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5 Best Second Hand Cameras For Sale In 2023

With rising prices, buying a second hand camera makes great sense, as it doesn’t only save you money, but can free up cash for essential accessories, a lens, or even a photo trip! To help establish which is best for you, we’ve compared the 5 Best second hand cameras for sale In 2023 so you discover the perfect option for your needs.

Whether you photograph landscapes, portraits, wildlife, or want a general purpose camera for personal use, or even to start shooting videos and start your own YouTube channel, we’ve got you covered.

Why buy a second hand camera?

Buying a second hand camera is a great idea if you want to save money compared to buying new. It frees up cash for a used lens, camera accessories such as a memory card and spare camera battery, or simply to go on a photo trip and travel with your camera.

Sample Nikon D850 image 02 with Nikon 14-24mm F/2.8G F Mount Lens @15mm. Camera settings: 15 sec. f/2.8. ISO 10000

Should you buy a second hand mirrorless or DSLR?

Deciding whether to buy a mirrorless or DSLR camera depends on your specific needs, preferences and budget and both types have their own advantages and considerations.

The best used mirrorless camera will tend to be more compact and portable, include an Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) and often boast more advanced features such as focusing, video and fast burst rates. On the other hand, used mirrorless cameras tend to cost more, have lower battery life and sometimes lens choices can be limited, and may cost more.

Second-hand DSLR cameras come with an optical viewfinder which some photographers prefer, have great battery life and you’ll find a huge range of affordable second-hand lenses. Considerations include whether you want advanced video performance, need fast autofocus with subject detection, or want faster burst rates for sports, wildlife and action.

The best used DSLR camera for beginners

For beginners stepping into the world of photography, a used DSLR camera can offer an excellent entry point to develop your skills and enjoy photography without breaking the bank. From our selection, the Canon EOS 750D stands out as the best used DSLR camera for beginners. Renowned for its user-friendly interface and robust features, the EOS 750D strikes a balance between functionality and affordability.

The Canon EOS 750D boasts a 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor that delivers impressive image quality, allowing newcomers to capture sharp and vibrant photos. Its intuitive controls and guided menu system make it an ideal learning tool for those just starting out, enabling users to explore and experiment with different settings and modes.

With built-in Wi-Fi and NFC capabilities, sharing images with friends and family or transferring them to a smartphone becomes a seamless process. Additionally, the EOS 750D's compatibility with Canon's extensive lineup of lenses and accessories offers ample room for growth as skills evolve.

The 5 best second hand cameras for sale In 2023 compared

The process of comparing used cameras can be tricky as specs aren’t always readily available, so we’ve created this handy table which highlights the key specifications of some of the most popular used models, so you can find the best second hand camera to buy in 2023.

5 things we love about the Canon EOS R camera

1. The Canon EOS R features a full-frame sensor, allowing for exceptional image quality, improved low-light performance, and greater control over depth of field, making it a preferred choice for enthusiasts.
2. The camera's Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology provides fast and accurate autofocus across a wide area of the frame, even in low light. This feature is especially beneficial for both stills and video shooting.
3. The EOS R boasts a fully articulating touchscreen LCD that can be tilted and rotated for creative compositions. The touchscreen functionality simplifies menu navigation and focusing by allowing users to tap to focus on specific areas.
4. The lens mount of the EOS R incorporates a customisable control ring that can be configured to adjust various camera settings, offering a tactile and intuitive way to control exposure settings or other functions.
5. The RF lens mount designed for the EOS R opens up a new era of optical possibilities. A growing range of Canon RF lenses offer exceptional optical quality and innovative features, catering to a variety of photography styles.

Sample Fujifilm X-T2 image 01 with Fujifilm XF 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR Telephoto Zoom Lens @284mm. Camera settings: 1/2000 sec. f/5.2. ISO 200

5 things we love about the Fujifilm X-T2

1. The Fujifilm X-T2's classic rangefinder-style design, complete with tactile dials and manual controls, pays homage to traditional film cameras. Its robust build quality features weather-sealing, making it suitable for various shooting conditions.
2. Fujifilm's legacy in film photography is evident in the X-T2's unique film simulation modes. These presets mimic iconic Fujifilm film stocks, giving users the ability to replicate classic film aesthetics straight out of the camera.
3. Fujifilm's X-Trans CMOS III sensor is known for its unique colour filter array that eliminates the need for an optical low-pass filter. This results in sharper images with impressive colour reproduction, which will wow you and your audience.
4. The X-T2 boasts a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) with a fast refresh rate and minimal lag. The EVF provides a lifelike view of the scene, allowing for accurate framing and exposure adjustments, quickly becoming intuitive and easy to use.
5. This camera is definitely designed for enthusiasts who enjoy hands-on control over their photography. With dedicated dials for shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation, as well as a tactile aperture ring on compatible X-mount lenses, photographers can adjust settings intuitively and immerse themselves in the moment.

5 things we love about the Sony A6400

1. The Sony A6400 boasts an advanced autofocus system with 425 phase-detection and contrast-detection points, covering a wide area of the frame. Real-time Eye Autofocus and Real-time Tracking enhance portrait and action photography by maintaining sharp focus on subjects. This provides a serious advantage to beginners and advanced users who will capture more shots in sharp focus.
2. The A6400 features a 180º flip-up touchscreen, making it an excellent choice for vloggers and content creators. It allows for intuitive touch-based controls, including focus selection and menu navigation, while also providing a clear view for selfies and videos.
3. Equipped with a 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor and Sony's BIONZ X image processor, the A6400 delivers excellent image quality with rich detail and vibrant colours. The camera's ISO performance is also admirable, allowing for quality shots even in low lighting conditions.
4. 4K video recording support, with full pixel readout and no pixel binning, resulting in sharp and detailed videos. The camera also offers a variety of video features, including S-Log2 and S-Log3 profiles for advanced colour grading in post-production, making this a favourite with hybrid creators.
5. As part of Sony's mirrorless lineup, the A6400 combines powerful features with a compact and lightweight design, making it suitable for both travel and everyday photography. Its’ ergonomics and customisable controls cater to photographers seeking a versatile yet portable camera.

5 things we love about the Canon EOS 750D

1. The Canon EOS 750D is known for its user-friendly interface, making it an excellent choice for beginners. The camera offers a guided mode that provides step-by-step instructions for different shooting scenarios, helping new photographers learn and improve their skills.
2. With its 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor, the EOS 750D delivers high-quality images with good detail and vibrant colours. This sensor size strikes a balance between resolution and low-light performance.
3. The camera features a 3.0-inch vari-angle touchscreen LCD that can be tilted and swivelled to accommodate various shooting angles. The touch interface enhances ease of use for navigation, focus selection and image playback.
4. The EOS 750D incorporates Canon's Hybrid CMOS AF III system, providing fast and accurate autofocus during live view and video recording. This feature is especially useful for vloggers and those transitioning from smartphone photography.
5. Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC (Near Field Communication) allow for easy wireless sharing of photos and videos to compatible devices, as well as remote control of the camera using a smartphone or tablet. This feature adds convenience for sharing and transferring media.

Sample Nikon D850 image 01 with Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm F/2.8E FL ED VR Telephoto Zoom Lens @90mm. Camera settings: 1/200 sec. f/3.2. ISO 1600

5 things we love about the Nikon D850

1. The Nikon D850 boasts a 45.7-megapixel full-frame sensor, delivering exceptional image quality with rich detail, sharpness, and dynamic range. This high-resolution sensor makes it well-suited for landscape, studio and commercial photography.
2. Equipped with a powerful 153-point autofocus system, including 99 cross-type sensors, the D850 offers fast and accurate subject tracking. The camera's AF system performs exceptionally well, even in challenging lighting conditions.
3. The D850's ISO range of 64 to 25,600 (expandable to 32-102,400) provides excellent low-light performance and minimal noise at higher ISO settings. This makes it suitable for various shooting situations, including low-light and indoor photography.
4. Despite being primarily a stills photography camera, the D850 offers 4K UHD video recording with full pixel readout, producing high-quality videos with rich details. Additionally, the camera provides an option for capturing 8K time-lapse sequences to add to your pro-level content, cementing its place as the best second hand DSLR camera from our list.
5. The D850 features a 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen LCD that offers touch-based focus selection, menu navigation, and playback control. This touchscreen enhances user interaction and adds convenience, especially for shooting from creative angles.

The attraction of second-hand cameras is stronger than ever, offering a gateway to high-quality equipment without costing the earth. From entry-level to advanced users, there are plenty of fantastic options available.

Sample Fujifilm X-T2 image 03 with Fujifilm XF 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR Telephoto Zoom Lens @8153mm. Camera settings: 1/500 sec. f/4.8. ISO 1600

For beginners, the Canon EOS 750D stands out with its user-friendly interface and versatile features. The Nikon D850, a favourite amongst professionals and landscape photographers in particular, offers exceptional image quality and a robust build. On the mirrorless front, the Fujifilm X-T2 impresses with its retro design and powerful performance, while the Sony A6400 delivers advanced autofocus and video capabilities. For those embracing the mirrorless trend, the Canon EOS R boasts a blend of innovation and quality. Regardless of skill level, these second-hand cameras offer the chance to dive into photography with global brands and exceptional features.

Shop for your second hand camera with Park Cameras today and enjoy a free 6-month warranty as well as exceptional service and industry expertise.

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By Nick Dautlich on 30/08/2023