As ardent photographers who are also eco-conscious, we’re always concerned about the environmental effects of our craft. In fact, many content creators now agree that buying used photo/video gear is the best way to reduce their footprint. Luckily, the used market today is an excellent and safe place that makes photography gear a lot more accessible, and MPB is leading the way. The MPB used camera gear section offers a gamut of gently and lightly used photo/video equipment, which means huge savings and not having to break the bank. What’s even better is that this trusted platform has an army of product specialists who individually inspect the gear for mildew, scratches, performance, and more. Hence, when you buy MPB-approved gear, you know exactly what you’re getting.
So, if you have your eye on that one favorite piece of photography gear that got away from you in 2021, you know where to look for it. We’ve scoured the website for cameras, lenses, and other excellent tools for taking and making pictures a whole lot better, and here are our top picks. Here’s a useful guide to buying used photography and videography gear from a trusted platform.
Why don’t you start by reading detailed review of MPB gear for budget-conscious travelers?
Canon EOS R3
6
We begin with the Canon EOS R3, a nifty 24-MP sensor camera that remains one of the best low-light cameras on the market to date. What’s more, it’s also one of the fastest cameras on the market, making it a fabulous choice for sports shooters and photojournalists. There are many things we loved about the camera, whether it was the massive high-res EVF with eye-tracking tech or the mechanical shutter that can shoot up to 12fps or 30fps. Did we mention that the price of this camera on the MPB platform is USD 4,020, which means savings of more than USD 1,000!
Pros
- The sized-down gripped body handles very well.
- We loved the intelligent autofocus with superior subject recognition.
- We had ample wireless and wired connectivity options.
Cons
- The USB-C charging support is slightly finicky.
Buy on:
Sony A1
5
If budget isn’t an issue, even with MPB, then we’d highly recommend the Sony A1 camera. It might cost a whopping USD 4,100 even on MPB, but such high-priced pro gear is best shopped for on the resale market — there are huge savings while they’re still expensive! Hailed as the “Camera of the Year” in 2021, the Sony A1 did a lot of things first. Firstly, it had an electronic shutter with anti-flicker tech. Secondly, it boasted an impressive 9.44 million dot resolution EVF. If that wasn’t enough, it even introduced a new dual-drive mechanical shutter for flash syncing up to 1/400th second. Plus, it could shoot 30 50.1-MP images as compressed JPEGs or RAW files in a second. Simply put, it was, and still is, an absolute beast of a piece of photography gear and remains one of the best pro-level cameras, thanks to Sony’s frequent firmware updates.
Pros
- It boasted a big, high-res electronic viewfinder.
- It has a fantastic responsive touchscreen interface and excellent menus.
- We loved the extensive wireless and wired connectivity options.
Cons
- The rear screen is a bit small.
Buy on:
Canon EOS M50 Mark II
4
Currently selling for USD 564-604 in its “Like New” condition, the Canon EOS M50 Mark II cannot have a sweeter deal. In fact, it was hailed as one of the most favorite pieces of gear in 2021 by content creators, thanks to its many capabilities. This includes the extremely affordable price point for a camera of its level, the Dual Pixel autofocus capabilities, the fully articulating touchscreen, and the solid electronic viewfinder. All these things hold up a year later, and this extremely capable APS-C sensor camera currently sells for $439–$469 on MPB—making it an even better deal than it was a year ago.
Pros
- It’s a popular camera with vloggers and content creators.
- It’s lightweight and compact.
- The camera has many user-friendly features.
Cons
- The battery life could be better.
Buy on:
Ricoh GR IIIx
3
Best camera. Next on the list is the Ricoh GR IIIx camera, which also happens to be one of the best used cameras on MPB for travel photography. It’s made a few substantial changes to the original and classic Ricoh GR: this one has a 24-MP APS-C sensor and a 40mm f/2.8 lens, making it the very first fixed-lens compact camera to have a non-wide-angle field of view. What’s more, this “pocket rocket” is a favorite with street photographers, which is why its price of USD 1,160 is worth it. If that wasn’t enough, it fits all this in a small and lightweight package weighing all of 262 g! So, despite being the smallest — and lightest — camera on this list, it’s chock full of features and a photographer’s dream.
Pros
- The 28mm lens was exceptional.
- The autofocus was fast and responsive.
- It was portable and lightweight.
Cons
- It doesn’t have a viewfinder.
Buy on:
DJI Mavic 3
2
Best drone. Drones have changed the face of photography and videography, and the DJI Mavic 3 sits at the top of that list. Costing USD 1,560 on MPB, this foldable DJI drone has quite a few major improvements over its predecessor: a telephoto camera with a 28x zoom reach, a wide-angle camera, and a larger sensor. What’s more, it can stay up in the air for up to as long as 46 minutes and fly up to 9.2 mi (14.8) away.
On MPB, this device comes with the DJI remote controller, storage cover, low-noise propellers, intelligent flight battery, battery charging hub, lens frame, and a portable charger, besides the standard six-month warranty. Even though the original packaging and the RC cable are missing, we didn’t miss much.
“The DJI Mavic 3 drone changed the way we traveled and captured photos and videos, especially of landscapes!”
WOW Travel
Pros
- The lens offers 28x digital and 7x optical zoom.
- It boasts all-around obstacle avoidance.
- We loved the strong safety features and the long flight times.
Cons
- It’s pricey.
Buy on:
Nikon Nikkor Z 40mm f/2 Lens
1
Best lens. The Nikon Nikkor Z 40mm f/2 Lens is one of the most popular products on the website. There were very few choices for affordable Z-mount lenses in the market until the Z 40mm entered the market in 2021. We loved the lens for more than one reason: it has a fantastic combination of a low price point — it costs just USD 200 on MPB, a fast aperture, and an interesting field of view. That saves us almost USD 100 off its original listing price, which is a steal deal indeed. What’s more, this lens was all about beautiful color, depth, and detail in both stills and videos, making it great for candids as well as how-to videos for vloggers. Finally, it’s very small and lightweight, weighing just 170 g.
Pros
- It’s compact and affordable.
- The lens has a fast aperture and a versatile focal length.
- It excels in autofocus speed, weight and size.
Cons
- Since it’s on the affordable end of the spectrum, the lens mount is plastic.
Buy on:
Our Verdict!
If you’re having trouble choosing an appropriate lens, here’s a smaller list to help you make a choice.
- Best lens: Nikon Nikkor Z 40mm f/2 Lens
- Best drone: DJI Mavic 3
- Best camera: Ricoh GR IIIx
What to watch out for when buying a used camera?
While MPB does all the “looking out” for you, you generally pay attention to the physical condition for scratches and marks, dust, or other damage.
How do I store camera gear to keep it clean and safe?
Store it in a dry and cool place, ideally in a dedicated camera bag or an airtight container with silica gel packets that can absorb any moisture. Also, you need to clean your equipment regularly with appropriate tools like a lens cloth and a blower.
What is the warranty on MPB cameras?
All of MPB’s used gear comes with a free 6-month warranty as well as a 14-day period for returning items, which starts on the day you get your order.
Some images on this article are copyrighted by MPB.
