2019 Buying Guide: Best cameras under $500

So M100 versus A5100? They look way more alike than different and dpreview has nice things to day about both of them.

Which is the better camera for a walkaround point and shoot?

2 months agopermalink

SherylGaskin

I believe Canon M50 would be a great product of choice.

3 months agopermalink

espariz

In my opinion, amazon refuebished Pana GX-80 with 14-140mm lens for 500$ is a deal breaker, I think that only that lens cost about 400$?

4 months agopermalink

xeppelin

Canon EOS M50 is now less than 500 € street price. To me clearly the best camera for stills currently available factory-new in that price bracket. It beats M100, M6 and M5 by a mile. Better than Fuji XT-100, which somehow alsobis missing from this comparison. Much better than Sony's tired old A6000.

Especially when also considering lens lineup, Canon EF-M is the clear einner if you're looking for decent IQ, compact size and affordable price. definitely most bang for the buck of all APS-C lens systems (just avoid 15-45 kit lens, which is somewhat sub-par. 18-55 or 18-150 are better choices).

4 months agopermalink

EF-M is way, way behind M4/3 and possibly E Mount.

2 months agopermalink

What the heck street do you live on?

With the kit lens it's been sitting at 650 euros, with no lens 550.

Compare that to the M100 that, with lens, I've seen as low as 222 euros (amazon).

2 months agopermalink

xeppelin

EF-M is way better than m43. it has twice the sensor surface in more compact bodies and at lower system cost. at least for stills i'd never switch from EOS M to mFT. video may be a different story, but i dont care for it at all.

2 months agopermalink

unbelievable

If the M series only would have in camera USB charging....

2 months agopermalink

We're talking about lens selection, not sensor size...

2 months agopermalink

gandulfc

sadly, the a6000 focuses a lot better and faster... the m100 seemed to be hit and miss so I got rid of it... color science is a lot better though

2 months agopermalink

xeppelin

EF-M lens selection is excellent. 11mm to 200mm in native lenses. all of them very compact and light with good to excellent IQ and all very affordable. Anything beyond that is available as EF and EF-S lens. Original Canon adapter can be had for as little as 75 € (new) and even less second hand.

only EF-M lens i miss is a short tele prime eg EF-M 85/2.4 IS STM - with IQ and price like the fabulous EF-M 32/1.4 please.

btw. EF-M 32/1.4 is as compact, same price and has way better IQ than Pana-Leica 25/1.4 ... and covers 2x sensor area. :-)

i don't see any reason for mFT, when a very decent APS-C system is neither bulkier nor more expensive.

2 months agopermalink

CJ Lan

A6000's mediocre image quality and poor high ISO performance is rather disappointing. The artifact and color noise pop up in ISO 800 which is not considered high ISO. The annoying combination messes up the details quite a bit and makes the image rather unpleasant. A6300 and A6500 are much better.

4 months agopermalink

AlexLex

Owned A6000 for 4 years, absolutely not true at all. Printed iso6400 100*70cm looks fantastic if you have good lens and proper exposure. Every camera in last 10-12 years produce excellent results if you have skill and knowledge...

2 months agopermalink

I've yet to see one sample image that shows the A6300 as "much better". I wish it was "much better" so I'd have an excuse to upgrade but as an A6000 owner I see little reason to upgrade.....

2 months ago*permalink

markster234

Why is Fujifilm X-A5 on this list and X-T100 is not?

X-T100 is basically the same camera as X-A5, they have the same specs. The only difference is that X-T100 adds an EVF and a tilting screen for the same price.

6 months ago*permalink

AdamT

It also adds a third command dial, largely metal build, a far bigger buffer, more articulating screen and has no AA filter on its state of the art 24Mp APS-C Bayer sensor -

BUT DP review don`t like the XT100 , they made that pretty clear

2 months ago*permalink

Jersey Shore

M100? Or M6 for $479 on Amazon?

6 months agopermalink

Nikoncanonfan

I think the M100 is incredible. Pair it with the 11-22mm it takes tack sharp pictures the ultimate travel camera I bought two I like it that much

6 months agopermalink

unbelievable

One for each eye?

2 months agopermalink

Probably either: 1 for movies the other for photos as unlike my iphone canons can't take a picture while taking a video (7D MK II is the only current model that can do this).

Each with a different lens. When I am traveling I cary two cameras, one with canon's 10-18 and a 2nd camera with either a kit lens or a prime like the 50mm. things happen too quickly to be fumbling changing lenses in the street and these lil mirrorless or so small it's easy to have one in a pouch and then just switch the cameas instead of switiching lenses.

(lol. it would be funny if he has a rig for shooting 3D so one for each eye.....)

2 months agopermalink

markster234

For a $500 budget, the absolutely only place I would be shopping for a camera would be Adorama's used/demo section -- This is a price bracket where a former generation more premium camera gives you much more than a current new $500 one.

6 months agopermalink

Wait, the A6000 page says:
"The camera itself handles well, with ample customizable buttons, twin control dials, a dedicated exposure compensation dial, and a quick menu."

Where does this reviewer consider the exposure compensation dial to be? My A6000 has a control dial on top and a control wheel on the back, but certainly no exposure compensation dial.

6 months agopermalink

PostModernBloke

I would probably have gone for the D3500, just for the durability and support.

One thing's for sure - these cams will all produce photographs so much better than the £1000 phones. If you want to print photos, or offer high-res viewing options, then a sub-£500 camera will do the job in a way that no phone camera gets close to.

6 months agopermalink

Just a note that there is a lot of great used gear out there on eBay and Amazon, especially if you're looking at an older camera like the A6000. Saving a few hundred dollars on a body lets you get a better starting lens (e.g. the 18-135mm OSS) or a few lessons.

6 months agopermalink

QuietOC

I only saved $60 buying my A6000 used at auction compared to the best sale price. I recommend buying this model new when it is on sale. The dealers will often throw in some useful extras for free, since they aren't allowed to reduce the price.

6 months ago*permalink

Mariano Pacifico

There is no best active cameras for adrenaline junkies who want to capture fast action under extreme conditions. Cameras that are waterproof, shockproof, crushproof, freezeproof, and dustproof for worry-free operation on any adventure.

6 months agopermalink

Relaxed

GoPro?

6 months agopermalink

Aroart

I vote Sony make one like Olympus tough series with ta 1inch sensor...

6 months agopermalink

gravis92

pentax is the best you are going to get.

2 months ago*permalink

left eye

May I also recommend the Pentax K-70 :
weatherproof,
-10°C cold-resistant,
IBIS,
pixel-shift,
AA-less 24MP sensor,
ergonomic,
great battery life,
etc.

6 months ago*permalink

gravis92

Came here to say this as well. Or even the k50.

2 months agopermalink

BarryfromSA

After my D60 was nicked I decided to try the "semi-pocketable" route as the DSLR was often left at home. I first tried the Fuji X-M1, rather naively thinking I could do without the viewfinder - STUPID MISTAKE ! Cameras without viewfinders should be burnt at the stake !
I quickly changed to the Sony a6000 with a sigh of relief. To be honest, I think the Fuji takes better images both in colour and sharpness [standard kit lenses on both], but I can live with for the practicality of the VF.

Incidentally, when using the M1 outdoors for the first time I thought the screen had packed up, only to realise after a nervous while that I was viewing the screen through polarised lens sunglasses, which killed the image! Anyone else had that happen ?

7 months agopermalink

Brian Homer

H ha yes the polarising effect - it happens on my X100F when I shoot vertical with my sunglasses- the first time it happen I was on the net looking for the fault! Agree with you on viewfinders!

6 months agopermalink

JPnyc

funny to see the Sony A5100 still to be on this list. it's a 5 year old granddaddy of a camera! i actually agree, this is a fantastic little camera for the money albeit its lack of an EVF which i dont use because i wear glasses. given the fact that it actually can be had for under $400 these days, this must be the camera deal of the year.
or wait a minute, perhaps not, i just saw the A6000 sells for even less now ... around $300, factory refurbished!
THAT must be the best camera/price ratio on the planet!

7 months agopermalink

WT21

With the launch of the Nikon and Canon mirrorless FF, the power trinity is established at DPR - Canon Nikon and Sony. m43 will be abandoned in it's mentions here. It's like talking to a shopping clerk at BestBuy, except DPR knows better.

7 months ago*permalink

spidermoon

What missing in this guide is a lense kit comparison. Is the Canon 15-45 better then the Sony one or the fuji or the Nikon ? And an overall size/weigth comparison, body + lense.

7 months agopermalink

ProfHankD

You're recommending an M100 after Canon has made it absolutely clear the M line isn't going anywhere... not to mention that the A6000 still beats it -- not just according to me, but by DPReview's reviews. I know the A6000 is an old model, but it's still a very competitive camera with a huge infrastructure behind it. I also don't see how the touch screen on the M100 is "selfie friendly" -- and the M100 doesn't even have an EVF!

7 months agopermalink

I actually agree with DPR on M100. That dual pixel AF in video, wifi and bluetooth, selfie touchscreen and extremly good value just beat sony. Not to mentio near native adapdability of EF and EF-S lenses. The value is just there in spades, either as first family-focused mirrorless or second portable body for someone with Canon DSLR and EF, EF-S lenses. It is just £280 on UK Amazon now which is outstanding value for APS-C camera with good wide kit lens. If this is to be the only body for family, it does not matter if the M lens ecosystem is not going to expand. All the main options are there at the moment and EF gets the rest covered if need arises.

7 months agopermalink

ProfHankD

I get that the LCD pivoting up to be seen from the front is "selfie friendly" (which has zero to do with touch sensitivity), but if you want that, there's the Sony A5100 -- literally $1 cheaper with 16-50mm pancake zoom than the EOS M100 with 15-45mm here in the USA. The M100 is an obvious late-clone-attempt of the A5100.

If you have lots of EF lenses, it'll cost $150 for an adapter that will let them work better on the A5100/A6000 than Canon's $200 EF to M adapter will deliver on an M100. In fact, my A6000's AF of EF lenses is disturbingly competitive with my Canon 5D IV's dual-pixel performance.

Admittedly, the M100 isn't a huge step down from an A5100, but I think you have to be giving a lot of points for "has Canon logo" for it to beat an A5100 (which DPReview never even bothered giving a full review, basically saying it's an A6000 -EVF +touch-enabled selfie tilt LCD).

7 months agopermalink

QuietOC

What $150 adapter gives you good AF with EF lenses on the A5100/A6000? Maybe you are thinking about the A6300?

6 months agopermalink

To me the M50 and A6000 are close enough in price that it comes down to ergonomics and feel, and the A6000 feels better to me. But the M50 is better spec-wise in most ways. Either is a great starter camera!

6 months agopermalink

MPoetter

Is there no Panasonic G70 in the rankings? Would be a shame, fine camera!

7 months agopermalink

Maybe in an alternate universe we could have used cameras included. Would be really interesting, my D700 i just bought was $460. I know it's too hairy of an issue with used prices always fluctuating and all but for some uninformed camera noob, it really is a disservice for them to not be exposed to used options.

7 months agopermalink

io_bg

That would be great. Used cameras from a generation or two ago is where the real value is at.

7 months agopermalink

Yes, absolutely agree that used bodies are where the real value is, especially here in UK with top notch online second hand shops giving you half a year warranty for peace of mind. Would you believe that I am just awaiting arrival of mint - like new - Panasonic GX800 body for £116 only? That is outstanding value for 4k capable and aliasing filter free 16mpix micro 4/3 cam with usb charging, Panasonic DFD and great touscreen implementation from reputable online shop I bought from before. They have 12.5% black friday sale at the moment. This deal gives Canon M100 run for its money.

7 months agopermalink

That's a great deal Vit, and coincidentally, i just bought that camera less than two weeks ago. It was $289 US (not sure what that is in conversion) but it's in very good shape, not a mark on it. Still can't find the shutter count menu though. I bought it for the front facing screen since i never get to be in the photos with my little ones.

Incidentally i bought a Panny 20mm for it as well but some genius at Amazon put the 14mm 2.5 in the box. But after using it i decided to keep it as the slightly wider angle is a bit better for the front facing screen (the 20 was still a bit narrow at 40mm FOV).

Hey DPR, tell Jeff Bezos thanks for the extra $40 lens value ; )

7 months agopermalink

14mm 2.5 lens is great. I used to have it too and gave it to my wife attached to GM1 - great kombo. I have the legendary 20mm 1.7, it is great for lowlight social photo and similarly. GX800 is great body, I am going to use it a lot together with 7.5mm Samyang fisheye, 12-32 pancake, the mentioned 20mm 1.7, oly 45 1.8. The usb charging is very convenient for travel too, you can just top it up on the go with powerbank if needed. Micro 4/3 is great system. I now have really nice tripple combo with GX800, GX80(85) and GX8 :-) Love the GX80 for its super stable 4k, love the GX8 for superB ergonomics and EVF and love the GX800 for its form factor and same IQ as GX80. I can fit GX80 with 20mm pancake into my trousers pocket, GX800 will be even easier fit and will be great for street photo with touchscreen shutter. I will also use GX800 for 4k video a lot...

7 months agopermalink

Nice setup. Im a bit bigger on the one end, a gripped D700 with YN100 f/2, not exactly pocketable : ) but i wanted something smaller for video that can best my phone and also has a front facing screen. The GXxxx seemed the best option and i really like Panasonic's feature set.

On a different note, if you happen to check out the setting, any idea how to get the Night shot mode to work? You can choose it from the scene dial mode but it's also a menu option in the REC tab, page 3.

I have yet to figure out how to use it there. It says you must be in iA dial mode but when set up it won't fire but a single shot. It's supposed to shoot 6 frames and combine them for NR, not sure what other settings im missing and there's no explanation i can find.

7 months agopermalink

I will check it out for you when I get the cam today. I have two bigger bodies too. Canon 40D and Sony A7 mk 1 :)

7 months agopermalink

I checked that Night Handheld mode for you. I works when you select it in scene mode and takes multiple exposures to combine them. I guess you have to have recording set to Jpeg only in this mode. It works when in iA mode too but in iA mode it auto-detects when to use it so you can really select it manually, it is fully automated mode.

7 months agopermalink

Ok good deal. Yea it looks to be jpeg only as its combing shots in camera. Im looking forward to more of this kind of feature, high rez modes too.

7 months agopermalink

Sorry I meant to write that: 'It works when in iA mode too but in iA mode it auto-detects when to use it so you CAN'T really select it manually, it is fully automated mode.'

7 months agopermalink

Roger that i figured it was a typo. Still a useful feature at times, i really hope Panasonic improve it. Sony lets you shoot manually with it but can't use E shutter, Pana lets you use E shutter but it's all auto. I think they are playing games with us.

7 months agopermalink