How Much To Spend On a Camera

From time to time, I get asked how much money one should spend on a camera to get something good. I always struggle to answer because there are so many variables at play. However, in this blog, I will try my best to answer what is, in my opinion, a very complex, and almost impossible question to answer.

The biggest obstacles are all the variables involved. Variables that impact the cost include currency, location, condition, demand, and resale value. There are also variables that influence your user experience, such as the ecosystem, required accessories, and support. There are variables surrounding what constitutes a “good” camera, as the term “good” means different things to different people. Finally, the biggest variable of them all is affordability. £1,000 is untenable for some and a day’s work for others. Giving definitive advice on how much to spend without knowing that person’s needs, desires, and income level is pretty irresponsible. With all that in mind, I can only tell you where I found the value-for-money sweet spot for my situation.

I’d like you to keep in mind the law of diminishing returns. To put it simply, the more you spend, the more you get for your money—up to a certain point. Beyond that point, the more you spend, the less value you get for your money. The difference between a £500 and a £1,500 camera is huge. The difference between a £3,500 and a £6,500 camera is considerably less.

From personal experience, around £1,500 buys you a great camera and lens combo that will last for years and give you ample room to grow. However, there are so many caveats, and I will try to list a few of them below.

Buy used unless you love owning new things. If you buy a camera that has been lightly used and is around one year old, the bulk of the depreciation will have already occurred. You can either buy from reselling companies such as MPB and WEX or go private. The latter carries more risk, but you get the item at a lower price directly from the person who used it and can tell you its history.
If you want to buy new, try to find where in the world you can buy it cheaper and see if you can incorporate it into a trip. In Japan, I purchased a ton of camera gear and saved enough to cover the flights.
You get more value for money if you buy a brand that doesn’t have hype around it. Brands such as Canon or Nikon don’t have the same level of fandom as Fuji or Leica. This means resale values are lower, allowing you to get much more value for your money. Neither brand is better or worse, so don’t fall for shiny marketing.
£1,500 will buy you a good new camera or a much better used one. I can’t give you direct examples because prices vary across the world. However, it’s not unrealistic to get a decent APS-C camera new or a higher end used full-frame model.
Try to get a camera with a kit lens. You always get the kit lens for a much better price than buying it separately, even used.
The £1,500 figure isn’t exact, and you can easily get a great camera for less. However, it’s the figure that I feel gets you the most value for money.

I know this blog is very short and somewhat ambiguous, but this really is an impossible question to categorically answer. I can only speak from my personal experience and buying history. Others will have different opinions.