Cameras Under $500

These are 17 cameras for under $500, with a lens.

Each camera has a few different lens choices. That can be important if you have a specific type of photography or videopgrahy you are interested in.

The controls, built-in flashes, and other features make them a different experience than the camera on a phone.

How much is a camera worth?

Prices change. The “Sold Items” filter on eBay is the best way to check prices.

It will show what’s sold in the last 90 days.

That’s helpful because the best deals sell quickly.

A little research will give you the confidence of being able to spot a good deal.

Another tip is to look for bundles with any accessories you might want, like a circular polarizer.

Camera Condition

Avoid cameras that are dusty or have sand on them. That’s bad for moving parts.

Make sure there is no corrosion in the battery compartment or on the bottom of the camera. Look around screws for blue or white corrosion.

Look for cameras with shutter counts less than 50,000. Entry level shutters will be rated for at least 100,000 actuations. Professional cameras will be hundreds of thousands.

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Nikon DSLRs

The Nikon F-mount is my favorite lens mount. I think these cameras are the best choices for photography.

Higher end bodies have large optical view finders and excellent ergonomics. They’re fun cameras to use.

In most situations the image quality holds up against the newest high end mirrorless cameras.

Portraits

• Released 2012, 900g (32oz)
• 36.3 megapixels, 4fps, 51 AF points
• 1080p30 video
• Weather-sealed body
• CompactFlash & SDXC UHS-I slots

The 36 megapixel Nikon D800 is the highest resolution camera that can be found for under $500.

It’s a great choice for portraits, landscapes, and anything slow. Due to the size, I wouldn’t want to carry it around all day or travel with it.

Used Nikon F-mount lenses are a great value right now.

The D800E does not have a low pass filter.

For photography, it compares well to the Canon 5DS/R and Sony A7R.

The Professional DSLR Experience

• Released 2008, 995g (35.1oz)
• 12.1 megapixels, 5fps, 51 AF points
• No video
• Second Nikon full frame DSLR
• Single CompactFlash slot

The Nikon D700 marks Nikon’s entry into the full frame DSLRs. It was released with the Nikon D3, and they share the same sensor.

The D700 competed against the Canon 5D mark II. The consensus was that the D700 was better in low light.

Sport & Wildlife

• Released 2015, 765g (27oz)
• 24.0 megapixels, 6fps, 51 AF points
• 1080p60 video
• APS-C, “crop sensor”
• Dual SDXC slots

The Nikon D7200 is good for wildlife photography because it has an APS-C sensor.

With telephoto lenses, the crop factor comes in handy.

Nikon Z-mount Mirrorless

• Released 2019, 450g (16oz)
• 20.9 megapixels, 5fps, 209 AF points
• 4k30 video, high speed 1080p120
• Uses the Z-mount
• Single SDXC UHS-I slot

The Nikon Z50 is the only Z-mount camera that can be found for under $500.

It’s an entry level APS-C camera that great for learning photography or how to shoot video.

Nikon Z6 and Z5 are the cheapest full frame cameras. Unfortunately, both are a little over $500.

Canon Cameras

Until recently Canon cameras have had better video features than Nikons.

Some of the DSLRs are able to use the Magic Lantern firmware that transforms them into cinema cameras. The video quality that can be gotten out of them is still impressive.

The Legendary Canon 5D mark II

• Released 2008, 810g (29 oz)
• 21.0 megapixels, 9 AF points
• Full frame 1080p30 video
• Cinema camera with Magic Lantern
• Single CompactFlash card slot

The Canon 5D mark II is legendary for the quality of video it is capable of recording.

When released, being able to record 1080p video was cutting edge. The entire full frame sensor was captured, allowing for thin depths of field.

It’s great for photography as it still captures beautiful images.

I had one I used with the Canon EF 50mm f1.8 STM. It’s easy to see why so many people used and still use one today.

APS-H DSLR for Sports

• Released 2009, 1,180g (42oz)
• 20.2 megapixels, 45 AF points
• 10fps (28 RAW, 121 JPEG)
• Integrated grip
• CompactFlash slot, SDHC slot

The Canon 1D mark IV is the last camera Canon made with an APS-H sensor. APS-H is smaller than full frame, with a 1.3x crop factor.

That means it’s larger than APS-C. (1.6x crop factor with Canon.)

It was designed for high speed continuous shooting of news and sports in harsh weather.

The difficult part is going to be finding one in good condition.

Another Full Frame DSLR

• Released 2012, 755g (26.6oz)
• 20.2 megapixels, 11 AF points
• 1080p30 video
• Screen is fixed in place
• Single SDXC UHS-I slot

The Canon 6D was Canon’s first entry level full frame DSLR.

In 2012, the body alone would have cost $1,899. It was released shortly after the 5D mark III, which sold for $3,499.

The price gap has shrunk but 6D still only has 11 autofocus points. That’s not great compared to the 5D3, which has 61.

Where the 6D shines is in slower paced photography. General use, snapshots, landscapes, and portraits.

Camera bodies alone are well under $500, which leaves lots of room in the budget for lenses.

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Canon M50 Mark II (EF-M)

• Released 2020, 387g (13.7oz)
• 24.1 megapixels, 7.4fps, AF points
• 4k24 video
• EF-M lens mount (Discontinued)
• Single SDXC UHS-I slot

Canon R100 (RF-S)

• Released 2023, 356g (12.6oz)
• 24.1 megapixels, 3.5fps, Dual Pixel AF
• 4k24 video
• Uses the current RF-S mount
• Single SDXC UHS-I slot

There are not very many RF-S lenses.

The closest full frame cameras to $500 are the Canon R and RP.

Sony Cameras

Full Frame Mirrorless

• Released 2013, 474g (16.7oz)
• 24.0 megapixels, 5fps, 117 AF points
• 1080p60 video
• One of the first full frame E-mount cameras
• Single SDXC/PRO Duo Memory Stick slot

Eats batteries.

APS-C Mirrorless

• Released 2016, 404g (14.3oz)
• 24.3 megapixels, 11.1fps, 425 AF points
• 4k30 video
• Single SDXC slot

Sony Single Lens Translucent Camera

• 2014, 1,351g (47.7oz)
• 24.3 megapixels, 12 fps, 79 AF points
• 1080p60 video
• Viewfinder is an EVF
• Single SDXC/Memory Stick PRO Duo slot

The Sony A77 II is one of the last of SLT cameras. It’s a technological showcase by Sony with impressive specs.

It uses Sony/Minolta A-mount lenses. That opens up the ability to use older Minolta lenses that were released for 35mm film cameras.

Micro Four Thirds

There are dozens of cheap Micro Four Thirds lenses. That’s why it’s my favorite camera mount.

Panasonic G9

• Released 2017, 650g (23oz)
• 20.1 megapixels, fps, 225 AF points
• 4k60 video
• Contrast detection autofocus
• Two SDXC UHS-II slots

Ugh, contrast detection AF

Panasonic GH4

• Released 2014, 560g (20oz)
• 16.0 megapixels, 12fps, 49AF points
• 4k30 video
• Video focused accessories
• Single slot

The Panasonic GH4 is known for it’s video capabilities. Video quality is so good that it was used on TV shows and in movies.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II

• Released 2015,
• 16.0 megapixels, 10 fps, 81 AF points
• 1080p60 video
• Dust and splash-proof
• Single SDXC slot

pixel shift 64MP image

Five-axis IBIS

Fujifilm

Fujifilm is known for their film simulations. People love how JPEGs look. No time needs to be spent editing RAW files.

These cameras are good for general use, travel, street, landscapes, architecture, and other types of photography that don’t push the autofocus system. Nikon and Canon have better continuous autofocus.

Fujifilm X-T10

• Released 2015, 381g (13oz)
• 16.0 megapixels, 8 fps, 49 AF points
• 1080p60 video
• Retro styling
• Single SDXC UHS-I slot

A Fujifilm X-T10 body can be found for around $400. The problem is that doesn’t leave much room for a lens.

Fujifilm X lenses tend to be more expensive and in shorter supply on the used market compared to other brands.

Look for a Fujifilm Fujinon XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS lens.

Cheaper options include manual focus lenses from 7Artisans. Lens adapters allow manual focus film lenses to be used.

Fujifilm X-E1

• Released 2012, 350g (12oz)
• 16.3 megapixels, 6 fps
• 1080p24 video
• Rangefinder style EVF
• Single SDXC slot

The Fujifilm X-E1 is less expensive than then X-T10. It’s possible to get a lens and still be under $500.

Realistically, the Fujifilm XF18-55mm F2.8-4.0 R LM OIS is the best lens that could fit in the budget.