5 Best DSLR Camera Under $500

“To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place. I’ve found, it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.”

Elliott Erwitt

This quote is the ultimate truth of a photographer’s life because every photographer wishes that the world should get to see their perspective of what’s going around.

To fulfill the wish, they hunt for the best camera they can get. But what if you are low on budget? Now you don’t need to worry about that. We understand that buying a new camera takes in a lot of research, especially if you are a beginner. So here we are reducing your stress and presenting the list of the best point and shoot camera under $500.

5 best entry-level DSLR camera under 500

• Nikon D3400
• Nikon D3300
• Nikon D5300
• Canon EOS 1300D
• Pentax K-500

1. Nikon D3400

The Nikon D3400 is the successor of the other beginner level DSLR – Nikon D3300. This is one of the best beginner-level cameras one can own under 500 dollars with an enormous battery life of clicking 1200 shots in one time charge along with easy to use functions and quality results.

This 24.2 megapixel with high performing APS-C CMOS sensor delivers a promising image quality if paired with EXPEED 4 image processing engine. Its sensor is 23.5 x 15.6 mm with 11 as its autofocus point.

• It comes with a maximum video resolution of 1080p with 5fps as its maximum continuous shooting speed for those who love capturing fast-moving objects.
• Lens mount in Nikon D3400 is Nikon DX
• It has a screen size of 3-inch with 921,000 dots
• Its aperture range is from f 3.5 to f 5.6
• The ISO range is 100-25600 with the lens of 18-55mm

It comes with an inbuilt flash yet support external flash and has impressive shutter speed. This is a lightweight camera (395 grams) and has many inbuilt features such as face detection, delete function, sync terminal, image matrix metering, red-eye reduction, wireless connectivity.

If this your first time with a camera, then this feature-rich product is especially for you as it very easy to use and comes with an in-built guide to let you know how to click great pictures.

It has added features of SnapBridge which lets you transfer your data to your smartphones via a constant Bluetooth Low Energy connection and using this connection you can even access images while the camera is switched off. There is only one drawback and i.e it doesn’t have a touchscreen and no microphone port.

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2. Nikon D3300

Nikon D3300 is a really best camera for video & vlogging under 500 as this 24.2 megapixel with APS-C CMOS sensor of size 23.5 x 15.6 mm produces stunning images when paired with EXPEED 4 image-processing engine even without an optical low-pass filter. It has a decent battery life and can click up to 700 shots in a one-time charge with articulated display and 11 as an autofocus point.

• It has a screen size of 3-inch with 921,000 dots (VGA)
• It comes with the maximum video resolution of 1080p with 5fps as its maximum continuous shooting speed with a bright 0.85x viewfinder for those who love capturing fast-moving objects stunning details.
• The ISO range is 100-12800 with the lens of 18-55mm

It is a super portable camera whether shoot at home or trek through mountains exceptional images will be captured with superb noise-suppression. If you want an exceptionally sharp and detailed image then this camera is for you as it has a full-colour RGB metering sensor and Scene Recognition System. This lightweight camera(460 grams) comes with WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter which lets you control camera shutter and share your photos via your smartphone or tablet.

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3. Nikon D5300

Nikon D5300 is ranked third in this list and it is an alternate for Nikon D5200 at a much better price. This is a good camera for its price as it gets a good quality image with its 24.2-megapixel sensor and comes with the EXPEED 4 image-processing engine which enhances the image quality. This camera consists of a 2016-pixel RGB sensor which is aided for accurate scene brightness and color information. This beginner-level camera has an APS-C CMOS sensor and has a wide ISO range 100-6400 which can be extended up to Hi-2 ISO 25600 for good quality image at any lighting condition.

• It comes with the maximum video resolution of FHD 1080p with 5fps as its maximum continuous shooting speed for those who love capturing fast-moving objects.
• Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II AF-S DX NIKKOR Zoom Lens + 32GB Accessory Bundle International Version
• It has a screen size of 3.2 inches with 1,037k-dot

The camera has an articulating screen with a good interface that categorizes it as a good camera. The reason for Nikon D5200 is on the third rank is that it lacks touchscreen and have fewer direct controls.

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4. Canon EOS 1300D

Canon EOS 1300D is an alternative to Canon EOS 1200D at a better price with a highlighted feature of inbuilt WiFi and NFC connectivity which sets it apart from its predecessor as compared to its competitor Nikon which offers SnapBridge feature for transferring files to smart devices. This 18 megapixel with APS-C CMOS sensor comes with an upgraded image processor DIGIC 4+ to give fine quality images and captures well saturated and detailed pictures.

• It comes with a maximum video resolution of 1080p with 3fps as its maximum continuous shooting speed.
• It has a screen size of 3-inch with 920,000 dots
• Lens mount in Canon EOS 1300D is Canon EF-S

This proves to be a good camera for beginners & travelers in this price bracket but still ranks at number 4 because of its fixed screen and slow focusing in live view.

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5. Pentax K-500

If you are searching for a mirrorless camera with decent performance under your budget, then Pentax K-500 can be your choice. This camera fulfills all the basic need which a beginner may require in his camera. This 16 megapixel with high performing APS-C CMOS sensor delivers a promising image quality if paired with PRIME M image processing engine. The camera has a great build which enhances its appeal as it does the 100% viewfinder coverage. This camera is really good for beginners or enthusiasts because even after being an entry-level camera, it doesn’t compromise with its features or control.

• Lens mount in Pentax K-500 is Pentax KAF2
• It has a screen size of 3-inch with 921,000 dots
• It comes with a maximum video resolution of 1080p with 6fps as its maximum continuous shooting speed.

Being good camera in such a price range, but still ranking at number 5 because it lacks focus point display in the viewfinder. It is a very small yet noticeable omission that along with K-500’s propensity to underexpose, convince us to lose faith in camera’s autofocus and exposure metering abilities.

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As you all must have gone through this list, we recommend you to decide which camera to buy strictly based on your needs and don’t get carried away with the features, look or price. Read this DSLR Camera buying guide if you are buying for the first time.

Use this list as a reference for what you want to buy under this budget. Hopefully, this article proves to be helpful for you in deciding your pick.