Is it actually worth waiting for Black Friday to grab a new camera or am I just setting myself up for disappointment? Im super anxious about missing out on a deal because I need something for a trip to Japan in January. Ive been eyeing the Sony a7 IV and the Fujifilm X-T5 but honestly my budget is strictly around 1600 bucks. If I dont find a price drop during the sales window then I might have to settle for a used lens instead of the body I want. Do you think retailers actually slash prices on these specific models or are the deals mostly just on the older gear that no one really wants anymore?
Tbh, manufacturers like Sony and Fuji are notorious for rarely dropping prices on their hot flagship bodies during Black Friday. You're mostly gonna see bundles with mediocre zoom lenses. If you have 1600 bucks to spend for that Japan trip, pinning your hopes on a major discount is risky. In my experience, you should look at these instead if you want better value right now:
- Fujifilm X-S20 26.1MP APS-C Mirrorless
- It has the newer sensor tech and stabilization that beats the older stuff, plus it handles video way better for travel vlogs.
- Sony a6700 26MP APS-C Mirrorless
- This thing is a beast for autofocus and fits way under your budget, leaving you cash for a decent glass like the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens. Don't stress the full frame bodies if your budget is tight. You'll get way more mileage out of a high-end APS-C setup.
Honestly, waiting for November is always a gamble. I remember waiting for a massive discount on a body only to find the same price as September, just bundled with a cheap bag I never used. Retailers usually offload older stock, so those flagship bodies rarely get deep cuts. With 1600 bucks, you are in a tight spot if you want brand new gear.
- Sony a7 IV 33MP Full-Frame Mirrorless almost never dips below 2000 new, so prepare for that reality
- Fujifilm X-T5 40MP APS-C Mirrorless might see a small bundle deal if youre lucky Be careful with the holiday shipping rush too, especially if you need that gear for Japan in Jan. I would suggest checking the used market on reputable sites now rather than hoping for a Black Friday miracle. You might find a cleaner setup sooner.
Ugh, dont even get me started on these holiday sales. It drives me crazy how companies hype up Black Friday like its gonna change your life, but when you actually look at the price history, its barely a discount half the time. Honestly its ridiculous. They just bundle things with useless accessories to make it look like you're getting a deal. I remember waiting all year for a specific body, only to realize the price had actually been lower three months prior. It feels like such a scam sometimes. Be careful with the marketing fluff. You might want to consider just looking for a solid deal now rather than betting everything on November. It really makes me mad how they keep pushing these prices up while the actual quality of the gear feels like its stagnating. Companies just dont care about us, they just want the numbers.
