I go to concerts regularly and would like to take better photos than I can with my phone. But I have no experience with actual cameras and don't want to spend too much money. What would you recommend?
For concerts, you basically need two things: a camera that handles low light well, and a lens with a wide aperture. If you're on a tight budget, I'd recommend getting a used DSLR or mirrorless camera - Canon EOS M50 Mark II, Sony A6400, or similar models. They're older, but still great for beginners and way cheaper than new gear. But here's the thing - the lens matters more than the camera itself. A kit lens just won't cut it for concerts because it doesn't let in enough light in the dark.
Save up a bit and get yourself something with f/1.8 or f/2.0 - like the Sony E 35mm f/1.8 or Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM. It's not expensive, but it makes a huge difference when shooting in bad light. With a lens like that, you can keep your ISO down and your photos won't look nearly as grainy. Start with something affordable and see if the hobby sticks - you can always upgrade later.
On a tight budget, it's often worth going for a used DSLR or mirrorless camera from the last five or six years - you'll get way more performance for your money than with a new entry-level model. The really important thing is a lens with a wide aperture (something like f/2.8 or better), because concerts are dark and otherwise your sensor just won't get enough light. You'll be frustrated with a kit lens - you really can't do much with that. Check out listings on eBay or Facebook Marketplace - you'll often find complete kits for 300 - 500 euros, and you can already take really good shots with those.
Don't forget that without a specialized lens you'll still struggle with dim lighting and stage effects even with a good camera - that's why investing in a fast lens is at least as important as the camera itself. Used DSLR bodies are really the smarter choice, but make sure you also get an f/2.8 or better zoom lens (18 - 55mm or 70 - 200mm), otherwise even the best camera won't help you. If your budget is tight, start with whatever used kit you can get - photo quality depends way more on the lens than on whether the camera is brand new.
The guys have already made some good points, but here's an important practical tip: before you buy, check out how the camera handles high ISO values in live situations - concert photos are dark and you'll need to push the sensitivity up, so noise becomes noticeable fast. If possible, test the camera or a similar one in the store under poor lighting conditions before you commit. A lot of people also underestimate how important autofocus is - a reliable AF with good tracking will save you tons of unusable shots when the band is jumping around.
I had the same problem and started with a used Canon EOS 80D plus a cheap 70-200mm lens with f/2.8 - cost me around 600-700€ altogether and it's totally enough to get decent shots at concerts. The really important thing is that the camera handles high ISO values well, because stage lighting is just unpredictable, and your phone will quickly get washed out and pixelated. If you really want to save money, also check out older mirrorless models - they've often gotten cheaper and often have better AF systems for moving subjects like performers. And don't forget: the best camera won't help you if you don't have a lens that's fast enough - you should basically budget half your money for that.
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