Best Cameras Under $500

If you’re looking for the Best Cameras Under $500 you can buy in (Summer) 2022, which is affordable, high quality and better performance, then you’re in the right place. In this guide, I have listed down the Best Cameras Under $500 in 2022.

We made this list based on our own opinion, research, and customer reviews. We’ve considered their quality, features, and values when narrowing down the best choices possible.

The Best Cameras Under $500 you can buy today.

So, here are the Best Cameras Under $500 of 2022. If you want more information and updated pricing on the products mentioned, be sure to check the links in each product we mentioned.

1. Canon EOS Rebel T7 / EOS 2000D

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The best all-around camera we’ve tested for under $500 is the Canon EOS Rebel T7 / EOS 2000D. Part of Canon’s entry-level Rebel lineup, the T7 is a great option for beginner photographers thanks to its simple design and intuitive menu system. While it doesn’t have many bells and whistles, this DSLR is built around a solid APS-C sensor that can take excellent images. It’s a great camera to grow your skills with, too, as you’ll have access to Canon’s vast lineup of EF and EF-S lenses to upgrade to if you eventually outgrow the kit lens.

Of course, at this price point, you can expect a cheaper plasticky build quality, and you won’t get features like 4k video capability or an articulated screen. Still, for the price, this is a great beginner camera that’s sure to expand your photography potential beyond what you may be used to with your smartphone.

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2. Panasonic LUMIX FZ80

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For those who want a DSLR-like shooting experience without the complexity and added cost of additional lenses, a superzoom bridge camera can be a great cost-effective alternative. The Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 is one of the best bang-for-your-buck superzoom cameras you can get. While it isn’t the most portable option, and build quality leaves a lot to be desired, the camera feels pretty good in the hand and comes with plenty of cool extra features like a ‘4k PHOTO’ mode that lets you pull stills out of 30 fps video clips, along with creative shooting modes for macro and nighttime photography.

However, the big selling point of this camera is its built-in lens, which has a super wide zoom range that lets you shoot everything from close-ups to landscapes to far-off subjects like birds and wildlife. That said, it’s a bit limited by its small sensor for image quality, but if you need a cheaper zoom camera for casual sports or family photography, this is a great choice.

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3. Panasonic LUMIX ZS80

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If you want an affordable camera that you can take anywhere to capture memories and snapshots on the go, the Panasonic LUMIX ZS80 is the best point-and-shoot camera that we’ve tested for under $500. It’s nice and compact, meaning you can toss it in a bag or coat pocket, and the small thumb rest and finger grip make it super easy to use even with one hand. It even includes a small viewfinder, which is great for sunny days when it might be harder to see the screen. The screen can flip up for waist-level shots or selfies.

Best of all is its built-in lens, which has a wide zoom range that’s very versatile for a range of different photo styles. While you won’t get out-of-this-world image quality, especially compared to a larger-sensor DSLR like the Canon EOS Rebel T7 / EOS 2000D, this camera has 10 fps burst shooting and a surprisingly effective autofocus system, along with solid battery life. That makes this just about the best point-and-shoot camera under $500 that you can get.

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4. GoPro HERO10 Black

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For action video, there’s no better option under $500 than a GoPro. With the newly released GoPro HERO11 Black, there’s no better time to buy a GoPro HERO10 Black, which gives you top-of-the-line performance and features at a now more affordable price. The HERO 10 can record 5.3k video up to 60 fps, 4k video up to 120 fps, and 2.7k and 1080p video up to 240 fps, giving you a ton of options to capture various levels of slow-motion at different resolutions. It’s also waterproof, small enough to take anywhere and mount to almost anything, and comes with a front-facing screen that makes it easy to see yourself while recording.

That said, even the HERO10 isn’t exactly cheap as far as action cameras go, but thankfully, older models like the GoPro HERO9 Black and GoPro HERO8 Black are still available at lower price points for those on a tighter budget. They use older processors and don’t perform as well in low-light as the upgraded HERO10, but get you a lot of frame rate options and reliably effective stabilization.