Are you ready to get a jump on your holiday shopping, or just give yourself a treat before Halloween begins? Amazon Prime’s Big Deal Days are here, and I’ve gone through the sales to highlight a few bargains on fantastic digital cameras for creators of all skill levels. And I know what I’m talking about, I’ve spent the last 15 years as PCMag’s camera expert and in that time have tested thousands of digital cameras, lenses, and accessories. I’ve picked out three great deals on gear worth buying, including the best price ever on Nikon’s do-it-all full-frame Z6II mirrorless camera, a solid deal on the YouTube darling DJI Osmo Pocket 3 vlogging camera, and a good price on the entry-level Sony a6400 mirrorless camera.
Not a Prime Member?
You can still shop and save during Big Deal Days, but if you want to score the best deals, you need to sign up for Prime. The good news is that you can grab a free 30-day trial during the sales event.
The Best Prime Day Digital Camera Deals
Best Full-Frame Mirrorless Digital Camera Deal
The Nikon Z6II is selling for its best-ever price during Amazon Prime’s Big Deal Days event. That’s good news for photographers, videographers, and content creators who want to step up to a full-frame camera, or finally make the move from an SLR to a mirrorless system. The Z6II comes with an excellent, compact Nikkor Z 24-70mm F4 lens, and the kit has been selling below its suggested retail price lately, costing around $2,149.95 in the weeks ahead of this sale. Needless to say, its $1,896.95 sale price is a great value, about $250 less than normal, and beats the previous lowest cost by $100. The Z6II earned a solid recommendation in our 2021 review, and while it’s a generation behind the latest Z6III, its image quality, 14fps autofocus, and 4K video engine deliver solid results even when compared against new cameras. One of my gripes from five years ago is addressed, too. At the time, the Z lens system was pretty new and not yet fully formed, but today there are plenty of lenses available from both Nikon and third parties.
Best Vlogging Digital Camera Deal
In its time on the market, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 has cemented itself as the affordable camera for YouTube and content creation. Its lens is stabilized on a gimbal, so footage is super smooth, even when you’re moving with the camera. It records at up to 4K60, and includes Log color support for experts. The Pocket 3 is the newest option from DJI that’s officially available in the US, and the clear value choice when compared with fresher competitors like Insta360 Luna Ultra ($769). You can get the Pocket 3 bundled with the DJI Mic Mini, a wireless mic that records clear, crisp sound, for $406 during Amazon’s sale, about $100 less than the bundle cost last week, and less than the typical $439 camera-only price. You’re saving money and getting a microphone during the sale, so if you have YouTube aspirations or want to step up your TikTok game, it’s an ideal time to upgrade from a smartphone. If you already have a wireless mic, you can get the Pocket for $395, though for the small difference, I think I’d prefer picking up an extra mic; it’s handy for interviews, and it’s always good to have a backup.
Best Entry-Level Mirrorless Digital Camera Deal
Photographers who’ve started out with a smartphone and are ready to step up to an interchangeable lens camera should take a close look at the Sony a6400, available during the Big Deals Day sale for $998 with a 16-50mm zoom lens, about $200 less than its typical price. The a6400 is a fantastic camera for beginners, with a capable 24MP APS-C image sensor, outstanding tracking autofocus at up to 11fps for action, and 4K30 video recording. And despite including an electronic viewfinder, a tilting rear display, and a built-in flash, the a6400 is quite small, and is bundled with a correspondingly compact 16-50mm zoom lens. The a6400 a good pickup for anyone who wants try an interchangeable lens camera, and it gives beginners room to grow with manual controls and the largest number of add-on lenses available for any mirrorless camera system.
Recommended by Our Editors
I hope that I helped you find a good deal on a camera that satisfies your creative impulses and makes sense for your wallet. If you’re looking for more tech bargains, make sure you check out our index of the best Prime Day deals.
The Best Editor-Vetted Prime Day Deals
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
Is the the Nikon Z6II a Good Deal at $1,896.95?
Yes, it’s the best price yet for the bundle, and a significant discount versus buying the camera and lens separately. The Z6II has sold for $1,546.95 recently, and the 24-70mm F4 costs $1,046.95 on its own. The bundle and sale represent a $700 discount!
Should I Get a6400 or Z6II?
The Sony a6400 and Nikon Z6II are both mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras, but they appeal to different audiences. The a6400 is an ideal camera for beginners: It’s affordable, compact, and gives you room to grow as you learn more about photography. The Z6II costs more to start, but its full-frame sensor and larger body design make it a better choice for enthusiasts, and it’s a fine choice to use as a backup body for professionals.
Is This Deal Likely to Get Better Before Prime Day Ends?
I don’t expect any of these deals to get better before the end of Big Deal Days. The Z6II and Pocket 3 are at rock-bottom prices. The a6400 might drop more before the holidays; it sold for $50 less than the current deal a few times over the past year.
What’s Missing at This Price?
Each deal comes with some compromises. The a6400 doesn’t include the weather protection or in-body stabilization available in more advanced entries in the line like the Sony a6700. The Z6II doesn’t use Nikon’s latest autofocus, nor does it support full-width 4K60 video, both available in the newer Z6III. The Pocket 3 can’t match the premium entry in this space, the Insta360 Luna Ultra, a $769 vlogging cam that has both wide-angle and telephoto lenses, plus support for 4K120 slow-motion capture.
Do Digital Cameras Go on Sale During Prime Day?
Yes, digital cameras often go on sale during Amazon events and during the holiday shopping season. Typically, we see the best prices on models that are a little older, which is the case here.
Who Has the Best Deals on Digital Cameras?
Name-brand digital cameras cost about the same at every retailer. This is because most camera companies use Minimum Advertised Pricing (MAP), which requires authorized resellers to sell at a price the manufacturer sets. This helps mom-and-pop photo shops compete with Amazon and other big resellers, so if the deal you’re looking at is out of stock at Amazon, there’s a good chance you can get the same price from another retailer.
Are Digital Cameras Actually Cheaper on Prime Day?
Yes. Cameras are often available at a good discount during Amazon sales.
About Our Expert
Jim Fisher
Principal Writer, Cameras
Experience
Images, and the devices that capture them, are my focus. I’ve covered cameras at PCMag for the past 15 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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