The Best Point and Shoot Camera Under $500 will provide high image quality and provide suitable output for trips and adventures recording. Camera zoom, image stabilization and sensor size are some of the most important consideration you must have in mind to make a well informed choice.
This article will explain in detail what you need to look for in a point and shoot camera and recommend the best one on a 500$ budget. If you are looking for a cheaper or more expensive camera check our reviews on the best camera under 1000$, 200$ cameras and cameras under 400$
What is the Best Point And Shoot Camera Under 500$
- Sony RX100 VII: Best Overall
- Canon SX540 HS PowerShot Camera
- Panasonic Lumix ZS50 Camera
- SONYDSCWX350
- Fujifilm FinePix XP140 Digital Camera Yellow
Sony RX100 VII: Best Overall
Sony RX100 VII is a compact camera with a 1-inch sensor and 24-200mm lens. It features perfect video capability with 4K video at up to 30 frames per second. The video recorded is in live, uncompressed 4K video that is large in size. You will require a Class-10 SDXC/SDHC card with at least 64 GB for XAVC S footage
If you plan to shoot slow motion shots, this camera has exactly what you need. It allows ultra-slow-motion footage recording at lower resolution and 960 fps. It is still crisp and top notch quality for professional out put.
The Sony RX100 VII features a compact design and size measuring 4 by 2.29 by 1.69 inches. It will easily fit in your pocket or back pack as you travel to take outdoor shots. Unfortunately, the camera is not weather sealed despite its compact body. This makes it vulnerable to dust and rainy weather.
Pros
- Slow motion recording
- 4K video at up to 30 video recording capability
Cons
- Poor dust and water proofing
- Small sized controls
- Poor external accessories compatibility
Canon SX540 HS Power Shot Camera
Canon SX540 HS PowerShot Camera is another powerful camera with features that make your shooting experience superb. The camera has up to 50× optical zoom, accelerating the optical zoom to the next level.
Do you want to shoot long-distance subjects? This Canon SX540 HS camera will enable you to do so with the new innovative feature “Lock”. The Lock system ensures that the scene/subject remains in the middle of the frame with extremely clear details.
Canon SX540 HS has a 20.3MP sensor and a DIGI 6 image processor that ensures that you get high-quality images. We loved the way the camera offers vivid photos even under conditions with poor lighting. You don’t have to miss out on those beautiful nighttime moments anymore because the CMOS system got you covered.
Pros
- Wi-Fi connection
- Great video resolution of 1920×1080
- Great image quality
- Has manual focus and exposure
Cons
- Battery life is short
Panasonic Lumix ZS50 Camera
Not only has an attractive classic design but it’s also loaded with great features chief among them a 30 times optical zoom with a range of 24 to 720 mm, this is made possible by an extra long-like EC lens which is not common to most budget cameras.
If you like the outdoors, you’ll particularly like the boating viewfinder which enables you to shoot clear photos on the sunniest of days. Further, the camera offers a maximum continuous shooting speed of up to 10 fps for photos and 60 fps for videos. The camera provides a maximum resolution of 4000 by 3000 with an effectiveness of 12 megapixels.
It also contains inbuilt WIFI for easy wireless connection. The video capabilities make it a good camera for vlogging and its small size make it one of the best cameras when it comes to portability.
Pros
- Attractive and classic design
- Effective 30 times optical zoom
- The Boating viewfinder is very effective
- Inbuilt WIFI connection for easy file transfer
- Small size for easier portability
Cons
- Lacks a GPRS system
SONYDSCWX350
The SONYDSCWX350 is a compact pocketbook camera. It has a WIFI connection and an 18.2mp Exmor Cmos sensor with an impressive 20-times zoom lens. The 35mm equivalent of 25 to 500 mm, and can be extended to 40 times worth of clear image zoom. If you’re in search of a pocket-friendly portable camera with great features, consider this Sony product.
Optical steady shot to reduce blur when shooting handheld and can also shoot at 10 mps. Intelligent auto recognizes the scene and automatically adjusts the camera setting while superior auto recognizes when the subject is moving.
When shooting portraits, the SONYDSCWX350 will automatically remove skin blemishes, brighten teeth and widen the eyes.
Pros
- WIFI connection that enables easy connection
- Effective Intelligent Auto
- Easy portability
- Impressive zoom lens
- Has an optical steady shot that reduces blur
Cons
- Can barely be used for professional use
Fujifilm FinePix XP140: Cheap Digital Camera Yellow
The XP series is ideal for anyone looking for a super durable camera they can use in virtually any environment with plenty of user-friendly features. If you love working with an environmentally friendly quality camera, then this is the camera for you.
It features waterproofing down for up to 82ft and is shockproof and able to handle drops up to 5.9 ft. It has a 5-time optical zoom lens with optical image stabilization.16.4-megapixel count. The XP140 can make a 1080/60p video, take 360 degrees, and produce still and video time-lapses.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Shockproof
- Effective optical image stabilization
- Effective BSI-CMOS system
- Impressively high maximum resolution
Cons
- It records in 4k resolution but only captures 15 frames per second
- Lacks a GPS
How to choose the Best Point and Shoot Camera Under $500
- Price
- Sensor Size
- Aperture lens Size
- Portability
- User Friendliness
- Video Quality Specifications
Price
First you need to consider your budget compared to what you intend to use your camera for. The kind of camera you choose for vlogging, wildlife Photography or car photography will differ in terms of specs and price. Set your budget and stick to it. It is not difficult to find a diverse camera for 500$ or even lower.
Sensor Size
Consider the image quality you would like to achieve. If you want high image quality choose a camera with a large sensor and high Megapixels resolution. These two will not are not the only determinants of image quality.
A larger Sensor helps by capturing more light into the camera thus increasing the quality. More light detected by the camera will help reduce noise on the image and increases your cameras dynamic range. For the best experience, we recommend 1 to 1/2.3 inches of sensor size or larger.
Aperture lens Size
A wider lens aperture is better than a narrow one. It ensures more light enters into the camera thus improving quality. You will be able to shoot in lower ISO mode and higher shutter speeds thus reducing image noise and image blurriness.
Portability
Apart from superzoom cameras with a large outer lens, good point and shoot cameras should be easy to carry around and fit in a small bag. It is light weight and features a compact design. Superzoom cameras will provide an overall better image quality. Try to balance portability size and quality for the best experience.
If you need a camera for Vlogging, choose one with good video quality and a flip screen available. Wildlife cameras can be compact but you must consider the zoom range and autofocus speed. Faster Autofocus is usually better.
User Friendliness
A Point and shoot can feature a number of features that will make it comfortable to use. These can include sensitive touch screen navigation, Electric view finder, Tilt screen and manual controls availability.
The touch screen will allow you to easily navigate through pictures you have taken or tap to quick focus. To shoot below or above your head position, the tilt screen will be a perfect addition. When in high light situations, the electronic viewfinder will help you create your shoots in bright light.
Video Quality Specifications
In modern cameras, it is possible to use in 4K resolution at 30 frames per second. This is the optimum video output that you can get. A good camera should be able to shoot in 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second. This video resolution will be rich and high quality.
5 Best Point and Shoot Camera Under $500
| Product | Price |
| Sony RX100 VII: Best Overall | Check Price |
| Canon SX540 HS PowerShot Camera | Check Price |
| Panasonic Lumix ZS50 Camera | Check Price |
| SONYDSCWX350 | Check Price |
| Fujifilm FinePix XP140 Digital Camera Yellow | Check Price |