Buying guide · updated 5 November 2026

Best two-lens camera kit under £1,500

One body, a standard zoom (about 24-70mm equivalent) and a telephoto zoom (about 70-200mm equivalent) covers almost everything: travel, family, events, portraits, landscapes and most sport. Here are the best kits for £1,500 or less, brand by brand.

Quick answer

The best two-lens kit under £1,500 is the Panasonic Lumix G97 (G90) with the Panasonic Lumix G 12-35mm f/2.8 II and Panasonic Lumix G 35-100mm f/2.8 II, about £1,330.

f/2.8 kits under £1,500

Constant f/2.8 on both zooms: the most light and background blur, at the highest cost and weight.

f/4 kits under £1,500

Constant f/4 zooms: roughly half the price and much lighter, ideal for travel and landscapes.

Value kits under £1,500

Variable-aperture zooms: the cheapest way to cover the same range, best in good light.

Also: Panasonic Lumix G97 (G90) + Leica DG 12-60mm f/2.8-4 + Lumix G 35-100mm f/2.8 II (£1,250)

f/2.8 or f/4?

f/2.8 lets in twice as much light as f/4, so you can use a faster shutter speed indoors or a lower ISO at night, and backgrounds blur more. The cost is price and weight: an f/2.8 70-200mm usually weighs 1,000–1,500g against 600–800g for an f/4. For travel and landscapes, f/4 is usually the smarter buy; for weddings, indoor sport and events, f/2.8 earns its keep.

Other budgets

Under £1,500Under £2,000Under £3,000Under £5,000Under £10,000

Single-purpose setups: best for sports · best for travel · best for portraits.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best two-lens camera kit under £1,500?

Our top pick is the Panasonic Lumix G97 (G90) with the Panasonic Lumix G 12-35mm f/2.8 II and Panasonic Lumix G 35-100mm f/2.8 II, about £1,330 with the body and lenses bought used where MPB lists them.

Should I get f/2.8 or f/4 zooms?

f/2.8 zooms gather twice the light of f/4 and blur backgrounds more, which matters indoors, for events and sport. f/4 zooms are roughly half the price and often 30–40% lighter, and modern stabilisation and clean high ISO close much of the gap for travel and landscapes.

Is a 24-70mm and 70-200mm all I need?

For most people, yes. Together they cover wide-angle to short telephoto: landscapes, travel, events, portraits and most sport. Add a wide-angle zoom for architecture or astro, or a longer telephoto for wildlife.

Prices checked 5 November 2026: used prices are the middle of the MPB range for each item where listed, otherwise typical new UK prices. Equivalent focal lengths account for crop sensors.