looking for a good camera for portrait photography on a budget

[u/Capable_Bus8024]

budget: $300–600 cad ideally, up to $1,000 cad maximum. this budget should cover the camera body and at least one suitable portrait lens. i'm open to buying accessories separately if necessary.

country: canada (quebec).

condition: new or used. i'm open to buying used if it offers better value.

type of camera: mirrorless or dslr. i'm open to recommendations.

intended use: photography.

if photography; what style: primarily portrait photography, especially taking pictures of my girlfriend. i'd like professional-looking results with sharp details, natural skin tones, and nice background blur.

if video what style: n/a.

what features do you absolutely need: good image quality and the ability to take flattering portraits. ideally, reliable autofocus and good low-light performance.

what features would be nice to have: eye autofocus, a nice viewfinder, interchangeable lenses, and a system with affordable lens options for future upgrades.

portability: preferably something compact enough to carry in a small bag or with a shoulder strap for outdoor portraits and casual outings.

cameras you're considering: i'm a beginner, so i don't have specific models in mind yet. i'd appreciate recommendations for the best camera body and lens combination within my budget, including older used models that still perform well.

cameras you already have: none.

notes: i'm mainly interested in getting the best possible portrait photos for my budget rather than buying the newest camera. i'm also wondering whether it's better to spend more of my budget on the lens rather than the camera body. any recommendations for good used camera and portrait lens combinations would be greatly appreciated. thanks!

[u/onlylopsidedmartin]

For portraits with that budget, definitely sink more into the lens than the body. A used Canon 5D Mark II runs under $400 CAD these days and the image quality still holds up beautifully for skin tones, then pair it with the Canon 85mm f/1.8 and you'll get that dreamy background blur right away. The autofocus is nothing fancy by modern standards but for posed portraits it's more than capable, and the viewfinder on a full-frame DSLR is a joy to compose with.

If you want something smaller, look at a used Sony a6000 with the Sigma 56mm f/1.4, that combo is stupid sharp and the eye autofocus on the a6000 is decent enough for still subjects. The whole thing fits in a jacket pocket basically.

[u/metal_giants]

If you're in Montréal, have you visited Gosselin? They usually have a few used bodies and customer service.