Buying guide · updated 5 November 2026
Two lenses that do it all
A standard zoom (about 24-70mm equivalent) and a telephoto zoom (about 70-200mm equivalent) cover wide views to distant subjects, so one body and two lenses handles travel, family, events, portraits and most sport. Here is the best kit from each of the big three, plus the best from everyone else, at every budget.
| Budget | Canon | Nikon | Sony | Other systems |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under £1,500 | Canon EOS R7 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary + RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM · £1,430 | Nikon Z50 II Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR + Z 70-180mm f/2.8 · £1,440 | Sony Alpha A9 AF 24-70mm f/2.8 + 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD · £1,450 | OM System OM-5 M.Zuiko 12-45mm f/4 PRO + M.Zuiko 40-150mm f/4 PRO · £1,490 |
| Under £2,000 | Canon EOS R7 RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM + RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM · £2,000 | Nikon Z5 II Z 24-70mm f/4 S + 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD · £1,839 | Sony Alpha A7 IV FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS + 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD · £2,000 | Panasonic Lumix S9 Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro OIS + Lumix S PRO 70-200mm f/4 OIS · £1,950 |
| Under £3,000 | Canon EOS R8 RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM + RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM · £2,800 | Nikon Z6 III 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 + Z 70-180mm f/2.8 · £2,830 | Sony Alpha A7 IV FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS + FE 70-200mm f/4 Macro G OSS II · £2,840 | Panasonic Lumix S1 IIE Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro OIS + Lumix S PRO 70-200mm f/4 OIS · £2,940 |
| Under £5,000 | Canon EOS R5 Mark II RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM + RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM · £4,720 | Nikon Z8 Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S + Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S · £4,810 | Sony Alpha A7 V FE 20-70mm f/4 G + FE 70-200mm f/4 Macro G OSS II · £4,090 | Panasonic Lumix S1 II Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro OIS + Lumix S PRO 70-200mm f/4 OIS · £3,909 |
| Under £10,000 | Canon EOS R5 Mark II RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM + RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM · £6,770 | Nikon Z8 Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S + Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S · £4,810 | Sony Alpha A1 II FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II + FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II · £7,640 | Panasonic Lumix S1 II Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro OIS + Lumix S PRO 70-200mm f/4 OIS · £3,909 |
f/2.8 or f/4?
f/2.8 zooms gather twice the light of f/4, which helps indoors, at events and for sport, and they blur backgrounds more. f/4 zooms cost roughly half as much and are often 30–40% lighter, so they suit travel and landscapes. Variable-aperture zooms (such as 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3) are the cheapest way to cover the same range in good light.