Full Stack Creator

169: State of the Camera Industry: Part 2

Full Stack Creator

Show Notes

Most camera companies make something great in 2026, which is why choosing one has become so hard. After covering Sony, Nikon, and Canon in part one, we looked at the brands taking less obvious paths.

Fujis are cameras people actually want to carry. Great JPEGs, fun film simulations, and a commitment to APS-C and GFX instead of full frame. Lumix offers some of the best value in hybrid cameras now that its autofocus has caught up. Leica is having incredible sucess with the Q series. OM System keeps the original promise of Micro Four Thirds alive with small lenses, rugged bodies, and excellent reach, but its aging sensor technology is becoming hard to ignore. Hasselblad delivers a more refined shooting experience than GFX but you pay for it in price and enormous files. DJI continues to push drones, compact cameras, and stabilization forward. And Blackmagic is easy to overlook if you only follow hybrid cameras, but it remains deeply embedded in live event productions.

Full disclosure: we’ve worked with Lumix and Hasselblad, and some of the cameras discussed were provided as loaners. There isn’t one winner here.

These brands make sense for different people, which is more useful than pretending one spec sheet can settle the argument.

More from Full Stack Creator

Oct 21, 2026

Hands on with the iPhone Duo

Oct 9, 2026

Custom AI-built tools are starting to solve the everyday problems that off-the-shelf software leaves behind. A Final Cut copy-and-paste helper, a client production app, and a thumbnail mockup tool show what photographers, filmmakers, and small teams can build around their own workflows. ChatGPT and Claude offer different ways to get started, while AI-assisted Blender animation keeps cameras, lighting, and assets editable. There’s also a look at agents that manage email and create personal podcast feeds, where they still fall short, and why creative judgment matters as software gets easier to make.

Oct 1, 2026

Why add a variable aperture to the iPhone now? Apple’s camera team explains the thinking behind the iPhone 18 Pro, from manual focus and automatic ISO to film grain, halation, and Apple Reference Image. The conversation also covers the iPhone Duo and the creative possibilities of its folding design.

Sep 20, 2026

A closer look at the iPhone 18 Pro cameras after the review: what variable aperture really changes, where Apple’s film styles fall short, and how the new Pro Controls feel in everyday use. Plus, viewer questions about AI reframing, lens flare, telephoto quality, and whether it’s worth upgrading.

Sep 12, 2026

What creatives got out of the iPhone 17 Pro and how they plan to use the Duo & 18 Pro

See all episodes →