
Rod Lawton
Rod is an independent photography journalist and editor, and a long-standing Digital Camera World contributor, having previously worked as DCW's Group Reviews editor. Before that he has been technique editor on N-Photo, Head of Testing for the photography division and Camera Channel editor on TechRadar, as well as contributing to many other publications.
He has been writing about photography technique, photo editing and digital cameras since they first appeared, and before that began his career writing about film photography. He has used and reviewed practically every interchangeable lens camera launched in the past 20 years, from entry-level DSLRs to medium format cameras, together with lenses, tripods, gimbals, light meters, camera bags and more.
Rod has his own camera gear blog at fotovolo.com but also writes about photo-editing applications and techniques at lifeafterphotoshop.com
Latest articles by Rod Lawton

Best messenger bags for photographers in 2026: carry your camera gear in style
By Rod Lawton Last updated
Buying Guide Over-the-shoulder bags are practical and stylish solutions for packing your photo kit and a laptop, whether you're traveling, shooting, or commuting

The best budget vlogging camera in 2026: get started on YouTube without spending a fortune
By Rod Lawton Last updated
Buying Guide If you want to be a vlogger, these are the best budget vlogging cameras to get you started!

Adobe Premiere Elements 2026 review: The latest edition of Adobe’s beginner-friendly video editor is feature-rich, but can get complicated fast
By Rod Lawton Published
Review Adobe’s novice-friendly and subscription-free video editor is jam-packed with features, but oftentimes at the expense of usability

The best photo editing software in 2026: retouch, fix and enhance your images
By Mike Harris Last updated
BUYING GUIDE This is the best photo editing software for improving your images and feeding your creativity

DxO PhotoLab 9 review: Squeeze every last drop of image quality from your RAW Files
By Rod Lawton Published
Review DxO’s flagship photo editor delivers industry-leading lens corrections and top-notch noise-reduction tech, but its AI masking isn’t on the same level

The best lenses for the Nikon Zf in 2026: high-performance yet stylish glass
By Rod Lawton Last updated
Updated I think that the best lenses for the Nikon Zf need to fit with its retro-styling but match its full-frame performance

Best lenses for the Panasonic Lumix S9 in 2026: perfect pairings for Lumix's most compact full-frame body
By Gareth Bevan Last updated
Buying guide This compact full frame vlogging camera has caused quite a stir, so which are the best lenses for the Panasonic Lumix S9?

The best Leica cameras: from classic rangefinders to modern mirrorless
By Sebastian Oakley Last updated
Buying guide Leica cameras don’t come cheap - but they earn their price tag, offering an experience and image quality that few rivals can match.

Best pocket gimbal cameras: the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 vs its rivals
By Rod Lawton Last updated
Buying guide The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is a runaway success amongst creators, but there are cheaper alternatives that are worth a look too

The best Pentax cameras in 2026: from APS-C to full frame and zoom compact
By Gareth Bevan Last updated
UPDATED Looking for the best Pentax camera to buy? You’ve come to the right place as we list our top Pentax camera recommendations

Best lenses for the Sony A6400 in 2026: let me help you pick the perfect lenses for your pocket powerhouse Sony body
By Rod Lawton Published
Updated Here are my recommendations of the best lenses for the Sony A6400, so you can enjoy all that this powerful APS-C format Sony camera has to offer

Best lenses for the Sony A7S III and A7S II in 2026: smart glass for these hybrid cameras
By Rod Lawton Published
Buying guide The latter of these two cameras was launched back in 2020 and a lot has happened since – so what are the best lenses for the Sony A7S III and A7S II today?

Cheat sheet: Lightroom Classic's Lens Blur tool and how it works
By Rod Lawton Published
Cheat sheet Can you really simulate bokeh effects digitally? Lightroom's Lens Blur tool is about as good as it gets right now

Best lenses for the Sony A7C and A7C II: the ideal fit for these wonderfully compact and portable full-frame cameras
By Rod Lawton Published
Updated Let me help you find the best lenses for the Sony A7C and A7C II, based on compact size, a lightweight build, ease-of-use, and affordability

Best lenses for the Sony ZV-E1 in 2026: ready for your close-up? I pick out some vloggers' delights for this smart little Sony camera
By Rod Lawton Published
Updated What are the best lenses for the Sony ZV-E1? Sony’s high-end vlogging tool needs lenses that match its size and capabilities

Best Sony video lenses for vlogging and filmmaking in 2026: let's make movies!
By Rod Lawton Published
Buying guide What are the best Sony video lenses for vloggers and filmmakers? Here are my top picks

Best lenses for the Panasonic Lumix GH7 in 2026: versatile glass for a high-end hybrid camera
By Rod Lawton Last updated
Buying guide Here are some of the best lenses for the Panasonic Lumix GH7, still one of the most powerful hybrid cameras of all

Stop guessing with Lightroom Classic color wheels and master cinematic style with this color grading cheat sheet!
By Rod Lawton Published
Cheat Sheet Lightroom's Color Grading tools are a great way to add a vintage or cinematic look to your photos

Cheat sheet: Lightroom Classic's Distraction Removal tools at a glance
By Rod Lawton Published
Cheat sheet Lightroom Classic can now automate three common retouching scenarios with AI and just a single click

Cheat sheet: Lightroom Classic's masking tools explained
By Rod Lawton Published
Cheat sheet Want to master masking? You can use Lightroom's masks on their own or combine them in clever ways with sub-masks

Best lenses for the Sony A7S III and A7S II in 2026: smart glass for these hybrid cameras
By Rod Lawton Last updated
Buying guide The latter of these two cameras was launched back in 2020 and a lot has happened since – so what are the best lenses for the Sony A7S III and A7S II today?

Best lenses for the Sony A7C and A7C II: the ideal fit for these wonderfully compact and portable full-frame cameras
By Rod Lawton Last updated
Updated These are the best lenses for the Sony A7C and A7C II, based on compact size, a lightweight build, ease of use, and affordability

Best lenses for the Sony A7 II in 2026: I'll help you choose lenses that give this veteran camera a new lease of life
By Rod Lawton Last updated
Updated What are the best lenses for the Sony A7 II? I reckon they need to offer good image quality and all-around performance at a reasonable price
The best camera deals, reviews, product advice, and unmissable photography news, direct to your inbox!

