Cheap vs Expensive Camera: The Truth Nobody Tells You

This website contains affiliate links from trusted partners. If you purchase through a link on this site, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my Privacy Policy for more information.

Does an expensive camera really take better photos? Or can a “cheap” camera actually go toe-to-toe with the big boys?

This isn’t just some techie comparison for gearheads – this question matters for every travel and adventure photographer out there. 

Whether you’re shooting for Instagram, clients, or just your own wild bucket list, your gear can make or break your shot and your pack weight.

I mean, who wants to lug a $3,000 brick up a mountain if they don’t actually need to?

Hi, I’m Alexandra – travel photographer, mermaid adventurer, and proud founder of The Bucket List Mermaid. 

One of the biggest debates I see in the community is whether shelling out big bucks on a pro camera is actually worth it.

So, I took it to the field – or rather, the falls.

In today’s side-by-side showdown, I put the Canon EOS M50 Mark II up against the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV.

Same waterfall. Same day. Same eye behind the lens. So what’s going to matter more – the gear, or the gal using it?

Let’s find out if that steep price tag really changes the picture… or if this is just another case of camera FOMO gone wild.

What Makes a Camera Expensive?

So, why do some cameras cost more than your rent, while others barely make your wallet flinch?

Is it marketing hype? Secret luxury materials? Maybe a built-in AI assistant who edits your photos and makes you coffee.

Sadly… no barista bots included.

But there are real reasons why some cameras come with a hefty price tag – and depending on how you shoot, those extras may or may not be worth it. Let’s demystify the markup.

1. Sensor Size & Image Quality

Bigger sensors = more light = better image quality.

That’s the basic equation.

Expensive cameras often feature full-frame or medium format sensors, which excel at:

• Capturing richer detail
• Delivering smoother shadows and highlights (aka dynamic range)
• Performing better in low light
• Giving you that creamy, cinematic depth of field

Cheaper cameras tend to have APS-C or micro four-thirds sensors, which still rock – but they can struggle when the light fades or when you’re editing heavily.

2. Build Quality & Weather Sealing

Expensive cameras aren’t just pretty – they’re durable.

We’re talking:

• Magnesium alloy bodies
• Full weather sealing
• Buttons and dials built to survive blizzards, deserts, and the occasional tumble

Cheaper models often use plastic construction, fewer seals, and simpler mechanics.

That’s not necessarily bad, especially if you baby your gear or mostly shoot indoors or in mild weather, but it’s not made to be tossed into a river or baked on a mountain.

And given my lifestyle and clumsiness? That’s a real possibility. That tough build might earn its price tag in a single trip.

3. Autofocus System

Here’s where price buys performance.

Higher-end cameras typically have:

• More focus points
• Smarter tracking algorithms
• Better low-light focusing
• Advanced subject detection (eyes, animals, vehicles – the works)

Cheaper cameras? They’re improving fast, but they may hesitate in dim light or fast action scenes. You can still get great shots – it just takes more skill and patience.

If you’re shooting wildlife, sports, or fast-moving adventure action, that pro autofocus system can be a total game-changer.

4. Speed: Frame Rate & Buffer Depth

You’re mid-adventure and you hit burst mode to capture the action. The difference between pro and semi-pro?

• A pro camera keeps going – RAW after RAW, no sweat.
• A cheaper camera…coughs, wheezes, and asks for a nap.

That’s because expensive cameras have deeper buffers and faster processors, meaning they can handle more high-quality shots in a row without slowing down.

5. Pro Features & Expandability

Expensive cameras usually come packed with next-level features you didn’t even know you needed…until you use them:

• Dual card slots (for redundancy or overflow)
• Long battery life
• Customizable buttons
• Faster write speeds
• Better viewfinders and LCDs (liquid crystal displays)

They also tend to support more professional accessories: battery grips, tethering setups, external monitors, pro-grade flashes, etc.

Camera Showdown: Specs & Key Differences

🥊 In This Corner: Canon EOS M50 Mark II

The Canon EOS M50 Mark II is a beloved semi-professional camera that won’t empty your bank account.

Pros

• Lightweight & Compact: Perfect for travel, hiking, vlogging, and run-and-gun shooting.
• Affordable Price Point: Budget-friendly for beginners, hobbyists, or as a solid second camera.
• Flip-Out Touchscreen: Great for selfies, vlogs, and creative angles.
• User-Friendly Interface: Easy learning curve, ideal for photographers still building skills.
• Built-in Wi-Fi & Bluetooth: Fast sharing and remote control with your phone.

Cons

• Smaller APS-C Sensor: Less light-gathering power and shallower dynamic range compared to full-frame.
• Limited Low-Light Performance: Struggles with noise in darker environments.
• Cropped 4K Video: Significant crop factor makes wide shots harder in 4K mode. Overall, I didn’t love the video quality.
• Short Battery Life: You’ll need a few spares for full shooting days.
• Plastic Build: Less durable in harsh conditions — not weather sealed.
• Limited Native Lens Selection: Fewer options in the EF-M mount, unless using an adapter.

💪 And in This Corner: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is a pro-level powerhouse that’s built like a tank and priced like one too.

Pros

• Full-Frame Sensor: Gorgeous depth of field, better low-light capability, and dynamic range.
• Pro-Level Image Quality: Sharp, clean files with beautiful color rendering and detail.
• Weather-Sealed & Durable Build: Rugged enough for tough shoots and bad weather.
• Fast, Accurate Autofocus: Excellent tracking and face detection, even in challenging light.
• Dual Card Slots: Peace of mind for pros and large shoots.
• Massive Lens Ecosystem: Compatible with EF lenses – some of the best glass in the game.

Cons

• Expensive: Big price tag – not a casual purchase.
• Heavy & Bulky: Tough to travel with, not ideal for minimalist setups or long hikes.
• No Flip Screen: Harder to vlog or shoot yourself.
• Older Tech: Released in 2016, it lacks newer mirrorless features (no IBIS, no animal eye AF, etc.).
• No In-Body Stabilization (IBIS): Relies on lens stabilization or tripods for steady shots.
• Not Beginner-Friendly: Menu system and settings can overwhelm new shooters.

At-a-Glance Comparison Table

Feature	Canon EOS M50 Mark II	Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Type	Mirrorless	DSLR
Sensor Size	APS-C	Full-Frame
Megapixels	24.1 MP	30.4 MP
ISO Range	100–25,600	100–32,000 (expandable)
Autofocus System	Dual Pixel CMOS AF	61-point AF
Weight	387g	800g
Who It’s For	Beginner to intermediate photographers, vloggers, travel bloggers, or anyone who wants quality without hauling a brick.	Professional photographers, wedding/event shooters, commercial content creators, and anyone who needs top-tier image quality in tough environments.
Price	Decent for a semi-pro camera 👇 See Current Price on Amazon	Cry all of your tears…let it all out 👇 See Current Price on Amazon

Field Test: The Waterfall Photo Shoot

The Conditions

• Location: Rifle Falls State Park
• Lighting: Midday sun filtered through trees – a mix of high contrast, shade, and harsh highlights.
• Challenges: Spray on the lens, slippery rocks, fast-moving water, and shifting lighting.
• Shots Taken:
  • Wide scenic landscapes
  • Long exposure water blurs
  • Waterfall spray freezes
  • Close-up texture shots of wet rocks and moss
  • Handheld vs tripod comparisons

Note that all of these photos are compressed for space purposes, so some of the details might not be there…

📷 Let’s see how each camera handles the chaos 📸

Also, if you are wondering where I am, you can learn all about it in the podcast and my guide for adventurers.

Canon EOS M50 Mark II — The Lightweight Contender

Ease of Use

Right out of the gate, the M50 felt like a dream for travel shooting.

Lightweight, intuitive menu system, and easy to operate one-handed while clutching a dripping tripod in the other.

It’s basically the Swiss army knife of budget cameras.

Handling & Portability

Carrying the M50 all day was a breeze – especially when scrambling up wet rocks.

It fits in a small sling bag, and you almost forget it’s there. Perfect for fast-moving adventures.

Image Quality

Honestly? Impressive. Sharp images, decent color straight out of camera, and the APS-C sensor held up well in good light. 

The details in the moss and water splash were solid – though the highlights in the water did blow out a bit easier in harsh contrast.

Autofocus

Fast and responsive in good light, but it struggled a bit in shadowy spots near the base of the waterfall. 

Missed focus once or twice on handheld close-ups when things got dim.

RAW Flexibility in Post

Editing RAWs from the M50 was smooth, but you could feel the limits – less flexibility in recovering blown highlights or pulling out deep shadows.

Still, for web and social? Totally usable.

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV — The Pro Powerhouse

Ease of Use

It’s not exactly beginner-friendly – but once you know your way around it, this thing is a beast. 

Full manual control with no fuss. It feels reliable, like it knows what it’s doing even when you don’t.

Handling & Portability

Heavy. No sugarcoating it. My neck felt the 5D after an hour. 

Luckily, this crossbody strap helped distribute the weight better.

But that weight comes with serious durability. I didn’t baby this thing – and it laughed in the face of waterfall spray.

Image Quality

Stunning. The full-frame sensor delivered rich, detailed shots with tons of tonal range. 

Long exposures were crisp, colors popped, and textures were buttery sharp – even in tricky light. The highlights? Handled like a champ.

Autofocus

Fast, accurate, and reliable – even in the misty, low-light patches where the M50 faltered.

Tracking moving water and locking onto wet rock textures? No problem.

However, I must say that with great focus comes great responsibility (yes, I just quoted Spiderman).

There are a ton of different ways to focus and if you are a beginner this can be both overwhelming and tricky to master.

RAW Flexibility in Post

This is where the 5D flexes. You can recover highlights like magic and still have beautifully clean shadows. For print-quality or detailed retouching, it’s a dream.

You have to set it to RAW! When I shot in jpg, it struggled the same as the M50. 

My Honest Take: Did the M50 Hold Its Own?

Surprisingly, yes.

The M50 Mark II may not have the sheer horsepower of the 5D Mark IV, but it absolutely pulled off some gorgeous waterfall shots. 

For travel photography, content creation, and web-based media, this camera more than delivers. It just needs a bit more care and finesse when conditions get wild.

That said, the Canon 5D Mark IV was in its element – rock-solid, gorgeous files, and dependable even when things got dicey. 

It’s the camera I’d reach for if I were shooting for a client, doing large prints, or needed every pixel to count.

But for most adventurers and photographers starting out or building a portfolio on the go? You don’t need to drop thousands to create magic. 

You just need to know how to use what you’ve got – and shoot with intention.

Who Should Upgrade Their Camera…and Who Shouldn’t

Ah, the golden question:

“Expensive cameras may seem like they take better pictures… but do they really?”

Answer: Sometimes. But it depends way more on how you shoot, what you shoot, and where your photos are going than just what gear you’re holding.

Let’s break it down by who actually needs to level up – and who’s already sitting pretty with their current setup.

When a Pro Camera Does Make Sense

If you nodded along during the 5D’s field test breakdown and thought, “Yeah, I need that,” then hey – the pro life might be calling you.

Here’s when spending more is actually worth it:

• You deliver to clients who expect pixel-perfect quality or want large-format prints.
• You shoot in unpredictable or extreme conditions, like low light, fast action, or all-weather environments.
• You’re printing BIG, and need every drop of resolution and dynamic range.
• You push your files in post, recovering shadows and highlights, compositing, or doing heavy retouching.
• You already know your camera inside and out, and your skill is pushing past your gear’s limits.

Basically, if photography is your profession, a serious income stream, or your creative obsession – then yes, a higher-end body like the Canon 5D Mark IV (or its mirrorless equivalents) makes a real, tangible difference.

When a Semi-Pro Camera is More Than Enough

But here’s the reality check: most people don’t need to go pro to get pro-looking results. Especially if:

• You shoot for social media, blogs, or web-based platforms.
• You’re a travel photographer or content creator who prioritizes portability.
• You’re not regularly printing images larger than 11×14.
• You’re not editing super heavily in Lightroom or Photoshop.
• You’re a hobbyist or beginner still mastering exposure, composition, and storytelling.

Let’s Talk About Glass, Baby

Before you go chasing the next expensive body… let’s talk lenses.

Because here’s the tea: Your lens can make a bigger difference in your image than your camera body.

• A fast prime lens (like a 50mm f/1.8) on a cheaper body can give you dreamy depth of field and crispy sharpness.
• A wide-angle lens will let you capture epic landscapes and tight spaces alike.
• A high-quality zoom gives you flexibility and reach – especially for travel or wildlife work.

The good news?

You can often invest in one killer lens for the cost of upgrading your camera body, and get a noticeable image quality bump without the weight or price of going full-pro.

My only caveat to this is that you need to love your camera body. Make sure you are happy with the body you have before you start collecting lenses.

It’s Not About the Price — It’s About the Purpose

So, is a more expensive camera worth it?

Only if it’s solving a problem you actually have.

If your current camera is holding you back technically – by all means, upgrade. 

But if you’re hoping a pro body will magically make your photos better while you’re still learning manual mode? Save your cash and invest in knowledge first! 

The Real Truth: It’s About the Photographer

Look, I’ll say it loud for the folks in the back:

Even a $10,000 camera won’t fix bad lighting, weak composition, or no sense of story.

But you? With your creativity, your eye, your passion you can create magic with anything.

Skill > Gear….Every. Single. Time.

Cameras are just tools. They don’t see the moment. Cameras don’t know how to wait for perfect light. They don’t feel the story you’re trying to tell. That’s all you.

What really makes the difference?

• Understanding light — how it shapes your subject, creates drama, and adds emotion.
• Mastering composition — framing, balance, leading lines, visual flow.
• Knowing your camera’s settings inside and out, so they don’t get in your way.
• Developing a vision — and having the guts to go after it, whether you’re holding a $500 camera or a $5,000 one.

A seasoned photographer with a semi-pro camera will outshoot a newbie with top-of-the-line gear every single time. 

And you know what? That’s awesome. Because it means your growth isn’t gated by your wallet – it’s powered by your curiosity and commitment.

My Own Photography Journey

I didn’t start with a beast like the 5D Mark IV. Like most, I started with budget gear, auto mode, kit lens, and zero clue what I was doing. 

I took shots I thought were so epic, only to look back and realize… oof. We’ve all been there.

But here’s the thing: I didn’t grow because I bought better gear. I grew because I chased better photos. I studied compositions I loved, I failed a lot, I learned what every button on my camera did, and then I broke those rules creatively.

As my skills grew, my gear started holding me back – and that’s when it was time to upgrade. Not before.

Now? I use the right tool for the job. Sometimes that’s my Canon 5D Mark IV, especially when I need every pixel to deliver. 

But other times? It’s the compact M50, or even just a smartphone, because the moment matters more than megapixels.

You don’t need the most expensive camera to be a great photographer. You just need to show up, shoot intentionally, and learn every time you press the shutter.

Final Verdict: Is a More Expensive Camera Worth It?

So, after waterfalls, gear battles, and a splash of real talk, let’s answer the question once and for all:

Is a more expensive camera actually worth it?

Well… yes and no. (Classic photographer answer, right?)

Let’s Break It Down:

Cheaper Camera (Semi-Pro)	Expensive Camera (Pro-Level)
✅ Lightweight & travel-friendly	✅ Built like a tank
✅ Budget-accessible	✅ Incredible image quality & dynamic range
✅ Great for social media & content creators	✅ Ideal for print, client work, & heavy editing
❌ Limited in low light & highlight recovery	❌ Heavy and $$$
❌ Slower autofocus in tough conditions	❌ Overkill for beginners or casual shooters

The Real Answer?

More money ≠ automatically better photos.

Your camera won’t magically make you a better photographer. That’s your job. The gear just follows your lead.

Before upgrading, ask yourself:

• Am I hitting the limits of what my current camera can do?
• Am I shooting in conditions where I need better performance?
• Am I delivering work to clients or printing big where quality really matters?

If the answer’s “yes,” then go ahead and upgrade – intentionally. 

If it’s “not yet,” then lean into the gear you’ve got, and milk every ounce of creativity out of it.

Your Next Step?

Master the gear you have. Learn it inside and out. Get curious. Experiment. Break the rules. 

And when the time comes to upgrade, you’ll know it – not because you’re chasing specs, but because your skills are ready for the next level.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!

I want to hear from YOU:

• What gear are you currently shooting with?
• Have you ever done your own “cheap vs expensive camera” comparison?
• Do you think pro gear is worth the splurge?

🎉 Share your stories, show off your shots, or ask for advice over in my Facebook group:
👉 Shutterbugs Gone Wild – the travel and adventure photography lounge where we geek out over gear, swap tips, and celebrate our photo wins together.

Let’s grow as photographers – not just by buying new toys, but by using them with purpose.

Catch you (and your camera) out in the wild! 📸🌍✨ 

More Travel Resources