Cameras under $500

All cameras

17 cameras under $500 from Fujifilm, DJI, Insta360 and more. Most cost $422 to $499, and half cost less than $466.

Top brands: DJI (8)

CanonSpec score 8.1

Mirrorless, APS-C, 20 to 29 MP, 4K

+Records 4K video

+Uses a 24.1 megapixel APS-C sensor

+Includes an RF-S18-45mm lens in the kit

−Mirrorless design uses the APS-C crop sensor size

$499.00-27%List: ~~$679.00~~

as of 11/03/2026 22:18 PST - Details

Panasonic

Compact, 4K

+Compact point-and-shoot design for travel

+Records 4K video

+Marketed for vlogging and travel photography

$497.99-9%List: ~~$549.99~~

as of 11/04/2026 00:36 PST - Details

DJI

Compact, 4K

+4K video at up to 120fps for slow motion

+1-inch CMOS sensor for a larger image sensor

+3-axis gimbal stabilization

$465.99

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

DJI

Video, 1-inch, 4K

+1-inch CMOS sensor for larger image capture

+4K video at up to 120fps for slow motion

+3-axis stabilization for smoother handheld footage

$439.00-12%List: ~~$499.00~~

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

DJI

Compact, 1-inch, 4K

$469.99-7%List: ~~$505.99~~

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

Insta360

Action, 4K

+4K video recording

+Lightweight at 53g for carrying anywhere

+156° field of view for wide shots

−Action camera form factor, not a standard camera body

$499.99

as of 11/03/2026 23:35 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

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

Generic

+Records 4K video for sharp footage

+Includes 3-axis gimbal stabilization

+Includes AI object detection and tracking

$455.00

as of 11/04/2026 11:36 PST - Details

DJI

Action, 4K

+4K video resolution for sharp footage

+120fps video option for slow motion

+47GB built-in storage for files without a card

−Action camera form factor limits framing versatility

$459.99

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

Insta360

Action, 4K

+Records 4K video for sharp footage

+Tiny, lightweight action camera for hands-free use

+Creator bundle includes accessories for content creation

−Small body offers less room for larger accessories

$499.99

as of 11/03/2026 23:35 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

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

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

DJI

Compact, 4K

+Records 4K video for sharp footage

+Includes a 64GB memory card for storage

+Compact camera type for pocket carrying

$485.00

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

vbhkCGJtuSpec score 8.4

Video, 30 to 49 MP, 4K

+Records 4K video for sharp footage

+48MP sensor for high-resolution stills

+18X zoom for reaching distant subjects

$422.44

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

Compare specs

Camera type	Spec score	Price
Mirrorless	8.1	$499.00 as of 11/03/2026 22:18 PST - Details
Compact	n/a	$497.99 as of 11/04/2026 00:36 PST - Details
Compact	n/a	$465.99 as of 11/03/2026 22:40 PST - Details
Video	n/a	$439.00 as of 11/03/2026 22:40 PST - Details
Compact	n/a	$469.99 as of 11/03/2026 22:40 PST - Details
Action	n/a	$499.99 as of 11/03/2026 23:35 PST - Details
Action	8.1	$419.00 as of 11/03/2026 23:14 PST - Details
Video	8.4	$463.36 as of 11/04/2026 07:35 PST - Details
	n/a	$455.00 as of 11/04/2026 11:36 PST - Details
Action	n/a	$459.99 as of 11/03/2026 22:40 PST - Details

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Spec scores, pros and cons, and prices are explained in the How it works section of the About page.

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