--- title: 'The Camera I''d Buy If I Had to Start Over' source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=aPDtZqfDppk' video_id: 'aPDtZqfDppk' date: 2026-07-28 duration_sec: 482 channel: 'BigE' --- # The Camera I'd Buy If I Had to Start Over > Source: [The Camera I'd Buy If I Had to Start Over](https://youtube.com/watch?v=aPDtZqfDppk) ## Summary The video discusses the creator's recommended camera setup for content creators, emphasizing that while the Sony FX3 is his top choice if forced to pick one, most creators would be better off with the more affordable Sony FX30. He argues that gear quality is overrated and that storytelling and consistent output matter more than camera specs. ### Key Points - **The Creator's Top Camera** [00:15] — If forced to keep only one camera, it would be the Sony FX3 with the 16-35mm lens. - **FX3 Overkill for Most** [01:49] — 99% of content creators do not need the FX3; it is expensive and older generation. - **Recommended Budget Option** [02:16] — The Sony FX30, a crop sensor version of the FX3, offers the same body and tools at nearly half the price. - **Crop vs Full Frame Debate** [03:10] — The difference between full frame and crop sensor is negligible for most viewers, especially after compression to 720p or 1080p. - **Storytelling Over Gear** [06:57] — Gear cannot replace good storytelling; many viral videos were recorded on cell phones. ### Conclusion Invest in gear that enables consistent creation rather than the most expensive option. The best camera is the one you'll use regularly. ## Transcript lately about cameras. What do I use? What would I recommend? What should you content creator? So, instead of answering countless DMs and comments, my main camera, if I had to sell everything today and just use one camera with one lens, it would be this, the Sony FX3 with the 16-35 But, I will say if I had to start over again on a budget, I wouldn't pick this camera. Okay, so let's back up a little bit. I've owned multiple Sony cameras [music] throughout the years. I've been mainly a Sony shooter since 2016. I started on the Sony a6300. Shout out to all the OGs out there. I really feel everything. Now, I'm a full-time content creator with a creative background. I create YouTube videos, short-form content, live streams, I work on product shots, I work with brands making [music] videos about products. So, at this point, this isn't just a hobby. This is a full-time creator business. So, why the Sony FX3? First off, this thing's a powerhouse in any condition possible, I know it's going to run, especially with the built-in fans and [music] the mechanics that it has in it. There's no recording limits with this. I don't have to question if in a potential situation if it's just going to randomly shut off. I also fell in love with the form factor of this. It's got a cinema-esque body. You get these mounting points all over the camera, so you don't need a cage for it. Like, for example, I mounted this vertical side plate, so that way I could be shooting horizontal and then just flip it, [music] be shooting vertical. if I was to summarize the build of this, it it feels like a creative tool. I the ability to create. I feel like the best camera is the one that disappears only catch when talking about this camera. The reality is is 99% of content creators don't need this camera. It's expensive. It is an older generation. people complain that there's no open gate with it, and in 2026 competitors better options and features for less. And here's the kicker with features in this camera and in some of the competitors to this camera, none of these features actually make your content better. Again, all this is is a tool to make [music] producing the content easier. That's why if I could only have one lens and one camera, I would stack it with the 16-35. You get shots, you get the smooth bokeh and the stabilization, good colors. But if I had to start over, I could save thousands of dollars. So, the camera that I actually suggest to most content creators is the Sony FX30, which is a crop sensor version of this camera. So, you essentially get the same body, the same fan, the same mechanics, a lot of the same tools, but it's crop sensor versus full frame. Now, I've made videos over the years on the difference between full frame and crop sensor. And let me just tell you this, the majority of viewers don't know, nor do they care. The argument in the content creation world of crop sensor versus full frame really creatives. Like, of course when you break it down, full frame is better than crop sensor. But in the content that we're creating, by the time everything renders and processes and compresses to the platforms, and the majority of people that consume content watch on 720p and 1080p, at that rate nobody can really tell the difference that you shot on full frame versus crop sensor. And a enough to care even if they were watching full 4K and a lossless video quality. I test this theory all the time. I just like to screw with people. full frame versus crop sensor, I actually recorded the majority of the video on crop sensor, but I built up this idea that eventually I was going to I really wanted to do this trick people into saying, "Yeah, I could clearly tell the quality at the start was the full frame camera." And it worked. I know frame camera." And it worked. I know it's immature, but I really can't stand up-and-coming creators that have a smaller budget into thinking that they need something that they genuinely don't need. It's funny, I actually get a lot actually essentially use the camera in a crop sensor mode. It's an extreme dolled down version. You don't get the full frame benefits. And I even use a crop sensor lens on the camera when I stream. And I always get so many compliments of how good it looks. And a lot of people just assume it's a full frame camera with a full frame lens. Reality is, for the majority of content creators, the the majority of content creators, the FX30 is not only just fine, it is above it's just way more affordable. On the camera body alone with the Sony FX3, I'm pretty sure it's still like $3,700. You can get FX30s for under $2,000. And then, once you get the camera, the lenses are cheaper, too. But again, it still looks the same. So, like this particular setup here is like $6,500. And for $2,200, you can pretty much get the same look. Now, I will give an honorable mention for creators and creatives that >> have already started to get into the full frame landscape, but maybe can't afford the Sony FX3. One camera I could recommend is the Sony a7S III. This is my secondary shooter in 2026, and and I love this camera. But if you really want some of the sensor benefits from the FX3, and you want tools built into the camera that help as a creator, the Sony ZV-E1 is really good. The biggest downside to that, because it doesn't have the built-in fan for doesn't have the built-in fan for cooling, is it does overheat at long recording times, especially in extreme heating conditions. Like I wouldn't thing or using it as a stream camera. But it's basically the same sensor as the FX3 with a smaller body. And for the price, it's a great entry level for full frame cameras. It's perfect for running gun, especially for vertical content. And at the price point, it's it's very good for entry-level full frame cameras. You don't get the mounting points, but they do make like cage brackets on Amazon. It's less of a production tool, more just consumer-oriented. It's just very easy to navigate. So, the Sony ZV-E1 can give a lot of people the full frame look. The FX30, I feel like just gives an all-around creator workflow. And then the FX3 gives you confidence. But, here's the thing, guys. Let me just remind everybody, as I've been getting so many of these comments and questions lately in terms [music] of camera gear, microphones, lighting. For the vast majority of viewers, they don't really care about the gear that you use. All they simply want is clarity, decent audio, and decent lighting. So, you light that I use to this day is only like a $160 LED light. Or like my current microphone setup for streaming is super expensive. But, I used an entry-level Rode PodMic for years. And as a content creator, a vast majority of my most viral videos were just recorded on a cell phone. I'm telling you right now, you cannot out-gear bad storytelling. If people and your content, they're not going to [ __ ] with you because your video looks better. I've built full-time creator income on crop mode and in full frame mode and with third-party cheaper lenses. Your camera sensor is not what yeah, if I was forced to keep one, I'd go with the FX3, 16-35 mm. If I was starting over, I'd go with the FX30 and just a couple prime lens options like a 30 mm, a 15 mm, and maybe a super wide angle. I just had to branch into full in something as a content creator, I'd go with the ZV-E1. But, the key point is don't buy the most expensive camera, buy the one that will allow you to show up consistently. That's all I got for you guys today. I'm out. Peace. Deuces. guys today. I'm out. Peace. Deuces. >> [music]