Adorama Review: Why This Photography & Electronics Superstore is My Go-To
As a professional photographer and self-proclaimed gear junkie, I‘ve spent countless hours shopping for cameras, lenses, and accessories over the years. And time and time again, I find myself coming back to one retailer in particular: Adorama.
Founded in 1975 as a small photography store in New York City, Adorama has grown into one of the biggest names in the industry, with a massive online presence and a flagship store that draws visitors from around the world. But what is it about Adorama that keeps me and so many other photographers and videographers coming back? In this in-depth review, I‘ll share my personal experiences with Adorama and why I believe they‘re the best choice for all your photography and electronics needs.
The Massive Selection
One of the biggest reasons I love shopping at Adorama is the sheer breadth of their product catalog. As someone who shoots a variety of genres, from landscapes to portraits to events, I need access to a wide range of gear. And Adorama delivers in spades.
Here‘s just a small sampling of the brands and product categories you‘ll find at Adorama:
| Category | Brands |
|---|---|
| Cameras | Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Leica, Olympus, Panasonic, Hasselblad |
| Lenses | Sigma, Tamron, Zeiss, Rokinon, Lensbaby, Venus Optics |
| Lighting | Profoto, Broncolor, Elinchrom, Westcott, Neewer, Aputure |
| Audio | Rode, Sennheiser, Shure, Zoom, Tascam |
| Computers | Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus |
| Video | Atomos, SmallHD, DJI, Zhiyun, Tilta |
In addition to these major brands, Adorama also carries a wide selection of accessories like tripods, camera bags, memory cards, and batteries from trusted names like Manfrotto, Pelican, SanDisk, and Duracell. Basically, if it has anything to do with photography or videography, chances are Adorama has it.
And it‘s not just the breadth of the selection that impresses me, but the depth as well. For example, when I was in the market for a new mirrorless camera last year, I was able to compare nearly a dozen different models from Sony, Canon, Nikon, and Fujifilm, all with different feature sets and price points. No matter your skill level or budget, you can find the right gear for you at Adorama.
Competitive Prices and Frequent Sales
Of course, all the selection in the world doesn‘t matter if the prices are outrageous. Fortunately, Adorama is known for being extremely competitive on price, often matching or beating other major retailers.
To put some numbers behind this, I did a quick price comparison on a few popular items:
| Item | Adorama Price | B&H Price | Amazon Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony A7 III Mirrorless Camera Body | $1,998 | $1,998 | $1,998 |
| Canon EOS R6 Mirrorless Camera Body | $2,499 | $2,499 | $2,499 |
| Fujifilm X-T4 Mirrorless Camera Body | $1,699 | $1,699 | $1,699 |
| DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone Quadcopter | $799 | $799 | $799 |
As you can see, Adorama‘s prices are identical to other major retailers for these popular items. But where Adorama really shines is in their frequent sales and promotions.
Over the years, I‘ve saved hundreds if not thousands of dollars by taking advantage of Adorama‘s holiday sales, instant rebates, and exclusive email offers. Some recent examples:
- During Black Friday last year, I snagged a Sony A7R IV mirrorless camera for $500 off the regular price plus a free memory card and camera bag.
- This past spring, Adorama ran a promotion offering a free gimbal with the purchase of a DJI Pocket 2 camera, a $150 value.
- Just last month, I received an email offer for a bundle deal on a Fujifilm X-T4 camera with a free vertical grip and extra battery, saving me over $300.
By signing up for Adorama‘s email list and following them on social media, you can stay on top of these deals and save big on the gear you need.
Top-Notch Customer Service
Another area where Adorama really shines is in their customer service. Over the years, I‘ve had to reach out to their support team on a few occasions, whether it was to get help with an order or to take advantage of their repair services. And every time, I‘ve been blown away by their level of expertise and dedication to customer satisfaction.
One story that really sticks out in my mind: A few years ago, I purchased a used lens from Adorama that arrived with a sticky aperture ring. I contacted their support team, and not only did they immediately offer to take the lens back and refund my purchase, but they also sent me a prepaid shipping label and threw in a $50 gift card for the inconvenience. That‘s the kind of above-and-beyond service that keeps me coming back to Adorama again and again.
But you don‘t have to take my word for it. Adorama has a 4.7-star rating on Trustpilot based on over 11,000 reviews, with countless customers praising their knowledgeable sales reps, fast shipping, and easy returns process. Of course, no company is perfect, and there are a handful of negative reviews out there. But in my experience, Adorama always goes the extra mile to make things right for their customers.
Rewards Program and Financing Options
One of the things I love about shopping at Adorama is the opportunity to earn rewards points on every purchase through their VIP360 program. Here‘s how it works:
- Earn 1 point for every dollar spent on eligible purchases
- Get a $20 reward certificate for every 1000 points earned
- Redeem reward certificates on future purchases of $100 or more
As someone who spends a lot on gear each year, those rewards points really add up! In fact, last year alone I earned over $500 in reward certificates just by doing my regular shopping at Adorama. It‘s basically free money!
But Adorama‘s VIP360 program isn‘t just about rewards points. It also includes free 2-day shipping on most orders over $100, a dedicated customer service phone line, and even a complimentary camera cleaning and sensor check at their NYC store.
And if you‘re making a big purchase, like a new camera or lens, Adorama offers financing options through their in-house credit card. With the Adorama Edge Credit Card, you can get up to 12 months of special financing on purchases of $500 or more. And if you pay off your balance in full within the promo period, you won‘t be charged any interest at all.
Of course, financing options like these should always be used responsibly. But if you‘re a professional or serious hobbyist looking to invest in new gear, Adorama‘s credit card can be a useful tool for spreading out the cost over time.
Adorama‘s Printing Services
In addition to gear, Adorama also offers a full range of printing services for photographers looking to showcase their work. From standard prints and enlargements to custom photo books and gifts, Adorama‘s printing team can handle just about any project.
One service that really stands out is their MetalPrints, which are printed directly onto a thin sheet of aluminum for a stunning, high-gloss finish. I‘ve ordered several MetalPrints from Adorama over the years, and the quality is simply outstanding. The colors are vibrant, the details are tack-sharp, and the metal surface adds a unique dimension to the image.
Adorama also offers fine art printing on a variety of archival papers, canvas gallery wraps, and even custom wallpaper and murals. And with their easy-to-use online ordering system, you can upload your images and select your print options from the comfort of your own home.
But perhaps the most impressive thing about Adorama‘s printing services is the level of care and attention to detail that goes into every order. Each print is hand-inspected by a trained technician to ensure it meets Adorama‘s high standards for color accuracy, sharpness, and overall quality. And if there are any issues with your order, their customer service team is always just a phone call or email away to make things right.
The Adorama Learning Center
For photographers and videographers looking to take their skills to the next level, Adorama offers a wealth of educational resources through their online Learning Center. Here, you‘ll find hundreds of articles, tutorials, and videos covering everything from the basics of exposure and composition to advanced techniques like studio lighting and post-processing.
What sets Adorama‘s Learning Center apart from other online resources is the quality of the content and the expertise of the instructors. Many of the articles and videos are created by professional photographers and videographers with years of experience in the field. And because Adorama has such close relationships with major brands like Canon, Nikon, and Sony, you‘ll often find exclusive content and insights that you won‘t see anywhere else.
In addition to their free online resources, Adorama also offers paid workshops and courses taught by some of the biggest names in the industry. These can be a great way to get hands-on experience with new gear and techniques, and to network with other professionals in your field.
As someone who‘s always looking to learn and grow as a photographer, I‘ve found Adorama‘s Learning Center to be an invaluable resource over the years. Whether I‘m trying to master a new piece of gear or just looking for some fresh inspiration, I know I can always count on Adorama to deliver the knowledge and expertise I need.
The Flagship Store Experience
If you happen to be in New York City, a visit to Adorama‘s flagship store is an absolute must for any photographer or videographer. Located in the heart of Manhattan, this massive showroom is a gear lover‘s paradise, with hundreds of cameras, lenses, and accessories on display from all the top brands.
But the Adorama store is more than just a place to shop. It‘s an experience. From the moment you walk through the doors, you‘re greeted by a team of knowledgeable sales reps who are passionate about photography and videography. These aren‘t just cashiers or stockroom workers – they‘re experts in their field, with years of experience using the gear they sell.
One of my favorite things about visiting the Adorama store is the opportunity to get hands-on with the latest gear before making a purchase. Want to compare the autofocus speed of the latest mirrorless cameras? Adorama has them all set up on a test bench for you to try out. Curious about the sharpness of that new Sigma Art lens? Just ask a sales rep to mount it on a camera for you and take some test shots.
And if you‘re in the market for something really special, like a high-end cinema camera or a rare vintage lens, chances are Adorama has it in stock. In fact, I‘ve often found that the Adorama store has a better selection of hard-to-find items than their website or other online retailers.
Of course, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the in-store experience at Adorama may be a bit different than it was in the past. But from what I‘ve seen, they‘ve done an excellent job of implementing safety protocols like mask requirements and social distancing to keep their customers and employees safe. And even if you can‘t make it to the store in person, you can still get that same level of expert advice and customer service by calling or emailing their sales team.
Conclusion
When it comes down to it, there‘s a reason why Adorama has been my go-to retailer for all my photography and videography needs over the years. From their massive selection and competitive prices to their top-notch customer service and educational resources, Adorama simply ticks all the boxes for me as a professional in the field.
But don‘t just take my word for it. Head over to Adorama.com and see for yourself why so many photographers and videographers trust them with their gear purchases. And if you‘re ever in New York City, be sure to stop by their flagship store and experience the Adorama difference in person.
At the end of the day, investing in new gear is a big decision – but with Adorama in your corner, you can shop with confidence knowing that you‘re getting the best products, prices, and support in the business. Happy shooting!
