Digital Camera World – September 2026

Summary

Digital Camera World's September 2026 issue, numbered 311, opens with a guide to capturing the great outdoors, then pairs a cover feature on a photographer's work with a full test of the Nikon Z5II and a look at new camera gear.

Digital Camera World's September 2026 issue, numbered 311, leads with a guide to capturing the great outdoors, setting up a month focused on landscape and location work. The cover feature profiles a photographer's body of work, while gear coverage is anchored by a full test of the Nikon Z5II. Later tests cover lenses, a tripod and accessories for outdoor shooting, and a section gathers reader photos with expert critique. The issue includes practical advice on shooting better landscapes, plus news of new cameras and releases across the industry.

Regular departments keep the practical value high for enthusiasts. A photo-ideas section delivers assignments for the month, and a skills section covers camera technique in the field. Practical pages include editing and software tutorials, while a news spread covers product launches. The back pages gather a buyers' guide and directory of gear and services for readers planning their next purchase.

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Story / Features / Guides

p.4 · COVER FEATURE: A photographer's body of work
The cover feature profiles a photographer's work, covering their subjects and approach to shooting. The piece tracks a career through images. Choose one image from this feature to study for lighting today.

p.? · GUIDE TO CAPTURING THE GREAT OUTDOORS
A guide to capturing the great outdoors leads the issue, covering landscape and location technique. The guide details planning and camera settings for field work. Scout one local viewpoint from this guide this weekend.

▸ Gear / Tests

p.? · NIKON Z5II TESTED
The Nikon Z5II gets a full test, covering performance and handling for enthusiast photographers. The review looks at real-world results with the body. Compare the Z5II to your current camera before you upgrade.

p.? · LENSES, TRIPOD AND ACCESSORIES FOR OUTDOORS
Later tests cover lenses, a tripod and accessories chosen for outdoor shooting. Add one tested accessory to your kit list this month.

▸ Reader / Skills

p.? · READER PHOTOS WITH EXPERT CRITIQUE
A section gathers reader photos alongside expert critique, showing what works and what to fix. Submit one photo to this section with your best landscape.

p.? · EDITING AND SOFTWARE TUTORIALS
Practical pages include editing and software tutorials for photographers. Apply one tutorial step to a recent outdoor shot.

▸ Regulars

p.? · PHOTO IDEAS AND MONTHLY ASSIGNMENTS
A photo-ideas section delivers assignments readers can shoot during the month. Complete one assignment from this page this week.

p.? · BUYERS' GUIDE AND GEAR DIRECTORY
The back pages gather a buyers' guide and directory of gear and services for readers. Shortlist one item from this guide before buying.

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Editor's Take

The Nikon Z5II test is the strongest element of this September 2026 issue (311): a full, named body review gives enthusiasts a real buying decision to make. The great-outdoors guide that opens the issue sets a clear seasonal focus, and the reader photo critique remains the most useful regular in the magazine. The weakness is the cover feature, which is vague about the photographer's identity and reads as generic profile material, and several gear tests are short. Layout is familiar, and the buyers' guide plus directory pages pad the back. Best for enthusiasts considering the Z5II or outdoor kit; pros will find it routine.

Strengths
• Full Nikon Z5II test with real-world results
• Great-outdoors guide sets a clear seasonal focus
• Reader photo critique is genuinely instructive
• Monthly assignments readers can shoot now

Weaknesses
• Cover feature is vague on the photographer's identity
• Buyers' guide and directories pad the back pages

Verdict: Recommended — The Z5II test and outdoors guide carry a competent but familiar issue.