Hey,

I’ve had the a7 IV for a while now (came from an a6400 too) and, tbh, the bigger “deal” for me wasn’t Black Friday, it was long‑term cost of owning the thing.

If I were you, I’d use Black Friday to set yourself up for the long run, not just chase the lowest body price.

What I learned the hard way:

- **Body vs lenses**: I saved like ~$150 on the body during a sale, but then got killed on lenses later. Full‑frame glass is where the money goes. A bundle with even a mediocre zoom (28–70) that’s $200–300 off is, IMO, better than $200 off body‑only.
- **Hidden costs**: Extra batteries, big SD cards (V90 if you shoot higher bitrate video), maybe a better strap and cage… I underestimated all that. A “modest” Black Friday bundle that throws in 2 legit cards + a real Sony battery is actually pretty valuable long‑term.
- **Resale / longevity**: The a7 IV is still holding value decently. I wouldn’t expect insane 2025 BF discounts on the body alone unless Sony’s pushing a newer model hard.

So for 2025, I’d personally call it a good deal if you can get:

- Body around ~$2k **with**: real battery + 128–256GB fast card + maybe simple zoom, or
- A lens bundle at normal body price but $300–400 cheaper than buying separate.

Unfortunately I kinda cheaped out on the bundle and ended up spending more over the next year. So yeah, I’d use BF to get a kit that keeps you from nickel‑and‑diming yourself later.

Hope this helps! Happy to compare what you’re seeing once the ads start dropping.

Hey, one angle I haven’t seen mentioned yet is how *where you live* (and climate) can change what a “good” a7 IV Black Friday deal looks like.

I’m in the US but split time between the Southwest (hot, dry, dusty) and the PNW (cold, wet, mold‑friendly), and over the years that’s really changed how I shop BF deals:

**Why it matters:**
- In humid / coastal areas (SE US, PNW, NE): I’d prioritize **authorized local shops** or B&H/Adorama because warranty + easy returns matter when gear is more likely to get moisture issues. A “meh” discount with solid support can be worth more than an extra $100 off from a sketchy seller.
- In very cold / snowy climates (Midwest, Northeast, Rockies): Batteries suffer. A bundle that looks boring (extra OEM battery + good UHS-II card) is *way* more valuable than a bag/tripod combo. For winter video, you’ll burn through batteries fast.
- In hot/dusty places (Southwest, inland CA): Weather‑sealed lenses in a bundle become a bigger deal. If you see an a7 IV + 24–105 G OSS bundle even slightly discounted around BF, that’s seriously worth considering over the cheaper 28–70 kit in those conditions.

**What I’d actually watch for in your shoes (US):**
- If you’re in a climate‑rough area, a **$100–$200 body discount + real accessories** (Sony battery, fast card, maybe a protection plan) from B&H/Adorama/local pro shop is, IMO, a legit “good” BF deal.
- If you live near a strong local camera store, BF/holiday **trade‑in bonuses** can be great, especially going from a6400 → a7 IV. In my area, I’ve seen them stack Sony instant rebates + extra trade‑in credit + tax‑free weekend. On paper the discount looked similar to B&H, but after tax + credit, local actually won.

So yeah, if you post your general region, people can probably say whether it’s smarter to chase the absolute lowest online price, or aim for a slightly smaller discount with better local/warranty support that actually fits your weather and how you shoot.

Hope this helps you frame what “good deal” really means for *you*, not just the headline price!

One more angle to watch on Black Friday: warranty/coverage. Option A: body from B&H/Adorama with **Sony USA warranty** + add SquareTrade/Allstate – safest, service is straightforward. Option B: Amazon 3rd‑party / gray market – cheaper, but often **no Sony USA warranty**, only store/third‑party, which can be a pain if the a7 IV needs repair. Option C: local shop promo – sometimes a bit more $$, but you can stack **Sony warranty + store protection + easier in‑person help**. For a ~$2k body you’ll beat yourself up more over a dead shutter than saving $100, so IMO prioritize an authorized US warranty deal over the absolute lowest Black Friday price.

Well, I’ll be the slightly grumpy performance guy here 😅

If you’re upgrading mainly for **low light + video**, I’d say: don’t let a small Black Friday discount be the deciding factor on the a7 IV. From a pure performance standpoint, I was a bit disappointed with:

- **Rolling shutter in 4K 24/30p full-frame** – it’s better than older bodies, but still not great for fast movement or whip pans. I bought mine around BF and honestly expected cleaner readout for the price.
- **Low‑light video** – it’s good, but not “wow” compared to some competition and even Sony’s own a7S line. I had issues pushing ISO in dim event work; needed noise reduction more than I hoped.
- **Overheating / thermal management** – not a disaster, but long 4K sessions in warmer environments weren’t as solid as I expected.

That said, BF in the US has usually been: **$100–$200 off + small freebies** (cards, bag, maybe a battery). Deep cuts are rare unless it’s a clearance moment before a successor.

If you’re performance‑oriented, IMO a genuinely good 2025 BF deal would be either:
- **Body closer to $2k flat from an authorized dealer**, or
- A kit where you’re effectively getting **the lens for <$400** (28–70) or **meaningful extras** (2x OEM batteries + fast 128–256GB card).

Otherwise, you might be better off:
- Watching for **Sony trade‑in promos** (stackable with BF, sometimes the *real* savings), or
- Considering if another body (used a7S III, a7 IV used, or even whatever replaces the a7 IV by then) gives you better video performance per dollar.

So yeah, definitely track BF, but from a performance view I’d set a firm price ceiling and be ready to walk if it’s just a token discount with fluff accessories.

Hope this helps!

Hey, one angle nobody’s really hit yet is **service/maintenance around Black Friday** – which can actually be a better “deal” long‑term than saving $100 on the body.

**Option A – Just chase the lowest a7 IV price**
Pros: max short‑term savings, fits your $2k–2.3k budget.
Cons: you usually miss out on extras like extended warranty / clean & check; if a shutter or IBIS issue pops up after 1 year, that savings evaporates fast.

**Option B – Pay a bit more at B&H/Adorama with Sony Pro Support / extended care**
Pros: you sometimes see bundles where you get: extra year of coverage, sensor clean vouchers, or discounted Sony Pro Support (if you have enough Sony gear). That means cheaper or faster repairs, loaners if something dies before a shoot, etc. Great if you’re doing paid work or travel.
Cons: headline price looks worse than Amazon flash deals.

**Option C – Local shop BF bundle + in‑house maintenance**
Pros: some local stores do BF promos like *free yearly sensor cleaning* for 2–3 years, firmware updates, basic inspection. I did this with my A7 III and having a quick same‑day sensor clean before trips was honestly more valuable than a $100 discount. Also easier if you ever need to send it to Sony through them.
Cons: body price is usually slightly higher, stock may be limited.

For what you’re doing (low light + video), I’d personally prioritize **B or C**: a solid BF price *plus* either extended warranty or at least 1–2 years of free sensor cleans. A7 IV files are super detailed, so any dust on the sensor is insanely obvious.

If you see:
- a7 IV around ~$2,100–2,200 **with** extra year warranty **or** free annual cleanings,
I’d call that a genuinely good 2025 BF deal, even if there’s a bare‑bones $2,000 body‑only deal somewhere else.

FWIW, that combo of decent discount + service perks has aged way better for me than the rock‑bottom price bodies I’ve bought in the past. Hope that gives you another angle to watch for!

Hey, one angle you might want to consider that no one’s really touched yet is the environmental side of this upgrade + Black Friday thing.

**Option A – New a7 IV on a Black Friday deal**
Pros: latest firmware support, warranty, probably the best bundles at B&H/Adorama with legit chargers, UHS-II cards, etc.
Cons: highest “embedded” carbon cost (new body, new packaging, new shipping). Black Friday also means tons of rushed shipping = more transport emissions.

**Option B – Used / refurb a7 IV + smaller BF accessory deals**
Pros: drastically lower environmental impact (you’re reusing an existing body), and Sony/retailer refurbs are usually ~10–20% off normal new price. You can then use Black Friday to grab eco‑relevant stuff: big SD cards so you’re not constantly swapping, high‑capacity batteries so you charge less often, maybe one good all‑round lens instead of multiple cheap ones.
Cons: you might not get the flashy “$X off!” headliner deal, and stock can be limited.

**Option C – Stretch to a more efficient long‑term kit**
E.g. a7 IV + 24–105 or 24–120 equivalent, one lens that stays on the camera 80% of the time.
Pros: fewer lenses = less gear manufactured, shipped, and eventually e‑wasted. Also saves you driving around to shoot tests, flipping gear, etc.
Cons: higher upfront cost, so you’d need a genuinely good bundle price.

In your budget range, I’d *personally* watch for:
- A certified refurb a7 IV around ~$1,800–1,900, then
- Use Black Friday to grab 1–2 high‑quality, versatile pieces (lens + 1 big SD card) instead of lots of small, throwaway accessories.

Not the sexiest “deal” angle, but if you care about impact long‑term, this combo is seriously hard to beat. Hope this helps!

Hey, so quick story: I bought my a7 III on a so‑so Black Friday deal, then sold it 3 years later when the a7 IV hype hit. What actually mattered wasn’t the $150 I “saved” on BF… it was how much value it *kept* when I went to resell.

For the a7 IV in 2025, I’d look at it like this:
- **Check current used prices now** (KEH / MPB / FredMiranda / eBay sold listings). Subtract that from likely BF new price. That “gap” is your real depreciation hit.
- Historically, Sony FF bodies lose ~40–50% over ~4–5 years, but the a7 IV is a core hybrid body, so resale stays stronger than niche models.
- A “good” BF deal, IMO, is: you buy new at a price that’s *close* to today’s used prices + ~10–15%. So if clean used a7 IV bodies are sitting at, say, $1,600 in late 2025, I’d call ~$1,800–1,900 new (body only) a **genuinely strong** deal.
- Bundles: body + 28–70 or 28–60 usually don’t hold value well; body + 24–105G or a popular prime does. I’d only pay extra for a kit if the lens is something that’ll resell easily later.

Lesson learned from my own upgrade cycles: don’t chase the biggest headline discount, chase the **exit strategy**. If you think you’ll upgrade again in 3–4 years, prioritize:
1) Body-only or body + high‑demand lens
2) Price close to current used value
3) Buying from an authorized dealer so resale is easier (buyers trust that more)

If BF 2025 only knocks $100 off and a bunch of random accessories are thrown in, I’d honestly wait for a clean used a7 IV from a reputable seller instead. Long term, that often wins on total cost of ownership.

Hope this helps you think about it more like an investment than just a one‑day sale!