Ive had my Sony A300 since July 08. Since then Ive had my camera repaired 5-7 times. I really do love the A300 and have no complaints about it, but I seem to keep having these weird quirky problems with it.
So I started to do some research. There are mixed reviews about DSLR's and how long they live. Some people say its 100,000 clicks and others say 2.5 - 3 years.
With that being said...
What have you heard?
and/or
How long have you had your DSLR?
Model - Rated Shutter Life
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS / 1000D - 100,000
Canon EOS Digital Rebel T1i / 500D - 100,000
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi / 450D - 100,000
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi / 400D - 50,000
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT / 350D - 50,000
Canon EOS 50D - 100,000
Canon EOS 40D - 100,000
Canon EOS 30D - 100,000
Canon EOS 20D - 50,000
Canon EOS 5D Mark II - 150,000
Canon EOS 5D - 100,000
Canon EOS 1D Mark III - 300,000
Canon EOS 1D Mark II N - 200,000
Canon EOS 1DS Mark III - 300,000
Canon EOS 1DS Mark II - 200,000
Thanks for raising the question, actually - curious about this too because a lot of people on here have said that their cameras have lasted several years and I'm unsure about how to know when it's time to upgrade.
Canon EOS 300D since 2005, about 16k shutters, never had any problems.
In terms of upgrade, I am very envious of the latest models pixel count, frame rates, and responsiveness, and things like HD recording - but my pictures comfortably enlarge to A3, and the quality still takes my breath away from time to time.
I have the Canon Rebel, which I'm pretty sure I got in '03. It's got roughly 29k clicks and is still going strong. I'm looking to upgrade mainly because the technology has come so far in the past 8 years.
You've had your camera less than 3 years, have had it in for repairs 5-7 times,and you LOVE it and have no complaints about it? Seriously?
C'mon, wake up from the Disney Magic Kingdom dream you're in where everything is swell. Snap out of it. Don't let those Corp-O-Rats let you be their poster child for a sucker.
I'd be writing Sony weekly, posting bad reviews on every blog on the Internet until I either got my money back or they replaced it with a reliable camera (which would not be a Sony in this case).
My one Nikon digital is 9 years old now, and works fine, and hasn't had 1 repair.
I've got A D50 I purchased in 2006. I don't know how to get the shutter count, but it was just great. I've never had any repairs other than sensor cleaning. I've just purchased a D90, but am hanging on to the D50, as there is nothing really wrong with it.
yeah... it is about care and abuse... there are photogs who literally assume they will destroy their camera on every shoot... I read about a mountain photog who's two camera hanging around his neck bouced off the rock face the whole way up and down... cameras... toast... lens... toast... cover shot for a mag... check...
vs some people who will not change a lens unless they are in a virtual clean room with an level 5 haz-mat suit on... so it is all relative... and they will get 100k+ easy....
but 5 repairs... I would be burning down the local sony store...
The number of repairs is way way too many! I have never ever had to have anything repaired this much. Are you really rough on your cameras? As for camera life - I have have upgraded due to needs and outgrowing my camera vs. dying or needing repairs. Sounds like it is time for you to switch. I know there is supposed to be a lifespan for camera bodies but I have not hit any limits I am aware of and have not had any photo friends run into it either. I think it is just how you care for your equipment.
Wow this discussion is an eye opener for me. I recently got my first DSLR a Sony Alpha 390. I thought it's shelf life would be dependent upon when its technology was too outdated. Loving the quality of my photos, I thought that would be in the far far future. I thought that if I took care of my camera it could live indefinately
Though it makes sense, it never occured to me that the more photos I take the shorter my camera will live. Maybe I should be saving for an upgraded camera in another five years.
This discussion is enlightening and a little sad. I'm rather attached to my camera now.
I have a Canon A30(??) P&S, I haven't used in a couple of years since I got my DSLR but I took it to Iraq twice and carried it everywhere with me. It even survived being dropped of a counter and by my son when he was a baby. It finally hit its limit right before 2010 convienently when I got the DSLR :) It lasted 6 years though and it still works but the display is wonky so I can't switch through the menus or really see a picture I took. Other than that, I love(d) it. I think part of it is in how you care for it but part is just technology and when something is produced by 'bots you will inevitably get a bad apple, doesn't mean the whole model or brand is bad....but it might be enough to get you to try another brand in the future.
@moncooga Thanks, but regardless I still love Sony (so maybe I am their poster child lol). I love the quality it puts out, and I love how easy it is for me to use (when I touch a canon or nikon im a bit clueless and really don't like the feel of them). The reason its been repaired so much was the strap gave out on me and it fell two feet onto the concrete, I sent it into Sony (their repair center was Precision Camera - there is no Sony repair center on island), but they didn't correct the problem the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd time (Ive even had the camera come back with new problems!). The camera had to go in 4 times for them to fix the problem (the company eventually went out of business). Seems like there was another repair in between and I cant remember for what. And the most recent repair was the motor in my lens burnt out. So not as bad as it sounds. I am curious which nikon you have?
@icywarm I agree with ya there are people who are very rough with their cameras. & @autumnseden My camera was dropped once - but repaired (or so I think - also read above it explains it). Its had its bumps and dings, and has been used on a daily basis (generally taking any where from 30-300 shots average a day) to be honest I don't think its had a day off since I bought it. If I want the shot I will do what it takes to get it, but that doesn't mean I slam it into a wall, or throw it. Ive seen some people abuse their Dslr's and I don't see how some one can do that to something so expensive! Yikes!
@herussell I was actually looking into that camera too. The Sony camera is great, its just when their repair center was with Precision camera it was horrible. They have switched now. I was told by a professional that the Dslr's don't last near as long as the old film ones because they are ran more by electrical components now (just like @shadesofgrey said). Im also curious if Sony Alpha's have a shorter life because they are not as well known as the Canon or Nikon ones. But I also agree with the above, it also depends on how much you use your camera and/or how you care for it.
@shadesofgrey I agree so much with you said, but dont know if ill be crossing over just yet. Seems like p&s are a lot more durable and have a much longer shelf life.
Thanks everyone for your insight, it helped. I will still be sticking with Sony cause its what I know. I was just curious if anyone else has heard of the DSLR shelf life. Again, Thanks! :)
Nope. Never heard of a DSLR shelf life. My Nikon D40 hasn't ever needed repairs. I got it almost 4 years ago. I take A LOT of pictures so it probably has mileage over 100,000. I've used other cameras as well including sony. I could go with any of them once I learned the differences. But I prefer my Nikon. I wouldn't mind an upgrade.
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
Model - Rated Shutter Life
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS / 1000D - 100,000
Canon EOS Digital Rebel T1i / 500D - 100,000
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi / 450D - 100,000
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi / 400D - 50,000
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT / 350D - 50,000
Canon EOS 50D - 100,000
Canon EOS 40D - 100,000
Canon EOS 30D - 100,000
Canon EOS 20D - 50,000
Canon EOS 5D Mark II - 150,000
Canon EOS 5D - 100,000
Canon EOS 1D Mark III - 300,000
Canon EOS 1D Mark II N - 200,000
Canon EOS 1DS Mark III - 300,000
Canon EOS 1DS Mark II - 200,000
Thanks for raising the question, actually - curious about this too because a lot of people on here have said that their cameras have lasted several years and I'm unsure about how to know when it's time to upgrade.
In terms of upgrade, I am very envious of the latest models pixel count, frame rates, and responsiveness, and things like HD recording - but my pictures comfortably enlarge to A3, and the quality still takes my breath away from time to time.
C'mon, wake up from the Disney Magic Kingdom dream you're in where everything is swell. Snap out of it. Don't let those Corp-O-Rats let you be their poster child for a sucker.
I'd be writing Sony weekly, posting bad reviews on every blog on the Internet until I either got my money back or they replaced it with a reliable camera (which would not be a Sony in this case).
My one Nikon digital is 9 years old now, and works fine, and hasn't had 1 repair.
vs some people who will not change a lens unless they are in a virtual clean room with an level 5 haz-mat suit on... so it is all relative... and they will get 100k+ easy....
but 5 repairs... I would be burning down the local sony store...
Though it makes sense, it never occured to me that the more photos I take the shorter my camera will live. Maybe I should be saving for an upgraded camera in another five years.
This discussion is enlightening and a little sad. I'm rather attached to my camera now.
@icywarm I agree with ya there are people who are very rough with their cameras. & @autumnseden My camera was dropped once - but repaired (or so I think - also read above it explains it). Its had its bumps and dings, and has been used on a daily basis (generally taking any where from 30-300 shots average a day) to be honest I don't think its had a day off since I bought it. If I want the shot I will do what it takes to get it, but that doesn't mean I slam it into a wall, or throw it. Ive seen some people abuse their Dslr's and I don't see how some one can do that to something so expensive! Yikes!
@herussell I was actually looking into that camera too. The Sony camera is great, its just when their repair center was with Precision camera it was horrible. They have switched now. I was told by a professional that the Dslr's don't last near as long as the old film ones because they are ran more by electrical components now (just like @shadesofgrey said). Im also curious if Sony Alpha's have a shorter life because they are not as well known as the Canon or Nikon ones. But I also agree with the above, it also depends on how much you use your camera and/or how you care for it.
@shadesofgrey I agree so much with you said, but dont know if ill be crossing over just yet. Seems like p&s are a lot more durable and have a much longer shelf life.
Thanks everyone for your insight, it helped. I will still be sticking with Sony cause its what I know. I was just curious if anyone else has heard of the DSLR shelf life. Again, Thanks! :)