Top Cameras for Every Budget: Best Picks for 2024

SONY A5000 [used] (affiliate links)

OLYMPUS OM-D E-M1 [used] (affiliate links)

CANON M50 [used] (affiliate links)

PANASONIC LUMIX GH5 [used] (affiliate links)

FUJIFILM X-T1or FUJIFILM X-T2 [used] (affiliate links)

CANON R50 (affiliate links)
(MORE SIGMA LENSES COMMMING IN 2024-2025)

FUJIFILM X-T3 (affiliate links)

CANON R8 (affiliate links)

SONY A7C (affiliate links)

FUJIFILM X-S20 (affiliate links)

SONY A7IV (affiliate links)

FUJIFILM X-H2 (affiliate links)

00:00 - A Camera for Every Budget
00:39 - Under $300 Camera 1
02:42 - Under $300 Camera 2
06:13 - Under $600 Camera 1
08:54 - Under $600 Camera 2
11:28 - Under $600 Camera 3
13:38 - Under $1000 Camera 1
15:39 - Under $1000 Camera 2
16:46 - Under $1000 Camera 3
18:50 - Honourable Mentions Under $1500
20:25 - Under $1500 Camera 1
22:08 - Under $1500 Camera 2
23:44 - Under $1500 Camera 3
25:04 - Honourable Mention Under $2500
26:12 - Under $2500 Camera 1
30:09 - Under $2500 Camera 2
31:58 - Under $2500 Camera 3
34:33 - Money is No Object

[CoreyAllgood]

You know what I like about this video the most? You were insanely positive and vendor-agnostic. When there were complaints, you voiced them, but you never went after a brand or talked down on a single camera. I REALLY wish the photo/video/A/V world was more like this. Thank you for this awesome video!

[visionz_n_media]

I think the Nikon Z5 is a highly slept on full frame camera under $800. It has dual card slots, 24mp sensor, 4k30, and IBIS. As a portrait photographer and hobbyist wildlife photographer, the Z5 is a very capable camera that I will occasionally pick up over my higher end Nikon, Sony, and Fujifilm cameras.

[MurphyGreg]

Wow Mark, one of the absolutely best camera recommendation videos made. Very practical on the why for each camera and not brand centric. Lots to think about for next purchase and your approach to decision making for all future purchases, new or used. Very well done 🙌🙌

[wikicamara]

Hey, great video! But I think you're overlooking some of the newer MFT cameras. The points you make about APS-C vs. FF also apply to MFT, and you actually get even better size-price benefits with MFT lenses. In terms of image quality, MFT and APS-C are pretty similar unless you're into astrophotography—then, yeah, you'd probably want to go full-frame rahter than APSC.

[dan.allen.digital]

The Fujifilm X-T3 is my favorite. There is something special about the texture, build quality, and shutter sound. My X-T5 feels like a cheap piece of plastic in comparison. The X-T3 gets my vote of all the cameras you mentioned. It has a much better EVF than the X-T1 or X-T2.

[Jacobus-orvf]

GREAT advice.
Thank you very much for this clip.

[BP-xedw]

What a great video. Really well done. Yes, we all have our own opinions, it was great to hear yours. Sony a7 shooter, recently checked out Lumix in a store, you and your daughter were spot on. As soon as I put it in my hands and took a few shots, it felt really good. Keep up the great work.

[sigurdrille]

Thank you for this extensive video, very thorough!

[lionheart]

Great video Mark, Thank you! I want to add my thoughts about some of your recommendations:

- Canon M50: An amazing camera, really my first love that I had to sell in order to fund my trip to Japan (sadly). I just want to say that in my experience, the 4k video of this camera beats even some high end phones. So if you are on a budget and can adjust to the loss of AF and the crop, you can do a lot with it in video!
- Fujifilm X-T2: So I went to Japan and from my budget I was able to hunt it down under $600 USD. The mechanical shutter sound is the absulte best I have heard in real life! It performed amazingly well with the XF 16-80mm F4 R WR OIS lens. Coming from an X-T5 I thought I would struggle again without IBIS but really had no issue, the OIS allowed me to get decent shots in moderate low light! Also records in 4K 24fps which I was super happy with.

And tbh, the dials experience with Fuji can be really fast once you get used to it!

Keep up the good work man!

[davidrutledge]

Wow, I so enjoyed your elicidation of all these cameras. Immediately subscribed. Thank you!

[DrStrange]

Hello nice video. Any recommendations for Nikon cameras. I love its colours

[arturkamlibeh]

Great video as always Mark, I have never even considered Olympus, and after your first recomendation of the EM-1 spent some hours learning about Olympus and I think it will be my choice of new camera, searching for a deal on E-M1 Mk III now. Congrats on the video!

[ivannachoo]

I would add the Canon RP in the under $600 category. Canon USA has them regularly on sale "factory refurbished" for $599.

[alpercetiner]

Hi Mark, in 26:28 you mention that the Canon R8 body is weather sealed? Are you certain on this? I have one and so far I was trying to protect it even against the softest rain. Not to mention, that I don't have the pro canon lenses.

[gerardomoratinos]

loved the lenses options that you gave, awesome video

[zenonbillings]

just dicovered your channel and really appreciate all your outstanding photography experiences and all around photography knowledge. zen billings in canada

[bluejay]

Outstanding! I’m going to have to watch this multiple times but I would have liked to see u break it down between pure photos and strictly video use.
I know that’s nit picking but I could care less about the video so seeing ur recommendations up and down the $ line for photo shooters would have been very useful.
Thank u for always sharing so much knowledge. I appreciate u so much ❤

[DavinciHD_]

See camera sensors exposed like that always gives me chills. Great video . Very informative. I’ve got a Sony Fx30 and LUMIX GH4 I run for most shoots . Both are built into cinema rigs .

[Tuddycam]

Hey, really appreciate the video! do you have any recommendations for a camera for sports photography.(specifically baseball)

[asmallnigerian]

This video just confirmed that I need to save for a Lumix s5II