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The PS5 Digital Edition has seen price rises in some regions
The price has gone up in the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand
The disc drive, however, has seen an overall reduction in price
As of today, thePlayStation 5Digital Edition has been hit with another wave of price increases in some regions. But there is some good news for PS5 Pro owners looking to pick up the disc drive.
Announced via an officialPlayStation Blog post,Sonyhas confirmed that the PS5’s price will be increased in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The company cited “a challenging economic environment, including high inflation and fluctuating exchange rates” as key reasons for the “tough decision.”
In the UK and Europe, there have been no price changes for the standard PS5. Otherwise, you can see the current changes here:
Europe
PS5 Digital Edition – €499.99
PS5 – No change
UK
PS5 Digital Edition – £429.99
PS5 – No change
Australia
PS5 Digital Edition – AU$749.95
PS5 – AU$829.95
New Zealand
PS5 Digital Edition – NZD $859.95
PS5 – NZD $949.95
In slightly better news, especially for PS5 Pro owners looking to add a physical disc option to their setup, the price of the disc drive has been reduced. The new disc drive prices are as follows:
Europe
€79.99
UK
£69.99
Australia
AU$124.95
New Zealand
NZD $139.95
The new prices in these regions have been reflected on PlayStation Direct, Sony’s official storefront for PlayStation products including the PS5. However, you may still have luck at other retailers if you’re currently in the market for the console.
For example, in the UK, Argos currently has the PS5 Digital Edition bundled withAstro Botat a very wallet-friendly£339.99right now. Currys is also yet to reflect the price increase, and the PS5 Digital Edition is still available here for£389. If you’ve been planning on picking up a PS5 soon, then, it may be a good idea to pounce now before the price increases are reflected across the board.
The price of some subscription plans is to jump by about 36 per cent in some territories from next week
It has been about 19 months since the last PS Plus price hike
Sony is raising the price ofPlayStation Plusin 22 countries because of the impact of “global market conditions”.
Affected regions include South America, south-east Asia and Australia, where the price of certain subscription plans are jumping almost 36 per cent.
Here is what you need to know about the PS Plus price rise, including affected countries and how you can evade them.
When are PS Plus prices going up?
The new PS Plus prices will come into force onWednesday April 16for new subscribers andJune 24(or when subscriptions run out) for existing subscribers.
Sony said the hike is down to “global market conditions” – in plain terms, that means things like inflation and other economic changes, especially in regions like Latin America where costs have soared.
Sony’s PlayStation Plus service includes access to online multiplayer, free monthly games, and a huge library of titles depending on the subscription tier
Pexels
The company argued the changes are needed to keep delivering top-tier games and perks throughPlayStationPlus. It’s part of a wider trend: asXbox Game Passand Netflix (whichnow offers games) raise their prices, Sony is following suit to stay competitive.
Where are PS Plus prices going up and by how much?
Below we have listed all the countries where Sony is upping the cost of PS Plus, along with the new and old prices for each region (and the percentage difference).
South Korea
Essential:
1 month: KRW 8,900 → KRW 10,800 (+21.3%)
3 months: KRW 23,800 → KRW 28,400 (+19.3%)
12 months: KRW 72,900 → KRW 86,400 (+18.5%)
Extra:
1 month: KRW 13,300 → KRW 16,200 (+21.8%)
3 months: KRW 36,000 → KRW 46,000 (+27.8%)
12 months: KRW 115,900 → KRW 145,800 (+25.8%)
Deluxe (Premium):
1 month: KRW 15,600 → KRW 19,000 (+21.8%)
3 months: KRW 43,200 → KRW 54,000 (+25%)
12 months: KRW 139,900 → KRW 171,000 (+22.2%)
Latin America (general pricing in USD)
Essential:
1 month: $6.99 → $7.99 (+14.31%)
3 months: $17.99 → $20.99 (+16.68%)
12 months: $59.99 → $64.99 (+8.34%)
Extra:
1 month: $9.99 → $11.99 (+20.02%)
3 months: $27.99 → $33.99 (+21.43%)
12 months: $89.99 → $107.99 (+20%)
Premium:
1 month: $11.99 → $13.99 (+16.68%)
3 months: $34.99 → $39.99 (+14.29%)
12 months: $109.99 → $124.99 (+13.64%)
Sony regularly adds new titles to the PlayStation Plus library, with recent additions including Lost Records: Bloom & Rage and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Brazil
The following price increases are for current/new subscribers:
As the increase doesn’t start until April 16, there is still time for users to get the lower price, even if they are current subscribers.
You canpurchase extra cards at a lower priceand add them to your account, andReddit users have reportedthat PlayStation lets them add additional years to their account this way.
Alternatively, Sony has cut the price of membership forBlack Fridayin the past so, if you can’t afford an annual membership now, the chances are you will get a second bite of the cherry come November. Stacking two three-month memberships should see you through till then.
Currently, the US and Europe are safe from these price hikes, but uncertainty prevails with the ongoing tariff situation.
Here are your PlayStation Plus free games for April 2025
(Image credit: Nacon)
PlayStation Plus free games change at the start of every month, and coming in at no extra cost toPS Plusmembers, these free games are a great way to expand your library on the cheap or pick up and try games that you might not have thought about initially.
More often than not, you’ll have three games to try out with each month’s drop – which covers bothPS5andPS4(so you’re still set if you haven’t jumped into the latest generation yet) – though sometimes we see some curveballs in the form of one or two fewer or more games. And we’re also likely to see morePSVRgames be thrown into the PS Plus free game mixer too.
If you are a subscriber and don’t make the most of the free games on offer from month to month, it’s worth making it a habit to start claiming them when you can since they’ll always be available to you as long as your subscription is live. Since thebest PS5 gamescan set you back a pretty penny, this is a great way to make the most of your console without having to fork out new releases every month.
You can see the lineup for March which, at time of writing is still available for a few days, below. The new line-up for April 2025 includes an excellent multiplayer horror game, and a shooter starring RoboCop. Read on to see the full lineup.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre | PS5, PS4 Take on the role of one of the notorious Slaughter family, or their victims, in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, a third-person asymmetrical horror experience based on the groundbreaking and iconic 1974 horror film. As a victim you must use your wits and stealth to stay out of the Family’s reach and find the tools you need to lead to your eventual freedom. Slaughter Family players must seek out, track down, and stop their guests from escaping. Players of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre can finally find out if they have what it takes to survive.
RoboCop: Rogue City | PS5 Become the legendary part man, part machine, all cop hero and bring justice to the dangerous, crime-ridden streets of Old Detroit. With your powerful Auto-9 or one of a range of weapons available, eradicate criminals throughout this explosive first-person adventure. Your cyborg strength and cybernetic abilities can be upgraded as you progress, to make you an even more formidable law enforcement officer.
Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory | PS4 After being accused of a crime he didn’t commit, Keisuke Amazawa has no choice but to dive into the Digital World and investigate to prove his innocence. Even if that means joining a group of hackers and helping them to solve the troubles threatening this mysterious universe. Discover the mysterious backstory to the events that happened in Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth as you dive into a deeper and darker adventure, at crossroads between real and digital and experience the perfect mix between Adventure, Raising and Battle with over 320 Digimon to discover.
Below, you’ll find the PS Plus offerings for the last six months or so. Use these to see what you’ve missed, and to predict the kinds of games that might be available in the future.
PlayStation Plus free games: March 2025
(Image credit: Sega)
Dragon Age: The Veilguard | PS5 Unite the Veilguard and defy the gods in this immersive single-player RPG where you become the leader others believe in. When a pair of corrupt ancient gods break free from centuries of darkness, the vibrant land of Thedas needs someone they can count on.Rise as Rook, Dragon Age’s newest hero. Be who you want to be and play how you want to play as you fight back and lead your team of seven companions, each with their own rich story. Together you will become The Veilguard.
Sonic Colors: Ultimate | PS4 The evil Dr. Eggman has built an interstellar amusement park – but he’s powering it with a captured alien race called “Wisps.” Use Sonic’s speed to free the Wisps and gain their amazing powers as you explore six unique worlds, filled with hurdles to overcome. Now with stunning upscaled visuals, additional features, a new game mode and enhanced gameplay – it’s the Ultimate Sonic Colors experience.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection | PS4, PS5 13 classic Konami TMNT games are assembled in one incredible package! Experience 13 immensely popular and influential TMNT games in a totally radical collection from Konami. These retro nostalgia trips come with a range of new quality-of-life features, including online play for certain games and local couch play, the ability to save anytime and rewind, button mapping, unique development art & sketches, historic TMNT media content and more!
All three games will be available to PlayStation Plus members on March 4 until March 31.
PlayStation Plus free games: February 2025
(Image credit: Squanch Games)
Payday 3 | PS5 First up is Payday 3, the latest heist co-op shooter that sees players teaming up to pull off epic bank robberies. Expect stealth and action-packed shootouts in equal measure, as you and your squad slowly take on harder and harder jobs, with rewards increasing along with the risk.
High on Life | PS4, PS5 Fresh out of high school with no job and no ambition, you’ve really got nothing going for you until an alien cartel that wants to get high off humanity invades Earth. Now, you and a team of charismatic talking guns must answer the hero’s call and become the deadliest intergalactic bounty hunter the cosmos has ever seen. Travel to a variety of biomes and locations across the cosmos, go up against the nefarious Garmantuous and his gang of goons, collect loot, meet unique characters, and more, in the latest comedy adventure from Squanch Games.
Pac-Man World Re-Pac | PS4, PS5 In this 2004 remake of the original PlayStation platformer, with improved UI, fine-tuned mechanics and updated visuals, Pac-Man arrives home on his birthday to find the Ghosts have kidnapped Pac-Man’s family & friends and ruined his party. Off to the rescue, Pac-Man sets out to Ghost Island. Dodge Ghosts, solve environmental puzzles, rescue the Pac-Fam, and more in this platforming adventure. Play a collection of 3D mazes in Maze mode, clear Quest mode to unlock the original Pac-Man game in Original mode.
All three games will be available to PlayStation Plus members on February 4 until March 3.
PlayStation Plus free games: January 2025
(Image credit: PlayStation)
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League | PS5 Take down The Justice League yourself in single-player or team up with friends in multiplayer co-op in this genre-defying, action-adventure third-person shooter from Rocksteady Studios, creators of the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham series. Featuring an original narrative set within an expansive open-world city of Metropolis, the game puts the four DC Super-Villains on a collision course with an invading alien force and DC Super Heroes who are now laser-focused on destroying the city they once vowed to protect.
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered | PS4 Feel the thrill of the chase and the rush of escape in Need for Speed Hot Pursuit. Unleash a savage sense of speed both as an outlaw and a cop in the world’s hottest high-performance cars. Outsmart the heat or take down lawbreakers with the tactical weaponry at your disposal in a heart-pumping, socially competitive racing experience. Updated with enhanced visuals, cross-platform multiplayer – including the asynchronous competition powered by Autolog – plus all additional DLC content, this is the ultimate edition of Criterion Games’ critically acclaimed Need for Speed debut. It’s time to reignite the pursuit.
The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe | PS4, PS5 The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe is an expanded re-imagining of the critically acclaimed, award winning indie game The Stanley Parable from 2013. Everything that was in the original Stanley Parable is here, preserved just like it was back in 2013. But The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe also dramatically expands the world of the original game with new content, new choices, and new secrets to uncover. The labyrinth has just gotten bigger. In addition, the game has been visually upgraded to reflect modern technology while faithfully preserving the tone of the original game. Accessibility features have also been added to the game, including localization of in-world text, colorblind options, and content warnings. And just as before, the impeccable voicework of Kevan Brighting will accompany you every step of the way.
PlayStation Plus free games: December 2024
(Image credit: Cold Iron Studios)
It Takes Two | PS4, PS5 It Takes Two is a genre-bending platform adventure created purely for co-op. Choose from couch or online co-op with split-screen play, invite a friend to join for free with Friend’s Pass and work together across a huge variety of gleefully disruptive gameplay challenges.
Aliens: Dark Descent | PS4, PS5 Battle to keep your squad alive against the deadliest foe mankind has ever faced. Aliens: Dark Descent is a real-time combat strategy game where you’ll command a squad of hardened colonial marines to stop a terrifying Xenomorph outbreak on Moon Lethe. Lead your soldiers against iconic Xenomorphs, rogue operatives from the insatiable Weyland-Yutani Corporation and a host of horrifying creatures new to the Alien franchise. Infiltrate large open levels and annihilate enemies with your squad, dispatching orders strategically and intuitively. Tread carefully, as your foes will adapt their tactics to your actions while hunting you down because death is permanent.
Temtem | PS5 Every kid dreams about becoming a Temtem tamer; exploring the six islands of the Airborne Archipelago, discovering new species, and making good friends along the way. Now it’s your turn to embark on an epic adventure and make those dreams come true. Catch new Temtem on Omninesia’s floating islands, battle other tamers on the sandy beaches of Deniz or trade with your friends in Tucma’s ash-covered fields. Defeat the ever-annoying Clan Belsoto and end its plot to rule over the Archipelago, beat all eight DojoLeaders, and become the ultimate Temtem tamer.
All three games will be available to PlayStation Plus members on December 3 until January 6.
PlayStation Plus free games: November 2024
(Image credit: Milestone)
Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbo Charged (PS5, PS4) Race over 130 vehicles, including Hot Wheels Originals, Hot Wheels Monster Trucks, motorbikes and ATVs, each with their unique racing style, across multiple game modes and amazing environments. Upgrade vehicles with a dedicated skill tree that will directly affect their performance. Discover 5 brand new locations, master their secrets, and you’ll feel right at home both there and on the podium. Alternatively create the track of your dreams with the powerful Track Editor, or use the best creations from the community.
Ghostwire: Tokyo (PS5) Tokyo is overrun by deadly supernatural forces as a dangerous occultist causes the city’s population to vanish in an instant. Join forces with a powerful spectral entity on their quest for vengeance and master a powerful arsenal of abilities to unravel the dark truth behind the disappearance as you face the unknown in Ghostwire: Tokyo.
Death Note Killer Within (PS5, PS4) Death Note Killer Within is an online social deduction game for up to 10 players. Players will be split into two teams with different objectives. To win the game, players will need to figure out each other’s identities and either eliminate L who threatens Kira’s power or seize the Death Note. Enjoy a battle of wits as Kira and his followers, or as L and the investigators in the world of Death Note. As equally matched opponents, the two teams clash to control the game while hiding their true identities from each other.
Note that October’s free games are still available until November 4, 2024.
PlayStation Plus free games: October 2024
(Image credit: EA / Motive)
Dead Space (PS5) First up this month is the Dead Space remake for PS5. The sci-fi survival horror classic returns, rebuilt to offer a deeper and more immersive experience. Isaac Clarke is an everyman engineer on a mission to repair a vast Planet Cracker-class ship, the USG Ishimura, only to discover something has gone horribly wrong. The ship’s crew has been slaughtered and Isaac’s beloved partner, Nicole, is lost somewhere on board. Now alone and armed with only his engineering tools and skills, Isaac races to uncover the nightmarish mystery of what happened aboard the Ishimura in hopes of finding Nicole.
WWE 2K24 (PS5, PS4) A celebration of 40 years of WrestleMania, featuring iconic superstars past and present, playable across a vast array of game modes. Join the biggest superstars in sports entertainment as WWE 2K24 presents a retelling of WrestleMania’s greatest moments from the last 40 years. Take part in some of wrestling’s most unforgettable and career-defining matches, choosing from the likes of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Undertaker and Andre the Giant, alongside current contenders “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes, John Cena, Rhea Ripley and Roman Reigns.
Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! (PS5, PS4) Enter the psychological horror experience of Doki Doki Literature Club. You play as the main character, who reluctantly joins the Literature Club in search of a romantic interest. With every poem you write and every choice you make, you’ll charm your crush and begin to unfold the horrors of school romance. Do you have what it takes to crack the code of dating sims and get the perfect ending? This game is not suitable for children or those who are easily disturbed.
PlayStation Plus free games: September 2024
(Image credit: Tarsier Studios)
Quidditch Champions (PS4, PS5) Take to the sky and play out your QUidditch fantasy in any of the Wizarding game’s four positions (Chaser, Seeker, Keeper, or Beater) in Quidditch Champions and experience legendary arenas and maps from across the wizarding world. Play solo to become a hero of the game, or play co-op online tot ake on the world together with friends – or take them on head-to-head in PvP matches.
MLB The Show 24 (PS4,PS5) If you’ve been holding out for the best way to live your Major League Baseball dreams thenMLB The Show 24is the way to do it. Work your way up to the big leagues from scratch to become a legend of the sport, or go on a journey to create a World Series dynasty, or even learn about the unsung heroes of the sport in the latest excellent entry in the baseball game series.
Little Nightmares 2 (PS4, PS5) Embrace this horror-themed platformer and delve into a dark and twisted world as you play as Mono, a young boy, who is joined by Six, returning from the first game. It’s a journey of courage, stealth, and resourcefulness to navigate mind-boggling puzzles and gruesome enemies.
PlayStation Plus free games: August 2024
(Image credit: Warner Bros)
LEGOStar WarsThe Skywalker Saga (PS4, PS5) Play through all nineStar Warssaga films in a brand-new LEGO video game unlike any other. Experience fun-filled adventures, whimsical humor, and the freedom to fully immerse yourself in the LEGO Star Wars galaxy.
Five Nights at Freddy’s Security Breach (PS4, PS5) Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breachis the latest installment of the family-friendly horror games from Steel Wool Games. Play as Gregory, a young boy trapped overnight in Freddy Fazbear’s Mega Pizzaplex. With the help of Freddy Fazbear himself, Gregory must survive the near-unstoppable hunt of reimagined Five Nights at Freddy’s characters – as well as new, horrific threats.
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights (PS4) Unravel the mysteries of a destroyed kingdom in this dark fantasy 2D action RPG. Journey through the sprawling and hauntingly beautiful Land’s End, traversing a submerged forest, a sealed-off contaminated underground cavern, and a grand castle. Formidable bosses await that will gladly claim your life given even the slightest chance. Defeat these powerful foes and release them from their unending curse to recruit them as allies. Overcome the challenges before you and search for the truth with powerful knights at your side.
PlayStation Plus free games: July 2024
(Image credit: 2K Games)
Borderlands 3 (PS5, PS4) Step into the shoes of a Vault Hunter and loot and shoot your way across the edge of the galaxy inBorderlands 3. Offering co-op online and joyous split-screen action this bombastic, often-witty, first-person shooter with its distinct art style will provide an excellent adventure. Mayhem, banter, and ridiculousness will abound.
NHL 24 (PS5, PS4) Take your sporting hit to the ice with one of the world’s fastest and high-intensity sports in the world withNHL 24. The new engine behind this latest installment of the series brings the feeling of pressure, intensity, and speed right to the fore. Building on the entries that came before and offering a whole host of new features, this is the definitive way to enjoy ice hockey on PlayStation.
Among Us (PS5, PS4) Identify the imposter in your space crew inAmong Usand stop them before they sabotage your ship and kill everyone on board. The enormously popular online party game is a comedy-anecdote generator and will have you and your friends in stitches as you get your alibis in order and try to hold your spaceship together.
Version 25.02-11.00.00 improves activities and adds new Unicode 16.0 emojis
New parental controls have also been implemented
A new firmware update for thePlayStation 5has been released, adding more system improvements.
This latest patch comes in a 1.3GB and is one of the more significant updates since the console’s successor, thePS5 Pro, launched.
As thepatch notesdetail, it mainly targets the system’s communications features and makes it easier for users to view activity details, which will now be displayed on cards.
Support for Unicode 16.0 emojis has been added for messages, too, along with new parental controls for Communication and User-Generated Content, which should now default to ‘Restrict’ when changing levels to Late Teens or Older.
Like previous updates, this patch sees some of the usual software performance and stability improvements to the system, messaging, and overall usability, as well.
We’ve made it simpler to view details about activities.
Activity details are now fully displayed on cards.
Potential spoilers will still be hidden.
Unicode 16.0 emojis are now supported. You can use them in your messages.
When you set the parental controls’ restriction level to Late Teens or Older, Communication and User-Generated Content will now default to Restrict. If you have previously set the level to Late Teens or Older, your previous settings will not be affected and it will be shown as Customize.
We’ve improved system software performance and stability.
We’ve improved the messages and usability on some screens.
Last week, it was reported thatthe PS5 is still dominating in console sales, outselling the PS4 in the United States, as well as theXbox Series XandXbox Series S, which are currently falling behind theXbox Oneby a signigicant margin.
Three giants in the camera industry — but which one has the best astrophotography features for you?
The Milky Way is a popular target for astrophotographers. (Image credit: Getty Images)
It can be a complex decision to choose the right camera brand for astrophotography. With new technology and an ever-increasing rate of camera development, the major photographic brands that we see regularly popping up, like Canon,Nikon, andSony, each bring district strengths to the table. Telling these strengths apart and knowing what to pay attention to can sometimes be difficult. In astrophotography, key factors likelow-light performance, high ISO capabilities, noise reduction, and any included specific astro-centric features are paramount. If you are in the market for a camera, it might be worth checking out these brands in ourcamera deals hub. In this article, we will discuss how the brands compare and answer common tech queries about each system.
Sony
Sony excels at handling high ISO with minimal noise. (Image credit: Getty Images)
Firstly, Sony recently broke ground with its cutting-edge sensor technology. Sony’s mirrorless systems, especially the full-frame options, excel in handling high ISO settings with minimal noise, making them popular for astrophotographers and people taking images in low-light environments. Their backside illuminated sensors (often referred to as BI sensors) allow more light to hit the pixel area, improving sensitivity and reducing noise, which is crucial for capturing faint celestial objects. Sony also has excellent real-time star tracking and pixel shift technology to provide clear, high-detail astro images, but much of this comes at a price, with good full-frame Sony options coming in at thousands of dollars.
Canon
Canon’s exceptional color science makes them a favorite among astrophotographers.(Image credit: Getty Images)
Canon has long been a favorite for astrophotography thanks to its exceptional color science and sensor performance at higher ISO values, although they tend to produce slightly more noise than Sony’s comparable models. Canon’s strength lies in its wide range ofcompatible lensesand dedicated low-light features in select models such as theCanon EOS R5andEOS R6. The affordability of many of their models mean that second-hand Canon options can often be purchased for a fraction of the price of many newer options.
Nikon has recently stepped up its game with mirrorless Z-series cameras, like theNikon Z6andZ7. Nikon’s full-frame cameras boast excellent dynamic range and superb low-light performance, making them competitive for astrophotography. Like Sony, Nikon’s backside illumination sensor technology helps with reducing noise at high ISOs, though Nikon’s high ISO noise reduction isn’t always as aggressive as Sony’s. Nikon also offers specialized features such as ‘star-eater’ suppression, designed to maintain image quality during long exposures which will come in handy for photographers who are pointing towards the night sky.
‘Star eater’ suppression is designed to maintain image quality during long exposures.(Image credit: Getty Images)
If you are just getting started in astrophotography, you will want to look at setups that allow experimentation — a mixture of affordability and awide range of lensesis important to look at. TheNikon D5600is a good starting point — plenty of lens combinations are available and the 24.2 MP sensor has an ISO range of 100-25,600. It is also good at low light autofocus, which, although, as a budding astrophotographer, you’ll rarely use, it is good to have as an option if you are taking photos of a supermoon, for example.
Low light autofocus is a good feature to have when photographing a supermoon.(Image credit: jamesvancouver via Getty Images)
We would also recommend something like the ultra-portableSony Alpha a6400, which, although still an APS-C sensor, offers options for interchangeable lenses and features real-time tracking, where it uses AI behavior models to detect and capture objects in the distance automatically.
Camera
Sensor
ISO Range
Megapixel
Price
Astro-features
Sony Alpha a6400
APS-C
100-32,000
24.2
$900
Real-time tracking
Canon EOS Rebel T7i (800D)
APS-C
100-25,600
24.2
$750
Dual Pixel AF
Nikon D5600
APS-C
100-25,600
24.2
$700
Low-light AF
Best mid-range cameras for astrophotography
Long exposure shooting is unavoidable in astrophotography (Image credit: Getty Images)
If you have learned the ropes and you are looking to take a step up from entry-level gear, mid-range cameras offer enhanced performance, better noise control, and several more advanced features that you are likely to use in other forms of photography, too. They are also more likely to feature full-frame sensors, which means that you will produce larger images and more detail to work with in the edit.
TheSony Alpha A7 IIIis an excellent choice for serious astrophotographers on a mid-range budget. Its full-frame sensor performs excellently in low-light scenarios, minimizing noise and maximizing detail in dark environments. TheNikon’s Z6is also an option to consider – it strikes a good balance between price and performance and like the A7 III, it uses a backside illumination sensor to allow more light to reach inside the camera, making it great for night sky photography. It also features in-body stabilization and excellent star tracking to help with long-exposure shots.
Camera
Sensor
ISO Range
Megapixel
Price
Astro features
Sony Alpha A7 III
Full-frame
100-51,200
24.2
$2000
Excellent ISO handling
Canon EOS R
Full-frame
100-40,000
30.3
$1800
RF lens mount offers lots of choice
Nikon Z6
Full-frame
100-51,200
24.5
$1600
Star tracking
Should you switch camera brands?
Once you have committed to a camera brand, and bought the associated lenses and accessories, it is sometimes quite hard to go back to the drawing board. However, if other brands or cameras have specific attributes that will help you in astrophotography, it is well worth having a look at the implications of switching. We will take each switch option and weigh it up.
Switching to Canon
If you are moving from Sony to Canon, expect to see a difference in image color science, with Canon often praised for its color accuracy. Switching to Canon can be a money saver, thanks to the high availability of lenses and bodies.
Switching away from either Sony or Nikon towards Canon may only be necessary for those looking for a switch to a camera for life full of professional specs like theCanon EOS R5.
One thing that is worth reiterating is that Canon’s widespread popularity means lens options (new and used) are plentiful — so worth considering for those who want to save money.
Switching to Sony
Sony’s high ISO noise reduction is impressive for capturing stars and deep sky objects.(Image credit: Kimberley Lane)
Although it will hit your wallet a little harder, switching to Sony offers better high ISO noise reduction and sensor technology, making it ideal for those focused on capturing deep-space objects. Switching would require an investment in Sony’s full-frame mirrorless lens system, but the superior noise handling at high ISOs can be a game-changer — these are some of the best cameras you can buy at each price point.
Switching to Nikon
Nikon offers a comparable dynamic range to its competitors and solid low-light performance in its mirrorless Z-series, but the shift away from Sony or Canon may not bring a significant leap in performance unless you value Nikon’s lens ecosystem or prefer Nikon’s ergonomics and handling.
Some photographers prefer Nikon’s ergonomics and handling.
Nikon’s dynamic range however is often praised, and this can benefit landscape astrophotographers who want more flexibility in post-processing. Their growing range of Z-mount lenses can make the switch worth it, especially for those prioritizing dynamic range over specialized astro features.
Summary
Deciding on whether to switch depends on your astrophotography goals.(Image credit: Getty Images)
The decision to switch between Sony, Canon, and Nikon largely depends on your specific astrophotography goals. Each brand offers its own set of strengths, whether it’s Sony’s superior ISO handling, Canon’s specialized low-light features, or Nikon’s dynamic range. Cost, lens availability, and compatibility with your existing astrophotography setup (includingtelescopes) should also factor into the decision. It is worth looking at theused marketto ensure you are getting the best setup for your dollar. It will also come down to the ergonomics and usability of each camera; which menu system and which interfaces you feel most comfortable with.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows may be a reason for skeptical gamers to consider a PS5 Pro upgrade. Digital Foundry showed how ray-traced global illumination added realism to the Japanese scenery. The Assassin’s Creed Shadows PS5 Pro version is missing some Sony-promoted features like PSSR upscaling.
Assassins Creed Shadows PS5 Pro banner (Image source: Sony PlayStation)
Developers aren’t always clear about what advantages a title will have on the PS5 Pro. Fortunately, Digital Foundry ran a comprehensive analysis before the Assassin’s Creed Shadows release date. The most significant improvements are with lighting effects, which make the game’s Japanese environments eerily realistic.
Like many recent console releases, Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers performance, quality, and balanced modes. Digital Foundry found that Sony’s most powerful gaming system realizes its potential with 60fps performance settings. The Assassin’s Creed Shadows PS5 Pro version includes ray-traced global illumination (RTGI), which isn’t available on the PS5. The footage shows how indirect light convincingly bounces off foliage, while the scenes with the PS5 look drab.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows PS5 Pro blanced vs quality mode comparison (Image source: screenshot, Digital Foundry YouTube)
Assassin’s Creed Shadows performance mode PS5 Pro vs PS5 comparison (Image source: screenshot, Digital Foundry YouTube)
Many PS5 titles receive post-launch patches to implement PS5 Pro-specific features. However, as a current-gen title only, it appearsAssassin’s Creed Shadowswas developed with the console in mind. Digital Foundry believes that Ubisoft’s game is one of the best demonstrations of PS5 Pro’s abilities yet. That said,Assassin’s Creed Shadowssurprisingly lacksPlayStation Spectral Super Resolution(PSSR) upscaling. Consequently, images at higher resolutions have more artifacts than expected.
Assassin’s Creed ShadowsPS5 Pro players can experience conventional ray tracing effects in quality mode. Otherwise, compared to the PS5, differences in smoothness and overall image sharpness are minor. If players are only interested in steady framerates, the Xbox or PS5 versions may suffice. Framerates generally met their targets in quality, performance, and balanced modes. On the other hand, like withMonster Hunter Wilds, the Xbox Series S shows its limitations with occasionally choppy gameplay.
>>>LIP1359 Battery for Sony Playstation3 Sixaxis Wireless Controller Ubisoft has dealt with delays and controversy leading up to theAssassin’s Creed Shadowsrelease date. Considering these difficulties, the publisher couldn’t afford to have poor performance cause more negative reactions. At least on consoles, the game presents a beautifully rendered open world with few technical hitches.
Source(s)
Digital Foundry YouTube
In today’s gaming world, multi-platform titles are becoming the standard. Some players are now using Boosteroid to stream PlayStation exclusives on Xbox consoles. Only purchased PC ports are compatible with the cloud gaming service.
PS5 logo shown on Xbox using Boosteroid cloud gaming (Image source: Xbox Wire, Sony PlayStation)
Microsoft loyalists may feel betrayed as more Xbox titles becomeplayable on the PS5. However, some gamers are gaining revenge by playing former PlayStation exclusives on Xbox consoles. TheBoosteroidcloud gaming service allows streaming select PlayStation games in the Edge browser. Of course, there are caveats, like needing to own a PC port of any PS4 or PS5 title.
Just asXbox Gaming has gone cross-platform, Sony has increased its presence on PCs. Titles, includingGod of War Ragnarok,Last of Us Part 1, andHelldivers 2, are available on Steam or the Epic Games Store. Still, Sony has tried to prevent any cloud gaming service from streaming these titles on Xbox consoles.Nvidia GeForce Nowhas an Xbox app, but the service doesn’t offer PlayStation exclusives.
God of War Ragnarok playing on Xbox console (Image source: screenshot, Console Gaming subreddit)
Instead of an app, Boosteroid relies on the Edge browser, accessible on Xbox consoles. Gamers must subscribe to the service for $7-$10 monthly and own the PlayStation game on Steam or another compatible marketplace. With a fast enough internet connection, gamers can play titles likeGod of War Ragnarokin 4K and up to 120 fps. Some gamers have postedsuccess stories on Reddit, reporting reasonable latency.
Critics may argue that using Boosteroid on an Xbox isn’t that appealing. Gamers still need to buy a PlayStation exclusive on PCs and a monthly subscription, so they aren’t saving much in costs. Also, the selection of compatible titles doesn’t include console-only games likeGran Turismo 7. Nevertheless, for cloud gaming supporters, it bypasses the need for a powerful gaming PC.
Considering the GeForce Now restrictions, the above workaround may not work much longer. Until then, the Xbox Series X|S has unexpectedly become more versatile.
PlayStation and Santa Monica Studios are celebrating the 20th anniversary of God of War by releasing a new free DLC for all Ragnarok players.
TL;DR: The God of War franchise celebrates its 20th anniversary with a new DLC for God of War Ragnarok, the Dark Odyssey Collection, releasing on March 20. This free DLC includes new appearances and armor for Kratos, Atreus, and Freya, as well as weapon and shield enhancements. The God of War franchise is about to turn 20-years old and in celebration of one of the most popular PlayStation franchises a new DLC is being released for God of War Ragnarok.
The first God of War game was released in 2005, and since then the franchise has gone through some major changes, with the most prominent being in 2018 when the game was rebooted. Notably, Santa Monica Studio game director Cory Barlog explained during the Raising Kratos behind the scenes that the chopping of the tree at the start of God of War 2018 was symbolic of the old franchise coming to an end and a new one beginning. Boy, was that a good decision, as God of War 2018 went on to win Game of the Year and breathe new life into the franchise.
The follow-up title released in 2022, God of War Ragnarok, while it didn’t win Game of the Year, was still met with praise by fans, and won Best Narrative, Best Action/Adventure, losing Game of the Year to Elden Ring. Now, in celebration of how far the God of War franchise has come, PlayStation has announced a new DLC for Ragnarok – the Dark Odyssey Collection. The new DLC will be released on March 20 and will be free for all players that own a copy of God of War Ragnarok.
The Sony WH-1000XM6 has taken a step closer to launch. This time, colour options have surfaced in a new leak, following appearances at various regulatory bodies.
Sony appears set to offer the WH-1000XM6 in three colour options, predecessor pictured. (Image source: Sony)
The WH-1000XM6 has been a long time coming. With past WH-1000X generations, Sony typically waited two years before bringing out a new model. This time around, it seems that the gap between theWH-1000XM5and its successor could span three years.
Reportedly, Sony has left the WH-1000X series on the back burner to coordinate its release year with the WF-1000X in-ear series. No evidence has yet emerged of a WF-1000XM6 though, in comparison to the WH-1000XM6.
To that end, The Walkman Blog has noticed a new sighting of the latter online. This time, the WH-1000XM6 has reached importers, which refer to the headphones by their YY2984 model number.
Predictably, the image lists details like 2.4 GHz Bluetooth support, which is in line with existing expectations. Additionally, the import listings imply that Sony has created three launch colour options, denoted by BM, LM and SM for Black, Platinum Silver and Midnight Blue, respectively. Other details remain unknown for now, although we may see Sony refreshing other over-ear headphones first before it moves onto the WH-1000XM6.
PSN downtime was due to ‘operational issue’ and Sony is giving 5 free days as compensation
PSN has just recovered from a 24-hour outage
Sony says the downtime was caused by an “operational issue” with network services
Compensation is 5 free days of service for PlayStation Plus members
Sonyhas informed us of the compensation that PlayStation owners – well,PlayStation Plusmembers – will receive due to themajor outage that struck PSN this weekend, which is thankfully now in the rearview mirror.
The PlayStation Network outage ran for 24 hours in the end, blotting out Saturday online gaming sessions across the globe (or Friday night in some places).
Finally, we were given a reason for the service dropping out, namely an “operational issue” with network services as explained by the PlayStation North American support account on X.
The post on the social media outlet also apologized and gave us details on the compensation that’s going to be provided: “All PlayStation Plus members will automatically receive an additional 5 days of service.”
Predictably, there’s quite a bit of unhappiness around the response here. Just a cursory glance through the replies to the announcement from Sony support gives you a good flavor of the disgruntled gamers out there. The main theme is ‘just five days, what about a month?’ – or ‘why aren’t you giving us a free game instead?’
Okay, the latter is pushing it, but I must agree that five days feels like, how can I put this tactfully… a minimal gesture?
I think Sony could have done better than that in mitigating what was clearly a lot of bad feeling from the broad PlayStation community around this weekend-spoiling (for some) outage.
Heck, even non-PlayStation gamers are chipping in on X and saying this feels stingy from Sony.
It’s worth noting that far from everyone has received the five-day bonus yet, and it’s likely in the pipeline for many.
The other frustrating element during this PSN outage was the lack of any communication as to what was going on from Sony.
Everything was down –all PlayStation services on the status dashboard, which was nothing but red lights – and yet not a peep was heard from official channels about the cause (or suspected fault), or an estimated delivery time for the fix to the PlayStation Network.
In some ways, that’ll doubtless have been about the fear of getting something else wrong – giving false hope of a ‘fix soon’ that then doesn’t appear, and which only makes PlayStation owners angrier – but still, it wasn’t a good situation.
The final verdict emerging as just an “operational issue” is not much of a reason, either, and that term feels very vague. Yes, apparently it was a large spanner in the works with the network infrastructure somewhere – but what kind of gremlin was crawling about in there? A little more of a clue wouldn’t hurt, in terms of: how did this happen, and how might Sony guard against this in the future?
In fairness, a fuller explanation could be coming shortly. And service downtime happens – it’s inevitable, of course. But I feel it’s clear enough that the response during the outage, and this final outcome and compensation, could – and should – have been better from Sony.
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