Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

It's better to take in to consideration ratings from multiple sources than to rely on just one.

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

I had a subscription to Consumer Reports for a few years. I decided to end my subscription when I noticed that their review rating was much different from the individuals who sent in their ratings. I remember they rated a printer I was interested in at about 75 (which was very good for a printer) but the individuals rated it in the 30's. Consumer Reports has their testing protocol but I put more faith in the individual responses. I now review ratings of gear on Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama, DP Review and other sources that review gear. I figure a few people will send excessively negative reviews, but the majority of reviews will give you a feel for the product you are interested in.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

If you just fell off the turnip truck CR might be useful or at least better than nothing.

Over the years on items that I had extensive experience my opinion almost always differed from their review. They can't possibly be knowledgeable on the thousands of items that they rate. Its a magazine with limited resources. Besides it is extremely difficult to design and execute test protocols that are truly representative of real life usages.

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

This is basically what I said in my reply earlier to this post.
It is a big difference in something being tested in controlled tests and environment than in actual usage by consumers.

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

Yes I do have both a subscription to the magazine and the web site. I for one consider the results of their testing; they do test products the way consumers will use them. For the most part their testing is spot on. They publish feedback from the consumer, they chart and measure things that will reflect upon reliability; in short, they do things and supply information that no owner of one particular camera could possibly give you.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

I have always agreed with their test results and if you read their test practice, they are very thorough. I did read one review of the D7500 I believe on Amazon that was very long and critical of the camera. There was an update done about 3 months later and the same reviewer had really changed his opinion on the camera. I am considering upgrading from my D7100 and believe it would be a great choice.

gainesn Loc: Chickamauga, GA

I did. I'm very pleased

alx Loc: NJ

As a newcomer here, I almost feel guilty posting, but here goes...

I've always had a hard time taking Consumer Reports seriously ever since they put the Nikon F2 down.

The reason - The viewfinder showed the whole film area and when you got your slides back the edges were hidden under the slide mount!

Other cameras gave you a better idea of what you would get.

In the real world, that edge to edge view was prized.

So much for CR as an expert source.

Bugfan Loc: Toronto, Canada

I've subscribed to Consumers' Reports for decades. And I've made some good purchases as a result. The problem with them is that they can't test for everything. When it comes to cameras they are trying to find products that represent good value and that the consumer will like. What that means then is we will not always agree on what is best.

I too have the odd Nikon camera body that doesn't perform well according to CR. And yet it does indeed perform perfectly but differently. The average consumer will not likely achieve stellar results and as a result be disappointed with the product. If you are an above average consumer you do actually get amazing results.

I don't know what the answer is. I appreciate the focus they have because I am usually a typical consumer too, many things I buy I don't really understand so I rely on their test. But I am also an expert on some products like cameras and for those I don't like the ratings. Should CR use experts to rank the cameras? That might be fair but then the results will leave a lot of angry consumers when they find their cameras don't perform as promised in auto mode. Either way CR is between a rock and a hard place. So I let it go and rely on the tests for products where I need some advice.

deanfl Loc: Georgia

Thank you all for contributing to an interesting discussion.

I agree it is wise to consider multiple sources. These days it is hard to make a camera that has less than good image quality. Especially one that costs over $1000.

The cameras rated above the Nikon D7500 all show good or very good image quality in this report.

Here are cameras #2-5.

#2. Nikon D750
#3. Canon EOS 5D Mark III
#4. Nikon D810
#5. Nikon D7200(rated a Best Buy)

gainesn Loc: Chickamauga, GA

My decision was pretty easy. I had dx nikon lenses. I wanted to go ff, but alas $$$ made the decision for me

BebuLamar

Great! I only read their reports once in a while as I don't subscribe to the magazine. I found their tests are fair and unbiased. However, I never take their recommendation or ranking in my choice of things to purchase. They put a very heavy weigh on price. A product has higher rating if it has lower price. Also they tend to rate higher with things that have more features.

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

Meh, I wouldn't pay any attention to CR. I remember reading their review of a Corvette a few years back. Points were deducted for lack of a back seat, unsatisfactory trunk space, and poor gas mileage LOL.

I have a D7500 and am completely happy with it. I don't use it much now (my wife does though) and image quality is absolutely on par with the D500 - it's the same sensor so it should be! Use CR for things like toasters, use sites that specialize in cameras for camera reviews and info.

Speaking of which, here's my D7500 review:
https://backcountrygallery.com/nikon-d7500-review-d500-d7200-comparison/

Also, some images from the D7500:

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Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

I only check with CR when I can't find information about a product from professional users or enthusiast sites. If I'm interested in a new camera, TV, sound system, computer & etc CR is the last place I'd go. There are far too many people with hands on experience to rely on cold, by the book, testing.

MrGNY Loc: New York

Upgraded from a D3300 to the D7500 and couldn’t be happier with camera.