The Photography Show 2022: Best in Show award winners

Digital Camera World Best in Show Awards

(Image credit: James Artaius)

We've spent the first two days at The Photography Show trawling the stands, seeking high and low for the biggest, best, newest and most exciting products.

As there is every year, there is an astonishing array of kit from cameras and lenses to filters and film to printers and darkroom gear. Choosing the Best in Show winners has never been harder!

The new Hasselblad X2D was one of a number of cameras to make its first public appearance at The Photography Show 2022. The X2D takes the concept of its beautifully-designed X1D mirrorless medium-format family, and puts in a 100-megapixel sensor – so that it can now can more equally challenge the Fujifilm GFX 100S. But doubling the resolution is not the only improvement – you also get in-body image stabilization, a higher resolution viewfinder, hybrid phase detect autofocus, a tilting touchscreen, CFexpress card support and a really handing internal 1TB SSD for storage. Oh, and there are three new lenses to go with it.

Canon's most recent mirrorless cameras have developed for being hard to find in the shops. But at this year's Show, there were stocks of the EOS R3, EOS R5, and even the more recent EOS R10. But the Canon EOS R7, launched earlier this year, is not in stock anywhere we looked at the Show – although you could get your hands on this APS-C super-talented mirrorless camera on the Canon stand. With 32.5MP resolution and 30fps continuous shooting we hear it will be a favorite of wildlife photographers, and for those looking for a back-up camera for their full-frame body.

The Elinchrom FIVE is not due to be launched until next month, but visitors got an exclusive sneak peak at this follow-up to the Elinchrom ONE at The Photography Show. At 3kg this battery-powered studio flash is light enough to be used on a pole or boom, but has a massively-increased 512 W/s output. A built-in handle makes it easy to carry and maneuver – which is ideal, as the FIVE's battery can last for 82 watt-hours, delivering 450 full power flashes, and can charge via USB-C in an hour and a half!

South Korean lens manufacturers have always produced lenses with a difference – and at great prices. And now they are bringing out a new range that is designed to democratize cine lenses, bringing video-centric lenses to the growing bands of content creators. The key selling point of the five-prime-lens line-up is that they offer autofocus… but there is more. You also get a pair of built-in tally lamps – and there is a front-mounted attachment system that promises yet-undisclosed accessories. Samyang V-AF 75mm T1.9 will be the first to make it to market – and was the one on show at the exhibition.

This is a great integrated solution for shooting pictures of jewelry, figurines, and other small subjects that you might want to sell online. This latest Orangemonkie light tent features a motorized turntable for 360° video clips of the product, and gives you great even lighting and perfect white backdrops for stills or moving pictures. It is designed for the smartphone user – but can be used with other cameras too.

While it is a little sad to lose the old modular design, the DJI Action 3 is easier to manage and more capable. The only sacrifice is the larger size and weight, but even then it still has the GoPro beat. For most adventurers, the Osmo Action 3 is the perfect balance of quality and price. Stabilized 4K video looks great and the camera can take a lot – not just rough and tumble but temperature extremes, too.

We thought the Insta360 X2 was great, but the Insta360 X3 is even better. It’s super-easy to use, the results are terrific and it can now be used as an action cam – or even a dash cam. The ultimate immersive video camera, it very literally captures everything around you, enabling you to create 3D VR content easily – or use its software-based reframing tools to edit your scenes as regular ‘flat’ video, where you can track subjects, create panning shots and basically point the camera where you like after you’ve shot your video.

Platypod has taken the classic tripod head design and literally turned it upside-down! The inverted design with panning turntable at the top is perfect for level pans. No need to level tripod legs. The Elite has the world's first electronic leveling system, with an unobstructed view and night display, and horizontal accuracy even when the camera is tilted vertically. Its LED indicators are visible when high up on a tripod, too – so it's visible in tight spaces when you can’t see the back of the camera

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James has 22 years experience as a journalist, serving as editor of Digital Camera World for 6 of them. He started working in the photography industry in 2014, product testing and shooting ad campaigns for Olympus, as well as clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal. An Olympus, Canon and Hasselblad shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes.

The Photography Show 2022: Best in Show award winners

Hasselblad X2D

Fujifilm X-H2

Alfie Tych+

Canon EOS R7

Elinchrom FIVE

Canon SELPHY CP1500

Samyang V-AF lenses

Orangemonkie Foldio360 Smart Dome

DJI Action 3

Insta360 X3

Solarcan Puck

Platyball Elite

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