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Electronics
Photography
Budget
Cameras
What are the best cameras for photography under $500?
4
Options
Considered
7
User
Recs.
Nov 4, 2020
Last
Updated
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4
Options
Considered
Best cameras for photography under $500
Price
Weight
Dimensions
--
Nikon D3300
$447
430 g
124 x 98 x 76 mm
--
Nikon D5300
$497
480 g
125 x 98 x 76 mm
--
Canon EOS M200
499€
299 g
108 x 67 x 35 mm
--
Canon PowerShot G9 X
$299
206 g
-
See Full List
--
Nikon D3300
My Rec
ommendation
for
Nikon D3300
My Recommendation for
Nikon D3300
Add Video or Image
All
10
Pros
6
Cons
3
Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Detailed images
The camera has a 24.2 MP APS-C sensor.
See More
Top
Con
•••
Live mode has slow autofocus
See More
Specs
Weight:
430 g
Dimensions:
124 x 98 x 76 mm
Ports:
USB 2.0
Microphone:
Mono
See All Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Can create panoramas in-camera
See More
Top
Con
•••
Poor movie mode implementation
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Light body
See More
Top
Con
•••
Can't change aperture in live mode while shooting video
While shutter speed and exposure can be changed, aperture cannot.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
External mic jack
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Long battery life
It's CIPA rated 700 shots per charge.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Good video capabilities
The camera shoots detailed 1080p video at up to 60 frames per second.
See More
Hide
See All
$447
Recommend
2
--
Nikon D5300
My Rec
ommendation
for
Nikon D5300
My Recommendation for
Nikon D5300
Add Video or Image
All
10
Pros
7
Cons
2
Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Great dynamic range
According to tests performed by DxOmark D5300 has 13.86 stops of dynamic range in print and 13.06 stops on screen for images taken at 100 ISO. These are among the best results for cameras in this price range.
See More
Top
Con
•••
Can't control aperture in live view while shooting video
While shutter speed and exposure can be changed, aperture cannot.
See More
Specs
Weight:
480 g
Dimensions:
125 x 98 x 76 mm
Ports:
USB 2.0; HDMI
Microphone:
Stereo
See All Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Detailed images
The camera has a 24 MP CMOS sensor with an ISO range of 100 - 12800 (expandable up to 25,600).
See More
Top
Con
•••
Magnified live view lags quite a bit
The delay makes the zoomed in live view nearly unusable.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Good AF point coverage
39 focus points with 19 points being cross-type making it easier to set the focus within the frame.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Geotags your photos
The camera can automatically add location information to images via the built-in GPS.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Video autofocus
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Good video capabilities
Shoots up to 1080p60 resolution.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Has a good flip out swivel-and-tilt screen
D5300 has a 3:2, 1.04M-dot swivel-and-tilt screen.
See More
Hide
See All
$497
Recommend
3
--
Canon EOS M200
My Rec
ommendation
for
Canon EOS M200
My Recommendation for
Canon EOS M200
All
8
Experiences
1
Pros
3
Cons
3
Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Colors
Good JPEG colors.
See More
Top
Con
•••
No viewfinder
See More
RickZeeland's Experience
Mirrorless system camera with Canon M-mount, 24 MP APS-C-sensor, WiFi, Bluetooth and 4K video, the price with lens hovers around the $500 price point.
See More
Specs
Weight:
299 g
Dimensions:
108 x 67 x 35 mm
Ports:
USB 2.0, HDMI
Microphone:
Stereo
See All Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Compact
See More
Top
Con
•••
4K video crop
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Touchscreen
Very handy to choose the focus point.
See More
Top
Con
•••
No USB charging
You need to use the power supply.
See More
Hide
See All
499€
Recommend
1
--
Canon PowerShot G9 X
My Rec
ommendation
for
Canon PowerShot G9 X
My Recommendation for
Canon PowerShot G9 X
Add Video or Image
All
8
Pros
4
Cons
3
Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Good low-light performance
PowerShot G9 X has a sensor (1-inch) that's larger than most point and shoot cameras offer in this price range and that means less noise in low light.
See More
Top
Con
•••
No viewfinder
It can be difficult to use the LCD panel at the back of the camera in bright environments, but the lack of a viewfinder leaves no alternative.
See More
Specs
Weight:
206 g
Zoom:
3X
Top
Pro
•••
Portable
The camera's dimensions are just 2.28 x 1.21 x 3.86 inches.
See More
Top
Con
•••
Battery could be better
The camera promises 220 shots on a charge.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Touchscreen makes adjusting focus easy
All you need to do is tap on the place you wish to focus on.
See More
Top
Con
•••
Shooting RAW is slow
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Quick focus in good light
See More
Hide
See All
$299
Recommend
1
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