Best Instant Camera and Point and Shoot Options Under $500

The best instant camera and the best point and shoot camera under 500 serve different needs, but both have found a strong resurgence with photographers who want tactile results without carrying a DSLR system. Instant cameras produce physical prints in seconds. Point and shoots give you quality digital files in a pocketable body. Both categories have excellent options under $500 and even under $400.

This guide covers the best instant camera picks for different use cases, the strongest best travel camera under $500 options, and what separates a best camera under 400 that’s worth buying from one that disappoints within a month. The best digital camera under 400 section covers the compact market specifically.

Best Instant Camera Picks by Use Case

Fujifilm Instax Line

The best instant camera for most people is the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 ($79.95). It’s fully automatic, uses Mini film (credit card-sized prints), and produces consistent results in a wide range of lighting conditions. For larger prints, the Instax Wide 400 ($119.95) produces 3.4″ x 4.25″ prints with better detail for group shots and landscape scenes.

Polaroid’s Now+ ($149.99) is the best instant camera for creative control. Bluetooth connectivity lets you use aperture, shutter speed, and light painting modes from the companion app. The prints are the classic Polaroid square format — more square real estate than Mini film, but slower development (10–15 minutes vs. 90 seconds for Instax).

Best Travel Camera Under $500

The Sony RX100 VII ($1,299 new, but commonly found used for $400–$500) remains the best travel camera under $500 at that used price point. Its 1-inch sensor, 200fps continuous shooting, and f/2.8 wide aperture handle low light, action, and portraits with a camera that fits in a shirt pocket.

For new buyers, the Sony ZV-1 ($499 new) is the strongest best point and shoot camera under 500 option with video capability — particularly if you also create content. Its background defocus button, product showcase mode, and directional microphone make it the best digital camera under 400 equivalent that covers both stills and video without compromise.

Best Camera Under 400 for Everyday Use

The Ricoh GR IIIx ($999 new, $380–$420 used) is the best camera under 400 for street photographers who want the rendering quality of a full APS-C sensor in a body smaller than a deck of cards. Its 40mm equivalent f/2.8 lens produces exceptional sharpness and a pleasant out-of-focus rendering. No zoom, no autofocus tracking — just a fast prime and an exceptional sensor.

For autofocus capability in the best digital camera under 400 range, the Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II (used around $350–$400) offers a 1-inch sensor with a pop-up electronic viewfinder and a stabilized 24-120mm equivalent zoom. It handles travel, street, and portrait scenarios in a single versatile package.