To add to the point above: I actually disagree about hunting for new retail kits tho! You gotta check manufacturer refurbished stores directly instead. It is a fantastic way to save hundreds while keeping that warranty safety net! I saw an amazing deal on a Sony Alpha a6700 Mirrorless Camera Body recently that would leave plenty of room for glass. Definitely way better value than retail right now!

ngl, the bundle game has changed a lot since I started shooting years ago. I remember hunting for deals on the old forums and getting scammed by a grey market seller who basically sent me a box with no warranty and a weird manual. You really gotta be careful with those too good to be true prices you see on random sites. If you are stuck on that 1500 limit, I would suggest looking at these two options instead of hunting for hidden coupons.

• Sony Alpha a6700 with 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS: This is probably your safest bet for Tokyo since the autofocus is basically magic. Just make sure to check the Sony official education store if you still have an old edu email, they actually move the needle sometimes.
• Fujifilm X-T5 with 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS: Honestly, this one is a bit over budget brand new, but check the Fuji refurbished site. I picked up a body there once and it was basically mint condition. Just watch out for the slightly slower tracking compared to the Sony stuff. tbh, the math usually doesnt add up on big retail kits anymore. I usually just buy a used body and then find the glass separately on a forum marketplace to save the real money.

Jumping in here because I have been shooting with Fuji for ages and that X-T5 dream might be tough on your budget if you want decent glass. Honestly, the kit lenses included in these bundles are usually pretty lackluster anyway. You might want to consider looking at the used market on MPB or KEH instead. It is way smarter to buy a clean body and pick up a sharp prime lens separately.

• Check out the Fujifilm X-T4 Mirrorless Camera Body used, it holds up perfectly against the newer models for travel.
• Pair that with a Fujifilm Fujinon XF 35mm f/1.4 R Lens for that classic look without the markup of a new kit.
• If you really need the latest sensor, the Sony Alpha a6600 Mirrorless Camera Body is still a total beast for street photography in Japan. Be careful with those third-party kits on Amazon, they often toss in cheap, low-quality accessories just to hike the price. You are much better off piecing a kit together yourself with quality glass that wont disappoint you mid-trip. Make sure to check the shutter count before pulling the trigger.

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Works great for me

Honestly, if you are really chasing that mirrorless switch, you gotta be careful with kit lenses. Most of those bundle glass options are just variable aperture junk that cant handle low light in Tokyo alleys. Im super satisfied with my own setup, but I gotta ask, are you planning on doing mostly street photography or are you gonna be shooting video too? That changes the sensor readout requirements and lens choice significantly. If you want a beast that actually performs, look into the Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G Lens if you go the Sony route. It is pricey, but the constant aperture makes it a huge step up from any kit lens. Buying a body separately and hunting down a sharp prime like the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens is gonna give you way better IQ for your money than those bundled packages. Let me know what your main subject is and I can help you figure out the best glass to pair with a body.