Jumping in here to agree with the point about checking reliability. Honestly, everyone talks about the body, but the real headache is the *compatibility* and fitment of the ecosystem you're buying into. I learned this the hard way with my first setup. I bought a body and a bunch of glass without checking the flange distance and electronic communication protocols. It was a mess - basically, the AF would hunt constantly because the lens and the mount didn't 'talk' to each other at the industry standard speed. A few things to keep in mind from a technical perspective: * **Mount Native vs. Adapted**: If you're planning to use an adapter for older glass, ensure it supports full electronic passthrough. Otherwise, you'll lose face-tracking, which is critical for vlogging.
* **USB-C Power Delivery**: Check if the camera supports the PD standard. If you're filming long-form content, you need a bus that can charge and record simultaneously or you're going to be swapping batteries every 30 minutes.
* **Thermal Constraints**: Some older firmware versions have major overheating issues during high-bitrate recording. Tbh, I'd focus more on the technical overhead than the brand name. It's all about what the kit can actually *do* when you're out in the field.

@Reply #8 - good point! Danielle is totally right about the compatibility stuff. Everyone is debating between the Canon M50 or jumping to Sony but honestly if the mount ecosystem doesnt sync up perfectly you are just gonna be frustrated! Its so annoying when you think you have the perfect kit and then the AF starts hunting because of some weird electronic handshake issue. Reminds me of this one time I hiked like four miles up into the mountains for a sunrise shoot. I was so hyped to get some amazing footage with this new rig I built. I got to the summit and realized I forgot the specific mounting plate for my gimbal... literally had to duct tape the camera to a flat rock just to get a stable shot lol. It looked ridiculous but the view was insane! I ended up meeting this guy at the trailhead afterwards who had a vintage 70s van converted into a mobile coffee shop. Best espresso I have ever had in the middle of nowhere. He even had these local pastries that were still warm... I basically forgot about the footage and just hung out there for two hours talking about van life and solar panels. Anyway lol sorry kinda went off topic there. My bad!

Hey! I've been using the Canon EOS M50 Mark II for my car videos. Autofocus is surprisingly good – especially important when you're also driving (safely, of course!). Plus, it's super compact. No complaints after two years of heavy use. Might be able to snag one used within your budget.

Used Canon EOS M50. Reliable, great image, and you'll have cash left for lights!

Skip Canon for vlogging, honestly. Sony ZV-1's autofocus is leagues ahead. The built-in directional mic is a game changer; much less wind noise than I got with my old EOS.

Hey! Vlogging while driving? Seriously consider phone-mount safety. For stationary shots, a used Canon EOS M50 is decent. $500ish, leaving cash for a *stable* tripod. Don't risk accidents for content!

Before diving into Canon, consider Sony's ZV-1. While Canon's ecosystem is strong, Sony dominates the vlogging market share currently. This affects resale value and accessory availability. Research both carefully. A decent option, but weigh the broader market trends. Consider consulting a professional videographer to assess your specific needs before committing.

Consider a used Canon EOS Rebel. Plenty of DIY tutorials online to maximize its potential.

Been using Canon M50 for years. Great starter, but unfortunately, the autofocus had issues with run-and-gun vlogging. Consider Sony a6400; better long-term reliability, in my experience.