SHARE

This article was updated at (2:15 p.m., E.S.T)

See our main Prime Day coverage here for PopSci and PopPhoto.

Amazon Prime Day looks a little different this year, but what hasn’t been a little different in the era of a global pandemic? The 48-hour sale typically happens in July, but Amazon has announced that its biggest savings event of the year will kick off Monday, June 21. The two-day event is still one of the best times to snag the best Amazon Prime deals on camera gear and accessories. This Prime Day deals preview will give you an overview, based on last year’s deals, on how to save big this year on all kinds of camera equipment, including DSLRs, point-and-shoot cameras, lenses, action cameras, and more.

Amazon Prime Day 2021 FAQ

When is Prime Day 2021?

Prime Day 2021 starts at 3 a.m. EDT on Monday, June 21, and will last through Tuesday, June 22. This year’s sale will feature more than two million deals from retailers around the world. Remember, however, that to take advantage of the killer deals you will need to sign up for Prime.

What is Amazon Prime Day?

Amazon Prime Day is the day when many of Amazon’s products and services see a major price drop, as do many name-brand electronics. The best deals are often found on Amazon products like Echo smart speakers, Kindles, and Fire TV devices, but there are plenty of big-name camera brands that also participate. In order to get the best deals on Prime Day, you will need to be a Prime member. 

When does Prime Day end?

Prime Day typically spans 48 hours, so at least two days. Amazon has announced that the two-day sale will conclude on Tuesday, June 22.

Do I need Amazon Prime to get Prime Day 2021 deals?

Yes, an Amazon Prime membership is a must to enjoy the exclusive discounts available as Prime Day 2021 deals. An added bonus on top of those big deal days is the everyday perks of Prime, such as free two-day shipping on most orders, streaming of select Amazon movies and TV shows, Kindle book downloads, Whole Foods discounts, and much more. Prime Day 2021 is always a well-timed point of entry for newcomers and signing up for Amazon Prime is quick and easy, so try a 30-day free trial of Prime right here.

Best Prime Day deals on camera gear 

The biggest savings of the year can be found on Amazon-branded products, but there are plenty of big-name electronics manufacturers that get in on the deals as well. If you’ve been thinking about splurging on a camera purchase, we’d recommend holding off just in case that item is offered up in the Amazon Prime Day deals. Based on what we’ve seen in Prime Day deals of the past, it’s safe to assume that there will be some incredible savings to be found on DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, action cameras, and accessories. Last year we saw big brands like Canon, Nikon, Sony, and GoPro slash prices on popular gear and we expect the same to happen this year. 

It goes without saying that photographers are picky about their gear and although you might not find deals on higher-priced specialty lenses, there are plenty of amazing bargains to be found on more entry-level equipment. Ultimately, Prime Day is a great time to save big if you are just getting started with photography. Although we don’t know exactly what will be on sale during Amazon Prime Day 2021 deals, based on previous years we’ve made some educated guesses. Read on to see some of the best deals you might be able to snag this year on Prime Day.

popphoto03-best-amazon-prime-deals-pcr-20

Best mirrorless camera: Panasonic LUMIX G95 20.3 Megapixel Mirrorless Camera—Now $700 (was $998) 

Amazon

SEE IT

Designed with a powerful 20.3 MP Digital Live MOS sensor, the Panasonic LUMIX G95 promises crisp images and comes with a flexible, free-angle monitor. Also featuring 4K 24/30P video capture, this camera also allows you to compose one image out of many through its live video composite mode.This durable camera is perfect for documenting any adventure. 

Amazon

SEE IT

Looking for the best camera bundles among 2021’s Amazon Prime Day deals? This is an excellent bundle if you are a shooter who has been looking to make the switch to mirrorless. The Canon EOS M50 Mark II is built around a 24.1mp APS-C sensor and features the DIGIC 8 image processor. It has an ISO range of 100-25600 and comes with several accessories, including a Canon Tripod Grip for shots from a table, counter, or another surface, and a stereo microphone for crisp sound. It can even livestream directly from the camera, and can film vertically if you (or someone you know) needs to create content for social media.

Best Prime deals on drones: DJI Mavic Mini Combo

Amazon

SEE IT

A compact and powerful drone that is perfect for the first-time flyer and this year’s Amazon Prime deals make it the time to buy. This DJI Mavic mini drone only weighs 0.55 lbs, making it about the same weight as a smartphone. Its lightweight build means that it can stay up in the air for longer, and you don’t need to register the drone with the government to legally fly. The Mavic Mini can fly up to 30 minutes on a full charge, shoots 12MP pictures, and can shoot 2.7K quad-HD videos. It features a three-axis motorized gimbal to deliver smooth, cinematic footage. This fly-more combo comes bundled with extra batteries, spare propellers, and a carrying bag. 

Best Amazon Prime Day deals on action cams: GoPro HERO8 Black Retail Bundle

Amazon

SEE IT

This rugged 4K action camera is perfect for capturing all of your outdoor adventures. The GoPro Hero 8 features Hypersmooth 2.0 technology for stabilized footage, regardless of the conditions. The LiveBurst feature records 1.5 seconds before and after your shot, capturing all of the action as it happens with a fisheye lens and making it simple to select your favorite frame as a photo. The Hero8 uses TimeWarp 2.0 technology to film time lapses in up to 4K resolution and automatically adjusts the speed based on the action and lighting of a scene (don’t worry, you can also manually adjust it). When you’re ready to show the world what you’ve got, the Hero8 can livestream at 1080p from the included shorty or head strap.

Best deals on portable hard drives: SanDisk 1TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD

Amazon

SEE IT

If you are shooting a ton of photos or videos, you are going to need a place to store them all. The SanDisk 1TB is a pocket-sized drive that is built to withstand a lot, while still keeping your precious files safe. This solid-state drive has a USB-C cable and can withstand water, dust, and even drops on concrete (although we wouldn’t recommend intentionally doing that). It has a high-speed transfer rate of up to 2000MB/s, which lets you move large files quickly, and is fast enough that you can edit from the drive itself. Photographers and videographers are always in need of storage solutions, and this external SSD is one of our favorites on the market.

Best telescope: Celestron – AstroMaster 130EQ Newtonian Telescope—Now $196 (was $280) 

Amazon

SEE IT

Designed for parents to use with their kids, the Celestron AstroMaster Telescope is made with a  high-quality 130-mm glass optic objective lens. The star-gazing device also comes with two control knobs for precise adjustments, two eyepieces, a Starpointer red dot Finderscope, and a travel tripod so you can catch the latest sights in the cosmos. 

Related: See all the best Amazon deals available right now

Some final thoughts on the best Amazon Prime deals 2021 for camera equipment

Ultimately, Prime Day is an excellent time of year to get big savings on quality camera gear from the big brands. Keep in mind that the best Amazon Prime deals offered on Prime Day 2021 have limited inventory so if you see a piece of camera equipment that you love you will want to act fast to lock in that savings. Happy deal hunting!


For Amazon Prime Day 2021, Popular Photography wants to help you find the most useful and expert shopping recommendations. We’re your home for the best Prime Day deals 2021! Check out some of last year’s coverage here: The best Amazon Prime Day deals you’ll find, the best Prime Day deals for photographers, or check out these Prime Day deals.