The electronics market is bursting with photography equipment these days. Many known brands claim to sell the most excellent DSLR cameras on the market. There’s no doubt that the performance of most DSLRs is exceptional, but some of them are a little too overpriced and do not offer quick and natural results.
For those who want unrivaled performance and great picture quality on a budget, finding an affordable camera can be a challenging task. Luckily for you, we have assembled a list of the most reliable and user-friendly cameras. All these cameras offer the most in-demand and high-quality features needed in a camera for both beginners and professionals.
Here are some of the best cameras under $500!
1. Nikon D3500 (Overall Winner)

The first camera on our list is the Nikon D3500. Nikon has designed numerous popular cameras under $500 for photographers, and the D3500 is one such model. The popularity of this camera is primarily due to its excellent and focused picture quality. If you’re a smartphone photographer willing to switch to camera photography, then this DSLR is the perfect choice for you.
Step up your photography skills with the Nikon D3500’s image sensor. This is 15 times larger than the sensor of a typical smartphone. The Nikon D3500 is simple to use with no complicated dials and settings that may mess up your killer shot. In fact, you can even select the Guide Mode on this camera to learn about camera angles, tricks, and settings.
Lightweight build and portability is another reason why we love this camera. It can withstand extreme conditions and give a remarkable performance, which is a treat for travel photographers.
The D3500 is portable and sturdy, so if you have shaky hands, you can feel reassured while using the Nikon D3500. Coming to the picture and video quality, the Auto Mode on this camera takes superb photos. 11-point autofocus and a five fps burst shot option ensure unparalleled image clarity and detail. The camera features 1080p HD video quality, so you’re good to go if you want to capture amazing videos!
2. Canon EOS Rebel T7 (Budget Winner)

Creativity can hit you at any moment. With the Canon EOS Rebel T7, you won’t ever have to miss an inspirational moment because you’ll be able to capture it in perfect detail. This camera has a 24.1 MP CMOS image sensor and a viewfinder that effortlessly keeps up with fast-paced photography.
With the EOS Rebel T7’s apt and accurate autofocus feature, you’ll never miss your next big shot. This is a plus point for anyone who’s a fan of smartphone photography. You can experience the same fastness as you do with your smartphone, only with way better results! Activate the Auto mode and enhance your captured moments and use the Guide mode to figure out the settings that will be the most suitable for your frame.
The product’s DIGIC 4+ Image processor captures undistorted images in low light settings, as well. With a nine-point Autofocus, an ISO range of 200-6400, and three frames per second for continued shots, you are all set for your memorable photography experience with the EOS Rebel T7!
3. Sony a500

How can we forget Sony? This tech giant is also a renowned camera manufacturer. The a500 DSLR from Sony is one of the most popular cameras under $500. We love the a500 for its superfast autofocus and Live View feature. A highly responsive viewfinder enabled with face detection features allows quick adjustment and clarity while taking pictures.
The Alpha a500 comes with a temporary 7x and 14x zoom, which allows you to focus on the tiniest details with mind-blowing clarity and finesse. A 12.3-megapixel image resolution gives high definition images. The Sony Exmor CMOS image sensor and an ISO-12800 allow beautiful and defined nighttime photography.
This camera also features five fps continuous shots with unparalleled clarity. The Smile Shutter feature captures the perfect click as soon as your subject smiles. A nine-point autofocus sensor and quick Dynamic Range Optimizer enable timely adjustment for taking back-to-back clicks!
4. Pentax K-30

The K-30 DSLR Camera by Pentax is also an investment you should consider if you’re looking for premium performance cameras under $500. For travel junkies, the K-30 is probably the safest investment. It can withstand a host of unsafe conditions and impacts. Its body is built to demonstrate sturdiness and compatibility.
The Pentax K-30 DSLR camera is also waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof, so it’s your ultimate companion at every photography experience in the forest, the desert, or at the ocean. Not only this, but the Pentax has one of the most amazing images capturing and processing mechanisms.
A high speed, low noise CMOS image sensor makes this camera suitable for taking composed and carefully angled images. The camera can also record 1080p HD videos at 30, 25, and 24 fps. The ISO range is between 100 and 25600 for a wide range of photography options.
5. Nikon D5300

The Nikon D5300 takes your picture quality to an entirely different level with its picture enhancement features. A compact body with a sleek design makes this camera quite easy to handle. Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS permit efficient files transfer and geotagging for those who want to capture every moment on-the-go.
A 24.2 MP and 39 points intense autofocus give your clicks a profound vibrancy and clarity. A 180° swivel LCD screen with 1030K dots allows you to preview self-clicked images. You’re sure to never miss a once-in-a-lifetime shot with the five frames per second burst shot mode. You can capture full HD 1080p videos with Live View that gives active and immediate autofocus.
Choosing Cameras Under $500
Nikon, Canon, Sony, and Pentax have surely made some remarkable innovations to the basic and simpler DSLR models. For its up-to-the-mark image resolution, excellent video quality, and easy usage, we recommend you buy the Nikon D3500 DX-Format DSLR Camera. It offers the widest range of facilities at a small price and is easy to use for beginners!
With the vast array of cameras under $500, you’re sure to find the perfect one for you!