Critique the Critics (Page 3): Absolutely - DPreview. I see your bias for Nikon & Sony showing through. I'd advise the poster to check out the Canon 5D IV as well.

DanielB Loc: San Diego, Ca

Absolutely - DPreview. I see your bias for Nikon & Sony showing through. I'd advise the poster to check out the Canon 5D IV as well.

tomad wrote:

DPreview does in depth reviews on nearly all camer... (show quote)

Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada

I've usually found that:

https://www.dpreview.com/

has, IMHO, good reviews and good technical information.

Dik

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

The first thing you should do when looking at reviews is to read the manufacturer's glossy BS and completely discount any review that is a copy of the sales material.

I have a tendency to believe the reputable independent testers such as (but not limited to) Lensrentals.com and DxO Lab.

SAVH Loc: La Jolla, CA

Eff Ess in Ess Eff wrote:

Yesterday, someone pointed out the widely disparat... (show quote)

I am not an expert nor do I work for any camera associated company (or for anyone, at this point.) I'm guessing from your login that you live in San Francisco or nearby. There should be some reliable and helpful camera shops in that area. As has been said already, I would go there and discuss the various option with them and, if appropriate, rent a similar camera first before spending big bucks. As for reviewers, I rather appreciate Ken Rockwell's comments (kenrockwell.com). While he covers a lot of Nikons, he does comment on other models.

Scotty

photogeneralist Loc: Lopez Island Washington State

I don't know of any other camera brands that have a brand specific user review website, But if you are considering Sony band cameras, take a look at DYXUM.COM for compiled reviews by actual users. The info on the newest models may still be a bit sketchy. It takes a while for a meaningful sample size to accumulate. Just be aware that some of the reviewers are biased by ego.

I concur that nearly any camera brands will do a good job given comparable $$. Given equivalent capabilities, there is no other factor as important as ergonomic and user interface. It may be worth trip to a nearby metropolitan center to find a camera store where you can hold the cameras, and experience the ergonomics and interface for yourself.
Don't worry too much about the menu layout. Each manufacturer has their own logic to the menu arrangement. Once you become accustomed to a manufacturer's menu layout logic, other's menu layouts will seem awkward and illogically clumsy.

graybeard

larryepage wrote:

I have found over the years that buying based on r... (show quote)

I agree with you about not letting reviewers influence you too much. I recently bought a new Canon DSLR. I had it narrowed down to 3 models... the SL2, the T7i, and the 77D. All 3 had 24mp and a dl7 processor, but the SL2 had a less sophisticated AF, yet was the cheapest of the 3. The T7i and 77D were nearly identical. Since the 77D was on sale at the time, I leaned toward it. Then I checked out various "experts" and they all said buy the 80D instead. When they stated their reasons it all boiled down to the 80D having a few more bells and whistles, but at a much higher price. Most of the extra features were of little or no signifigance to me, so I went ahead and got a 77D for Christmas. I would have ended up paying several hundred more for things that I would have rarely if ever needed.

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

Nn

larryepage wrote:

I have found over the years that buying based on r... (show quote)

Very well stated LP. If more shooters, experienced and novice alike, followed your example, there would likely be far fewer “experts” spewing forth their mostly “paid for” opinions.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Eff Ess in Ess Eff wrote:

....So I'm asking you to give me your opinions on who you trust/distrust and why...

One of my favorite reviewers is Bryan Carnathan at The-Digital-Picture.com.... however, most of his in-depth reviews are devoted to Canon gear and third party products available for use on Canon... So he's not much help if you are looking at other brands. But if you are looking at Canon stuff, by all means check out him and his site.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Hard to know which reviewer or "expert" critic is getting a spiff from the manufacturer or is really independent. I agree with both MT, and BebuLamar. When the wheat is separated from the chaff, it is really all about how a particular model fills the needs for the interested party.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

graybeard wrote:

<snip>Most of the extra features were of little or no signifigance to me, so I went ahead and got ...<snip>

This is possibly the single most important comment in this thread. Camera usefulness varies greatly from camera to camera depending on what the individual user needs. Some reviewers discuss who they think will find the camera (or other reviewed item) useful. I find that the Northrups, Fro Knows Photos and Dustin Abbott tend to do that. Many other reviewers tend to make universal statements about an item as if all users are the same.

graybeard

dsmeltz wrote:

This is possibly the single most important comment in this thread. Camera usefulness varies greatly from camera to camera depending on what the individual user needs. Some reviewers discuss who they think will find the camera (or other reviewed item) useful. I find that the Northrups, Fro Knows Photos and Dustin Abbott tend to do that. Many other reviewers tend to make universal statements about an item as if all users are the same.

Wow! You make me feel important! You are, at least for the moment, my favorite hogger !!

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

MT Shooter wrote:

MOST online reviewers are brand fanboys, and many reviewers have not even had their hands on the actual product they are reviewing but merely forming their own opinions based on manufacturers specs.
Make sure whatever review you read is done by someone who has hands on and is actually comparing different brands live and side by side.
I seldom pay any attention to online reviews and much more prefer to get my hands on and see for myself.

Individual reviews even from a "trusted" reviewer is only one source of information when researching what to buy. There are several online photographic site that review cameras; look at all of them and compare and contrast what each site liked or didn't like about the camera. If the camera has been out for a few months, I look at the individual reviews from the camera buyers. I like to look at the negative reviews (1 star) and see what the reviewer didn't. Many times the criticism if way off base, sometimes not.

The only cameras I bought sight unseen were used/refurbished cameras from Cameta, KEH, etc.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

graybeard wrote:

Wow! You make me feel important! You are, at least for the moment, my favorite hogger !!

Do not worry. The condition is neither fatal or long lasting. Rest. Put your feet up. Logon to B&H or Adorama and buy something fun. DO NOT, HOWEVER, READ ANY REVIEWS FOR AT LEAST 72 HOURS!!! You will feel better soon.