The 2015 Holiday Season is now over… This post will no longer be updated… For the latest deals, check the Camera Deals blog with a full-text RSS feed and an easy to remember shortcut url noisydeals.com
The post below is kept for reference/archival purposes. It will not be updated again…
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It is that time of the year. The Black Friday season is almost upon us. Just like previous years, this mega-post will be digesting the various Black Friday Ads as they come out (official or unofficially-official leakages). We will do this in conjunction with a new edition of the Price Charts so we can compare prices. This will be updated multiple times up until Black Friday. This will only cover the retailer Black Friday Ads. For deals as they happen, as usual, follow the Camera Deals blog (with easy to remember url noisydeals.com).
If you don’t want to deal with ShopLocal or the individual retailer Weekly Ad pages, you can also find the ad scans at the many seasonal Black Friday websites, such as bfads.net.
This round-up lists all the specials. Once we “digest” them all, we will have a separate post that summarizes and compares. It’s too much to put in a single post.
Latest Updates 11/26/15 PM: We summarize and evaluate these offers in this analysis + summary post… Ad breakdowns are added in reverse chronological order, so the latest ones are always on top, so there’s no need to list them here individually… Black Friday is Friday November 27 (2015)…
BEST BUY
+ Nikon D7100 with 18-55 & 55-300 & Extras for $1000
+ Canon D-Rebel T5i with 18-55 & 55-250 & Extras for $700
+ Sony a6000 with 18-55 & 55-210 & Extras for $700
+ Nikon D3300 two-lens kit (18-55, 55-200 VR) with Extras for $500
+ Canon D-Rebel T5 with 18-55 & 75-300 & Extras for $400
+ GoPro Hero4 Silver with $80 Gift Card and 64GB card for $400
+ Canon SX710 with extras for $250 (Thursday)
+ Canon SX530 HS for $200
+ Nikon Coolpix L840 for $170
+ Nikon Coolpix S7000 for $150
+ Canon Elph 160 for $90
+ DJI Phantom 3 Professional for $1160
+ any two Chromcasts for $50 (mix and match video and audio versions)
+ various Sandisk memory cards
OVERSTOCK
+ GoPro Hero4 Silver Bundle for $400
OFFICIAL PANASONIC STORE
Prices at the official Panasonic store will likely be (or already are) the same at all authorized dealers.
+ Panasonic GH4 body for $1300
+ Panasonic GX8 with unspecified lens for $1050
+ Panasonic G7 with 14-42mm for $600
+ Panasonic ZS50 for $300
+ Panasonic FZ200 for $250
+ Panasonic Action Camera with 32GB card for $180
+ Panasonic TS30 for $100
WALMART
+ Canon D-Rebel T5 with 18-55 & 75-300 & Extras for $400
+ Canon SX400 IS superzoom for $100
+ Nikon Coolpix L31 for $46
+ 52-inch Sunpak Tripod for $10
TARGET
+ Nikon D3300 two-lens kit (18-55, 55-200 VR) with Extras for $500
+ Canon D-Rebel T5 with 18-55 & 75-300 & Extras for $400
+ GoPro Hero+ LCD with $60 Gift Card and 64GB microSD for $300
+ Nikon Coolpix L340 for $100 (Target seems to have a $100 L-Coolpix every year)
+ 8×10 inch picture frame for $4, more on sale
SEARS
The softer side of Sears is quite soft in their camera and photo offerings of their 64-page ad:
+ Active ON CX action camera for $100
+ 20% off accessories for the Active ON action camera
MEIJER
+ Nikon Coolpix L840 for $170 plus receive a $10 off coupon towards a future purchase
+ Vivitar shrink-wrapped action cam for $30
+ $20 off two Chromecasts
K-MART
K-Mart has found its niche within the Sears Empire.
+ Active ON CX action camera for $100
+ 20% off accessories for the Active ON action camera (apply directly to the forehead!)
+ 40pk Golden Power alkaline batteries (20 AA, 20 AAA) for $5
+ PNY memory sale (prices $5 to $18, storage capacities not shown)
HH GREGG
HH Gregg is a regional chain in Big 10, SEC and Big East regions. I shouldn’t really be using the NCAA as a geography example, otherwise people may think Louisville is near the Atlantic Ocean or Austin is near the Pacific Ocean. You can also purchase items from them online. Their 20-page BF Ad includes:
+ Nikon D3300 two-lens kit (18-55, 55-200 VR) for $500
+ Canon D-Rebel T5 with 18-55 & 75-300 & Extras for $400
+ Vivitar Wifi action camera for $70
ACE, the helpful place
+ 36pk of Rayovac AA or AAA single-use alkaline batteries for $6 using the Ace Rewards card
+ limit three of each size at the discounted price
+ price is $10 without the Ace Rewards card
KOHLS
+ Canon D-Rebel T5 with 18-55 & 75-300 & Extras for $400
+ Canon Elph 160 for $90 (valid until Friday 1pm local time; no other coupons/discounts apply)
+ Vivitar 5mp Action Camera for $30
GAME STOP
With gaming expanding in all directions, GameStop is at the right place at the right time. Among their Black Friday specials they have:
+ ActiveON CX action camera with 16GB SD card for $100
+ 16GB Sandisk USB 3.0 flash drive or microSD for $8 each
GO HASTINGS
+ $4 and $6 selfie sticks
MICHAELS
Not your typical camera seller, but a Saturday doorbuster, on the back page of their Black Friday ad, they are advertising the Fuji Instax Wide 300 camera for $100. No additional discounts/coupons can be applied to this price. No rainchecks.
BIG LOTS
+ 25% off memory cards and storage (8GB to 32GB)
SAM’s CLUB
Sam’s Club is a members only club, but online shoppers may be able to purchase some of the items by paying a 10% surcharge or with a 1-day free trial. These type of things may vary depending on local state/county laws regarding membership clubs and restrictions to non-members.
+ Nikon D3300 two-lens kit (18-55, 55-200 VR) for $500
+ Canon D-Rebel T5 with 18-55 & 75-300 & Extras for $400
+ $15 for 100 photo cards (4×8 or 6×8 inches)
+ pay $80, Get $100 Google Play Gift Card (good on all things Google Play, but not subscriptions and not hardware)
COSTCO
Costco is a membership club. But on their website, non-members can purchase some of the items by paying an extra 5% more. Items that are marked members-only can only be purchased by members. Of the items below, I don’t know which ones are members-only, so YMMV if you are an online non-member shopper.
+ Nikon D3300 two-lens kit (18-55, 55-200 VR) for $500
+ Canon D-Rebel T5 with 18-55 & 75-300 & Extras for $400
+ $550 off Sony a6000 with 18-55 & 55-210 & Extras (online only; price not shown)
+ Nikon Coolpix L840 is $130 off (does not mention actual price – probably same as other BF prices)
+ some Sandisk discounts
+ $20 off 2pk of Chromecasts with $12 Google Play credit included
+ $8 off Eneloop kit (8AA, 4AAA, spacers, recharge up to 2100x)
BJ’s WHOLESALE CLUB
+ Nikon D3300 two-lens kit (18-55, 55-200 VR) for $500
+ Canon D-Rebel T5 with 18-55 & 75-300 & Extras for $400
+ Canon SX530 HS with extras for $200
+ GoPro Hero3+ Silver with extra charger and battery for $200
+ Nikon Coolpix L840 with extras for $160
+ Samsung WB350 for $80
+ pay $85 get $100 iTunes Gift Card
+ coupon for $2 off Duracell batteries (including rechargeables)
MICROCENTER
Microcenter has brick and mortar stores in some cities but they also have a website for all to shop at. They managed to out-survive Circuit City and Computer City and Incredible Universe among others š
+ Nikon D5500 w/18-55 & 55-200 DX VR for $900
+ Canon D-Rebel T6i w/18-55 IS STM for $750
+ Nikon D3300 w/18-55 & 55-200 DX VR & Extras for $500
+ Pentax K-50 with 18-55 & 55-200 and Extras for $460
+ Canon D-Rebel T5 with 18-55 & 75-300 & Extras for $400
+ Canon SX710 HS for $250
+ Samsung WB350F for $160
+ Canon Elph 160 or 170 IS for $110
+ Samsung WB35F for $100
+ Nikon Coolpix S3700 for $100
+ Nikon Coolpix S7000 for $150
+ DJI Phantom 3 Standard for $600, Advanced for $1000, Professional for $1200
+ free flight battery with DJI Phantom 3 Advanced or Professional
+ various printers, tech, storage, etc
RADIO SHACK
Radio Shack was rescued from 404 by a Yellow Knight in WiMaX armor, and as such, they focus more on Sprint/phone/mobile equipment. The only camera-related item I found in their Black Friday ad is the tiny Ion Snapcam Lite bundled with a 16GB memory card for $80.
FRY’S ACTUAL BLACK FRIDAY (FRI 11/27/15)
Fry’s is continuing their theme of 1-day offers using unique promo codes that each person gets IF they are subscribed to the Fry’s email newsletters (free to sign-up for). Some of the Black Friday (actual Friday 11/27/15) specials will be online only, some in-store only, some both. Each offer mentions specifically in its own little box where it is good for.
+ mystery Canon D-Rebel two-lens kit (18-55, 75-300) for $300 (in-store only) – likely the T5
+ mystery Sony Cybershot (20mp, 8x optical) for $68 (in-store only)
+ Canon Pixma MG-5620 printer for $19~
+ Canon Gadget Bag 100EG for $15 (limit 1)
+ Vanguard ALTA CA 234AGH 61″ aluminum tripod for $70 (in-store only)
+ Wolverine F2D Mighty film to digital converter for $85 (limit 1)
+ 64GB Unirex SDXC card for $15 (in-store only)
+ 64GB Samsung Evo microSDXC with full SD adapter for $15 (in-store only)
+ 5GB WD MyBook External HDD for $88 (in-store only)
+ Pinnacle Studio 18 for $15
+ free 6′ HDMI cable (limit 2)
+ various tech and storage specials
FRY’S THANKSGIVING DAY (THUR 11/26/15)
Fry’s is digging deep into their promo code approach, so their Black Friday specials will require the unique promo codes found in one’s email newsletter subscriptions. They will have different specials on Thursday and Friday. Some are good online-only, some in-store only, some both. This section covers Thursday 11/26/15:
+ Canon DSLR backpack for $20
+ Mystery Canon Powershot (20mp, 12x) for $80 (in-store only)
+ Vanguard Espod CX 234AP for $40 (in-store only)
+ Wolverine 4-in-1 SUPER F2D film scanner for $75
+ 1TB WD USB 3.0 HDD for $38
+ 32GB Patriot SDHC for $8 (in-store only)
+ 32GB Samsung microSD with full adapter for $7.77 (limit 2)
+ 4pk Tenergy AA single-use batteries for $0.06 (in-store only; limit 10)
+ AC Delco single-use batteries FREE after mail-in rebate
+ various tech and storage specials
RITE AID
Rite Aid too, like other drugstores will be open all three days, Thursday for over-eating medication, Friday for Black Friday injuries, Saturday for headache and recovery medications š
+ Buy 1 Get 2 FREE house-brand single-use alkaline battery packs (AA, AAA, C, D, 9v)
+ limit 2 offers per Rite Aid rewards card
CVS
CVS too posted their ad on their website and will be covering November 26-28 (Thur, Fri, Sat).
+ 4pk house brand alkaline AA or AAA batteries for $2 (with $1 ExtraBuck printed at checkout)
WALGREENS
Walgreens too posted their weekly ad on their website, treating it just like any other weekly ad. Their specials run November 26-28 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday). Indigestion products are probably going to go up in price on Thursday š
+ free $10 Walgreens gift card with $30 purchase of iTunes Gift Cards (camera and photography apps, photo eBooks and camera guides, and everything else iTunes has), this is a 33% back, assuming you have no problem spending a $10 Walgreens gift card
OFFICE DEPOT & OFFICE MAX
Their 6-page Weekly Ad is now posted on their website, with a big black banner pointing to it. Or you can get to it following their usual Weekly Ad links. Unlike Staples, the combined Office Depot and Office Max will open on Thanksgiving Day.
The headliner is perhaps the return of the Duracell single-use battery promotions. Per the terms posted over there, the limit is two per customer per week and the promotion will run from 11/26 until 12/26 in 2015. You don’t get cash back, but Office Depot/Max rewards, so you have to plan how to spend the Rewards as well if you are not a frequent shopper over there. A week is defined as Sunday AM until Saturday PM.
+ 16pk Duracell AA or AAA single-use batteries for 1c after $14 Bonus Rewards Bucks (you pay full price in-store, and receive the $14 next month as part of their Rewards program – you have to be a member for that reward program
+ 70% off Canvas Prints with in-ad coupon, in-store only
+ $4 selfie stick
+ 4TB Toshiba Canvio Desktop External USB 3.0 Hard Drive for $100
+ 50% off house brand inks
+ very meh: buy 1 get 30% off iTunes gift cards, that’s like 15% off, not good; can easily get 20% to 30% on a regular basis
CAUTION: if you are not familiar with the new combined company, there are THREE different rewards/rebates options, so pay attention to each individual offer:
+ Mail-In Savings = the dreaded mail-in rebates, cut barcodes, copy receipts, mail things, argue with overworked rebate processing employee, hope to eventually get your money back
+ regular Rewards = you only receive them in multiples of $10, anything less rolls over within a quarter or gets forfeited. Crappy Rewards compared to what Office Max had before the merger.
+ Bonus Rewards Bucks = you get paid the exact amount of the offer, eg the Duracell offer above. These are separate from the regular Rewards and don’t have the multiples of $10 requirement
STAPLES
By this time next year, Staples may be the only remaining office supply chain. But for now, they are competing with the merged Office Depot – Office Max. Their Black Friday Ad is officially posted on their website under their Weekly Ads section (navigate to Upcoming to locate the BF Ad). Their ad runs November 26-28, but their brick and mortar stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day this year.
+ various consumer-tier photo printers
+ Elements 14 bundle (Photoshop and Premiere) for $90
+ Corel Paintshop Pro X8 for $50
+ 24-inch Samsung 1080p (HDMI, VGA) monitor for $100
+ iPad Mini 4 for $300
+ Selfie Stick for $4
+ 50 5×7 inch flat custom holiday cards for $10
FOOTNOTES
Some stores open on Thanksgiving Day, but they are fewer than last year. Some people philosophically do not want to shop on Thanksgiving Day, to discourage stores from opening, so employees can at least spend some holiday time with their loved ones. Employees have to get up early anyway for Black Friday, so they are getting half a holiday to begin with. On the other hand, some cynics would argue, half a day with family members is about the right amount time so the “loved ones” will remain “loved ones” š