Checklist: What to check before buying a used camera body

Quick scenario

You meet a seller at a coffee shop with a camera case on the table. It looks fine from across the room, but small problems hide inside.

Look and feel first

Inspect the body closely. Check for dents, deep scratches, and misaligned seams. These can mean drops or rough use. Press all buttons and dials. Make sure they click and move without grinding. Open doors for battery and card. They should latch firmly.

Mount, sensor, and shutter

Look into the lens mount under bright light. Bent or missing mount tabs can stop lenses from locking. Examine the sensor area with the lens off. Small dust specks are normal; big scratches or deep marks are not. Test the shutter at multiple speeds. Some older shutters fail faster than others.

Electronics and ports

Turn the camera on and run menus. Cycle through settings and try autofocus. Plug in a memory card and take a few photos. Try every port you can reach: USB, HDMI, microphone, and flash sync. Loose ports or flapping rubber covers show wear. Battery life is telling—ask how many batteries come with it and how long one lasts.

Micro-moment

You power the camera, mount a cheap lens, and take three shots at different apertures and speeds. One image has a strange banding line. The seller shrugs and says it showed up once. That single test saved you a costly repair.

Ask the seller: key questions

• Has the camera been dropped or exposed to water? Be strict; water damage often shows later.

• Has the shutter been replaced or does it show a high actuations count? Some repairs are costly.

• Are original boxes, manuals, or receipts available? These raise trust and resale value.

• How long have you owned the camera and why are you selling? Short answers can hide issues.

• Are there any error messages or intermittent problems the camera shows? Insist on a demo.

Try before you buy

Bring a lens and a memory card if you can. Put the camera through its paces: autofocus, manual focus, continuous shooting, and flash sync. Check images on a laptop screen if possible. Look for odd noise from the shutter, sticky buttons, or focus hunting.

Bottom line

A solid walk-through finds most problems. Small cosmetic issues are often fine. Hidden mechanical or water damage is what costs you later.

Bring the right cable and do a three-minute menu test — most deal-breakers show up fast.

Today’s takeaway: Inspect, test, and ask direct questions before handing over cash.