What we like: A nice option for still photographers. Canon EOS Rebel T6 ($449 with 18-55mm lens) The bottom line is that both are great entry-level DSLRs, but we’ll take the savings on the D3300.Ģ. It also has inferior battery life, although the flash is considerably better, which is a nice advantage for those who frequently shoot indoors and in low light. It’s true that the D3300 lacks Bluetooth Connectivity (you can add a WU-1a wireless adapter for about $30 more), while the D3400 comes with Nikon’s Snapbridge.

The D3300 is a significant $100 cheaper, but the newer version has nearly identical image quality and doesn’t come with a huge jump in features. It was a close call between the D3300 and the D3400 for the top spot on this list, but our tipping point was price. It’s true that you can get more features by stepping up to the D5000 series, but that breaks the $500 barrier (the second generation D5300 is $529 at time of publication, for example). Most importantly, we love the value: the D3300 is less than $400 with a lens, and will far outperform point-and-shoots and other cameras in its price range. The D3300 is one of Nikon’s leading entry-level DSLRs, offering good image quality, a user-friendly interface, and an improved kit lens that is lighter and sharper than past models. What we don’t: No Bluetooth, although you can add a separate adapter for about $30. What we like: Nearly identical image quality as the D3400 below for $100 less. We will continue to update this list as new models are released and price drops bring some of our favorites below the threshold. For more background, see our comparison table and buying advice below the picks.ĭigital SLRs Under $500 1. Below are our picks for the best cameras under $500, with options from leading brands like Nikon, Canon, Sony, and Olympus.

All within this price range, you can get an entry-level digital SLR, a mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera, an advanced point-and-shoot, or even a superzoom. With the quality of digital cameras continually improving and prices falling, $500 or less can buy you an excellent digital camera in 2018.

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