Camera Price Buster: Guide to Getting a Bargain

Tips on getting the most for your money when spending on photography equipment in our camera price buster guide

There’s no denying that photographers love a bargain. Whether it’s a saving of just a few pounds or hundreds of pounds, getting your new model for less than the asking price is rewarding for the pocket.

With DSLRs, CSCs and Compacts constantly being renewed it’s perhaps no surprise the greatest bargains are picked up on cameras rather than lenses, which tend to have a much longer life cycle. The prices of many cameras can change daily, so in order to pick up the best deal it’s important to check retailers and price comparison websites regularly.

As with any online deal, if a price seems too good to be true, it usually is so be wary of parting with your money. Always remember to research retailers you’ve never bought from before and be conscious of grey imports outside of the UK from unrecognised retailers that could incur expense in the form of import duty.

If you’re unsure we’d always recommend dropping the retailer a line, plus you’ll get expert advice and be able to check if the product is still available. Don’t be afraid to ask if they’ll price match too – most retailers will only be too happy to meet the best price you find.

Here are a few more detailed tips on how you can save money when shopping for your next camera.

Camera Price Buster – Top Tips for Saving Cash

Shop around

Prices vary wildly between dealers. Some retailers may be cheaper for one model but more expensive for something else, so it pays to visit a number of shops and compare prices.

Buy last year’s model

Compact cameras rarely have a shelf-life of longer than 12 months these days, and when new ones come out the old ones get discounted. Often there’s little difference between an older model and its replacement and last year’s model may still suit your needs.

Buy from specialist photo retailers

You’re more likely to find staff who know what they’re talking about at a specialist photo dealers. This increases the chance of you getting the right camera for your needs.

Stick with the brand names

Stay clear of cameras from brands you’ve never heard of. They’re likely to have been made on the cheap using outdated or low-spec components, and the brand is just a marketing name.

Be wary of grey imports

If an online deal seems too good to be true then often it is. Some online retailers dodge tax laws by selling non-UK cameras. This may mean you won’t be given an English instruction manual, the wrong plug may be on the charger and you may find you get little support from the UK distributor if it goes wrong.

Try before you buy

Never buy a DSLR without handling it in a shop first. Find one that fits in your hand comfortably and has just the right button placement for your fingers.

Get advice

Go online and read reviews from photography and tech sites, so that you’re sure the camera you’re thinking of is the one which suits your needs.

You should also check out user reviews and ask advice from people who actually own the camera and have used it over a period of time.

Before you buy you may also want to consider checking out our range of other buying advice for camera equipment:

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