Best DSLR Camera under $500 in 2022

This is a list of DSLR camera under $500 that offers an affordable price. This means you can save more money on other stuff. In this article, I only list the cameras from Canon and Nikon, since they are the most popular brands in the photography industry that makes DSLR cameras.

Both companies have been known as the best camera supplier in the world. The DSLR cameras that are listed here have a full-frame sensor or sometimes called FX format. If you’re looking for DSLRs with cropped sensors, the list is available in our previous article.

The term “DSLR” stands for Digital Single Lens Reflex camera. It refers to the type of camera where you look through the lens directly using an eye-level pentaprism/pentamirror viewfinder. Other types of digital cameras are mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras (MILC), point-and-shoot compact cameras, bridge-type cameras, and professional video cameras or camcorders which are mainly used professionally or for cinematography.

As I said earlier, this list only includes Canon and Nikon models since they make the best DSLR cameras from full-frame to cropped sensors. For beginners, I highly recommend them because it’s really easy to use and they have a complete lens lineup for almost any kind of photography. If you want something cheaper, brands like Sony and Fujifilm are also available in this price range.

Table of Contents

1) Canon EOS 100D

The Canon EOS 100D is a great entry-level DSLR if you’re looking for an affordable camera with decent picture quality at high ISO levels. Its successor, Canon EOS 200D will be announced on August 29 so if you prefer a newer version, you have to wait for a few more days. But the big difference between those two cameras is that the 100D doesn’t include a built-in flash and its ISO range only goes up to 12800.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a budget Canon DSLR, check out Canon EOS Rebel SL2 / EOS 200D which is among our best DSLRs under $500 list (that’s also updated on August 29). It has great picture quality and can shoot at 5 fps which is 4 frames faster than 100D’s 3 fps performance.

Also, because of the lack of built-in flash, it uses an external flash unit whenever you need extra lighting less noise when shooting dimly lit scenes.

2) Canon EOS 200D / Rebel SL2

Canon EOS 200D is the successor of Canon 100D (re-branded as Rebel SL1). It’s the first DSLR camera to feature DIGIC 7 processor.

It has a 24 MP APS-C sensor that can shoot high-quality images at up to 12800 ISO levels. Combined with its 9 cross-type autofocus points, you can take sharp photos even in low light conditions. One of its unique features is Scene Intelligent Auto Mode which automatically detects your shooting condition and adjusts the camera settings accordingly to give you great-looking pictures without requiring you to manually select different options each time.

Another useful feature for beginners is Basic+ mode which takes advantage of touchscreen control where you can adjust the focus point by simply tapping on your desired area. A built-in flash allows you to take photos in dark environments even though it’s not included in the package.

3) Nikon D5600

The Nikon D5600 is the successor of Nikon D5500 (re-branded as Nikon D5300), which is currently positioned in our best entry-level DSLRs list. It has a 24.2 MP DX-format CMOS sensor and EXPEED 4 image processor. The maximum native ISO level goes up to 25,600 while the standard range is 100 to 25,600 (expandable up to 51200).

The camera can shoot high-quality images at up to 5 fps without AF or 3 fps with Autofocus enabled. Its 39 autofocus points are pretty good and tracks object accurately even when they’re moving fast.

4) Nikon D5300

Although it’s a pretty old DSLR, the Nikon D5300 is still a great choice for beginners who want to learn more about photography with a DSLR camera. It has a 24MP APS-C sensor that can capture high-quality images even at 25600 ISO levels. Other features include 5 fps burst speed without AF and 1/4000 second high shutter speed.

With its 39 autofocus points, you can expect accurate object tracking when taking photos of things like cars, insects, or any other moving objects using Autofocus (AF). The built-in flash enables you to take photos in dark environments while its 3″ LCD screen allows you to preview them directly on the camera instead of connecting it to a TV screen.

5) Nikon D3300

The Nikon D3300 is an entry-level DSLR with solid build quality and durable construction (weather-sealed). It has a 24.2 MP DX-format CMOS sensor that can produce high-quality images even when shooting at high ISO levels (up to 12800 in the standard range, 25600 in an extended setting).

The maximum native ISO level goes up to 25,600 while the standard range is 100 to 25,600 (expandable up to 51200). The camera uses EXPEED 4 image processor which helps reproduce vibrant colors in your photos even at low lighting conditions. Its 39 autofocus points provide accurate object tracking when taking photos of things like cars, insects, or any other moving objects using Autofocus (AF).

The built-in flash enables you to take photos in dark environments while its 3″ LCD screen allows you to preview them directly on the camera instead of connecting it to a TV screen. Other features include 5 fps burst speed without AF and 1/4000 second high shutter speed.

Conclusion

The DSLR cameras listed above are the best entry-level DSLRs that you can find for less than $500. You might be able to buy a used one if you want to spend even less money. They’re capable of producing high-quality images and videos with great detail, clarity, and color reproduction. There is no particular brand that stands out from any other brands as they all have pretty much the same features and specifications.

On this list, we’ve included only DSLR cameras under $500 but some of them are re-branded versions of their predecessor models which mean better value for your money because you’ll get the latest tech specs but within an affordable price range. For more information about Nikon D5600, check out Nikon D5600 review.

For those of you who want to learn how to take a better photo and learn about photography, I’m sure that Nikon D5600 or any other DSLR that’s been mentioned above will help you get started. It doesn’t matter what type of photography genre you want to explore (wildlife, landscape, street, portrait, macro, etc.) because DSLRs are suitable for all types of photography. All you have to do is to get the best lens that will help you get started.

For video enthusiasts, using DSLRs for shooting videos is also recommended especially if you want to produce high-quality videos for online streaming or uploading to video websites. DSLRs also come with built-in microphones so there’s no need to buy an external microphone if you only want to shoot videos for personal and casual use. For those of you who want to take better videos with DSLRs, be sure to check out the Nikon D5600 vs Canon EOS 77D comparison on Google.