550d vs T2i vs Kiss X4 - Does it matter if I buy an import?

[Synchromesh]

I'm currently thinking of getting a Canon 550d, however, looking at the prices on ebay I've noticed that the apparently identical T2i and Kiss X4 (American and Japanese equivalents) are selling for around £100 less brand new. They still come with one year's warranty. Would there be any disadvantage in buying one of these instead of the UK version: the 550d?

[Gemm]

Warranty for Canon bodies are only valid in the country where it's purchased (not the lenses though). So you may have to send it back 'if' anything goes wrong, which can be costly. You'll just have to decide whether it's worth it.

EDIT: and also remember you may have to pay VAT when it's imported.

[Synchromesh]

Managed to speak to one of the companies selling a Kiss X4 and discovered that the ebay price is subject to a further 17.5 % import duty on collection. That solves that one then...

[baz7175]

Having been through 5 Canon DSLR bodies and not having any issues until the original 20D finally ate the dust, I finally bit the bullet early this year on my 60D while out in the US, but I know that I'm going to be stateside for 90% of the warranty period so not such a big risk for me to take if something went wrong.

So far so good, touch wood!

[JDRoest]

The bodies are cheaper because of VAT.

If you can pick up a body whilst in the US or Japan, then by all means do (and bin the box before travelling). Otherwise you will be hit for VAT and import duties when the body arrives. (Or at least figure it into the equation). Warranties will probably not be honoured outside the territory either, but then these are low priced bodies, and I'm sure there's an independent who can do a paid repair if something did happen.

[Synchromesh]

Thanks. Bought a second hand (2 months old, less than 200 actuations!) 1100d from ebay a few hours ago. Decided I didn't need the extra features of the 550d, and have a rather tight budget, so it seemed the obvious answer. Looking forward to shooting on it now as it's my first DSLR.