Why buy a refurbished digital camera? For starters, you can almost always get twice the camera for less than half the price! Imagine being able to get the top of the line model for much less than you would have paid for the basic, no frills model.
What does refurbished mean when buying a digital camera or any electronic product? A refurbished digital camera simply means that it was not returned in its original packaging. For example, if someone purchased a camera to bring with them on vacation and realized that it was to large to carry around or to small to comfortably hold while taking pictures. They would send it back to the seller to exchange it for another model or refund and the seller would then discount the camera heavily and sell it as refurbished.
One of the main benefits of buying a refurbished digital camera is that not only are the cameras inspected again by the manufacturer but they come packaged with all the original accessories and usually have a one year warranty to protect against defects. Whether the camera was returned because it was not the right model or it actually needed to have something replaced, buying a refurbished digital camera is a great way to get more bang for your buck!
What I usually do is look through some reviews and decide which camera has the features that fit what I need. Then I check to see how much the cameras would cost if I bought it brand new at the store. You usually can expect to pay from 30% up to 60% off the MSRP by purchasing a refurbished digital camera. Always be aware of who you are buying from, the manufacturer or a reseller, and what their warranty and return policies are.
One point to remember is that photography is an art not just a technique. I know a few people that can take amazing pictures with the cheapest, most basic cameras. I also know hundreds of people that have the best equipment money can buy and take the worst pictures you have ever seen! Keep an eye out for future posts about where and how to get the best deals on a refurbished digital camera.