billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

The only reviews I trust are the USER reviews. From the folks like you and me that actually use the equipment, not just test it. BUT, that said you still have to weigh those opinions out for what they are worth. I usually take out the 5's and the 1's (some folks like everything and some folks would not be happy if they could walk on water) and I read the 2,3, and 4 reviews.
I believe in one of the rules of school administration, that one goes, 20% of the folks like you no matter what, 20% of the folks hate you no matter what, it's the 60% in the middle you have to be concerned with.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

When I do a search to get information, I avoid any site that has "forum" in the URL. "Forum" is another word for "some guy's opinion." I try to find information on established, reliable sites. I read as many as I can, and I decide what info is useful to me and what isn't. Some sites are just fluff, but others have lots of technical information. Some are more about personal preferences, and some are more into specs. The more information I get, the better my decision will be.

I would never rely solely on the opinion of an owner, regardless of the product. I have liked everything I've bought, so I'm unlikely to tell you that I made a stupid mistake and wasted my money. Few people have hands-on experience with dozens of different cameras, but people who test them for a living do have such experience, so I rely on them.

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikon-d750
http://www.dslrbodies.com/cameras/current-nikon-dslr-reviews/nikon-d750-review.html
https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-d750
https://kenrockwell.com/nikon/d750.htm

Lots of sites compare cameras -
https://www.google.com/search?q=camera+comparison+sites&oq=camera+comparison+sites&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j0l5.3983j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yes - soon to be a government requirement for all cameras. They will censor the photos the user tries to take. No more unflattering pictures of politicians.

IHH61 Loc: Homestead Fl

You might want to check out Froknowsphoto.com Fro has done both hands on reviews with downloadable raw files and comparison reviews.

Hugh

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I take exactly the opposite approach. My oil burner repair guy spent more time talking about his trucks than making the repair. His topic was how good Dodge trucks are (now called Ram) and how bad Fords are. I've owned Ford cars and trucks since the 1960s, and every one has been a gem. His personal experience had no relevance for me. How many people have posted on UHH that they hate the camera they bought? I've had Nikons, Canons, and Sonys, and they've all worked well for me. So, I guess those would be my brand recommendations for someone looking to buy a new camera.

Basically, all the cameras being manufactured today work very well and produce excellent results. You just have to decide what's right for you in terms of features, controls, and price.

tomad Loc: North Carolina

DPreview does in depth reviews on nearly all cameras. I believe they recently did one on Nikon's latest mirrorless. Read their reviews, look at image samples they post there and use their photo comparison tool to look at and compare studio images from up to 4 cameras at once.

https://www.dpreview.com/products/nikon/slrs/nikon_z6
https://www.dpreview.com/products/nikon/slrs/nikon_z7
https://www.dpreview.com/products/sony/slrs/sony_a7iii
https://www.dpreview.com/products/sony/slrs/sony_a7riii
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/image-comparison?attr18=daylight&attr13_0=nikon_z6&attr13_1=nikon_z7&attr13_2=sony_a7iii&attr13_3=sony_a7riii&attr15_0=jpeg&attr15_1=jpeg&attr15_2=jpeg&attr15_3=jpeg&attr16_0=100&attr16_1=64&attr16_2=100&attr16_3=100&normalization=full&widget=1&x=0&y=0

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

You can also be your own critic, once you have narrowed it down to one. It may be possible to then rent your top candidate to see how you feel about it. Renting is a very affordable way to evaluate a possible major purchase.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I just want to give you a hint on how I feel about reviewers, not saying there are not many of them who are excellent in their assessments of a camera or lens. Thom Hogan is one of my favorites but keep in mind that at times there are variations from lens to lens.

Just a few years ago a gentleman who owned the Olympus Zuiko 17mm f2.8 for mirrorless cameras (M43 system) apparently read the numerous reports on the poor optical quality of the lens and decided to go for the new 17mm f1.8. He was so desperate to get rid of the lens that it was offered to me for $80 practically brand new and it was an original $300 lens. I bought the lens and began to use it with my Olympus EP-5. I immediately noticed that if I did my part the lens would do its part. The images had the typical Olympus colors and there was enough sharpness to satisfy me. To be practical, the lens offered the same distortions any wide angle would offer. Some chromatic aberrations but nothing to bother me since they were taken care of with software.

Today I seldom go out with my Olympus cameras that the lens will not go out with me. I have many beautiful images made with this lens and I am sure it will continue to do so in my lifetime.
Always take into consideration when you read a review that you are different to the person reviewing a camera or a lens. What could be a priority for you could not be for the reviewer. If he has large hands and you have smaller ones you will be more comfortable using a small camera than he will be...and he will complain about the small size.

There are many videos in You Tube, as you very well know that are edited by many persons with little or not enough experience in photography.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

With respect, it is sensor, not censor. Big difference.

To answer your question, I trust myself and my knowledge of photography and brand names. You can't go too wrong with Nikon, Canon, Sony. I personally use Nikon and have since the mid 60's. I have never had any mechanical problem with many Nikon cameras I have owned, both film and digital. All bodies and lenses have worked superbly. But others will say the same about Canon or whatever brand they use. Basically, all are well made. May I suggest going to a camera store and talking to a knowledgeable clerk. I don't mean Walmart or some big box store but a store where they sell and know cameras. They try several cameras in your price range to see which one fits your hands best.

Good luck on finding exactly what you want,

Dennis

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

I agree with the hands on part, Shooter.... However, our local camera store chain has sales people who push to models than may not be the best match for the user. It’s the “you don’t really want a GX9 when you could own a EOS R” thing. Not all are sensitive or even paying attention to the actual needs of the customer. I’ve seen it myself... but am usually pretty specific to want I want and need.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

There are two online reviewers that I believe. Steve Perry and Thom Hogan.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

You need to take all reviews with a grain of salt. Some may be highly objective and some more subjective. Some are laboratory based and some field based. What and how you shoot should guide your choice of reviewers.

I tend to do action shooting most of the time, so DxO, which is lab based, is of limited value to me. They make no claims to test the the things that are most important to me, focus acquisition and keeper rate. But, if you do studio shooting, then DxO may be a solid gauge.

The Northrups tend to test cameras under actual use conditions that mirror what the manufacturers seem to intend for the camera, so I find them fairly useful. Dustin Abbott also does a very commendable job for reviewing under actual use conditions. Neither appear to have a huge bias. Both the Abbott and the Northrups seem to shift to different cameras as needs change in their photography.

DPReveiw used to be one of my go to sources, but this past year their reviews seem to have picked up considerable bias. Don't know why, but their reviews feel more like advertising to me now.

Obviously the opinion of anyone who is a brand ambassador is suspect.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

I would suggest you go to some online stores that enable a reading of Features & Specifications of the various camera models you are considering. If parts of these are confusing, you can tailor your questions to the experts.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Once you have settled on the top several on your list, see if you can rent to see which suits you best.

DanielB Loc: San Diego, Ca

I usually turn to DPreview. I think they have the most comprehensive non bias reviews of literally every camera & lens on the market including testing data & sample images.