Just curious, what are you actually planning to take pictures of? Like, is it for travel or just hobby stuff? I'm still really new to all this, but I've been trying to figure out how to keep costs down since $500 is a bit tight. One thing I've been looking into is doing DIY maintenance instead of paying for professional services. It’s SO much cheaper to just buy a basic cleaning kit for the Canon EOS R100 than to take it to a shop. I was really scared I’d break something at first, but honestly, if you're careful, it’s not too bad. It basically lets you buy a 'well-used' body and just clean it up yourself to save some cash. I'm still worried about messing up the sensor tho. Do you think you'd be okay with doing your own cleaning, or do you want something that's guaranteed perfect out of the box?

Just found this thread. Before you pull the trigger on an R100, are you planning on using older EF lenses with an adapter or just sticking to the new RF glass? If you already have old lenses, that budget might get eaten up by the adapter pretty quick. I'd suggest keeping these points in mind:

• Be really careful with the R100 if you plan on doing video. The 4K crop is massive and the autofocus is way worse than the R50 or R10.
• Honestly, keep an eye on the Canon refurbished site for a Canon EOS R50 Body. It pops up for around $499 sometimes and is a much better long-term investment than the R100.
• Pick up a Giottos Rocket Air Blower for DIY maintenance. Learning to blow dust off your sensor yourself will save you a fortune over taking it to a pro. Just make sure you check the return policy if you buy from a third-party seller. Some of those deals on eBay can be pretty sketchy...

Skip the R100. Seriously. I've used Canon Rebels since 2008; trust me. For your budget, find a used EOS 77D. Better sensor, way more features. I've seen them around $500. You'll thank me later.

R100's decent, but consider a used EOS R. Better sensor, often under $600.

Honestly, for $500, consider a used Sony a6000 instead. R100 kit lens isn't great, and you'll end up spending more on glass later. I had issues with Canon's entry-level build quality in the past.

Forget bundles; prioritize a reliable Pelican case! I've learned hard lessons protecting camera gear in cars for years. $500 camera; $100 case = peace of mind.