In my experience, you definitely dont want to blow the whole budget on just the camera body. Over the years I've seen so many people make that mistake... grab the Sony Alpha 7 III 24.2MP Mirrorless. Pair it with a lens like the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 for Sony E. It looks super legit and the autofocus basically does all the hard work for you.

Omg you are gonna have so much fun with this! Its honestly such a blast once you get past all the confusing tech talk. Since you are working in a studio, you really dont need to spend the full 2k on just the camera body... that would be a total waste imo. You gotta save for the glass because thats where the magic actually happens! I have been looking at some deals and here are my absolute favorites that wont break the bank but still look super pro:

• Canon EOS R8 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera is basically a beast in a tiny body. It has the same sensor as the way more expensive models so the autofocus is literally insane. It finds eyes and tracks them automatically which is a lifesaver for a beginner.
• Pair that with a Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens for those crisp studio portraits. It makes the background look all soft and blurry which bosses always love to see.
• If you want something that looks cool and is very easy to handle, check out the Fujifilm X-S20 Mirrorless Digital Camera. The colors are amazing right out of the box so you wont have to spend forever editing photos later. Basically the sensor thing just means how much light the camera can grab. Full frame is usually the gold standard for pro work, but APS-C like the Fuji is still fantastic and saves you a ton of cash for accessories like tripods or lights. Seriously, dont overthink the buttons... most of them you wont even touch at first!

Just saw this thread. In my professional experience, transitioning from traditional DSLRs to mirrorless was a significant improvement for my workflow. I've been extremely satisfied with the results from two brands that offer a different experience than the Sony options already mentioned.

• Fujifilm X-S20 Mirrorless Camera: I have used this for various projects and honestly its great for beginners. It produces colors that look professional without much work.
• Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS: This is the glass part (the lens). It works well for office shots and is much higher quality than a standard kit lens.
• Canon EOS R8 Mirrorless Camera: If you want a full-frame sensor, which basically handles low light better, this Canon is a fantastic choice that stays under your budget. The Fujifilm system really satisfied my need for high-quality images straight out of the camera. It basically cuts down on the time you spend trying to fix things in editing software, which is a huge plus when you are just starting out.

Totally agree about prioritizing lenses. Over the years I learned the hard way that the glass is what actually creates that professional look, and camera bodies just lose value way too fast.

Big if true