This is a mobile optimized page that loads fast, if you want to load the real page, click this text.

Digital Camera.....

KalQ

後輩
Joined
12 Jun 2006
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
Hi everyone... This is my 1st post with you guys..
I already enjoyed reading lots of threads here about Japan..
And I guess I gained alot of useful information from you guys..

Well, Im leaving to Japan after 20 days... I'll be staying there for 3 weeks then 4 weeks in China..

And I was planing to get a digital camera for this trip and for other future trips..

After a lot of reviews and searches my choice ended between 2 cameras..

Canon S3 IS vs Snoy H5

I found the canon for 440$ and the Sony 500$

My Q for you guys is should I buy it from here (USA) or from Japan ?

I heared that I can get alot of good deals at Akihabara.. and Also I might get a tax-free for it..

but is the price difference worth that I buy it from japan ?

would be something like more than a 100$ ?

And would I find something with english menu ?

Alot of Qs to be asked by a new guest but I hope I can get your help guys..

Cheers..

Kal
 

buy it in america. prices in akihabara are often marked up and i doubt you would find a camera with an english guide. welocme to the forum
 
Konnichiwa KalQ-san!!

When I buy an electric appliance,
The site that checks a price by all means
kakaku.com
【価格.com】デジタルカメラ | 通販・価格比較・製品情報

PowerShot S3 IS vs cyber shot DSC-H5

Performance seems to be equal
By popular ranking,A price
(A minimum price is a mail-order price in Japan)

PowerShot S3 ........Ranking 8
CANON PowerShot S3 IS 価格比較

minimum price 43,900 yen ....386$
"SRW-6600-58"
http://www.raynox.co.jp/english/dcr/dcr6600pro/dcr6600eg.htm
Photograph comparison
http://sanfurawa.seesaa.net/article/19065823.html

cyber shot DSC-H5....Ranking 16
http://kakaku.com/prdsearch/detail.asp?PrdKey=00502410988

minimum price 43,650 yen ....383$

When I buy a digital camera in Akihabara, I check a function of a camera in Yodobashi Camera
I look for a cheap shop than a price of Yodobashi Camera.
 
Welcome to JREF KalQ !

May I offer a small suggestion. Look for a camera with a good telephoto high power, OPTICAL not digital. Having the ability to zoom in close on a distant subject is a real plus for good travel photos. My little digital camera gets the same close-ups as my old 35MM with a large & heavy telephoto lens I had to lug around. I have an 8x optical zoom and wish I had gone for a 10 or 12X zoom, it sure comes in handy.

Uncle Frank

 
Figure out what you want, and yeah, use kakaku.com. Most Japanese products will come out a good 6 months (maybe more) before they hit the US. I got an 7 Megapixel Ixy when it's closest counterpart in the US was 5 Megapixel. (At least was what I could tell from my studying).
 
Thanks everyone...

:Carlson:
Thats my worry.. A camera with an english guide... I'm afraid I cant find something with an English Menu.


:Hiroyuki Nagashima:
Thanks for the web site... Its great !
I noticed some of the shops on the site gives you the chance to buy from their ground shop..
but again the Q... Would the have English-installed-menu items ?? or it would be Japanese !


:Frank D. White:
Thanks for your suggestion. Both cameras comes with 12x Optical zoom and 4x Digital.. And I agree with you.. I think the zoom is one of the most important things in a camera for a traveler.


:GaijinPunch:
Thank you for your reply. 75% I'll go for the Canon S3 IS
And Kakaku.com is really usefull..
But here comes the Q again.... Would I find English-menu items ??
or just japanese ??
This is the Q Im worried about now..
Again..
Thanks for everyone
Kal
 
Do you mean the language of the camera's menus? In which case YES they all come with the option to switch to English - well models from Sony, Canon, Panasonic, Nikon and Pentax do (have owned or currently own each of the above).

The 12x optical zoom on my Panasonic is great. Megapixel size is not fantastic, but the photo shop (as opposed to the Adobe Photoshop) prints are perfectly acceptable. I fire it up, zoom out of my study window here and can comfortably read the number plate on a neighbor's car 60 meters away.

--
 
As mr.sumo.snr mentioned, most camera has menu both in Japanese and English, all you need to do is to switch it from Japanese (default) to English.
(Maybe you can ask at the shop as it might be difficult.)

If you are worrying about the use manual, if you buy the camera at a shop offering duty free, you'll get the English version of manual. Some shops are not handling English manual, in that case, you can download it from the manufacturer's website.
 
Language choice of a menu of a camera is possible.
Since the instructions manual of a camera is Japanese, please download it from a maker's site.
A charger
Because shape of a Japanese power supply outlet is different, you have to purchase a conversion plug
 
:mr.sumo.snr:
Ya that is exactly what I mean. The camera's menu...
Well, I just contacted 3 of the shops listed in Kakaku. They all confirmed that the Canon has an English menu while the Sony doesn't... werid ha ?

And if you are intersted I would sugest that you check the Canon S3 IS. It has a powerful zoom!


:undrentide:
I'm not worrying at all about the printed user manual.. And as you said.. If I need it I can get it online.. Thanks for your comment.


:Hiroyuki Nagashima:
Charger?? Good point... I totally forget about it.. but thats easy.. Thanks alot


One of the shops that I contact just replyed but there is something I didn't understand...

I wrote my Inquires to them in English and Japanese.. I used google's translater to write the Japanese part.

I got this reply:
Dear Kal,
Thank you for your E-mail.
The Canon S3IS is can change menu for English.
But We can keep it only 3days, so that please order
3days before from you'll come our shop.
If you cannot it find our HP, it means "sold out"
Thanks
Click to expand...

I didn't understand the colored part.. Should I order online then I go to pick it up ?
And I wonder what is HP ?
I dont wanna annoy them with my emails before I know the exact meaning :s



Thanks guys..
 
Because I use translation software, too
It may be incorrect

HP = homepage

A mail order shop says.
Before you come to a shop.
Please look at a homepage of a shop
Is not the digital camera which you want to buy sold out?


The day that reserved that you bought a camera.
If you do not come to a shop.
After 3 DAY , a reservation is canceled.
 

:Hiroyuki Nagashima:
Thanks for clearing everything for me..

I found a shop that offered me the Canon S3 IS for 43900 yen..

I think this is a great deal !
 
KalQ said:
:Hiroyuki Nagashima:
Thanks for clearing everything for me..
I found a shop that offered me the Canon S3 IS for 43900 yen..
I think this is a great deal !
Click to expand...

I checked around and it is a good deal.
 
KalQ said:
:Hiroyuki Nagashima:
Thanks for clearing everything for me..
I found a shop that offered me the Canon S3 IS for 43900 yen..
I think this is a great deal !
Click to expand...


In Akihabara
An electric appliance is the same as fresh vegetables
Be careful to a price and ranking.
By the way, it is ranking 12 of today.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

buying digital camera in japan
2
Replies
29
Views
4K
Alma
Cameras & condoms
2
Replies
44
Views
5K
pyralis
P
A
Question Privacy law and video cameras
Replies
23
Views
4K
Allgone
A
D
buying a camera
Replies
1
Views
2K
Hiroyuki Nagashima
Move my digital piano back home
Replies
3
Views
3K
myawr
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…