Best Cameras Under $500

Best-Camera-under-500

There are a lot of digital cameras price under $500. You can choose from point-and-shoot cameras, compact cameras, mirrorless cameras, DSLR cameras.

Here is the buying guide for top rated cameras price under $500 in 2014.

Compact Cameras under $500 | Mirrorless Cameras under $500 | DSLR Cameras under $500

Best Point & Shoot Compact Cameras under $500

There are a lot of good compact cameras price under $500. Of all these, the best choice should be the Fujifilm X20.

Camera DxOMark dpreview Score Check Price at
Fujifilm X20
(2013.01)
77%
Silver Awards
Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay
Canon PowerShot G16
(2013.08)
54 Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay
Panasonic Lumix FZ200
(2012.07)
37 80%
Gold Awards
Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay
Canon PowerShot G15
(2012.09)
46 76%
Gold Awards
Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay
Canon PowerShot S120
(2013.08)
56 Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay
Fujifilm XQ1
(2013.10)
Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay
Nikon COOLPIX P520
(2013.01)
Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay

Best Mirrorless Cameras under $500

Not like DSLRs, some of mirrorless cameras are very cheap, if you are looking for an entry-level mirrorless camera, below are some of best choices. The new announced Sony A3000 and Sony NEX-5T are one of the best choices, both have highest DxOMark. And the Olympus E-PM2 is another great mirrorless camera, wins silver awards at dpreview.

Camera DxOMark dpreview Score Check Price at
Sony A3000
(2013.08)
78 Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay
Sony NEX-5T
(2013.08)
78 Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay
Olympus E-PM2
(2012.09)
72 77%
Silver Awards
Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay
Sony NEX-3N
(2013.02)
74 Amazon/B&H/ebay
Canon EOS M
(2012.07)
65 Amazon/B&H/ebay
Olympus E-PL5
(2012.09)
72 Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay
Panasonic GF6
(2013.04)
54 Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay
Fujifilm X-A1
(2013.09)
Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay
Panasonic G5
(2012.07)
61 Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay
Pentax Q7
(2013.06)
Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay

Best DSLR Cameras under $500

The Canon EOS T3i is of course the best selling DSLR in the world.

Camera DxOMark dpreview Score Check Price at
Canon T3i
(2011.02)
65 Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay
Sony A65
(2013.02)
74 78%
Gold Awards
Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay
Canon SL1
(2013.03)
63 78%
Gold Awards
Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay
Canon T3
(2011.02)
62 Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay
Nikon D3100
(2010.10)
67 72%
Silver Awards
Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay
Pentax K-500
(2013.06)
79 Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay
Sony A58
(2011.08)
74 Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay
Conclusion:

If you need a point and shoot camera under $500, the best choice is Fujifilm X20 and Canon PowerShot G16. If you need a mirrorless camera under $500, the best choice is Sony A3000 and NEX-5T. If you need a DSLR camera under $500, the best one is Canon EOS Rebel T3i.