Should Sony Send Products To DPReview for review?

[KingDon]

Why does Sony send cameras to DPReview to review? They don't send it to other sites (DK). It does them no favor. Had they not mailed anything to DPRreview, they would have been better off right now.

DPR review can always review the cameras when they are on counter. All they would need to do is pay for it, like the rest of us.

Open question: Should Sony cut off all ties with DPReview ?

 

[Hans Weber]

I come to the point that its a usual product introduction ceremony
to get the trash down from dpreview for each Sony camera introduction
(to be more exactly, cameras that are not labled Canon).

It generates the big waves and laugh needed to sell a product well.

And to be honest, who really cares about the out of focus dpreview
studio scene shots at diffraction limmitting apertures, and their absurd
conclusions.
--
Hans (Germany)

 

[JanKritzinger]

Nah.

DPReview hurt themselves more than they hurt Sony.

Plus, although I feel DPReview were overly critical in the NEX review, it would all be forgiven if Sony actually heeds that criticism and releases firmware that adresses most of their complaints. This could possibly happen even before the cameras are released.

Sony has shown with the A290 and the A390 that they DO listen - when the A230 and A330 were released, the main complaints from all quarters was regarding the grips and finish\colourschemes, which have subsequently been massively improved.

Plus I'm sure that DPReview are only giving Sony products bad reviews now so that when they give the A7xx a score of 89% they can't be accused of being Sony fanboys

 

[TrojMacReady]

Why does Sony send cameras to DPReview to review? They don't send it to other sites (DK).

Maybe because Dpreview is the largest camera review site?

DK's is beyond Tiny in comparison (traffic wise). I'm pretty sure IR gets cameras for review too, for example.

It does them no favor. Had they not mailed anything to DPRreview, they would have been better off right now.

DPR review can always review the cameras when they are on counter. All they would need to do is pay for it, like the rest of us.

Open question: Should Sony cut off all ties with DPReview ?

A boycot is probably far more harmful in the long run. Not only can no publicity at all be worse than negative publicity (even though the review was far from all negative), if you're affraid of bias, that's the way stimulate it.

 

[BackToSlr]

Usually i would say they should. But now we see a huge gap between the observations and conclusions. I think Sony are better off without sending dpr their latest devices. Also, the dpr reviewers seem to be set in their ways, the way they used the UI is reprehensible. Not using the scroll wheel is idiotic and then blaming sony for UI (which may not be the best, but the fact that experts did not bother to try and see the actual recommended way of using is a big disservice to dpr users).

In this case, dpr seems to be trying to stall the sales of Sony so someone else can bring something to play...They have just gone so far beyond that it is ridiculous...

N

Why does Sony send cameras to DPReview to review? They don't send it to other sites (DK). It does them no favor. Had they not mailed anything to DPRreview, they would have been better off right now.

DPR review can always review the cameras when they are on counter. All they would need to do is pay for it, like the rest of us.

Open question: Should Sony cut off all ties with DPReview ?

 

[Glenn]

Sony isn;t going to be influenced by anything other than their own research. I doube what DPR says matters to them. when the meeting happens and the product planners and engineers are deciding how to spec out a new camera the only data on that table will be data bought and paid for by Sony. WHo in that meeting is going to sday But I read on DPR that we need mroe buttons.? the momen they do they would be asked to produce the research which DPR isn't in the busines of selling (so far)
--
http://www.fotosource.com/downloads/flyer/eye_cancer_en_CA.pdf

 

[ShawnCo]

Not only would that be silly and petty but then what would people write about in the sony forum?

Why does Sony send cameras to DPReview to review? They don't send it to other sites (DK). It does them no favor. Had they not mailed anything to DPRreview, they would have been better off right now.

DPR review can always review the cameras when they are on counter. All they would need to do is pay for it, like the rest of us.

Open question: Should Sony cut off all ties with DPReview ?

 

[zepzr]

A boycot is probably far more harmful in the long run. Not only can no publicity at all be worse than negative publicity (even though the review was far from all negative), if you're affraid of bias, that's the way stimulate it.

It would have zero effect Sony, long term or short term. It will effect DPR however as they would be the last in line to review a hot new camera (whatever that is, A7xx, A950, or Nex-7).

 

[MCromer]

DPR doesn't seem to like and appreciate Sony's cameras at least over the past few years.

I wouldn't send them cameras to review if I were Sony. What's the upside for Sony?

 

[Documensony]

DPReview are only giving Sony products bad reviews now so that when they give the A7xx a score of 89% they can't be accused of being Sony fanboys

That'll be the day - lol.

The DPR-team wasn't exactly gentle with the A700 either, since it did not look like a Canikon. Users soon loved the A700's inventive UI.

It's remarkable to see the reviewers here tip-toeing around any possibly controversial issues with a Canon or Nikon DSLR, whereas a Sony DSLR seems to be regarded as 'free to kick'.
--
-----------------------
Documensony
'Spontaneity is enabled by rigorous practice'

 

[Documensony]

... dpr reviewers seem to be set in their ways, the way they used the UI is reprehensible. Not using the scroll wheel is idiotic and then blaming sony for UI (which may not be the best, but the fact that experts did not bother to try and see the actual recommended way of using is a big disservice to dpr users).

Hmmm. Not good.

In this case, dpr seems to be trying to stall the sales of Sony so someone else can bring something to play...They have just gone so far beyond that it is ridiculous...

'Someone else' meaning ... Canon? ... Nikon?
--
-----------------------
Documensony
'Spontaneity is enabled by rigorous practice'

 

[Hugo600si]

The DPR-team wasn't exactly gentle with the A700 either, since it did not look like a Canikon. Users soon loved the A700's inventive UI.

To be honest, the pre v4 firmware a700 was good but it did need a significant firmware fix to really make it shine. If comments from DPReview helped the priority setting in Sony for that then I'm more then happy with the reviews

 

[TrojMacReady]

A boycot is probably far more harmful in the long run. Not only can no publicity at all be worse than negative publicity (even though the review was far from all negative), if you're affraid of bias, that's the way stimulate it.

It would have zero effect Sony, long term or short term.

If it would have zero effect, they wouldn't supply cameras to camera sites. That in itself is the proof that your theory is flawed.

 

[JanKritzinger]

Yea, but things are changing, and they're changing fast.

Sony is proving to be technically capable (NEX IQ), and commited(lots of new DSLR Models). Plus they respond to feedback, and they respond rather quickly.(a230 --> A290 grips and finish)

 

[kits]

All this negative reviews will help Sony improve their next generation camera's even better. So, maybe all this is good for Alpha and NEX .

I know Amazon usually cares to sell less of Sony products like Vaio's, high-end DSLRs etc directly. But I am surprised they still didn't list NEX-5 for pre-orders. Even the NEX-3 is being sold by third-party and not Amazon.

 

[Kodakrevisited]

Its a great question, my opinion is that this site (and alot of other posters here) just dont "get" the new cameras from Sony, the reviewers are comfortable with the conventional higher end models because they have lots of buttons, namely the A100/ A700/ A850/A900

The problem seems to be with the newer kit...WHICH I PREFER !, I swear that the A230/A330 are great cameras, I even like the grip, but the reviewers just dont get it (along with many more traditional posters here)

The NEX is another example, it follows along the general philosophy of simplification that was preceded by the A230/330/380 etc etc but these reviewers will never really get these cameras as they are just not conventional enough

So on balance I reckon Sony would do better to avoid supplying cameras for review to DPR

Speaking for the UK, Sony DSLRs are very widely stocked and despite all the hysteria here, I am pretty confident that they are selling reasonably well.....I am really delighted with my A330 and I take alot of photographs, but I am totally open minded as I have only recently moved from P&S....precisely the market Sony are going for with these entry models....reviewers here have been using cameras for years and years, and rather than helping, I think this seems to have made them more conservative and closed minded
So nI think Sony should boycott DPR

 

[jsis]

I would say yes, Sony should send more cameras for dpreview to review. This is because the majority of new and returning visitors here account for a very small percentage of those who purchase their cameras.... not significant to put a dent in Sony's bank account.

 

[Waltom]

No matter what we may think of the DPR conclusions, IMHO they do an exhaustive test on every camera they review. I'd hate to lose that input. Reviews are reviews; read them all and make your own decision.

Personally, I jumped on the first review I saw with sample photos (Imaging Resources I think it was) and was so impressed I pre-ordered the NEX-5/16mm. The DPR review was a bit of a shock, but all that stuff about AI mode -- I never use 'dummy mode' on any camera -- was all water under my bridge. I did appreciate all the test photos and commentary on the UI and other functions.

In general I think there's too much conspiracy theorizing everywhere today. I'll continue to read the DPR reviews and hope Sony keeps sending them their cameras to review.

Parting shot: think what all this bru-ha-ha might do for the NEX-7 which is (we assume) still in development?

 

[Barney Britton]

Why does Sony send cameras to DPReview to review? They don't send it to other sites (DK).

Maybe because Dpreview is the largest camera review site?

DK's is beyond Tiny in comparison (traffic wise). I'm pretty sure IR gets cameras for review too, for example.

It does them no favor. Had they not mailed anything to DPRreview, they would have been better off right now.

DPR review can always review the cameras when they are on counter. All they would need to do is pay for it, like the rest of us.

Open question: Should Sony cut off all ties with DPReview ?

A boycot is probably far more harmful in the long run. Not only can no publicity at all be worse than negative publicity (even though the review was far from all negative), if you're affraid of bias, that's the way stimulate it.

We actually have a very good (and mutually respectful relationship with Sony.

--
Technical Writer
http://www.dpreview.com

 

[gil]

link below.

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=705189&page=9

--
Cheers,
gil - San Jose, CA
Cheap Lens, JPG and 100% Handholding Provocateur
Like happiness, photography is often better created than pursued.