Camera suggestion? ~£1000

zinterz · Jan 18, 2026

Hi all! It’s been years since I’ve owned a DSLR camera (Nikon D90 to be precise). I want to get back into some photography - portraits, watches, and so on. Which camera(s) would you recommend? Mirrorless vs. DSLR seems to be the new comparison, but I have no clue about either. I also don’t know whether any mirrorless cameras would even be in budget. I’ve historically gravitated towards Nikon but open to alternative brands, too. Looking to spend up to £1000, ideally with a lens or two to boot. Thanks in advance for your help!

GuiltyGear · Jan 18, 2026

I've been shooting Nikon since ~2008, and upgraded into a mirrorless Z6II a couple years ago. The Z50II with a 16-50mm kit lens is £800, and honestly you get a lot of camera for that money. Most hobbyists don't need anything more than that.

I personally spent a bunch more because I wanted a full frame, something I had never owned up to that point. Maybe check out used Z6II if full frame is a factor, since prices must have dropped considerably after the Z6III came out. Or used Z5.

SpeedyPhill · Jan 18, 2026

Forget DSLR ( I have used DSLR for Ages ) but now already many years happy with my small handy 24 MegaPixel CANON EOS M50 4K mirrorless camera

MRC · Jan 18, 2026

I use a Panasonic Lumix G80 mirrorless which has recently been superseded by G97, available for £599 with 12-60 kit lens. There is also an OM (was known as Olympus) with similar features and price. I cannot say the Lumix does anything brilliantly but it does nothing badly either. With your "spare" £400 you should consider external flash, £80 will buy a decent unit with capabilities I didn't know existed, and you will need a spare battery because mirrorless cameras get through them very quickly. Lens fund isn't now quite enough to buy a true macro lens but would certainly get something of longer and/or shorter focal length. I have Lumix 45-150 and 7-14 plus an Olympus 60mm macro from my previous Olympus OMD-10 system.

For dealers I have a branch of Wex nearby and have found them very helpful. Their s/hand stock is worth keeping an eye on and they will get items from their other branches in a couple of days with no commitment on your part.

Overall you're good to go 👍

GuiltyGear · Jan 18, 2026

MRC
I use a Panasonic Lumix G80

Just to clarify, these are micro four thirds sensors. Nothing wrong with them, but they're smaller than an APS-C and you'll loose quality (denser pixel count), dynamic range and iso performance. You'll also loose depth of field.

Imho, a micro four thirds is perfect as a travel camera. Small enough while providing miles better quality and performance than your best smartphone. For anything else, if the budget allows, a bigger sensor will outperform it in every category.

Braindrain · Tues. 4:00pm

zinterz
Hi all! It’s been years since I’ve owned a DSLR camera (Nikon D90 to be precise). I want to get back into some photography - portraits, watches, and so on. Which camera(s) would you recommend? Mirrorless vs. DSLR seems to be the new comparison, but I have no clue about either. I also don’t know whether any mirrorless cameras would even be in budget. I’ve historically gravitated towards Nikon but open to alternative brands, too. Looking to spend up to £1000, ideally with a lens or two to boot. Thanks in advance for your help!

What would be your use scenarios? That would determine what to get.

As for the whole m43 vs APS-C vs FF, it's not always "bigger is better". Comparison threads exist on FredMiranda forums showing identical m43 vs FF snaps, run through DxO Pureraw, where 100% crops cannot show any difference.

Which goes back to my original Q - use scenario. Every format has its pros and cons.

GuiltyGear · Tues. 5:19pm

Braindrain
As for the whole m43 vs APS-C vs FF, it's not always "bigger is better".

That's what I tell my wife 😋

Not trying to be an elitist or anything, but I've shot APS-C and FF extensively, and MFT for a short while. The only advantage the later has is size and weight, which only applies to the compact ones. A G90 is virtually the same weight and footprint as a Z5ii.

Braindrain · Tues. 5:26pm

GuiltyGear
That's what I tell my wife 😋

Not trying to be an elitist or anything, but I've shot APS-C and FF extensively, and MFT for a short while. The only advantage the later has is size and weight, which only applies to the compact ones. A G90 is virtually the same weight and footprint as a Z5ii.

Body size is similar, sure, but once you add on the lenses, it's a totally different story. My 100-400mm PanaLeica is tiny. 200-800mm on a FF? I think I might have a frozen shoulder after a day.

Other pros - The latest Oly bodies have 120 fps burst mode with 1024 focus points are some other bits. The Oly bodies are just as "sticky" on AF as the latest FF Sony and Nikons.

Again, I'm not saying there aren't definite benefits to FF. There absolutely is. But if the use case is just posting a few online photos, maybe printing some 4x6s, and to carry it almost everywhere as an EDC, then getting a FF camera isn't always the best choice.

GuiltyGear · Tues. 6:19pm

Braindrain
Other pros - The latest Oly bodies have 120 fps burst mode with 1024 focus points are some other bits. The Oly bodies are just as "sticky" on AF as the latest FF Sony and Nikons.

I have a sweet spot for the OM-3. One day...

dsio · Tues. 6:28pm

The tech leap with modern mirrorless is pretty crazy, I’m not a skilled photographer at all and the camera I use isn’t even a still camera, it’s a ZV-E1 vlog camera, no viewfinder even and only 12MP.

Yet the AF tech, AI auto mode and auto framing makes it produce decent pics with no skill involved.

First four are with the Sony 24-70GM2 last two are Sigma 105mm Macro which is a bit of a meh lens

zinterz · Wed. 12:27am

@Braindrain and @GuiltyGear - main use cases are watches, portrait shots of my family (in the moment and posed), and then just out and about shots at events, etc. I don’t plan to print them to any huge size, and I’m very much a beginner in this modern space of photography. Lots to read, lots to watch, lots to learn. Basic research for me says perhaps the Nikon Z50 II or Fujifilm X-T30 III? Can get either as a kit for around £1000. There’s also the Nikon Z6 II or Fujifilm T50/X-S20 apparently, too…

Braindrain · Wed. 8:45am

zinterz
@Braindrain and @GuiltyGear - main use cases are watches, portrait shots of my family (in the moment and posed), and then just out and about shots at events, etc. I don’t plan to print them to any huge size, and I’m very much a beginner in this modern space of photography. Lots to read, lots to watch, lots to learn. Basic research for me says perhaps the Nikon Z50 II or Fujifilm X-T30 III? Can get either as a kit for around £1000. There’s also the Nikon Z6 II or Fujifilm T50/X-S20 apparently, too…

I'd say there's really not a "bad" choice amongst modern mirrorless. Since you're not a beginner in the area of photography, I'd argue good glass is just as important. I avoid kit lenses. You may want to check out the lens ecosystem, as some are more limiting than others. When I was looking, I found the Sony APS-C / Fuji X lens ecosystem quite limiting, but that's just me. You may find it fine.

In addition, you need to factor in the size of body with glass and the likelihood that you'll be carrying that kit wherever you want. For many, if it's too bulky for everyday use, they're just not going to bring it out.

Since it seems it's more casual work, you may want to look at the OM System (previously Olympus) OM1 Mk1 as the m43 lens ecosystem is one of the largest. The current iteration is the Mk2 so you can find plenty of Mk1 bodies on the cheap, not to mention some great Olympus PRO / Pana Leica glass. Like @GuiltyGear , I'd love an OM-3 (OM1 Mk2 capabilities in a slightly smaller body), and you can sometimes find an OM-3 with 12-45mm PRO lens (yes, kit lens, but at least a little better) on Ebay from either OM Systems directly or from JP. (Not sure if you're located in US or elsewhere. Tariffs and all that.) Here's a running thread over on FredMiranda forums on m43 pics from users.

Edit: I assume you're from the UK and am aware of the substantial duties/VAT on imports.

zinterz · Thurs. 5:50am

Braindrain
I'd say there's really not a "bad" choice amongst modern mirrorless. Since you're not a beginner in the area of photography, I'd argue good glass is just as important. I avoid kit lenses. You may want to check out the lens ecosystem, as some are more limiting than others. When I was looking, I found the Sony APS-C / Fuji X lens ecosystem quite limiting, but that's just me. You may find it fine.

In addition, you need to factor in the size of body with glass and the likelihood that you'll be carrying that kit wherever you want. For many, if it's too bulky for everyday use, they're just not going to bring it out.

Since it seems it's more casual work, you may want to look at the OM System (previously Olympus) OM1 Mk1 as the m43 lens ecosystem is one of the largest. The current iteration is the Mk2 so you can find plenty of Mk1 bodies on the cheap, not to mention some great Olympus PRO / Pana Leica glass. Like @GuiltyGear , I'd love an OM-3 (OM1 Mk2 capabilities in a slightly smaller body), and you can sometimes find an OM-3 with 12-45mm PRO lens (yes, kit lens, but at least a little better) on Ebay from either OM Systems directly or from JP. (Not sure if you're located in US or elsewhere. Tariffs and all that.) Here's a running thread over on FredMiranda forums on m43 pics from users.

Edit: I assume you're from the UK and am aware of the substantial duties/VAT on imports.

Thanks @Braindrain - appreciate the thorough response and the effort you have put in to help me. As much as I'd love to say that I'm "not a beginner", as you put it... I absolutely am. Yes, I had a Nikon D90 years ago, but my knowledge on the capability of these cameras is very limited. I want to learn as I go, and won't really be able to afford/justify the spend on a lot of extra lenses. I could probably stretch to two lenses alongside the body. I've had a chat with a few photography guys at my work, and they all seem to love Fujifilm... not that I'm necessarily going to go the same route, mind. I am planning to visit a local camera shop when I get a chance to get a feel for the bodies, how tactile they are, etc. Thank you for your suggestions, I'll have a look at OM.

Braindrain · Thurs. 10:03am

Youre quite welcome. Given your experience, I'd look for a body with image stabilization (IBIS) and a "fast, bright" prime lens instead of a kit lens. Yes, maybe not as convenient as a telescopic zoom kit, but you'll get better results.

In bad/low light situations (literally 90% of the time) a darker lens will compensate by slowing the shutter speed. You'll need very solid technique or a tripod to get a shot that's not blurry.

A body with IBIS will allow minor shake and a faster lens will let you keep a faster shutter speed. I tell people there's no use spending thousands only to get blurry pics. They'll just say using their phone gave better results. And they'd be right.

Fuji isn't known for great IBIS and only a few of their bodies have it. They have some lenses incorporating image stabilization (OIS) but they're not fast lenses and it severely limits your choices. It's far better to get a body with IBIS. Some systems allow pairing an IBIS body with an OIS lens so they work cooperatively to achieve absolutely fantastic image stabilization.

Again, nothing inherently wrong with Fuji. But as I said, every system has pros and cons.

Risto · Thurs. 1:22pm

I have been a Fujifilm X shooter since 2014. Been through many cameras, and I usually keep one for 2 years. Now using X-H2 with 30mm macro, 80mm macro, and 16-55mm lenses. There are better cameras, perhaps, not sure if at the same pricepoint, but I am happy.

If I'd buy a second camera body (actually, I still have XT1 as backup), then perhaps XS20 or XM-5. Mostl,y I shoot macro and on a tripod. I need focus bracketing and good video.

XM-5 is a pocketable camera with a pancake lens. And used one probably cost like 600 EUR. So, with a 60mm used macro lens, it would be less than 1k EUR.

Check out my work here to see if Fuji can shoot high-quality images 😀
https://www.behance.net/papilion

GuiltyGear · Thurs. 2:00pm

Risto
Check out my work here to see if Fuji can shoot high-quality images

To be fair to the conversation, you're doing this for a living (or at least professionally), and have a proper lighting and studio setup. You'd make it work even if shooting with a potato.

Vercingetorix · Thurs. 2:17pm

Nikon. End of story. Used to shoot Canon. Nikon can adapt more lenses and to be honest it’s pretty amazing shooting a Nikon camera with Canon EF lenses. Best of all worlds.

Braindrain · Thurs. 3:42pm

Risto
Check out my work here to see if Fuji can shoot high-quality images 😀
https://www.behance.net/papilion

Zerene?

Risto · Thurs. 4:06pm

GuiltyGear
To be fair to the conversation, you're doing this for a living (or at least professionally), and have a proper lighting and studio setup. You'd make it work even if shooting with a potato.

Well... most professionals who actually make money-money in shooting watches (and luxury products in general) do not use cheap cameras and lenses and ghetto studio setups. They use Hass and Phase One. They use robots and other helping tech.

Maybe my behind-the-scenes articles help a bit: https://watchphotography.com/articles

My kit is basic. Anyone can do this. Just takes time to learn, practice, and commitment.

Risto · Thurs. 4:07pm

Braindrain
Zerene?

I use Helicon Focus software for stacking.

Camera suggestion? ~£1000

zinterz

GuiltyGear

SpeedyPhill

MRC

GuiltyGear

Braindrain

GuiltyGear

Braindrain

GuiltyGear

dsio

zinterz

Braindrain

zinterz

Braindrain

Risto

GuiltyGear

Vercingetorix

Braindrain

Risto

Risto

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