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 £5,000 or less, using real UK prices.
The best £5,000 setup for portraits is the Canon EOS R5 Mark II with the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM, about £4,890 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 £3,350 + lens £1,540 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 85mm equivalent · 1941g
Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation.
Body £3,930 + lens £730 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 85mm equivalent · 1394g
Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation.
Body £1,020 + lens £2,999 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 85mm equivalent · 1860g
Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation.
Body £2,120 + lens £730 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 85mm equivalent · 1337g
Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation.
Body £2,110 + lens £699 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 85mm equivalent · 1258g
Why: full frame 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canon | EOS R6 Mark III + Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM | £3,440 | Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation. |
| Leica | SL3-S + Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art | £3,330 | Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation. |
| Nikon | Z6 II + Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 S | £3,769 | Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation. |
| Panasonic | Lumix S1 IIE + Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art | £2,360 | Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation. |
| Sony | Alpha A7C R + Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 | £2,319 | Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation. |
The best £5,000 setup we found from each remaining brand.
| Brand | Setup | Total | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fujifilm | GFX 100S + Fujifilm GF 110mm f/2 R LM WR | £4,120 | medium format sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation. |
| Hasselblad | X1D II 50C + Hasselblad XCD 2,5/90V | £4,740 | medium format sensor for shallow depth of field. |
| 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. |
| OM System | OM-3 + OM System M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8 | £1,250 | micro four thirds sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation. |
Body £1,499 + lens £2,999 (new) · 85mm equivalent · 1860g
Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation.
Body £2,699 + lens £1,099 (new) · 85mm equivalent · 1337g
Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation.
Body £2,999 + lens £1,099 (new) · 85mm equivalent · 1348g
Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation.
Body £1,699 + lens £2,799 (new) · 85mm equivalent · 1865g
Why: full frame sensor for shallow depth of field, in-body stabilisation.
44MP full frame with class-leading stabilisation and 8K video in a lighter body than the original S1R.
Sony's flagship: 50MP stacked sensor, 30fps blackout-free and AI tracking. Resolution and speed in one body.
Leica's 60MP L-Mount body. Machined build, IP54 sealing and access to Leica, Sigma and Panasonic lenses.
Nikon's affordable full frame with flagship-grade autofocus. Weather-sealed with two card slots.
45MP with a fast stacked sensor, eye-control AF and 8K video. Canon's do-everything pro body.
The most affordable new 100MP medium format. Compact for the format, with IBIS.
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 £3,000. More to spend? Best under £10,000. Or read the full portraits buying guide. Want one body and two zooms? See the best two-lens kits.
Our top pick is the Canon EOS R5 Mark II with the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM, about £4,890 buying the body used. If you only need a body, the Panasonic Lumix S1R II scores highest at this budget.
Canon EOS R5 Mark II + Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM (£4,890); Leica SL3 + Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (£4,660); Nikon Z5 II + Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 S (£4,019).
Buying the body used typically saves 30–50% and leaves more of the £5,000 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.