Amazon Prime Day typically comes calling around the middle of July, so why are we already excited about the big sale? Well, that's because there are some pretty good deals on cameras and lenses on Amazon already that can't be ignored and that means the prices will only get better come the sale event.
We don't have official dates for Prime Day 2024, but if you buy a camera, lens or photographic accessory in June and you use it for work, then your purchase becomes tax deductible. So hold on to your receipt!
• Browse all of today's Amazon deals
The good thing about shopping right now is that you don't necessarily need to be an Amazon Prime member to avail the current discounts, which might be the case when Prime Day comes calling – as the name suggests, the sale is dedicated to Amazon's paying members. Still, having a subscription – which costs just AU$9.99 a month and gets you more perks than just free expedited shipping – means you can maximise your savings that could include exclusive codes and coupons. You can sign up now via the buttons below and you'll be eligible for a 30-day free trial if you've never been a member before.
Helpful quick links
- Amazon Australia's Prime Day deals page
- All electronics on Amazon
- Camera & Photo landing page on Amazon
- Official Canon Store on Amazon
- Official Nikon Store on Amazon
- Official OM System (Olympus) Store on Amazon
- Official Sony Store on Amazon
- Official Panasonic Store on Amazon
- Official DJI Store on Amazon
Best camera deals on Amazon
Full-frame cameras
Sony A7 III (body only) | AU$2,199 AU$1,669 after cashback (save AU$530)
With the Mark III body now aging, it's no surprise that its list price has dropped to just above the two-grand mark. But despite its age, it's still a great workhorse. And while the actual discount on Amazon isn't great, the AU$400 cashback on the camera available from Sony via redemption drops the price to what might just be an all-time low. Note that you will need to redeem the cashback by June 30.
APS-C cameras
Canon EOS R100 + RF-S 18-45mm lens | AU$1,099 AU$777.10 (save AU$321.90)
Announced in May 2023, the R100 is Canon's most affordable RF-mount camera and this discount makes it even more so. While it doesn't feature an articulating touchscreen, it's got a lot of other features that are worthwhile for any beginner after a capable entry-level camera. 4K/24p video (cropped), good autofocus performance and an excellent 24.1MP sensor will help you hone your skills. It's been as affordable as AU$743 for the kit, so this 26% discount is still worth considering.
Canon EOS R7 + RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM lens | AU$2,899 AU$2,202.10 (save AU$696.90)
The EOS R7 is a lot of camera for its affordable full price, and this 24% discount on the versatile single-lens kit makes it a tempting option for a beginner. High speed RAW capture, the same autofocus prowess of the more expensive R-series cameras, dual SD cards, 4K video and 32.3MP on tap, and that's just for starters. Did we mention the 40fps continuous shooting speed and in-body stabilisation?
Micro Four Thirds
Panasonic Lumix GH6 (body) | AU$3,699 AU$1,699 (save AU$2,000)
Less than half price on what is one of the best hybrid cameras on the market! With this Panasonic Micro Four Thirds camera you're able to capture 25.2-megapixel images, along with cine 4K and 4K 4:2:2 video recording. If video is your main focus, but you also like taking imaging, this is the perfect camera for you and it's 54% off! But hurry, stock is extremely low.
DSLRs
Canon EOS 90D (body) | AU$1,969 AU$1,446 (save AU$523)
This feature-packed Canon DSLR is selling for around AU$1,999 at competing retailers, but Amazon has slashed the price by a very generous 27%, which is a better price than what we saw during Prime Day in July last year. That said, this isn't quite the best price we've seen – it was about AU$50 cheaper with a cashback offer in November 2022. Still, this 32MP DSLR is a worthy entry-level consideration at this price.
Canon EOS 200D Mark II + EF 18-55mm kit lens | AU$1,159 AU$907 (save AU$252)
An absolute stunner of a beginner DSLR, this camera was designed to help people start their creative journey. A guided menu is just the start, plus an intuitive interface and physical setup helps. It's also small and light for a DSLR. This really isn't the best deal as it's possible to find it on Amazon for as low as AU$800, but it's a good enough camera for us to list here.
Fixed-lens cameras
Panasonic Lumix FZ300 | AU$999 AU$629.92 (save AU$369.08)
With DSLR-like styling and a fixed lens with 24x optical zoom, this bridge camera can get you closer to the action without you needing to carry additional equipment. There is also some amount of image stabilisation built in for smoother captures. It had dropped to AU$524 back in February 2022, but this is a decent discount, with Amazon undercutting most other Aussie retailers right now.
Canon PowerShot V10 | AU$699 AU$517.75 (save AU$181.25)
Smaller than most mobile phones and yet producing some decent images, the PowerShot V10 is a very different kind of camera. It's fun to use and, while it struggles a little in low light, it's a great little companion to keep with you when you're out and about or want to use as a webcam or streaming camera. It even has its own little stand for that! And it's dropped to its lowest price yet!
OM System Tough TG-7 | AU$799 AU$626 (save AU$173)
No longer called Olympus, the latest waterproof and rugged camera in the Tough line comes from the rebranded OM System. And if you're in a need of a new near-indestructible camera, this is the best you can get. Its specs and features aren't much of an upgrade over the TG-6, but since that's no longer being made, this is just as good and discounted by 22% already. Available in Black and Red colourways.
Instant cameras
Polaroid Now i-Type | AU$229.95 AU$179.95 (save AU$50)
If you truly want to relive the nostalgia of a polariod – aka an instant print – you're going to want a Polaroid camera. And there's a decent 22% discount on the black version of the Polaroid Now, though it has been a lot cheaper previously. Compatible with 600-type film, you'll get 3.1 x 3.1 inch square prints. An optical viewfinder, built-in flash, self-timer and double exposure functionality rounds up its feature list.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 | AU$119.95 AU$99 (save AU$20)
With better power and lens control, a smaller and slender design, yet simple and easy to use, the Instax Mini 12 is a great buy, even as a gift for a click-happy youngster (at heart). While it has been cheaper – and we think it will drop significantly during the actual Prime Day sale – this is still a decent bargain at under AU$100, especially since all colourways are down to the same price.
Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay | AU$239 AU$178 (save AU$61)
A bit more 'mature' looking than the Instax Mini 12, this hybrid instant camera will not only work as one, but will also print out any existing snaps you might have on your phone. It's a printer and camera in one small package! And best of all, all three colourways are discounted to AU$178 – a 26% discount.
Lenses
Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM | AU$839 AU$669 (save AU$170)
This prime lens launched alongside the first-ever EOS R camera, but pairs nicely with any other RF-mount body. If you're into architecture, travel and street photography, it's a stunning and affordable prime to add to your Canon kit if you haven't already.
Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S | AU$1,497.69 AU$906 (save AU$591.69)
If you're comfortable purchasing from a third-party reseller on Amazon, this 40% discount on the f/4 Nikon Z 24-70mm standard zoom is a right steal considering all other retailers are currently discounting it to around AU$1,400! While it's a lens from 2019, it's still brilliant for enthusiasts and travel photographers looking for versatility and affordability.
Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR S | AU$1,403.95 AU$1,227 (save AU$176.95)
It's typically cheaper to buy this lens as part of a camera kit, but if you didn't get one with your Z-series shooter, then here's your chance to save a couple of hundred dollars on this versatile lens. It's got quite the focal length range, so it's a handy zoom to have in your kit bag at all times.
Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR | AU$2,636.89 AU$2,499 (save AU$137.89)
Admittedly this isn't a big discount – just 5% off the list price on Amazon – but the lens so versatile and lightweight for a superzoom, that it's hard for us to ignore it. We're hoping this price will drop further come Prime Day in July, but if you've been holding out for this Nikon lens, and the price looks right to you, we'd suggest picking it up now as stocks are usually hard to find.
Amazon Prime Day 2024: Key information
Amazon Prime Day 2024 date and time
The official start date of this year's Prime Day sale is still a secret, perhaps known only to some folk at Amazon HQ. The secretive company people don't reveal the date till about two weeks before the sale is suppose to kick off, but the shopping event has typically been in mid July, historically starting on a Monday.
If we extrapolate from the previous Prime Day dates (with the sole exception of the 2020 sale that got moved to October because of the pandemic), we think this year's sale could be July 15-16.
While the Australian deals (or locally shipped items) will last for 48 hours as has happened in the last few sales, we get to shop a little longer – a full 65 hours, or until the sale ends on the US West Coast. That's because we get international imports on Amazon AU, shipping in from Japan, Germany, the UK and the US.
We'll update this page when we know more about when Prime Day 2024 will actually start.
How to make the most of Amazon Prime Day
Despite the name, most of the deals offered during Amazon Prime Day are open to everyone, but if you really want to make the most of it and maximise your savings, it's best to be a Prime member. There are several offers that are only available to subscribers, so signing up means you won't miss out on the really juicy bargains.
However, you don't need to shell out for a monthly membership in order to make the most of the sales festivities. Instead, why not sign up for a 30-day free trial closer to the sale in order to take advantage of the discounts – and then simply cancel the membership when Prime Day is over.
If you do sign up now, you'll also be able to take advantage of the other free perks that come with a Prime subscription, namely full access to Prime Video, Prime Reading (a 'lite' version of Kindle Unlimited) and Prime Gaming (another version of Twitch). Plus, of course, the free-and-fast shipping promise is there for all eligible products.
Do cameras go on sale for Prime Day?
If you're after a bargain on a camera body, lens or other photography accessories, you can save a packet by shopping on Amazon during Prime Day.
It should be noted that not all camera brands are available on Amazon, with Sony being the main omission. If you aren't too fussed about Sony cameras and lenses, then Amazon is a treasure trove.
Canon, Nikon, Olympus/OM System and Fujifilm are the usual suspects that get some serious price drops for Prime Day. Panasonic cameras also get discounted, but typically that's been on the micro four thirds models and not the S-series full-frame cameras.
There are plenty of instant cameras that get discounted for Prime Day too, particularly the Fujifilm Instax range, but you'll also find some Polaroids there too, alongside some international models shipping in from Amazon US and UK. If you do choose an international model, make sure you're able to buy the compatible film refills locally.
Action cameras from Insta360 and DJI also do get discounted, with Amazon being one of the rare retailers in Australia to actually stock the former brand. Keep an eye out for DJI drones to drop prices too.
If you're after a model or brand that isn't available or discounted on Amazon, chances are eBay might have a competing sale and you could save a pretty penny there. So be sure to shop around if you're after the best camera deals.
When can you get the best deals on cameras?
The best time to buy a new camera or lens would be during massive sales such as Prime Day or Black Friday. The discounts are definitely a lot better during these times.
While Prime Day only gets you offers on products sold on Amazon, Black Friday is when pretty much every specialist camera retailer will offer discounts and the competition to offer the best prices will be high.
That said, Amazon typically has the best prices on the cameras and lenses it stocks, even outside of sales events. So do keep an eye on prices on the retail giant's site.
How to find the best camera deals during Prime Day
If you're shopping for a new kit – whether it's your first camera, a gift for someone or an upgrade – it helps to keep a few things in mind when shopping during Prime Day.
1. Try and sign up for a free Amazon Prime subscription
This should give you full access to the sale, including Prime-exclusive offers. You can cancel at any time.
2. Figure out what you want to buy beforehand
Shopping any major sale can be overwhelming. So knowing exactly what you're after can save you both time and money. Take the time to do some research on price histories of the items you would like to buy. While camera prices don't necessarily fluctuate too much, it's still good to know whether a deal is worth your hard-earned money – after all, we don't upgrade our cameras as often as we do our phones, so the investment is best made with some thought.
3. Be flexible on what you want
Sometimes the specific model you want may not be discounted, but if you aren't faithful to a specific brand, you might get a better offer on a camera from a different brand – one with similar specs. This is easier with APS-C models more than full frames, but if you're open to the idea of a different model, it might make bargain hunting a little more economical. We also admit that this is easier for people looking for their first camera and not already tied down with a specific system. You could also look into third-party lenses for your camera bodies instead of opting for the one made by the brand.
4. Create a wish list
Once you've narrowed down what you're after, you can save them in a wish list on Amazon. This will also show you price fluctuations (if any) in the lead up to the sale and makes it really super quick and easy to then move the item to your shopping cart directly from there.
5. Check back through the event
We've noticed in the past that Amazon's prices change through the duration of the sale. Sometimes a piece of camera gear will be cheaper on day two of the sale. So while it might be worthwhile picking something up as soon as the offer has gone live on the shopping site (particularly if stock is limited), it could pay to wait too. If stock hasn't run out, then you could save yourself a few more dollars.
6. Stick with us
Not to toot our own horn, but if you're willing to get some help, we'll be on hand to scour Amazon Australia for the best deals on photography gear. We won't list them all, but we will hand-pick what might be the best options across the different categories of gear. This could make it quick and easy for you to find a specific deal rather than spend hours going through the shopping site to find a particular option.
