The Alpha 500 was one of the fastest cameras on the market when it was introduced around 2011, I think it was selling for around $700 at the time .
The reason I bought it , its fast continuous shooting , modes of operation ,Very user friendly, I already have 3 lenses , 2Sony & a Minolta Maxxum 50mm 1.7 that work with this body .
This camera was a mid level camera or prosumer level, Could hold its own against the Nikon D90 or Canon 40D at a lower cost.