Sam Kieldsen

Sam Kieldsen

Sam has been writing about tech and digital culture for over 20 years, starting off in video games journalism before branching out into the wonderful worlds of consumer electronics, streaming entertainment and photography. Over the years he has written for Wired, Stuff, GQ, T3, Trusted Reviews and PC Zone, and now lives on the Kent coast in the UK – the ideal place for a camera reviewer to ply their trade.


Articles by: Sam Kieldsen

DJI Air 3S in flight at night with graphic impression of the LiDAR in action

The FCC's drone ban brands ordinary consumer tech as 'military-grade', and 98.6% of respondents to the proposal reject it — even DJI’s main US-based rival Skydio won’t fully endorse it

By Sam Kieldsen Published

It's easy to see why the response to the proposed US ban has been so overwhelmingly negative

Insta360 Luna Pro camera

I tested the Insta360 Luna Pro, and its chief vlogging camera rival isn't DJI — it's the company's own Luna Ultra

By Sam Kieldsen Published

Recommended

The Insta360 Luna Pro trims a lens from the flagship Luna Ultra — but with a relatively small sum separating the two, deciding between them isn't as simple as it probably should be.

DJI Osmo 360 II vs Insta360 X6

I tested the DJI Osmo 360 II against the Insta360 X6 — the X6 is still the 360 camera king, but not by much

By Sam Kieldsen Published

DJI's Osmo 360 II takes on Insta360's X6 across price, image quality, durability, battery and apps. Which 360 camera is the better flagship?

Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3 and Nextbase iQ dash cams mounted to vehicle windscreens

The best dash cam: we've tested the finest car cameras by Garmin, Nextbase, 70mai and more

By James Capell Last updated

Updated Searching for the best dash cam for your car? We've tested and ranked the best options for every budget, with plenty of expert advice to help you choose.

DJI Osmo 360 II camera

DJI's Osmo 360 II fixes its predecessor's flaws, and remains much more affordable than Insta360

By Sam Kieldsen Published

Editor's Choice

A year after its debut 360 camera, DJI's follow-up fixes that model's lens and waterproofing issues, adds native 8K/60fps video, and keeps pricing well below that of the rival Insta360 X6.

GoPro Mission 1 Pro ILS camera

I tested GoPro's intriguing Mission 1 interchangeable lens camera with Micro Four Thirds glass — and the experience is the opposite of what you expect from GoPro

By Sam Kieldsen Published

Recommended

GoPro's first interchangeable-lens camera unlocks real creative flexibility, sacrificing ease of use and ruggedness to get there

A close up of the Birdfy Feeder 2 Duo Camera

The best bird feeder camera for birdwatching at home

By Timothy Coleman Last updated

Updated If you want to see which feathered friends are visiting your garden, we've reviewed the best bird feeder cameras for you

The Hohem iSteady M7 on a blue background

Best phone gimbals: the best mobile stabilizers from DJI, Insta360, and more

By Sam Kieldsen Last updated

We've rounded up the best phone gimbals to keep your smartphone steady for video and photography.

Photo diptych with DJI Mini 5 Pro in the air on the left, and the DJI Neo 2 in person's hand on the right

The best beginner drones: we've tested the top flying cameras for new pilots

By James Capell Last updated

Updated Looking for the best beginner drone? I've rounded up all the top, novice-friendly models with cameras in this handy guide, including DJI alternatives.

DJI Mic Mini 2S wireless microphone

I tested the DJI Mic Mini 2S — its flagship features and budget price make it the ‘sweet spot’ in DJI’s wireless mic range

By Sam Kieldsen Published

Editor's Choice

This mid-tier wireless mic borrows internal recording, 32-bit float and AI noise cancelling from the DJI Mic 3 — and costs half the price

Insta360 X6 camera

I compared the Insta360 X6 and X5 — these are the 5 upgrades that really make a difference for 360 footage

By Sam Kieldsen Published

The Insta360 X6 beats the X5 in five head-to-head tests, but the gap isn't as wide as the spec sheet suggests — here's what's actually worth paying more for

Insta360 X6 camera

I test 360 cameras for a living and the new Insta360 X6 is my favorite  — but the price is hard to swallow

By Sam Kieldsen Published

Best in Class

Insta360's new flagship pairs larger sensors with class-leading image quality in any light, plus useful pro-level video tools.

DJI Mic Mini 2S wireless microphone

DJI unveils the Mic Mini 2S — here are 5 upgrades you can expect over the regular Mic Mini 2

By Sam Kieldsen Published

DJI has launched the Mic Mini 2S, building on the Mic Mini 2 with internal recording, four-transmitter connectivity, AI-powered noise canceling, and a redesigned charging case.

Bird spotting scope on tripod in bird watching hide

I tested the world's first AI spotting scope for birders — and it's brilliant in places, frustrating in others

By Sam Kieldsen Published

The GoBirding Vision Master's on-device bird recognition impresses, but shaky autofocus and stabilization issues hold it back.

Top plate of theFujifilm X100VI in the hand

The best compact cameras: we've tried and tested these take anywhere models

By Timothy Coleman Last updated

Updated Our best compact camera guide will help you find the right pocket camera for you, whatever your budget.

Phantom Twist invisible drone

University engineers have figured out how to build an 'invisible' drone — here's the science behind it

By Sam Kieldsen Published

It's all gone very blurry for this partially AI-engineered drone, which spins itself into a hard to spot haze

Tornyol autonomous drone and its base station

A mosquito-hunting killer drone is available for preorder – and I have questions

By Sam Kieldsen Published

Before welcoming an AI-guided hunter-killer into the backyard, it's worth asking what else it could eventually be trained to target.

A DJI FlyCart 100 drone transports material over Mount Everest

DJI drones are saving Mount Everest from being the 'world's highest garbage dump' — FlyCart 100 removes over 10,000kg of waste to save Sherpas from an eight-hour trek across a hazardous icefall

By Sam Kieldsen Published

DJI's FlyCart 100 is airlifting waste off the mountain in eight-minute hops

A hand holding the Sony FX3 camera

A blow for Canon? Sony FX5 cinema camera tipped to launch soon with a time-saving video feature fans have demanded for years

By Sam Kieldsen Published

A new report claims Sony will announce the FX5 on July 22, complete with open gate recording, an optional new EVF, and a 16.6MP stacked sensor that trades resolution for other benefits.

skyrover x1 drone flying against a blue sky

The FBI has seized over 600 drones around World Cup matches across all 11 US host cities — and that's bad news for all drone fans

By Sam Kieldsen Published

A flagrant disregard for clear rules could affect the whole US drone community

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Ruko U11Mini 4K drone

I tested the affordable Ruko U11Mini 4K drone — and it's no match for DJI's new flyer

By Sam Kieldsen Published

A parade of issues and quirks means this entry-level camera drone is difficult to recommend

Heipi 3-in-1 Travel Tripod W28S folded away, in the hand

The best travel tripod: finest lightweight supports for your camera

By Timothy Coleman Last updated

Buying guide Lightweight, strong and compact, we rank the best travel tripods you can buy right now.

Sony FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II lens in the hand attached to Sony A6700

Best Sony lenses: we've tested top lenses for Sony mirrorless cameras

By Timothy Coleman Last updated

Updated If you've got a Sony mirrorless camera, these are the lenses you need to know about.

Leica SL3-P mirrorless camera

I tested the Leica SL3-P, and it's a masterclass in restrained design

By Sam Kieldsen Published

Recommended

The Leica SL3-P is built for photographers who'd rather be invisible than impressive, and it largely delivers on that promise.

The Insta360 X4 Air outdoors in a garden setting

I test 360 cameras for a living, and I'm surprising even myself by recommending this particular budget Insta360 model instead of the awesome X5

By Sam Kieldsen Published

Both Insta360's X5 and X4 Air are discounted for Prime Day, but here's why the smaller, cheaper X4 Air is the one I'd recommend to most buyers.

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