Are there any good Black Friday deals on Canon cameras that are actually worth it? im trying to find a decent one before my daughters soccer tournament next month but everything I look at just makes me want to scream. I dont understand any of the tech stuff and its all just random letters like R100 or T7 and I have no clue what the difference is.
my budget is strictly under $500 since money is tight but I really want better photos than my phone. I saw some sales at Best Buy and Amazon but i'm so lost and frustrated trying to compare them. is it even possible to get a good setup for that price or am I wasting my time...
Honestly, most the Black Friday deals under $500 right now are kind of a trap... I tried helping my neighbor with a Canon EOS Rebel T7 EF-S 18-55mm Kit last year for his kids soccer games and it was just a blurry mess. The 9-point autofocus system is basically ancient tech and it simply misses the action every time. I felt so bad because he missed his kids first goal. Its frustrating because the Canon EOS R100 RF-S 18-45mm Kit is cheap but the slow burst rate is a nightmare for sports. If you want something decent:
- Look for a refurbished Canon EOS R50 RF-S 18-45mm Kit on the Canon site.
- It sometimes hits $499 and the autofocus is leagues ahead.
- Skip the T7 for anything moving. Dont waste money on the T7 or R100... youll just end up frustrated when every action shot is out of focus.
Get the Canon EOS R50 RF-S18-45mm IS STM Lens Kit refurbished right now! It is seriously fantastic for soccer.
- Insane tracking
- Fits your budget Its basically magic for the price!
Building on the earlier suggestion, I totally agree! Definitely stay far away from those cheap bundles that look like a steal. They usually come with super slow lenses that are basically useless for soccer. You really need something with a fast burst rate and amazing tracking, otherwise you're just gonna end up with a memory card full of blurry feet and grass. Honestly, used gear is a way better bet for your budget tho!
To add to the point above: I actually had some issues with the R50 battery life during a long weekend tournament recently. It is super disappointing when you're stuck waiting for a charge while the game is actually happening. Honestly, that 18-45mm lens people keep mentioning is gonna make your daughter look like an ant on the field. You need zoom for soccer. I'm gonna go against the grain here because I think you'll be frustrated with the entry-level mirrorless kits at this price point:
- Look for a used Canon EOS 80D Body Only on a site like MPB or KEH. It is way more reliable and feels like a real tool, not a plastic toy.
- Find a used Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens. This is the secret weapon for budget sports.
- DSLRs have much better battery life. You can shoot all day without worrying about it dying in the middle of a play. I tried helping a friend with one of those new cheap bundles last year and it just felt flimsy. If money is tight, you get way more bang for your buck going back a few years to the semi-pro gear. It might not be the newest thing on the shelf, but it wont let you down when she's driving toward the goal.
