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Home › Learn › Buying guides › Understanding Camera Grading

Buying guide

Understanding Camera Grading

What the grades mean, how we grade and how to choose the right condition for you. A guide to ShutterXchange’s own grading terms and the separate checks to read before buying.

10–12 min read Reference guide
The full grading scale explained
What to expect in each grade
How grading affects value
You versus professional grading
How we keep grading consistent

Why grading matters

Cameras show signs of use over time. Grading helps you quickly understand a camera’s condition, set the right expectations and choose the best value for your needs.

A useful grade gives

  • Honest expectations
  • A fair price for condition
  • Confidence before buying

Our grading promises

  • Consistent standards
  • Detailed photographs
  • Separate functional findings

Online buying guide

Bookmark this checklist to use when comparing gear.

Understanding Camera Grading

○Like New

○Excellent

○Good

○Well Used

○Heavily Used

View guide checklist
Camera controls being inspected by gloved hands

Good news

The right information turns a used-gear decision into a confident one.

Our camera grading scale

Five cosmetic grades. Read the exact item’s photographs and separate functional and optical findings.

1

Like New

As new or very close to it. Zero to very light signs of use.

Learn more
2

Excellent

Light signs of use. Cosmetic wear visible on close inspection.

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3

Good

Moderate signs of use and visible cosmetic wear. Read functional findings separately.

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4

Well Used

Heavier signs of use and more noticeable cosmetic wear. Check the inspection results.

Learn more
5

Heavily Used

Significant cosmetic wear. This label alone does not certify operation or remaining life.

Learn more

What to review for cosmetic condition

  • Exterior body condition
  • Wear on grips and edges
  • Paint chips and marks
  • Screen condition
  • Visible wear on controls and ports
  • Accessories: check the separate list

Checks to read separately from the grade

  • Shutter count and reading method
  • Internal dust and optical findings
  • Sensor condition and sample images
  • Lens condition — see the lens guide
  • Future performance or reliability

Not sure what grade to choose?

Perfectionists

Choose Like New or Excellent.

Best value

Compare price, wear and inspection results.

Budget buyers

Choose Well Used or Heavily Used.

How we grade

1. Visual inspection

2. Detailed checks

3. Functional testing

4. Grade assigned

5. Photographed

Why buy from ShutterXchange?

Professionally inspected. Honest grading. Total transparency.

Professionally inspected

Read the inspection results for the exact item.

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Conservative grading

Our grades are honest and fair.

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72-image viewer

See every angle in detail.

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Warranty included

Check eligibility, cover and exclusions.

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Buying support

Help before and after you buy.

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Camera bodies and lenses displayed in the ShutterXchange studio

Knowledge leads to confidence. Confidence leads to great gear.

Explore professionally inspected cameras and find the right condition for you.

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Read the grade and the report together

  1. Our five labels are Like New, Excellent, Good, Well Used and Heavily Used. Use the linked grading guide for ShutterXchange’s definitions; another retailer may use the same words differently.
  2. A cosmetic grade is not a shutter-count band, a battery-health certificate or a promise of remaining life. Read the separate functional and optical findings, including any faults, missing results or untested features.
  3. Compare photographs of the exact stock item with the wear described. Check the accessories list, rather than assuming that a higher grade includes the original box, charger or hood.
  4. If the grade, report and photographs appear inconsistent, quote the stock ID when contacting support and resolve the discrepancy before ordering.

A real report: read each finding separately

When checked on 15 September 2026, our report for Canon EOS R6 Mark II stock item SXC-00000332 showed an Excellent cosmetic grade and light scratches or scuffs. It also contained individual results marked N/A. The grade describes appearance; an N/A entry is not a passed test. Ask what an unclear result means for the functions you need. This is a dated example of a real report, not a claim that the item is still available or that its report cannot change.

Sources and scope

Manufacturer references apply to the models or procedures they describe. Our checklists are practical buying guidance, not a certification of an individual item. Shop links are commercial links to ShutterXchange. Policies and support can change; check the linked source for the latest terms.

Found an error or need a model-specific answer? Contact support with the guide title or stock ID.

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