Love capturing the cosmos? Make your money go further this Christmas with these last-minute camera and lens deals

A large Sony camera being held.
There are still last-minute savings to be had on cameras and lenses. (Image credit: Future / Kimberley Lane)

Christmas is nearly upon us, but there's still time to grab some last minute deals on the best cameras and best camera lenses, whether you're hunting for a gift for a keen photographer or are buying for yourself.

How much time? That depends on where you shop; Amazon, Walmart and many other retailers are still delivering in time for Christmas. Some will even let you order as late as December 23, for delivery on Christmas Eve. However, we wouldn't recommend you leave it that long. Aside from the fact that express shipping can cost extra, there's always the risk that a delivery will get unexpectedly delayed. So the sooner you order, the better.

Camera deals

If you're into astrophotography, or are thinking of getting into it, Christmas is a fantastic time to buy a camera and not just because of the savings on offer. The long nights also mean you'll have plenty of time to test your new gear out.

Aided by our experts, we've picked out the best last-minute deals on cameras, including major manufacturers like Sony, Canon and Nikon. Bear in mind that these deals are for the camera body only. So, if you don't already have a lens, look down the page where we delve into the best last-minute lens deals.

Nikon Z8
Best camera overall
Save $803
Nikon Z8: was $4,300 now $3,497 at Amazon
Read moreRead less

Save over $800 on the best camera you can buy. It's seriously versatile, capable of handling virtually any shooting situation, from astrophotography to portraits. The starting price appears to have been spiked, but this is still a great deal.

Sony  Alpha 7R V
Best autofocus
Save $902
Sony Alpha 7R V: was $4,200 now $3,298 at Amazon
Read moreRead less

We rank the Sony Alpha 7R V as the best camera for autofocus, thanks to its groundbreaking AI-assisted AF system. It's a powerhouse of a camera and while, again, its starting price is spiked, this is still a serious saving.

Canon  EOS R7
Best for beginners
Save $300
Canon EOS R7: was $1,649 now $1,349 at Amazon
Read moreRead less

Save $300 on our pick for the best camera for beginners. Not only is it user-friendly, suitable for both vlogging and basic astrophotography, it boasts superb image quality, thanks in part to its impressive 7-stops of in-body stabilization.

Sony  Alpha 7R IV
Best hybrid camera
Save $702
Sony Alpha 7R IV: was $3,700 now $2,998 at Amazon
Read moreRead less

Save over $700 on the best hybrid camera, a great pro-level model and even better value at this price. Its image quality is absolutely incredible, and it excels at astrophotography, shooting up to ISO 6400 without noise.

Canon  EOS R6 Mark II
Best for low light
Save $300
Canon EOS R6 Mark II: was $2,299 now $1,999 at BHPhoto
Read moreRead less

Save $300 on this Canon EOS R6 Mark II which, thanks to its excellent ISO handling, is the best camera for low-light shooting. It's also packed with user-friendly features and functions, so you can tweak your shoot on the fly.

Sony a7 III
Best astrophotography mirrorless
Save $664
Sony a7 III: was $1,999 now $1,335 at Walmart
Read moreRead less

Save over $650 on the best mirrorless camera for astrophotography. Despite the release of newer models, its amazing low-light video performance and excellent battery life make it a steal at this price.


Camera lens deals

When it comes to photography, whether you're snapping the night sky or taking pictures at a wedding, the best camera lenses can make all the difference. And, while you can buy body/lens bundles, most serious cameras are sold as bodies, allowing you to pick a lens that suits your needs.

To that end, we have rounded up the best last-minute deals on camera lenses, from wide-angle to telephoto and beyond.

Canon RF15-35mm F2.8 L
Best Canon RF for astrophotography
Save $500
Canon RF15-35mm F2.8 L: was $2,599 now $2,099 at Amazon
Read moreRead less

Save $500 on the best Canon RF lens for astrophotography. With 4 stops of image stabilization and high quality L-Series glass, this ultra-wide zoom lens is a stunning all-rounder.

Sigma Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM Art
Best for versatile astrophotography
Save $130
Sigma Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM Art: was $1,429 now $1,299 at Adorama
Read moreRead less

Save $130 on this high-quality lens, designed with full-frame cameras in mind. It delivers crisp, clear images with next to zero chromatic aberration, even in low light conditions. We rank it as the best astrophotography lens for versatility.

Canon  RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
Best Canon telephoto
Save $500
Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM: was $2,999 now $2,499 at Best Buy
Read moreRead less

Currently $500 off, this is a great Canon telephoto lens. While it's seriously heavy, it has an astonishing zoom range. The manual rings give you total control over shoots and it offers superb night-time performance to boot.

Canon RF 16-28mm f/2.8 IS STM
Best Canon RF wide angle
Save $200
Canon RF 16-28mm f/2.8 IS STM: was $1,249 now $1,049 at Amazon
Read moreRead less

Save $200 on this surprisingly lightweight wide-angle lens. Dust and moisture resistant, it features 5.5-stops of optical image stabilization and is whisper quiet with it. We think it's the best Canon RF wide-angle lens.

Fujifilm  Fujinon GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR
Best Fujifilm GFX Wide Zoom
Save $501
Fujifilm Fujinon GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR: was $2,900 now $2,399 at Amazon
Read moreRead less

The best Fujifilm GFX wide zoom lens, in our opinion, the Fujinon GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR offers great image quality, no matter what zoom range you're at. Its advanced optical design helps minimize chromatic aberration, and at $500 off, this is a great addition to any camera setup.

Nikon  Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.4
Best Z-mount wide angle prime lens
Save $100
Nikon Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.4: was $677 now $577 at Adorama
Read moreRead less

Save $100 on the best Nikon Z-mount wide angle prime lens. Its light-gathering f/1.4 aperture makes it great for low-light shooting and its 35mm focal length is suitable for many subjects.

Chris McMullen
Contributing Writer

Chris is a freelance journalist who, aside from covering games and gaming-related tech, has a taste for horror, sci-fi and the post-apocalyptic. As well as Space.com, you can find his work at The Escapist, GameSpew (where he’s the morning news writer) and more. You can follow him on Twitter @MarmaladeBus.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.