For reasons I’ve never completely sussed out, January is always a great time to get a good deal on a new camera. This year one of our favorite full-frame mirrorless cameras is on sale, along with some action cams, instant cameras, and plenty of useful accessories too.
If you’re in the market for a new camera, be sure to read through our buying guides, like the Best Mirrorless Cameras, Best Compact Cameras, Best Camera Bags, and Best Action Cameras. Also check out our video guides to All the Gear and Tips You Need to Make Studio-Grade Home Videos and How to Upgrade Your YouTube Recording Setup.
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Camera Deals
Panasonic Lumix S5
Photograph: LumixOur favorite full-frame video solution is currently on sale at its lowest price ever (the same price it dipped to during Black Friday in 2021). Check out our Best Mirrorless Cameras guide for more details on why we like the Lumix S5 so much. This deal is also available at Amazon.
GoPro has been running variations of this deal for a while now, but it’s still a good one. The new, larger-capacity Enduro battery is also on sale (and worth the investment based on my testing). This deal does include a one-year GoPro Subscription, so if you don’t want that beyond the free year, be sure to set a reminder to cancel it.
This deal has been running since just before Christmas, but I’m including it because it’s still a good value, and this pocketable juggernaut of an action cam (8/10, WIRED Recommends) can go places even the GoPro can’t—like 50 feet underwater, no extra case necessary. It’s particularly great for underwater photography, thanks to the f/2.0 lens, which is very fast for a camera of this size.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 90
Photograph: AmazonI have a Fujifilm Instax printer, and you know what wish I had? The camera. Because the camera is way more fun. Point, shoot, print. It’s hard to beat that for instant gratification. Of all the Fujifilm Instax cameras I’ve tested, this is my favorite. This deal is for the camera only, so be sure to grab some film too. A 20-pack is $14 at Amazon.
No, this isn’t technically a deal, but it is brand-new, and I think it’s pretty cool. Yes, it’s a disposable camera loaded with Tri-X 400. No word on whether you can push/pull when developing these. And I know, disposable isn’t cool; I should really be loading a roll of Tri-X in my obscure 1950s Japanese rangefinder, but that’s just not going to happen for me. Although if you really can’t bear to use a disposable, there is the Kodak M35, which might be the cheapest reusable film camera around at $35. The Kodak M35 is available at Amazon.
Accessories
Joby GorillaPod 3K
Photograph: JobyWeighing under 4 pounds, yet able to hold up to 22 pounds of camera, this Manfrotto is currently at the top of my list to replace my broken tripod. I haven’t tested it, but it looks like a solid option if you value portability over brute strength.
The now famous bendable, prehensile legs of the GorillaPod make it worth having even if you have a “real” tripod too. It’s lightweight, infinitely twistable and bendable, and capable of holding up to 6.6 pounds of camera and lens. If you don’t need that much support, the smaller GorillaPod 1K is also on sale for $27 ($27 off)
DJI’s Ronin gimbal is practically an industry standard at this point. Think of it as a way to turn your SLR into a GoPro. You get the buttery smoothness of the GoPro, but with the image and lens quality of your full-size camera. This deal is also available at Adorama.
This is hands-down the best SD card I have used in a digital camera. There are a few out there that are marginally faster, but I’ve never had an issue with this Lexar, and it’s proven very reliable. I don’t want to jinx it, but I have two of these that are almost six years old and still work like new. If you don’t need that much space, the 64-gigabyte model is also on sale for $80 ($15 off).