Should I buy a used camera with a high shutter count?

Yes, but only if the price reflects the risk and the camera passes a careful condition check. A high shutter count is not an automatic deal-breaker—it mainly tells you the camera has seen a lot of use. That can mean more wear on the mechanical shutter and possibly the body, buttons, ports, mount, and sensor area.

A sensible rule:

1. Buy it if it is meaningfully cheaper than lower-count copies, works perfectly, and you are comfortable with possible future repair costs.
2. Be cautious if it is near the manufacturer’s rated shutter life, has visible heavy wear, vague seller answers, or no return option.
3. Avoid it if the shutter count is extremely high for that model, the price is only slightly discounted, or you need maximum reliability for paid work, travel, or once-in-a-lifetime events.

For mirrorless cameras, shutter count can matter less if the camera was often used with an electronic shutter, but it still helps estimate overall use. Judge the whole camera: autofocus, sensor condition, lens mount wear, battery health, ports, buttons, screens, weather sealing signs, and whether the seller can show recent sample images.