Whether photography is your new hobby, you're curious to start learning, or you are a seasoned pro, cameras present one of the broadest ranges of brands and products in consumer tech.
With so much choice on the market, figuring out which camera is best for you is never easy. How many megapixels is enough? And what about lenses? That's why we have guides on the best cameras overall, the best cameras for astrophotography, and the best lenses for astrophotography.
And yet, with that extensive list of makes and models comes the opportunity for substantial deals as new models arrive and older ones get discounted (sometimes heavily) ahead of Black Friday, November 29, and Cyber Monday, December 2.
Should you buy a camera on Black Friday? There's a good chance the answer will be yes, if you are in the market for one, but there are some important caveats. Be sure to check out our Black Friday deals hub, where we've already started listing the best Black Friday deals on cameras, telescopes, binoculars, star projectors, and more.
What are the best Black Friday camera deals right now?
Black Friday may be just over a month away but as you can see, there are already deals to be found, including a huge $1100 saving on the Canon EOS R5.
Earning an impressive four-and-a-half stars in our glowing Canon EOS R5 review, you can now pick the Canon EOS R5 up for less than $3000. It’s still an expensive camera, but a $1000 discount makes the pill easier to swallow.
If you're interested in a Canon but don’t want to pay that high a price, the Canon EOS R7 has seen $200 knocked off the price, and we rate that one highly, too. It's now $1299 at Amazon.
Why you should buy a camera on Black Friday
Cameras range widely in budget and effectiveness, and while there are some more affordable options, there's almost always a fantastic deal on a very pricey model. It is always worth doing your research into these models before diving in and parting with your cash.
Take the Nikon Z8, which we believe is the best camera overall on the market today, it was $5,096.95, now $4396.95 from B&H Photo and this includes a 24-120mm f/4 Lens. A $400 saving is nothing to be sniffed at.
Cameras can be very expensive, and it is hard to justify purchasing them at full price. With retailers battling to lure consumers to their online shopfronts, we will likely see more significant savings. Even if you aren't looking to purchase a camera any time soon, it is worth keeping an eye out to get an idea of what models are discounted regularly, as this may inform your purchasing decisions in the future.
Why you should wait to buy a camera
Cameras are stocked at a wide range of stores, both physical and online. Unlike products like telescopes, they are typically popular year-round, so discounts could happen (or not) at any time. If you miss out on Black Friday, there are post-Christmas sales, Prime Days, and national holidays to circle on the calendar.
We've covered more in our Best time to buy a camera guide, but we keep our Camera deals hub updated all year round, making it a great place to start.
Remember, no matter how much you spend on a snazzy camera, if you've not learned the basics of photo composition, lighting, and the camera's mechanics, you may struggle to get the shots you’re hoping for, regardless of how 'good' the camera is. Learn some tips in our astrophotography for beginners guide.
With that in mind, while something like the Nikon Z8 is a fantastic camera, newcomers should probably start smaller (and cheaper). There's no one-size-fits-all for cameras, and you can expect to do a lot of learning whichever model you buy, regardless of when you buy it.
Then there's the question of whether you need a camera at all. Many people are happy enough to reach for one of the best camera phones for photography. They are small, convenient, and more capable with every release and update. It's now also easier than ever to edit photos with AI assistance.
Which cameras are likely to be discounted on Black Friday?
The trusty Nikon D850 saw a discount of almost $900 last year, another four-and-a-half star camera that, despite being a DSLR, we think is still one of the best around, as seen in our Nikon D850 review. It's currently dropped by $800 at B&H photo, which we predicted it would, but you may wish to hold on a little longer to see if we can beat last year's savings.
As with the D850, it's a good idea to watch for slightly older stock or models that have been superseded. While reaching straight for the newest model is always tempting, previous models often see significant drops, even if the physical and technical differences aren't that impressive. We awarded a four-and-a-half star rating to the Sony A7R IV in our review, and while Sony A7R V is newer to the market, it doesn't necessarily mean it is better for you. We found, for example, that it struggles with noise when shooting astro than its predecessor.
Check out our Black Friday 2024 deals page for discounts on telescopes, cameras, binoculars, star projectors, Lego and more.
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