DPReview Is Shutting Down: 8 Alternative Sites to Try

DPReview, one of the most trusted camera reviews and resources online, is closing its page on April 10, 2023. This is a massive disappointment among its fans, especially as the page has been around for nearly 25 years.

Unfortunately, it’s a victim of Amazon’s downsizing, which acquired the webpage in 2007. So, if you’re looking for an alternative to this venerable website, here are the eight best camera reviews sites and pages you should check out.

MAKEUSEOF VIDEO OF THE DAY

SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT

PetaPixel started in May 2009 and is one of the leading online publications on photography. They have reviews, buying guides, equipment news, and even photography lessons. Although they don’t have a database structure similar to DPReview, where it’s easy to find and compare camera models, they have an extensive lineup of reviews of the latest camera gear.

They have several reviews and comparisons, including the best travel cameras, tripods, lenses, accessories, and even smartphone cameras like Samsung S23 Ultra. You can even find a list of the best 35mm film cameras in 2023—which could spark your interest to see the difference between film and digital photography.

One more notable development is DPReview YouTube hosts Chriss Niccolls and Jordan Drake joining PetaPixel to launch the PetaPixel YouTube channel. So, even if DPReview is no longer active after April 10, 2023, some of its people will continue creating excellent photography reviews, articles, and videos for their fans.

Imaging Resource was launched in 1998—the same year DPReview did. This website has several in-depth reviews for cameras, lenses, and printers. They also have photography news, photo of the day competitions, and more.

The publication also has its own YouTube channel called @imagingresourcereviews. You can find a ton of camera and lens reviews, hands-on previews, and sample camera galleries on Imaging Resource. It’s also a bit easier to find recent reviews, as they’re listed right on the home page.

So, if you’re picking between new camera models, you can visit Imaging Resource and potentially find an in-depth review and sample images for the cameras you’re looking at. The only drawback is that Imaging Resource doesn’t have that many people, so some sections aren’t getting that many new articles and don’t publish as many YouTube videos annually.

DXOMARK started as an image-quality evaluation laboratory in 2008 under DxO Labs. But in 2017, it was spun off as a private enterprise that reviews camera sensors, camera lenses, and smartphone cameras. It has since expanded to include smartphone audio, smartphone displays, wireless speaker, and battery testing.

DXOMARK is an industry-trusted institution used by manufacturers and publications to ensure camera quality. DXOMARK also outlines its testing protocols, giving its readers confidence that its tests are fair, consistent, and replicable.

You can also easily see the results in tabulated form. So, just by visiting its rankings page, you can see which device received the highest ranking from the company. However, you still can’t compare results between smartphones and cameras, as they have different testing protocols.

Still, we often ask ourselves, “Why do we need professional cameras when smartphone cameras are already so good?”

But if you’re not one to read, you can also visit the DXOMARK YouTube channel to watch its video reviews. However, you’re still bound to get more in-depth information by going to their website and reading their in-depth articles.

Cameralabs was launched and is still run by its editor-in-chief, Gordon Laing. Before Cameralabs, he worked with various publications, including Digital SLR User, Professional Photographer, MacUser, PC Pro, Computeractive, T3, The Time Educational Supplement, The London Evening Standard, and The Register.

Aside from the Laing, Cameralabs also has a team that creates long, detailed reviews for cameras and lenses. You can even browse reviews by camera brand, making it easier to find a review for a specific model.

You can also visit Gordon Laing’s Camerlabs YouTube channel. Here you can find several updated reviews on cameras and lenses. He uploads consistently, so you’ll find fresh new videos on his channel many times a month.

Bryan Carnathan originally created this page to sell his stock photos. However, his audience was more interested in his gear, which made him pivot his page from selling images to talking and teaching about photography.

Today, you can find a ton of reviews on cameras and camera lenses, both from popular manufacturers and reputable third-party brands. The website also has in-depth lens comparisons for specific brands. For example, you can find a list of the best mirrorless Canon camera lenses for outdoor sports, wildlife, wide-angle lenses, and more.

It also has updated news and blog pages, allowing you to get the latest in the camera industry. And, if you’re looking for savings on camera gear, you should check out their deals, which could get you a juicy discount on the equipment you’ve been eyeing for so long.

Although RTINGS.com reviews many items, it has a dedicated team just for reviewing cameras. As of the time of writing, they have bought and tested 82 cameras, with one review currently in progress.

RTINGs.com reviews are easy to read and scan through. They also have an easy-to-understand metric, which shows you what activities the camera excels at. But beyond the consumer-friendly results, RTINGS.com also publishes in-depth, highly-technical reports for those who want to know.

The only major downside with this review site is that you need to sign up for an RTINGS.com Insider account if you want to view more than three in-depth reviews per day. But if you’re satisfied with looking at their comparisons, you can view as many articles as you like.

PCMag’s camera teams have a ton of comparisons you can easily browse through. Its comparisons feature short, easy-to-digest snippets, plus a pros and cons view to help you choose. And if you want more information, you can also browse its reviews which feature a lot of image samples, plus the camera’s specifications.

Right on the review page, you can also find a “Similar Products” section, allowing you to compare cameras within the same bracket easily. So, even if you’re looking at a DSLR camera review, you might find a similar mirrorless camera review to help you compare. However, if you plan to switch from DSLR to mirrorless, you should consider some things before purchasing.

One disadvantage PCMag has over other camera websites is that they don’t review lenses and other accessories. So, if you’re a professional photographer or a serious hobbyist, you might want to look elsewhere for an in-depth lens, tripod, and other camera accessory reviews.

Ken Rockwell is a professional photographer who built his own website on sharing his passion. And if you visit his page, it has a distinctly ’90s-era look, which will give you a bit of nostalgia.

Looking through his website, you’ll see many reviews on Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Leica, Hasselblad, and more. These reviews cover both cameras and lenses, so you don’t have to scrounge through his site if you’re looking for something specific.

His review format is simple and easy to read, and he also delivers many sample images. His articles have a personal feel—like you’re getting it straight from a professional photographer who’s been around.

If you’re looking for the polish and finish of modern websites, you won’t find it in Ken Rockwell’s ’90s-themed website. But you shouldn’t miss this page if you want a camera review straight from a pro.

It’s the End of an Era for Camera Resources

DPReview has been one of the stalwarts of camera reviews and photography-related journalism. However, it has fallen victim to the rise of smartphone cameras and Amazon’s massive layoffs.

It’s a shame that the giant couldn’t capitalize on the authority that DPReview built over the years. But with its focus elsewhere and the declining popularity of professional cameras in the consumer market, Amazon decided that the time has come for DPReview to hang up its hat.