so ive been staring at my screen for like three hours straight now just refreshing tabs and trying to figure out if now is actually the right time to pull the trigger on a new sony body or if i should wait a few more weeks. my old a6000 is basically dying on me and i have this huge trip to japan coming up in early may so i really need to get something soon so i can actually learn how to use it before i go.
im basically torn between three options right now. the first is the a7 iv which is the obvious choice but it still feels so expensive even with the sale prices i keep seeing. my logic was that it would be the most future proof but then i saw the a7c ii and now im questioning everything. the compact size of the c ii would be so much better for travel and street stuff in tokyo but i worry about the single card slot and the smaller viewfinder. then there is the a7 iii which is obviously older but i saw a crazy deal on a refurbished one that would leave me with so much extra cash for glass.
budget is strictly under 2200 for the body but honestly id rather spend closer to 1600 if i can find a legit discount somewhere. i checked b and h and adorama and they have the standard 200 buck rebates but i keep hearing about people getting crazy deals at greentoe or using EDU discounts that i might be able to squeeze into since my wife is a teacher.
does anyone know if there are hidden coupons or maybe a specific site that has better open box deals right now? im in chicago so i could go to a physical store if there is a local promo i dont know about but mostly looking online. is the a7iv actually worth the premium over a discounted a7c ii right now? just feels like the prices are all over the place and i dont want to buy today and see a 400 dollar drop next week...
ngl, ive been pretty disappointed with the sales lately... they just keep rotating the same 200 bucks off and it feels like a total bait. if youre really trying to stay under 1600, skipping the newest releases might be your only bet, tho it kills me to say it because the new autofocus is so much better.
- definitely check out Sony Alpha 7R IV 61.0MP Full-Frame Digital Camera used or open box. i had one and while the files are huge, the detail for a japan trip would be incredible.
- honestly, greentoe has been a bit of a letdown recently... they used to have massive gaps between retail and their accepted bids, but lately, sellers are holding firm because of stock issues. dont expect a miracle there.
- since your wife is a teacher, use the sony edu program directly on their site. it usually beats the public rebates by a significant margin and they dont play games with the pricing. the Sony Alpha 7C 24.2MP Compact System Camera is a great travel option but unfortunately, the viewfinder is just not as good as expected for someone coming from an a6000. it feels cramped. i had issues with it in bright sun during a street session last year. if you can find a way to swing the newer models through that teacher discount, do it... otherwise youre gonna be kicking yourself when you see a price drop right after your trip.
honestly, youre looking in the right spots but definitely use that EDU status. my experience with the Sony Alpha 7C II 33MP Full-Frame Compact Camera has been nothing but positive lately. i actually prefer it over the Sony Alpha 7 IV 33MP Full-Frame Mirrorless Body for traveling because that AI processing unit is just so sticky for face and eye tracking in crowded spots like tokyo. its satisfied every requirement ive had for a light kit and works well in low light too. if you want to hit that $1600 target without settling for the older a7 iii tech, here is how i would handle it:
- sign up for the b and h edu advantage program using your wifes credentials. they have specific teacher portals that often drop the price of the Sony Alpha 7 IV 33MP Full-Frame Mirrorless significantly below the standard rebates.
- go to greentoe and place a bid for $1700 on the a7c ii. authorized dealers often bite on those bids to move units, and usually that price includes tax and shipping. the single slot on the c ii isnt a dealbreaker for me since the autofocus is actually a generation ahead of the a7 iv. its basically a mini a7r v in terms of subject recognition. since youre going to japan, every ounce you save in your bag is gonna make those long walks through shinjuku way more enjoyable. i have no complaints about the smaller evf once i got used to it... it really is the perfect travel setup.
saw this thread and had to jump in since i went through the same headache last year. if youre in chicago, definitely hit up Abt in Glenview or Central Camera downtown. they sometimes have floor models or open-box returns that never make it online. since your wife is a teacher, that edu discount is basically your secret weapon. it usually stacks with existing rebates. here is how i would play it:
- check greentoe for the Sony Alpha 7R IV 61MP Mirrorless Body. the resolution for japan landscapes would be insane and you can often bid way lower than retail.
- look at a used Sony Alpha 7 III 24.2MP Mirrorless Body if you really want to save cash for lenses. it is still a workhorse despite being older. tbh price drops usually hit around holiday weekends, so you probably wont see a massive dip before may... just get the body now so you actually have time to learn the system before tokyo. its a steep learning curve coming from an a6000.
