The UK Used Camera Market in 2026: Growth, Trends, and What It Means for Buyers

The market for used cameras in the UK is no longer a niche corner of the photography world. According to market research published in late 2025, the UK secondhand camera and lens market was valued at approximately £250 million in 2024 and is projected to reach around £520 million by 2033 — a compound annual growth rate that reflects a fundamental shift in how photographers and content creators think about acquiring equipment.

This is not a trend driven by budget constraints alone. The data tells a more nuanced story: one of changing values around sustainability, the maturation of the content creation economy, and the growing recognition that used camera gear — particularly from reputable UK sellers — offers quality that is essentially indistinguishable from new.

MPB's Record Year: The Numbers Behind the Boom

The clearest single indicator of the used camera market's health comes from MPB, the Brighton-founded used photo and video equipment retailer that has become one of the largest platforms of its kind in the world. In its FY25 Impact Report, published in January 2026, MPB reported that it recirculated 615,000 items of used camera gear in the twelve months to March 2025 — up 9% year-on-year. Net revenue grew by 19%, with international markets growing by 28%.

"Demand for high-quality, second-hand equipment continues to grow, supported by the rise of digital content creation and increasing global adoption of circular models." — Matt Barker, CEO and Founder, MPB

MPB's European expansion is particularly notable for UK buyers. The company launched additional local-language platforms across Germany, France, the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Ireland, and Italy during the year, with European net revenue growing 31% year-on-year. This international growth is relevant because it signals that the used camera market is not a UK-specific phenomenon — it is a global structural shift that is likely to sustain demand and, in turn, maintain the quality and volume of used stock available to UK buyers.

What the CIPA Data Tells Us

The Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA), which tracks global digital camera production and shipments from Japanese manufacturers, published its full-year 2025 statistics in February 2026. The headline figure is striking: total digital camera shipments reached 9.44 million units in 2025, up from 8.37 million in 2024 — the first consecutive-year increase since the early 2000s.

The growth was driven primarily by two categories. Compact camera shipments surged approximately 30% year-on-year, reflecting renewed consumer interest in dedicated cameras over smartphones. Mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras also grew strongly, with shipments reaching 6.3 million units — up from 5.6 million in 2024.

The DSLR category tells a very different story. Just 690,911 DSLRs were shipped globally in 2025, down from 997,608 in 2024. This represents a continuation of a multi-year decline as manufacturers redirect investment towards mirrorless systems. The practical consequence for the used market is significant: as new DSLR production winds down, the supply of high-quality used DSLRs — bodies that were built to last decades — is becoming increasingly attractive relative to their price.

The Content Creation Effect

One factor that market reports consistently identify as a driver of used camera demand is the growth of digital content creation. The explosion of YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok as professional platforms has created a large new category of buyer: the content creator who needs camera-quality imagery and video but who is working within a business budget rather than a hobbyist one.

For this buyer, a refurbished Sony A7 III or Canon EOS R6 purchased for £800–£1,000 represents a rational business decision. The same camera new would cost £1,500–£2,000. The image quality is identical. The only difference is the price — and, for a business, the depreciation profile is considerably more favourable when starting from a lower base.

What This Means for Buyers in 2026

The growth of the used camera market is, on balance, good news for buyers. Greater demand has attracted more professional sellers, raised standards for grading and inspection, and increased competition that keeps prices honest. The availability of used stock from specialist UK retailers — including Wex Photo Video, Camera Centre Cardiff, Ffordes Photographic, and Solent Camera Exchange — means buyers have more choice and more recourse than ever before.

The one caveat is that certain models — particularly popular mirrorless bodies and the most sought-after compact cameras — are now commanding prices that reflect their demand. A used Fujifilm X100V, for example, can sell for close to its original retail price because demand consistently outstrips supply. For buyers seeking genuine value, the DSLR category remains the most compelling opportunity in the market right now.

Where to Buy Used Cameras in the UK

The UK has a well-developed ecosystem of used camera retailers, ranging from large online platforms to specialist regional dealers. For buyers who want the security of a graded, inspected camera with a returns policy, the following options are worth considering:

Wex Photo Video is one of the UK's largest camera retailers and operates an extensive used section at its Norwich and London stores and online. Used items are graded and carry a warranty. Browse used cameras at Wex →

For eBay UK, our Trusted Sellers page profiles three vetted specialist sellers — Solent Camera Exchange, Camera Centre Cardiff, and Ffordes Photographic — each with strong feedback records and genuine expertise in used camera equipment.

Sources

GM Insights / LinkedIn Pulse, "United Kingdom Secondhand Camera and Lens Market," November 2025. MPB, "FY25 Impact Report," January 2026. CIPA, "Statistical Data on Digital Camera and Interchangeable Lens (Full Year 2025)," February 2026. Digital Camera World, "Demand for used cameras is skyrocketing," January 2026.