9+ Best 4k Camera Under $ 500 2022 | Unrivaled Guide

If you are reading this article it means that you are thinking of buying a new camera or improving the model you already own.

You’ve probably arrived here after reading detailed reviews of dozens of different models on the web. You will have frequented social groups or forums looking for advice

The ability to record 4K footage to cameras quickly went from a niche to a standard feature. It’s something you can very well find on most flagship smartphones and new cameras today, except the most basic entry-level mirrorless models.

Best 4k Camera Under $ 500

That said, not all 4K cameras offer the same level of quality. Different sensors, capture methods, output possibilities, and more mean that some 4K cameras are much, much better than others. Frame rate is an important consideration to think about before purchasing (most cameras are limited to 30fps with 4K, but some can record 60fps), as well as registration profiles for post-shot color correction, the availability of accessories, and easy-to-use features such as the zebra pattern.

Now, after an overdose of different data and opinions, you will be incomplete confusion.

Nothing strange, don’t worry. The Internet is a formidable means of knowledge, but if you are not sure what to look for, it is very easy for it to confuse your ideas rather than clarify them.

So if you have the idea of ​​buying your first camera (or upgrading the one you already have), what you need is a guide to help you put it all together.

In this article, first of all, I will help you “think” about what you really need. If you don’t get it right on this point, you’ll never be sure you’re making the right step.

Best 4k Camera Under 500 USD | Comparison Table 2022

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Best 4k Camera Under $ 500 | 2022  Guide and Products Overview

4K reflex camera: which one to choose

Until recently, finding a reflex camera capable of recording video at a maximum resolution of 4K was almost impossible. With the evolution of technology and the increasing interest from users for this function, companies have decided to present models that support 4K recording.

With 3840 × 2160 pixels, the 4K format offers  more than four times the resolution of Full HD  (1920 × 1080). Since even integrated displays on televisions, computers, smartphones etc. are reaching very high levels of quality and resolution, it goes without saying that those who produce video content are increasingly interested in exploiting this high resolution. DCI 4K resolution is also available in many cameras, which is used in filmmaking. It is the same as standard 4K in height but 4096 pixels wide.

Video

There are several criteria to consider when choosing the right 4K SLR camera for your needs. Let’s start from the first, which can only be the  quality of the videos  produced. Beyond the resolution, which we have already talked about before, it is important to focus on the   supported frame rate .

This element represents the number of frames per second that an SLR camera sensor can capture. The higher the number of fps, the smoother the video will be. 24/30 fps is the standard used in cinema, but to obtain optimal results in terms of fluidity, in particular for content to be shared on the web, it is recommended to shoot at 60 fps. The matter is different if you need to shoot slow-motion videos: in this case, you will have to focus on models that support a frame rate of 120 fps and beyond.

Sensor

Let’s now move on to the second criterion, which concerns the quality of the photos produced by the  sensor . APS-C and Full Frame (FF) type sensors are integrated into the reflex cameras. The difference between the two lies in the size: if the Full Frames measure exactly like the classic analog 35 mm film, the APS-C are slightly smaller, and have a 1.5x crop. Generally speaking, FFs allow for better results as they are physically larger and can capture more details and light, and for this reason they are preferred for portrait, fashion and landscape photos. For most other uses, APS-C sensors are more than enough.

The  number of megapixels  integrated into the sensor must also be evaluated . Having more detail available allows for larger images, a useful feature that can come in handy for printing or large format graphic projects. For this type of use it would be better to use cameras with sensors of over 20 megapixels. While to share images on the web and social networks, or similar uses, this value is not essential.

ISO sensitivity

And if you need a 4K SLR that performs well even in difficult lighting conditions, with few light sources, then you will have to evaluate the performance at high ISO sensitivity values  . ISO sensitivity determines how much light the sensor can absorb. Using low values ​​is therefore ideal for sunny days, with very strong ambient light; on the contrary, when it gets dark it becomes necessary to raise the sensitivity levels. You will therefore have to choose a 4K SLR camera that supports a wide ISO sensitivity range, with a maximum value of at least 6400.

There is also another factor to consider: increasing this value makes it more likely that a grain will appear on the image, called  digital noise . This effect can ruin the photo, causing it to lose sharpness and blur colors. The 4K SLRs we have chosen for this guide perform very well even at high ISO levels.

Autofocus

The fourth and final criterion to differentiate for 4K SLRs is the presence of a   reliable and performing autofocus  system . Autofocus usually come in two types, contrast or phase detection. The second technology is preferable, particularly if you often take photos or videos of moving subjects.

The AF must be precise enough to quickly identify the subject we intend to frame, in order to offer a better shooting and shooting experience. Particularly during video recording, the autofocus system must be able to keep the lock  on the  frame for all the action, without losing sharpness. And the same thing must also happen if we take bursts of photos. The number of  AF points supported by the sensor must also be considered  . The higher the number, the more precise and faster the autofocus will work.

In this guide we will tackle the best 4K SLR camera models currently available on the market. At the moment,  there are not many SLRs capable of recording videos in 4K  presented by the various companies. In particular, there is no model that supports recording in 4K at the low end of the market, so to get this feature you will have to turn to models of higher ranges:  medium, high or pro . Let’s start from the mid-range, which includes advanced models, with good quality while maintaining low  dimensions and costs . In the high-end we find  advanced cameras , for amateurs with a certain shooting and video recording experience.

They offer excellent performance at a high but not excessive price. Instead, the various top of the range  4K reflex manufacturers find their place in the pro  range : they include the latest technologies developed by companies, and are the best in terms of image quality. These are the cameras to choose if you are a professional and need a reliable tool for your jobs. Let’s find out our picks of the  best 4K SLRs on the market , sorted by their price.