Building on the earlier suggestion, honestly you need to look at the total system cost because the body is only half the battle. If you're looking at that 1500 dollar range, you gotta watch out for lens prices or you'll end up way over budget fast.

• Be careful with Sony right now... the Sony Alpha a7 III is still a workhorse but the glass is where they get you. Honestly it might be worth the trade off tho.
• If you do video, I would suggest looking at the Panasonic Lumix S5II. It finally has phase detect and is arguably the best hybrid value for money under 1500 if you catch a sale.
• For pure stills, the Nikon Z6 II is often discounted and the build quality is way better than the entry level plastic bodies from other brands. Just make sure to check the used market too, especially for older L-mount stuff if you go Panasonic... lenses can stay with you way longer than the body.

ngl i am in the exact same boat right now and it is super frustrating. i have been scouring the sales for months trying to find something that actually ticks all the boxes for under 1500 but it is a total nightmare. last week i almost pulled the trigger on a used Sony Alpha a7R III 42.4MP Mirrorless Body because i really wanted those high-res files for large prints, but then i started mathing out the long-term lens costs... absolutely soul crushing. even looking at a Nikon Z6 II 24.5MP Mirrorless, once you add a decent fast prime and some extra batteries, that 1500 dollar budget just vanishes instantly. unfortunately the mid-range sweet spot feels like it is disappearing lately. everything is either a plastic vlog toy or a 3000 dollar pro body. i am honestly worried about what this means for enthusiasts who cant drop five grand on a kit. TL;DR: same struggle here. market prices are staying way too high and the long-term cost of glass makes staying under 1.5k feel basically impossible if you actually care about technical specs.

Subbing for updates

Commenting to find later

To add to the point above: basically the discussion has covered some decent ground with the different sensor sizes and systems, but honestly i am in the exact same boat and it is been a total nightmare trying to decide. i have been scouring the specs for months now and i still cant find a setup that feels like a safe, reliable bet for the long term. it is really frustrating because when you look at high-performance needs like reliable tracking and fast bursts, everything in this price range seems to have some kind of catch or expensive hidden costs. i am still searching every day and just havent found the right answer yet... totally feel the struggle of not wanting to make a mistake with this much cash.

Canon EOS R8 is the best camera under $1,500 in 2024.

It is a surprisingly capable compact full-frame mirrorless camera that has the features and image quality of Canon EOS R6 II at a much lower price.

As of 2024, here are three highly recommended cameras under $1,500 that have received acclaim for their performance, features, and value for money:

1. Sony Alpha a6400

2. Nikon Z50

3. Fujifilm X-T30 II

These cameras have consistently been among the best sellers in their category and are well-regarded for their capabilities, making them excellent choices for anyone looking to invest under $1,500 in 2024.

Here are two top cameras under $1,500:

1. Sony A6700 (~$1,398) – A fantastic APS-C mirrorless camera with a 26MP sensor, 4K 120fps video, AI-powered autofocus, and excellent low-light performance. Ideal for hybrid shooters.

2. Fujifilm X-T5 (~$1,499) – A stylish 40MP APS-C camera with superb film simulations, 6K video, in-body stabilization, and a robust build. Great for photographers who love classic controls and Fuji’s color science.

Both offer pro-level features in a compact form. The a6700 excels in video, while the X-T5 is a stills powerhouse. Choose based on your priorities!

Works great for me