Is the a7 V actually gonna drop in price this November, or is it too new? I checked B&H and some old Sony threads—people say first-gen drops are usually weak (like $200 off max), but this release cycle feels different. Trying to upgrade before a family trip to Japan in Jan. My budget is around $3k body-only. Should I just buy at launch or wait it out?
Hello, you can take a look at this page:
Like someone mentioned, waiting wont work out. Id just grab the Sony a7 IV 33MP Full-frame Mirrorless Camera now instead, or maybe look at the Sony a7R V 61MP Full-frame Mirrorless Camera if you want a massive sensor. Just make sure you test it before your trip!
Good to know!
The Sony a7 V won't see a real price drop by November 2026. Sony keeps launch pricing locked for at least twelve months on major body updates. I bought my current setup six months after release and saved zero dollars on the body itself. When I priced out my gear over a five-year horizon, waiting for a minor two-hundred dollar holiday discount barely moved the cost per year anyway. My local camera shop dealer wanted four hundred dollars in bundled accessories and service fees, but I stripped all that out and bought body-only online for three grand flat. That DIY approach saved me a ton of cash. If you need it for a January trip, buy it when it drops and start shooting immediately.
Saving this whole thread. So much good info here you guys are awesome.
This comes up a lot. The short answer is no, you won't get a $3k price on a new release in November. Here is how Sony body pricing actually works:
- The a7 series historically maintains MSRP for 12 to 14 months after release.
- Bundle deals might add a cheap SD card or bag, but cash discounts on the body alone do not happen that early.
- Your $3k budget is right around the expected launch price, but tax will push it over. If you need the camera for a January trip, buy it at launch. Waiting for Black Friday will leave you empty-handed. Alternatively, look at the Sony a7 IV 33MP Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera which is currently discounted and leaves plenty of room in your budget for lenses.
Rarely post but I saw this and had to chime in. Honestly, this whole situation reminds me of my cousin who flew out to Kyoto back in 2018 with a brand new setup he bought literally the day before his flight. He was so obsessed with getting the perfect shot that he spent the entire first week of the trip just standing in the middle of a crowded street in Gion frantically fiddling with his shutter speed settings while his wife got super annoyed and ended up going to a tea house by herself. It turned into this whole ordeal where he missed out on the actual experience because he was too busy worrying about his gear performance. Anyway, thinking about that trip brings up a few things:
- The lighting in Japan during January is absolutely BRUTAL if you arent prepared.
- Sometimes the best shots happen when you stop looking at the screen.
- My cousin actually dropped his lens cap in a canal and had to spend three hours trying to fish it out with a pair of chopsticks. It is just wild how much stress we put on ourselves over equipment when the trip itself is the main thing. I still laugh thinking about him jumping around on the docks trying to dry off his camera bag while everyone else was just enjoying the sunset. Good times...
TIL! Thanks for sharing
Bump - same question here
Like someone mentioned, pricing doesn't drop that fast. I'm no expert but I just researched all this last week for my own upcoming trip. Looking at historical release patterns, buying at launch is usually the only way to guarantee you have the gear in hand. Just go with any current full-frame body from Sony and you'll be fine for your trip.
Any updates on this?