Best budget cameras under $500 2025: Canon, Sony, Panasonic and more

Female photographer holding one of the best cheap cameras inside home office and smiling
The best cheap cameras should provide great value and quality optics. (Image credit: Getty)

Whether you're capturing the cosmos or taking pictures of local wildlife, you don't have to break the bank to get into photography. We have rounded up the best budget cameras, from big names like Canon, Sony, Panasonic and more, all under $500.

Now's a great time to pick up a budget camera, too, particularly if you're into astrophotography. This March 13-14 there's a spectacular total lunar eclipse or "blood moon", when a trick of the light turns the moon crimson. What better way is there to break in your camera than by capturing that event?

Of course, you'll need a camera first, which is where our guide to the best budget cameras comes in. Don't be fooled; despite being under $500, there's nothing cheap and nasty about these cameras. Many offer excellent image quality, and some excel at video as well.

Granted, they might not be as advanced as the best cameras or best mirrorless cameras, but it's not a good idea to spend thousands on a camera unless you know you've got the experience to make the most of it.

The quick list

Skim through our top picks below, or scroll further down to read full reviews of each product.

The best cheap cameras we recommend in 2024

Why you can trust Space.com Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test and review products.

Best overall

Sony A6000

Best overall: 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 its age
-
No 4K video
-
ISO performance a little lacking
Buy it if

✅ You value image quality: This camera offers excellent 24.3MP still images with high levels of color fidelity.

✅ You're looking for quality on a budget: This slightly older model means you can benefit from high-quality Sony technology and reliability without the huge price tag.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You mainly want to shoot video: This camera biggest downside is that it's not capable of filming 4K video.

The bottom line

🔎 Sony A6000: A reliable camera that offers high image quality on a budget, but it's not the most up-to-date and the lack of 4K video may be a dealbreaker for some. ★★★★½

The Sony A6000 is one of the best compact mirrorless models, despite being more than 10 years old. It may have been succeeded by several models including the Sony A6700, but it's a very capable camera.

It's also the perfect entry point for those looking to get into photography without spending a lot. The A6000 is excellent value for money at under $500, and a second-hand version may be available for a little $350 if you're lucky. Package deals, including lenses, are also available online.

This APS-C mirrorless camera combines a fantastic design, comfortable grip and great handling with excellent image quality and a really useful autofocus. While it obviously lacks some features such as 4K video, this won't matter if you're mainly picking up a camera to practice your still image shooting skills and improve on your craft.

Amazon reviews show that Sony A6000 users love the image quality, ease of use, weight, and autofocus feature. The battery life is less than optimal, lasting for around 300 shots, but at such a low price, that's hardly surprising.

It's worth shopping around to ensure 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.

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Test results

Attributes

Notes

Design

APS-C mirrorless camera

Performance

High image quality and great color rendition

Functionality

Lacks 4K video

Best for beginners

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
-
Not much room for growth
-
No 4K video
Buy it if

✅ You're looking for your first DSLR camera: It's straightforward and easy-to-use, a great entry point into the world of DSLR shooting.

✅ You're on a budget: It's a more affordable option than newer DSLRs.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You want to shoot high-quality video: Like the Sony A6000, this camera lacks 4K video.

❌ You want a camera you can grow with: You may find yourself needing to upgrade further down the line.

The bottom line

🔎 Canon T7/2000D: An ideal choice for beginners looking for an easy way to get into DSLR photography, but with limited scope for future development. ★★★★

Mirrorless cameras have come to dominate the market, taking over from DSLRs. But the quality of the Canon T7/2000D shows that DSLRs are still viable. If you're looking for a camera to start off with, this budget-friendly and model is a great entry-point, and it's reliable with it.

Canon's current line-up boasts a host of models, including DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. Many of those are newer than the T7/2000D but while it might not have the most impressive specs and the bells and whistles of those models, it's still a very capable DSLR.

As such, we think makes a fantastic starting point for anyone looking to jump into photography. If you've previously been shooting on your phone, you'll be amazed by the difference a DSLR camera can make to your shots.

The added benefit of this camera being slightly older is you can now secure great bundle deals online. We've frequently seen deals including the camera, a lens and various accessories for under $500.

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Test results

Attributes

Notes

Design

Easy-to-use DSLR camera

Performance

Reliable and durable

Functionality

Slightly older tech without 4K video

Best for action photos

GoPro Hero 12 Black

Best for action photos: the Hero 12 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 & Bluetooth
Video: 5.3K60, 2.7K240

Reasons to buy

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

Reasons to avoid

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

✅ You enjoy action shooting outdoors: The GoPro is waterproof and small enough to mount on your helmet, bike handlebars, or even your drone.

✅ You want something light and portable: This will easily slip into any pocket, perfect for taking out and about.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You're looking for something more traditional: This is a tiny action camera that works alongside a phone app, so it may not suit photography purists.

The bottom line

🔎 GoPro Hero 12 Black: A tiny and waterproof action camera that offers impressively high image quality for its size. It's perfect for outdoor pursuits, or just as a highly portable camera to take on day trips. ★★★★

Looking for an action-oriented camera that'll let you shoot on the go, wherever you are? The GoPro Hero 12 Black is a great choice. It's a reliable and versatile camera and now that the Hero 13 Black is out, you can pick up this model for a cut-price deal less than $300. This represents great value for money for a rugged camera that gives you a fantastic entry point into on-the-go photography.

As with all products from GoPro, the Hero 12 is completely waterproof up to 33 feet, and it's built to last, so you can truly take it anywhere without worrying about knocks. In terms of features, the Hero 12 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.

It's not suited to every single type of photography - if you're into shooting landscapes or portraits, for example, we'd suggest you opt for a DSLR or mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses. But if it's action you want, and if shooting video is important to you, we can't recommend this enough.

The GoPro Hero 12 Black is, for a little more, also available with a 50-piece accessory bundle, which includes an SD card and various mounts, straps and tripods to capture any live-action moment perfectly.

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Test results

Attributes

Notes

Design

Waterproof 27MP action camera

Performance

Captures sharp 5K video and high-res photos

Functionality

Comes with a range of mounting accessories

Best for vlogging

Sony ZV-F1

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

Specifications

Sensor Format: CMOS
Type: Compact
Megapixels: 20.1
Autofocus Points: 49
Weight: 0.564
Connectivity: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Reasons to buy

+
Great for content creators
+
Good audio performance
+
Lightweight for its size

Reasons to avoid

-
Slightly limiting four-thirds system
-
10-minute maximum recording time in 4K
Buy it if

✅ You're a content creator: The Sony ZV-F1 is designed specifically with vlogging and content creation in mind and doesn't require an external mic.

✅ You want portability: You can slip the Sony ZV-F1 in your pocket or bag and vlog from wherever you are.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You want to zoom in on your subjects: The Sony ZV-F1 only has digital zoom, not optical, which will lower the quality when you zoom in.

The bottom line

🔎 The Sony ZV-1F: This camera is excellent for vloggers and other content creators, but the lack of an optical zoom means it's not ideal for regular snapping. ★★★★

Looking to get into vlogging, or take your existing content creation on the go? This Sony ZV-1F compact camera could be exactly what you need. It's a mini-studio in itself, boasting quality video and an excellent microphone. We rank its pricier sibling, the Sony ZV-1F as the best Sony camera for vlogging.

The ZV-1F is superbly portable, and Sony's SteadyShot stabilization should give your video quality a boost, helping keep it free from shaking if you're on the move. It boasts real-time face detection and is packed with other vlogging-friendly features too.

Influencers, for example, will be love the Product Showcase Mode which quickly shifts focus from your face to an object you're holding. And it supports USB streaming, effectively turning into a webcam if you want to stream live. It's worth bearing in mind that it doesn't have optical zoom, so if you plan on using this as a regular camera, you'll have to reply on digital-only zoom. Otherwise, however, this is a superb camera for vloggers.

Best for durability

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
Buy it if

✅ You want to take photos in or near water: The Olympus Tough has an even higher waterproofing level than GoPro and is designed to be able to shoot underwater.

✅ Your kids will want to have a go: This camera can handle being dropped and knocked about.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You want top-quality photos: The 12MP photos produced by this camera aren't as good as some of the other offerings on the list, but it's great for 4K video.

The bottom line

🔎 Olympus Tough TG-6: One of the most resilient cameras you can buy, the Olympus Tough will make a nice starter camera for anyone who enjoys outdoor adventures with their family. ★★★★

You should consider the Olympus Tough TG-6 if you find yourself usually dropping your belongings and you might worry about potentially damaging your camera. This rugged and durable model is designed to withstand heavy impacts and also serves as a great entry point into photography.

The Tough TG-6 is waterproof up to 50 feet (even more than the GoPro Hero 12), shockproof up to seven feet, and its shell can withstand more than 100 kg of crushing force, so you won't have to worry about dropping it or lending it to your kids to try it when you're out and about. The Olympus Tough TG-6 can also handle freezing temperatures, so it truly a camera suitable for any and all weather conditions.

As we said above, it's not just impressive thanks to its resistance, either. While its photo quality isn't quite as impressive as our top choice the Sony A6000, it does a great job for a compact camera — and it's bolstered by some rather impressive features, including the ability to shoot 4K video at up to 120fps. That's seriously impressive, especially at this price range.

The Tough TG-6 has five dedicated underwater shooting mode, including an underwater microscope. If you're a keen swimmer, snorkeler or scuba diver, then it may be worth adding this to your adventure kit to capture some wonders under the waves.

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Test results

Attributes

Notes

Design

Extremely waterproof and crush-resistant

Performance

Impressive 4K video at 120fps

Functionality

Underwater shooting modes

Update log

Recent updates

Editor's note. Updated 3/4/25 to replace best vlogging camera, and add information about the upcoming lunar eclipse.

Jacob Little author
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.

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 test and review each product, so you're guaranteed an honest and up-to-date opinion. Our tests take into account a range of important factors; construction, design, function, performance and more.

Where we haven't personally tested and reviewed a camera, only models that have been carefully researched and approved make the cut. Our experts are keen photographers and won't recommend a product that they themselves wouldn't like to use. With this in mind, we've noted the things we don't like as much, as well as the good aspects of each product, to help you make an informed choice. We also suggest alternatives if what you're reading isn't for you.

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 of 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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