How France and Japan viewed the Dingyuan class

What did the French and Japanese think of China's Dingyuan-class ironclads?

France was spared a confrontation by delayed delivery, while Japan regarded them as credible threats despite doubts about Chinese handling.

The Sino-French War delayed delivery of the Dingyuan-class ironclads, sparing France a confrontation with ships that would otherwise have posed a threat. Japan treated them as credible opponents rather than assuming that poor Chinese handling would neutralize their strength. They are assessed as the strongest locally owned warships permanently based in the Far East at the time of the First Sino-Japanese War. Their performance was nevertheless constrained by ammunition problems, including shells without explosive fillings, and the blast hazards of their main battery. Firing close to the centreline could throw men out of the bridge and concuss the crew of the forward 6-inch position. The ability to bring all four heavy guns onto one broadside remains uncertain because turrets, supports, and other structures obstructed the apparent firing arcs.