The DPReview Newsletter
Thursday, November 16, 2023
| | With the holidays approaching, budding and experienced shutterbugs may be monitoring seasonal sale prices and eying their first (or next) camera. Well, you're in good company if that's you or someone you know. We're always debating what we would tell a friend or family member to buy. You may have noticed our recent best cameras under $1000, under $1500 or best high-end camera buying guides. Here we break down the best cameras you can buy today, by your budget and needs. One common question we've gotten (beyond, "Why didn't you pick the camera I own?") has been, "How do DPReview editors pick the cameras to recommend?" Well, mostly we each pick our favorite cameras and then bash each other with them until all the others yield. This also doubles as our durability test.
All kidding aside, we start by looking at all current cameras in a category, and we balance weighing the specs, our test results and pixel peeping against our real-world experiences to compare notes.
Front of mind is always: we can't shortchange this process because the worst thing we could do is lead others to spend their money on subpar gear. If you wouldn't do it to a loved one, don't do it to our readers. Period.
Sometimes we agree right away and there's little need for debate, other times we go on for hours and sometimes spill into the following day. In the end, we only put out a buying guide once the entire editorial team has signed off on the recommendations.
And that folks, is a peek behind the curtain. Have any other burning questions? Drop me a line and you might see your query addressed in a future newsletter.— Shaminder |
| |  | | The Sony a7C II refreshes the compact full-frame with a 33MP sensor, the addition of a front control dial, a dedicated 'AI' processor, 10-bit 4K/60p video and more. It's a definite improvement, but it helps if you value its compact form. | |  | | Sigma's latest 70-200mm F2.8 offering promises to blend solid build, reasonably light weight and impressive image quality into a relatively affordable package. See how it stacks up in our initial impressions. | |  | | What's the best camera for around $2000? This price point gives you access to some of the most all-round capable cameras available. Excellent image quality, powerful autofocus and great looking video are the least you can expect. We've picked the models that really stand out. | | | It's that time of year again: When people get up way too early to rush out to big box stores and climb over each other to buy $99 TVs. We've saved you the trip, highlighting the best photo-related deals that can be ordered from the comfort of your own home. | | | | DJI's Air 3 and Mini 4 Pro are two of the most popular drones on the market, but there are important differences between the two. We'll help you determine which of these two popular drones is right for you. | | | | The Sony a9 III is heralded as a revolutionary camera, but is all the hype warranted? DPR editors break down what's actually new and worth paying attention to. | | | | Further Reading
• Ricoh brings back the Pentax name to a rugged line of cameras • Lecia and the world's first camera with Content Authenticity Initiative tools, explained
• Take a dip with the OM System's Tough TG-7 sample gallery | | | | Above $2500 cameras tend to become increasingly specialized, making it difficult to select a 'best' option. We case our eye over the options costing more than $2500 but less than $4000, to find the best all-rounder. | | | | The compact Lumix full-frame cameras get a big new feature from the latest firmware upgrade. | | | | The iPhone 15 Pro allows users to capture 48MP photos in HEIF or JPEG format in addition to Raw files, while new lens coatings claim to cut down lens flare. How do the cameras in Apple's latest flagship look in everyday circumstances? Check out our gallery to find out. | | | | | |
