Hi,

I am in Australia, want to buy an a Canon branded the EOS 300.

However, I am travelling to the US for 3 months, and have noticed a Canon branded the EOS Rebel 2000. They look similar... are they the same camera?

Or is there an identical camera I can purchase in the US? What is with the different branding? If I purchase a camera there, will I be able to get support here in Australia?, or will the branding or model type present an issue?

Thanks

-- Nathan Leong (noftus@hotmail.com), November 04, 2001

Answers

It's the same camera. Canon USA has been using their own model names for years. As far as the warranty issue goes, I don't know. I know that if an American buys a 300 in Australia and bring it back home, Canon USA will honor the warranty, although they are under no obligation to do so. I don't know what will happen going the other way though.

-- Jim Strutz (j.strutz@gci.net), November 04, 2001.

I believe that the EOS 300 and the EOS Rebel 2000 are indeed identical cameras.

Sometimes Canon sells almost identical cameras under different names for different markets, usually for patent or marketing reasons. eg: the Canon EOS 5 (most of the world) has a better manual metering display than the EOS A2 (North America) But I don't believe there are any differences between the international EOS 300 and the R2K save the lettering on the oval-shaped badge.

However the Japanese version of this camera, the EOS Kiss III, supports an optional IR remote, has a panorama mode and also comes in a black version, according to Canon.

You'll probably save money by buying the camera in the US, particularly through a reputable discount operation like B&H. The consensus on various mailing lists has been that Canon will honour international warranties outside their sales jurisdictions, but I couldn't say if Canon Australia does as I'm not there. :)

-- NK Guy (tela@tela.bc.ca), November 04, 2001.

With my last Canon purchase (August 2001), the warrenty card was called "Canon International Warranty", which listed 6 local sales organizations, including Canon USA and Canon Australia PTY LTD.

I would call them, in NSW, to check: (61)-02-9805-2387

-- kenneth katz (socks@bestweb.net), November 05, 2001.