High-End DSLRs: Ratings of Sources
Total of 28 Sources
For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.
1. What Digital Camera
As of Jan. 2009
Digital Camera Reviews
by Editors of What Digital Camera?
Our Assessment
Though the Canon EOS 5D Mark II gets only a preview report here, it's very detailed. Other high-end digital SLR cameras get full hands-on reviews and ratings. The Sony A900 fares least well here, mostly because of problems at high ISO ranges. Sharing the Gold Award are the Nikon D700, Nikon D3 and Canon 1Ds Mark III.
Camera Rankings
by Editors of DXOMark.com
Our Assessment
The sensor tests here seem to be revolutionizing camera reviews, with other review sites beginning to refer to the DXOMark tests for sensor comparisons. Based on tests of each camera's sensor, the rankings… here are surprising -- though it must be noted that the scientists here rank only the sensor, not the camera's optics, image processing, ergonomics or overall value. Top ranking goes to the Nikon D3X, followed by the Nikon D3 and D700, with the much more expensive Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III ranked fourth, followed by the Sony A900 and Canon 5D Mark II.
expand
collapse
Canon 1Ds Mk III vs. Canon 5D vs. Nikon D3
by Ken Rockwell
Our Assessment
Based on years of experience with both Canon and Nikon cameras, Ken Rockwell recommends the Nikon D3 for fast action shots, the Nikon D700 for weddings and the Canon 5D Mark II for still and landscape… photography. In addition to this review comparing the Nikon D3, Canon 1Ds Mark III and older Canon 5D, another review compares the Nikon D3 with the D700. Both Nikon and Canon high-end digital SLR cameras also get detailed single-product reviews here, but the Sony A900 isn't covered.
expand
collapse
Nikon D3X
by Leonard Goh
Our Assessment
Editors here provide ratings of four high-end digital SLR cameras that make it easy to rank them, but three newer models get only "first take" reviews without ratings: the Nikon D3X, Sony A900 and Canon 5D Mark II. CNet Asia also has an interesting article on the new DXOMark site.
Sony Alpha 900: Camera Test
by Philip Ryan
Our Assessment
This detailed review combines lab tests with less formal hands-on testing. The review briefly compares the Sony A900 with the Nikon D700, which also gets a detailed tests at this site. Comparisons with the… Canon 5D Mark II are more limited; this camera hasn't been tested here yet. The Nikon D3 and Canon 1Ds Mark III also get full reviews here. While the reviews clarify the strengths and weaknesses of each camera, there are no rankings or ratings. However, the Nikon D3 earns an Editors' Choice award as the best pro digital SLR for 2008, with praise for its combination of speed and low-light capability.
expand
collapse
Sony A900 Compared to….
by Simon Johnson
Our Assessment
This review of the Sony A900 is only one of many extremely detailed single-product reviews at this expert site. Most reviews include comparisons with competing models, and conclude with ratings for image… quality, features, build quality, performance (speed), ergonomics and value. The Nikon D3X isn't reviewed here yet, and the Canon 5D Mark II only gets a preview. In addition to the Sony A900, the Nikon D700, Nikon D3 and Canon 1Ds Mark III all get full reviews and ratings. All are "highly recommended" but the Nikon D3 ratings top all.
expand
collapse
Oh No! Not a Nikon / Canon Comparison! Yes. I'm Afraid So
by Michael Reichmann
Our Assessment
This review compares the Canon 1Ds Mark III with the Nikon D3, with interesting points, but without drawing any conclusions about which is better overall. The site also publishes a field report on the Sony A900 by Nick Rains (who gives it a "thumbs up"), plus a thoughtful preview of the video capabilities of the Canon 5D Mark II. Many articles on photographic technique add to this site's appeal.
Pro Photo Reviews
by Editors of and contributors to ProPhoto
Our Assessment
One of the most interesting reviews here compares the autofocus performance of the Nikon D3 with that of the Canon 1D Mark III, in a test using a series of shots of a runner in motion. Another recent review tests the video capabilities of the Canon 5D Mark II.
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III Digital Camera Review
by Editors of The Digital Picture
Our Assessment
If you just want to compare Canon models, the reviews here are excellent. The only drawback to this site is that it includes no reviews of competing models from Nikon or Sony. That's our only complaint, however. The single-product reviews are well organized and illustrated, providing all the details you might want.
The Sony A900 and the Nikon D3
by Mike Johnstone
Our Assessment
This informal comparison review includes interesting shots from both the Sony A900 and the more expensive Nikon D3. In some cases the Sony photos really do look more attractive. The reviewer ends up recommending the A900 for "art photography" meant for fine prints, adding that it's very easy to use.
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Review
by Mark Goldstein
Our Assessment
This is one of the first full hands-on reviews of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, with ratings for design, features, image quality, ease of use and value. Several other high-end digital SLR cameras also get reviews and ratings here, based on tests that are well illustrated with sample images. However, the Sony A900 and Canon 1D and 1Ds Mark III cameras don't get reviews here.
Digital Cameras: SLRs
by Shawn Barnett, Dave Etchells and other editors
Our Assessment
This site emphasizes less expensive digital cameras, but publishes some previews and "first shots" of several high-end digital SLRs. The Nikon D700 and Sony A900 get more detailed reviews, and the review of… the Sony A900 includes comparisons with the more expensive Canon 1DS Mark III, since both have extremely high-resolution sensors. These reviews are well illustrated and detailed, but the lack of ratings and rankings at this site makes it hard to get a handle on the best buys.
expand
collapse
Nikon's D700 D-SLR; The Full-Frame March Continues
by George Schaub
Our Assessment
This review of the Nikon D700 gives an excellent perspective on full-frame digital SLRs. Separate reviews here cover the Nikon D3, Canon EOS-1D Mark III and 1Ds Mark III. The site provides a detailed preview of the Nikon D3X but nothing yet on the Canon 5D Mark II.
Nikon vs. Canon
by John Harrington
Our Assessment
This hands-on review compares the Nikon D3 with the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III in great detail, not holding back on criticisms of either. The Canon has the edge for the resolution needed for very large prints, but for most purposes the resolution isn't a big advantage. The Nikon D3 has the edge overall for its amazing low-light capabilities.
Digital SLR Ratings
by Editors of DigitalCameraInfo.com
Our Assessment
The reviews here are good, with excellent lab tests, but coverage lags. The Canon 1D Mark III gets top ranking here, but the much less expensive Nikon D300 is a close competitor. Unfortunately, the Nikon D3 and D3X aren't yet rated. Nor are the Canon 1Ds Mark III or Canon 5D Mark II models covered here.
Nikon D700 Review
by Shun Cheung
Our Assessment
This detailed single-product review covers all aspects of the Nikon D700, with useful comparisons to the Nikon D3 and D300, but not to any competing Canon models. Similar single-product reviews here cover… the Nikon D3 and Canon 1Ds Mark III, while the Nikon D3X and Canon 5D Mark II get previews here. Oddly, the Canon 1D Mark III also gets only a preview. These are useful reviews to read once you've narrowed your choices, but the cameras aren't rated or ranked; there's no overview to help narrow the field.
expand
collapse
Nikon D700 Review
by Mike Lowe
Our Assessment
We didn't find reviews of the Canon high-end cameras here, but both the Nikon D700 and Nikon D3 get full reviews -- albeit by different people -- with ratings for battery life as well as features, design, ease of use, image quality and value. The Nikon D3 loses points when it comes to ease of use.
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Verdict
by Editors of Camera Labs
Our Assessment
This is really another preview of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital SLR, with no tests of image quality. It's still useful, however, since it compares this new model with the Sony A900, Nikon D700 and earlier Canon EOS 5D.
Tips and Tricks for the 5D MKII - Part I
by Vincent LaForet
Our Assessment
The author of this blog is working to make a name for himself as an enthusiastic authority on shooting video with the new Canon 5D Mark II digital SLR. This site includes a sample video plus lots of tips for using the camera's video capabilities.
Canon 5D Mark II
by Dirck Halstead
Our Assessment
This review focuses on the Canon 5D Mark II's video capabilities, pointing out that holding the camera steady enough for good video is problematic.
Best Digital SLR Professional: Nikon D3
by Members of the TIPA
Our Assessment
The Nikon D3 earns an award for "best professional digital SLR" for 2008 by this European association of press journalists. The year before, the award went to the Canon EOS 1D Mark III, so this doesn't really help much to narrow the field.
Canon 1Ds Mark III Review Diary
by Uwe Steinmueller
Our Assessment
This site provides a refreshing change from the more formal digital camera reviews that try to be objective. The shooting diary reports on one photographer's experiences over time with the Canon 1DS Mark III, with brief descriptions and photo galleries. Similar diaries are available here for the less expensive Canon 1D Mark III and Nikon D700.
Sony 900
by Contributors to Photo.net
Our Assessment
Photographers weigh in on the pros and cons of the Sony A900 at this forum site for enthusiast and professional photographers. Quite a few of the contributors are professional photographers who raise useful points. Other forum threads here discuss the Nikon D3 versus the D3X, the Canon 5D Mark II versus the Nikon D3 and the Canon 5D Mark II versus the Canon 1Ds.
Cameras
by Editors of DC Views
Our Assessment
This site keeps updating its links to reviews of digital cameras, so it's a good starting point for in-depth research once you've narrowed your choice to two or three cameras.
Digital SLR Cameras
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Our Assessment
The owner-written reviews of high-end digital SLR cameras don't narrow the field much, since several cameras haven't accumulated enough reviews to make their average ratings significant. Also, each… reviewer's expertise isn't clear. At the time of our report, the Nikon D3 stands out as the highest-rated in this price range, reviewed by over two dozen owners. The less expensive Nikon D300 gets ratings just as high, however, from almost 200 reviews.
expand
collapse
Digital SLR Cameras
by Editors of Neocamera.com
Our Assessment
This site lags so far behind in reviewing high-end digital SLR cameras that it's not very useful. The Nikon D3 is compared with the older Canon 5D, not the 5D Mark II, and the site doesn't cover the Sony A900, Nikon D700 or D3X, or the Canon 1D Mark III or 1Ds Mark III.
Digital Camera Reviews
by Editors of CameraTown.com
Our Assessment
Rather than evaluating digital cameras through testing or usage, this site aggregates and ranks reviews from other sites, listing brief summaries of their findings. Not all reviews are rated, so some good professional comparative reviews can end up at the bottom of the list. However, if you've narrowed your choice to two or three cameras and want to read all the reviews, the links can be valuable.
Review Roundups
by Editors of DigitalCameraTracker.com
Our Assessment
This is another site that aggregates reviews from other sites, posting brief summaries but without ranking or rating the review sources. Excerpts from each review can be useful, but the excerpts take comments out of context, so they can be misleading.
Email
