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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.

I have one to sell

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.

Prices updated: January 2026

Date Price Source
Jan 2026 £60 Special Auction Services
Nov 2025 £12 Flints Auctions
Nov 2025 £40 Special Auction Services
Aug 2025 £44 Flints Auctions
Jul 2025 £100 Special Auction Services
Jun 2025 £50 Flints Auctions
May 2025 £106 Flints Auctions
May 2025 £75 Flints Auctions
Mar 2025 £44 Flints Auctions
Sep 2024 £69 Flints Auctions
Aug 2024 £60 Special Auction Services
Jun 2024 £150 Flints Auctions
Jun 2024 £62 Flints Auctions
Apr 2024 £90 Special Auction Services
Dec 2023 £35 Special Auction Services
Dec 2023 £35 Special Auction Services
Dec 2023 £50 Special Auction Services
Aug 2023 £38 Flints Auctions
Aug 2023 £50 Special Auction Services
Jun 2023 £20 Special Auction Services
Jun 2023 £30 Special Auction Services
Feb 2022 £20 Harper Field Auctions
Dec 2021 £37 Flints Auctions

Frequently asked questions

What is a Canon AV-1 worth today?

At UK auction, Canon AV-1 bodies have sold for roughly £20 to £150 over the last three years, with a median price around £55. Condition, whether a working FD lens is included, and cosmetic wear drive most of the variation in value.

How much does a Canon AV-1 sell for at auction?

Recent UK hammer prices have clustered between about £40 and £90 for tested working bodies. Outfits with a 50mm FD lens tend to sell at the upper end of that range.

Is the Canon AV-1 worth buying?

For a beginner who wants aperture-priority shooting on a budget, the AV-1 offers good value given how cheaply clean examples change hands and the abundance of affordable FD lenses. Factor in the cost of a CLA if the shutter is sluggish or squeaks.

What battery does the Canon AV-1 use?

It uses a single 6V battery (4LR44 or A544 equivalent), and the auto-exposure system will not function correctly without a fresh cell.

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Other Canon cameras