Hello, OM SYSTEM Black Friday & Cyber Monday deals now live at Amazon: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=OM+SYSTEM&BI=8941&KBID=10361&SID=12345&DFF=d50

OM SYSTEM sales at B&H: https://bhpho.to/4ryoCB8

And at Adorama: https://prf.hn/l/o3kQg0v/

Late to the party but this whole thread is 💯. Glad I found it.

So, I’ve been crunching the numbers on this for a few cycles now. Tbh, the biggest mistake people make is only looking at the sticker price. To really win BF/CM on gear like the OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II or the OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II, you gotta stack your savings like crazy. Here are a few specific things I do to get the absolute lowest price: * **Trade-in Bonuses**: Keep an eye out for "Trade-in, Trade-up" promos. OM often adds a $200-400 bonus on top of your old gear's value. Even an old DSLR or cheap point-and-shoot can sometimes trigger this bonus.
* **Cashback Portals**: Use sites like Rakuten or TopCashback. During the holiday rush, retailers often jump to 10% cashback. On a big kit, that’s real money back in your pocket.
* **Credit Card Portals**: Check your Chase or Amex offers. I've seen "5% back at Adorama" deals that stack right on top of the Black Friday rebate.
* **The OM SYSTEM OM-5 Kit Hack**: Sometimes it's actually cheaper to buy the kit with a lens you don't want, sell that lens locally, and then buy the 12-40mm separately. Basically, if you aren't stacking at least two of these, you're leaving money on the table, ngl.

Hey,

I’ll take a slightly different tack and look at this from a “how OM compares to everyone else on BF/CM” angle.

**Background / market pattern:**
Over the last ~5–6 years watching deals, OM/Olympus has usually been *less aggressive* than Sony/Canon/Nikon on pure headline discounts, but more into **structured promos**:
- body + Pro zoom kits
- instant rebates that quietly run for weeks
- occasional “free grip / battery / small prime” type bundles

Sony/Canon often do big % cuts on specific bodies; OM tends to do **moderate cuts on bodies** but pretty **solid value on body+lens kits**. Lenses alone don’t usually get as crazy as Canon RF or Sony FE discounts, but they’re steady.

**Why it matters for you vs. other brands:**
From a market standpoint, OM isn’t trying to win Black Friday with shock pricing like some FF bodies do. They’re playing the “consistent ecosystem” game. So:
- If you compare OM-5 / OM-1 II BF pricing to say an A7 IV or R6 II, the **full-frame bodies might look more heavily discounted** in raw %.
- But OM’s **kit value** (e.g. OM-1 + 12–40 Pro) is usually competitive because that 12–40/2.8 Pro rarely gets *huge* standalone discounts, while in kits it’s effectively cheaper.

**What I’ve seen timing‑wise vs other brands:**
- Sony/Canon often have leaks/ads 1–2 weeks before BF.
- OM’s deals at B&H/Adorama often show up as **“instant savings” the week of Black Friday and then just carry through Cyber Monday**, with very little difference between the two days. You don’t usually get a second “surprise drop” on Monday like you sometimes do with PCs/TVs.

**Bodies vs lenses (and vs other brands):**
- OM bodies: typically get **the bigger effective cut**, especially when a model is 1–2 years old. Compared with other brands, they’re more in the “steady rebate” camp than “fire sale.”
- OM lenses: decent but not wild. Other systems (especially Sony third‑party like Tamron/Sigma, or Canon EF glass) sometimes have **deeper percentage cuts on lenses** than OM MFT glass does.

**So… what to do practically?**
- If you’re locked into OM already or really want the size/IBIS/wildlife stuff, IMO it’s worth waiting for BF **specifically for an OM‑1 II or OM‑5 + 12–40 Pro kit**. That’s usually where OM tries to look competitive against Sony/Canon holiday offers.
- If you’re brand‑agnostic and just hunting max discount, historically **Sony/Canon/Nikon bodies and some lenses will look “flashier” on paper** than OM’s. But you trade that for larger systems, pricier lenses long‑term, etc.

In short: OM’s BF/CM is rarely the craziest in the market, but their **kits are a decent option** and usually the smartest way to buy an OM body. I’d wait for those listings to go live, compare them against current used prices, then pull the trigger if the kit discount is clearly better.

Hope this helps!

Hey,

One angle I haven’t seen mentioned yet: from a *safety / reliability* point of view, BF/CM can actually be the riskiest time to buy camera gear.

Every year I see the same issues:
- Stock gets hammered, so you sometimes end up with bodies that have clearly been demo/handled a lot, or rushed through QC.
- Retailers occasionally ship “open box” or returned units as new when they’re under pressure. Not common, but I’ve had it happen once (not OM SYSTEM, but still…).
- Return lines and support queues get crazy in December. If something’s wrong, getting a replacement before a trip/holiday shoot can be a pain.

So if you *do* wait for BF/CM, I’d personally:
- Stick to authorized big names (B&H, Adorama, OM SYSTEM direct). Avoid random Amazon sellers, especially for bodies.
- Buy early in the promo window, not the last day. Better chance of clean stock and time to test.
- The moment it arrives, run it through its paces: check shutter count, dead pixels, IBIS behavior, card slot weirdness, weather sealing (at least visually), etc.

From my experience (been on µ4/3 since the E‑M5 days), OM SYSTEM gear is solid and I’m happy with it, but I’ve learned to value a smooth warranty/return process more than squeezing out an extra 5–10% discount. If you’ve got an important trip or gig in early 2026, I’d honestly rather buy a bit earlier at a smaller discount and have plenty of time to make sure the OM‑5/OM‑1 II and 12‑40 Pro are rock solid.

That said, if your schedule’s flexible and you’re careful who you buy from, BF/CM can still be a good score… just don’t let “deal fever” override basic sanity checks.

Hope this helps! Happy to share what I usually test on a new body if you want a quick checklist.

Hey,

From a pure *performance-per-dollar* angle, I’d actually time the buy around **when you need the speed**, not just the biggest BF/CM % off.

Pattern I’ve seen last 2–3 years (watching OM-1 / OM-5 and Pro glass):
- The **headline Black Friday deal** on bodies is usually similar to other seasonal promos (often $200–300 off OM‑1 level, less on OM‑5), with some extra bonus like a free battery or small accessory.
- **Cyber Monday** doesn’t usually bring *better* camera-body discounts, more like a reshuffle (same body price, maybe a slightly different bundle or retailer-specific gift card).
- **Performance lenses** (12‑40 Pro, 40‑150 Pro, etc.) tend to get the more interesting cuts in bundles vs standalone. On pure speed/AF/optics, that 12‑40 Pro discounted in a kit is often the best value play.

If you’re on the fence OM‑5 vs OM‑1 II:
- If you shoot **fast action / wildlife / birds / sports**, I’d absolutely wait for a BF bundle on the **OM‑1 II + 12‑40 Pro**. OM’s AF and stacked sensor performance is where you actually *feel* the upgrade every single shoot, and the BF bundle price usually narrows the gap vs buying pieces separately.
- If you mostly do **travel / general use**, the OM‑5 with a discounted 12‑40 Pro is already a really solid “performance per pound” setup, and the BF/CM deals are nice but not game‑changing. In my experience, you’re talking maybe one decent tank of gas difference vs spring promos.

So, my practical take:
- If you’re performance‑oriented and can wait: **hold out for BF**, watch for **OM‑1 II + 12‑40 Pro kit** at the big retailers. That’s usually the sweet spot.
- If you don’t *need* OM‑1‑level AF and frame rate: grab an OM‑5 + 12‑40 Pro whenever a decent pre‑BF promo pops up; the extra waiting probably won’t translate into a huge real‑world gain.

FWIW, I stretched to an OM‑1 kit during a BF promo and haven’t once regretted paying a bit more vs chasing the absolute lowest possible price later. The AF and buffer gains paid for themselves in keepers.

Hope this helps!

Hey,

So, quick story: I grabbed an OM‑1 + 12‑40 Pro during a past Black Friday rush, super happy with the price… and then immediately had to send the body in a month later because a weird shutter issue popped up. The *good* part? I’d bought from an authorized dealer during a promo that still carried full OM System warranty and easy service. That saved me.

For OM‑5 / OM‑1 II + 12‑40 specifically, I’d factor **service/maintenance** into your BF/CM plan:

- **Stick to authorized dealers** (OM direct, B&H, Adorama, etc.). BF “gray market” deals can kill warranty coverage, and OM service is actually pretty good when you’re legit. Huge difference if you ever need a shutter, IBIS, or weather‑seal repair.
- If you see a bundle that includes **extended warranty or damage coverage**, that’s often worth more long‑term than an extra $50 off.
- I’d avoid open‑box / refurb *during* the chaos unless it’s clearly OM‑refurb with warranty. Returns spike after BF and some of those bodies are pretty beat.
- Once you buy, do a **full shakedown test** immediately: AF, IBIS, weather sealing (light drizzle, not a hose!), card slots, buttons. You want any defects to show while return windows are wide.

Lesson learned for me: a “good” Black Friday OM deal is the combo of price **and** how painless it’ll be to service/replace if something’s off. I’m way more relaxed now that I treat warranty and service like part of the discount.

Hope this helps!

Hey,

I’ve been shooting OM/Olympus for a long time (E‑M5 → E‑M5 II → E‑M1 II → OM‑1), and I kinda look at Black Friday / Cyber Monday a bit differently now: less “what’s the biggest discount?” and more “what gives me the best *years* of use per dollar?”.

**Background / pattern I’ve seen:**
- OM tends to do **similar level discounts** year to year on the same tier of body (mid‑range vs flagship), maybe tweaking bundles.
- The *headline* BF/CM offers I’ve grabbed (big rebates, free grip, free bag, etc.) were cool in the moment… but tbh, 2–3 years later, what mattered way more was whether the body still felt fast enough and the lens lineup I built around it.

**Why this matters for you long‑term:**
- Bodies depreciate and age faster (AF, tracking, video codecs, EVF, stacked sensor, etc.).
- Lenses, especially something like the **12‑40 Pro**, hold value and usefulness for *years*. My mk1 12‑40 has outlived two bodies and is still fantastic.

**How I’d decide OM‑5 vs OM‑1 II with BF/CM in mind:**
- If you can *comfortably* stretch to the **OM‑1 II** and you’re the type to keep a body 4–6 years: I’d absolutely lean flagship, even if the BF discount is only “ok”, not insane. The AF, stacked sensor, and general responsiveness age way better. My jump from E‑M1 II to OM‑1 felt huge and still feels fresh.
- If you tend to upgrade more often or you’re more casual: a nicely discounted **OM‑5 + 12‑40 Pro** is probably the sweet spot. Great IQ, lighter, and that 12‑40 will survive your next body upgrade.

**Timing / strategy (from owning multiple generations):**
- OM has often done **“holiday season pricing”** that runs for a while, not just one day. I’ve seen near‑BF prices stick through December.
- I’ve also noticed that **refurb & used prices drop right after** BF/CM because lots of people flip older gear. That’s actually where I’ve scored my best long‑term value (e.g. picking up an E‑M1 II just after the E‑M1 III promo hype).

So, in your shoes: I’d watch BF/CM for a solid **body + 12‑40 bundle**, but decide first what you want to be shooting with 3–5 years from now. If that answer is “something OM‑1‑class”, I’d lean toward stretching, even if the OM‑5 looks like the bigger % off on the day.

Hope this helps! Feel free to ask if you wanna compare OM‑5 vs OM‑1 handling/image side by side from an ownership POV.

Hey,

One angle nobody’s really hit yet is **where you live** and what kind of **climate/season** you’re buying for. That can totally change whether it’s worth waiting for BF/CM or just grabbing something earlier.

### Option A – Wait for BF/CM in a cold/wet climate
**Pros:**
- OM‑1 II + 12–40 Pro is *amazing* in nasty weather (rain, snow, coastal spray). If you’re in, say, the PNW, UK, Scandinavia, Canada, etc., the real “season” for this kind of body is late fall → winter.
- Deals in Nov usually line up nicely with when you actually need the weather sealing the most.
- Historically (from what I’ve seen in Europe & US), **weather‑sealed bodies + Pro zooms** get some of the better bundle discounts around BF.

**Cons:**
- If your bad‑weather season starts early (Oct), you’re potentially missing a couple months of great shooting just to save maybe 10–15%.

### Option B – Buy earlier if your peak season is NOW (or soon)
Think places with **amazing summer light** but mild winters (SoCal, Australia/NZ, Mediterranean, etc.).

**Pros:**
- You get the camera for your **real** shooting season (beaches, travel, hiking, festivals). Value of actually *using* it for months can beat a small discount.
- In some regions, local retailers do **end‑of‑season or “summer sales”** that are actually comparable to BF, especially on the OM‑5.

**Cons:**
- You might miss the slightly better **US big-box BF bundles** (B&H/Adorama often throw in cards, bags, batteries that local shops don’t).

### Option C – Region‑specific timing & pricing
This is where it gets interesting:
- **US:** BF/CM is usually the best *bundle* time. Bodies often have fixed rebates for weeks, but the **extras** (cards, bags, batteries) pop up BF weekend.
- **EU/UK:** From what I’ve seen, OM System often runs **longer seasonal promos** (Oct–Jan) with cashback. BF itself isn’t always dramatically better than early‑Nov or even January clearance.
- **Asia/Oceania:** Sometimes **local holidays** (Golden Week, Singles’ Day, Boxing Day, EOFY in AU) can beat BF.

### So what’s “best”?
- **Cold/rainy region & winter is your main shooting season:** I’d *definitely* wait and target an **OM‑1 II + 12–40 Pro** bundle for BF/CM. That combo is built for bad weather and the discounts tend to be solid.
- **Warm/dry region & you’re traveling/shooting a lot before Nov:** In my opinion, grab an **OM‑5 + 12–40 now** if you find a reasonable promo. The months of use are worth more than squeezing out maybe another $150.

If you drop your country/region, people can probably point to more precise patterns for your local retailers. Hope this helps!

Hey,

I’m kinda the DIY / self-service type, so I’ve handled OM deals a bit differently the last couple years instead of just waiting for the “official” big sale days.

Short answer: I’d *prep now* and use tools + self-tracking instead of relying only on BF/CM announcements.

What I do:
- **Set price alerts** on B&H, Adorama, Amazon, and a price‑tracker (like Keepa / Camel) for OM‑5, OM‑1 II, and the 12‑40 Pro. Then you actually see when prices dip *before* BF.
- **Watch refurb / used**: OM System’s own refurb store and MPB / KEH sometimes undercut Black Friday prices, especially on bodies. Not always “BF deals” but the final price can be just as good.
- **Build your own bundle**: I’ve saved more by grabbing a discounted body at one place and a used 12‑40 Pro somewhere else than any official kit. Not as clean as a pro bundle, but it works.

From what I’ve seen, lenses get decent cuts, but bodies more often pop up as random promos or refurbs. If you see an OM‑1 II at a price you’re already happy with, I’d personally pounce and then hunt a separate deal on the 12‑40.

Hope this helps!

Hey, so slightly different angle from me…

A few years back I realised my “Black Friday hunting” was basically me driving store to store, refreshing sites all night, then rushing shipping on whatever body I’d decided on (OM‑D back then). When I actually looked at it, all that extra shipping, returns, and impulse accessories was *way* less eco‑friendly than just planning one sensible buy.

For OM specifically, in my experience the BF/CM discounts on bodies + 12‑40 Pro haven’t been wildly better than the regular seasonal promos they run (esp. around spring and sometimes summer). So if you’re trying to be a bit greener:

- **Pick the body now** (OM‑5 vs OM‑1 II) based on what you’ll actually use for the next 4–5 years. Long‑term use is the biggest “eco win”.
- **Watch for a decent bundle once** – from a single retailer – and skip hopping between stores. One shipment, less packaging, less fuel.
- **Consider refurb / used OM‑1 or OM‑5 + 12‑40 Pro** from a reputable dealer. Reusing gear is honestly more planet‑friendly than waiting for a new, slightly cheaper box.

So, if a solid refurb or current promo pops up before BF, I’d personally grab it instead of chasing maybe‑5%-more off on the day. Less stress, less waste, you’re out shooting sooner.

Hope this helps a bit from the eco side!