Canon 50D

How often does Canon have refurbished 50Ds and what does refurbished actually mean?

It's in stock right now. http://shop.usa.canon.​com …gory_10051_1005​1_-1_29252

And refurbished to Canon means the same thing it does to all companies.

Thanks, they only have one left.

Pretty often. I had a refurbished 50D around the same time last year (now own a retail 50D). It's basically the same thing, some even claims refurbished ones are better because they are tested before they're sold again while retail ones are straight off a production line. Refurbished could mean a variety of things ranging from overstock, floor or sample model, fixed defective model, and returns and exchanges that a store can no longer sell as new (open-box). The difference is the duration of warranty (3-months with refurbished vs. 1-year with brand new), although many retail stores offer an extended warranty option.

Also, refurbs have no guarantee as to how "used" they are. Many receive refurb DSLRs with well under 1000 shutter clicks, my new 7D refurb had about 500. On the other hand, the 50D I got last year came with 18,000 clicks - I wasn't thrilled with the relatively high shutter count but it has worked flawlessly for me the past year.

Received a refurbished 50D over a year ago. Checked the count and it was around 100. No big deal.

You do not get the original box but instead a white box. No worries if you bought the camera to shoot with. Mine still works great. Couldn't tell you how many pics I have taken with it but I plan to hold onto it for a while.