I buy several cameras for well under used market price every year. In fact, flipping used cameras is my number one way to fund new camera gear purchases. Trust me when I say it is still possible to get a great deal. It helps to have some experience with basic strategies like keyword targeting and automatic alerting, but the number one strategy that will get you a deal every time is this: Be patient.
Cameras $100 and under
| Camera | Sensor Size | Approx. Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sony NEX-5/NEX-6 | APS-C | $100 |
| Sony A3000/A3500 | APS-C | $100 |
| Samsung NX10/NX100 | APS-C | $100+ |
| Canon EOS M (Original) | APS-C | $100+ |
| Olympus E-P2/E-PL2 | M4/3 | $100 |
| Olympus E-P1/E-PL1 | M4/3 | $80 |
| Panasonic G1 | M4/3 | $100 |
| Panasonic GH1 | M4/3 | $100 |
| Panasonic GF1 | M4/3 | $80 |
| Olympus E-PL3 | M4/3 | $100 |
| Nikon 1 V1 | 1″ | $100 |
| Pentax Q/Q7/Q-10/Q-S1 | 1/2.3″ – 1/1.7″ | $100 |
Cameras $50 and under
Unfortunately not a lot under $50 yet, but I’ve seen a couple and will update this as I see more.
| Camera | Sensor Size | Approx. Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sony NEX-3 | APS-C | $50 |
| Nikon 1 J1 | 1″ | $50 |
Recommended Used Camera Retailers (US Only)
The following are affiliate links to the sites I personally use to get my used camera and lens deals.
5% off your first purchase with link above.
Used camera arm of well-known camera store Roberts Camera. I’ve used them for years and they have been my favorite. 180-day warranty, easy returns, pictures of the actual item, and great prices. This is the safest and easiest way to score a deal on used camera gear. The downside is you may have to wait for what you want to be in stock.
Get $20 off your first purchase with link above.
Used camera retailer with great prices and a limited warranty. Pictures are of the actual item and the descriptions are thorough.
$10 off your first purchase with link above.
This is a peer-to-peer selling app, and I’ve found several amazing camera deals here. The trick is to set a search alert on the item you want, and don’t be afraid to haggle people down on their price with the Make Offer button. Being peer-to-peer it is inherently riskier than something like UsedPhotoPro, but Mercari includes some buyer protection that you’ll at least receive your item, and that you can dispute if item is received in a bad state. No warranty or guarantee though.
Used Camera Buying Tips
I’m going to keep this short and sweet.
- Buy from a reputable source with a warranty to avoid as much risk as possible.
- Pick your wish price and stick to it.
- Consider being flexible and choose a few cameras you would be happy with at a certain price.
- Don’t settle for something in terrible condition (unless you’re looking for that kind of pain).
- Set up automated searches.
