Why do people ask whether they should get this camera, or that camera?

Gary R. said:

It's a form of user review, and I think user reviews are probably the #1 factor in judging just how a camera works in real life. Specs are just numbers, and often don't tell the "rest of the story", online reviews can be helpful too, but they're not day-to-day users and may have their own biases or criteria that are different than my needs.

Obviously you have to sort out the useful advice from the rest, but just a few good valid posts or user comments can say a lot about how the camera's going to work for you.
--
Gary
Photo albums: http://www.pbase.com/roberthouse

Click to expand...

DezM said:

radamczak said:

It's a question of priorities, and these vary enormously from person to person. A top priority for my wife and daughter is that the camera looks good, because they treat it as a fashion accessory. They wanted something small for the handbag, reliable, easy-to-use, as automated as possible, and with video. Needless to say, I recommended a camera I wouldn't buy for myself, simply because I have very different priorities.

bgn said:

There are so many aspects that one needs to consider when shopping for a new camera, how good is the IQ, what are the camera's strong points, what manual functions are there, how reliable is the camera, how convenient is the menu system, how easy it is to hold the camera, etc, etc. I am not at all surprised that people like to hear other peoples opinions about which camera is best to purchase. Usually, on this forum, people state what they are looking for and then ask for opinions. I often find it educational and interesting to read the replies even when I am not looking for a camera.

And I don't respect those people who make fun of others who are seriously looking for some advice.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I don't believe anyone is poking fun here. It's just mind boggling that people can't make up there minds on their own.

I'm not talking about opinions about certain cameras & their features. We're all opinionated & getting advice from other users is useful......It's asking whether they should buy a particular camera or buy a lens.
--
Dez

http://photos.dezmix.com

Click to expand...

bgn said:

DezM said:

radamczak said:

It's a question of priorities, and these vary enormously from person to person. A top priority for my wife and daughter is that the camera looks good, because they treat it as a fashion accessory. They wanted something small for the handbag, reliable, easy-to-use, as automated as possible, and with video. Needless to say, I recommended a camera I wouldn't buy for myself, simply because I have very different priorities.

bgn said:

There are so many aspects that one needs to consider when shopping for a new camera, how good is the IQ, what are the camera's strong points, what manual functions are there, how reliable is the camera, how convenient is the menu system, how easy it is to hold the camera, etc, etc. I am not at all surprised that people like to hear other peoples opinions about which camera is best to purchase. Usually, on this forum, people state what they are looking for and then ask for opinions. I often find it educational and interesting to read the replies even when I am not looking for a camera.

And I don't respect those people who make fun of others who are seriously looking for some advice.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I don't believe anyone is poking fun here. It's just mind boggling that people can't make up there minds on their own.

I'm not talking about opinions about certain cameras & their features. We're all opinionated & getting advice from other users is useful......It's asking whether they should buy a particular camera or buy a lens.
--
Dez

Click to expand...

I see what you are saying but I think in most cases, when people ask what camera they should buy, they are really trying to get opinions from people who already have experience with specific cameras. And I think this can be very useful hands-on advice when someone is trying to decide which camera to buy.

Click to expand...

Gato Amarillo said:

Admittedly, "should I buy this camera" may not be the best way to ask the question, but it is one way to seek feedback from actual users. Published specs only cover the basics and online or magazine testers rarely spend much time actually making pictures with a camera. Feedback from those who have been actively using the camera for a while can add depth to the information.

Something like "Does anyone use Camera X for sports?" or "Does anyone have examples of studio portraits with Camera Y?" might bring a more focused response, but a more general question can still bring valuable information -- sometimes things the questioner would not have thought to ask.

Click to expand...

Liz Z. said:

I see your point, but I think there's a different aspect to it. Sometimes a person can get more input by asking for others' thoughts on their dilemma, or see angles they hadn't thought of, and it helps tilt the scales in one direction or the other.

Click to expand...

Paul Owens said:

Boy, this thread seems to have gotten out of whack ......

I don't think the OP suggested in his original question that people shouldn't use the forums to research cameras and/or get firsthand user/expert feedback on models and their features. Nor did he suggest forum members should not help them as much as possible.

I believe he was referring to an individual, who having done "all the above", and probably more, seems to want someone to make the final decision for them.

A totally different and narrower question than some people are responding to ......

Or am I missing something?

Paul

Click to expand...

DezM said:

Agreed to a point......

How about "should I buy a LX5 or LX7?" These models aren't even out yet & users aren't using them.

Click to expand...

Dennis Worrall said:

I think that you have moved the goalposts a little bit by now talking about cameras that are not even out !. What is that all about, are you feeling a little overwhelmed by the negative responses you have received.

Click to expand...

MMH said:

Could also be that they are bored and want conversation. It happens in other forums. A camera forum would not be any different. Believe me.

Click to expand...

DezM said:

Doesn't make sense to me. It's pretty funny that posters are asking others if they should get this Panny or that Sony or that Canon/Oly.....etc.

I think that whoever is shopping for a camera, should do the research on their own and match the camera with the specifications that you are looking for and not allow forum users to influence or make that decision for you.

I understand that there are many choices but you should already know what your needs & wants are. DPreview is a very good resource & there's a wealth of information in the Specifications link above.
--
Dez

http://photos.dezmix.com

Click to expand...

Richard said:

If someone states, I dislike a camera because it does not work well with my glasses. Or I really like a camera because my eyesight is poor and they have big letters with a bright display. I have big fingers and this camera small buttons are too small or position so that I keep hitting by mistake.
I like this camera because I don't have to PP as much as say my other camera.

I shoot landscape and have to make this change but I have to dig through menus to get to what I need.

Things like that are often not covered in a review. A review may give a low rating but for shooting a particular style it works very well. Those things can be relayed by personal experience. There are no wrong question, only those that are unasked that can cause someone to buy something they dislike through ignorance or like through the experience of another. I don't see the problem and think it "funny" that you would question someone asking questions.

Click to expand...

Richard said:

If someone states, I dislike a camera because it does not work well with my glasses. Or I really like a camera because my eyesight is poor and they have big letters with a bright display. I have big fingers and this camera small buttons are too small or position so that I keep hitting by mistake.
I like this camera because I don't have to PP as much as say my other camera.

I shoot landscape and have to make this change but I have to dig through menus to get to what I need.

Things like that are often not covered in a review. A review may give a low rating but for shooting a particular style it works very well. Those things can be relayed by personal experience. There are no wrong question, only those that are unasked that can cause someone to buy something they dislike through ignorance or like through the experience of another. I don't see the problem and think it "funny" that you would question someone asking questions.

Click to expand...

Edlolim said:

Hey DezM you're a overhauled cat , I mean, you know the ins and outs, but for a noobie or someone just getting a new digi camera it makes sense to ask, make them feel more secure to ask the forum's "experts" so they may blame someone else when they don't get that razor sharp pic you do my friend, if Dez use it I'll use it too and you'll see my pics ... ... ... That's all, never mind.

Click to expand...