Where To Get Cheap Cameras

Running a website that's predominantly about camera gear, the question of where to buy cameras ofttimes crops upward in the Shotkit customs.

Information technology appears that no matter where you alive in the world, no ane really seems to be able to hold on the all-time place to purchase cameras.

I'm sent a lot of photographic camera gear to review each month on Shotkit, only that doesn't mean that I get everything for free! Whether it's mirrorless cameras, the latest Nikon lens or other random photography accessories, if at that place'southward something I need for my own photography business, I have to open my wallet ;-)

Where to Buy Cameras

Most cities will take their own contained camera stores, and I'm all for supporting your local shops. Nevertheless, it's an unfortunate truth that in 2022, independent stores have a hard time competing with the chain stores and online shops, specially in the photography industry.

While I was living in the United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland before I turned pro, the all-time place to purchase cameras for me was a well-established department shop called John Lewis. They offered price matching, gratuitous extended warranties, and the best customer service of any United kingdom camera retailer.

However, their range of photographic camera gear wasn't great, and generally focused on amateur gear. In add-on, their price match guarantee didn't extend to almost online retailers… and it was these online camera shops who seemed to be offering the best prices on camera gear.

Then the question of where to purchase cameras led me to search for online retailers, and soon I came across what's known as 'grey-market place' retailers.

Grayness-market photographic camera shops usually offer photographic camera gear at much cheaper prices than other stores. It'due south usually a bit unclear why their products are so much cheaper, but I'd recommend that you practise circumspection when researching.

Ordinarily grey-market camera shops are based out of Hong Kong, and the camera gear yous will receive will have strange documentation; sometimes even strange plugs.

I've bought numerous items from grey market online camera stores in the past, lured in past their deal prices, merely I've stopped doing and then ever since I bought a faulty camera. Beingness located in Hong Kong made the return of the detail a huge hassle, and made me wish I'd bought from some other reputable retailer.

So back to the question of where to buy cameras – for me, at that place's really only 1 pick… and information technology'southward called Amazon.

Why is Amazon the Best Place to Buy Cameras in 2022?

Later on interviewing a handful of photographer friends who alive in Europe and the US, I can completely understand why they feel that Amazon is the best identify to buy cameras (especially disposable cameras).

Remember that not all these points volition relate to the states unfortunate ones who live in countries non notwithstanding supported past Amazon, only about of them are still relevant for you to consider earlier your next big photographic camera purchase.

All the Amazon links in this review volition accept yous direct to the photographic camera/photography related page on the site.

i. Return Policy

This is a strange point to start on when discussing where to purchase cameras, simply the store's return policy is very important in my stance, peculiarly when y'all're buying photographic camera gear online.

As of August 2017, Amazon's terms of service states:

"You may render new, unopened items sold and fulfilled by Amazon.com within 30 days of commitment for a full refund. Items should exist returned in their original production packaging. Nosotros'll also pay the return shipping costs if the return is a consequence of our fault. Just visit our online Returns Heart, and we will guide you through the procedure and even supply you with a return mailing label you tin can impress out."

In practice, Amazon seems to be totally happy with customers returning items, as long as they are in perfect condition.

Obviously I'm not advocating buy items with the intent of returning them, but it certainly takes the worry out of ownership expensive products online. Being able to try whatever production out for free for 30 days is really incredible, and no other high street store can offer such a service.

2. Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime number is a paid service that gives Amazon customers sure advantages, including savings on certain products, unlimited moving-picture show/music streaming, expedited postage and much more.

It's the express stamp that's most relevant hither, making Amazon by far the best place to purchase cameras if you want your new gear as fast as possible!

Amazon Prime gives yous free 2-mean solar day aircraft to eligible addresses and even the occasional complimentary same-24-hour interval delivery service.

Imagine seeing a photographic camera, lens or even a photography backpack you lot like in the morning, then having information technology on your doorstep by the afternoon! At that place's no demand for us to leave our houses to shop anymore…!

iii. Reviews

In researching where to buy cameras, it's of import to consider huge retailers like Amazon who take amassed thousands of user reviews.

It'southward so easy for online store owners to write 'faux reviews' for production purchases, but with Amazon, reviews can only be written by people who've really purchased the respective product. Information technology'southward the closest to an honest feedback loop that yous'll ever see for an online retailer.

Being able to check reviews before making any camera buy is incredibly useful. Even though you tin detect lots of reviews of camera gear online, existence able to read the reviews of bodily owners of a product is invaluable.

Unless a product has numerous v star reviews, I'll rarely consider purchasing it. I always read the negative reviews too, just to go a well-rounded stance of the particular, and encourage yous to practice the same matter.

4. Prices

For near of united states, our search for where to purchase cameras usually revolves around the best price. Aside from the same greyness-market online retailers, Amazon often offers some of the all-time prices on camera gear.

Nearly of their products are discounted in some way, and with free Prime shipping, or depression-toll standard shipping, Amazon really is hard to trounce.

As I mentioned before, ordering to Australia from the US or UK Amazon is ordinarily fifty-fifty cheaper for me to purchase locally here in Commonwealth of australia, fifty-fifty from online stores.

five. Refurbished Products

Not many people know that Amazon stocks what's known as 'refurbished products', and information technology's hither where some massive cost savings can exist made.

Refurbished goods are also chosen 'Amazon Renewed':

"Products on Amazon Renewed are tested and certified by qualified suppliers to piece of work and look similar new and come up with a minimum xc-twenty-four hour period supplier warranty."

I imagine that virtually of the refurbished products consist of items returned by customers that may not be brand new, but are as skilful every bit new. You tin can definitely notice a good bargain on photography gear if yous have time to scan, so I recommend bookmarking this photography gear page of Amazon Renewed, and having a wait each week to see what new is on special offer.

half dozen. Customer Service

I've heard stories from friends who exceeded the 30-day return period, only to have their items notwithstanding refunded by a helpful Amazon customer service amanuensis.

I wouldn't recommend you test this, but regardless of the case, it seems that Amazon's customer service actually is second to none. For an online retailer, information technology'due south likewise very easy to get replies from their email service, and information technology certainly doesn't experience like y'all're dealing with a ginormous retailer.

The Best Place to Buy a Photographic camera | Final Words

It's no secret that Shotkit is a big fan of shopping at Amazon. I utilize Amazon links throughout the site, and don't attempt to hide this fact.

In truth, I'm a huge fan of Amazon and employ them to do 99% of my online shopping… 100% of my online photography gear shopping, in fact.

Before you lot tell me that your state doesn't have its own Amazon store, I experience your pain! I live in Australia and equally of 2022, we have an Amazon store, only it's not very well stocked at all.

However, I stand by my statement that Amazon is definitely the all-time place to buy cameras, where always you alive in the earth. I either order my camera gear to one of the many US postal forwarding services and pay a minimal shipping accuse, or merely pay for the shipping from the US from Amazon – it'south still ordinarily much cheaper than buying locally.

I'd dearest to recommend a local camera store as the best place to buy a photographic camera, merely unfortunately in this digital age, it really is impossible for bricks and mortar stores to be able to compete with online stores… unless you live in New York and can get to the incredible B&H Photograph shop!

If you have any recommendations on other adept places to buy camera gear, please exit them in the comments.