Don't Get Ripped Off Buying a Used Camera Under $200

Don’t buy a bad deal or a camera that won’t meet your needs.

The goal isn’t to buy the “best camera,” it’s to get the best value for your money.

That means not focusing on a specific model. Instead, focus on a type of camera.

Look for a clean camera bundle. Get a memory card, battery, and battery charger included. Replacements can be expensive. (Bonus points if you get a circular polarizer filter.)

For a DSLR or mirrorless camera, online sellers should list the shutter count. Look for a camera with less than 75,000.

• You can switch lenses on a DSLR or mirrorless camera.
• A bridge camera is the best for birds and wildlife.
• Point and shoots can be fun because they have flashes.
• Camcorders and action cameras are great for video.

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DSLR / Mirrorless

Canon Rebel T3i (600D, Kiss X5)

• Released 2011, 560g (20oz)
• 18.0 megapixels, 3.7fps, 9 AF points
• 1080p30 video
• LP-E8 Battery, LC-E8E Charger
• Single SDXC slot

The Canon T3i has a 18.0 megapixel sensor and was released in 2011. It has an original price of $899 with the kit Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS II zoom lens.

The T3i is good for video. It can record 1080p30 video. Video capabilities can be expanded with Magic Lantern.

The screen can flip out and face forward. It’s also good for high or low angles.

Look for lenses with IS. That’s Canon’s optical image stabilization. It helps get sharp images when shooting hand held.

Canon Rebel SL1

• Released 2013, 407g (14.4oz)
• 18.0 megapixels, 4 fps, 9 AF points
• 1080p30 video
• LP-E12 Battery, LC-E12 Charger
• Single SDXC UHS-I slot

The 18.0 megapixel Canon EOS Rebel SL1 is also known as the Canon EOS Kiss X7 in Japan and Canon EOS 100D in Europe.

It’s biggest downside is that it has a fixed screen. That can make the SL1 harder to use when capturing high or low angle shots.

The SL1 was released in 2013 in two different colors, black and white. The white SL1 came with a white Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM kit lens.

Nikon D5100

• Released 2011, 510g (18.3oz)
• 16.2 megapixels, 4 fps, 11 AF points
• 1080p30 video
• EN-EL14 Battery, MH-24 Charger
• Single SDXC UHS-I slot

The Nikon D5100 is from 2011 and has a 16.2 megapixel sensor. It’ll most commonly be found with a Nikon DX 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR AF-S kit lens.

The D5100 has a front facing screen and can record 1080p30 video. That’s still usable for social media.

VR is Nikon’s name for optical image stabilization. Again, that’s the lens feature to look for. There are versions that don’t have it.

Beyond that, there are many great lenses for the Nikon D5100.

Nikon D3100

• Released 2010, 455g (16.1oz)
• 14.2 megapixels, 3 fps, 11 AF points
• 1080p24 video
• EN-EL14 Battery, MH-24 Charger
• Single SDXC slot

I’m not a fan of the fixed screen, but the Nikon D3100 was released in 2010, right at start of the peak of digital camera sales.

There are so many D3100’s out there. So look for a deal.

It has a 14.2 megapixel sensor and can only record 1080p24 video. For photography, I’d rather have it than the Canon SL1.

Sony NEX-5 Series

• Released 2010, 287g (10.1oz)
• 14.2 megapixels, 7 fps, 25 AF points
• 1080i60 video
• NP-FW50 Battery, BC-TRW Charger
• Single SDXC/PRO DUO Memory Card slot

The series starts in 2010 with the 14.2 megapixel Sony NEX-5. There’s also the Sony NEX-5N, NEX-5R, and NEX-5T which ends at 16.1 megapixels.

That small jump is resolution is because a new sensor was used. The bigger benefit is in low light than the original NEX-5.

All the models came in three different colors, black, silver, and a harder to find white.

They can be found with a color matching Sony E 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS PZ.

The lens is special because it is a power zoom. That means smooth zooming for recording video.

The ability to record 1080p60 is impressive, considering the small size and light weight.

Sony NEX-3 series

• Released 2010, 297g (10.5oz)
• 14.2 megapixels, 7 fps, 25 AF points
• 720p30 video
• NP-FW50 Battery, BC-TRW Charger
• Single SDXC/PRO DUO Memory Card slot

The Sony NEX-3 and NEX-C3 can only record 720p video. The Sony NEX-F3 and NEX-3N can record 1080p30.

There are red and pink colors, in addition to black, silver, and white.

For photography only, it can be a stylish choice. For any amount of video work, the NEX-5 series will be better.

Panasonic G3

• Released 2011,
• 16.7 megapixels, fps, AF points
• video
• DMW-BLD10PP Battery, DE-A93B Charger
• Single SDXC UHS-I slot

The Panasonic G3 is another camera from 2011 with a 16.7 megapixel sensor.

The Panasonic 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Mega O.I.S. kit lens has good image quality. (Mega Optical Image Stabilization 🦖)

Where Micro Four Thirds has the biggest advantage is in the selection of small and cheap lenses under $100.

That’s why the G3 makes sense for photography that needs a focal length that isn’t covered by a kit lens. It is easy to find a fisheye, portrait, telephoto, toy, or mirror lens.

Video is a bit odd because it can record 1080i60. That can be de-interlaced to 1080p30, but I wouldn’t want to do that.

Bridge Cameras

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

🏆 Most well-rounded Canon of the group — RAW, hot shoe, mic jack, articulated screen, and longest zoom!

The Canon PowerShot SX50 HS doesn’t have a mic jack.

The Canon PowerShot SX530 HS and SX540 HS don’t have a hot shoe or mic jack.

Panasonic Lumix FZ200

⭐ Constant f/2.8 across the entire zoom range is a rare and powerful feature!

Panasonic Lumix FZ70, no hotshoe!

Nikon Coolpix P600

🐦 Notable for exceptional bird photography reach at 1440mm!

I don’t understand why they don’t have RAW support.

Nikon Coolpix P610, and they are available in a variety of colors.

Sony Cyber-shot HX300

Point & Shoots

Camcorders

Action Cameras