CameraWorth.com

Canon AE-1 Program

The Canon AE-1 Program is a 35mm single-lens reflex camera introduced in 1981 as the successor to the AE-1, using the Canon FD lens mount. It added a fully automatic Program exposure mode to the shutter-priority and manual modes of the earlier model, and was positioned as an enthusiast camera aimed at amateurs moving up from simpler cameras.

At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the AE-1 Program have mostly sat between £56 and £150, with a median result around £100 across the last few years. As of 2026 the model still sells for similar money to what it fetched in 2022–2023, so its value has been broadly flat at saleroom level; clean, working bodies with a standard FD 50mm lens tend to achieve the upper end of that range, while scruffy or untested examples are worth closer to £60.

Variants

Select a variant to filter the sales history below.

Variant Years Edition Sales Price Range
black 7 £54£192

Sales History

Prices shown are realised prices — auction results and completed eBay sales, never asking prices. Most saleroom figures are hammer prices, before commission; some houses publish a premium-inclusive figure, and we do not adjust for condition. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher. How this figure is calculated.

Prices updated: August 2026

Date Price Value GBP Source Variant
Aug 2026 EUR 155 £132 🇪🇺 eBay
Aug 2026 £65 £65 🇬🇧 eBay
Aug 2026 £162 £162 🇬🇧 eBay black
Aug 2026 £73 £73 🇬🇧 eBay
Aug 2026 £54 £54 🇬🇧 eBay black
Aug 2026 £90 £90 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services
Aug 2026 £190 £190 🇬🇧 eBay black
Aug 2026 £192 £192 🇬🇧 eBay black
Aug 2026 £125 £125 🇬🇧 eBay black
Aug 2026 £88 £88 🇬🇧 eBay black
May 2026 £70 £70 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services
Mar 2026 £60 £60 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services
Feb 2026 £62 £50 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Jan 2026 £19 £15 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Oct 2025 £88 £70 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Sep 2025 £100 £100 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services
Jul 2025 £69 £55 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Jul 2025 £60 £60 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services
Jul 2025 £60 £60 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services
Jul 2025 £120 £120 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services
Jun 2025 £62 £50 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Apr 2025 £119 £95 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Apr 2025 £100 £80 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Mar 2025 £106 £85 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions black
Mar 2025 £45 £45 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services
Feb 2025 £75 £60 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Oct 2024 £56 £45 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Oct 2024 £100 £80 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Aug 2024 £88 £70 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Jun 2024 £80 £80 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services
Jun 2024 £50 £50 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services
Jun 2024 £125 £100 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Apr 2024 £100 £80 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Feb 2024 £110 £110 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services
Dec 2023 £80 £80 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services
Oct 2023 £80 £80 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services
Aug 2023 £106 £85 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Jun 2023 £110 £110 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services
Apr 2023 £106 £85 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Apr 2023 £112 £90 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Apr 2023 £100 £100 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services
Mar 2023 £150 £120 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Jan 2023 £125 £100 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Oct 2022 £138 £110 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Jan 2022 £93 £75 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Jan 2021 £80 🇬🇧 Cullens of Surrey
Sep 2019 £95 £95 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services (archive)
Jan 2017 £40 £40 🇬🇧 Harper Field Auctions

Frequently asked questions

What is a Canon AE-1 Program worth today?

At UK auction, a Canon AE-1 Program is typically worth around £100 as a hammer price, with most sales falling between roughly £60 and £150 depending on condition and whether a lens is included.

How much does a Canon AE-1 Program sell for with a lens?

Body-and-lens kits with the common FD 50mm f/1.8 generally sell for £100–£150 at auction, while body-only or cosmetically tired examples sell for £60–£90.

Is the Canon AE-1 Program a good value buy?

For a fully featured FD-mount SLR with Program, shutter-priority and manual modes, its current price of around £100 represents reasonable value, provided the shutter squeal has been addressed.

What is the difference between the AE-1 and the AE-1 Program?

The AE-1 Program, introduced in 1981, adds a Program auto-exposure mode, an interchangeable focusing screen and a redesigned top plate compared to the 1976 AE-1, while keeping the same FD lens mount.