DPReview is closing down

Salaries, stock awards, and other compensation (usually tied to company performance) are described in the SEC Schedule 14A Proxy Statement (these are available for any public company). Note the compensation tables for the other executives - especially stock and RSUs (restricted stock units) - which vest over time and are considerable - (I work for a publicly traded NYSE company and get vested RSUs and bonuses tied to company performance also):

EDGAR Entity Landing Page (Amazon)
 
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kshapero said:
Lots of good camera info. So forth and so on. But come to think of it what was their business model? Where was their income stream, anyway?
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Advertising of equipment on the site with links to Amazon? That’s my guess. Similar to what’s become of Ken Rockwell’s site - he makes it clear that his ad links are what generate revenue.

I remember the controversy when dpreview was bought by Amazon - some readers we’re concerned about bias affecting reviews. I don’t know. What their business model was before Amazon - I don’t know that, either.


But regardless, whether someone clicked an Amazon link from dpreview or five days later went to Amazon and bought the camera directly, I think it’s safe to say that the purchaser was greatly motivated to buy that camera based on all the information in the review. So, I don’t know if Amazon would think that dpreview doesn’t generate significant revenue for them if clicks aren’t coming to them from the dpreview site. I don’t know if that’s part of their decision. Clearly though, we are long past the golden days where a new camera or set of lenses was seemingly introduced every month. Sales are way down.
 
Sonnar Brian said:
I joined DPReview ages ago. Strange place. A lot of drama behind the scenes, and boiled over. At its worst: Mentioning other sites even in PM's was reason for getting links to those sites banned. That was the end of DPReview for me.
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All drama, all the time. Best in class drama. There were some immense egos there, with very thin skins. (who are probably going to be looking for a new place to showcase their expertise... ; - )
 
I commonly read their camera and lens reviews to see what was new in the camera world. Outside of a few ethical lapses such as forgetting to mention the purple rendering of black colors of the M8 prior to IR cut filters, I thought that their reviews were pretty good, usually well written and very detailed. On the other hand, the comment boards were toxic, and I avoided even looking at that part of the site.
 
Out to Lunch said:
When you watch the YouTube clip, you'll learn that the two gentlemen intend to continue their online camera and lens reviews one way or the other. Cheers, OtL
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There’s a significant difference, however. These two guys on their own will be just like dozens if not hundreds of other reviewers. What dpreview as a site and an organization offered was the ability to get equipment in advance and review that equipment with a consistent methodology and depth year after year. They had the resources and influence to do that. I don’t know of a single reviewer who matches that level today.
 
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Canyongazer said:
No DP Review?
No way to check "Forums" to see which Fuji lenses our peers recommend for a weekend trip to Dubuque, Iowa?
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{/dpreview_forum_mode=ON

{/reply=“

Fuji? Are you serious? The X system is over 10 years old, you might as well take a film camera. Ok, not quite that bad, but you’ve got no lens stabilization, no IBIS, ISO that goes only to 51k - and that’s pushing it - with a 1/32000 speed. And 26MP at most. What can you do with that? Nothing - that’s what. A trip? You shouldn’t walk out the door with something like that. Get an A7R IV, 61MP, FF, 10fps, 4K/30p.
“
}}
 
Pál_K said:
{/dpreview_forum_mode=ON

{/reply=“

Fuji? Are you serious? The X system is over 10 years old, you might as well take a film camera. Ok, not quite that bad, but you’ve got no lens stabilization, no IBIS, ISO that goes only to 51k - and that’s pushing it - with a 1/32000 speed. And 26MP at most. What can you do with that? Nothing - that’s what. A trip? You shouldn’t walk out the door with something like that. Get an A7R IV, 61MP, FF, 10fps, 4K/30p.
“
}}
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That still doesn't answer the lens question.
Many are torn between the 23 and the 27....
 
Well that sucks. DPR has been my landing page for new product announcements for as long as I've been into photography, and their reviews have informed literally every digital camera purchase I've made. Can't say I'll miss the forums though...

It doesn't surprise me that Amazon is shutting it down, but it's a bit shit that they're actually removing the website. The review archives are one of the best digital camera resources around...

kshapero said:
Now I am worried. Same question applies to RFF, yes? No?
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No. DPR is a for-profit business, owned by one (the?) biggest businesses in the world. RFF is not.
 
It's very, very disappointing. As much as I haven't frequented DPReview in a few years, preferring RFF, L Camera Forum and Cameraderie, I still visit DPR if I want to check out older digital cameras or lenses, or look for a technical solution to a camera/lens issue. There is a bank of 25 years of information on DPR, dating back to the beginning of digital photography. It has the most complete and easily navigable database of cameras and lenses online, anywhere. If this disappears, it will be a huge loss for camera enthusiasts, professionals and historians. I just hope that Amazon pay heed to the feedback and permits migration of the content to somewhere else.
 
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