The used digital camera market is pretty strong right now, and there are three possible reasons for this:
- Camera makers aren’t really making ‘beginner’ cameras any more. They’ve either given up in the face of competition from smartphones, or they’ve decided that there’s not enough margin in cheap cameras. It’s probably both. As a result, if you want a cheap ‘proper’ camera, the used market is a really good way to go.
- Retro photography is a serious long-term trend. YouTube is full of creators singing the praises of classic older cameras (and they’re right) and there seems to be a real social trend now towards conservatism with a small ‘c’ – in other words, embracing the present but preserving the best of the past. And a lot of past cameras are still very good indeed, even today.
- There is perhaps a growing awareness amongst stills photographers that most of the camera features they need and use have hardly evolved in the past decade. Cameras have got much faster at burst shooting, with highly sophisticated subject recognition and tracking AF and, of course, 4K, 6K and even 8K video. But if you don’t shoot sports, wildlife or video, none of these are very important. The things most photographers want most, e.g. resolution, effective autofocus, good quality build and handling, good lens choice – these have hardly changed at all.
What to look for in a used camera
This list covers higher-end cameras of the sort likely to be chosen by beginners who want to improve, students studying photography or amateurs and enthusiasts with a limited budget or a hankering for specific models. I have my own favorites, and you can see my guide to the best used cameras to see what I’ve chosen to try out – or ‘re-try’. I’ve been a professional camera reviewer for many years, so some of these cameras are ones I’ve bought for myself after testing them and being impressed by them in the past. You might have your own favorites or wish-list, so this is what I would suggest you look out for.
- DSLR vs Mirrorless? Opinions can get pretty polarized in this regard, and mirrorless cameras have certainly pretty much wiped out the DSLR. Personally, I like DSLRs. I can see the advantage of mirrorless cameras and I own/have owned plenty. I like the optical viewfinder of a DSLR, however, the chunkier design, the longer battery life and the sheer value for money on the used market. DSLRs are longer in fashion, so they’re not expensive to get.
- Nikon vs Canon vs Fujifilm… which brand should you choose? You may have particular brand loyalties or you may already be invested in a particular system. I’m not sure it matters which brand you choose – but older Nikon and Canon DSLRs can be pretty remarkable value. Thanks to the ‘halo’ effect of the wildly popular Fujifilm X100 VI, Fujifilm cameras tend to hold their prices a little more. Sony cameras can be good value, but Sony often sells older models new, and if you look out for bargains, you can often buy a new ‘old’ Sony cheaper than a used example.
- Age: You can get 10-20-year old cameras in very good, 100% working condition if you shop around, though if you want any kind of warranty (wise, in cameras of this age), you’re better off with a dealer or a used specialist like MPB.com.
- Resolution: How much resolution do you need? If you only ever show your images online or occasionally produce prints up to A4/US letter size, it’s likely 12MP will be just fine. My Fujifilm X30, one of my favorite cameras, has just 12MP. If you want to keep pace with modern cameras, you can get an older full frame DSLR like the Nikon D610 in practically as-new condition for the cost of cheap mirrorless camera today.
- Sensor size: It’s as true today as it ever was – all other things being equal, the bigger the sensor, the better the image quality. You can get both APS-C and full frame cameras on the used market but, where available, my inkling would be to go for full frame. Canon, Nikon and Sony make (and have made) both full frame and APS-C cameras, and very often a full frame model just a couple of years older costs no more than a newer APS-C model.
- ISO range and quality: This is something that has changed a lot over the years, and newer cameras are much better at high ISO settings. This has been a kind of quiet revolution in image quality, so that if you do look at an older camera like the Canon EOS 50D, for example, you’ll find that even if the resolution is fine for your needs (15MP in this case) the poor high-ISO image quality might come as a bit of a shock.
- Shutter actuations: Some cameras record the number of exposures they have taken and this will be quoted by sites like MPB.com. This gives you a very good indication of the amount of uses a camera has had, though the information is not available for all brands. I bought a Nikon D800 and D610, both with fewer than 5,000 shutter actuations and in as-new condition. If you don’t have information about shutter actuations, you will have to rely on descriptions of the camera’s cosmetic condition as a guide.
- Condition: I like to go for cameras in As New or Excellent condition. There may be minor marks or scuffs, but hardly any cosmetic imperfections overall. You can also get cameras in Good condition that should still work fine but will show obvious marks of use. If a camera is Well Used, you can expect it to still work properly, but to have been knocked about a bit. If a cameras is offered for Parts or Repair, you can assume it doesn’t work – so you’re on your own!
Where to get used cameras
You can sometimes find older cameras in charity shops or at car boot fairs, but don’t expect the latest models or any kind of warranty. There are bargains to be had, but there are also owners with perhaps an inflated idea of what the gear is worth and a pitch to go with it.
You can get very good deals on cameras on auction sites like eBay, and I’ve bought plenty of older analog film cameras this way. Again, though, there are no warranties, and sellers may not know a lot about the things they are selling and hence not offer a very accurate description. I think it’s worth the risk if it’s an inexpensive purchase, but that you can probably expect a few duds along the way.
Retailers now sell used cameras alongside used ones. This is more expensive than buying privately or via auction sites, but you will get an accurate description, a warranty and some proper support if things aren’t right. I would offer one tip, though: if you’re buying a camera used that is still available new, check the new prices carefully. Often they are not much higher and you have the benefit of a brand new, factory-fresh camera. Sometimes it can actually be cheaper! Retailers and manufacturers often run promotions and offers on older cameras that can actually be cheaper than used values.
Would I still use an older camera today?
Certainly. In fact I do all the time. I still use my Fujifilm X30 (2014) for casual outings, My Nikon D800 (2012) and Nikon D610 (2013) for general stock photography and personal projects and a Sony A7 II (2014) for Sony lens testing and other work. I also have an Olympus PEN-F (2016) which offers image quality hard to distinguish from the latest OM System cameras, and I’m especially fond of my Fujifilm X-T1 (2014) which, to me, looks and handles just like a modern camera.
There is a limit to how far you can go back, I think, before image quality starts to suffer. My Canon EOS 50D (2008) has an older sensor with fairly obvious limitations compared to modern equivalents – even though it’s a beautifully made camera that’s solid and efficient to use.
I don’t just shoot with older cameras. I also use a Fujifilm X-T5 for travel and a Canon EOS R8 for video and product photography. I also review many of the latest cameras, so I have plenty of context for comparing the performance of older used models.
For regular everyday stills photography, I think so little has changed or advanced over the past ten years that most beginners and enthusiasts, even many professionals, will be perfectly happy with most of the mid-high-end cameras from the past decade.