Camera deals 2024: real deals we recommend you look at if you're in the market for a new camera

Camera deals: Image shows person pointing camera forwards
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Capture the moment this holiday season with the best camera deals we've found!

Now is the perfect time to shop for cameras, with many top models available at discounted prices. In addition to highlighting the best deals, we've included some of our favorite cameras at their current lowest prices for those without active discounts. There's something here for everyone, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned photographer, and we've catered to a wide range of budgets.

If you don't find the perfect deal here, check out our guides to the best cameras for astrophotography or beginner-friendly cameras for more options. This page is updated regularly, so you'll always find the latest offers. Scroll down to discover the best camera deals this holiday season!

Today's best deals December 2024


Nikon Z8
Nikon Z8: was $3,997 now $3,497 at Adorama US

Save $500 and get a good deal on what we think is the best mirrorless camera for astrophotography. We also think it's one of the best cameras on the market. In our Nikon Z8 review, we found it has excellent noise image handling, insane FPS burst speed, extremely detailed video and image quality, silent shooting and even a dedicated night vision mode.

Note: The before price has been spiked to make it look like a great deal, the price you pay is a good one. This deal is also available at Amazon.

Nikon Z7 II
Nikon Z7 II: was $2,997 now $1,997 at Amazon

Save $1000 and get the lowest price we can find on a camera that features at the top of our guide on best cameras for low light conditions. It excels in those conditions and in astrophotography. You can check out all the key specs, why it's a top model and what makes this a stand-out deal in our Nikon Z7 II review.

Note: This camera deal is also available at Adorama.

Sony A7R V
Sony A7R V: was $3,899 now $3,398 at amazon.com

Save over $500 on a camera we rate as the best full-frame resolution camera on the market. It sits second in our guide to the best cameras out there and you can check out why in our Sony A7R V review.

Canon EOS R7
Canon EOS R7: was $1,499 now $1,299 at Adorama US

Save $200 on a mirrorless camera that we rate as one of the best cameras on the market. It's excellent for snapping on the go and vlogging in particular. It features 4K video capabilities, has a 32.5MP sensor and has outstanding autofocus and tracking features. Check out our Canon EOS R7 review for further details.

Sony A7 III
Sony A7 III: was $1,999 now $1,239 at Walmart

This camera is a jack-of-all-trades and is $760 off, it will consistently deliver results whether you're shooting video or stills and boasts some impressive specs. It's the lowest we've seen this price too and we've reviewed the A7 III, so we can vouch for its quality and how impressive it is in low light conditions.

Canon EOS R5
Canon EOS R5: was $3,899 now $2,799 at amazon.com

Save $1100 on an excellent camera that we rate as Canon's best ever, which is saying something. It features 8K video capabilities and a 45MP sensor combined with a top-of-the-range autofocus system. Some might think some of the specs are overkill but in truth, this is a great deal on a premium camera.

Sony Alpha 1 (Refurbished)
Sony Alpha 1 (Refurbished): was $4,998 now $4,568 at Amazon

Save $430 on a camera we rate as the best on the market, if money is no object. It has mind-blowing specs which include 8K video shooting and a 50.1MP sensor with a 50-102400 ISO range. This is a refurbished model.

Nikon Z6 II
Nikon Z6 II: was $1,997 now $1,497 at Amazon

Bag a bargain on the Nikon Z6 II when you grab it from Amazon. With excellent high-ISO handling, it's perfect for dark sky photography and is compatible with the company's Z-mount lenses. This is an excellent all-round camera and we rate it as one of the best cameras on the market today. Save 25% today.

Note: The before price is quite high for this camera but the price to pay is decent, it's retailed for a lot more in previous years.

Sony Alpha 7R IV
Sony Alpha 7R IV: was $3,199 now $2,998 at amazon.com

Save over $200 on this excellent mirrorless Sony camera when you get it on Amazon. Take stills at an astonishing 61MP with a 567-point auto focus system. You can also take videos in 4K while saving a fortune.

Panasonic Lumix S5
Panasonic Lumix S5: was $2,098 now $1,298 at BHPhoto

This is a great camera, the Panasonic Lumix S5, with a $800 saving available at present time. Well set up for videographers, the slim full-frame camera has a 24MP full-frame sensor and can produce 10-bit 4K60 video.

Save 11%
was $1,049.95 now $934.95 at Amazon

Save 11% with this deal on the Sony Alpha A7 II. This mirrorless camera offers 5-axis in-body image stabilization, full-frame 24.3MP resolution and phase-detection which is 30% faster than its predecessor.

Sony A7R III
Sony A7R III: was $2,198 now $1,998 at Adorama US

Save $200 on the Sony A7R III full-frame mirrorless camera body at Adorama. One of the best all-rounders released in recent years, the A7R III's 42.4-megapixel sensor is capable of resolving the tiniest of details.

Note: You can get bundles for this camera for a similar price on Amazon too.

Nikon D850
Nikon D850: was $2,997 now $2,197 at BHPhoto

Save $800 and get a great price on the 45-megapixel Nikon D850 body and accessories. This workhorse professional DSLR can shoot an incredible 5,100 shots from one battery charge and is capable of shooting at 9FPS.

Note: The before price has been spiked a bit to make it seem like a better deal, the price to pay is on par with other retailers.

Buying advice

Camera deals: Image shows camera with lens attached,. It's dusk and a field and darkening sky are visible behind the camera.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

When it comes to choosing the best camera deal, a lot will depend on your budget and the amount of astro imaging you'll be doing. Some will get enough of a night sky photography experience by leaving the shutter open on an off-the-shelf camera with a fast lens attached for about 30 seconds. This will give you a view of the night sky that doesn't necessarily look anything like what you saw with the naked eye. If you have more patience though, then taking multiple monochrome images of deep space objects through colored filters, tracking it through the night sky and putting the images back together with specialist software can produce stunning images.

If you're looking for cameras for astrophotography, you might ask what are the best models out there? The debate between DSLR vs mirrorless cameras used to be a fierce one but, the lighter, more portable cameras are proving ever popular over the old-school yet reliable DSLR models. While there are some that have been modified specifically for astro use, having the IR filter removed, you can get a dedicated Astro camera to connect to your telescope, but it won't do you much good anywhere else.

In the section below, we've decided to show you some of our favorite models on the market, that may not be on sale right now. Despite this, we've shown them next to their best available price. As mentioned above, there's something to suit every level of photographer and every budget, so there's a camera deal here for everyone - this section is always worth checking out.

Canon cameras

Canon EOS R8

The Canon EOS R8 atop a tripod without a lens

(Image credit: Jason Parnell-Brookes)

Canon EOS R8

Best entry level Canon Camera

Sensor: 24.2MP full-frame | ISO range: 104-208,800 (extended) | Video: 4K UHD 60FPS

Slim, portable design
High ISO range for astro
Premium quality autofocus 
Lightest full-frame Canon EOS
Battery life can be dissapointing 
Awkward memory card slot

This is, in our opinion, the best entry-level Canon camera, hands down. It's a great option if you want a top Canon camera without having to take out a bank loan to do so, too.

If astrophotography is your priority then this is a top option too. The lack of in-body image stabilization shouldn't be too much of an issue and the field of view is a bonus too. It features top video specs, 4K at 60FPS, a 24.2MP full-frame sensor and a large ISO range that's extendable. With premium quality autofocus and a portable, lightweight design, it's a mirrorless camera that packs a punch and is ideal for taking with you, wherever you go.

If you want a more in-depth look at this camera, you should check out our Canon EOS R8 review.


Nikon cameras

Nikon Z8

Nikon Z8 on a white table

(Image credit: Jase Parnell-Brookes)

Nikon Z8

The best mirrorless camera for astrophotography

Sensor: 45.7MP full-frame | ISO range: 64-102,400 (expanded) | Video: 8K 60p, 12 bit

Extremely high FPS burst speed
Premium quality stills and video
Silent shooting and image noise handling
Pricey
A big size increase from the Z7 II

This is undoubtedly a camera best suited for professionals. If you're a beginner then the specs that the Nikon Z8 boasts are definitely overkill. In fact, we would recommend this to anyone whose budget stretches far enough.

It features super-fast autofocus, a high FPS burst speed, it's sturdy and built like a tank, it also features a 45.7MP full-frame sensor, it has 8K video capabilities and a large ISO range. We simply can't sing the praises of this camera loudly enough. Yes, it is expensive, it stretches beyond a lot of budgets, but that's because it was designed with professionals in mind and the specs back that up.

If you want a more in-depth look at this camera, check out our Nikon Z8 review.

Nikon Z8


Nikon Z6 II

A photo of the Nikon Z6 ii

(Image credit: Jacob Little)

Nikon Z6 II

A top quality all-rounder

Sensor: 24.5MP CMOS BSI | AF points: 273 hybrid AF points | Video: 4K at 30/25/24p, 1080p at 120/100/60/50/30/25/24p

Two memory card slots
Superior AF performance
No articulating screen
4K 60p will be cropped

The Nikon Z6 II is a 24.5MP full-frame mirrorless camera and is popular among photographers for a few reasons, not least because of its photo and image shooting capabilities. 273 AF-points mean images are always in focus and high-ISO handling means low-light shooting is effective too. the Z6 II also has the ability to shoot continuously at 12FPS and take 4K videos, so it's an excellent all-rounder.

Nikon's Z mount is new to their mirrorless line, and while the Z-mount glass can set you back some money it’s also possible to use any of Nikon's F-mount lenses via an FTZ adapter. Nikon's Z cameras exhibit all the benefits mirrorless cameras have over DSLRs, including being light enough to attach to a telescope or star tracker easily. If you want to save a little money, the original Nikon Z6 is still available for a bargain price.


Nikon D850

Side profile of the Nikon D850

(Image credit: Jason Parnell-Brookes)

Nikon D850

The last of the big-megapixel DSLRs?

Sensor: 45.7MP full frame CMOS | AF : 153 points | Video: 4K at 30p, 1080p at 60p

Enormous detail
Up to 9FPS
4K full frame video
Low buffer capacity
AF slow in live view
Requires fast memory cards

High-speed cameras tend, at least before mirrorless wonders like the EOS R5 came along, to be slower. So this 45MP monster from Nikon busted the trend, allowing you to blaze away at 9FPS and at full resolution, dropping to 8MP and an electronic shutter for 30FPS capture. There are a few caveats though: you'll need the optional battery grip to hit the highest speed, and the buffer fills after just 51 shots, placing a lot of importance on fast memory cards to clear it quickly.

The sensor lacks an anti-aliasing filter for optimum sharpness, meaning you'll want only the best lenses too. However, if you can meet its demands, the Nikon D850 is one of the most capable DSLRs on the market today.

Sony cameras

Sony A7R IV

front view of the sony a7r iv

(Image credit: Kimberley Lane)

Sony A7R IV

Enormous resolution, but it comes at a price

Sensor: 61MP full frame Exmor R CMOS | AF points: 567 phase detection, 325 contrast AF points | Video: 4K UHD at 30p, 24p

High resolution
Eye-tracking AF
10FPS
Video options limited
Ageing design
Balances poorly with large lenses

The A7 models are a little self-contained family of cameras, and the Sony A7R IV is its king. A whopping 60MP full-frame sensor and an AF system that sticks to its target like glue mean that with the right lens (and the right person behind it) the camera is capable of some highly impressive images. The high megapixel count also means you can crop your images tightly without losing too much quality.

It has its drawbacks - you can't shoot at anything other than 60MP, for example, so processing can take some time - but with 10FPS shooting, 4K video, and five-stop integrated image stabilization, this is a mighty photographic tool.

The 'a' designation here doesn't mean it's a dedicated astro camera like Canon's EOS Ra, but refers to a slightly updated body with a better LCD screen resolution and USB 3.2 connectivity instead of the slower 3.1. The older version is still available from some dealers, as are the rest of the family: A7 IV (34MP), A7 Compact (26MP), A7S III (12MP), and the older A7R III (42.4MP).


Sony A6700

Sony A6700 camera with the screen flipped out on a tripod

(Image credit: Kimberley Lane)

Sony A6700

One of the best lightweight models out there

Sensor: 26MP APS-C | ISO range: 50-102,400 (expanded) | Video: 4K 120p

Lightweight and compact
Great in low-light conditions
4K video recording
in-body video and image stabilization 
one memory card slot
reduced battery li

Compact yet packed with features, the A6100's APS-C sensor means the body and lenses can be smaller and lighter, making for a camera that's easy to carry with you. It may be Sony's entry-level mirrorless camera, but it doesn't feel like it. You get 24.2 megapixels, 4K video, a 3.5mm microphone input, and Sony's excellent tracking autofocus with 425 points.

What you don't get is sensor-shift image stabilization, but the decent burst speed of 11FPS and the tilting touchscreen, plus full wireless connectivity, make up for this single omission, especially given the price.


Sony A7 III

Sony A7 III review: image shows Sony A7 III camera outside

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

Sony A7 III

Older, but still worth it

Sensor: 24.2MP full-frame Exmor R CMOS | AF points: 693-point phase-detection AF / 425-point contrast-detect AF | Video: 4K UHD at 30/24fps, Full HD at up to 120fps

10fps continuous shooting
Sophisticated AF system
4K video
No drive or focus mode dials
Burst shooting buffer a bit small
Imbalance with larger lenses

An older model, having been released in early 2018, but a dependable all-rounder, the Sony A7 III has enough sensor resolution for most people, and a fast enough burst rate too. One of its major selling points is its excellent autofocus system, which remains unbeaten by subsequent releases.

Unfortunately for Sony, there are plenty of rivals breathing down the A7 III's neck. Some of these come from Sony itself, in the form of other A7 family cameras, while others, such as the Canon EOS R6 and Nikon Z6II, come from names steeped in photographic history. Any deals on the A7 III should be looked into with keen interest, however, as the E-mount lens range is becoming formidable, and the image quality it produces is hard to beat.


Sony A1

Review photo of the Sony A1

(Image credit: Kimberley Lane)

Sony A1

The best pro-level Sony camera

Sensor: 50.1MP | ISO range: 50-102,400 (Expanded) | Video: 8K

Everything, it does everything well
8K video shooting
50.1 megapixels
Very, very expensive 
More affordable options affordable

We're rounding off this guide with a camera that, if you have deep pockets and your budget isn't your biggest priority, we would recommend. This camera offers premium quality across the board and excels in a lot of departments.

It's a full-frame mirrorless camera with a 50.1MP sensor, burst shooting up to 30FPS, 425-point contrast-detection autofocus points, and it can shoot video in 8K. What's not to like? It's also quite sturdily built, especially considering it's a mirrorless camera.

If you want a more in-depth look at this camera, you can check out our Sony A1 review. It's a powerhouse on the camera market and while it's a big investment, if you need professional results and you want a camera to use regularly, this is a top, top choice.

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Ian Evenden
Contributor

Ian has been a journalist for over 20 years. He's written for magazines and websites on subjects such as astronomy, quantum physics, keeping fish, PC hardware, photo editing and gardening. Ian was also editor of Windows Help and Advice magazine and the Discover Science bookazines. In his spare time he has a pet tortoise and grows his own vegetables, but wishes he had more time for photography.

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