I was wondering if people actually buy used digital cameras? If so one must have to sell it pretty cheap due to the fact that they get that much better and cheaper so often.
I was interested in possibly upgrading to a nice fully loaded canon digital camera or digial video recorder in the near future....
...but I'd hate to have to just toss my wonderful fujifilm camera in the closet just because *I've* outgrown it I'd prefer that it went to a good home.
However, I have NO idea what it's worth nowadays (it's about 2 years old I think?)
Can anybody give me a hand? Anybody interested?
Here are the specs, and a link to the full review from Steve's digicams (VERU good site, by the way)
Don't know what your camera might be worth, Pam, but I think it's interesting to note how cameras have now become consumer products that now become technologically obsolete, like computers. Probably in a short time, you won't be able to give your old camera away, just like an old computer.
Used to be, that you bought a good camera, with good lenses and it would last you a lifetime. Don't get me wrong, I love digital cameras, I just think it's interesting how they've become something in need of regular upgrading.
I bought a digital camera last year, but I didn't spend a lot of money, because I knew I would want to upgrade it soon. My brother's top-of-the-line Nikon digital, which was worth over a grand several years ago, is probably not worth too much now either and has the same MP as my cheap camera, admittedly with better lenses and more features.
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The wife and I are getting ready to start hunting for a digital camera -- ideally we'll get it used to save money. However, it will have to be 4.0 megapixels or more. My boss lent me his Canon Powershot G3 (4.1 MP) and must say that I am absolutely amazed by the image quality that you can get from a consumer-level camera (and it has a handy macro option as well without using add'l lenses). I'm no professional by any means, but I am picky about picture quality:
Canon announced they're releasing the Powershot G6 (7 MP) for around $1000.00 in Sept., but it's a little outside of our scope at the moment. We're thinking a used G5 might be in order. But not before we do some research.
I purchased a used Coolpix 995 last year and found out after the fact that the autofocus mechanism was pooched. Cost me $380.00 to have it repaired. I'll never buy a used digital camera from someone I don't know again. It's too big a risk.
I just bought a new Canon Powershot A80 and love it to death. I hated the 995. The 995 is a good camera if you want to set up every shot, if you rely on the automatic mode it takes lackluster photos, IMO. It seems to always choose a really shallow depth of field that results in pictures where something in the photo is always out of focus. Drove me nuts. If you override the auto settings you can get some great pictures. Me, I couldn't be bothered. I want simple. If I want complicated and total control I'll go back to shooting slides.
I bought a used 1.3 meg digital a year ago in order to do quick jpegs. But I'm holding off on a major digital still camera purchase until 10-12 megs is the standard and things have settled down a bit. At 10-12mgs, film will truly be a thing of the past. Especially once they get rid of the shutter-lag that seems to be present in most digitals.
Until then, I've got heaps of super high quality manual Nikon gear that I use to make my images. And a good scanner.
Still beats even the very best digital, at this point.
Got interested in digital cameras about 3 months ago, went on a course run by Canon's ex technical guru in the UK, bought a neat little Nikon Coolpix and holding out for an SLR until next year. Here are my thoughts relative to this thread:
1) G3 is as good as or better than G5. I saw A/B print comparisons and I would jump on a good used G3.
2) The pixel war is over. 6meg 'good pixels' (ie SLR) better than 8meg 'bad pixels'. Printed some of my 3megs on A4 through lab: amazing! Film is dead! (unless you need > 5 stops of contrast on a given pic)
3) Shutter lag is non existent on current SLRs (played with Canon kit). Only frustrations relate to time to first pic and flash recharge cycles. Reason why I would be nervous buying second hand is delay on old models. My colleague's Sony is a good example: 5meg but awful in terms of focusing delay.
4) I highly recommend an e-bay dealer based in Ottawa: Pamela, you will only pay federal tax!
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2) The pixel war is over. 6meg 'good pixels' (ie SLR) better than 8meg 'bad pixels'. Printed some of my 3megs on A4 through lab: amazing! Film is dead! (unless you need > 5 stops of contrast on a given pic)
That's interesting because I thought that a 2 pixel camera was enough to be able to print high quality images at 5x7 size?
So what is this you say about good and bad pixels, and SLR?
I'd prefer that it went to a good home.
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