The latest cameras boast cutting-edge technology that puts the models of the previous decade to shame. With 4K video, mirrorless designs, extreme resolutions, and advanced autofocus systems, today’s cameras can capture pro-level images for amateur prices.
We’ve explored all the latest designs, from the best beginner-friendly options to the top professional picks, and now we’re going deal-hunting for Black Friday discounts.
Best early Black Friday camera deals 2023
Best Buy/ Pocket-lint
Sony Alpha a7 II
$1000 $1600 Save $600
A full-frame mirrorless camera that excels in still photography, the Sony Alpha A7ii is a bargain even before any discounts. This bundle also comes with an excellent 28-70mm kit lens, which makes the most out of the 24.3MP sensor and 5-axis in-body image stabilization.
Best Buy/ Pocket-lint
Canon EOS R3
$5000 $6000 Save $1000
The Canon EOS R3 is undoubtedly a professional-grade camera, with a 24.1MP full-frame sensor, 4K video at 120fps, and one of the most advanced autofocus systems on the market. It also boasts a 30fps continuous drive, making it a true hybrid workhorse. With this Black Friday deal, that professional price is dropped by $1,000.
Amazon/ Pocket-lint
Canon EOS R100
$500 $600 Save $100
The EOS R100 is an amazing camera for what it offers at this price. The pro-level specs include 4K video, 24.1MP photos, a mirrorless design, and eye-detection autofocus. And when you consider this deal’s beautiful 18-45mm lens, the discount is almost too good to be true.
Best early Black Friday GoPro deals 2023
GoPro HERO9 Black
$200 $250 Save $50
The GoPro HERO9 Black shoots video in up to 5K resolution, and it’s quite a bit more affordable than some of the models. It can also capture high-quality still images at 20MP. GoPro promises 30% longer battery than its predecessor.
GoPro HERO11 Black Creator Edition
$500 $550 Save $50
If you take your video creation seriously and want to level your skills up, this GoPro HER11 Black Creator Edition is what you need. It has a camera, a Volta battery grip, and a light. It has all the goodies a video creator needs to make quality content.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
$350 $400 Save $50
The GoPro Hero 12 Black takes best-in-class 5.3K video and adds High Dynamic Range shooting. GoPro says the camera offers up to 70 minutes of continuous recording at 5.3K60 resolution.
What is the best camera for night shooting?
For shooting in the dark, you’ll need a full-frame camera. Full-frame cameras have large, 35mm sensors that capture much more light information compared to their smaller-sized cousins. Unsurprisingly, they’re often more expensive, and they rank among the best professional cameras. Still, the super sensitivity of full-frame cameras is worth it for those who want to film moody, shadowy environments without producing noticeable grain.
There are a few camera models with even larger sensors, such as the medium-format Fujifilm GFX100 II, but their professional prices place them outside of most people’s budgets.
Is a GoPro worth it?
When it comes to action cameras, GoPro is king. Their waterproof, shockproof, and foolproof constructions are built to weather whatever you throw at them, and their camera specs are just as impressive. Some models offer resolutions as high as 5.3K at 60fps, and all the latest models feature GoPro’s HyperSmooth technology to eliminate camera shake and motion blur.
Some folks might find their flagships, like the GoPro Hero 12 Black, to be a bit expensive, but the action-focused designs and hardware are well-worth the price. Plus, with such a vast catalog of different models, there’s a GoPro for every budget.
What lens should I get for action shots?
There are a lot of factors that go into taking quality action shots, such as shutter speed, autofocus, continuous shooting speed, and image stabilization. But lenses are often overlooked. Truly glorious action shots, such as football players mid-pass and street dancers mid-twirl, are almost always taken with a high focal length. Anything around 200mm will offer plenty of zoom for most human subjects, while wildlife photography may require a jumbo telephoto lens reaching 300mm and beyond.
Many sports photographers shoot in aperture priority mode, to make sure they can isolate their subject with a shallow depth of field. Thus, make sure your lens has a large maximum aperture of around f/2.8 to f/3.5. Anything larger on a telephoto lens may require taking out a second mortgage.
Why you can trust Pocket-lint to find the best Black Friday camera deals
I’ve been a professional photographer and filmmaker since the Canon 5D was the best you could get, and I started years before that with tape recorders. Through countless successes and failures, I’ve learned what makes a camera great and what makes a camera stink. But there’s always room to learn, which is why I always collaborate with Pocket-lint’s team of fellow photography pros to ensure our recommendations are sound.
