
Matthew Richards
Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners!
His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related.
In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.
Latest articles by Matthew Richards

Godox XPro TTL/HSS flash trigger review: an object lesson in wireless RF trigger-nometry
By Matthew Richards published
Review The Godox XPro TTL/HSS flash trigger is powerful, versatile and available in dedicated Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Micro Four Thirds and Pentax options

The best lenses for bird photography and wildlife: these lenses really go the distance
By Matthew Richards last updated
UPDATED The best lenses for bird photography will help you get close to birds and wildlife from a distance, and there are some great options to snap up

Godox iT30 Pro review: this dedicated TTL flash is tiny but mighty in terms of features and functions
By Matthew Richards published
Review The Godox iT30 Pro flash is an ideal little add-on for cameras that lack a pop-up flash, and it can do a lot more besides

The best L-mount lenses: check out these best buys for your Panasonic, Sigma or Leica mirrorless camera
By Matthew Richards last updated
Buying guide Team players Leica, Panasonic and Sigma formed the L-mount Alliance back in 2018, giving rise to a fabulous line-up of lenses. Here’s my pick of the crop...

AgfaPhoto Realishot C130 review: a smart compact camera that takes the long view
By Matthew Richards published
Review The AgfaPhoto Realishot C130 seeks to impress with a flippy touchscreen, expansive shooting modes and 10x optical zoom with long telephoto reach

Vanguard VEO PH-38S 3-way pan head review: a new twist on 3-way tripod heads
By Matthew Richards published
Review The Vanguard VEO PH-38S 3-way pan head adds extra versatility and convenience with a secondary panning mechanism

Benro HD2A 3-way head review: slap dab in the middle of an impressive range
By Matthew Richards published
Review New and improved, the Benro HD2A 3-way head boasts significant improvements over its predecessor for compatibility and ease of use

The best lenses for the Sony A7R V, A7R IV and A7R III: primes and zooms for ultimate resolution
By Jase Parnell-Brookes last updated
Updated The best lenses for the A7R V, A7R IV and A7R III will resolve the finest of detail, making the most of these high-resolution full-frame cameras.

Best lenses for the Sony A7S III and A7S II
By Rod Lawton last updated
Buying guide The A7S III was launched back in 2020 and a lot has happened since – so what are the best lenses for the Sony A7S III today?

Best Sony video lenses for vlogging and filmmaking
By Rod Lawton last updated
Buying guide What are the best Sony video lenses for vloggers and filmmakers? Here are my top picks

Best lenses for the Sony A1 and A1 II: flagship cameras deserve top-class glass
By Rod Lawton last updated
Buying guide It’s the most powerful and versatile camera Sony has ever made, so what are the best lenses for the Sony A1 II?

Sigma 300-600mm f/4 DG OS Sports review: Sigma's supersize "dream lens" is now a reality
By Matthew Richards published
Review The Sigma 300-600mm f/4 DG OS Sports aims to be a modern-day classic super-telephoto zoom for Sony and L-Mount cameras

Manfrotto 804 3-way head review: tripping the plastic fantastic
By Matthew Richards published
Review The Manfrotto 804 3-way head is unusual in having a plastic build, but it still has a hefty payload rating

Manfrotto X-PRO 3-way head review: tilt, pan and swivel in fine style
By Matthew Richards published
Review The Manfrotto X-PRO 3-way head brings finesse and fine-tuning to camera positioning, with three independent locking levers and two adjustable friction dampers

Viltrox AF 15mm f/1.7 Air review: wide-angle prime time for Fujifilm, Nikon and Sony crop-sensor cameras
By Matthew Richards published
Review The Viltrox AF 15mm f/1.7 Air extends the range of fast, APS-C format Viltrox Air prime lenses into wide-angle territory

Everything in moderation: why I’m a happy "Matthew in the Middle" photographer
By Matthew Richards published
opinion A single camera is enough for me, but I do need a decent set of lenses. Even so, they don’t have to cost a fortune and I’m happy with middle-of-the-road performance

LK Samyang AF 85mm f/1.8 P FE review: a portrait prime for Sony cameras that focuses on your budget as well as your subject
By Matthew Richards published
Review The LK Samyang AF 85mm f/1.8 P FE ‘Prima’ prime has a classic focal length for portraiture and still life photography, shoehorned into an easily manageable and affordable build

LK Samyang AF 16mm f/2.8 P FE review: this new ‘Prima’ prime packs an expansive perspective into a small build
By Matthew Richards published
Review The LK Samyang AF 16mm f/2.8 P FE ultra-wide-angle prime for Sony full-frame cameras is conveniently compact and lightweight

I've fallen in love with lots of cameras & lenses, but when did light stands become sexy?
By Matthew Richards published
opinion It’s easy to get excited about some of the hottest new cameras, lenses and photo gadgets, but studio light stands? Really?

Best Nikon flashguns: Nikon-fit Speedlights you can buy today
By Matthew Richards last updated
Buying Guide A flashgun can be used for everything from filling in shadows on a bright day to lighting subjects in the dark, and here are the best Nikon-compatible options

Canon Pixma Pro-200S review: for large-format glossy photo prints, this is as good as it gets
By Matthew Richards published
Review The Canon Pixma Pro-200S is a subtle refresh of my favorite A3+ / 13-inch dye-based printer, ideal for a glossy or luster photo finish

LK Samyang AF 12mm f/2 RF-S review: an ultra-wide-angle prime that’s now available in Canon RF-S mount
By Matthew Richards published
Review The LK Samyang / Rokinon AF 12mm f/2 RF-S is a small lens that goes large on viewing angle, for APS-C format Canon, Fujifilm and Sony mirrorless cameras

LK Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 P FE review: it’s Prima prime time for Sony shooters
By Matthew Richards published
Review The LK Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 P FE is the first in a new series of ‘Prima’ lenses, claiming to prioritize portability, practicality and convenience. Let’s see, shall we?

Viltrox Vintage Z1 Retro Flash review: an old-school flash to suit thoroughly modern cameras
By Matthew Richards published
Review The Viltrox Vintage Z1 Retro Flash certainly looks pretty antique, with its rotary dial and faux leather top, but it’s a good fit for the vast majority of modern cameras
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