Realistically, How Long Could a Camera Body Last?
p.2 #1Realistically, How Long Could a Camera Body Last?
Shorter answer to “how long should a body last” — Likely to maintain physical functionality long enough that its technology seems dated, at least for many users.
Edited on Jul 23, 2026 at 02:25 PM · View previous versions
Edited on Jul 23, 2026 at 02:25 PM · View previous versions
Jul 23, 2026 at 09:41 AM
p.2 #2Realistically, How Long Could a Camera Body Last?
I had two Sony A99's over a decade ago with close to 200K on each of the shutters. At that point, the buttons started to fail on both cameras. Fortunately, Sony has substantially improved their hardware and switch quality since that time.
One of the key failure points on many cameras is the memory slot push-lock mechanism and/or the contacts. If you download your files with a USB cable, you can extend the useful life of this mechanism.
If you shoot in the rain, it would be good to seal the flash mount (the stock cover does not do much). I use plastic rain bags to cover the camera and lens (why risk it?).
Should you shoot well over 250K shots, FP shutters are relatively inexpensive to replace in the event of failure. Nowadays, I think the Sony shutters are good for far more than 250K shots, so it is unlikely that will ever be a problem.
With a little care your A7R5 should last a very long time.
You are very fortunate to be seemingly immune to GAS!
Edited on Jul 23, 2026 at 10:49 AM · View previous versions
One of the key failure points on many cameras is the memory slot push-lock mechanism and/or the contacts. If you download your files with a USB cable, you can extend the useful life of this mechanism.
If you shoot in the rain, it would be good to seal the flash mount (the stock cover does not do much). I use plastic rain bags to cover the camera and lens (why risk it?).
Should you shoot well over 250K shots, FP shutters are relatively inexpensive to replace in the event of failure. Nowadays, I think the Sony shutters are good for far more than 250K shots, so it is unlikely that will ever be a problem.
With a little care your A7R5 should last a very long time.
You are very fortunate to be seemingly immune to GAS!
Edited on Jul 23, 2026 at 10:49 AM · View previous versions
Jul 23, 2026 at 10:39 AM
p.2 #3Realistically, How Long Could a Camera Body Last?
I'd start worrying when Sony no longer has parts for repairs.
Jul 23, 2026 at 10:46 AM
p.2 #4Realistically, How Long Could a Camera Body Last?
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Edited on Aug 02, 2026 at 03:21 AM · View previous versions
Edited on Aug 02, 2026 at 03:21 AM · View previous versions
Jul 23, 2026 at 02:30 PM
p.2 #5Realistically, How Long Could a Camera Body Last?
I don't know the answer...but I'm as happy with my A1 as I was the day I bought it, and have no intention of selling it anytime soon. I have an A7cR for travel due to its smaller size, but the reality is that if I decided to go down to 1 body, I'd keep the A1. To me it can do everything I need it to, and I don't see my needs evolving to a use case that'd make a newer body beneficial to me. It just works.
Jul 23, 2026 at 03:04 PM
p.2 #6Realistically, How Long Could a Camera Body Last?
Regarding card slot failure: I wonder what is cheaper, USB port replacement or card slot replacement?
I know card slots fail, as you say. USB ports fail also.
USB port failure on a desktop PC has a work around, sacrificial cable. Obviously, not possible on a camera.
InFocus2014 wrote:
I had two Sony A99's over a decade ago with close to 200K on each of the shutters. At that point, the buttons started to fail on both cameras. Fortunately, Sony has substantially improved their hardware and switch quality since that time.
One of the key failure points on many cameras is the memory slot push-lock mechanism and/or the contacts. If you download your files with a USB cable, you can extend the useful life of this mechanism.
If you shoot in the rain, it would be good to seal the flash mount (the stock cover does not do much). I use...Show more →
I know card slots fail, as you say. USB ports fail also.
USB port failure on a desktop PC has a work around, sacrificial cable. Obviously, not possible on a camera.
InFocus2014 wrote:
I had two Sony A99's over a decade ago with close to 200K on each of the shutters. At that point, the buttons started to fail on both cameras. Fortunately, Sony has substantially improved their hardware and switch quality since that time.
One of the key failure points on many cameras is the memory slot push-lock mechanism and/or the contacts. If you download your files with a USB cable, you can extend the useful life of this mechanism.
If you shoot in the rain, it would be good to seal the flash mount (the stock cover does not do much). I use...Show more →
Jul 23, 2026 at 03:09 PM
p.2 #7Realistically, How Long Could a Camera Body Last?
gocolts wrote:
I don't know the answer...but I'm as happy with my A1 as I was the day I bought it, and have no intention of selling it anytime soon. I have an A7cR for travel due to its smaller size, but the reality is that if I decided to go down to 1 body, I'd keep the A1. To me it can do everything I need it to, and I don't see my needs evolving to a use case that'd make a newer body beneficial to me. It just works.
I'm the same about my A1 but recently sold my A9 and a lens and bought the A7 V for backup. I haven't used the A1 since I got it. My A1 had the board replaced last year, so it should be good for several years. I won't spend the dollars for an A1 II.
I don't know the answer...but I'm as happy with my A1 as I was the day I bought it, and have no intention of selling it anytime soon. I have an A7cR for travel due to its smaller size, but the reality is that if I decided to go down to 1 body, I'd keep the A1. To me it can do everything I need it to, and I don't see my needs evolving to a use case that'd make a newer body beneficial to me. It just works.
I'm the same about my A1 but recently sold my A9 and a lens and bought the A7 V for backup. I haven't used the A1 since I got it. My A1 had the board replaced last year, so it should be good for several years. I won't spend the dollars for an A1 II.
Jul 23, 2026 at 05:01 PM
p.2 #8Realistically, How Long Could a Camera Body Last?
Depends on use and abuse. I’m still using an A9, all good!
Jul 23, 2026 at 05:56 PM
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p.2 #9Realistically, How Long Could a Camera Body Last?
Use and abuse will impact life.
So will damage from static during manufacturing or assembly.
Or any other manufacturing or assembly step that is less than perfect.
Obviously impossible for the buyer to detect and very rarely possible to determine after failure.
Maybe 80% of these issues will be, or could be, resolved by 'replaced motherboard'.
So will damage from static during manufacturing or assembly.
Or any other manufacturing or assembly step that is less than perfect.
Obviously impossible for the buyer to detect and very rarely possible to determine after failure.
Maybe 80% of these issues will be, or could be, resolved by 'replaced motherboard'.
Jul 23, 2026 at 06:52 PM
p.2 #10Realistically, How Long Could a Camera Body Last?
I bought my A7RIV on this forum used in 2020 and have criss-crossed the country and the globe with it and it's fine. I don't even know how many shots I've taken though likely not many compared to most. I don't shoot bursts or anything moving. I only use manual focus lenses. GAS makes me want to upgrade to something with better low light capabilities and better video since recent injuries have curtailed my ability to carry tripods and video gear. But there's compromises so my path is uncertain. For now it keeps keeping on.
Jul 23, 2026 at 08:31 PM
p.2 #11Realistically, How Long Could a Camera Body Last?
I have a Canon 5D2, c. 2010, which works just fine.
Mirrorless cameras still have shutters but there aren't many moving mechanical parts to fail, compared with a DSLR for example. I would expect at least 10 years from modern digital cameras, assuming they are not actually abused.
Mirrorless cameras still have shutters but there aren't many moving mechanical parts to fail, compared with a DSLR for example. I would expect at least 10 years from modern digital cameras, assuming they are not actually abused.
Jul 24, 2026 at 01:07 AM
p.2 #12Realistically, How Long Could a Camera Body Last?
If your significant other is asking, these cameras are typically replaced every two years. Not five. Two. Industry standards. I don't make the rules.
Jul 24, 2026 at 09:47 AM
p.2 #13Realistically, How Long Could a Camera Body Last?
JohnJ wrote:
I have a Canon 5D2, c. 2010, which works just fine.
Mirrorless cameras still have shutters but there aren't many moving mechanical parts to fail, compared with a DSLR for example. I would expect at least 10 years from modern digital cameras, assuming they are not actually abused.
Yep agree with „at least 10 years“.
I still shoot a 18ish years old Nikon D700 occasionally and not babying it either (fell couple of meters as my tripod was blown over in Norway, used it in heavy snowfall last winter) - works just fine and takes great pictures. Of course lower res and lower DR than newer cameras, but for most stuff it doesn’t matter.
Also have an ancient Hasselblad H3Dii-39 which works just fine. It had to get its sensor cover glass replaced at some point but other than that no issues.
The one thing that won’t last this long is batteries. But a non-issue with Sony and all the third-party options.
I have a Canon 5D2, c. 2010, which works just fine.
Mirrorless cameras still have shutters but there aren't many moving mechanical parts to fail, compared with a DSLR for example. I would expect at least 10 years from modern digital cameras, assuming they are not actually abused.
Yep agree with „at least 10 years“.
I still shoot a 18ish years old Nikon D700 occasionally and not babying it either (fell couple of meters as my tripod was blown over in Norway, used it in heavy snowfall last winter) - works just fine and takes great pictures. Of course lower res and lower DR than newer cameras, but for most stuff it doesn’t matter.
Also have an ancient Hasselblad H3Dii-39 which works just fine. It had to get its sensor cover glass replaced at some point but other than that no issues.
The one thing that won’t last this long is batteries. But a non-issue with Sony and all the third-party options.
Jul 24, 2026 at 10:13 AM
p.2 #14Realistically, How Long Could a Camera Body Last?
I've got a 16 year old canon point and shoot that my daughter uses. I also have a 9 year old Sony A9. I've never had a camera die of old age, the GAS gets them first and they are sold.
Jul 24, 2026 at 10:40 AM
p.2 #15Realistically, How Long Could a Camera Body Last?
My daily driver for 11 years a7s mk1
Abused kindly, still rock'n
Abused kindly, still rock'n
Jul 24, 2026 at 04:30 PM
p.2 #16Realistically, How Long Could a Camera Body Last?
I have a bunch of old cameras (both film and digital), and they have shown signs of wear in different ways:
- Plastic external parts on a couple of my cameras have degraded as a result of age and probably exposure to sunscreen.
- Batteries have been an issue, since camera manufacturers "update" batteries for new models constantly. Getting OEM batteries on older cameras is not easy.
- I've had sensors go bad on dslr's years after their manufacturers stop servicing them (have to rely on independent camera repair shops).
- Memory cards for older equipment gets harder to come by as the camera ages. I have old Sony cameras that use Memory Sticks (first generation) which are very hard to find. Also my Nikon D1X's use CF cards that can't be bigger than 3GB. I can almost guarantee you that SD UHS-1 and USH-2 cards will be replaced by some obscure type card in the next few years making it difficult to find cards for current cameras. Who knows if in the near future cameras focus more on internal storage as opposed to memory cards in general thereby forcing consumers to "forget about removable storage"; or even have direct cloud storage access only. Good luck trying to find card readers, USB drives on devices, etc.!
To answer your original question if your camera will last 5 more years, I'd say there's a 70% chance of that happening. Just remember to buy extra batteries for it in a year or two before they are completely discontinued by the manufacturer.
- Plastic external parts on a couple of my cameras have degraded as a result of age and probably exposure to sunscreen.
- Batteries have been an issue, since camera manufacturers "update" batteries for new models constantly. Getting OEM batteries on older cameras is not easy.
- I've had sensors go bad on dslr's years after their manufacturers stop servicing them (have to rely on independent camera repair shops).
- Memory cards for older equipment gets harder to come by as the camera ages. I have old Sony cameras that use Memory Sticks (first generation) which are very hard to find. Also my Nikon D1X's use CF cards that can't be bigger than 3GB. I can almost guarantee you that SD UHS-1 and USH-2 cards will be replaced by some obscure type card in the next few years making it difficult to find cards for current cameras. Who knows if in the near future cameras focus more on internal storage as opposed to memory cards in general thereby forcing consumers to "forget about removable storage"; or even have direct cloud storage access only. Good luck trying to find card readers, USB drives on devices, etc.!
To answer your original question if your camera will last 5 more years, I'd say there's a 70% chance of that happening. Just remember to buy extra batteries for it in a year or two before they are completely discontinued by the manufacturer.
Jul 24, 2026 at 07:49 PM