mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

While Consumer Reports can be a very useful publication, on many of the types of products they review where I have significant knowledge, I have noticed many times over the years that they lack expertise in those specific areas, cameras being one of them. I would take what they say regarding the D7500 with a grain of salt.

jaxpics Loc: NNJ

While there, take a look at Steve's book 'Secrets To The Nikon Autofocus System' and give some serious consideration to purchasing a copy (should you choose Nikon). I did, on advice from other UHH'ers, and have been very happy. It is easy to understand, has a logical conversational flow (building on a foundation) and if you watch any of his videos you too may hear his voice as you read the book.

deanfl Loc: Georgia

Steve, Thank you for your detailed response. I had watched your D7500 review before and just watched most of it again. Your review and other favorable reviews are reasons I was surprised by the CR review. Yes, I knew the sensor is the same as the D500.

In the CR report Pros it says: Images taken in low light(no flash) were sharp and Photos displayed almost no visual noise, even in low light.

There is only one Con listed: Takes fair photos.

This is probably the worst comment a camera review could say about any camera.

Also, they used a Nikon 18-140 lens for their testing. A well reviewed lens.

Thank you for your time...and for posting your photos.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Look at this as an OPPORTUNITY!

CR buys the products they rate, then resell them after testing. Make an offer. They should part with that dog for far less than any of the other 24 they tested.

twr25 Loc: New Jersey

I've never had any real confidence in Consumer Reports. They always rank the "middle of the road" items as best. Price has a lot to do with their rankings. I agree with the comment above ... they probably used a junk lens and really have no way of comparing different cameras from various brands. Following their advise was a poor choice 20 yrs ago with cars and it's still a poor choice to give credence to their standings on any product.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I have never believed in CR.
Other products have been rated low that in reality were most excellent and then the criteria and methodology are looked at.
I am not sure why they set the parameters the way they do but it is what they do so look at more enthusiasts oriented reviews than CR.

Robert R Loc: Indianapolis and Naples

What CR issue is that?

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

How did my Nikon FM, FE, FE-2, N90s and F-100 fare in the ratings?

SVP

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Our library has free online access to CU, and I can logon at home, using my library ID. I currently have subscriptions to both the mag and online.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I've seen reports like that before, and it makes me wonder. On the one hand, they have great facilities and decades of experience. When they test a product, they have many different brands for comparison, so examining pictures taken with different cameras under the same conditions will show differences in quality.

On the other hand, the D7500 seems to be well-received by camera reviewers.

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

Consumer reports is not a factoid of useful information that everyone thinks. When I shot film they would rate Canon first one year and Nikon the next, sometimes the same camera in two consecutive years . I remember once they sent me a questionnaire on my current car, what did I think about this or that, they then compile all of the information and come up with a consensus, not the best way to come up with ratings. The way they test camera's is not as factual as those by certified camera labs, like DxOMark. I would not hold them completely accurate on their camera ratings. I never have.

Gspeed Loc: Rhinebeck, NY

I bought an expensive snow blower based on Consumer Report ratings. The orientation of the auger makes it useless in 70% of snow situations that would have been obvious with testing. I've subscribed for years but take their ratings with a grain of salt. Also, they don't test all manufacturers so there could be a much better product out there and you would never know. They should leave camera testing to the professionals.
quote=deanfl]I just noticed this on my cell phone app for Consumer Reports. They list 25 DSLR cameras they tested. #1 is the Nikon D500, with a score of 79. They tested various models of Canon, Pentax, and Sony.

At the very bottom, with a really low score of 45, is the Nikon D7500. Even the Nikon D5600 scored higher.

The main criticism appears to be image quality that is rated as fair. (Image quality combines several tests, including regular photos, low-light photos, and flash photos as well as resolution, macro, veiling glare, vignetting, color and geometric distortion tests, among others).

I was really surprised and disappointed by their findings. Most reviews I read and viewed were favorable, at least on picture quality. This is a camera I was strongly considering as my next purchase.

For those who have this camera, what have you found regarding image quality?[/quote]

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

Those morons at CR pick Honda and Toyota EVERY year for best buys. That's a bunch of bull. You couldn't GIVE me a Toyota.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

I don't think CR cares what you buy. They rate all of the tested products on a certain standard and pass along the results.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

I would question the expertise of their testers when reviewing sophisticated photographic equipment. I have not seen the review and I am sure there will be reviews of other less expensive, point and shoot’s, that they rate higher. This what happens when an organization tries to sell themselves as “highly knowledgeable” on all things.