> On 09/02/2008, Chuck Norcutt <chucknorcutt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>> Dpreview is far better than anything else that's out there for testing
>>
Except that compared to a few other sites, as nice as DP review results
are formatted for the web, they are actually substantially misleading
due to inconsistencies of which cameras they choose to test at only
default settings, and which cameras they spend time finding optimal
settings; lens differences in sharpness & flatness of field; raw
converter compatibility with the various proprietary formats, and model
calibrations.
Comparing results of a camera they spent lots of time with, and set
optimally to one that was tested much quicker at default creates results
that look all professional, but can be thrown out the window, and you
can't rely on the comparisons to other dpreview camera test results for
the same reason. Some other test sites just don't do this, fortunately.
>> but the only thing I consider to be "standardized" testing is the studio
>> image which is JPEG and only ever shot at ISO 100 or the lowest normal
>> ISO level.
>>
Again, affected by lens, and, in this case, jpg optimal settings, or
default settings. "Hey, this camera has great jpegs" "This camera has
soft jpegs" "This camera has more noise than that camera!"
Right. Often quite wrong, and surprising.
>> His noise tests are also JPEG's and allow the camera to do
>> its normal noise reduction.
Some cameras get all the NR options explored, others are dismissed by
only judging default settings.
>> He occasionally takes shots of old military
>> vehicles under low light at high ISO but these are very inconsistent in
>> both how and if they are done.
>>
Just like the sites entire testing operation. They make their opinions
sound all authoritative and scientific and organized and stuff, - and
they do affect a lot of opinions and dismissals of many cameras from
those never having picked up samples of what they are posting about.
>
>
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