I'm sure you've read many times that camera gear doesn't matter: a good photographer should be able to make good images no matter what they are using.
Let me try to make an argument of the contrary: why I think that camera gear not only matters, but it matters a lot.
But first let's make clear that I do not think more megapixels are better (actually, quite the opposite). I don't care about frames per second, crazy high ISO performance or a focus system faster than your shadow.
Some people want their cameras to "get out of the way" when they are taking photos: I don't. I want my camera to inspire me, I want it to scream when I'm about to make a good picture.
I've owned a few cameras over the years, and every one of them felt different. I'm sure you've noticed the difference from one to another as well.
That's why I don't like "smartphone photography". I don't have anything against phones, I don't even hate the "phone look". I just don't like to shoot with them.
Among my old and current cameras (all of them are awesome, don't get me wrong!), I'd say I don't like these:
- sony rx100ii
- sony a6000
- sony a6500
- rolleiflex
- olympus trip 35
- diana
- holga
But I love(d) shooting with these:
- sony A7ii
- minolta xgm
- bronica sq-ai
Aren't the cameras in the first group able to make stunning photographs? For sure! They are amazing machines, and you can make great images with any of them. Yes, even with a Holga.
But I've had the most success with the latter ones. Not because they are superior technologically (there are two film cameras on that list after all), but because they inspire me, they motivate me, they push me, they make me a better photographer.
It might be the size, it might be the noise of the shutter, it might the finder.
I'd say, try not to forget you are using a camera but to be one with it, to be a complement of you rather than a tool you don't care about. It might take a while until you find a good match, but you'll find it.