Hey everyone! I’ve been saving up for the Sony A7 IV for a few months now, and I think I’m finally ready to make the jump to full-frame. I’m currently shooting with an older A6400, and while it’s served me well, I’m really starting to feel the limitations when it comes to low-light performance and that 10-bit video recording for my freelance projects.
I’m kicking myself because I missed the major holiday sales, and it seems like the price has settled back up to that standard $2,498 MSRP at most big retailers like B&H and Adorama. I’ve checked Amazon as well, but I’m always a little nervous about third-party sellers when spending this much on gear. I was really hoping to find a bundle or a trade-in bonus that could shave a few hundred dollars off the total so I can put that extra cash toward a decent 35mm prime lens.
Has anyone seen any unadvertised deals or 'add to cart' discounts at reputable shops this week? Also, if anyone knows of any EDU or student discount programs currently offering a better rate on the body, I’d love to hear about it. Does anyone know if there are any upcoming sales events I should wait for, or is right now as good a time as any to buy?
In my experience, B&H EDU beats retail for the Sony Alpha 7 IV Full-frame Mirrorless Camera:
- Retail: $2498
- EDU: Saves u hundreds!
Definately the best choice right now, gl!
In my experience, you gotta look beyond standard retail if you want a REAL deal. 1. Try bidding on the Sony Alpha a7 IV Mirrorless Digital Camera via Greentoe. I've seen authorized dealers accept offers around $2,100-$2,200.
2. Look for bundles featuring the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 Lens. Focus Camera often has "add to cart" savings that beat the standard $2,498 MSRP. Its pretty much the best way to save your cash... gl!
For your situation, check for an open box Sony Alpha 7 IV Full-frame Mirrorless Camera Body at Best Buy. I've had issues with grey market warranties, so open-box is the best way to save.
To add to the point above, Dennis is spot on about avoiding the grey market if you care about your warranty. If you want reliability without the full MSRP sting, check out MPB or KEH for a used Sony Alpha 7 IV Mirrorless Camera. They actually rate the sensor condition and shutter count, plus you get a 6-month warranty which is decent peace of mind. Coming from an A6400, you're gonna love the 33MP sensor and the improved autofocus tracking. It just works. If you save enough on the body, definitely look at the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM Lens instead of the cheaper versions... the chromatic aberration control is leagues better. Just a heads up tho, you'll probably need to budget for a Sony CEA-G160T 160GB CFexpress Type A Memory Card too. Those 10-bit files are beefy and standard SD cards can sometimes lag during heavy burst shooting or high-res video recording.
