Should image quality numbers dissuade me from buying a camera?
All of the numbers given to a camera can make choosing one to fork over big money very confusing and daunting
example: several sites give the vaunted Canon 70D only a 68 in terms of image quality, lagging behind the Nikon D7100's 83.
even some mirrorless models scored better
so, is the image quality of that camera lacking?
how do you evaluate which one to buy with so much differing info?
Those numbers are mostly for the benefit of gear heads who would feel deprived if they didn't buy the best of everything, and are eager to do it again in six months when something better comes along. You and I would be hard-pressed to pick out from a set of identical images taken on the two cameras which image came from which camera. You need laboratory instruments to tell the difference. And even then you have to pixel peep. But what do I know. I'm still shooting a 10mp Canon 40D and, I might add, getting no complaints from clients.
Not at all…
The specification of a camera and the way it handles is much more important… If a camera doesn't feel right you won't enjoy using it… Image quality between camera models in the same ranges isn't that much different.
I don't believe in these ratings… Sure they are useful as a rough guide, I wouldn't let it sway me one way or the other though… Between the 70D and D7100 you should work out whether you have the need for dual card slots, stereo mic and headphone socket on the D7100… Or whether you prefer the articulated 'touch screen' and the advanced video features on the 70D.