BEST OF THE BEST: TIPA WORLD AWARDS 2023 WINNERS REVEALED

Once again esteemed editors from trade publications across the globe – including BPI News – have gathered to pick their favourite photo gear of the past annum. Here we present the final consensus to share with your own customers and hopefully make a sale off the back of it…

Can your product being an awardwinner help influence a sale? Most definitely! It’s an added boost independent of the manufacturer’s own hype that further legitimises a device, and so might just tip an undecided customer into making a purchase – or choosing one product over another.

The TIPA World Awards have long been held in high regard by the photo trade. They’re the one I’ve heard discussed the most over the 20 years I’ve been in the industry, so was pleased when BPI News was first invited to be part of the voting process last year. Instead of meeting virtually over Zoom, this year we had the chance to meet in person with our fellow titles, to discover we’re all facing similar challenges and opportunities as the industry around us flexes and pivots. It was illuminating to discover local concerns are also very much global ones. With nominations whittled down to a shortlist in advance, Barcelona was the chosen central destination for us to gather and select the final winners, showcased here.

“Every year, our process for choosing the TIPA World Award winners involves research, testing, and decisions about how each winner will bring new capabilities and excitement to the photo and imaging sector,” explains TIPA Chairman Thomas Gerwers. “This year, cutting edge technology, new trends in professional and consumer needs, including products for the vlogging community, and the continued evolution of imaging capabilities were all on display and we offer our congratulations to the winners for a job well done.”

The leading manufacturers were once again well represented in the winning line up, with Canon bagging a quartet of recognitions. Its EOS R50 was acknowledged by TIPA as Best APS-C Entry Level Camera, its EOS R8 as Best Full Frame Advanced Camera, its XA70/XA75 as Best Professional Video Camera, and its R system compatible RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM lens as Best Telephoto Prime Lens. The judges described the affordable R50 as “a gateway camera designed to introduce young and old alike to photo and video tools,” while the R8 (left) was part of a “new breed” that had become “increasingly multimedia orientated”.

Fujifilm has also done well this year.

Tell your customers its X-T5 (right) has been named Best APS-C Expert

Camera, while the X-H2S is TIPA’s Best APS-C Professional Camera. A popular choice, the XT-5 is described by the judges as “ideal for photographers who want classic design, controls and remarkable feature sets for both still and video imagery,” while the X-H2S is claimed to be “rightfully dubbed a ‘multimedia’ camera.”

An incredible line up: Some 40 categories in this year’s TIPA World Awards meant there was plenty of opportunity for debate among the international judging panel made up of magazine and website editors and publishers from across the globe

Want more winners? For further details from 2023’s TIPA World Awards, including the judges’ verdict on the best in computer monitors,

Nikon naturally hasn’t been forgotten either, with its content creator targeted Z 30 (right) hitting its intended mark in picking up a TIPA Award for Best APS-C Vlogger Camera. The Nikon is described by the TIPA tastemakers as: “a step up from compact cameras and smartphones [that] can also accept full frame Z lenses – with accompanying crop – for those with other Nikon gear.” of which it was said: “TIPA members were impressed by the camera’s interfaces, numerous recording modes and active cooling system. They also pointed to the unit’s impressive stills capabilities.”

In terms of accessories, two of Nikon’s lenses were similarly garlanded, with the Nikkor Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S taking Best Super Telephoto Prime Lens and its Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.2 S being named Best Portrait Lens.

Like Canon, Sony has bagged four TIPA Awards. Its Alpha 7R V was bestowed with the title Best Full Frame Professional Camera, in a sign of the times its ZV-E1 (above) was named Best Professional Content Creator Camera, its FE 50mm f/1.4 GM lens was claimed to be Best Standard Prime Lens, and the same manufacturer’s FE 20-70mm f/4 G was crowned Best Standard Zoom Lens. Of the A7R V the judges said: “it’s a highly impressive, responsive and flexible camera that raises the bar on features and functions for working pro photographers.” The ZV-E1 meanwhile is described as “designed for demanding content creators who want to record… without the need for a crew or post processing.”

Fellow electronics behemoth Panasonic also made a showing, taking the accolade of Best Full Frame Expert Camera for its Lumix S5 II (below),

A fellow TIPA Awards regular, optical has bagged no fewer than three TIPA’s this year. Its 24mm f/1.4 DG DN Art series lens (right) has been selected as Best Wide Angle Prime Lens. Its 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary series optic has been acclaimed as Best Wide Angle Zoom Lens, while the Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports lens is Best Superzoom Lens. Of the selection of Sigma’s 24mm in particular, the judges reasoned: “poll serious photographers about their favourite street, architecture and landscape prime lens and the 24mm is sure to be a top choice.”

Another big player regularly represented in the awards is fellow third party lens specialist Tamron, which has bagged two TIPA mentions this year. The Tamron 50400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD (left) is Best Telephoto Zoom Lens while its 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD is – another sign of the times – Best Content Creator Lens. Of the latter, the TIPA panel said: “It’s a great choice for vloggers and content creators, particularly when used with the Tamron Lens Utility software.”

Over here the trade can discover Tamron’s offerings via distributor Transcontinenta UK.

Past BPI News Ukraine-based interviewees Skylum took the title of Best Enthusiast Imaging Software for its Luminar Neo package (right), of which TIPA’s tastemakers commented:

“Offering numerous presets and AI-driven tools for face, body, sky replacement and more, Luminar Neo offers an easy to use toolbox filled with effects”. Meanwhile DxO PhotoLab 6 was named Best Professional Imaging Software, with an eye on the skies the DJI Mini 3 Pro (above) the Best Drone, The Lexar Professional CFExpress Type B Diamond Series the Best Storage Media, and the CEWE Photobook using 100% recycled digital printing paper the Best Photo Service.

Best Photo Paper actually went to the Hahnemühle

Photo Rag 188 LayFlat, with the same paper specialist’s FineArt Photo Cards named as the Best Photo Cards (above). Others BPI News regulars in frame included Zhiyun as its Weebill 3 Gimbal (left) was named Best Video Accessory and the Godox KNOWLED Bi-color LED Light MG1200Bi (below) was awarded the Best Professional LED Light – the latter two brands again available to the trade via Transcontinenta UK. Finally in terms of photo gear, the accolade of Best Professional Portable Flash went to the Elinchrom FIVE.

Interestingly, the Best Photo Event went to Hamburg’s still relatively new Photopia, at which the TIPA World Awards presentation ceremony will be held this September coming. Will this ever replace the much-missed Photokina as the continent’s premier photo show? Only time will tell.

For more from TIPA and full details of all of this year’s winning products, head to www.tipa.com wall art, workflow and smartphones with regard to photographic performance, visit www.tipa.com/tipa-world-awards-2023