I've been going through the cameralabs.com website and am impressed by their video reviews and range of cameras reviewed. http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/digital_camera_and_lens_reviews.shtml

How does yours rate and does the rating match your experience? (the Nikon D700 rates at 95% if you drop the value assesment - I'll add a 2nd % and the dpreview % on the end). http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/

NOTE: As dpreview has changed their rating scale, (which used to closely match cameralabs) I colored the new ratings in green and the old in red (as the older rate higher).

A+
89% Canon 1D Mark IV: Canon 1D mkIV dpreview (dpreview only) 89%
89% Nikon D3s: Nikon D3s dpreview (dpreview only) 89%
??% Nikon D3x: Nikon D3x cameralabs & Nikon D3x dpreview 86%
??% Canon 1DsMkII: Canon 1DsmkII dpreview (dpreview only)
89/95% Nikon D700: Nikon D700 cameralabs & Nikon D700 dpreview 94%
93/93.75% Canon 7D: Canon 7D cameralabs & Canon 7D dpreview 84%
83% Pentax K5: Pentax K5 dpreview (dpreview only) 83%
91/92.5% Canon 5D Mark II: Canon 5D mkII cameralabs & Canon 5D mkII dpreview 79%
91/91.25% Nikon D200: Nikon D200 cameralabs & Nikon D200 dpreview
90/91.25% Canon 50D: Canon 50D cameralabs & Canon 50D dpreview 89%
90/91.25% Canon 40D: Canon 40D cameralabs & Canon 40D dpreview 90%
90/91.25% Nikon D300s: Nikon D300s cameralabs & Nikon D300s dpreview 82%
90/93.75% Nikon D300: Nikon D300 cameralabs & Nikon D300 dpreview 92%
90/93.75% Sony A900: Sony A900 cameralabs & Sony A900 dpreview 92%
A
89/90% Nikon D90: Nikon D90 cameralabs & Nikon D90 dpreview 89%
89/90% Panasonic GH1: Panasonic GH1 cameralabs & Panasonic GH1 dpreview 72%
89/87.5% Olympus E-510: Olympus E-510 cameralabs & Olympus E-510 dpreview 86%
88/91.25% Olympus E-3: Olympus E-3 cameralabs & Olympus E-3 dpreview 88%
88/90% Nikon D7000: Nikon D7000 cameralabs & Nikon D7000: Nikon D7000 dpreview 80% (Silver Award)
88/90% Canon 600D/T3i: Canon 600D cameralabs & Canon 600D dpreview 77%
88/88.75% Canon 5D: Canon 5D cameralabs & Canon 5D dpreview
88/88.75% Canon 550D/T2i: Canon 550D/T2i cameralabs & Canon 550D/T2i dpreview 77%
76% Sony A55: Sony A55 dpreview (dpreview only) 76%
75% Olympus E-5: dpreview Olympus E-5 (dpreview only) 75%
88/88.75% Nikon D5000: Nikon D5000 cameralabs & Nikon D5000 dpreview 75%
88/88.75% Canon 500D/T1i: Canon 500D/T1i cameralabs & Canon 500D/T1i dpreview 74%
88/88.75% Canon 450D/XSi: Canon 450D/XSi cameralabs & Canon 450D/XSi dpreview 84%
74% Pentax K7: Pentax K7 dpreview (dpreview only) 74%
73% Pentax Kx: Pentax Kx dpreview (dpreview only) 73%
88/87.5% Olympus E-620: Olympus E-620 cameralabs & Olympus E-620 dpreview 72%
88/88.75% Panasonic G1: Panasonic G1 cameralabs & Panasonic G1 dpreview 70%
88/88.75% Sony A350: Sony A350 cameralabs & Sony A350 dpreview 81%
87/87.5% Canon 60D: Canon 60D cameralabs & Canon 60D dpreview 79%
87/87.5% Sony A700: Sony A700 cameralabs & Sony A700 dpreview 88%
87/86.25% Sony A300: Sony A300 cameralabs (cameralabs only)
87/86.25% Canon 30D: Canon 30D cameralabs & Canon 30D dpreview
87/86.25% Olympus E-520: Olympus E-520 cameralabs & Olympus E-520 dpreview 82%
87/85% Sony A33: Sony A33 cameralabs (cameralabs only)
86/86.25% Panasonic GH2: cameralabs Panasonic GH2 & dpreview Panasonic GH2 79%
86/86.25% Nikon D80: Nikon D80 Cameralabs & Nikon D80 dpreview 89%
86/87.5% Pentax K20D: Pentax K20D cameralabs & Pentax K20D dpreview 87%
86/85% Olympus E-410: Olympus E-410 cameralabs & Olympus E-410 dpreview 84%
86/86.25% Pentax K200D: Pentax K200D cameralabs & Pentax K200D dpreview 82%
86/84.2% Fuji S5: Fuji S5 dpreview (dpreview only) 86%
B+
85/82.5% Canon 400D/XTi: Canon 400D/XTi cameralabs & Canon 400D/XTi dpreview 82%
85/85% Olympus E-420: Olympus E-420 cameralabs & Olympus E-420 dpreview 82%
85/82.5% Olympus E-400: Olympus E-400 cameralabs (cameralabs only)
85/87.5% Panasonic L10: Panasonic L10 cameralabs & Panasonic L10 dpreview 82%
85/85% Panasonic L1: Panasonic L1 cameralabs & Panasonic L1 dpreview 81%
85/85% Sony A200: Sony A200 cameralabs & Sony A200 dpreview 81%
85/82.5% Sony A100: Sony A100 cameralabs & Sony A100 dpreview 83%
84/85% Nikon D3100: Nikon D3100 cameralabs
84/83.75% Sony A550: Sony A500 camerlabs (cameralabs only)
83/81.25% Pentax K10D: Pentax K10D cameralabs & Pentax K10D dpreview 86%
83/83.75% Olympus PEN E-PL2: cameralabs Olympus E-PL2 & dpreview Olympus E-PL2 71%
71% Pentax K-r: dpreview Pentax K-r (dpreview only) 71%
71% Olympus E-30: Olympus E-30 dpreview (dpreview only) 71%
82/82.5% Canon 1000D/XS: Canon 1000D/XS cameralabs & Canon 1000D/XS dpreview 82%
82/81.25% Sony A330: Sony A330 cameralabs (cameralabs only)
81/80% Nikon D40: Nikon D40 cameralabs & Nikon D40 dpreview 84%
81/81.25% Sony A380: Sony A380 cameralabs & Sony A380 dpreview 59%
81/78.75% Sony A230: Sony A230 cameralabs (cameralabs only)
80/82.5% Nikon D60: Nikon D60 cameralabs & Nikon D60 dpreview 84%
80/81.25% Nikon D3000: Nikon D3000 cameralabs & Nikon D3000 dpreview 72%
80/77.5% Canon 350D/XT: Canon 350D/XT cameralabs & Canon 350D/XT dpreview
B
69% Canon T3/1100D: Canon T3/1100D dpreview (dpreview only) 69%
79/81.25% Nikon D40x: Nikon D40x cameralabs & Nikon D40x dpreview 84%
79/76.25% Konica Minolta 5D: Konika Minolta 5D cameralabs
78/76.25% Nikon D50: Nikon D50 cameralabs
76/75% Olympus E-500: Olympus E-500 cameralabs & Olympus E-500 dpreview
C
72/70% Pentax *istDL: Pentax istDL cameralabs & Pentax istDS dpreview

For some reason- I don't see the Olympus E-30?

Nice to see my 40D is in the A+ category - even marginally better than 50D. I am still happy with it too.

Originally Posted by misterb For some reason- I don't see the Olympus E-30?

dpreview only - I have added it to the list.

Originally Posted by goldenballs Nice to see my 40D is in the A+ category - even marginally better than 50D. I am still happy with it too.

Funny, if we go on dpreviews ratings the 40D is an A+ camera while the 50D is a top dog "A" only

Interesting but... seems to me it's a little misleading to compare different generation cameras directly, since each camera's scale will be based on the way it was graded when it was released rather than going head-to-head as direct comparisons later on. So the 40d was stupendous when it was released but is lacking features made available in subsequent models.

But thanks for posting - it is definitely interesting!

ETA: Fwiw, I couldn't be happier with the 7d - it has exceeded all expectations in every way.

Originally Posted by divamum Interesting but... seems to me it's a little misleading to compare different generation cameras directly, since each camera's scale will be based on the way it was graded when it was released rather than going head-to-head as direct comparisons later on. So the 40d was stupendous when it was released but is lacking features made available in subsequent models. But thanks for posting - it is definitely interesting! ETA: Fwiw, I couldn't be happier with the 7d - it has exceeded all expectations in every way.

Agreed. I was researching camera's and wanted to compare what was out there. So this exersize was the result. It's just my list and thought it would be interesting to share.

This research did lead me to the 7D and I must say from what I've seen it is an awesome camera. It fits me like a glove and I like the way it feels and works.

...I'm just waiting for the 60D to compare before deciding on which to buy - 7D is on the short list.

Originally Posted by divamum Interesting but... seems to me it's a little misleading to compare different generation cameras directly, since each camera's scale will be based on the way it was graded when it was released rather than going head-to-head as direct comparisons later on. So the 40d was stupendous when it was released but is lacking features made available in subsequent models. But thanks for posting - it is definitely interesting! ETA: Fwiw, I couldn't be happier with the 7d - it has exceeded all expectations in every way.

Yes, I agree up to a point. However, things are not always quite so linear. In my view, the sweetness of the 40D was not equalled in its category by any camera by any manufacturer until the arrival of the 7D. I will go, and have gone, further and say that on any iq and practicality measure the 40D and 7D are in practice indistinguishable. The 'differences' are in the marketing dept.

Neil

I have added the Nikon D3100 to the list and the Canon 60D.

Originally Posted by divamum Interesting but... seems to me it's a little misleading to compare different generation cameras directly, since each camera's scale will be based on the way it was graded when it was released rather than going head-to-head as direct comparisons later on. So the 40d was stupendous when it was released but is lacking features made available in subsequent models. But thanks for posting - it is definitely interesting! ETA: Fwiw, I couldn't be happier with the 7d - it has exceeded all expectations in every way.

Quite true. It's an interesting chart though, especially seeing where the different manufacturers are, although there's been some issues raised about manufacturer support!

Anyway, I've moved on to a Canon 50D now and it's fantastic, so can concur with the rating. Fantastic body.

S

I have a feeling the new Olympus E-5 will be at the top of the heap!

Originally Posted by misterb I have a feeling the new Olympus E-5 will be at the top of the heap!

Perhaps not....... All the rumours around the E-5 suggesting a very conservative approach from Olympus (i.e. incremental improvements and tweaks, not quantum leaps). Check dpreview around 7am GMT tomorrow). I suspect I'll not be wanting to throw my E-30 away in favour of the new camera (but then again, Olympus are capable of surprising, delighting and disappointing in equal measure - sometimes makes me wonder what they're smokin').

Why are we using internet ratings to determine which camera body we buy? Are these "ratings" reliable? Do we know about how they conduct their tests and all the variables behind the ratings? Ask yourself what you shoot, narrow down your options, and buy the best you can afford. It's that simple. Or you can go another route, buying a cheap body and high-end lenses. When you get the body, you learn it inside and out until you know every little hidden trick and feature. You can take better photos with a Rebel you know well than a 1D4 you just picked up.

Originally Posted by ThatCanonGuy Why are we using internet ratings to determine which camera body we buy? Are these "ratings" reliable? Do we know about how they conduct their tests ...

I put this list together for anyone who was doing research into DSLR as I was. dpreview and cameralabs do quite thorough tests but I have learned in my search that numbers don't mean much if a camera does not feel good in-hand.

...so regard this list as an interesting gathering of DSLR info.

The reviews can be helpful, but the ratings don't say much I think. The 7D scores higher than the 5D2. Joe Dude wants to shoot weddings. Is he gonna buy a 7D then, well, it sure ranks higher! You need to evaluate your needs, and maybe try out a body in a camera store with your own card in it. It's not just feel. Reviews can be helpful, esp. for IQ tests, but all-around ratings just don't make much sense to me.

Originally Posted by ThatCanonGuy ... Reviews can be helpful, esp. for IQ tests, but all-around ratings just don't make much sense to me.

I agree; that's why I dropped the value assesment from the rating as each person has their own value. If you look at the D700 it rates amongst the highest if you drop the value piece. (95% vs 89%).

...like I said, this list is just a compilation of reviews in one place and is interesting at the very least.

Ok

Yay Nikon D60 :)

dpreview and cameralabs have completed their review of the Nikon D7000.

dpreview has completed their review of the Pentax K5: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxk5/

...seems like they like it.

Originally Posted by Howzit dpreview has completed their review of the Pentax K5: ...seems like they like it.

As a Pentax shooter, I'm encouraged to see that, for lack of a better term, they've 'caught up' where AF and high ISO are concerned. The K7 was compelling from a feature, size, and price perspective, but the IQ just wasn't enough to rationalize a new body. The K5 changes all that.

The quirky, prime lens shooting, antique lens collecting fans have a top rate body to mount them on. Good times, regardless of reviews and ratings.