Honestly I am so fed up with my old Fuji setup right now, the autofocus just hunts and misses every time I try to shoot my kids soccer games and I'm ready to just dump the whole system and move over to Sony but man the prices are absolutely killing me. I've been staring at the same product pages on B&H and Adorama for like three weeks and the prices for the A7IV or even a used A7RIV just wont budge even a single cent and I'm starting to get really desperate because I have a big trip to Zion coming up next month and I really dont want to take this unreliable junk with me.
I've checked the usual places and even looked at some of the greymarket sites like Panamoz or whatever but I'm nervous about the warranty situation because knowing my luck the sensor will have a dead pixel or something the second I open the box. Is there some secret educational discount or maybe a specific time of month when these things actually go on sale? I feel like I'm refreshing pages for nothing and it's driving me insane.
I just want a reliable body that wont lose focus the second a subject moves slightly but I really cant justify spending $2500 plus tax right now. Here is what I am looking for exactly:
- Budget is strictly under $2200 for the body alone
- Needs to be a US model if possible for the warranty
- Looking specifically for the A7IV or maybe an A7CII if the price is right
- Needs to arrive by the 15th of next month
Is there like a specific open box section that isnt a total gamble or maybe some smaller local shops that ship nationwide? I'm in a small town in Montana so I dont have any local camera stores to just walk into and haggle. Does anyone know if there are trade-in bonuses happening anywhere right now that are actually worth it or am I just stuck waiting for a holiday sale that might not even happen...
Like someone mentioned, open box is a solid route, but you should also check the Sony Alpha 7R IV 61MP Full-Frame Body on the used market. It has incredible resolution for Zion landscapes. Another path is the Sony Alpha 7 III 24.2MP Mirrorless Body.
- A7R IV: Superior detail, but files are huge.
- A7 III: Much cheaper, still has great AF, but lacks the newest tracking tech. Greymarket is risky, so stick to map-authorized sellers for that warranty peace of mind.
I always use B&H Open Box for total safety and amazing warranties!
- Sony A7 IV 33MP Full-Frame Mirrorless Body: Fantastic dual slots but heavier.
- Sony A7C II 33MP Compact Mirrorless Body: Love the size tho single slot. Grab one!
Honestly, I have been thinking about your Zion trip and that autofocus headache... missing shots of the kids is the worst. If you want total reliability and a US warranty without paying full retail, you might want to consider a few specific routes.
- Check out Greentoe. Basically, you put in a bid for something like the Sony Alpha 7 IV Mirrorless Camera Body and authorized US dealers can accept it. It is how many of us get around the fixed MAP pricing without losing the warranty. Be careful though, dont lowball too hard or they wont even look at your offer.
- Since you are doing soccer, you might actually want to look for a used Sony Alpha 9 Mirrorless Digital Camera. It is a bit older, but it has a stacked sensor. That means zero EVF blackout and the autofocus is arguably more reliable for fast sports than the A7IV. You can usually find them under your budget on reputable sites like KEH.
- If you have a kid in school or know a teacher, the EDU discount at B&H is actually huge for Sony gear. It can sometimes knock a few hundred bucks off a new Sony Alpha 7C II Mirrorless Camera if you go that route. Make sure to verify the return policy wherever you go because you definitely want it in hand at least a week before your trip to test the tracking. Zion is gonna be epic!
saw this earlier but just now responding... basically in the same boat as you tbh. ^ This. Also, i totally agree with what everyone is saying about the used market because the price of new gear is honestly out of control right now. I have been refreshing the same tabs for a month trying to find a deal for a trip to Glacier and its just exhausting. I am dealing with the exact same struggle because:
- my current setup keeps hunting for focus during wildlife shots
- prices for new bodies just arent dropping fast enough
- the fear of getting a dud from a random seller is real I was actually looking at some of the same models you mentioned and it is crazy how they hold their value. I finally gave in and went with a certified pre-owned route from a reputable dealer instead of buying brand new and honestly i am so satisfied with how it worked out. It feels like such a relief to not worry about the warranty while still saving a few hundred bucks. If you can find a trade-in bonus it usually takes the sting out of the tax too. Hope you find something before your Zion trip because that scenery deserves a good sensor.
