iMac 21 with 16Gig 256 vs 8Gig 512

[nph]

I am planning to replace my 2011 iMac. Don't need nor do I want a huge 27 inch screen.
I plan to use it for pictures, take lots of them as well as videos.
Playing Civ IV and other strategy games and finally doing some programming.

I know I want a SSD but given the money what is best 16Gig RAM and 256 SSD or 8Gig RAM with 512 SSD. Given my uses being:
Photo editing
Video editing
Stategy games like WoW and Civ IV/V

What would you recommend?

I have external storage as well of course.

Thanks

 

[Pakaku]

Given the external storage you have, and that it's a desktop that you're probably not taking anywhere, 16GB RAM will go a lot further down the line than more storage

 

[ETJ]

16GB RAM for sure. You can buy an external SSD (samsung T5) and hide it to the back of the machine. For the same price as 256GB SSD more you get 1TB more and some money over.