Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

I was just curious why people recomend the use of snapsort as a reliable source of information when Snapsort is habitually incorrect about the camera specs often?? :)

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

Example?

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

I have not found them to be as inaccurate as they are incomplete in listing a camera's specifications. Occasionally, they will list a specification as "Unknown" and if it is a critical item, I will search for more comparisons. This was the case when comparing the Fuji X10 to the X20. However the omissions were not critical to my decision and the ratings were close enough to let me make an informed judgment about the camera. What was not included, and is seldom, if ever, to be found, was a rating of Fuji's online support, a factor I have addressed in another thread.

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

Snapsort claims the Panny LX7 has no high speed video which it does. Just one of many examples that can be seen.
snapsort.com/compare/Canon-PowerShot-G15-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-LX7

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

This one as well, this example is more of a scoring error than a spec error, which they still have many on other comparisons.
snapsort.com/compare/Canon-PowerShot-SX50-HS-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-G5

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

The following is quoted from Panasonic's specs: please note the last line WRT Hi Speed Video, which, at 30fps is NOT Hi Speed (only the sensor output is high speed). Snapsort merely called it as they saw it.

[HD Video] 1920 x 1080 pixels, 60p (PSH: 28Mbps / AVCHD) (Sensor Output is 60fps) / 1920 x 1080 pixels, 60i (FSH: 17Mbps / AVCHD) (Sensor Output is 60fps) / 1280 x 720 pixels, 60p(SH: 17Mbps / AVCHD) (Sensor Output is 60fps) / 1920 x 1080 pixels, 30 fps (FHD: 20Mbps / MP4) (Sensor Output is 30fps) / 1280 x 720 pixels, 30 fps (HD: 10Mbps / MP4) (Sensor Output is 30fps) / [STD Video] 640 x 480 pixels, 30 fps (VGA: 4Mbps / MP4) (Sensor Output is 30fps) / [Hi Speed Video] 1280 x 720 pixels, 30fps (MP4) (Sensor Output is 120fps)

btfthree Loc: Olympia. WA

I am a newby and have been lurking for awhile just trying to learn. I bought a bridge camera 6 or 7 years ago and didn't even know it - I bought it for its zoom capabilities. I am now looking to learn about photography and have been agonizing over what to buy to assist my learning curve for months - d7100, 70D, em1, k3/k50, nex6, and on and on and on. I have been using snapsort to COMPARE but it is a flawed site. I can use it to compare size, weight and other things but to use their scoring/rating system is a joke. I don't care if a camera is "more popular" - and that gets a kazillion points. It seems that the dxo ratings are a bit funny as well and contribute to points. They will list a comparison with missing data which will give one camera a default win. And what really annoys me is that their comparisons do not use the same criteria from comparison to comparison. That said I have only found one other site that gives side by side comparisons of the different cameras out there. The other site I have been using to confuse myself is DPReview (which seems a bit better)- BUT if there are better alternatives PLEASE SHARE! I am taking a junior college digital photography class starting on the 7th of January and I am hoping that that experience will help me chose the right tool for my needs.

Photogdog Loc: New Kensington, PA

Racmanaz,

When I consider buying new or used gear, I usually look at multiple sources. Snapsort is just one of many (and yes, they sometimes screw the pooch on their specs; sloppy).

I normally look to DPReview first, along with Engadget, TechRadar, CNET, etc. I also consider first hand user evaluations from places like B&HPhotoVideo, Adorama, Amazon and others. I can usually get a pretty good feel as to whether a particular piece of equipment is worth the money or not.

Photogdog

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

The sensor output is on all of the recording speeds, the LX7 does have 120 fps output which makes it high speed. I know this is true because I have utilized the high speed option on this camer myself.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

I'm not arguing that point. i just believe that Snapsort chose not to interpret that as high speed - at least not as high as some cameras with 240 fps. But I do not disagree that Snapsort is occasionally inaccurate and often biased. You are right if you believe that they are not the ultimate comparison tool; there have got to be better ones out there. The main reason I start with them is that they can compare just about anything, and their basic information is often enough to make a choice without having to chase down factory specs. But there is no substitute for published factory specs; any company trying to falsify these would be crucified by the press. Like you, I would NOT rely on Snapsort or any of the common comparison boards if choice based on specs was critical. After all is said and done, I think you'll agree that it's just another tool we have at our disposal, not highly reliable, but not totally unreliable either.

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

Ya, I guess we can utilize multiple sites to come to some accurate conclusion. I do hope Snapsort does a better job at getting info correctly because I do prefer their format better than the rest, just so much easier to read and compare.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

I don't know if it's a change in my IOS or if they've changed their site, but it was more consolidated not long ago. Maybe, in order to be completely fair, when they are missing data, their comparisons should read, "Comparison Deferred due to lack of data for some criteria."

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

I think they did do some changes, it looks a little different than before.

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

Thanks. I guess I was just wondering why you were picking on Snapsort. I personally don't use them as a definitive guide, but they aren't the only site providing "inaccurate" or incomplete info. Ken Rockwell does the same thing at times. Of course, Ken warns people that his info may not be completely accurate based on his testing. I wouldn't be surprised if Snapsort has a similar statement.

For me Snapsort is a quick comparison tool. I like to share it with some who are just starting out, and who want just a broad comparison of two products. Regardless, I think the tool is slightly more objective than coming on this forum and asking: which camera is better? Despite all the specs, nobody can really say which camera is better FOR YOU.

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

the best way to do it is go directly to the manufacturer's website to get the specs on the cameras you want not snapsort.