Once I purchased my used Fujifilm X-T1 from used digital camera specialist MPB in November 2023 it price £284 (about $380). At present (July 2025) the identical digital camera in the identical situation will price £409 (about $547). What occurred to make it go up in worth?
The Fujifilm X100VI occurred and Fujifilm hit a purple patch. Everybody wished one, no person may get one, so that they began on the lookout for the following neatest thing on the used market. This may be an X100V or an earlier model, an X-E4, an X-Professional or something remotely related to this iconic design. The excellent news is that you could purchase a used X100VI fairly simply now; the unhealthy information is that it’ll price virtually as a lot as a brand new one. So right here’s tip no. 1:
1. Don’t purchase what’s trending.
When demand meets shortage, the value goes up. The used market will not be topic to the identical managed pricing of latest cameras – it’s a free-market financial system. Earlier than the launch of the Fujifilm X-E5, a used X-E4 would price you as a lot because the digital camera did when new, however now the X-E5 has changed it, and the X-M5 has joined the clan, the stress’s off and used X-E4 values have returned to a smart stage.
It’s not simply Fujifilm, however proper now that is the place you will note this impact most clearly as a result of Fujifilm is on the forefront of influencer attraction.
2. Beware final yr’s mannequin.
When a brand new model of a digital camera comes out, this may drive down the costs of the earlier mannequin on the used market. However be careful, as a result of digital camera makers will usually low cost that mannequin and preserve promoting it. You’ll be able to usually discover {that a} used instance is barely a bit of cheaper than a brand new, discounted digital camera.
I’ve been trying on the Nikon Z6 II, which I can discover in glorious situation at $1,239 / £1,109 at MPB, however I should buy one new from Wex (UK) for £1,379, and B&H is promoting them for $1,497. At all times examine discounted new costs first.
3. Purchase a DSLR.
This shall be very boring to listen to if you’re a mirrorless fan or a hybrid shooter, however the numbers actually do stack up. If all you need is an affordable digital camera to get began with that also delivers nice picture high quality through a large alternative of lenses, then that is the most affordable manner in.
What would you pay for a 20MP full-frame Canon DSLR? How about $414 / £344 for an EOS 6D with only a few thousand shutter actuations (at MPB)? A few of the greatest DSLRs of yesteryear are a few of immediately’s greatest used bargains.
4. Don’t be ageist!
It’s tempting to imagine that the older the digital camera the extra ineffective it is going to be. Nicely, don’t be so hasty. Have a look at the specs, and what you need the digital camera to do. Should you don’t want 4K video, don’t want AF monitoring and don’t want 10fps+ burst modes, you’ll be able to return a LONG manner and nonetheless get a really respectable digital camera.
24MP sensors, uncooked information, stabilized lenses, high-res LCDs and climate sealing will not be new. They’ve been round for years, and are a strong base for high-quality stills pictures.
I’ve quoted costs from MPB (who function within the US, the UK and in Europe), however different used retailers can be found! Many new digital camera retailers additionally promote used cameras, and this may give you some very direct (and thought-provoking) comparisons too.
