I have been using the Sony Alpha 7 IV Mirrorless Camera for quite some time now and honestly, I couldnt be more satisfied with its performance for travel. Sony typically runs a dedicated Summer Savings event in late August or early September, so you definitely dont need to wait until Black Friday to find a deal. Comparing my experience with different glass, I personally prefer the Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G over the older Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS. The 20mm wide end is a total game changer for Japan architecture, even if you lose some reach on the long end. The newer 20-70mm is lighter and the optics are noticeably sharper, tho the 24-105mm is still a solid workhorse if you really need the extra zoom. Everything works well together and I have no complaints about the autofocus speed on either lens. Definitely wait for that Labor Day window for the best pre-October prices.

I saw your post this morning and honestly, you really need to be careful with your budget if you want both the body and decent glass. Since you need it before October, I would suggest monitoring price trackers like CamelCamelCamel or the Keepa extension for the Sony Alpha 7 IV Full-frame Mirrorless Camera Body. I have seen prices drop randomly for 24-hour periods that arent even part of a major event. Basically, if you want to save money for the actual trip, you might want to consider these resources:

• Make sure to check the EDU discount programs at B&H Photo or Adorama if you have access to a student email. They often have better prices on the Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS Lens than the public sales.
• Be careful about buying International Version or Gray Market listings on third-party sites. They are cheaper but Sony wont honor the warranty here if it bricks during your trip.
• Use Greentoe. You basically put in a bid for the gear and authorized dealers can accept it. It is a very methodical way to get a Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 Lens brand new for used prices. I would also suggest looking at the Fred Miranda buy/sell forums. The community there is very strict about quality, so its much safer than FB Marketplace. Just make sure to check the sellers feedback rating before sending any cash over.

Building on the earlier suggestion about the summer sale window, you really should look into EDU discounts if you or anyone you know has a student email. Sony's student program through B&H or Adorama is usually much deeper than the standard public rebates, sometimes taking an extra 10-15% off the Sony Alpha 7 IV body alone. In my experience, sticking to a $3k budget for a trip requires some smart compromises on glass to keep the reliability high. I've tried many setups over the years and for a Japan trip, you want fast autofocus and weather sealing. Here is how I would play it:

• Look for B&H Open Box units (specifically Grade 9 or higher). You get the full US warranty which is vital because if that shutter or sensor fails mid-trip, you need a body that Sony USA will actually fix when you get home.
• Skip the expensive Sony GM glass for now and grab the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2. The technical performance is nearly identical to the first-gen Sony GM but it weighs significantly less, which your neck will thank you for after walking 20k steps in Kyoto.
• Make sure you budget for a fast card like the Sony TOUGH-G Series SDXC UHS-II 128GB. The A7IV writes 33MP files and if you're shooting bursts of the Shibuya crossing, a slow card will lock your camera up for seconds while it clears the buffer. Basically, the EDU discount plus a solid third-party lens should get you under that $3k mark with enough left over for extra batteries and maybe a nice strap. If you need help checking if a specific serial number is a US model or gray market, just let me know...

TL;DR: Purchase the Sony Alpha 7 IV Full-frame Mirrorless Camera body during the late summer rebates, but use third-party lenses to keep your $3k budget intact. Like someone mentioned, you really need to be careful with the total cost if you want high-quality glass. If you want to stay methodical about your spending before the Japan trip, I highly recommend comparing Sony to other manufacturers.

• Opt for the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2. It is an amazing travel lens because it is significantly lighter than Sony's options and the autofocus is extremely fast.
• Consider the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art II. This lens is fantastic and provides professional results for much less than a Sony G-Master. The Sony Alpha 7 IV Full-frame Mirrorless Camera is a beast, but buying all Sony glass will put you way over $3k. If you go with Sigma or Tamron, you'll have an extra $800-$1000 for your actual travel expenses. Definitely better to have that extra cash for your time in Tokyo!

Just catching up on this thread. Building on the earlier suggestion, I have to disagree with prioritizing open-box units for a Japan trip. When you are traveling, you really need that factory-backed warranty peace of mind in case a vibration from a train or some humidity wreaks havoc on the sensor stack. In my experience, waiting for a deal is less about luck and more about understanding the hardware lifecycle. If you want to maximize your $3k, consider these instead of third-party glass:

• The Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 Large-aperture Wide-angle Prime Lens is insanely sharp and compact for street photography in Tokyo.
• Keep an eye on the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 Telephoto Prime Lens if you want that creamy bokeh without the massive weight. Over the years, I have found that native glass holds its value way better than third-party options if you ever decide to upgrade. Stick to the native system for reliability. You dont want a lens error ruining your vacation shots.

^ This. Also, reading through these comments just confirms what we all know: the current state of camera pricing is totally exhausting. Over the years, I have watched these companies squeeze every cent out of us while the actual value for the money feels like it is dropping.

• It is honestly ridiculous how much they gatekeep features behind these massive price tags.
• The whole song and dance of waiting for a tiny rebate is just insulting at this point.
• It drives me crazy that you have to stress this hard just to build a decent kit for a trip. It is such a scam how they make you feel lucky to find a discount on gear that should have been priced fairly from the start. Honestly, it feels like they just dont care about us enthusiasts anymore as long as they can push the next body iteration. Good luck with your trip prep, but man, the industry is just a headache right now.

Not 100% sure on the exact timing, but IIRC Sony usually initiates lens-specific rebates around late September. You might want to consider the thermal management limitations of 10-bit 4:2:2 recording in humid climates. I would suggest looking at certified refurbished units as a technical alternative. Just make sure to verify the warranty specs, as gray market imports wont have manufacturer support for your trip.

Regarding what #5 said about "TL;DR: Purchase the Sony Alpha 7 IV Full-frame..." - that is definitely the move if you want to keep that $3k budget intact. In my experience, trying to time a specific sale is a massive gamble when you have a flight to catch in November. Over the years, the most reliable DIY way to save has been hunting for open-box inventory instead of waiting for a seasonal rebate that might not even happen.

• Check for an open-box Sony Alpha 7 IV Mirrorless Camera Body at major retailers. You usually get the full warranty but save a couple hundred bucks easily.
• Look at the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary for Sony E for your travel glass. Its much lighter than the Sony equivalent and way cheaper than the G-Master. Taking this approach usually leaves enough room for essentials like a Sony SF-G Series TOUGH 128GB SDXC UHS-II card and maybe some extra batteries. just make sure to run the gear through its paces a few weeks before you leave so you dont have any surprises in Japan.

^ This. Also, regarding the gear selection for a Japan trip, I agree with prioritizing reliability over chasing open-box deals. You really want that factory warranty when you're overseas. If you are locked into that $3k budget, the lens choice determines everything. Here are two solid alternatives for your glass:

• Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art: This is sharper than the older Sony G-series lenses. It handles flare incredibly well, which is helpful if you are shooting in those neon-heavy Tokyo districts. The tradeoff is it's a bit heavier to carry all day.
• Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM: If you prefer a prime setup, this is basically the gold standard. It is compact and weather-sealed, which matters a lot in humid environments. You'll lose the zoom versatility, but the low-light performance is superior to any f/4 zoom. Keep in mind the Sony Alpha 7 IV has some quirks with rolling shutter in electronic mode, so stick to mechanical for high-speed action. Pick your lens based on how much weight you want to lug around the subways.