Ted's 5 Best Cameras Under $500 in 2021

Whether you're looking for the best point and shoot camera that won’t break the bank, a handy compact camera that’s a step up from your smartphone, or just an all-rounder DSLR to complement your more expensive digital photography kit, check out our annual round-up of the best 5 cameras under $500 for 2021:

This one’s an oldie but a goodie - a tried and true compact camera with an impressive array of user-friendly features. Perfect for travel photography, the Sony Cybershot HX90V belies its size - cramming a 30x optical zoom lens and a retractable electronic viewfinder (EVF) into a camera that fits comfortably in your pocket. 

The HX90V’s far-reaching abilities bring far-off subjects like wildlife and buildings right up close - helping you create engaging, high-quality photos with a crisp finish. The EVF is enhanced by a control ring that’s situated around the lens, making it a great choice for photography enthusiasts wanting a little extra control over their images. 

Full HD video and 10 frames per second of continuous shooting will also help you capture your subjects at their most flattering and interesting angles, while a tilting LCD screen at the back of the camera helps to frame your shots at any desired angle and helping you to produce pleasing selfies.

Key Features

• Huge 30X Zoom
• Tilt LCD screen
• Retractable viewfinder
• Full Manual Controls

This compact point and shoot camera with 40X optical zoom lens is perfect for everyday and travel photography. A genuine all-rounder, the Canon Powershot SX740 HS can go from snapping the perfect selfie to zooming across a sports field to capture your child’s game-winning goal. Selfies, group shots and any other tricky angle shots are made easy thanks to the 180 degree tilting LCD that sits at the rear of the camera. 

The high-speed nature of the SX740 HS is enhanced by the inclusion of Canon's DIGIC 8 processor, with an impressive 10 frames per second continuous shooting rate. The 20.3MP CMOS sensor means you’ll be capturing bright, vivid images in a variety of lighting conditions, helped by Canon's DIGIC 8 processor and wide ISO range. For that extra bit of wow-factor, the 4K resolution video and 4K time-lapse recording will give your creative shooting an impressive cinematic touch. 

Key Features

• Huge 40x optical zoom
• 4K resolution videos
• 180 degree tilting LCD - Perfect for selfies
• Built-in WiFI
• 20.3MP CMOS Sensor

The versatile Panasonic Lumix FZ80 is a big zoom camera that’s ideal for all your multimedia capture, video filming and live streaming needs. 18 megapixel stills, 4K resolution video and an awesome 60x optical zoom lens are the main draw cards, while a variety of other functions will assist you in your image making experience. 

The Power OIS delivers blur-free images, while 10 frames per second continuous shooting means you’ll get a great shot, exactly when you want it. A pair of exceptional compositional tools including a 3-inch touchscreen LCD monitor and a high-resolution electronic viewfinder will aid you in framing your work. Long story short - this is a compact digital camera so flexible you’ll likely never need another. 

Key Features

• Power O.I.S
• 60x optical zoom lens
• 4K UHD video recording
• Built-in WiFi connectivity
• Touchscreen LCD and EVF

The New Panasonic Lumix TZ90 is a high-achiever for the beginner or professional photographer alike, with a feature set that is sure to deliver both in terms of usability and imaging quality. Pictures and videos alike are in safe hands, with a 20MP MOS sensor and 4K resolution video - but the real eye catcher of this compact digital camera series is an incredibly versatile Leica lens with 30x optical zoom. 

If you’re photographing on the move or live streaming your latest adventure, the 5-axis Hybrid OIS will help curb any camera shake. You’ll also enjoy two choices to compose your images in - a 3-inch touch LCD screen and an electronic viewfinder. Perfect for the aspiring Youtube star. 

Key Features

• Leica 30x optical zoom lens
• 20.3MP MOS sensor
• UHD 4K video
• 5-axis hybrid OIS
• 3-inch touch LCD & EVF

The new Nikon Coolpix B600 is super powerful, but also wonderfully user-friendly. The wide 60x optical zoom starts at a landscape-suitable 24mm, while the 1440mm equivalent will capture even the most intricate details of faraway wildlife, with 1cm closest focus. What makes this digital camera’s reach and versatility so impressive is the fact that the B600 comes in a compact body that weighs a very reasonable 500 grams - making it extremely comfortable to hold for long periods of shooting.

Vibration Reduction keeps your results steady and blur-free, so you can enjoy the full extent of this camera's functionality, worry-free. A truly versatile compact digital camera, Nikon has definitely achieved something brilliant here.

Key Features

• 16MP imaging sensor
• 1cm Macro
• VR stabilisation
• Weighs approximately 500g
• Premium connectivity - Nikon's SnapBridge