The Stuff Gadget Awards 2025: our cameras of the yr

2025 noticed innovation thrive within the digicam world. Action cameras expanded their viewpoints, as 360-degree fashions moved from area of interest novelties to true contenders. In a problem to Insta360’s dominance, each GoPro and DJI launched 360 fashions this yr, while super-compact motion cams just like the Insta360 Go Ultra proved you’ll be able to seize wonderful footage with out the majority.

There was massive drama within the digicam drone world too, as a result of a looming ban for all DJI fashions within the US. As the clear market chief within the digicam drone market – and the producer of the world’s greatest client drones, in our opinion – DJI’s imminent departure from American cabinets appears nearly unthinkable.

Mirrorless cameras cemented their whole dominance of the interchangeable lens market, with video capabilities driving a lot of the event. Canon targeted closely on vlogging and cinema fashions whereas Nikon’s acquisition of RED confirmed the place its priorities lie; hybrid taking pictures grew to become the expectation slightly than exception.

From compact rangefinders to medium format marvels, retro-styled beauties to cutting-edge cinema instruments, 2025 delivered cameras to suit each inventive pursuit. Here are the fashions that, in our opinion, rose above the remainder.

Best digicam of the yr: Fujifilm X-E5

Fujifilm’s retro rangefinder revival continues apace with this sensible interchangeable lens various to the X100VI. The X-E5 replicates ninety % of that digicam’s attraction while providing real versatility by means of its assist for swappable glass. Major upgrades from the (now discontinued) X-E4 embrace 7-stop in-body stabilisation alongside a stellar, flagship-standard 40.2MP APS-C sensor, which delivers splendidly sharp detailed photographs with distinctive dynamic vary.

Fuji’s beloved Film Simulations take centre stage by way of a devoted top-plate dial (full with charming viewing window) whereas the machined aluminium building feels premium, and intuitive controls permit shot changes with out having to take away your eye from the viewfinder. The stripped-back Classic Display mode mimics Nineteen Seventies movie cameras brilliantly, eschewing icon muddle for old-school minimalism.

Fuji’s color science stays completely stellar on the X-E5, preserving pure tones superbly. An absence of climate sealing restricts its journey digicam credentials considerably, however devoted photographers will adore this attractive rangefinder regardless.

Highly recommended

OM System OM-3

With its flush surfaces and a number of dials, the OM-3 appears like a real Nineteen Sixties 35mm digicam. Don’t be fooled by the retro styling, although; inside there’s a critical trendy mirrorless, able to doing all of it. The metallic building earns it an IP53 score, which means mud and water gained’t cease you from getting these snaps – even when you’re vacationing in wet outdated Blighty.

With the identical stacked Micro Four Thirds sensor because the flagship OM-1 Mark II, it has wonderful all-round picture high quality, plus dependable, zippy autofocus that tracks all the things from pets to people and blistering burst taking pictures speeds of as much as 120fps. It additionally provides very good picture stabilisation.

While 10-bit video is included, its restriction to HGL and log profiles requires fiddly post-production grading. But the OM-3 leans closely in direction of stills, and as a fantastically versatile digicam – compact, highly effective, strong and superbly designed – it appears like a really perfect journey companion for metropolis breaks and holidays.

Fujifilm GFX100RF

Fujifilm has pulled off a staggering achievement with this digicam, shoehorning a colossal 102MP medium format sensor right into a compact rangefinder physique that weighs simply 735g. It’s the smallest, lightest digicam within the GFX vary, however severely rivals a Leica on the construct high quality and premium materials entrance.

The GFX100RF’s intelligent digital zoom and in-camera cropping ship exceptional flexibility with out the necessity to attain into your lens bag, whereas the side ratio dial provides 9 choices together with a cinematic 65:24 panoramic format impressed by the legendary Hasselblad Xpan. Image high quality is phenomenal, with pin-sharp element, very good color science and over 20 Film Simulations able to delivering beautiful JPEGs straight from the digicam.

Compromises have been made to attain all this: no stabilisation, an f/4.0 aperture on its mounted lens and undercooked video capabilities. At £4699/$4899 it’s additionally eye-wateringly costly, however hey – you’re getting medium format magic in an impossibly transportable package deal.

Also shortlisted

Panasonic Lumix GH7, Sigma BF

Action digicam or drone of the yr: DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro

For years, GoPro’s Hero collection has dominated the motion digicam market. Not anymore. The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro doesn’t compete with the Hero, however truly beats it at its personal sport. This sensible all-rounder handily usurps the king, whether or not you’re abseiling, scuba diving or vlogging.

It’s light-weight at 146g, but extraordinarily strong: tempered glass protects each the lens and twin OLED screens, whereas the boxy physique laughs off drops and dirt, dives case-free to 20m (twice what the GoPro Hero 13 Black manages), and handles temperatures right down to -20°C. Mounting by way of the quick-release magnetic system takes seconds, and it performs good with GoPro equipment too.

The Action 5 Pro’s new sensor delivers 13.5 stops of dynamic vary and crisp 4K 120fps footage, with class-leading audio sealing the deal. There’s nonetheless room for enchancment in its much-vaunted low gentle efficiency, however DJI’s greatest motion cam but is just the perfect motion cam, full cease.

Highly recommended

GoPro Hero 13 Black

GoPro’s newest flagship doesn’t revolutionise specs – it’s nonetheless packing the identical sensor as its predecessor – however its new swappable HB-Series lenses characterize a genuinely game-changing motion cam innovation. The Hero 13 Black routinely detects which lens you’ve connected and adjusts settings accordingly, including versatility we’re not used to seeing in the sort of digicam.

Its Ultra Wide lens delivers an unlimited 177-degree area of view, whereas the Macro lens focuses 4 instances nearer than the usual glass, making it good for element pictures. An Anamorphic lens provides cinematic aptitude with its 21:9 side ratio footage. There’s additionally an ND filter pack for controlling publicity in brighter out of doors circumstances.

Add improved thermal administration, a beefier battery, magnetic mounting and built-in GPS and also you’ve acquired a severely succesful package deal. The lenses value additional, however they open up inventive potentialities no different motion digicam can match. The way forward for the format? Perhaps.

Insta360 Go Ultra

Insta360’s tiny Go cameras have at all times been enjoyable, however compromised on picture high quality. Until now. The Go Ultra is the primary ultra-compact motion digicam that genuinely rivals full-size rivals on the efficiency entrance, due to a transformative sensor improve (a full 221% bigger than its predecessor’s). At 53g, it’s nonetheless gentle sufficient to clip comfortably onto a baseball cap or put on by way of the together with magnetic pendant, becoming locations a GoPro merely can’t attain.

The new imaging setup delivers very good 4K 60fps footage with wonderful dynamic vary, whereas PureVideo mode tackles low-light eventualities that beforehand stumped tiny motion cams. 

The Action Pod module provides a flip-up touchscreen and bodily controls, and extends battery life to 157 minutes. There’s now a microSD slot supporting as much as 2TB playing cards, three stabilisation ranges, and impressively quick charging too.

It’s barely bigger than earlier Go fashions, however this best-of-both-worlds system delivers distinctive versatility with out sacrificing picture high quality.

Also shortlisted

DJI Air 3S, DJI Osmo 360, GoPro Hero