The best mirrorless cameras under $500

More and more of you are asking me for information about cameras, and generally speaking, budget is the first thing you look at. It’s true that, depending on the camera, you’ll need to invest a certain amount! In fact, if you’re looking for the best mirrorless cameras, we’ve written an article on the subject that should interest you. Gradually, I’ve decided to write a series of articles to help you choose the right camera for your budget (we don’t want you to break the bank!). So in today’s article, I’m going to show you the best mirrorless cameras for under $500. More articles to come soon! And, of course, I’ll do my best to update them regularly as new releases come out.

To tell you the truth, this series of articles comes just after a lot of work on the photo section of the blog to create a huge database of lenses and cameras currently available. To explain, you may have noticed (or not, haha), but we’ve made a lot of updates to the pages listing lenses by mount, and even to the pages grouping all the cameras by brand.

You’re probably wondering: why $500? That’s often the maximum budget you want to spend if you’re a beginner and just getting into photography. Below $500, I’d better warn you: it’s going to be difficult to find a new camera and you’ll have two solutions: turn to the second-hand market or buy a cheaper ‘small compact’.

In this article, I’m going to tell you about mirrorless cameras for under $500. I’ll be concentrating on the latest cameras, because of course you can still find older models at more than fair prices. As you’ve probably guessed, camera prices are constantly changing and it’s sometimes possible to come across some great promotions and bargains!

As I said above, I’m going to give you my opinion on the best cameras currently available for under $500 (at the time of writing). I’ll try to update this article regularly as new models come out. I’ve ordered the cameras from newest to oldest. To take things a step further, at the end of the article I’ve also included some models that are older, but still perform well and, most importantly, are cheaper (under $500!). Between you and me, you don’t necessarily need the latest generation of cameras to get started in photography (and luckily you don’t!).

In this first part, you’ll find three recent mirrorless cameras for under $500. When I say ‘recent’, I’m referring to cameras that were released no more than 2-3 years ago.

You can click on the link below to go straight to the camera details.

• Canon R100
• Canon R50
• Sony ZV-E10

OK, I admit that with a budget of $500, you’re on the borderline, often a little over, even for the first entry-level cameras!

Released in June 2023, the Canon EOS R100 is positioned as the entry-level model in Canon’s APS-C mirrorless range. It is equipped with a 24.1 MP sensor in RF mount (a very good point for a more than correct rendering). It also has a sensitivity range of ISO 100 to ISO 12,800, which means you can take good pictures both indoors and outdoors. On the downside, the camera is neither stabilised nor tropicalised.

The processor is a Digic 8, while the autofocus system is a first-generation Dual Pixel AF. The electronic viewfinder is decent, with 2.36 million dots. However, the screen is fixed and not touch-sensitive, which is not very practical. In terms of speed, the camera shoots at 6.5 fps with an electronic shutter and no subject tracking, while video can be recorded at 4K 30 fps.

With all its features, the R100 is perfect for beginners looking for an affordable camera that’s easy to use. What’s more, its compact size and light weight make it easy to carry around. Finally, although the autofocus is still fairly basic, it is more advanced than that of its competitors in this class.

All in all, this mirrorless camera is the perfect ally for getting started with photography, offering sharper, higher quality shots than a smartphone. However, it lacks certain features, such as a mobile screen and USB-C charging. If you’re more interested in sports or wildlife photography, I’d advise you to go for a fuller (and more expensive) model from the EOS R range.

It’s often available as a kit (a little more expensive, but still worth it), with :

• Canon EOS R100 + RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
• Canon EOS R100 + RF-S 18–45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM + RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM

The two cameras below are just over $500, but I think they’re worth mentioning if you can stretch your budget a little.

Launched in March 2023, the Canon EOS R50 has quickly established itself as the ideal camera for content creators looking to upgrade from a smartphone to a more professional camera for better rendering. It has a 24.2 megapixel sensor. What’s more, it’s compact and good for both video and stills.

If you’re familiar with Canon and its range of cameras, the R50 was released shortly after the R10 and R7 to offer a more affordable alternative for beginners. It shares the same processor (DIGIC X), viewfinder and autofocus system with the R10. However, it does not offer 4K 60p recording and its buffer is more limited. The burst rate in electronic mode is 12 fps, compared with 23 fps on the R10.

In terms of equipment, the R50 has a larger tilting screen than the R10. It has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. As for the battery, it uses the same one as the R10, but offers better autonomy. Finally, and this will come as a surprise to many, the build quality is more solid than that of the R10.

In short, the Canon EOS R50 offers excellent value for money. Even though it’s a little over the budget (600-650 $), I thought it would be interesting to present it. It offers very good performance. If you’re new to photography or just want to switch from a smartphone to a camera, you won’t be disappointed and you’ll see a real difference.

It is also available as a kit with :

Packs available:

• Canon EOS R50 + RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
• Canon EOS R50 + RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM + RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM

Don’t hesitate to come and discover all the lenses dedicated to the Canon RF-S mount to see which lenses you could choose for your Canon R50 / Canon R100.

Launching in July 2021, the Sony ZV-E10 is an ideal camera for digital content creation and vlogging. It has a 24.2 megapixel sensor and a BIONZ X processor. It can record video in 4K UHD at 30 fps and Full HD at 120 fps (great for vlogging!).

It should be noted, however, that this model is neither tropicalised nor stabilised, which can make handheld shots or moving subjects difficult. The camera is light and compact, making it easy to carry. Its adjustable touch screen makes it easy to use. The autofocus is accurate and efficient, but the camera only takes one SD card and uses a micro-USB port (which, I admit, is not very modern).

Finally, although the price of this model, like that of its predecessor (the Canon R50), is a little out of your initial budget, I thought I should tell you about it anyway. Considering all its features, I think it offers good value for money.

I’d also like to point out that the Sony ZV-E10 Mark II has only recently been released, in July 2024, but is obviously more expensive (for the time being).

For your information, this camera is available as a kit if you’re interested:

Packs available:

• Sony ZV-E10 + Objectif E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

The table below summarises the specifications of the above cameras.

If you’re not necessarily looking for a mirrorless camera and don’t mind having a single lens, I suggest you take a look at the list of cameras below, which are more geared towards compact or bridge models. As usual, I’ve chosen the cameras that are really worth your money (and of course you have to choose!).

In fact, we’ve already written an article on the best compact cameras available. Here you’ll find some of the cameras mentioned, as well as other models that might be just right for you!

Introduced in 2022, the Sony ZV-1F is ideal for vlogging. It features a 20.1 megapixel sensor and BIONZ X processor. Its fixed focal length is equivalent to 24-70mm, offering a wider angle of view perfect for capturing moving subjects.

Features include soft focus, product presentation mode and Clear Image Zoom. Its intuitive touchscreen is accompanied by a Photo/Video/Q&S button, making it easy to switch from one mode to another.

As mentioned above, this camera is designed for video, especially as it is stabilised, compatible with Sony’s Catalyst software and equipped with a high-performance microphone that ensures good sound quality, even outdoors. When it comes to photography, however, the camera has a few limitations: it doesn’t support RAW, it has a modest burst rate and its aperture varies between f/2 and f/8. What’s more, its autofocus is slower and less accurate than that of the ZV-1, for example.

The Sony ZV-1F is still ergonomic and easy to hold. Its touchscreen and connectivity are similar to those of a smartphone. However, the camera remains limited, especially when shooting in low light or for real-time AF tracking.

In short, the Sony ZV-1F is an excellent choice for vlogging and streaming. It costs $650, but I think that’s justified. It’s still a good investment if you want to make great videos.

Available since September 2023, the OM System Tough TG-7 is a tropicalised camera that can be used anywhere, even in extreme conditions! With its 12MP sensor and TruePic VIII processor, it can shoot RAW images and has a 25-100mm f/2-4.9 zoom. I actually use it myself and I’m really happy with it!

This model has some interesting features: a USB-C port, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and even GPS connectivity, as well as an LCD screen. The TG-7 is particularly well suited to macro photography, thanks to its microscope mode, which provides a magnification of up to 7:1. What’s more, its focus mode ensures sharp, precise shots. On the video front, the camera offers 4K recording at 30fps with Full HD slow-motion options.

The Tough TG-7 is ideal for travelling, diving and sports in general. Solid and compact, it’s built to last. It’s also compatible with LED diffusers and flashes, making it even more effective for macro photography.

To sum up, the TG-7 is a high-performance camera that lives up to its promises in terms of durability (trust me, I’ve already put it to the test, haha). With a price tag of around $549, it’s suitable for both amateur and professional photographers looking for a reliable, all-terrain camera.

If you’re interested in this type of camera, I’ve written a guide to waterproof cameras, so here are some other equally interesting (and sometimes cheaper) cameras for adventurers and travellers!

Available from July 2024, the Panasonic Lumix FZ82D is positioned as a versatile and affordable bridge camera. Its 20-1200mm zoom (24×36 equivalent) and f/2.8-5.9 sliding aperture allow you to capture subjects at a distance and/or in motion. It incorporates an 18.1 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor and Venus Engine processor, both of which improve focusing speed and light management.

The FZ82D has a 1.84 million-dot touchscreen and a 2.36 million-dot OLED viewfinder, making framing a breeze. It can record 4K video at 30 frames per second and Full HD video at 60 frames per second. In terms of zoom, it offers advanced features such as the Zoom Composition Assistant. Its size and weight remain reasonable for a bridge camera.

This camera is perfect for enthusiasts looking for a versatile and affordable camera for travel, wildlife or sports photography. With its 60x zoom, you can easily capture animals from a distance. In terms of video, its features are still basic, but they are enough to create ‘classic’ projects.

As you can see, the Lumix FZ82D is an affordable option, ideal for travel, wildlife and sports photography. Some may feel that its improvements over its predecessor are slight. For me, the technical and ergonomic improvements are a real boost for this bridge camera!

So that’s it, we’ve rounded up the best mirrorless cameras currently available for under $500. I hope you find what you’re looking for in this selection! If you’ve got a bit more to spend, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to mirrorless cameras under $1,000.

I’ve also included a few alternatives that I think are also in the same price range. I hope this little extra helps you find your way around!

See you soon for another article,

Written by Sylvain PONS

I've been passionate about photography since 2010, learning as I went along. Today, I dedicate myself to guiding others in their choice of camera gear and sharing a variety of tips to improve their photography skills.

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