topic Re: where to find out with serial number to verify whether my dslr is genuine or not? in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

where to find out with serial number to verify whether my dslr is genuine or not?

dextorque — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 17:48:08 GMT

where to find out with serial number to verify whether my dslr is genuine or not?

Re: where to find out with serial number to verify whether my dslr is genuine or not?

cicopo — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 18:19:06 GMT

And what would make you think it isn't genuine?

Re: where to find out with serial number to verify whether my dslr is genuine or not?

TCampbell — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 18:46:42 GMT

Usually what you want to know is... did the camera come with the North America (US & Canada) warranty card in the box with the serial number pre-printed on that card which matches the serial number of the body.

This tells you if it has a US/Canada warranty and would be serviceable at service centers here. "Import" versions usually aren't covered by the US/Canada warranty. Some stores will "import" cameras via their own channels and sell them at a slight savings. The reputable stores will disclose whether it's the "USA" versions vs. the "Import" version.

Re: where to find out with serial number to verify whether my dslr is genuine or not?

RobertTheFat — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 20:17:31 GMT

@TCampbell wrote:
Usually what you want to know is... did the camera come with the North America (US & Canada) warranty card in the box with the serial number pre-printed on that card which matches the serial number of the body.

This tells you if it has a US/Canada warranty and would be serviceable at service centers here. "Import" versions usually aren't covered by the US/Canada warranty. Some stores will "import" cameras via their own channels and sell them at a slight savings. The reputable stores will disclose whether it's the "USA" versions vs. the "Import" version.

I've bought a lot of Canon gear, and I can't recall ever seeing such a card. I can practically swear that I've never filled one out and sent it in. But the one time I needed warranty work, my camera was accepted without question. So they must be keeping track of the serial numbers somewhere.

Also, when you join CPS or upgrade to a higher level, you have to supply the serial numbers of qualifying items. None of my serial numbers have ever been questioned, so again this shows they're keeping track.

Re: where to find out with serial number to verify whether my dslr is genuine or not?

TCampbell — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 00:51:10 GMT

@RobertTheFat wrote:
I've bought a lot of Canon gear, and I can't recall ever seeing such a card. I can practically swear that I've never filled one out and sent it in. But the one time I needed warranty work, my camera was accepted without question. So they must be keeping track of the serial numbers somewhere.

If you had real Canon gear for this market... you had the warranty card. I always register my gear online rather than mailing in the card... I still have my cards for all of my cameras.

The card says "CANON LIMITED WARRANTY" and is sub-titled "CANON U.S.A., INC. CANON CANADA INC."

The model & body number will be pre-printed on the card, but everything else is blank.

That warranty card is the only way I know of for a consumer to know if they own a US & Canada version importanted and backed by Canon USA, rather than an international version imported by someone else as a gray-market camera and not backed by the Canon USA warranty & service. Without that card... you'd probably have to phone Canon to ask.

Re: where to find out with serial number to verify whether my dslr is genuine or not?

ebiggs1 — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 13:47:32 GMT

"... verify whether my dslr is genuine or not?"

What does "genuine" mean? Are you reffering to a USA version or a counterfeit?

The only difference between a USA and a World version is this card.

Counterfeits can be a challenge to spot and may take a trip to Canon to verify.

Nikon puts "US" in the serial number but Canon does not. I am not sure even Canon has a way of knowing. And you hear stories that are all over the place. The warranty clearly states that the card and the bill of sale must be presented for warranty service. If you intend to pay for service, I don't think it matters who imported it.

Re: where to find out with serial number to verify whether my dslr is genuine or not?

Stephen — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 15:28:55 GMT

Hey guys!

The following information can be found at https://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/standard_display/gray_market

Information on Parallel or "Gray Market" Products

Canon sells and supports Canon-brand consumer and professional products in the U.S. through Canon U.S.A., which distributes these products through its authorized dealers and distributors. Canon U.S.A. is the only authorized importer of these products in the U.S., and provides industry-leading customer service and support for them. Products distributed by Canon U.S.A. are "localized" to meet the needs of customers in the U.S. market and are engineered to comply with local safety regulations and governmental requirements. As such, these products come with different accessories, manuals, and warranties than the versions intended for sale in other global regions such as Asia. Any Canon-brand products which are imported and sold other than by this method are referred to as "parallel," or "Gray Market," products (collectively, "Gray Market Products").

Hazards and Difficulties Associated with "Gray Market" Products

Customers in the U.S. may find that Gray Market Products do not meet their expectations because they were not intended by Canon for sale in the U.S. In some cases, sellers of Gray Market Products may attempt to localize the products themselves by adding, changing or removing certain accessories from the products, which may result in the following:

including in product packaging illegal or counterfeit accessories, such as batteries, chargers, and ink tanks, which can cause injury and seriously damage your Canon product;
an incorrect power cord or adapter which was not provided, or quality checked, by Canon;
incorrect software or illegal copies of software which may not function;
poor photocopies of the original manual;
a fake Canon U.S. warranty, a warranty provided by a third party, or no warranty at all; and
a device with a serial number which cannot be registered with Canon in the U.S.

Customers should also be aware that Gray Market Products may not be eligible for:

coverage under a U.S. warranty;
U.S. promotions, including mail-in and instant rebates; and
technical support

If you are in doubt about a seller, or whether the products it sells are intended for the U.S., please visit http://usa.canon.com/authorizeddealers for a list of Canon U.S.A.'s Authorized Dealers. New and genuine Canon products intended for sale in the U.S. can only be purchased from Canon Authorized Dealers in the U.S. or from Canon U.S.A. directly.

To learn more about counterfeit products, please visit http://usa.canon.com/aboutcounterfeits to view important information.

Re: where to find out with serial number to verify whether my dslr is genuine or not?

ryanrjones — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 00:23:30 GMT

What do you have to say about these "grey market" cameras? I bought a 1Dx from Japan and it has been nothing but great. I saved like a $1,000 and I even had it cared for here in Honolulu at a Canon Dealer. I'm interested in buying a 5dsr and want to use the grey market again and find a bran new one for much cheaper. Besides the warranty, is there anyting else to be aware of in regards to options, functions, and software upgrades?

Thanks

Re: where to find out with serial number to verify whether my dslr is genuine or not?

blanca12 — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 13:55:53 GMT

Re: where to find out with serial number to verify whether my dslr is genuine or not?

Birder27 — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 15:29:20 GMT

I'm considering a used camera on eBay. Robert's Camera sent me the serial number, but claims not to know if it's Gray market

Re: where to find out with serial number to verify whether my dslr is genuine or not?

MikeSowsun — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 15:50:59 GMT

@Birder27 wrote:
I'm considering a used camera on eBay. Robert's Camera sent me the serial number, but claims not to know if it's Gray market

That is correct. Only Canon can tell you if the serial number is for a "Grey Market" camera.

"Grey Market" just means that there is no Canon Warranty with that camera. There is no difference in the actual camera as it is manufactured in the same factory to the same specs. It is the same camera.

The Canon Warranty is only one year. When buying a used camera, I wouldn't think there would be a Canon Warranty available. Canon warranty is supposed to be non-transferable, but in practice Canon will generally honor the 1 year warranty if you provide the original bill of sale for the camera.

I am sure Robert's camera does not have the original bill of sale so it doesn't mater whether or not it is "Grey Market".

Re: where to find out with serial number to verify whether my dslr is genuine or not?

Birder27 — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 16:17:26 GMT

Thanks for your timely response. This is a major , major purchase, so I don't want to have problems. I always read and hear to buy only US warranty cameras. Thanks again.

Re: where to find out with serial number to verify whether my dslr is genuine or not?

MikeSowsun — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 16:39:05 GMT

Buying "Grey Market" gets an unnecessary bad rap. It is a trade off between price, and possible inconvenience.

If the camera needs warranty within the first year, "Grey Market" equipment will still get repaired under warranty. The only difference is who does that warranty work, and then how convenient, and and how quickly the warranty process is.

I have been buying and using Canon camera equipment for just over 40 years. I have never needed to use use the Canon Warranty because I have NEVER has anything fail in the first year.

In the end, it is nice to have choices, and for many saving money takes priority over convenience.

Re: where to find out with serial number to verify whether my dslr is genuine or not?

ebiggs1 — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 16:51:54 GMT

"There is no difference in the actual camera as it is manufactured in the same factory to the same specs. It is the same camera."

I am not saying the Roberts camera is different even if it is a grey market body but there can be and I have seen differences. One body I saw didn't have English menus for example. Possibly FW would correct that? I don't know. I don't know if Canon USA would even supply a new FW for you. They certainly would not be obligated to.

Roberts is a fine retailer so I would not worry about buying from them. I have dealt with them for years.

Re: where to find out with serial number to verify whether my dslr is genuine or not?

Birder27 — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 16:58:06 GMT

Thanks for your input.

Re: where to find out with serial number to verify whether my dslr is genuine or not?

cicopo — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 17:42:13 GMT

From what I was told a long time ago but don't remember the circumstance but it was related to either electronics or camera type things. When marketing (in this case cameras & lenses) in a market area (Canada & the US) a portion of the sale price goes into the warranty fund. Items bought in other markets didn't contribute to the fund & therefore they are not covered by it. It's a simple premise but sounds very logical considering markets are very different around the world especially when it comes to labour costs.

Re: where to find out with serial number to verify whether my dslr is genuine or not?

Gugosin — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 08:03:57 GMT

Thank you very much!

Re: where to find out with serial number to verify whether my dslr is genuine or not?

xnx14 — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 14:05:39 GMT

Cari MP3

The serial number for your EOS camera will generally be 12 digits long, however, for some older models, the serial number may be 6 or 10 digits long.

It can be found in the following locations which are highlighted in the images below -

On the bottom of the camera printed in black, grey or white
Behind the LCD screen
On a white sticker on the box, your camera came in

download mp3

Re: where to find out with serial number to verify whether my dslr is genuine or not?

Eddibon — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 16:56:12 GMT

My serial # is almost worn off on my rebel T5. Box is gone. How do i get access to behind the lcd screen?

Re: where to find out with serial number to verify whether my dslr is genuine or not?

RobertTheFat — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 02:29:24 GMT

@Eddibon wrote:
My serial # is almost worn off on my rebel T5. Box is gone. How do i get access to behind the lcd screen?

The serial number is included in the Exif data. Just open an image file in an editor capable of displaying the Exif data (Canon's Digital Photo Professional, for example), and look for it there.