Scared about buying Nikon 5200 online???

[tech70]

Hi
I m new to this forum.
I wanted to buy Nikon 5200. After checking out the priceat B&H, J&R, Circuit City, And few more stores....I checked out that online prices are lower than what these stores are offering?
I am concerned beacuse I have never shopped online for this, and not aware of online stores.
I checked out at nikon site also for buying the camera;
17TH STREET PHOTO SUPPLY
ADORAMA
ALKIT
BHT CORPORATION
B & H PHOTO-VIDEO
CALUMET PHOTOGRAPHIC
CAMERA LAND
D M CARLICK ....
this is half the list of authorized dealers. But I have my concerns about online stores?
Can anybody advise...?

tech70

[Rhys]

My phillosophy about online shopping is that for most things, it's simply not worthwhile.

Ask yourself this question about even honest online camera dealers:

If there's a problem with my camera, how much extra will it cost to return and how much do I value the time I will be cameraless?

I looked at the last few cameras I've had:
Secondhand Olympus C820L - not wonderful but a good introduction
New Olympus C200Z - returned for replacement because of faulty CCD. The replacement was fault-free.
New Nikon 885 - returned for refund because of faulty CCD.
New Nikon 995 - no problems.
New Nikon 3100 - no problems.
New Canon S1 - no problems.

While cameras I've had have had faults, they're definitely in the minority. Having said that, sending it by registered post back to the shop for a replacement is going to eat into any saving made over buying locally. The other factor is time - how long will it take, even if the webshop can get another for you?

My solution is to get a printout of the online prices and brandish the printout in the shop and haggle. I generally get a batter deal that way - and with the added benefit that I can walk into the shop to get a refund/exchange if needed.

Generally, I'd say shop locally. I do buy my memory cards from webshops though.

[tech70]

Thank you Rhys....
I did decide to buy locally....few more people also told me the same thing.

What do you think about Adorama & B&H? Which one is the preferred store?

I think I am nervous because I have never shopped at these stores??
I have Canon camera ...which I bought it few years back in LA.

I am new to New York also...I think thats why I m more nervous!!
Any input would be appreciated!!

Thanks

[tech70]

Rhys
I have been reading your reviews in this forum.
I would like you to share the benefit of your knowledge....as I have no idea about Camera's digital world.

Infact how would you compare Sony DSC-P100/Sony DSC W-1 and Nikon 5200?
I heard that Sony DSC P100 has better color and lens than Nikon 5200.
Any views or opinion on that ...!!

Thank you!!

[D70FAN]

Originally Posted by tech70

Thank you Rhys....
I did decide to buy locally....few more people also told me the same thing.

What do you think about Adorama & B&H? Which one is the preferred store?

I think I am nervous because I have never shopped at these stores??
I have Canon camera ...which I bought it few years back in LA.

I am new to New York also...I think thats why I m more nervous!!
Any input would be appreciated!!

Thanks

B & H has a long and good reputation in the camera world. Adorama I'm not sure of. I generally buy from local camera stores or from Norman Camera in Michigan, when availability is tight. Having a good relationship with a local camera store may cost a little more, but in the long run, if photography is your hobby, it can be invaluable.

[Rhys]

Originally Posted by George Riehm

B & H has a long and good reputation in the camera world. Adorama I'm not sure of. I generally buy from local camera stores or from Norman Camera in Michigan, when availability is tight. Having a good relationship with a local camera store may cost a little more, but in the long run, if photography is your hobby, it can be invaluable.

I have no personal experience of B&H or Adorama but I have seen their adverts in an American photography magazine that occasionally appears in my local newsagent (in Britain). I've seen Adorama adverts for a few years so I guess they're legitimate. I did see some company called "Honest Abe" advertising. Based on the name, I probably wouldn't trust them.

[Nick]

B&H are reputable photo dealer. I've bought many a thing from them, and all transactions, whether online or in store ( I live close by ) went by fine. I've heard/seen that the way they pack their shipped items isn't good ( bounces around + breaks in box ) but I've yet to experience that...all my orders were nice and snug.

Cheers!

[tech70]

Thanks for all the input ...!!
Did anybody experience or heard about the color problem in Nikon 5200...as compared to Sony DSC W1 or DSC P100.
I heard that Sony 's color are better than Nikon.
I have to decide which one to go for
Nikon 5200
Sony DSCW1
Sony DSC P100
I am concerned about sony....I can say they are best in Electronics...be it TV / Music System or other things. But Nikon - only manufactures cameras and related things pertaining to photgraphy ...I thot I should go for Nikon.
But after hearing comments about Nikon 5200...that pics are blurry, color not good. The pics look good on LCD and as soon u transfer to PC they are dark.??
I would go for Nikon because they have BSS , 15 shooting modes, Red Eye Reduction and the software is good ...I heard.
But when I hear about Sony - colors are better , 1.8 or 2.5 LCD, 14 bit A/D - also the Software thats in sony's box sucks....but thats least of my worries.

I am able to decide
Are all the above mentioned concerns right??
Any comments??

[D70FAN]

Originally Posted by tech70

Thanks for all the input ...!!
Did anybody experience or heard about the color problem in Nikon 5200...as compared to Sony DSC W1 or DSC P100.
I heard that Sony 's color are better than Nikon.
I have to decide which one to go for
Nikon 5200
Sony DSCW1
Sony DSC P100
I am concerned about sony....I can say they are best in Electronics...be it TV / Music System or other things. But Nikon - only manufactures cameras and related things pertaining to photgraphy ...I thot I should go for Nikon.
But after hearing comments about Nikon 5200...that pics are blurry, color not good. The pics look good on LCD and as soon u transfer to PC they are dark.??
I would go for Nikon because they have BSS , 15 shooting modes, Red Eye Reduction and the software is good ...I heard.
But when I hear about Sony - colors are better , 1.8 or 2.5 LCD, 14 bit A/D - also the Software thats in sony's box sucks....but thats least of my worries.

I am able to decide
Are all the above mentioned concerns right??
Any comments??

"sucks" may be a little harsh. Both Nikon and Sonys take very nice pictures, but I give Sony the nod for the "Jumbotron" LCD. All cameras have Red-eye reduction but most are only moderately effective. Any of the tiny pocket cameras will have some-to-major red-eye even with anti-red-eye on.

I am a big believer in actually trying a camera before you buy, so I suggest you take your list of favorites above and try them out. In addition I suggest you add the Canon A75 to your list. I'm a Nikon guy at heart (FE, 900, 700, 990, D70), but the Canon A75 is a winner. If I were looking for a point-n-shoot with manual controls, the A75 would be the one.