Sony Alpha February 2019 Discounts Guide
For Christmas 2018, many Sony cameras saw some very significant discounts. Predictably, prices went back to “normal” for the last month, but Sony has now announced a new round of discounts with a trade-in program. Effectively, if you missed the discounts for Christmas, this gives you another chance. In this post below, we will evaluate the value of every Sony FE (full frame) lens at the discounted price. We will discuss the comparable pricing of the Sony Alpha bodies. First, we will discuss whether it makes sense to use the trade-in program.
Several photography retailers will honor the Sony trade-in program. The link to the Adorama Sony trade-in page is here. When trading in any working ILC camera or lens, you get a set bonus. For example, the trade in bonus for the Sony A9 is $500. If you trade in a $100 lens, you get the $100 credit + another discount of $500 off the A9. If you trade in a $1,000 camera, you get a $1,000 credit + another discount of $500.
While that sounds great in theory, you can make more money selling used items yourself rather than accepting the trade-in value. Typically, you will get around 60% of the re-sale value by trading something in. So if you are thinking of trading in a lens/camera that goes for $2,000 on the used market, you will likely only get $1,200. You are taking an $800 loss, in order to get $200 – $500 credit of extra savings. Not worth it.
On the other hand, selling used items yourself takes time and work, and doing a simple trade-in has value in avoiding that work. Additionally, you will not take the entire re-sale revenue, as you may end up paying eBay, Paypal, etc, commissions.
Typically, the trade-in program is great if you are trading in a fairly cheap item. Great time to trade in a Sony A6000 towards a Sony full frame camera, for example. Or that Canon Rebel 2ti, or Nikon D3000. Maybe an old Minolta lens you have lying around, or a kit lens that is collecting dust somewhere.
Combining the current sales prices with the trade-in bonuses, let’s take a look at the Sony Alpha full frame cameras:
Sony Alpha Discounts and Prices
Sony A7iii:
- Regular Price: $1998
- Trade in Bonus: $200
- Sales Price:$1998
- Current final price with trade: $1798
This is the best selling full frame camera in Sony’s history. It is the best selling full frame camera currently on the market. It was not discounted for Christmas 2018. Now a year old, this is the first discount available. There is no other camera on the market at near the price performance, that can match the features, image quality and performance. Some may prefer the ergonomics of the Nikon Z6, or like the Canon lenses leading them to the Canon R. The Z6 can probably match the Sony A7iii in terms of pure image quality. But none of them can surpass the Sony A7iii’s combination of image quality, features, autofocus and speed.
Sony A7riii
- Regular Price: $3198
- Christmas 2018 price: $2798
- Current Sales Price: $2998
- Trade in bonus: $300
- Final price with trade: $2698
The Sony A7riii is an amazing camera with one major competitor that has hampered its sales: The Sony A7iii. The Sony A7iii was simply too good, including practically all the goodness of the A7riii but with a 24mp sensor instead of 42mp. In all honesty, most shooters really have no reason to take 42mp over 24mp. But in addition to the higher resolution, the Sony A7riii also offers far superior LCD and EVF to the A7iii. Personally, I think the better EVF and LCD are more important than the superior resolution. (the A7rii also offers a pixel shift mode lacking in the A7iii but I’ve rarely used it).
Compared to the non-Sony competition, the Sony A7riii is the absolute best value for a high resolution camera, a fair bit cheaper than the Nikon D850 and Nikon Z7.
I wouldn’t recommend anyone pay the regular price of $3199 for the A7riii but at the current price, it should get serious consideration over the A7iii.
Sony A9
- Regular price: $4498
- Christmas 2018 price: $3498
- Current sales price: $3998
- Current trade in bonus: $500
- Final price with trade: $2498
Yes, $3500 is indeed a lot of money. I purchased the A9 at about that price and it is actually a steal of a camera. Professional Canon and Nikon models cost $6000+. The Sony A9 can do things that no other full frame camera can do, period. Sony is also planning a major firmware upgrade for the A9 that will bring it to a whole new level.
Some people falsely believe that the A9 is overpriced because it is similar to the A7iii — they have similar bodies, they both have 24mp sensors and they both have the same number of focus points. People falsely conclude that the only major difference between the A7iii and A9 is shooting at 10 fps versus 20 fps. In reality, the A9 is a superhero to the A7iii being a mere mortal. The Sony A9 not only can shoot at 20fps, it can do so silently without any viewfinder blackout. The Sony A9 is the only camera on the market that can shoot silently without significant concern for rolling shutting and artificial light banding. While they have similar number of focus points, the A9 has the more powerful processor allowing for the best autofocus you can get with any camera. And the firmware update coming exclusively to the A9 will further enhance the autofocus. And as I mentioned with the A7riii, the A9 has a far superior LCD and EVF to the A7iii.
If your budget allows it, you will not find your money is wasted on the A9 at current pricing. You won’t ever regret getting the A9 instead of a cheaper camera.
Sony A7ii
- Regular price: $1398
- Christmas 2018 price: $998
- Current sales price:$1198
- Trade in bonus:$200
- Final current price with trade: $998
On the surface, this is a tremendous bargain, a full frame mirrorless camera for under $1,000. In reality, it can only be considered a fair price. Sony’s second generation A7 camera is a massive step behind the current generation, across the board. The A7ii is certainly a passable camera and if you want to enter the Sony full frame system at the cheapest possible price or buy a backup camera, the A7iii can be a good purchase. But it’s worth the extra cost to buy into the current generation for a superior camera body, superior image quality, superior autofocus, superior speed, superior features, superior performance.
Sony Lens Discounts
Most Sony lenses are receiving discounts and some are also eligible for trade in bonuses.
I’ve reviewed the majority of Sony’s full frame lenses on this blog. I’ve used almost every Sony lens, aps-c and full frame. Below, I’ve listed almost every Sony lens (I left out the $11,000 400mm F2.8), along with some relevant third party alternatives, and recommendations based on current discounted pricing.
Sony Full Frame Zoom Lenses
FE 12-24mm F4 G – regular price $1698
Discounted price: $1648
Alternatives: There are few alternatives even adapting lenses. The closest alternative is the manual focus
Venus 10-18mm. Reviews of image quality have been mediocre but it gives an even wider field of view.
Advice: If you love ultrawide shooting and want a zoom lens, get the Sony 12-24mm. It’s a high quality unique lens at a relatively reasonable price. The Canon 11-24mm F/4 is much larger and much more expensive, for example.
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM – regular price $2198
Discounted price: $2198 (no discount)
Trade in bonus: $250
Final current price: $1948
Alternatives: There are no alternatives unless you want to adapt lenses. Third party makers have just not really started to make zooms for Sony yet. Of course, Sony does offer two other ultrawide zooms below.
Advice: It’s an exceptional lens but at an exceptional price. If the lens has been on your wish list, this is a chance to save a few dollars. But if you don’t need the 2.8, you may be better off with one of Sony’s other choices.
FE 16-35mm F4 ZA – regular price $1348
Discounted price: $1248
Alternatives: Only the other Sony ultrawide zooms or prime lenses.
Advice: Many shooters don’t need F2.8 and don’t want to pay the price for the 16-35/2.8 GM. For many, the 12-24/4 may be too wide. The 16-35mm F4 can be the “just right” ultrawide zoom for many shooters. $100 savings is pretty good for a lens of this price, it’s a good time to buy.
FE 24–105 mm F4 G OSS Lens – regular price $1398
Discounted price: $1398 (no discount)
Advice: This has been an extremely popular lens since its release for good reason. This is an exceptional general purpose zoom as a reasonable price, good size and very good image quality. I prefer the Sony, this is my preferred zoom. But you won’t go wrong with the Tamron either. It’s not on sale, so no rush to buy it. Demand has been very high for the lens, explaining the lack of any discount.
FE 24-240 F3.5-6.3 OSS – regular price $998
Discounted price: $948
Alternatives: None, no other full frame super zooms for Sony.
Advice: I’m not a fan of superzooms personally. But if you are, it’s a rather reasonable price.
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM – regular price $2198
Discounted price: $2198 – no discount
Trade in bonus: $250
Final current price: $1948
Advice: If you need the absolute best zoom for your work or personal needs, the 24-70mm F2.8 GM is without rival. But the price is very steep and it’s a rather large lens. If you don’t need to eke out every last megapixel of corner resolution and can live with 4mm less on the wide end, just get the Tamron. If you need the premium lens and you have a cheap lens to trade-in for the bonus, it’s a very good time to buy the Sony 24-70 F2.8 GM.
FE 24-70mm F4 ZA – regular price $898
Discounted price: $798
Advice: The 24-70mm F4 is not a bad lens but the Tamron 28-75 F/2.8 is better at a similar price. For what’s essentially kit lens quality (but a good kit lens), the FE 24-70mm F4 isn’t a bargain even with the discount. But with the discount, it’s probably fairly priced.
FE 70-200 F4 G OSS – regular price $1498
Discounted price: $1398
Alternatives: None. There are no third party telephoto zooms for Sony, yet.
Advice: If 200mm is long enough and F4 is fast enough, then you won’t regret this lens. With the discounted price, it’s pretty reasonable for very high image quality and build quality. It’s a good time to buy this lens.
FE 70-200 F2.8 GM OSS – regular price $2598
Discounted price: None, still $2598 but..
Trade in bonus: $300
Final with trade: $2298
Review coming in 2019, but I have already used this lens. Nothing bad to say about the image quality.
Alternatives: None unless you want to adapt lenses, or use slower Sony zooms.
Advice: This lens is darn expensive even at the discount. But even buying used won’t save you a ton of money. So if you know you need this lens, the significant trade-in bonus is a good opportunity to pick it up.
FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS – regular price $1198
Discounted price: $1148
Review: pending in early to mid 2019. I have used this lens and it’s a nice balance of reach and size, but image quality is only “good” and not exceptional.
Alternatives: No other 300mm telephoto zooms for Sony, either from Sony or third party. Unless you adapt lenses.
Advice: For a lens that is basically slightly better than a consumer telephoto zoom, the regular pricing is very overpriced. Sony can get away with it due to the lack of competition. The discount brings it down to a slightly more reasonable price range but I’d seriously consider the used market where you can often find it for under $900.
FE 100-400mm GM – regular price $2,498
Discounted price: No discount, still $2,498
Alternatives: None. It’s the only native long telephoto zoom. Adapting telephotos doesn’t usually work that well.
Advice: The bad news is that there are no alternatives. The good news is that at least it is an exceptional lens. Not currently discounted, so no rush to buy it.
Sony Full Frame Prime Lenses
FE 24mm F1.4 GM – regular price $1399
Discounted price: No discount.
Review: Review expected by March 2019
Advice: Sony’s newest G-Master lens, in high demand and sold out at most retailers. Lack of a discount is no surprise. Expect my review by the end of February.The Sigma ART is bulky for the Sony FE system. The Zeiss Batis is fantastic but very overpriced for an F2 lens. Though I haven’t used it yet, I suspect the Sony 24mm F1.4 GM is the way to go. The lens is out of stock everywhere, expect not to receive it for a couple of months if you order it now.
FE 28mm F2 – regular price $448
Discounted price: $423
Review: Not currently reviewed. Review expected early to Spring/summer 2019
Advice: A very reasonably priced lens. If it’s a focal length prime you want, this is a good time to buy it at an even more reasonable price.
FE 35mm F1.4 ZA – regular price $1598
Discounted price: $1498
Advice: This simply isn’t one of Sony’s best primes. Especially given the price, you are better off with one of the alternatives. I used the much cheaper Rokinon and find it to be just as good as the Sony.
FE 35mm F2.8 ZA – regular price $798
Discounted price: $748
Review: In progress, coming soon. Currently compiling review. it’s “fair” and very compact.
Advice: If you want an ultracompact prime, get the Samyang. The Sony is still just too expensive for a 2.8 prime. Or consider buying it used, which gives a considerable discount over new. As of this writing, you can get it
used on Amazon for as low as $489.
FE 50mm F1.4 ZA – regular price $1498
Discounted price: $1398
Trade in bonus: $100
Final with trade: $1298
Advice: Yes, there are cheaper alternatives but this lens is indeed a bit special. It is one of Sony’s best primes. At the current sales price, I think it’s worth the extra cost. If you want the best 50mm and don’t mind size, buy the Sony. If you take advantage of the trade, it’s a fantastic time to get this lens.
FE 50mm F1.8 – regular price $249
Discounted price: $223
Alternatives: Nothing else really competes in the price category that would be worth mentioning.
Advice: Nothing special about this lens but I’m a firm believer that everyone should own at least one fast prime. If you’ve never owned a prime lens before, buy this lens. You’ll love it more than any of your zooms.
FE 50mm F2.8 Macro – regular price $499
Discounted price: $473
Review planned for early to mid 2019
Alternatives: No other native macros of similar focal length.
Advice: This is a very affordable introduction to true macro shooting. Great chance if you want to start experimenting with close-up photography of flowers, bugs, etc. For those looking for the best though, get the Sony 90mm below.
FE 55mm F1.8 ZA – regular price $998
Discounted price: $948
Alternatives: Nothing that can really compete with the size and image quality. But can consider 1.4 alternatives listed above as well as the other Sony 50mm lenses, but they will not match the quality.
Advice: This may sound like a contradiction: This lens is overpriced but may be worth it. I say it’s overpriced because it is very similar in quality to the brand new Nikon Z 50mm F1.8 S lens, which is priced at $599. But obviously, you can’t use that Nikon lens on the Sony camera. And this lens is really exceptional if you want very high quality in a fairly compact lens. So with the discount, it’s a good chance to pick up this lens at a less unreasonable price. You may also want to consider buying it used (as of this writing, you can get it
used on Amazon for as low as $700).
FE 85mm F1.8 – regular price $598
Discounted price: $573
Advice: The Sony FE 85mm F1.8 is a must-own lens for Sony unless you’re investing in one of their more expensive GM lenses. The image quality is as good as the much more expensive Batis. The discount may not be big but it is the best value in the Sony lineup at full price. If you haven’t already, buy this lens.
FE 85mm F1.4 GM – regular price $1798
Discounted price: $1798, no discount
Trade in bonus: $200
Alternatives:
Sigma 85mm F1.4 is the only other F1.4, 85mm lens with autofocus for the Sony system. It’s a fair amount heavier and the GM is probably the better overall lens.
Advice: I think most users, professional and amateur, can be perfectly well served with the Sony 85mm F/1.8 listed above. This lens is for those that want the most extreme bokeh: narrowest depth of field with the biggest roundest bokeh balls. If that’s your thing, this is an excellent lens. Compared to other modern 1.4 premium lenses, it is no bargain but can’t be considered overpriced either. It’s a fair trade-in offer if you have a cheap lens to trade in.
FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS – regular price $1098
Discounted price: $998
Alternatives: There are no third party FE macro lenses for Sony.
Advice: If you like macro shooting, this is an excellent opportunity to save a bit on this lens. With the sale price, it is quite reasonable for the quality, even when compared to Nikon and Canon.
FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS – regular price $1498
Discounted price: none, still $1498
Alternatives:
None. STF lenses are rare.
Advice: Not everyone loves the look of “smooth transition focus.” It can be considered a bit of a one-trick pony. This is the only STF lens on the market with autofocus. As someone who shoots a lot of outdoor portraits, I’m personally considering adding it to my bag on a permanent basis. Personally, I’m disappointed in the lack of any discount as I’d consider adding this to my own bag on a permanent basis.
Thank you for reading
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