There was a lot of noise about the Panasonic Lumix S9 when it launched – and not all of it was positive.

From the complaints that it was a bigger version of the compact Lumix camera we really wanted (sound familiar?), to laments over its lack of EVF and hot shoe, to criticism of it trying to be a Fujifilm X100 VI, to blowback over the lens it launched with… the noise was hard to ignore.

And my colleagues and I were definitely part of that noise.

"Sorry, Panasonic, I don't want the S9 – I want the camera you made 11 years ago" I wrote, lamenting that it wasn't the Lumix GM1.

"The Lumix S9 hit all the right marks – until you attached a lens, said Gareth, our Reviews Editor, regarding the poorly-received 26mm launch lens. "Honestly, I didn't enjoy using the camera because of it."

Most damning of all was DCW contributor Rod Lawton, who wrote, "I saw Panasonic's Lumix S9 for the first time at a show and I just kept walking. That’s bad!"

Well, fast-forward two years from its launch, and Gareth and I both have a Lumix S9 – along with a lot of young creators who absolutely love it.

(The Lumix S9 is currently enjoying massive discounts in the Amazon Prime Day sale, particularly with the 18-40mm kit which has hit its lowest ever price in the US as well as its lowest price since January in the UK.)

So what turned us around? Well, for starters, there was plenty to love about the S9 from day one that had already won us over.

The body is absolutely tiny for a full-frame camera. Being about the same size as an X100 VI, it offered the most compact full-frame offering on the market.

Its 24.2MP sensor delivers brilliant stills at up to 30fps (though it's limited to 8fps with continuous autofocus) as well as 6K 30p open gate video.

Best of all, you can employ Realtime LUTs for both photo and video – which is essentially Fujifilm's Film Simulations on steroids, fully customizable and enabling you to perform your exact editing style and post-production looks in-camera at the point of capture.

The Crop Zoom and Hybrid Zoom functions were always big winners, too, enabling you to extend the focal range of your prime and zoom lenses by seamlessly adding a scaling digital zoom. With Hybrid Zoom on the Lumix 20-60mm lens, for example, keep turning the zoom ring and it becomes a 20-187mm!

As far as what changed, well, I have to take my hat off to Panasonic because significant improvements were made right from the off.

Firmware version 1.1 unlocked the much-maligned recording limits, which previously restricted filming to 10 mins in 6K, 15 mins in 4K and 20 minutes in FullHD. Of course, the camera is still limited by temperature build-up, as it lacks an active cooling system, but disposing of the artificial limits was incredibly welcome.

We also got the ability to display multiple frame markers when shooting open gate, which is a godsend for framing shots for multiple outputs.

The autofocus also got a serious improvement, including the addition of two new subject detection algorithms, and we received multiple quality of life improvements to everything from the startup speed to deeper integration with smartphone apps like Lumix Lab.

Perhaps most importantly, we now have lenses that actually suit the S9's size. I've often said that compact full-frame cameras are an act of folly, because there aren't enough compact lenses to go with them – and the S9 was deathly guilty of this for. However, the L-Mount Alliance stepped up.

Panasonic gave us both the Lumix S 18-40mm zoom and the Lumix S 40mm f/2 prime, amazingly both the same size. Then TTArtisan dropped a 40mm f/2 of its own, but my favorite is the Viltrox AF 28mm pancake – which is the lens that the Lumix 26mm wishes it was.

Honestly, if any of these lenses were available at launch, I think the reception to the S9 would have been completely different.

Of course, some of our core complaints remain. Until Panasonic (or a third party) releases an external EVF add-on, the lack of viewfinder still hurts. And the omission of both a hot shoe and a mechanical shutter means that flash photographers are still SOL.

But as a true hybrid camera aimed at creators on the go, the Lumix S9 has finally become the camera that Gareth and I both hoped it would be when we first saw it. It's not often that cynical journalists admit they were wrong or put their money where their mouth is, but as S9 owners we're both very happy to have seen the light!

🇺🇸 Lowest ever price

🇬🇧 New low price

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Take a look at the best lenses for the Panasonic Lumix S9 as well as the best L-Mount lenses from the entire range.

Buying your first "proper" camera is an absolute minefield. Which brand should you buy? Which lens should you get? What kind of memory card do you need? And then comes the cost, as you quickly discover that cameras aren't as cheap as you thought they were.

I used to teach photography, so I've been recommending "first cameras" for years. And if you're looking for the best beginner camera for you or someone else, I think the Canon EOS R100 is the best place to start – especially bundled with its kit lens, the Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM.

I'm going explain what all that means, why it matters and why it's the camera you should start your photographic journey with.

(If you're interested in this camera, there's currently an amazing Amazon Prime Day deal in the US where you get the camera, lens, memory card and bag for just $499.)

Is the Canon EOS R100 a good starter camera?

The first thing that makes the R100 perfect for newcomers to photography is the price: this is the only camera on the market with a truly entry-level price tag.

I know that $499 might not seem "entry level", but in the context of cameras – which typically cost thousands and thousands just for the body – trust me, $499 for a camera and lens is an absolute steal.

It achieves this price point by omitting everything but the essentials for learning photography. So there's no touch control, the rear screen doesn't tilt or articulate, and the 4K video has some compromises.

But as a pure photographic device, for learning how to use a camera and take great pictures, it's brilliant.

It has a high-resolution, 2.36 million-dot electronic viewfinder, which is the best way to learn how to "see" and compose your shots. It also reflects your camera settings in real time, so you can see what happens as you adjust the dials, making it a fantastic way to learn things like the exposure triangle.

It has a powerful 24.1MP APS-C image sensor, much bigger than the one in your phone, able to render crisp detail and beautifully shallow depth of field (aka blurry backgrounds). It also offers a burst rate of 6fps (frames per second), enabling you to fire off continuous frames when shooting moving subjects.

The menus are guided, too, helping you understand how these features work and how to achieve creative effects.

And the camera is also extremely compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry with you everywhere – whether you hang it off your neck or shoulder with the camera strap, or throw it in a bag or your glove compartment.

However, the biggest appeal of the R100 is that it gets you into the world of interchangeable lenses. You know that feeling when you use your phone to take a picture and you can't get close enough, or you can't get enough of the scene into your frame? Being able to change camera lenses liberates you from this problem.

Is the Canon RF-S 18-45mm a good starter lens?

The Canon EOS R100 often comes in a kit, or a bundle, with the Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM lens – which is why it is described as a "kit lens". What do all those letters and numbers mean?

'RF-S' is the lens mount employed by the R100. It means that the camera can mount any of Canon's RF lenses, but the 'S' denotes that the R100 has an APS-C image sensor (you can find out more in our What is sensor size? article). Because APS-C sensors are smaller than full-frame sensors, you have to apply a crop factor of 1.6x to the focal length of a given lens.

So in this case you multiply 18-45mm by 1.6x, which gives you an "equivalent" zoom range of 28.8-72mm. That's an incredibly versatile range that's perfect for everyday shooting, street and travel photography, and even some light landscape (at the "wider" 28.8mm end) and portrait (at the "longer" 72mm end) shots.

The 'f/4.5-6.3' refers to the lens' aperture range (how "wide" the aperture blades open, which dictates how much light reaches your sensor and how shallow your depth of field is). This isn't the "fastest" lens in the world (the lower the f-number, the "faster" a lens is) but it's perfect for starting your journey, with excellent center sharpness throughout the range.

Finally, the 'IS' stands for 'image stabilization' (meaning this lens offers shake compensation for handheld shots) while 'STM' refers to Canon's precision 'stepper motor' that delivers smooth, near-silent autofocus.

Does the Canon EOS R100 have good image quality?

Some people will tell you that beginner cameras are only good for beginners, but these shots illustrate the kind of image quality that the R100 is capable of. Yes, there are "better" cameras and more powerful image sensors out there – but I've taken shots on this sensor for portfolio and even paid client work, and never had any issues or complaints.

The Canon EOS R100 gives a newcomer everything they need to start mastering photography, but in professional hands it can deliver sensational shots.

The next model up, the Canon EOS R50, offers some very welcome improvements (not least an articulating touchscreen and full-fat 4K) but they come at a higher price tag – and I don't think a burgeoning photographer needs them.

So if you're considering which camera to get, for this price I simply don't think there's a better beginner camera and lens combo than the Canon EOS R100.

Get a great deal

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Take a look at the best lenses for the Canon EOS R100 to see what your next lens should be. Personally, I think everybody should own a nifty fifty – so check out my Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM review.

Right now you can save hundreds on what is arguably Canon's best DSLR – and the best Amazon Prime Day camera deals aren't even here yet.

The powerhouse Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is currently available for just $1,999 with a free battery, memory card and copy of Capture One Pro in the US, while it's priced even better at just £1,399 in the UK!

🇺🇸 US deal

🇬🇧 UK deal

The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV (review) has cultivated a place as a workhorse camera used and trusted by pros all over the world.

Even today in this mirrorless world, it remains a full-frame powerhouse – and a camera that's more physically robust than pretty much any mirrorless body you put it against.

At its heart is a 30.4MP CMOS sensor packed with Canon's beloved color science, delivering natural hues and accurate skin tones straight out of camera.

It's bolstered by dual memory card slots, one CompactFlash and one SD, to give you peace of mind that you won't lose your shots even if you suffer a card failure.

While it's not a sports camera, its 7fps continuous shooting speed is enough to capture most action – and combined with the sensor and memory cards, has made the 5D Mark IV a staple of working pros' and wedding photographers' kit bags for years.

On top of that, you've got excellent robustness and weather sealing. With this camera, you don't need to stop shooting when the temperature drops, the rain starts or the dust kicks up – it just keeps on shooting.

Video was never the 5D Mark IV's strongest suit, as 4K suffers a 1.64x crop – not the end of the world, but certainly a consideration (especially if you shoot wide). But if you can work with that, it still delivers crisp 4K video – and of course, the FullHD is uncropped.

All in all, there's a reason this camera has been a favorite of pros around the world for years – and a reason why you'll still find it in studios and on the sidelines to this day!

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Take a look at the best lenses for the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and the best Canon lenses for DSLRs to see what glass you need to pick up.

I don't shoot a lot of macro photography. Aside from being commissioned to create some macro content for a camera manufacturer a few years ago, I've never really done it professionally – so it's purely something I shoot for fun. And when I do it, there's one lens that I always reach for.

Not only is the Olympus M.Zuiko 30mm f/3.5 Macro one of the best macro lenses you can buy, it's also a cheat code for this kind of photography!

First and foremost, it's super affordable. Specialist lenses, macro included, can be very pricey – especially lenses made by the camera brands themselves, with full autofocus support (unlike manual-only third-party options). But especially right now, with this lens discounted to just $249 in the US and only £212 in the UK, you can get into macro without breaking the bank.

On paper, this is a 30mm lens with 1.25x magnification – that's a 1.25:1 reproduction ratio, which means that your subjects appear 1¼ times life-size on your sensor. In other words, with true macro being 1:1, this is natively a greater-than-macro lens.

However, you need to remember that this is a Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lens – and the image sensors on Micro Four Thirds cameras have a 2x crop factor. So, in equivalent full-frame terms, this lens becomes a 60mm lens with 2.5x magnification – a 2.5:1 reproduction ratio, meaning your subjects are over double life-size.

But the cheat code doesn't end there! Not only does an MFT sensor double the focal length of your lenses, it also doubles the depth of field. Which means, for example, that you can shoot at f/8 while getting an effective depth of field of f/16 – but without introducing diffraction.

All of a sudden, this innocent-looking lens becomes an absolute powerhouse for macro photography.

On top of all that, unlike most other macro lenses, it's absolutely tiny and weighs almost nothing – just 130g! – meaning you can absolutely shoot with this lens handheld. And if you use it with a body like the OM System OM-3, you get 6.5 stops of image stabilization – making camera shake almost a non-issue.

Furthermore, combine it with computational features like in-camera focus stacking and you can pretty much bypass post-processing. Then there are shooting assists like focus peaking, enabling you to take manual control for ultra-fine focus. And if you want to get even more detail in your shots, you can use the high res pixel shift shooting to capture a handheld 50MP image or an 80MP tripod shot.

Like I said, I'm not a macro pro. But on occasions where there's something really small that I'd like to photograph, I don't reach for my big bulky gear – this little lens is all I need. And it's small enough to live in my camera bag full time!

Get the lens

The Olympus M.Zuiko 30mm f/3.5 Macro is part of the Amazon Prime Day camera sale in the US and UK, so it's enjoying a nice discount on top of its already attractive retail price.

🇺🇸 US deal

🇬🇧 UK deal

You might also like…

Take a look at the best Olympus / OM System lenses across all photography genres – and check out more macro photography tips.

As you're undoubtedly aware, the Amazon Ring is a doorbell that houses a camera, speaker, and microphone, and its primary purpose is to enable you to see who is at the door before you answer it. Not only does it give you a heads-up of who is calling by streaming video to your phone, but it allows you to have a conversation with the caller, which is invaluable if you happen to be on the toilet "I'll be there in a minute!", or you wish to avoid the door-to-door salesperson or Jehovah's Witness "Sorry, I'm not in right now!", or, as you don't even need to be in the house to answer, directing couriers where to leave the parcel.

• Don't miss today's best Amazon Prime camera deals

That may be a good enough reason on its own to invest in a Ring Doorbell, particularly as during the Prime Day sales, it's half price, dropping from AU$149 to just AU$75, but I'm going to give you a better one (it's directly below my roundup of the best Ring doorbell deals, but you can skip to the yarn by scrolling to the bottom). It hinges on the fact that not only do you not need to be in the house to answer the caller, or even in the same country, but every member of the household can be alerted when someone rings the doorbell.

So, earlier this year, my 19-year-old son went traveling. It's something of a rite of passage for the kids in my neighborhood as they make their way to adulthood. Taking a gap year after finishing college, he'd worked hard in local restaurants to get enough cash together for a trip through Southeast Asia, to take some time to figure out what he was going to do with the rest of his life. Off he set to Bangkok with a bunch of his mates, and I was keen to hear about his adventures. But being a typical teen, his updates were brief, to say the least.

"How are you finding Thailand? I can't wait to hear what you've been up to!" I'd message. "Yeah, good." would come the WhatsApp response half a day later.

And so it went in the weeks that followed. "What are you doing today?" I'd ask. "In Cambodia" would be the two-word reply. "Oh wow! Have you been to the Angkor Wat temples? I'd love to see them, they're a photographer's dream!" I'd persevere. "Yeah, it's good," was as good as I was going to get.

Then, one day, I went to visit a friend. I rang his doorbell. His Ring doorbell…

"G'day, Dad!" the doorbell exclaimed. I was confused. My son went on to explain that he was in Vietnam and had met up with my friend's daughter when the Ring alert was triggered on her phone. The two are around the same age and have known each other since they were in nappies, and she was also on a gap year and on her own Asian adventure.

It was a little disconcerting, talking to a doorbell; he could see me, but I couldn't see him. But we had a good chat for half an hour about his travels, and I learnt a lot more about the sights he'd seen and scrapes he'd got into than I had in the previous two months of messaging.

And that is why I'm buying a Ring Doorbell in the Prime Day sales!

I'm lucky to have travelled the world fairly extensively – and wherever I've gone, from Ireland to India, there's one lens I've always taken with me.

• See all of today's Amazon Prime camera deals

A good 90% of the time I take the Olympus PEN E-P7 with me, as it's the best travel camera for my needs: ultra-compact yet super powerful, with 4.5 stops of in-body image stabilization (IBIS), a Tri-X-like film simulation, front and rear control dials, and a 180° flipping screen for selfies.

And when I'm rocking a pocket powerhouse like this, there's one lens that's almost always on the front of it: the Olympus M.Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ Pancake – definitely the best lens for travel photography in my book. And right now, it's the cheapest it's been all year if you want to pick one up for yourself.

Why do I love it so much? Firstly, its size. Just take a look how tiny this thing is, next to a can of soda:

That's its collapsed size, of course. But that's the beauty of an electronic pancake lens like this: it's barely thicker than an Oreo until you actually need to take a picture, whereupon it expands into full-size shooting mode – then back down to nothing when you're done. That makes it perfect for stuffing in a bag or pocket!

The second thing I love about this lens is the focal length. Because Micro Four Thirds cameras (MFT) have a 2x crop factor, that 14-42mm zoom is an effective 28-84mm lens in full frame terms – giving you a standard zoom that literally fits in the palm of your hand. Again, it's a perfect travel companion.

Thirdly, because this is an electronic zoom lens, it has a motorized zoom that can be controlled either by the focus ring or via the smartphone app for remote shooting. This makes it an amazing lens for things like selfies and group shots, as you can set the camera up and then zoom in and out from your phone!

I also love the fact that it has the same lens cap size as the Olympus 45mm f/1.8 – which is the lens I always tag team it with, for those times when I want to take a portrait with shallow depth of field (45mm being a 90mm equivalent on MFT). I know it's a bad habit, but I leave the camera lens naked so I'm always ready to shoot – it's great being able to hotswap a single cap!

Get the lens cheap!

The Olympus M.Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ Pancake lens is among the Amazon Prime Day camera deals – and it's currently at its lowest price of the year in both the US and UK. If this lens isn't already in your kit bag, for just $250 or £220 I think it's an absolute no-brainer.

It's better suited to smaller Olympus / OM cameras like the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV and OM System OM-5 Mark II; if you're using a bigger body like an OM-1 Mark II or a Lumix camera, you'll probably want something a bit chunkier (and probably a bit faster, and maybe weather sealed as well). But if you want to stay as small and light as possible, look no further!

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Take a look at the best Olympus / OM System lenses along with the best Micro Four Thirds lenses from all brands.

Memory cards aren’t glamorous, but they’re absolutely essential. Without one, your camera is just an expensive paperweight. I’ve always stocked up on SanDisk 64GB Ultra SDXC UHS-I cards – not because they’re the biggest, but because they’re dependable, affordable, and always discounted in the lead-up to the Amazon Prime camera deals.

• see all of today's Amazon Prime camera deals

Now, 64GB might not sound like much in a world of 8K video and 45MP sensors. But for everyday shooting, they’re more than enough – and when they’re this cheap, they’re almost too good to pass up!

It’s become part of my routine now. I don’t even look at memory cards throughout the rest of the year. I wait until Prime Day or the week leading up to it, when prices start to tumble and you can swoop in on the kind of deals that make full-price look silly.

SanDisk’s 64GB Ultra cards regularly dip into impulse-buy territory, and if you need more space? The 128GB and 256GB versions are usually on sale, too, at prices that feel like a bit of a gift.

The real key is having spares. I never leave home without two or three extras in the bag. Cards get full. Cards fail. Cards get misplaced. Having backups means you’re always ready – no fiddling with file deletes mid-shoot, no awkward pauses when you should be firing frames.

And when you’ve picked them up for less than the price of a pub lunch, you’re not stressing about the cost!

SanDisk Ultra cards have always struck the right balance with me. They're not overkill for casual or even semi-serious shooting, but they’re fast and reliable enough for the kind of work most people do – documenting family life, capturing events, or just heading out for an afternoon of street photography. I’ve filled dozens over the years, and I can’t recall a single failure.

So why pay full whack? Prime Day is basically a once-a-year restock event for me. I buy cards like people buy batteries at Christmas – just enough to get me through another season or two. It’s a small investment in peace of mind, and at Prime Day prices it's hard to make a case against it.

If you shoot regularly and you’re not taking advantage of these sales, you’re missing a trick. The SanDisk 64GB Ultra SDXC UHS-I is always on offer, and if you need more storage, the 128GB and 256GB versions are rarely far behind. Just wait for the price to drop… and buy!

Shop the memory card

With fast transfer speeds, reliable performance and a price that’s hard to ignore, the SanDisk 64GB Ultra SDXC UHS-I is a smart addition to any camera bag – ideal for everyday shooting, and right now, it’s cheap enough to pick up without hesitation.

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Don't forget – the best memory cards need the best memory card readers to get the best out of them!

On the last day of Amazon's Prime Day event, there's no getting away from the sheer amazing value of Blink cameras. 

Sure, as the expert I might want to point you to other features on pricier models, but to be honest what you can do with a very small amount of money with the Blink cameras especially is mind-blowing and – as an Amazon-owned company – Blink is getting some very striking discounts.

These are the ones I think are especially noteworthy, including not only the ever-so-slightly refined Blink Mini 2. Because the best advantage of the update is for outdoor use, the Blink Mini – which still have the same 1080p resolution – is getting less attention, but it has an arguably cooler feature – the pan-tilt base.

That seems to amount to amazing discounting – a camera you can remotely point in different directions for a smidge over $20. How could you not?

Best US Deals

Best UK deals

Alternatives

As the expert, my only note of caution is that to get the best of Blink (and indeed Ring – Amazon's other security camera company), you'll need to sign up to a subscription. (Yes the Blink hub can help avoid running costs, but it still lacks some features compared to the subscription, like video thumbnails, and you'll need to buy a USB stick to record to).

Admittedly a subscription and/or USB stick isn't the end of the earth. Many burglar alarm systems also expect subscriptions, so perhaps you budgeted for it already.

But I do have some other suggestions with some great deals, if you're willing to spend a bit more now (and a bit less later) on security.

And we keep a guide to the best indoor cameras.

With the best Amazon Prime Day camera deals just around the corner, there has never been a better time to sign up for a free 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

Not only will you be able to access the very best Prime Day camera deals, but there are lots of other advantages to being a Prime member, some of which few people know about.

Whether or not you want to support Amazon as a photographer, you can’t deny that Prime does offer good value for money even if you're paying AU$9.99 a month or AU$79 a year. The benefits here are listed more with photography in mind.

I first signed up for Amazon Prime when the world went into lockdown in 2020 to help me get pantry essentials and other products I needed but couldn't get to the store for. I've retained my membership even after Australia opened up as it's saved me several times when I've needed a little something last minute, whether for work or home, and I didn't have the time to run to the shops.

I quickly realised that the small fee I was paying was well worth it even if I shopped on Amazon a couple of times a month as I was making full use of some of the free inclusions.

So, why become a Prime member? Take a look at my reasons below.

1. Free and fast delivery

One of the biggest advantages of signing up to Amazon Prime is the most obvious. You get free, expedited delivery on thousands of items, whether it's filters or photography props, even cameras and lenses. If you need anything for a shoot last minute, it's definitely the quickest place to go. 

Amazon Prime's premium delivery has saved me countless times, and I love that you can select to only view items that have Prime delivery, both Australian and international products. If you order early enough in the day, and depending on where you live, you can even get one-day delivery on some items (specifically select Sydney and Melbourne post codes) – which makes Prime a godsend!

Importantly, Aussie shoppers aren't restricted to what can be purchased locally from Amazon AU or small domestic businesses. We have access to items from Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon Germany and Amazon Japan as well. And if your purchase(s) total AU$49 or more, your delivery is free from the Amazon Global Store.

2. Discounts on Prime Day

You read that right, if you're an Amazon Prime member you can get great discounts on a whole range of Amazon products during the two-day sale, but you will only be able to see and take advantage of these deals if you have signed up to Prime.

Moreover, Prime members also get to see Amazon's Lightning Deals (those that last for just a few hours on limited stock) 30 minutes ahead of everyone else so you don't miss out.

Better yet, the cameras and lenses that are discounted on Amazon through the year typically have the best price at that time, and we sometimes see record lows during Prime Day and Black Friday.

That's why we recommend taking out an Amazon Prime 30-day trial for free if you haven't tried it already. This means you won't be charged (make sure you cancel before 30 days) but can take full advantage of the massive saving to be had this Amazon Prime Day.

3. Prime Video

As well as free and fast delivery, being an Amazon Prime member also gives you access to Prime Video which includes hundreds of films, series and Amazon originals to keep you entertained. Considering that Netflix starts at AU$6.99 a month for the most basic plan with ads, Prime Video is pretty good value for the money as it's included for free as part of your Prime package.

While there aren't any photography-specific documentaries on the Australian Prime Video library (we missed out on Finding Vivian Maier), there are plenty of huge titles, including Lady Gaga's House of Gucci, fantasy series Wheel of Time and Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and a plethora of cult movies too.

Amazon Prime Video can be a brilliant place to find inspiration for photo shoots if you're into documentaries and reality TV, and if you're a videographer, ideas on colour grading styles, camera shots, and film angles.

4. Prime Music

If you don’t want to pay for multiple services such as Spotify and Netflix, an Amazon Prime membership also includes music streaming with Prime Music. It used to be limited to about 2 million songs, but that's now expanded to 100 million, so there'll be plenty of tunes to listen to while you work on edits.

And it's ad free too, as are the podcasts available on Prime Music. You can even shuffle, find any artist you like and play a whole album if you wish – something you don't typically expect from a service that's essentially free. You can listen via the phone app or on a web browser.

What you don't get with Prime Music is HD sound quality and spatial audio. For that, you're going to need Music Unlimited, which costs AU$11.99 a month after a 30-day free trial period. That said, new customers can usually score a longer trial period (typically 3-4 months) in the lead up to Prime Day.

Many professional photographers cite listening to music as one of their inspirations – particularly when it comes to getting in the zone for the editing phase of their work – so why not dig in and find yourself the right playlist to process your photos to?

5. Prime Reading

Every month you can read a different selection of books on your Kindle or smartphone for absolutely nothing with Prime Reading if you've signed up for a Prime membership. While you don’t get quite the same satisfaction as reading an actual book, it's perfect for travelling, when baggage restrictions mean you can't carry the extra weight of books.

There are thousands of titles to choose from, including comics and graphic novels, although be warned that the vast majority would be self-published titles (mostly in the romance category). On the flip side, you could discover hidden gems by exploring these.

Additionally, Prime members can also sign up for Amazon First Reads, which will score you a free ebook each month, with early access to upcoming titles and discounts on select new ones.

6. Prime Gaming

Even photographers love a good video game and if you're one of them, Prime Gaming is where there's plenty to discover. There's exclusive in-game loot to be unlocked each month to help you gain weapons, character skin upgrades, boosts and so much more. There are also free games available to play and they're yours to keep. Your Prime Gaming subscription also gets you access to twitch.tv if you wish to watch gamers live stream their progress, and you get Prime status on Twitch too.

7. Amazon Photos

For a photographer, this is the least enticing perk for Prime members.

All Amazon Australia Prime members get 5GB of photo and video storage with Amazon Photos. Admittedly it's not a lot, but it's something. I found out about it only recently myself, although I was a little miffed to discover that Prime members in the US and UK get unlimited photo storage (although just 5GB for video).

In comparison Google Drive is limited to 15GB, so you could divvy up your files if you don't use an external drive to back them all up. Professionals, however, might need to consider paying for one of the best cloud storage options for photos.

UPDATE (28/6): The Canon EOS R5 listing on Amazon Australia during Prime Day 2021 was 23% off. That's now cheaper still at a much better 25% off. Similarly, the EOS R6 had a 22% discount last week, but is now a better 23% off. We've updated our original story below to reflect that change. 

After the slight disappointment that was the Canon EOS R, the Japanese camera maker exceeded expectations with the EOS R5 and the EOS R6. They're truly astonishing cameras that come with some excellent specs to suit different needs.

Where the headline-making EOS R5 offers a high-res 45MP sensor for spectacular stills and is capable of shooting 8K video, the EOS R6 keeps it a bit more real with a 20.1MP sensor for blitzing speed and performance.

They both have their pros and cons, but both are some of the best full-frame mirrorless cameras today, and they're steeply discounted on Amazon Australia right now with far better prices than we saw during Prime Day 2021.

It goes without saying that if you're after some topnotch video capabilities, then you'll need to pick the EOS R5. It's also perfect for those high-resolution shots – whether landscape or wildlife – for very detailed and crisp images.

Needless to say that might be overkill for some users, and that's where the EOS R6 comes in. It's a more sensible option for most photographers and also happens to be a much cheaper alternative to the flagship Canon EOS 1-D X Mark III sports DSLR. It's also better for low-light photography, thanks to the lower pixel count (hence bigger pixels), and its dual card slots support the cheaper and more commonly available SD format.

And the number of native RF lenses is progressively increasing with some truly innovative glass now available. So snap up one of the Canon cameras for less now before these great prices disappear.

Read more: 

Best Canon RF lenses
Best full-frame cameras
Best Canon cameras
Canon EOS R5 vs R6