Ugh, Im losing my mind trying to pick a camera for my trip to Japan in January. Ive been obsessing over the Sony A7IV and the Canon EOS R6 Mark II for weeks now, but the prices are just killing me. My budget is pretty firm around 2k and these are both sitting just above it. I really dont want to overpay if I can avoid it. Should I just bite the bullet now or are the Black Friday deals actually worth the wait? Im worried if I hold off I might get stuck with shipping delays or stock issues before I leave. Has anyone actually seen good discounts on these lately or is it all just marketing fluff...
Honestly, waiting for November is usually a gamble. Over the years, I have noticed that big retailers rarely slash prices on hot bodies like the Sony Alpha A7 IV Full-frame Mirrorless Camera or the Canon EOS R6 Mark II Full-frame Mirrorless Camera by much. You might see a bundle deal with a mediocre kit lens or some free accessories, but the body-only price stays pretty stubborn. Since you need this for your Japan trip in January, waiting until late November puts you in a tight spot with shipping delays. My advice is to look at the used market instead. Checking sites for a clean Sony Alpha A7 IV Full-frame Mirrorless Camera might land you under your 2k limit right now. Getting a lightly used unit is way better than stressin about holiday stock issues.
@Reply #2 - good point! Honestly, the shipping stress right before a big trip is a nightmare you do not want. I remember waiting for a deal on a Fujifilm X-T5 Mirrorless Digital Camera 40.2MP right before a flight to Tokyo years back, and I ended up paying for overnight shipping just to get it in time. That basically wiped out any savings I made from the sale. If your budget is stuck at 2k, stop stressing over the new bodies and look at the secondary market. Sites like MPB or KEH are lifesavers. You could easily grab a Sony Alpha A7C Full-frame Mirrorless Camera 24.2MP or even a used Canon EOS R6 20.1MP Full-frame Mirrorless Camera for well under your limit, which leaves you extra cash for better glass. Honestly, a sharp lens like the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art Lens for Sony E-Mount makes a way bigger difference for your Japan shots than a brand new body anyway. Just grab something used, beat it up a little on your trip, and dont look back. Youll be way happier having a camera in your hands to practice with before you leave instead of waiting for a box that might not even show up.
^ This. Also, I tried waiting for a sale before my own trip last year and honestly just ended up stressed about shipping times. I ended up grabbing my current setup used from a local shop just to have it in hand. Honestly, the peace of mind of having the gear set up before you fly is worth more than saving a few bucks. Better to practice with the menu systems now than in a hotel room in Tokyo.