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02/10/2006 08:43:27 PM · #26 |
Here's their conclusion, first place only for the five categories:
1. Image Quality: Rebel XT
2. Control: Oly Evolt E-500
3. Ease of Use: Maxxum 5D
4. System Flexibility: Tie: Rebel XT, Nikon D50
Note that they weren't comparing any of the high end cameras in this article. If you are interested in the details, see the March 2005 issue.
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02/10/2006 08:46:59 PM · #27 |
In last years review they had the Pentax *Ist DS very close to the Canon 20D, (which was also included in the tests).
The 20D scores for comparison were:
Extremely low @ ISO100, Very low @ 200, low @ 400, moderately low @ 800-1600
Also keep in mind that PopPhoto use DxOAnalyser for testing ISO performance. Everyone that has used this software to measure ISO noise has come up with the same results. Either there is a problem with DxOAnalyser or it does a more accurate job than the human eye.
bazz. |
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02/11/2006 10:22:06 AM · #28 |
Interesting. To be honest, I've never felt that opinions read in magazines could be trusted. Too much in the air for their advertising dollars and there's too much pressure in printing deadlines for me to really feel that they are taking their time to do things right.
I'd put significantly more stock in a website like DPReview where the guy has less at stake for advertising dollars and always has the option to update information later if it becomes inaccurate. There's a sort of accountability that I like there.
However, having said that, I'm not partial to letting magazines or websites make decisions like this for me.
Now I haven't read that article and I don't have access to that magazine, so I can't comment on the substance of the article itself, but I do know that there's more to noise than just noise levels.
For example, in the DPReview reviews, they always compare both noise AND sharpness. It is very easy for a camera to remove noise, but this is usually at the expense of sharpness. In order to find out exactly how noisy a camera is, you have to turn noise reduction off (which is not always doable). Otherwise, you are comparing noise and noise reduction. DPReview does comment that Olympus has less noise, but as the ISO increases, so does noise reduction. This causes noticeable reduction in sharpness and detail.
For my money, it's definitely between the 350 and the KM. We will have to see what goodies Mr. Sony puts out in the near future to see what can be done about all those good ideas. |
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02/11/2006 10:36:40 AM · #29 |
| I do know that with my Olympus E-300 noise was unacceptable at iso> 800..forget 1600...I really liked the camera, but it also seemed a little light in weight and prone to camera-shake all the time...the lenses were excellent quality, but I still traded it for my Canon 20d because the shake and noise were driving me crazy...I think the E-500 has better resolution and less noise at iso 800 and above, from what I read in the camera review in Pop Photo. |
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02/11/2006 10:57:08 AM · #30 |
| The magazine is named 'Popular Photography', no surprise they rated the most popular camera as #1! For me the determining factor for buying the D50 was my existing Nikon compatible lenses and the very low noise at high ISO settings. If I need 8 megapixels, I use the Nikon 8800! |
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02/11/2006 11:16:33 AM · #31 |
Originally posted by ElGordo:
The magazine is named 'Popular Photography', no surprise they rated the most popular camera as #1! For me the determining factor for buying the D50 was my existing Nikon compatible lenses and the very low noise at high ISO settings. If I need 8 megapixels, I use the Nikon 8800! |
Actually, they do lab tests like everyone else. There results are more detailed than I have summarized here. I just thought the article was of interest enough here to bring up here and generate discussion.
I do like DPReview's and Steves Digicams much more detailed reviews for buying decisions. I do like the lens reviews Pop photo has, that these other sites don't. I've found some other lens review sites, but they are generally more subjective than this (mostly user reviews, though I do know of some with actual tests too--just not always up to date).
All being said, I don't know who to trust, but I usually go by whether the magazine is ready to "pan" a product. Maximum PC for example, has gone so far as to say in some (older) product reviews that the software isn't worth the disc it's recorded on. PC Magazine, on the other hand, I don't take their words at face value with regard to reviews. Each has to earn their reputation. I don't yet have any pro or con judgement for Pop Photo.
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02/11/2006 11:17:09 AM · #32 |
Originally posted by nshapiro:
Hmmm, I wasn't taking sides. Just providing a forum for argument and entertainment. Personally, I almost switched to the Maxxum, or was thinking of buying one as a travel camera, since it has built in IS. But after Konica folded operations, I nixed that idea. Still waiting to see what's next for me. |
Konica Minolta DID NOT FOLD.
They sold the rights for their SLR system to Sony for sales, and sold all the support marketing, supply chain management, blah., to them.
Konica's Factories are Still Running the manufacture of the Cameras!!
That being said, I'm still not convinced Sony is going to do us right. |
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02/11/2006 11:28:09 AM · #33 |
Originally posted by MQuinn:
The E-500 had a better noise rating than the Canon at ISO 1600? Seems kinda wierd since the Olympus has the smallest sensor. |
Size doesn't matter .. Well I have been telling my girlfriend that for years. LOL
But seriously, I have an Olympus E-1, maybe I am gullable but according to the Olympus rep I spoke with before I bought my camera the reason Olympus can have a smaller sensor is it has dedicated lenses. These lenses were designed for the Olympus E system the Four Third mountings as well. So all the lenses focus down to the size of the Chip.
I have two really clear lenses a 14mm -54mm and a 50mm - 200mm both F2.8. These work really good for me. Any digital camera will have noise, thank god for Neat Image.
Be well all.
Oh almost forgot, the Olympus E series also has something none of the others have to my knowledge, self cleaning sensor. Every time you turn it on it vibrates at 200k a second to get dust off the sensor. Think it was 200k could be wrong on the number or if anyone else has that but when I bought mine a year and a half ago it was the only one.
Michael
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