Canon serial numbers are not random. The first digit tells you where it was made, but the often tell you the factory code.

But where there is high demand, there are high risks. Counterfeit batteries, refurbished units sold as "new," and "grey market" imports (cameras meant for another region without a local warranty) are rampant.

The single most powerful tool to protect your investment?

Asia is the world’s largest marketplace for cameras—from the bustling electronics hubs of and Singapore to second-hand marketplaces in Jakarta , Bangkok , and Mumbai .

However, the most important check for Asia is the .

Buying a second-hand Canon camera in Tokyo, Manila, Singapore, or Delhi? Learn how to perform a Canon Serial Number check to verify authenticity, avoid grey markets, and check shutter count. Introduction