Need my first "real" camera (Budget €1000)
Hey everyone! I’m about to spend a few months in South Africa and I’ve decided it’s finally time to stop relying only on my phone and buy my first real camera to truly make the most of this trip.
- Budget: Around €1100($1266). This should include both the camera body and lens.
- Country: Buying in Italy (I’m looking at used markets like RCE).
- Condition: Open to Used gear to get a better model for the price.
- Intended use: Hybrid. Mostly photography, but I want decent video quality for travel clips. Capturing the vibe of the cities, the incredible landscapes, and I’ll also be doing a safari for a few days.
- Portability: Small bag / Shoulder strap. I want to carry it every day, so it shouldn't be too heavy or intimidating.
- Cameras you're considering: Fuji X-T3(18-55)/X-T30II (27Pancake or 15-45)/X100V/X-S10(15/45)/X-M5
I initially thought the Fujifilm X-T3 + 18-55mm was the perfect setup, but I’m worried about the size and weight for daily city wandering. On the other hand, the X100V is very tempting, but I’m scared a fixed lens will be a nightmare for the safari; even though the safari is only a small part of the trip and so I think it would be better a kit that feels natural to bring along on my daily travels
I’m a total beginner, so I’m looking for something that can "grow" with me. If there’s something outside of Fuji (Sony? Lumix? Canon?) that fits the "portable + high quality + €1100" criteria, I’m all ears. I am aware that I can't have everything at this budget but what would you buy in my shoes?
Thanks in advance for the help! 🙏
Posted Apr 6, 2026, 1:10 AM UTC