Best Point and Shoot Under 500

What Is the Best Point and Shoot Camera Under 500?

Point and shoot cameras offer many useful features for taking still photos and recording fantastic videos in high resolution.

Everything is done in the Auto mode but the results are nice. So, if you don't want to deep into all numerous camera settings which mirrorless and DSLR cameras have, choose this camera type.

Best Point and Shoot Camera Under 500 in 2020

If you want an affordable camera for travel and holiday photographs, I recommend you one of the following 15 best compact cameras under 500.

To compile this list, I’ve examined over 40 models of point-and-shoot cameras, which cost less than $500. The cameras were evaluated according to such criteria: performance, functions, material, design, and last but not least, popularity.

1. Panasonic Lumix ZS50

Many photographers give preference to this model among other cameras under 500 dollars due to a very extensive zoom range running from 24–720mm. The following model will please users with its built-in electronic viewfinder, which is very rare in cheap cameras. Unfortunately, the large 3.0-inch display at the camera back is not touch-sensitive.

The next great thing about Panasonic Lumix ZS50 is the presence of auto and manual controls. Additionally, there is also a handy wheel around the lens that lets users easily adjust settings. As for the battery life, it will be enough for taking 300 shots, so you'd better purchase an additional battery if you are going to leave the charger at home.

Photo taken with Panasonic Lumix ZS50

2. Canon IXUS 185

This is the best camera under $500 due to a number of reasons. First of all, it has a compact, stylish design and 20 megapixels for taking good photos. It also has an 8x optical zoom and instant HD video recording, which will help you to get astonishing results while travelling. The Canon IXUS 185 is a nice budget camera for everyday use. You will be surprised when you see its size, as it is no bigger than an ordinary smartphone. Despite this fact, the camera has fantastic settings which guarantee excellent video and photo quality. 

Actually, beginners can easily skip exploring the complex settings of digital cameras and just choose Easy Auto mode. After that, a program will choose the proper setting for getting bright and clear photos. Of course, their quality can't be compared with mirrorless or DSLR camera models, but this model can be easily included in a list of the best point and shoot under 500 dollars.

Photo taken with Canon IXUS 185

3. Sony DSC-WX300

This is the best point and shoot digital camera for beginners who are going to take travel or landscape photos. The quality of the Sony Lens G enables you to take brilliant photos without much noise. In addition, this model boasts a variety of available settings which will easily meet all your requirements. Another great benefit is the ability to export shots to a smartphone or a laptop via built-in Wi-Fi. In fact, the Sony DSC-WX300 is a user-friendly camera as it has simple menu settings and features which don't require professional skills for operating. The video is nice. You can snap still shots while HD recording. Moreover, you can easily return to a video capture without any pauses or indication of taking photos.

• If you want a professional camera for taking photos while travelling, I recommend you read about the best point and shoot cameras and the best travel cameras for affordable prices.

Photo taken with Sony DSC-WX300

4. Nikon A900

Pay attention to this model if you are looking for the best point and shoot camera for video. The Nikon Coolpix A900 has a compact design with quite powerful video recording features. Its size is no bigger than a smartphone; however, it has high-performance. The camera features a 20-megapixel BSI CMOS image sensor and a Nikkor f/3.4-6.9 ED lens which takes astonishing photos. Moreover, it has a fantastic 35x optical zoom and a 70x dynamic zoom with Lens Shift Vibration Reduction. Isn't it great to enjoy a nice quality of photo and video recording that can be comparable to expensive DSLR models?

• If you are going to learn how to take portrait and travel photos, I recommend you buy the best cheap camera with good characteristics to study manual camera settings and work with light.

Photo taken with Nikon A900

5. Canon PowerShot Elph 190

The Canon PowerShot Elph 190 has a 20.0MP 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor and DIGIC 4+ image processor. It has a very compact and convenient design along with a 10x optical zoom lens. It allows you to work with plenty of different subjects no matter what the distance is. An Intelligent IS image stabilization system compensates for the effects of camera shake to create sharper photos. Composing shots and reviewing images is possible due to a 2.7-inch 230K-dot LCD monitor. 

You can also easily transfer videos and photos to other devices thanks to built-in Wi-Fi with NFC. This model also has a Smart AUTO mode for clever choosing of exposure settings. The look of images can be changed in scene modes, while ECO mode will help save battery life. Press the Help button in order to find out more about specific camera controls.

• View more about all cheap Canon cameras to help you choose a good and reliable camera body for bright photos and clear videos.

Photo taken with Canon PowerShot Elph 190

6. Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II

Canon Power Shot G9 X is the best point and shoot camera under 500 dollars for family photos. It allows you to take remarkable photos and brilliant videos no matter what lighting or weather situation you encounter. You can easily carry this camera for the whole day thanks to its compact design and low weight. This model has Full HD video recording and full manual control. It’s also possible to zoom and refocus the lens during capturing. 

As for the touchscreen, photographers can feel free to adjust exposure settings too. What’s more, Canon has updated its menus and interface to match EOS DSLRs. As a result, Canon Power Shot G9 X Mark II has similar image-processing options such as Picture Style color modes, Highlight Tone Priority, and Auto Lighting Optimizer tonality controls. This means you shouldn’t get involved in JPEG processing settings if you want to shoot RAW. Instead, just control the camera's color output.

Photo taken with Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II

7. Canon Elph 170 IS

Are you looking for the best travel camera under $500? Then pay attention to the Canon Elph 170 IS. Its moisture-resistant design makes this model a perfect choice for taking photos in any extreme environments. A SMART Auto mode allows easy and quick shooting. It chooses the proper settings for a particular subject or scene. 

Pay attention to such interesting filters and effects as Toy Camera, Fisheye, and Monochrome. It uses SD memory cards for photo storage and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack. Moreover, you will like its special ECO mode that makes it possible to extend the shooting and make the battery last longer.

Photo taken with Canon Elph 170 IS

8. Sony RX100

This camera’s 20.2MP CMOS sensor gives you the opportunity to take great pictures even on cloudy days or in the evening. I recommend you use an F1.8 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* type lens for this camera. It can create excellent background defocusing and avoid flares. You can use ISO from 125 to 6400 depending on the light and time of the day. As a result, your images will have a low noise level. Moreover, you can choose the best settings for your images using diverse controls. The possibility to shoot RAW files is also one of the advantages of this best point and shoot camera. It also has excellent features for recording high-quality videos in full HD.

Photo taken by Sony RX100

9. Olympus TG-5

This camera’s excellent protective assets ensure reliable operation in various weather conditions. Outdoor photographers will certainly appreciate this feature. The powerful lens allows you to capture a wide variety of subjects, from coral reefs to moving objects. Macro shooting is also at a decent level. Double glass provides improved picture clarity and protection against fogging. 

If we’re talking about video recording capabilities, I would like to mention the Ultra HD 4K feature. You can record long videos as well as use Full HD 120fps for slow-motion footage. A special sensor allows you to track movements and add location tags to videos and photos. You can save and track data for a long time by using the Data Log Mode. Sharing your photos with friends will not be difficult for you. This point and shoot has a special app for fast image transferring via the built-in Wi-Fi.

Photo taken with Olympus TG-5

10. Canon PowerShotSX60 HS

Outstanding performance and basic technical characteristics make this model one of the best universal point and shoot cameras. It is suitable for different genres of photography and shooting conditions. The high 65x magnification lens and 21mm ultra-wide angle give you the possibility to take a wide variety of shots. You can take pictures anywhere and at any distance. The developers have provided the camera with the function of tracking remote objects. To turn it on, you just need to activate zoom and click on the “Framing Assist” button. You can easily find the objects you need even in very bright light. Canon’s HS System and DIGIC 6 provide excellent camera performance in a variety of lighting conditions. You get brilliant shots in both bright and poor light.

Photo taken with Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

11. Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Instant Film Camera

Are you crazy about photographing various landscapes, monuments, and stunning places? Do you want to have a camera at hand to capture important moments? Then this best compact camera under 500 is what you need. It can satisfy all your requirements and become your reliable companion. It is small, universal, and convenient so you can take it with you to parties or on any journey. Images slightly exceed the medium size and are larger than 35mm film. If you use the right scanner, then you can get high-resolution images.

Photo taken with Fujifilm Instax Mini 90

12. Panasonic Lumix FZ300

The video recording features of this camera deserve a few good words. You can record video in the 4K format at a speed of 30 frames per second. This $500 camera has a 25–600mm zoom as well as a full-range f/2.8 aperture. The ELMARIT lens allows you to take incredible pictures even if you are photographing in low light. The autofocus has high-speed performance. With an advanced DFD and fast AF, this point and shoot camera immediately measures the distance between the foreground and background to get excellent focus on the subject. You will also appreciate the five-axis correction/tilt correction and wonderful image quality.

Photo taken with Panasonic Lumix FZ300

13. Canon PowerShot SX 720 HS

This model is an excellent continuation of the famous HS series. It has a 40x optical zoom which is put in a slim and compact body. This best point and shoot camera under 500 dollars is an ideal option for those who do not want to miss any charming moments and scenes during traveling or holidays. The camera offers manual adjustment of many modes and parameters. You cannot select the autofocus point. Unfortunately, RAW format is not available either. You can easily transfer photos or control this travel camera remotely via the built-in Wi-Fi.

Photo taken with Canon PowerShot SX 720 HS

14. Nikon W300

This camera has a 6MP backside-illuminated CMOS sensor, which helps achieve excellent video and photo quality. I also like the high shooting speed and wonderful autofocus. 4K Ultra Video recording is another undoubted advantage of this model. The camera is almost universal and you can take pictures with it in many situations. Water is not a serious threat to this point and shoot camera as it has a reliably waterproof body. Underwater shooting and photo sessions in rainy weather are absolutely possible with the Nikon W300. 

The optical elements also meet expectations. Moreover, the camera is small and you can easily carry it around. In addition, you can use a special application to save your photos to cloud storage. You can simply set up automatic uploading of files to the cloud.

Photo taken with Nikon W300

15. Nikon Coolpix L840

Are you looking for a camera with a simple system of settings that does not have a lot of switches and buttons? Then this long-zoom digital camera is for you. This model is no more complicated than a smartphone and is perfect for amateur photographers. However, it has a 38x optical zoom, which you will not find even in the top smartphones. This camera shows decent image quality if you shoot outdoors in good natural light or indoors with a flash. 

If you are photographing in low light, then you need to think about using a good flash to achieve the desired results. The video quality won’t upset you either. In addition, the camera has integrated Wi-Fi. In general, this is an excellent compact camera which is very easy to understand and start using. This is one of the best point and shoot cameras in this price range, perfectly combining quality and simplicity.

Photo taken with Nikon Coolprix L840

List of 15 Best Point and Shoot Cameras Under 500 Dollars

Image	Camera	Features
	Panasonic Lumix ZS50 Our Choice	12.1MP 1/2.3"	Check PRICE →
	Canon IXUS 185 Under $100	20MP 1/2.3-inch CCD	Check PRICE →
	Sony DSC-WX300 Under $400	18.2MP 1/2.3"	Check PRICE →
	Nikon A900 For video	20MP 1/2.3-inch	Check PRICE →
	Canon PowerShotElph 190 For beginners	20MP 1/2.3-inch CCD	Check PRICE →
	Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II With NFC	20MP 1"-type CMOS	Check PRICE →
	Canon Elph 170 IS Camera Easiest to use	20MP 1/2.3-inch	Check PRICE →
	Sony RX100 For professionals	20.2MP 1in. type Exmor R CMOS	Check PRICE →
	Olympus TG-5 For travel	16MP 1/2.3-inch	Check PRICE →
	Canon PowerShotSX60 HS	16MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS	Check PRICE →
	Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Instant Film Camera	2.4 X 1.8 Inches Electronic Shutter 1/60 sec. shutter spee	Check PRICE →
	Panasonic Lumix FZ300	12MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS	Check PRICE →
	Canon PowerShot SX 720 HS	20.3MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS	Check PRICE →
	Nikon W300	16MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS	Check PRICE →
	Nikon Coolpix L840	16MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS	Check PRICE →

How to Choose the Best Compact Camera under 500 dollars

1. Megapixels

2. Zoom

Cameras can use digital or optical zoom. Digital zoom gives you a greater range of magnification but the quality of the photos decreases. Optical zoom makes the camera a little bulky. Some models feature both types. In general, for those who are interested in zoom lenses it is better to opt for a camera with optical zoom.

3. LCD Screen

High-quality LCD screens are a valuable part of any camera. I recommend choosing models with a 3-inch display to be able to effectively preview and evaluate the picture.

4. Camera Modes

Automatic selection of the most suitable shooting modes is one of the most important advantages of the best cameras under 500 dollars. This feature not only simplifies your work but also speeds it up.

5. Battery

Modern point and shoot camera manufacturers provide models with their own rechargeable lithium ion batteries. As a rule, they have quite a long life. Regular AA batteries fit certain cameras and you can use them if you cannot charge the device through a power outlet.

Ann Young

Hi there, I'm Ann Young - a professional blogger, read more