Cameras discounted by hundreds? Filters for under $20? Tripods for half off? Yes, please! I found the best Fourth of July deals on photography gear

The Nikon Z7 II is supposed to be the higher resolution, higher-priced option compared to the Z6. But, thanks to the Z7 II’s age, the 45MP camera is cheaper than the 24MP option. The newer Z6 III comes with better low-light performance and upgraded autofocus, but for photographers looking for lots of sharp detail, the discount on the Z7 II is hard to pass up. B&H is currently bundling the camera body with a Think Tank Retrospective – one of my favorite camera messenger bags – as well as a memory card for $1,946.95, or get it bundled with the 24-70mm f/4 lens for about $600 more.

While the Nikon Z7 II may be the brand’s best high-resolution camera under $2K, the Z6 III is the choice for photographers prioritizing low-light performance and autofocus over high megapixel counts. The kit with a 24-70mm f/4 lens is currently $400 off, or the body only option is $300 off.

The Nikon Z30 is a mirrorless camera, but the camera’s compact size makes it feel more like a slightly larger compact camera. The first time that I picked up the Z30, I was impressed that the camera didn’t feel cheaply made, despite being Nikon’s most affordable mirrorless camera. Serious photographers may want to opt for the Z50 II instead with its viewfinder and advanced autofocus system, but the Z30 makes an excellent compact camera alternative or vlogging camera. It’s $150 off and bundled with a lens, bag, and memory card at B&H.

If I buy a point-and-shoot camera, it’s either got to have a larger sensor or an indestructible body. The OM System Tough TG-7 falls in the latter category. It’s a pocketable compact camera that can survive dips in the pool, dust, and drops – and it was even the camera that I used most on my last vacation. Unlike a waterproof GoPro, the TG-7 is more stills-oriented, offers zoom, and has an excellent macro mode for closeups.

The OM System OM-1 Mark II is a fast and rugged Micro Four Thirds camera – and it’s currently $400 off with a kit lens. The Micro Four Thirds format means lenses have more reach, which, mixed with the 10 fps mechanical shutter and 120 fps electronic shutter, makes the OM-1 Mark II a tempting choice for sports and wildlife without the price tag of full-frame flagships. My other favorite features on this camera include the Live Composite mode as well as the IP53 weather sealing. Stabilization and built-in ND filters often mean leaving the tripod and filters behind for an even lighter kit.

The Sony a7C has now been replaced by the a7C II, but the original is around $800 less, thanks to Fourth of July deals. The newer model offers better autofocus, stabilization, and video, but the original a7C is no slouch either, particularly as a budget compact mirrorless body.

Compare the Sony a7c vs a7C II before you buy.

Getting started with a full-frame camera is often a pricey venture, but the excellent Panasonic Lumix S5 II with a 20-60mm kit lens, memory card, and shoulder bag is under $1,900 right now as part of B&H’s Fourth of July Sales. The S5 II’s stand-out features include the option for custom color LUTs, high-end video features like 6K30p 10-bit. I’m also a fan of the S5 II’s comfortable grip.

While I prefer the S5 II’s grip, the Panasonic Lumix S9 is a remarkably small and colorful full-frame mirrorless camera that’s currently under $1,500 even when bundled with a kit lens, bag, and memory card. The S9 is an easy-to-use camera that’s excellent for beginners as well as content creators. Despite being more affordable and beginner-friendly, the S9 still packs in 30 fps bursts, real-time LUTs for custom colors, and subject detection autofocus smarts.

Nikon’s Z8 has high-end features without the high price tag of models like the Z9. While the $3,996 price is nothing to sneeze at, the camera is currently $300 off. The Nikon Z8 blends a 45MP full-frame sensor with fast autofocus, excellent low-light performance, and even 8K video.

The GoPro’s latest action camera, the Hero13 Black, is $100 off during the Fourth of July sales, pushing the action camera down to $329.99. Adorama includes a microSD card and case in that price. Or, action enthusiasts can pick up a bundle with two extra batteries, a case, a memory card, and a handle for the original list price of the camera without all those accessories at $379.00

The Nikon Z5 has now been replaced by the Z5 II, but that means the older full-frame mirrorless is an excellent deal right now. Picking up a full-frame camera with a kit lens for $1,300 is a nice deal, and the Nikon Z5 impressively doesn't really feel like a budget camera.

Memory cards are something I'm always buying, and now looks like an excellent time to stock up. The Lexar Silver Series Professional 512 GB is almost half off right now. Or, if you shoot lots of fast bursts or need a different type of memory card, Lexar also has deals on UHS-II cards and CFexpress.

The H&Y RevoRing is an adaptable filter that fits multiple lens diameters from the same filter. This variant is a variable density filter and CPL filter in one, ideal for blocking light for slower shutter speeds or wider apertures. Both the 46-62mm and 37-49mm versions are discounted.

Circular polarizing filters, or CPLs, help photographers control reflections. If I could only carry one filter in my bag, a CPL would be it. This option from Sirui is a steal for under $20, and both the 72mm and 62mm filter sizes are on sale (just match the thread size to the filter thread size from your lens' tech specs).

If you like the look of retro lenses, you should consider using a diffusion filter. The Tiffen Glimmerglass has bits of sparkle embedded in the glass, which reduces sharpness and gives light sources a beautiful glow. It's an exceptional tool for getting a more film-like look, but if you pixel peep sharpness, then a diffusion filter isn't the right accessory for you.

The PolarPro LightLeak lenses add a bit of retro light leaks to digital mirrorless cameras – and I found them exceptionally fun to play with. PolarPro has a special right now that bundles the LightLeak 28mm, 50mm, and a 135 Gold Mist Filter for $300, or 17 percent off when purchased individually.

Digital Camera World gave the Rotolight Ultimate Vlogging Kit a 4.5-star rating for its simple set-up. The kit includes a ringlight for well-lit shots, a mini tripod, and a bracket to house both a smartphone and the light together.

The Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 264AB is a budget-friendly travel tripod that still supports up to 15.4 pounds of gear. The tripod uses rapid twist leg locks and quick plate mounting for easy setup. It comes with a ball head, bubble level, angled rubber feet, and a tripod bag.

A bag built well enough to rank on Digital Camera World's best camera backpacks, the Toxic Wraith Camera Messenger bag is nearly half off right now, with the large size even cheaper than the medium variant.

I personally own this hard case, and the Manfrotto Pro Light Tough Reloader 55 is a tough case that fits most carry-on guidelines and has lots of options for accessories like backpack straps and laptop sleeves (for an added cost). It's the case I grab for when I really need to make sure my kit is safe, and it ranks among our best camera hard cases.

The Gitzo Legende Tripod is a sturdy travel tripod that’s largely user-repairable, a feature designed to give the tripod a much longer lifespan. Those features typically make the five-star rated tripod pricey, but B&H has a bundle that puts the tripod with a leather carrying strap, a camera backpack, and a mini tabletop tripod for $599, which is $100 less than Amazon’s price for the tripod only without all the extras.

The Wandrd PRVKE is currently my go-to camera backpack, thanks to its comfortable straps, excellent organization, and expandable rolltop design. Wandrd has just launched a new version on Kickstarter – but the previous version has now dropped in price by 20 percent and comes in multiple sizes.

Consider Atmosphere Aerosol like fog in a can. I’ve used this for more drama in my shots, and it’s a handy but affordable photography accessory. It needs to be used either indoors or on a low-wind day and pops best when backlit. It’s currently 17 percent off.

We gave the Profoto A2 a five-star rating for the amount of power this studio strobe packs into a portable light. Right now, it's 11 percent off at Adorama for the universal version and comes bundled with a softbox.

The PolarPro LiteChaser is a case that gives the iPhone a camera grip and filter mount. The Ultimate kit bundles that case with eight different filters. The kit is normally pricey, but it's more than half off for Independence Day and available for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.