I'm trying to grab an A7IV before my Japan trip next month but I'm so annoyed. I checked B&H and Adorama but the "discounts" are just basic bundles with crap I dont need.
My logic was that prices would tank by now but they're still hovering around $2300 which is over my $2k budget. Where are the real sales?
I went through this exact mess last winter trying to snag a Sony Alpha a7 IV 33MP Full-Frame Mirrorless Body under budget. Honestly, I gave up on the big stores and tried Greentoe... I offered $1900 and a shop accepted it pretty fast. Im super happy with the savings and it works well for skipping those useless bundles. Definitely try making a lower offer there.
Ngl $2300 is still super steep for the Sony Alpha a7 IV 33MP Full-Frame Body. If you really wanna hit that $2k mark, you gotta look at the open-box deals at Best Buy! I've seen them go for way less just because the packaging was crushed or someone returned it after a day. It's the same 33MP beast with that insane autofocus, just way cheaper. Another pro tip: check out Sony Alpha a7C II Full-Frame Compact Mirrorless if you want similar tech in a smaller body for your trip... it's basically the same sensor and might be easier on the budget! Seriously tho, dont pay full price. Use an EDU discount if you can snag one because those savings are fantastic. Have an amazing time in Japan, you're gonna love it!
Yep, this is the way
Big if true
Honestly, checking in while I have a minute. Unfortunately, the sales landscape feels pretty bleak this season. I've been tracking these trends for over a decade and the deep cuts just aren't appearing like they used to. I once had a nightmare experience with a grey market body just to save a few hundred bucks... the unit had some sensor issues and I had zero warranty support because the seller wasn't authorized. It really soured my view on chasing the absolute lowest price when reliability is the main goal for a big trip. I think I heard somewhere that inventory levels are being kept intentionally low this year to prevent those major price drops. I'm not 100% sure if it's true, but IIRC, some folks were saying that manufacturers are prioritizing margin over volume this holiday. It's disappointing because your logic makes sense, but the market just isn't behaving. I'm not sure if we'll actually see that budget mark hit before your trip next month, which is a total bummer.
