How the 12-Month Warranty Works at Camera Market

A warranty is only as good as its fine print. In this article, we explain exactly what our 12-month warranty covers, what it doesn’t, and what we do when a customer calls because something isn’t working.

What the warranty covers

It covers technical defects not declared in the listing. Any of these cases are included:

• Autofocus that fails intermittently.
• Overheating causing abnormal shutdown before the reasonable time for the model.
• Sensor that gets dirty with an abnormal pattern (typically a shutter or mount seal issue).
• Screen that dies fully or partially.
• Electronic viewfinder with dead pixels not declared.
• Physical controls that stop responding (main dial, joystick, shutter button).
• SD card not recognized.
• Viewfinder proximity sensor that fails.
• Included original battery that loses more than 30% capacity within the first 12 months.

We cover labor and parts for 12 months, with no deductible. If the repair cost exceeds the market value of an equivalent unit, we replace it with an equivalent at no cost to you.

What the warranty does NOT cover

• Damage from misuse: drops, impacts, contact with water or sand, internal manipulation of the body or sensor.
• Consumable accessories after the first year: grips, straps, lens hoods, viewfinder eyecups.
• Third-party batteries not included in the original lot.
• Aesthetic issues already documented in the listing before purchase (visible scratches, marks, peeling grips).
• Lenses purchased separately from the body (lenses have their own equivalent warranty, they are not mixed).
• Damage from modifications: user-modified firmware, infrared conversion, physical modifications.

Exactly what happens when something fails

You call or write to support (phone, email, or WhatsApp). The first step is ruling out configuration issues or SD card problems — 30% of the “faults” we receive turn out to be incorrect settings or a defective card.

If we confirm there’s a real problem:

1. We email you a prepaid shipping label within 24 business hours.
2. You attach the label to the box (best if you kept the original, otherwise any box with padding).
3. The courier picks it up from your home at no cost to you.
4. The camera arrives at our lab in 2-3 days within mainland Europe.
5. Technical diagnosis in 5-7 business days.
6. We call you with the result: repair, replacement, or (rarely) a refund if we can’t resolve it.

Loaner during lengthy repairs

If the repair takes longer than 7 business days from delivery to our workshop, we offer you an equivalent camera on loan while the process is ongoing.

Equivalent camera means: same segment (mirrorless / DSLR), same sensor format (FF / APS-C / m4/3), similar generation. If you had a Sony A7 III, you might get an A7 II or A7 IV depending on available stock. It’s not exactly the same camera, but it lets you keep shooting.

The loaner comes with a return label that you activate when you receive your repaired unit back.

Real cases (anonymized)

Case 1. Customer buys a Canon EOS R6 with 18,000 actuations. At 4 months, AF starts failing in low light, especially with the RF 50mm f/1.8. Calls support. We pick it up. Diagnosis: oxidized electrical contacts on the body (poorly sealed moisture). Repair: deep cleaning and resealing. Cost to customer: €0. Total time: 9 days from pickup to return delivery.

Case 2. Customer buys a Sony A7 III with 35,000 actuations. At 8 months, the joystick stops working (common issue on this model). Calls. We pick it up. Diagnosis: worn electromechanical joystick. Repair: replacement with original Sony part. Cost to customer: €0. Total time: 11 days. Loaner: A7 II during days 8-11.

Case 3. Customer buys a Fujifilm X-T3 with 28,000 actuations. At 6 months, the LCD screen dies completely. Calls. We pick it up. Diagnosis: failed screen flex cable. Repair: parts not available from Fuji stock (discontinued model). Solution: we replace it with an equivalent X-T3 from new stock with 19,000 actuations, same condition grade, no cost to the customer.

How to keep your warranty valid

• Keep the order confirmation email you received on the day of purchase. It’s your proof of warranty start date.
• Do not open the camera body or the sensor (do not apply sensor cleaning products without specific instruction from us). Any evidence of internal manipulation voids the warranty.
• Do not install unofficial firmware. Third-party modified firmware (Magic Lantern, custom ROM) voids the warranty.
• Document the problem before calling: short video of the fault, serial number handy, approximate date when it started.

If you have questions before buying

Other frequently asked questions or call us directly — the phone number is in the footer of cameramarket.es.