Let’s face it, most of us buy our photography gear from an online camera store. You can’t beat the convenience and rarely the price. But choosing an online camera store has its own problems.
You’re not limited to what’s available in your own area, or even in your own country. To help you choose, we’ve compiled a guide to the best online camera stores. This includes our top choices of Amazon, B&H, and Adorama.
What Is the Best Online Camera Store?
As we’ve said, our top pick is Amazon Camera & Photo. But B&H and Adorama are a close second and third. As well as new gear, many of our online camera store recommendations sell used equipment. And some of them will even buy or part-exchange your old kit.
But there are so many physical and online camera stores where you can buy a camera. It can be a confusing and frustrating experience. But here is our selection of the best online camera store options to help you pick the best one.
Three questions narrow the list fast. Do you want the gear tomorrow? Amazon and Adorama ship fastest, and Best Buy will have it on a shelf near you today. Do you want advice before you spend? B&H, Precision Camera, and Vistek all staff a real counter, and Adorama and Precision run classes on top of that. Are you buying used? KEH and MPB grade every item and back it with a warranty, while eBay is cheaper still but puts the risk on you.
Amazon is the world’s largest online retailer. When it comes to photography, Amazon’s camera price range is set by the manufacturers. This is why you won’t see large differences in price, as you might with other electronics.
Amazon can negotiate lower prices with the manufacturers and cut their profit margins. This is because their overhead is lower than a traditional brick-and-mortar store. We recommend buying new camera gear instead of used or “renewed” items. But you can weigh savings over quality.
The 30-day return policy is also appealing. Amazon happily takes returns with no questions asked. (As long as the product is in its original packaging and condition.)
The free two-day shipping option is a bonus if you have an Amazon Prime membership. Plus, it comes with unlimited photo storage backup!
It’s especially helpful if you need to get your order delivered as soon as possible. I turn to Amazon when experiencing unexpected gear breakage and failure for this very reason. Just make sure that the shipping option applies to your postal area.
When shopping on Amazon, you can see genuine reviews from other buyers. Other sites can create fake reviews. But only those who have purchased the product on Amazon can write a review there.
Reading about the experience of others when considering purchasing from a seller is an invaluable tool. And it can be the deciding factor for which camera you buy.
Finally, although some Amazon camera retailers ship globally, many local Amazon stores also exist. This is an added convenience for anyone who lives in those areas.
What Amazon cannot give you is a person who shoots. There is nobody to ask whether a lens suits your camera body, no trade-in counter, and no repair desk. And third-party sellers make the listings uneven. If any of that matters more than next-day delivery, buy from one of the specialists below.
B&H is a premier destination for photographic equipment and supplies in North America. It’s a massive superstore for all things photographic right in the heart of New York City.
The company has built its reputation over decades. It’s the place that many pros turn to first, particularly when shopping for cameras online. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and well-trained.
There is a live chat feature on the website, as well as a used department. B&H maintains a wide selection of used cameras and other secondhand electronics. You can find sound systems, smartphones, and video equipment.
They also ship to most countries and have a 30-day return policy. B&H extends that return policy to a wide variety of used equipment, which they test for defects and flaws. If you’re on the hunt for a pre-loved camera, B&H is an excellent choice.
A bonus for regular shoppers is that they have a loyalty program. You can earn points on your purchases and later redeem them for discounts. But there is a limited timeframe to do this. So, this may not be a benefit if you’re not a regular B&H shopper.
Based in New York City, Adorama has been around for decades. It’s a full-service destination for photography and video equipment as well as electronics. It’s one of the more popular online options for hobbyists and professionals.
Adorama has a great selection of new gear, as well as pre-owned cameras and photo equipment. These have been tested and inspected and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
They also have an inexpensive VIP360 loyalty program with a one-year “drops and spills” warranty. It also has a 60-day return policy and other perks like early bird access to discounts and sales.
Adorama offers same-day shipping. They ship to Canada and many other countries around the world. But keep in mind that your country has its own tax and customs policies.
Adorama is also known for its learning center and videos on AdoramaTV. They also host presentations, demos, and classes at their space in New York City.
Abe’s of Maine is not as comprehensive as B&H or Adorama. But it offers a greater variety of products than many online retailers at competitive prices. The family has been trading since 1979, and they have an online store and a physical location in New Jersey.
Abe’s offers a variety of seasonal and non-seasonal promotions and coupons. These are in addition to the coupons and rebates on their product pages.
All orders are processed on the premises. They can quickly and efficiently find a solution if there is an issue.
Abe’s offers free shipping on thousands of products, but shipping can vary. You get 30 days from delivery to send something back, and you have to phone for a return authorization number first. The sting is the 10% restocking fee that comes off your refund unless the item arrived faulty. So a change of mind costs you $100 on a $1,000 camera. Buy here when the price is right and you are sure, not when you want to try a body and see.
But Abe’s is worth a regular check-in. They often have great sales where you might find your dream camera at an unbeatable price.
Precision Camera & Video has served Texas photographers since 1976. It now runs three stores: two in Austin and one in The Woodlands, north of Houston. They sell new and used equipment, have a photo lab, and offer rentals and repairs. They even offer on-site classes on a variety of photography topics.
You can receive coupons on your purchase that you can put towards the classes. Their 75-foot classroom doubles as a rental studio.
Precision Camera & Video is dedicated to providing excellent customer service and photographic education. They carry a wide array of cameras, lenses, lighting gear, accessories, printers, and scanners.
Ground shipping is free on orders over $250 inside the contiguous US, and they price match any authorized online dealer. The catch is the return window. You get 14 days on most items, half what Amazon and B&H give you, and used gear sent back in that window carries a 15% restocking fee. Buy here for the advice and the classes, not for a generous change-of-mind policy.
Ritz Camera can be traced back to a successful portrait studio in Atlantic City in 1918 and later a film processing lab. The company has been a trusted source for professional photographers and enthusiasts for decades.
A few years ago, it was bought out and consolidated with similar companies like Wolf Camera and Camera World. Ritz maintains some stores and a website with a good gear selection focusing more on the amateur photographer.
You have 30 days from delivery to request a return. But the restocking fee starts at 10% and climbs to 25%, depending on the condition the item comes back in. Returns also have to be unopened where the item shipped in sealed or blister packaging.
They have a price matching program, free ground shipping, and an in-house support team to help you with any questions.
KEH is the world’s largest pre-owned camera store, and it has been buying and selling used gear since 1979. This is a great option if you need to upgrade your camera or buy a new one without a high budget.
They offer up to 40% less than the retail price on a wide selection of digital and film cameras, lenses, and accessories.
They have expert technicians who use a ten-point rating system to inspect and grade gear. This way, you can ensure your purchase is in excellent condition. KEH offers a 180-day warranty and a 14-day return policy.
They accept a variety of payment methods, including PayPal. But they will only ship to PayPal-confirmed addresses. The KEH shipping address must match the PayPal address.
KEH has a price match guarantee. They refund you the difference if you find the exact same product at a lower price. Some restrictions apply, though.
You can get an instant quote if you want to sell your gear. Many photographers continually upgrade their equipment by selling and purchasing used gear.
MPB is a photography gear marketplace for buyers and sellers through a hassle-free and secure platform. They have offices in the UK and New York. And they are always working on their technology to redefine how photographic equipment is sold online.
The range of photographic equipment on MPB is vast. Thousands of items pass through the marketplace every month. In addition to used cameras, they sell accessories like camera filters, batteries, and memory cards.
MPB carefully inspects all equipment and offers an unparalleled six-month warranty. This greatly offsets any risk to buyers.
Browse through a huge selection of equipment and purchase by cash or trade. Everything is shipped out for the next working day delivery.
The excellent service and condition of the equipment, as well as the fair pricing, make shopping with MPB a great option. Plus, the staff is knowledgeable and can assist at any transaction stage.
MPB sells nothing new, though. Every item is a single second-hand unit, so the exact body and condition grade you want may not be in stock the day you look. If you need a boxed current model with a full manufacturer warranty, buy new elsewhere and come back to MPB when you sell it on.
Purchasing a camera on eBay may seem like a risky move. But if you play your cards right, you can walk away with a deal that can’t be beaten.
Many reputable dealers, such as those mentioned here, sell through eBay. Buying through eBay is riskier than going directly to an online retailer specializing in camera sales.
But eBay’s Money Back Guarantee covers you if an item never turns up or arrives in a state the listing never described. You have 30 days from delivery to open a case, and a successful claim refunds the purchase price plus the original shipping. Bad sellers who receive negative feedback can be banished from the site.
Here are some details you should look for when perusing cameras on eBay. The product images should be close-up and large enough to assess the camera body for nicks and scratches.
There should be several pictures that show all sides of the camera. These should not be blurry or shot from too far away.
Also, check the seller’s rating. It should be 99 to 100% positive. Anything less than 95% should be considered a red flag. Read the description very carefully for details. Contact the seller if you have any questions.
Vistek is Canada’s answer to B&H. Vistek offers a vast array of photo and video equipment in addition to cameras. This includes lighting equipment, computers, and tablets at competitive prices.
They have a storefront and photo lab in Toronto. They offer extensive rentals (in Canada) and ship products to Canada and the USA.
They also have storefront locations in Mississauga, Calgary, Ottawa, and Edmonton. Free shipping is available for non-oversized items up to 10 pounds. Shipping rates and methods for products that do not fall into this category can be found on their site.
Vistek offers a student discount, learning events, and a YouTube channel focused on product overviews.
Best Buy might not be a top option, but it depends on your preferences. Because there are so many locations, you may have one near you. Their prices are also competitive.
The downside to shopping for a camera at Best Buy is that the sales staff may only have limited knowledge of photography. But it can be a good place to check out some cameras and get a feel for them before you buy.
Their online selection is great. In-store, you find prosumer cameras or entry-level models rather than a wide selection of professional ones.
Local Stores Instead of Online Camera Stores
Even if you end up shopping around and don’t buy from them, browsing at your local camera stores lets you inspect the equipment hands-on. You can also get guidance from knowledgeable staff.
I also love my local camera store because they sell various used gear at a reasonable price. Everything has been inspected and comes with a money-back guarantee.
Using this approach saves me a lot of money. It’s a lot more trustworthy than buying off Craigslist. Plus, you avoid paying for international shipping costs from overseas online camera stores.
Going to a local camera store for a hands-on experience before buying from an online camera store is good practice (Adobe Stock)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to buy a camera online?
Yes, from the stores on this list, because every one of them has traded for years and publishes a returns process you can hold them to. The risk sits with individual marketplace sellers, which is why eBay is the entry that asks you to read the feedback score before you bid. Third-party listings on Amazon deserve the same look.
Should I buy a used camera?
Buy used when the saving matters more than the box. KEH and MPB inspect and grade every item and back it with a warranty, which is a different proposition from a private sale where you get neither. Buy new when you want the current model, the full manufacturer warranty, and a body nobody has dropped.
Do online camera stores price match?
Several of them do. Ritz Camera and Precision Camera both run price match programs, and Precision matches any authorized online dealer. KEH refunds the difference if you find the identical item cheaper. Restrictions apply at all three, so read the terms before you buy on the strength of a match.
What is the catch with a camera deal that looks too cheap?
Usually grey-market stock. A body imported outside the manufacturer’s own US distribution carries no US warranty, and the seller rarely says so on the listing page. Buying from a store that states the warranty on the product page is how you avoid it.
Conclusion: Best Online Camera Stores
Shopping online tends to be cheaper. But be sure to buy from a reputable dealer that accepts returns without a restocking fee. If you see a camera deal too good to be true, it usually is. (Except, perhaps, Black Friday photography deals.)
Compare the prices of your coveted online camera stores with in-store camera stores. With some of these options, you may want to rent the item before you commit to a purchase.
Also, don’t forget to consider used gear. You may get a great camera and save a lot of money. But it’s usually best to buy new if you can afford it. So, where is the best place to buy a camera online? Amazon is the best bet, followed by B&H and Adorama.
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