From my own experience, I’ve learned that buying an inexpensive camera these days doesn’t always mean giving up image quality, like it might have in the past. The cameras that you can buy today for less than $500 have great resolution and can record stunning 4K video. In the past ten years, I’ve seen amazing technological progress that has made high-end features available in low–end camera models.
As we probably all know, photography can be a costly business. We all try to have the latest and greatest photography equipment, but in this list, we will look at some of the best cameras under $500 and show that you don’t have to have the latest model on the market to get the features you need. We know that $500 is not an insignificant amount of money, but it is precisely at this price point that you can find something that offers impressive image quality and fantastic handling.
We have included both mirrorless cameras and entry-level DSLR cameras. Most of the cameras on this list also include a lens to fetch a price under $500. Keep an eye out for promotions throughout the year, as manufacturers often offer cash-back deals, especially around Black Friday and Christmas. Whether a photographer or videographer, you may want to start your career (or hobby) at a reasonable price. Below we have mentioned the Best Cameras Under $500 for starters.
Here is the list of Best Cameras Under $500 to buy
Sony a5100
One of the most miniature, lightest, and most affordable mirrorless cameras currently offered with an APS-C sensor and sharing the same imaging pipeline as the Sony A6000, the Sony A5100 has few rivals in terms of offering good quality for the price. It lacks an EVF and an external mode dial, but this allows the camera body to remain as stylish as its predecessors in the NEX-gone-alpha line and brings some new tricks to the table, such as dual video recording.
Compared to the A5000, the Sony A5100 takes a significant step forward in sensitivity and performance, especially in autofocus. It also offers slightly higher resolution, a higher resolution monitor with a touch panel overlay, and an improved movie mode. It also comes in only two colors, while the A5000 has a choice of three.
GoPro Hero10 Black
Inside is a new image sensor and processor, which doubles the Hero9’s capabilities for slow-motion shooting, with frame rates of 240 fps at 1080p, 120 fps at 4K, and 60 fps at 5.3K. The GP2 processor makes higher frame rates possible and can more intelligently apply noise reduction for better results in low light.
The Hero10 is a tiny camera, about the size of a palm, with dimensions of 2.8 x 2.2 x 1.3 inches (HWD) and lightweight, weighing only 5.4 grams. Built-in mounting clips attached to a selfie stick (for vloggers), tripod for photography, or mounting accessory. The small size, sturdy frame, and 33-foot waterproof rating have made the series a favorite for mounting on people, pets, and all types of vehicles.
Insta360 ONE R Twin Edition
A tiny and compact package that makes it easy to go from 4K to 360º with this unique modular action camera. It features smooth FlowState stabilization and numerous advanced AI features for auto-follow, auto-frame, and auto-edit. For videographers looking for an all-in-one option that straddles the line between regular action camera-style shooting and 360º virtual reality, the Insta 360 ONE R Twin Edition is unique.
The two lens modules impress with their specifications. The wide-angle 4K module is a lens with an f/2.0 aperture and 16.4mm focal length (35mm equivalent) that can take 12MP (4:3) and 8MP (16:9) photos and shoot 4K 60fps video. It can also shoot at 200fps in Full HD, enabling 8x slow-motion shooting. Meanwhile, the Dual-Lens 360º Mod is a standard Insta360, with its two 7.2mm (35mm equivalent) f/2.8 lenses that capture everything in 5.7K 30fps.
Olympus Tough TG-6
It is worth mentioning, however, that in our very first drop test (which you can see in the video above), the plastic panel of the thumb grip detached from the body. It would be easy to reattach it and not affect the camera’s operation, but it was surprising to find such a weak spot. Nothing else came off during subsequent testing. Like its predecessor, the Olympus Tough TG-6 has a 12MP 1/2.3-inch backlit sensor. Which, on the surface, seems to be a problematic downgrade from the TG-4’s 16MP sensor.
However, a lower pixel count means that each photosite is more extensive, which means this sensor performs better in low-light situations. And it’s not just when the sun goes down; when shooting underwater, the ambient light is much lower, so better low-light performance is critical for this camera. For the same purpose, the TG-6 is equipped with a 4.5-18 mm (25-100 mm full-frame equivalent) lens with a fast maximum aperture of f/2, although it is possible to shoot with such a wide aperture only at the 25 mm end.
GoPro Hero 9 Black
Perhaps the most significant upgrade for the HERO9, especially considering that the community has requested it for years, is the complete overhaul of the sensor. It now boasts a vast 20-megapixel sensor, which dramatically improves photography capabilities. Dynamic range has been expanded, which means you can push all the details of highlights and shadows when editing shots, and low-light quality has been improved once again.
In our opinion, this is one of the most significant updates this year. We tested the sensor together with our high-end professional cameras and were amazed by the quality of photos produced by the GoPro HERO9. Is it as good as that of a professional-level mirrorless or DSLR camera? Not. But it’s getting there!
Panasonic Lumix FZ300
The Panasonic FZ300 retains the SLR style of its predecessor. Still, its body is slightly larger and heavier, growing about 0.2-0.3 inches in all dimensions and gaining about 3.6 ounces (17.5 percent) of extra mass. However, there is an excellent reason for this, making the FZ300 a much more versatile camera than its predecessor, especially for sports and nature shooters who have to deal with the elements. The body of the FZ300 is brand new, and in addition to some new controls, it has been completely protected from splashes and dust!
While the image pipeline is quite similar to the previous camera, the electronic viewfinder and LCD monitor have received a significant overhaul. The EVF is now high-resolution and, at 0.7x magnification, offers a much larger image than the FZ200’s 0.46x viewfinder. The contrast ratio of the new viewfinder’s organic LED display is 10,000:1, and it now includes a proximity sensor that allows it to be activated (and, optionally, automatically initiate autofocus) as soon as you bring it close to your eye.
DJI Pocket 2
The DJI Pocket 2 is a handheld camera aimed at vloggers, replacing the DJI Osmo Pocket. Like its predecessor, it has a built-in three-axis gimbal that offers exceptional image and video stabilization. It is also lightweight and portable and has numerous frame rate options.
It can record and play back videos at up to 60 fps in 4k and FHD and has an additional high-speed FHD recording setting that can record videos at 120 fps and 240 fps for slow-motion playback. However, the overall video quality is just sufficient and tends to overheat during use, especially when shooting in 4k.
Canon EOS Rebel T7
Let’s first talk about the resolution of the camera. The Rebel T7 is designed to be a fast and easy-to-use camera with a minimal learning curve. The extensive guide on the back of the LCD screen will help you every step of the way as you mature as a photographer and begin to experiment with the different priority modes. If you purchase the Canon Rebel T7, your ultimate goal should be to switch to full manual mode.
The first thing you will notice when you pick up the camera is its lightweight. It is the camera you would ideally want to carry with you every time you step out the front door. 24.1 megapixels is more than enough for today’s needs. We consume almost all our content online, and social media is the preferred platform for sharing and accessing photos.
Panasonic LUMIX ZS100
This means several things. For example, the ZS100 can capture about four times the total light at each focal length if you keep the aperture and use the same shutter speed. As the sensor collects more light, this results in a better signal-to-noise ratio, leading to higher image quality.
This is especially noticeable when the ISO needs to be increased in low-light conditions. Another advantage to having a 1″ sensor rather than a 1/2.3″ one. Lenses used on larger sensors tend to offer more control over depth of field, allowing for more blurred backgrounds in portraits. The only area where the ZS60 outperforms the ZS100 is in terms of zoom, as seen by how far the yellow line extends.
Canon G9X Mark II
The Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II is a compact digital camera with a sizeable one-inch sensor. Because of this, as a point-and-shoot device, it can offer excellent image quality. It can easily beat many low-end or mid-range smartphone cameras, especially in low-light conditions.
In addition to photo quality, the camera has a touchscreen LCD and a sleek body, perfect for those looking for a mix of style and form. However, the Mark II has shortcomings, such as a short lens that does not allow telephoto photography. It also does not have a viewfinder or 4K video capabilities.
Final Words
However, for you, best cameras under $500, this does not mean giving up. It just means shopping a little more wisely and spending more time on the used market, which, truth be told, is what you would have done anyway. Cameras from a few years ago are available at fantastic discounts from their launch price and are still capable of doing everything a contemporary photographer or videographer needs.