To add to the point above: I really hate to be the bearer of bad news, but my experience waiting for Sony drops has been pretty disappointing. When the a7 III was where the IV is now, I spent months saving every penny, only to find out the Black Friday deal was basically a joke. The price floor on these things is stubborn because the tech stays relevant for so long. Unfortunately, I had issues with my local shop even getting stock during the sales too. Honestly, expecting the Sony Alpha 7 IV Body Only to stay under 2000 is probably not gonna happen. Here is what I would look out for instead of just a raw price drop:

• Certified Refurbished units often hit that sub-1800 mark way before the new ones do.
• Bundle deals with the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II or similar glass where the total savings are higher.
• Trade-in bonuses where you get an extra 200 or 300 off for any old camera. I ended up settling for a used Sony Alpha 7C back then because the main a7 series price just wouldnt budge as much as I expected. Its honestly kinda frustrating how well they hold value, ngl.

I totally agree with the point about Sony’s technical value retention, it's spot on. One small thing I’d add from a performance perspective is that the processor in the a7 IV is significantly more future-proof than people realize for 2025 workflows. I've done some side-by-side testing and it really shines in these areas:
* Menu responsiveness: It's night and day compared to the older generations.
* Real-time AF tracking: It stays 'sticky' even in low light benchmarks where older tech fails.
* Heat dissipation: It holds up way better during long 4K sessions than the a7 III ever could. Honestly, even if the price stays closer to $2k, you’re getting a machine that won't feel dated at all by Black Friday 2025. It's gonna be a beast for years to come!!!

Bookmarked, thanks!

Honestly, I have to disagree with the laser focus on just the body price. Everyone is so caught up in the BF 2025 sticker price that they're ignoring the compatibility hurdles you're gonna face with the Sony a7 IV. If you're coming from an older system, you really need to look at the peripheral costs because the fitment into your current workflow might be rocky, you know? Quick tips for the jump:

• Factor in CFexpress Type A cards. Yeah, you can use SD, but for the best experience and reliability in high-bitrate video, you'll want the faster media.
• Check your computer's processing power. Those 33MP files and 4:2:2 10-bit video codecs are wayyy more taxing on a CPU than the older a7 III files ever were.
• Test your current lenses. Some older third-party glass doesn't play as nice with the newer real-time tracking AF. TL;DR: Don't just save for the body; ensure your cards, PC, and lenses are actually compatible with the high-end specs of the IV or you'll be over budget immediately regardless of the discount.

Regarding what #9 said about "Bookmarked, thanks!"

• I'm doing the same thing because spending that much makes me nervous and I want to be sure it's a safe bet. If you're looking for ways to save without just waiting for 2025, here's what I've been looking at:
• Use price tracking sites like Keepa or CamelCamelCamel. They help you see if those "Black Friday" prices are actually the lowest they've been or just marketing fluff.
• Look into the student or educator discounts at BH Photo if you have any school connection. Sometimes those prices are better than what you'll see in late November anyway.
• If you want the Sony Alpha a7 IV Body but want to stay safe, check out MPB or KEH for Like New used gear. They offer their own warranties which is a huge relief if you're worried about reliability.
• Consider starting with the Sony Alpha a7 III Body if the price doesn't drop enough. It's still a total workhorse and more than enough for most of us starting out. Just make sure to factor in the cost of a good card like the Sony 160GB CFexpress Type A TOUGH Memory Card because the faster buffer is half the reason to get the IV anyway... hope you find a solid deal whenever you decide to pull the trigger!

Hey! I totally get wanting to plan for BF 2025. Honestly, hoping the a7 IV body drops *consistently* below $2000 might be a stretch, even by then, especially if the a7 V isn't widely available. From my experience with past Sony models, unfortunately, the older ones don't always hit those deep, deep discounts you hope for, particularly when they're still super popular. I had issues with an older model not holding its value as well as I expected. You might find better value by looking at used options closer to the date, or maybe a great bundle with a lens, but a bare body for that price might be tough. Just my two cents!

Hey there! I totally get wanting to plan this far out, it's smart for a significant investment like a full-frame camera. While the a7 IV is definitely a sweet spot, and planning for BF 2025 makes sense, I think it's important to look at Sony's historical pricing strategy from a slightly different angle, especially concerning its *technical value retention*.

See, unlike some other brands, Sony bodies, particularly their 'mark IV' generations like the a7 IV, tend to hold their value quite well even after a successor is announced. The a7 IV, with its 33MP sensor, improved AF, and robust video features, offers such a well-rounded package that it's still considered a high-performance machine. This isn't just a basic upgrade; it's a very capable professional tool.

From my own experience tracking previous models, even with an a7 V on the horizon, the a7 IV might not consistently dip below $2000 body-only, especially if it's still the main 'hybrid' offering. What we often see is refurbs or excellent used copies getting close to that, or perhaps a *very* brief flash sale. You might find better luck bundling with a kit lens, but even then, sub-$2k for the body alone is a tough ask for a camera that's still so technically relevant. I'd consider keeping an eye on the refurbished market or even exploring a clean used a7R III or a7 III if hitting that sub-$2k mark is an absolute must, as those older models, while technically surpassed, are still very decent options and would definitely be below that threshold by then. Hope this helps with your saving strategy!

Hey there! Oh man, planning for BF 2025 for an a7 IV, I totally get that! I actually did something similar when the a7 III was approaching its sunset with the a7 IV rumors swirling. I was eyeing a specific lens and the a7 III body, trying to predict its floor.

From my experience tracking these things, hitting "consistently below $2000" for a *brand new* a7 IV body, even by late 2025, might be a bit of a stretch unless the a7 V is not just announced but *widely available* and significantly more compelling with a robust feature set. What I found was, instead of just the body dropping like a rock, Sony (and retailers) often introduce *very aggressive bundle deals*. We're talking kit lenses you can often sell off, or even free accessories that effectively bring the *net cost* of the body down to that sub-$2000 range. You might want to consider keeping an eye out for these "effective price" drops rather than just the MSRP. Also, make sure to consider reputable refurbished options directly from Sony or authorized dealers; those often hit those sweet price points much sooner. It’s all about tracking the specific SKU, not just the model.

Hope this gives you a slightly different angle to consider! Good luck with the saving, you'll love the a7 IV.

Hey there! Oh man, planning for BF 2025 for an a7 IV, I totally get that! I actually did something similar when the a7 III was approaching its sunset with the a7 IV rumors swirling. I was eyeing a specific lens and the a7 III body, trying to predict its floor.

From my experience tracking these things, hitting "consistently below $2000" for a *brand new* a7 IV body, even by late 2025, might be a bit of a stretch unless the a7 V is not just announced but *widely available* and significantly more compelling with a robust feature set. What I found was, instead of just the body dropping like a rock, Sony (and retailers) often introduce *very aggressive bundle deals*. We're talking kit lenses you can often sell off, or even free accessories that effectively bring the *net cost* of the body down to that sub-$2000 range. You might want to consider keeping an eye out for these "effective price" drops rather than just the MSRP. Also, make sure to consider reputable refurbished options directly from Sony or authorized dealers; those often hit those sweet price points much sooner. It’s all about tracking the specific SKU, not just the model.

Hope this gives you a slightly different angle to consider! Good luck with the saving, you'll love the a7 IV.

Well, hey there! Everyone's brought up some really solid points about the a7 IV and future pricing. From what I've observed watching the market over several years, sometimes it helps to compare how different brands handle their older models when a successor is on the horizon.

I think Sony, while they do drop prices, often tries to maintain a slightly higher value floor for their popular core models like the a7 series, even a few years post-release. Compared to, say, Canon's R series or even some Fujifilm models, when a new generation drops, those brands sometimes see more dramatic, consistent price reductions on the previous gen. So, while an a7 IV body under $2000 by Black Friday 2025 is definitely possible, it might be more of a super-short flash deal rather than a consistent new baseline price like you might see with other brands. It really depends on Sony's specific market strategy and how they want to position the a7 V, if it's out by then. Just something to consider when you're looking at historical trends across the board!

Hey there! Everyone's got some great points about the potential price drop for the a7 IV, and I totally get wanting to snag a sweet deal. That said, I kinda wanna throw in a slightly different angle here – thinking about the safety and reliability side of things, especially when looking at those really deep discounts a few years down the line.

Getting the a7 IV body below $2000 by Black Friday 2025 is definitely plausible, especially if an a7 V is out by then. However, I'd really urge you to be cautious about *where* you get that deal. Sometimes, those 'too good to be true' prices can come from less reputable sellers or grey market imports, which might have implications for warranty support or even the quality control of the unit itself. I'm a bit conservative when it comes to high-value electronics like cameras, you know?

I've seen discussions, and even heard some stories, about issues with non-genuine batteries that come bundled with certain 'deals,' and honestly, battery safety is super important. You definitely want to make sure you're using official Sony batteries and chargers for peace of mind – it’s a small detail but can prevent bigger headaches (and potential hazards!). Also, if you're buying an older model, even if it's 'new' stock, consider things like the actual shutter count if you can find it, or checking the sensor condition meticulously. You don't want to save a few hundred bucks only to end up with a camera that has reliability quirks or isn't covered if something goes wrong.

I'm still really happy with my current setup; it works well and I've had no complaints because I made sure to buy from an authorized dealer, even if it meant not getting the absolute lowest price at the time. The reliability has been fantastic. So, my advice would be: plan your budget for those deals, but definitely factor in buying from a trusted source. Maybe even consider having the camera professionally checked out once you get it, just for that extra layer of certainty. Hope this adds a useful, cautious perspective to your planning! Good luck with your strategic saving!