The myriad of cameras that were used by the winners of the World Press Photo awards for 2020 is mind-blowing.
Just over a week ago, we published the list of World Press Photo winners along with enough camera information to blow anyone’s mind. While other outlets posted just the images, we delved a little deeper into each photographer and found out what gear was being used to capture their awe-inspiring photos. The data was fascinating, and the huge variety of cameras being used told us lots about current trends in the world of professional photography. Shortly after our piece went live, we were contacted by a reader who helped us fill in a few blanks in regards to which cameras individual photographers used, and we have updated the post to reflect this. Join us after the break for all the details.
The images from all of the World Press Photo winners are jaw-dropping. Just take one look at them, and you’re transported to the exact moment the shutter was pressed. You’ll feel happiness, sadness, sorrow, delight, and in awe of these images that tell their stories effortlessly. They are a huge testament to the talents of those standing behind the camera.
When we loaded the images into Capture One, and we took a closer look at the EXIF data, we were shocked at the information on hand. You would think the photographers who took these images would be armed to the teeth with the latest and greatest Full-Frame cameras, but that was not the case. Sure, the cameras being used are no slouches, but what was interesting was the number of professionals using APS-C cameras (and some old ones at that), including the original Fujifilm X100, X100S and an X100T. There were quite a few who were still rocking film cameras and DJI drones as well. As we all know, it’s not the camera that makes the image, it’s the photographer, and this list is hopefully enough to convince anyone.
There were a few images with missing EXIF data, and it was with a few of these files that our reader, Bing Guan, helped us, so a big thank you and shout out to Bing. Bing has worked closely with both Kim Kyung-Hoon (Reuters) and Nicolas Asfouri (AFP) while they were covering the protests in Hong Kong last year, and this is where his information comes from.
According to Bing, Kyung-Hoon uses a Canon 5D MK IV and either a second 5D Mk IV or a 1DX Mk II as his second body, while Nico Asfouri apparently shoots with a Nikon D5 and a Nikon D850. Both photographers run with standard zooms like a 24-70mm f2.8 and a telephoto zoom like a 70-200mm f2.8 but, Bing also remembers Nico using a fast prime like the Nikon 35mm f1.4 on occasion.
As an aside, Bing also told us that Reuters is predominantly Canon forward, while the AFP seems to favor cameras in the flavor of Nikon. There seem to be some exceptions to this rule as a few Reuters staff members covering White House pressers are apparently using Sony cameras for their silent shutter. The very talented Anthony Wallace (AFP) currently favors a Fujifilm X100V for most of his reporting work (although usually, he’s carrying 2 Nikon pro bodies for heavier situations). If you missed the original article that covered the World Press Photo winners, head over to that post and take in the gorgeous images that rightly took home the gold.