With warmer summer nights creating perfect conditions for stargazing, now is an excellent time to invest in a telescope.

We are now into the final hours of Amazon’s four-day Prime sale, though, and the deals are set to end at midnight BST. If you have been waiting to buy a scope for exploring the night sky, this is your last chance to act before prices return to normal and the best discounts disappear.

• See all of today's Amazon camera deals

🇺🇸 Telescope deals in USA

Top US retailers:

🇺🇸 Amazon: Cheap prices on camera gear
🇺🇸 Adorama: Big discounts on cameras and tech
🇺🇸 Walmart: DSLR, Mirrorless & action cameras
🇺🇸 B&H Photo Video: Deals on camera brands
🇺🇸 Best Buy: Save on TVs, laptops, appliances
🇺🇸 Unistellar: Smart telescopes direct from the makers

• Back to the top ⤴

🇬🇧 Telescope deals in the UK

🇬🇧 Amazon: Cheap prices on camera gear
🇬🇧 Unistellar: Save up to £800 on smart telescopes
🇬🇧 John Lewis: The best for electrical deals
🇬🇧 Jessops: Deals from an iconic camera store
🇬🇧 Park Cameras: Top camera & lens prices
🇬🇧 Wex Photo Video: Great deals on the latest kit
🇬🇧 Very: Telescopes, GoPros, Canon cameras
🇬🇧 Clifton Cameras: Celestron telescope specialists

Check out our guides to the best telescopes, and to the best smart telescopes

The Canon PowerShot V10 Vlogging Starter Kit has dropped to just £199 in the Amazon Prime Day camera deals. That’s a welcome saving of over £130, making this compact vlogging camera kit far more appealing for creators looking to start producing content without investing in a larger camera setup. But do note the sale ends at midnight!

• See all of today's best cameras deals in the Prime Day sale

Designed specifically with vloggers and content creators in mind, the Canon PowerShot V10 offers a compact, pocketable design that makes it easy to record video anywhere. Its all-in-one concept combines a camera, lens, microphone, and stand into a single device, allowing users to quickly set up and start filming without additional accessories.

At the heart of the camera is a 20.9MP sensor paired with a wide-angle lens designed for handheld recording. This makes it particularly suited to vlogging, livestreaming, and casual video creation, where a wider field of view helps keep both the creator and their surroundings comfortably in frame.

The PowerShot V10 also features a built-in stand, making it easy to place on a desk, table, or flat surface for stable recording. Canon has also equipped the camera with high-quality stereo microphones and a wind filter, helping ensure audio is clear and usable straight out of the camera.

Connectivity is another key strength, with the camera supporting direct livestreaming and simple smartphone integration. This allows creators to quickly transfer footage, share clips, or broadcast content online with minimal setup.

If you’ve been thinking about getting into aerial photography without spending a fortune, this early Prime Day deal on Amazon is very enticing

The DJI Mini 4K Camera Drone has dropped to just £169, down from £329, giving you a tidy £100 saving on one of the most accessible camera drones currently on the market.

• See all of today's early best Prime Day deals

DJI has long dominated the consumer drone world, and the Mini 4K sits firmly in that sweet spot where affordability meets serious performance. It’s designed as an entry-level drone, but one that still delivers the sort of image quality and stability that has made DJI such a trusted name among content creators and hobby pilots alike.

Despite its compact size, the Mini 4K packs a capable camera able to capture crisp 4K video and 12MP stills, stabilised by a three-axis gimbal that keeps footage smooth even when conditions aren’t perfect. The drone weighs just 246g, keeping it under the key 249g threshold that often avoids more complicated drone registration rules in many regions.

Flight performance is also impressive for a drone in this price bracket. The Mini 4K offers up to around 31 minutes of flight time and long-range video transmission of up to 10km, allowing pilots to explore landscapes and capture sweeping aerial shots with confidence.

DJI’s intelligent flight features also make it particularly beginner-friendly. Automated QuickShots modes such as Rocket, Circle and Helix can create cinematic aerial sequences with just a tap, while safety systems like GPS Return-to-Home help bring the drone safely back if the signal drops or the battery runs low.

The Insta360 GO 3S 128GB has dropped to just £239 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days sale, down from its usual £369.99 price. That’s a very welcome saving of £130.99 and makes this tiny action camera significantly more accessible for anyone looking to capture hands-free video without carrying bulky gear.

• See all of today's best cameras deals in the Amazon sale

Despite its incredibly small size, the GO 3S packs an impressive set of features aimed squarely at creators who want maximum flexibility. Designed as an ultra-compact wearable action camera, it can be mounted almost anywhere, allowing users to capture unique perspectives that would be difficult or impossible with a traditional camera.

The camera is capable of recording high-quality video with impressive stabilization, ensuring smooth footage whether you’re walking, cycling, travelling, or simply documenting everyday moments. Insta360’s well-known FlowState stabilization technology helps keep footage steady, even when the camera is mounted in challenging positions.

A major highlight of the GO 3S is its magnetic mounting system and modular design, which make it incredibly versatile in real-world use. The camera can quickly attach to clothing, helmets, bikes, or accessories, while the Action Pod provides additional controls and extended battery life when needed.

The 128GB internal storage offers plenty of space for recording clips throughout the day, making it ideal for vloggers, travellers, and content creators who want a simple point-and-capture experience without worrying about swapping memory cards.

At £239, the Insta360 GO 3S 128GB represents excellent value during the Amazon Spring Deal Days event. For anyone looking for a lightweight, creative video camera that can go almost anywhere, this current price makes it one of the most attractive compact action camera deals available.

The Netvue Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder Camera (Solar) has dropped to just £99 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days sale, down from its usual £209.99 price. That’s a substantial saving of £110, making this smart wildlife gadget far more accessible for anyone looking to bring modern birdwatching technology into their garden.

• See all of today's best cameras deals in the Amazon sale

Combining a traditional bird feeder with a built-in HD camera, the Birdfy feeder automatically records photos and video whenever birds arrive. Through the dedicated smartphone app, users receive instant alerts and can watch live footage or replay clips of visiting birds, turning a simple feeder into a connected wildlife observation point.

One of the standout features is the built-in AI recognition technology, which can identify more than 6,000 bird species. The system automatically catalogues sightings through the app, helping users learn more about the birds visiting their garden while building a digital collection of recorded encounters.

The camera is supported by a solar-powered design, with a rechargeable battery and included solar panel ensuring the feeder can operate continuously with minimal maintenance. Its weather-resistant construction also means it is built to remain outside year-round, quietly recording bird activity throughout the seasons.

Beyond simply watching birds, the Birdfy system encourages a more interactive experience. Clips can be saved, shared, and revisited later, making it particularly appealing for wildlife enthusiasts, families, or anyone who enjoys documenting the natural world in their own garden.

At just £99 during the Amazon Spring Deal Days event, the Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder Camera represents excellent value. With £110 knocked off the regular £209.99 price, this is one of the most affordable ways to turn your garden into a smart birdwatching hub.

The Canon EOS R100 has dropped to just £399 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days sale, down from its usual £559 price tag. That’s a healthy £160 saving and one of the most affordable ways to step into Canon’s modern mirrorless EOS R system right now

Designed as an entry-level mirrorless camera, the EOS R100 offers a straightforward path into interchangeable-lens photography without the complexity or cost of higher-end models. At this price, it becomes an especially appealing option for beginners, students, or anyone looking for a capable everyday camera without stretching their budget.

At the heart of the camera is a 24.1MP APS-C sensor paired with Canon’s DIGIC 8 processor. This combination delivers pleasing image quality with plenty of detail and Canon’s well-known color science, making it well-suited to travel, family photography, and general everyday shooting.

Autofocus is handled by Canon’s reliable Dual Pixel CMOS AF system, which provides fast and accurate focusing along with useful features such as eye detection. The camera also supports continuous shooting speeds of up to 6.5fps, giving it enough responsiveness for casual action or capturing spontaneous moments.

Video capabilities include 4K recording as well as Full HD options, making the EOS R100 a solid hybrid option for beginners exploring both photography and video creation. Its lightweight body and simple control layout also make it particularly approachable for those moving up from a smartphone or compact camera.

With access to Canon’s growing range of RF and RF-S lenses, the EOS R100 also offers room to grow within the system. At just £399 during the Amazon Spring Deal Days event, this is a compelling entry point into Canon’s mirrorless ecosystem and a strong deal for anyone looking to start their photography journey.

The Nikon Z5 II has quickly become one of the most appealing entry points into Nikon’s full-frame mirrorless system, and right now it’s even more tempting thanks to a hefty price cut.

The capable hybrid camera has dropped to just £1,235, down from £1,599, saving you a very respectable £364 on one of Nikon’s newest full-frame bodies in the Amazon Spring Deals Sale

Positioned as the natural evolution of the original Z5, the Z5 II brings a number of meaningful upgrades that make it far more capable for modern creators. At its heart is a 24.5MP full-frame sensor paired with Nikon’s powerful EXPEED 7 processor – the same engine found in higher-end cameras like the Z8 and Z9 – delivering faster performance, improved autofocus, and more responsive shooting overall.

Autofocus is one of the biggest improvements here. Nikon’s latest subject-detection system can recognise people, animals, and vehicles, locking onto subjects quickly and keeping them sharp even when they’re moving unpredictably. For photographers stepping into full-frame for the first time, that kind of intelligent autofocus makes capturing professional-looking results much easier.

The camera is also built to handle a wide range of shooting styles. Whether you’re photographing landscapes, portraits, or everyday life, the Z5 II’s full-frame sensor delivers rich detail, excellent dynamic range, and strong low-light performance. It’s also a capable hybrid machine, offering crisp 4K video for anyone who wants to create content as well as still images.

Another reason the Z5 II is such an attractive option is the Z mount ecosystem. Nikon’s mirrorless lens range continues to expand rapidly, with everything from affordable primes to professional-grade optics available. Pair this body with a compact Z lens and you’ve got a lightweight full-frame system that can handle almost anything you throw at it.

At £1,235, this deal makes the Nikon Z5 II one of the most affordable modern full-frame cameras on the market. Saving £364 on a newly released camera body isn’t something we see very often, which makes this a particularly appealing opportunity for anyone thinking about stepping up to full-frame photography.

Memory cards might not be the most exciting thing to buy for your camera bag, but they are essential. Without one, even the best camera in the world is nothing more than an expensive paperweight.

That’s why I’ve developed a simple rule over the years: I only buy memory cards during the big sales events - such as the Amazon Spring Deal Days sale currently running.

For me, these sales have become a yearly restocking moment; I simply wait until the big online events arrive and stock up when the prices are good. It’s one of the easiest ways photographers can save money without compromising on the gear they rely on every day - and while memory might have seen a price hike thanks to AI, I still believe the ones selected below offer the best value for money - even though they were cheaper last year.

• The Sandisk 64GB Ultra SDXC UHS-I is currently £21.39

My go-to cards are usually reliable everyday options like the SanDisk Ultra range or Lexar. They’re dependable, widely compatible, and more than fast enough for the kind of photography most of us shoot day to day. While they may not be the most extreme cards on the market, they strike the perfect balance between price, performance, and reliability.

A lot of people assume that 64GB isn’t much storage these days, especially with modern cameras shooting high-resolution stills and video. But for everyday photography, it’s actually a very practical size. It’s large enough for most shooting sessions, but small enough that you’re not risking huge numbers of images on a single card if something goes wrong.

The real secret is simply carrying spares. I never head out on a shoot with just one memory card in my bag. Cards fill up, they get misplaced, or occasionally they fail. Having two or three backups ready to go means you never have to delete files in a rush or miss a shot because your card suddenly ran out of space.

Think of it the same way people buy batteries in bulk – a small investment that keeps your gear running smoothly for months, if not years.

If you want higher capacities than 64GB, don’t worry – all the current offers or best value for larger cards are listed below.

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

If there’s one lens every photographer should own, it’s a fast fifty – and right now the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is an absolute bargain.

As part of the Amazon Spring Deal Days event, this classic prime has dropped to just £99, down from £129.99, saving you a tidy £30.99. For less than the price of many camera accessories, you’re getting one of the most useful lenses you can add to your kit.

The EF 50mm f/1.8 STM has long been considered one of the best-value DSLR lenses Canon has ever produced. Often affectionately called the “nifty fifty”, it delivers sharp images, a bright aperture, and a lightweight design in a package that punches well above its price point - and it can be adapted to RF mount cameras too!

For £99, it’s genuinely hard to think of a better investment in your photography. A fast prime lens instantly opens up creative possibilities that standard kit lenses simply can’t match. The f/1.8 aperture allows you to shoot comfortably in low light, while also creating that beautifully soft background blur that makes portraits and detail shots really stand out.

The beauty of a 50mm lens is its versatility. On a full-frame camera, it closely matches the natural field of view of the human eye, making it ideal for everyday photography, street photography, portraits, and travel photography. On APS-C DSLR cameras, it becomes a short telephoto, with an effective focal length of 80mm, which actually makes it even better for portraits and isolating subjects.

Canon’s STM focusing motor also makes the lens quiet and smooth, particularly useful for video shooters or anyone using live view autofocus. It’s compact, lightweight, and easy to carry, meaning it often becomes the lens that lives permanently on your camera.

At £99, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM isn’t just a good deal – it’s one of the smartest upgrades a photographer can make. Whether you’re just starting or adding another classic prime to your collection, this little lens proves that some of the best photographic tools don’t have to cost a fortune.

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to invest in one of Canon’s most capable hybrid cameras, the current price on the Canon EOS R6 Mark II might be the sign you’ve been looking for.

As part of the Amazon Spring Deal Days event, the hugely popular full-frame mirrorless camera has dropped to just £1,799, down from its usual £2,229.99. That’s a very healthy saving of £430.99 – and to sweeten the deal further, it also comes bundled with two batteries.

The EOS R6 Mark II has become something of a favourite among photographers and content creators alike, thanks to its ability to balance speed, reliability and impressive image quality. Sitting comfortably in the middle of Canon’s mirrorless lineup, it offers professional-level performance without the eye-watering price tag of flagship models.

Under the hood you get a 24.2MP full-frame sensor paired with Canon’s lightning-fast processing, enabling burst shooting up to 40fps with the electronic shutter. Whether you’re photographing wildlife, sports, or fast-moving events, the camera feels built to keep up with the action rather than slow you down.

Autofocus is another area where the R6 Mark II shines. Canon’s intelligent subject detection can recognise people, animals, and vehicles, tracking them across the frame with remarkable accuracy. It’s the kind of system that quietly does its job in the background, allowing you to focus on composition rather than worrying about missed focus.

Videographers are also well served here. The camera can record oversampled 4K video with excellent detail, making it a genuine hybrid tool for creators who need strong stills and serious video capability in one body. Combined with excellent in-body image stabilisation and impressive low-light performance, it’s a camera that adapts easily to almost any shooting situation.

Deals on popular Canon bodies don’t always last long, especially when the discount creeps beyond the £400 mark. At £1,799, with a pair of batteries included, this Amazon Spring Deal Days offer makes the Canon EOS R6 Mark II one of the most compelling full-frame camera bargains available right now.

Amazon has officially confirmed the return of its Big Spring Sale for 2026, and this time the focus shifts firmly to the US, where the seven-day event is set to run from March 25 through March 31.

Positioned as one of the first major retail moments of the year, the sale brings together a broad mix of seasonal essentials, everyday staples, and technology deals, offering shoppers an early opportunity to refresh their photography gear as the new season begins.

• See all of today's Amazon camera deals

What makes the Big Spring Sale particularly relevant for photographers is its timing. As the light improves and outdoor shooting conditions become more appealing, there’s a natural pull to refresh gear, whether that’s investing in a new camera body, picking up an extra lens, or simply replacing well-used accessories. Amazon leans into this seasonal shift with a broad mix of deals spanning imaging gear alongside wider tech and lifestyle categories.

Across the seven-day event, savings extend into key photography essentials, from cameras and lenses through to memory cards, tripods, lighting, and storage. It’s often accessories where the most practical savings are found, with items like SSDs, camera bags, microphones, and content-creation tools frequently seeing worthwhile discounts. For those building out a hybrid photo and video workflow, this is where the sale really delivers value.

There’s also a strong crossover into content creation, reflecting how photography now blends with modern digital production. Expect deals on action cameras, compact vlogging setups, audio gear, and mobile accessories. Whether you’re shooting stills, video, or both, the sale mirrors that shift toward multi-format storytelling.

As with previous events, the Big Spring Sale features rolling daily deals, with limited-time offers appearing throughout the week. These short-window discounts are often where the standout photography deals emerge, particularly on popular accessories and well-known brands, though availability can be limited.

While the event is open to all shoppers, Prime members will once again have access to exclusive discounts, clearly marked and often offering deeper savings, alongside faster delivery when timing matters.

Ultimately, Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is less about impulse buying and more about smart timing. For photographers, it’s a chance to get ahead of the season, refine a kit, and invest in tools that will carry you through the months ahead.

Current US deals

Amazon’s popular smart doorbell brand, Ring, has rebutted claims that video footage from Ring doorbells and security cameras is being accessed by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, more commonly known as ICE.

Accusations stemmed from Ring’s relationship with the security hardware and software company, Flock Safety. It was announced in October that the companies would be partnering to deliver a new Ring feature called ‘Community Requests’. This enables neighbors (if they choose) to share video footage with local public safety agencies, securely and privately.

However, it’s been reported by Gadget Review that the controversial federal law enforcement agency can access said footage via federal data networks.

To be clear, this doesn’t mean that all your Ring footage ends up in a federal database; you actually have to volunteer the footage first. But the Gadget Review article doesn’t pull any punches, stating: “This isn’t speculation – it’s documented infrastructure.”

Stuff has reported that the Flock Safety and Ring partnership, although announced, is not yet live, while citing a quote via The Verge from Amazon PR Yassi Yarger, who said: “Ring has no partnership with ICE, does not give ICE videos, feeds, or back-end access, and does not share video with them”.

As the same article points out, though, it’s what happens to the footage once it’s out of Ring’s hands that has sparked the controversy. However, if you’re a Ring user with any concerns, you can simply turn off the ‘Community Requests’ feature within the app.

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If you want an alternative to the best Ring cameras, check out the best outdoor security cameras and our Eufy Video Doorbell E340 with Chime review.

If you're searching for the best camera for beginners, you might be interested in the Canon EOS R100. The R100 remains one of the most popular entry-level mirrorless cameras since its launch in 2023.

The Canon EOS R100 is sitting at No.1 on Amazon's US and UK bestseller December charts. And this is not the first time the mirrorless is topping sales lists – that kind of sustained demand isn't accidental.

In our buying guide, the Canon EOS R100 was rated as the best beginner camera overall, not because it has the most features, but because it gets the fundamentals exactly right.

For first-time photographers, it delivers what matters most: great image quality, reliable autofocus (AF), simple controls, and access to one of the strongest lens ecosystems in photography.

Crucially, this isn't a camera that beginners will "outgrow" overnight. The R100 is designed to teach photography properly – rewarding curiosity and experimentation – while remaining affordable, compact, and unintimidating

That balance is why it continues to top sales charts well into 2025... Let's take a closer look at the EOS R100.

Why the R100 is such a great beginner camera

At its core, the R100 is built around a 24.1MP APS-C sensor paired with Canon's Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus (AF), a system derived from the brand's professional cameras. Face detection and eye tracking take the pressure off nailing focus, letting beginners concentrate on composition and light.

Canon's guided menu system is another standout feature. Instead of throwing technical jargon at new users, it explains what shooting modes actually do – a subtle but hugely valuable learning tool.

Add a lightweight body, logical button layout, and access to Canon's RF lens range (plus EF lenses via an adapter), and you have a camera that genuinely grows with you.

Two years on, the R100 holds its own. For still photography, it delivers results that are good enough for serious hobbyists, social media, prints, and even editorial use in the right hands. Its continued popularity also means strong availability, competitive pricing, and a healthy ecosystem of accessories.

What about drawbacks – and the Canon EOS R50?

To keep costs down, Canon made some conscious compromises. The fixed, non-touchscreen display is the most discussed, especially compared to the Canon EOS R50, which offers touch control and a more video-friendly design. For some users, that alone will justify spending more.

However, it's important to frame this correctly: the lack of touch control doesn't make the R100 harder to use, just more traditional. Everything is accessible via buttons and the D-pad, and for photographers focused on learning stills, the experience remains intuitive and effective. For more information, read our R100 and R50 comparison.

For pure photographic value, the R100 remains a standout beginner choice in 2025.

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Browse the best cameras for beginners, the best budget telephoto lenses, and the best camera accessories.

If you're shipping for a mirrorless camera in 2025, you might be surprised to see that Amazon's top-selling list in the UK is dominated by cameras that are not exactly "fresh off the assembly line". In fact, just one 2025 release made the list.

So what's keeping 'older' cameras flying off the shelves, and why do beginner-friendly models dominate?

Best-selling mirrorless cameras at Amazon UK

1. Sony ZV-E10L (16-50mm) (released Jul 2021)
2. Canon EOS R100 Kit (18–45mm) (released May 2023)
3. Canon EOS R50 Kit (18–45mm + 55-210mm) (released Apr 2023)
4. Sony A6400 Kit (16-50mm) (released Jan 2021)
5. Sony A6700 (released Jul 2023)
6. Fujifilm X-E5 Kit Silver (15-45mm) (released Aug 2025)
7. Nikon Z6 II (released Nov 2020)
8. Sony A7 III Kit (28-70mm) (released Mar 2018)
9. Sony ZV-E10 (released Jul 2021)
10. Canon EOS R7 Kit (18-150mm) (released Jun 2022)

Why we haven't seen many new entrants

Part of the reason those models still lead the pack is that major manufacturers haven't released many new cameras in these categories. For example, Canon fans are still waiting for rumored models like the EOS R6 Mark III. Sony's A7 series, meanwhile, continues to evolve slowly. The A7 III remains a solid option for photographers while new models are awaited, with the Sony A7 V being one of the market's most eagerly anticipated cameras ( which could still possibly be announced in 2025).

Meanwhile, the Fujifilm X-E5, released in 2025, is the only truly new entrant on the best-seller list, offering modern features in a compact, stylish body.

Why beginner-friendly mirrorless cameras are flying off the shelves

Finally, affordable beginner-friendly cameras dominate the list, including many models that Digital Camera World rated as the best beginner-friendly cameras on the market. Nearly half of Amazon's best-sellers – including the Canon EOS R50, Canon EOS R100, and Sony ZV-E10 – are designed with newcomers in mind.

These cameras combine intuitive controls, guided menus, and automated shooting modes, allowing first-time users to achieve great results without a steep learning curve.

Their affordable kit pricing makes them an attractive entry point. And beyond affordability, many of these models are also geared toward content creation, with features like flip-out LCD screens, microphone inputs, and lightweight designs.

For many, ease of use and versatility outweigh the need for the latest tech or highest specs.

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Browse the best professional cameras, the best mirrorless cameras, and the best cheap cameras.

The Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sale may have officially ended, but some of my favourite deals from the event are still hanging on - and trust me, these are too good to ignore!

While the main event might be over, a surprising number of standout offers on cameras and lenses remain live, still offering those rare, Black Friday–level savings that don’t come around often. These are the real highlights from the sale, not leftovers, but genuine best-in-show bargains that managed to survive the shopping frenzy.

If you missed your chance earlier in the week, this is your moment to strike. Prices like these don’t hang around for long, and once they’re gone, they’re gone. So if something below catches your eye, don’t wait - these deals are still going strong, but only for now.

Best camera deals

Is it worth waiting until Black Friday instead?

Not necessarily. While Black Friday sometimes offers deeper discounts, Prime Day, and those deals that follow it are far more focused - and for camera gear, it often matches or even beats Black Friday prices.

If you see a good deal on something you’ve been eyeing, don’t wait until November - my recommendation is to buy it now and avoid possible disappointment later!

Some of the best binocular deals we have seen this year are now LIVE thanks to the Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sale, which is now in its final day of sale, so look no further in your search for a fantastic deal on your dream pair of binos!

• See all of today's Amazon camera deals

While this is an Amazon Prime special event, many of the other big retailers will also offer great discounts during the sale period – and some will release daily deals, so check back here regularly to bag the best prices!

US: Best Binocular deals

UK: Best Binocular deals

Top retailers

Prime Day is an Amazon-only affair, but other retailers are also likely to reduce prices over the Amazon Prime Dig Deal Days event - and some may have discounts on products not stocked or not discounted at Amazon. Key retailers to check out for binocular deals and photo-related discounts are:

US Top Retailers:

Amazon: Cheap prices on camera gear
Adorama: Big discounts on cameras and tech
Apple: Save on your old iPhone or iPad
Walmart: DSLR, Mirrorless & action cameras
B&H Photo Video: Deals on camera brands
Best Buy: Save on TVs, laptops, appliances
Canon USA: Buy direct to save money

UK Top Retailers:

Amazon: We expect big savings on camera, lenses, memory cards and more Canon UK: Buy direct from the source and tap into Summer Savings
Jessops: Deals from the iconic camera store
John Lewis: The latest deals on electrical equipment
Park Cameras: Amazing Cashback savings on cameras & lenses
Wex Photo Video: Great deals on Canon, Rotolight, Elinchrom & more

Free Amazon Prime trials

How to access Amazon Prime Big Deal Days Sale

Unlike Amazon Prime Day, which usually has a few deals available for non-members to shop, Big Deal Days will be a Prime-member exclusive sale. So if you want to take advantage of these pre-Black Friday deals you must be logged into or set up an Amazon Prime account in order to see and shop all the deals.

Also check out our guides to the best budget binoculars and the best binoculars for kids

As the nights get longer, it is a perfect time to buy a telescope - and with Amazon's two-day Big Deal sale now in its final day of sales, this is a great time to find the best scope for exploring the night sky this winter.

• See all of today's Amazon camera deals

🇺🇸 Telescope deals in USA

Top US retailers:

🇺🇸 Amazon: Cheap prices on camera gear
🇺🇸 Adorama: Big discounts on cameras and tech
🇺🇸 Walmart: DSLR, Mirrorless & action cameras
🇺🇸 B&H Photo Video: Deals on camera brands
🇺🇸 Best Buy: Save on TVs, laptops, appliances
🇺🇸 Unistellar: Smart telescopes direct from the makers

• Back to the top ⤴

🇬🇧 Telescope deals in the UK

🇬🇧 Amazon: Cheap prices on camera gear
🇬🇧 Unistellar: Save up to £800 on smart telescopes
🇬🇧 John Lewis: The best for electrical deals
🇬🇧 Jessops: Deals from an iconic camera store
🇬🇧 Park Cameras: Top camera & lens prices
🇬🇧 Wex Photo Video: Great deals on the latest kit
🇬🇧 Very: Telescopes, GoPros, Canon cameras
🇬🇧 Clifton Cameras: Celestron telescope specialists

• Back to the top ⤴

Blink, the Amazon-owned security camera company, has announced three new devices – higher-resolution 2K versions of the Blink Outdoor and Blink Mini cameras and a 'Blink Arc' which makes it possible to connect two Blink Mini cameras together to get a single panoramic image. But there is a catch.

Blink, one of the two security camera brands that Amazon owns, has often seemed the more appealing to those not wishing to pay a monthly subscription compared to the Ring cameras, but the innovative Blink Arc is dependent on a Blink Subscription Plan to deliver the all-in-one 180-degree video feed.

The device is designed to reduce clutter, so despite having two Blink Mini cameras, there is only one weather-resistant cable to power them. As before, the video is returned using local Wi-Fi.

• Blink Arc (Black) on Amazon USA 🇺🇸 $99 with cameras
• Blink Arc (White) on Amazon USA 🇺🇸 $99 with cameras
• Blink Arc on Amazon UK 🇬🇧 £89

According to Blink, the camera is ideal for monitoring entire driveways or backyards from a single mounting position. Two screws are included and it is bundled with two 2K+ Mini cameras (or sold separately).

The Blink Mini 2K+ cameras feature 138˚ diagonal fields of view, with a video resolution of 2560 x 1440 – curiously higher than the stated stills resolution of 1280 x 720, though this is not a significantly used feature. The Blink Mini 2K+ is $49.99 on its own.

• Blink Mini 2K+ on Amazon USA $49

The Blink Mini 2K+ also boasts 'Smart Detection' and color night vision, though the smart functionality also requires the subscription service.

The boosted resolution to 2K from the cheaper Blink Mini cameras, which are still available – some at reduced prices now too. The older Blink Mini is 1080P.

• Blink Mini 2K+ on Amazon USA 🇺🇸 $49
• Blink Mini 2K+ on Amazon UK 🇬🇧 £39

The new devices are available for purchase through Amazon now, and will ship on October 22 or before.

Check out our full guide to the best outdoor security cameras

Amazon is at it again with another exclusive Amazon Prime member sale. This time it's the return of Amazon Prime Big Deal Days and it will run from October 07-08 2025, taking place in the following countries:

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, the US and the UK.

I expect to see some great discounts on a range of photographic equipment, including cameras, drones, phones, lenses, computers and more.

So whether you want to upgrade to one of the best mirrorless cameras, invest in a brand new camera phone, or you're looking for a shiny new telephoto lens, the team and I will be rounding up the best Amazon Prime Big Deal Day camera deals, and also giving our picks of the best Prime telescope deals and the best binocular deals.

How do I access the Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sale?

Unlike Amazon Prime Day, which typically offers a few deals to non-members, Big Deal Days will be a Prime-member exclusive sale. So if you want to take advantage of these pre-Black Friday deals, you must be logged into or set up an Amazon Prime account in order to see and shop all the savings.

7 reasons to signup to Amazon Prime

1. Free next day delivery

One of the biggest advantages of signing up to Amazon Prime is the most obvious: you get free next-day delivery on thousands of items, whether it's filters or photography props, and 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. If you order early enough in the day, and depending on where you live, you can even get same-day delivery on some items – which makes Prime a godsend!

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.

That's why I recommend taking out an Amazon Prime 30-day trial for free. This means that you won't be charged (make sure you cancel before 30 days!) but can take full advantage of the massive savings to be had this Prime Day.

Better yet, if you're a student, you can get a massive 6 months of free Amazon Prime and then get 50% off if you keep it! So, you can get all the best deals for Amazon Prime Day and even on Black Friday!

3. Amazon Photos

All Amazon Prime members get unlimited photo storage and up to 5GB of video storage with Amazon Photos. I didn’t even know about Amazon Photos until recently, and I have no idea why Amazon doesn’t shout about it more. Unlike Google Drive, where you’re limited to 15GB, you can upload all your precious memories to Amazon Photos and never run out of space.

This is the perfect solution for photographers who want to back up their work on cloud storage without having to pay anything extra for Dropbox or the best cloud storage for photos.

4. Prime Video

As well as free next-day 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 $9.99 / £6.99 a month for the most basic plan, where you can only watch things in 480p, Prime Video is pretty good value for the money.

There are some huge titles available to watch for free, such as Lady Gaga's House of Gucci, the critically acclaimed Bong-Joon Ho film Parasite and the photography documentary Finding Vivian Maier among many more.

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

5. 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’s a little different from Amazon Music, in that there are only 2 million songs to choose from rather than the much larger 100 million, and you won't be able to listen to full albums by your favorite artists. But if that doesn't bother you, there is still a lot going for it.

(If you want the full thing, Prime users can sign up for Amazon Music Unlimited for less money than non-members.)

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?

6. Free Deliveroo Plus for a year (UK Only)

Amazon has teamed up with Deliveroo to give all new Amazon Prime members a free year of Deliveroo Plus, which means that delivery is free when you spend over £25.

You have to sign up for the deal via the Deliveroo website, rather than through Amazon, but it’s well worth doing, considering some restaurants can now charge as much as £4.99 for delivery!

When you need to power through a particularly heavy editing session or find yourself shooting on the road, this could be a great perk to have.

7. Prime Reading

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

AI assistants are quickly gaining the ability to interact with the world around you through a smartphone’s camera – and Amazon has just turned that concept into a hack for finding deals on similar products. The Amazon app is gaining the ability to use the camera to find product matches to the objects around you in real time.

Amazon’s mobile app already had the ability to use the camera to search for products that look similar, but the retail giant’s latest update enables shoppers to use the camera’s live view to look for similar products on Amazon.

When users open Live Lens, the Amazon app will immediately start searching for products placed in that camera view. The AI-powered tool will bring up a carousel of matching products that can be added to the cart with a quick tap on a plus icon. The feature will also integrate questions and summaries about those products from Amazon’s AI assistant, Rufus.

Unlike earlier Amazon Lens features, Live Lens works without snapping a photo to upload and searches for products right there on the live camera view.

Amazon says the feature is built on a “lightweight computer vision object detection” that runs on the device, not on the cloud. The retailer says that the tool helps identify products automatically with minimal input.

The tool can use the camera’s view to locate similar or, in some cases, exact product matches from billions of products on Amazon, the company says.

The feature has already begun rolling out to some users in the US, and the feature will continue a slow rollout to the US “over the coming months.”

Amazon Lens is accessed by tapping the camera icon in the search bar on the Amazon app. Live Lens joins the app’s existing ability to upload a photo to search, to snap a photo in the app, or to scan a barcode. Amazon Lens also has a widget for iOS users, which serves as a shortcut to open the tool from an iPhone lock screen.

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Following global buzz about a Ring Camera data breach, repeated by many influencers on TikTok, many are now asking themselves if they have been hacked. I know I am, because my fiancée and I use Ring cameras!

The cameras can be placed inside the home and out, and are (usually wirelessly) connected to the internet so that you can view them remotely using an app on your phone, or a web browser. The advantages of seeing your home from anywhere, and having remote storage of security video, make them among the best indoor security cameras.

The worry, of course, is that any kind of breach, like the one suggested, could have horrendous privacy implications, letting people see and hear into any room in your home (depending on where you put the cameras).

The influencer video everyone is talking about...

Houston, Texas-based "Your Lifestyle South Asian Mom" Bisma Parvez alleges that "If you have a Ring camera, you have likely been hacked." in a TikTok, referring to an incident on May 28 in which she says Ring was hacked.

Logins to the account are listed in the app, and Bisma Parvez found some she didn't recognise, concluding others would have had the same experience.

It is possible, of course, that she had logged into her Ring cameras properly with a password and forgotten the device she had used entirely, but these logins are recorded, so users can check and ensure that others aren't attempting to hack their account.

Ring has not explicitly admitted any hacks have taken place, but has told computing site ZD.net that one of the updates of Ring's own software before the event Parvez mentions caused an error with the login records that showed the wrong date (always May 28, 2025) and often said "Device name not found."

While there were a lot of other panicked users on TikTok and other platforms like Reddit, it was also on that platform that I spotted this reasoned quote from OppChopShop: "It would be quite odd to have some sort of simultaneous, mass scale attack like that."

Several others seemed satisfied that: "All the devices showing were my old devices from years past."

What is happening with Ring software updates?

Ring releases numerous firmware updates and you can check the details of the latest ones on the Ring software release notes and history page.

It's worth noting, however, that all that is listed are the dates, and the fact that updates have things like "security enhancements, bug fixes, performance improvements and new features" rather than specific details.

It is also worth noting that, because of the nature of the software download system, not all updates happen immediately – it might take a few weeks for them to filter to your cameras (or, of course, longer if the battery has run dead).

It's also apparent that changes that affect use – like the one being discussed – don't always make it to this list. It was a back-end change (to Ring's internal systems), yet because of the nature of the cloud, the effects were felt further afield (whether they were or were not as dramatic as all that).

You might also like...

Check our guides to the best indoor security cameras and the best outdoor security cameras.

Check our review of the Ring Indoor Cam 2nd Gen.

I know a lot about smart home security cameras. I've literally written the book on the smart home. No, really. It was published by Hachette, one of the biggest publishing companies in the world. But, curiously, I think my extensive research might have made me a little narrow-minded about most people's needs. Sometimes I've ended up offering the wrong advice, albeit for the best of reasons. Allow me to explain.

The thing is, many home security cameras are now sold by brands into 'ecosystems', so if you buy a security camera you're more or less stuck buying additional cameras from the same brand. And many of those don't deliver all their features unless you use the associated cloud service.

• The best Prime Day Ring Camera Deals on Amazon USA 🇺🇸
• The best Prime Day Ring Camera Deals on Amazon UK 🇬🇧

A cloud service means your security cameras will connect to the internet and to a remote computer using your home internet connection, possibly wirelessly, possibly using wires. Wireless is the easiest to install but carries the downside that there will be batteries, so recharging/replacement is needed.

Maintaining that remote computer – and doing so securely – is also a cost for the company that supplies your camera, and it will definitely seek to not only cover that cost but make a profit from a subscription fee. Guiding people against this kind of subscription was my stock in trade because those costs can really mount up, especially when you have multiple cameras.

Most companies, like Ring, charge a certain amount for the first camera, and then more if you have multiple cameras and different levels of recording of data – ($4.99 to $19.99 a month in the USA, or £4.99 to £19.99 per month in the UK, depending on the features – but at least 9.99 needed for more than one camera).

Now that isn't free. But it does make the cameras a lot cheaper. Especially the ones from Ring during Amazon Prime (assuming, that is, you're an Amazon Prime member). Why? Well, if you didn't know already, Ring is an Amazon-owned company.

Now I don't know for sure, but I suspect that Amazon has some incentive to promote sales, and when you see the discounts available during events like Prime there does seem to be some evidence to that effect. Compare and contrast the price of the Ring Pan Tilt cam to some other retailers...

So the hardware – never that expensive – is suddenly very inexpensive. But the software

it also comes with a month of the app with all the features so you can decide whether you want them and this, ultimately, is the thing I have changed my mind on.

Don't get me wrong, I still strongly see the merits of building your own system with your own. recording device, but – for just $10 / £10 a month – it'll actually take quite a long time to pay for the equivalent of a NVR (Network Video Recorder), the kind of recording device you'd need for a proper CCTV system.

Moreover, in reality, video stored remotely and securely is, well, probably more secure than something physically on your property that can be accessed and damaged.

I came to this conclusion from personal experience. I had tested the Ring system on numerous occasions as a journalist, using the 30 days (which is open to anyone who buys a Ring device from Amazon).

A few months back, though, I moved in with my girlfriend and installed the Ring app and made more use of the system. I was impressed that she was able to connect me to the cameras to give me some access (but not the same as hers as the owner of the system). I was also impressed with the convenience and usability that she and I found with the cameras – remotely or at home.

Everything seemed a lot easier, the features more extensive, and, in practice, the cost premium was not as high (for a long time it's actually lower) than I sometimes estimated. I can now understand the advantages of living with Ring.

Check out our full guide to the best outdoor security cameras

While I don’t rate the Amazon Fire range as the best tablets for photo editing, if you’re going on a photography trip and want a cheap device you can slip into your kit bag so you can access your Kindle library, show people your website, or finally get around to watching Squid Game while you’re sat on a train or lying in a tent, you simply cannot go wrong with these Amazon Prime Day prices.

I’m talking £49.99 for the Fire HD 8, £84.99 for the Fire HD 10, and £144.99 for the Fire Max 11. Those are all stonking deals!

You might be surprised to learn that my pick of the bunch is the Amazon Fire HD 8. Since none of these tablets are really suitable for photo editing, they’re best off being used as a portable media center. The Amazon Fire HD 8 and its 8-inch screen, then, is highly portable and at £49.99 it won’t be the end of the world if it gets left in a hotel or dropped halfway up a mountain. If all you're looking for is a streaming device and a Kindle, you can’t really go wrong.

If you’re willing to pay a little more, it stands to reason that the newer Amazon Fire HD 10 will be supported for longer, increasing its longevity. It also has 3GB of RAM to the HD 8’s 2GB and a faster processor. As the name suggests, you get a larger 10.1-inch screen, which could be a positive or a negative; however, the resolution is better than the Amazon Fire HD 8.

The Amazon Fire Max 11 is Amazon’s flagship Fire tablet, boasting an 11-inch screen, octa-core processor with 4GB of RAM, 14 hours of battery life, and 8-MP front and rear cameras (the Fire HD tablets have 5-MP cameras). £144.99 is a fantastic deal, but do be aware that despite its flagship credentials, I don’t recommend it for photo editing. This is because you’re limited to the Amazon Appstore and cannot access Google Play, limiting the available software for this device.

As such, I think the Amazon Fire Max 11 is best suited for streaming, a bit of gaming and light admin tasks such as catching up on emails. However, if you’re looking for a tablet with a decent-sized screen and with more grunt than the Fire HD tablets, this is still a fantastic deal.

Remember the best prices for each is with on-board advertising - if you don't want that distraction, pay a little more to have that removed from the outset.

Check out these totally tweet bird feeder camera deals!

Amazon's Prime Day has become one of the biggest sales in the retail calendar- and this year it will be longer than ever.  In recent years it has lasted two days in most places… but this year it will last for four days. The dates for Prime Day 2025 have just been announced will be July 8-11.

This 96--hour marathon of camera deals will see a series of discounts on a wide variety of photographic products, including cameras, lenses, tripods, filters and more. You'll also find some of the best laptops, best camera phones and best tablets on sale too.

Amazon Prime Day always brings big discounts on Amazon's own products, including Blink, Ring, Echo, Kindle and Fire TV – so make sure to keep a keen eye out for a spectacular deal on these tech products. But we will be trawling through all the best offers when they go live, to pick out what we are be best offers for photographers and videomakers. 

If you can't wait until November for Black Friday, Amazon Prime Day is the perfect way to get the shiny new camera product you've been eyeing up for a great discount. However, remember that Prime Day 2025 is only open to Amazon Prime members, so make sure to sign up for a membership (or a free trial) if you haven't already.

When will Amazon Prime Day 2025 deals go live?

The Amazon Prime Day 2025 event to last for 96 hours, finishing on Tuesday at midnight - Pacific Time if you are in the US, and BST in the UK . In Australia, where they have had a longer Prime Day sale, the event will now run for seven days - from July 8-14).

The July sales event will be held in 20 different countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the U.S., and the UK. Prime members in Brazil, Egypt, India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates can shop Prime Day deals later this summer.

However, not all of the deals go live at the same time, with some only going live a few hours before Prime Day ends. Some deals started going live earlier, so we'll be constantly checking the best offers and will bring you them as soon as we spot them.

We often find that the best deals can sell out within a matter of minutes – especially when you get a particularly good Amazon Lightning deal. This means that if you spy a good deal, it's worth picking it up as soon as possible before it sells out!

How to make the most of Amazon Prime Day

If you're not an Amazon Prime member, you might be disappointed to learn that you won't be able to access the Prime Day event. However, you don't need to shell out for a monthly membership in order to make the most of the sales festivities. 

Instead, why not sign up for a 30-day free trial in order to take advantage of the discounts – and then simply cancel the membership when Prime Day is over. If you sign up now, you'll be well within the cancellation period once Prime Day has finished. 

This is the fourth generation of one of the most popular security cameras on the market. Blink's reputation is, we should acknowledge, partly garnered by being an Amazon-owned company, so it gets brilliant positioning and discounts at certain times of the year.

To say that Amazon's ownership is the only reason Blink is well-known is to do it a disservice. The cameras, especially the outdoor versions, are well known because they solve an issue: battery depletion. Blink came up with the idea of using long-life (Lithium AA) batteries in an outdoor camera, and the compromise made is that it cannot record indefinitely, but distinct video clips, limited to 60 seconds or less.

Blink says this camera can last two years (or even four years with a battery extender). I haven't had time to test that, but I've had other Blink cameras in the past where that has proven to be more or less accurate, so I have no reason to doubt it. What, then, does this new version bring to the equation?

There is a Sync Module 2 – the 'bridge' between the camera and the home Wi-Fi network. This uses a lower-energy radio system than Wi-Fi, which is what helps keep that battery life up, and it also has a USB port for a thumb drive so you can record video without paying a subscription fee (but more securely than just in the camera housing).

Price

Launched in November 2023, the list price is $99 / UK £89 / AU $149, though you'll need to make sure you have at least one Blink Sync Module 2 and a USB stick to store video on if you're not going to use the subscription cloud service.

Specifications

Build and handling

Setting up the Blink Outdoor 4 was very straightforward. I followed the on-screen instructions in the app, plugged the Sync Module 2 in and pointed my phone's camera at the QR code on the back of it.

The app also included some very clear instructions about the positioning of the camera, and they do matter here more than most security cameras because the one-life batteries will be depleted earlier if you ignore the advice. If you have a lot of trees with leaves on, you might see these as somewhat limiting (and it is interesting that the Ring camera I tested recently had no issues with fluttering leaves).

I actually chose to test the camera in the loft, because at the time I was hoping I might catch a suspected mouse/rat. As it happens, no such animal ever showed up on the video (though one did eventually make its way into the trap).

The camera will default to even shorter clips than necessary (the limit is 60 seconds) and 720P in the interest of saving the most battery possible, but I'd suggest it is worth pushing these settings up.

One limitation you can't tweak is the 143-degree field of view, which sounds like a lot, but you need to remember this figure is given on the diagonal. Some cameras now offer up to 160, like the competition from Ring, but given this camera maxes out at 1080P it is understandable that the image is more confined.

Performance

The camera spotted me on every occasion that I went near it, whether there were any lights or not, though using it in a dark location – the loft – was interesting as the image seemed to revert to the black-and-white infrared more easily than I might have expected, especially as there was light being provided by a single electric bulb.

Overall verdict

Image sharpness is not as impressive as with other security cameras, and the time limit can seem a little arbitrary – this camera feels very dominated by the battery-led design. That said, it's great that this is an option because with so many battery-powered security cameras, charging or changing the battery every few months can become a very tiresome chore, and the result is that you stop bothering, resulting in no footage at all.

Inevitably, as an Amazon-owned company, Alexa support is included - but support for Google Assistant (let alone Apple HomeKit) is ignored.

The Blink app is a good user experience, within the obvious limitations. If you opt for the subscription, and so Person detection, you can also – for a small monthly outlay – eliminate a lot of unnecessary alerts depending on your positioning. I also liked the activity zones (just tap on the squares, no weird shape drawing, feels very natural).

Alternatives

How I tested it

I tested the camera by setting it up and fitting it in our loft for several weeks, then visiting it several times and approaching from behind boxes. I also placed the camera outdoors. This gave me a good chance to see how it performed in different light and different weather, and see how far it could get from the base station.

My favorite replaceable-battery powered security camera, the Blink Outdoor, is getting an update! Why is it my favorite? Well, there aren't many. Most outdoor security cameras use some variant of power cables, rechargeable batteries, and perhaps solar to top the power up. Not Amazon-owned company Blink, though, which offers a useful alternative in the form of disposable batteries which have a much longer life but still don't need any cable runs.

Of course it's useful for Amazon too – where do most people go to buy the AA lithium batteries? Nevertheless there are scenarios where they make sense, and the previous generations have proven that.

What does the new Blink Outdoor 4th generation, just announced, bring to the party?

More onboard processing power which enables more features. An on-device AI enables advanced motion detection with customisable dual zones and Person Detection (subscription required). This allows users to receive more specific motion alerts, filtering out unwanted notifications.

There is also the option of even longer life from the same I personally used a Blink Outdoor and found the battery life really did live up to expectations, though I was careful not to over-activate it.

The camera maintains the signature battery life of up to two years on two (lithium) AA batteries. The system includes the new Blink Sync Module Core, which facilitates cloud storage for recorded footage.

You can boost that (perhaps if you're putting the camera in a busier location where it'll be activated more and use the batteries faster) with the new Battery Extension Pack. This doubles the battery life – either to a remarkable four years or, as I said, more likely, more activations in the same time!

Blink Outdoor 4 is currently priced at $49.99 / £69.99 for a single-camera system (which includes the Sync Module Core). A bundle including the camera and the Battery Extension Pack is available for $64.99 / £89.99, and the Battery Extension Pack can be purchased separately for $29.99 / £24.99.

• 🇺🇸 Blink Outdoor 4 - Amazon USA
• 🇬🇧 Blink Outdoor 4 - Amazon UK

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Check our guide to the best indoor security camera and the best outdoor security camera. We even have a guide to the best 360-degree outdoor security cameras.

Amazon's Spring Deal Days have just started, and I've been on the hunt for some of the best offers for photographers.

This time around it is Sony mirrorless shooters who are getting some of the best deals... and I have been particularly impressed with the price of some of its lenses. It is always easy to be tempted to get a new camera - but it always a better investment to buy more glass. There is always room for one more zoom or prime in your camera bag!

Here's the pick of the Sony lens deals available - whether you are a full-frame camera user, or if you use an APS-C model…

Full-frame Sony FE lenses

FE lenses are designed for full-frame cameras - such as the A7 and A9 ranges. But they can also be used on all other Sony mirrorless cameras, with their smaller APS-C sensor…

APS-C Sony E lenses

E-mount lenses are not designed for full-frame cameras - so should only be used with models with an APS-C sensor - such as the A6000 Series, or the ZV-E models.

Check out our guide to the best Sony lenses

With Black Friday long gone and Prime Day still months away, it's been a quiet period for deals. That’s about to change, as Amazon has announced its Big Spring Sale (known as Spring Deal Days in the UK), running from March 25 to March 31.

Some early discounts are already live, giving shoppers a chance to grab bargains ahead of the official start date. Once the sale begins, expect even more price drops on popular products, including exclusive deals for Prime members.

Early Amazon Big Spring Sale deals

Is the Amazon Big Spring Sale worth it?

This time of year is typically slow for major discounts, with the biggest events—such as Memorial Day sales and Prime Day—still on the horizon. That usually means fewer deals overall, and those that do appear may not be as steep as during Black Friday.

However, if last year's sale is any indication, we can expect prices to match or come close to Black Friday levels on many items.

For those looking to save, this sale could still be a great opportunity to snag discounts on best-selling Amazon devices and other tech essentials.

The early offers already include some solid price cuts, and as the week progresses, we anticipate even more exciting deals across various photography categories

The team at Digital Camera World will be keeping a close eye on everything Amazon has to offer, and will be producing best deal post to keep you all updated with the hottest deals as and when we seen them.

Check back next week for full coverage of the Amazon Big Spring Sale, and stay with us in the coming days as we highlight the best early deals before the main event kicks off.

I’ve been waiting for a harder, better, faster, stronger version of Amazon’s Alexa for what seems like forever, but reports suggest that I’m going to have to wait a little longer for the next-gen upgrade.

It’s no secret that Amazon is holding an event in New York on February 26, with Alexa set to headline the proceedings. And although this is still expected to go ahead, the Washington Post has reported that the public release of the enhanced virtual assistant will be delayed until March 31 at the earliest.

The Post’s source, an anonymous Amazon employee, has claimed that the delay was partially due to Alexa providing incorrect answers to questions during testing. This isn’t the first time Alexa's AI upgrade – dubbed 'Remarkable Alexa' – has been delayed, with sources reporting that a release was initially on the cards at the end of 2024. An exclusive Fortune story revealed that latency issues when responding to commands were partially responsible for the delay.

Such were Amazon's teething problems with its own AI, Reuters reported that Anthropic’s Claude AI would be integrated into 'Remarkable Alexa' according to five anonymous sources.

Unsurprisingly, Amazon has invested heavily in Anthropic, with Reuters reporting at the end of last year that the e-commerce conglomerate invested $4 billion (around £3.2 billion / AU$6.2 billion) in Anthropic, bringing its total investment to a whopping $8 billion (£6.3 billion / AU$12.5 billion).

A lot has changed since Alexa was introduced to the world in 2014. The AI boom has made the tech giant’s position at the forefront of virtual-assistant tech infinitely more precarious. With heavy competition from the likes of ChatGPT and Gemini, clearly Amazon needs to get this next step in the evolution of Alexa right.

Amazon has remained tight-lipped regarding 'Remarkable Alexa’s' goings-on behind the scenes, so I’m going to reserve any judgment until the end product is finally released. Still, it’s an exciting time for Alexa fans. Hopefully we’ll know more come the end of the month…

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We have plenty more content on AI and the way it's affecting the photography industry. I think AI is changing the creative industry, but it won't kill photography. And have you seen this massive YouTube AI trend for '1950s Super Panavision 70'? If you want to start delving into the world of AI yourself, here are the best AI-image generators.

Two of Amazon-owned Ring’s most popular outdoor security cameras will get a huge update tomorrow, January 08.

Ring once dominated the home security market, but has been eclipsed in recent years by various competitors as well as facing concerns about privacy breaches.

In an attempt to stay relevant, Ring announced at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada, that the Ring Floodlight Cam Pro and the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro, will be boosted up to 2K video resolution at no extra cost to the owner, available on the Ring app.

This is a long-awaited and important step for Ring as other companies, such as Arlo and Eufy, have been shooting at 2K or even 4K for a few years now.

A spokesperson for Ring said:

"While Ring's existing HD Video delivers crisp resolution, we are always working to enhance the Ring experience for both new and existing customers, and 2K will deliver even greater sharpness and texture quality for enhanced detail and clarity. Ring Vision combines software, hardware, and Ring's internal expertise to ensure balanced color, contrast, and motion smoothing."

Alongside the camera update comes the Vehicle Detection feature, which will notify customers of moving vehicles in the camera's field of view. However, this new feature will be included as part of Ring’s Smart Alerts platform – which is only available to those with a Ring Home subscription plan.

The Vehicle Detection feature is available on several Ring products, including the Floodlight Cam Wired Pro, Spotlight Cam Pro, Spotlight Cam Plus, Floodlight Cam Wired Plus, Pan-Tilt Indoor Camera, Indoor Camera 2nd Gen, Battery Video Doorbell, Battery Video Doorbell Plus, Battery Video Doorbell Pro, Video Doorbell Wired, and Wired Doorbell Pro.

Smart Home Camera Statistics states that the home security market is rapidly growing, reporting that around 98.86 million homes worldwide installed security cameras in 2023, and estimating that by 2026 that number will have increased to 163.73 million.

Despite this, issues of security remain an ongoing concern, as a recent study suggested that outdoor security cameras are “among the top collectors of user data,” harvesting 50% more than other smart home device apps.

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Interested in securing your home? Why not take a look at our guides to the best indoor security cameras, the best 360-degree outdoor security cameras, or why not look at our guides to the best fake security cameras.

Cyber Monday is here, and all the big-name retailers have great Cyber Monday monitor deals, so if a new screen is on your shopping list, now is definitely the time to buy.

I've seen lots of amazing deals on monitors, and the sheer choice of deals can be overwhelming. But I've drilled down and assembled a selection which I think represents the best value at a range of price points, from sub-$150 budget monitors, through mid-range bargains, right up to premium color-critical displays.

I've prioritized image quality throughout, and selected IPS-based LCD screens, as these have enhanced color and contrast consistency versus other LCD types - a must for accurate image or video editing. Some deals may seem temptingly cheap, but on closer inspection, they're not all that great and so I've not included them: screens with lower-than-average resolutions being typical examples, as these would result in a blocky, pixelated image, and are a false economy when superior, higher-res displays cost only marginally more. For a photographer, like myself, image quality is everything.

So what are you waiting for? Read on to see our best Cyber Monday monitor deals!

🇺🇸 Top US retailers

There are plenty of great offers this Cyber Monday: check out these popular retailers for the latest deals!

🇺🇸 Amazon: Cheap prices on imaging gear
🇺🇸 Adorama: Big discounts on cameras and tech
🇺🇸 B&H Photo Video: Deals on top imaging brands
🇺🇸 Best Buy: Save on TVs, laptops, appliances
🇺🇸 Canon USA: Buy direct to save money
🇺🇸 Dell:  Discounts on laptops and PCs
🇺🇸 Walmart: DSLR, mirrorless & action cameras

US monitor deals

• Back to the top ⤴

🇬🇧 Top UK retailers

There are plenty of great offers this Cyber Monday: check out these popular retailers for the latest deals!

🇬🇧 Amazon: Big savings on cameras, binoculars, monoculars and more
🇬🇧 Canon UK: Buy Canon gear direct from the source
🇬🇧 John Lewis: The latest deals on cameras and electrical equipment
🇬🇧 Clifton Cameras: Cyber Monday camera deals
🇬🇧 Park Cameras: Cyber Monday camera deals
🇬🇧 Wex Photo Video: Cyber Monday camera deals

UK monitor deals

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With such a whirlwind of discounts since Black Friday season started, I'm really interested to see what people are actually buying as the Cyber Monday camera deals hit full swing.

I'm looking at the Amazon mirrorless sales chart, but it should be noted that the Kodak FZ45 and Kodak FZ55 are both way ahead of everything else in terms of sales – people really can't get enough of these mediocre compacts, for whatever reason.

That aside, the key takeaway here is that Sony is absolutely dominating, with four of the top five sellers. And what's really interesting to me is that the top to cameras are the Sony ZV-E10 and ZV-1 – two of the best cameras for vlogging.

Is this because both cameras are relatively affordable, or because people are getting into content creation at an even faster rate than we thought?

Anyway, here's the full top five:

It's times like this that it really hits home just how much of the market Nikon has lost to everyone else; Nikon doesn't even crack the top 30 (the Nikon Z30 comes in at 31), while both Fujifilm (at 23 with the X-M5) and Panasonic (with the Lumix S5 II at 30) managed to make it.

Speaking to the EOS R100, Canon clearly knows what customers want – even if it's a product that pundits thumb their nose at. I can't tell you the number of "experts" who've dumped on this camera (which is one I've always championed), but it's exactly what a certain segment of the market wants, needs, and is clearly buying in huge quantities.

Remember, kids: just because someone on the internet says a camera is terrible and that Canon doesn't know what it's doing, doesn't make it so. Chances are that Canon knows the market pretty well.

Check out the best Cyber Monday Canon deals along with the best Sony Cyber Monday deals.

I've seen so many Cyber Monday camera deals this week that I'm starting to get a bit numb to it all. Still, with savings seemingly on just about everything, I'm curious about what people have actually been buying.

Well, a glimpse at Amazon's sales chart tells me a few things. Firstly, Canon and Sony are doing great. Secondly, more fool the camera companies who abandoned the entry-level category, because the Canon EOS R100 and R50 – two of the best cameras for beginners – are selling like gangbusters.

Thirdly, in something that shouldn't come as a huge surprise, the top-selling cameras are all bundles that come with kit lenses. Who'd have thunk it, people want to buy a camera that comes with a lens in the box.

Finally, it's interesting to note that all but one of the top five cameras are APS-C bodies – although there are three more full frame bodies when you look to the top ten, with the Canon EOS R6 Mark II in sixth, EOS R8 in seventh, and the Sony A7 IV in tenth.

Here's the list:

It's times like this that it really hits home just how much market share Nikon has surrendered to Sony; Nikon barely scraped into the top 30, with the Z8 literally at number 30.

For context, two Panasonic cameras, a cinema camera, a Kodak camera and one of those generic off-brand crappy cameras all appeared before Nikon in the top 30. Sort of surprising not to see a Fujifilm camera, too, given how popular the internet would have you believe those cameras are.

I'll be very curious to see if the sales list looks the same at Christmas. Are these cameras popular because they're cheap, or because they're what people actually want?

Check out the best Cyber Monday Canon deals along with the best Sony Cyber Monday deals. You might also be interested in the best cameras available over the Cyber Monday sales.

If you're shopping the Black Friday camera deals, be careful out there! Amazon has increasingly been using a new device on product listings that could potentially cost you hundreds of dollars.

The new mechanism (which, I'm told, is also being used by a few other retailers) at best makes it easy for you to overlook a discount, and at worst is intentionally designed to trick you into thinking you've got the best deal by obfuscating a further saving.

You might already have bought something via the Amazon website or app without noticing that a discount was being offered.

The company has been adding a very small, very discreet tickbox beneath the price on certain product listings, marked "Coupon" in the US and "Voucher" in the UK. I first noticed this a couple of months ago, and savings that are available only via these tiny checkboxes have ranged from £2 off a USB splitter to $600 off a portable generator.

Here's an example of a listing that I saw during the recent Prime Big Deal Days event:

The voucher checkbox is small and surrounded by colorful text, star ratings and visual elements, and is dwarfed by the giant-font product description – and, crucially, it is positioned away from the purchasing sidebar containing the normal buying options (such as quantity and add to cart).

In this case, a $600 saving could easily be missed by anyone who wasn't sufficiently observant or was simply browsing in a rush. The checkbox is even easier to scroll past on the mobile app, too.

Why not just place the checkbox in the same purchasing sidebar, made obvious in the same way that the other buying options are? More's the point, given that this was in the middle of Amazon's Big Deal Days event, why wasn't this saving automatically applied – you know, on the off chance that someone shopping during a sales event might want to actually save money?

The way the checkbox is obfuscated by page elements during Black Friday feels even more insidious:

Here it feels like the listing is deliberately suggesting to the buyer that they have already got the best offer. "Black Friday Deal" is emblazoned in a red box, with a percentage saving highlighted in big red letters – so at a glance, you would think "Great, I've got my Black Friday saving!"

However, if your eyes creep a little further down, there's the option for a further significant saving – but only if you check the box.

Again, why isn't the discount automatically applied – especially during a huge sales event, when it can be fairly assumed that browsers are consenting to saving as much money as they can? What motive can Amazon have for adding extra steps to the process, other than hoping that the customer will miss the opportunity to save money?

It feels pretty unfair to me. Yes, we should all look very carefully at everything we click on the internet – it is, after all, our own responsibility to read everything on the page. But to me, this seems like caveat emptor in the most miserable, mercenary spirit possible. Sorry you screwed yourself out of getting the best deal. Happy Thanksgiving!

Take a look at the best cameras you can buy this Black Friday, and if you like the look of that RF lens then check out the best Canon Black Friday deals

It's official: Amazon Prime Big Deal Days is here. This 48-hour extravaganza features significant discounts on a wide range of photographic equipment, including cameras, lenses, tripods, and filters. Additionally, you’ll find some of the top laptops, camera phones, and tablets on sale too.

While there are some savings available for non-members, as the name suggests the sale primarily caters to Amazon's paying members. However, having a Prime subscription (which costs just $14.99 a month / £8.99 a month, not only gives you access to free expedited shipping but also additional Prime perks like exclusive discount codes and coupons. You can sign up using the buttons below to get a 30-day free trial if you haven't been a member before.

Editor's top picks

US:

🇺🇸 1. Acer 15.6" laptop | was $529.99 | now $449.99
🇺🇸 2. Acer Nitro V 15.6" gaming laptop | was $779.99 | now $649.99
🇺🇸 3. 2024 MacBook Air 15 | was $1699.99 | now $1424


UK:

🇬🇧 1. Acer Aspire 3 15.6" laptop | was £649.99 | now £449.99
🇬🇧 2. Acer Swift Go 14" OLED laptop | was £899.99 | now £749.99
🇬🇧 3. Acer Predator Helios 18" gaming laptop | was £1,845.81 | now £1,499.99

🇺🇸 Top US retailers

🇺🇸 Amazon: Cheap prices on imaging gear

There are plenty of great offers outside of the Prime Day event: check out these popular retailers for the the latest deals!

🇺🇸 Adorama: Big discounts on cameras and tech
🇺🇸 B&H Photo Video: Deals on top imaging brands
🇺🇸 Best Buy: Save on TVs, laptops, appliances
🇺🇸 Canon USA: Buy direct to save money
🇺🇸 Dell:  Discounts on laptops and PCs
🇺🇸 Walmart: DSLR, mirrorless & action cameras

🇺🇸 US laptop deals

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🇺🇸 UK Laptop deals

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Amazon Prime Big Deal Days 2024: Key information

How to make the most of Amazon Prime Day

Despite the name, most of the deals offered during Amazon Prime Day are open to everyone, but if you really want to make the most of it and maximise your savings, it's best to be a Prime member. There are several offers that are only available to subscribers, so signing up means you won't miss out on the really juicy bargains.

However, you don't need to shell out for a monthly membership in order to make the most of the sales festivities. Instead, why not sign up for a 30-day free trial closer to the sale in order to take advantage of the discounts – and then simply cancel the membership when Prime Day is over.

If you do sign up now, you'll also be able to take advantage of the other free perks that come with a Prime subscription, namely full access to Prime Video, Prime Reading (a 'lite' version of Kindle Unlimited) and Prime Gaming (another version of Twitch). Plus, of course, the free-and-fast shipping promise is there for all eligible products.

How to find the best laptop deals during Prime Day

If you're shopping for a new kit – whether it's your first pair of binoculars, a gift for someone or an upgrade – it helps to keep a few things in mind when shopping during Prime Day.

1. Sign up for a free Amazon Prime subscription

This should give you full access to the sale, including Prime-exclusive offers. You can cancel at any time during the trial period.

2. Figure out what you want to buy beforehand

Shopping fany major sale can be overwhelming. So knowing exactly what you're after can save you both time and money. Take the time to do some research on price histories of the items you would like to buy. While camera prices don't necessarily fluctuate too much, it's still good to know whether a deal is worth your hard-earned money – after all, we don't upgrade our cameras as often as we do our phones, so the investment is best made with some thought.

3. Be flexible on what you want

Sometimes the specific model you want may not be discounted, but if you aren't faithful to a specific brand, you might get a better offer on binocualrs from a different brand – one with similar specs.  We also admit that this is easier for people looking for their first pair of binos and not already tied down with a specific system. 

4. Create a wish list

Once you've narrowed down what you're after, you can save them in a wish list on Amazon. This will also show you price fluctuations (if any) in the lead up to the sale and makes it really super quick and easy to then move the item to your shopping cart directly from there.

5. Check back through the event

We've noticed in the past that Amazon's prices change through the duration of the sale. Sometimes binoculars will be cheaper on day two of the sale. So while it might be worthwhile picking something up as soon as the offer has gone live on the shopping site (particularly if stock is limited), it could pay to wait too. If the stock hasn't run out, then you could save yourself a few more dollars.

6. Stick with us

Not to toot our own horn, but if you're willing to get some help, we'll be on hand to scour Amazon for the best deals on photography gear. We won't list them all, but we will hand-pick what might be the best options across the different categories of gear. This could make it quick and easy for you to find a specific deal rather than spend hours going through the shopping site to find a particular option.

• Back to the top ⤴

If you've checked an online dictionary, or read respected sources like the Financial Times, you might well be familiar with the term “enshittification,” coined by Cory Doctorow.

If you've not heard the term, you've certainly experienced it. It's Doctorow's way of explaining how things get worse for customers, especially in the online world, thanks to the network effect and the collective action problem.

A great example is Netflix. When it started out, you paid a relatively small amount for what seemed an amazing service, while in order to break the established network – which was literally 'the networks' – Netflix had to invest heavily in attractive content and promised no ads.

It was great. At first. In 2011 it was $7.99, and many were able to start abandoning much more expensive cable or satellite packages on the back of it. Then when Netflix's own network was big enough that it had power it did several things. First it started putting up the prices. First came premium – you had to pay for multiple devices and 4K – and more and more tiers to suck extra money out of people. Premium is now $23 and it's only $1 less than the original price to suffer through ads.

At the same time, competitors arrived in the market. Not only did they introduce a lot of the same tiers and money grabs, but the content you want is now spread across Disney+, Amazon Prime, and others. So now what seemed like an amazing deal saving tons but giving you great content (especially if you weren't a sports fan) is potentially costing tons more.

Essentially the company used the network effect to create an appeal, then took advantage of it after a threshold to squeeze every last drop of revenue. Sure, that's capitalism; they're legally obliged to. Typically in the same cycle of a young company – perhaps a motivated startup with a desire to bring about genuine change, and run by a few enthusiastic people – gives way to the obligations to service many shareholders.

So how are cameras suffering enSHITtification?

As managing editor and a gadget geek here at Digital Camera World. I keep a watchful eye on smart home security cameras, while they keep a watchful eye on the rest of the world.

In recent years, these suffered from a kind of two-tiered approach; you could either buy a cheap camera, for example from one of the Amazon-owned companies Blink and Ring, then pay a subscription to take advantage of the main (and most prominently advertised) features. Or you could pay more for a system which had no ongoing costs.

If you opted for a subscription system, the fees are charged per device too, at least up to a point, so the more cameras you use, the higher your subscription costs. That's already pretty irksome.

Now, going through the details on the Blink Mini 2 as I uploaded our recent review I spotted something that surprised me a bit. Traditionally the division between the free and subscription modes of smart cameras was that you'd pay for the device to record video clips to the cloud when it thought it saw motion.

That seemed 'fair' in a way – data storage isn't free. It didn't take a calculator to work out the ongoing costs were outrageously profitable for the retailers; the camera may or may not cover its costs, but a lingering automatic income is incredibly useful for a company.

Now, in 2024, even the Blink camera's Live View mode is restricted to 5 minutes unless you pay for a subscription. You literally can't look through the device for more than 5 minutes – no data stored (in theory, anyway) without paying EVERY MONTH to you use the camera you've already paid for.

That's pretty worrying, to my mind, since it is a creeping little change, but...

...it won't just be security cameras, will it?

No. For one thing, how do you pay for your photo editing software? I pay a lot more for Photoshop than I used to, because I didn't upgrade every year. It's not that the new features aren't good, but I don't feel in control any more.

How long before it happens with 'real' cameras? Only the other day I was investigating the rumors about DJI entering the camera marketplace (spoiler: DJI declined to comment).

A key area of interest for many about the possibility of a DJI mirrorless was the company's ability to integrate software compared to Sony, Canon and Nikon. To be fair, DJI doesn't charge extra for any of its mainstream software features, but one of its key competitors – GoPro – has enthusiastically embraced the subscription model.

Software-reliant systems make charging a lot easier for companies, and, as I said, compaines are obliged to get the most for their shareholders.

Most of us have looked at how brilliant the integration between camera, album, and app in our phones and wondered why 'real' cameras can't do the same, but perhaps we should be careful what we wish for!

For now, there remains hope. In our guide to the best security camera systems we include some systems (like the Eufy) which are deliberately designed not to work this way. But the incentives are unsettling at best.

On Tuesday this week, a multiple system outage on Amazon's cloud servers resulted in widespread outages to Ring doorbells, leaving users in the dark and worried about the security of their residences until the problem was resolved. 

For some, the Ring failures – which affected Ring.com, Ring Protect (Video Recording), Live Calls (Doorbell Dings & Motions), Video On Demand, and Partner Integration – only lasted a few hours, but for others it persisted long into the night. 

While the issues have now been fixed, many have been left asking questions about what happened and whether it might happen again – and whether their Ring cameras can still be trusted. 

I asked Lorex Technology, one of North America's leading home security system specialists for over 30 years, to explain what happened. 

In short, the issue boils down to failings in Amazon's cloud services to which Ring systems are connected. With feeds and recording based in the cloud, rather than being captured locally, once there's an internet outage then the devices cease to function. 

Crucially, Lorex offers cameras with local recording capabilities that continue to save footage to a local microSD card or hard drive in such a situation. In addition, its Fusion systems enable wired doorbells to be connected to an NVR (network video recorder) for continuous 24/7 recording – which will record to the hard drive even during an outage. 

While Ring is a reputable and generally reliable system, it's definitely worth considering a system with local storage options to ensure that you're protected should there be a problem connecting to the cloud. 

Here's a breakdown from Lorex's spokesperson about what occurred during the Ring failure on Tuesday. 

What actually happened?

Cloud-dependent cameras
Many modern security cameras rely on cloud services for storage, remote access, and other features. If these cameras use Amazon Web Services (AWS) for cloud infrastructure, an outage could disrupt their ability to store footage, send alerts, or provide live streaming. However, if the cameras have local storage (like an SD card or hard drive recorder), they may continue recording locally even if cloud services are down.

Remote access and notifications
For cameras integrated with smart home systems or accessed via mobile apps, an AWS outage could affect remote viewing, notifications and control features. Users might be unable to access live feeds or receive alerts about motion detection.

Dependent services
Some security camera systems rely on additional services hosted on AWS, such as AI-based analytics for identifying specific types of events or integrating with other smart devices. An outage might disrupt these advanced features, potentially reducing the effectiveness of the security system.

Recovery and redundancy
The impact of an outage also depends on the availability of redundant systems and backup plans. Some security systems may have failover mechanisms or alternative data centers that can take over in case of an outage, minimizing disruption.

Why did it happen?

As referenced above, many systems that are exclusively reliant on cloud storage will face interruptions within their service. 

Systems that have local storage backup will still face interruption within their access through their application but can recover the recordings directly through the local storage source.

Will it happen again?

Predicting the exact occurrence of future service outages for any cloud provider, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), is challenging. While it's impossible to guarantee that outages won't happen again, several factors are involved. 

While cloud providers strive for high availability and minimal downtime, occasional outages can still occur due to the inherent complexities of large-scale cloud infrastructure.

Take a look at the best doorbell cameras, along with the best CCTV cameras and the best outdoor security cameras. 

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.

It's official: Amazon Prime Day has entered its last day, but don't fear there are still great deals to be had on our top pick laptops at Amazon, and they are too good to ignore.

This 48-hour extravaganza will feature significant discounts on a wide range of photographic equipment, including cameras, lenses, tripods, and filters. Additionally, you’ll find some of the top laptops, camera phones, and tablets on sale too.

While there are some savings available for non-members, as the name suggests the sale primarily caters to Amazon's paying members. However, having a Prime subscription (which costs just $14.99 a month / £8.99 a month, not only gives you access to free expedited shipping but also additional Prime perks like exclusive discount codes and coupons. You can sign up using the buttons below to get a 30-day free trial if you haven't been a member before.

Editor's top picks

US:

🇺🇸 1. Acer Aspire 3 14" laptop | save $100 | now $349.99
🇺🇸 2. Apple 2023 MacBook Pro M3 Pro | save $300 | now $1,669
🇺🇸 3. Apple 2024 MacBook Air M3 | save $250 | now $849


UK:

🇬🇧 1. ASUS Vivobook 15 OLED 15.6" laptop | save £250 | now £499.99
🇬🇧 2. MSI Katana 17" laptop | save £70 | now £679
🇬🇧 3. Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 14" laptop | save £160 | now £839

🇺🇸 Top US retailers

🇺🇸 Amazon: Cheap prices on imaging gear

There are plenty of great offers outside of the Prime Day event: check out these popular retailers for the the latest deals!

🇺🇸 Adorama: Big discounts on cameras and tech
🇺🇸 B&H Photo Video: Deals on top imaging brands
🇺🇸 Best Buy: Save on TVs, laptops, appliances
🇺🇸 Canon USA: Buy direct to save money
🇺🇸 Dell:  Discounts on laptops and PCs
🇺🇸 Walmart: DSLR, mirrorless & action cameras

🇺🇸 US laptop deals

• Back to the top ⤴

🇬🇧 Top UK retailers

🇬🇧 Amazon: We expect big savings on cameras, binoculars, monoculars and more

There are plenty of great offers outside of the Prime Day event: check out these popular retailers for the the latest deals!

🇬🇧 Canon UK: Buy direct from the source and tap into Summer Savings
🇬🇧 John Lewis: The latest deals on binoculars and electrical equipment
🇬🇧 Clifton Cameras: Digiscoping and binocular specialists
🇬🇧 Park Cameras: £50 off selected Nikon binoculars
🇬🇧 Wex Photo Video: Save up to £750 on Zeiss optics

🇺🇸 UK Laptop deals

• Back to the top ⤴

Amazon Prime Day 2024: Key information

Amazon Prime Day 2024 dates

The official start date of this year's Prime Day sale is scheduled for July 16-17 2024. However, some deals are already live!

This 48-hour extravaganza will feature significant discounts on a wide range of photographic equipment, including cameras, lenses, tripods, and filters. Additionally, you’ll find some of the top laptops, camera phones, and tablets on sale too.

How to make the most of Amazon Prime Day

Despite the name, most of the deals offered during Amazon Prime Day are open to everyone, but if you really want to make the most of it and maximise your savings, it's best to be a Prime member. There are several offers that are only available to subscribers, so signing up means you won't miss out on the really juicy bargains.

However, you don't need to shell out for a monthly membership in order to make the most of the sales festivities. Instead, why not sign up for a 30-day free trial closer to the sale in order to take advantage of the discounts – and then simply cancel the membership when Prime Day is over.

If you do sign up now, you'll also be able to take advantage of the other free perks that come with a Prime subscription, namely full access to Prime Video, Prime Reading (a 'lite' version of Kindle Unlimited) and Prime Gaming (another version of Twitch). Plus, of course, the free-and-fast shipping promise is there for all eligible products.

How to find the best binocular deals during Prime Day

If you're shopping for a new kit – whether it's your first pair of binoculars, a gift for someone or an upgrade – it helps to keep a few things in mind when shopping during Prime Day.

1. Sign up for a free Amazon Prime subscription

This should give you full access to the sale, including Prime-exclusive offers. You can cancel at any time during the trial period.

2. Figure out what you want to buy beforehand

Shopping fany major sale can be overwhelming. So knowing exactly what you're after can save you both time and money. Take the time to do some research on price histories of the items you would like to buy. While camera prices don't necessarily fluctuate too much, it's still good to know whether a deal is worth your hard-earned money – after all, we don't upgrade our cameras as often as we do our phones, so the investment is best made with some thought.

3. Be flexible on what you want

Sometimes the specific model you want may not be discounted, but if you aren't faithful to a specific brand, you might get a better offer on binocualrs from a different brand – one with similar specs.  We also admit that this is easier for people looking for their first pair of binos and not already tied down with a specific system. 

4. Create a wish list

Once you've narrowed down what you're after, you can save them in a wish list on Amazon. This will also show you price fluctuations (if any) in the lead up to the sale and makes it really super quick and easy to then move the item to your shopping cart directly from there.

5. Check back through the event

We've noticed in the past that Amazon's prices change through the duration of the sale. Sometimes binoculars will be cheaper on day two of the sale. So while it might be worthwhile picking something up as soon as the offer has gone live on the shopping site (particularly if stock is limited), it could pay to wait too. If the stock hasn't run out, then you could save yourself a few more dollars.

6. Stick with us

Not to toot our own horn, but if you're willing to get some help, we'll be on hand to scour Amazon for the best deals on photography gear. We won't list them all, but we will hand-pick what might be the best options across the different categories of gear. This could make it quick and easy for you to find a specific deal rather than spend hours going through the shopping site to find a particular option.

• Back to the top ⤴

These are the final hours of Amazon Prime Day! We're excited to showcase excellent deals on both memory cards and storage live at Amazon, and they are too good to ignore!

A Prime subscription (which costs just $14.99 a month / £8.99 a month not only gives you access to free expedited shipping but also additional Prime perks like exclusive discount codes and coupons. You can sign up using the buttons below to get a 30-day free trial if you haven't been a member before.

Editor's top picks

US:

🇺🇸 1. Lexar 1TB microSDXC card | save $62.11 | now $67.88
🇺🇸 2. SanDisk 512GB Ultra SDXC card | save $10 | now $39.99
🇺🇸 3. Crucial X9 1TB portable SSD | save $35 | now $64.99

UK:

🇬🇧 1. SanDisk Ultra 512GB SD card | save £26.28 | now £44.99
🇬🇧 2. Nextorage 512GB CFexpress Type B card | save £46.20 | now £128.99
🇬🇧 3. Samsung T7 Shield 2TB portable SSD | save £36.70 | now £125.79

🇺🇸 Top US retailers

🇺🇸 Amazon: Cheap prices on imaging gear

There are plenty of great offers outside of the Prime Day event: check out these popular retailers for the the latest deals!

🇺🇸 Adorama: Big discounts on cameras and tech
🇺🇸 B&H Photo Video: Deals on top imaging brands
🇺🇸 Best Buy: Save on TVs, laptops, appliances
🇺🇸 Canon USA: Buy direct to save money
🇺🇸 Dell:  Discounts on laptops and PCs
🇺🇸 Walmart: DSLR, mirrorless & action cameras

🇺🇸 US memory card & storage deals

• Back to the top ⤴

🇬🇧 Top UK retailers

🇬🇧 Amazon: We expect big savings on cameras, binoculars, monoculars and more

There are plenty of great offers outside of the Prime Day event: check out these popular retailers for the the latest deals!

🇬🇧 Canon UK: Buy direct from the source and tap into Summer Savings
🇬🇧 John Lewis: The latest deals on binoculars and electrical equipment
🇬🇧 Clifton Cameras: Digiscoping and binocular specialists
🇬🇧 Park Cameras: £50 off selected Nikon binoculars
🇬🇧 Wex Photo Video: Save up to £750 on Zeiss optics

🇬🇧 UK memory cards & storage deals

• Back to the top ⤴

Amazon Prime Day 2024: Key information

Amazon Prime Day 2024 dates

The official start date of this year's Prime Day sale is scheduled for July 16-17 2024. However, some deals are already live!

This 48-hour extravaganza will feature significant discounts on a wide range of photographic equipment, including cameras, lenses, tripods, and filters. Additionally, you’ll find some of the top laptops, camera phones, and tablets on sale too.

How to make the most of Amazon Prime Day

Despite the name, most of the deals offered during Amazon Prime Day are open to everyone, but if you really want to make the most of it and maximise your savings, it's best to be a Prime member. There are several offers that are only available to subscribers, so signing up means you won't miss out on the really juicy bargains.

However, you don't need to shell out for a monthly membership in order to make the most of the sales festivities. Instead, why not sign up for a 30-day free trial closer to the sale in order to take advantage of the discounts – and then simply cancel the membership when Prime Day is over.

If you do sign up now, you'll also be able to take advantage of the other free perks that come with a Prime subscription, namely full access to Prime Video, Prime Reading (a 'lite' version of Kindle Unlimited) and Prime Gaming (another version of Twitch). Plus, of course, the free-and-fast shipping promise is there for all eligible products.

How to find the best binocular deals during Prime Day

If you're shopping for a new kit – whether it's your first pair of binoculars, a gift for someone or an upgrade – it helps to keep a few things in mind when shopping during Prime Day.

1. Sign up for a free Amazon Prime subscription

This should give you full access to the sale, including Prime-exclusive offers. You can cancel at any time during the trial period.

2. Figure out what you want to buy beforehand

Shopping fany major sale can be overwhelming. So knowing exactly what you're after can save you both time and money. Take the time to do some research on price histories of the items you would like to buy. While camera prices don't necessarily fluctuate too much, it's still good to know whether a deal is worth your hard-earned money – after all, we don't upgrade our cameras as often as we do our phones, so the investment is best made with some thought.

3. Be flexible on what you want

Sometimes the specific model you want may not be discounted, but if you aren't faithful to a specific brand, you might get a better offer on binocualrs from a different brand – one with similar specs.  We also admit that this is easier for people looking for their first pair of binos and not already tied down with a specific system. 

4. Create a wish list

Once you've narrowed down what you're after, you can save them in a wish list on Amazon. This will also show you price fluctuations (if any) in the lead up to the sale and makes it really super quick and easy to then move the item to your shopping cart directly from there.

5. Check back through the event

We've noticed in the past that Amazon's prices change through the duration of the sale. Sometimes binoculars will be cheaper on day two of the sale. So while it might be worthwhile picking something up as soon as the offer has gone live on the shopping site (particularly if stock is limited), it could pay to wait too. If the stock hasn't run out, then you could save yourself a few more dollars.

6. Stick with us

Not to toot our own horn, but if you're willing to get some help, we'll be on hand to scour Amazon for the best deals on photography gear. We won't list them all, but we will hand-pick what might be the best options across the different categories of gear. This could make it quick and easy for you to find a specific deal rather than spend hours going through the shopping site to find a particular option.

• Back to the top ⤴

Amazon-owned Ring cameras have become something of a cultural phenomenon since their conception in 2013. Footage from the cameras regularly makes its way onto social media with happy, sad and sometimes downright terrifying clips. Some people have even made careers out of creating content using Ring cameras. 

Well now, they've got competition.

Two months after Amazon released its first-ever integrated Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Camera, priced $79.99 / £69.99 / AU$129, SwitchBot has announced the launch of its new Pan/Tilt Cam Plus 3K – an indoor security camera with 360° horizontal and 115° vertical rotation. It is also equipped with AI human recognition technology and two different ways to store footage. 

Available to buy from Amazon, the SwitchBot camera starts at $69.99 / £79.99 (Australian pricing to be confirmed). 

It has a 5MP lens and a high-sensitivity sensor, and with the help of its 940nm infrared light it promises to work well day or night. The infrared light used in Night Vision Mode is invisible to the naked eye, so images won't turn red, and the light won't disturb sleep. 

An f/1.6 lens helps improve light intake by 50%, according to SwitchBot's website, compared to f/2.0 lenses, helping make the images brighter and clearer. Other features include automatic present point tracking when the camera is linked with the SwitchBot Motion Sensor and the SwitchBot Hub, which will automatically activate and start recording when it detects movement. 

Ring has had some bad press in recent months, after shelling out more than $5.6 million / £4.3 million / AU$8.3 million to 117,004 consumers after its data was hacked. Ring also made the news earlier in the year after customers complained about a 43% price increase for subscription services to safely store their video footage on the cloud, download clips and get discounted products. 

According to SwitchBot's website, "Recorded videos and photos are saved only to our app, or the SD card you use to help protect privacy. AES-encrypted video data is transferred over an encrypted TLS channel. With our cloud system using GDPR and CCPA storage certification."

With disgruntled users potentially looking to replace their Ring systems, SwitchBot could pose a very attractive alternative. 

Check out our guides to the best indoor security cameras , the best fake security cameras, and the best Ring cameras.

Amazon's two-day Prime Day sale is finishing tonight, so there isn’t much time left if you want to grab a drone bargain before they fly off the shelves! There are great deals on favorite brands including DJI and Potensic, as well as a terrific offer on the popular HoverAir X1.

As the drone expert, I'd especially point out the amazing deal on the still-very-new DJI Mini 4K, which brought a 4K camera to the drone I already recommend to most beginners. I'm honestly surprised there is a deal to be had so early in the drone's lie.

While there are some savings available for non-members, as the name suggests the sale primarily caters to Amazon's paying members. However, having a Prime subscription (which costs just $14.99 a month / £8.99 a month), not only gives you access to free expedited shipping but also additional Prime perks like exclusive discount codes and coupons. You can sign up using the buttons below to get a 30-day free trial if you haven't been a member before.

🇺🇸 Top US retailers

🇺🇸 Amazon: Cheap prices on imaging gear

There are plenty of great offers outside of the Prime Day event: check out these popular retailers for the the latest deals!

🇺🇸 Adorama: Big discounts on cameras and tech
🇺🇸 B&H Photo Video: Deals on top imaging brands
🇺🇸 Best Buy: Save on TVs, laptops, appliances
🇺🇸 Canon USA: Buy direct to save money
🇺🇸 Dell:  Discounts on laptops and PCs
🇺🇸 Walmart: DSLR, mirrorless & action cameras

🇺🇸 US Prime Day drone deals

• Back to the top ⤴

🇬🇧 Top UK retailers

Amazon: We expect big savings on cameras, drones, lenses and more

There are plenty of great offers outside of the Prime Day event: check out these popular retailers for the the latest deals!

Clifton Cameras: DJI and Autel specialists
Park Cameras: Price drop on DJI Air 3
Wex Photo Video: Free spare battery on selected DJI drones

🇬🇧 UK Prime Day drone deals

• Back to the top ⤴

Amazon Prime Day 2024: Key information

Amazon Prime Day 2024 dates

The official start date of this year's Prime Day sale is scheduled for July 16-17 2024. However, some deals are already live!

This 48-hour extravaganza will feature significant discounts on a wide range of photographic equipment, including cameras, lenses, tripods, and filters. Additionally, you’ll find some of the top laptops, camera phones, and tablets on sale too.

How to make the most of Amazon Prime Day

Despite the name, most of the deals offered during Amazon Prime Day are open to everyone, but if you really want to make the most of it and maximise your savings, it's best to be a Prime member. There are several offers that are only available to subscribers, so signing up means you won't miss out on the really juicy bargains.

However, you don't need to shell out for a monthly membership in order to make the most of the sales festivities. Instead, why not sign up for a 30-day free trial closer to the sale in order to take advantage of the discounts – and then simply cancel the membership when Prime Day is over.

If you do sign up now, you'll also be able to take advantage of the other free perks that come with a Prime subscription, namely full access to Prime Video, Prime Reading (a 'lite' version of Kindle Unlimited) and Prime Gaming (another version of Twitch). Plus, of course, the free-and-fast shipping promise is there for all eligible products.

How to find the best drone deals during Prime Day

If you're shopping for a new kit it helps to keep a few things in mind when shopping during Prime Day.

1. Try and sign up for a free Amazon Prime subscription

This should give you full access to the sale, including Prime-exclusive offers. You can cancel at any time.

2. Figure out what you want to buy beforehand

Shopping fany major sale can be overwhelming. So knowing exactly what you're after can save you both time and money. Take the time to do some research on price histories of the items you would like to buy. While camera prices don't necessarily fluctuate too much, it's still good to know whether a deal is worth your hard-earned money – after all, we don't upgrade our cameras as often as we do our phones, so the investment is best made with some thought.

3. Be flexible on what you want

Sometimes the specific model you want may not be discounted, but if you aren't faithful to a specific brand, you might get a better offer a different model brand – one with similar specs. 

4. Create a wish list

Once you've narrowed down what you're after, you can save them in a wish list on Amazon. This will also show you price fluctuations (if any) in the lead up to the sale and makes it really super quick and easy to then move the item to your shopping cart directly from there.

5. Check back through the event

We've noticed in the past that Amazon's prices change through the duration of the sale. Sometimes drones will be cheaper on day two of the sale. So while it might be worthwhile picking something up as soon as the offer has gone live on the shopping site (particularly if stock is limited), it could pay to wait too. If the stock hasn't run out, then you could save yourself a few more bucks.

6. Stick with us

Not to toot our own horn, but if you're willing to get some help, we'll be on hand to scour Amazon for the best deals on photography gear. We won't list them all, but we will hand-pick what might be the best options across the different categories of gear. This could make it quick and easy for you to find a specific deal rather than spend hours going through the shopping site to find a particular option.

• Back to the top ⤴

With only hours left of Amazon's two-day Prime Day sale, you still have a chance to grab a bargain pair of binoculars for an excellent price!

While there are some savings available for non-members, as the name suggests the sale primarily caters to Amazon's paying members. However, having a Prime subscription (which costs just $14.99 a month / £8.99 a month, not only gives you access to free expedited shipping but also additional Prime perks like exclusive discount codes and coupons. You can sign up using the buttons below to get a 30-day free trial if you haven't been a member before.

Editor's top picks

US:

🇺🇸 1. Canon 18x50 IS | save $74 | now $1,075
🇺🇸 2. Vortex Optics Crossfire HD 10x42 | save $100.06 | now $129.93
🇺🇸 3. Steiner Marine 7x50 Binoculars | save $64.99 | now $311

UK:

🇬🇧 1. Nikon ProStaff P3 8x30 | save £80 | now £89
🇬🇧 2. Celestron SkyMaster 25x70 | save £40 | now £99.99
🇬🇧 3. Canon PowerShot Zoom | save £70 | now £219.99

• Back to the top ⤴

🇺🇸 Top US retailers

🇺🇸 Amazon: Cheap prices on imaging gear

There are plenty of great offers outside of the Prime Day event: check out these popular retailers for the latest deals!

🇺🇸 Adorama: Big discounts on cameras and tech
🇺🇸 B&H Photo Video: Deals on top imaging brands
🇺🇸 Best Buy: Save on TVs, laptops, appliances
🇺🇸 Canon USA: Buy direct to save money
🇺🇸 Dell:  Discounts on laptops and PCs
🇺🇸 Walmart: DSLR, mirrorless & action cameras

• Back to the top ⤴

🇺🇸 US binocular deals

• Back to the top ⤴

🇬🇧 Top UK retailers

🇬🇧 Amazon: We expect big savings on cameras, binoculars, monoculars and more

There are plenty of great offers outside of the Prime Day event: check out these popular retailers for the latest deals!

🇬🇧 Canon UK: Buy direct from the source and tap into Summer Savings
🇬🇧 John Lewis: The latest deals on binoculars and electrical equipment
🇬🇧 Clifton Cameras: Digiscoping and binocular specialists
🇬🇧 Park Cameras: £50 off selected Nikon binoculars
🇬🇧 Wex Photo Video: Save up to £750 on Zeiss optics

• Back to the top ⤴

🇬🇧 UK binocular deals

• Back to the top ⤴

Amazon Prime Day 2024: Key information

Amazon Prime Day 2024 dates

The official start date of this year's Prime Day sale is scheduled for July 16-17 2024. However, some deals are already live!

This 48-hour extravaganza will feature significant discounts on a wide range of photographic equipment, including cameras, lenses, tripods, and filters. Additionally, you’ll find some of the top laptops, camera phones, and tablets on sale too.

How to make the most of Amazon Prime Day

Despite the name, most of the deals offered during Amazon Prime Day are open to everyone, but if you really want to make the most of it and maximise your savings, it's best to be a Prime member. There are several offers that are only available to subscribers, so signing up means you won't miss out on the really juicy bargains.

However, you don't need to shell out for a monthly membership in order to make the most of the sales festivities. Instead, why not sign up for a 30-day free trial closer to the sale in order to take advantage of the discounts – and then simply cancel the membership when Prime Day is over.

If you do sign up now, you'll also be able to take advantage of the other free perks that come with a Prime subscription, namely full access to Prime Video, Prime Reading (a 'lite' version of Kindle Unlimited) and Prime Gaming (another version of Twitch). Plus, of course, the free-and-fast shipping promise is there for all eligible products.

How to find the best binocular deals during Prime Day

If you're shopping for a new kit – whether it's your first pair of binoculars, a gift for someone or an upgrade – it helps to keep a few things in mind when shopping during Prime Day.

1. Sign up for a free Amazon Prime subscription

This should give you full access to the sale, including Prime-exclusive offers. You can cancel at any time during the trial period.

2. Figure out what you want to buy beforehand

Shopping fany major sale can be overwhelming. So knowing exactly what you're after can save you both time and money. Take the time to do some research on price histories of the items you would like to buy. While camera prices don't necessarily fluctuate too much, it's still good to know whether a deal is worth your hard-earned money – after all, we don't upgrade our cameras as often as we do our phones, so the investment is best made with some thought.

3. Be flexible on what you want

Sometimes the specific model you want may not be discounted, but if you aren't faithful to a specific brand, you might get a better offer on binocualrs from a different brand – one with similar specs.  We also admit that this is easier for people looking for their first pair of binos and not already tied down with a specific system. 

4. Create a wish list

Once you've narrowed down what you're after, you can save them in a wish list on Amazon. This will also show you price fluctuations (if any) in the lead up to the sale and makes it really super quick and easy to then move the item to your shopping cart directly from there.

5. Check back through the event

We've noticed in the past that Amazon's prices change through the duration of the sale. Sometimes binoculars will be cheaper on day two of the sale. So while it might be worthwhile picking something up as soon as the offer has gone live on the shopping site (particularly if stock is limited), it could pay to wait too. If the stock hasn't run out, then you could save yourself a few more dollars.

6. Stick with us

Not to toot our own horn, but if you're willing to get some help, we'll be on hand to scour Amazon for the best deals on photography gear. We won't list them all, but we will hand-pick what might be the best options across the different categories of gear. This could make it quick and easy for you to find a specific deal rather than spend hours going through the shopping site to find a particular option.

• Back to the top ⤴

One of the most popular smart home security cameras of recent years has been the Blink Mini, helped in no small part by its accessible price. It probably hasn't hurt that Amazon's ownership of Blink has ensured the camera regularly shows up prominently in deals, and is compatible with the popular Alexa assistant.

The Mini, though, has been strictly confined to the indoors until now, with other devices in Blink's range covering the outdoors. That is one of the things being fixed with this update – though the price is staying impressively low.

Aside from the option of outdoor use – with a weather-resistant power adapter – the new model boasts a wider field of view, at 143-degrees (beating 110), a built-in spotlight which enables color night view, and person detection (when a Blink subscription plan is in use). For followers of the brand, the person detection AI has previously been seen on the Blink Outdoor 4, which also boasts the same 143-degree field of view.

Just like its predecessor, it can be used to provide a live two-way talk feature from your phone to the camera using its built-in microphone and speaker. Video is still 1080P. It is capable of sending real-time alerts to your phone, and (by subscribing for $3/£2.50 a month) it can also manage person detection as well as more useful alerts.

Unlike the Blink Outdoor camera, it still requires power, and the camera costs more with a weather-resistant power adapter. You'll find different pricing options on (of course) Amazon. The curvy new design is available in black and white, but sadly is not compatible with the pan-and-tilt base for the Blink Mini. (Strangely enough, the other Amazon-owned security camera and doorbell company, Ring, released their own pan-and-tilt indoor camera today!)

While the Blink Mini 2 arrives at $39.99 / £34.99, the older Blink Mini remains on sale at $29.99 / £24.99.

(Blink Mini 2 on Amazon US, Blink Mini 2 on Amazon UK)

We've not tested it yet, but will this be one of our favourite indoor cameras?

Amazon-owned Ring has long offered more that its most famous offering. Yes, it's famous for some of the best video doorbells, but they have one of the biggest ranges of indoor and outdoor cameras which can create a complete picture of your home – a picture you can view remotely via your phone, as well as an alarm system (all, of course, offering better functionality with a subscription Protect Plan if you want more than a live view).

Now, though, they're adding a new category with the launch of a new Pan-Tilt Indoor Camera which can be remote-controlled via the same app. This isn't an entirely new concept for the home – in fact Blink, a very similar company, also owned by Amazon, offers a pan-and-tilt base for its Blink Mini, which I reviewed at launch. Blink and Ring have the same parent company, but a slightly different approach.

Many, however, prefer the Ring ecosystem (or, at least, are embedded in it), and it does make life easier to have one app for all your cameras. The Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Camera provides 1080P 'Full HD', and can be rotated 360-degrees and tilted 169-degrees, so anyone (but perhaps pet owners especially) should be able to see the entire room by picking the right vantage point.

Other features include color night vision, two-way talk with noise cancellation, advanced pre-roll (for subscribers), and the characteristic manual privacy cover which also switches off the microphone as it physically blocks the lens. Given the various travails of home security companies in privacy battles – not least Ring as recently as last week – this is a reassuring feature for many.

At the same time, Ring has announced three charming new colors to the 2nd Gen indoor camera so it can fit into home decorations more easily; they're calling the colors blush, charcoal, and starlight. If you're not in the interior decoration game you might go with pink, gray, and cream, but they certainly provide more flexibility than the stark black-and-white choice typical or Ring's camera range.

The price for the newly chic Ring Indoor Cameras remains the same at $59.99 / £49.99 / AU$99, and the cameras will be available on July 24.

The new Pan-Tilt Indoor camera, however, is available to purchase from May 31 for £69.99 / AU$129, with US pricing and availability yet to be confirmed.

See our guide to the best indoor security cameras.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States is issuing refunds totalling more than $5.6 million to consumers as part of a settlement agreement with Amazon-owned Ring.

The settlement comes after the security device suppliers were charged with failing to protect private customer video footage from hackers, who were able to gain access to consumers’ accounts, cameras, and videos. 

In a complaint from May 2023, the FTC revealed that Ring deceived customers, enabling employees and contractors to gain access to their videos, including those filmed with indoor cameras. The report also alleged that Ring used the videos to inform algorithms without customers' consent, and failed to properly implement security safeguards. 

“These practices led to egregious violations of users’ privacy,” the FTC said in a statement.

Approximately 117,004 users are set to receive refunds, including 1,169 people from Alabama who will receive a total of $56,273, roughly $48 each. 

Amazon’s Ring is the world’s best-selling video doorbell with over 1.4 million units sold in 2021, more than competitors SkyBell, Nest, Vivint, and ADT combined. 

The pervasive network of cameras have been dubbed by some, such as UK newspaper The Guardian, as “the largest civilian surveillance network the US has ever seen.” Funny or sometimes concerning videos filmed by Ring doorbells have become the norm across social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. 

There have been over 282.1 million videos related to Ring doorbell footage uploaded to TikTok according to the app, and the hashtag #ringdoorbell has over 8.3 billion views.  

Ring was in the news earlier this year after customers in the UK complained about a £15 (43 percent) price increase for subscription services to safely store their video footage on the cloud, download clips, and get discounted products.

Dave Ward, managing director of the Ring division, once said of the product: "We have taken home security to the next level by really democratizing the technology." Democracy, it seems, in this instance at least and through the arm of the FTC, draws the line at invasion of privacy. 

Maybe it's time to look for alternative indoor security cameras.

Following the publication of an image on the Amazon.com site showing a drone apparently called a 'DJI Mini 4', DJI have officially confirmed the launch date of April 29 (the same date we snapped from the site), but no specs.

If you visit the Amazon.com DJI store page, you find a picture of a drone which looks a lot like the DJI Mini 2 SE (and, in that respect, the Mini 2 before it – the airframe has seen the spec refreshed without physical changes). Emblazoned on the arm, though, is the name 'Mini 4K'. It is, for now, not a link – it's just a picture; other parts of the page have a 'buy now' button.

The 4K aspect is interesting because the Mini 2 SE is limited to 2.7K resolution so, presumably, what we're likely seeing is an upgrade to 4K resolution in DJI's entry-level drone. That makes a lot of sense because there is now serious competition in the market from the likes of Potensic who have undercut DJI's pricing and brought some seriously interesting prices and features with the Potensic Atom drone that has appeared in our best beginner drone guide.

The "for beginners" line in the grab and the presence of the competition implies, to me anyway, that this is probably the end of the line for the 2 SE. Further evidence comes from the picture. The Mini 4K (if that is what is coming) still appears to have the same or a similar camera housing to the Mini 2 SE and not the more sophisticated camera of the Mini 3 and Mini 4 Pro drones, so presumably we're looking at 4K but not necessarily the same features and bit-rate of the other drones.

Speculating a bit further, it also makes me wonder what might be happening to the already sometimes discounted DJI Mini 3? This drone is more powerful than the Mini 2 SE – sitting between it and the Mini 4 Pro in the range with a better camera, but I can imagine consumers might struggle to perceive that Mini 3 is better than Mini 4K? We've also spotted some discounting of the Mini 3, so is it possible that some change is due there too?

In any case, we'll bring more details on Monday, and establish whether this will replace the Mini 2 SE or sit alongside it.

Check our guides to the best beginner drones and the best DJI drones.

I review a lot of smart home tech – doorbells and cameras – and there has been a notable trend toward adding solar panels to help keep batteries charged on the security cameras. EZVIZ, however, are delivering one with their new premium doorbell, the EP3x Pro.

Of course a smart home doorbell is more or less the same thing as a smart home security camera – there is two-way talk, smart human detection, and the option to integrate with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa as you'd expect. There is no reason not to add the solar panel – and as a regular user of solar-boosted security cameras I must say I do appreciate less manual charging. It is, still, very unusual in doorbells, making this a remarkable product.

The EP3x Pro also boasts a dual-camera system, which is an approach we've seen before on some other smart home doorbells (like that from Eufy). In this case a 2K camera faces forward while an additional 1080P camera offers a view of the step.

According to EZVIZ, this is supported by smart human and package detection which "will recognise visitors and packages left on the doorstep but not passing animals or vehicles."

Another unusual feature for the privacy conscious – perhaps a person alone at home not wishing to be identified – is a voice changer, so when you speak to visitors you can disguise your voice.

Another feature more common on cameras than doorbells is color night vision; a small light in the device will illuminate visitors so they can be seen in color. 

Whether the device can live up to the standards it sets itself we won't know until we can test it, but this doorbell is IP65 rated and promises to be an easier install than many with an extensive feature set so we look forward to trying it out.

Perhaps, though, most impressive for a device which is being announced at a list price of £129.99 (around $165 / AU$250) is that EZVIZ has included 32GB of eMMC storage (which they say is good for around 6 months of clips), so you don't need to pay for a subscription, unlike many smart home devices.

We keep a guide to the best outdoor home security cameras and the best smart home doorbells here – will this make the list when we review it? Time will tell!

Ring has announced the first battery doorbell which incorporates the company's radar-based 3D Motion Detection and Bird's Eye View features; the Battery Video Doorbell Pro which the company is calling their 'most advanced battery-powered doorbell'.

This will make it possible for wire-free installations to take advantage of these features which can be especially useful in reducing false positives from the alert systems – even more so if your door is relatively near the street because the radar (3D Motion Detection) makes it possible to disable triggering from movement further away, not something a normal infrared camera can do.

We've already seen these technologies in other products from the Amazon-owned smart-home security company. It was first seen on permanently wired products like the Floodlight Cam Wired Pro (which carried a price premium of about $50/£50 over the Floodlight Cam Wired Plus which lacked the tech). Adding it to a battery-powred device, however, increases the possibilities for installation when it comes to doorbells as not everyone has power to their doorbell.

Ring doorbells with radar tech were first seen in 2021, but only those like the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 which need a wired power supply.

The new Ring Battery Video Doorbell Pro will also boast 1536p HD video, and Ring are promising dynamic image processing and high-efficiency compression which they say will deliver life-like color. They even state a feature they call 'Low-Light Sight' will deliver color with nothing more than the light available from street lighting – without bathing visitors with white LED light.

The device will also boast color pre-roll, dual-band wi-fi, Alexa compatibility (it is Ring, after all!) and package and person alerts if you subscribe to Ring Protect.

The Battery Video Doorbell Pro will be available for purchase for $229 / £199.99 / AU$349 from March 20th.

I hope to review the device soon for our best smart doorbells guide, and check our  best ring cameras guide too if you're thinking of building a system.

You can't please all of the people all of the time – that is the dilemma Ring, the Amazon-owned video doorbell and security camera company, has found itself in the last few days. Ring's controversial decision, which pleased some and angered others, was to remove a feature called 'Request for Assistance,' from its Neighbors app.

Available only in the US, the Neighbors app lets local police & services send updates about crime in the area, and Ring customers might share details of local porch pirates. The feature which is being sunsetted, to use the jargon, allowed the police to directly request videos of illegal activities taking place outside people's homes – potentially powerful as a deterrent, but problematic for civil rights.

Although it didn't cite the extensive lobbying by privacy campaigners, nor mention the worries about whether Ring doorbells were inadvertently promoting racial bias, it's fair to assume the growing cloud of less-than-glowing publicity around the company will have influenced the decision to remove the feature which presumably was no longer helping sell Ring products.

It has led to disappointment amongst law enforcers though, who had already had to accept a certain level of disappointment in 2021 when the feature forced them to make their requests via the same public route as others, hence the name 'request for assistance'.

Can I still share video taken with my Ring camera?

Yes. The police can't describe a crime on the app and ask for footage of it, but if you have caught some footage you can do with it what you choose. In the devices I've reviewed, like the Ring Video Doorbell, it's been easy to share video using all the usual features of your phone.

Eric Kuh, Ring's Head of Neighbors, said in the statement that "Public safety agencies like fire and police departments can still use the Neighbors app to share helpful safety tips, updates, and community events."

Another treat in Ring's statement, if you have a minute, is a Bear relaxing in a pool, recorded on a Ring Floodlight Camera (see YouTube link below). Now that's a video that deserves to be shared!

See our review of the best smart home doorbells and the best Ring cameras.