10 MP Cameras Compared?

Question

The February 2007 issue of Popular Photography has just come out and they compared the top 10 MP DSLR's. I am posting this question for general information and so I can refer to it in future answers.

I took the scores and ranked the cameras similar to the way Formula 1 gives championship points. I just gave 5 for 1st place down to 1 for last place, splitting the difference when cameras tied in their catagories.

They evaluated Image Quality (giving this twice as much weight as anything else), Ease of Use, Control, and System Flexibility.

The final order and my scores are:

Nikon D80 - 17.5 points
- BEST in Image Quality, Control and System Flexibility
Canon Rebel XTi - 13.5 points
- Tied for best in System Flexibility
Pentax K10D - 11 points
- Tied for best in Ease of Use
Samsung GX10 - 11 points
- Tied for best in Ease of Use
Sony Alpha 100 - 7 points
- LAST in Image Quality, Ease of Use and System Flexibility.

What are YOUR thoughts on the outcome of the test?

The full article is not available on-line yet, but watch for it to appear at http://www.popphoto.com/inpopularphotography/3550/current-issue-february-2007.html

We'll find out how many times the asker can "add details," I am sure. I have a remark in another answer for the guy who can't choose between the D70s and D80.

"What I do when evaluating things like this is to make a list of all of the 'canidates' in top-to-bottom order and then just buy the first one on the list that I can afford. The near-$300 price gap is quite a bit to overcome, I admit."

This would certainly apply in this case and OMG is quite right. The D80 SHOULD come out on top, as it costs a couple hundred more. Canon chose to use the CMOS sensor, which is cheaper to make, so this helps their price point. They cut too many corners, though, in design. They could have offset the price difference (I mean - "spent the 'saved' money") by adding a second control dial so they would not have come in second to last in ease of use. Canon would win more buyers out of preference for the camera instead of preference for the price if they improved ergonomics with the money saved.

Terisu, stick with the D70 for a while. You know it's a good camera, right? Frankly, if I had not inherited a bit of money, I'd still be calling the D70s my "Baby" and loving it. By the time you get 50-100,000 shots on the shutter, there will be cameras out there that put the D80 to shame.

Ara, if the D80 was on the market a year ago, I doubt I would have looked at the D200. It is without question a "better" camera, but I don't think I would have bought it for the rugged body, etc. I just don't plan on going into the jungle or logging country with my camera. I tend to pamper them. (I think.) I mean, with almost $500 difference in the price and almost zero difference in performance, it would be hard to justify buying the D200 over the D80. For me, anyhow. At the time I bought it, however, it was the only way to get this sensor. I wish I could find the 3 sample images that made me covet the D200. One had a boy on a horse and I think you could see the dust on his eyelashes.

Hi Pete. You can always take comfort in the fact that just one month ago, the SAME magazine declared your Sony Alpha the "Camera of the Year." Go figure, right?

As we all know at this level, the camera has a lot less to do with the final outcome than the photographer. I have some pictures hanging in the office that I am pleased with. If someone asks me what kind of camera I used to take the pictures, I decline to answer. I explain that there are two reason not to tell them. First, _I_ took the picture. I saw it before I pressed the shutter release. The camera interpreted what I saw. If I know a bit about what I am doing and if I get a little lucky, the picture turns out the way I imagined it would, but it started in my brain and vision. The second reason I don't want to tell them is so as not to discourage anyone from trying to get nice photos themselves. Nobody should ever feel they needn't even bother if they don't have the "right" equipment. Get out there and try!

Answer 1

I can't wait to read the article! Sadly, I'm not currently in the market for a new camera, thanks to my car needing new brakes and new tires, and now something else (check engine light and a burning rubber smell--must be all the money I'm pouring into my car burning up).

Anyway, although my D70 is still good enough for my needs, it's nice to see what's out there.

Answer 2

Foveon? Do Sigma/ Fuji still make those :-)
As for the ratings & ranking, I miss a section or conclusion 'value for money'. The Nikon D80 is several hundred dollars more expensive than the Sony/ Canon - based on this, it SHOULD be better! They don't include the 10 MP Nikon D200, so obviously they are trying to group together cameras in the same range - but there's still a huge price difference between the various models.
Also, I'm a bit surprised that the Pentax ony came in 3rd. I was under the impression that they had a better product in the K10D. Clavestone will be sooo pissed off with this review!
---
Additional Details

Your advice triggered another thought.

Review sites almost always analyze cameras in a void. They can make a huge deal out of tiny variations between 2 models and completely ignore the big picture: digital SLR bodies are part of a system.
I'll assume that this review covered that in 'System flexibility', but here's a case in point: I bought a Nikon digital body for the lens selection.
At the time, none of the other brands had anything to compete with the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8. Canon does by now, but with Sony and Pentax/ Samsung you'd still have to get a 3rd party option. Tamron introduced a good 17-50... close, but not quite there. And that's just one lens.
Also, if you plan on upgrading in a few years, Canon & Nikon have semi-pro and pro bodies - the Rebel XTi and the D80 are simply their entry level models. With Sony, Pentax, and Samsung, the models in this review are the best they have.
For my shooting style (and lens budget), Pentax/ Samsung/ Sony are non-starters... it wouldn't matter if they were the top 3 choices in this test.

Just being an argumentative prick. Umm.. which should not be confused with / reported as harassing, insulting, or chatting :-)

Answer 3

poor old Sony eh? well i have an alpha...and love it. why? 1st entry into SLR so no legacy of existing lenses, anti shake works VERY well, great grip and i love the 2nd function dial - personally i find it quicker to navigate than the canon which i had a good look at. Oh and the eye sensor by the viewfinder is a nice touch which i think the canon didnt have?

so, i love it, have great fun shooting with it, and really think that as long as people are happy with their choice and the creativity it gives them they should really stop worrying about what magazines say.

So I think tests are great, but often lead lots of people with money to just rush out and buy a camera without trying it against its rivals - e.g. people buy their goods JUST to own the 'best' reviewed product as it makes them feel happier?? am assuming i made the wrong choice and should have paid several hundred pounds more and bought the Nikon as it would have made my photos better ;-) life goes on

Answer 4

Unless you do a lot of cropping, why does it have to be 10 MP? A good camera is Canon SD1100 IS at 3X optical zoom, oh, but it only has 8 megapixels, lol. Has very good image quality for a point and shoot.

Answer 5

I am not too surprised at this outcome. The D80 should be a bit better than the RebelXTi if price is any indication! And everything I have heard about the Sony has been lackluster, but this is their first effort.

The D80 is making me rethink my D200 plan!

Thanks, Alan, for posting this.

Answer 6

I find it interesting that they obviously did not look at any cameras using the foveon chip which is vastly superior to any of the CMOS and CCD chip cameras.

http://www.foveon.com/