The best camera under AU$500 in 2024: cheap cameras with a bit of power

best cameras under AU$500
(Image credit: Fujifilm Instax)

When it comes to finding the best cameras under AU$500 in Australia, choices are very limited, but there are still some great options.

If you're looking for cameras that cost under AU$500 in Australia, it's fair to assume your choices are mostly down to instant cameras. However, if you shop during sales and find a great deal, you will be able to get a bargain on a decent snapper. Sure, you won't get top-end features in this price range, but you will get remarkably capable shooters that offer more than what your phone can.

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Sharmishta Sarkar
Managing Editor (APAC)

In addition to looking after they day-to-day functioning of Digital Camera World in Australia, Sharmishta is the Managing Editor (APAC) for TechRadar as well, and helps produce two of Future's photography print magazines Down Under. Her passion for photography started when she was wandering the wilds of India studying monkeys (yes, life took a sharp turn somewhere along the way) and is entirely self-taught. That puts her in the unique position of understanding what a beginner or enthusiast is looking for in a camera or lens, and writes to help those like her on their path to developing their skills or finding the best gear. While she experiments with quite a few genres of photography, her main area of interest is nature photography – wildlife, landscapes and macro. She still prefers an optical viewfinder but is utterly fascinated with what mirrorless technology has been able to achieve. 


With an ear to the ground in the Asia-Pacific territory, she is constantly on top of camera news and breaking developments in the Australian region, in addition to sourcing local deals during big retail events like Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday / Cyber Monday. 


She’s also a skilled stargazer, always eager to share astrophotography tips such as photographing the blood moon without even using a tripod!

With contributions from