There's no two ways about it – camera gear is expensive in 2025. The best mirrorless cameras can cost in the thousands, and you'll want a top lens in addition to that, which could set you back even more.
Case in point: when I first picked up a full-frame Nikon, the Z6 II, I also splashed out on Nikon's own Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S zoom too. The lens costs more than the camera body, and the same principal applies to entry-level cameras and suitably matched lenses.
