Consumers will often purchase identical products but for different reasons, so before reading a review it is good to know what it is about that particular product that interests you. Is it the product's size, the resolution, speed, length of zoom, or maybe even compatibility with other equipment (does it use the same batteries, cables or charger as another camera you already own)? Knowing what it is that matters to YOU will help you focus on those portions of the review that relate to that subject.
Cameratown provides easy access to over a thousand reviews written by photographers and other experts in the field. Often times a product will have been reviewed by as many as twelve different websites, each offering their own perspective. Reviewers analyze features and then report their findings in their review. However, many tests are subjective, thus are open for differences in opinion.
For example: When testing a digital camera, the noise levels at a particular ISO might be considered "acceptable" to one reviewer and "unacceptable" to another. Their conclusions will often be derived from experiences and comparisons to other models they have used, as well as the conditions in which they have tested the camera under.
With cameras, many review sites will provide sample photographs that can be viewed and/or downloaded. These photographs are there to help demonstrate the camera's image quality when used under different lighting conditions, as well as to let you see the images that helped the reviewer come to their conclusion. When reading conflicting opinions, use these sample images to draw your own conclusion. Did one reviewer find that images were softer than they had hoped, while another found the image sharpness to be very high? Take a look at the provided images, download them to your PC, maybe even print them at the sizes you plan to use them at in order to draw your own conclusion.
Different review styles
Not all products are reviewed the same way. Some sites strictly use in-house testing, where they can control lighting to keep conditions identical from model to model, other sites take a product out in the real world (field testing) to put it through its paces, and some do both. If you plan on using the product in a controlled environment, such as in a studio, then the controlled (in-house) tests will most likely be of interest to you, whereas a consumer looking for a camera to take pictures of family vacations and other events will most likely benefit more from real world "out-in-the-field" testing.
Don't consider a preview a review. It's not.When a new model is launched, many sites publish a preview of the product that often looks like a review. While these articles are informative - giving you a listing of specifications in an easier-to-read "article-style" format, they are not opinions based on tests or usage. Previews are generally based on specifications and other claims provided by the manufacturer and some writers will impart their own opinion as to the benefits of a feature or spec. Cameratown.com lists previews in the same area as reviews, but we alert you to previews by starting the summary paragraph with the words "Hands-on Preview" or "First-Look Preview."
Who has time to read 10 reviews?
Cameratown knows that time is precious and using a search engine to find camera reviews or digital photography information brings up a smorgasbord of content - retail links, news links, press releases, reviews, previews, spec pages all listed together - making it more difficult to find the type of information you're most interested in. At Cameratown.com, they separate this information into easy to read content areas, which provides fast access to reviews, articles, tutorials, news, firmware updates, product manuals, and even deals on gear - all from an easy-to-navigate front page. Their site also provides a rating system to let you know which reviews were most informative, based on reader votes. So when you find a product that has been reviewed by 8 or 9 different websites, the rating given by other readers will help you know where to start.
Reviews are also helpful after you've made your purchase
Many people don't think of this, but reviews are as helpful after you've made your purchase decision as they are before. Unlike user manuals, reviews often have helpful tips and workarounds for problems that were discovered during testing.
Tips for reading reviews:
Know what features are important to you
If provided, use test images to help you draw your own conclusions
Understand the style of review (controlled or in-the-field)
A preview is not a review
Which review should you read first? Use the reader ratings on Cameratown's site.
A review is a good source of information before and AFTER you made your purchase.
credits: cameratown.com reviews -reading reviews
Royalty-free photo of the day:
Sunset over Edinburgh, Scotland on a late December Day
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