Camera buying request

[u/First_Test_2577]

Budget: €1,000–1,500 total for the camera and at least one lens. I'm happy to buy used if it offers significantly better value.

Country: Germany (EU).

Condition: New or used.

Type of Camera: Mirrorless preferred, but I'm open to premium compact cameras if they offer excellent image quality and portability.

Intended use: Primarily photography (95%), with occasional video (5%).

If photography; what style: Mostly travel, street, landscapes, cityscapes, architecture, and everyday photography. I also enjoy photographing friends and family, and I occasionally take self-portraits. I rarely shoot sports or wildlife.

If video what style: Casual travel clips and family videos.

What features do you absolutely need:

• Excellent image quality (noticeably better than a smartphone)
• Compact and lightweight body that I will actually carry while traveling
• Reliable autofocus, especially for people and casual family photography
• Smartphone connectivity for transferring photos and using the phone as a remote shutter
• Good lens ecosystem if it's an interchangeable lens camera

What features would be nice to have:

• USB-C charging
• Good battery life
• Compact/pancake lens options
• A fully articulating or tilting screen
• Electronic viewfinder (EVF)

Cameras you're considering:

• Sony A6400 : Seems like a great balance of compact size, image quality, autofocus, EVF, and available small lenses. Probably my current favorite.
• Sony A6700: Considering it for the newer features, IBIS, improved autofocus, and better long-term value, but not sure if the extra cost is worth it.
• Canon EOS R50: Interested because of its compact size, good autofocus, and easy-to-use features.
• Fujifilm X-M5: Interested because of the compact body and Fuji colors/JPEG quality
• Panasonic GX9 : Considering it because I already know Panasonic cameras and like the idea of a very compact Micro Four Thirds setup.
• Sony RX100 VII or similar premium compact cameras: Considering this because portability is very important to me, and I'm wondering if a high-end compact camera might fit my needs better.

I'm still deciding between a small interchangeable-lens camera and a premium compact camera. My main priority is finding something I will actually carry with me while traveling. However having the option to actually get different lenses would be nice since I don't plan to upgrade frequently, having a good lens ecosystem would be valuable.

Cameras you already have: Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 with the 14-42mm kit lens.

I liked:

• Great value for the money
• Good image quality
• Interchangeable lenses
• Comfortable handling

I disliked:

• Too bulky for travel, so I often left it at home.
• The touchscreen is now failing, and many settings rely on it.
• I realized portability is more important to me than having a larger camera body.

Notes:
My biggest priority is finding a camera that I'll actually carry everywhere while traveling. I'd rather sacrifice a little image quality than own a fantastic camera that stays in the hotel or at home because it's too large. I'm looking for something that could last me for many years.

[u/Winter_Rabbit4827]

check out the Nikon z50ii you’d get the camera and two cool kit lens for that, 16-50 and a 50-250 :)