what is the HVX-205a?

Ben Sliker

Ben Sliker

Pain In The Ass 2.0
I about beat my head against the wall this morning cause my buddy calls me up and says that he bought an HVX205a from zoommania ... to which i replied that he better get ready to call up his credit card company cause he just got duped. I also informed him of the other 100 reasons why he shouldn't buy from an unauthorized dealer. So ... if by the off chance he DOES get a camera overnight shipped to him ...

WHAT IN THE HECK IS THE HVX205a?

I figured he bought an overseas version ... just hope it's not PAL.
 
Sounds like the Japanese version of the HVX200. European is HVX200E, Australasian is HVX202, Japanese is probably HVX205. All the same product.
 
It is indeed a Japanese camera. Your friend has bought a grey market cam - and it does have a warranty. He just has to send it to Japan for the warranty work, and I hope he can speak Japanese. I know nothing about zoomania but it seems they stated it as a 205a so they are correctly advertising it as a foreign model.

Yes, the camera will come with English menus.
 
I personally know Paul at zoomania and he is NOT known for "duping" anyone. I suggest your friend not make any more purchases unless he knows what he is buying. It's not like its advertised as an HVX200a and he received an HVX205a.
 
I just received and tested an HVX205a and it appears to be identical to an HVX200a. If I can get it from Japan for $3700 and it's new, then I'll buy Rosetta Stone if I need any warranty work done. It doesn't come with the free 16GB card, but I can buy 2 for the same price as a 200a.
 
are all the menus in english? everything is the same? would you have to send to japan for repair? looks like a $600 savings.
 
Menus are in English. Its manufactured as the same camera. You will need to send to Japan for repair. Theres an issue in that, do you speak Japanese?
 
Q

Q

I have red several times about the "grey market" hvx's being made in more plastic than the US ones, and some other differences, but you claim there is no difference at all, or ?

Thanks:)
 
CherryTime said:
I have red several times about the "grey market" hvx's being made in more plastic than the US ones, and some other differences, but you claim there is no difference at all, or ?

Thanks:)
Click to expand...

They all come off the Panasonic production lines, the only physical differences you would ever find would be the power supply cord that's in the box, which will be suitable for the cameras intended country. The camera bodies are identical. Just be sure it's a reputable dealer or there may not even be a power supply cord in the box...
 
I bought an HVX205A from a company called Time2Envy. I went in knowing it was a grey market product, but I decided the $2000+ savings was worth it. I bought a Mack warranty for another couple hundred.

My camera had a problem maintaining focus through a zoom, so I sent it back to Time2Envy and they've had it for nearly 8 weeks. I'm not saying the 205 itself is a bad idea, but you definitely want to be careful who you buy from. The customer service from these guys is atrocious; I just now got them to tell me what they were doing to fix it, and they claim it's a software issue and I'll have the camera back early next week.

I don't know enough to be sure, but it sounds like a software issue affecting focus is a little hokey. Wouldn't that have something to do with the lens?
 
i have both, they're exactly the same. the warranty is local (im in canada). I've had 0 problems. The only difference is the sticker onder the viewfinder.
 
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