11 Tips on How to Buy a Used Camera Safely

A good digital camera should last for years even with regular use, but with new models being released right and left, the temptation to upgrade gets the best of many people, leaving plenty of used cameras on the market. For photographers who aren’t opposed to the idea of buying and using pre-owned camera gear, the used marketplace can offer some astoundingly good deals on digital cameras, but much like buying a used car, it’s important to exercise some caution when making a purchase. 

Large camera retailers like B&H and Adorama sell used cameras and photography equipment in addition to their new offerings, while others like KEH sell almost exclusively used gear. When purchasing from a reputable retail source, you’ll find that used cameras are typically graded based on their condition and often come with some kind of warranty and a clearly stated return policy.

On Amazon, you’ll find used cameras offered for sale both from Amazon and from individual merchants who sell through the Amazon marketplace. Internet auction sites like eBay are another popular place to buy used cameras and you’ll find both established retailers and individual sellers using these auction websites to market their cameras. Classified ad websites like Craigslist are also a frequently used venue for buying and selling used cameras and gear, but since deals are often done in person, you generally won’t have the ability to return your purchase if you get home and find out its not working as advertised, necessitating the importance of thoroughly inspecting and testing the gear before handing over any money.

Wherever you buy your used camera equipment, you’ll find that following these guidelines on how to buy a used camera safely will help you improve your chances of getting a camera that will work as you’d hoped.

1. When possible, buy from websites and sellers who offer a product guarantee on their used cameras and have a return policy in case your camera quickly malfunctions after you’ve completed the purchase

While you’ll typically pay a bit more for a used car sold by a large dealership than by an individual private seller, many people prefer to spend the extra money for the pre-owned warranty. Used camera buying is quite similar, and you’ll need to make a decision about how much risk you’re willing to accept in exchange for the lowest purchase price. Always find out what kind of return policy a seller offers and make sure that a used camera is guaranteed to work.

2. Avoid cameras being sold in “As-Is condition” or from sellers who aren’t certain if the camera is working properly

Cameras that are sold “as-is” often indicate a seller who isn’t familiar with the usage history of the camera. You may be getting a great deal…or you may be buying a camera that won’t even turn on.

Avoid buying a broken camera unless you know that you can absolutely fix it — the cost of having a used camera repaired can often exceed the value of the camera!

3. Buy your used cameras and gear from retailers and individual sellers with a proven track record and good feedback

You’ll typically pay a bit more for a used camera when you purchase it from a larger retailer who offers added value in the form of a return policy and possibly some kind of a warranty. When purchasing from an individual, it pays to do a bit of detective work. If you can, check out the feedback that they’ve been left by other customers — is it mostly positive? Do they offer a return policy? Does an online search for their seller name return any negative experiences from previous customers?

Here’s a theoretical example of when a little detective work might help you avoid making a bad purchase. Let’s say that the used camera you’re looking at is being described as “Almost brand new and hardly ever used, just selling it to help pay for an upgraded version of the camera.” This story could be quite plausible, but if you check out the previous sales history of the individual and find out they’ve used the same story to sell 100 cameras within the last year, you’ll know something doesn’t add up and they’re probably selling cameras with an unknown usage history.

4. Find out the usage history of a pre-owned camera when possible

Just like a used car with only 10,000 miles on it is almost always preferable to a car with 100,000 miles on it, a used camera with only 10,000 shutter actuations is likely to be more reliable than one that’s taken 100,000 photos. If you can, ask the seller how the camera was used and why they’re selling it.

Some pre-owned cameras may have been heavily used in humid, salty conditions, while others may have been used only occasionally by a store owner who simply needed a good camera to take the occasional photo of something they were selling. The more you can find out about the usage history of a camera and why it’s being offered for sale, the more informed your purchase decision can be.

5. When buying a used digital camera from an individual seller, ask for photos of the actual camera they’re selling

Large online used camera retailers frequently use stock images to sell their used merchandise due to the huge volume they deal in, but they typically make use of a trustworthy grading scale to accurately describe the physical condition of their cameras. When buying from an individual seller which can be riskier, you should insist upon actual photos of the camera being sold so that you can make your own evaluation of the condition.

6. Be wary of prices that seem too good to be true

Bargains absolutely do come along from time to time, but if a seller is offering a desirable camera for a purchase price several hundred dollars below what a used model in comparable condition should sell for, you should be cautious and try to find out more about why they’re selling it for so little.

7. Find out what accessories the camera comes with

A used camera that comes with all of its original user manuals, batteries, cables, and perhaps even the original box will often sell for more money than a camera that comes shipped in a shoebox with none of the original accessories. If a pre-owned camera comes without important essentials like a battery and charger, be sure that you order one so that you can test the camera as soon as it arrives.

8. Clarify any vague descriptions

Blurry pictures and vague descriptions can be either an indicator that you’re about to get an amazing deal from a seller who is a terrible marketer or that you’re about to plunge yourself into a horrible deal for a broken camera. If a seller offers a very limited description of the condition, ask them to verify any specifics. For instance, if they’ve described a used camera as being in “decent shape” or even “great shape” ask them what this means, since everyone defines “decent” and “great” differently. Is the paint flaking off? Is the LCD screen scratched? Are any errors displayed on the screen? Is the rubber grip peeling off? Does the sensor have any dead pixels?

Cosmetic issues may not affect the photo-taking capabilities of a used camera, but they can indicate that a camera was subjected to rough treatment which may have shortened the life of the camera.

9. Stay Safe

If you’re buying a used camera, or any kind of expensive item from an individual seller in person, be cautious and stay safe! Meet in a well lit, public place with other people around and consider bringing along a friend — places like a coffeeshop or library can make a good meeting spot that will make both you and the seller feel safer.

10. Buying In-Person? Test the Camera!

As a follow up to #9, if you’re buying a used camera in person, you’ll want to test the camera before buying to make sure it works. When you arrive at the meeting place with high hopes and a bit of nervousness, it’s easy to forget to check everything so make yourself a list of things on the camera that you want to make sure are working. Don’t let anyone rush you into paying until you’ve had a chance to thoroughly look the camera over and make sure you’re satisfied.

Bring along whatever you might need to test the camera like a memory card or lens. You’ll want to make sure the camera turns on and off, takes photos at several shutter speeds, doesn’t have any issues writing to the memory card, and has a sensor that isn’t scratched or damaged.

11. Read the Manual Before Buying

It might sound counter-intuitive to read a camera manual before buying the camera, but if you’re planning to buy a used camera you will want to know all the basics of how to operate it so that you can quickly evaluate whether it’s working properly.

If you’re buying in-person, you’ll be able to know how to access the camera’s menu settings and how to test the various features, and if you’re buying online, you’ll be able to quickly test everything as soon as you get the camera so that you can identify any issues and return it immediately if needed.

If you’re not familiar with the camera’s operation, it might take you a long time to notice a very important flaw that would be obvious if you knew what to look for.