Digital SLR Camera Dealers

Not all digital SLR camera dealers are created equal.

With the advent of the incredibly expensive (and lucrative) digital SLR camera market, some digital SLR camera dealers have turned up on the Internet that aren't entirely reputable.

Many of these companies lowball the price in an attempt to woo customers away from their competition.

While it might seem like a wonderful thing to pick up a brand new digital SLR camera for HALF of what it costs, there's a hidden truth here: if the price of an SLR seems to good to be true it IS.

These disreputable digital SLR camera dealers are simply trying to draw you in with a low price and - once they have your credit card information - will inform you that the item is out of stock at the listed price, or that it has some other notable trait (all the menus are in Japanese).

Dealing With the Reputable

So how do you avoid getting suckered by one of these companies? Simple.

Purchase your camera from one of the major - and well known - digital SLR camera dealers listed on this page.

Yes, you will pay more. It's inevitable.

But what comes with the additional price is peace of mind: you'll know that the camera you're buying is the real deal and if any problems arize from the purchase you won't have to waste hours of your valuable time on the phone trying to cancel or change the order.

U.S. SLR Dealers

I have done business with all of the digital SLR camera dealers that I have listed below, which is why I feel comfortable recommending them to you.

Prices are low, shipping is fast (and usually free) and these dealers are often recommended by others who dwell in the world of digital SLR cameras.

The Digital SLR Guide

I've set up an online store (partnered with Amazon) that provides you quick access to all of the major digital SLR cameras, lenses and related accessories.

Rather than hunting around trying to find all the products that will work with your camera, consider this your on-stop-shop for all digital SLR gear.

I am constantly adding new products to the store as I find out about them, and I also add new cameras (not yet released) the minute they become available for pre-sale.

Adorama

Adorama is the place to go for anything and everything photographic.

The whole purpose of this company is to carry a huge assortment of cameras and accessories. I am convinced that they stock every lens ever made by every manufacturer.

I use them primarily when I need a piece of uncommon or specialized photographic equipment.

While you can find plenty of other digital SLR camera dealers who offer the cameras and the kit lenses, it's significantly harder to find a white-gold reflector with a bracket and stand.

Adorama carries these sorts of supplies and they are always in stock, which means that you don't have to wait 4 weeks for your package to arrive.

J&R

J&R is a lot like Adorama, but while Adorama ONLY carries photographic supplies, J&R also deals in Music, Movies, Computers and other home electronics.

While you can still find really good deals on digital cameras and lenses, you'll still have to go to Adorama for the more hard-to-find items.

If I am trying to purchase a fairly common item, I do check J&R first, since they tend to offer free shipping more often than Adorama.

Amazon

Ah yes, the Internet retail juggernaut.

Why would I mention a place like Amazon which sells everything under the sun rather than more specialized digital SLR camera dealers who only offer cameras?

Because of this: Amazon is a great place to comparison price shop.

That, and they're partnered with both Adorama and J&R. This means that you can search for products at Amazon that you eventually purchase from Adorama or J&R through the partnership.

The real benefit of going to Amazon first is that you can compare the prices from both retailers along with Amazon's price to find the best deal.

Amazon's shipping is also hard to beat - always free over $25 (and every digital SLR is WAY over $25).

On other web sites you might find the camera for a cheaper price but then you get dinged with a huge shipping cost. Factor in the free shipping when you're comparing digital SLR prices.

UK SLR Dealers

I'm less familiar with the UK market, but can provide information about two online locations where you can buy digital SLR cameras.

If you have done business with others and are satisfied with the product and service you received, contact me and I can add a link to this list.

Amazon UK

Like the U.S. Amazon, this is a good place to comparison shop and get an idea of how much these cameras cost.

Once you have a good idea of how much a digital SLR camera costs, you can comparison shop online and off with a specific budget for your new camera purchase.