Camera cashback: how it works and how to get the best deals right now

Camera cashback schemes remain ever popular with manufacturers because it enables them to offer special short-term discounts without driving down the long-term recommended retail price. 

They’re typically seasonal too; so you’ll often see winter, spring and summer promotions – meaning some photo enthusiasts can actively wait to make a purchase during those months in anticipation of saving a few £s. And right now there are some great cashback offers from Sony, Canon, Fujifilm, Olympus and Panasonic running to take into account when looking for the best Black Friday camera deals.

Typically, cashback offers can range from £25 upon purchase of a flashgun or lens to over £500 for a professional camera or a top-grade lens. Generally the higher priced the item to start with, the higher the cashback value to tempt you into a purchase. 

As a consumer, receiving cashback means you have to jump through a couple of hoops to get your saving – usually involving the registering of the equipment you’ve bought online, the completion of a redemption form and the inclusion of proof of purchase (i.e your receipt) – but we’d advise that overall it’s a win-win for you, the retailer, and the manufacturer of the camera, lens or photo accessories in question. 

Canon camera cashback

Since Canon not only makes cameras but a host of accessories and peripherals too, including photo printers, it offers pretty much everything you could want for your photo set-up darkroom. 

At the moment, Canon is offering cashback on a wide range of products, including the budget Canon EOS RP and the flagship Canon EOS R3. There are discounts too on a range of RF lenses, and some printers and camcorders. On top of that, some products are eligible for double cashback, including the Canon EOS R5 and Canon EOS R8. 

You can read the full terms and conditions on Canon's cashback page, with further details about double cashback on its Black Friday page.

You can also check and shop for all the Canon cashback offers on Clifton Cameras dedicated webpage

Black Friday cashback runs until: January 17 2024
Black Friday double cashback runs until: November 30 2023
Claims must be made by: February 16 2024

Canon UK - mirrorless camera cashback deals

Canon EOS R3| was £5,999 |now £5,109
Save £890 after £550 cashback at Wex This is a top-tier tool of choice for working professionals. Whether you shoot sports, weddings, portraiture, pets or news, the blackout-free 30fps stills and 6K RAW video means you'll never miss a moment of action or detail.

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Canon EOS R6 Mk II (body only) | was £2,779 | £2,349
Save £430 at Clifton Cameras after £200 cashback In our Canon EOS R6 Mark II review , we said that this camera "makes mincemeat of other hybrids" and we mean every word. It's Canon's fastest camera and with more AF tracking modes, it's a real beast. 

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Canon EOS R8 | £1,899.99 | £1,769
£130 cashback at Wex Canon's smallest and lightest full frame camera, somehow this still packs in a 24.2MP sensor capable of 40fps bursts, 4K 60p video, along with the best autofocus system I've ever used! 

Canon UK - lens cashback deals

Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L | was £2,629.99 | now £2,169.99
SAVE £500 (Canon double cashback) Even wider than the EF version that it replaces, this wide-angle trinity lens may be the best optical performer of the bunch. Perfect for architecture, landscapes, events and interiors. 

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L | was £2,629.99 | now £2,129.99
SAVE £500 (Canon double cashback) The workhorse lens that every pro needs, and every enthusiast drools over! This standard zoom covers all the bases and will be welded to the front of your camera. 

Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L | was £3,059.99 | now £2,359.99
SAVE £700 (Canon double cashback) Confession: I hated 70-200 lenses before using this, but it's just so compact at 146mm long that I barely noticed it on the front of my camera! This 70-200mm is a true walkabout lens.

Canon RF 100-500mm | was £3,159.99 | now £2,299.99
SAVE £860 (£160 off + Canon double cashback) The sheer versatility offered by this lens is something to behold, and it's matched by both build and image quality in spades. A truly super super-telephoto zoom! 

Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L | was £3,069.99 | now £2,369.99
SAVE £700 (Canon double cashback) This lens, and this deal, is so good that I took advantage and bought it myself! The best 85mm lens I've ever used, hands down, and my favorite full-frame portrait prime.

RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS - £700 instant cashback at Canon UK

RF 28-70mm F/2 L USM - £700 instant cashback at Canon UK

RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM - £700 instant cashback at Canon UK

RF 85mm F1.2 L USM - £700 instant cashback at Canon UK

RF 70-200 f2.8 L IS USM - £700 instant cashback at Canon UK

RF 24-70mm f2.8 L IS USM - £500 instant cashback at Canon UK

RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM - £500 instant cashback at Canon UK

RF 135mm F1.8L IS USM - £500 instant cashback at Canon UK

RF 50mm F/1.2 L USM - £500 instant cashback at Canon UK

RF 5.2mm F2.8L Dual Fisheyd - £400 instant cashback at Canon UK

RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM £400 instant cashback at Canon UK

RF 70-200mm F4L IS USM -  £300 instant cashback at Canon UK

RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM - £300 instant cashback at Canon UK

RF 600mm f11 IS STM - £300 instant cashback at Canon UK

RF 24-105mm F/4 IS USM - £300 instant cashback at Canon UK

RF 800mm f11 IS STM - £300 instant cashback at Canon UK

RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM - £200 instant cashback at Canon UK

RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM - £200 instant cashback at Canon UK

RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM - £200 instant cashback at Canon UK

RF Extender 1.4x - £200 instant cashback at Canon UK

RF Extender 2x - £200 instant cashback at Canon UK

Fujifilm camera cashback

Fujifilm's current Winter Cashback offer gives you back upto £300 on X-H2, X-H2S, X-S10 and X-T5 mirrorless cameras. There are also a dozen cashback deals on Fujinon XF lenses. See Fujifilm's full terms and conditions.

See the full rundown of offers on Clifton Camera's Fujifilm cashback page

Black Friday cashback runs until: January 18, 2024
Claims must be made by: February 18, 2024

Fujifilm UK - mirrorless camera cashback deals

Fujifilm X-H2 (body only) | £1,879 | now £1,779
Save £100 after cashback at Wex Photo Video This 40MP speedster offers support for 8K video and remarkable speed and processing power, the X-H2 is truly a mirrorless marvel.

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Fujifilm X-T5 (body only) | £1,699 | now £1,499
Save £200 after cashback at Park Cameras Available in black or silver, this is the retro-styled option in Fujfilm's trio of 40-megapixel APS-C mirrorless cameras.

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Fujifilm UK – lens cashback deals

Also covered by the cashback are the following Fujifilm XF series lenses – a whopping 12 optics in all, making for a broad range of choice for anyone looking to add some extra ‘glass’ to their camera bag and boost their fledgling Fuji X system.

XF16mmF1.4 R WR - £60 cashback at Clifton Cameras

XF50mm F1.0 R WR - £370 cashback at Clifton Cameras

XF56mmF1.2 R WR - £130 cashback at Clifton Cameras

XF80mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro - £100 cashback at Clifton Cameras

XF90mmF2 R LM WR - £80 cashback at Clifton Cameras

XF200mmF2 R LM OIS WR 1.4xTC - £550 cashback at Clifton Cameras

XF8-16mmF2.8 R LM WR - £200 cashback at Clifton Cameras

XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR £50 cashback at Clifton Cameras

XF18-120mm F4 LM PZ WR - £200 cashback at Clifton Cameras

XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR - £100 cashback at Clifton Cameras

XF100-400mmF4.5-F5.6 R LM OIS WR - £300 cashback at Clifton Cameras

XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR - £350 cashback at Clifton Cameras

Sony camera cashback

Sony’s latest winter cashback for the UK, which runs up until January 31 2024, covers some of its most recent mirrorless camera, and 20 E-mount lenses. There is also cashback offers on certain Sony Tough memory cards. You can read the full terms and conditions on Sony's cashback page - but an important clause to note is that you can only claim for your cashback after 30 days after your purchase. This rule applies even if you buy from Sony's online store.

Check all the Sony cashback offers on Clifton Cameras dedicated webpage

Black Friday cashback runs until: January 31, 2024
Claims must be made by: March 15, 2024

Sony UK - mirrorless camera cashback deals

Sony A7 IV body | was £2,269 | now £1,869
Save £400 at Clifton Cameras Capable of producing 33MP stills and recording 4K video up to 60p (or 7K via super sampling), the A7 IV is ideal for content creators or filmmakers. The price of this deal includes £300 Sony Cashback.

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Sony A7 IV + 28-70mm | was £2,399 | now £1,999
Save £400 at John Lewis Need a lens too - then this is the best bundle deal we have seen on this high-spec full-frame mirrorless camera. Again the price of this deal includes £300 Sony Cashback, which you need to apply for after purchase..

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Sony A7 III + FE 24-105mm F/4 | was £2,549 | now £1,949 with Sony cashback
Save £600 (including £500 Sony cashback) at Clifton Cameras on this brilliant full-frame mirrorless camera and powerful constant-aperture standard zoom! 

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Sony A7 Mk III: was £1,699 | now £1,299
Save £400 including £300 cashback This full frame 24.2MP camera has 4K HDR video and 15-stops of dynamic range, making it perfect for videos and stills. 

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Sony A7R V | was £3,999 | now £3,469
Save £530 including £400 cashback at Clifton Cameras  Sony's latest high-resolution mirrorless camera has a 61-megapixel sensor and can shoot 8K video

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Sony UK – lens cashback deals

Sony FE 12-24mm f2.8 G Master - £200 cashback at Clifton Cameras

Sony FE 12-24mm f4 G - £200 cashback at Clifton Cameras

Sony FE 14mm f1.8 G Master - £200 cashback at Clifton Cameras

Sony FE 16-35mm f2.8 G Master - £200 cashback at Clifton Cameras

Sony FE 16-35mm f4 G PZ - £200 cashback at Clifton Cameras

Sony FE 20-70mm f4 G - £200 cashback at Clifton Cameras

Sony FE 24-105mm f4 G OSS - £200 cashback at Clifton Cameras

Sony FE 24-70mm f2.8 G Master - £200 cashback at Clifton Cameras

Sony FE 24mm f1.4 G Master - £200 cashback at Clifton Cameras

Sony FE 28-135mm f4 G PZ OSS - £200 cashback at Clifton Cameras

Sony FE 35mm f1.4 G Master - £200 cashback at Clifton Cameras

Sony FE 50mm f1.4 G Master - £200 cashback at Clifton Cameras

Sony FE 70-200mm f2.8 G Master - £200 cashback at Clifton Cameras

Sony FE 70-200mm f4 G OSS - £200 cashback at Clifton Cameras

Sony FE 85mm f1.4 G Master - £200 cashback at Clifton Cameras 

Sony FE 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 OSS G Master - £200 cashback at Clifton Cameras

Sony FE 135mm f1.8 G Master - £200 cashback at Clifton Cameras

Sony FE 200-600mm f5.6-6.3 G OSS - £200 cashback at Clifton Cameras

OM System & Olympus camera cashback

OM System - the new name for Olympus cameras - is offering a Black Friday cashback deals on the OM Sytem OM-5 and OM-1 cameras - and on most of its lenses . For full terms and conditions visit OM System cashback page.

Black Friday cashback runs until: November 30, 2023
Claims must be made by: December 15, 2023

Olympus UK: mirrorless camera cashback deals

OM System OM-1 | was £1,949 | now £1,599
Save £350 at Wex after cashback The small but mighty OM-1's 20.4MP sensor can crank out 80MP stills, 4K 60p video and 120fps bursts. It supports handheld astrophotography, has 8 stops of stabilization, and has better weather sealing than any other mirrorless camera. 

OM System OM-5 + 12-45mm | was £1,499 | now £1,049
Save £450 at Wex including £250 cashback  We called this a"magnificent midrange camera that offers flagship features and all-purpose performance in a compact, affordable package". This Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera offers 7.5 stops of in-body image stabilization.

Olympus UK: lens cashback deals

• M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm F1.2 PRO - £200 cashback at Wex
• M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm F1.2 PRO - £200 cashback at Wex
• M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO - £200 cashback at Wex
• M.Zuiko Digital 40-150mm F2.8 PRO - £200 cashback at Wex
• M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F4.0 PRO - £200 cashback at Wex
• M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4 IS PRO - £200 cashback at Wex
• M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS - £200 cashback at Wex
• M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II - £200 cashback at Wex
• M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS PRO - £200 cashback at Wex
• M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm F2.8 PRO - £200 cashback at Wex
• M.Zuiko Digital ED 8-25mm F4.0 PRO - £200 cashback at Wex
• M.Zuiko Digital ED 8mm F1.8 Fisheye PRO - £200 cashback at Wex
• M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm F4.0 PRO - £100 cashback at Wex
• M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-200mm F3.5-6.3 - £100 cashback at Wex
• M.Zuiko Digital 14-150mm F4.0-5.6 II - £100 cashback at Wex
• M.Zuiko Digital ED 75-300mm F4.8-6.7 II -  £100 cashback at Wex
• M.Zuiko Digital 17mm F1.8 - £100 cashback at Wex
• M.Zuiko Digital 25mm F1.8 - £100 cashback at Wex
• M.Zuiko Digital 45mm F1.8 - £100 cashback at Wex
• M.Zuiko Digital ED 20mm F1.4 PRO - £100 cashback at Wex
• M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro - £100 cashback at Wex
• M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm F2.8 Macro - £100 cashback at Wex

Panasonic camera cashback

Panasonic is offering some interesting cashback deals on its Lumix S5 II and Lumix S5 IIx full-frame mirrorless cameras, and a selection of lenses. You can see the full terms and conditions on Panasonic's site.

Winter cashback runs until: January 8, 2024
Claims must be made by: February 8, 2024

Panasonic UK - mirrorless camera cashback deals

Panasonic Lumix S5 II + 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 + 50mm f/1.8 | was £2,199 | now £1,799 after cashback
Save £400 with cashback at Wex  The Lumix S5 II is a full-frame mirrorless camera with a big filmmaking pedigree. It’s built around a 24.2MP CMOS sensor, boasts phase hybrid AF, cinema 4K 60p and 6K 30p – and it’s no stills slouch either. It’s not surprising we gave it five stars! Panasonic is currently offering £400 cashback on this camera (see details), with this twin-lens kit being the best all-round deal.

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Panasonic Lumix S5 IIx + 20-60mm| was £2,489 | now £1,899 after cashback
Save £390 plus £200 cashback at Wex  The Lumix S5 IIx is is built around a 24.2MP CMOS sensor, boasts phase hybrid AF, cinema 4K 60p and 6K 30p. This version has additional Apple ProRes support with SSD and Atomos outputs. Panasonic is currently offering £200 cashback on this camera.

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Panasonic UK - lens cashback deals

Panasonic S 50mm f1.8 £379 at Wex after £50 cashback

Panasonic S 24-105mm f4 OIS £899 at Wex after £200 cashback

Panasonic S Pro 50mm f1.4 £1,749 at Wex after £250 cashback

Panasonic S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 OIS £799 at Park Cameras after £100 cashback

How camera cashback works

When you buy a camera or a lens or any other camera kit with a cashback deal, you still initially pay the price quoted without the cashback discount. 

To get the cashback, you then have to fill in a form to claim it back from the manufacturer in question. All it means is that you don’t get your saving straight away – and you do need to remember to claim it! Claims are typically required within a month of the current cashback scheme ending. 

The application for cashback is usually online, and is obviously well worth the small amount of administrative effort that it takes.

So when you see a deal that includes a cashback offer, remember that you have to claim this back from the photo manufacturer and you don’t get this discount at the checkout. 

The other thing to remember is that cashback offers get rolled out across all authorised dealers. If one of them has a cashback offer from Canon, Sony, Panasonic, Fujifilm or any other maker, you can bet they all have it! Do note however that Amazon UK is very often left out of the list of participating retailers – thankfully the dealers will make it pretty clear if they are in the scheme.

• IMPORTANT: Do be aware that some retailers will quote prices with the cashback already applied, as if you’ve already claimed it, so check the small print (and the price you actually pay).
• Other retailers will quote the price you pay at the checkout and put the discounted price with cashback applied in smaller print underneath. 

With the above in mind let’s take investigate the current offers on the table on a range of products from a range of manufacturers…

With the above in mind let’s take investigate the current offers on the table on a range of products from a range of manufacturers…