The best cameras under $500 are more powerful than they've ever been, offering some fantastic features for a very affordable price. As camera technology improves at the top end, better features continue to filter down to the cheaper options. Whether you go for a new camera or something a little older that's been discounted, it is absolutely possible to find a great camera within a budget of $500.
We've assembled a selection of such cameras on this list, showing that the best camera isn't always the most expensive. Entry-level offerings can capture high-quality photos – and the best cheap cameras often come in a lightweight and compact body too. Many of the best waterproof and action cameras come in under a $500 budget, which is good news if you're looking for something to take on vacation.
We keep this list regularly updated, but prices do regularly fluctuate, so you may find that some entries on this list are available for quite a bit less than our $500 budget. For some help choosing and pointers on what to look for, you can scroll to the bottom of this page. Otherwise, read on to discover our picks of the best cameras to buy for under $500.
Sebastian Oakley
For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. He is a member of Nikon NPS and has been a Nikon user since the film days. He's Digital Camera World's Ecommerce editor, which means he's our foremost expert when it comes to hunting down incredible bargains on camera gear.
Best for beginners
If you're just dipping your toes into photo or video, the mirrorless R100's guided menus make this easy to use. It has 24MP APS-C image quality, 4K video and cutting-edge RF-mount lenses – and our favorite beginner camera overall. Read more↵
Still the top dog of the action camera world, GoPro's Hero 12 Black is packed with new video features. Though you may also be tempted by the cheaper Hero 11...
More affordable (though not by much) than the Hero 12 Black and with most of the same features, the Hero 11 Black is a cheaper option for those who don't need Log recording.
DJI's action camera has a lot to recommend it, knocking the stuffing out of GoPro's Hero cameras in low light. The Osmo Action 4 also boasts excellent stabilisation.
The Panasonic Lumix FZ80D is a new bridge camera that resurrects the best of Panasonic's big-zoom compacts. For an all-in-one travel photography solution, its ideal.
Well-apportioned for beginners, the Canon EOS Rebel T7 is a great DSLR for learning the ropes, and there are plenty of affordable EF-SS lenses with which to supplement it.
Pretty much the most affordable DSLR you can buy new, Canon's EOS Rebel T100 is pretty no frills, but represents an affordable entry point into a superb system.
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Continuous shooting speed: 6.5fps (3.5fps with AF)
Max video resolution: 4K
User level: Beginner
Reasons to buy
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6.5fps (3.5fps with AF)
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Interchangeable lenses
Reasons to avoid
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The lens may push the price over $500
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Fixed, non-touch LCD screen
The EOS R100 is for beginners - and it is about the most affordable interchangeable lens camera that you can buy today, meaning with optional lenses you can use it to shoot any subject you care to name
It uses the same Dual Pixel autofocus system found on more professional Canon cameras and has a very respectable 24-megapixel APS-C sensor. It also has the benefit of being compatible (via an adapter) with the best Canon DSLR lenses which are highly affordable secondhand.
The newest GoPro model, the Hero 12 Black is a relatively minor upgrade from the Hero 11 Black (featured further on in this guide), inheriting the same 8:7 sensor that allows for easy shooting in different aspect ratios. The features it adds are largely geared towards serious video creators, those who want their content to look and feel ultra-polished.
To that end, the GoPro Hero 12 Black comes sporting a tripod thread, dual-channel audio and Bluetooth mic support — all of which is great news for serious vloggers, and probably take-or-leave for casual holiday shooters.
Also falling into that category is the new addition of Log shooting. This is a dedicated colour profile designed to drop the contrast and boost dynamic range, providing the maximum amount of information in order to make footage that's most responsive to colour grading. The thing with Log though is that if you need it explained to you, you're probably never going to bother with it. Again, one for the pros, and not much for everyone else.
The GoPro Hero 12 Black is the best GoPro on the market, possibly the best action camera on the market, and is one of the best sub-$500 cameras you can buy. However, all of those accolades are also true of the Hero 11, so this is only one to buy if you really like the look of the high-end video features it offers.
The OM System Tough TG-7 is the latest in the Tough TG line, formerly of Olympus, which has a sterling reputation among the tough camera market, not only for being sufficiently specced to handle tough conditions but also equipped with impressive imaging and video tech. The Raw-shooting, 4K-capable TG-7, is a fairly minor upgrade on the previous TG-6. Most of what it adds is external, with a steeper front grip sporting textured grooves, making for a more secure hold.
The camera produces 4K video at 30fps and offers the option to shoot Full HD video at 120fps for super-slow-motion. The TG-7 also has a generous 25-100mm optical zoom lens that lets you get closer and closer to the action. It's got a chunky handgrip providing a secure hold on the camera, while the internal zoom mechanism means the lens never protrudes from the body, protecting it from knocks and bumps.
Straightforward but sophisticated, the TG-7 is quite simply the best waterproof camera around right now. If you already own a TG-6 (or, to be honest, a TG-5), it's not particularly worth the upgrade, but it's a brilliant camera in its own right.
The Hero 11 Black introduced the almost square sensor that is supremely versatile. The camera's software has been simplified successfully, and GoPro's companion app, Quik has also been improved. With best-in-class stabilization, great-looking video in all but dimly-lit and dark scenes, and some fun new modes like light painting, the Hero 11 Black is an excellent addition to the line, and can generally be found a little cheaper than the Hero 12 Black
The Hero 11 Black's 8:7 aspect ratio is a standout highlight for content creators. Able to shoot in 5.3K resolution, 8:7 video at up to 30fps, its footage can be losslessly cropped to create new 4K portrait, landscape, and square clips from a single video.
On top of 8:7 video, the Hero 11 Black captures 5.3K resolution video at 60 fps, 4K resolution video at 120 fps, or 2.7K resolution at 240 fps. You can also grab 27MP stills from 5.3K video.
The Hero 11 Black might not have wildly improved the line's lowlight performance. Still, with its 8:7 sensor, a simplified interface, and enhanced horizon leveling, it's upgraded GoPro's offering in a meaningful way.
Though best known for its drones, DJI has also produced a credible line of GoPro-rivalling action cameras, the Osmo Action series. This fourth iteration boasts a 1/1.3-inch sensor that's larger than anything GoPro has to offer in its Hero series, instantly making it the best action camera for low light. With extensive native waterproofing, it's also a camera that's solid for shallow diving, and its stabilisation does an excellent job of keeping footage smooth while moving. Maximum resolution is 4K though, not 5.3K like the Hero 12.
A new bridge camera in 2024?! Indeed it is so, and after years of Panasonic's popular big-zoom compacts being increasingly hard to find, the firm comes out with a refreshed version that's available brand new for a great price. The Panasonic Lumix FZ82D (or FZ80D in Europe and other territories) sports a lens with an incredible equivalent zoom range of 20-1200mm. A useful new feature is the Zoom Compose Assist button, making this range easier to use by allowing you to quickly zoom out with the tap of a button — handy if you lose your subject.
Lightweight and travel-ready, the Lumix FZ82D does have a smaller sensor than other cameras, which can have an impact on image quality, low-light performance and dynamic range. However, its sheer versatility makes it a brilliant choice for under $500.
An impressively specced beginner's DSLR and one of the long-awaited successors to the entry-level EOS Rebel XS, the Canon EOS Rebel T7 is a great choice for any stating-out or aspiring photographer looking to try out their first DSLR. Also sold in some countries as the EOS 2000D, it doesn't do anything, particularly flash but does manage everything you need it to a 9-point autofocus system, 3fps burst shooting, Full HD video, and of course, the Canon EF-S mount that gives the user access to a huge catalog of fantastic lenses. Friendly to the novice user, but offering room to grow, the EOS Rebel SL7 represents a fantastic bargain.
Canon has spent some time filling out the low end of its DSLR range recently, creating lots of compelling options for beginner users and those working to tight budgets. One of the most affordable options is the Canon EOS Rebel T100, which comes at an even lower price point than the EOS Rebel SL7 seen above. It's a stripped-back beginner's DSLR that does just about everything you need it to for an incredible price, kit lens included. Also known as the EOS 4000D, the T100's nothing terribly sophisticated, but for the money, you get a decent camera with 18MP of resolution and 3fps burst shooting, as well as access to Canon's incredible stable of lenses.
When choosing a camera for under $500, it's best to be realistic about your expectations. Depending on what tickles your fancy, you should be able to pick up a fairly advanced compact camera, an enthusiast-focused mirrorless camera, or a decent entry-level DSLR.
With each new release, cameras have more advanced features, and the price of older models drops. Features that you once would've only seen on the best DSLRs or the best mirrorless cameras are now common features in more basic compact systems. This means that things like raw photos, Wi-Fi, and 4K video are now available in even budget cameras.
Another reason why cheaper cameras have become so good in recent years is that many manufacturers keep their older models on the market for quite a while. This means that consumers can pick up an absolute bargain if they're not too worried about having the newest camera on the market. We particularly like Sony for this, as its A6XXX mirrorless camera range and RX100 compact camera range have large back catalogs of cameras that are still pretty easy to find – and at some fantastic prices too.
It's worth noting that as camera prices fluctuate, you may find a camera on our list that creeps a little over budget (or plunges far below!). However, every camera model on this list has been chosen because it balances fantastic features with an affordable price point, so we will definitely get you in the right ballpark.
Cameras aren't a one-size-fits-all product, so the best camera under $500 for you will depend on what you want to use it for.
How we test cameras
We test mirrorless and DSLR cameras both in real-world shooting scenarios and in carefully controlled lab conditions. Our lab tests measure resolution, dynamic range, and signal-to-noise ratio. Resolution is measured using ISO resolution charts, dynamic range is measured using DxO Analyzer test equipment and DxO Analyzer is also used for noise analysis across the camera's ISO range. We use these real-world testing and lab results to inform our comments in buying guides. For compact cameras, we judge real-world handling and photographic results alone.
For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. Originally specializing in Equestrianism, his visuals have been used by the leading names in the equestrian industry such as The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), The Jockey Club, Horse & Hound, and many more for various advertising campaigns, books, and pre/post-event highlights.
He is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, holds a Foundation Degree in Equitation Science, and is a Master of Arts in Publishing. He is a member of Nikon NPS and has been a Nikon user since the film days using a Nikon F5 and saw the digital transition with Nikon's D series cameras and is still to this day the youngest member to be elected into BEWA, The British Equestrian Writers' Association.
He is familiar with and shows great interest in street, medium, and large format photography with products by Leica, Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa, and Sinar. Sebastian has also used many cinema cameras from the likes of Sony, RED, ARRI, and everything in between. He now spends his spare time using his trusted Leica M-E or Leica M2 shooting Street photography or general life as he sees it, usually in Black and White.
