The best second-hand cameras in 2024

There’s no doubt that Canon makes some of the best cameras on the market, but we love this EOS 2000D because it balances price and spec so well. If you’re new to DSLR photography or just need a quality mid-budget option, this is ideal. Unlike some others here, this used model comes with an 18-55mm zoom lens with image stabilisation built-in. But, of course, you can swap the lens for other compatible ones too. There’s only Full HD video recording though, but this camera is really all about capturing stunning still images.

All in all, you have a brilliant 24-megapixel camera with a sturdy Canon build, plus the company’s famously easy user interface with guides if you need them.

Ricoh has quite a reputation among serious photographers for sheer image quality - and that’s clearly present here. The GR III is something of a pocket-sized powerhouse in terms of the lens quality, resolution and sensor. Designed to produce professional shots in a compact form, what you won’t find here are lots of automated functions, a flash or even a viewfinder. But what you will find is a light, compact and stabilised shooter that’s capable of DSLR-level photography at 24.1 megapixels with a wide 18.3 mm lens.

Ideal for anyone who likes travel, cityscape or architectural photography on holidays or sightseeing trips, the GR III is all about taking the sort of shots you’d be proud of that would ordinarily take a larger, bulkier DSLR to achieve. It’s also a rugged little thing and sports a touchscreen to keep things intuitive and fast.

Once again, Canon hit the mark with the EOS 250D in terms of feature set and price point. Despite the brand also having industry-leading cameras costing thousands, it hasn’t neglected the budding snapper on a budget. And, being used, this one is even easier on the wallet. We love the fact that what you’re getting here is a proper DSLR with all of the manual adjustments you need to control your image.

It’s also quite portable compared to some others, so you can take it with you on holiday or on that special photography trip. As with many second-hand cameras, this one comes with no lens - but compatible lenses are cheap and easy to come by. The icing on the cake here is 4K video recording, making this an excellent all-round budget choice for a used camera from a top brand.

Sometimes what you really need from a camera is all the controls and handling of a DSLR, but without the expensive lenses. Here, the Nikon Coolpix P900 does just that - and it blows most other bridge cameras (models that bridge the gap between compact and DSLR) away with the lens alone. It’s an astonishingly versatile 83x optical zoom, making it ideal for landscapes and close-ups from afar.

Rapid autofocus is also onboard, and that means this is ideal for fast-moving action like sports or wildlife. It’ll shoot up to 7.1 frames per second too. It is only 16.1 megapixels, however, but that’s not what this camera is all about. It’s that practical zoom lens and reactive shooting speeds that make this a top choice for compact yet practical DSLR-style shooting without the fuss of having to carry two or more lenses.

GoPro has been around for several years now as the pioneering brand behind action photography and video footage. A firm favourite of cyclists, climbers, skiers and skydivers, the beauty of the GoPro HERO 11 is that it can be mounted onto a range of vehicles and clothing and is waterproof to 10 metres. 

But, the stand-out qualities here are the image stabilisation and low light performance. Together, they make for an action camera that you can literally set up and forget about for several hours - but any longer, and you’ll need to change the battery. Best of all, it’ll record in slow-mo and also in seriously impressive 5K resolution video. Get even more off by buying second-hand, and you’ll have money left over for those important GoPro mounts and accessories.

Olympus is a firm favourite among photographers, having been around for decades with its solid and somewhat iconic camera designs. Here we have the OM-D E-M10 Mark IV -  a micro four-thirds camera with all of the trappings of a much larger DSLR. Given its micro four-thirds  2-.3 megapixel status, it has a range of compatible lenses and it’s also more compact than most. 

What Olympus does here with its image stabilisation really propels this camera into its own league for shooting speed and accuracy. Not only is it fast to focus with automatic eye and face recognition, but its five-axis in-body stabilisation means you can take advantage of the mirrorless design for some of the fastest, most accurate shooting to be found. It’ll even shoot videos up to 4K. It’s a classy design with some serious capabilities.

The Canon EOS R6 is one of the best cameras on the market, despite being a few years old now. The ace up its sleeve, aside from the overall Canon build and image quality, is the mirrorless system. With a 20 fps continuous shooting capacity via the electronic shutter, the R6 excels in capturing sharp, detailed photos in any situation. And that’s helped even more by the five-axis in-body image stabilisation.

Featuring a 20.1-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and DIGIC X processor, the EOS R6 ensures high-quality images with excellent low-light performance and dynamic range. Even better is its Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system, which provides fast, precise autofocus, even in dim conditions. Add the 4K video capability, and, all in all, this is a professional powerhouse for serious photography.

Sony has aimed its Alpha ZV-E10L compact camera squarely at video bloggers and YouTubers. It includes Sony’s interchangeable lens system for lots of lens choices, too. Right now, there are over 60 different lenses available, making this a flexible choice for video creatives. 

The star feature here, though is the lightning-fast intelligent autofocus. So, presenting to the camera when you have no one to operate the camera is a breeze. You'll also be able to relax into your presentations. An equally capable stills camera, the ZV-E10L has a premium feel, and it even contends with some DSLRs. And, once you’re done, you can take advantage of sLOG support - so you can shoot in an unadulterated format and tweak the quality of your image in post-production for even more control.

As a recent flagship of the Nikon range, the D6 is something of a photography beast - and that’s not just due to the large weatherproof body and huge battery. It’s clearly designed to be a workhorse that any photographer can rely on out in the field. The EXPEED 6 image processor and 20.8 megapixel CMOS sensor add up to serious low-light performance, stunning shots and fast shooting speeds of up to 14 frames per second. 

The autofocus system is also class-leading, with an advanced 105-point cross-type AF sensor – allowing you to select exactly what you want to keep sharp. And that clarity extends to fast-moving action too. 4K video at 60 fps is also present, making this a tough package to beat for all professional shooters. Just be prepared to carry some extra weight - all that ruggedness and power comes at a price. But, by going for a second-hand model, at least you’ll be paying less in terms of your wallet.

Those who have experienced a full-frame sensor after using a cropped one will appreciate just what this Lumix S5 II from Panasonic can do. As a reasonably compact camera, the S5 II supports L-mount lenses - and there are plenty to choose from too. That amount of choice is ideal for any full-frame option, as taking advantage of that larger sensor goes hand in hand with your lens choice. 

A favourite among landscape and cityscape photographers, the full-frame sensor here is a 24.4 megapixel CMOS - and it’s also sporting a phase-detection autofocus system to make things even sharper. The OLED display is a nice touch too, allowing you a vibrant and accurate view of what you’re shooting. Video recording up to a massive 6K also makes this a contender for a practical and professional movie-making tool. All these features can take a toll on the battery though, according to some, so plan and buy some spares for those longer shooting days.