deanfl Loc: Georgia

I subscribe to Consumer Reports and have their cell phone app on my phone. I recently checked their ratings on cameras. They have 6 categories. This post concerns the category of SLR cameras.

Here are the cameras that are RECOMMENDED, with 2 Canons designated as a Best Buy.

Score of 78. Sony Alpha 99II w/85 F2.8 SAM
Score of 74. Canon EOS 200D Rebel SL2 w/EF 50 mm, BEST BUY
Score of 73. Nikon D7200 w/18-55mm
Score of 72. Pentax K-1 w/FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited
Score of 72. Canon EOS 6D Mark II w/24-105mm IS STM
Score of 72. Nikon D7500 w/ AF-S 50mm
Score of 72. Canon 800D Rebel T7i w/50mm, BESTBUY
Score of 71. Nikon D500 w/AF-S 50mm 1:1.8G

What I find interesting is their opinion on Image Quality:
Image quality is based on tests performed in auto and manual mode using regular photos, low-light photos, and flash photos with consideration of their performance in terms of color reproduction, dynamic range, resolution, distortions, reflections, image stabilization, as well as movie quality.

They list 41 different camera, lens combinations. On Image Quality, they rate the top performers as Very Good. All the rest receive a Good rating.

For Nikon, there is only one model, in addition to the above mentioned, that received a Very Good rating on Image quality, the Nikon D5500 w/18-55 VR II, with a score of 68.

What really surprised me was how full framed Nikons scored....and they all received a Good, not Very Good on Image Quality.

Score of 61. Nikon D610 w/AF-S 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED
Score of 61. Nikon D850 w/AF-S 24-120mm
Score of 60. Nikon D750 w/AF-S 24-120mm f/4G ED VR
Score of 59. Nikon D810 w/AF-S 24-120 f/4 G ED VR

The following are the lowest scoring Nikons:

Score of 57. Nikon D500 w/AF-S DX 16-80mm f/2.8-4 E
Score of 53. Nikon D5600 w/18-140mm VR
Score of 53. Nikon D7500 w/16-80mm
Score of 47. Nikon D7500 w/18-140mm VR

I have the following observations, based on these ratings:

1. If I mount a prime lens on a camera, it is transformed into a top performer. The Nikon D7500 w/18-140 scores the lowest of all camera/lens combinations. With a 50mm prime lens it is a recommended camera, with a score of 72.

2. You don’t need to buy a full frame camera to get Very Good image quality. Both the Nikon D7200 and Nikon D5500, with kit zoom lens of 18-55 mm, showed better image quality than any full frame Nikon, including the Nikon D850.

3. The Nikon D7200 did very well, even with zoom lens. I shoot Nikon. Hence my concentration on that brand.

I did a previous post on Consumer Reports ratings when I was looking at getting a Nikon D7500. I was surprised at the low rating with the generally well regarded 18-140. That rating didn’t show results with a different lens, a 50mm prime, like this one does.

Previous responses were interesting. Many pointed out that they thought other resources were more credible. Like most people, I consult other resources as well. I thought the ranking of different camera/lens combinations could be useful on choosing cameras and lens. Some didn’t know CR was even around any more. Some didn’t agree with their ratings on some other product and thus chose not to care what they said about cameras.

Anyway, I thought the above could be helpful to somebody.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

That appears to b a lens rating list more than a camera ability list. Note the D500 is charted with 2 different lenses as was the D7500 (I didn't look further). Did they also rate the other manufacturers cameras with more than one lens.

Actually my first thought when reading this post was, CR for cameras? Really?

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Deanfl - I think they omitted one that has a “3” in its name.

Bill_de Loc: US

If you are testing bodies you need to use the best lens available, or the results useless.

If you are testing lenses you need to use the best body available.

CR did neither. As is typical their reviews have no basis in real world results.

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deanfl Loc: Georgia

They rated the Canon EOS 200D Rebel SL2 w/18-55IS with a score of 68. This compares to the score of 74 with the 50mm prime.

I agree that the choice of lens on these ratings played a huge part in the results.

And it doesn’t surprise me that I would find the results more interesting than most people.

deanfl Loc: Georgia

Ralph, I am guessing you are referring to the Sony Alpha A7RIII?? If so, they have that with Mirrorless cameras, with a score of 80, as a Recommended camera.

deanfl Loc: Georgia

Bill, Thank you for your response. It seems they used, in some cases, how at least some of these cameras are sold as a kit. I note that the Nikon D850 is sold kitted with the 24-120, on Amazon. The D500 is sold kitted with the 16-80.

It doesn’t surprise me that there would be blowback on their low ratings on the Nikon D850 and Nikon D500, tested with lens they are commonly sold with.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Yes, off-the-shelf comparisons for the average person.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

Consumer reports has a good reputation for testing things like cars and household appliances and I have been a subscriber for years. Not disputing their test results, but would supplement with organizations that test photographic equipment for a living like DxOmark.com. The more information you have, the better decisions you can make.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

The Consumer Reports I remember when I subscribed to their magazine back in the day was a collective of Feedback from Satisfied or Dis-satified customers. I used them when purchasing cars and other high dollar items.. As we all know cameras are only as good as the operator.. I would suggest these ratings are not based on any type of Real laboratory testing but feedback from other consumers.
P.S. And No, crop sensor cameras do not give better image quality than full frame cameras..................

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

And full frame cameras don't necessarily produce better image quality than crop sensor cameras. Image quality depends not only on the camera, but also the lens(s) used. What I can say is that a full frame camera generally has better dynamic range than a crop sensor camera, and, given the same number of megapixels on the sensor, performs better in low light and give better bokeh. (dependent on the lens in many cased).

User ID

What Bill said ... Period.


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User ID

What Bill said ... Period.

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BTW, I'm not seeing any
connection between the
content of the opening
post and the thread title
... anyone DOES see it ?


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deanfl Loc: Georgia

I totally agree. Different sources can reach different conclusions.

deanfl Loc: Georgia

Their ratings on automobiles contain survey results on overall reliability and owner satisfaction. It is my understanding that these camera ratings are based on results from tests run in their labs.

I am only telling you that they show some crop sensor/lens combinations show better image quality than full frame.