MPB Kit Hall of Fame Inductees 2023
Posted on Aug 22, 2023
The Photo and Video Kit Hall of Fame Class of 2023 by MPB was announced on World Photography Day, featuring Canon, DJI and Fujifilm. Let’s see the inductees
A staple in the photography calendar, the MPB Photo and Video Kit Hall of Fame honours the best releases from the year, as voted for by the public. This year, a staggering 146,000 photographers and content creators voted between 25 cameras, lenses and drones across five categories – Classic, Game Changer, Road Tested, Trendsetter and Iconic.
Classic
Classics stand the test of time. Over the past few yeasr, we’ve seen Nikon, Canon and Fujifilm take the title. This year, the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV eclipsed the competition from the likes of the Nikon D3 and Sony A7R V and Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM ART and Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 L II USM lenses. With its classic DSLR silhouette, exceptional image quality, versatility and rugged build, it’s no surprise it clinched the win.
Game Changer
Game changers disrupt the fields of photography and videography. They usher in new technology, expand product capabilities or make quality more accessible, which is why this year’s winner is the DJI Mavic 3 Pro. Taking aerial photography to a whole new level with cutting-edge technology and image quality, it has revolutionised the drone industry. Unfortunately for the Ricoh GR IIIx, Canon EOS R3, Nikon Z9 and DJI Mini 3 Pro, the Mavic 3 Pro remains a tough one to beat.
Road Tested
The Road-Tested nominees are the tried-and-true products you reach for when you absolutely must get a shot. Sony finally ended the Nikon domination of the past three years, taking the win with the A7 IV. It’s high-res full-frame sensor, reliable autofocus and robust image stabilisation provides the confidence to capture exceptional shots in diverse conditions. The A7 IV beat the other nominees in the category: Fujifilm X-Pro 3 and Canon EOS R6 Mark II mirrorless cameras, and the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II USM and Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II zoom lenses.
Trendsetter
As the name suggests, these products are beloved for their style as well as the way they shoot. The 2023 inductee is the Fujifilm X100V, beating out competition from its Fujifilm counterpart, the X-T5, alongside the Canon Eos R5, the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD and the DJI Mini 3. The 100V pushes the boundaries of compact cameras, improving on the blend of vintage design and modern tech. The camera is now leading the resurging interest in compact cameras from young photographers across social media.
Iconic
The crème de la crème of photo and video kit, Iconic category nominees are idolised by visual storytellers. This year, that prize goes to the Leica M6. A true icon among rangefinder cameras and adored by street photographers for its fully mechanical construction, in-built light metre and timeless compact design. The other nominees in this category included the Sony A1, Leica Q2, Mamiya RZ67 and Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM.
The Panel
A nominating committee of industry experts from the UK, US and Europe came together to put forward the 2023 nominees. The UK was represented by Angela Nicholson (UK), SheClicks founder and photography journalist, Jenny Alice, freelance videographer and public speaker, and James Popsys, outdoor photographer and YouTuber.
From the US, we had Aditi Mayer, photojournalist and sustainability activist, Léa Sabban, digital content creator and freelance filmmaker, and Michael Shainblum, landscape photographer and filmmaker.
Europe was represented by Sasan Amir, wildlife photographer and conservationist, Frauke Hameister, freelance photographer and creative, and Thomas Kakareko, urban/street photographer and content creator.
The committee was led by Matt Barker, CEO and founder of MPB. “MPB’s purpose is to open up the world of visual storytelling in a way that’s good for people and for the planet”, he says. “The Photo and Video Hall of Fame helps people celebrate the very best kit. We’re thrilled that so many photographers and videographers around the world helped decide the five inductees.”
Learn more about the inductees and register your interest for next year’s vote on the official website. Each voter was able to enter for free for their chance to win a Sony A7 III full-frame mirrorless camera worth £1,200 from MPB. Competition winners will be announced in due course, so keep an eye on website, and by following MPB on social media @mpbcom. You can also follow the hashtag #KitHallOfFame.
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