Smart photography gear that every snapper should see

It’s no longer necessary to own a huge DSLR to take amazing images. Whether you’re a first-time snapper or a professional, this smart photography gear will make a significant difference to your photos.

• Do you need a DSLR to take good photos? Absolutely not. Many smaller cameras take incredible images.
• What is the best smartphone for photography? Right now, the Google Pixel 2 has the best camera of any smartphone.
• Can smart photography gear help you take better photos? Yes. Lenses, 360 cameras, drones, and stabilizers can all make a big difference to your photography.

It seems like everyone is a photographer these days. That is a positive — it’s great that so many people have the chance to express themselves creatively. But if you want to stand out on Instagram, you’re going to need some tech. The smart photography gear below should do the trick.

YI 360 VR Camera

Virtual reality and 360-degree imagery is hot right now. If you want to get ahead of the curve, grab this pocket-sized camera from Yi. It has two 12MP Sony sensors and two lenses to capture the view at 5.7K resolution.

Price: $183 USD

Bird Photo Booth 2.0 Camera Bird Feeder

Love wildlife photography? This ingenious bird feeder will help you get amazing close-ups of feathered friends. Inside the retro case is a motion-activated camera that takes 16MP photos and 4K video, with live Wi-Fi streaming.

Price: $179.99 USD

My Passport Wireless Shock-Resistant SSD

When you’re away from home, this shock-resistant SSD provides a safe home for your photos. My Passport will back up the contents of any SD card — including 4K video and RAW files — at the push of a button.

Price: $229.99 USD

Polaroid Mint Instant Print Camera

Instant cameras always used to be bulky. Not any more — the Polaroid Mint is less that one inch thick, and it takes stunning 16MP photos. Seconds after you press the shutter, it spits out a beautiful 2×3-inch print.

Price: $99.99 USD

DJI Osmo Pocket Compact Smart Camera

With the DJI Osmo in your pocket, you can capture every unexpected moment and sudden burst of sunlight. This tiny camera takes 12MP stills and 4K video at 60fps, with built-in image stabilization.

Price: $349 USD

LitraPro Full Spectrum Compact Light

The LitraPro lets you create the perfect lighting conditions for any shoot. You control this small full-spectrum light from your phone via Bluetooth, with four light levels to choose from.

Price: $219.95 USD

Parrot Anafi Flying 4K HDR Camera

With the first 180-degree gimbal on a drone and a 2.8x lossless zoom, the Parrot Anafi was made for aerial photography. This drone can capture incredible 4K HDR video and 21MP photos, with a flight time of 25 minutes.

Price: $699 USD

Moment Tele 58mm Lens

Want to take better shots with your phone? The Moment Tele lens lets you get four times closer to the action, with six glass elements for exceptional image quality.

Price: $99.99 USD

Pictar Pro Smartphone DSLR Grip

For committed smartphone photographers, Pictar Pro is an essential accessory. This grip makes your phone feel like a DSLR, complete with manual controls, a viewfinder and even a cold shoe.

Price: $129 USD, pre-order

Smart photography gear

What gear has helped you take better photos? Tell your story in the comments!