Best DSLRs under £500

November 4, 2015Matt Golowczynski

DSLRs may appear somewhat boxy and dated next to the more stylish offerings from mirrorless sector, but there’s such a vast selection of highly capable models under £500 that it would be foolish to ignore them.

With more substantial grips, many also offer far better handling than the average mirrorless camera, and balance better when using longer or heavier lenses.

Being less reliant on their LCD screen than their viewfinder also places less strain on their batteries (which tend to offer higher capacities than those inside mirrorless models anyway), while their compatibility with a much broader selection of lenses means you’re more likely to find what you need at a more attractive price point than the equivalent lens for a mirrorless camera – particularly when you factor in third-party lenses from the likes of Sigma and Tamron.

So, if you have a small budget to play with and you want take your photography more seriously with such a camera, exactly what are your choices?

We’ve rounded up ten of the best DSLRs under £500 and sifted through their specs to find out where they impress and where they fall short next to their rivals.

Prices stated are body-only, followed by ‘with kit lens’ in brackets

BEST DSLRS UNDER £500

Canon EOS 100D
Canon EOS 700D
Canon EOS 750D
Nikon D3300
Nikon D5200
Nikon D5300
Nikon D5500
Pentax K-50
Pentax K-S2
Sony A58

SEE MORE: Best camera money can buy? 6 bodies go head to head

Best DSLRs under £500: Canon EOS 100D / Rebel SL1

Price on Amazon US $399.00 ($499.00 with 18-55mm kit lens) / Price on Amazon UK £279.00 (£315.00 with 18-55mm kit lens)

Canon’s intentions with the EOS 100D were for it to be as small as possible whilst still offering everything you could reasonably expect from an entry-level DSLR.

It features, for example, the same 18MP APS-C sensor and DICIG 5 processor as the pricier EOS 700D, while the touchscreen on the rear also bears the same 3in dimensions as most other DSLRs on the market.

You also get Full HD video with a Hybrid CMOS AF II system to allow autofocus when recording, as well as compatibility with decades worth of EF and EF-S lenses, flashguns and other accessories.

True, there’s no Wi-Fi or NFC, and the camera’s continuous shooting rate of 4fps is somewhat unremarkable, but if you’re a first-time DSLR user not wanting to spend too much you’d be wise to add it to your shortlist.

Pros
– Compact and lightweight body
– Great value

Cons
– No Wi-Fi
– LCD screen fixed in position

SEE MORE: Best budget camera: 6 top options under £350 / $450

Best DSLRs under £500: Canon EOS 700D / Rebel T5i

Price on Amazon US $649.00 ($649.00 with 18-55mm kit lens) / Price on Amazon UK £364.00 (£369.55 with 18-55mm kit lens)

Now over two-and-a-half years old, many will naturally overlook the EOS 700D for the glitzier EOS 750D and 760D replacements, but those that don’t should find plenty to keep them happy – at a knockdown price.

You get, for example, Full HD video recording in a choice of frame rates, with servo autofocus and a microphone port to take sound to the next level, as well as a high-resolution, fully articulating LCD screen that offers touchscreen control for a variety of the camera’s functions.

Canon has also equipped the model with a 5fps burst shooting mode and an all-cross-type 9-point AF system, together with a handful of Creative Filters to instantly process your images into a range of different styles such as Toy Camera and Miniature.

Right now the camera is also well over £100 cheaper than the EOS 750D that replaced it, so if you’re also looking to invest in some glass it’s worth considering. You may, however, want to compare it to the very similar (but cheaper) EOS 100D above.

Pros
– Significantly cheaper than the EOS 750D/760D replacements
– Inclusion of a mic port is nice touch for videographers

Cons
– 18MP sensor starting to look a little old
– 9-point AF system bettered by other models here

SEE MORE: Canon 760D vs 750D vs 700D – 9 things you need to know

Best DSLRs under £500: Canon EOS 750D / Rebel T6i

Price on Amazon US $749.00 ($749.00 with 18-55mm kit lens) / Prize on Amazon UK £494.00 (£509.00 with 18-55mm kit lens)

Launched alongside the EOS 760D (below), this alternative manages to deliver much of that model’s functionality at a much more appealing price point.

Key technologies shared by both models include a 24.2MP APS-C sensor, a 5fps burst option and both W-Fi and NFC, together with a 19-point AF system that features cross-type points at every location – incidentally, the same AF system in the much dearer EOS 70D.

There’s also a 3in display that can not only be controlled by touch but also articulated around a joint at its side, and you can also take manual control over exposure while recording Full HD video.

You can even improve on the audio quality of the camera’s stereo microphones with an external unit, if you wish.

Overall, the EOS 750D represents an affordable way to enter Canon’s every-growing EOS system, with the further benefit of decades worth of optics to choose from.

Pros
– Great video specs
– Articulating touchscreen makes shooting from awkward angles easy

Cons
– Only one command dial
– 95% viewfinder coverage bettered by Pentax models

SEE MORE: Canon 750D / 760D review – which is the better buy?

Best DSLRs under £500: Nikon D3300

Price on Amazon US $na ($446.95 with 18-55mm kit lens) / Price on Amazon UK £287.30 (£331.98 with 18-55mm kit lens)

Nikon’s most junior DSLR may lack some of the fancy trappings of the other models here, but if you want a solid set of specs for less than £300 it’s a fine choice nonetheless.

The 24.2MP sensor places it on a par with those of many rival models, and the ISO range’s expansion up to 25,600 (equivalent) settings is perfectly respectable for a model of the D3300’s billing.

It also delivers 5fps burst shooting, an 11-point AF system and full HD video recording up to 50/60p, while its quoted battery life of around 700 images far exceeds those of its rivals, who hover around the 450-shot mark.

Furthermore, the body-only weight of 410g makes it more portable than some of its rivals while the retractable kit lens with which it ships helps it to remain compact.

Sadly, Wi-Fi and GPS are nowhere to be found (although the camera does accept external units for both) but for those on a budget wanting a no-nonsense option it’s a smasher.

Pros
– Great value
– Excellent battery life

Cons?
– No Wi-Fi or GPS
– LCD fixed in position

SEE MORE
Canon 1200D vs Nikon D3300 vs Pentax K-500 – which is the best entry-level DSLR?
Nikon D3300 vs D3200 vs D3100: which camera should you buy

Best DSLRs under £500: Nikon D5200

Price on Amazon US $555.33 ($619.19 with 18-55mm kit lens) / Price on Amazon UK £299.99 (£389.99 with 18-55mm kit lens)

It may not be the newest model in this collection – indeed, it’s been twice replaced – but the D5200 equals much of the functionality of the other models here, so it might just fit the bill.

It matches, for example, the 24MP sensor resolution of many of its more recent competitors, while 5fps burst shooting and a fully articulating LCD screen show it to compete well elsewhere too. You even get a 39-point AF system with 9 cross-type points, which manages to cover a good proportion of the frame.

It also provides a port for external microphones should you want to take a little extra care over your full HD video recording, although Wi-Fi, NFC and GPS systems are al absent, and it’s a shame the screen can’t be controlled by touch. Still, the inclusion of these would no doubt make it more pricey.

SEE MORE
Nikon D5200 vs D7100 – 14 differences you need to know
Nikon D5200 vs D3200 – which camera should you buy?

Pros
– 39-point AF system covers a significant proportion of the frame
– High-resolution sensor, despite the camera’s age

Cons
– No Wi-Fi or NFC
– No touchscreen

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