Best Camera Under 500 Dollars
- Best Camera Under 500 Dollars - General Use
- Best Camera Under 500 Dollars - Bargain
- Best Camera Under 500 Dollars - Prosumer
- Best Camera Under 500 Dollars - Older Pro Model
- MPB Warranty
- 1080p (Full HD) video recording
- A fully articulated touchscreen
- Built-in electronic level
- Wi-Fi
- In-camera HDR
- AF microadjustment programming
- Stereo sound mic input
- Built-in flash flash
- What To Check When Buying a Used Camera
- Beginner Photography Primer: Types of Cameras Used for Photography
- 4 Benefits of Buying Used Cameras
photo by MarioGuti via iStock
It’s not too hard to find some good cameras for under 500 dollars, especially if you consider the used camera gear market from online platforms like MPB, which is a camera and lens reseller.
While you could find a couple of brand-new entry-level DSLRs for that low price point, the best camera under 500 dollars has more possible contenders in used cameras.
There are several ways to answer the question of what is the best camera under 500 dollars. I could list camera bodies only, a camera with lens or lenses, and conditions from Well Used to Good, and either Full Frame or crop formats.
If you’re willing to accept a used camera that is in good working order but obviously looks used, you can even find some older pro-level Full Frame cameras. Let’s have a look at what’s possible with a budget of 500 dollars.
Table of Contents
Best Camera Under 500 Dollars - General Use
As an all-around recommendation for the best camera under 500 dollars, I’m going to choose the APS-C format Canon EOS 70D camera with a choice of several lenses.
Since the camera body can be found in Excellent condition for $374.00, you have plenty of budget space to add a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM kit lens in Excellent condition for $61.00. That totals $435.00 for the camera body and an all-around general photography lens, putting this rig in my top place for the best camera under 500 dollars.
What’s nice about this setup is that the Canon EOS 70D isn’t an entry-level camera. It’s a good camera to grow with, having features that intermediate and more advanced photographers love.
It boasts an APS-C format 20.2MP sensor with an ISO range of 100 to 25,600 and Dual Pixel CMOS AF. The dual pixel design was brand-new in 2013 and means that the camera can autofocus all across the frame when in live view for video. Still pretty impressive for the best camera under 500 dollars today.
The regular 19 point AF sensors are sensitive down to -0.5 EV, allowing for swift and accurate focusing in lower light levels. Combined with their STM lenses, this gives silent and amazingly quick autofocus.
Camera features include:
Combine all of these features, capabilities, and quality together, and you have the perfect candidate for the best camera under 500 dollars including a lens.
Now let’s look at some other options that may be your best camera under 500 dollars.
Learn More:
Best Camera Under 500 Dollars - Bargain
Are you looking for a super bargain complete setup for your best camera under 500 dollars? I found a camera and three lenses that can help you get started in serious photography and will also let you learn and grow.
The Canon EOS Rebel T3 body (12.2MP APS-C format) in Good condition is $89.00, a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM kit lens in Excellent condition is $61.00
Meanwhile, the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III telephoto zoom lens in Good condition is $89.00, and the ultra-wide zoom lens Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM in Excellent condition is $184.00 for a total of $423.00.
That leaves budget space for a good flash, a better bag, or a tripod, making this a bargain-basement setup for the best camera under 500 dollars!
Best Camera Under 500 Dollars - Prosumer
An option or two for the best camera under 500 dollars for higher-end cameras such as prosumer models come from Nikon.
I’ve noticed over the past few years that Canon seems to have the low-price winner for entry-level APS-C DSLR cameras while Nikon wins with best pricing for APS-C format prosumer level cameras.
Here are three great examples from Nikon for best camera under 500 dollars as enthusiast or prosumer models. One is a Full Frame format camera. The other two are APS-C format.
The Nikon D600 has a 24.2MP Full Frame format sensor and can be found in Good condition for $444.00 body only.
For a workhorse older APS-C camera, the 12.2MP Nikon D300s is a true bargain at $209.00 for a Good condition body.
A newer camera, the 24.1MP APS-C format Nikon D7100 delivers prosumer features and ruggedness at only $379.00 body only Excellent condition.
Best Camera Under 500 Dollars - Older Pro Model
You can find some extreme bargains on full-fledged professional-caliber Full Frame format photography equipment if you’re willing to consider older models in less than pristine condition. One of these may be your best camera under 500 dollars.
I found two great examples on MPB DSLR pages: the high megapixel Nikon D800 and the ultra-rugged Canon EOS 1Ds Mk III.
A Well-Used condition 36.2MP Nikon D800 body can be purchased for only $389.00, with a Good condition body being slightly over the 500 dollar threshold at $569.00.
The 21MP Canon EOS 1Ds is just under the threshold at $499.00 for a Well Used body, while a Good condition model will be more at $774.00 for the body only.
MPB Warranty
One of the best things about using MPB as the source for our best camera under 500 dollars is their 6-month warranty on used cameras and lenses. You probably noticed the condition ratings I listed for the best camera under 500 dollars…MPB clearly describes each item they sell.
In addition to the clear and accurate descriptions and the 6-month warranty, MPB also offers a 7-day return window. This gives shoppers for the best DSLR camera under 500 dollars the assurance they won’t be buying someone else’s problem.
If you’re searching for the best camera under 500 dollars, MPB is the best place to find one. Enjoy your new camera!
