Ranking

Best budget picks

Each item is an alternative recommended in place of a pricier piece across multiple creators' setups — the consensus 'first real upgrade'.
  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
    Sony A7 IVSuggested 6×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Sony A7R IV (Sean Tucker) · Sony A7R IV (Becki and Chris) · Sony FX3 (Mark Ellis) · Sony FX3 (Ali Abdaal) · Sony A1 (Dustin Abbott) · Sony FX3 (Jeven Dovey)
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9
    Sony A7C IISuggested 5×
  10. 10
  11. 11
    Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXDSuggested 4×
  12. 12
  13. 13
    Sony FX30Suggested 4×
  14. 14
    Hollyland Lark M2Suggested 4×
  15. 15
    DJI RS 3 MiniSuggested 4×
  16. 16
    Canon EOS R8Suggested 3×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV (Mango Street) · Canon EOS R5 (Tony Northrup) · Canon EOS R5 Mark II (Vanessa Joy)
  17. 17
  18. 18
    Rode NTG5Suggested 3×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Sennheiser MKH 416 (Matt D'Avella) · Sennheiser MKH 416 (Ali Abdaal) · Sennheiser MKH 416 (Jeff Su)
  19. 19
    Godox SL60W IISuggested 3×
  20. 20
    Rode Wireless GO IISuggested 3×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Rode Wireless GO (Judner Aura (UrAvgConsumer)) · DJI Mic 2 (Matti Haapoja) · DJI Mic 2 (Evan Ranft)
  21. 21
    Nikon Z5 IISuggested 3×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Nikon D850 (Tony Northrup) · Nikon Z6 II (Nigel Danson) · Nikon Z8 (Evan Ranft)
  22. 22
    Sigma 24mm f/3.5 DG DN ContemporarySuggested 2×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM (Becki and Chris) · Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM (Tom Buck)
  23. 23
    Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM ArtSuggested 2×
  24. 24
    Samyang/Rokinon AF 18mm f/2.8 FESuggested 2×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G (Jason Vong) · Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G (Jeven Dovey)
  25. 25
    Samyang/Rokinon AF 24mm f/1.8 FESuggested 2×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM (Jason Morris) · Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM (Roberto Blake)
  26. 26
    Audio-Technica AT2020Suggested 2×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Shure SM7B (Marques Brownlee (MKBHD)) · Shure BETA 87C (Quinn Nelson (Snazzy Labs))
  27. 27
    Sony E 15mm f/1.4 GSuggested 2×
  28. 28
    Canon EOS R10Suggested 2×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Canon EOS R (Pat Flynn) · Canon EOS R5 (Thomas Frank)
  29. 29
    Sony FE 50mm f/1.8Suggested 2×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM (Sean Tucker) · Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G (Jason Vong)
  30. 30
    Hollyland Lark M1Suggested 2×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Rode Wireless GO II (Justin Brown) · Rode Wireless GO II (Safwan AhmedMia (SuperSaf))
  31. 31
    DJI Mic 2Suggested 2×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Rode RodeLink FM (Naomi Wu (SexyCyborg)) · Rode Wireless GO II (Becki and Chris)
  32. 32
    Rode PodMic USBSuggested 2×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Rode Broadcaster (Tony Northrup) · Sennheiser MKH 50 (Tom Buck)
  33. 33
    Shure SM7BSuggested 2×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Electro-Voice RE20 (Linus Tech Tips) · Shure BETA 58A (Judner Aura (UrAvgConsumer))
  34. 34
    Fujifilm X100VISuggested 2×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Leica Q3 43 (Jamie Windsor) · Leica Q3 (Tyler Stalman)
  35. 35
    Sony ZV-1 IISuggested 2×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Sony RX100 VII (Casey Neistat) · Leica Q2 (Jamie Windsor)
  36. 36
    Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN ContemporarySuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM (Mango Street)
  37. 37
    Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DNSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art (Justin Brown)
  38. 38
    Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN ContemporarySuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art (Linus Tech Tips)
  39. 39
    Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM ArtSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Fujinon ZK19-90mm T2.9 Cabrio (Linus Tech Tips)
  40. 40
    Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXDSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary (Paige Brunton)
  41. 41
    Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN ContemporarySuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD (Matti Haapoja)
  42. 42
    Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXDSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM (Johnny Harris)
  43. 43
    Canon 430EX III-RTSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Canon 600EX-RT (Jessica Kobeissi)
  44. 44
    Neewer 660 RGB LED Video Light (2-pack with stands)Suggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Elgato Key Light (Roberto Blake)
  45. 45
    Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2Suggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM (Vanessa Joy)
  46. 46
    Sony A7CSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Sony A7S III (Becki and Chris)
  47. 47
    Godox AD100ProSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Godox AD200 (Sean Tucker)
  48. 48
    Godox AD200 ProSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Profoto B10 (Vanessa Joy)
  49. 49
    Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XFSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 (Nathaniel Drew)
  50. 50
    Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 ZSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S (Evan Ranft)
  51. 51
    Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 ESuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary (Stephanie Kase)
  52. 52
    Samyang AF 24mm f/1.8 (L mount)Suggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Panasonic Lumix S 24mm f/1.8 (Tyler Stalman)
  53. 53
    Samyang/Rokinon AF 35mm f/1.8 FESuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM (Dustin Abbott)
  54. 54
    Aputure Amaran 100d SSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Aputure Amaran 200x S (Thomas Frank)
  55. 55
    Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USBSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Samson Q2U (Mark Ellis)
  56. 56
    Benro B2 Ball HeadSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Acratech GXP Ball Head (Thomas Heaton)
  57. 57
    Synco D2Suggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Rode NTG2 (Pat Flynn)
  58. 58
    Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve (free)Suggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Apple Final Cut Pro (Tom Buck)
  59. 59
    Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STMSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM (Jessica Kobeissi)
  60. 60
    Canon EOS R7Suggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Canon EOS R6 Mark II (Vanessa Joy)
  61. 61
    Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 GSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Sony FE 16-25mm f/2.8 G (Sara Dietschy)
  62. 62
    Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM IISuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Sigma Cine 24-35mm T2 (Marques Brownlee (MKBHD))
  63. 63
    Sony FE 24mm f/1.8Suggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Rokinon 24mm T1.5 Cine DS (Jonathan Morrison (TLD))
  64. 64
    Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSSSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro (Marques Brownlee (MKBHD))
  65. 65
    Lowepro Flipside Trek BP 450 AWSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Shimoda Action X50 (Thomas Heaton)
  66. 66
    Sony FX6Suggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Canon EOS C300 Mark III (Tim Pan (影视飓风 Mediastorm))
  67. 67
    JOBY GorillaPod 1K KitSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod (Cathrin Manning)
  68. 68
    Joby GorillaPod 3KSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Joby GorillaPod 5K (Casey Neistat)
  69. 69
    JOBY GorillaPod 3K KitSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: SwitchPod SwitchPod (handheld) (Pat Flynn)
  70. 70
    Joby GorillaPod 5KSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: IFOOTAGE Gazelle TC7 (Thomas Heaton)
  71. 71
    Ricoh GR IIISuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Ricoh GR IIIx (Sean Tucker)
  72. 72
    Apple iMovieSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Apple Final Cut Pro (Cathrin Manning)
  73. 73
    Fethead Inline Mic PreampSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-1 (Matt D'Avella)
  74. 74
    Elgato Key LightSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Falcon Eyes SO-68TD (Naomi Wu (SexyCyborg))
  75. 75
    Aputure Light Storm LS C300D IISuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: ARRI SkyPanel S60-C (Marques Brownlee (MKBHD))
  76. 76
    Skylum Luminar NeoSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Adobe Lightroom (Jamie Windsor)
  77. 77
    Panasonic Lumix G 14mm f/2.5 IISuggested 1×
  78. 78
    Panasonic Lumix GH6Suggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Panasonic Lumix GH5 (Stewart Carroll (Stewart and Alina))
  79. 79
    Panasonic Lumix S5 IISuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Panasonic Lumix S1 II (Tyler Stalman)
  80. 80
    Shure MV7Suggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Shure SM7B (Matt D'Avella)
  81. 81
    Shure MV7+Suggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Heil Sound PR40 (Pat Flynn)
  82. 82
    K&F Concept Nano-X Magnetic ND Filter KitSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Kase Wolverine Magnetic Filter System (Nigel Danson)
  83. 83
    K&F Concept Nano-X ND Filter KitSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Kase Wolverine Magnetic Filter Kit (Thomas Heaton)
  84. 84
    Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 SSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S (Nigel Danson)
  85. 85
    Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8Suggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S (Nigel Danson)
  86. 86
    Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VRSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 24mm f/1.7 (Cathrin Manning)
  87. 87
    Rode NT-USBSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Earthworks ICON Pro (Thomas Frank)
  88. 88
    DJI Osmo Mobile 6Suggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: MOZA MINI-S (Naomi Wu (SexyCyborg))
  89. 89
    DJI Osmo Pocket 3Suggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: DJI Osmo Pocket 3 (Paige Brunton)
  90. 90
    Lume Cube Panel GoSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Aputure MC (Matti Haapoja)
  91. 91
    Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K G2Suggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 12K (Linus Tech Tips)
  92. 92
    Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STMSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM (Quinn Nelson (Snazzy Labs))
  93. 93
    Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USMSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM (Vanessa Joy)
  94. 94
    Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STMSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM (Thomas Frank)
  95. 95
    Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STMSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM (Vanessa Joy)
  96. 96
    Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen)Suggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Rode Rodecaster Pro (Pat Flynn)
  97. 97
    Shure SM7dBSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Shure SM7B (Sara Dietschy)
  98. 98
    Deity V-Mic D3 ProSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Rode VideoMicro (Becki and Chris)
  99. 99
    Godox V1 ProSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Profoto A10 (Vanessa Joy)
  100. 100
    Godox V1Pro CSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Profoto A1 (Jessica Kobeissi)
  101. 101
    Rode VideoMic Pro+Suggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Rode VideoMic Pro (Paige Brunton)
  102. 102
    Fujifilm X-S20Suggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Fujifilm X-T4 (Thomas Heaton)
  103. 103
    Fujifilm X-T5Suggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Fujifilm X-T4 (Nathaniel Drew)
  104. 104
    Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OISSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art (Nathaniel Drew)
  105. 105
    Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 SSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S (Evan Ranft)
  106. 106
    Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8Suggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Nikon Z 26mm f/2.8 (Evan Ranft)
  107. 107
    Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 SSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena (Evan Ranft)
  108. 108
    Nikon Z6 IIISuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Nikon Z8 (Thomas Heaton)
  109. 109
    Nikon Z7 IISuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Nikon Z 8 (Nigel Danson)
  110. 110
    Sony ZV-1FSuggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Sony ZV-1 (Roberto Blake)
  111. 111
    Sony ZV-E1Suggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Sony A7S II (Jonathan Morrison (TLD))
  112. 112
    Sony ZV-E10Suggested 1×
    Recommended as the cheaper pick instead of: Panasonic Lumix GH5 (Derek Muller (Veritasium))