Want to buy my first Digital Camera, need some help!!

[mugen_rsx]

This is my first post, so my question may be very stupid.

I really like Canon Digital Camera. models like S300, A20 and G2 are my favorite. I am just a beginner and want to know more. I read some reviews, and A20 seem to be a pretty good choice. For about $300-$400, it gives pretty good quality and some functions to play with. I went to another Hong Kong forum, most people are talking about either G1 or G2. They said even if you are just a beginner , you can play with G2 and keep learning it. Buying A20 and you will soon be regret. But G2 is pretty expensive and I am afarid that I do not use good of it. So guys, any opinion ??

Also, where is the best place online to buy camera? Best price?? Best services??

By the way, I am from Canada!! Nice to meet you all.

[Sandy]

This is my first post also. I just got a G2 last week from Regency Camera for $589! I have done a lot of searching and this is a great price. Check it out on: http://www.regencycamera.com/canpowg2digc.html
I also got the 5 year extended warranty for $150. The accessories are a bit pricey and I would search around for those. I always check prices on www.shopper.com. Sandy

[mugen_rsx]

thanks for telling!! This is a great news for me!! $589 is a real attractive price.

I have found a online shop. Its price is also $589. So lucky that I didn't buy it from them because I found so many negative feedback!! The company is Boardway Photo "http://www.bwayphoto.com/product.asp?item=cnpsg2" selling at $610 (it was $589, they just change it). They don't give you everything in the kit. This is really suck. Don't ever go to this store!!

for memory CF, most online companies are selling quite a high price. You may try to bid it on ebay. you can get it for $40-55 for 128MB. May be because those memory aren't big brand name, so they are selling at a cheaper price. I asked some people about this, they told me it really doesn't matter (brand name or not).

So thank you for your info. Please tell me if you have anything new!!

[mugen_rsx]

http://www.dealtime.com/SearchResults/SearchResultsComponent/1,2444,-7185--------2-0,00.html?seq_item_id=44803163&DMBP=1^4^0^%3D^0^%3D^0^%3D^0^%3D^0^%3D^0^%3D^0^%3D ^0^%3D^0^%3D^0^%3D^150241^7185^0^999999999^0^0^^^1 ^0^&HasAttributes=1&UserID=894805967

if the link does not work
go to dealtime.com and search for canon powershot g2

Digital Dealz
this company has 2/3 star rating. Anyone buy stuff from them before? Very good price, only $585.
Sandy, have you heard of it before?

[Mike K]

Be very cautious with Regancy Camera, they have been known to sell gray market cameras (no US warrantee). They have an exceptionally poor rating:
http://www.resellerratings.com/
Digital Deaz has a much better rating.

[Sandy]

Thanks for the info. Mine did come with a US Warranty (in sealed G2 box). I also bought the extended 5 year warranty. Was that wise?

[Coolmib]

Sandy,

How's the quality so far with your G2 from Regency? I almost bought it from Regency due to it's attractive price, but changed my mind the last minutes as some body told me they may be from gray market or refurbished. I finally spent $759 to get one from UrbanComp.com.

[mugen_rsx]

Just want to know the about the extended warranty. Is it a warranty by Canon USA or by the store you buy it from?

[Doug Mac]

I'd go with the G2. It functions well as a point and shoot camera. Just set it to "Auto" or "P" mode and shoot away. It won't be long before you'll be ready for more control. It will be there when you need it.

Beware of prices that seem to be too good to be true. Almost always, these are bait and switch. For instance, an earlier post mentioned a great price, but they got stuck with a really expensive extended warranty. They ended up paying more for their G2 than I did.

Also, some dealers listed price is for the camera only. They then sell you the items that normally come with the camera (software, memory, charger, etc.). The complete price is almost list!

Below is a link to a vendor rating page. I think you'll find it helpful. Be sure to read about Broadway Photo.

http://www.resellerratings.com

Best of Luck,
Doug

[Sandy]

coolmib,

Quality of camera is great. This is not a refurbished camera and it came with a US Warranty
and all accessories. After reading all the negative remarks about Regency, I guess I
should consider myself lucky! They did give me the hard sell for a lot of accessories I did not want.

[mugen_rsx]

Don't know what I should do. Very scary buying stuff online. I am now looking at stores in my local area. They aren't cheap, but I think it is safer than online. Also, I emailed to some of them about shipping to Canada. No reply from them. Do they ever check email?? Or I need to talk to them by phone? I think I mailed to regencycamera.com and Digital Dealz.

Camera prices are crazy as well. At first I saw Digital Dealz selling it for $585, but a day later, it sells for $649. Just can't believe it!!

hey Coolmib, UrbanComp.com doesn't have good feedback as well. Why did you buy it from them?

Also, do most people buy the extended warranty? Is it really necessary?

[Eric F.]

I have had good experience with Canogacamera.com (G1) and ritzcamera.com (G2)

In both cases I called them and they were friendly, helpful, and delivered the product exactly as promised. Canoga had a good price at the time. Ritz was willing to price match honest prices and has a 30 day no questions return policy.

I buy a lot of items online. My rule of thumb is to pay a little more for a good dealer, but it is always a good deal compared to local retailers.

[sasa]

If you're looking to have them ship to Canada, take a few things into consideration:

1. Even if they are willing to ship here (and most big ones will) you will pay a hefty shipping charge.

2. You MAY have to pay GST when it arrives (customs is supposed to charge it, but in my experience stuff often arrives with no questions asked... on the other hand, the postal guy has also been known to demand the payment before delivery)

3. If you live in Atlantic Canada, the GST will be combined with provincial taxes... ie. you'll be paying HST.

4. A Canon USA warranty should be honoured here, but you may have more hassles than if it was a Canon Canada sale.

5. If you have any problems with the camera, you'll have to pay for all the same high shipping costs back to the dealer.

6. Finally, you'r dealing with US dollars... and these days that means a considerable premium.

Now, I'm not trying to dissuade you if the deal is really really good... but make sure it's good enough to justify the additional hassles.

There are several Canadian on-line dealers who will sell for more (no doubt about it)... but you might be able to avoid some of the issues above.

Try www.henrys.com or www.vistek.ca for reliable service (though not necessarily cheap prices).

My 2 cents (canadian) worth

[mugen_rsx]

ritzcamera.com is pretty good, but the price is pretty high. That would be the same price as buying it from my local stores.

sasa, I agree with you. There are just too many issue that I have to care about. The best online one so far i found is ritzcamera.com. But the price is just too much. I may be just buy it in my local stores. Feel safer.