Hi everyone,

I’ve spent the last few days reading forums and camera reviews, and my head is spinning! As a beginner photographer on a tight budget, I’d appreciate some advice.

I’m considering the Canon R50 with the 18-45mm kit lens. However, I’ve seen several comments here criticizing this lens as underwhelming. My budget rules out the 18-150mm, and I’d prefer not to buy used gear. Maybe in the future I'll be able to get it, but not now. The cost of a new R50 18-45 is my budget ceiling at the moment.

I plan to travel for a shoot soon, so I need to finalize my camera purchase quickly. My primary subjects are architecture and nature, with occasional motorsports. In ~6 months I’d love to try deep-sky astrophotography, starting with a tripod and upgrading to a specialized lens later.

My questions:

1. Is the 18-45mm lens truly as bad as some claim for a newcomer? I’m used to smartphone photography (including manual mode) - will the transition disappoint?
2. If the R50 18-45mm is manageable, does this setup suit my needs? Are there cheaper or better alternatives? For example, could I save on the body to invest in a higher-quality lens? But what are the best options then? (I’m open to DSLRs too.)