Top rated camera phones under $500 in 2023

Are you looking for a new phone that can take amazing photos without breaking the bank? Do you want to capture your memories in high quality and share them with your friends and family? If so, you are in luck.

There are many options for camera phones under $500 that offer great performance, features, and value. In this article, we will help you find the best camera phone for your needs and budget. We will also give you some tips on how to take stunning photos with your camera phone. Let's get started!

What to look for in a camera phone

Before we dive into the specific models, let's talk about what to look for in a camera phone. There are many factors that affect the quality and functionality of a camera phone, such as:

Camera specifications

The most obvious factor is the camera specifications, such as the number of megapixels, the aperture size, the sensor size, the optical zoom, the image stabilization, and the flash. These specifications determine how much detail, light, and clarity your photos will have.

Generally speaking, higher megapixels mean more detail, larger aperture means more light, larger sensor means better low-light performance, optical zoom means closer shots without losing quality, image stabilization means less blur from hand movements, and flash means brighter photos in dark situations.

However, these specifications are not everything. You also need to consider how well the software processes the images and how user-friendly the camera app is.

Display quality

Another factor is the display quality of your phone. The display is where you view your photos and videos, so you want it to be sharp, bright, and colorful.

The display quality depends on the resolution, the pixel density, the contrast ratio, the brightness level, and the color gamut. Higher resolution means more pixels on the screen, higher pixel density means sharper images, higher contrast ratio means deeper blacks and brighter whites, higher brightness level means better visibility in sunlight, and wider color gamut means more accurate colors.

You also want to look for a display that has minimal bezels and a notch or hole-punch for the front-facing camera.

Battery life

Another factor is the battery life of your phone. The battery life determines how long you can use your phone before it runs out of juice. This is especially important if you use your phone for taking photos and videos frequently, as these activities consume a lot of power.

The battery life depends on the battery capacity, the power consumption of the hardware and software components, and your usage habits. Higher battery capacity means more stored energy, lower power consumption means more efficient performance, and your usage habits mean how often you use your phone for different tasks.

You also want to look for a phone that supports fast charging and wireless charging, as these features can save you time and hassle.

Storage capacity

Another factor is the storage capacity of your phone. The storage capacity determines how much data you can store on your phone, such as photos, videos, music, apps, and documents. This is especially important if you take a lot of photos and videos, as these files can take up a lot of space.

The storage capacity depends on the internal memory and the external memory. The internal memory is the built-in storage of your phone, which is usually fixed and non-expandable.

The external memory is the additional storage that you can add to your phone using a microSD card, which is usually removable and expandable. You want to look for a phone that has enough internal memory for your needs and supports external memory if you need more space.

Other features

There are also other features that you may want to look for in a camera phone, such as:

The design and build quality of your phone, which affect the durability, aesthetics, and ergonomics of your phone.
The performance and speed of your phone, which affect the responsiveness, multitasking, and gaming capabilities of your phone.
The software and user interface of your phone, which affect the functionality, customization, and security of your phone.
The audio and video quality of your phone, which affect the sound and video playback and recording of your phone.
The connectivity and compatibility of your phone, which affect the network, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, and USB support of your phone.
The price and value of your phone, which affect the affordability and cost-effectiveness of your phone.

The best camera phones under $500 in 2023

Now that you know what to look for in a camera phone, let's take a look at some of the best camera phones under $500 in 2023.

These are the phones that offer the best combination of camera specifications, display quality, battery life, storage capacity, and other features for their price range. Here are our top picks:

Google Pixel 4a

The Google Pixel 4a is one of the best camera phones under $500 in 2023. It has a 12.2 MP rear camera with an f/1.7 aperture, a 1/2.55" sensor size, a 1.4µm pixel size, dual pixel phase detection autofocus (PDAF), optical image stabilization (OIS), electronic image stabilization (EIS), LED flash, HDR+, Night Sight, Portrait Mode, Super Res Zoom, and 4K video recording at 30 fps.

It also has an 8 MP front-facing camera with an f/2.0 aperture, a 1/4" sensor size, a 1.12µm pixel size, fixed focus, EIS, HDR+, Night Sight, Portrait Mode, and 1080p video recording at 30 fps.

The Google Pixel 4a has a 5.81-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels (FHD+), a pixel density of 443 ppi (pixels per inch), a contrast ratio of >100000:1 (infinite), a brightness level of up to 600 nits (typical), a color gamut of 100% DCI-P3 (wide), and an aspect ratio of 19.5:9. It also has minimal bezels and a hole-punch for the front-facing camera.

The Google Pixel 4a has a battery capacity of 3140 mAh (milliampere hours), which can last up to 24 hours of mixed usage or up to 6 hours of video playback on a single charge. It also supports fast charging with an 18W USB-C power adapter that can charge up to 50% in just 30 minutes.

The Google Pixel 4a has an internal memory of 128 GB (gigabytes), which is enough for most users to store their photos, videos, music, apps, and documents. It does not support external memory with a microSD card slot.

The Google Pixel 4a has other features that make it a great camera phone under $500 in 2023, such as:

A sleek and compact design with a polycarbonate body that is lightweight and durable.
A powerful and smooth performance with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G octa-core processor that can handle multiple tasks and games with ease.
A pure and secure software with Android 11 operating system that offers the latest features and updates from Google.
A clear and loud audio with stereo speakers that deliver rich sound quality for music and videos.
A reliable and fast connectivity with dual SIM support (nano-SIM + eSIM), LTE Cat.12/13/15/18/19/20/21 network support (up to 800 Mbps download speed), Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz) support.
A convenient and compatible USB-C port that supports data transfer, charging, and audio output.
A reasonable and affordable price of $349 (USD) that offers great value for money.

The Google Pixel 4a is a great camera phone under $500 in 2023 for anyone who wants a simple, reliable, and high-quality phone that can take amazing photos and videos with ease.

Samsung Galaxy A52

The Samsung Galaxy A52 is another great camera phone under $500 in 2023. It has a quad rear camera setup with a 64 MP main camera with an f/1.8 aperture, a 1/1.7" sensor size, a 0.8µm pixel size, PDAF, OIS, LED flash, HDR, Panorama, Scene Optimizer, Night Mode, Pro Mode, and 4K video recording at 30 fps. It also has a 12 MP ultra-wide camera with an f/2.2 aperture, a 1/2.8" sensor size, a 1.12µm pixel size, and a 123-degree field of view.

It also has a 5 MP macro camera with an f/2.4 aperture and a fixed focus. It also has a 5 MP depth camera with an f/2.4 aperture and Live Focus. It also has a 32 MP front-facing camera with an f/2.2 aperture, a 1/2.8" sensor size, a 0.8µm pixel size, fixed focus, HDR, Selfie Focus, and 4K video recording at 30 fps.

The Samsung Galaxy A52 has a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels (FHD+), a pixel density of 405 ppi (pixels per inch), a contrast ratio of >100000:1 (infinite), a brightness level of up to 800 nits (peak), a color gamut of 110% NTSC (wide), and an aspect ratio of 20:9. It also has minimal bezels and a hole-punch for the front-facing camera.

The Samsung Galaxy A52 has a battery capacity of 4500 mAh (milliampere hours), which can last up to 36 hours of mixed usage or up to 10 hours of video playback on a single charge. It also supports fast charging with a 25W USB-C power adapter that can charge up to 50% in just 30 minutes.

The Samsung Galaxy A52 has an internal memory of either 128 GB or 256 GB (gigabytes), which is enough for most users to store their photos, videos, music, apps, and documents. It also supports external memory with a microSD card slot that can expand up to 1 TB (terabyte).

The Samsung Galaxy A52 has other features that make it a great camera phone under $500 in 2023, such as:

A stylish and durable design with an IP67 rating that makes it water and dust resistant.
A smooth and fast performance with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G octa-core processor that can handle multiple tasks and games with ease.
A fun and customizable software with Android 11 operating system and One UI 3.1 user interface that offers the latest features and updates from Samsung.
A rich and immersive audio with Dolby Atmos support that delivers surround sound quality for music and videos.
A versatile and secure connectivity with dual SIM support (nano-SIM + nano-SIM or microSD), LTE Cat.18 network support (up to 1200 Mbps download speed), Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz) support, Bluetooth 5.0 support, NFC support, and USB-C port.
A fair and reasonable price of $399 (USD) for the 128 GB model and $449 (USD) for the 256 GB model that offers great value for money.

The Samsung Galaxy A52 is a great camera phone under $500 in 2023 for anyone who wants a stylish, durable, and versatile phone that can take amazing photos and videos with ease.

OnePlus Nord 2

The OnePlus Nord 2 is another great camera phone under $500 in 2023. It has a triple rear camera setup with a 50 MP main camera with an f/1.9 aperture, a 1/1.56" sensor size, a 1.0µm pixel size, PDAF, OIS, LED flash, HDR, Nightscape Ultra, Pro Mode, and 4K video recording at 30 fps.

It also has an 8 MP ultra-wide camera with an f/2.3 aperture and a 119-degree field of view. It also has a 2 MP mono camera with an f/2.4 aperture and a fixed focus. It also has a 32 MP front-facing camera with an f/2.5 aperture, a fixed focus, HDR, Face Unlock, and 1080p video recording at 30 fps.

The OnePlus Nord 2 has a 6.43-inch Fluid AMOLED display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels (FHD+), a pixel density of 410 ppi (pixels per inch), a contrast ratio of >100000:1 (infinite), a brightness level of up to 1100 nits (peak), a color gamut of sRGB (standard) or Display P3 (wide), and an aspect ratio of 20:9. It also has minimal bezels and a hole-punch for the front-facing camera.

The OnePlus Nord 2 has a battery capacity of 4500 mAh (milliampere hours), which can last up to 28 hours of mixed usage or up to 8 hours of video playback on a single charge. It also supports fast charging with a Warp Charge 65T USB-C power adapter that can charge up to 100% in just 30 minutes.

The OnePlus Nord 2 has an internal memory of either 128 GB or 256 GB (gigabytes), which is enough for most users to store their photos, videos, music, apps, and documents. It does not support external memory with a microSD card slot.

The OnePlus Nord 2 has other features that make it a great camera phone under $500 in 2023, such as:

A sleek and premium design with a glass back and metal frame that is elegant and sturdy.
A powerful and smooth performance with a MediaTek Dimensity 1200-AI octa-core processor that can handle multiple tasks and games with ease.
A clean and fast software with Android 11 operating system and OxygenOS 11.3 user interface that offers the latest features and updates from OnePlus.
A crisp and clear audio with dual stereo speakers that deliver balanced sound quality for music and videos.
A flexible and convenient connectivity with dual SIM support (nano-SIM + nano-SIM), LTE Cat.18 network support (up to 1200 Mbps download speed), Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz) support, Bluetooth 5.2 support, NFC support, and USB-C port.
A competitive and attractive price of $429 (USD) for the 128 GB model and $479 (USD) for the 256 GB model that offers great value for money.

The OnePlus Nord 2 is a great camera phone under $500 in 2023 for anyone who wants a sleek, powerful, and fast phone that can take amazing photos and videos with ease.

Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G

The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G is another great camera phone under $500 in 2023. It has a quad rear camera setup with a 48 MP main camera with an f/1.7 aperture, a 1/2" sensor size, a 0.8µm pixel size, PDAF, LED flash, HDR, Night Vision, Portrait Mode, Spot Color, Cinemagraph, and 4K video recording at 30 fps.

It also has an 8 MP ultra-wide camera with an f/2.2 aperture and a 118-degree field of view. It also has a 5 MP macro camera with an f/2.2 aperture and a fixed focus. It also has a 2 MP depth camera with an f/2.4 aperture and a fixed focus. It also has a 16 MP front-facing camera with an f/2.2 aperture, a fixed focus, HDR, Screen Flash, Portrait Mode, Spot Color, Cinemagraph, and 1080p video recording at 30 fps.

The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G has a 6.8-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels (FHD+), a pixel density of 387 ppi (pixels per inch), a contrast ratio of >1500:1 (typical), a brightness level of up to 450 nits (typical), a color gamut of >70% NTSC (standard), and an aspect ratio of 20:9. It also has minimal bezels and a hole-punch for the front-facing camera.

The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G has a battery capacity of 5000 mAh (milliampere hours), which can last up to 48 hours of mixed usage or up to 12 hours of video playback on a single charge. It also supports fast charging with a TurboPowerTM USB-C power adapter that can charge up to 37% in just 15 minutes.

The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G has an internal memory of either 128 GB or 256 GB (gigabytes), which is enough for most users to store their photos, videos, music, apps, and documents. It also supports external memory with a microSD card slot that can expand up to 1 TB (terabyte).

The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G has other features that make it a great camera phone under $500 in 2023, such as:

A unique and handy stylus that lets you write, draw, edit, and navigate your phone with precision and ease.
A solid and robust performance with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G octa-core processor that can handle multiple tasks and games with ease.
A simple and secure software with Android 11 operating system and My UX user interface that offers the latest features and updates from Motorola.
A loud and clear audio with dual stereo speakers that deliver balanced sound quality for music and videos.
A future-proof and universal connectivity with dual SIM support (nano-SIM + nano-SIM or microSD), 5G network support (up to 2.5 Gbps download speed), Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz) support, Bluetooth 5.1 support, NFC support, and USB-C port.
A reasonable and affordable price of $399 (USD) for the 128 GB model and $449 (USD) for the 256 GB model that offers great value for money.

The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G is a great camera phone under $500 in 2023 for anyone who wants a unique, solid, and future-proof phone that can take amazing photos and videos with ease.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro is another great camera phone under $500 in 2023. It has a quad rear camera setup with a 108 MP main camera with an f/1.9 aperture, a 1/1.52" sensor size, a 0.7µm pixel size, PDAF, OIS, LED flash, HDR, Night Mode, Pro Mode, and 4K video recording at 30 fps.

It also has an 8 MP ultra-wide camera with an f/2.2 aperture and a 118-degree field of view. It also has a 5 MP macro camera with an f/2.4 aperture and autofocus. It also has a 2 MP depth camera with an f/2.4 aperture and a fixed focus. It also has a 16 MP front-facing camera with an f/2.5 aperture, a fixed focus, HDR, Portrait Mode, Night Mode, and 1080p video recording at 30 fps.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro has a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels (FHD+), a pixel density of 395 ppi (pixels per inch), a contrast ratio of >1000000:1 (infinite), a brightness level of up to 1200 nits (peak), a color gamut of 100% DCI-P3 (wide), and an aspect ratio of 20:9. It also has minimal bezels and a hole-punch for the front-facing camera.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro has a battery capacity of 5020 mAh (milliampere hours), which can last up to 33 hours of mixed usage or up to 9 hours of video playback on a single charge. It also supports fast charging with a 33W USB-C power adapter that can charge up to 59% in just 30 minutes.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro has an internal memory of either 64 GB, 128 GB, or 256 GB (gigabytes), which is enough for most users to store their photos, videos, music, apps, and documents. It also supports external memory with a microSD card slot that can expand up to 512 GB (gigabytes).

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro has other features that make it a great camera phone under $500 in 2023, such as:

A beautiful and elegant design with a glass back and metal frame that is sleek and sturdy.
A smooth and fast performance with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G octa-core processor that can handle multiple tasks and games with ease.
A colorful and customizable software with Android 11 operating system and MIUI 12.5 user interface that offers the latest features and updates from Xiaomi.
A rich and immersive audio with dual stereo speakers that deliver surround sound quality for music and videos.
A flexible and convenient connectivity with dual SIM support (nano-SIM + nano-SIM or microSD), LTE Cat.15 network support (up to 800 Mbps download speed), Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz) support, Bluetooth 5.1 support, NFC support, IR blaster support, and USB-C port.
A competitive and attractive price of $279 (USD) for the 64 GB model, $299 (USD) for the 128 GB model, and $349 (USD) for the 256 GB model that offers great value for money.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro is a great camera phone under $500 in 2023 for anyone who wants a beautiful, smooth, and colorful phone that can take amazing photos and videos with ease.

How to take stunning photos with your camera phone

Now that you have chosen your camera phone under $500 in 2023, you may wonder how to take stunning photos with it. Here are some tips that can help you improve your camera phone photography skills:

Use natural light

One of the most important factors in photography is light. Light affects the exposure, color, contrast, and mood of your photos. Natural light is the best source of light for photography, as it is soft, warm, and flattering.

Try to avoid using flash or artificial light sources, as they can create harsh shadows, glare, and noise in your photos. Instead, use natural light from the sun or the sky as much as possible. The best time to use natural light is during the golden hour, which is the hour after sunrise or before sunset when the light is soft and golden. You can also use natural light from windows or doors during the day when the light is bright and even.

Adjust the focus and exposure

Another important factor in photography is focus. Focus affects the sharpness, clarity, and depth of field of your photos. You want to make sure that your subject is in focus and that the background is blurred or not distracting.

To adjust the focus on your camera phone, simply tap on the screen where you want to focus. You can also use portrait mode or live focus mode if your camera phone has these features, as they can create a bokeh effect that blurs the background automatically.

To adjust the exposure on your camera phone, simply swipe up or down on the screen to make your photo brighter or darker. You can also use HDR mode or night mode if your camera phone has these features, as they can balance the exposure in high contrast or low light situations.

Try different angles and perspectives

Another important factor in photography is composition. Composition affects the balance, symmetry, and interest of your photos. You want to make sure that your photo has a clear subject and a pleasing arrangement of elements. To improve your composition on your camera phone, try different angles and perspectives.

You can tilt your phone up or down, left or right, or rotate it 90 degrees or 180 degrees to create different views of your subject. You can also move closer or farther away from your subject, or zoom in or out to create different levels of detail. You can also use the ultra-wide mode or the macro mode if your camera phone has these features, as they can create different effects of scale and distance.

Use the rule of thirds

Another important factor in photography is the rule of thirds. The rule of thirds is a guideline that divides your photo into nine equal parts using two horizontal and two vertical lines. The idea is to place your subject and other important elements along these lines or at their intersections, as they are the most visually appealing and balanced positions.

To use the rule of thirds on your camera phone, simply turn on the grid feature in your camera app settings. You can also use the level feature if your camera phone has this feature, as it can help you align your photo horizontally or vertically.

Edit your photos

Another important factor in photography is editing. Editing affects the final look and feel of your photos. You can use editing to enhance the color, contrast, brightness, sharpness, and other aspects of your photos. You can also use editing to crop, rotate, resize, or add filters to your photos.

To edit your photos on your camera phone, you can use the built-in editing tools in your camera app or gallery app. You can also use third-party editing apps such as Snapseed, VSCO, Lightroom, or Photoshop Express that offer more advanced and creative options.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many great camera phones under $500 in 2023 that offer great performance, features, and value. Some of the best camera phones under $500 in 2023 are:

Google Pixel 4a: A simple, reliable, and high-quality phone that can take amazing photos and videos with ease.
Samsung Galaxy A52: A stylish, durable, and versatile phone that can take amazing photos and videos with ease.
OnePlus Nord 2: A sleek, powerful, and fast phone that can take amazing photos and videos with ease.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G: A unique, solid, and future-proof phone that can take amazing photos and videos with ease.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro: A beautiful, smooth, and colorful phone that can take amazing photos and videos with ease.

You can also improve your camera phone photography skills by following some tips such as:

Use natural light
Adjust the focus and exposure
Try different angles and perspectives
Use the rule of thirds
Edit your photos

We hope this article has helped you find the best camera phone for your needs and budget. We also hope this article has inspired you to take stunning photos with your camera phone. Happy snapping!

FAQs

What is the best camera phone under $500 in 2023?

There is no definitive answer to this question, as different users may have different preferences and needs. However, based on our research and analysis, some of the best camera phones under $500 in 2023 are:

Google Pixel 4a: A simple, reliable, and high-quality phone that can take amazing photos and videos with ease.
Samsung Galaxy A52: A stylish, durable, and versatile phone that can take amazing photos and videos with ease.
OnePlus Nord 2: A sleek, powerful, and fast phone that can take amazing photos and videos with ease.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G: A unique, solid, and future-proof phone that can take amazing photos and videos with ease.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro: A beautiful, smooth and colorful phone that can take amazing photos and videos with ease.

How can I improve my camera phone photography skills?

You can improve your camera phone photography skills by following some tips such as:

Use natural light
Adjust the focus and exposure
Try different angles and perspectives
Use the rule of thirds
Edit your photos

You can also learn from other photographers by browsing online galleries, blogs, magazines, or books that showcase different styles and techniques of photography. You can also practice your skills by taking photos regularly and experimenting with different settings and modes.

Do I need a separate camera if I have a good camera phone?

This depends on your personal preference and needs. A good camera phone can offer many advantages over a separate camera, such as:

Convenience: You can carry your camera phone with you everywhere and use it anytime you want to take a photo or video.
Connectivity: You can share your photos and videos instantly with your friends and family via social media, messaging, or email.
Versatility: You can use your camera phone for other purposes besides photography, such as calling, texting, browsing, gaming, or streaming.

However, a separate camera can also offer some advantages over a good camera phone, such as:

Quality: A separate camera can offer higher resolution, larger sensor size, better optical zoom, and more advanced features than a good camera phone.
Control: A separate camera can offer more manual settings and modes than a good camera phone, allowing you to adjust the aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance, and more.
Creativity: A separate camera can offer more accessories and attachments than a good camera phone, such as lenses, filters, tripods, flashes, and more.

Ultimately, the choice between a good camera phone and a separate camera depends on your personal preference and needs. You can also use both devices for different situations and purposes.

How can I protect my camera phone from damage?

You can protect your camera phone from damage by following some precautions such as:

Use a case and a screen protector for your camera phone to prevent scratches, cracks, or dents.
Avoid exposing your camera phone to extreme temperatures, humidity, dust, or water that can damage the internal components or the display.
Avoid dropping or bumping your camera phone that can cause physical damage or malfunction.
Avoid using your camera phone near magnets or metal objects that can interfere with the signal or the battery.
Avoid overcharging or draining your camera phone battery that can reduce its lifespan or performance.

You can also backup your photos and videos regularly to an external memory card or a cloud service to prevent data loss in case of damage.

Where can I find more tips and reviews on camera phones?

You can find more tips and reviews on camera phones by visiting online sources such as:

Websites that offer comprehensive and unbiased reviews on different models and brands of camera phones, such as CNET, TechRadar, PCMag, or Digital Trends.
Blogs that offer personal and professional opinions on different aspects and features of camera phones, such as Android Authority, The Verge, Engadget, or Gizmodo.
Forums that offer interactive and diverse discussions on different topics and issues related to camera phones, such as Reddit, Quora, XDA Developers, or Android Central.
YouTube channels that offer visual and informative demonstrations and comparisons of different models and brands of camera phones, such as MKBHD, Unbox Therapy, Mrwhosetheboss, or Dave Lee.

You can also ask your friends and family who have experience with camera phones for their tips and reviews.

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