Are you looking for a DSLR or mirrorless camera and have a budget of $500? Let’s see the best cameras under $500 to buy.
True, the price can be a variable that greatly influences the quality of the product, but before spending more money, you need to have certain parameters:
- Some experience
- A higher budget
- Know how to use the camera
What we want to say, in a nutshell, is that it is useless to spend $1,000 on a camera if you have never used it before or if you do not intend to take pictures at a certain frequency.
If instead you have some experience and a higher budget, you can take a look at the best cameras for less than 1,000 dollars or under 2000 dollars.
So, if you were looking for a product that has a low cost, you’re in the right place. Don’t worry about the quality; in this guide, we have collected the best cameras under $500 you can find on the market.
Of course, a 4K resolution may be difficult to find, but for now, take this camera as a start, a springboard, and then move on to the next level.
All the cameras listed below come directly from the official supplier on Amazon, so the warranty is original Nikon, Canon, or Sony, and therefore the security is 100%.
We always recommend only reliable sellers with short delivery times and very few complaints.
The best cameras under $500 in the market from top brands
If you have focused on this article, you will probably be looking at the world of photography, and you will be looking for a camera with an excellent quality/price ratio to start with. At this point, if you did not know, for this price range, there are two types of cameras worth focusing on: mirrorless and DSLR (digital single-lens reflex). Let us then proceed to first clarify between the two types.
Difference between Mirrorless and DSLR
DSLR cameras are the classic cameras used by professional photographers. Even with a budget of $500, you can buy an entry-level Nikon or Canon with the classic 18-55mm kit. Obviously, with this budget, you can’t expect a full-frame camera, but if you are a novice photographer and you want to enter the world of photography, they will give you great satisfaction. The mirrorless, as well as the DSLRs, give the possibility to change and assemble different objectives. The mirrorless, however, does not have a complex lens system like the Reflexes, which, for this reason, are lighter and more manageable.
The main difference is that mirrorless cameras have a digital viewfinder that simulates what we might see if we used an optical viewfinder on a DSLR. There are some mirrorless cameras that are devoid of viewfinders, and if we wanted to take a picture, we should refer to the rear display to get a preview of the shot.
So the question to ask is: do we want to rely on a digital viewfinder or an optical viewfinder in which we can see a real preview of the final shot?
We, being photography purists, recommend buying a DSLR without detracting from mirrorless cameras.
The top 8 best DSLR cameras under 500 dollars to buy
Below, we review the best cameras with a budget of around $500 or less.
Nikon D3400: best Nikon DSLR under 500 dollars
Our first choice of the best photo cameras around 500 dollars falls on the Nikon D3400, an excellent entry-level camera that will allow us to shoot with simplicity and have something more in the future.
This camera offers outstanding picture and video quality for its price, as well as a 24.2-megapixel APS-C image sensor, Full HD 1080p video, and ease of use that have popularized the entry-level Nikon. All this considered, the D3400 is the star option for anyone who wants a cheap SLR that performs perfectly.
One consideration to keep in mind is that the D3400 is very similar to the D3300, the previous model. The most important improvement in the new model is Nikon’s SnapBridge technology, which allows you to transfer images and videos via Bluetooth and also has longer battery life. Now, the previous D3300 is even more expensive than the new version, so we prefer the D3400.
To purchase a lens, check out our article, where we have collected all the best Nikon lenses.
Pros
- Very compact and lightweight body
- Impressive autofocus
- Superb battery life
- Good single-shot AF performance
- Handy Guide Mode for beginners
Cons
- LCD screen lacks touch operation
- Poor connectivity options
Discover more and the price here
Nikon D3300 24.2MP: Best Cameras Under 500
This is another of the best cameras under $500 to buy now. It was a very close match between the D3500 and the D3400 in the first position. The most important thing is that these models are identical in terms of video and image quality, so their main difference is their benefits, in addition to their price. The D3300 does not have Bluetooth connectivity and has a shorter battery life. The only advantage is that the flash system is considered superior to the D3300, an option to consider if you shoot frequently indoors or in low-light conditions.
Apart from these few differences, the D3300 has everything that beginners need in an SLR camera: good optical quality, an intuitive interface, and a lens as part of the sharper and lighter kit than in previous models. For this price, the D3300 offers better resolution than any Canon SLR below $500, and its performance is clearly superior to that of any compact camera.
Pros
- 24MP image sensor
- FHD video recording
- Includes a small, optically stabilized lens.
- light in weight.
- Raw shooting support.
Cons
- No built-in WiFi
- Images on the noisy side.
- No live view.
Discover more and the price here
Canon EOS 4000D / T100 Digital Camera
Canon is also famous for its production of reflex cameras. Especially the entry-level Canon DSLRs, which are statistically the most sold in the world for their quality/price ratio,. This camera has a similar design to its older sisters and is the SLR with the lowest price range that can be found. For the modest sum of around $300, this reflex and its 18-55mm lens will give you great satisfaction. Instantly transfer photos and movies to your smart device to easily share them on social media or back up to the Irista cloud service, and shoot remotely using Wi-Fi technology and the Canon Connect app.
If your budget is very limited, this reflex will satisfy you, and you will feel the excellent quality offered by Canon for the price paid.
Pros
- Great entry price
- Good weight and adequate build quality
- Decent ISO range
- The image quality is great for the price
- Built-in WiFi
- Fun features to adjust your images
Cons
- Small rear screen
- Autofocus can be fiddly
- Basic video quality
- No external mic input
Discover more and the price here
Canon EOS 1300D: best DSLR camera under $ 400
This is another of the best cameras under $500 to buy. It is rare to find a camera with interchangeable lenses for less than $400, especially from Canon. The 1300D is not loaded with many features, much less, but it is the most affordable Canon SLR camera, which is why we love its price. For less than $400 for the purpose of the included kit, it is the cheapest SLR on the list.
Why is 1300D so cheap? First, the rear LCD screen does not have touch functionality or is collapsible. Second, the 1300D has a firing rate of only 3 fps. Finally, the autofocus system is rather basic, with only one focus point. Now, we love its price, which is comparable to some compacts that do not offer, even remotely, the same image quality. If you are hesitating between the 1300D and the 750D, we would be left with the second option, as long as your budget allows it.
Pros
- Entry into a huge range of EOS accessories
- Raw capture support
- Great value
- Wi-Fi and NFC
Cons
- Slow for a family camera
- Fixed non-touch-screen
- Dated image sensor
Discover more and the price here
Sony a5100 Mirrorless Digital Camera
We have good news for photographers with a low budget: you can access Sony‘s popular line of mirrorless cameras for less than $500 with the objective included. The a5100 is the entry-level model of the company and a very attractive alternative to the compact ones of the same price. For example, the image sensor of the A5100 is three times larger than that of the Sony RX100 below, the focusing system is more advanced, and you can also exchange lenses. The 16-50mm objective of the kit offered with the a5100 is not our favorite, but it is a decent option to get started in the evil world.
Do not expect a range of features from the Sony a5100, especially when compared to its older sisters like the a6300 or a6500. The a5100 is not resistant to rain, does not have an electronic viewfinder, and does not shoot in 4K. The image quality is impressive for its price. In addition, the combination of a compact design and intuitive functionality makes the A5100 a very attractive option year after year.
Pros
- Impressive video capture performance
- Great, high ISO performance
- Tough body
- Good image quality and AF speeds
Cons
- Touchscreen performance is not as comprehensive as competitors
- No viewfinder
- No microphone socket
Discover more and the price here
Canon EOS M10 Mirrorless Camera
This is another of the best cameras under $500 to buy. Canon is relatively new in the mirrorless camera market, but we love the interchangeable objectives of the M line. For less than $500, the M10 has an APS-C image sensor with an 18-megapixel resolution and a lightweight design. In fact, this is one of the lightest evil cameras, making it an excellent choice for travel. In addition, the image quality is clearly superior to that of any other compact camera on the market.
Keep in mind that the M10 does not have an electronic viewfinder, which means that you will have to frame your photos through the rear LCD screen. In addition, although Canon’s EF-M lens collection continues to grow and options from other brands exist, you will not find as many lenses as in the case of an SLR camera.
Pros
- Built-in Wireless (Wi-fi)
- FHD at 30fps and HD at 60fps Video Recording
- 18.0MP MP (High-Resolution Sensor)
- Selfie- and Vlogger-Friendly LCD Screen
- Remote control with a smartphone
Cons
- No Sensor shift Image Stabilization
- No Built-in Viewfinder
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Sony Alpha a5000: Best cameras under 500
The Sony a5000 and a5100 above are clearly sisters: both were presented the same year, have a similar design and feel, and come with the same objective in the kit. What are your differences? The a5100 has 24 megapixels, better ISO sensitivity for low-light conditions, and a higher shooting speed of 6 fps instead of 4 fps. Now, it also has a much higher price.
If you are interested in the A5000, do not wait long to get one, since surely a successor to the new A5100 will appear, and with it, your little sister will go. In addition, the A5000 has an unbeatable current price, even lower than any SLR camera. Also, once you have decided for her, you can always buy more goals in the future.
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Nikon 1 J5 Mirrorless Digital Camera
This is another of the best cameras under $500 to buy. Nikon has not started on the right foot in the evil world, although that does not mean you should miss the 1J5. This mirrorless camera does not have the largest image sensor on the market, but it makes up for it with its features and functionality. The 1 J5 shoots at an incredible speed of 20 fps and has 20.8 megapixels of resolution, Wi-Fi, and NFC, in addition to superior ergonomics to previous models and better grip.
On the other hand, the 1 J5 does not have a low-filter optical sensor like the latest Nikon SLRs, so it offers greater clarity. If you can ignore the size of the image sensor (which, despite being smaller compared to other evil models, has the same size as the popular Sony RX100), the Nikon 1 J5 is a fun camera and very fast.
Discover more and the price here
These are just some of the best cameras under $500 to buy. There are also many more, such as the Sony Alpha 33 or the Olympus E-450, but everything will depend on the needs we are looking to meet and the budget we have.