fps video capabilities too.
But if I could afford it, which Leica would I buy? It has to be the Q3 43 — simply because it’s compact and looks sleek! Let me know in the comments at the end about which one you‘d buy.
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When the year started, I attended the Photography & Video Show in London, U.K., and I had the chance to go hands-on with some fantastic cameras — and the Sigma BF was one of them. I was so excited to get the camera in for review, and it did not disappoint. Carved out of a single aluminum ingot, the BF oozes luxury and minimalism.
But don’t write it off as just a statement piece. It captures lovely 24.6MP images and can even record 6K/30P video! The BF is a joy to use, and that’s down to its minimalist interface and straightforward controls. It was one of my top 10 cameras of 2025, hands down.
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This year wasn’t all about mirrorless cameras, of course. I got to try a bridge camera, which bridge the gap between compact cameras and DSLRs, and are primarily designed for astro- and wildlife photography. I am the Nikon Coolpix P1100’s target audience, and I thoroughly enjoyed utilizing its dedicated Bird Watching mode to capture swans, pigeons and robins.
Why did I love it so much? Because the camera’s 4.3-539mm focal length equated to 24-3000mm on a full frame camera through a whopping 125x optical zoom, which allows you to zoom right in and capture detailed photos of animals without disturbing them. It’s wonderful, really.
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Although I didn’t review it this year, I did buy myself a Fujifilm X-T50, and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’ve always loved the X-T50 and its powerful 40.2MP sensor, beautiful color science, film simulation recipes, and reliable autofocus, all packed into a very compact body.
But I didn’t realize just how much I loved it until I took it with me to Iceland. I could wax poetic about the X-T50 all day, but I’ll let you scroll through the images and let my photos do the talking for me.
My best shots on film cameras
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Although I predominantly shoot on digital/mirrorless cameras, I love a good film camera too, such as the Novocolor Swiss+Go 35mm, and I often test them for work. I tested many this year, and each had something unique to offer. But the one thing that remained consistent throughout was that lovely, retro-style, vintage aesthetic that makes film photos appear timeless.
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I also tested half-frame film cameras, such as the Kodak Ektar H35 and the Pentax 17, and I love these nifty devices. They essentially double the shot count by printing two photos on one frame. Film cameras are never about perfect; they’re more about living in the moment as you can’t see the photos you’ve taken until you get them developed.
My best shots on instant cameras
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In a similar vein to how film cameras are about living in the moment, so are instant cameras. Alongside testing mirrorless and film ones, I test instant ones too. I’m a 90s kid who grew up with photo albums and getting images printed, so I love physical prints — and instant cameras are perfect for that. The photos are rarely perfect, but it’s hard to beat the sense of nostalgia they carry.
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2025 has been a superb year for my photography and I don’t doubt 2026 will be the same — or better, even. I can’t wait to get my hands on more mirrorless, instant and film cameras, and capture more photos of birds and portraits of my beautiful partner and family.
And there you have it. Thanks for tuning into my Photography Wrapped. I wish you all restful holidays, and I’ll see you next year.
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