Labor Day camera deals are poor this year – here's how you can save more money by shopping secondhand instead

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Forget new – is now the time to buy secondhand?

Panasonic Lumix S9 in its four different color versions: green, blue, red and black
The Panasonic Lumix S9, above, is one of only a few cameras that can be picked up for a great price over Labor Day (Image credit: Panasonic)

I'd love to share with you some great deals and record-low prices on camera gear for Labor Day, but after searching the leading retailers I've come away disappointed – deals are thin on the ground this year.

We're starting to see the impact of tariffs on new gear, with most of the leading brands upping the prices of their latest mirrorless and compact cameras. That's bad news for deal hunters – sale prices are generally a bit higher than previous sales.

That's not to say there are no deals around. I'll share a few of the best ones below, like the Nikon D850 for $1,896.95 at Adorama or the Panasonic Lumix S9 for $1,197.99 at B&H Photo (in various colors – including pink I might add). Those retailers price-match each other, by the way.

You can still find decent deals on other tech products in the Labor Day sales. But as for cameras, I think the very best deals right now are to be found on secondhand gear, and here's where I would start to look...

The Canon EOS RP resting on a stone wall

Canon's cheapest full-frame mirrorless camera is one of few cameras with a genuine sale price right now (Image credit: Future)

How to find secondhand Labor Day camera deals

Naturally, there's a risk when buying secondhand versus new, but some secondhand stockists mitigate those risks – I would start my search with Adorama and B&H Photo, two leading stockists of used gear.

Handily, both sites list all prices for cameras, whether that's for new body-only or lens bundles, or the used prices, clearly marking each price based on condition.

Take the Canon EOS RP. It's currently on sale for $799 (was $,1099) at Adorama new and, like B&H Photo, there are added-value bundles that include accessories for free, as well as lens bundles.

But searching for that camera on Adorama's website, the top search result is secondhand, given it's a few years old now (existing stock prices should be unaffected by tariffs). Used prices range from $468 ('heavy use') to $677 ('mint'), and you get a free 180-day warranty.

You might find a lower price from a private seller, but purchasing from Adorama, B&H Photo, and other leading retailers gives you the peace of mind should you run into any issues – they are excellent companies to deal with, and they service all used gear before listing it for sale, so you know it's in good working order.

Savings vary from camera to camera, but the saving to be had buying an 'excellent' to 'mint' condition used camera is typically 15-25%, and if you don't mind 'average' condition the saving will be even higher.

Still not convinced about secondhand? Below I've provided links to some of the best deals for new gear available now.

All of today's best Labor Day deals

Timothy Coleman
Timothy Coleman
Cameras editor

Tim is the Cameras editor at TechRadar. He has enjoyed more than 15 years in the photo video industry with most of those in the world of tech journalism. During his time as Deputy Technical Editor with Amateur Photographer, as a freelancer and consequently editor at Tech Radar, Tim has developed a deeply technical knowledge and practical experience with cameras, educating others through news, reviews and features. He’s also worked in video production for Studio 44 with clients including Canon, and volunteers his spare time to consult a non-profit, diverse stories team based in Nairobi. Tim is curious, a keen creative, avid footballer and runner, and moderate flat white drinker who has lived in Kenya and believes we have much to enjoy and learn from each other. 


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