Cameras under $500

All cameras

82 cameras under $500 from Fujifilm, DJI, Insta360 and more. Most cost $420 to $499, and half cost less than $465.

Top brands: Fujifilm (23)DJI (12)Canon (8)Nikon (4)

Canon

DSLR, With lens, Canon EF

+Includes 18-55mm lens with the camera

+Bundled with a 64GB memory card and camera bag

+Includes a 58mm UV filter

−Entry-level DSLR body with fewer advanced controls

$499.00

as of 11/04/2026 14:40 PST - Details

Nikon

DSLR, Under 20 MP, With lens, Nikon F

+Includes 18-55mm AF-S DX VR zoom lens in the kit

+Nikon F mount works with a wide range of lenses

+Under 20 MP resolution suits faster file handling

−Under 20 MP resolution gives fewer pixels for cropping

$480.38

as of 11/04/2026 00:25 PST - Details

Sony

Compact, Under 20 MP

+16.1 MP resolution for everyday photos

+Compact body for carrying easily

+2.7-inch LCD screen for framing shots

−Lower resolution than higher-megapixel compact cameras

$498.99

as of 11/04/2026 04:37 PST - Details

Nikon

DSLR, Under 20 MP, With lens

+Includes 18-55mm ED II zoom lens in the kit

+Under 20 MP resolution suits faster file handling

+DSLR design with optical viewfinder

−6.1 MP resolution is low for large prints or cropping

$499.00

as of 11/04/2026 00:25 PST - Details

Insta360

Action, 8K

+Records 8K video

+Waterproof action camera body

+Includes an invisible selfie stick effect feature

−Action camera type rather than a general-purpose camera

$424.99

as of 11/03/2026 23:36 PST - Details

Fujifilm

Instant

+Instant camera type for printing photos right away

+Bundle includes a 32GB memory card

+Includes a case for carrying the camera

−Instant film prints are not as sharp as digital files

$444.95

as of 11/03/2026 23:04 PST - Details

GoProSpec score 8.1

Action, Under 20 MP, 4K

+Records 4K video for sharp footage

+Touch screen for easy control

+Waterproof action camera design

−Photos capped below 20 MP

$419.00

as of 11/03/2026 23:14 PST - Details

Insta360

Action, 5K or 6K

+5.7K 360 video recording

+Waterproof body for wet conditions

+72MP photo capability

−Action camera form factor, not a standard camera body

$429.99

as of 11/03/2026 23:36 PST - Details

Fujifilm

Instant

+Instant camera type prints photos immediately after shooting

+Includes a 32GB memory card for digital storage

+Bundled as a travel kit for portable use

−Instant film prints cost more per photo than digital images

$484.95

as of 11/03/2026 23:03 PST - Details

Fujifilm

Instant

+Instant camera type that prints photos on the spot

+Wide-format prints suited to group shots and events

+Bundle includes 20 exposures of film to start

−Each shot uses a sheet of instant film

$454.95

as of 11/03/2026 23:04 PST - Details

DJI

Action, 8K

+8K video resolution for very high detail footage

+Variable aperture from f/2.0 to f/4.0

+Includes DJI Mic Mini wireless microphone

−8K recording is more demanding than standard 4K

$499.00

as of 11/03/2026 22:40 PST - Details

Panasonic

Compact, Under 20 MP

+Compact body with a 3.6x optical zoom lens

+Optical image stabilization reduces blur from camera shake

+8.1 megapixel resolution suits small prints and sharing

−Lower resolution than most current compact cameras

$449.00

as of 11/04/2026 00:35 PST - Details

Fujifilm

Instant

+Instant camera type for printing photos right away

+Bundle includes a 32GB memory card

+Suited to parties and events, as the name states

−Instant film prints are not as sharp as digital files

$439.95

as of 11/03/2026 23:04 PST - Details

vbhkCGJtuSpec score 8.4

Video, 30 to 49 MP, 4K

+Records 4K video for sharp footage

+Built-in microphone for capturing audio

+Anti-shake feature steadies handheld footage

−Zoom is digital, which can reduce image quality at high levels

$463.36

as of 11/04/2026 07:35 PST - Details

vbhkCGJtuSpec score 8.4

Video, 30 to 49 MP, 4K

+Records 4K video for sharp footage

+48MP resolution for high-detail stills

+18X zoom for reaching distant subjects

−Camera type is video, not a stills-focused model

$418.24

as of 11/04/2026 07:35 PST - Details

Fujifilm

Instant

+Instant camera type that prints photos on the spot

+Wide-format prints suited to group shots and events

+Includes 32GB memory for storing digital images

−Each shot uses a sheet of instant film

$434.95

as of 11/03/2026 23:04 PST - Details

vbhkCGJtu

Video, 30 to 49 MP

+42MP resolution for detailed stills

+Flip screen for easy selfie framing

+Includes remote control for hands-free operation

−Camera type is video, not a stills-focused model

$416.84

as of 11/04/2026 07:35 PST - Details

DJI

Action, 4K

+4K video resolution for sharp footage

+Wearable camera design for hands-free recording

+Includes ND and CPL filter set

$459.99

as of 11/03/2026 22:40 PST - Details

GoPro

Action, 5K or 6K

+Records 5K or 6K video

+Bundle includes a 128GB memory card

+Bundle includes 50 accessories

$489.00

as of 11/03/2026 23:14 PST - Details

Insta360

Action, 50 MP or more

+50 MP or more for high-resolution still photos

+Dual AI chip for processing in the camera

+Leica-co-engineered lens system

$429.99

as of 11/03/2026 23:35 PST - Details

Insta360

Action, 8K

+Records 8K video for high-detail footage

+Includes a 128GB card for storage

+Co-engineered with Leica optics

$499.99

as of 11/03/2026 23:35 PST - Details

Insta360

Action, 8K

+Lightest 8K 360 waterproof action camera listed

+Waterproof body for water activities

+8K 360 video resolution

$489.99

as of 11/03/2026 23:36 PST - Details

Pentax

Compact

+Waterproof to 39.8 ft (14 m) for underwater shooting

+Rated for 2 hours of continuous waterproof use

+Shockproof-style rugged build rated to 3.6 ft (1.6 m) drops

$404.48

as of 11/04/2026 00:37 PST - Details

Canon

DSLR, With lens, Canon EF

+Includes an EF-S 18-55mm lens in the kit

+Uses the Canon EF lens mount for wide lens choice

+DSLR design with an optical viewfinder

$449.00

as of 11/04/2026 14:40 PST - Details

Insta360

Action, 5K or 6K

+Waterproof body for water activities

+Captures 360-degree footage

+5K or 6K video resolution

$439.99

as of 11/03/2026 23:36 PST - Details

DJI

Compact, 1-inch, 4K

+Uses a 1-inch sensor for better low light

+Records 4K video for sharp footage

+Compact camera type for pocket carrying

$490.00

as of 11/03/2026 22:40 PST - Details

DJI

Compact, 1-inch, 4K

+Uses a 1-inch sensor for better low light

+Records 4K video for sharp footage

+Compact camera type for pocket carrying

$480.00

as of 11/03/2026 22:40 PST - Details

Nikon

DSLR, Body only, Nikon F

+Nikon F mount accepts a wide range of Nikon F lenses

+Body only, so lenses can be chosen separately

+DSLR design with interchangeable lenses for varied shooting

$455.60

as of 11/04/2026 00:25 PST - Details

Compare specs

Camera type	Spec score	Price
DSLR	n/a	$499.00 as of 11/04/2026 14:40 PST - Details
DSLR	n/a	$480.38 as of 11/04/2026 00:25 PST - Details
Compact	n/a	$498.99 as of 11/04/2026 04:37 PST - Details
DSLR	n/a	$499.00 as of 11/04/2026 00:25 PST - Details
Action	n/a	$424.99 as of 11/03/2026 23:36 PST - Details
Instant	n/a	$444.95 as of 11/03/2026 23:04 PST - Details
Action	8.1	$419.00 as of 11/03/2026 23:14 PST - Details
Action	n/a	$429.99 as of 11/03/2026 23:36 PST - Details
Instant	n/a	$484.95 as of 11/03/2026 23:03 PST - Details
Instant	n/a	$454.95 as of 11/03/2026 23:04 PST - Details

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