$500 Camera ideas

[Evrion]

I'm looking to improve my camera for $500 CAD

 

I've attached a few photos that I've taken with my current: Canon SX30is (1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor, 35x optical zoom 24mm-840mm) it's from 2010.

 

I take photos while hiking, with family and at the zoo. I've tried to attach a representative sample of the types of photos I take:

Closeups in good light

family candids in low light

zoomed in at the zoo

wider shots outside

 

I want to improve:

-general image resolution

-Low light performance

-camera settings control

 

I want to keep (as much as possible)

-no noise on shutter release

-zoom

-Macro

 

I want to do this all with a budget of about $500 CAD.

 

I've been looking at DSLR (noisy shutter, bad for candids) mirrorless (probably best bet, with the bigger sensor) or advanced point and shoot. I suspect I will go with a used camera from a shop where I can test them out.

 

What should camera would be a good bet? What should I be looking for?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[xQubeZx]

Try to find a used Panasonic LX100 or a Sony RX100. These do not have as good zoomrange but if you want a larger sensor and better image quality that is what you will have to sacrifice. 

[Evrion]

Yes, I assumed that I would be sacrificing zoom. I know 35x is impossible on a larger sensor. I will look into those cameras xQubeZx, thanks!