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There is no disputing that photography can be a costly pastime. Rare are the dedicated best cameras under $500 brand-new, and with the advancements in smartphone camera technology, the camera you already have in your pocket can be the best value. Yet, there’s no substitute for holding a camera in your hands, and you don’t have to sacrifice quality for cost. Of course, if you’re ready to forsake cutting-edge camera technology and features, the used market is teeming with capable models that will suit especially budget-conscious shoppers.
So, how do camera makers develop such high-quality cameras at such low prices? The main reason for this is that with each new iteration, the cameras gain more advanced functions while the price of prior ones falls. Features that were formerly reserved for the best DSLRs or mirrorless cameras are now found in even the most basic compact devices.
This means that raw images, Wi-Fi, and 4K video are now available in low-cost cameras. Another reason that low-cost cameras have become so outstanding in recent years is that many manufacturers keep their older versions on the market for a long period. This means that buyers who aren’t concerned with having latest camera on the market can purchase the actual thing.
Here is the list of Best Cameras Under $500
Canon EOS 2000D Rebel T7
Easily one of the best Cameras Under $500 available on the market, The Canon EOS 2000D Rebel T7 is the greatest all-around camera we’ve reviewed for around $500. The T7, which is part of Canon’s entry-level Rebel family, is an excellent choice for beginning photographers due to its basic design and user-friendly menu interface. While it lacks frills, this DSLR is based around a sturdy APS-C sensor that produces outstanding photographs.
It’s an excellent camera for developing your talents, as you’ll have access to Canon’s extensive selection of EF and EF-S lenses to upgrade to if you outgrow the box lens. Of course, at this price point, you can anticipate a cheaper plasticky build quality and features such as 4k video capability and an articulated screen.
Panasonic LUMIX FZ80
The Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 is one of the best superzoom cameras for the money. While it isn’t the most portable option, and the build quality leaves a lot to be desired, the camera feels excellent in the hand and includes a ‘4k PHOTO’ mode that lets you extract stills from 30 fps video clips, as well as creative shooting settings for macro and nighttime photography.
The built-in lens, on the other hand, offers a super broad zoom range, allowing you to shoot everything from close-ups to landscapes to distant subjects like birds and wildlife. That said, its image quality is limited by its small sensor, but if you need an inexpensive zoom camera for casual sports or family photography, this is a terrific option.
GoPro Hero11 Black
The Hero 11 Black looks like every other GoPro this side of 2019 With improved hardware and software, and it’s a victory on all fronts. The new, nearly square sensor is extremely adaptable, the camera’s software has been successfully simplified, and GoPro’s companion app, Quik, has been upgraded. The Hero 11 Black is a wonderful addition to the range, with best-in-class stability, great-looking video in all but dimly-lit and gloomy scenarios, and some interesting new modes like light painting.
The 8:7 aspect ratio of the Hero 11 Black is also a notable feature for video creators. Its film, which can be shot in 5.3K quality, 8:7 video at up to 30fps, can be losslessly cropped to make additional 4K portrait, landscape, and square segments from a single video. The Hero 11 Black may not have much enhanced the line’s low-light capabilities. Nonetheless, with its new 8:7 sensor, streamlined interface, and improved horizon levelling, it significantly improves GoPro’s offering. Thus, this product is one of the best Cameras Under $500 available right now.
Panasonic LUMIX DC-ZS70S
Panasonic’s long-running ZS series is an excellent option for people looking for a feature-rich point-and-shoot camera for travel. The Panasonic ZS-70/TZ-90, which was released in 2017, still features one of the best zoom lenses available on a compact camera. It boasts Wi-Fi capability so you can transfer photographs while on the fly, an astounding 30x magnification, and RAW photography.
Unlike other point-and-shoot cameras, it features an electronic viewfinder, although a little one, but it’s great to have the option. It boasts a 49-point autofocus system that is fast enough, good image quality, and a metering mechanism that helps to balance exposure in a range of scenarios. Without a question, the ZS70 is one of the greatest point-and-shoot cameras for blending versatility and portability with a low price point.
Panasonic Lumix ZS100
Panasonic single-handedly pioneered the pocket travel zoom category. Even though the Lumix TZ100 is a few years old, it nevertheless holds its own against the competition. With a competent 20.1MP 1-inch sensor and a weight of only 312g, the TZ100 is a camera that fits easily into pockets. A secondary camera that gives up to 10x optical zoom while taking up about the same area as five stacked iPhone 12 Minis is also a significant plus.
The Leica DC Elmarit lens for the TZ100 has a 25-250mm equivalent focal range and an f/2.8-f/5.9 variable aperture. Although the maximum aperture range appears to be a touch limited at f/2.8, it nevertheless produces lovely out-of-focus highlights, precise details, and rich tones in bright light. Currently, this is one of the best Cameras Under $500 that you can buy right now.
GoPro Hero 9 Black
The GoPro Hero 9 Black is one of the best action cameras available. Action cameras aren’t for everyone, but bear with us while we explain why. The Hero 9 can take 20MP photographs and shoot 5K videos at 30 frames per second in a super-compact form factor that can be readily mounted to almost anything. It’s also shock, drop, and waterproof, so you can take it everywhere. If you’re more interested in video, you’ll appreciate the Hero 9’s unbelievably smooth HyperSmooth Boost stabilization.
HyperSmooth lets you record professional-looking films while you’re on the move, whether you’re walking and talking to the camera or riding a mountain bike at high speeds. There are other GoPro cameras available at present time, but the GoPro Hero 9 Black is the first to include a front-facing display, which is quite useful when assembling self-shot photographs and films.
Nikon COOLPIX B500
This Nikon combo is an excellent choice for a first digital camera. Nikon’s best-selling COOLPIX series is popular among reviewers for its ease of use right out of the box, and this set includes a camera, two 16GB SDHC memory cards, a carrying case, a camera strap, and a cleaning kit. The camera itself is small enough for travel while remaining pleasant to hold.
It has a 16MP sensor, 40x optical zoom, and a flip-up LCD screen for convenient viewing. Images may be readily transferred using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. While this camera can record 1080p full HD video, customers claim it is best suited to static photographs. Still, it is one of the best Cameras Under $500 that you can consider.
Sony DSC-H300B Digital Camera
The Sony DSC-H300B operates like a DSLR camera but with the ease and convenience of a point-and-shoot camera. It’s one of the best-reviewed cameras under $500, packing a tone of capabilities into a small design. The camera produces 20.1 MP photos and has a 35x optical zoom for detailed, lifelike delivery.
You can also use the 360 Sweep Panorama to move the camera from side to side, and it will stitch the frames together to form a single full panoramic image. What we like: Sony’s 3″ LCD screen allows you to see and edit images on the go, with a full suite of beauty and image after-effects. Overall, it is one of the best Cameras Under $500 that you can buy.
Final Words
Based on their requirements, we believe the cameras listed above are currently the best Cameras under $500. We consider the price, feedback from our guests, and availability. If you want to make your own decision, here is a list of all our camera reviews priced around $500. Take care not to become bogged down in the intricacies. There is no such thing as a flawless camera. Personal tastes and shooting habits are most important in your pick.