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Digital SLR Cameras: Ratings of Sources
Total of 24 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. PopPhoto.com
As of Nov. 2011
The Buying Guide: Cameras
by Philip Ryan
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentWe like the reviews at PopPhoto.com for their combination of objective lab tests, hands-on use and ratings that make it easier to compare cameras. You can sort the reviews by 13 criteria -- such as type (from entry-level to pro digital SLR), rating and price -- making it easy to find the best camera for your needs and budget.
2. Amateur Photographer
As of Nov. 2011
Digital SLR Reviews
by Editors of Amateur Photographer
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis publication is the U.K. equivalent of PopPhoto.com. It bases reviews and ratings on lab tests as well as hands-on usage. Each detailed, critical review scores the camera on eight criteria (such as features, autofocus and dynamic range) and overall, and editors explain how each camera stacks up against its biggest rivals. Editors classify cameras into various categories (from entry-level to professional-level digital SLR) so you can compare models that suit your needs.
3. Imaging-Resource.com
As of Nov. 2011
Dave's Picks
by Dave Etchells
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentIn addition to providing in-depth reviews of specific camera models, site owner Dave Etchells selects the top-rated cameras in various categories, including consumer, enthusiast and professional digital SLR cameras. The descriptions in the list highlight the advantages of each of the top picks, with more detailed single-product reviews available for each.
4. DPReview.com
As of Nov. 2011
Digital Camera Product Reviews/Previews
by Editors of DPReview.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThe comprehensive, well-illustrated reviews at this site are written to appeal to both the beginner and the seasoned pro. The attention to detail is excellent, providing nearly as vivid an experience as visiting a camera store. The site is one of the most current camera-review sites, offering hands-on previews of the newest models. The list of recommended digital SLR cameras is long, but the highest Gold Award level includes just one or two digital SLRs in each price range.
5. ConsumerReports.org
Not Dated
Digital SLR Camera Ratings and Reliability
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentConsumerReports.org ranks 23 digital SLR cameras from best to worst, based on their performance in various tests for image quality, ease of use and more. Tests and write-ups aren't as detailed as they are at the dedicated photography publications, and ConsumerReports.org doesn't test any over-$2,000 professional digital SLRs. But ConsumerReports.org's objectivity (it doesn't accept any freebies or advertising) makes it a very valuable source.
6. TechRadar.com
As of Nov. 2011
Digital SLRs/Hybrids
by Editors of TechRadar.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis British site conducts thorough testing and writes detailed reviews of digital SLR cameras. There's a lengthy list of "best DSLRs," but it doesn't narrow the field much. The most recent digital SLRs to earn 4.5 or 5 stars constitute a much shorter list.
7. DXOMark.com
As of Nov. 2011
Camera Sensor Rankings by DxOMark
by Editors of DxOMark.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis site offers extremely objective, rigorous tests of digital SLR sensors, providing highly technical reports and comparisons as well as simpler ratings and rankings. It's important to note that the rankings here refer only to the camera sensors, while overall image quality also depends on in-camera processing and, of course, the lenses added. Each camera sensor gets a brief review.
8. DigitalCameraInfo.com
As of Nov. 2011
Best Digital Cameras
by Editors of DigitalCameraInfo.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThe reviews and tests here rank among the most complete, and most unflinchingly critical, that we've seen, although editors don't rank any over-$2,000 professional digital SLRs. The top-five digital SLRs range from entry-level to prosumer, though, and the rankings are based on extensive, 22-part reviews.
9. What Digital Camera
As of Nov. 2011
Digital SLR Reviews
by Editors of WhatDigitalCamera.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis is a sister publication to Amateur Photographer, but the reviews here don't usually include extensive lab tests. However, testers shoot with each camera in a variety of circumstances, and reviews include plenty of test photos, and often including videos of the camera in use. Reviews also do a great job explaining the pros and cons of each camera, and comparing it with rival cameras. This rankings chart shows the overall rating for each camera, and a separate "Buying Advice" section lists recommendations in the beginner, semi-pro and pro digital SLR categories.
10. DCResource.com
Updated Nov. 2011
Our Recommended Digital Cameras
by Editors of DCResource.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentDCResource.com's reviews are thorough and easy to understand, with plenty of photos and videos to show how the camera performs in various situations. A helpful "How Does It Compare?" section at the end of each review discusses the camera's pros and cons, and some rival cameras you may want to cross-shop. This list of recommended cameras is conveniently organized by price range.
11. StevesDigicams.com
Updated Nov. 2011
Steve's Best Cameras
by Editors of Steves-Digicams.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThe single-product reviews at this award-winning photography review site are based on at least two days of examination of each camera. Digital SLR reviews are detailed, with lots of accompanying product shots, and include lab tests and sets of images from comparable models. Four digital SLRs make the list of best $600-plus cameras: the Canon EOS 60D is best overall, and the weather-resistant Olympus E-5, budget-priced Canon EOS Digital Rebel T2i and feature-packed Nikon D7000 are also recommended.
12. ePhotoZine
As of Nov. 2011
Digital SLRs Photography Equipment Reviews
by Editors of EPhotoZine.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis website offers excellent single-product reviews of digital SLRs, plus some helpful head-to-head shootouts -- most recently, a comparison of top-of-the-line pro digital SLRs from Canon and Nikon (with side-by-side images showing the results of each test) and one judging midpriced digital SLRs from Canon, Nikon and Pentax. Testing procedures are well documented, with specific ratings plus a summary of pros and cons. A list of the top 11 digital SLRs includes models in every price range.
13. Photography Bay
As of Nov. 2011
Recommended Cameras and Accessories
by Editors of PhotographyBay.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentPhotographyBay.com keeps an up-to-date list of digital SLR model reviews, as well as maintaining this list of recommended cameras. The top five digital SLRs for pros and amateurs are clearly ranked, with links to full reviews. There is also a helpful list of recommended digital SLR lenses.
14. PhotographyBlog.com
Updated July 2011
The Best Digital Cameras
by Editors of PhotographyBlog.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentPhotographyBlog.com does full, detailed tests of most of the major digital SLRs on the market. Editors' top picks are listed here in three categories: budget, midrange and high-end digital SLRs. Editors name five or six top picks in each category, but you have to read each individual review to find out why one is better than another.
15. DigitalCameraReview.com
As of Nov. 2011
Digital Camera Ratings and Reviews
by Editors of DigitalCameraReview.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThe single-product reviews at this site are done by more than one editor but show consistency, combining lab tests with well-illustrated field tests. The cameras are rated, though not ranked. Most of the cameras get similar ratings, but each review ends with an excellent summary of pros and cons and links to the reviews of the camera's main competitors. However, coverage is spotty -- quite a few current digital SLR cameras aren't reviewed here.
16. Ken Rockwell
Oct. 2011
Recommended Cameras
by Ken Rockwell
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentKen Rockwell, the photographer who runs this website, says he refuses to accept any freebies or payments from camera companies. Instead, he either buys or borrows the cameras he tests -- the result being that he doesn't test as many as some other websites. His reviews give blunt opinions in very plain English -- for example, he warns readers away from the Nikon D300s, saying Nikon charges more for it than the newer, better Nikon D7000, "but don't you fall for it" -- and he encourages readers to simply learn to shoot better photos, rather than spending more and more on new cameras. Among digital SLRs, he mostly recommends Nikons (and one Canon).
17. CNET
Updated June. 2010
Digital SLR Camera Buying Guide
by Lori Grunin
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentCNET regularly reviews digital SLR cameras with a sharp, critical eye. This buyer's guide links three best-DSLR lists: best entry-level, midrange and professional digital SLRs. Some honorees get identical ratings, so you have to read each review to narrow the choice. Reviews fall short of those at the top enthusiast sites, and CNET doesn't test the latest models as quickly, but cameras are appropriately and thoroughly tested, with ample criticisms noted.
18. PC World
As of Nov. 2011
SLR
by Tim Moynihan
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentPC World's digital SLR tests are detailed and critical, sometimes highlighting drawbacks that other reviews miss, but discussion is shorter than at most sites we rate higher. This landing page links to four up-to-date lists of the best digital SLRs -- best for image quality, best for video, best for sharpness and best under $1,000 -- with star ratings for each camera, so you can easily find the best of the best. PC World mostly tests cameras in the under-$1,000 range.
19. DigitalTrends.com
As of Nov. 2011
Digital Camera Reviews
by David Elrich
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis site conducts brief but comprehensive digital SLR tests, gives clear list of pros and cons and rates cameras from 1 to 5 stars, but it doesn't delete discontinued models from the ratings list. Seven current digital SLRs from Canon, Nikon and Sony have won the Editors' Choice award.
20. Shutterbug.com
As of Nov. 2011
Equipment Reviews
by Editors of Shutterbug.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentShutterbug.com focuses on cameras and other photography tools for enthusiasts, mostly with single-product reviews. The reviews are well-illustrated and detailed, with plenty of sample photos, but tend to be more enthusiastic than critical. Seven digital SLRs from Canon, Nikon, Olympus and Sony get the most enthusiastic reviews.
21. PC Pro
As of Nov. 2011
Digital Cameras
by Editors of PC Pro
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentBritish site PC Pro reviews digital SLR cameras, with an emphasis on value. You can sort the cameras by rating here. Links lead to full reviews that while not overly lengthy, are competent and objective -- but many models aren't reviewed at all. The Nikon D5000 and similar Nikon D3100 are the PC Pro Recommended picks.
22. PCMag.com
As of Nov. 2011
Digital Cameras
by Editors of PCMag.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentCamera tests at this tech website aren't as comprehensive as photography websites', but they do a good job critiquing the camera, comparing it with rivals, and generally hitting the important points for most buyers. You can sort this chart to show either the most recent reviews or the top-rated cameras -- but once a camera earns a rating here, or an Editors' Choice award, it stays. This makes a lot of the chart out of date. The Nikon D5100 is the most recent award winner, "our Editors' Choice for an under-$1,000 DSLR."
23. Amazon.com
As of Nov. 2011
Digital SLR Cameras
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentAmazon.com is one of the best places to read owners' impressions of digital SLRs after the sale. You can sort the list by average owner-written ratings, and the list also shows the number of reviews on which that average is based. Other useful tools include a box comparing the most helpful positive and negative review for most cameras. Sometimes the same camera is reviewed in different places on the site, and review quality varies. Still, the insights shared provide some first-person perspectives that can't be found in even the best professional reviews.
24. DPMag.com
Not Dated
Buyer's Guide 2012
by Editors of Digital Photo magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis photo magazine reviews all major new cameras as they hit the market, but the reviews mainly regurgitate the camera's features -- there are no exhaustive tests posted online, as with other photo magazines. Within the reviews, editors do compare the cameras with their competitors in a limited way (again, based largely on features), but this buyer's guide doesn't really help narrow down the choices. It splits digital SLRs and digital SLR-like cameras into three categories based on price (under $1,000, over $2,000 and in between), but some categories include more than a dozen picks.
     
 

This is our assessment of the review’s relevance, clarity of testing and thoroughness.

Read more about our Ratings Criteria by clicking the link at the top of the page.
 
 
 
  
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