If you saw a digital camera, on clearance for 20$ off, BUT

[Deja Q]

the only model was a floor model - for which they will give you a 10% discount, would you buy it?

I essentially got a $300, 6 megapixel camera for $216 under these circumstances. (Kodak DX7630)

No ext. warranty was available; but $200 ain't so bad I suppose and my Sony Mavica CD500 lasted 2.5 years and is still going strong despite some occasional CD-write problems...

Under the aforementioned circumstances, would you buy a clearance digital camera that's been handled by more strangers than Britney Spears in any given dance video?

[ET Awful]

1. Most floor models still come with full factory warranty, so sure, why not.

I've actually asked to buy the floor model before when they were out of stock on something I wanted.

The factory warranty is in effect from the day you purchase it, not the day the store put it on the shelf.

Also, you should be able to by a MACK warranty for it within 30 days of purchase and doesn't have to be purchased from the store that sold you the camera. You can get them off e-bay actually: http://cgi.ebay.com/5-YR-EXTENDED-MACK-WARRANTY-FOR-KODAK-EASYSHARE-500_W0QQitemZ7538571976QQcategoryZ30019QQcmdZViewItem

If I'm not mistaken, although the auction mentions a specific model, the MACK warranty is good for any camera in the specified price range. You just have to suppy the serial number, etc. see here also:

http://www.mackcam.com/warranties/5yearstilldigital500.html

[CC]

2. Yep and I have.

My very first digital camera was a Coolpix 800. The only one they had was the display model. They did have to throw in a new flash card since its was missing. (A 64mb instead of the 8 mb it came with since 64 was the smallest they had.) It is still going strong if I need a point and shoot and is 5 years old now.

[intheflow]

3. I get all my electronics and appliances

as used/repaired or floor models. They still have the factory warranty. I've had my tv (floor model) for nine years, my cd player for 12 years, and my amplifyer for 14. All have their weird quirks, but all work just fine.

Think of it this way. Even if it only lasts you a year, you've only spent on average $18/mo. If it lasts 2.5 years, like your camcorder, it's down to $7.20/mo. 10 years (and my manual camera is going on 13 years) and it's $1.80. It's totally worth the gamble if it's the camera that you want. :thumbsup:

[lutefisk]

4. Plus, if you used a credit card, warranty might be extended

Most credit cards will double the warranty for up to one year for no extra charge. Visa has a pretty inexpensive extended warranty program that can be purchased in addition to the automatic doubling of the one year warranty. Just something else to consider.

[superconnected]

5. I have talked floor models of electronic equipment down t o half price

by asking to speak with the manager. The last time was a synthesizer. I was glad my then bf was there so I could show him how.

So I would do this. You got a good deal. The floor models I've gotten usually don't come with manuals but other than that are fine. I can always find out what I need to know on line.

and 6 megapixel! Congats on your new camera! Mine is only 3.2 megapixel.

[Deja Q]

6. I checked up on the reviews of the DX7630, coupled w/ my own experiences:

The 1:7 compression makes any picture print above 11x14" pointless. It also tends to readily overexpose. In-camera image denoise filter also gets excessive above 100ISO (and is bad at 400ISO, rendering it useless unless I want a 'watercolor' effect, which I don't.)

Since a camera is only as good as its film, I'd rather spend the money for something that does 1:4 compression (or TIFF or RAW) and be a bit better at exposure, without flooding the pic or being excessviely contrasty.

Methinks these P&S cameras are being deliberaly underdeveloped (no optical resolution worth speaking of, hard to find features, crap compression, cheap se4nsor that isn't worth fifty cents...) just so people will spend the extra on a D-SLR... You'd think engineers would give a damn, as just like with film these digital components are using irreplaceable resources too.

(transitioning from film, I have every right to be picky! :D )