Camera Reviews
Here's a snippet from a review of the Sony NEX-3 and the Sony NEX-5:
The Sony NEX-3 and NEX-5 are compact cameras with interchangable lenses and an APS-C sensor, which is larger than a micro four-thirds sensor. Basically designed as a still camera, they also capture 1080iHD video.
Based on specs and images, it looks like the Sony cameras, especially the NEX-5, with it's bigger grip and metal body, will be even more capable...
[snip]
All in all, this new camera range appears to be a potential game changer...
-- Reviewer and publication name upheld
- Please note that the emphasis is mine.
- The reviewer read a press release, and saw a couple of photos, taken by some of the best photographers, in very controlled environments. Now the reviewer and therefore the magazine take a position without even without taking any photo. Not even touching the camera.
- What's the effect on trust? If the magazine publishes this kind of review and I notice it, how much will I trust the rest of the magazine?
The Sony NEX cameras do look interesting. I will investigate them, meaning, I'll read a couple of actual reviews and then go to a camera store to play with it for a while. Can one of them replace my 2½ years old Canon G9? Maybe.
What do we need to learn from this "scam"? Yes! It's a scam. It's a review by press release. It's like in the computer world when large companies use "Vaporware". That's computer products that do not exist yet. It could be months or years before it ships, if ever. But the company will provide you with the technical specs of what will eventually be available. Both Microsoft and Apple have done it in the past, especially when they were behind the competition.