You have decided to buy yourself a camera. A brand new compact digital camera. Reviews are available all over, and you will use the information to make a good choice. But many reviews are created simply for the sake of selling a product, many of those even on the company website. How do you as a regular internet user discern fake from real, and ultimately, who can you trust?
The obvious choice would be to steer clear of any reviews done by, or connected to, the manufacturer. Any manufacturer would obviously sing its own praises, because they have to believe in what they offer. You will find, in such cases, that the "review" is actually a very well presented sales letter.....
This does not mean you should leave any website with a link to a sales page. But you should be careful if all links point to one single manufacturer. Anyone spending all the time and money involved to set up a professional website is entitled to make money off it, but be careful of biased reviews. If a manufacturer is directly involved, the negative points are likely to be withheld.
But you need to find credible compact digital camera reviews. Where do you go? Go out in search of photographic journals, and comparison sites. You could even go buy a computer, or photographic magazine. Here you will find reviews done by professional photographers, people who have proven their credibility. They have standard procedures for conducting evaluations, ensuring objective reviews.
A "real" review does not hold back. It does not minimize the disadvantages, or shortcomings of the product. A real review will employ a standard checklist to compare performance and features, being brutally honest about each point. Unless the camera reviewed is something out of this world (probably costing a fortune), there will probably be room for improvement. You will find out about any problems, and all the limitations of the product.
Eventually, you are the one who lays out the money. There is a load of choices out there, as well as a multitude of "compact digital camera reviews" that are simply junk, trying to get you to buy a specific camera. You In order to be able to make an educated choice, you have to separate fact from fiction. When you eventually decide what you want, you do not have to walk into another sales pitch at your local photographic store: Your homework is done.