What’s a trip without a photo? For me, the highlight of travel is documenting the adventure. My camera inspires me to visit new places, talk to new people, and try new things. Through photo and video, a good camera allows you to create memories of your trip to last a lifetime. However, everyone’s needs when it comes to a camera to take on their travels are different. A few things to immediately consider are your use for the camera, the weight of the camera, and your budget.
Use
Why do you want to bring a camera on your trip? Are you looking to snap some photos to post on social media but want to up the quality from your iPhone? Are you looking to capture crisp photos of active wildlife on your safari? Are you trying to create high quality video to rival a documentary narrated by Sir David Attenborough? Only you can answer the question of exactly what you want to use your camera for, but it will significantly impact our recommendation and which camera is ultimately best for you.
Weight
Every traveler’s tolerance for extra weight in their bag is different. Are you willing to bring a few lenses, or do you prefer an all in one package? The ultralight backpacker may want to keep things as minimal as possible, where the dedicated wildlife shooter may not mind a 7lb telephoto lens slowing them down. Either way, I believe that the lowest weight possible when traveling is ideal, and for that reason the below list will only contain mirrorless cameras. While classic, larger DSLR cameras are still excellent, the camera market is moving to mirrorless for their autofocus benefits, better video capabilities, and their smaller sizes. For those reasons we’ll keep this list mirrorless in nature and avoid those chunky DSLRs.
Budget
After purchasing your plane ticket, your luxury Airbnb, and your rental car, how much do you have left in your wallet for a camera? The cost of a dedicated camera for your travels can run anywhere from under $500 to $10,000 when you consider interchangeable lenses. The below list will have something for everyone… and some options that are probably mostly just here for fun. When it comes down to it, if you’ve already spent all your money on your trip I encourage you to use the camera in your pocket. Iphone shots are better than no shots at all. The best camera is always the one you have with you, but you came to this article for a reason. So, if you’re looking to make the plunge and buy a dedicated camera for your trip I promise you there’s something for everyone below. So without further ado…
- Specs:
- Sensor: 1/2.3 inch
- Resolution: 23mp
- Video: 4k up to 120fps
- Pros:
- Compact ultralight size
- Weatherproof, shock proof, dirt proof, life proof
- Excellent active image stabilization
- Cons:
- Increased price over previous models
- Poor Low light performance
- Battery life not significantly improved from previous models
- Price:
- $349.99
You can’t talk about travel cameras without talking about GoPro. The ultimate example of weatherproof, pocketable cameras, GoPro cameras allow you to make sure you document your travels through photo and video at any time, with no concern for the elements putting your camera at risk. The GoPro Hero 10 is the latest model, now boasting 4k video up to 120fps, and even 5.7K resolution of to 60fps. These high resolution, slow motion, video modes, with significant improvement in image stabilization, mean that capturing any epic adventure with buttery smooth footage will be a breeze. With its front facing screen, group selfies on the GoPro have never been easier. The front facing screen also allows you to make sure action shots are framed up well without needing assistance from a friend. Ultimately the biggest knock on the GoPro Hero 10, is that if you already have a GoPro Hero 8 or 9, you likely don’t need to make the upgrade, and unfortunately the battery life hasn’t improved on this model. Still, if you’re looking to buy your first action camera, you certainly can’t go wrong here.
- Specs:
- Sensor: APS-C
- Resolution: 26mp
- Video: 4k up to 30fps, 1080p up to 60fps
- Pros:
- Pocketable Size
- Excellent autofocus upgrade from previous model
- Beautiful aesthetic
- Cons:
- Battery Life
- Poor video autofocus
- No image stabilization
- Price:
- $1399
The FujiX100v is probably the most beautiful compact camera on the market in 2022. Having a camera as good looking as the x100v can inspire travelers to shoot photos by encouraging them to keep it with them at all times. The aps-c camera has the perfect resolution at 26mp, and the built-in film simulation modes allow for the most beautiful images of any camera in this list straight out of the camera. The analog dials on the camera have a fantastic tactile feel and response that feels somehow both retro and new at the same time. While the camera can shoot 4k video clips, its autofocus is definitely far behind the competition, almost unusable at times. Due to the poor video autofocus I only recommend this to those who are looking primarily to shoot photos. If you’re looking for a fashion forward, beautiful camera, to deliver excellent photos straight out of the camera, you can’t go wrong with the Fuji X100v.
- Specs:
- Sensor: 1 inch
- Resolution 20mp
- Video: 4k up to 30fps, 1080p up to 120fps
- Zoom: 24-200mm
- Pros:
- Small package with a large built in zoom range
- 4k Video
- Excellent autofocus
- Cons:
- Price
- Tiny Electronic Viewfinder
- No weather sealing
- Price:
- $1299
The Sony RX100 VII is the latest high end compact camera from Sony, and by “high end” I really mean “expensive.” The camera is tiny at only 0.67lb, and is easily pocketable meaning it can always stay at your side no matter what travel environment you find yourself in. Despite itsit’s small size it boasts a beautiful zoom lens from 24-200mm allowing wide angle landscape photography as well as telephoto shots of wildlife or any interest in the distance. It allows 4k resolution video as well as 1080p video at multiple frame rates. Unfortunately, the price at $1299 is a barrier of entry for many travelers and without weather sealing and the sub-par battery life it would be nice if the camera came in under $1000.
- Specs:
- Sensor: APS-C
- Resolution: 24mp
- Video: 1080p up to 60fps
- Pros:
- Incredibly Small Package
- Autofocus that was ahead of its time
- Tilting rear display
- Cons:
- No touch function
- Clunky Menus
- Slow start up time
- Price: $549
The Sony a6000 may feel like an older camera, as it was released it released all the wayback in 2014. But despite its age, it continues to punch above its price point in terms of specs and overall capabilities for travel. The aps-c crop sensor of the camera may not perform as well in low light as full frame models, or some more recent aps-c camera, but the resolution is plenty for landscape and wildlife photography during daylight, early morning, and sunset settings without much compromise. While it may not shoot in 4K resolution, it does offer 1080p in multiple frame rates which is more than enough for beginners. Its ultra compact size allows for it to be packed easily into a backpack with multiple lenses with no trouble at all. The downside of the small body is it does lack any image stabilization or weather sealing. All in all, $550 as a base price gets beginners into an ecosystem of lenses that can be upgraded over time. It is definitely a camera you can grow with in your travels.
- Specs:
- Sensor: Full Frame
- Resolution: 33mp
- Video: 4K up to 60fps, 1080p up to 120fps
- Pros:
- Compact Hybrid Powerhouse
- Fully articulating screen
- Perfect resolution for High quality images, without overloading your hard drive
- Superb autofocus
- Cons:
- LCD resolution doesn’t match the quality of competitors
- Price jump from previous model
- Video Crop in 4K 60p
- Price: $2499
If price isn’t of concern, and you want a camera that shoots professional quality photos, cinematic video, and want to be able to grow into the camera for years to come, the A7iv may be the best option for you. This is Sony’s most updated “basic” model in its full-frame sensor lineup, but it’s anything but basic. The 33mp full-frame back-illuminated CMOS allows for the perfect high-resolution photos of your travel, without the ULTRA-high-resolution files that will crush your memory card or hard drive storage space. The new sensor has incredible low-noise performance with clear photos even at higher ISO levels making it ideal even in low light and night environments. The maximum shooting rate of 10 frames per second allows capturing of fast motion subjects.So if capturing wildlife on your travels is your goal, the A7iv should not leave you wanting more.
When it comes to video the A7iv hits almost every bullet point you could want in a travel camera. It shoots beautiful 4k resolution in a standard frame rate of 24fps/30fps, as well as in 60fps if you’re looking for ultra-high resolution, slow-motion footage (although this is performed with a 1.5x crop on the sensor). It will also shoot ultra-slow motion, 120fps footage, at standard 1080p high definition. In addition to the beautiful 4k footage, the camera also has improved on its color science and dynamic range, now capable of 4:2:2 10bit colors the A7iv allows for near cinema quality footage.
In addition to the above specs, the camera has improved ergonomics making it great for holding for extended periods during travel. The A7iv has excellent weather sealing for any adventurers who won’t let some rain or snow stop them from exploring. There is a fully articulating screen for anyone who is interested in some selfies or beginning a travel vlog career. Most importantly, Sony’s E mount has a diverse ecosystem of lenses in all price ranges that will fit any traveler’s photo and video needs. When it comes to choosing an interchangeable lens camera for travel, you’d struggle to find better than the a7iv.
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