Best budget cameras under $500 2023: Picks from Canon, Olympus, Sony and more

Female photographer holding one of the best budget cameras inside home office and smiling
A female photographer holding one of the best budget cameras and smiling. (Image credit: Getty)

The best budget cameras are easy on the wallet. But a low price doesn’t have to mean low quality, even in photography. In this guide, we’ve rounded up the best budget cameras you can buy right now for $500 or less that don’t compromise on performance.

Whether you’re a beginner or just looking for a way to upgrade your kit without spending too much money, we’ve included options for every need and budget. Although the cameras below might not have all the bells and whistles that top-of-the-line premium models do, they’re perfectly fine for learning or developing photography skills, no matter your ability. Chances are, unless you’re a pro photographer, you won’t need the specs that come with more expensive full-frame cameras anyway. You can get great results using a cheaper piece of kit if you know how to use it well.

From action shots to vlogging, holiday snaps to portraits, we’ve thoroughly tested the cameras in this guide to ensure they meet our quality and durability standards while providing you with the best value for money. Some of the models are more compact and great for taking along on a trip, and others even have 4K video capabilities and come with extra accessories. So if you’re on the hunt for a reliable bargain buy, read on to find your perfect match.

Best budget camera under $500 deal September 2023

now $449 at Amazon

GoPro Hero 11 Black: was $499.99, now $449 at Amazon
Save 10%. With 5.3K video capability, it's great for shooting action videos, complete with a water-repellent lens and award-winning image stabilization. While it's most known for video capture, you can also shoot 27MP stills. This deal includes the camera only, but for just under $500, you can get a bundle including a hand grip, an extra battery, a carrying case and more.


Best budget cameras under $500 2023

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Best budget cameras under $500 2023 ranked

Product photo of the Sony a6000

A front view of the Sony A6000. (Image credit: Amazon)

Sony A6000

Best for performance: An excellent compact camera setup boasting high-quality Sony technology

Specifications

Sensor Format: APS-C
Type: Mirrorless
Megapixels: 24.3
Autofocus Points: 179
Weight: 0.75lbs
Connectivity: Wi-fi and NFC

Reasons to buy

+
Large Sensor
+
Sony quality
+
Great image quality and color rendition

Reasons to avoid

-
Showing it's age
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No 4K video
-
ISO performance a little lacking

If you're after a reliable compact camera, you could do a lot worse than the Sony A6000. It might be almost 10 years old, but it's still widely considered to be one of the best compact cameras out there. 

Combining great design and handling with superb image quality and autofocus, the A6000 is great value for money. It doesn't have 4K video, but that won't matter if you mostly shoot stills and can do without the latest tech. 

It's currently on sale for a little over $600 at Best Buy, but the price includes a lens. It's worth shopping around to make sure you find the best deal, as the price often changes from retailer to retailer. Amazon has a range of options including lenses and used cameras.


Product photo of the Canon T7/2000D

A front view of the Canon T7/2000D.  (Image credit: Amazon)

Canon T7/2000D

Best for beginners: A great starter DSLR at an affordable price

Specifications

Sensor Format: APS-C
Type: DSLR
Megapixels: 24.1
Autofocus Points: 9
Weight: 1.0lbs
Connectivity: Wi-fi and NFC

Reasons to buy

+
A great beginner option
+
DSLR quality
+
Fits into the Canon ecosystem

Reasons to avoid

-
Older technology
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Not much room for growth
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No 4K shooting

If you're interested in taking up DSLR photography, look no further than the Canon T7/2000D. Intuitive and reliable, this small budget camera is a great option for beginners. 

It's far from the newest model in Canon's lineup, and it doesn't have all the specs you'll find in more expensive DSLRs, but it's perfectly functional and a good tool to build on your photography skills. With the Canon brand name, you can also rest assured you're getting a durable piece of kit. The added benefit of this camera being slightly older is you can now secure great bundles deals online, meaning you can get the camera, a lens and accessories for under $500. 


Gopro hero 11 black camera against white background

A front view of the GoPro Hero 11 Black. (Image credit: GoPro)

GoPro Hero 11 Black

Best for action photos: the Hero 11 Black is an excellent option for a wide range of photographers

Specifications

Sensor Format: APS-C
Megapixels: 27
Autofocus Points: N/A
Weight: 154g
Connectivity: Wi-Fi & NFC
Video: 5.3K60, 2.7K240

Reasons to buy

+
Rugged and durable
+
Waterproof to 33ft
+
High-resolution photos

Reasons to avoid

-
Can't be used without a phone setup
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Poor low-light performance
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Reports of overheating

GoPro is a household name when it comes to action shooting. We picked the Hero 11 because while it's a tiny bit over the $500 limit, we think the value you get from this camera is incredible. 

For a little over $500, you get a 50-piece bundle including loads of accessories including an SD card and various mounts, straps and tripods to capture any live action moment perfectly. In terms of features, the Hero 11 is a great option - think 5K video, fantastic stabilization, time-lapse options, and more. While it's mostly thought of as a video camera, you can shoot 27MP stills as well. As with all products from GoPro, it's completely waterproof up to 33 feet and it's built to last, so you can truly take it anywhere on your adventures.


Product photo of the Panasonic Lumix G100

A front view of the Panasonic Lumix G100, without a lens.  (Image credit: Amazon)

Panasonic Lumix G100

Best for vlogging: Great video recording and portability make this a good blog/vlog option

Specifications

Sensor Format: Micro Four-Thirds
Type: Mirrorless
Megapixels: 20.3
Autofocus Points: 49
Weight: 0.76lbs
Connectivity: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Reasons to buy

+
Great for content creators
+
Good audio performance
+
Lightweight for it's size

Reasons to avoid

-
Slightly limiting four-thirds system
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Max 10-minute recording time in 4K

The Panasonic Lumix G100 impresses with its compact design packed with great features. With 4K video capability (although only for 10 minutes) up to 30FPS and 5-axis image stabilization system, it's a versatile piece of kit great for budding vloggers and content creators. The built-in microphone is of equally high quality, so you don't even need to add an external one to film videos (but the option is there if you need it). To top it all off, you can get fantastic bundle offers on this camera, like this deal at Best Buy which gets you a camera, a lens and a tripod grip for $599.99.


Product photo of the Panasonic Lumix ZS80

A front view of the Panasonic Lumix ZS80. (Image credit: Amazon)

Panasonic Lumix ZS80

Best for everyday use: An easy-to-use camera with impressive zoom performance

Specifications

Sensor Format: BSI-CMOS
Type: Compact
Megapixels: 20.3
Autofocus points: NA
Weight: 1.0lbs
Connectivity: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Reasons to buy

+
Good zoom offering
+
Great for beginners

Reasons to avoid

-
No tilting screen
-
Multiple buttons and menus a bit confusing at first

Another great budget buy from Panasonic, the ZS80 is an easy-to-use, lightweight camera with great features. Complete with 4K video capabilities, a 30x optical zoom, a pleasing retro design and a handy touchscreen, it's a nifty every day camera that produces good quality results. It fits into your pocket so you can take it on the go easily. And for less than $450, you can't ask for much more than that! 


Product photo of the Olympus Tough TG-6

A front view of the Olympus Tough TG-6, in red and black. (Image credit: Amazon)

Olympus Tough TG-6

Best for durability: A rugged, waterproof, durable camera perfect for adventurous families

Specifications

Sensor Format: CMOS
Type: Compact
Megapixels: 12
Autofocus Points: 25
Weight: 0.5lbs
Connectivity: Wi-Fi

Reasons to buy

+
A great starter camera
+
Waterproof
+
4K recording
+
Great for families

Reasons to avoid

-
Low resolution for stills photos
-
Screen is hard to read in sunlight

As its name indicates, the Olympus Tough TG-6 is a great buy for anyone looking for a hardy budget camera. It's waterproof up to 50 feet (even more than the GoPro Hero 11) and its shell can withstand more than 100kg of crushing force, so you won't have to worry about dropping it or lending it to your kids to try. And it's not just impressive in its resistance, either; it offers 4K video shooting at 120fps and five underwater shooting modes so you can capture all your adventures in HD.


How we test the best budget cameras

When it comes to buying the best cameras and our recommendations for what to buy, we make sure to rigorously review and test each product, so you're guaranteed an honest and up-to-date opinion. We test cameras based on construction, design as well as function and performance in the field.

We also look at how easy each camera is to operate, whether it can shoot high quality images and videos and if a camera has up-to-date technology or not. Sometimes, we like to make suggestions for a suitable alternative to a recommendation and look at any additional kit that would enhance the photography experience. 

We only have expert staff and knowledgeable freelance contributors test out cameras, to ensure a fair, hands-on review from someone experienced in the field. This means that you get an informed and accurate review on cameras including their price point, class and destined use. So, for example, we wouldn't compare a 60MP full-frame mirrorless camera to a little crop-sensor DSLR as it wouldn't be appropriate, even if each camera was the best performing in its class. 

Space.com operates with complete editorial independence to ensure you get the best buying advice on cameras possible. Whether or not you purchase an instrument or not, we strive to make all of our buying guides and reviews reliable and transparent. 

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Jacob Little

Jacob Little is a photographer, writer and communications professional based in Bristol and Cornwall. His main inspirations come from outdoor adventure, travel, rural living and wild ways and crafts. Passionate about weaving the core principles of storytelling into his images, he approaches brand and copywriting work in much the same way. Conveying a compelling narrative is one of the main drivers behind much of his work.

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