Top pick · Canon£490
Canon EOS R50 + Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
Body £420 + lens £70 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 27-68mm equivalent · 505g
Why: 375g body.
Buying guide · updated 5 November 2026
Best camera for beginners under £500
A first camera should be easy to learn, light enough to take everywhere, and part of a system you can grow into. Subject-detect autofocus, a flip-out screen and a good kit lens matter more than megapixels. Here are the best complete setups (body plus the right lens) you can buy for £500 or less, using real UK prices.
Quick answer
The best £500 setup for beginners is the Canon EOS R50 with the Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM, about £490 with the body bought used. Why: 375g body.
Best £500 setups for beginners, brand by brand
The best setup we found from each major system, ranked on how well it suits beginners. Bodies priced used where MPB lists them.
Best Nikon option£500
Nikon Z50 + Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
Body £390 + lens £110 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 24-75mm equivalent · 585g
Why: 450g body.
Best Fujifilm option£500
Fujifilm X-T200 + Fujifilm XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ
Body £370 + lens £130 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 23-68mm equivalent · 505g
Why: 370g body.
Best Panasonic option£420
Panasonic Lumix G100 + Tamron 14-150mm f/3.5-5.8 Di III
Body £250 + lens £170 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 28-300mm equivalent · 637g
Why: 352g body.
Best OM System option£490
OM System Olympus PEN E-P7 + Tamron 14-150mm f/3.5-5.8 Di III
Body £320 + lens £170 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 28-300mm equivalent · 622g
Why: in-body stabilisation, 337g body.
Cheaper alternatives from the same brands
Not every pick needs the top body. These cost noticeably less and still do the job well.
| Brand | Setup | Total | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canon | EOS M50 + Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III VC | £500 | Why: 390g body. |
Best bodies for beginners under £500
Canon
EOS R50 V
2025Mirrorless
24.2MP
15fps max
—readout ms
32kmax ISO
Low light 370g · no EVF
New ≈£529
Used at MPB*£459–519
Video-first R50 with a front tally light, vertical tripod mount and no viewfinder.
Nikon
Z30
2022Mirrorless
20.9MP
11fps max
—readout ms
51.2kmax ISO
Low light 405g · no EVF
New ≈£529
Used at MPB*£474
Nikon's vlogging body: flip screen, no viewfinder, Z DX lenses.
Sony
ZV-E10
2021MirrorlessOlder model
24.2MP
11fps max
—readout ms
32kmax ISO
Low light 343g · no EVF
New ≈No longer sold new
Used at MPB*£444–494
Light APS-C vlogging body with a flip screen and good mic. No IBIS or viewfinder.
Panasonic
Lumix G100
2020MirrorlessOlder model
20.3MP
10fps max
—readout ms
25.6kmax ISO
Low light 352g
New ≈No longer sold new
Used at MPB*£234–259
Tiny vlogging body with a viewfinder. Now sold new as the G100D kit with a 12-32mm lens.
Fujifilm
X-T200
2020MirrorlessOlder model
24.2MP
8fps max
—readout ms
12.8kmax ISO
Low light 370g
New ≈No longer sold new
Used at MPB*£369
Entry X body with a large flip screen. Uses a conventional sensor, not X-Trans.
OM System
Olympus PEN E-P7
2021Mirrorless
20.3MP
8.7fps max
—readout ms
25.6kmax ISO
Low light 337g · IBIS · no EVF
New ≈Check retailers
Used at MPB*£179–469
Stylish compact with the PEN-F's profile dial. No viewfinder.
What to look for
A first camera should be easy to learn, light enough to take everywhere, and part of a system you can grow into. Subject-detect autofocus, a flip-out screen and a good kit lens matter more than megapixels.
Guide or assist modesSubject-detect AFFlip-out screenGrip and two dials
Lens: A standard zoom covering wide to short telephoto (about 24–105mm equivalent).
Other budgets
More to spend? Best under £1,000. Or read the full beginners buying guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best camera for beginners under £500?
Our top pick is the Canon EOS R50 with the Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM, about £490 buying the body used. If you only need a body, the Canon EOS R50 V scores highest at this budget.
What is the best £500 beginners camera setup?
Canon EOS R50 + Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM (£490); Nikon Z50 + Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR (£500); Fujifilm X-T200 + Fujifilm XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ (£500).
Should I buy new or used for beginners?
Buying the body used typically saves 30–50% and leaves more of the £500 for a better lens, which usually matters more. New gives a full warranty and the latest firmware.
What lens do I need for beginners?
A standard zoom covering wide to short telephoto (about 24–105mm equivalent).
Prices checked 5 November 2026: used prices are the middle of the MPB price range for the body and the lens on that mount; new prices are typical UK prices. Picks are ranked from the specs in our database for this type of photography.