Cameras

Interchangeable Lens Cameras

Buying USED will give you better deals, however, be warned that used items usually do not have a warranty or any guarantees, which is problematic for such expensive equipment.

note: prices below are BODY ONLY (i.e. w/o kit lenses)

Sony

Hybrid

• older options: A6000 / A6100 / A6300 (all discontinued, find them used)
• under $1000: A6400 ($899 $748)
• under $1500: A6700 ($1398)
• over $2000: A7C II ($2198) / A7 IV ($2498)

Video

• under $1000: ZV-E10 (~$599)
• under $2000: FX30 ($1599)
• over $2000: ZV-E1 ($2198)
• over $3000: A7S III ($3499 $3198)

The ZV-E10 II ($998) is overpriced for what it is in my opinion

The FX3 ($3898) has the same sensor as the A7S III but has a cinema-focused body, meaning things like no EVF and mounting holes and more video-focused software

Photo

• under $3000: A7R IV ($3198 $2998)
• under $4000: A7R V ($3898)

Canon

Hybrid

• under $1000: R10 ($799)
• under $1500: R7 ($1499 $1399)
• under $2000: R6 II ($2499 $1999)
• under $4000: R5 II ($4299 $3999)

Canon R8 ($1299) is similar to the R7, but is full-frame rather than APS-C

Video

• under $1000: R50 ($579)
• over $3000: C70 (~$3500 used)

The Canon M50 (~$350 used) is similar to the R50 but uses a dead mount

Nikon

Hybrid

• older options: D3000 series (discontinued, find them used)
• under $1000: Z30 ($846 $696) or Z50 II ($906)
• under $2000: Z5 II ($1696)
  • retro-inspired: Zf ($1996)
• under $2500: Z6 III ($2496)
• over $3000: Z8 ($3999 $3696)

Zfc ($1096) is similar to the Z30 but has an EVF. However, it has no weather sealing!

Panasonic Lumix

M43

• under $1000: GX85 (~$500 used)
• under $2000: G9 II ($1899 $1697)

G85 ($899) is weather sealed alternative to the GX85 with a larger DSLR-style grip

Full-Frame

• under $1500: S9 ($1497 $1397)
• under $2000: S5 II ($1999 $1497) or IIX ($2499 $2197)
• under $3500: S1R II ($3297)

OM System / Olympus

• older option: OM-D E-M1 (discontinued, ~$300 used)
• under $1000: OM-5 ($1199 $899)
• under $2000: OM-1 Mark II ($2199 $1999)
  • retro-inspired: OM-3 ($1999)

Fujifilm

Hybrid

• older options: X-T3 (discontinued, find them used)
  • the X-T2 is also decent
• under $1000: X-T30 II ($899)
• under $1500: X-T50 ($1399)
• under $2000: X-T5 ($1699)

The X-M5 ($799) is comparable to the X-T30 II in image quality but lacks an EVF and is much smaller with a less substantial grip. It also has fewer buttons and dials than the X-T30 II. Since it is newer, however, it has a few more features such as a larger buffer for burst photography and more advanced AF.

The X-T4 (~$1100 used) can also be a very good deal

Video

• older options: X-S10 (discontinued, find it used)
• under $1500: X-S20 ($1299)
• under $2500: X-H2S ($2499)

The Sigma BF will be an incredibly lightweight and compact 24.6MP full-frame camera with a metal unibody design.

Action Cameras

• tiny: DJI Action 2 ($279 $229, ~$100 used)
• GoPro-style: DJI Action 4 ($289 for Standard Combo, $399 for Adventure Combo)

The DJI Action 5 Pro ($349 for Standard Combo, $449 for Adventure Combo) has brighter OLED screens + 4K120 + higher resolution + more dynamic range + larger battery, but is more expensive

Other Cameras

• overhead camera: Panasonic Lumix ZS80 ($398) or ZS99 ($497) / Sony ZV1-F ($498)

Drones

prices for drone only, not including kits

<250g

• under $250: DJI Neo ($199)
• under $300: DJI Mini 2 ($279)
• under $500: DJI Mini 3 ($419)
• just over $750: DJI Mini 4 Pro ($759)

The DJI Mini 4K is identical to the Mini 2

>250g

• just over $1000: DJI Air 3S ($1029)
• under $2000: DJI Mavic 3 Pro ($2049 $1739)

Video Switcher

• under $300: ATEM Mini ($295) / Ulanzi DD02 ($269)
• under $500: ATEM ISO models ($495)
• large screen: FeelWorld L4 ($539)