The short answer
Clean the camera, test the body and each lens, gather the battery, charger, caps and box, and photograph the glass in good light. Identify the exact model, check recent sold prices for the body and each lens, then decide whether to sell them together or separately. Describe faults precisely, because camera buyers check.
Step 1: prepare the camera
- Remove memory cards and check that none are left in the slot. Format any cards you are including.
- Reset the settings to factory defaults from the menu, and remove your name and copyright details if you added them to the camera.
- Unpair it from your phone and Wi-Fi networks, and remove it from any manufacturer app or account you registered it with.
- Remove old batteries from film cameras and flashes, and check the battery compartment for corrosion.
Step 2: clean it gently
Use a blower to remove dust from the body and lens surfaces, then a soft brush. Clean lens glass only with a lens cloth or tissue and a lens-safe cleaner, never paper towels. Do not touch the sensor or the mirror of a film or digital SLR unless you know how; describe sensor dust instead. Wipe rubber grips with a slightly damp cloth.
Step 3: test it
- Digital cameras: take photos at several settings, test autofocus, the screen, the viewfinder, every button and dial, both card slots and video if it has it. Take a photo of a plain sky at a small aperture to reveal sensor spots.
- Shutter count: many digital cameras record how many photos they have taken. Some show it in the menu; for others, a photo's metadata or a specialist tool can read it. Buyers often ask.
- Film cameras: without film, fire the shutter at different speeds and listen for a change. Check the light meter, the film advance and the rewind, and look for light seal crumbs.
- Lenses: shine a flashlight through the lens and look for haze, fungus (thread-like patterns), separation and scratches. Check that zoom and focus rings turn smoothly, the aperture blades are clean and dry, and autofocus works on a body.
Step 4: gather accessories and paperwork
Batteries, the charger, the body cap, front and rear lens caps, hoods, the strap, the manual and the original box all help. A receipt or warranty card supports a newer camera's history. Keep anything that is not included out of the photos.
Step 5: photograph it
- The camera from the front, back, top and both sides, in soft light on a plain background.
- The screen on, ideally showing the shutter count or a menu.
- Each lens, front and rear glass, lit at an angle to reveal any marks.
- The model name, serial plate and mount.
- Every scuff, dent and repair, plus all included accessories.
Step 6: research the value
Similar cameras can sell very differently, and the lens often matters as much as the body. Scan each item with WorthAI to identify the exact model and see an estimated worth with a range, a suggested asking price, a reading of buyer demand and the marketplace listings it found. Add a photo of the model name or the lens markings if it asks, or tap Refine Result. Then compare recent sold prices for the body alone, each lens alone and complete kits, in the same condition.
Step 7: choose where to sell
- General marketplaces: the widest audience of hobbyists and collectors, with shipping and selling fees.
- Local selling: lets buyers test the camera, which suits higher-value gear.
- Camera stores and trade-in programs: fast and simple, usually for less than a private sale.
- Photography groups and forums: knowledgeable buyers, especially for film and specialist lenses.
Selling a body and lenses separately can bring more in total but takes more time. A starter kit can sell well to beginners as a bundle.
Step 8: write the listing
Put the brand, model and lens or kit details in the title. Our listing title builder helps. In the description, list what you tested, the shutter count if known, the lens condition in plain words (for example "light dust, no haze or fungus"), what is included and any faults.
Step 9: price it and count the fees
Price from recent sales of the same model in similar condition. Use the resale profit calculator to see your take-home after fees and shipping, and to compare a private sale with a store offer.
Step 10: ship or meet safely
Put the body cap and lens caps on, remove the lens from the body for shipping if possible, and wrap each item well with padding on all sides in a sturdy box. Use tracking and consider insurance or signature confirmation for valuable gear. Ship batteries according to your carrier's lithium battery rules. For local sales, meet somewhere public and let the buyer try the camera before paying.
After the sale
Keep your photos and tracking until the sale is final, and transfer or cancel any warranty or registration in your name if the maker allows it.
Frequently asked questions
Should I sell my camera body and lenses separately?
Often it brings more in total, because buyers want different combinations. A beginner kit can sell well as a bundle. Compare recent sales of the kit and of each part before you decide.
How do I check a lens for fungus or haze?
Shine a bright flashlight through the lens from behind and look through the front at an angle. Fungus looks like fine threads or spots; haze looks like a cloudy film.
What is a shutter count and do buyers care?
It is the number of photos a camera has taken. Buyers of digital cameras often ask, because shutters have a rated life. Include it in your listing if you can find it.