Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Becka]

I'm in the market for a camcorder here. Preferably miniDV format. A 3CCD prosumer camera would be the best, but unless they are waaaaaay cheaper than they are at home in North America (and I'm guessing they're not), then it'll be a cheaper consumer model. I'm starting this as a new thread because the sticky's like, three years old.

Other specs: must be firewire-ly compatible with my 2003 powerbook's iMovie software. Would be nice if the optical zoom didn't suck.

My question: are there any technology-type big box style stores that are cheaper than others? Is there another kind of place I should seek out for this?

I'm in Ulsan, so I'll probably be buying this thing either here, or in Busan.

Thanks!

[mindmetoo]

Any imported electronic has a huge import duty levied. Korean electronics jack up their prices to match the imported Japanese competition. Hence the reason, say, an iRiver goes for $150 in the USA but $200 in Korea. In Seoul near namdaemoon there's a big mart where they sell smuggled in Japanese electronics and you can get a good deal. I would imagine in Busan you'd find a similar market. Where, I don't know. The only down side is if the thing breaks down after a month, there is no warranty.

[hanguker]

Yeah, Japanese imports can be found in the underground shopping arcades around Somyeon and Nampodong. I would try the internet, as many sites "seem" to sell, imported Japanese stuff cheap (though I haven't tried it).

Good luck

[buildbyflying]

I picked up a Pana gs400 at yongsan for a reasonable price a few months back. Reasonable, only because it's a discontinued and valued model, and they jacked the prices up on them back in the US.
There are some good deals on auction.co.kr but if you don't read Korean watch out for cameras with Korean menus (not all of them do).