Lets face it, DSLR equipment is expensive and not an affordable hobby for most so snagging the best deals on your must-have camera bodies, lenses, or accessories is always a great idea. If you don't have time to read the remainder of the article, the five websites that we recommend most are Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama, Newegg and eBay.
The following article will touch on five reputable websites that I have personally used to save hundreds of dollars on my DSLR camera equipment and will continue to use in the future to scoop up the best deals on gear I'm planning to buy. I hope you will benefit from one of the following websites as much as I have.
If you're in the market for a particular product, I'd recommend clicking through to each website and taking the time to compare prices to see who offers the best price at the time you're ready to buy. While it may be surprising, just a few minute spent doing some pricing research at multiple retailers can end up saving you hundreds of dollars!
Amazon
Amazon is the largest online retailer with online sales of more than $48 billion per year. Due to their huge customer base and low overhead (in comparison to a brick-and-mortar retailer like Best Buy), Amazon is able to negotiate better wholesale deals or cut their margins on many products within the DSLR category which then equates to better savings for us customers. During a sale, I bought my Canon 5D Mark III with an EF 24-105mm F/4 L USM lens for $3,349.99 ($650 off MSRP) plus it came with a free camera bag, extra Canon battery, monopod, and 8GB compact flash card. This was an unbelievable deal that I was able to score at the right time by buying through Amazon.
Website Link: Click To Browse Amazon's Website
B&H Photo
B&H Photo is an online retailer that also operates out of their photography superstore in NYC. They feature competitive pricing, excellent customer service, and often included free bundled accessories with camera purchases. I recently bought a Canon 70D from them and got it at a $200 discount plus they threw in a free camera bag, memory card, and battery. Since I live in Massachusetts, another perk is their “free shipping” option arrives in a single day although this of course won't be the case if you live farther away. The only downfall with ordering from B&H is that the online and NYC superstore both shut down temporarily from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday as the business' owners are Orthodox Jews who respect the Sabbath therefore they do not conduct business during this time.
Website Link: Click To Browse B&H Photo's Website
Adorama
Adorama is an online electronics retailer that has been in business for over 35 years while specializing in photo and video equipment. They sell both new and used gear with competitive pricing and are also known to throw in free bonus accessories with select camera purchases. Within Adorama's online store, they have sections dedicated to clearance, open-box, and refurbished equipment so there is plenty of room for finding a solid deal on a new or gently-used item. The return policy on Adorama purchases is excellent as most items (some product categories are excluded) are able to be returned within 30 days with no questions asked.
Website Link: Click To Browse Adorama's Website
Newegg
Newegg is notorious for offering competitive prices, fast shipping, and excellent customer service. Their camera selection may not be as vast as some of the other competing websites listed above, but Newegg does not primarily focus on camera equipment so it makes sense. Newegg is another retailer who will often throw in free products/gifts with a large purchase such as a DSLR body so there is plenty of deals out there.
Website Link: Click To Browse Newegg's Website
eBay
Many people might think I'm crazy for including eBay within this article as there is there can be a risk of getting scammed or ripped off. However, if you do your research and choose a reputable seller, it is possible to score some epic deals on DSLR gear especially gently used gear. For example, in the past two months I bought a new Rokinon Cine CV14M-C 14mm T3.1 Canon lens for $350 (Amazon had it priced at $450 at the time) then shortly after, I bought a used Canon EF 100mm F2.8 Macro USM lens for $350 (Amazon sells it for $599). Both lens arrived in perfect working and cosmetic order which ended up saving me over $350 when compared to buying new from a traditional online retailer!
Website Link: Click To Browse eBay's Website
Photo Credit: Martin Taylor
