Top pick · Canon£480
Canon EOS M50 Mark II + Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
Body £370 + lens £110 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 17-33mm equivalent · 607g
Why: 24.1MP aps-c sensor.
Buying guide · updated 5 November 2026
Best camera for landscapes under £500
Landscapes need resolution and dynamic range for big prints, weather sealing for bad days, and a wide zoom that takes filters. Autofocus speed barely matters, so older high-resolution bodies are excellent value. 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 landscapes is the Canon EOS M50 Mark II with the Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM, about £480 with the body bought used. Why: 24.1MP aps-c sensor.
Best £500 setups for landscapes, brand by brand
The best setup we found from each major system, ranked on how well it suits landscapes. Bodies priced used where MPB lists them.
Best Nikon option£470
Nikon D5600 + Nikon AF-P DX 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR
Body £320 + lens £150 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 15-30mm equivalent · 695g
Why: 24.2MP aps-c sensor.
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 + Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM | £390 | Why: 24.1MP aps-c sensor. |
| Nikon | D3500 + Nikon AF-S 16-35mm f/4G ED VR | £410 | Why: 24.2MP aps-c sensor. |
Best bodies for landscapes under £500
Fujifilm
X-T2
2016MirrorlessOlder model
24.3MP
8fps max
—readout ms
12.8kmax ISO
Low light 507g · sealed
New ≈No longer sold new
Used at MPB*£329–484
Weather-sealed retro flagship from 2016. Still a satisfying camera to shoot.
Sony
Alpha A6500
2016MirrorlessOlder model
24.2MP
11fps max
—readout ms
25.6kmax ISO
Low light 453g · IBIS · sealed
New ≈No longer sold new
Used at MPB*£369–539
Sony's first APS-C body with IBIS. Small battery, but capable and cheap used.
Canon
EOS RP
2019MirrorlessOlder model
26MP
5fps max
—readout ms
40kmax ISO
Low light 485g
New ≈No longer sold new
Used at MPB*£334–484
The cheapest full frame in this guide. Short battery life, so carry spares.
Panasonic
Lumix G97 (G90)
2019Mirrorless
20.3MP
9fps max
—readout ms
25.6kmax ISO
Low light 536g · IBIS · sealed
New ≈£649
Used at MPB*£369
Well-rounded Micro Four Thirds body with IBIS, mic input and a flip screen.
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.
OM System
Olympus E-M1 Mark II
2016MirrorlessOlder model
20MP
60fps max
—readout ms
25.6kmax ISO
Low light 574g · IBIS · sealed
New ≈No longer sold new
Used at MPB*£329–499
Pro-Capture pioneer. A cheap, sealed way into Micro Four Thirds wildlife.
What to look for
Landscapes need resolution and dynamic range for big prints, weather sealing for bad days, and a wide zoom that takes filters. Autofocus speed barely matters, so older high-resolution bodies are excellent value.
30–60MPWeather sealingWide dynamic rangeFilter-friendly lenses
Lens: A wide zoom (about 16–35mm equivalent) with a front filter thread for ND and polariser filters.
Other budgets
More to spend? Best under £1,000. Or read the full landscapes buying guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best camera for landscapes under £500?
Our top pick is the Canon EOS M50 Mark II with the Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM, about £480 buying the body used. If you only need a body, the Fujifilm X-T2 scores highest at this budget.
What is the best £500 landscapes camera setup?
Canon EOS M50 Mark II + Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM (£480); Nikon D5600 + Nikon AF-P DX 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR (£470).
Should I buy new or used for landscapes?
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 landscapes?
A wide zoom (about 16–35mm equivalent) with a front filter thread for ND and polariser filters.
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.