Poll: Should DPR do away with the recommendation comments?

[keith13d]

Would this eliminate the bias in the review? Let's face it. How many people skip to the end to find out the recommendation?

How about a grade system. They are already use a scoring system. Maybe they should break it down a little more. 8.5, 8.6 or 8.7 and so forth. Add up all the scores for a final number and give it a grade. A+, A, B+, B and so forth.
What are you thoughts?

 

[realgeek]

I think a verdict (or grade or score) is a good idea. No one likes being graded, but everyone likes to see grades. Why? Because no one has time to do an extensive evaluation of every option. So we weed out based on the verdict and then compare a couple of options. It's very helpful.

Recommended is not necessarily a bad verdict. My problem is when they give almost everyone Highly Recommended. If you only give the rare camera such a verdict, then it means NOT Recommended.

 

[Shimbabwe]

My personal opinion is that there is no possible way to employ a completely accurate rating system. In fact, I can't even imagine one that considers all the relevant parameters of the ever evolving market(s). For example, the A-550 rates a nine compared to its peers, yesterday. If a camera in the segment is released today, the rating is already flawed because it did not foresee the new model. It is quite simple, really. I usually read the entire text without trying to compare Winesap to Golden Delicious. having said that, I like the ratings.
--
Cheers,

Shimbabwe

 

[dtrph]

i personally would prefer a playoff system over BCS... oops wrong forum...

Really, most people complaining about the value of reviews are people who already have said camera or mount and just want an expert opinion to legitimize their decision.

Of course when most of us went out to buy our camera/system we researched it and maybe even tried out different cameras before choosing and did not make the decision solely on the expert opinion of reviewers.

Maybe I should have an expert tell me if my wife is highly recommended or just recommended, after 25 yrs of marriage I hope she is.
--
dancph

 

[grcolts]

I think the reviews are just fine the way they are done.
It is interesting to see how another individual grades a camera body, etc.

For me, not having access to handle all the various bodies on the market, these are very useful reviews. I may not like a particular review and am free to certainly disagree with it, but all in all the reviews are worthwhile.
Keep them coming!

GR
--
grcolts
http://web.me.com/grcolts/Site/About_Me.html
http://www.cafepress.com/grcolts

 

[liquid stereo]

The recommendation lets you/us know they're biased. Its fine to be biased. There's only a problem when the biases of the evaluator are unknown.

Would this eliminate the bias in the review? Let's face it. How many people skip to the end to find out the recommendation?

How about a grade system. They are already use a scoring system. Maybe they should break it down a little more. 8.5, 8.6 or 8.7 and so forth. Add up all the scores for a final number and give it a grade. A+, A, B+, B and so forth.
What are you thoughts?

 

[jmknights]

Who cares? You should consider how the camera meets your needs not whether it's reccomended highly or not. Just like movie critics they tend to be subjective. And I would have missed a lot of great movies if I listened solely to the critics. I think the best that can be offered are the actual experiences of fellow forum members and the results of their photos. I regard them as most important when making a decision on a camera body know... JOMHO

Jim in VT

 

[Dennis]

Would this eliminate the bias in the review?

Or the perception of bias ?

Let's face it. How many people skip to the end to find out the recommendation?

I skip to the end, but not for the recommendation; for the "Overall Conclusion" which runs a number of paragraphs and doesn't fit on my screen.

I've argued this in the past. The recommendation is essentially useless. It trivialiizes dpr's hard work in putting together 30 pages of information after extensive testing. The overall conclusions suggests that a given camera might be good for some types of photographers, not so good for others; might be great if you don't need feature X or can live with some restriction.

Anyone would be a fool to buy a camera that's even "Highly Recommended" without being aware of at least that much information, if not much more.

How about a grade system. They are already use a scoring system. Maybe they should break it down a little more. 8.5, 8.6 or 8.7 and so forth. Add up all the scores for a final number and give it a grade. A+, A, B+, B and so forth.

Just as useless.

Do the D3X or the M9 get A+ grades ? Would you recommend them to anyone ? Does anyone in the market for such a camera need a reviewer to give them a thumbs up or thumbs down ? Read the review; that's what it's there for.

What are you thoughts?

I think the Recommended/Highly Recommended rating is something for manufacturers to put on their websites. And it provides ammunition for bickering. (Not that there's any lack of ammo !)

• Dennis

--
Gallery at http://kingofthebeasts.smugmug.com

 

[keith13d]

You bring up a very good point here.

There is a very fine line between being a reviewer and a critic, and I think the line gets crossed once in a while. A reviewer should tell the facts and leave out emotional based comments and opinions such as calling people "idiots".

Who cares? You should consider how the camera meets your needs not whether it's reccomended highly or not. Just like movie critics they tend to be subjective. And I would have missed a lot of great movies if I listened solely to the critics. I think the best that can be offered are the actual experiences of fellow forum members and the results of their photos. I regard them as most important when making a decision on a camera body know... JOMHO

Jim in VT

 

[bloessberg]

DPR camera reviews and final recommendations are generally on the mark. Their final "recommendation" system will always be questioned because it mixes objective measurements (scores) with their personal subjective perspective. And no matter how seasoned they are at handling so many different models, they cannot exclude their personal ergonomic preferences when evaluating the many different cameras.

The early 2001 Sony DSC-707, with its unique tilt screen (or lens barrel) viewfinder was what I needed at the time. Sony has continued to offer a tilt screen in their DSLR lineup through their latest A550. DPR does not see tilt screens or in-camera stabilization (SSS) as important evaluation criteria (professional or amateur). I’ve yet to see them produce a still image using the perspective advantage and convenience of Sony’s tilt screen. Lastly, the objective measurements regarding sensor noise places Sony at number three against Nikon and Canon, those cameras do not include the ergonomic qualities I require. My evaluation would make Nikon/Canon “Highly Recommended (just)” and the Sony A550 “Highly Recommended”. I have the A350, A700, and the A850.

 

[AlphaOmega]

For all it is worth my opinion is that if it is true that most cameras get a "highly recommended" rating and just a few - including the A550 - a recommended rating, then they should simply stop adding this feature to their reviews from today.

Recommended to whom? Requirements are so different that really they should have a list of different types of "shooters" and then say recommended to so and so because ...... but not to so and so because .... Simply not workable.

In fact the reviews are so detailed anyway and we have the "pro" & "con" bits as well that this personal final opinion is simply superflous. Leave it out. The individual potential customer can go through the review and form his/her own opinion based on individual requirements.

 

[Simon Joinson]

For all it is worth my opinion is that if it is true that most cameras get a "highly recommended" rating and just a few - including the A550 - a recommended rating, then they should simply stop adding this feature to their reviews from today.

Recommended to whom? Requirements are so different that really they should have a list of different types of "shooters" and then say recommended to so and so because ...... but not to so and so because .... Simply not workable.

In fact the reviews are so detailed anyway and we have the "pro" & "con" bits as well that this personal final opinion is simply superflous. Leave it out. The individual potential customer can go through the review and form his/her own opinion based on individual requirements.

Though we may well revamp the ratings/scoring system we will never, ever, get rid of the pros, cons and conclusion. It's a review, after all.
Simon
--
Simon Joinson, dpreview.com

 

[MCromer]

Yes, get rid of the recommendation.

 

[FEM2008]

It appears that the OP was talking about the recommendation verdict and not the Pros and cons list.

I agree with AlphaOmega full-heartedly. Either say who the target group recommendation is for, or don't at all. You take pride in providing detailed and scientific review, but the final verdict is editorial. Does not make any sense.

For all it is worth my opinion is that if it is true that most cameras get a "highly recommended" rating and just a few - including the A550 - a recommended rating, then they should simply stop adding this feature to their reviews from today.

Recommended to whom? Requirements are so different that really they should have a list of different types of "shooters" and then say recommended to so and so because ...... but not to so and so because .... Simply not workable.

In fact the reviews are so detailed anyway and we have the "pro" & "con" bits as well that this personal final opinion is simply superflous. Leave it out. The individual potential customer can go through the review and form his/her own opinion based on individual requirements.

Though we may well revamp the ratings/scoring system we will never, ever, get rid of the pros, cons and conclusion. It's a review, after all.
Simon
--
Simon Joinson, dpreview.com

--
FEM2008

 

[Russell Ervin]

Would this eliminate the bias in the review? Let's face it. How many people skip to the end to find out the recommendation?

How about a grade system. They are already use a scoring system. Maybe they should break it down a little more. 8.5, 8.6 or 8.7 and so forth. Add up all the scores for a final number and give it a grade. A+, A, B+, B and so forth.
What are you thoughts?

you didn't bring this subject up when a model received a high recommendation? The reviewing system only gets bashed when a camera from the forum of that brand doesn't receive a high review. It happens it in all the brand forums.

A good review of your own brand of camera=DPR is the greatest and knows what it talking about.

A bad review=DPR is doesn't know what it is talking and should change the way it does things.

Besides, it is not that important in real life. Go to any camera store and ask people if they are picking out a camera because of a DPR review. I think you would get 999 blank stares out of a 1000 people asked...heheh.
--



http://www.flickr.com/photos/quietrvr/
Gear=A camera with a lens.

 

[RJSanchez]

Russell,

You saved me the effort of writing exactly what I was thinking also! How many people would be asking for the review criteria be changed if it had been rated HR. I would bet not one person would be crying bias and that the scores don't add up, etc.

Would this eliminate the bias in the review? Let's face it. How many people skip to the end to find out the recommendation?

How about a grade system. They are already use a scoring system. Maybe they should break it down a little more. 8.5, 8.6 or 8.7 and so forth. Add up all the scores for a final number and give it a grade. A+, A, B+, B and so forth.
What are you thoughts?

you didn't bring this subject up when a model received a high recommendation? The reviewing system only gets bashed when a camera from the forum of that brand doesn't receive a high review. It happens it in all the brand forums.

A good review of your own brand of camera=DPR is the greatest and knows what it talking about.

A bad review=DPR is doesn't know what it is talking and should change the way it does things.

Besides, it is not that important in real life. Go to any camera store and ask people if they are picking out a camera because of a DPR review. I think you would get 999 blank stares out of a 1000 people asked...heheh.
--



http://www.flickr.com/photos/quietrvr/
Gear=A camera with a lens.

 

[Marti58]

--

• living in harmony with nature and other beings...will create an better world for all * marti58 -2006

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marti58/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/worldwidefriendship/

 

[Tuputam]

Simon

Though we may well revamp the ratings/scoring system we will never, ever, get rid of the pros, cons and conclusion. It's a review, after all.

The problem is not with pros and cons, but with the final rating (though even pros and cons are inconsistent; for example both D300s and 7D have occasional sky noise at the base ISO, but only D300s gets that as con. Both A550 and D5000 are missing DOF preview, but only A550 gets the con). As for final rating, both A350 and A550 get equal rating (recommended) even though A550 is better camera (specs, and IQ). Out of 4 cameras compared, A550 gets second highest total score, but lowest final rating.

 

[Ronni H]

Besides, it is not that important in real life. Go to any camera store and ask people if they are picking out a camera because of a DPR review. I think you would get 999 blank stares out of a 1000 people asked...heheh.
--

I agree - I don't know that many people who actually know what Dpreview is.

However Dpreview still influences purchase decisions indirectly. This happens through shop assistants who sell and advice people partly based on Internet reviews - and since dpreview is the biggest camera reviewer on the Internet - their opinions WILL have an affect.

I sometimes play stupid and walk into a camera store and ask their opinion about a certain camera - and quite often they say: this and this is an excellent camera.... and it get's very good reviews as well - I've even had sales assistants directing me towards dpreview.

Obviously this won't happen in an electronics shop where the staff are completely camera clueless. But one should not underestimate dpreview completely.
--
Never bite the Apple...

Ronni

http://www.pbase.com/ronnihansen

 

[Marti58]

Besides, it is not that important in real life. Go to any camera store and ask people if they are picking out a camera because of a DPR review. I think you would get 999 blank stares out of a 1000 people asked...heheh.
--

I agree - I don't know that many people who actually know what Dpreview is.

However Dpreview still influences purchase decisions indirectly. This happens through shop assistants who sell and advice people partly based on Internet reviews - and since dpreview is the biggest camera reviewer on the Internet - their opinions WILL have an affect.

in Holland ( Netherlands ) even in stores that sale camera's many dunno DPR

in more Pro/enthosiast targeted shops the people have investments in Nikon/Canon due there long market heritage.

i don't think a longtime Photographer need DPR or any other forum to make decisions what to buy.

-

• living in harmony with nature and other beings...will create an better world for all * marti58 -2006

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marti58/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/worldwidefriendship/