sorry if this is a dumb question but Im totally new to cameras and my head is spinning trying to figure this out. I really want to buy the Sony A7IV because a friend said its good for a beginner who wants to grow into it, but man its so expensive. Im in New York and my absolute max budget is around two grand for the body. My trip to Japan is coming up in January so I need it by then. Do you guys think the price is gonna drop at all this Black Friday or should I just bite the bullet now? Im stressing out over here...
Building on the earlier suggestion, honestly dont sweat the brand new price tag. You could easily grab a Sony A7 III 24.2MP Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera instead and save enough cash for a killer lens before your trip. The autofocus still works great and it handles low light like a champ. Or check out the Fujifilm X-T5 40.2MP Mirrorless Camera Body if you want those sweet film sims without blowing your whole budget on full frame glass. No regrets going that route imo.
Over the years Ive bought tons of gear right before big trips and honestly, just grab a used Sony A7IV Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera Body from B&H instead. Way safer than gambling on holiday sales.
Huh interesting. I had no idea. The more you know I guess 🤷
> my absolute max budget is around two grand for the body Are you factoring in glass yet, or just looking at the bare body for now?
Do not wait for Black Friday expecting a massive discount on that body, honestly! Sony rarely slashes prices that drastically on popular models.
- Watch out for shady third-party sellers on Amazon
- Buy from authorized dealers only
- Check local camera shops in NYC for bundle deals Grab it when you see a solid kit bundle and enjoy your Japan trip!
Regarding what #1 said about not waiting for Black Friday expecting a massive discount, I actually gotta disagree slightly based on my own panic-buying experience last year. I was stressing over the exact same Japan trip timeline and almost pulled the plug too early, but ended up scoring a sweet open-box deal right around holiday season. That camera body is an absolute beast for learning, honestly. The autofocus tracking blew my mind when I took it out for a spin through crowded Tokyo streets at night, and having that resolution saved so many crops later. If you need it by January, keep your eyes peeled for refurbished units from trusted spots because you might just squeeze under that two grand budget without settling for less!
omg I have this exact same issue... been stressing over the exact same thing for like two months now and honestly still cant figure out what to do. My budget is capped right around two grand too, and seeing that price tag every time I open up B&H makes me want to cry ngl. I've been refreshing tabs daily trying to see if any magic discount is gonna appear before my trip, but nothing yet and its driving me crazy.
To add to the point above: honestly dont hold your breath for a massive price drop on that specific body, especially with your Japan trip right around the corner. Sony gear holds its value like crazy and deals are usually just bundled accessories rather than straight cash off. Plus buying grey market stuff in NYC to save a buck is a total nightmare when things break.
- Check out reputable local shops in Manhattan for used gear
- Look into alternative brands like Fuji for better out of the box color
- Stop stressing and grab something reliable before your flight Really hate to burst your bubble on the pricing, but peace of mind matters way more when traveling overseas. You dont want a gear failure halfway through Tokyo.
Saved for later, ty!