Which camera - used

[Grant]

A friend is keen on getting a decent used camera for her son.

The local Crack Crusaders has a few Canon cameras, all with 3 month warranty.
But which one?

 

[Barbarian Conan]

600D is the newest.
20D is a more "pro" level camera, but probably released the same time as the 400D or earlier.

I had the 450D ( a 2008 camera), and upgraded because cellphone photos looked better. On the phone. Viewing both on a PC and the camera photos looked better.

I would get the 600D.

 

[RanzB]

A friend is keen on getting a decent used camera for her son.

The local Crack Crusaders has a few Canon cameras, all with 3 month warranty.
But which one?

3 months or 6 months? What's the budget? I would check Gumtree, all of those are over a decade since being released.

 

[Bewlen]

Basically, the newer the camera, the better "speed" it has (better ISO levels, that allow clearer pictures with vastly superior image processing from one generation to the next, due to the Image Sensor generation).

The 20D was a great camera when it was released, but the 600D would be the best pick of the ones available in the picture), as it would ultimately deliver better pictures due to superior Image Sensor.

 

[Jean Claude Vaaldamme]

Depends on what he wants to do with the camera. If he want to take pics of birds, animals or even sport events he will need zoom and zoom lenses for those cameras will cost a lot.
Then it would maybe be better to get a bridge camera, but again depends what he intends doing with it. Bridge camera is of no use if you want some kind of professional photographs.

 

[jellievis]

I think I still have my 20D lying around somewhere in a cupboard? At the time, it was a very decent piece of equipment and I really enjoyed it. Today, it is really slow compared to the latest models. But, it depends on what you want to shoot. It is possible that speed may not make that much of a difference to you. It also has a very low ISO level and you need good light to get the best out of it.

 

[Guest 290922]

great entry price do they have lenses included or just body?

New you are looking at R9 589.00 for the Canon 4000D Starter Kit

>> Canon EOS 20D vs Canon EOS 600D
>> Canon EOS 500D vs Canon EOS 600D
>> Canon EOS 400D vs Canon EOS 500D
>> Canon EOS 4000D vs Canon EOS 600D

The 4000D feels like a rebranded 600D so the 600D definitely worth the higher price.

The 600D has slightly better specs in some aspects.

The final verdict is 500D minimum for the small price difference between it and the 400D & 20D. Can always upgrade later if the hobby takes off.

 

[Grant]

So the camera is for a friend's son - a beginner (15yrs old).
I would guess budget around R3000 for a used camera.

The only reason for considering crack Crusaders, is the warranty, even if only 3 months - whereas zero warranty off gumtree / Facebook market.

What kind of photos - who knows. I guess that may develop over time.

 

[Moto Guzzi]

I must say of the Canon cameras I got, 350D(New), 30D(New), 40D(2nd Hand), IDMK4(New), I can only speak good of Canon. Probably the most reliable items I had bought so far, a new German car made me walk home quickly as example (The flatbed type).

1-Only problems I had was 1DMK4 had a rare problem(Focussing-Different white lenses). If I try to take a photo slightly againtst the afternoon sun in summer 17:00 with a green tree involved I battled to get it to focus, it was a bit worse in low light as I would expected. Have I had not some experience, I would not have picked this up. The well known place I bought it from replaced it immediately and problem solved.-Zero problems with this one.

2-The 40D was 2nd hand from family member. The only problem today is the shutter button acts intermittantly, however I have a grip on it and that button workd 100%.

So I am try to tell you its difficult to give advice on 2nd hand cameras.......If you can go through all the settings, lenses, extra settings, understand that, and it comes out clean its probably ok.