35mm SLR
Canon AE-1 Value and Price Guide (1976–1984)
Condition-adjusted values, full specifications, production history, and live links to current listings.
Low (good)
£70
Median (excellent)
£120
High (mint)
£220
Market value by condition
| Condition | Range |
|---|---|
Mint As-new, full kit, original box | £180 to £220 |
Excellent Clean cosmetics, fully working | £120 to £180 |
Good Honest user, minor signs of use | £70 to £120 |
For parts Not working, sold for spares | £20 to £50 |
Values are estimates based on real sale data and are not formal appraisals.
Price history
Median value, last 12 months
Sourced from sold listings
Specifications
- Format
- 35mm SLR
- Mount
- Canon FD
- Country
- Japan
- Production
- 1976–1984
- Type
- 35mm SLR
- Mount
- Canon FD breech-lock
- Shutter
- Electronically controlled cloth focal-plane, 2s to 1/1000s
- Meter
- Centre-weighted average, silicon photocell
- Weight
- 590g body only
- Produced
- Over 5 million units
Production history
The AE-1 was the first SLR with an embedded microcomputer and arguably the camera that turned the 35mm SLR into a mass-market product. Shutter priority, a bright finder, and a vast FD lens lineup made it the default first SLR for a generation. Values are held down by the sheer supply, but the famous "Canon cough" (squeaking mirror dampener) makes serviced examples worth a premium.
Frequently asked
How much is a Canon AE-1 worth?
A Canon AE-1 in working condition typically sells for £70 to £220, with a median around £120. Mint or boxed examples can exceed the top of this range; non-working "for parts" bodies sell well below it.
When was the Canon AE-1 made?
The Canon AE-1 was produced from 1976 to 1984 in Japan.
What format is the Canon AE-1?
It is a 35mm SLR camera using the Canon FD mount.
Are these values formal appraisals?
Values are estimates based on real sale data and are not formal appraisals. For insurance or auction-grade appraisals, consult a specialist.