Section 01

The Kit We Recommend

A complete, ready-to-buy package. Order this and you're set to film.

Estimated total investment
~$4,300 · or ~$3,800 with a used FX30
Section 02

Choose by Budget

Prices are approximate and shift over time. Better is our recommended tier.

Category Budget Better Best
Camera Sony ZV-E1 $1,500–$2,000 Sony FX30 $1,800–$2,000 Sony FX3 $3,500–$4,000
Lens Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 G2 $800–$1,000 Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary $500–$600 Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II $2,100–$2,400
Microphone DJI Mic Mini $150–$180 DJI Mic 2 $300–$350 RODE Wireless PRO $350–$450
Teleprompter Desview T3 $80–$130 NEEWER X14 $180–$250 Elgato Prompter $280–$320
Tripod (fluid head) SmallRig AD-01 Kit $150–$250 Manfrotto Befree Live $250–$450 Benro Aero Series Kit $500–$900
Lighting Amaran 100d S $200–$300 Amaran 200d S $350–$500 Aputure 300d II $900–$1,300
Memory Card SanDisk Extreme Pro V30 128GB $25–$40 SanDisk Extreme Pro V60 128GB $50–$90 Sony Tough V60 128GB $100–$180
Batteries Third-party kit $50–$100 Sony OEM + dual charger $150–$250 Sony OEM ×3 + dual charger $300–$450
ND Filter K&F Concept VND $40–$80 K&F Concept True Color VND + CPL (55mm) $70–$90 PolarPro Peter McKinnon VND $180–$300
Camera
Budget
Sony ZV-E1
$1,500–$2,000
Better
Sony FX30
$1,800–$2,000
Best
Sony FX3
$3,500–$4,000
Lens
Budget
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 G2
$800–$1,000
Better
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary
$500–$600
Best
Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II
$2,100–$2,400
Microphone
Budget
DJI Mic Mini
$150–$180
Better
DJI Mic 2
$300–$350
Best
RODE Wireless PRO
$350–$450
Teleprompter
Budget
Desview T3
$80–$130
Better
NEEWER X14
$180–$250
Best
Elgato Prompter
$280–$320
Tripod (fluid head)
Budget
SmallRig AD-01 Kit
$150–$250
Better
Manfrotto Befree Live
$250–$450
Best
Benro Aero Series Kit
$500–$900
Lighting
Budget
Amaran 100d S
$200–$300
Better
Amaran 200d S
$350–$500
Best
Aputure 300d II
$900–$1,300
Memory Card
Budget
SanDisk Extreme Pro V30 128GB
$25–$40
Better
SanDisk Extreme Pro V60 128GB
$50–$90
Best
Sony Tough V60 128GB
$100–$180
Batteries
Budget
Third-party kit
$50–$100
Better
Sony OEM + dual charger
$150–$250
Best
Sony OEM ×3 + dual charger
$300–$450
ND Filter
Budget
K&F Concept VND
$40–$80
Better
K&F Concept True Color VND + CPL (55mm)
$70–$90
Best
PolarPro Peter McKinnon VND
$180–$300