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 £2,000 or less, using real UK prices.
The best £2,000 setup for portraits is the Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX with the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art, about £1,970 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 £1,240 + lens £730 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 85mm equivalent · 1365g
Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation.
Body £1,620 + lens £230 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 85mm equivalent · 886g
Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation.
Body £1,220 + lens £599 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 85mm equivalent · 1360g
Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation.
Body £1,620 + lens £360 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 85mm equivalent · 1238g
Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation.
Body £1,210 + lens £720 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 84mm equivalent · 1002g
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panasonic | Lumix S5 II + Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art | £1,710 | Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation. |
| Sony | Alpha A7R IV + Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 | £1,829 | Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation. |
| Nikon | Z5 II + Viltrox AF 85mm f/1.4 Pro | £1,619 | Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation. |
| Canon | EOS RP + Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM | £1,950 | Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field. |
| Fujifilm | X-H1 + Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR | £1,250 | Why: aps-c sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation. |
The best £2,000 setup we found from each remaining brand.
| Brand | Setup | Total | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leica | CL + Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary | £1,769 | aps-c sensor for shallow depth of field. |
| OM System | OM-1 Mark II + Panasonic Lumix G 42.5mm f/1.7 | £1,590 | micro four thirds sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation. |
| Pentax | KF + Pentax HD D FA* 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW | £1,249 | aps-c sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation. |
Body £1,399 + lens £499 (new) · 85mm equivalent · 1095g
Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation.
Body £1,499 + lens £349 (new) · 85mm equivalent · 1240g
Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation.
Body £1,229 + lens £699 (new) · 85mm equivalent · 1029g
Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field.
Body £1,329 + lens £449 (new) · 84mm equivalent · 1028g
Why: aps-c sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation.
The A7R V's 61MP sensor in the compact A7C body. Huge resolution you can travel with.
The S1 II body with a conventional sensor: most of its features for less.
Nikon's affordable full frame with flagship-grade autofocus. Weather-sealed with two card slots.
More resolution and serious video over the Mark II. The top of this guide's price range.
47MP L-Mount body with a superb 5.76m-dot EVF. Used prices now sit well below a new SL3.
Medium format for full-frame money used. Slow contrast AF, but beautiful files.
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 £1,500. More to spend? Best under £3,000. Or read the full portraits buying guide. Want one body and two zooms? See the best two-lens kits.
Our top pick is the Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX with the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art, about £1,970 buying the body used. If you only need a body, the Sony Alpha A7C R scores highest at this budget.
Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX + Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (£1,970); Sony Alpha A7C R + Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 (£1,850); Nikon Zf + Viltrox AF 85mm f/1.4 Pro (£1,819).
Buying the body used typically saves 30–50% and leaves more of the £2,000 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.