Latest Industry News Summarized for Your Convenience
Camera industry ain't slowing down, y’all! May's been a rollercoaster ride in photography land. We're celebrating the past, present, and looking forward to the future. Buckle up and let's dive right in, y'all!
PHOTOGRAPHIC JUBILEE
Let's throw it back to 1925, where the Leica 1, a game-changer, made its debut at the Leipzig Spring Fair. Designed by Oskar Barnack, this bad boy was the first mass-produced 35mm camera, compact, portable, and revolutionary. Fast-forward to 2025, Leica commemorates the Leica 1's 100-year legacy with global anniversary tours, events in Dubai, Milan, New York, Shanghai, and Tokyo, and the release of a limited-edition Leica M11 inspired by the classic vintage Leica M model. The New York City edition kicked things off on May 3rd, wearing a glossy black paint and developing a unique patina over time to make it one-of-a-kind. The M11 boasts a high-end touch with silver-chrome accents on the shutter release, power switch, and dials, each featuring detailed cross knurling. The New York USA Leica M11 comes with a hefty $10,695 price tag - still, iconic, still evolving.
SNAPSHOTS OF EXCELLENCE
The Sony World Photography Awards 2026 opens on June 1, 2025, a platform celebrating inclusivity, elevating photographers’ careers, and offering an excuse for creators to dazzle us with their brilliant work (because we all could use some inspiration). The awards introduce new categories, such as "Perspectives" and the Japan Professional Award. Since the inception in 2007, winners have clinched global exposure along with a cash prize. Previous winners include British photographer Zed Nelson, who took home the Photographer of the Year title in 2025 for his project "The Anthropocene Illusion," which explores the relationship between humans and nature. Head over to the official website to see the incredible imagery from these talented artists.
HOLDING UP THE LENS
New York Times photographer Doug Mills recently won a solo Pulitzer in the Breaking News Photography category for his stunning images during the attempted assassination of President Trump. Known for his attention to detail, Mills has had a lengthy and successful career, covering the White House since 1983 and serving as a staff photographer for The New York Times since 2002. Check out Moises Saman’s captivating black-and-white images of Syria’s Sednaya Prison, capturing the horrific legacy of the torture chambers in his work, which clinched the Feature Photography category at the Pulitzers.
DUAL CURTAINS FALL
Nikon has hung up its hat on the flagship DSLR, the D6, officially discontinuing the model. This move mirrors the broader industry trend towards mirrorless technology. Nikon is entranced with the mirrorless space, focusing on its Z-series lineup of mirrorless cameras. The D6's legacy began with the D1 in 1999 and reached its crescendo with the D6 in 2020, designed for sports photographers and photojournalists. Consider this Emma Peel flip flops in a world of stilettos.
ILLUMINATION IN YOUR HANDS
Leica unleashes the M11-P Safari Edition, a revamped interpretation of Leica's renowned M11-P digital rangefinder camera boasting an olive-green "Safari" finish and matching textured leatherette, evoking the charm of the 1970s. The timeless design features silver accents and an engraved Leica script on the top plate, replacing the typical red dot logo. Interior upgrades include the Triple Resolution Technology, allowing users to capture images at 60, 36, or 18 megapixels, depending on their needs. The pricetag? A cool $10,495 but think about that vintage patina.
MOVING ON UP
Other exciting releases include the DJI Mavic Pro 4, a drone boasting new camera technology, hassle-free obstacle sensing, increased flight time (8 minutes over its predecessor), and a 6K video recording capability at 60 frames per second. The camera is capable of taking your game to the next level, so get ready to frolic in Instagram-worthy footage. Hybrid photographers will be tickled pink with Panasonic's S1 II and S1 IIE full-frame hybrid cameras, equally powerful for photography and videography.
MORE CAMERA, MORE PROBLEMS?
Neewer launched the Q6 Flash in May, an outdoor studio flash packed with 600Ws of output power, consistent 5700K color temperature, fast recycling times, smooth creaminess, and smartphone app control - perfect for any location shoot. Looking for a fresh film option? Harman recently announced Kentmere Pan 200 in 35mm and 120 roll film formats. Kentmere is part of Harman Technology, the makers of Ilford black-and-white film, producing vibrant colors, excellent clarity, and a fine grain.
Copyright shenanigans
The Associated Press sticks to its guns on crediting Nick Ut for "Napalm Girl" after the release of the documentary "The Stringer" raised questions about the photo's authorship, with claims made by Nguyen Thanh Nghe that he was the real photographer. The AP conducted an internal investigation and concluded that it has "no reason to believe anyone but Nick Ut took the image in question." Ut's attorneys indicated that a defamation lawsuit against the filmmakers and the VII Foundation is likely in the works. Stay tuned, folks!
- Mirrorless cameras continue to gain momentum in the photography industry, as Leica unveils the M11-P Safari Edition, a revamped version of its digital rangefinder camera, emulating the charm of 1970s models with a Safari finish and matching textured leatherette.
- In another milestone, Doug Mills, a photographer for the New York Times, clinched the Pulitzer Prize in Breaking News Photography for his images during the attempted assassination of President Trump, marking a significant moment in his lengthy career.
- According to recent industry trends, Nikon has officially discontinued its flagship DSLR, the D6, favoring the mirrorless space as more companies embrace this technology.
- Photographers and creators are welcome to submit their work to the Sony World Photography Awards 2026, which opens on June 1, 2025, offering a platform for inclusivity, career elevation, and showcasing the best photography from around the world.
- In finance news, the NEW YORK CITY edition of the Leica M11, commemorating the Leica 1's 100-year legacy, boasts a hefty $10,695 price tag - a testament to the iconic camera's continued evolution and premium quality.
