Top Product: Sony A7-III | $1,698 | Amazon

As Chase Jarvis famously quipped, “The best camera is the one that’s with you.” It’s an appropriate message for the smartphone era, in which our ever-present pocket devices can often manage stellar shots, and they’re usually the first thing we reach for when the moment strikes. But if you’re keen on pulling more depth out of shots and having more control over the results, then a full-fledged digital camera is still going to give you a lot more options.

That said, choosing between all of the different brands, types, and price points is a serious challenge if you’re not plugged into the scene. Which should you choose? Here are some of today’s best cameras across a variety of needs and price points.

Best Overall: Sony A7-III Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera

Image: Sony

Sony spearheaded the mirrorless market with both APS-C and full-frame devices, and after several years of maturation, the company has launched one of the more impressive cameras in its range. The Sony A7 III is a sharp value for a full-frame mirrorless camera. The 24.2-megapixel sensor has an incredible ISO range, reaching up to 204,800. You won’t get a particularly great-looking shot that high, but you can get something with little noise up to about ISO 51,200.

Essentially, it’s a beast in low light, beating most rivals by at least a stop or two, which could be the difference between a photo being a keeper or in the trash bin. The 10fps silent shutter is also great for fast-moving scenes in a buffer-filling burst, such as when shooting sports or children playing, while the impressive autofocus system uses up to 693 focus points in a phase-detection system that covers nearly the full screen. It also has superb battery life for a mirrorless camera.

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Video shooters will appreciate the full-frame 4K at 24fps with in-body image stabilization, and you can trade off some pixels to hit 30fps. Meanwhile, at 1080p, you can hit up to 120fps for slo-mo edits. Pro photographers might consider the A7 III an entry-level option, but for the rest of us, the added perks, dedicated exposure dial, and customizable buttons put it a step ahead. The menus can be messy and confusing, mind you, but the Sony A7 III is a joy to use once you get past the learning curve.

As of this writing, the body is $300 off the list price at Amazon, so now’s the time to strike if you’ve got the budget for it.

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Best Mirrorless Camera: Fujifilm X-T4

Image: Sam Rutherford/Gizmodo

Fujifilm continues to excel on the mirrorless front, and the Fujifilm X-T4 is the best one to date. It packs a new shutter system, a longer-lasting battery, and in-body image stabilization amongst other useful enhancements, making it one of the best mirrorless cameras you can buy today.

Gizmodo’s Sam Rutherford went hands-on last year and shared his impressions:

“When I got a chance to test the X-T4 briefly in and around Grand Central Station, I simply had a blast. […] And despite the lousy weather outside and the dim lighting inside the train station, the X-T4 impressed with some good looking photos that captured a lot of the fine details like the brickwork and intricate celestial mural painted on Grand Central’s ceiling.”

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Best Mirrorless Camera for Beginners: Fujifilm X-S10

Image: Sam Rutherford/Gizmodo

If you’re not quite hardcore enough to spend well over a grand on a camera body but still want something that can smash out brilliant shots, consider the Fujifilm X-S10 instead. It essentially takes the heart of the aforementioned X-T4 and somehow crams it into a more compact shell. The revised controls might rub Fujifilm aficionados the wrong way, but it’s not meant for the die-hards: it’s arguably better suited for the less-hardcore snappers out there.

Gizmodo’s Sam Rutherford came away impressed after his time with it and explains:

“For me, while the X-S10 might not make a great choice as my main workhorse camera, the combination of its size and features make a great choice for travel or a beginner who doesn’t want to lug around a big and heavy full-frame cam. And with the X-S10 starting at just $1,000 (body-only), or as a kit for $1,400 or $1,500 with either a 18-55mm or a 16-80mm lens, it’s not too expensive to be someone’s first big upgrade from a smartphone.”

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Best Point-and-Shoot: Panasonic Lumix ZS200

Graphic: Quentyn Kennemer

If you’re looking for something akin to traditional point-and-shoots of old, look no further than the viewfinder of the Panasonic ZS200. Unlike the options we presented above, the ZS200 doesn’t have an interchangeable lens system, but that doesn’t doom you from an image quality standpoint either. While it won’t match a solid cylinder of removable glass, the 15x zoom Leica DC lens (equivalent to 24-360mm on a 35mm body) can produce decent bokeh (background blur) effects thanks to its f/3.3-6.4 max aperture. Combined with a 12,800 maximum ISO, the one-inch MOS sensor has surprisingly potent low light performance. The Lumix ZS200 supports 4K video recording at up to 30 frames per second, all of it kept steady with built-in stabilization.

Don’t let looks fool you, either: this is an exceptionally versatile camera in terms of options and features. You can set and forget with its wide variety of preset modes; however, you’ll also get manual shooting modes to dial in the perfect settings for exposure or artistic effect. The Panasonic ZS200 is a fantastic bridge to give you more control over your photography if you’re not ready to leave this convenient form factor behind.

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Best for Content Creators: Sony ZV-1

Image: Andrew Hayward

With YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, and other platforms offering the potential for a wide audience and internet fame, there are oodles of content creators doing their thing these days. And Sony saw the opportunity for creators who want something more capable than a smartphone for mobile creation, yet is specifically attuned to their needs.

The Sony ZV-1 is just that, with creator-centric aspects such as an auto-exposure algorithm that highlights your face above all, plus speedy autofocus and a forward-focused directional mic with a detachable windscreen. It all seems pretty foolproof! As one Amazon customer wrote:

“The highlight of this camera is the ease of use. You really don’t need to know technical things like which aperture to choose, which ISO or shutter speed, it does everything for you. It has auto focus (which is much better than on DSLRs) and the flip screen makes it easy to monitor yourself while you’re recording.”

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Best Digital Video Camera: Sony A7Siii

Image: Brent Rose/Gizmodo

We’ve got a handful of smartphones shooting 8K video now, and most of the top ones shoot 4K with ease. Why, then, would you spend $3,500 on a dedicated 4K video camera? How about incredible autofocus and low-light shooting capabilities, stellar slow-mo skills, and excellent design and battery life?

Those are among the perks of Sony’s A7Siii, which is one serious beast of a video camera. It’s not the best for stills and it won’t record audio on its own, but if you’re looking for something that’ll shoot pro-grade 4K video — more than your smartphone will deliver — there’s nothing better. Let Gizmodo’s Brent Rose convince you in his full review, which concludes:

“It’s the best camera for video that I’ve ever used by a huge margin. The only thing that’s keeping me from running out and selling my organs to buy this $3,500 camera is that I have dreams of one day blowing up my nature photos and seeing them on a gallery wall, and I just don’t think that’s possible with a 12MP sensor. […] Basically if I were primarily a video shooter, and/or my photos would only live online or on Instagram, then yes, this camera is a no brainer.”

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Best Action Cam: GoPro Hero8 Black

Graphic: Quentyn Kennemer

When you’re roaming the unbeaten path, there’s no substitution for a GoPro. Although it’s praised mostly for its 4K video recording capabilities, the GoPro Hero8 Black also snaps decent photos. It’s not as flexible as other action cam options given its single focal length and noted lack of manual controls, but you’re still afforded a respectable suite of customizable settings to match your scene. And don’t forget, that includes underwater shots. Alongside dust and shock resistance, you can submerge the GoPro Hero 8 in waters up to 33 meters deep, ideal for capturing modest aquatic adventures.

The GoPro Hero 8 includes the company’s HyperSmooth 2.0 image stabilization, and while it can’t deliver gimbal-level stability, you’ll be surprised how much camera shake it eliminates. That means you can simply strap one to your helmet or chest strap, hit the road, and then share your exciting life with built-in live streaming and cloud uploads.

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Best 360-Degree Camera: Vecnos IQUI

Image: Gizmodo

No doubt, 360-degree cameras are pretty niche, but the Vecnos IQUI finally solves one of the most notable annoyances with many past devices: it is amazingly tiny. It’s barely larger than a Sharpie marker, so you can tuck it into a pocket and not feel weighed down by hauling around yet another gadget.

The trade-off, unsurprisingly, is that the Vecnos IQUI can’t deliver epic image quality like some larger, more expensive alternatives, but it does a fair job with its three primary lenses and single upwards lens. If you’re looking for a 360-cam for casual usage, this might be the one for you. As Gizmodo’s Andrew Liszewski writes:

“The IQUI is a compelling redesign of camera technology that most consumers have probably forgotten about, and it genuinely solves some of the problems that made them forgettable in the first place. But $300 is a lot to spend for what is probably most consumers’ second or third camera, particularly when the technology is still kind of a novelty.”

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Best for Kids: VTech KidiZoom Duo DX

Image: Andrew Hayward

You might think twice about handing off your own digital camera or smartphone to a tyke for on-the-move snapping, so why not get your kid something more his or her speed? VTech’s KidiZoom Duo DX is among the best kid-centric options, letting them take real photos and even transfer them to a computer for sharing or editing.

The KidiZoom Duo DX pairs a 5-megapixel main camera with a 2MP selfie shooter, and given those specs, you are right to assume that it’s designed more for entertainment and exploration than delivering truly stellar snaps. Still, it’s a great way to help turn your kids into curious, interested photographers, and you don’t have to worry about protecting this kid-safe cam. Best of all, you don’t have to hover overhead like a helicopter parent. Win-win.

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This article was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer in October 2020 and updated with new information by Andrew Hayward on 02/18/2021. 

Photo: Anna_Kim (Shutterstock)Tax weekTax weekWith the upcoming tax return, Two Cents is putting its green eyes on and focusing on stories that will help you manage tax preparation and get the most out of your returns.

If you are one of them 20% of Americans If you are expecting to owe the IRS money after filing taxes this year, you may be wondering how best to pay them off. It turns out there are several ways you can get your balance right with the IRS, and some options are better – and cheaper – than others

IRS direct broadcast options are always free

If you don’t want to pay for the privilege of sending the money to the government, the IRS offers its own electronic money transfer service, either through the Direct payment portalor through the IRS2Go mobile app. In both cases, payments can be made directly from your current or savings account. However, this service has limited scheduling options and you have to enter your personal information every time you use it, which is very painful. But it works well when you have to make a one-time payment.

Another option offered by the Ministry of Finance is the electronic federal payment system (EFTPS) Portal that offers more planning options than Direct Pay. More commonly used by business owners for regular, scheduled payments, this tool allows large payments up to $ 10 million.

None of the services charge a processing fee.

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Check or money order

You can send a check or money order to the US Treasury Department, but make sure the check is mailed Form 1040-V Include how much you owe and make sure you send it to the correct address as these vary by region. You will find the right address Hereand more information about using this payment method Here. This option is free for a regular check, but you will likely pay a small fee to get a money order.

Credit or debit card

The IRS works with third party companies that process payments using your credit or debit card (you can use either PayUSAtax, Pay1040 or ACI payments, the instructions for which are found Here). However, with this option, fees are inevitable. Debit card transactions cost you a few dollars per transaction, and credit cards can cost you even more because the fee is based on a percentage of your total payment:

• PayUSAtax: 1.96%,
• Pay1040: 1.99%
• ACI payments: 1.99%

If you use tax preparation software to file your taxes, you will also be charged if you pay with a credit card. These fees are higher – closer to 2.5%.

Even if you use a cheaper IRS partner like ACI Payments, you’ll pay almost $ 40 to process a $ 2,000 payment. Because of this, you should avoid using your credit card unless it is a necessity or you are using the transaction for Qualify for the welcome bonus or credit card reward points (This is only recommended if you can withdraw the card instantly.)

Direct debit

The IRS accepts payments with Direct debit from your checking account, but only if you have submitted your tax return electronically using tax preparation software. However, you need to be careful with this option because Tax software providers can surprise you with pinned fees. The IRS recommends that you check with your financial institution’s tax filing service to find out about any fees.

Same day transfer

A lesser-known payment method is to ask your bank to arrange a transfer to the IRS. However, it’s a bit of a painful one Fill out IRS form– In addition, fees can vary widely depending on the financial institution. However, there is no limit to wired transfers, making it an ideal option for processing large payments.

Pay in cash in person

If you would like to pay in person, you can pay in cash at a participating trading partner who is listed Here. The downside is that they’ll likely charge a few dollars as a fee and can only accept payments up to $ 1,000 per transaction.

You can also pay with yours local IRS officeHowever, with many locations closed due to the pandemic, make sure your local office is open and you make an appointment in advance.

Photo: Bagus Production (Shutterstock)

I’ll be doing that in the next few weeks Lifehacker Fitness Challenge by developing a healthy meditation routine for mental and physical wellbeing. The idea of ​​meditation is actually quite stressful for me, so trying to clear my mind (which is always racing) has always been fearful. I’ve never actually been great at dealing with stress – even when traveling, I tend to give myself a full path of forced relaxation and thwart the purpose.

However, when I heard repeatedly that consistent meditation had benefits ranging from being more productive to reducing anxiety to improving physical health, I decided to directly address my stress by challenging myself for 30 days to try out.

Starting slowly reduced my initial anxiety

There’s zen, mantra, self-guided meditation and more, but finding a new routine has never been a problem for me. staying consistent and overcoming obstacles is. To combat my bad habits, I decided to use guided meditation as a starting point. I’ve downloaded Headspacewho was recommended by friends and currently has a miniseries on Netflix and bought a monthly membership for $ 12.99 per month after a seven day free trial.

I just wanted to start slowly three minutes before my work day started. I chose the beginner track and used noise canceling headphones to avoid interruptions. While I was setting up the app on my phone, I was sitting in my IKEA Poang chair. Headspace has a wonderful feature that allows you to choose a mediation guide, and I picked the woman named Dora who was an excellent beginner teacher.

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The first seven days

After seven days of meditation, I looked forward to my three minutes of guided silence. I put myself into a familiar routine: wake up, check in at work, make my bed, and then sit in my comfortable corner and meditate. I didn’t allow myself to start the day without taking the three minutes to myself and listening carefully to Dora.

To begin with, she instructs you to sit upright with your feet flat on the floor and start breathing, keeping a gentle look, and on the third breath, close your eyes. A friend of mine is engaged in the decolonization of spiritual work and always encourages me to position myself in a form that is ready to receive – that is, open palms and an open chest, so I have included that in my everyday life too.

A different metaphor is used in each session of the Beginner’s Headspace course to familiarize you with the root of meditation. Sometimes internal thoughts are referred to as passing traffic; other times clouds or a rushing river. After a week, I didn’t feel 100% calm and collected, but I learned how to start my process and the idea of ​​meditation was no longer stress-inducing. I found it a productive way to start my day and manage my racing mind.

For the next week of my trip, I plan to increase my meditation time to five minutes, change the time of day, and see if a midday meditation feels different. I hope to strengthen my meditation practice as the month progresses and hopefully reach 10 or even 15 minutes a day. And who knows, maybe at some point I will finally integrate meditation into my daily life.

Photo: woff (Shutterstock)

Frostbite occurs when the skin, sometimes along with other soft tissues, freezes from prolonged exposure to the cold. Knowing first aid in treating frostbite by the time you get medical attention can help you avoid permanent harm. So here’s what you need to know if you are Spending time in extreme cold.

You can see frostbite before you feel it

Our fingers and toes tend to get numb in the cold. If your extremities start to freeze, you won’t necessarily tell by the feeling. Early or mild frostbite can cause itching or tingling. After that, you will begin to notice signs visually, whether on yourself or someone else. Here are the color changes in order of severity:

• The skin turns light yellow or white (mild)
• The skin becomes hard and looks shiny or waxy (medium weight)
• The skin darkens and turns blue or gray (severe)

When to seek medical help

Go to an emergency room as soon as possible if you suspect frostbite. This includes any of the color changes mentioned above, as well as severe pain, bleeding, or blistering if your skin warms up.

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Someone who has been cold long enough to develop frostbite can also have hypothermia, a condition in which their body temperature has dropped. Hypothermia is more of an emergency than frostbite, according to CDC, so tend to hypothermia first. Severe frostbite may require amputation. Severe hypothermia can lead to death. People with hypothermia can be confused, tired, and speech impaired.

What to do while waiting for help

The first step in treating frostbite is to gently warm the affected area. Do not rub the skin;; While friction can help warm up a person’s fingers or toes, it can also do more damage to the skin.

If the skin is wet, remove wet clothing (such as socks or mittens) and dry the area. If possible go to a warm place; When you are outside, seek shelter.

To warm the skin, apply gentle heat from warm water or use body heat. For example, hold the person’s fingers against the core or the body of another person.

If you are using water, heat it to slightly above body temperature, about 105 to 110 degrees. (If you don’t have a thermometer, you’ll be fine. The water should feel like a warm bath, not hot soup.) Too hot water can cause burns to the person in addition to frostbite, which isn’t a fun combination.

Monitoring the temperature is important because a person with frostbite may not be able to tell if a heat source is too hot. For this reason, hot water is safer than sitting by a fire or a space heater. If you need to use one of these heat sources, make sure that someone who can feel the heat can monitor the temperature to avoid burns.