Optics

Latest about Optics

A graphic depicting Nikon Z Series eyewear lenses, with Japanese text and a man wearing spectacles looking at his phone

Now you can get Nikon Z lenses for your glasses… designed using MTF charts!

By Leonie Helm published

News Did you know that Nikon has been producing eyewear lenses since 1946? Now it's using MTF charts to make them better!

News
This infrared image from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope was taken by the NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) for the JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey, or JADES, program. The NIRCam data was used to determine which galaxies to study further with spectroscopic observations. One such galaxy, JADES-GS-z14-0 (shown in the pullout), was determined to be at a redshift of 14.32 (+0.08/-0.20), making it the current record-holder for the most distant known galaxy.

Earliest and most distant galaxy ever photographed with James Webb Space Telescope

By Leonie Helm published

News This is not only an incredible technological achievement, it could also unlock the mysteries of how the universe began

News
The car-sized LSST Camera is lifted above the floor inside Rubin Observatory, surrounded by about 8 people in construction protective clothing. The camera looks like a super-sized version of the lens portion of a handheld DSLR or similar, with a 5.5-foot diameter lens cap displaying the Rubin and SLAC National Lab logos.

The largest camera ever built arrives safely at its overseas observatory, ready to unlock the mysteries of the universe

By Leonie Helm published

News After two decades of work, the mighty 3,200-megapixel LSST Camera has finally arrived at its destination in Chile

News
Close up of the Vaonis Vespera II telescope outside

Vaonis Vespera II review: an ideal smart telescope for astrophotography beginners and advanced amateurs alike

By Jamie Carter published

Review The Vaonis Vespera II’s upgraded features help make it a hugely enjoyable and rewarding smart telescope that works well even in light pollution

Review
Bresser Biolux NV microscope

Bresser Biolux NV 20-1280x microscope review

By Matt Smith published

Review The Bresser Biolux NV is an excellent and affordable entry-level microscope for the keen amateur or hobbyist.

Review
Fujifilm Fujinon Techno-Stabi TS16x28WP binocular on grass

Fujifilm Fujinon Techno-Stabi TS16x28WP binocular review: practical improvements for outdoor adventures

By Gavin Stoker published

Review Does adding waterproofing to Fuji’s image-stabilized binoculars make for a practical as well as powerful observation tool?

Review
NIST team members Bakhrom Oripov (left) and Ryan Morgenstern (right) mount the superconducting camera to a specialized cryogenic stage Credit: Adam McCaughan/NIST

NASA's ultralow-noise superconducting camera smashes pixel limit in search for Earth-like planets

By Leonie Helm published

News A team of researchers developed a superconducting camera that smashes pixel limit in hunt for exoplanets beyond our solar system

News
Swarovski Optik AX Visio binoculars held in a hand in front of a white wall

Swarovski Optik AX Visio 10x32 binoculars review: these great AI smarts don't come cheap

By Gavin Stoker published

Review Optical specialist Swarovski calls this product the world’s first AI-supported binocular. But does that make it truly smart?

Review
ZWO Seestar S50 telescope outside

ZWO Seestar S50 review: bringing smart telescopes to the masses

By Jamie Carter published

Review A breakthrough product among would-be astrophotographers, the Seestar’s grab-and-go design is backed up by some intruiging images

Review
Woman studying the night sky using one of the best budget telescopes

Best budget telescopes in 2025: cost-effective ways to stargaze

By Jase Parnell-Brookes last updated

Buying guide Whether you want to photograph the stars or just enjoy looking at them, these are the best budget telescopes

Buying guide
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