16 Best Cameras Under 500

Are you looking for the best cameras under 500? We live in a golden age of photography; digital cameras are becoming increasingly available for a fraction of what they used to cost. If you’re looking for an affordable digital camera, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll examine 16 different digital cameras from leading brands that all cost under the $500 mark.

We’ll break down each camera’s unique features and specs along with the overall pros and cons of using each one. At the end, you’ll have a comprehensive list of the best cameras under $500 to help you find your perfect model.

1. Sony Alpha A5000

The Sony Alpha A5000 provides robust features and excellent image quality for a mid-range price point. It features a 20.1 megapixel APS-C sensor with 25-point autofocus and Full HD 1080p video capabilities. The camera also has a 180-degree tilting touchscreen, ideal for creating unique angles from various perspectives. It also has Wi-Fi and NFC capabilities to quickly share images with others.

Pros:
• High res APS-C sensor
• Full HD video capabilities
• Great autofocus system
• Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity
• 180-degree tilting touchscreen

Cons:
• Slow burst mode
• Limited video options
• Short Battery life

2. Canon PowerShot SX620

The Canon PowerShot SX620 is the perfect option for novice photographers on a budget. It boasts a 20.2 megapixel CMOS sensor and 25x optical zoom. It also provides fast autofocus with 9.6 fps burst mode and offers built-in Wi-Fi with NFC for quick image sharing. The camera is ideal for beginners, as it features creative filters and automatic features for easy usage.

Pros:
• 20.2 MP CMOS sensor
• 25x optical zoom
• Fast autofocus and 9.6 fps burst mode
• Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC
• Creative filters and automatic features for beginners

Cons:
• Below-average battery life
• Lower image quality in low light
• No touch-screen

3. Nikon Coolpix W100

If you’re looking for a rugged, waterproof digital camera, the Nikon Coolpix W100 is the camera for you. It’s waterproof up to 33 feet and also surprisingly shockproof up to 5 feet. The camera also boasts a 13.2 megapixel sensor along with a 3x optical zoom. It also has Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity to quickly share images.

Pros:
• Waterproof and shockproof
• 13.2 megapixel sensor
• 3x optical zoom
• Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity

Cons:
• Low image quality
• No touchscreen
• Poor autofocus

4. Canon Powershot ELPH 360 HS

The Canon Powershot ELPH 360 HS is an affordable, pocket-friendly digital camera that offers impressive specs and performance. It features a 20.2 megapixel CMOS sensor and 12x optical zoom. The camera also offers a 3-inch LCD touchscreen which is great for composition and selfie-taking. It also has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC capabilities to quickly share images.

Pros:
• 20.2 megapixel CMOS sensor
• 12x optical zoom
• 3-inch LCD touchscreen
• Built in Wi-Fi and NFC capabilities

Cons:
• Poor battery life
• Low light image quality
• No hotshoe for external flash

5. Panasonic Lumix LX10

The Panasonic Lumix LX10 is a pocket powerhouse with a 1-inch, 20.1 megapixel MOS sensor and 24-72mm lens. The camera also features 4K video capabilities, a 3-inch touchscreen, and a 0.2-inch electronic viewfinder. It also has built-in Wi-Fi capabilities and quick autofocus to capture wildlife and scenic images with ease.

Pros:
• 1-inch, 20.1 megapixel MOS sensor
• 4K video capabilities
• 3-inch touchscreen
• 0.2-inch electronic viewfinder
• Wi-Fi and quick autofocus capabilities

Cons:
• Poor battery life
• Limited lens selection
• Lackluster low-light performance

6. Sony RX100 IV

The Sony RX100 IV is one of the company’s most popular point-and-shoot cameras. It features a 20.1 megapixel stacked CMOS sensor with a Zeiss 24-70mm lens and 0.39-inch viewfinder. The camera also provides burst shooting up to 16 fps and can shoot 4K video. It also features a tilting touchscreen and built-in Wi-Fi with NFC for easy image sharing.

Pros:
• 20.1 megapixel stacked CMOS sensor
• Zeiss 24-70mm lens
• 0.39-inch viewfinder
• Burst shooting up to 16 fps
• Tilting touchscreen and Wi-Fi with NFC

Cons:
• Expensive
• Poor battery life
• Limited lens selection

7. Nikon COOLPIX B500

The Nikon COOLPIX B500 is a versatile digital camera available for under $500. It features 16 megapixel CMOS sensor and 40x optical zoom. This makes it a great camera for capturing close-up shots as well as capturing stunning landscapes. The camera also offers 1080p video capabilities and built-in Wi-Fi with NFC to quickly share images with others.

Pros:
• 16 megapixel CMOS sensor
• 40x optical zoom
• 1080p video capabilities
• Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC

Cons:
• Slow autofocus
• Poor low light image quality
• No tilting screen

8. Fujifilm X-T10

The Fujifilm X-T10 is a great camera for photographers looking for a more reliable set of features. It features a 16.3 megapixel X-Trans CMOS II sensor with a powerful autofocus system and excellent low light performance. It also includes a 2.36 million dot electronic viewfinder, a tilting touchscreen, a 0.5-second shutter lag, and Wi-Fi capabilities.

Pros:
• 16.3 megapixel X-Trans CMOS II sensor
• Powerful autofocus system
• Excellent low light performance
• 2.36 million dot electronic viewfinder
• Tilting touchscreen and 0.5-second shutter lag
• Built-in Wi-Fi capabilities

Cons:
• Limited lens selection
• No 4K video capabilities
• Heavy body

9. Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 is a great interchangeable lens camera for those looking for stellar performance at an affordable price. The camera features a 16 megapixel MOS sensor with a maximum ISO of 25600. It also offers 4K video capabilities, along with a 3-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi, and NFC connectivity.

Pros:
• 16 megapixel MOS sensor
• Maximum ISO of 25600
• 4K video capabilities
• 3-inch touchscreen
• Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity

Cons:
• Slow autofocus
• No 4K video in 60 fps
• No touch focus

10. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III is the perfect camera for anyone looking for a digital camera with a more traditional design. It features a 16 megapixel micro four-thirds MOS sensor and can capture 4K video at 30 fps. It also offers a 2.36 million dot viewfinder, built-in image stabilization and Wi-Fi with NFC for quick image sharing.

Pros:
• 16 megapixel micro four-thirds MOS sensor
• 4K video capabilities
• 2.36 million dot viewfinder
• Built-in image stabilization
• Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity

Cons:
• No electronic front curtain shutter
• Poor low light performance
• Poor battery life

11. Panasonic Lumix ZS50

The Panasonic Lumix ZS50 is an excellent point-and-shoot digital camera at an affordable price. It features a 30x optical zoom and a 12.1 megapixel MOS sensor. The camera also offers built-in image stabilization, a 0.2-inch viewfinder, and a 3-inch LCD touchscreen for easy composition. It also has Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity for quick image sharing.

Pros:
• 30x optical zoom
• 12.1 megapixel MOS sensor
• Built-in image stabilization
• 0.2-inch viewfinder
• 3-inch LCD touchscreen
• Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity

Cons:
• Poor battery life
• Low light image quality
• Limited lens selection

12. Canon PowerShot SX720

The Canon PowerShot SX720 offers great performance and features in a lightweight, pocket-friendly design. It features a 20.3 megapixel backside-illuminated CMOS sensor and 40x optical zoom. It also provides Full HD 1080p video capabilities, a 3-inch LCD touchscreen, and a built-in Wi-Fi with NFC connection.

Pros:
• 20.3 megapixel backside illuminated CMOS sensor
• 40x optical zoom
• Full HD 1080p video capabilities
• 3-inch LCD touchscreen
• Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC connection

Cons:
• No 4K video recording
• Poor low light image quality
• Slow autofocus

13. Fujifilm X-A5

The Fujifilm X-A5 is an affordable digital camera with an modern design. It features a 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor along with a 3x optical zoom lens. It also offers 4K video recording and a 3-inch tilting touchscreen for quick composition. It also provides Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity for quick image sharing.

Pros:
• 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
• 3x optical zoom lens
• 4K video recording
• 3-inch tilting touchscreen
• Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity

Cons:
• Slow autofocus
• Limited lens selection
• Poor low light image quality

14. Canon EOS M100

The Canon EOS M100 is a great choice if you’re looking for a reliable and easy to use digital camera. It features a 24.2 megapixel CMOS sensor and can record up to Full HD 1080p video. The camera also provides built-in Wi-Fi and NFC capabilities to quickly share images, along with a 180-degree tiltable rear LCD screen.

Pros:
• 24.2 megapixel CMOS sensor
• Full HD 1080p video recording
• Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC capabilities
• 180-degree tiltable rear LCD screen

Cons:
• Poor low light image quality
• Low battery life
• Lackluster autofocus capabilities

15. Vuze Mini 3D 360 Camera

The Vuze Mini 3D 360 Camera is a unique and affordable camera offered by HumanEyes Technologies. It’s one of the smallest cameras capable of capturing 360-degree videos, with a resolution of up to 4K. It also offers built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, along with a large 1-inch sensor for clear images.

Pros:
• 360-degree video capabilities
• 4K resolution video
• Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
• Large 1-inch sensor

Cons:
• No image stabilization
• Low battery life
• No viewfinder

16. Sony Alpha A6100

The Sony Alpha A6100 is one of the company’s most advanced digital cameras and well worth looking at if you’re considering a purchase. It features a 24.2 megapixel APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor and a Bionz X image processor. It also offers fast autofocus, 4K video recording, and built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity.

Pros:
• 24.2 megapixel APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor
• Bionz X image processor
• Fast autofocus
• 4K video recording
• Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity

Cons:
• Limited lens selection
• Poor low light image quality
• Expensive

Final Thoughts On Best Cameras Under 500

Choosing the right digital camera for your needs can be overwhelming, especially if you’re on a tight budget. However, with our guide to the best cameras under $500, you’ll have a comprehensive list to refer to when making your purchase. Whether you’re looking for a pocket-sized option, an interchangeable lens camera, or a rugged, waterproof model, you can find it here. Keep this list handy when shopping around, and you’ll be sure to find the perfect model at the right price.