I've seen several threads in this forum about reranking of K-7 and K-x. Maybe, it is a good idea to list available rankings to avoid much of the confusion.
1. About the new rating system:
Scores and Ratings: Guides: Learn: Digital Photography Review
E.g., the JPG image quality plays an important role besides RAW image quality. DPReview plans to allow for different weighting matrices or even a personal one.
Most specifically, there are 4 SLR categories and %-ratings do
NOT apply to another category. So please, do
NOT compare the %-ratings between cameras in different categories!
The %-scale shall be interpreted as follows:
51- 60% At best average, treat with caution
61-70% Average to Good
71-80% Very Good to Excellent
Over 80%: Outstanding
Plus a camera can receive a "Silver" or "Gold" award not directly linked to a %-rating.
2. Cameras tested in 2009 have been reranked. Note that the weighting matrix contain video and value, i.e., the market price, although with a low weight only.
3. Here comes my list of cameras (re-)ranked using the new system. The %-ranking is in front of every line.
3.1 Entry-level SLRs:
57% Ricoh GRX/S10 24-72mm VC
59%
(Recommended (with reservations)) Sony Alpha 380
65%
(Recommended (Just)) Pentax K-m
72% Nikon D3000
3.2 Mid Range SLRs:
66%
(Highly Recommended) Olympus E-P1
69%
(Highly Recommended) Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
69%
Samsung NX10
69%
(Silver) Olympus E-P2
70%
(Recommended) Sony Alpha 550
70%
(Highly Recommended) Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
71%
(Highly Recommended) Olympus E-30
72%
(Highly Recommended) Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
72%
(Highly Recommended) Olympus E-620
73%
(Highly Recommended) Pentax K-x
74%
(Highly Recommended) Canon EOS 500D
75%
(Highly Recommended) Nikon D5000
77%
(Gold) Canon EOS 550D
3.3 Semi-Pro SLRs:
74%
(Highly Recommended) Pentax K-7
75% Sony Alpha 850
79%
(Highly Recommended) Canon EOS 5D Mark II
82%
(Highly Recommended) Nikon D300S
84%
(Highly Recommended) Canon EOS 7D
3.4 Professional SLRs:
86%
(Highly Recommended) Nikon D3x
89%
(Gold) Nikon D3S
4. Example comparison D300S vs. K-7:
As an example, I have compared the D300S and K-7, both in the Semi-Pro category (cf. attachment). In the attached graphic, advantages for D300S are green, advantages for K-7 are red (only in the 'Value' slider). D300S scores 82% vs. 74% for the K-7.
One big aspect is low light performance. But looking at
Nikon D300S Review: 15. Photographic tests (Noise): Digital Photography Review we would learn that gray and chroma noise are about equal in RAW and black noise is better for D300S. Overall, not a factor 2. I.e., the low light performance slider is hidden extra weight for JPG image perfomance (with Pentax).
Last edited by falconeye; 06-15-2011 at 05:29 AM.