Should you rent or buy a camera in Dubai?
A simple break-even calculation for photographers and content creators, with real rental prices.
Published
Short answer
Rent if you shoot fewer than 20 days a year with a given camera. Buy if you use it every week.
A Sony A7 IV costs about AED 9,500 new. Renting it costs AED 180 per day or AED 950 per week. You would need about 52 rental days to reach the purchase price, before counting insurance, servicing and the resale value you lose.
When renting makes sense
- One-off weddings, events or trips
- Trying a system before you commit
- Adding a second body or a specialist lens for one job
When buying makes sense
- You shoot paid work every week
- You need the camera on standby at short notice
