To add to the point above: after dealing with sluggish focus on my old setup for ages, the jump to a faster sensor really changes the game. I found that balancing the body cost meant looking at alternatives elsewhere. Honestly, my experience with the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD really opened up what I could do with street shots in low light regardless of the body price.

• Prioritize the autofocus speed in your settings over the latest body features.
• Consider renting a body for your trip if the price keeps you from upgrading. Honestly, I just bit the bullet on a gently used unit because chasing the sale price can sometimes cost you the time you could have spent actually shooting. Good luck with the search.

Adding my two cents here. If you're stuck on that 1200 budget, have you considered checking the refurbished sections on major retailer sites first? In my experience, those bodies are basically brand new. Also, what focal length are you leaning towards for that new street prime? I have been shooting with the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens for years and it is honestly a total steal compared to the first-party glass.

Honestly, I wouldnt count on a massive price cut for the Sony a6700 APS-C Mirrorless Camera 26MP. Sony cameras usually just get small bundles or maybe a fifty buck discount if youre lucky. Since your budget is 1200, you are gonna be tight because that body is sitting right at that price point new. If you need it by mid-December, waiting for a miracle sale is risky business. I swapped my old gear for the a6700 and the autofocus is lightyears ahead for street work. It works well and im super satisfied with the tracking. If you really need to save, check the open-box section at major retailers. You could snag a deal there and put the extra cash toward a Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS Prime Lens which is stellar for street shots.

Building on the earlier suggestion, honestly just buy the Sony a6700 APS-C Mirrorless Camera 26MP now. It works well and waiting for a price drop is usually a waste of time.

Re: "Been thinking about your question a lot since..." - yeah, I totally agree with that take. The market is just dead right now for the a6700, and sticking to that 1200 limit is gonna be tough unless you look at the used market which is honestly way safer than most people realize if you stick to reputable spots. Unfortunately, when you factor in a decent prime, your budget is gonna get crushed. If you decide to pivot, here are a few things that helped me out:

• Look into the Sony a6400 APS-C Mirrorless Camera 24.2MP if you can live without the newest sensor tech, it saves a ton of cash.
• Definitely check out the Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 STM Lens for Sony E as a cheaper prime alternative.
• Used gear from reliable shops is a lifesaver for your trip timeline. Hope you find something that works before December!

Just checking this thread now. Honestly, I had issues with that sensor speed and felt disappointed by current sales. Maybe look at just getting any prime from Sigma instead.

Honestly, dont expect much. Sony prices are super stubborn. Just grab a prime from Tamron or Sigma and focus on glass instead of waiting for a deal that probably wont happen.

^ This. Also, honestly Im in the exact same boat as you right now. Ive been refreshing those same tracking sites for weeks and nothing has moved, it is beyond frustrating at this point. I just want to upgrade before my winter trip but the pricing is just stuck. Anyway, I spent way too much time cleaning my old lenses yesterday instead of packing, but yeah.

Honestly its ridiculous how they hold pricing steady. Being in Chicago, I just wanted a new body for the winter light but these companies really dont care about us anymore.

Been thinking about your question a lot since I saw it earlier. Honestly, looking for a deep discount on that body feels like a losing battle right now. Sony is pretty notorious for keeping their prices locked in tight, especially on the newer models, so waiting for a miracle drop probably just gonna leave you empty-handed before your December flight. I personally had issues relying on sales that never materialized when I was trying to upgrade my own kit, and it left me super stressed trying to scramble for gear last minute. It just never seems to work out in favor of the buyer when you're on a strict timeline. Before you commit, I have a couple things on my mind:

• Are you mostly worried about the low-light performance or is the focus tracking speed just the main pain point right now?
• Have you considered looking into verified used gear from reputable shops, or are you strictly set on buying brand new to avoid any potential repair headaches down the line? Buying used saves a fortune, but I get the appeal of having that warranty for peace of mind. If you really need this for your trip, maybe stop betting on a sale that probably isnt coming and start looking at where else you can stretch those dollars.

> Is the a6700 actually going to see a decent price drop Like someone mentioned, the pricing is stubborn. Honestly, this reminds me of when my uncle spent six months waiting for a discount on a high-end printer, only to spend more on ink later. He ended up getting lost in a blizzard in Wisconsin during a detour. Total mess. Anyway, resale value stays high on these, so don't sweat the small stuff.

@Reply #11 - good point! Honestly though, if you need that warranty for peace of mind, sticking to new gear from authorized dealers is safer than hunting for a miracle discount.

Commenting to find later

> Is the a6700 actually going to see a decent price drop I am in the exact same boat, seriously! It is so tough waiting when you just want to get out there and shoot. I have been stressing over these prices for my own upgrade too. It is just super nerve-wracking because I am worried about compatibility with my older gear if I switch systems entirely, so I really want to stick with Sony. Have you looked at the Sony E 15mm F1.4 G Lens? I am absolutely obsessed with the sharpness of that glass! It fits the sensor so perfectly. I am honestly just leaning towards pulling the trigger now because I am so tired of missing shots due to my ancient autofocus. Let's just go for it and finally get those crisp images!