Portraits reward a larger sensor, reliable eye autofocus and a fast short-telephoto prime around 85mm equivalent. Background blur comes mostly from the lens and sensor size, not the body's price. Here are the best complete setups (body plus the right lens) you can buy for £1,000 or less, using real UK prices.
The best £1,000 setup for portraits is the Panasonic Lumix S1 with the Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8, about £950 with the body bought used. Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation.
The best setup we found from each major system, ranked on how well it suits portraits. Bodies priced used where MPB lists them.
Body £560 + lens £390 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 85mm equivalent · 1376g
Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation.
Body £760 + lens £230 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 85mm equivalent · 1028g
Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation.
Body £410 + lens £550 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 85mm equivalent · 1053g
Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field.
Body £540 + lens £349 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 85mm equivalent · 1215g
Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation.
Body £530 + lens £310 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 84mm equivalent · 953g
Why: aps-c sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation.
Not every pick needs the top body. These cost noticeably less and still do the job well.
| Brand | Setup | Total | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony | Alpha A7 III + Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 | £850 | Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation. |
The best £1,000 setup we found from each remaining brand.
| Brand | Setup | Total | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| OM System | OM-5 Mark II + Panasonic Lumix G 42.5mm f/1.7 | £1,000 | micro four thirds sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation. |
| Leica | TL2 + Panasonic Lumix S 50mm f/1.8 | £940 | aps-c sensor for shallow depth of field. |
| Pentax | KP + Pentax HD D FA* 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW | £930 | aps-c sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation. |
Body £824 + lens £169 (new) · 75mm equivalent · 552g
Why: aps-c sensor for shallow depth of field.
Body £529 + lens £399 (new) · 84mm equivalent · 650g
Why: aps-c sensor for shallow depth of field.
Body £699 + lens £289 (new) · 84mm equivalent · 735g
Why: aps-c sensor for shallow depth of field.
Body £649 + lens £249 (new) · 90mm equivalent · 652g
Why: micro four thirds sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation.
Panasonic's first phase-detect AF body. The S5 IIX adds ProRes and RAW video output.
45.7MP with dual card slots and IBIS. A high-resolution bargain used.
42MP full frame for well under £1,000 used. A landscape bargain.
R6 Mark II sensor in a light body. A cheap, strong low-light full frame.
Big grip, IBIS and a top LCD. Underrated and cheap used.
Weather-sealed full-frame DSLR with Astrotracer and pixel shift.
Portraits reward a larger sensor, reliable eye autofocus and a fast short-telephoto prime around 85mm equivalent. Background blur comes mostly from the lens and sensor size, not the body's price.
Lens: Around 85mm equivalent with a fast aperture (f/1.8 or brighter) for background blur.
Spending less? Best for portraits under £500. More to spend? Best under £1,500. Or read the full portraits buying guide.
Our top pick is the Panasonic Lumix S1 with the Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8, about £950 buying the body used. If you only need a body, the Panasonic Lumix S5 II scores highest at this budget.
Panasonic Lumix S1 + Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8 (£950); Sony Alpha A7R III + Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 (£990); Canon EOS RP + Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 (£960).
Buying the body used typically saves 30–50% and leaves more of the £1,000 for a better lens, which usually matters more. New gives a full warranty and the latest firmware.
Around 85mm equivalent with a fast aperture (f/1.8 or brighter) for background blur.
Prices checked 5 November 2026: used prices are the middle of the MPB price range for the body and the lens on that mount; new prices are typical UK prices. Picks are ranked from the specs in our database for this type of photography.