Just found this thread and wanted to add a different perspective on the budgeting side of things. Everyone focuses on the initial sticker price, but as someone who does all my own gear maintenance, I think the real value in sticking with Sony is how easy they are to service yourself. Instead of worrying if it drops 500 or 700 bucks, consider how much you save by avoiding professional cleanings and basic repairs over the lifetime of the body. If you go with Sony, you can basically handle all the sensor maintenance and software management at home with a few inexpensive tools. It makes the long-term investment way more manageable for a practical user. Honestly, just get any of the high-end mirrorless gear from Sony and you will be happy with the reliability and the DIY-friendly nature of the system. Their mount architecture is basically the industry standard now. So basically, save your money for a good cleaning kit and some quality glass instead of paying for service plans.

Just finished reading through everyone's thoughts and it is a really solid summary of what to expect for next year. To wrap things up, here is what we have covered so far:

• Expecting a price drop between five and seven hundred dollars as newer tech hits the shelves.
• Used and refurbished units will likely be the sweet spot for maximum savings.
• Competition from other brands might force some extra aggressive bundles or discounts.
• Long term maintenance and ease of use should be factored into your total budget. Tbh, as someone who has been in this system for a DECADE, I think you are focusing on the right things. The body is just a tool that gets cheaper over time, but the real value is in the glass you can put on it. If you stay with this brand, you get access to the best third party lens support on the market which saves you way more money in the long run than a Black Friday coupon ever will. Just get any high resolution body from this manufacturer and you will be set for years. It is a fantastic platform to build your kit on!

Honestly, that 700 dollar price drop is totally doable by late next year. Sony usually gets aggressive once a model hits that three-year mark. But if you're looking at the long game, dont just look at the body price. To really get your moneys worth out of those 61 megapixels over several years, you're gonna need fast storage. I'd suggest grabbing something like the Sony TOUGH-G series SDXC UHS-II 128GB instead of cheaping out there. High-res files eat cards for breakfast. Also, keep an eye on bundle deals that include an extra battery or a vertical grip, because buying those separately later always hurts the wallet more than the initial discount saves you. Definitely worth waiting for the holiday sales cycle next year tho.

Yep, this is the way

Bump - same question here

Hey! Yeah, planning ahead is smart. From a technical standpoint, I think a $500-$700 drop for the a7RV by Black Friday 2025 is definitely realistic, especially if Sony drops an a7RVI or even an A1/A9 IV with a new processor or AF system before then. That'll push the a7RV's 'older tech' status even more. Honestly, my personal experience with these cycles suggests that if you're open to excellent condition used or refurbished models, you might even beat that target price. Keep an eye on specs of new releases; that's the real trigger for price movement!

Hey there! Oh man, planning for BF 2025 already? Love that dedication, seriously! I totally get wanting to snag the a7RV; it's an amazing machine, and thinking ahead is super smart for such a big investment.

So, while a lot of folks are correctly talking about potential price drops for the body itself, which I definitely think is realistic by 2025, I wanna throw a slightly different angle into the mix, especially from someone who's gone through this upgrade cycle a few times over the years. By Black Friday 2025, the a7RV will be a couple of years old, for sure. But here's what I've learned: sometimes the absolute *best* deal isn't just about the dollar amount slashed off the body's sticker price.

From my experience, the *overall value* often comes from a combination of factors. Have you considered your current gear as a trade-in? Seriously, sometimes the trade-in bonuses around big sale events can add up to more savings than the direct discount on the new body alone! Sony and major retailers often run fantastic trade-in promos during these periods, especially if you're upgrading within the same brand. That could easily be another $200-$400 in your pocket on top of any direct discounts, depending on what you're trading.

Also, keep an eye out for *bundle deals*. Sometimes, instead of a huge discount on the body, you'll see amazing bundles where you get a lens (or even two!) at a significantly reduced price alongside the a7RV. If you're planning on getting new glass anyway, that could be a massive saving that's harder to quantify than just a body price drop. Or perhaps a 'free' battery grip or extra batteries, which aren't cheap!

I'd say, yes, expect that $500-$700 off the current price for the body is very possible by then, especially if an a7RVI or another high-end model drops. But really broaden your search to include trade-in values and bundle offers. That's where the truly savvy long-term savings often lie, giving you the most bang for your hard-earned buck. Good luck with the saving, you're gonna love the a7RV! Let me know if you wanna chat more about trade-in strategies!

Hey there! Oh, planning for BF 2025 already? Love that dedication, seriously! Everyone's talking about the a7RV's potential price drop, and I totally get it – it's an amazing machine. But honestly, you know what's *really* interesting to think about? What the *other* brands will be doing by then!

I mean, while the a7RV is fantastic, you've got to consider the market as a whole. Option A: The Sony a7RV might see a decent $500-$700 drop, especially if a new a7RV Mark II or a high-end a9/a1 successor is out. Solid choice, still a powerhouse!

But then, Option B: What about Canon? By 2025, if an R5 Mark II is out, the original Canon R5 could see some *massive* drops, maybe even more significant than Sony's. And the R6 Mark II, already a fantastic value, might be even cheaper. Same for Option C: Nikon's Z8 is a beast, and if they push new models, that could also come down quite a bit.

My point is, Sony might *have* to be more aggressive with a7RV pricing if Canon and Nikon are offering super compelling deals on their slightly older, but still incredibly capable, flagship-level bodies. So, while the a7RV is definitely a prime target, don't just tunnel vision on Sony! Keep an eye on the Canon R5 or Nikon Z8 around that time too. You might find a crazy good deal on an alternative that gives you 90% of what you want for even less money, offering even better value. It's all about playing the market! Hope this helps with your planning!

Hey there! Oh, planning for BF 2025 already? Love that dedication, seriously! Everyone's talking about the a7RV's potential price drop, and I totally get it – it's an amazing machine. But honestly, you know what's *really* interesting to think about? What the *other* brands will be doing by then!

I mean, while the a7RV is fantastic, you've got to consider the market as a whole. Option A: The Sony a7RV might see a decent $500-$700 drop, especially if a new a7RV Mark II or a high-end a9/a1 successor is out. Solid choice, still a powerhouse!

But then, Option B: What about Canon? By 2025, if an R5 Mark II is out, the original Canon R5 could see some *massive* drops, maybe even more significant than Sony's. And the R6 Mark II, already a fantastic value, might be even cheaper. Same for Option C: Nikon's Z8 is a beast, and if they push new models, that could also come down quite a bit.

My point is, Sony might *have* to be more aggressive with a7RV pricing if Canon and Nikon are offering super compelling deals on their slightly older, but still incredibly capable, flagship-level bodies. So, while the a7RV is definitely a prime target, don't just tunnel vision on Sony! Keep an eye on the Canon R5 or Nikon Z8 around that time too. You might find a crazy good deal on an alternative that gives you 90% of what you want for even less money, offering even better value. It's all about playing the market! Hope this helps with your planning!