Shot assist tools to help you get the perfect shot

As a camera operator, there are two things you should always get right: Your footage should be correctly exposed, and it should be in focus. Thankfully, most modern video and cinema cameras have an arsenal of tools to help you get this right. Welcome to your camera’s shot assist tools.

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Tamron Brings Innovative Tools to Lens Creators

Take control of your creative workflow with TAMRON Lens Utility™—an intuitive app that lets you customize lens functions for both video and still photography using your smartphone or PC. Designed to eliminate the need for extra gear, it streamlines your setup while expanding creative possibilities. Now available on iOS and Android.

Pair it with the NEW TAMRON-LINK, a wireless accessory that enables seamless control of TAMRON Lens Utility directly from your smartphone.

Unlock advanced capabilities including remote Focus (FC) and Iris control with Iris Marker Link, precise ring operation with an electronically controlled Ring Stopper, customizable focus and aperture rotation angles, and A–B Focus for smooth, cinematic transitions.

Explore TAMRON Lens Utility™ and compatible lenses to maximize your creative workflow.

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Today’s top stories

DJI teased the Lito series on Instagram today, pointing to an April 23 reveal for what could be the last DJI drones cleared for U.S. sale under current FCC rules. Both the Lito 1 and Lito X1 secured certification before the December 22, 2025, cutoff that halted approval for new DJI models. DJI is suing the FCC over that rule change. Leaked images show near-final hardware with a familiar folding design, and both models appear to stay under the 250-gram threshold. The Lito X1 is drawing the most attention thanks to FCC filings that reference Software Defined Radio across multiple frequency bands, hinting at a next-generation transmission system. A Reddit user also spotted the Lito 1 inside the DJI Fly simulator after a controller update, reporting a top speed of 18 m/s and no RC2 transmission support. DJI appears to be splitting the lineup into an entry-level Lito 1 and a more capable Lito X1, both targeting the sub-250 g segment where portability still drives sales.
GoPro announced the Mission 1 series, a three-camera lineup built around a new 50 MP Type-1 sensor and GP3 processor that marks the company's biggest reinvention in years. The flagship Mission 1 Pro shoots 8K60 and 4K240 in 16:9, with burst slow motion hitting 960 frames per second (fps) at 1080p. But the real shock is the Mission 1 Pro ILS, an interchangeable lens model with a Micro Four Thirds mount that turns GoPro into a mirrorless cinema camera maker. There's a catch: press images show no electrical contacts on the mount, and GoPro hasn't mentioned autofocus, which could be a dealbreaker for shooters trying to manually focus on a tiny rear screen. The sensor also crops 1.32x beyond the MFT format, putting the total crop at 2.64x versus full frame. All three models record GP-Log2 10-bit, HLG-HDR and 32-bit float audio, with battery life rated at 5+ hours at 1080p30. The Mission 1 and Mission 1 Pro open for preorder on May 21 at unannounced pricing, with the Pro ILS following in Q3.
Sony's a7 V topped Map Camera's sales charts for a fourth straight month, and it actually sold more units in March than February. That's remarkable for the priciest camera on the retailer's top 10 list. Map Camera credits both Sony loyalists upgrading from older a7 bodies and first-time Sony buyers making the switch. A Japanese cashback promotion running through March 23 helped, but the momentum started well before that deal. The a7 V also took the top spot at Yodobashi Camera during the second half of March. Sony had a strong showing overall with the a7C II in fourth and the a6700 tied for eighth. Fujifilm grabbed three spots with the X-T30 III, X-E5 and X-M5, while Canon's sole entry was the PowerShot SX740 HS in fifth. The Ricoh GR IIIx held onto sixth place despite never getting a GR IVx successor, which says plenty about demand for that 40 mm-equivalent focal length.
Blackmagic Design unveiled the Blackmagic Design URSA Cine Immersive 100G, the first cinema camera built for live production of Apple Immersive Video. It packs dual 8Kx8K RGBW sensors with 16 stops of dynamic range and uses 100G Ethernet to push enough bandwidth for real-time immersive output. This is the same camera that recently streamed Los Angeles Lakers games to Vision Pro users in Apple's 180-degree Immersive Video format. A companion URSA Live Encoder compresses the stereo, high-frame-rate streams into Apple ProRes via SMPTE-2110-22 IP video over a single 100G connection. The camera ships in Q3 at $26,495. Live sports and concerts are widely considered the killer app for Immersive Video on Vision Pro, and having a purpose-built production camera available to buy should accelerate content beyond Apple's own carefully controlled demos.
Thomas Riedel, founder and owner of the Riedel Group, has acquired ARRI, the 108-year-old Munich-based manufacturer behind some of the most respected camera and lighting systems in the film industry. It's the largest acquisition of Riedel's career and keeps ARRI under German ownership after a competitive international bidding process. The deal aligns ARRI's camera, lighting and rental ecosystem with Riedel's broadcast and live production infrastructure, with both companies eyeing live entertainment and sports as the biggest growth opportunity. ARRI will debut its camera technology at the Eurovision Song Contest as an early proof of concept, where Riedel already serves as the technology provider. The existing ARRI management team stays in place, the company remains headquartered in Munich and operations continue independently. ARRI has earned 20 scientific and technical Academy Awards since its founding in 1917, making it one of the most decorated names in motion picture technology.

Lessons from the field

The American shot: The cowboy of camera angles

How do changes in camera shots and field of view produce unique, dynamic looks for the screen? Seasoned filmmakers know the right shot for the right mood is essential to the success of a visual story. Enter the famous ‘American shot.’ If you’re looking to convey an intense, heroic or dramatic feel with your shot, the American shot is the crème de la crème of cinematic camera angles. Here’s why. Read more.

Creator Handbook: YouTube Shorts introduces AI avatar tool that lets creators clone themselves in videos

YouTube is rolling out a new AI-powered feature for Shorts that lets creators generate a digital avatar of themselves to use in videos. The tool enables users to create an AI-generated version of their likeness and voice, which can then appear in Shorts or be used to generate entirely new clips.

According to YouTube, the feature is designed to help creators insert themselves into content more easily without needing to film every segment manually. The company said avatars can be used in existing Shorts or in AI-generated clips built from text prompts. Read more.

Practical advice for pro videographers to boost their profits

Right now, the demand for high-quality video content is higher than it has ever been. The need for skilled videographers is ever-present, from corporate advertisements to social media campaigns. Naturally, this means there are more opportunities for videographers to make more in their line of work. However, maximizing income requires a strategic approach and a willingness to adapt to changing market dynamics. Read more.