Recommended camera gear

For the Passion to Pro Photography Course, any camera that has manual mode will work.

Manual mode allows you to control important settings such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, giving you the ability to adjust your camera based on the lighting and the look you want to achieve. Learning how to use manual mode is one of the most important steps in understanding the fundamentals of photography and developing creative control over your images.

However, to get the most out of this course and to achieve a more professional level of photography, I highly recommend using a Professional camera that allows you to change lenses. This will give you much more flexibility and open the door to creating different styles and looks in your photos.

If you already own a camera with manual mode, you can absolutely start learning with it and upgrade later once you feel ready.

If you are planning to purchase a new camera, I have included several options in this guide that I recommend.

Some of the links on this page are Amazon affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no additional cost to you. I only recommend gear that I personally use or trust.

What to Know Before You Buy

• Skip the kit lens when possible

• Invest in a low aperture lens (f/1.8 is ideal)

• Mirrorless cameras are now the standard

• Full frame = better quality, but not required

BEGINNER

Best for beginners on a budget

The Canon R100 is an entry-level mirrorless camera and one of the most affordable mirrorless options currently available.

It is important to note that the R100 is not a full frame camera. It uses a crop sensor, which means the sensor is smaller than a full frame sensor.

The camera is often sold in a bundle with a 18–45mm kit lens. While this lens can be useful, it does not have a low aperture, which means it cannot create the beautiful blurry backgrounds that are typically desired for portrait photography. Because of this, it may not be a lens you will use very often.

However, the kit lens can still be helpful in smaller spaces because it is a wide-angle lens, allowing you to capture more of the scene when you don’t have much room to step back.

If you are willing to spend just a little more, this is one of the few kit lenses that may be worth purchasing together with the camera, especially if you also plan to buy the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM. The 50mm lens will allow you to create beautiful portraits with soft background blur, while the kit lens can be useful when you need a wider angle.

Pros

Very affordable entry point
Lightweight and simple to use
Great image quality for beginners
Compatible with Canon RF lenses

Cons

Not a full frame camera (crop sensor)
Not a touchscreen
Not too great in low light due to its smaller sensor
Slower shooting performance

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BUDGET FULL FRAME

The Canon RP is one of the most affordable full frame mirrorless cameras available.

Pros

Full frame sensor
Beautiful image quality
Lightweight and compact
More affordable than most full frame cameras

Cons

Older autofocus system compared to newer cameras like the R8
Slower burst shooting

Recommended for: Photographers who want full frame quality at an affordable price.

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MID-RANGE FULL FRAME

The Canon R8 offers excellent value and includes many features from Canon’s most professional cameras.

Pros

Incredible eye-tracking autofocus
Excellent low-light performance
Fast shooting speeds
Professional level image quality
Lightweight

Cons

No in-body image stabilization
Smaller battery

Best for: Photographers who want high-end performance without the price of professional bodies.

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PRO CAMERAS

The Canon R6 Mark II is a professional-level full-frame mirrorless camera used by many working photographers.

Pros

Outstanding eye-tracking autofocus
In-body image stabilization
Excellent low-light performance
Extremely fast shooting speeds
Dual memory card slots for reliability

Cons

Higher price
24 megapixels (lower resolution than the R5)

Best for: Serious photographers who want a powerful, fast, and reliable professional camera.

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See lens options below

The Canon R5 is one of Canon’s top professional mirrorless cameras.

Pros

Extremely high resolution
Exceptional autofocus
In-body image stabilization
Incredible image quality

Cons

Very expensive
More advanced than most beginners need

Best for: Professional photographers who want the highest level of image quality and performance.

👉 Buy on Amazon

See lens options below

LENSES

Canon RF 50mm f/1.8

Most budget-friendly lens that most photographers start with.

This lens has a wide f/1.8 aperture, which allows you to create beautiful blurry backgrounds for portraits even at a very low price. The downside is that it is a prime (fixed) lens, meaning it does not zoom in or out, so it can take a little getting used to. Still, if you are starting photography on a tight budget, this is usually the best first lens to buy.

Canon RF 28–70mm f/2.8

A newer and more affordable professional-style zoom lens.

This lens is much more versatile because it zooms from wide angle to portrait range, making it useful for both indoor and outdoor photography. It is cheaper than the 24-70mm mainly because it is not part of Canon’s premium L-series line, meaning it has simpler construction and fewer professional build features. However, it still delivers excellent image quality and is a great mid-range option.

Canon RF 24–70mm f/2.8

One of the best and most versatile professional lenses.

This is a top-quality L-series lens, known for incredible sharpness, strong autofocus, and professional build quality. The 24-70mm range makes it extremely flexible for portraits, families, events, and everyday photography. Many professional photographers consider this a core lens in their kit because it can handle almost any situation.

Canon RF 70–200mm f/2.8

My personal favorite lens for outdoor portraits.

This lens produces incredibly beautiful, creamy blurred backgrounds because of both its f/2.8 aperture and its longer focal length. It creates that dreamy professional portrait look many photographers love. It is definitely expensive and not necessary when you’re first starting, but once you are ready to invest in higher-end gear, it delivers amazing results, especially for outdoor sessions.