As each and every outstanding photographer is aware of, Nikon is the gold usual. The Coca-Cola of cameras, if you are going to. Sony is second-best, and extensively thought to be to be the Pepsi of pictures. Canon is the Beverly of cameras at this level; one thing that possibly was once as soon as just right, however now tastes stale. Fujifilm is Mr. Pibb. Leica is Zeiva. No, I will be able to now not be taking any questions.
In reality, none of that is agreed-upon. However photographers love a just right digicam struggle, and I’m satisfied to oblige and poke a laugh. About the one factor everybody will agree on is that Leica is Zeiva. Us non-Leica shooters will both say “what’s that?!” or “hahaha, it’s becoming” and Leica fans will pass over the shaggy dog story. However I digress.
There’s actual information to file, and now not only a long-winded shaggy dog story that 99% of you received’t perceive. Walt Disney Global and Disneyland simply made an enormous, unequivocal improve to their PhotoPass apparatus. All through a contemporary press tournament supposed to temporarily sing their own praises new MagicShots for the 2025 EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant, I spent nearly the whole lot of my time speaking store with spokespeople from PhotoPass. (They didn’t even see me coming!) From those conversations, I discovered so much in regards to the new apparatus and application glow-up that’s value sharing…
Walt Disney Global has an extended legacy of company alliances with digicam firms. The unique Adventure into Creativeness was once subsidized by way of Kodak, and the entire explanation why that Figment is crimson is as a result of Kodak executives have been considering the mascot being inexperienced and white, corresponding to the business get dressed of its primary competitor, Mr. Pibb–I imply, Fujifilm. (For those who’ve ever puzzled why Figment’s sweater is yellow and pink, this could also be your resolution!)
As you’re unquestionably conscious, Kodak went the way in which of Dinoland and Walt Disney Global landed a sponsorship care for Nikon a little bit over a decade in the past. That partnership now not simplest integrated Nikon branding within the theme parks, but it surely additionally upgraded digicam apparatus that Disney used for its PhotoPass carrier. With this, Disney were given a brand-new batch of DSLRs.
The Nikon partnership got here to an unceremonious finish nearly 5 years in the past. Nikon branding was once got rid of from the theme parks, Forged Member costumes, and past. As is ceaselessly the case, no new company alliance was once cast. The Nikon branding is lengthy long gone, however the outdated Nikon D7500 DSLRs and lenses used by PhotoPass remained caught in its final lifestyles cycle with out a upgrades within the final 8 years, till mid-2025.
Whilst photographers would possibly not have the ability to agree on which model is ultimate, there shall be consensus on something: 8 years is a ridiculously very long time to head between digicam upgrades. Photographers famously have GAS (to not be puzzled with gasoline, lowercase), which stands for Equipment Acquisition Syndrome. I’m one in every of hundreds of thousands plagued by way of this affliction.
A part of that is era transferring rapid, and digicam firms most commonly transferring on from DSLRs to mirrorless. However it’s doubly true relating to PhotoPass as a result of that apparatus is getting day-to-day use. I’m certain Disney had technicians servicing the equipment or despatched it off to Nikon, however that simplest can do such a lot. At the same time as somebody who makes use of pro-grade pictures apparatus, I’ve needed to change lenses and our bodies in much less time than 8 years because of standard put on and tear.
The massive information is that PhotoPass at each Walt Disney Global and Disneyland have upgraded to the Sony a7 IV Complete-frame Mirrorless Digicam throughout all parks. The rollout started previous this summer time and was once not too long ago finished, with upgrades to greater than 500 cameras throughout Walt Disney Global.
Together with the Sony a7 IV, PhotoPass is using the Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G-series lens paired with a Sony flash as its number one set-up. There are a couple of places the place specialised lenses are used; for instance, it’s possible you’ll spot a Sony ultra-wide by way of the fountain in entrance of Spaceship Earth or an f/1.8 top for portraiture.
Simply so we’re totally transparent, the Sony a7 IV is a huge improve from the Nikon D7500. Even maximum diehard Nikonian wouldn’t dispute that. Particularly ~8 12 months outdated cameras which have been punished day in and time out. It’s an improve to transport from crop sensor to complete body, and also from older era to more moderen. The digital viewfinder is brighter and more uncomplicated to look within the solar, and there are a number of ‘high quality of lifestyles’ options that exist nowadays with mirrorless cameras that simply didn’t with DSLRs.
Probably the most underrated improve of all (even though with the exception of me, I doubt there’s a lot “ranking” of this improve happening) is within the glass. I’ve shot with that Sony 24-105mm, and it’s super as a workhorse lens. Each Sony and Nikon have made primary strides with the standard in their glass within the mirrorless generation, arguably extra so than the cameras themselves. (That is what I in truth consider is underrated amongst photogs.)
Some other primary development from the improve is low mild efficiency. To not get too within the weeds right here, however middle of the night picture high quality has been hit and miss with PhotoPass when the usage of the outdated Nikon DSLRs. That is partly a question of settings, and partly tech obstacles. That are meant to support noticeably with the Sony a7 IV.
It received’t be easiest–once more, the improper settings may just result in noisy pictures–but it surely’ll be much better. There must also be instances when extra dynamic taking pictures with no tripod yields nice effects. A part of that comes down as to if Disney is prepared to let the shutter velocity dip down a bit of, which they must given awesome symbol stabilization.
Autofocus era has likewise made super strides within the final a number of years, and Sony’s facial reputation eye-focus monitoring is second-to-none. So when you’ve ever won PhotoPass pictures the place the background is in concentration however your circle of relatives’s faces are blurry (illustrative report picture above), that shouldn’t occur once more. And if it does, be inspired–it’ll take some critical “skill” to triumph over the tech and come what may concentration at the background with the Sony a7 IV!
Past the whole thing else, merely now not the usage of apparatus well beyond the top of its usable lifestyles is an enormous win. Whilst maximum PhotoPass pictures we’ve had taken in the previous few years had been fantastic, we’ve additionally had numerous duds. Footage with an unacceptable stage of noise, or extra frequently, shot with glass that obviously wanted servicing (or outright alternative).
This immediately addresses each problems. All of this quantities to a big win for the visitor revel in, and picture high quality must be noticeably higher, particularly in suboptimal instances (when you visited within the final couple of months and feature night time pictures from each EPCOT and Magic Kingdom, you must have the ability to spot the variation.)
All through my dialog with the PhotoPass spokespeople, they published that the workforce went into the method of opting for a brand new digicam ecosystem with an eye fixed on Forged Member convenience at the start.
The PhotoPass workforce examined 16 other cameras from Sony, Nikon, Fujifilm, and different producers to look what labored ultimate. When they narrowed down their possible choices, Disney entered negotiations and attempted to seek out an settlement that will paintings ultimate for his or her distinctive wishes.
The function was once now not discovering a brand new company alliance–they usually didn’t. There’s no sponsorship with Sony, which is almost certainly why there was once no announcement of this deal. Disney most probably doesn’t need to supply “unfastened exposure” to Sony, even though it is a guest-friendly improve that are supposed to be lauded.
Along with prolonged warranties, one of the most issues that Sony introduced was once custom designed application for PhotoPass functions. An instance of it is a programmable serve as button that permits photographers to change from panorama to portrait mode with out transferring the digicam. This would possibly not look like a bit of deal to an off-the-cuff photographer, however needless to say PhotoPass Forged Participants are taking 1000’s of pictures in keeping with day, and that repetitive movement almost certainly wasn’t the best for his or her wrists.
The PhotoPass spokespeople have been lovely pleased with this new resolution, and understandably so. My working out is that it’s (essentially) software-based, which means that once the photographer hits the serve as button, the digital viewfinder blacks out the edges at the panorama orientation to supply a portrait.
I’d suppose it’s merely dropping then again many megapixels, however that doesn’t in reality topic. Once more, almost certainly getting too within the weeds right here. The secret is that it is a just right factor. My hope and assumption is this additionally is helping a bit of with composition. Much less digicam motion must, in concept, imply that the photographers are much less moved quickly and feature time to stage the digicam. Right here’s hoping that the digital horizon is activated for the EVF, however new tech can simplest do such a lot to assist with composition.
The PhotoPass reps additionally knowledgeable me that they’re the usage of new PDAs constructed for the Florida warmth, and that with this more moderen era must come moderately quicker downloads. I didn’t press at the PDAs past that; I’m extra of an iPhone man, so now not in reality my space of experience.
Oh, and right here’s a sneak peek on the PhotoPass Magic Pictures for the 2025 EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant:
In the end, it’s nice to look Walt Disney Global and Disneyland make a big funding in PhotoPass apparatus once more. In the end. At the same time as a Nikon man who has attempted Sony two times, I really like this improve. For all of my joking, Sony arguably is the gold usual at this level; I’m only a dinosaur who couldn’t triumph over muscle reminiscence or clunky menus. Those more moderen, lighter cameras shall be nice for Forged convenience, and very good for visitor symbol output.
The overall retail price of the apparatus here’s over $4,500. Whilst you may well be susceptible to suppose that Disney were given a bulk order bargain, my wager is they paid greater than retail between the prolonged guaranty, custom designed application, and who is aware of what else. As a result of, once more, this isn’t a company alliance the place Disney is promoting the Sony model in trade for the product.
It could now not marvel me the least bit if Disney dropped over $3 million in this improve. Perhaps it’s not up to that, however I wouldn’t financial institution on it. That’s undeniably some huge cash, even though with the way in which Disney spends like a drunken sailor, possibly now not. So I suppose what I’m pronouncing is: don’t be stunned when Reminiscence Maker costs building up in October!
Making plans a Walt Disney Global commute? Know about motels on our Walt Disney Global Resorts Opinions web page. For the place to devour, learn our Walt Disney Global Eating place Opinions. To economize on tickets or resolve which kind to shop for, learn our Guidelines for Saving Cash on Walt Disney Global Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a novel take a look at suave pieces to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney Global Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most productive position to begin is our Walt Disney Global Go back and forth Making plans Information for the whole thing you wish to have to grasp!
Your Ideas
What are your ideas about this information? Happy to look Walt Disney Global and Disneyland put money into new PhotoPass equipment? If pictures have been a Pepsi vs. Coke debate, which model can be which? Agree or disagree with our evaluation of the inside track? Listening to your comments—even while you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please proportion your ideas under within the feedback!
As each and every outstanding photographer is aware of, Nikon is the gold usual. The Coca-Cola of cameras, if you are going to. Sony is second-best, and extensively thought to be to be the Pepsi of pictures. Canon is the Beverly of cameras at this level; one thing that possibly was once as soon as just right, however now tastes stale. Fujifilm is Mr. Pibb. Leica is Zeiva. No, I will be able to now not be taking any questions.
In reality, none of that is agreed-upon. However photographers love a just right digicam struggle, and I’m satisfied to oblige and poke a laugh. About the one factor everybody will agree on is that Leica is Zeiva. Us non-Leica shooters will both say “what’s that?!” or “hahaha, it’s becoming” and Leica fans will pass over the shaggy dog story. However I digress.
There’s actual information to file, and now not only a long-winded shaggy dog story that 99% of you received’t perceive. Walt Disney Global and Disneyland simply made an enormous, unequivocal improve to their PhotoPass apparatus. All through a contemporary press tournament supposed to temporarily sing their own praises new MagicShots for the 2025 EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant, I spent nearly the whole lot of my time speaking store with spokespeople from PhotoPass. (They didn’t even see me coming!) From those conversations, I discovered so much in regards to the new apparatus and application glow-up that’s value sharing…
Walt Disney Global has an extended legacy of company alliances with digicam firms. The unique Adventure into Creativeness was once subsidized by way of Kodak, and the entire explanation why that Figment is crimson is as a result of Kodak executives have been considering the mascot being inexperienced and white, corresponding to the business get dressed of its primary competitor, Mr. Pibb–I imply, Fujifilm. (For those who’ve ever puzzled why Figment’s sweater is yellow and pink, this could also be your resolution!)
As you’re unquestionably conscious, Kodak went the way in which of Dinoland and Walt Disney Global landed a sponsorship care for Nikon a little bit over a decade in the past. That partnership now not simplest integrated Nikon branding within the theme parks, but it surely additionally upgraded digicam apparatus that Disney used for its PhotoPass carrier. With this, Disney were given a brand-new batch of DSLRs.
The Nikon partnership got here to an unceremonious finish nearly 5 years in the past. Nikon branding was once got rid of from the theme parks, Forged Member costumes, and past. As is ceaselessly the case, no new company alliance was once cast. The Nikon branding is lengthy long gone, however the outdated Nikon D7500 DSLRs and lenses used by PhotoPass remained caught in its final lifestyles cycle with out a upgrades within the final 8 years, till mid-2025.
Whilst photographers would possibly not have the ability to agree on which model is ultimate, there shall be consensus on something: 8 years is a ridiculously very long time to head between digicam upgrades. Photographers famously have GAS (to not be puzzled with gasoline, lowercase), which stands for Equipment Acquisition Syndrome. I’m one in every of hundreds of thousands plagued by way of this affliction.
A part of that is era transferring rapid, and digicam firms most commonly transferring on from DSLRs to mirrorless. However it’s doubly true relating to PhotoPass as a result of that apparatus is getting day-to-day use. I’m certain Disney had technicians servicing the equipment or despatched it off to Nikon, however that simplest can do such a lot. At the same time as somebody who makes use of pro-grade pictures apparatus, I’ve needed to change lenses and our bodies in much less time than 8 years because of standard put on and tear.
The massive information is that PhotoPass at each Walt Disney Global and Disneyland have upgraded to the Sony a7 IV Complete-frame Mirrorless Digicam throughout all parks. The rollout started previous this summer time and was once not too long ago finished, with upgrades to greater than 500 cameras throughout Walt Disney Global.
Together with the Sony a7 IV, PhotoPass is using the Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G-series lens paired with a Sony flash as its number one set-up. There are a couple of places the place specialised lenses are used; for instance, it’s possible you’ll spot a Sony ultra-wide by way of the fountain in entrance of Spaceship Earth or an f/1.8 top for portraiture.
Simply so we’re totally transparent, the Sony a7 IV is a huge improve from the Nikon D7500. Even maximum diehard Nikonian wouldn’t dispute that. Particularly ~8 12 months outdated cameras which have been punished day in and time out. It’s an improve to transport from crop sensor to complete body, and also from older era to more moderen. The digital viewfinder is brighter and more uncomplicated to look within the solar, and there are a number of ‘high quality of lifestyles’ options that exist nowadays with mirrorless cameras that simply didn’t with DSLRs.
Probably the most underrated improve of all (even though with the exception of me, I doubt there’s a lot “ranking” of this improve happening) is within the glass. I’ve shot with that Sony 24-105mm, and it’s super as a workhorse lens. Each Sony and Nikon have made primary strides with the standard in their glass within the mirrorless generation, arguably extra so than the cameras themselves. (That is what I in truth consider is underrated amongst photogs.)
Some other primary development from the improve is low mild efficiency. To not get too within the weeds right here, however middle of the night picture high quality has been hit and miss with PhotoPass when the usage of the outdated Nikon DSLRs. That is partly a question of settings, and partly tech obstacles. That are meant to support noticeably with the Sony a7 IV.
It received’t be easiest–once more, the improper settings may just result in noisy pictures–but it surely’ll be much better. There must also be instances when extra dynamic taking pictures with no tripod yields nice effects. A part of that comes down as to if Disney is prepared to let the shutter velocity dip down a bit of, which they must given awesome symbol stabilization.
Autofocus era has likewise made super strides within the final a number of years, and Sony’s facial reputation eye-focus monitoring is second-to-none. So when you’ve ever won PhotoPass pictures the place the background is in concentration however your circle of relatives’s faces are blurry (illustrative report picture above), that shouldn’t occur once more. And if it does, be inspired–it’ll take some critical “skill” to triumph over the tech and come what may concentration at the background with the Sony a7 IV!
Past the whole thing else, merely now not the usage of apparatus well beyond the top of its usable lifestyles is an enormous win. Whilst maximum PhotoPass pictures we’ve had taken in the previous few years had been fantastic, we’ve additionally had numerous duds. Footage with an unacceptable stage of noise, or extra frequently, shot with glass that obviously wanted servicing (or outright alternative).
This immediately addresses each problems. All of this quantities to a big win for the visitor revel in, and picture high quality must be noticeably higher, particularly in suboptimal instances (when you visited within the final couple of months and feature night time pictures from each EPCOT and Magic Kingdom, you must have the ability to spot the variation.)
All through my dialog with the PhotoPass spokespeople, they published that the workforce went into the method of opting for a brand new digicam ecosystem with an eye fixed on Forged Member convenience at the start.
The PhotoPass workforce examined 16 other cameras from Sony, Nikon, Fujifilm, and different producers to look what labored ultimate. When they narrowed down their possible choices, Disney entered negotiations and attempted to seek out an settlement that will paintings ultimate for his or her distinctive wishes.
The function was once now not discovering a brand new company alliance–they usually didn’t. There’s no sponsorship with Sony, which is almost certainly why there was once no announcement of this deal. Disney most probably doesn’t need to supply “unfastened exposure” to Sony, even though it is a guest-friendly improve that are supposed to be lauded.
Along with prolonged warranties, one of the most issues that Sony introduced was once custom designed application for PhotoPass functions. An instance of it is a programmable serve as button that permits photographers to change from panorama to portrait mode with out transferring the digicam. This would possibly not look like a bit of deal to an off-the-cuff photographer, however needless to say PhotoPass Forged Participants are taking 1000’s of pictures in keeping with day, and that repetitive movement almost certainly wasn’t the best for his or her wrists.
The PhotoPass spokespeople have been lovely pleased with this new resolution, and understandably so. My working out is that it’s (essentially) software-based, which means that once the photographer hits the serve as button, the digital viewfinder blacks out the edges at the panorama orientation to supply a portrait.
I’d suppose it’s merely dropping then again many megapixels, however that doesn’t in reality topic. Once more, almost certainly getting too within the weeds right here. The secret is that it is a just right factor. My hope and assumption is this additionally is helping a bit of with composition. Much less digicam motion must, in concept, imply that the photographers are much less moved quickly and feature time to stage the digicam. Right here’s hoping that the digital horizon is activated for the EVF, however new tech can simplest do such a lot to assist with composition.
The PhotoPass reps additionally knowledgeable me that they’re the usage of new PDAs constructed for the Florida warmth, and that with this more moderen era must come moderately quicker downloads. I didn’t press at the PDAs past that; I’m extra of an iPhone man, so now not in reality my space of experience.
Oh, and right here’s a sneak peek on the PhotoPass Magic Pictures for the 2025 EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant:
In the end, it’s nice to look Walt Disney Global and Disneyland make a big funding in PhotoPass apparatus once more. In the end. At the same time as a Nikon man who has attempted Sony two times, I really like this improve. For all of my joking, Sony arguably is the gold usual at this level; I’m only a dinosaur who couldn’t triumph over muscle reminiscence or clunky menus. Those more moderen, lighter cameras shall be nice for Forged convenience, and very good for visitor symbol output.
The overall retail price of the apparatus here’s over $4,500. Whilst you may well be susceptible to suppose that Disney were given a bulk order bargain, my wager is they paid greater than retail between the prolonged guaranty, custom designed application, and who is aware of what else. As a result of, once more, this isn’t a company alliance the place Disney is promoting the Sony model in trade for the product.
It could now not marvel me the least bit if Disney dropped over $3 million in this improve. Perhaps it’s not up to that, however I wouldn’t financial institution on it. That’s undeniably some huge cash, even though with the way in which Disney spends like a drunken sailor, possibly now not. So I suppose what I’m pronouncing is: don’t be stunned when Reminiscence Maker costs building up in October!
Making plans a Walt Disney Global commute? Know about motels on our Walt Disney Global Resorts Opinions web page. For the place to devour, learn our Walt Disney Global Eating place Opinions. To economize on tickets or resolve which kind to shop for, learn our Guidelines for Saving Cash on Walt Disney Global Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a novel take a look at suave pieces to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney Global Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most productive position to begin is our Walt Disney Global Go back and forth Making plans Information for the whole thing you wish to have to grasp!
Your Ideas
What are your ideas about this information? Happy to look Walt Disney Global and Disneyland put money into new PhotoPass equipment? If pictures have been a Pepsi vs. Coke debate, which model can be which? Agree or disagree with our evaluation of the inside track? Listening to your comments—even while you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please proportion your ideas under within the feedback!
