Although the built-in cameras on mobile devices are getting better, there is still a huge gap between smartphones and stand-alone digital cameras. Brand-name digital cameras are expensive, though, with professional-grade DSLR models retailing for well over a grand. That’s why annual retail events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday are such welcome opportunities to score big discounts, offering you the chance to save hundreds of dollars.
And thankfully, it’s almost that time of year. Canon, Nikon, and Sony Black Friday deals are often some of the best sales on big-name cameras for the year. As stores release their Black Friday ads, we rounded up some of the most anticipated camera deals of the holiday season — and some of them are already live.
With some Black Friday sales already live, we’ll be updating this post regularly, so check back for more camera deals.
Nikon, Canon, and Sony Black Friday deals going on now
Black Friday often has the best prices — but not necessarily. A handful of Canon, Nikon, Sony, and other cameras are already discounted for the fall as well as Black Friday preview sales. DSLRs that aren’t this year’s newest cameras already have decent discounts, along with even the relatively new mirrorless cameras from the two major manufacturers, the Nikon Z 6 and the Canon EOS R and EOS RP.
What to expect for Black Friday 2019
The biggest Black Friday camera deals are often for cameras that have just been replaced, though this year already has a few good deals on current models, like the Canon EOS M50, EOS RP, EOS 80D, and Nikon Z 6, D3500 and D7500. Picking up an old camera isn’t necessarily a bad thing either — sometimes, the new version only offers minimal changes, like adding Bluetooth.
Beginner-friendly cameras are also commonly discounted for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. An entry-level DSLR or mirrorless kit with a lens makes a good Christmas gift, and there are usually some deals to be had there. Sometimes, the two-lens kits are only slightly more than the kits with one lens. Super-zoom cameras and instant film cameras (albeit not from Canon, Nikon, or Sony) tend to be another kind of deal that’s easy to find.
Speaking of lenses, there may be some discounts to be had there, too. The steepest discounts are often on camera bodies and kits, but many retailers will knock down the price of some popular lenses. Sigma, for example, announced up to $250 off Art series lenses through December 5.
Photographers may want to look for more than just camera and lens deals. Adobe is offering 40 percent off an all apps subscription for new subscribers that want more than just Photoshop and Lightroom, making the plan $30 a month. Skylum is bundling free items with the Luminar software, a sale live now through Cyber Monday.
Deals are common from major electronics retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, B&H Photo, and Adorama. But some big box stores will get in on the action as well, with deals from Walmart and Target — we’ve even spotted camera sales from Kohl’s around Black Friday.
Expect minimal discounts on the newest cameras, but big discounts — even in the three and four-figure range — on older models. Beginner kits and consumer cameras are some of the most common, but advanced cameras will see discounts, too.
Many of the 2019 Black Friday ads are already out, and there are several great camera deals among the sales. There are a few that haven’t yet shared their deals, however, so this list may grow. This year, offering the Black Friday price early seems to be a popular choice among retailers, so some of these deals don’t require getting up at 4 a.m.
Canon Black Friday camera deals
Canon T7i EOS Rebel DSLR camera
For a camera that’s a bit more than entry-level, but a bit less expensive than the flagship, check out the excellent Canon EOS Rebel T7i. This DSLR camera boasts a 24.2-megapixel CMOS image sensor along with an 18-55mm lens, plus a whole suite of advanced features like lag-free autofocus, a DIGIC 7 image processor, a swing-out LCD viewing touchscreen, and a Feature Assistant which makes it easy to learn the camera’s many tools and tricks.
The Canon EOS Rebel T7i two-lens kit will be $500 off at Best Buy, selling for $700 in a kit that also includes a bag and an SD card. That’s only $50 more than Walmart’s deal on the single lens kit. For a Canon that’s not quite so pricey, the EOS T6 is discounted now from Walmart and other retailers to $400 in a two-lens kit and also sell for about $400 on Black Friday from Target and Kohl’s, that latter which also gets you $15 Kohl’s Cash for every $50.
Canon EOS Rp
The Canon EOS Rp is already a budget model — but Black Friday sales make the full-frame mirrorless camera even more enticing. The EOS RP sports a 26.2 full-frame sensor, 5 fps burst speed, Dual Pixel autofocus, and 4K video. The RP isn’t for everyone — a few features are intentionally left out to get to that lower price point — but it’s one of the most affordable current model full-frame cameras on the market.
Best Buy’s deal on this camera is already live — paired with an RF 24-240-mm F4-6.3 IS USM lens, the kit is $700 off for $1,500.
Canon EOS M50
You don’t have to spend $1,500 to pick up a good Canon mirrorless camera. The Canon EOS M50 houses a smaller 24-megapixel crop sensor, a change that means a significant cut in the price while still offering photos much better than what you can snap with your phone.
The EOS M50 is a mid-level mirrorless, which means the camera offers more than a basic entry-level but isn’t quite as pricey as Canon’s advanced options. The camera uses Canon’s Dual Pixel autofocus, which allows for quick, accurate focusing from the camera’s LCD screen. The camera also offers solid speed, with a 10 fps burst rate. The EOS M50 also added 4K video to the series, and while missing some of the features that pros use, it offers more detailed video for enthusiasts.
Unlike options like the Canon EOS M6 Mark II, the EOS M50 uses a built-in electronic viewfinder. A DSLR-like grip is also a plus.
Normally, the Canon EOS M50 retails for $900 with a kit lens. Amazon has the mirrorless camera kit for $250 off — which means the kit is only $20 more than buying just the camera body alone. The deal is already live.
Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II
Looking for a deal on a camera that can tuck in your pocket? While the $100 camera deals often don’t offer much more than a smartphone, the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II has a 1-inch sensor — larger than what’s in a smartphone or budget compact– with much better image quality. The 20.1-megapixel camera also has a bright f/2-4.9 lens, making it a much better low-light performer, too.
While still a pretty small camera, the G9 X Mark II also sports a 3x optical zoom and a burst speed of up to 8.2 fps. A 3-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi makes sharing photos almost as easy as if you actually used a smartphone to shoot them.
Normally $480, the camera is already discounted to $400 for Black Friday deals week at several retailers. Adorama offers that same price with free accessories, including a camera case, memory card, and a cleaning kit.
Canon EOS 80D
The Canon EOS 80D sits in line with the Nikon D7500 as a more advanced crop sensor camera. The 80D has since replaced by the 90D this year, but that means a lower price on the older camera. The 80D sports a 24.2-megapixel sensor and a 7 fps burst mode, along with a 45-point autofocus system. The newer 90D is faster, has a higher resolution, and offers 4K video, but the 80D isn’t a bad buy for a limited budget.
Best Buy is selling the camera with a kit lens for $899 on Black Friday, a $350 discount.
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Our current pick for the best Canon DSLR, the EOS 5D Mark IV offers excellent photos from the 30-megapixel full-frame sensor. The pro-level or advanced enthusiast camera offers excellent performance from the 61-point autofocus system that uses Dual Pixel Technology. Burst speed is also competitive at 7 fps. 4K video rounds out the camera’s top features.
Amazon is currently offering roughly 25 percent off all the EOS 5D Mark IV kits and the body alone. That makes the DSLR with the 24-105mm lens $1,00 off at $3,399. The deal is listed for a limited time — which may mean the deal won’t even last to Black Friday.
More Canon Black Friday camera deals
- Canon Powershot SX530 Camera Kit — $269
- Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 Camera — $109
- Canon VIXIA HF R82 Camcorder — $329
Nikon Black Friday camera deals
Nikon D3500 DSLR camera
Unlike a lot of Black Friday camera deals, the Nikon D3500 discount is for a new model — the D3500 is Nikon’s current entry-level DSLR. This easy-to-use DSLR camera comes with the Nikkor 18-55mm lens, and its one-inch 24-megapixel sensor is many times larger than the one in your smartphone. Along with taking great shots, the Nikon D3500 can also shoot a crisp video in 1080p at 60 frames per second.
The D3500 would normally set you back $500, but Black Friday sales shave $100 off the price. The two-lens kit will be on sale for $399 from Best Buy, with a free camera bag included. Target has the same deal as a doorbuster. If you can’t wait or don’t get there in time, Amazon already has the Nikon D3500 w/18-55mm discounted, just without the free bag and second lens.
Nikon Z 6
The Nikon Z 6 is a mirrorless camera favorite — and a bit of a surprise to see discounted on Black Friday since the Z 6 is a current model that only started shipping last year. The full-frame, 24.5-megapixel sensor captures excellent images, while Nikon packed in image stabilization to help prevent camera shake from ruining the shot.
The Nikon Z 6 is just as much a camera for video as it is for stills, with 4K video and advanced features like 10-bit HDMI and N-Log. We preferred the autofocus system from Sony’s mirrorless cameras but favored Nikon’s ergonomics and menu system.
The Nikon Z 6 is an excellent mirrorless camera — and Black Friday makes the system a bit more affordable. The body, with a lens adapter, an XQD card, and a bag is about $1,697 at B&H, a discount of more than $500. The 24-70mm kit is also discounted by more than $500.
Nikon D7500
The Nikon D7500 is one of Nikon’s top crop sensor DSLRs alongside the D500. The 20-megapixel camera is geared toward action with an 8 fps burst speed and a 51-point autofocus system. The DSLR uses an advanced design with more controls, though it’s not completely beyond a beginner either.
Best Buy will pair the camera with two lenses and a bag for just under $1,000 with the Black Friday price already live, a discount of $700.
Nikon D850
A 15 percent discount may not be huge, but for the current best DSLR on the market, we’ll take it. The Nikon D850’s full-frame, 45.7-megapixel sensor produces some excellent, detailed images. And thanks to the excellent autofocus, the camera can capture excellent images even in low lighting conditions. 4K video makes the D850 even sweeter.
As one of Nikon’s best DSLRs, the D850 doesn’t come cheap — but holiday sales at least make the camera a little cheaper. Normally retailing for $3,296, the camera is already discounted to $2,796, a $500 discount. The deal can be found at a few retailers, but B&H throws in a free camera bag and memory card.
Nikon D750
Sure, the Nikon D750 isn’t the 47-megapixel monster that’s the D850, but what it lacks in muscle, it makes up for in price. The Nikon D750 is a 24-megapixel full-frame camera, specs that are pretty common across the board for entry-level full-frame cameras. The camera also packs in a 51-point autofocus system, a 6.5 fps burst speed, and HD video.
The D750 is exactly the kind of deal we expect to find around Black Friday. The camera is now five years old but hasn’t yet been replaced, so it’s not cutting edge technology, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad either. In fact, when we first reviewed the camera, we called it near perfect. Amazon currently has the camera body discounted by $500, but it’s the kit that pairs the camera with a $1,100 lens that’s selling for $1,700 that’s the real deal here.
Sony Black Friday camera deals
Sony a6000
While Sony’s full-frame cameras get all the attention, the little Sony a6000 is a solid APS-C camera — though it is now about five years old. The mirrorless camera hides a 24.3-megapixel sensor, mixed with an excellent 11 fps burst mode. The in-body stabilization is also a perk, particularly for shooting in low light and with long lenses. Sony also has a decent selection of lenses. All that is wrapped in a body that’s considerably smaller than the entry-level DSLRs on this list.
The Sony a6000 normally retails for $1,000 with the two lens kit, but Best Buy will have the kit for $600 on Black Friday — a discount that’s already live.
Sony a7 II
The Sony a7 II isn’t the most recent camera in the series, but the 24.3-megapixel full-frame camera still has a lot going for it. Sony’s autofocus system is solid, and features like Face Detection tend to outperform Canon and Nikon. That’s paired with five-axis image stabilization and a 5 fps burst speed. The Sony a7 III has several significant upgrades, but you’ll also end up paying a lot more for the newer model.
Best Buy dropped the price of the camera with a 28-70mm lens down to $1,000 — a $600 discount. That’s cheaper than the Canon EOS R and while older, it’s probably the better buy over the Canon EOS RP unless you have a lot of Canon glass to use already.
Looking for more great stuff? Find camera deals, Black Friday sales, Cyber Monday discounts and more on our curated deals page.
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