I am looking to buy a digital camera for roughly $10001200CAD or $675-$850USD equivalent. At this level is it best to buy the camera in Canada, US, or Asia- as I will be going there (HKG and Beijing, and duty-free Tokyo- also Bangkok but that is later in the trip) Thanks!

[This message has been edited by dominick (edited 03-12-2003).]

Prices in Asia can be cheaper, but to establish benchmarks, check out the prices for the models that interest you at one of the North American discounters, such as:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com

Some of the shops in HK are dodgy, so you should research to find reputable ones. (Other FTers are likely to post specific merchant recommendations; you may want to post this in Travel: Hong Kong, if no one responds here.)

Before purchasing, check and double-check that the camera's warranty is valid in Canada.

If you planning to use this camera while you travel, please consider using the "Travel Technology" forum located just below the "TravelBuzz" forum.

Thanks
Michael - Moderator, Travel Technology Forum

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Michael Steinberg
Editor
BizTrip
www.biztrip.com

If you're looking to buy online, I'd check out the various sites that compare prices across retailers like:

www.pricegrabber.com
www.shopper.com

They're mainly suited for computer stuff, but they do have digital camera prices.

OK, let me put in my 2cts.

In HK don't buy in any of the shops on Nathan Road, no matter how good the price might seem to be.
Check out the Fortress stores: they are all over the place and are reliable.
No matter where you buy: check that you actually get what you paid for and that it works (thus not on the last day of your stay).

Of course there also are some good local (not chain) stores in HK but it'll take a local to tell you exactly where the good ones are. I bought a camera a couple of years ago together with a (local) colleague in one of those stores: great service and prices. I've forgotten where it was (somewhere in Mongkok), but I would only buy in stores like that if they come recommended by somebody you know.

Check the warranty: many manufacturers offer international warranty, which is IMO important since going back to the shop might be difficult if you live on the other side of the earth�

Just wanted to add that the best site out there for digital camera reviews is www.steves-digicams.com

I bought mine in Singapore last year. I bargained hard and got a good deal. Could I have gotten the same price in the USA? Probably, perhaps I saved $50 - $100. But I had fun.

I did a bargain deal in Singapore for a Sony camera. Then I went to sony.com and found the same price, but this included 100 free prints from some on-line company that takes your files and sends you hardcopy prints.

sony.com is the way to go IMHO.

I can't stand Sony cameras. I've owned about 8 different digital cameras over the past 4 and a half years. I've tried cameras from Sony, Olympus, Canon, Agfa, and Kodak. I found the two Sony cameras I had to be the worst out of all of them. The 'trueness' of the colors was awful. I really didn't like their CCD sensor at all. Perhaps they've improved their product in the past year, but I doubt it. Like all Sony products, they're over-priced and mediocre quality.

I have had so much luck with Olympus cameras that I will pretty much stick to them in the future. They have a phenomenol CCD sensor, are decently priced, and offer cameras with various media.

Just my two cents.

Don't forget the directions. They will probably be Asian. I had to get 100 pages of Acrobat directions off the internet last time I bought something in HK - ugh.

What about this camera...

http://www.digitalfocus.net/sections...rchosAV340.htm

Looks amazing to me...MP3 player, 3 megapixel camera, videocamera, 40 gb hard disk, video player all in one...

When I was in Taiwan, I found the prices to be about the same, or even more expensive than the best prices that I could find in Canada. Be careful of the brand you buy, eg. Nikon Canada will refuse to service cameras purchased outside of Canada, even out of warranty.

Best Buy....?

I always use buydig.com. From the outside, they appear a little sketchy, but they're amazing... always the lowest price, brand-new, warranty in-box products, and often good prices on accessories. I strongly recommend calling them rather than placing your order online, and be wary of phone agents trying to sell you more accessories than you need. Fast shipping... i STRONGLY recommend them. I bought two cameras from them. Good luck!

I bought locally in the US so that the warranty was Ok here & help available for questions at nearby camera shop with good reputation & knowledgable clerks. Brand I bought is usually not discounted anyway.