"My question is this...what do you think of a camera that was a display/model that is sold at a reduced price, but that comes with a warranty and guarantee to be in perfect working order? It was not previously owned or used, just on display. Is it better to just go brand new?"

I think the question is how reduced is the price? I would be leery to ever use a display model, only because of how mangled they get - and when I mean mangled, I am not just talking about the outside of the camera.

-JM