Canon AV-1
The Canon AV-1 is a 35mm SLR introduced in 1979, using the FD lens mount and offering aperture-priority automatic exposure. It was positioned as an entry-level alternative to the shutter-priority AE-1, aimed at beginners who preferred to set aperture and let the camera select the shutter speed.
At UK auction, hammer prices for the Canon AV-1 body have ranged from about £20 to £150 over the past three years, with a median around £55. Today most clean, working examples sell for roughly £40–£90 at saleroom level, with the higher results typically reflecting bodies sold with an FD kit lens; rough or untested bodies are worth less. Because these are wholesale auction figures rather than retail prices, dealer or private-sale asking prices are usually higher than what the camera fetches under the hammer.
Sales History
Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.
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| Jan 2026 | £60 | Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 197) Title: A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera, 1980 Winter Olympic front cap & maker's boxes, shutter working, meter responsive, self timer working, body G-VG, with FD |
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| Nov 2025 | £12 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 74) Title: A Canon AV-1 35mm SLR Camera Body
Description:
silver, serial number 390256, body G, shutter fires, mirror bumper has been replaced, meter responds, with cap. |
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| Nov 2025 | £40 | Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 115) Title: A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera, black, shutter working, meter responsive, responsive in auto, self timer working, body G, missing drive plate cover, some |
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| Aug 2025 | £44 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 95) Title: A Canon AV-1 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
silver, body G, shutter working, meter responding, with f/1.8 50mm FD lens, barrel G, optics F with haze. |
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| Jul 2025 | £100 | Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 34) Title: A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera, black, shutter working, meter responsive, responsive in auto, self timer working, body G, with two Canon FD 50mm f/1.8 |
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| Jun 2025 | £50 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 119) Title: A Canon AV-1 35mm SLR Camera Body
Description:
black, body G-VG, shutter working, viewfinder bright & clear, SKA0183 (Qty: 1) |
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| May 2025 | £75 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 122) Title: A Canon AV-1 35mm SLR Camera Outfit
Description:
comprising a Canon AV-1, body VG, shutter works, meter responds to light, with a FD f/1.8 50mm lens, barrel VG, optics VG, and a FD 35-70mm zoom, |
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| Sep 2024 | £69 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 68) Title: A Canon AV-1 35mm Camera
Description:
silver, serial number 532604, body G, light marks to prism housing, shutter works, viewfinder needle working, appears to meter accurately, with maker' |
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| Aug 2024 | £60 | Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: TWO DAY: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 334) Title: A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera, black, shutter working, meter responsive, responsive in auto, self timer working, body G-VG, with FD 50mm f/1.8 lens, barrel |
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| Jun 2024 | £150 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 321) Title: A Canon AV-1 35mm SLR Camera Outfit
Description:
comprising a Canon AV-1, serial 445489, body G, shutter works with battery inserted, meter responds to different light levels, with a FL f/1.8 50mm |
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| Apr 2024 | £90 | Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 147) Title: A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera, serial no 1507268, shutter working, camera responsive in auto, self timer working, body G, with Panagor Auto 21mm f/4 FD |
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| Dec 2023 | £50 | Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 33) Title: A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera, chrome, shutter working, meter/camera responsive, self timer working, body G-VG, with 50mm f/1.8 lens, barrel G-VG, elements |
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| Dec 2023 | £35 | Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 212) Title: A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera, shutter working, self timer working, shutter & meter not responsive in auto setting, body G, with Canon FD 50mm f/1.8 lens, |
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| Dec 2023 | £35 | Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 388) Title: A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera, shutter working, meter responsive, responsive in auto, self timer working, body G, A4003 scratched into base plate, with FD |
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| Aug 2023 | £38 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 168) Title: A Canon AV-1 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
IR 711921, 1979, chrome, serial no.288571, with a FDn f/1.8 50mm lens, tested as working, body G, lens F-G, mild fungus, with lens cap, neck strap |
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| Aug 2023 | £50 | Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 57) Title: A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera, chrome, shutter working, meter responsive, self timer working, body G, with50mm f/1.8 FD lens, barrel G, elements G, with |
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| Jun 2023 | £20 | Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 548) Title: A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera, shutter working, mirror occasionally sticking in auto, meter responsive, self timer working, body G, with FD 50mm f/1.8 and |
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| Jun 2023 | £30 | Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 157) Title: A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera
Description:
A Canon AV-1 SLR Camera, back, shutter working, meter responsive, self timer working, body G, with Canon FD 35-70mm f/4 lens, barrel G, elements G |
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| Dec 2021 | £37 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 474) Title: A Canon AV-1 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
Black, body G-VG, shutter untested, with a Canon FD 50mm f/1.8 lens, optics G, slight haze present and some dust, (Qty: 1) |
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