Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

I had a Nikon DX2 purchased in 2005 last and still photographing till I sold it in 2017. I have a D800 purchased in 2011 and I still use it once in a while with a shutter count of over 155,000.

User ID

I spray 60fps. But I never use the shutter. Big deal ...

Bill 45

Digital camera to last 5 to 25 years only. What that to life of film camera? You will run out and buy a $2.000.00 digital camera that may last 25 years at best. Something is not right here.

profbowman Loc: Harrisonburg, VA, USA

I have a Canon SX30 IS camera bought new that was my only camera for 7 1/2 years. It does not have interchangeable lenses. So, three years ago, I bought a bottom of the line mirrorless camera, a Sony A6000, which should serve me well into my later retirement years. Both cameras are still working very well.

The technologies for producing sensors (chips) have been increasing so that about every two years a camera with a new sensor with significantly better characteristics comes on the market. This may let up, but I doubt it. So, it will depend upon how much I desire a better sensor as to when I will buy another camera. --Richard

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

What is not right is the technology changes quicker than the cameras can wear out. The camera is still good but the wanted technology isn't there. This is where firmware upgrades are useful, but only delay it for a while.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I got my T2i back in 2010 and it still works well. It was my only camera for 6 years.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Modern Digital camera's are aged by number of exposures rather than number of years.
I still use a Nikon D3s that was made in 2010, it is now 12 years old and has a shutter count around 11,000. It will easily outlive me. New batteries are available.
Life expectancy can also be limited by parts availability, your camera shutter may be fine down the road but if it fails and you can't get parts your camera life expectancy will have reached an end.
Life expectancy can be limited by environmental use, salt water, sand, rain, dust, etc.
So, How many years will you get out of your modern digital camera? It all depends on you.
Shutter life expectancy can vary from camera to camera, you should get at least 150,000 shutter exposures. How many you get vary from camera, some will last longer than others, but, shutter replacements can cost you in the neighborhood of $300-$400.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

You are correct.
You are also comparing apples and kumquats.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

This website attempts to track camera lifespan by counting shutter actuations:

http://www.olegkikin.com/shutterlife/

Above only shows a few camera models. A more comprehensive list can be found at:

http://www.olegkikin.com/shutterlife/sitemap.php

Shutter actuations or "clicks" are to cameras like mileage is to cars.

It's not just the shutter that can go bad in a camera. There are many other components that can fail.

And, just like miles on a car, not all "clicks" are the same. For cars mileage on a highway accumulates more rapidly, but makes for less wear and tear than stop and go driving in town. With modern cameras that can shoot both stills and video, 1000 clicks may be very little or a lot of use, depending upon exactly how the camera was used. If it was used to shoot videos that on average were 6 minutes, 1000 clicks would mean there was 100 hours of use on the electronic components of the camera. But if it were instead used to shoot stills in daylight, with an average of 1/250 shutter speed, some of the same electronic components would only have accumulated 4 minutes of use!

Finally, the above site is informative, but only looks at "shutter failure" and is far from a scientifically valid. For one, all the data that's gathered is voluntary and probably isn't very random. Is the info submitted honest and correct? Plus the data pool is awfully small in a lot of cases.

Still, it's all we've got and can at least give us an idea of how much life might be expected from some cameras. For example, you can tell the Canon 40D was more prone to shutter failure than other models in Canon's xxD series. 40D shutter life averages quite a bit less than what the camera is rated (100K clicks). You also can get the idea that Canon 5D series models tend to have very long-lived shutters, often living far beyond what they are rated (150K clicks).

MrPhotog

Yeah. That happens. Some people extrapolate from assumptions, or lack of better data. Unfortunately, frequently it is hard to change their minds once better information is available. They have made an opinion, and it is fixed in their minds.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

And of course it's ALL OVER THE INTERNET...........
Must be true.

KTJohnson Loc: Northern Michigan

In my experience and by listening to others, it usually gets put on the shelf (or replaced) long before it wears out.

Paul Diamond Loc: Atlanta, GA, USA

Too many potential 'weak links' between the components, major and minor. You might be able to keep most of the major components working or find replacements 10, 15 or 20 years in the future if it is a quality, volume made camera model of a quality camera manufacturer.

For companies with a great reputation, the camera division might be sold or shut down which continues to happen in the photo industry. Availability of components for discontinued models or the remnants of a former company can become quickly and unexpectedly disappointing.

Sorry for being a 'downer'. But my experience in the photo industry has not been encouraging. Nikon, Canon, maybe Sony are relatively safe bets at this time. However, Sony has been known to ditch technology and markets rather abruptly in the past.

I am expecting some major technology enhancements in the next 10-20 years for future imaging systems. They will probably encourage almost everyone now on UHH to consider upgrades and put 2000-2020 technology on the shelf. And, it may no longer be compatible or usable.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Bill 45

I will take apples, thank you.