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 are such welcome opportunities to score big discounts on costly items like digital cameras, 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 begin releasing their Black Friday ads, we rounded up some of the most anticipated deals of the holiday season. And if you want to use your new camera to snap pictures at this year’s Thanksgiving dinner, we’ve got you covered with deals going on now.
What to expect
The biggest Black Friday camera deals are often for cameras that have just been replaced. New cameras are sometimes discounted slightly, but the steepest discounts are often found on cameras that have been out for a little while. Picking up an old camera isn’t necessarily a bad thing either — sometimes, the new version only offers minimal changes, like adding Bluetooth. These cameras may not be the very best out on the market, but they are often the best camera you can buy at that price point.
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, too.
Deals are less common on newly launched cameras — but we’ve been surprised by some of the discounts for the new Nikon Z and Canon EOS R mirrorless cameras already. These models are still considered new, but Canon and Nikon are competing with Sony in the category, and we’ve already seen some surprising deals on these mirrorless cameras — including some sales already going on now.
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 Kohls around Black Friday.
Expect minimal discounts on the newest cameras, but big discounts — even in the three-figure range — on older models. Beginner kits and consumer cameras are some of the most common, but advanced cameras will see discounts, too.
Nikon, Canon and Sony deals going on now
Black Friday often has the best prices — but not necessarily. A handful of Canon and Nikon 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. Besides, if you’re picking up the camera for yourself, buying it now means you can document the holidays with it.
- Nikon D3500 w/18-55mm — $397
- Canon Powershot SX530 Camera Kit — $269
- Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 Camera — $109
- Canon VIXIA HF R82 Camcorder — $349
- Canon T7i EOS Rebel DSLR Camera — $649
- Nikon D7500 DSLR — $700
- Canon EOS RP — $1,000
Black Friday camera deals 2019
The 2019 Black Friday ads are starting to trickle out and there are several great camera deals among the sales. There are a few major player that haven’t yet shared their deals, however, so this list may grow as Thanksgiving gets closer.
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.
Canon T7i EOS Rebel DSLR camera
For an upgrade over the entry-level Nikon D3500, check out the excellent Canon T7i EOS Rebel. This DSLR camera boasts a 24.2-megapixel CMOS image sensor along with an 18-55mm Nikkor lens, plus a whole suite of advanced features like lag-free autofocus, a DIGIC 7 image processor which ensures crisp photos even in low-light conditions, a swing-out LCD viewing touchscreen, and a Feature Assistant which makes it easy to take advantage of the camera’s many tools and tricks.
The Canon T7i EOS Rebel 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. For a Canon that’s not quite so pricey, the EOS T6 will sell for about $400 on Black Friday from Target and Kohls, which also gets you $15 Kohls Cash for every $50.
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.
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 will drop 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’ve got a lot of Canon glass to use already.
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.
Nikon D7500
The Nikon D7500 is one of Nikon’s top crop sensor DSLRs alongside the D500. The 20-megapixel camera is geared towards action with an 8 fps burst speed and a 51-point autofocus system. The DSLR uses a design that’s geared more towards advanced photographers with more options, 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.
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 this year. 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, a $350 discount.
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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