So recently, I suffered a bout of Gear Acquisition Syndrome (G.A.S.) and sold most of my Canon EOS M system cameras and lenses and switched back to Micro Four Thirds. But here’s the crazy thing: In some cases, I got more than I paid for the cameras brand new, which really shines a light on how much tariffs have warped the sense of what an affordable camera is.
Let’s take the camera I jumped back in with: The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV. Using a price comparison tool that can give a decent snapshot into what this camera has historically cost, one can see that it’s hovered mostly between the $600–$700 mark for most of its life, sometimes dipping to $500, which means that right now, with all the economic nonsense going on, this entry-level camera is at $700 for the body only—on the high end of where it’s been. Yikes. Used, I paid $598.50 for the camera from B&H Photo when the price of a new one was even higher a couple of months ago at $799.
Unfortunately for me, I have a (mostly) direct comparison of how warped the used market is. I purchased a 3-year-old, excellent-condition E-M10 Mark II in 2018 for a whopping $311.95. That means I paid almost $300 more for a 4-year-old camera of the same model line. Ouch. The same Mark II model I purchased is hovering just under $400 even still in the used market.
But while being on the shopping end of things stings a little, there was some good news when it came to trade-ins. I didn’t want to expend the energy associated with selling off my gear piece-by-piece, meeting random strangers in parking lots, and dealing with cash, and so I got a quote from MPB.com and sent everything off in one shot. I didn’t think anything about it until I saw my daughter’s camera, an EOS M200 for sale, sans lens, for a shocking $524! The camera came out in 2019 at a suggested retail price of $549.99. Don’t worry, she got an upgrade.
When I looked in detail at what I got for the trade-in, it turns out that for a camera I bought for $299 new with the kit lens, I got a more-than-fair $360 from MPB after a couple of years of use. This feels like when my old used car suddenly shot up in value after the pandemic, and I got almost what I paid for it after driving it 95,000 miles.
Shrinkflation Hits Cameras
But it’s not all sunshine and roses. Much like “shrinkflation” has hit the food industry, with smaller portions for the same amount of money, camera manufacturers are engaged in the same shenanigans.
One of the biggest party fouls I found in the new OM SYSTEM cameras I purchased (I also got an OM-5 Mark II) is that the newer models have moved away from the solid-feeling magnesium alloy to almost entirely polycarbonate bodies. Even the lower-end E-M10 series was metal for a while. While the OM-5 Mark II still claims a high level of weather sealing, there’s no doubt it feels less “premium” in hand compared to the older model.
But beyond the build, the cameras are losing some expected—and unexpected—pack-ins. The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II came with the FL-LM3 mini flash that was perfectly sized for a Micro Four Thirds camera, and unlike most flashes, it can tilt and swivel, making it far more useful than a pop-up flash. But that pack-in flash is nowhere to be found in the OM-5 Mark II box, and indeed, it doesn’t even work on the new camera, which is a shame.
Likewise, while the battery on the OM-5 has been the same for several generations, you won’t find a charger in the box. The camera charges with USB-C, and while that’s fine for the battery in the camera, it precludes the use of a charger to charge extras while you shoot.
All of this is at a price of $1,199, which is higher than the $1,099 launch price of the aforementioned E-M5 Mark II.
These are a couple of isolated examples, but it seems like if you’re in need of an infusion of cash for the holidays, now’s a great time to offload some of that gear that’s been collecting dust.
6 Comments
I made a list of my Olympus E3 camera (10 megapixels) from 2008 and three lenses, all in good to excellent condition, and submitted to MPB for a quote. They responded promptly but were not interested in buying at any price. I'm sure it would make a great kit for someone starting out and not terribly concerned about megapixels. After all, there are a couple thousand dollars sitting in that camera bag. I used that gear for a lot of commercial photography and printing. But I guess they're only interested in relatively newer used gear.
@Ed - it’s not that they want newer gear at MPB for why they didn’t take your Olympus E-3…it’s because the “original” Four Thirds System line is “dead” and has been for a while. Even KEH will give you just pennies on the dollar for Four Thirds gear. This is why I am holding on to my Olympus E-5, E-3 and E-1 plus lenses.
I always say, a camera never takes worse photos than the day you bought it. I'm really good at saying that. I'm less good at following that advice.
YES!! Cameras and Lenses are forever because they were made at the top of excellent science of their time. One very important thing to check is the "Total Shutter Count" http://myshuttercount.com/. Now with Focus Stacking, Pixel Shifting and such now the newest of cameras can reach their end state fast. Oh! and those who want and use High Frame Rates. It is like guns rifles and pistols yes those that shoot many K rounds will change out barrels like yearly or more when doing competitions.
One reason many DSLR cameras and lenses are on the used market is because when Canon and Nikon went mirrorless all had to dump the old DSLR stuff because none could be used with the new. BUT all that used DSLR equipment is still great and if you do not need all the fancy new things and just capture one or two images as a hobby or such you can get some great low cost gear.
Here is something that very few new about when Sony came out with their A7/R/S Mod 1's and 2's and that is on camera apps, YES, APPS on cameras that could be downloaded from playmemories camera apps website now no more but maybe a smart geek may have a place to get and download. Most are like play stuff but one everyone will enjoy is the "Digital Filter" with presets for sunrise/sets etc. but you are able to select any and all camera settings in the sky section and the ground section and the gold of all apps is the program put everything together in camera then a adjustment of horizon then an out put to the SD card in RAW or Jpeg or both. I went into a best buy and was talking and showing results to a Sony Rep and after he went and bought the three model 2's and sat there and loaded all the apps that were for those cameras. With the Digital Filter there was no need to buy and carry a bunch of filters with you. There are Star Trials, multi image app that will take several images and put in one frame!!!!
With this Info always ask if the Sony camera as the apps for those in the used market always reset the cameras BUT if first they download to a computer they can reload them. Another note there are also other Sony cameras that may have them for there were many cameras listed also.
Another point is on the top dial there is a selection for panorama you use and lens you want and the camera puts all together in a output of either RAW or Jpeg or both.
Info Mod 2's had IBIS when added to a Telephoto lens (all have OSS/IS) and you get a hand holding camera no need for a tripod like my A7RM2 could do Bracketing 3 at +/- 2EV hand held. Next old film lenses can be used with a $20 adapter.
With the A7RM2 I also was able to capture a milky mountain river with a slower that long SS in a forest of tress with a sun pepping through the branches.
Another to look for are the old prism filters of the film days that their images Ps can not make.
Things may be old but knowing the tools inside and mainly knowing todays Software is really what makes an image!
Images 1 and 2 used the Digital Filter for sky and foreground nice for lit towns/cities
Image 3 a panorama with the new FE 12-24mm f/4 should of used it a 24mm or used a 90mm. but it is always playtime.
Image 4 my old Canon FD lenses I used while saving for Sony lenses when they came out.
These are really nice photos! I never experienced the Sony cameras with downloadable apps ... that really sounds like it would be a pain.
Yeah, I wish.