Average lifetime of a Digital SLR

[BigBlueDodge]

Okay, looking to get some input here. I stepped up to the 20D from a 3.2 mp p&s camera. I rationalized the extra expenditure as an investment in a camera that I would be using for the next 5+ years. However, reading through many posts on here, I see that a good majority of you change camera's much more frequently than that.

So my question to you is how long are you guys keeping or expecting to keep your Digital SLR's before trading them in for the next new model?

[Belmondo]

My 10Ds lasted just about a year. I expect the 1D Mk II will go a bit longer---probably until they bring out whatever replaces it. (Mk III?)

[tim]

I kept my 300D (my first SLR) for 3 months before I upgraded to the 20D. I will upgrade to the 1D Mk II when it comes out, and I hope like h3ll that one lasts me for at least two years.

[BigBlueDodge]

*sigh*....I am in envy. There is no way in hades that I can convince my wife to let me spend this much on a camera every year or so. I've got to make what ever I have last !! I'm sure that when ever this thing breaks or I go to upgrade that Canon will have a new series of lenses that will make all mine obsolete and I'll have to start from ground zero all over again.

[aam1234]

I kept my 300D (my first SLR) for 3 months before I upgraded to the 20D. I will upgrade to the 1D Mk II when it comes out, and I hope like h3ll that one lasts me for at least two years.

Exactly the same here. Btw Tim, you mean 1D Mk III of course.

[deedas]

Okay, looking to get some input here. I stepped up to the 20D from a 3.2 mp p&s camera. I rationalized the extra expenditure as an investment in a camera that I would be using for the next 5+ years. However, reading through many posts on here, I see that a good majority of you change camera's much more frequently than that.

So my question to you is how long are you guys keeping or expecting to keep your Digital SLR's before trading them in for the next new model?

I too stepped up from a 3.2 P+S to a 20D. That took me close to 4 years. I really don't feel like I'll buy a new camera anytime soon. I don't have the urge to upgrade to 1D series like many people here. Who knows, maybe that'll change once I start mastering this art. ;)

[Rob612]

I voted < 1 yr just because in the last months I am investing a lot of money in this. But on the average, once I have completed my setup with all bells and whistles, I suppose that 1-3 years would be reasonable.

[DocFrankenstein]

I've almost have had the rebel for a year and it's still going strong.

I'll buy a next DSLR when I can pick up a full frame body with a decent viewfinder for less than 2k.

[liza]

In a year's time I went from a point and shoot to a prosumer model and (finally) to the 20D. I think I finally got it right this time. In retrospect, I wish I had researched digital photography more. It would have been a lot less expensive if I had!

[Matatazela]

My first Olympus C800l is still doing (640 X 480) service... My brother's cellphone camera is significantly better in almost all circumstances!(Don't bother to Olympus' website. It isn't even on there!)

[gastroboy]

yeah, I noticed that you guys in the US seem to be trading up very often. No such luxuries for the rest of the world where our equipment is significantly more expensive than over there (when you covert for currency and shipping). You guys should do a charity thing and send us your discarded equipment. :-)

[sixshot]

I voted 3-5 years for the 20D I will be getting next month. Some of the guys here are pros, so then upgrading is more necessary maybe. If it is just a hobby I am sure any of the cameras now would last a fair while if you wanted it too and could cope not having the latest model. Hey, maybe after I get my first DSLR and then new models come out and I stick to this site for tips/advice then it can be easy to want to upgrade. Damn this place!

[ghocking]

For me it all depends on the new model, I updated from the 300D to 350D for its startup speed being the main reason, I then bought a 20D to allow me to have instant access to tele and wid angle lenses. I doubt I will upate the 300/350D to its next model but might change the 350D for the 20D replacment.

[goatee]

I just upgraded to the 300D from my 10 year old EOS 1000FN (and a 3MP P&S, which cost 100 quid), and can't see a reason why I'd need to upgrade for 5 years - it takes beautiful pictures, offers me the level of control I need, and I don't need / want the bulk and weight of the 10/20D, plus I'd rather spend the money on my son :)

[Wazza]

I voted 1-3 years.

Had my Sony P&S for 18 months before I broke it.
And 20D I expect to have till at least end of next year. Almost 2 years use I'm hoping.

[goatee]

Wazza - why do you expect not to get much more use out of the 20D than your old P&S?

[lancea]

I often suspect that these surveys will "balance out" simply because of the different professional involvement of the members of these forums. You've got the complete amateurs (such as myself) who make no money from photogaphy; the semi-pros who make a bit of money as a side-line - but it's still essentially a hobby; the semi-pros who treat photography as a second source of income; and the full-time pros. If photography is your job then sure you'd upgrade frequently. If you are purely a hobbiest you'll upgrade only when you really need to (unless you're loaded). Others will be somewhere in between. I've put down 3-5 years, but I'd hope it would be longer than that. Heck, my 35mm was only "replaced" after 25 years! While I appreciate that most of these surveys are for curiosity only, I wonder if they shouldn't be broken down by our commercial interests. Perhaps an attribute of our membership profile could indicate where we sit, and the results could be split according to 3 or 4 categories? Just an idea.

[Andy_T]

I had my G2 for about 2 years, and I am so happy with my 20D now that I couldn't really find siginificant improvements to put into the '30D wish thread' ... for that reason I think it will be 3-5 years for me.

I'll rather upgrade my lenses (unless a used 1D series camera comes up for a very decent price to complement my 20D :wink: )

Best regards,
Andy

[griff2]

I voted 3-5 years. I think it takes time to "master" a camera body/lens system, and constantly changing bodies, means you'll be on more of a camera usage learning curve rather than a "being creative" learning curve. So, I'll only upgrade my camera body if: i. a full-frame sensor camera is introduced at a reasonable price or ii. I "outgrow" my current camera body.

[EOSAddict]

Has my old film EOS 100 for 14 years and have had my 300D for less than a year and already I want a 350D. The manufacturers have got us hooked - great for their profits!

[Wazza]

Wazza - why do you expect not to get much more use out of the 20D than your old P&S?

Well my Sony had 17,000 shots after 18months,
and my 20D has 28,000 already after 4 months. :rolleyes:

And I would like to have the 1D Mk III, and do some semi-pro work, as described by lancea

[Matatazela]

yeah, I noticed that you guys in the US seem to be trading up very often. No such luxuries for the rest of the world where our equipment is significantly more expensive than over there (when you covert for currency and shipping). You guys should do a charity thing and send us your discarded equipment. :-)


AMEN TO THAT!!!

At present, Africa is in the middle of a severe famine of medium range, affordable camera equipment!!! To give you an idea, an EOS 350D (your Rebel XT) will cost approximately 1,5 months average wage. Average monthly wage is listed as US$ 1070.00, although this seems to be calculated on employed people only. There are a lot of unsalaried informal workers that get a fraction of that, and a lot more that have no employment at all and rely on a breadwinner to spread money over an extended family.

The average US wage is US$ 3,347 - which means that the same camera will cost only about a week's wage. That is one sixth of our equivalent!

This explains why we hang onto old equipment a lot longer than our USA counterparts!

[tim]

Exactly the same here. Btw Tim, you mean 1D Mk III of course.

Yip that's what I meant.

[Maureen Souza]

I suppose I'll upgrade in the next couple of years..... it is hard to resist the new toys when they come out. As long as my lenses continue to fit the newest SLR, anyways. I went up 3 camera levels in one year but have now learned my lesson.

[primoz]

Personally I don't see reason to change camera every year. I do lot of pro work and keep it for ages. I still shoot with old 1d sometimes and it works just fine even if it has few 100.000 photos behind. For normal use I don't think there's much reason to change camera every year or even every few months. Except to have feeling that now I have better camera so my photos have to be better :)

[goatee]

lancea - I guess you're right - but I think it's also to do with the chosen subjects of different photographers - a professional portrait photographer sang the praises of the EOS 300D to me and only recently upgraded.

I guess if you're taking studio portraits, and if it aint broke. . . whereas an amateur who takes photos of motor racing, or other high speed sports, will want something like the 1D2 for the sheer speed they need to get the shot.

[Matatazela]

Personally, I would love to upgrade when finances are available.

I also believe that it takes a while to learn the nuances of a camera and if you are constantly upgrading your equipment, you will be at the bottom end of the learning curve more. I realise that the features are universal and that they keep getting better, but there is an element of familiarity with the equipment that makes some photographers better than others, even others with better equipment. Food for thought?

[Tom W]

I suspect that they'll last a good deal longer than we keep them - the upgrade path has been strong so far (though the megapixel count is not as critical as it was prior to the 6.3 sensor). I upgraded from my 10D to the 1D-2, but the 10D is still going strong in a friend's possession.

[mkh]

I've only had my dRebel for about two months. There is no way my wife will allow me to upgrade any time soon without a fight. My next camera won't come until I can make this hobby generate enough money to pay for it. My goal at the moment is to shoot for the successor to the 20D.

[mdude85]

I have a D30 and would like to keep it at least for another two years. It's already been a year since I bought it. that time has flown by really fast and I have got some great pictures and good paying jobs with it. But then again, when I first got into photography, I bought a P&S and told myself that I wasn't going to get a DSLR for another 3 years after that. Six months later there I was with the D30. :)

Before changing bodies I would like very much to change lenses.

[Longwatcher]

I have only parted with one camera I have ever gotten my hands permantly on (I give back borrowed cameras).

I have a Kodak DC4800, Canon D60, 10D, 1DsMkII, XL2. And they all still work (at least the last time I charged the battery for the Kodak it did).

So I keep my cameras for over 5 years.
As to my primary camera, different story. I am expecting my 1DsMkII to be used as primary for at least two years minimum and depending on how things go maybe for 4-5 years before upgrade. My 10D was primary for a touch under 2 years, the D60 for a touch over a year (only because I bought the 10D for backup use), the Kodak for also a touch over two years.

I am currently not lusting after anything better (granted this is a bit difficult right now) so I expect my 1DsMkII will hang around for quite some time.

Just my experience,

[Jon]

Like Longwatcher, I've only given up one digital camera. I'm currently on my 5th, and the 4 I still have all see use (3 on a regular basis, the 4th is strategically placed for "cute dog" pictures). Current lineup: Kodak DC290, EOS D60, PowerShot A80, and EOS 20D. The DC290 will stick around until/unless I upgrade from the A80 to the A95 or whatever comes after, at which point it'll join its predecessor DC260 with our Peke club's rescue committee for photographing our fosters, and the A80 will take its place. Whenever I add another DSLR to the collection, the D60's going to become a "true IR" camera, so it won't retire, per se, as much as move to another plane of existence.

[mdm]

I'll have to keep my 300d as long as I keep my wife. I'll sneek in a lens at somepoint.

[lancea]

lancea - I guess you're right - but I think it's also to do with the chosen subjects of different photographers
Good point. The studio camera is also likely to last a lot longer since they are well protected. Paparazzi cameras would need replacing every time they're smashed to the ground :) And as you say, technical reasons will come into it for some.

[etaf]

like computers they get better and better however, no reason to chase the technology unless you have a need for it.
I expect to be able to print out at A4 size so I waited for 6/8Mb cameras to come around before buying. my current camera meets all my needs a canon pro1 so no need to chase technology.
So my history
1974 - cosina manual 35mm slr
1978 - added a cosina 35mm auto SLR
1995 - purchased a EOS5 35mm SLR
1997 - purchased a 2nd hand EOS600 as a backup - very good price could not miss
2004 - Canon pro1

I think the reason for people changing is that the technology is still catching up to meet the real needs. It should plato off.
unlike computers theres not additional software coming out to make people change. such as games etc etc

[Curtis N]

I have a 2.1MP P&S that I used for 5 years before recently investing in the DRebel.

I will upgrade when my skills exceed the camera's ability to utilize them, which, from what I can tell, will be a long time coming.:)

[mchwe]

i sold my 1.5 year old drebel for about 70% of what i paid for it, on ebay. that made upgrading a no-brainer to the xt!

take good care of the camera, and there will always be a market for good, clean used equipment.

[mvonditter]

AMEN TO THAT!!!

At present, Africa is in the middle of a severe famine of medium range, affordable camera equipment!!! To give you an idea, an EOS 350D (your Rebel XT) will cost approximately 1,5 months average wage. Average monthly wage is listed as US$ 1070.00, although this seems to be calculated on employed people only. There are a lot of unsalaried informal workers that get a fraction of that, and a lot more that have no employment at all and rely on a breadwinner to spread money over an extended family.

The average US wage is US$ 3,347 - which means that the same camera will cost only about a week's wage. That is one sixth of our equivalent!

This explains why we hang onto old equipment a lot longer than our USA counterparts!

That's for a household of four. The mean household income in the USA is 42K per year. Again, for a household of four.:cry:

[Lotto]

I bought the G1 soon after it came out 5 years ago, and paid $900 for it:eek:. Took about 9000 pic with it, recording my 2 kids growing up. Compare to the 5000 4x6 print + neg that I stored in the garage, it's well worth the money.

Still using it today, mainly taking pictures of my 20D and acceceries:D

[Tomsk]

About 15 months from my 300D to 20D. I'll be keeping the 20D until it breaks ;)

[wolf]

G5 (6 months) > 300D (1 year) > 20D (hopefully 2 years)

It is hard to resist buying new toys. http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/icons/icon10.gif

[jscotti]

While I put 1-3 years in the poll, I expect my new 20D to last more than 5 years. The 20D is my 3rd digital camera, the first lasted about 1.5 years and was a 2MP P&S and the 2nd is a Canon A75 which I still have (though in only about 8 months it has plenty of wear already) and expect to keep around as a backup and for my better half to carry during trips. I don't know when I'd be able to afford another camera as pricey as the 20D. If it is at all like my older film (you remember film, don't you? ;) ) cameras, they lasted more than 10 years (though I wasn't taking quite so many pictures as I have been with my 20D).

My first camera was a Canon EX Auto (1976 to 1981) which was replaced (when stolen) by a Pentax K-1000 (1981 to 1993). A YashicaMat 124G (1995ish to 2003) followed a cheap 35mm P&S (technically, I still have that P&S...). Fuji Finepix 2650 (2002 to 2004) was replaced by a Canon A75 (2004 to present) and I've had my Canon 20D for about 3 weeks now.

Jim.

[Michaelmjc]

Well I'm sure it will last for a long time. I have had my G1 for 2 years and I bought it used.. and its still going strong. Thats a point and shoot, so if it can last that long I'm sure my XT can.

[TammieO]

I voted 3-5 years. I've gone from film SLR to Sony F707 for a year, then got my 1DMkII. After almost 7 months, I'm still learning to use all of the features on the 1DMkII. I can't imagine lusting after another camera for a long time. New lenses on the other hand...

[ron chappel]

I have to buy the bottom of the range DSLR's by necessity,not having much money-i did consider upgrading to the 350D but realized it would only give me extra convenience ,not better pics.
DSLR image quality is seriously leveling out now.I will only be tempted by a serious increase in dynamic range or in body image stabilization
I'll be putting money into better lenses for the forseeable future.I can still see myself owning a the 300D in five years time (having had the shutter replaced in that time due to high mileage;)

[Roy P]

I got my 600 (630) when it first came out (1987 I think) and still have it . Flirted with a Olympus 720 4 yrs ago. A G3 in Feb 03 then 300D in Jan 04 (still being used) and lastly a used 1D in Apr 05.

Spare room could be a used camera gear shop.

Last update to 1D came about as I take pics of Raptors flying and 300D struggled because of write times in raw and short burst of 4 frames. It did get good pics though. 20D was looking favourite until this 1D became available in great condition with only 10,000 shots on it and with all boxes and software at same price as 20D. The clincher for me is the choice of 40+ focusing points and now very happy. Being 4 MP not a problem.

[johneo]

I'm not casting a vote on this poll. Why? I don't think any answer is appropriate for myself.

I tend to buy what my pocket allows and what suits my usage and I refuse to jump everytime the latest, greatest, hotest and newest gadget hits the shelf

I still have my 1st digital camera, a Sony Mavica FD-91 ... a .8mp floppy disk camera that has a fantastic zoom, IS lens and can produce decent 4x6 prints with a little effort. I "seldom" use it but it does get used. (bought in Feb '99, apprx 15,000 shots)
Also still have and use my Sony Mavica FD-97 (2.1mp, IS, floppy &MS) and it gets used often. (bought in June '01, apprx 15,000+ shots) It's easy to carry and doesn't require a bunch of lenses and the camera bag weighs about 1/10th of what my 10D bag does.

Still ... I seldom go anywhere without my 10D and that (along with my Elan 7ne) does the best job.

The only reason I see me replacing my 10D is when I can afford something along the lines of a 1Ds MKII or when it dies and it can't be repaired at reasonable expense.

[MarkH]

I went with 3-5 years. I bought my 10D 2 years ago and can't see why I couldn't keep using it for another 3 years. Sure the 20D is a nice camera and offers several real improvements, but the 30D will be better again and so will the 40D (or whatever they get called). If I spend money buying a 20D, despite my 10D meeting my needs quite well then I have less money for lenses or the replacement to the 20D. I wish that I could buy the new model of camera every time, but I am still saving for some expensive L glass.

[Miranda1]

I voted 2-3 years

I originally started with a 10D but was never really happy with it, particularly with the focus capability of that camera. Finally upgraded to the 1D mark2 and I couldn't be happier. I suspect that I will be keeping this camera for a very long time, it really meet my needs in every way.

Thanks

[cactusclay]

I've had my 300D for close to two years now,since they first came out I think, still going strong and the 20d about six months. I think the 20D does about everything you would expect from a film camera and although I may get a 1D body some day, the 20D is probably all anyone would ever need for personal use.

[WyzMan]

Like all IT tackle - it is very easy to get sucked in to the "upgrade now" desire.
Until my abilities rise to the limits of my current camera, I cannot realistically justify the purchase of the latest and greatest.
I look at photographs in magazines taken with top current model cameras and think - wow, if I had one of those, I could take pictures like that ..... and then look at an equally good set of photographs in a magazine from last year and think - but I have one of these and my picutres are no where near as good!
As has already been said, changing the camera for us amateur guys is very difficult to justify especially when the one you have is (or was) once, more or less top of the tree.

[Matatazela]

That's for a household of four. The mean household income in the USA is 42K per year. Again, for a household of four.:cry:

Point taken. Lies, damned lies and statistics, I guess! The source for that was

http://eb.eiu.com/index.asp?layout=gl_market_glance&country_id=1530000153

and it stated average wage, non-specific for family or individual. Honest mistake!

I guess it means that there are more of us in the grips of that affordable mid-range photographic equipment famine!:o

[22littlereasons]

I bought a used 10D last year just after the 20D came out. I've put on about 35,000 actuations and it is still going strong. I guess I could be considered a semi-pro photographer. I've made enough money to pay for the most of the original investment of the camera body, various lenses, website, software, etc. I've used a 20D and have seen no real appreciable difference. Certainly, my clients wouldn't know the difference. When I do upgrade it will be a decision made on need and not on ego.

[sharky]

I got my 10D about 2 years ago, and still haven't been tempted to upgrade. The 20 is nice, but I'll probably wait for its successor before seriously moving on. It's just been such a great camera - never had a single problem with it - EVER!

[kufel]

10D for just under a year, got ticked off by comparing autofocus with EOS3 and seriously saved for 1DMkII, I'll try to keep this one for a while 9 months so far) unless I start making money with photography... then MkII will become my backup camera

[dmaster]

Although I voted for 3-5 years, I think we are going through a real transitional period in photography and I also believe that camera's like the 10D and Rebel 300D will be around a while as they fulfill a lot of what people need. The 20D does represent at least to me a plateau or coming of age of digial bodies. I will problably have my 10 and 20D's for awhile. My future is in collecting L glass. When and if a pro body becomes reasonably priced for me (1Ds MkII or 1DMkII) I will jump on one. 6.3 megapixels is just right for me to print and use for web work. I find the 8mp files to be just a tad unwieldy and requiring a greater use of storage space so I reserve those files for serious commercial or print work and use the 10D for everyday kind of stuff.

[davidwegs]

You could probably keep replaceing the moving parts ( at a price of course), and it should last as long as any other higher level SLR. Not the 1 series kind of life, but decent at least.

The Question is, when you've owned a great camera for about two years and the next one comes along, will you resist the temptation??

[Darter]

Let's see...I kept using my Rebel S II for over 10 years. If there's any correlation, I'll get about the same usage out of my DRebel. :)