With Prime Day fast approaching on July 16/17, and the July 4 deals now live, the Nikon D850 is currently at its lowest-ever price of $2,196.95 — that's a 27% / $800 saving!

It's fluctuated between the $2,500 / $2,800 mark for the majority of this year so far, and there's still a chance it could drop further during the Prime Day camera deals.

In this Adorama deal, alongside the Nikon D850 you get a 64GB Sandisk card, carry case, 2 batteries, a card reader and memory card wallet, screen protector, lens cleaning kit and either a Mac or PC software package (make sure you purchase the correct one). There's also another deal that includes an external flash for an additional $100. 

In our Nikon D850 review, we praised its phenomenal 45.7MP image quality, silent shooting (impressive for a DSLR, and great for wildlife photography), accurate stills autofocus and we thought it had a great battery life for long nights of shooting astrophotography out in the cold. It's certainly a camera that's stood the test of time and is an advanced tool for advanced users. 

Looking around, it's the same price at most of our trusted retailers (Amazon, B&HPhoto, Best Buy, to name a few), however, this Nikon D850 deal at Adorama has some extra accessories included for the same price, making this deal just that bit sweeter than the others. We have managed to find it for $2104.95 at Walmart, although that's only for the camera body and you're buying it from a third-party seller, so exercise some caution if you want to go down that route. (That said, they do seem to have positive reviews).

Key features: 45.7 Megapixel full-frame DSLR camera with Nikon F (FX) mount, 4K 30p video capabilities, 7 FPS burst speed (9 FPS with battery pack), fully weather sealed but no image stabilization, features an optical viewfinder and 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen with 2.36M dots, ISO range 64-25,600 (expandable to 32-102,400).

Product launched: August 2017

Price history: Priced at $3,296.95 on release, it's fluctuated between $2,500 / $2,800 for the past couple of years — $2,196.95 is the lowest we've seen it.

Reviews consensus: If you need both speed and resolution in a DSLR, the D850 is an absolute monster. Its 45.7MP stills are rich and detailed, giving you phenomenal image quality. 

Featured in guides: Best astrophotography cameras, Best cameras for wildlife photography

Buy it if: You favor the DSLR style of camera and are already invested in the Nikon full frame system with a good arsenal of lenses, or you're a professional wanting the best DSLR on the market.

Don't buy it if: You want a newer mirrorless camera with the latest tech with more frequent upgrades and software updates. 

The Samsung Galaxy watch 6 is now over $100 cheaper ahead of Amazon Prime Day (July 16/17) over at Amazon.

When we reviewed the Galaxy Watch 6 we noted it has some serious upgrades on version 5, notably in its increased processing power and RAM. That helps add smoothness and efficiency and a faster response time — and there's a lot to scroll through here. This is a watch that can track everything from your sleep to your water consumption as well as all your sporting activities. It's also got a high heart rate alert, and fall detection too.

When it comes to fitness, you get a body composition analysis (if that's your thing) plus ECG, heart rate monitoring and a new personalized heart rate zone feature for your workouts. Sleep tracking is comprehensive, with a Sleep Score Factor that takes into account sleep time, cycles, your awake time plus recovery metrics that help you really understand the quality of your sleep.

All of this comes in a nifty, sleek design that looks sporty without screaming "sports watch" and which has a decent battery life too.

We put the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 through its paces earlier this year when we fully tested it and while we think it's one of the best fitness trackers around. We even highlighted that it's reasonably priced and with this deal, you can now save over $100 on the Galaxy Watch 6 to make it even cheaper. But it might not be the right smartwatch for everyone. 

If you're purchasing the Galaxy 6 smartwatch mainly for its sleep-tracking features then go in eyes open: When we got hands-on with this fitness tracker we couldn't use it for more than a day on a single charge, which was frustrating when it came to its continued use at night as it required recharging.

Key features: Size: 40mm in gold. Weight 28.7g. Super AMOLED screen. Battery life of up to 40 hours (Always On Display off) or Up to 30 hours (Always On Display on). 16GB. Compatible with Android 10 or higher.

Price history: The Samsung Galaxy 6 was released in August last year, and for the most part, has hovered on Amazon around its list price of $299.99. It has dipped briefly during other promotions to around $250, but is now at its lowest price.

Price comparison: The Samsung Galaxy 6 in gold is listed on samsung.com at $349.99.

Reviews consensus: All reviewers agree that the Galaxy 6 is a really good smartwatch with some really appealing features and good upgrades on previous models - such as the Samsung Wallet which now allows tickets and boarding passes on your wrist as well as payment cards. However, reviewers also note that the battery life, while decent, could be better. The main negative noted by most reviewers is that GPS accuracy on tracking runs or rides needs some serious improvement.

TechRadar: ★★★★ | Tom's Guide: ★★★★½ | T3: ★★★★

Buy it if: You are already a Samsung Galaxy smartphone user and you want a really good smartwatch at a pretty smart price.

Don't buy it if: GPS accuracy is important to you. Or if you already have the previous generation - the upgrades are good but offer relatively small improvements to an already very good watch.

The Occer 12x25 compact binoculars, now $26 with coupon are quite often reduced in the Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday sales events, so it comes as no surprise that they're on offer again, although we have noticed they do fluctuate in price a lot so it's worth picking up a pair before the price goes back up. That said, this is the cheapest we've seen them when you add the 15% coupon at checkout.

But don't be fooled by their size and low price, we gave them 4 stars in our Occer 12x25 compact binoculars review and we think they're not only one of the best binoculars for kids but also super handy for adults to throw into a backpack for general observations while on the go.

The binoculars themselves are easy to operate and we were really pleasantly surprised by their optical performance for the size and price of them. We noted in our review that a good price would be anything south of $40, so this deal is definitely worth taking advantage of.

The views are sharp and relatively bright so it would be an ideal compact pair to use for general daytime observations of wildlife, sport or aviation. We wouldn't recommend them for low-light observations due to their 25mm lenses — the best binoculars for stargazing tend to have objectives of 42mm and above.

Key features: Reverse porro prism design, 12x magnification, 25mm objective lens diameter, 273-degree angular field of view, field of view 896 feet (273 meters) / 3,280 feet (1,000 meters), 15mm eye relief, 8.8oz / 249g, 4.4 x 4 x 1.9-inches / 112 x 102 x 48mm.

Price history: With the additional 15% coupon, this is the lowest price we've seen, and last year the price fluctuated up to $68.99. They typically sit around the $36 mark, so it's still worth picking up a pair in this deal.

Price comparison: Amazon: $26 | Walmart: $40.60 

Reviews consensus: Ridiculously compact, we would've expected these relatively unknown binoculars to perform somewhat more like a toy, but no, they pack an optical punch which we weren't expecting. If you're looking for a compact binocular that is suitable for children, feels robust in the hand and is small enough to slip into your jacket when out and about, we'd be happy to recommend the Occer 12x25.

Featured in guides: Best binoculars for kids

Buy it if: You want an inexpensive pair of compact and lightweight binos to take on camping trips, hikes, to sports games and to observe wildlife. They're easy to use by both adults and children and for the price, we can't fault them.

Don't buy it if: You want to use them for stargazing or low-light viewing. They're good quality for what they are, but for a really serious pair of binos, you're going to want a pair of the best binoculars for the job.

In a new study published May 23 in Advanced Materials, researchers in Australia have found that by using "metasurface-based up-conversion technology", you can create a night vision effect without the need for bulky light-processing and cryogenic cooling components. 

"These results promise significant opportunities for the surveillance, autonomous navigation, and biological imaging industries, amongst others," chief investigator Dragomir Neshev from the Australian Research Council’s Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems (TMOS) said in a statement. "Decreasing the size, weight and power requirements of night vision technology is an example of how meta-optics, and the work TMOS is doing, is crucial to Industry 4.0 and the future extreme miniaturisation of technology."

Related: Meta just stuck its AI somewhere you didn't expect it — a pair of Ray-Ban smart glasses

Traditional night-vision goggles work by visible light or infrared photons passing through a lens into an electronic image-intensifier tube consisting of a photocathode and a microchannel plate. The photocathode turns the photons into electrons, and these electrons then hit the microchannel plate, which has millions of holes that amplify their number. The electrons then interact with a phosphor-coated screen and exhibit a green glow, illuminating the scene that the wearer is viewing. 

The researchers explained that this current setup poses challenges due to its large size for a head-mounted device, thermal noise and the inability to augment infrared and visible imaging.

However, by using an "ultra-compact, high-quality-factor lithium niobate resonant metasurface" — a very thin photonic device that can modulate the behavior of electromagnetic waves — the researchers boosted the energy of the infrared photons, increasing their frequency so as to bring their wavelengths within the visual spectrum.

Let there be visible light 

As the infrared photons only pass through a single resonant metasurface and are then mixed with a pump beam — a source of light used to amplify energy levels — night vision can be provided without the need to convert photons to electrons. This then bypasses the need for multiple heavy optical and cooling components to reduce thermal noise; the up-conversion from IR to visible light via the metasurface takes place at room temperature.

Furthermore, this up-conversion can capture both visible and nonvisible light in one image, which standard night-vision systems cannot as they must display images from each spectrum side-by-side. This leads to non-identical images. As such, the researchers found their approach offers direct imaging and edge detection via infrared simultaneously in a single view, enhancing the overall quality of a night-vision image. 

This breakthrough has opened the path to smaller, slimmer and more efficient night-vision systems for a variety of applications, the scientists said. We could even see the advent of night-vision glasses or filters that could be worn over eyeglasses to help people see at night. Uses could range from helping keep track of a dog during an evening walk to making driving at night safer. 

The PS25 version that we've reviewed here comes with pre-made slides, making it a perfect starter kit; getting students up and running in no time. Yet, even though we are recommending this as a starter microscope for students and beginners, the AmScope M150C-PS25 will allow a microscope novice to feel like a professional in no time at all.

AmScope M150C microscrope review

AmScope M150C: Design

• Design ★★★★
• Good value for money
• Ideal for beginners
• Portable design makes it easy to take on location

Affordable quality is at the forefront of the design of the AmScope M150C. For one of the lower-priced compound microscopes available, we were impressed that it has been constructed with a metal body, fully coated ground glass optics and a basic condenser.

Naturally, to keep prices low, some of the features of more advanced microscopes have been omitted. The AmScope M150C is limited to monocular viewing, which can lead to eye strain. Also, the stage, although sturdy and easy to move, does not have XY mechanical action so slides have to be moved by hand. Having said that, our pupils did not miss these features and enjoyed the sharp images and wider field of view obtained at lower magnifications. They also reported that the mechanisms were smooth and easy to use, even for small hands.

Pleasingly, the AmScope M150C-PS25 version arrived with 25 prepared slides of tissues, organs and part organisms of a variety of animals and plants, so comes ready for use; excellent for new starters. Although we found this microscope simple to operate independently, there were features that enhanced learning so students could interact with teachers and share their observations. The 360-degree rotating head enabled alternate viewing without losing focus of the specimen.

An additional teaching benefit comes from having a pointer within the eyepiece; this enables tissue structures to be shown to pupils without the aid of an eyepiece camera. Lastly, designed to be robust, we were confident that the metal body and metal mechanical parts felt sturdy enough to be used by inexperienced students while being small and light enough to be carried with ease. As an ideal beginner microscope, we feel that the AmScope M150C would be particularly suited for children to use at home or at school, making it an ideal choice for students embarking on their journey into microscopy, or as a gift for a budding scientist.

By far, the highlight of our time with the AmScope M150C was when we took it to the pond to look at microorganisms in the water. Designed with portability in mind, this microscope is small and light enough to be carried on a hike. It also comes with 3 AA batteries for use where there is no electricity.

Moreover, it could be powered by a portable power bank using the USB cable that ships with it (which can also be plugged into a mains charger for use inside. Generally, we were pretty relaxed about using the AmScope M150C-PS25 outside because it is so comparatively cheap. Its body is also protected by a stain-resistant enamel finish, so any mucky fingerprints were wiped off with ease. In summary, students and teachers agreed that the AmScope M150C is a well-designed microscope that is perfect for kids as it boasts many quality features, yet can be bought with piggy bank savings.

AmScope M150C: Performance

• Performance ★★★
• High magnification
• Poor quality control
• Good for fieldwork

We had high hopes for the performance of the AmScope M150C due to the use of decent materials and features, as outlined on the AmScope website. This microscope did not disappoint at lower magnifications, using the wide field 10X eyepiece. Observing plant and animal tissues and organs using the 4X and 10X objectives resulted in images in which different cells and tissues could be discerned reasonably clearly.

Between the higher and lower power lenses, the need to regulate the amount of light was important. This was not problematic as the LED adjustment control is easy to use and next to the focusing knobs. Importantly, having focusing knobs on both sides of the body enabled light and stage height to be adjusted simultaneously. Unfortunately, when switching to higher power magnifications, using the 25X eyepiece, the prepared slide images took on a distorted, blurred look that couldn't be resolved by fine focusing. Interestingly, with freshly prepared slides this was not as noticeable.

Undeniably, the quality control process for the AmScope M150C is poor. During its initial testing, the clarity of images was terrible. Deep cleaning of the lenses was essential in order to be able to use the microscope. Not just externally, dirt and dust had become trapped between the lenses on the optics. The objectives needed unscrewing to enable cleaning to be done effectively.

Another set-up fault was that the rotating objectives head was not secured properly. Students could not twist the head of the microscope to change the objective. When applying pressure to the head, the objectives merely swung from side to side. Once we realized that it could be tightened, we did so and the head was able to be clicked between positions, as designed. Sadly, as we had done this by hand, it was not fully rotated and now sits in a non-symmetrical position and has a lopsided appearance but it does function. The 100X objective was also loose and needed tightening; an easy fix, but still annoying. Finally, some residue packaging remains between the condenser casing and its single lens. This does not affect function but looks unsightly.

We were pleased with how the AmScope M150C performed in the field. Pupils were thrilled with the improvements they gained by using a microscope, where they would have previously only had magnifying glasses. The nature of pond swabs required a wider field, to keep free-moving organisms visible, so the lower magnification optics were sufficient. Pupils carried the microscope to the pond and used it directly on the grass where a variety of live specimens were observed. We even saw a larger one in detail, moving using its flagellum and eating a smaller microorganism. Dynamic microscopy in action — what a joy!

AmScope M150C: Functionality

• Functionality ★★★
• Battery or USB operated for fieldwork
• Choice of eyepiece lenses
• Metal and glass components

Overall, the AmScope M150C is fit for purpose as an affordable portable beginner's student microscope. Many components were included to make it an excellent choice for fieldwork. Although we plugged the unit in whilst using it in the lab, the AmScope M150C had a choice of portable power options. When operated by 3 x AA batteries, it can be used in classrooms that have not been equipped with student plug sockets, or outside in the field. The only power consumption is from the LED, which is minimal and the batteries that came with our unit are still not discharged after several weeks of use. Hence, battery power has been highly reliable so far.

This microscope also comes with a USB power cord, so for more prolonged outdoor use the M150C could be powered by a laptop or portable power bank. When commuting, it could even be used on a train or at an airport. Other, more expensive, microscopes have claimed that they use the USB cord to charge rechargeable batteries whilst in the unit. We have not tested this here though so can only speculate.

We enjoyed having a rotating eyepiece mount for shared viewing and a choice of eyepiece lenses. The 10X wide field lens was useful for viewing a bigger section of a specimen. This was particularly useful when viewing microorganisms in pond water. As the living organisms were mobile, often swimming quickly, they soon slipped out of sight at higher magnifications. When responding to an organism on the move, it was quicker and more successful to switch eyepiece lenses rather than to adjust the objective head; the stage did not need to be lowered away from the optics and refocusing time was kept to a minimum.

The 10X lens also included a pointer, so was ideal for pointing out structures of interest. When using the 25X eyepiece lens, although we did experience a noticeable loss of clarity, we were still able to pick out smaller subcellular structures like mitochondria. In total, we enjoyed the five choices of magnification ranging from 40X to 1000X

Final compliments must be to the sturdy, durable materials that the AmScope M150C is made of. The metal body, enamel coating and well-made components gave this relatively small and light microscope a feeling of strength and reliability. We were confident in its ability to withstand the manhandling of novice users, in the lab or outside. The ground glass optics elevated the M150C beyond 'toy' status and enabled very reasonable clarity and resolution for such an inexpensive unit.

How we tested the AmScope M150C microscope

During a school science clinic, scholars and keen scientists were invited to test the AmScope M150C by viewing prepared slides that came with the microscope. Many were relevant to their recent lessons; onion epidermis, blood smear, dog skeletal muscle, rabbit spinal cord & testis and the motor nerve of a pig.

If interested in looking at subcellular structures, high power magnification was necessary. For fun, pupils enjoyed viewing whole or part organisms with the wide-field eyepiece; hydra and house bee mouthparts. Some teething issues with setting up the microscope made the experience frustrating at first, but once solved everyone agreed that the AmScope M150C was easy to use and enabled cells and tissues to be highly magnified with reasonable clarity.

Afterward, the AmScope M150C was taken to the mini-pond, where we sampled the pond water and viewed living microorganisms. The microscope was robust enough for our youngest scientists to handle and they were thrilled to be able to see the weird creatures moving around and eating. An excellent choice for beginners and younger children, without feeling like a toy. We all agreed that the AmScope M150C is a good all-round basic first microscope.

Should you buy the AmScope M150C?

The AmScope M150C compound microscope (or PS25 variation which comes with 25 pre-made slides) is a good starter microscope that should appeal to any beginner microscope observer and is a suitable cheap microscope for students.

While the stage is sturdy and operates smoothly it does not have an XY mechanical action which forces us to move slides by hand. This shouldn't hold you back from purchasing though because in our experience the younger students did not notice this feature was missing.

Considering its low price point, strong metal body construction and clear glass optics we would recommend the AmScope M150C for any student or young person interested in starting out in microscopy.

If this product isn't for you

If you are ready to upgrade from the M150C: Choose the AmScope B120 Series Student & Professional LED Binocular Compound Microscope 40X-2500X magnification. It comes with a 5 Megapixel digital camera, 3D stage and an interactive software kit.

If you would like to top light your specimens: Choose the Swift SW200DL compound monocular microscope with 40X-1000X magnification. This particular microscope has dual lights, precision fine focus, a wide-field 25X eyepiece and cordless capability because it can run on either batteries or mains power.

Whilst students enjoyed the opportunity for collaboration with the trinocular eyepiece, teachers loved the advanced features and higher-end feel of this very reasonably priced compound microscope. If you are looking to invest long-term in this microscope we think you should be aware of the Swiftcam add-on. This will enable subjects to be photographed, videoed and digitally shared, and/or used on personal devices and smartboards, for a more technically immersive learning experience.

SWIFT SW380T 40X-2500X trinocular compound microscope review

SWIFT SW380T: Design

• Design: ★★★★
• Ergonomic layout
• Sturdy build
• Smooth mechanisms

As well as being an attractive and professional-looking microscope, the Swift SW380T is ergonomic and it is clear that the user's comfort and safety have been considered. When the microscope was positioned on the working desks the 30-degree binocular inclination meant students could remain on stools or benches without any reports of neck aches. The binocular eyepieces were smooth and easy to adjust, even for the smaller students in the group. It features an LED control to manipulate brightness, and therefore prevent dazzling as students could start dim and brighten to suit. Both of these functions help reduce eye strain which could otherwise lead to neck- and headaches.

Unfortunately, the body handle, which is needed for the microscope to be carried with two hands, is quite wide and some of the younger students' hands were too small to carry it with ease. In a school setting, we would advise adults and technicians to move the microscope if a permanent position is not possible.

Designed to be sturdy, the triangular base kept the microscope stably planted on the tabletop, even when being eagerly manipulated by a group of enthusiastic students. Furthermore, all the knobs and moving parts glided into place while remaining firm and secure, which meant even the most beginner-users felt confident using the microscope.

Most of the microscope’s controls felt reassuringly solid. The quadruple-rotating nosepiece smoothly turned between the objectives and clicked into position securely. The eyepieces fit snugly but could be replaced quickly and the slide holder secured slides firmly with a single side clasp. We discovered the only tricky component to use was when attaching the trinocular eyepiece. The thread was delicate and the metal-on-metal screwing action felt awkward, like it could easily misalign, although this improved with regular usage. The microscope coating was easy to clean and came with a lightweight cover to help keep it free from dust.

Other pleasing design features included having coaxial ‘coarse’ and ‘ultra-fine’ focusing knobs rotating around the same axis; another component that helped the Swift SW380T obtain its 'easy to use' status. Interestingly, although this makes for simple operation, this pair of knobs rotate separately because they are decoupled, so precision is not compromised and remains high. Similarly, the X-Y movement on the mechanical stage is operated fluidly with minimal friction by the two adjustment controls. The action is smooth and systematic, allowing the specimen to be navigated thoroughly whilst reducing the likelihood of any motion nausea, compared with cheaper models that require the slide to be moved by hand. Furthermore, the filter holder operates with a swing out-/swing in-system, enabling viewing to switch from filter to no filter without having to remove it.

Overall, the Swift SW380T gets a double thumbs up for its design, which is both beautiful and functional.

Swift SW380T: Performance

• Performance: ★★★★
• Robust whilst observing
• Easy to use, even for younger students
• Large magnification range — 40X-2500X

As previously mentioned, the Swift SW380T is a sturdy microscope; it stands up to the manipulations of children who are beginners in microscopy and don't yet have the dexterity or sympathy you would expect from a university student or clinician. Students also found the basic functions of the machine easy to fathom and simple to operate. We would happily let students from 11 years of age upwards use this microscope in a classroom to view their own slides provided guidance is provided.

We also see huge potential in using this model as a demonstration tool to project images, live stream videos and photograph specimens. During a science clinic, one 12-year-old student reported that he had the Swift SW380T at home, with the Swiftcam attachment. He said that it was simple to operate and that he enjoys recreating the slides he has prepared at school and projects them onto his television to show his family what he has learned.

The true performance test, undoubtedly, has to be the quality of the images produced by the Swift SW380T. Having 2 pairs of eyepiece lenses and 4 objective lenses, this microscope allows magnifications of between 40X and 2500X. This large range allows for a huge variety of specimens from organisms to organelles. Greater sharpness and a wider field of view were obtained at low power 40X and 100X making it ideal for viewing larger specimens like whole insects, body tissues or the cross-section of plant stems. Medium power enabled us to hone in on individual cells with more detail. At 1000X and above it was possible to make comparisons between the textures of the cytoplasm and cell wall and determine subcellular structures such as the nucleolus, cytoplasmic organelles such as mitochondria and cell surface bacteria.

We found that the ability to regulate the amount of light from the LED through the condenser and diaphragm was essential in obtaining optimum illumination, especially necessary when using the 100X objective lens. Unfortunately, loss of light through the trinocular phototube, which appeared negligible with the lower-powered objectives, became detectable and we found ourselves wanting slightly more light, especially when using the filter.

Another noticeable limitation is that the depth of view was inconsistent across the field of view. The image becomes distorted around the circumference at magnifications above 400X. Outer details were brought into focus easily using ultra-fine focusing adjustments, but clarity was then consequently lost in the center. Thus, it was possible to view the whole subject in fine detail throughout the image circle, but not at the same time.

Swift SW380T: Functionality

• Functionality: ★★★★½
• Trinocular 360-degree rotating head for shared viewing
• Mechanical stage enables effective slide navigation
• Well-thought-out juxtaposition of mechanisms

By far, the biggest benefit for teaching and learning was the Swift SW380T's trinocular rotating head. This meant the teacher was able to observe students' specimens during microscopy tasks to ensure they were looking at the right part. It was also helpful for the teacher to find a cell or organism of interest and be able to discuss the features whilst looking simultaneously.

Sadly, none of the lenses had a built-in pointer so orientating the tutee to a specific part of the slide or cell was more difficult as it had to be done verbally. However, we recognize that if we had an optical camera, we could project the image onto a smartboard via the trinocular. We are excited about the possibilities this has to push our microscopy teaching to the next level; something we are hoping to do in the near future. In the meantime, we successfully managed to capture some basic images, via the trinocular phototube, on an iPhone SE 2020, through one of the binocular eyepieces.

Being able to swivel the headpiece towards other students was useful and we didn't experience a noticeable loss of focus after rotation at lower magnifications. One limitation of the trinocular is that there are only pairs of lenses so the trinocular viewer will be seeing the image at a different magnification.

A feature that elevated our microscopy experience to a more professional level was the mechanical stage. Operated by two adjustment controls, X and Y movement in the horizontal plane was achieved systematically, with ease, over a large area. This allows viewing of specimens much larger than a cover slip; leaf peels, for example. For this purpose, we also liked the stage's slide clip which secured the slide with a pleasing spring action but did not cover the slide, thus, preventing unnecessary obscuring or shadowing.

We enjoyed navigating a root tip squash, (squashing the tip of a root between the slide and cover slip) to find cells in the various stages of mitosis. The dual stage control soon became second nature. We alternated between the two spontaneously. Hence, irregular but purposeful movements occurred instinctively.

Should you buy the Swift SW380T microscope?

Overall, it was the highly considered juxtaposition of all the Swift SW380T's operating mechanisms and how beautifully smooth they all moved that made this compound microscope such a pleasure to use. We could shift to a new objective, open the diaphragm and swing in the filter in almost a single move. We then operated the LED brightness, X-Y stage manipulation and ultra-fine focusing autonomously, without moving our eyes away from the binoculars.

In summary, we found that this microscope has numerous high-end features to enable clinical, professional compound microscopy. We have confidence that its robust construction can withstand the enthusiasm of excited students and have found the trinocular facility to be an invaluable teaching tool to students of all ages at a surprisingly reasonable price. Ergo, we highly recommend the Swift SW380T compound microscope for use in schools, laboratories or at home.

We'd recommend using the camera add-on for this microscope. The SWIFT SC1003-CK Optical Swiftcam is a 10 Megapixel camera and comes with a reducing lens, calibration kit, eyepiece adapters and a USB 3.0 Cable. It is compatible with Windows/Mac/Linux operating systems and we think this would be a valuable addition for any teacher or student learning microscopy, should your budget allow.

If this product isn't for you

If you would like the same optic quality and sleek yet robust body with smooth actions, but don't need the trinocular function, choose the Swift SW380B binocular version instead. You'll be saving on average over $100 by switching to this version with roughly the same performance.

A stereo microscope, such as the Swift S41, is ideal for viewing magnified solid objects and has flexible LED lamps for lighting dissection subjects.

Sure, we’ve yet to find ways to jump to hyperspace or have robots take care of our every whim, but there’s a lot of technology available right now that would have seemed like the fever dream of an impassioned fiction writer only a handful of years ago. 

So here are 32 science fiction technologies that exist today — many of which you can try out for yourself.

3D printing

Star Trek’s replicator gave sci-fi fans the idea of creating things quickly out of some mystery energy/genetic material, with Captain Jean-Luc Picard barking "Tea, Earl Grey, hot."

Once total fantasy, 3D printers have made it possible to make a lot out of base polymers or even 3D print food. Modern 3D printers can create all manner of products out of polymers, metal and resin in a matter of hours, from car and vacuum cleaner components to toys, guns, models and more. And food can even be 3D printed by making use of paste-like foodstuffs such as gels and doughs.

Electric cars

The idea of cars powered by anything other than gasoline — and steam in the late 19th century — used to feel like a fantasy, with 1910’s Tom Swift and His Electric Runabout; Or, The Speediest Car on the Road envisioning an electric car that could travel 300 to 400 miles (480 to 640 kilometers) on a single charge and hit speeds of 100 mph (160 km/h). But what was fantastical 100-plus years ago is now a stone-cold reality. 

Driven forward by the likes of Tesla, modern electric cars can go hundreds of miles on a single charge and hit top speeds well in excess of 100 mph, with instant torque delivered via battery-powered motors offering huge acceleration. The only real limits to EVs are a still fledgling charging infrastructure and concerns over the lifespan of lithium-ion batteries.

Video calls and conferences

The idea of long-distance visual communications has been a staple in sci-fi for years, arguably iconified in Star Trek’s barking command of “on screen” resulting in a ship's forward window becoming a video feed of an often disgruntled alien. Fast forward a handful of decades and video calling has become commonplace in all manner of jobs where the need to be in an office or set location is no longer paramount.

The likes of Zoom, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams surged in popularity during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020, not only facilitating remote working amid lockdowns and stay-at-home directives, but also providing a social outlet for people isolated at home. 

Of course, before that the rise of smartphones and Apple’s FaceTime had already made video calling seem only moderately novel, with rapid adoption by other phone brands and technology companies democratizing video communication and conferencing for pretty much anyone with an internet connection and even a basic smartphone.

Creative AI and virtual assistants

JARVIS in Marvel’s Iron Man and Samantha from Her cemented the idea of AI-powered virtual assistants that can aid their users in everyday life; be it creating a new element or simply being around to discuss one’s love life in natural, spoken language.

With ChatGPT, Claude 3, Google Gemini and other multimodal generative AI systems, we now have smart tools that can intelligently create things rather than simply seek out existing information. This can manifest itself in asking ChatGPT to come up with a haiku based on alliteration or create images of a dog on a moon, via simple commands spoken or written in natural language. Such AIs can still be a bit hit and miss, but they open a whole new avenue to creating content even if you don’t have the requisite art or Photoshop skills, or providing a virtual friend for times when one feels lonely.

4D movies

The creepily named “Feelies” of Aldous Huxley’s 1932 Brave New World conjured up the idea of movies that are not just seen and heard, but also felt and smelt via physical feedback through the arms of a seat and via a "Scent-Organ" producing smells relating to what’s on-screen. 

Roll on 52 years and we got the first 4D movie with The Sensorium, which released scents into the theater and used bodysonic seats to provide some physical sensations. Such 4D movies and cinemas haven’t taken over from the more traditional 3D viewing experience, but improvements in sound, lighting and haptics have made them more convincing. And immersive cinema experiences from the likes of Secret Cinema can incorporate people into a movie setting in a blend of film and live action, adding an extra dimension again to the watching experience.

Driverless cars

The original Total Recall featured a taxi driven autonomously by sporting a robotic driver. What seemed fanciful in the 1990s is now a reality. No, there aren’t robot taxi drivers, but there are driverless cars. Some of these are at the trial stage, in that they are used in restricted areas for full autonomous driving. Others offer autonomous driving so long as there’s a person behind the wheel to deal with the unexpected maneuvers of fallible humans. 

Legalization and insurance hurdles are the main roadblock to a driverless car future. But with a lot of work being done in everything from autonomous driver aids to full driverless systems, the future of cars may kill the idea of an enthusiastic motorist. 

Jetpacks

An iconic moment in the James Bond film Thunderball was when Sean Connery’s Bond uses the Bell Rocket Belt to escape a villain's chateau and get to his Aston Martin DB5. Such compact jetpacks are also a dime a dozen in all manner of far-future sci-fi, but while these have yet to be created, there are some real-world jetpacks that use clusters of small-scale turbo jet engines that can be vectored to provide some form of flight. Their major limitation is fuel consumption, with flight times limited to mere minutes. 

For those with an affinity for the sea, there are jetpacks like the JetLev that use jets of high-pressure water sucked up from the sea to provide a form of flight. These aren't exactly the tools one would want at hand for escaping a building full of murderous mercenaries, but they show that jetpacks aren’t completely limited to sci-fi.

Cloning

From A Brave New World to Blade Runner and beyond, clones or replicated humans are a regular fixture in science fiction. Human cloning has yet to happen, but cloning animals is very much a reality, first established with Dolly the sheep in 1996. 

Technical obstacles — it took 270 trials to get Dolly — and ethical concerns mean directly cloning a human, called reproductive cloning, remains in the realms of fiction, and even researching techniques for doing so is illegal in many nations. However, therapeutic cloning, whereby stem cells with the same DNA as the donor are created to aid with regenerative medicine such as bone marrow transplants, is an active area of science and is being researched in nations like the U.K., Australia and China.

Humanoid robots

Robots have been around in manufacturing industries for decades, but humanoid robots that can provide a convincing human-like impression, such as those in 2004’s I, Robot, remained very much in the realms of sci-fi until recently, 

Now with Engineering Arts’ Ameca, the so-called “world’s most advanced robot” powered by generative AI, there exists a humanoid robot that can interact with people in a — mostly — near-natural manner, and pull convincing facial expressions thanks to its intricately articulated joints and a flexible, skin-like coating on a robotic skeleton. Having seen Ameca in action, the robot’s ability to create human expressions is almost uncanny. 

Robotic limbs

Many a cyberpunk novel, comic or game has explored the idea of robotic limbs as a form of human augmentation. The Deus Ex games stand out in particular, with robotic limbs being used for both curative surgery, as well as elective replacement of inferior flesh and bone body parts. 

Human augmentation hasn’t reached cyberpunk levels yet, but there are now robotic arms and hands that can carry out far more dexterous movements than prosthetics of the previous few decades. As medical science and robotics advance, we’re likely to see robotic limbs become just as capable as their biological counterparts — maybe even more so. 

Talking cars

Think about talking cars and your mind’s eye will surely think of KITT from Knight Rider. But talking cars are a reality… sort of. 

Thanks to the integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto into many modern cars, you can access virtual assistants like Siri and Google Assistant to respond to voice commands in natural language — modern car infotainment systems have some voice control but aren’t as sophisticated as the dedicated assistants in iPhones and Android phones. Meanwhile, chipmaker Qualcomm has its Snapdragon Digital Chassis platform, designed to bring generative AI into cars and let people have discussions with an AI about where to eat nearby and what problem a warning light on the dashboard is indicating. 

Holodecks via virtual reality

Star Trek: The Next Generation conjured up the idea of a Holodeck where the crew of the USS Enterprise could go into an expansive room that would realistically replicate all manner of settings, though commonly the crew would go back into 20th century settings or earlier. While true Holodecks have yet to arrive, University College London has the Immersive VR Lab, which lets people explore a virtual setting without the need to wear a virtual reality headset. 

But that’s more for experimental purposes. In the consumer world, a form of Holodeck exists via virtual reality headsets, ranging from simple ones that use mobile-grade chipsets to provide virtual experiences and games, such as the Meta Quest 3, to advanced headsets like the Valve Index and PlayStation VR 2 that can deliver high-fidelity virtual reality games, complete with room-scale VR, eye-tracking and advanced haptic feedback to simulate things like climbing a mountain or the tension of a taut bowstring. Such headsets can effectively turn a room into a form of Holodeck, albeit with a few limitations such as cables.

Virtual worlds

Building upon the concept of Holodecks is the idea of virtual worlds — think the simulated Earth in The Matrix. Thankfully we’ve yet to build AIs that enslave humanity as biological batteries and control them in a virtual take on the late 20th century, but we do have some fairly advanced virtual simulations. 

Games like Second Life provide virtual communities, with people exploring them via avatars and interacting with real humans. Second Like has grown to support some one million players at its peak and has seen people foster real friendships and even relationships that have resulted in real-world marriages. 

Elsewhere, sci-fi space massively multiplayer games like Eve: Online have bloomed into virtual economies with a real-life monetary value — this has seen virtual corporate wars, conspiracies and theft at a massive scale, resulting in the loss of thousands of dollars of virtual assets. And the now venerable World of Warcraft gives people a vast and evolving fantasy world to explore with interwoven quests and storylines.

Food in pills

Food in pill form is a classic staple of space-based sci-fi, but even Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory featured a gum that could impart the flavors and feeling of a roast dinner. 

That level of tech remains the stuff of fiction, but food supplements and the ability to create meals by simply adding hot water to a dried food mix are the real-world parallels. And appetite suppression pills are arguably one way to help people feel full without ever taking a bite out of anything solid.

Rebreathers

Another iconic moment in Thunderball was when Bond was thrown into a shark tank and managed to escape with the assistance of a pair of tiny oxygen tanks connected to a mouthpiece. And in the maligned Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Jedis Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi use similar devices to dive down into the underwater cities of the Gungan.

Such tiny tanks and rebreathers are still fiction, with their size unlikely to provide much more than a few breaths in a real-world application. However, compact oxygen tanks with a mounted mouthpiece are used as emergency backups when a SCUBA aqualung runs out of air or malfunctions. Furthermore, air scrubbing and recycling can act as a form of rebreather on the International Space Station, and in the Extravehicular Mobility Units (spacesuits) used by Space Shuttle astronauts when spacewalking. 

Exo-skeletons

Powered exo-skeletons have featured in sci-fi for years, with some popular examples being the P-5000 Powered Work Loader in Alien, which Ellen Ripley uses to battle a Xenomorph queen, and more recently the exo-skeleton battle suits in Edge of Tomorrow and Elysium. 

But they exist in the real world too. Notably, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Warrior Web program developed prototype exo-skeletons to enable soldiers to carry heavy loads. And Lockheed Martin’s Human Universal Load Carrier allows soldiers to carry loads of up to 200 pounds (91 kilograms) thanks to the use of titanium legs and onboard computers to mimic human movements.

Nuclear-powered vehicles

In 1914, H.G. Wells’ The World Set Free envisioned vehicles running on atomic power, and more recently the Fallout game and TV series ran with his idea, with an alternative history that saw the Atomic V-8 car powered by a nuclear fusion engine. 

Now, while nuclear fusion-powered cars are theoretically possible, safely shrinking a reactor to car engine size is a technical challenge that humans have yet to overcome. However, we do have nuclear-powered vehicles in the form of nuclear submarines and ships. For example, the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier that operated up until 2012 was powered by an unprecedented eight nuclear reactors. And the U.K.’s Royal Navy's Vanguard Class submarines make use of a Rolls-Royce PWR 2 reactor. Unlike their land-based equivalents, these marine reactors use a metal-zirconium alloy rather than ceramic uranium dioxide as fuel, with the goal of having a long core life, so that refueling is only needed after 10 years or more.

Living in space

OK, so the ideal of living in space under giant domes or in vast space stations such as Star Trek’s Deep Space Nine are far from reality. But humans have been living in space for decades, notably with the International Space Station. 

A joint effort between the space agencies of the U.S., Russia, Japan, Europe and Canada, the ISS can support astronauts and scientists living in the zero gravity of space while orbiting Earth. Solar panels harvest energy, while supply runs via space shuttles and unmanned rockets keep people in the ISS alive. Resistance training is needed to keep muscles from atrophying in zero-g and the space station is far from self-sufficient, but the ISS does provide a gateway to living in space.

Railguns

Featured a lot in so-called hard sci-fi, railguns can be found mounted on spaceships like The Expanse’s Rocinante, the Daedalus in Stargate, and a lot more. Also known as gauss guns or mass drivers — such as the mass accelerator guns in BioWare’s space opera games Mass Effect — railguns work around the idea of using electromagnetism to accelerate a slug along twin rails, bypassing the need for a combustible accelerant like gunpowder. In fiction, these weapons are generally line-of-sight, firing unguided tungsten rounds at targets within a range where the shot can’t be easily dodged. 

Actually first conceived in 1879 as an electric cannon, functional railguns didn't become a reality until 2010, when BAE Systems developed one capable of firing a 7 lb (3.2 kg) projectile at 3,390 m/s. This used the same concept as the sci-fi equivalents, and saw the U.S. Navy flirt with railgun development until 2021, when it shelved the project. 

Other nations like Japan are also looking into developing rainguns. However, the biggest drawback is the huge energy needed to accelerate a slug. As such, gunpowder-based shells with large caliber guns are still used for close-quarters ship combat. Equally, there are consumer railguns that use electromagnets to accelerate small metal discs. Again, the charge they deliver doesn’t make them effective combat weapons; instead they are more niche guns for casual target practice. 

Space tourism

Exploring the stars is likely the fantasy of many people who’ve looked up at a star-studded sky on a clear night. But with a lack of an efficient fusion engine or faster than light travel, the sci-fi idea of space tourism — adventures to spa facilities on Titan or the joys of Starfield’s Neon city — are still stuck in fiction.

But a form of space tourism does exist, in the guise of Virgin Galactic, whereby a specially-designed ship can take a handful of people to the sub-orbit of Earth — near enough space with low gravity and all. Just be aware you need a spare $450,000 and likely a direct line to Sir Richard Branson.

Stealth tech

Star Trek’s Klingons and their Bird of Prey ships are iconic for their ability to cloak and avoid detection by the likes of the USS Enterprise. The idea here is that the ship can bend light around it to become invisible. In more realistic sci-fi, stealth is less about being invisible than about hiding a ship’s heat signature and radar profile, as seen in Mass Effect’s Normandy stealth frigate and the angular Anubis class stealth frigates in The Expanse. 

Currently, humanity has no spacefaring stealth ship, but stealth ships and craft are very much real. The U.S. navy’s experimental Sea Shadow (IX-529) used an angular design to give it a low-radar profile in order to avoid detection, while the French frigate Forbin has a faceted appearance to reduce its radar cross-section. 

Stealth aircraft work in a similar way, with passive low observable features to minimize their radar profile, while they also use surfaces that can absorb radar energy, preventing it from being bounced back to a receiver.

Smartwatches

Dick Tracey and the likes of Thunderbirds introduced the idea of being able to speak into a watch, even one with video displayed, while the Seiko G757 Sports 100 watch in James Bond film Octopussy, could display messages from MI6 on a small digital display. 

These days this all seems very basic, thanks to smartwatches, led by the Apple Watch. Not only can calls be handed via these watches, the latest smartwatches can track your health metrics, intelligently assess your physical performance, act as an organizer of daily life, control smart home gadgets and more. In the nine years since the original Apple Watch was launched, smartwatches have evolved from phone accessories into wearable computers that arguably eclipse even much of what sci-fi envisioned.

Smartphones

The idea of handheld, do-everything computing devices is a staple in sci-fi, with the likes of Star Trek’s Tricorders purportedly being the inspiration for flip phones. But the hand terminals of The Expanse series are smartphones that have the ability to spool through cross-solar system news feeds and alert people to take specific medication. 

Modern smartphones are arguably rather sci-fi devices in themselves, as they’re basically computers in slim, pocketable, rectangular form. Even budget phones are now capable of putting nearly any information you can imagine at your fingertips, as well as being a portable camera, video editing suite, games console, streaming device, media player, smart tech controller, productivity tool, home for an AI and a lot more. And now some of them fold.

Real-time translation

Universal translators, up to and including the Babel Fish in Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, have long been a way for sci-fi to handwave away the problems of communication between “advanced” extraterrestrial lifeforms. However, thanks to Google Translate and now AI-powered translation apps and tools, we are approaching a reality where universal real-time translation is a district possibility. 

Right now, translation tools in phones like the Samsung Galaxy S24 can provide two-way audio translation of speech in select languages. We still need to discover extraterrestrial life before we can have the universal translators of sci-fi, but we have the rudiments of the technology. 

Targeted advertising

Minority Report envisioned targeted advertising dynamically adjusting ads to suit your interests back in 2002. Around a decade later, it became a reality. As you read this very article you’ll have likely encountered so-called cookies that can scrape what you’ve searched for on your computer or phone’s browser and serve up adverts that are (or should be) relevant to your browsing. 

This has evolved with apps like Google Maps serving up places you might be interested in visiting based on your trips and wandering, while algorithms in streaming services like Netflix and Spotify work to flag content they think is relevant to your tastes.

Sometimes today’s targeted advertising can be uncanny, with the feeling that a conversation you’ve had with friends about a holiday suddenly results in adverts about vacation services popping up on Instagram. However, there's no evidence of such apps being quite that advanced — and users can, thankfully, opt out of targeted advertising. 

Drones

1974’s Danny Dunn, Invisible Boy featured what was basically a drone, in the form of a tiny flying device packed with sensors that could be flown remotely. Now, some 40 years later, consumer drones are very popular, used to take photos and videos that would have previously needed a helicopter, or simply piloted around for fun. Furthermore, drone racing is a legitimate sport and drones can be had in all sizes. 

On the more sinister side, drones are used for military purposes, not only to deliver explosive payloads in a form of a bootstrapped pilotable bomb, but also as dedicated unmanned aerial vehicles armed with cutting-edge guns and missiles that well-equipped militaries can send into a battle zone without the need to risk manned aircraft. With drones being considered for delivery of goods and not just offensive payloads, expect drone use only to expand as this decade marches forward.

Mass surveillance

George Orwell’s 1984 envisioned a dystopian world where people could be watched by the governing powers in their own homes. While this has yet to happen in daily life, U.K. TV show Big Brother borrows from Orwell’s overseeing antagonist and puts willing contestants into a house where they are isolated from the outside world and are constantly monitored by the all-seeing-eye “Big Brother,” who also directs them to do various, often humiliating tasks.

This is entertainment, but mass surveillance also happens in a very real way in daily life. We now live in cities with interconnected surveillance cameras feeding into hub systems. Currently used predominantly as a crime prevention and law enforcement tool, as well as a way to monitor footfall, this level of surveillance can easily track suspicious people from street to street, acting as an eye-in-the-sky guide for police and security. Beijing and London are two of the most-surveilled cities in the world, with the latter having some 67 CCTV cameras per 1,000 people. 

Flying cars

The Jetsons seeded the idea that flying cars are the future, but while electrification of power trains was explored in the past few decades, the idea of flying cars had seemed pie-in-the-sky. 

Yet in recent years more concepts for short-range, electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) taxis and cars have popped up, with many looking set to become a reality this decade. We currently have the technology for somewhat efficient flying cars, but safety, legal and insurance hurdles currently stand in the way, though nations like the U.S. and China are working on establishing guidelines for safe, legal flying cars in the next decade. 

Wireless earbuds and communication

From Star Trek’s ComBadge to James Bond gadgets, the idea of wireless communication via a form of wearable device, mostly earbuds, permeates a lot of sci-fi. But the advent of Apple’s AirPods wireless earbuds galvanized not only cable-free audio but also wireless, hands-free communication. 

The latest iterations of wireless earbuds and headphones contain all manner of smart technology, from active noise cancellation to touch-sensitive controls and movement detection. And now we have bone conduction audio that allows one to receive audio via devices like smart glasses without the need for in- or over-ear headphones. 

World Wide Web

While the concept of the internet existed before William Gibson’s 1984 Neuromancer, the novel is credited with popularizing the term “cyberspace” and envisioned a global network of connected computers transferring information in a graphical interface. If this sounds familiar it’s because that’s the premise of the World Wide Web we have today, though back in the 80s when personal computers were a novel idea, the concept of such linked technology and information highways was science fiction. 

That really started to change in the 1990s, when the Web opened to the public. It has since blossomed to become the place where one can access pretty much the sum total of human knowledge, masses of entertainment, content both pure and sordid, and a whole lot more. Tim Berners-Lee’s invention may have seemed like sci-fi but has changed the way information is consumed, and economies and even societies are influenced at an unprecedented scale and pace; often for the better, but at times for ill.

Synthetic and plant-based meat

Both Bethesda’s Starfield space-exploration epic and the hard sci-fi of James S.A. Corey’s The Expanse series feature synthetic meat, with the idea being that getting fresh, real beef or pork out in deep space would be a logistical nightmare. 

But the idea of using either cultured meat proteins or alternative proteins to replicate meat is very much a reality today. Impossible Foods made waves in recent years by creating a beef burger out of soy protein that mimics the look, feel and flavor of real beef, with many people swearing they can’t tell the difference. 

And vegan food company Beyond Meat makes readily available, plant-based products that aim to replicate the flavor of their real meat counterparts, though discerning palates can still taste the difference between the real and fake. 

While we may hit a limit to how closely vegan foods can replicate real meat, lab-grown meat is being explored as an alternative to the traditional rearing and slaughtering of animals. This process grows meat from real animal cells, thus producing real meat — just without killing a pig or cow. Companies like Eat Just already sell cultured meat, but the problem is producing it at scale at an affordable price; expect things to develop over the next decade.

Household robots

Robot butlers and house-based bots are a staple of science fiction; a recent example being the Codsworth robot in the Fallout TV show and games. While we’ve yet to get humanoid robots to serve us martinis at leisure, many of us do have robots in our homes right now. 

Mostly, these come in the form of robot vacuum cleaners and grass mowers, many of which have advanced tracking and automation regimes so that you can simply leave them to their tasks. But there are also robot pets, most notably Sony’s AIBO robot dog, which can respond to voice commands and sense when it’s being petted. And Amazon’s Astro aims to be an automated home monitoring robot, complete with Alexa built-in to respond to natural language commands.

They come in a range of options, such as 10x25, 10x50, 12x50, 16x32 and 20x50 (all at different price points, of course) — but Amazon is running this limited-time deal on the 10x42 pair of the Bushnell PowerView 2 binoculars. Some of the other models are also discounted, so it's worth checking out the other options if the 10x42 pair isn't exactly what you're looking for.

We think they're ideal for beginners thanks to their powerful magnification and wide objective lenses, and at this low price point, they're a great option if you're thinking of buying your first pair of binos but don't want to spend too much. They do have their drawbacks, though, as they aren't waterproof or fogproof, plus the 15mm eye relief may be a little short if you wear glasses. But for the price, we really can't complain.

While this is a worthwhile deal, they're normally priced at around the $60/$70 mark rather than the $99.99 Amazon is currently advertising, but still, $46.97 is the cheapest they've been since last summer so it's still worth taking advantage of this limited time deal.

Bushnell is a well-known, trusted brand when it comes to the best binoculars, and if you're looking for the best binoculars for stargazing on a budget, we think they're a great option for anyone new to the hobby. If you're more experienced with binoculars, you might want to check out our Bushnell Forge 15x56 binocular review.

Key features: 10x magnification, 42 mm objective lens diameter, 15 mm eye relief, aluminum alloy chassis, 22.2 oz / 630 g.

Product launched: 2020

Price history: As we mentioned above, they usually sit around $60-$70, but this lower price of $46.97 is only available at Amazon for a limited time. They were a similar price last Prime Day, so they might be reduced again closer to the time if they put the price up after this deal ends — but we can't guarantee it.

Reviews consensus: The Bushnell PowerView 2 has an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 at Amazon, with 71% of the reviews being five stars. But it's worth keeping in mind that this rating covers all the different options within the PowerView 2 style.

Buy it if: You're looking for a budget pair of binos for general-purpose use before you commit to investing in a better pair. They're also quite compact and lightweight, ideal for taking on camping trips or throwing into your bag when you go traveling.

Don't buy it if: You want a better quality pair of binos that will last you a long time. They're not waterproof or fogproof, and there isn't any ED glass that you find in the pricier options, plus the 15mm eye relief may be a little short if you wear glasses.

In this review, we'll be looking at its design, performance, functionality and who we think it would be best suited for and we'll also offer some alternative options at the end if you want to explore other avenues. 

If you want to check out the best cameras in a particular niche, check out the best astrophotography cameras and the best wildlife photography cameras to see how the Sony A7 IV compares.

Sony A7 IV review

Sony A7 IV: Design

• They've finally added a fully-articulating touchscreen
• Video record button is now in a much better place
• Very ergonomic and comfortable to hold

The ergonomics and 'feel' of a camera will always have an element of subjectivity depending on the user and how big their hands are. Still, with that in mind, we thought the Sony A7 IV was comfortable to hold with all the buttons easily accessible and well-pronounced. We could happily walk around holding the camera in our right hand with just the grip without any fear of dropping it. It didn't feel front-heavy even with a bulky lens attached, and it's only marginally heavier and bigger than the previous model (we're talking <10g and a few millimeters). That said, it could be a bit chunky if you're primarily wanting a lightweight travel camera.

There are a couple of notable improvements from the A7 III which we thought made the camera much more enjoyable to use. The first and most obvious is the long-awaited addition of a fully articulating screen. Most users we've spoken to got very annoyed with the tilt-only screen on the A7 III, so we are glad to see Sony listening to their customers with this newest model. 

We really enjoyed the screen on the Sony A7 IV, it makes shooting at awkward angles much easier and it also opens the camera up for shooting selfies or making vlogs. They've improved the screen even further in terms of functionality with the latest model in the R range (you can read the review of the Sony A7R V on our sister site here), so perhaps they'll add a similar improvement whenever the A7 V is released. 

There are a few other changes in terms of button layout. They've swapped C1 and the video record button around, making it much more pronounced and easier to start recording video with just your forefinger. C1 is now on the back of the camera next to the viewfinder. 

They've also changed the pre-programmed exposure compensation wheel on the top of the camera to just a regular control wheel and added a button lock, and the second control wheel on the top of the camera is also now more pronounced. With the same control wheel on the front of the grip and on the back of the body as before, this now means there are four customizable control wheels on the camera in addition to the four custom buttons.

They've also added a sub-dial to the main function wheel, similar to what we've seen on some of the newer models. This sub-dial has separate photo, video and S&Q (slow & quick) options depending on what type of content you want to shoot. With this added function, you can now program the main dial to create three different sets of custom settings for photos, three for video and three for S&Q, adding yet more customization to this camera.

In the side panel, the only small change is the addition of a larger HDMI port, which they've moved to a separate compartment in the side panel. The battery and card slots are still in the same place as on the previous model. It's still got two card slots, but slot 1 is now compatible with CFexpress A cards, which sounds great in theory, but Type A cards are rarer and more expensive than Type B cards. You're probably better off sticking to a fast UHS-II SD card or a regular SD card if you don't need to worry about fast shooting speed.

Sony A7 IV: Performance

• Fantastic dynamic range
• Produces beautifully sharp and detailed images
• Better autofocus than the previous model, but it has since been outdone

The dynamic range in this camera really impressed us. We took it to the woods in the mid-afternoon sun to see how it would fare against the bright light and harsh shadows, and even with an f/4 lens, it handled it effortlessly. We shot skywards directly toward where the sun was breaking through the trees, and you can see from the side-by-side images above how dark the shadows were in the RAW image. When we edited the image in Lightroom, we were easily able to bring back the detail in the shadows and highlights with no trouble at all. 

The burst rate could be a potential letdown if you shoot fast-moving subjects. On paper, it says it's capable of 10FPS, but that's only when you shoot in compressed RAW — if you change it down to uncompressed RAW, the burst rate drops to around 6FPS. Either of these speeds fits into the 'it'll do' category for most types of shooting, but if you shoot sports or other fast-moving subjects, it could get frustrating not being able to access faster speeds.

The autofocus performance on the A7 IV is impressive (for when it was released), but we weren't expecting anything less from Sony given their class-leading autofocus reputation. It's of course since been outdone by the AI autofocus in the newer models like the A7R V, A7C II and the crop-sensor A6700, but the AF in the A7 IV is still reliable and effective nonetheless. That's not to say that it isn't a big upgrade from the A7 III though, as it now has eye AF for humans, animals and birds in both photo and video — great news for portrait and wildlife photographers.

We tried the eye autofocus out on a particularly flighty black cat when she decided she would tolerate our reviewer for 5 minutes, and she helpfully insisted that we should test out the ISO performance at the same time by going straight to the darkest point in the entire house. The eye autofocus works quite well in low/bad light situations, although the autofocus on the whole relies on your subject not looking away from the camera otherwise you'll need to find the focus again. Fine for humans, not so great for uncooperative animals. 

As for the high ISO performance, we shot images at ISO 640, 800, 10,000 and 12,800, and the noise only became obviously distracting at 12,800, and even then, Lightroom's AI denoise tool does a pretty good job of eliminating the noise. If you shoot astro, it may eliminate more of the detail than you'd want, but overall we think the high ISO performance is pretty good.

Sony A7 IV: Functionality

• 33MP sensor a vast improvement from its 24MP predecessor
• EVF and LCD screen resolution both improved, but still lower than others
• Video frame rates may not be enough for some users

The Sony A7 IV features a newer Bionz XR processor, which is the same one you'll find in the beastly Sony A1 — although the A7 IV doesn't have a stacked sensor as the A1 does, so you won't quite get the same performance. Still, it's definitely an improvement over the A7 III, particularly when coupled with the higher 33-megapixel sensor.

The EVF and LCD screen resolution has also been improved, but we'd still like to see further improvement with the next model to make it more in line with some of the newer Sony cameras. The LCD screen resolution has gone from 921,600 dots up to 1,036,800 dots and the EVF resolution has been increased from 2,359,296 dots up to 3,686,400 dots. 

Although any improvement is always a good thing in theory, we feel they perhaps haven't been improved enough to make the difference that noticeable in practice. But that being said, we still found them to be good quality and easy to work with when we tested the camera, so maybe we are just being picky. You can't expect the features of the Alpha range to be equal to the big hitters like the A1 and A7R V, but we still think they could've done a bit more — particularly on the LCD screen.

The Sony A7 IV is without a doubt a fantastic hybrid camera with some pretty powerful photo and video features, but if you're serious about video in particular, we think there could be a potential flaw with this camera.

It can shoot 4K video which is oversampled from the 7K sensor, which is great and produces sharp, noise-free footage even in low light, although serious professional videographers might want to invest more and go for a camera capable of shooting 8K video — like the A7R V or the A1.

The thing about the A7 IV is that although it can shoot up to 4K 60p, the 4K 60p footage is cropped. This could be a dealbreaker for some users, although for anyone capturing footage that is perhaps a bit further away like sports or wildlife, the crop could actually be a blessing! If you want uncropped video for casual content creation or recording your travels you can still shoot 4K 30p, but for higher frame rates we'd suggest looking at other models. That said, it's still miles better than the A7 III in this regard.

Should you buy the Sony A7 IV?

If you're making the jump into the full-frame system and can't stretch your budget to the likes of the Alpha R range, the Sony A7 IV is the frontrunner and the obvious choice. It'll suit most photographic styles and performs well for video, it's a fantastic all-rounder and will certainly last you for a long time and be enjoyable to shoot with. It's not without its flaws, but we think it's one of the best hybrid cameras in this price range on the market.

If you specialize in a particular niche, however, it may not be the camera for you depending on the style of photography you shoot. For instance, sports and fast-action shooters will want something with a high burst rate, and the 10FPS on the Sony A7 IV will fall short if you want to advance your skills.

Also, if you already own the Sony A7 III, you'll need to consider whether you think the upgrades are worthwhile enough to warrant moving up to the newer model. We like the addition of the fully articulating screen, plus the improved autofocus and new eye autofocus for animals and birds. But if you shoot astrophotography, the increased megapixel count could result in more noise in your images, and the lower battery life might mean you may not be able to shoot for as long.

Another argument against buying the Sony A7 IV is that it likely won't be too long before they release an A7 V. While there are no rumors or official announcements yet, given the timeline of 3 years and 9 months between the release of the A7 III and the A7 IV, we are on track for there to potentially be talk of the next model towards the end of 2024 or beginning of 2025. Even if you don't want the newer model when it eventually comes out, its release will likely see the A7 IV reduce in price, so if you're not in a hurry you could save yourself some money by waiting.

If the Sony A7 IV isn't for you

If you don't think the Sony A7 IV is right for you after reading this review, here are some alternative options that might suit you a little better.

If you're a professional photographer and want a pro-grade camera with a bit more oomph, we'd recommend the Sony A7R V or the Sony A1. The Sony A7R V is the newer of the two with AI-powered autofocus and incredibly clever technology, and the A1 has a stacked sensor for seriously powerful performance and exceptional images (although the A1 is very expensive).

If, on the other hand, you're more of a beginner and the Sony A7 IV sounds like overkill or out of your budget, the Sony A6700 is a fantastic crop sensor camera with a lot of the newer features Sony is offering for around $900 less than the A7 IV, or if you want the AI autofocus and full-frame sensor in a newer model, check out the Sony A7C II which is a similar price to the A7 IV.

That's because it's essentially the same as the M1 version that we've had for a while, except it's getting a larger version and the M2 chip that's been around for two years.

Perhaps the best thing about the arrival of an underwhelming new model is that the iPad Air with M1, which we called "the ultimate student tablet" in our glowing iPad Air M1 review, is now seeing significant price cuts.

In fact, you can now save $200 off of the tablet at both Amazon and Walmart, bringing it down to just $399.

The iPad Air has a big, bright 10.9-inch display that makes it big enough for just about anything while also being just the right size to hold with one hand — ideal for reading books.

While the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard add an extra cost, even without them iPadOS is really coming into its own, with improved multitasking features and gestures. And, there's Bluetooth mouse and keyboard support anyway.

Battery life is good, too, and the M1 chip inside is the same that's found on some Apple laptops, plus the USB-C connection means you can hook up a variety of peripherals.

We dubbed the iPad Air M1 the best iPad for students, and we still stand by it — especially at this price.

Key features: Portable, big display, 64GB of storage and USB-C connectivity.

Price history: We've seen around $100 off this iPad before, but this discount is a new low for the M1 model.

Price comparison: While Walmart and Amazon duke it out, Target still offers the M1 iPad Air at full price - despite stocking the M2 for 99 cents less.

Reviews consensus: Despite the M1 chip being a few years old now, it's still powerful, and energy-efficient enough, to power just about anything you can do on an iPad. Whether it's for watching TV and movies, working on projects, or taking to work with you, the iPad Air is certainly versatile.

Live Science: ★★★★½ TechRadar: ★★★★ Tom's Guide: ★★★★½

Buy it if: You don't want to carry a laptop but want laptop-level performance.

Don't buy it if: You want to use it exclusively with a keyboard - a MacBook will be a better use of your money in that case.