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Cameras Radar

Updated Nov 6, 2026

Data from Nov 6, 2026. First edition of this segment.

Best camera of type compact up to $500 dollars today

19 models, median of $249.

Not sure where to start choosing?

We compare the 19 models on sale today. See where each one stands on price and score.

See today’s picks

Today’s picks

Today’s price, Nov 6, 2026. We searched 1 store: Amazon. Below, the lowest price we found today at the stores above.

We don't score cameras: store listings don't carry data worth measuring. We sort by price.

Partner store links: the Radar may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. How we make money

How we choose: the score is the spec score (0 to 10) and the price is the lowest we found today, using the upfront-payment price when the store offers a discount for it. See how we pick.

All models: Compact cameras up to $500

See the 19 modelsHide the list
Models in the segment, from highest score to lowest
ModelPriceScoreBuy
Fujifilm QuickSnap Flash 400 Disposable 35mm Camera w/Compact$77at Amazonno scoreBuy on Amazon
DJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case)Compact$99at Amazonno scoreBuy on Amazon
Kodak PIXPRO C1 Compact Digital Camera (Brown) BundleCompact$130at Amazonno scoreBuy on Amazon
Kodak PIXPRO P1 13MP Waterproof Digital CameraCompact · 13 MP$150at Amazonno scoreBuy on Amazon
Kodak PIXPRO AZ255 16MP Digital CameraCompact · 16 MP$179at Amazonno scoreBuy on Amazon
Fujifilm QuickSnap 400 27 Exposures Disposable Camera 10-Pack Photo BundleCompact$198at Amazonno scoreBuy on Amazon
Kodak PIXPRO AZ405 20MP Digital CameraCompact · 20 MP$220at Amazonno scoreBuy on Amazon
Kodak PIXPRO AZ425 20MP Digital CameraCompact · 20 MP$230at Amazonno scoreBuy on Amazon
Minolta MN40Z ProShot 20 MP / 1080P FHD Bridge CameraCompact · 20 MP$239at Amazonno scoreBuy on Amazon
Nikon Coolpix L340 20.2 MP Digital CameraCompact · 20.2 MP$249at Amazonno scoreBuy on Amazon
Kodak PIXPRO AZ528 16MP Digital CameraCompact · 16 MP$250at Amazonno scoreBuy on Amazon
DJI Mic 3 (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case)Compact$259at Amazonno scoreBuy on Amazon
Kodak PIXPRO AZ425 20MP 42x Zoom Digital Camera (White) (AZ425WH) BundleCompact · 20 MP$275at Amazonno scoreBuy on Amazon
Canon PowerShot V10 Compact Vlogging CameraCompact$299at Amazonno scoreBuy on Amazon
GoPro MAX2 + Accessory BundleCompact$370at Amazonno scoreBuy on Amazon
Kodak PIXPRO AZ653 Astro Zoom 20MP CameraCompact · 20 MP$400at Amazonno scoreBuy on Amazon
GoPro Limited Edition HERO13 in Polar WhiteCompact$429at Amazonno scoreBuy on Amazon
Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 Digital Camera w/ 12x Optical Zoom and ImageCompact$448at Amazonno scoreBuy on Amazon
Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR CameraCompact · 14.2 MP$469at Amazonno scoreBuy on Amazon

Compact cameras up to $500 in numbers

How much it costs

Half of the 19 cameras cost up to $249; the range with the most models is from $200 to $250, with 5.

How many models there are in each price range, from $50 to $500. Half cost up to $249; across the whole catalog, the median is $695.2 models between $50 and $1002 models between $100 and $1502 models between $150 and $2005 models between $200 and $2503 models between $250 and $3002 models between $350 and $4002 models between $400 and $4501 model between $450 and $500222530221$50$150$250$350$450
  • half cost up to $249
  • whole catalog: $695 →

Cheapest $77 Fujifilm QuickSnap Flash 400 Disposable 35mm Camera w/

Most expensive $469 Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera

See the table by price range
Compact cameras up to $500 by price range, against the whole catalog
Price rangeModels in the segmentIn the catalogMedian score of the segmentMedian score of the catalog
Up to $200647
$200 to $5001344
$500 to $800057
$800 to $2,000067
Over $2,000031
See these models on the price and score map

What changed

This is the first check with history for this segment. Radar checks prices every day: from the next one on, this section shows what got cheaper, what got more expensive and what came in or left.

Confirmed features

Counts only what each model’s listing confirms.

  • 2 of 19 have Wi-Fi confirmed

Against the whole catalog

  • −64%median price below the catalog’s
  • 8%of the catalog: 19 of 246 models
See the full table
Compact cameras up to $500 against the whole catalog
IndicatorCompact cameras up to $500Whole catalogDifference
Models192468% of the catalog
Median price$249$695−64%
Median scoreno scoreno score
Lowest price$77$42+$35
Highest price$469$9,999−$9,530

How to read these numbers

On November 6, 2026, the Radar tracks 19 models of camera of type compact and price up to $500: median price of $249, 64% below the catalog’s ($695). Prices range from $77 to $469.

How we choose
  • The picks combine a high rating and a price in line with the list: each one fits a way of spending, a use, or the brand that shows up most. The pros and cons come from each model’s spec sheet.
  • Stores: Amazon. We include stores we read every day through an open source or an affiliate program: the Radar collection, the Amazon catalog and the factory price database. A store that failed to load today is left out.
  • The same model in two stores is only merged with a catalog code, GTIN or the manufacturer’s full code. When in doubt, only one store is kept. A price far from the collected one (below 60% or above 150%) is left out.
  • Amazon appears without a price, only with the link: we don’t read Amazon prices in bulk.

Next step

See each camera on the chart

Open the chart already filtered to Compact cameras up to $500.

See compact cameras up to $500 on the chart

Frequently asked questions

How much does a camera of type compact and price up to $500 cost?

In the Nov 6, 2026 catalog, the median price of the 19 models in the segment is $249, and prices range from $77 to $469. The final price is the one at the store.

How does the Radar count the models in this segment?

Includes models whose title or listing states the type compact. Listings without the data stay out. With at least one version at the lowest collected price up to $500. Each model counts once: if it has more than one version within the rule, the price is that of the cheapest version and the others show on the card.

How does the Radar choose the cameras on the "best score for the price" line?

From cheapest to most expensive, the camera that has a higher spec score than all the cheaper ones in the segment makes the line. Anything that costs more and has an equal or lower score is left out. The line doesn’t say which camera to buy: it only shows which ones don’t lose on both score and price at once.

How often does this page change?

Every day, with each collection: numbers, chart, ranking and the "What changed" section are rebuilt with the day’s catalog. This edition is from November 6, 2026.

Read next

Compact cameras: median of $759Cameras up to $500: median of $200Compact cameras up to $400: median of $235Compact cameras up to $600: median of $299Compact cameras up to $700: median of $439Compact cameras up to $800: median of $550Compact cameras up to $1,000: median of $585Compact cameras up to $1,500: median of $605All Radar overviewsOverview of new cameras: price, score and brandSee compact cameras up to $500 on the chart
Where the numbers come from

Lowest price seen for the product in the stores we read, on the day it was read, before sales tax.

The price is the one recorded on the date shown. The spec score doesn’t measure image quality or autofocus or durability.

Data from Nov 6, 2026.