Skip primes and get one flexible zoom for travel. I've been through three of these bodies. Buy the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 for around $800. It covers landscapes and portraits easily.

Re: "Like someone mentioned, stick to a single zoom..." - tbh this gets asked every week. Just grab the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 and enjoy Italy...

Haha man Ive been there. When I bought my first real setup last year I almost passed out looking at lens prices. Dealer wanted $400 just for some basic service but I did it myself for $80 using YouTube and a screwdriver... thats just how I roll tbh. Everything comes down to cost per year and what gives you the best mileage. For Italy you dont wanna be swapping glass on cobblestone streets anyway. I grabbed the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD for like $700 on sale and it literally saved me a ton because I didnt need to buy two separate lenses. Breakdown-wise youre getting massive range for cheap. Trust me keep it simple so you can actually enjoy your trip instead of stressing over gear.

So funny you ask this — last summer I literally found myself in the exact same panic mode right before a trip to Florence. I spent hours staring at glass online until my brain felt like scrambled eggs, but ended up grabbing the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 and honestly, it completely saved my vacation. It's light enough to carry all day while walking cobbled streets, and that f/2.8 aperture gives you that nice blurry background for portraits without needing to swap lenses every two minutes. Quick tips before you fly:

• Bring at least one extra battery because the a7IV drains juice pretty fast when shooting video.
• Shoot in Aperture Priority mode (keep it around f/4 for general wandering) so you don't miss moments fumbling with manual settings. Just grab that one lens, leave the gear anxiety at home, and go eat some gelato.

Stumbled upon this thread again and honestly seeing everyone basically say the exact same thing is so validating lol. Ngl, when I first got my setup I was totally overwhelmed by all the choices too. I actually panicked and bought some random vintage lens off eBay first thinking I was being clever (spoiler: I was not, manual focus while walking around Rome is a nightmare tbh). If I could go back and do it right the first time, I would've just grabbed the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 and called it a day. It's lowkey the ultimate no-brainers lens for trips because you literally don't have to stress about changing lenses in the middle of a crowded piazza or anything. Quick tips before you head out:

• Watch a 10-minute YouTube video on Sony autofocus settings (eye AF is a total game changer for portraits of your girlfriend).
• Pack a portable power bank because charging via USB-C in your hotel room at night saves you when you forget extra batteries. Have an amazing time in Italy, seriously eat all the gelato for me!

> My budget is around $1,000 max. I'm a complete beginner so I mostly just want to take good vacation photos, some nice portraits of my girlfriend, and maybe a little bit of casual video. Re: "bump"

• I would strongly advise against rushing into any purchases on B&H without considering the physical safety of your gear in Italy. Pickpockets in tourist areas like Rome or Florence target expensive camera setups immediately. Just make sure you buy a secure, cross-body sling strap rather than the standard neck strap that comes in the box. A neck strap makes the camera an easy grab for someone walking past you. Also, double-check that your travel insurance covers high-value electronics before you leave. Many standard policies cap camera coverage at $500, which leaves your a7IV significantly underinsured. Regarding the lens choice for your $1,000 budget, stick to a weather-sealed zoom that covers standard focal lengths so you don't have to expose the camera sensor to dust and moisture while swapping lenses outdoors. If you aren't comfortable buying used equipment to stretch your budget safely, I'd recommend getting it professionally inspected if you do find a used deal online, just to ensure the internal elements aren't damaged. Keep your gear zipped inside your bag when walking through crowded transit hubs, and only take it out when you are actively shooting.

bump

Any updates on this?

Oh man, this is totally my jam. Saw your post earlier and couldn't stop thinking about it — wait, no, I actually have the exact setup you need. TL;DR: Grab the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 and call it a day. Seriously, it's about $800, leaves you cash for an extra battery (you'll need it for the a7IV, trust me), and handles everything from wide street shots to dreamy portraits at f/2.8. Quick tips for Italy:

• Shoot in RAW+JPEG so you have backups when messing in post.
• Keep your aperture around f/4 for general wandering around so things stay sharp. Anyway, bottom line is just slap that Tamron on and go enjoy your pasta without stressing over gear.

Like someone mentioned, stick to a single zoom lens for travel. Get the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 for around $800. It covers landscapes and portraits at f/2.8, leaving you $200 for an SD card and spare battery.