We've rounded up the best camera deals available this holiday season as several of the best cameras are discounted.
Now is a great time to look for camera deals as some of the best cameras are available at a discount. Below the camera deals in this guide, we've also included some of our favorites along with their lowest available price where discounts aren't on offer. We've also tried to include something suitable for everyone, regardless of budget and experience levels.
If you don't find the right camera deal here then our guides to the best cameras for astrophotography or best beginner cameras might point you in the right direction. We keep this page updated throughout the year, so we'll remove any expired deals and add new ones when they become available. So, scroll down for the best camera deals available this holiday season.
Today's best deals December 2024
- Amazon camera deals: Nikon, Sony, & Fujifilm, and more
- Cameras and lenses at B&H Photo
- Save over $200 on cameras at Walmart
- Huge savings on cameras at Adorama
Buying advice
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
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
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 Z6 II
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
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
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
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
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
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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