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.