Answer
How much should I spend on my first camera?
$700-1,200 for a modern mirrorless body with kit lens. Going below $500 puts you in older or less capable territory; going above $2,000 is wasted on a beginner.
The sweet spot
$800-1,000 buys you a current-generation APS-C mirrorless body with kit lens — Sony ZV-E10 II, Canon R50, Fujifilm X-S20 territory. All produce images that, with skill, are indistinguishable from $3,000 cameras for normal output.
Where to actually allocate the budget
- 50% body + kit lens
- 25% one fast prime (35mm or 50mm f/1.8)
- 15% SD cards, spare battery, basic bag
- 10% reserve for an external mic or tripod once you know what you need
Skip on day one
- Filters (UV filters are a scam)
- Expensive bags ($30 messenger works fine)
- Multiple lenses (master one first)
- 4K-capable monitors
When to upgrade
After 18-24 months of regular shooting, when you can name specifically what your current camera prevents you from doing. Buying upgrades for hypothetical needs is how gear-acquisition syndrome starts.
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