16/03/2026 1:01 pm
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I am so pumped to finally start my travel vlog for my trip to the Oregon coast next month but honestly I am completely overwhelmed looking at cameras. My budget is strictly $800 because that is all I have saved from my part time job and I really need it to include a lens too if that is even possible?
I was thinking my logic was that any real camera would be better than my phone but then I started reading about mirrorless vs dslr and my brain just kinda quit on me. I really want that professional look with the blurry backgrounds you see in high quality videos but I dont know if that is the camera or the lens or what. I saw the Sony ZV-E10 online and it looked cool but then I saw a Canon one and now I am just stuck because I dont understand what 4k uncropped or autofocus points actually means in real life. Is it better to get a cheaper body and a better lens? Or just a kit?
I am sorry if this is such a basic newbie question but every youtube video I watch for beginners still uses so many technical words and I feel like I am drowning a bit. I just want something that is easy to carry while I am hiking that wont break the bank but still looks way better than a smartphone...
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16/03/2026 1:15 pm
Ngl, its pretty disappointing that most starter kits wont give you that blurry look. I tried the Panasonic Lumix G100 with 12-32mm Lens and the 4K crop is honestly massive.
- Canon EOS R50 with RF-S 18-45mm Lens: Better AF and uncropped video, but the lens is too dark for bokeh.
- Nikon Z30 with 16-50mm Lens: Great handling but no viewfinder for outdoor shots. Basically, kit glass is usually the bottleneck...
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16/03/2026 1:02 pm
Look, 800 bucks is a really tough spot if you want that professional look. Unfortunately, most kit lenses are pretty disappointing and wont give you those blurry backgrounds you are after. I have had issues with the Sony ZV-E10 with 16-50mm Lens in the past because the rolling shutter is just not as good as expected for fast hiking shots. It gets shaky real quick... Heres the reality:
- Kit lenses have high f-numbers, which basically means no blurry background.
- Canon is okay but the lens selection for the Canon EOS R50 with RF-S 18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM is unfortunately limited.
- If you really want that look, buy a used Sony ZV-E10 Body Only and find a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens. Ngl, starting with just a kit lens usually leads to buyers remorse once you realize it doesnt look much better than a high-end phone tho.
