Poor A80 Reviews?

[MasDog]

I have read some current A80 reviews that are reporting that the most recent A80's being sold now are made in China instead of in Japan like the older A80's. They report that the China made cameras have a much more distorted or fuzzy picture. They recommend not buying camera if made in China or returning after purchase until you find one made in Japan. Is there truth to this? Has anyone else heard of or experienced the same?

I was looking to purchase one, but I am now questioning what kind of quality drop off there may be, if this is accurate.

[willy77nilly]

An electronic equipment comprises of many different parts.

All the parts are not made in one country. Parts could be made in Japan, China, US, or anywhere else.

The equipment is then "assembled" in some country.

I think what you are questioning then is the "assembling" quality not the quality of the parts. It makes me wonder when someone says "I will never buy anything made in xxxxxx country"......

Just my two cents - no pun intended!

[Don Schaeffer]

I read in another forum that the Chinese-made cameras were better.

--Don

[Alnath]

My first one (bought in November) was made in Japan and the brand new replacment sent by Amazon last week was also made in Japan. Both have been belters.

[Don Schaeffer]

What's a belter?

[Saudidave]

"a Belter" is a 50's or 60's phrase common in the north of england, specifically Lancashire or Yorkshire. I presume it is related to being beaten with your fathers belt if caught wrongdoing. A modern version in said counties would be "the dogs bollocks". I hope this produces clarity.(!)

[Don Schaeffer]

Is it good or bad.

--Don

[Alnath]

Belter is very, very good :D Not belter is very bad.

[SYS]

Upon reading this post, I quickly checked my brand new A80 that I had in my pocket. Sure enough, it was Made in China. So I thought I'll do some investigating by going to several shops in town and see who still sells Made in Japan. I visited Best Buy, Circuit City, and SoundTrack (where I got mine). Interestingly they ALL have one on the display floor that showed Made in Japan. Upon getting the box itself, they were ALL Made in China.

Well, I didn't want to spend too much time looking for one that is Made in Japan, and besides, the one that I have that is Made in China is doing very well so far. No distortion or any anomalies to report. :D

[kiev4a]

Just looked at the A80 I purchased yesterday at Staples. It was made in Japan, according to the info on the plate on the base next to the serial number. I don't think it makes a great deal of difference. There has been a great deal of discussion on Nikon forums over whether japanese-made cameras and lenses are better than the later Chinese-produced models. The general consensus seem to be that whereever it is made, it still has to meet the same specifications so there isn't much difference.

[SYS]

Yup, that's what I've been thinking, too. Whether it's made in Japan or China, all products must go through their quality control unit.