After 15 Years of Testing Cameras, These Are the Black Friday Deals I’d Buy Myself

I’ve spent the better part of the last 15 years testing and writing about cameras at PCMag, long enough that I’ve lost track of just how many mirrorless cameras, SLRs, lenses, and action cams I’ve tried. The early Black Friday sales I’ve seen include loads of discounts on photo gear, to the point where it’s challenging to find the best deals. My top early Black Friday picks include a steep discount on one of Canon’s best cameras for sports and wildlife photography, an unbeatable price on the best digital SLR Nikon has ever made, plus a solid deal on an older but excellent DJI action camera. Find out more, and shop the best Black Friday camera deals below.

What to Look for in a Camera Deal

This Black Friday is an especially good one for camera shoppers. There’s a lot on sale, ranging from entry-level models up to the full-frame cameras that shutterbugs and pros prefer to use. That’s good news for photographers and content creators who have seen an industry-wide uptick in pricing in response to tariffs this year. The best deals are the ones that offer a discount from 2024 pricing; for instance, the Nikon Z6III we’re highlighting in this piece increased from $2,500 to $2,700 this year, but is down to $2,100 for the shopping season—that’s a fantastic deal even without taking its 2025 price hike into account.

You can also find good prices on cameras that are a few years old, and when it comes to interchangeable lens cameras, you don’t miss that much with an older model. Upmarket cameras have incrementally improved autofocus and video features from one generation to the next, but picture quality has remained on a plateau for years. Be sure to consider your use case, though. I don’t hesitate in recommending older full-frame cameras for photography, but if you are more interested in video, it’s probably worth splurging on the newest edition. When in doubt, consult PCMag’s independent reviews for guidance on the camera you’re considering buying.

Canon Mirrorless Deal

The Canon EOS R3 is one of the fastest-focusing mirrorless cameras around. Its 24MP Stacked CMOS sensor focuses and tracks subjects at full Raw quality at 30fps, plus captures 6K60 and 4K120 video. Built-in image stabilization, an electronic viewfinder with HDR color, and a durable, dual-gripped design with weather protection round out its impressive feature set. The EOS R3 is currently selling at a steep discount, with $1,100 off its list price. It’s a compelling value alternative to the next model in the line, the EOS R1 ($6,799). It doesn’t have all of the R1’s features, but it gets quite close for far less money. If you are shopping for a camera that captures good photos of action-packed scenes that challenge autofocus systems, consider picking up the EOS R3 at this price while it lasts.

Nikon DSLR Deal

Mirrorless cameras get all the latest tech upgrades, but photographers who despise electronic viewfinders don’t enjoy using them as much as a classic SLR. If you prefer an optical through-the-lens view, there’s simply no better DSLR than the Nikon D850, which proves to be the ultimate camera in Nikon’s professional series. Even though it’s an older camera (I reviewed it back in 2017), its picture quality is on par with that of brand-new models, and it’s now discounted to far less than its original price. You’ll miss out on the latest advancements in autofocus, video, and lens design by opting for an SLR, which is the price you pay for choosing an optical viewfinder, but that doesn’t change my opinion that the D850 is the finest digital SLR ever made.

Nikon Mirrorless Deal

The Nikon Z6III is our reigning Editors’ Choice champion among professional full-frame cameras. It’s the type of camera that working wedding and portrait photographers are likely to use, and is enticing to shutterbugs too. It’s a top performer. Its Partially Stacked BSI CMOS sensor snaps 24MP photos at up to 20fps (Raw) or 30fps (JPG) with smart, accurate tracking autofocus, and is speedy enough to record 6K60 video without showing motion distortion. Build quality is among the best in the class, with its huge, bright EVF as a standout feature. It’s getting a $600 price cut for the holidays—enough savings to pick up a lens like the Nikkor Z 35mm F1.4.

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DJI Action Camera Deal

Vloggers and fans of extreme sports will both find a lot to like about the DJI Osmo Action 4. It’s now a couple of generations behind the latest model, but that’s not a big deal with action cameras—they tend to get yearly upgrades with modest changes. At around $200, the Osmo Action 4 is a great value—it’s small, durable, waterproof, and records 4 K video with impressive stabilization.

DJI Vlogging Camera Deal

The Osmo Pocket 3 is one of the most popular cameras among YouTubers, and it’s easy to see why. For one, it’s small enough to take anywhere, and it’s really built for recording on the go. Its camera uses a 3-axis gimbal to deliver the floating Steadicam look to videos—instant production value. A Type 1 sensor and wide-angle lens get sharp results at 4K, and experts will appreciate its 10-bit color and how easily it pairs with DJI’s wireless microphones. If you want a Pocket, you’ll want to get one quick—DJI products are scheduled to be banned from sale just before Christmas, so vloggers should get this one while they can.

Whether you’re shopping for a loved one or for yourself, I hope I was able to help you score a good deal on your next camera. Shutterbugs, content creators, and family photographers can check out more sales on digital cameras below.

Check out our in-depth coverage of all the Early Black Friday deals, steals, sales, and discounts that we’ve found so far!

FAQs

Is Black Friday a Good Time to Buy a Digital Camera?

Cameras tend to go on sale throughout the year, so you don’t have to wait for Black Friday to get a good price. There are many available at steep discounts this holiday season, and while many of the sales simply offset the increases we’ve seen from tariffs this year, there are more than a few real bargains to be had.

How Much Does a Good Digital Camera Cost During Black Friday?

It really depends on what kind of camera you’re shopping for. You can score an instant camera for around $100 to $200, and action cameras typically go from $200 to $400. If you want support for interchangeable lenses, expect to spend more—APS-C sensor models start around $600 and range up to around $2,000, while mirrorless cameras with large full-frame sensors start around $1,000 and top out at around $7,000.

Stop Overpaying: Track Prices Before You Buy on Black Friday

About Our Expert

Jim Fisher

Principal Writer, Cameras

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Experience

Images, and the devices that capture them, are my focus. I’ve covered cameras at PCMag for the past 14 years, which has given me a front row seat for the changeover from DSLRs to mirrorless cameras, the smartphone camera revolution, and the emergence of drones for aerial imaging. I have extensive experience with every major mirrorless and SLR system, and am also comfortable using point-and-shoot and action cameras. As a Part 107 Certified drone pilot, I’m licensed to fly unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for commercial and editorial purposes, and am knowledgeable about federal rules and regulations regarding drones.

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