What are the Best Travel Cameras under $500?
Capturing your travels in perfect detail can be a lot of fun, but it can also be expensive.
If you’re looking to purchase a new camera specifically for your next vacation, we’ve got you covered!
In this blog post, we will list the five best travel cameras under $500; these cameras offer great features and value for the price and will help you capture all the memories of your next trip!
1. Canon Digital Camera PowerShot G12
source: Canon
The Canon Digital Camera PowerShot G12 includes a range of features that make it an ideal choice for those looking to get their best travel photos.
Features
- It has a five-axis image stabilization system, which means you’ll be able to shoot with ease and confidence even in low light conditions.
- The camera also offers manual exposure control so users can adjust shutter speed as needed.
- Aperture priority modes allow setting the desired depth of field before taking any shots!
- Another great feature is its 24mm ultra-wide-angle lens, perfect for shooting landscapes or large groups of people at once without having too many objects getting blocked out by others nearby (like what happens when photographing indoors).
- And best yet? This camera comes complete with built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, so you can easily transfer photos from your phone or tablet directly onto its memory card!
- Includes external memory.
- 10.0-megapixel sensor.
- 2.8 inches screen size.
- Video capture resolution is 720p.
Cons
It doesn’t have a built-in flash and requires an external one (available separately) to work best with this model.
The camera also lacks any sort of viewfinder, so you’ll need to use live preview mode while shooting if you want your subject matter in focus all the time.
2. Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 Digital Camera
source: Panasonic
The Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 Digital Camera is a great option for those who want to capture all their best memories.
Features
- It comes with an 18.0-megapixel sensor that can take high-quality photos.
- Records video in Full HD 1080p resolution at 60fps or 30fps (the latter of which produces smoother footage).
- This camera has travel-ready technologies like USB charging and built-in Wi-Fi connectivity so users can share pictures from their phone or tablet directly onto its memory card!
- It also features an electronic viewfinder as well as manual exposure control for more accurate settings when shooting outdoors; during bright daylight hours, too much light may cause overexposure problems).
- Power Optical Image Stabilizer.
- The Panasonic Lumix DC FZ80 has a Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens with 60x optical zoom.
- External memory card not included.
- Screen size is three inches.
- Video capture resolution at best is 2160p.
Cons
The Panasonic Lumix FZ80 doesn’t have an aperture priority mode, limiting some users who want more creative control over their photos.
It also lacks any sort of built-in flash, so you’ll need to purchase one separately if required.
3. Nikon COOLPIX L340 Digital Camera
source: Nikon
The Nikon COOLPIX L340 Digital Camera is best for travelers who want to capture stunning images.
Features
- This Nikon camera comes with a 20 MP CCD sensor and built-in 28X optical zoom.
- NIKKOR glass lens that allows you to shoot close-range, super-telephoto shots at 720p/30fps HD video.
- It is also equipped with an electronic VR (Vibration Reduction) Image Stabilization feature that helps reduce the blurriness caused by shaky hands or movement.
- You will never miss capturing the best moments while on travel because you can use the sports mode of this device. This mode shoots fast-moving action quickly and perfectly captures clear, sharp pictures in low lighting conditions without using flash or tripod.
- This best camera under $500 also comes with an easy-to-use feature called the Scene Auto Selector to enhance your photos. This mode automatically recognizes and selects the best scene-setting for your shots, such as portrait, landscape, or nighttime mode.
- You can easily share your photos on social media sites like Facebook and Instagram by simply plugging in your Nikon COOLPIX L340 Digital Camera to a Smartphone via Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Screen size- 3 inches.
- Lastly, this best travel camera retails at an affordable price of $229.95.
Cons
This budget camera for traveling doesn’t have an automatic focus feature and requires users to manually adjust it before taking photos or videos.
4. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 Digital Camera
source: Walmart
If you’re in the market for a great travel camera that won’t break the bank, check out the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300. This camera is perfect for capturing amazing vacation memories.
Features
- It features a 12.0-megapixel resolution.
- Leica lens with an optical zoom of 24x.
- The camera has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC technology, which makes it easy to share photos with friends and family.
- The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 is weatherproof because it is splashproof, dustproof, and has a rugged design, so you can take it with you on all your adventures without worrying about it getting wet or damaged.
- Electronic viewfinder.
- Five-axis optical image stabilization.
So if you’re looking for an affordable and durable digital camera that will help you capture all your best vacation moments, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 is an excellent option.
Cons
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 camera cannot shoot in RAW format, which means it doesn’t capture as much detail when taking pictures of things like landscapes or other outdoor scenes with lots of colors.
It also has a shorter battery life than some similar models on the market today, so if you plan on using this camera often during your travels, then consider buying more batteries before leaving home.
5. Nikon Coolpix B500 Digital Camera
source: Nikon
The Nikon Coolpix B500 Digital Camera is a top contender when it comes to the best travel cameras. This camera is perfect for capturing beautiful vacation memories without spending a fortune.
Features
- The Nikon COOLPIX B500 has a 16-megapixel resolution and 40x optical zoom.
- It also has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC technology, which makes it easy to share photos with friends and family.
- Full HD 1080p video recording at 30 fps.
- External memory card not included.
- Screen size- three inches.
- Remote control via smartphone or tablet with the Snap bridge app.
- Flexible LCD Viewfinder.
- Lastly, the Nikon COOLPIX B500 retails at an affordable price of $229.95 and comes with a two-year warranty.
Cons
The Nikon COOLPIX B500 has some limitations in video recording because there is no optical stabilization feature available for this purpose (the best option would be to use a tripod instead).
Also, its battery life is not as long as other similar models on the market today; so if you plan on traveling often, then consider buying more batteries before leaving home.
6. Canon PowerShot SX620 HS Digital Camera
source: Canon
The Canon PowerShot SX620 HS Digital Camera is another excellent camera to consider. This camera is ideal for preserving beautiful holiday memories without breaking the bank.
Features
- The Canon PowerShot SX620 HS has a 20.0-megapixel resolution and 25x optical zoom.
- It also has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC technology, which makes it easy to share photos with friends and family.
- Intelligent Image stabilization.
- LCD Viewfinder.
- 1080p Video capture resolution.
- Auto Zoom.
- Screen size- three inches.
Cons
- The Canon PowerShot SX620 HS has a few drawbacks. One downside is that it does not have an external memory card slot, so you are limited to the number of photos and videos you can store on the camera itself.
- Another downside is that its screen size is only three inches, which may be too small for some people.
- The battery life could be better.
- No manual controls are available unless using Wi-Fi app control from your smartphone or tablet device. If you’re looking for more manual controls, you may want to consider a different camera.
Overall, the Canon PowerShot SX620 HS digital camera is a great option for anyone looking for an affordable travel camera with plenty of features. In addition, it’s an excellent choice for anyone on a budget!
What to Look For Before Buying a Travel Camera
Once you’ve decided on a budget for your next camera, the best way to narrow down which travel camera is best suited for your needs is by considering these factors:
- How often will I use this new device?
- What type of photography do I like to take? (landscape or portrait) Do I prefer shooting in RAW format or JPEG?
- What type of lighting conditions will I be using this new device under (indoors vs outdoors)?
- How much zoom do I need from my camera lens?
- Is there anything else important about choosing the best travel camera for me?
If you’re looking to capture beautiful vacation memories without breaking the bank, then these are some great options. The best travel cameras under $500 offer plenty of features so that you can take stunning photos and videos wherever your next adventure takes you!
