Shop details for DigitalRev
DigitalRev calls itself "a social network built for photo-loving people." Founded in Hong Kong in 2000, the 15-year old camera store has reimagined itself as a Flickr-Alternative with a camera shop attached. DigitalRev is not just a webshop for Cameras and photography accessories, but also a social network for Photographers and hobbyists all over the world. The Site provides a medium for photographers with any level of experience to create a profile, share their pictures, and trade tips and advice with fellow photography enthusiasts. Alexa ranks DigitalRev among the top 30,000 most-visited websites in the world, an impressive figure that reflects the site's popularity in many countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, and India.
The China Shop for Photo-Nerds: DigitalRev
Experience with DigitalRev
One of the few things the Panda loves more than useless gadgets and cheap tablets is Cameras, so we happily dove into DigitalRev to look around and place a few test orders. The Social Network aspects of DigitalRev (still in Beta) are simplistic but effective, allowing users to post photos, join interest groups, participate in discussions on photography and gear, and follow other users. But we're not here to review a new social media site!
The shop is extensive, featuring a huge selection of big-name digital cameras and related accessories. The prices are in line with what we expected for Hi-Res DSLRs from makes like Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Olympus. Smaller accessories such as lenses, memory cards, lighting attachments, and tripods are more competitively priced, but this is definitely not as cheap as other Chinese webshops dealing exclusively in generic Chinese products.
We ordered a new lens attachment for our Nikon DSLR and were very satisfied with the quality (it was a Nikon-branded lens). The order arrived well within the estimated delivery time frame and was very well-packaged.
Pros
Cons
Payment
Purchases from the online store may be paid for using PayPal or Credit Card (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Maestro). We always recommend using PayPal for international orders because of their fantastic internal Buyer Protection program. PayPal users also have the option to use PayPal Express Checkout on DigitalRev.
Supported Payment Methods
| PayPal |  | PayPal is the safest and easiest way to pay online. PayPal users benefit from the extra protection of the Buyer Protection Policy. |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Card |
| Credit Cards are one of the easiest ways to pay online: just enter your card info and wait for your order. |
| Maestro |  | If your bank only gave you a Maestro Debit Card, it won't be refused here. |
Shipping Costs and Delivery Times
Depending on the delivery country, you will have a few Shipping options on DigitalRev. American customers have the choice between free Registered AirMail (9-18 business days) and the more expensive FedEx or UPS Express option (3-5 days). The exact cost will depend on the size of your order. The Express shipping would have added about 12% ($30) to the cost of our Nikon Lens.
DigitalRev and Customs
Our DigitalRev ordered arrived in about 2.5 weeks and had no problem making its way through customs.
Customs is a tricky business. Most of the time, you'll never hear from them or see them. Rarely will you ever need to pay any extra fees associated with them. But when you do, either because of an improperly filled out declaration form or a random mail check, it's always best to know what to expect.
We recommend reading up on your country's rules and regulations regarding international shipping and customs fees in case your order makes an unexpected stopover at your local customs office. For shipments entering the US, extra taxes and fees on your product are possible. Not every item is taxed when entering the country, and the majority are only subject to a nominal processing fee of between $2 and $9 in the case of a random customs stop. The amount to be paid, however, can vary widely depending on the product and how it’s sent. If you are concerned about your item, or are planning to order goods in excess of $500, it is worth it to check with the Customs Office at the port of entry to confirm any extra fees.
Any extra taxes or duties on your shipment will either be paid at your door when the mailman drops it off, or the package may be held at your local post office. In which case, you will need to go pick it up and pay any applicable fees in person.
Return Policy
DigitalRev offers a 14-day "No Questions Asked" Return Policy on all items. As the name implies, this gives DigitalRev customers the ability to return products within 14 days of delivery for any reason.
It is not clear on their website whether or not DigitalRev also covers the return shipping, but all returns must be reported to Customer Service beforehand. Be sure to include the downloadable "Return Authorization" with the Return as well.
Special Features
DigitalRev has a substantial social media presence, both within and outside its own online community. The Facebook page announces sales and special events happening on the DigitalRev network, and the DigitalRev TV Youtube Channel features product reviews, photography tips and tricks, and even some fun videos.
Conclusion
DigitalRev is quite different from most other China shops we review because it focuses on expensive Brand Name Products. The addition of its own internal Social Network of Photographers à la Flickr makes DigitalRev truly unique among webshops. Great quality products, Free Shipping, and a 14-day Return Policy make DigitalRev's webshop a good choice for aspiring photographers and professionals alike.
Alternatives
| Alternative 1: |  Fasttech |  | offers a decent selection of related gadgets, photo accessories, and dashcams, but almost no digital cameras |
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| Alternative 2: |  Gearbest | | huge selection of consumer tech, but only a few cameras (ex.: the Xiaomi Yi) and some photo accessories. You won't find any name-brand products here. |
DigitalRev Coupons
Ready to take your photography career to the next level with DigitalRev? Check back here for the latest Coupons, Discount Codes, and Sales Announcements!