travel camera kit

The best travel camera in 2024: compact and portable cameras to take anywhere

The best travel cameras are small, lightweight, easy to use and offer a range of features – here are the ones to look at

The Quick List

Best compact
Best budget full frame
Best hybrid
Best for size
Best budget
Best waterproof
Best action cam
Best for 360º
Best for vloggers
How to choose
How we test

The Quick List ↩ 1. Best compact 2. Best budget full frame 3. Best hybrid 4. Best for size 5. Best budget 6. Best waterproof 7. Best action cam 8. Best for 360º 9. Best for vloggers How to choose How we test

The best travel cameras have to do one crucial thing: be better than your phone. After all, your phone is almost certainly going to be in your pocket anyway – and it's almost certainly got a great camera.

That means the best travel cameras need to combine compactness with image quality, advanced features with simple operation, and ideally the ability to get your files onto your phone, tablet, or laptop quickly, to share your holiday photos and vacation videos. Having a camera that's safe to take on the beach, in the snow, or even in the sea could be another key consideration!

Even though the best camera phones can produce great images, you just don't get the same quality as you would if shooting with one of the best point-and-shoots or best mirrorless cameras . Smartphones are restricted by smaller sensors offering lower still and video quality, reduced low light performance, and minimal control over depth of field (for those blurry backgrounds).

The type of camera you pick comes down to personal preference and budget. To help you decide which is best, we'll look at mirrorless cameras that offer better image quality and more versatility than compact systems but at the cost of increased size and weight. Compact cameras, perfect for keeping on you at all times, won't weigh you down, and are really simple to use – although they have smaller sensors and fixed lenses. And finally, action cameras that are robust cameras made for wild adventuring!

Gareth is the Reviews Editor at Digital Camera World, and the person in charge of approving all the latest camera-related tech. He never misses an opportunity to travel, or an excuse to take photos while traveling, so is best placed to judge what are the best travel cameras for all sorts of different vacations and adventures.

Fujifilm X100VI product image on a white background

Travel cameras should be small and light, but not lacking in features for amazing photos and video. The Fujifilm X100VI ticks all of those boxes, with a diminutive size, but 40MP images and 6.2K video. And does all this while looking great, with some stunning retro charm.

The best travel camera in 2024

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

Best compact travel camera

Fujifilm X100VI camera on a slatted wooden bench

1. Fujifilm X100VI

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

✅ You want a pocketable camera: the Fujifilm X100VI is a compact camera, the camera, and lens are so small that you can easily slip this into a jacket pocket. ✅ You want a camera that looks good: This is one of the best-looking cameras you can buy with the beautiful retro looks of old-school film cameras.

❌ You want to change lenses: the lens is fixed on the X100VI, so you are stuck with the 23mm focal length, although its digital cropping modes give the illusion of more focal lengths ❌ You want a cheap travel camera: the X100VI does not come cheap, and there are options that produce similar quality if you don't mind a different style of camera.

If you are looking for a camera for traveling, then one of the major things to look out for is something small and lightweight that can easily slip into a bag or a jacket pocket and won't be a drag to carry around for long periods – enter the Fujifilm 's X100VI. The X100VI is the latest in Fujifilm's line of premium compact cameras, hallmarked for their brilliant image quality, vintage looks, and pocketable size.

The X100VI is a fixed-lens camera, which means that it has a single lens that can't be changed. The lens is 23mm, or equivalent to a 35mm length lens on on a full-frame camera, a perfect length for travel photography as it is wide enough to get in landscapes and street scenes, but narrow enough for portraits and family shots. While there are converters available for the X100V to change the length of the lens, I find these are not worth the money.

The camera is beautiful to hold, made with premium materials, and with a wonderful hybrid optical viewfinder that shows either the real picture or how it looks through the sensor with a flick of a button. This premium camera comes at a premium cost though, and it is not the cheapest on this list, but for the build quality and features, it justifies its higher price.

The X100V packs in some lovely 40.2MP photos, and has a clever lens to digitally zoom and crop before taking a photo, cutting some of the work out if you are keen to share online quickly. The camera also has 6.2K, 4K, or HD video with 240 frames per second, so you can get creative with high-quality or slow-motion video on your travels. There is also human, animal, bird, and vehicle autofocus tracking, so you can snap away with confidence at anything you come across. Finally, image stabilization helps cut out hand jitters in low light or shooting video, for more stable footage.

And for those who want to share travel snaps as you go, you get access to Fujifilm's awesome film simulations and custom recipes, taking some of the work out of editing, and with WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity and the Fujifilm X App, you can quickly share ready to post photos and video to social from your phone.

The main downside is the Fujifilm X100VI's slick design however for traveling is the camera is not fully water resistant unless you buy an additional filter ring and filter, in fact you can't use any filters on this lens without the extra purchase, but for the price of this camera, I feel this should really come in the box.

Read our full Fujifilm X100VI review

Back to the top ⇪

Best full frame on a budget

2. Sony A7 III

✅ You want full frame quality: full frame cameras can produce more focus separation and are better in low light, the A7 III is the most affordable step into full frame. ✅ You want a camera to use outside of traveling: the A7 III is a pro-level camera that is not just for travel, you can shoot brilliant photos all year round with a multitude of lenses available for different subjects.

❌ You don't want the expense of lenses: the cost of lenses can add up, especially ones for full-frame cameras, if you want to keep costs low, choose a fixed lens camera or an option with smaller cheaper lenses. ❌ You want a small camera: the A7 III isn't huge, but it also isn't small. With a lens attached, it is going to take up quite a bit of room in a bag, and won't be sliding in any pocket.

The Sony A7 III might be one of the oldest Sony cameras still around, it has even been replaced by a newer Sony A7 VI, but it more than holds its own today. Any photographer looking for an excellent full-frame hybrid camera for traveling should seriously consider this camera as an option.

The camera still has a very competitive 24.2MP back-illuminated image sensor, which is paired with an image processor, delivers stunning tonal range, and makes high ISO settings possible, which anyone who is shooting a lot in low light on their travels will really appreciate. A 5-axis image stabilization system also delivers less shake when shooting at night, or capturing video. If you are also looking to capture video footage then the camera has very capable 4K video.

While not the latest algorithms, the A7 III also has solid human face and eye tracking, coupled with a 696-point AF system, you can take reliably focused photos of your friends, family, or any interesting folk you see out on the streets.

Whilst handing on the camera is very good, it is a little off balance with big pro lenses, although Sony's lens range is extensive and there are lots of smaller primes that suit this camera perfectly for those who don't want to carry a lot while traveling. If size is less of a concern then superzoom lenses like the Sony FE 24-240mm will empower you to capture everything from near to far.

The best thing about this option I think is the price. It’s the best-value full-frame camera out there – and if you are traveling then often how much your camera costs is not something you want playing on your mind.

Read our full Sony A7 III review

Best hybrid travel camera

3. Fujifilm X-S20

✅ You shoot video and photos: the Fujifilm X-S20 is the best of both worlds, with great-looking photos, but frankly awesome video skills too! ✅ You want to balance price and features: the X-S20 offers a lot for its price, and it is one of the best-value cameras around, you will especially struggle to find matching video specs at this price point.

❌ You don't really care about video: there are other options that might suit photographers more than the X-S20 with higher megapixel counts. ❌ You need weather sealing: the X-S20 is not weather-sealed, so if you plan to get adventurous, a camera that can handle dust and water might be a better choice.

When I tested the Fujifilm X-S20 I was just so impressed at the amount of features that Fujifilm had managed to squeeze into its petite body – it's not just a stills camera, it also one of the best video cameras available, and best of all, it is really well priced! I think this is the best camera for any traveler looking to shoot a mix of stills and videos on the market right now.

Fujifilm chose not to update the X-Trans IV sensor from the X-S10, but this sensor despite its age still holds up very well today when it comes to stills. The X-S20 is also able to use Fujifilm's excellent film simulations and programmable film recipes to create ready-to-use images straight from the camera, which makes any regular social media posting that much easier. The new X-Processor 5 also brings brand new subject recognition and tracking autofocus, making taking photos on the fly quicker and easier.

But despite its compact size, the X-S20 is a deceptively powerful video camera. The new processor combined with the modest resolution sensor means the X-S20 is capable of 6K video using the entire sensor (open-gate). The camera is also capable of numerous codecs for getting in-depth with color grading. The subject recognition and tracking also carries through into videos and the X-S20 also has dedicated vlogging features.

Some might prefer the classic retro style like the X-T5 or X-T30 II, but the X-S20 is a much more user-friendly camera, with useful features like a fully articulating screen. Handling is great, and the camera pairs really well with Fujifilm's small zoom and prime lenses, making traveling light with a kitted-out X-S20 a little easier. While the price is a little higher than the X-S10 that preceded it, I think the price bump is justified as this is one capable camera for traveling.

Best travel camera for size

Hands holding the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV best travel camera

4. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

✅ You want a small system: the whole OM Micro Four Thirds system is tiny, with small cameras and lenses, so you can take a lot more gear to cover more subjects. ✅ You want a good-looking camera: with a cool vintage style based on Olympus's OM film cameras, the E-M10 IV looks as good as the footage it shoots.

❌ You shoot a lot in low light: the Micro Four Thirds sensor in the E-M10 IV doesn't handle low light as well as larger sensors, not good for frequent nighttime shooters. ❌ You won't use the retro dials: if you are looking for just fast auto controls then the dials on the top of the E-M10 IV will be largely redundant for your needs.

When picking the best travel camera, we're focusing on portability, and the dinky but mighty Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is one of the best portable cameras around if you are looking for a whole system including lenses that can easily slip into a bag. The best Olympus lenses include positively tiny optics that can go a long way for travel photography, helping you keep your kit and weight size down. So if you are the type of carry-on-only travel photographer but with big photography ambitions then this is for you.

Not only does it have an incredibly lightweight body, but the camera will look great on your travels too, with a cool retro design that harks back to Olympus's long pedigree in film cameras. The camera has tactile dial-led controls for anyone who wants to get creative with manual photography, although don't let that fool you into thinking the camera is complicated, as there are lots of automatic modes and helpful features built into the camera.

The OM-D E-M10 Mark IV uses the smaller but still powerful Micro Four Thirds sensor. This has some slight disadvantages in terms of low-light capabilities, so if you like to go out a lot at night when you travel, then a larger sensor might be better for you.

But Micro Four Thirds does have one big advantage, it effectively doubles the focal length of any lens mounted to the camera; so a 50mm will behave like a 100mm, so if you are about to head off on safari, then this could make all the difference to getting up close to wildlife. Its snappy burst shooting, its accurate autofocus, and its impressive 4K video will also all assist you with creating amazing content. It's a terrific all-around camera.

Read our full Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV review

Best travel camera on a budget

A hand holding the best travel camera Panasonic Lumix G100

5. Panasonic Lumix G100

✅ You want an affordable camera: the Lumix G100 is a great deal for the features it offers, and an affordable way to get great travel snaps. ✅ You want a range of small lenses: there are a lot of Micro Four Thirds lenses, so there is something for every occasion, and best of all, they tend to be on the smaller side for easy travel.

❌ You want the very latest tech: the G100 is a little on the older side and doesn't have Panasonic's latest autofocus, which puts it a little behind the competition. ❌ You want more serious creative video: intended as a hybrid camera, there are lots of video-focused features, but the camera lacks IBIS and a headphone jack/USB-C found in rivals.

Sometimes, you just want to create quality images and video while you are traveling, but you don't want to pay a small fortune for a camera to do so, or risk carrying around an expensive camera. The Panasonic Lumix G100 is the best camera you can get for traveling that offers all the quality features you will need but at an affordable price.

The G100 is a super-small, super-cute camera with a Micro Four Thirds sensor. It is still easy to capture high-quality video and stills with simple controls, menus, and its approachable button layout. The camera can be paired with numerous dinky Micro Four Thirds lenses too, especially small pancake lenses to keep the overall size down. Micro Four Thirds also has the benefit of doubling the focal length, so 100mm becomes 200mm, so you can pair the G100 camera with telephoto lenses for capturing far away subjects like wildlife without having to carry huge lenses.

A downside though is there is some compromise for the low price, and the G100 is not the most technically advanced camera on this list, and its autofocus uses Panasonic's cruder contrast-detect technology, which is a little slower than other cameras and is notorious for "pulsing" and "hunting" during video.

Despite this, the G100 is also a perfect camera for vloggers, with an articulating screen and ready to share footage. But while there’s an inherent risk of dumbing things down too much when creating a camera for social media creatives, Panasonic has avoided that pitfall with the Lumix G100, and this is a great camera if you're just as interested in vlogging as you are in travel photography.

Read our full Panasonic Lumix G100 review

Best waterproof compact travel camera

6. OM System Tough TG-7

✅ You want a rugged adventure camera: the TG-7 can certainly withstand some serious adventuring with a rugged water/dust/freeze/drop-proof build. ✅ You want a photography-first adventure camera: the TG-7 puts photography first and foremost, offering a better experience than smaller fiddly action cameras.

❌ You want to strap the camera to things: while action cameras have numerous accessories to strap to your sports equipment, there is far less for the bigger TG-7. ❌ You only care about video: if you are just looking for the best rugged video camera for travel, then action cameras have you covered (see below).

Following the acquisition of Olympus's camera division, the OM System TG-7 is essentially an update to the much-loved Olympus Tough TG-6 under a new brand name. Although that camera has long been the top-regarded travel compact for adventurers who are as invested in photos as video. Action cameras might be smaller and just as hardy, but can't compete with the TG-7 for photography experience.

The TG-7 is ready for any travel adventure and is water-proof, dust-proof, crush-proof, drop-proof, and freeze-proof, so whether your hiking, climbing, swimming, or otherwise take you to the hottest deserts to the coldest tundras, the camera should come out the other side unscathed.

The TG-7 might have a relatively conservative 12MP resolution, although this helps dramatically when it comes to low-light images, as each pixel is larger allowing it to capture more light. Why is this important? Well if you are shooting in darker underwater environments, in gloomy forests, or at night, then you will get higher-quality images.

The Touch also has RAW images, so you can get even more creative control over the final edit of your images. The camera also has a pretty incredible macro mode as well if you find some small details on your travels that you have to capture.

While it might not be up to the same standard as the best action cameras for video (see below for that), the Tough can capture decent 4K video, and will get some perfectly serviceable footage for social and YouTube of your wild adventures!

Read our full OM System Tough TG-7 review

Best action camera for travel

7. DJI Osmo Action 4

✅ You want a camera that can keep up with your travel adventures: the Osmo 4 is hardy enough for whatever conditions you throw at it, weather-sealed and fantastic stabilized footage. ✅ You want a tiny camera: action cameras like the Osmo 4 are great as they are so small they are effortless to travel with.

❌ You want to shoot high quality photos: the 12MP photos from the Osmo 4 can't compete with more dedicated cameras, and the wide angle lens needs lots of corrections. ❌ You need accessories: the market for DJI accessories isn't as big as the more famous GoPro, so if you need niche or cheaper accessories, that might be the brand to choose.

For most adventurer-creators, the Osmo Action 4 is the perfect balance of quality and price. Stabilized 4K video looks great and the camera can take a lot – not just rough and tumble but temperature extremes and it's waterproof to 16m without a case. Best of all, it has a larger image sensor than any other camera on the list, so it is better in lower light, making it more flexible.

DJI did have an interesting experiment with modular design, now seemingly abandoned, with the Action 2, but they do retain powerful magnetic mounts which can even partially survive the heat of an oven (we tried accidentally – see our full review).

Like the more famous competition, DJI has high-quality horizon balancing and image stabilization, which has improved on the Action 3. The resolution limit is 4K, but in practice, this is the ideal resolution for action (and the limit of almost all TVs). More useful is the 120fps capability (or 240fps at 1080P).

The fact that Action 4’s isn’t interwoven with subscription software is one we wholeheartedly appreciate, too, but GoPro seem to finally growing out of this.

Read our full DJI Osmo Action 4 review

Best 360º camera for travel

8. Insta360 X3

✅ You want to capture everything: the Insta360 X3 can capture all that goes on around you, perfect for capturing immersive travel content. ✅ You want to travel light: the Insta360 X3 is very small and lightweight, and won't trouble your carry-on bag limits.

❌ You want a versatile camera: the Insta360 X3 is made for one thing, and that is great 360º footage, if you want to capture more, you might need to bring a second camera. ❌ You want artistic images: the Insta360 X3 has big 72MP images but the small sensor means they aren't as creative as a bigger camera.

There are times when handling even an action camera's wide-angle lens becomes a problem, and that's where a 360-degree action camera can step in. With two back-to-back lenses and enough smarts to eliminate a selfie stick from the footage, this almost magic camera can capture an image from a point within reach looking any direction you see fit.

I tried it with the bike attachment – which holds the camera a little way in front of the bike, over the front wheel – and was amazed at the footage which makes it look like I'm cycling toward a perfectly controlled drone. Better still, by syncing with my phone I could draw GPS data and have it overlaid, in the form of a speedometer, by the Insta360 app before sharing.

The only real worry is how naked those glass lenses are when the camera is in use; the joy of re-positioning the camera angle after the fact can be hours of fun. 5.7K is good enough for sharing, but more resolution would help pro work.

Read our full Insta 360 X3 review for more details

Best for travel vloggers

The best travel camera the Sony ZV-E10 sitting on a wall behind some leaves

9. Sony ZV-E10

✅ You want ready-to-share footage: this Sony is made for capturing footage with minimal editing to get up on YouTube and social media straight away. ✅ You want excellent audio: the ZV-E10 has built-in stereo microphones that capture some of the best audio possible on a camera without external mics.

❌ You are more interested in photos: the ZV-E10 is not a bad photography camera, but its video focused build means other cameras are better for stills shooters. ❌ You want a viewfinder for framing: if you love a viewfinder for framing shots, then the Sony A6400 is almost the same camera, but with an EVF.

The ZV-E10 makes for an excellent traveler's camera and is one of the cheapest vlogging-focused cameras yet. Combined with its slim dimensions, and wide choice of lenses, this makes it a perfect choice for travelers who want to shoot a lot of video.

The big selling point of the ZV-E10 over other cameras capable of similar video is that the ZV-E10 comes with sophisticated built-in mics and a clip-on windshield for noise reduction, making it much easier to get clean audio on your vlogs even outdoors – which works excellently. Sony has put its years of audio experience into this camera and it shows.

The ZV-E10's 4K UHD video is of excellent quality too, and as we've come to expect from Sony, the autofocus is best in class, whether shooting video or stills. The camera has tracking modes for easy autofocus and digital image stabilization that crops your footage slightly but attempts to iron out any shake, which works well except for in very heavy movement.

And a point worth mentioning is that, while the ZV-E10 may be optimized for vlogging, it's still a capable stills camera with a 24MP sensor, and 11fps burst shooting, so photographers needed worry about restricting themselves with it.

However, if you are more keen on photography than video, cameras in the Sony a6xxx range (like the Sony a6400 ) offer almost the same specs, but with a viewfinder, but you do lose the built-in stereo mics. Making it a tough choice for a hybrid shooter that might want the best of both worlds.

Read our full Sony ZV-E10 review

How to choose the right travel camera

These are five key things to look out for when choosing the right travel camera for your needs.

1) Image quality: Ask yourself how you will use any photos or videos you capture. If you only plan to share content online on social media then any of the above cameras will be suitable. If you plan to print your pictures, though, then mirrorless cameras with larger sensors and higher megapixel counts will produce better-quality results.

2) Focal range: What kind of range do you need for your traveling activities? Compact cameras can have impressive zoom ranges, but to achieve their tiny size they often lack quality compared to mirrorless cameras. For mirrorless cameras, what lenses are available? So-called standard zooms are a great option for all types of travel, but they can also be large and heavy. A wide-angle lens might be best for capturing cities and landscapes, or if you are going to see wildlife or a sporting event then a compact telephoto lens might be best.

3) Size and weight: If you're going on vacation then the last thing you want to take is a heavy kit – especially given things like baggage restrictions when traveling. With that in mind, both your camera and lens(es) need to be small and light. If you want something that can fit in your pocket, get a compact camera – but if you don't mind taking a bag, a mirrorless system with one or two lenses could be more versatile.

4) Simplicity: Don't want to get bogged down with camera settings? Most modern cameras have a range of auto modes – especially compact cameras, which take away the stress. Advanced modes and complicated controls don't usually mix with spur-of-the-moment snaps, so decide what is important to you and pick your camera based on that.

5) Price: The cameras in our list have a range of prices, and we try to include cameras that suit every budget. The price of a camera usually reflects its capabilities, although all the options listed here will take great images and video – so try to strike the right balance between what you need in a camera and what you can afford.

Is it better to use phone or camera for travel?

We covered this a little bit at the start of the article, but the answer is that it is always better to use a camera for stills or video when possible. So the question really becomes, "Do your travel plans make using a camera possible?" Phones are so small and quick to use that they go where cameras are too bulky and slow to shoot. A great compromise is a compact camera – or the Olympus Tough TG-6 , which is a weather-proof camera that goes the places that you wouldn't dare to use your phone!

Is a DSLR or mirrorless camera better for travel photography?

As a travel camera, mirrorless cameras are usually the better choice for most people. They are much small and lighter than DSLRs, and also usually have a selection of smaller and lighter lenses to match. This makes traveling easier as it takes up less space and weight in increasingly restricted carry-on bags. Mirrorless cameras also are generally newer than DSLRs and most likely have more modern technology, making photography and video easier to capture and of better quality.

What size camera lens is best for travel?

Again, this comes down to what your travel plans entail and what you plan to shoot. The kit lens that comes bundled with many cameras will cover the most commonly used focal ranges, so that's a good place to start (though kit lenses do not deliver the best image quality). We recommend checking out the best lenses for travel photography to see what's right for you.

How we test travel cameras

When we are reviewing cameras, we carefully think about what scenarios each camera could be used for. When considering which cameras would make ideal travel cameras, we judge each camera on how small and lightweight it is for easy packing and transport, as well as carrying for long periods of the day while out exploring.

We also consider the technical capabilities of each camera, and how suitable they are specifically for travel photography scenarios from beach vacations to safaris, to city breaks. Finally, we consider the price of the cameras to select options that cover a range of budgets and requirements.

We use our real-world experience with each camera and our in-depth camera knowledge to determine a final selection of top cameras that we would recommend as the ideal camera traveling companions.

Want to find out how we test and review DSLR and mirrorless cameras? We trial cameras both in real-world shooting scenarios and in carefully controlled lab conditions. Our lab tests will generally measure resolution, dynamic range, and signal-to-noise ratio, which gives us a benchmark by which to compare cameras.

Resolution is measured using ISO resolution charts, dynamic range is measured using DxO Analyzer test equipment and DxO Analyzer is also used for noise analysis across the camera's ISO range. Our compact camera evaluations are based on real-world testing alone.

For our real-world testing, our reviewers spend time with each camera, testing it in a variety of shooting situations and providing their qualitative thoughts on how the camera was to use and evaluating the images and video it produced. Here's an example of how we literally take a camera on vacation to evaluate it!

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Gareth is a photographer based in London, working as a freelance photographer and videographer for the past several years, having the privilege to shoot for some household names. With work focusing on fashion, portrait and lifestyle content creation, he has developed a range of skills covering everything from editorial shoots to social media videos. Outside of work, he has a personal passion for travel and nature photography, with a devotion to sustainability and environmental causes.

James Artaius Editor

This stunning photography book was shot with Sony compact cameras!

The best travel camera for 2024: the finest choices for your adventures

The best travel cameras for your next big trip

Best overall
Best-looking
Best action cam
Best tough camera
Best premium compact
Best small full-frame
Best hybrid vlogger

Best for moving subjects

Best superzoom

How to choose

How we test

1. The list in brief 2. Best for most people 3. Best value 4. Best-looking 5. Best action 6. Best tough 7. Best premium compact 8. Best small full-frame 9. Best hybrid travel vlogger 10. Best for moving subjects 11. Best superzoom bridge 12. How to choose 13. How we test

Road trip or flyaway vacation, the best travel cameras let you capture incredible images of your holiday adventures. From action cameras to compact mirrorless models, we've extensively reviewed the top travel-friendly cameras and rounded up our recommendations in the expert guide below. Whatever your itinerary, this is list is your ticket to the ideal travel camera.

Based on our tests, we think the best travel camera overall is the OM System OM-5. A portable, weatherproof Micro Four Thirds model, it shoots higher quality images than a smartphone while offering the useful flexibility of interchangeable lenses.

Whatever your expectations and budget, you'll find a travel camera to fit the bill below. Our list includes some of the best mirrorless cameras , as well as some of the top compact cameras . Our expert reviewers have spent many hours testing the best options, using them in the real world to assess how well they perform when traveling. You'll find the results distilled in the list below, together with buying advice to consider when choosing a travel camera.

Tim is TechRadar's Cameras editor, with over 15 years in the photo video industry and most of those in the world of tech journalism, Tim has developed a deeply technical knowledge and practical experience with all things camera related. He’s also worked in video production with clients including Canon, and volunteers his spare time to consult a non-profit, diverse stories team based in Nairobi.

The quick list

If you don’t have time to read our full list of the best travel cameras, you can read the round-up below for a shortcut to the top options for your needs and budget. If you find one that takes your fancy, use the links to jump to our full write-up.

OM System OM-5 mirrorless camera on a white background

The best travel camera overall

Squeezing a host of features into a compact, weatherproof body that’s compatible with a range of lenses, the OM-5 is the ideal travel camera.

The best-looking travel camera

Don’t be fooled by its lovely retro looks: the Nikon Z fc is every bit the modern travel camera, with a useful touchscreen and top image quality.

The best action camera for travel

The GoPro Hero 12 Black is the best all-round action camera available ideal for capturing your adrenaline-filled travels, with 8:9 sensor ideal for sharing travel videos to social.

The best tough travel camera

For rough and tumble travels you'll want a tough camera and they don't come much better than the OM System Tough TG-7.

Fujifilm X100VI compact camera on a white background

The best premium compact

With a large sensor, fixed 23mm focal length, small form factor, retro design and film simulations, the X100VI is a powerful tool for street photography and documenting your travels.

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The best small full-frame camera

Combining a small form factor with a high-res 61MP sensor and fantastic autofocus, the Sony A7C R is the best full-frame camera for travel photography.

Fujifilm X-S20 camera on a white background

The best hybrid for travel vlogging

A capable sensor and automated settings, including a Vlogging mode, make the Fujifilm X-S20 an accessible tool for stills and video on the go.

Sony A6700 mirrorless camera on a white background

The best for moving subjects

The compact A6700 uses AI-powered autofocus to reliably snap on to animals, insects, cars and more. The Fuji X-S20 is better for video, though.

Sony RX10 IV camera on a white background

The best superzoom camera

Even with a 1-inch sensor, the Sony RX10 IV delivers sharp stills and video, with the added versatility of a generous 24-600mm zoom range.

The best travel cameras in 2024

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best travel cameras in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

The OM System OM-5 camera sitting on a tree branch

1. OM System OM-5

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

✅ You want a robust travel camera: Light enough to travel with but tough enough to deal with bad weather, the OM-5 is a ruggedly dependable camera. ✅ You shoot handheld a lot: The OM-5 has excellent image stabilization for stills, meaning you can cross a tripod off your packing list.

❌ You want the best image quality: Its Micro Four Thirds sensor is decent enough, but some rivals offer more pixels and better low light performance. ❌ You have large hands: Handling is surprisingly good for a small camera, but the grip is not very deep, especially for those with bigger hands.

The OM-5 is only a relatively minor update of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III , but its combination of talents make it an ideal travel camera in our book – particularly if you want the flexibility of interchangeable lenses. It shoehorns a lot of features into a compact, weatherproof body that's compatible with a wealth of equally small lenses. Most of its skills, including excellent in-body image stabilization and computational photography modes, are also designed with travelers and adventurers in mind.

Our tests found that the OM-5 delivers excellent video and stills quality for its size, helped by a stabilization system (good for 6.5-stops of compensation) that gives you a high hit-rate of keepers. We also enjoyed the high-quality feel of the camera's dials, as well as in-camera software tricks, like Live ND and in-camera focus stacking, which are ideal for macro shots or blurring skies for an ethereal effect. Less good are the fairly average EVF resolution, 4K /30p limit for video and relative limitations of its smaller sensor, but these are all acceptable trade-offs considering this camera's size and price.

Read our in-depth OM System OM-5 review

^ Back to the top

The best-value travel camera

Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200, one of the best travel cameras, on a table with a map, a guidebook and a passport

2. Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200

✅ You want an all-in-one compact: You can’t beat the TZ200 for portability, but it’s also a feature-packed option with a useful zoom range and 1.0-inch sensor. ✅ You want a large zoom range: At 15x optical zoom, the TZ200 offers the versatility to shoot all sorts of subjects on your travels.

❌ You like an ergonomic grip: The Lumix TZ200 has plenty of manual controls on the metal body, but there’s not much of a grip to get your fingers around. ❌ You want a cheap camera: Its generous feature set makes the TZ200 excellent value, but its still pretty pricey for a premium compact.

With smartphones now raising the bar for point-and-shoot photography, compact cameras have to offer something special to justify their place in your travel bag. The ZS200 / TZ200 does that with its large 1-inch sensor and versatile 15x optical zoom. It might be towards the upper end of the compact camera market, but Panasonic 's travel zoom continues to offer great value.

Its large 1in sensor produces better natural image quality than most smartphones, despite the latter's advances in multi-frame processing. Our tests found colors to be nice and punchy, with the dynamic range allowing you to recover lost shadow detail with post-processing if needed. Even at 24mm, vignetting and distortion is nicely controlled. There's also a handy built-in electronic viewfinder, which makes it easier to compose images in bright light. It's still quite pricey, but this is still the best travel zoom compact camera available right now.

Read our in-depth Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 review

The Nikon Z fc, one of the best travel cameras, camera on a park bench

3. Nikon Z fc

✅ You care about camera design: From the retro dials to the circular viewfinder, the Nikon Z fc channels classic style to fantastic effect. ✅ You like manual exposure control: Dedicated dials for ISO, shutter speed and exposure, complemented by a lens control ring, give excellent manual control.

❌ You need a wide choice of lenses: There are only a handful of Z-series kit lenses designed for the APS-C format, limiting your options for expansion. ❌ You want a rugged camera: Although it looks like the sturdy FM2, the Z fc isn’t weather-sealed, so it’s not one to take on rainy adventures.

Travel photography is all about capturing memories and Nikon’s Z fc fully embraces the concept of nostalgia: it’s a stunning homage to the 30-year-old Nikon FM2 – complete with retro styling, dimensions and dials. Despite the throwback design, it’s a very modern camera inside, sharing many of its specs with the capable Nikon Z50. While some photographers might wish for a full-frame sensor, the Z fc’s APS-C number does a stellar job of capturing stills and 4K video, aided by reliable tracking autofocus. Our tests found that its 20.9MP sensor had an excellent handle on noise, especially under ISO 800, while dynamic range was impressive.

Its vari-angle touchscreen is also a brilliant addition, making it easy to frame travel selfies – or folding away completely for a leather-back look that lets you pretend it's the Eighties. The Nikon Z fc isn’t as sturdy as the camera that inspired it (there’s no weatherproofing, for example), but it’s still a beautifully unique camera for casual use. And with dedicated dials for ISO, shutter speed and exposure, plus a customizable lens ring, it’s also an easy one to control on the go.

Read our in-depth Nikon Z fc review

4. GoPro Hero 12 Black

✅ You want a rugged travel camera: Waterproof down to 10m, the GoPro Hero 12 Black is a great choice for capturing action-packed travels. ✅ You plan to share on social: The 8:7 aspect ratio of its sensor gives you lots of flexibility to crop footage for social, including vertical videos.

❌ You plan to shoot in low light: Its 1/1.9in sensor shoots sharp footage, but it still struggles with noise handling in lower lighting conditions. ❌ You want a hybrid for stills: While the sensor can shoot 27MP stills, you’ll get a better photography experience from a standard alternative.

If you're looking for a high resolution action camera for your travels that's as comfortable shooting smooth videos as it is crisp photos, then the GoPro Hero 12 Black tops the bill. It was an underwhelming update of the Hero 11 Black, but that's not necessarily a bad thing because that camera was already highly capable. There's the same 1/1.9in sensor with versatile 8:9 aspect ratio – you can reframe footage for different social channels without sacrificing quality, and its max resolution of 5.3K/60p beats the DJI Osmo Action 4. You can capture dramatic TimeWarps at the full 5.3K resolution, shoot photo sequences as a rapid 30fps, and pull 24.7MP stills from 5.3K video.

Design-wise, there's no change to the Hero 11 Black, the two rugged models are physically identical and come with a large Enduro battery as standard, giving more time between recharges on the road. The same interface lets you tweak the user experience, with ‘Easy’ and ‘Pro’ modes to suit your skill level. Superior Horizon Lock and HyperSmooth 5.0 smarts do a remarkable job of stabilizing handheld video. Minor updates from the Hero 11 Black are mainly for pros, including flat Log color profiles, 10-bit video, and multi-channel audio capabilities. For most people however, there's little reason to upgrade or to pick the Hero 12 Black over its predecessor which could save you a little money.

Read our in-depth hands-on GoPro Hero 12 Black review

A guide light accessory on the OM System Tough TG-7 camera

5. OM System Tough TG-7

✅ You want a hardcore camera: With a case that’s waterproof, shockproof and freezeproof, the OM System Tough TG-7 is built to take a beating. ✅ You like a simple interface: Premium features include RAW shooting and 4K video, but the camera itself is easy to operate, even in tricky conditions.

❌ You want the best image quality: Results from the 1/2.3in sensor are fine, but the TG-7 tends to overexpose, and detail is lost at the telephoto end. ❌ You like using a viewfinder: The Tough TG-7 doesn’t have a viewfinder, and the 3-inch LCD screen has limited visibility in bright sunlight.

The biggest change in the OM System Tough TG-7 and the camera it replaces is in the name – since OM System acquired Olympus, it has wrought extremely minor upgrades to key models from the Olympus range, including the TG-6. None-the-less, we haven't seen another tough camera to better the TG-6 in that time, and so if you want the best tough camera available today, the TG-7 now tops the list.

Tough cameras like the TG-6 are freeze-proof, shockproof and waterproof and can therefore be used in scenarios that you simply wouldn't consider with your phone or expensive camera, and for that reason the TG-7 is still one of the best travel cameras you can buy. Its industrial design feels reassuringly rugged, while large buttons make it convenient to operate beneath the waves or while wearing gloves, plus its 3-inch LCD display offers decent visibility in most conditions.

We found image quality to be reasonable for a camera with a 1/2.3-inch sensor, with nice, rich colors – although there was a tendency to overexpose and blow out highlights. An equivalent zoom range of 25-100mm is fair, plus the inclusion of 4K video and raw shooting enhance flexibility. Its image quality might not match your phone for regular photos, but the TG-7 will allow you to be capturing extreme travel memories when you otherwise couldn't, plus there's a range of useful accessories such as a ring light for close up photography.

Read our in-depth OM System Tough TG-7 review

Front of the Fujifilm X100VI reflected in glass table

6. Fujifilm X100VI

✅ You're exploring the city: With a fixed 23mm f/2 lens, Fujifilm's best autofocus, tilt screen and hybrid viewfinder, the X100V is a fantastic choice for street photography. ✅ You want a premium camera: From its retro design to its metal body, the X100V feels well-made and looks the business.

❌ You don’t want a fixed focal length: The 23mm lens is fantastic, but some users will find it limiting, especially if you value the ability to zoom. ❌ You’re on a tight budget: The X100VI is a popular but niche premium camera, and its increased price will put it out of budget for many.

We'd class the Fujifilm X100VI as a niche premium compact camera, but the range has grown in popularity since its inception in 2010 and is more popular than ever. The sixth generation model keeps the fixed 23mm f/2 lens and retro design that's been inspired by 1950s analogue cameras and despite its single focal length and no zoom it is one of the best travel cameras you can buy if it's in your price range.

The X100VI keeps all that users have grown to love about the X100-series; sharp fixed lens, large sensor, retro design, and unique hybrid viewfinder, but then builds on the X100V with a higher-resolution 40MP sensor and in-body image stabilization. The result is a significantly more versatile camera, for example the digital teleconverter can crop into the full image for 50mm (at 20MP) and 70mm (at 10MP) focal length looks, while stablization lets you shoot slower shutter speeds in low light.

Other key improvements over the X100V include more detailed 6K video and Fujifilm's best-ever autofocus that includes advanced subject detection for photo and video. You can rely on the X100VI as a discreet everyday camera to document the world around, especially your travels, and it comes with 20 film simulation color profiles inspired by actual Fujifilm 35mm film that you can customize with recipes to develop your own style.

Read our in-depth Fujifilm X100VI review

Sony A7C R camera outside on a wooden table

7. Sony A7C R

✅ You want the sharpest stills: With a 61MP full-frame sensor, you won’t get sharper travel snaps from any other camera in this list. ✅ You want a small, powerful camera: Despite the full-frame sensor inside, the A7C R is very compact and fits neatly in the hand.

❌ You value good handling: The small design has drawbacks, including a compromised viewfinder and absent AF joystick. ❌ You plan to use big lenses: Its compact proportions mean the Sony A7C R is mismatched with larger telephoto lenses.

By combining a small, travel-friendly form factor with a 61MP full frame sensor and fantastic autofocus, Sony has created arguably the ultimate travel camera. Successor to the Sony A7C – already one of our favorite travel photography tools – and announced alongside the A7C II , the A7C R fits nicely in the hand, while a flip screen and new dials offer welcome control.

Equipped with Sony’s top-grade autofocus and AI-powered subject tracking, the A7C R can cleverly and reliably track a broad range of subjects. You won’t find a better full frame sensor, either: borrowed from the A7R V , it captures stunning, pin-sharp stills in all conditions. Cropping potential is vast, and video footage is decent too.

There are trade-offs, though. In testing, we found that the A7C R’s compact proportions come with handling compromises, especially compared to the traditional design of the A7R V. The viewfinder feels small and fiddly, and we wish Sony had included an AF joystick. It’s also not a camera to pair with large telephoto lenses. But the real kicker is the cost: it’s significantly more expensive than the A7C II. That premium means it’s only a camera to consider if you need absolutely the best possible image quality on your travels.

Read our in-depth Sony A7C R review

8. Fujifilm X-S20

✅ You value longevity: The X-S20 has double the battery life of the X-S10, making it a great choice for long days of travel photography. ✅ You shoot video, too: Capturing sharp 26MP stills and 6K/30p open gate video, the Fujifilm X-S20 is a true mirrorless hybrid.

❌ You need weather proofing: Build quality of the X-S20 is good, but you’re better off with the Sony A6700 if you need a weatherproof camera. ❌ You have a limited budget: Its additional features come at the cost of a steep price hike compared to the Fujifilm X-S10, which makes it a harder sell.

Channelling everything we liked about the X-S10 – including a compact, well-balanced body – the Fujifilm X-S20 cements its position as a fantastic mirrorless cameras for travel. It handles comfortably, with simplified dials making it accessible for beginners. In testing, we found new novice-friendly features – such as a dedicated Vlogging mode – also make the X-S20 a forgiving camera for touring first-timers.

The X-S20 is blessed with a proven shooting system, utilising the same 26.1MP sensor as the X-S10 and X-T4 to produce quality stills. It also eases the way for beginners with an automatic scene detection mode, which harnesses the power of Fuji’s latest X-Processor 5 to reliably choose the correct settings. From our first impressions, it works better than the automatic subject tracking, which was a little hit and miss.

With 6K/30p 4:2:2 10-bit internal video recording also on offer, plus in-body image stabilization that worked well in testing, the Fujifilm X-S20 is a solid option for content creators on the move. The lack of weather-sealing will discourage adventurous travellers, while the price tag means it isn’t one to leave in an unattended bag. But at just 26g heavier than its predecessor, the X-S20 is a very capable all-rounder for travel.

Read our in-depth Fujifilm X-S20 review

Sony Alpha A6700 mirrorless camera outside on a wall

9. Sony A6700

✅ You want a capable travel hybrid: A sharp APS-C sensor, five-axis stabilization and AI autofocus make the A6700 a great all-rounder to take on the road. ✅ You like to get hands-on: A more ergonomic grip and lots of direct-access buttons make the A6700 a nice camera to handle and use.

❌ You shoot mostly video: The A6700 can record sharp video, but there’s a heavy 1.6x crop on 4K/120p slow-mo and Active SteadyShot stabilization isn’t the best. ❌ You like simple menus: The interface on the A6700 has quite a learning curve, and it can be tricky to navigate when shooting out and about.

It's a close-run thing between the Sony A6700 and the Fujifilm X-S20 above, but if you shoot a lot of moving subjects then the Sony should be your choice. Like the Fuji, it has a 26MP APS-C sensor and comes in a compact, travel-friendly form. And like the Fuji, it's a genuine hybrid, offering decent video options to go with its stills prowess. But there are some key differences.

First, the good: the A6700 has the same AI-powered chipset as the far more expensive Sony A7R V , and this helps it deliver incredible subject tracking; seriously, this camera will lock on to humans, animals, insects, cars, trains, aircraft and more, then follow them unerringly around the frame. However, its video chops aren't as impressive as those of the Fuji. 4K 120p slow-mo footage is subjected to a heavy 1.6x crop, while the five-axis stabilization doesn't work as well when filming as it does when shooting stills. The complex menu system also leaves something to be desired.

Still, it handles well, has a great battery and would make an excellent all-rounder for your next trip - so long as you're slightly more focused on images than video.

Read our in-depth Sony A6700 review

Sony RX10 IV, one of the best travel cameras, being used by someone

10. Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV

✅ You like to zoom in: With a sharp, fast 24-600mm, the RX100 IV offers fantastic versatility to capture a range of subjects on your travels. ✅ You want an all-in-one option: The RX100 IV is a high-end bridge camera with a big zoom range, high-quality EVF and capable AF system.

❌ You want a small camera: While it ticks most of the boxes for travel photography, the RX100 IV is bigger and heavier than many rivals. ❌ You like a slick touchscreen: Its tilting touchscreen is a useful addition, but you can’t use it to navigate menus or swipe through images.

In terms of offering something for everybody, the RX10 IV ticks a lot of boxes. It's like having a bag full of lenses, but with the benefit of never having to change them. There's a very long zoom (going all the way from 24-600mm), while the maximum aperture is pretty wide throughout the lens.

The RX10 IV's sensor might not be as a large as the ones you'll find on a mirrorless camera or DSLR, but Sony's 20.1MP one-inch chip proved itself to be very capable in our tests. Noise was well-controlled, and you'd have no problem making an A3 print from one of its files (particularly if you shoot at under ISO 800).

You also get 24fps shooting, cracking 4K video quality and handling to rival a DSLR. The major downside? The high price – if your budget is tighter, don't forget about this camera's predecessor, the RX10 III .

Read our in-depth Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV review

How to choose the best travel camera for you

Picking the right travel camera can be trickier than finding affordable flights. You’ll want a shooting tool that’s compact enough to conveniently carry on your travels, yet still capable of capturing sharp stills and stable video of your jet-setting adventures.

There are a few key things to keep in mind when choosing your ideal travel camera. Among the most important is size. While pocketable compacts offer convenience, the quality of your travel snaps will be boosted by the bigger sensors of larger mirrorless models.

If your adventures are likely to involve going off the beaten track, it’s worth considering a travel camera with rugged credentials. This could be one of the best action cameras , such as the GoPro Hero 11 Black – perfect if you plan to shoot quick, slick travel clips. Or it could be a sturdy compact such as the Olympic TG-6, which is one of the best waterproof cameras .

It’s also worth thinking about what subjects you might be shooting on your trip. A long zoom range will be handy on safari , while something light and fast is better for capturing street snaps on a city break. Travel compacts, such as the Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200, usually use a zoom lens to cover a range of shooting scenarios. Interchangeable lens cameras like the Fujifilm X-T30 II can similarly offer the flexibility of both worlds, but only if you’re happy to travel with extra barrels in your backpack.

Which type of camera is best for traveling?

Travel cameras come in a range of shapes and sizes. Which style is best for you will depend on how you like to travel, what you like to shoot and how much gear you’re willing to cart around.

Travel zoom compacts such as the Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 are pocket friendly, yet offer a broad scope for capturing a range of subjects. Thanks to generous zoom ranges, they give you the opportunity to get close to the action, or to shoot wide. The trade-off for having all of this flexibility in a compact body is generally a smaller sensor, which is less useful for shooting in low light.

If you’d like neat proportions but don’t need the versatility of a zoom lens, premium compact cameras could be worth considering. Models such as the Fujifilm X100V sacrifice zoom range in favour of larger sensors that are better at gathering light – usually a one-inch or, in the case of the X100V, an APS-C chip.

Between compacts and mirrorless cameras is where you’ll find bridge cameras. Bulkier than a standard compact, they offer more comfortable handling and a large zoom range, but without the need to carry different lenses. New bridge cameras are increasingly rare, but the Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV remains a great example.

If you don’t mind traveling with multiple lenses, many of the best mirrorless cameras have been specifically designed with travel in mind. In the case of models like the OM System OM-5 , that means a portable, weatherproof body, useful image stabilization for shooting on the move, plus a versatile Micro Four Thirds sensor that balances size and performance. And with lots of different lenses to choose from, you can pack different optics depending on the type of trip you’re taking – or opt for a reliable all-round option.

Is a DSLR or mirrorless camera better for travel photography?

When it comes to travel photography, most photographers look for a balance between portability and performance. If this is the combination you’re after, mirrorless cameras will almost aways have the edge over their DSLR rivals. Mirrorless models are generally smaller and lighter than DSLRs, making them easier to wield and travel with.

Despite their more compact proportions, many of the best mirrorless travel cameras can also match or outclass DSLR cameras when it comes to image quality, as well as autofocus abilities and video features. This makes them versatile tools for shooting on the move, especially if you choose a model with in-body image stabilization for sharp handheld results. If you pick a mirrorless camera with an established lens mount system, you’ll also find no shortage of glass to pack for your trip.

That said, there are reasons why you might still want to consider a DSLR camera for travel. Some photographers prefer the chunkier ergonomic grip for which the DSLR format is famous, especially if they plan on shooting for hours on end. The best DSLR cameras also offer superlative battery life, which can be useful if your travel plans include days away from electricity.

Budget might also be a factor, especially if you’re concerned about taking an expensive camera on your travels. Older DSLR cameras can offer great value, as can second-hand mirrorless models. It’s also worth looking at our round-up of the best cheap cameras , which includes some options that are a good fit for travel photography.

Read our in-depth DSLR vs Mirrorless comparison

How we test travel cameras

Buying a camera these days is a big investment, and travel cameras are no different – so every camera in this guide has been tested extensively by us. For travel cameras in particular, real-world tests are the most revealing way to understand a camera's performance and character, so we focus heavily on those, along with standardized tests for factors like ISO performance.

To start with, we look at the camera's design, handling and controls to get a sense of how suitable it is for life on the road, and any particular features that might be particularly useful for globe-trotters. When we take it out on a shoot, we'll use it both handheld and on a tripod to get a sense of where its strengths lie, and test its startup speed.

When it comes to performance, we use a formatted SD card and shoot in both raw and JPEG (if available). For burst shooting tests, we dial in our regular test settings (1/250 sec, ISO 200, continuous AF) and shoot a series of frames in front of a stopwatch to see if it lives up to its claimed speeds. We'll also look at how quickly the buffers clears and repeat the test for both raw and JPEG files.

In various lighting conditions, we also test the camera's different autofocus modes (including Face and Eye AF) in single point, area and continuous modes. We also shoot a range of photos of different styles (portrait, landscape, low light, macro/close-up) in raw and JPEG to get a sense of metering and its sensor's ability to handle noise and resolve fine detail.

If the camera's raw files are supported by Adobe Camera Raw, we'll also process some test images to see how we can push areas like shadow recovery. And we'll also test its ISO performance across the whole range to get a sense of the levels we'd be happy to push the camera to.

Battery life is tested in a real-world fashion, as we use the camera over the course of the day with the screen set to the default settings. Once the battery has reached zero, we'll then count the number of shots to see how it compares to the camera's CIPA rating. Finally, we test the camera's video skills by shooting some test footage at different frame-rates and resolutions, along with its companion app.

We then take everything we've learned about the camera and factor in its price to get a sense of the value-for-money it offers, before reaching our final verdict.

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Tim is the Cameras editor at TechRadar. He has enjoyed more than 15 years in the photo video industry with most of those in the world of tech journalism. During his time as Deputy Technical Editor with Amateur Photographer, as a freelancer and consequently editor at Tech Radar, Tim has developed a deeply technical knowledge and practical experience with cameras, educating others through news, reviews and features. He’s also worked in video production for Studio 44 with clients including Canon, and volunteers his spare time to consult a non-profit, diverse stories team based in Nairobi. Tim is curious, a keen creative, avid footballer and runner, and moderate flat white drinker who has lived in Kenya and believes we have much to enjoy and learn from each other.

Chris Rowlands
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Best Travel Camera Kit

For short and long trips, beginners and professionals. We cover it all.

01. Introduction
03. Point & Shoot
04. Mirrorless
06. Other Cameras
07. Conclusion

This is a long one. Let's take a look at the big picture first (pun intended).

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How to Pick The Best Camera For Travel Photography

Photography has come a long way over the years. It used to be an art form that was limiting due to expensive gear coupled with a steep learning curve. There were darkrooms and labs involved. Nowadays, with digital cameras being affordable, accessible, and able to fit inside your pocket—everyone is shooting on a daily basis. Whether you just want to grab a couple snaps on your next trip or you want to start exploring things in a more professional light, you’ll want to have a good camera that matches your skill level, budget and interest.

But how do you choose the best camera for travel? Well, you come here of course.

What This Guide is

When it comes to photography, there are so many options nowadays it can cause a bit of paralysis when choosing the best camera for travel photography. Gear isn’t cheap, so you want to make sure you’re choosing the right system before you fork over a couple paychecks and a sliver of your liver.

You’ll learn very quickly that there’s no real right or wrong answer, and there is no one-size-fits-all for photography—as much as you’d like there to be. There are a number of different types of kits that could work incredibly well for you and deciding which is the best travel camera for you will depend on a number of factors.

What This Guide is Not

We’re not going to tell you how to shoot photography. We’ll happily provide you with some information on the different systems and tips on how to optimize them, but if you’re looking for a guide to becoming a professional photographer… You’ll want to look elsewhere.

Everyone has their preferred way of shooting and travel style. We’re not ready to make those decisions for you, but hopefully these tips will help you make an informed decision on which camera kit will be the best for your travel photography.

Considerations

So how do you choose between each of these kits? Well, first you need to be like Kris-Kross and go backwards (with your decision making, not your jeans). Instead of just thinking about what you want to do with your camera, try to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Yeah, watch out—we’re just getting started on the photography puns.

How Do You Plan to Use Your Images?

Try thinking about how you plan to use your images, rather than just what you want to take pictures of. If you’re intending to use your images solely for Instagram you won’t necessarily need the quality and resolution a DSLR can give you. Sure, you can get quick and light with a point & shoot, but if you want to capture those massive landscapes in low light you may want a wide lens on a camera that can handle that boost in ISO.

How Do You Plan to Travel?

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail over the course of a couple months? You’ll probably be just dandy with a small, lightweight kit to capture your experiences and create a slideshow for friends and family. Traveling to go shoot a wedding? You might want to consider upping the ante with a mirrorless or DSLR. Need a pretty snap for your Instagram feed of your latte? A mobile phone will do.

What’s Your Budget?

When we talk budget, it can be in terms of money and weight. Bag check fees can add up quickly on long international flights, and the weight on your body from carrying around heavy gear can make or break a trip. Carrying lots of weight can even cause you long term pain, infringing on your photography career. Plus, who needs a crick in their neck? We don’t.

We’ll get into all this and more with our 4 main photo kits below – Mobile, point and shoot, mirrorless, & DSLR. We’ve also talked with experts in each of these categories to get their real-world experience and interspersed their knowledge throughout this guide.

You’re the expert on the systems that work for you, but we’ll provide our thoughts on gear from a feasibility sense. We always shoot (see what we did there?) to fit everything in one backpack , so our goal is to bring as little as we can while still getting by.

When it comes to photography—and especially photography gear—there are a lot of terms that might sound like gibberish to the average passerby. While the professional photographers of the world don’t bat an eye to this stuff, we wanted to take a minute to do some explaining for the newer, budding photographers who may be reading this. To the professionals out there—just go ahead and skip this section.

Without further ado, here is some common lingo that you will hear thrown around in this guide:

Aperture: The amount of light your lens lets in + the depth of field in your photo. Lower number (1.8) = shallow depth of field, lets lots of light in.
Depth of Field: The area that is in focus in your image.
Digital Noise: Those tiny coloured specks that make your image look uneven and grainy, caused by shooting in low light with a high ISO.
Focal Length: Always measured in millimeters, the focal length measures how “zoomed in” you are. Low numbers will give you a wide angle, high numbers will be telephoto.
F-Stop: F-Stop is another term for aperture.
ISO: A measure of how light sensitive your sensor is. A higher ISO will mean a brighter picture, but potentially more digital noise too.
Prime Lens: Only one focal length. Lighter and smaller than a zoom lens.
RAW: The uncompressed image, basically the negative of digital photography.
Sensor: The area that captures your image – the film of digital photography.
Shutter Speed: How quickly your camera opens and closes to expose your sensor, or take the photo. The longer it stays open, the more light is let in.
Zoom Lens: Multiple focal lengths. Heavier and bigger than a prime lens, but more versatility.

Our Contributors That Made This Guide Possible

Adrienne Tam: Architect and photo enthusiast.
Corey Tenold: Professional fashion photographer.
Frances Beatty: Professional wedding photographer.
Jared Martin: Professional real estate photographer.
Tam Le: Self-taught photographer.
Tara Lilly: Professional wedding photographer.

The camera that's probably in your pocket right now. Chances are, it's more capable than you might realize...

Why Mobile Photography?

We’re willing to wager that you don’t know a single person who doesn’t own and carry around a mobile phone with them at all times—which makes this the most convenient of all of the camera kits in this guide. Convenience and size are the two biggest reasons to choose a mobile phone camera for your adventures. For some people, it might be the best camera for travel.

Mobile phones are so easy to operate, children can—and often do—take pictures with them. The learning curve is very minimal—far less than what you get with a DSLR or a mirrorless camera. You can just grab it and go, which only adds to the convenience of these little items.

Shot by Frances Beatty | Best Travel Camera Guide

The price point should also be a consideration. If you already have a phone with a camera in it, you have no real need to drop money on a travel camera, outside of adding some accessories to your phone. Smartphones may not be cheap, but it will almost always be cheaper than buying a phone AND a camera.

“A lot of people think that in order to take good photos, they need to invest a lot of money. That’s not true. You just need to have interest and be persistent, and over time your photography will dramatically improve” —Tam Le, Self-taught Photographer

One final point to mention is that there’s nothing extra to pack with mobile phone photography—because you already have your camera in your pocket! This also means you can skip the fancy and expensive camera bags.

The Nitty-Gritty

When choosing a mobile phone, don’t worry too much about the Android vs iPhone debate. There are great cameras with both and we have people on the team that use both. That being said, if you’re interested in using a smartphone as your primary camera there are a few things you want to look into, regardless of brand.

At a basic level, a mobile phone camera contains a lens, a sensor, and some software. Not every mobile phone camera is built the same, however—the quality of materials used in your phone will make a difference in the quality of your images.

Whether you have the newest smartphone model or an old flip phone in your pocket, you probably have a camera in that phone. These cameras are pretty basic but powerful. The latest iPhone XS has a 12 megapixel (MP) rear camera, and the OnePlus 6T has an impressive 20MP rear camera—making these two options comparable to even some DSLRs in terms of megapixels. Generally speaking, more megapixels = better, but that won’t always be the case. If you’re looking at two different models and one has a 12MP camera while the other has a 16MP camera… If they both have the same size sensor, the 12MP camera is actually going to be your better option.

Sensor size is a very important puzzle piece in picking the best camera for you. Most phone cameras will have a sensor that is ⅓ of an inch, but some have up to an inch. The iPhone XS, for example, is ⅓ of an inch. The bigger the sensor, the higher quality an image you will get. Unfortunately, this information isn’t always the easiest to secure when you’re looking into a new phone.

Aperture is a pretty big deal when it comes to photography. Aperture is the amount of light that is allowed into your sensor, which controls the depth of field of your photo. If you’re looking to take images in low light situations without using your flash, you’ll want to look for a camera that has an aperture of at least F1.8—like the iPhone XS or the OnePlus 6T , which have apertures of F1.8 and F1.7, respectively.

An additional consideration when looking for a mobile phone camera is whether or not it has digital or optical zoom, and how good those two are. If you’re into zooming, you’ll want to look for optical zoom—which many phone cameras do not have. Digital zoom is just zooming in on the pixels, not actually zooming in with the focal length. This can affect the quality of your image.

Most people have probably experienced this—you’ll start zooming in on your iPhone only to see the image quality lower drastically. When fully zoomed in, the image can be pixelated to the point of being virtually unusable. That is because the phone has digital—as opposed to optical—zoom.

A Note on Storage

One final consideration with mobile phone cameras is storage. Now, remember when we said Android and iPhone are the same? Well, we probably should have put a little asterisk there because when it comes to storage, Android phones do often have an advantage. There are a handful of Android phones that offer removable SD card slots, which is great for the traveling photographer. This means you can carry a few SD cards and offload photos as you see fit, plus you could even have another SD card with a bunch of movies or music for those long flights.

The iPhone, on the other hand, does not have removable storage. There is no way you can add extra storage to an iPhone outside of buying a new one with a higher capacity. The same goes for a bunch of Android phones as well—including the popular Google Pixel (both versions 1 and 2).

For those phones without removable storage, you’re going to be sharing all of your storage with other aspects of your phone, including any music, movies, or videos you may have on it. Long story short, your phone will fill up quickly. We’ve all been there, right? You go to take a photo only to get an error on your phone. Now you have to choose between that selfie with your cat or a picture of your nephew. Tough choice.

In a larger sense, we wanted to take a second to give an overarching photography PSA before we get too far into this guide…

Whether you’re traveling or at home, professional or amateur—backing up your images is crucial. We’ve all heard the horror stories of someone having a computer crash and losing all of their precious memories. Avoid being that person by sticking to this rule:

This applies to everything, but most importantly, to your images. Always have at least two copies of your images so you don’t end up being that person . Whether you’re backing your photos up on the cloud, on an extra SD card, a portable hard drive, or a laptop—just do it. Back that s#%! up!

Traveling With a Smartphone Camera

Having a camera in your phone means you’re always going to have it on you, so packing is a cinch. You don’t need to worry about a separate bag to keep your camera safe, and it’s not going to take up any more space. Maybe you can take that book with you after all!

If you’re looking for ways to keep your phone/camera safe while traveling, there are plenty of options for covers and cases. It’s not a bad idea to keep something on your phone to avoid cracking your screen and your camera lens. Having a dual purpose item like a smartphone is fantastic for so many reasons, but it also means that if you break your camera you break your phone—and vice versa.

Another thing to consider is that by using your phone as your camera as well as your navigational and communication system, you’re going to chew through your battery—and it’s not like you can just pop a fresh one in there. It’s not a bad idea to pack a power bank with you. There are plenty of options that are small and portable, although we recommend Anker as they have a solid track record. When it comes to chargers and cables, you’re almost always better off paying a few extra bucks for something that won’t crap out halfway through your trip.

Mobile Photo Gear We Can’t Live Without

A teeny tiny light source that may blow your mind. An off-camera light source, this can be used in constant mode and also in flash mode. This isn’t just for your mobile phone camera, it can also be used with action cameras like a GoPro or even with a DSLR.

One of the ways you can really take your mobile photography to the next level is by using a lens other than the one that comes with your camera. Unlike a DSLR or a mirrorless camera, you can’t remove the lens from your mobile camera—but you can put a lens on top of the original lens to get a different desired look. Moment has 5 different lenses. Everything from fisheye, to macro to telephoto. Keep in mind that you’ll need the moment case in order to attach your lenses to your camera.

For anyone who likes to upgrade their phone from time to time, it’s not a bad idea to have a universal case. The Joto is waterproof, which we hope doesn’t come in handy but probably will. This case will fit a phone up to 6” diagonally and still have room for some important things like money or credit cards. Versatile and durable—we love it.

A solution for butterfingers, the iRing attaches to the back of your smartphone and gives you something to hang onto while you take photos or respond to messages. As an added bonus, it will also act as a stand if you want to prop your phone up and watch Netflix on your flight.

“An additional benefit of this is that in countries like Vietnam or Brazil, it makes it harder for someone to run/drive by and snatch your phone out of your hands while you’re lining up that perfect shot. Unfortunately, that’s the reality of traveling in many countries.” —Tam Le, Self-taught Photographer

The Ungrip provides a comfortable way to carry your phone, plus, there’s a ton of colors and styles to choose from.

PopSockets provide a nice additional grip to stabilize your phone for photography & video. The durability isn’t outstanding on them, but they get the job done.

Apps We Love

Lightroom mobile app.

Lightroom is the tried, trusted and true software used by professional photographers everywhere to edit their photos. Having it right in your phone means you can edit on the fly, whether it’s images from your mobile camera or your DSLR. Another great benefit of the Lightroom app is the ability to shoot directly within the app. The software is more advanced than the native software that comes with your phone, so you’ll be able to shoot in RAW—giving you the freedom to alter your images more easily.

Dropbox File Management

One of the most important things to consider with your memories is how you’re going to keep them safe. If your phone doesn’t have removable storage, you’re going to want to look into a way to dump your pictures. Syncing to your laptop isn’t exactly the quickest—or easiest—method, so Dropbox is a great alternative. You can access your images from your phone or your computer and it doesn’t matter if you end up switching from iPhone to Android. This might also mean you can skip bringing your laptop with you on your trip . As an added bonus, Dropbox makes it very easy to share photos with others—whether it’s your coworkers, friends, or family.

Disclaimer: Many companies offer their own proprietary cloud storage systems, like Apple iCloud and Google Photos. These will work fine but might be incompatible across various operating systems, which is why we’d rather not recommend one over the other. We like Dropbox because you don’t have to worry about that stuff, but to each their own.

Chase Jarvis, professional photographer and CEO of CreativeLive, once said, “the best camera is the one that you have with you.” You may have the greatest camera on the market, but if it’s not with you, it’s not the best travel camera.

Size and convenience will be your biggest reasons for choosing a smartphone camera as the best camera for travel. Chances are you’re already planning on taking it with you, so now there’s one less thing to have to insure or worry about.

Having such great cameras in our mobile phones now means that you don’t necessarily have to give up quality for the sake of convenience. With the ability to shoot in raw with apps like Lightroom, you don’t even have to sacrifice your editing capabilities after the fact.

You may never match the quality of a DSLR or a mirrorless camera, but with all of the new accessories like lenses and flashes, it could be good enough. You may not be able to pass these off to clients, but you’ll be able to print photo books of your adventures or have an epic Instagram grid.

With next to zero learning curve for this camera, it’s an excellent choice for anyone who doesn’t have the time or energy to devote to learning a new skill but wants to take some pretty pictures while exploring.

Our Favorite Mobile Phones That Have Great Cameras

Google Pixel 3

Point. Shoot. Repeat. A simple option that's great for travel.

Why Point and Shoot Photography?

The next step up in terms of both quality and size is the good old-fashioned point-and-shoot—the digital upgrade to those old disposable film cameras you’d bring to the zoo when you were a kid. The point-and-shoot is also sometimes referred to as a “compact camera.” This is our first step outside the smartphone cameras we all know and love, into the world of devices that do one thing and one thing only—take images.

The biggest selling point (hah) of a point-and-shoot camera is the size and weight. In terms of depth, it will generally be larger than your smartphone. But in every other way, it will be smaller. Many of the newer point-and-shoot cameras are slimmer and come close to the waistband of a smartphone. Finding a spot for it in your carry on bag or slipping it into your pocket as you head out the door shouldn’t be an issue.

A good point-and-shoot camera will give you some control over your settings if that’s what you’re looking for in your travel camera. If you’re not interested in spending time learning your camera, no big deal—the point-and-shoot camera is designed to be used by someone straight off the couch.

The price point is also much more approachable than some of the more serious options we’ll cover later in this guide. The point-and-shoot camera is smaller and less complex making it an easier pill to swallow when you throw down cash in search of the best travel camera around.

A point-and-shoot camera is still one of the most common cameras in the world. The reason for this is simply ease of use. Just like its name suggests, it’s designed to let you simply point in the direction of what you want to take a picture of and click the shutter. So easy, in fact, that your 102-year-old grandmother can take photos of you at your wedding even though she still can’t seem to check her email.

The simplicity of this camera means you probably don’t even have to look at the screen to see what you’re shooting, but we suggest you do. Chances are you’ll take better photos, but hey—go with what you feel. When you do look at your camera to set up that shot, you’re going to be looking at the LCD screen rather than the viewfinder, as most point-and-shoot cameras don’t even have a viewfinder anymore. Keep in mind that cameras without viewfinders will go through battery much quicker than one that has both (or one with no LCD screen, although that is almost non-existent at this point). If you have a viewfinder you can turn off the LCD screen to conserve a significant amount of battery life.

If your point-and-shoot camera does have a viewfinder, it will basically be a window through the camera body or right above. This means you aren’t looking through the exact same spot as your lens—it will take a bit of getting used to because what you are seeing is not what you are taking a picture of.

Photo by Adrienne Tam | Shot on a Canon S120

Point-and-shoot cameras come with a fixed lens, which means you will not be able to change lenses at any point. Most point-and-shoot cameras will have a zoom lens as their fixed lens, so you should still have some versatility with your camera. A zoom lens will give you a range of focal lengths (check the glossary if you need a refresher!) and will extend out of the camera body a little bit. What makes this different from the digital zoom found in mobile photography is that you are physically zooming in rather than just magnifying the pixels, which will give you better quality pictures.

The inability to upgrade or change out accessories, like your lens, can be a downside to a point-and-shoot camera. If you really want to dive into photography and fully explore what the medium has to offer, a point-and-shoot may not be the right camera for that. While easy to pick up and use, you’ll find yourself quickly hitting the limits of what your little camera can offer. If this sounds like you, we’d recommend moving on to the Mirrorless and DSLR sections of this guide.

On the other hand, if you’re just looking for something to document things while you’re traveling, this camera will do the trick. Not having to worry about changing lenses or packing accessories can be incredibly freeing while you’re on the road. For those looking to get off the grid, this can be a nice alternative to a smartphone camera as you can leave your phone—and the baggage that comes with it—behind. A point-and-shoot will also generally offer higher image quality than a smartphone.

One camera we have our eyes on is the Canon PowerShot SX730 HS . It’s an ultracompact point & shoot that weighs only 300g but still packs in 40x optical zoom and a tilt screen—which makes it an ideal choice for those looking for minimalist travel photography gear. This little camera can go from 24mm-960mm and still fit in your pocket. For someone looking to have a versatile travel camera, this is a great option. It will only shoot in JPEG, so if you’re looking to manipulate your images afterward, it may not be the camera for you. But if you just want awesome photos from a trip and you want to skip the processing time it could be a prime candidate for the best travel camera for you.

The size of your camera is a major consideration while traveling, and that is where the point-and-shoot really shines—it’s one of the smallest of all the camera kits out there. It won’t take up much space in your bag and can be easily concealed while you’re out and about, as it fits in most pockets.

“I’m a rock climber and my point-and-shoot is small enough to lock to my harness in a padded case and go up long routes. Climbing with the DSLR was a bit nerve-racking as I was always restricting my movement to avoid bumping it into the rock. Generally, the S120 is compact enough to carry on me almost all the time (even for daily use in the city when I do site inspections) without feeling bulky.” —Adrienne Tam, Architect and Photo Enthusiast

The smaller size also means that you’re not expected to purchase a beast of a camera bag to keep it safe. A simple small padded camera carrying case will do the trick, or wrapping it in a beanie or sock in your bag. You’ll want to make sure that there’s something around it to avoid damage, but you don’t have to get too extravagant. That being said, it’s never a bad idea to have a decent camera case with a built-in rain cover.

A downside to the smaller size is that it can be left behind, unnoticed. This could be devastating not just because you’ll be without your camera for important moments, but also because chances are there’s a memory card in that camera that contains some important bits you don’t want to lose track of.

Another downside is that point-and-shoot cameras aren’t known for their low light capabilities. The smaller sensor means that you’ll lose quality when the light starts to get too dim—your camera will kick in a higher ISO or slower shutter speed and your images will come out with digital noise, which is not a good look. Luckily, your camera comes with a built-in flash. This means that you can still take that portrait of your friend blowing out their birthday candles, as the flash will fill in any of the light you may be missing. Adding more light with the flash means your ISO can stay in a range, which will keep your images looking crisp and clean without any digital noise.

There are also other workarounds, like placing your camera on a tripod and increasing the exposure time rather than the ISO. A higher ISO generally means more noise, even though the photo is “brighter” on the LCD screen. Although the technology gets better every single year so give it time and this shouldn’t be an issue.

“Full manual control and enough dials to actually make use of it. I have been able to use it for long exposures in Iceland to capture the northern lights.” —Adrienne Tam, Architect and Photo Enthusiast

Traveling with a point-and-shoot camera should be as easy as changing a lightbulb. Being so small, there’s not really much to think about other than making sure it’s charged up. We’re pretty confident a point-and-shoot will fit into your carry on bag without any issues. Make sure you take extra batteries and memory cards—you don’t want to find yourself without them in a pinch.

Point and Shoot Gear We Can’t Live Without

Adrienne Tam's Point and Shoot Gear | Best Travel Camera Guide

You’ll be able to take your camera literally anywhere with this universal waterproof case. There’s a case designed for each type of camera, so make sure you choose the right one for the camera kit you have. Not only will this keep your camera safe if you get caught in the rain, you can also take it right in the water with you.

Compact and versatile, this tripod is a great option for traveling. It may look a little funny, but the design has a great purpose. This tripod doesn’t just stand on it’s own legs, it can also be wrapped around various objects to give you more versatility with where you’re shooting from. Want a birds eye view? Wrap it around a tree branch. We recommend size “500” for most point-and-shoot cameras, although there’s a ton of different sizes to choose from based on the size of your camera.

A low profile, rugged camera case. The pockets will hold extra batteries or memory cards, keeping them close and handy for when you need them. There’s also a rain cover tucked in the bottom of the bag so that if you do get caught in the elements, you can keep the important bits dry and safe.

This camera system is the second easiest to use, and one of the smallest. Both of these things make it an excellent candidate for travel. Is it the best camera for travel? We don’t like to deal in absolutes, but it’s definitely in the running.

If you’re seriously interested in photography and can see yourself wanting to upgrade and grow as you learn and experiment with your camera… you’ll be better off with a mirrorless or a DSLR camera. But if taking quick snaps to show your family when you get home from Mexico is your game plan, this camera couldn’t be a better choice.

Our Favorite Point and Shoot Cameras

Sony RX100 VI
Panasonic Lumix LX100
Canon G7 X Mark II

Who even needs mirrors anymore? These cameras pack a big punch in terms of quality while saving weight and space in your bag.

Why Mirrorless Photography?

Mirrorless cameras could be imagined as the middle child between the big, bad DSLR, and the young, innocent point-and-shoot. While they’re a little shy, you can just envision them growing into their skin and giving their older sibling a run for their money. In baseball terms, they’re in AAA, getting ready for their big break in the major leagues.

Okay, we’ll stop with the analogies. Mirrorless cameras are very similar to DSLRs in almost all regards but function a bit differently in terms of the actual mechanics. At the end of the day, DSLRs do tend to trump mirrorless cameras in terms of image quality and craftsmanship—but by a very, very small margin.

The most common reason for choosing a mirrorless camera setup is size & weight. These little gems are still producing quality images, but they’re significantly smaller and lighter than a DSLR. When mirrorless cameras first hit the scene, they were not able to provide the quality of images or focus speed as a DSLR, but they’re pretty darn close now.

Most mirrorless cameras weigh in at around 1.5lbs, and the average size is 3.5”x5”. That will definitely leave more room in your carry on for an extra sundress or your favorite pair of noise-canceling headphones.

Depending on your exposure to digital photography—especially in recent years—you may be thinking “What the heck is a mirrorless camera?!” A mirrorless camera is also commonly referred to as a compact camera system. It’s still a digital camera with interchangeable lenses, but it’s a lot slimmer, smaller and lighter than a DSLR camera. This makes it a perfect candidate for many of your travel photography needs.

But mirrorless cameras aren’t just for traveling—they’ve been adopted by a number of professional photographers as their main camera kit. There’s been a recent push for wedding photographers in particular to make the leap from DSLRs to mirrorless cameras, as the weight is much easier to handle during hour 12 of a wedding day. At the time of posting this, we are currently using a mirrorless camera for most of our YouTube videos (a Sony a6500 with wide lens kit , if you’re curious).

Bear with us here, we’re about to get a little technical. To give you some context, we’re going to explain how a mirrorless camera works by comparing it to the DSLR, its close cousin. If you’re interested in learning more about DSLRs in particular, you can check out the next section for a more in-depth look.

A DSLR uses an optical viewfinder and a mirror for you to see what you’re about to take a picture of. So the light comes through the lens, it hits the mirror and gets directed to your viewfinder. When you’re ready to take the photo, the mirror flips down to expose the sensor (or film if you’re using analog) and the light from whatever you’re shooting comes through the lens and hits the sensor, where it morphs into a digital picture. That is why when you click the shutter on a DSLR your viewfinder will go dark.

How does it go from light to image in the sensor? Magic. At least that’s what we’ve been assuming all these years.

The reason a mirrorless camera is able to get away with being so small is that it ditches the mirror inside the camera (clever name for it, huh? No mirror = Mirrorless). It uses a digital viewfinder rather than an optical one, so there’s no need for the mirror. This means that what you’re seeing is simply a digital representation of what is coming through the lens—just like an LCD screen. It also saves quite a bit of space.

How does a digital viewfinder work, exactly? How does it transform that light into some sort of digital feed that you can see? Well, buckle up because we are going to dive into all the specifics on this and totally blow your mind…

Just kidding. We have no idea. It’s magic.

The smaller body may be a plus for traveling and taking care of your body—especially for those of us who carry around a camera for 12+ hours a day—but when it comes to ergonomics, the size can sometimes be an impediment. The smaller body size gives you less surface area to wrap your hand around, which is great for people with small hands, but for some, it can be a little uncomfortable to hold onto for long periods of time. You’ll be using mostly your fingers to grip your camera, rather than your whole hand.

Tara Lilly | Wedding On The Mountain Top

This is a common complaint from people with larger hands who made the switch from DSLR to mirrorless. Besides being uncomfortable, this can also affect the stability of the camera, causing you to lose the ability to shoot with slower shutter speeds without noticing camera shake. One workaround for this issue is adding a battery grip, as it will extend your battery life and give you more area to hold onto your camera. This will nix the whole lighter and smaller quality of a mirrorless camera though, so you’ll have to weigh your options to decide which is best for you.

A mirrorless camera is going to be less expensive than a DSLR in terms of the body and all the lenses and accessories. Having fewer internal components plays a major role in this. The lowered cost of entry makes a mirrorless camera an excellent choice if you’re ready to step up in the photography world from a point-and-shoot or a mobile camera, but don’t quite have the budget for a beast of a DSLR.

Similar to a DSLR, a mirrorless camera allows you to manually manipulate the exposure and depth of field of your images. You can adjust things like ISO, aperture and shutter speed, giving you more creative control of how your images will turn out.

One thing to consider with mirrorless cameras is that you’re forced to rely on the digital viewfinder or the LCD screen to frame your image. There are definitely some perks to using a digital viewfinder/LCD screen, but also some downsides. One perk is that the screen often tilts, so if you’re vertically challenged you can lift the camera over your head and still see—as if you’re a foot taller than you actually are.

One final mention is that a lot of mirrorless cameras use a crop sensor, like the Fuji XT-3 . This isn’t a deal-breaker—in fact, if you haven’t used a camera much you may not even notice some of the differences.

What is a crop sensor? It literally means it crops the edges of the frame/photo. A full frame sensor is 35mm, just like the size of 135 film (which is the film you used in your grandpa’s film camera or that disposable you picked up for a birthday party). With a crop sensor, the focal length of your lens will be magnified from what it actually is, so a 35mm acts more like a 50mm, etc. If you’re switching from a full frame DSLR to a mirrorless, this may take a little bit of getting used to but will eventually become second nature.

“Size often comes at a cost—using a smaller sensor size in a camera makes for noisier images, especially when it gets dark out. Cameras at lower price points will lack certain features and performance that certain folks might find essential to their photo taking habits. You often get what you pay for in the camera world; however, skills and resourcefulness are always the most important.” —Jared Martin, Professional Architectural Photographer

There still aren’t as many options for mirrorless cameras as there are for DSLRs, which may make your decision process a little easier. The ones you’ll probably hear the most about are the SONY A7 Series and the FUJI XT Series. That’s not to say there aren’t more options out there, but these two brands have really paved the way for mirrorless cameras and continue to produce outstanding models. Both of them have well-built cameras that can create incredible images and equally stunning videos, making them strong candidates for the best travel camera.

When looking for a mirrorless camera, you’ll need to consider whether you want a fixed lens or a body that offers interchangeable lenses. Having a fixed lens mirrorless will add some challenges that can both hold you back and also challenge you to get better. It will force you to really move in order to get the image you want—your feet basically become the zoom. That being said, it could also put you in a position where you’re unable to take the photo you want because the focal length you have is just not enough to capture said image.

If you choose to go the other route, interchangeable lenses will allow you to give yourself more options for focal length—just like a DSLR. Don’t be deceived by the size or weight of the little lenses for a mirrorless camera. They still manage to take quality images with a sharpness you’ll be proud to share with your clients or print for your wall.

Here are some lenses to consider for your mirrorless camera. There will be more out there, and it may be a little overwhelming to choose if you’re new to this. If you’re really unsure about which one to go with, try renting from your local camera shop first to see what works best for you. Camera gear isn’t cheap, and it does start to lose its value almost immediately after purchase. Better safe than sorry.

Fuji 14mm 2.8: This will act more like a 21mm. This wide angle lens is great for landscapes.
Fuji 23mm F2: This will act like a 35mm lens for your crop sensor. A great story telling lens, it offers a wide perspective without distorting things.
Fuji 56mm F1.2: This will act like an 85mm lens. A perfect portrait lens.
Fuji 35mm F1.4: This will act more like a 50mm lens. It’s your all-around lens, usually referred to as the “normal” lens.

Many of the mirrorless cameras have taken a page from the film days in their styling. The Fuji XT-2 and Fuji XT-3 offer a silver & black model that could be mistaken for a 35mm film camera, except it’s not going to stop you from taking pictures after shot #24. Sidenote: how did we ever live with only 24 photos per roll? You would never have been able to get that perfect selfie.

And it doesn’t just look like a film camera, it has a similar feel too. If you have experience with a 35mm camera, you’ll probably ooh and ahh over being able to change your f-stop using the lens ring, rather than a dial on the camera body. This gets both hands involved, rather than relying just on your right hand like a DSLR does. Finally, someone is looking out for the lefties!

Mirrorless Accessories: Beef That Baby Up

Mirrorless cameras have the ability to be souped up with whatever accessories you choose. As they are relatively new, there are not as many options for accessories as there are for DSLRs, but that is likely to change. There are accessory options for both video and still imagery, depending on which you’re most interested in. To make this even more interesting, Sony has adapters for their camera bodies so you can use Canon lenses with your Sony mirrorless camera. This is not a common occurrence with Mirrorless cameras. For most cameras, you will need to purchase lenses from the same brand as your camera body.

Here are some common accessories to consider adding to your kit.

Battery Grip: As battery life can sometimes be an issue with mirrorless cameras, this is a great addition to your kit. Extend the life of your camera, while sacrificing weight and size. That being said, some people do like the additional weight and size as it can conform to your hand better and add a nice heft.
Remote Shutter Release: Most mirrorless cameras will have wifi and an app for your smartphone, allowing you to snap a photo from a distance with no chance of jostling things around with your sausage fingers.
Tripods: Being smaller and lighter than a DSLR, you can get away with a lighter weight tripod.
Camera Straps: Your camera will come with a strap, but feel free to upgrade this to something you feel more comfortable with. A wrist strap or a sling bag might be the right fit for you.
Camera Bag: Now that you have your camera, you should have a safe way to carry it around with you.
Extra Batteries: This is a big one for the battery gulping mirrorless cameras.
Extra memory cards: This one really applies to every camera kit that requires memory cards. Grab a few extra, you’ll thank us.
External Flash: So you can continue taking photos when it gets dark, or play with light in more interesting ways.
Lenspen: For cleaning your lens of dust and smudges.

Traveling With a Mirrorless Camera

You are going to love traveling with a mirrorless camera. It’s lightweight and small but takes pretty pictures. (Well, technically you take the pretty pictures, but it will definitely give you the ability to use your talents.) It’s like a DSLR and a point-and-shoot had a baby and that baby grew up to be badass and sexy as hell (is that weird?). This camera is small enough that it can easily fit in your purse—which means it’s great if you’re looking for minimalist travel photography gear.

Choosing a mirrorless model with interchangeable lenses will give you the most versatility while traveling. Unlike DSLR lenses, mirrorless camera lenses don’t take up much room in your bag, so you’ll be able to pack a few extras. You’ll definitely want to consider what you plan on photographing before you pick your lenses. If you’re mostly interested in landscapes, make sure you pack a wide angle lens like a 14mm, 18mm or a 21mm.

When packing your lenses, you can always tuck them into thick socks or a beanie if you want to maximize on space. And make sure you’re packing a number of extra batteries and memory cards so you don’t run into a situation where you’re without when you want to shoot. Also, you don’t want to forget your charger.

“All of my photography gear and electronics fit into an F-Stop Gear Small Pro ICU. When the ICU is put into a carry-on size roller bag, it only takes up about half the space. That leaves me enough space to carry all of my clothing and personal items to travel for a month at a time.” —Tara Lilly, Professional Wedding Photographer

Wedding Photographer Tara Lilly’s Mirrorless Camera Kit

Tara Lilly | Traveling Light Photography Gear | Best Travel Camera Guide

Hold Fast CameraSwagg Dual Camera Strap
2010 MacBook pro with custom SSD upgrade
Headphones and Lightning Charger
Universal Outlet Converter
Anker 4 port usb charger
Fujifilm XT2 Mirrorless Camera
Fujifilm X-Pro2 Mirrorless Camera
Western Digital My Passport Drives
3 Top-Max Dual chargers for Fujifilm NP-W126S Batteries
6 Fujifilm NP-W126S Batteries
Fujinon 23mm F2 Lens
Fujinon 35mm F2 Lens
Fujinon 56mm F1.2 Lens
Nikon SB800 Speedlight Flash
Small Pro ICU Camera Cube

Mirrorless Gear We Can’t Live Without

A camera backpack designed with organization and accessibility in mind. A great option for the photographer on the go, this pack has access points on the top and either side, so you can swing it around to get what you need without even taking it off. The interior is well padded and comes with a handful of dividers that you can use to customize the bag to your liking while protecting your gear.

A stylish and pocketbook-friendly strap for your camera. It will give you more padding than the strap that comes with your camera, and you’ll look good while wearing it. The retro-style helps match the look of your mirrorless camera. For around 10 bucks, you really can’t go wrong with this strap.

Once you’ve arrived at your destination and you’re out and about, you’ll need a place to keep your extra memory cards and batteries. The Field Pouch offers just that, but it’s also big enough for some mirrorless cameras and your lenses. It can strap to your belt or you can attach it to any of the peak design straps. It’s weatherproof and has a handful of pouches and zippered pockets to keep things organized and safe.

This aluminum alloy tripod is compact and sturdy, which makes it the best travel companion tripod. It comes in a travel case and can fold down to 12.6”, so it can easily pack into a backpack or a suitcase. At only 8.8lbs, this tripod won’t break your back and shouldn’t push you over your weight limit for plane travel.

Mirrorless cameras are new and exciting, especially for travelers. They’re quickly becoming a favorite amongst photographers, and there are lots of reasons why. Having almost all of the benefits of a DSLR without the same hefty price tag, weight, or size means it should be on your radar as a potential best travel camera.

As much as everyone believes lighter and smaller is obviously better, there are some cons to having a smaller camera body. The ergonomics of the smaller camera body can cause problems for some and have even caused photographers to make the switch back to a DSLR. It’s not as comfortable in your hands as you’d expect, especially if you have large hands.

Tara Lilly | Favorite Travel Destination

For traveling, the mirrorless is basically a dream come true. This DSLR and point-and-shoot baby will take up more room than a point-and-shoot or a smartphone, but it will also give you versatility and manual capabilities to take your photo game to the next level—which the other cameras just can’t give you. You can add and upgrade your kit as you go, making this a camera you’re not likely to grow out of anytime soon. Just make sure you invest in plenty of batteries, as these little guys do get hungry.

In a lot of ways, mirrorless cameras and DSLRs are neck and neck. For this reason, if you’re interested in taking spectacular images while traveling but can’t stomach the thought of lugging around the weight of a DSLR, it’s time to check out a mirrorless camera.

Our Favorite Mirrorless Cameras

Fujifilm X-T2
Sony A7R III
Panasonic Lumix GH5S

The big guns. The trusty DSLR can do it all... The question is, can you handle it?

Why DSLR Cameras for Travel?

The number one, overarching benefit of a DSLR is quality—both in terms of image quality and the build quality of the actual cameras and their components. A DSLR can take incredible photos in any environment you could think of, and with a bit of care and precaution, it can last a lifetime.

DSLRs offer a slightly ridiculous amount of versatility. At a basic level, a DSLR is a camera body with a lens attached—just like a mirrorless camera. This alone offers an incredible amount of versatility, as swapping lenses out can drastically change the nature of the camera and the photos you can take with it. DSLRs can work seamlessly with studio lighting, city streets, or wild landscapes. You can even turn these bad boys into little video-making machines if you grab the right tools.

And just like a mirrorless camera, DSLRs can be customized to best suit your needs with a variety of accessories, such as flashes or battery grips. The difference is that the amount of accessories available to DSLR users is miles ahead of what is currently offered for mirrorless cameras.

Keep in mind if you’re upgrading from a camera such as the Fuji XT-2 to the Fuji XT-3, you’ll need to upgrade your battery grip too, as the camera bodies are different sizes.

Are you starting to get the picture? (Pun intended.)

Of course, we can’t list all these benefits without a disclaimer. While the DSLR may seem like the perfect all-around package, it does come at a cost—both in terms of money, weight, and space. Jumping into the world of DSLR’s will mean buying a camera body, one or two lenses, batteries, memory cards, and maybe a few other doodads. This comes at a hefty price and will take up quite a bit of space and weight in your bag. Enough space that you may, in fact, need to commit one bag to hold all of your camera gear—which makes DLSR cameras a less-than-ideal choice for those who value minimalist travel photography gear.

That being said, the results speak for themselves. Nine out of ten professional photographers are rocking a DSLR setup. Wedding photographer? Yep. Portrait photographer? Check. That landscape photographer that takes the most unbelievable sunrise photos you’ve ever seen (and also makes you question what time they woke up)? They’re rocking a DSLR, guaranteed.

While the weight and size of a DSLR setup may deter some travelers, it is not uncommon to encounter one bag travelers that simply couldn’t leave their DSLR behind. Once you get your hands on one, there’s a good chance you’ll be a convert for life.

“As much as I would love to ditch some of the weight of my DSLR, especially when traveling, I just can’t find anything that I love as much and I can’t compromise on quality for my clients.” —Frances Beatty, Professional Wedding Photographer

DSLR stands for Digital Single-Lens Reflex. It’s an adaptation of the old camera you probably saw your grandfather use at family reunions. A marriage between analog and digital, the DSLR takes the mechanical elements of an SLR camera and adds in a digital sensor to replace the film found in an old analog SLR.

The two major components of a DSLR are the body and the lens. Inside the body, there’s a mirror that takes what the lens is looking at and either directs it to the viewfinder or the sensor, which makes this an optical viewfinder. What you see is what you get, in real-time.

All DSLRs have interchangeable lenses, which means the sky’s the limit for what and how you can shoot. For example, you can shoot portraits on the street one second and swap out your lens to shoot a beautiful landscape the next.

The choices when it comes to both camera bodies and lenses are pretty extensive. One of the reasons DSLRs are still the most popular type of camera to date is that you’re not limited to only one focal length—the camera kit can grow with you. You can easily start with the handy-dandy kit lens that comes with your camera at purchase, or slowly upgrade to some faster and better quality glass. There’s a lens for every purpose and every price point imaginable.

When choosing a lens you’ll want to work backward from what you plan to shoot. Start with the two main categories—zoom and prime—and then look into the actual numbers. If you’re new to photography, you might want to refresh yourself with the terms in our glossary.

Here are some examples of lenses you might want to consider for traveling. We’ve used all Canon lenses as an example. Other brands will have their own suite of comparable lenses.

Zoom Lenses

18-55mm f3.5-5.6 (kit lens): Comes with most entry-level DSLRs. It’s lightweight and will give you a good range of focal length. A good starter lens.
24-105mm f4 (kit lens): A standard lens that comes with most pro-level DSLRs if they come with a lens. Heavier and faster than the 18-55mm, the glass is better quality and provides a sharper image. A good step up if you’re interested in moving towards Pro.
24-70mm f2.8: Great for low light, and commonly used by professional photographers working in portraits or weddings.
70-200mm f2.8: A good range from portrait-telephoto. This is a heavy beast, but its low light ability is excellent, and it’s a sharp lens: Used by wedding photographers and videographers alike.
200-400mm f4: Telephoto. Mainly used by wildlife photographers.

Prime Lenses

24mm f2.8: Wide angle. Landscapes.
35mm f1.4: Storytelling. Used by many street photographers and wedding photographers.
50mm (f1.2- or 1.8): Standard lens. This focal length is very similar to what we see with our eyes. The aperture available on these lenses also make them a great option for low light.
85mm f1.4 IS: Portrait lens.
135mm f2: Telephoto for those hard to reach places.
400mm f4: Sports and wildlife.

DSLR Accessories: Down the Rabbit Hole

In addition to lenses, the DSLR system can be customized to best suit your needs with a handful of accessories, such as a flash or battery grip. It’s also designed to work equally as well with both studio lighting setups and natural light settings. On top of that, if you decide you want to switch gears from photography to videography, there are countless accessories to add to your DSLR to turn it into a little video-making-machine.

To give you an idea of the possibilities, below is a list of some of the accessories you can attach to your DSLR, in addition to the lens:

Battery grips
Remote shutter releases
Camera straps
Microphones
Video lighting
External flashes
A multitude of flash Accessories: bounce cards, filters, diffusers, softbox, tripods, triggers, grids, umbrellas…

“In my category of photography, I use flash—I have to have my 600EX flash with me at all times. And since I use flash throughout an entire day, I carry around an external battery pack. I also use a folding flash bracket because I need the flash to be above the lens at all times and I’m frequently switching between landscape and portrait orientation. The only other accessory that I sometimes use is a Gary Fong collapsible flash diffuser to soften my flash a bit.” —Corey Tenold, Professional Fashion Photographer

The Canon vs. Nikon Debate

As we mentioned in the beginning, quality is the main benefit of a DSLR. There are, of course, different options for quality at different price points—you get what you pay for, after all. DSLR camera bodies range from entry-level camera bodies to professional level. The Canon 5D Mark IV is a great example of a professional-grade DSLR that’ll cost a pretty penny, but with its 30.4 MP full frame sensor and 4K video, you should be able to take some unbelievable photos that you can enlarge to 20×30” without any issues. A similar camera—and another favorite of ours—is the Nikon D850.

Which brings up the Nikon and Camera debate. Before we get into trouble, we’d like to take a second to address this never-ending feud. For the uninitiated, Canon and Nikon are by far the two biggest DSLR brands out there. They are extremely close in quality—so close that it is virtually impossible to say that one is objectively better than the other—yet there is a strong divide in the photography community between Nikon users and Canon users.

Due to compatibility issues and brand loyalty, Nikon users tend to stay Nikon users and Canon users tend to stay Canon users. This is largely because it is difficult to mix accessories between the two brands and the expenses associated with switching teams. Once you pick one, you’re kind of stuck with it.

The unfortunate result is endless arguments between Canon and Nikon users over which brand is “the best.” Hop on to any photography forum and you’re bound to encounter some sort of Canon or Nikon bashing. It’s a topic that gets never-ending attention from photographers and may have even resulted in a black eye or two over the years.

There will always be the Canon vs. Nikon debate, but we don’t buy into that at Pack Hacker. The truth is they’re both great brands and build cameras that take great quality images. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. Both Canon and Nikon handle files differently. Nikon retains more details (or information) in the shadows of your images, whereas Canon will retain more information in your highlights. Neither one is right or wrong, but you will find you have a preference based on how you want your final images to appear. If you’re unsure of which brand suits you best, we’d recommend going into your local camera shop and trying them both out. One will most likely feel more comfortable in your hands.

“A large reason I use the Canon system is because a lot of other colleagues and studios I work with also use Canon, so borrowing gear is easy. Need a battery? No problem. Want to borrow a lens? No problem.” —Corey Tenold, Professional Fashion Photographer

Automatic and Manual: The Best of Both Worlds

One final benefit of a DSLR is that it has both automatic and manual settings. Like most cameras, the automatic settings are great for certain things, but they don’t allow you to have creative control over what kind of image you’re taking.

Just like mirrorless cameras, DSLRs are designed to give as much freedom as possible by giving you the ability to choose manual modes, auto modes or a cross between the two with modes like aperture or shutter priority. Auto modes are convenient, but they don’t allow you to have creative control over what kind of image you’re taking—which many consider a must.

DSLRs also allow you to shoot in Raw or JPEG, which makes a big difference depending on how you will ultimately be using the image. A raw image will capture far more information and give you more room to edit afterward, whereas JPEG compresses your image right away—meaning you’ll lose some of that editing capability.

MEC Uplink Jacket On a Canoe Trip | Frances Beatty

With most DSLR’s you can also shoot both RAW and JPEG simultaneously—the best of both worlds. This will eat up some of your memory, but then you have both to play with. If you’re new to photography and haven’t taken on the task of editing your RAW images yet, you might just want to stick with JPEG in the beginning for the sake of convenience. That being said, if you plan on trying out editing at some point the benefit of shooting RAW+JPEG is that you can always go back and edit old images once you’ve mastered your editing tools. You’ll have easy and quick access to the images you have just taken, but also be able to edit them to perfection later on. Bingo!

For most pros, the ability to shoot on dual cards is the real winner. This adds an immediate backup for all of the images they are taking for clients. For this case shooting RAW to both cards is probably the answer, that way if something becomes corrupt or lost, you still have a copy of all of the images to give to clients. You also have the option to shoot RAW on one card and JPEG on the other, or RAW+JPEG to both! It’s up to you to decide what works best for your workflow and how much space you’re willing to take up on your SD card(s).

Traveling With a DSLR

While DSLRs range in size & weight depending on which body or lens you have attached, they are generally the largest and heaviest of all the cameras in this guide. They pack the biggest punch in terms of image quality, but they can be cumbersome when traveling for long periods of time.

If you’re a big fan of traveling light, a DSLR may not be the beast for you. But as we mentioned before, many people find the superior quality outweighs just about everything else.

When considering a DSLR for travel, one thing to note is that body and lens sizes can vary quite a bit. This also means that the weight of your camera will differ greatly depending on what you choose.

When it comes to camera body sizes, there’s a huge variance in size & weight:

Canon Rebel t7i: 5.16” x 3.93” // 532g
Nikon D3400: 4.88” x 3.86” // 460g
Canon 5D Mark IV: 5.93” x 4.58” // 800g
Nikon D850: 5.75” x 4.88” // 1000g
Canon 1D Mark IV: 6.14” x 6.17” // 1230g

Keep in mind, that’s just for the body sizes. When you take different lenses into account there’s a ton of variability in kit size. Generally speaking, the biggest lens you’ll see will be telephoto lenses, which are mainly used by either sports or wildlife photographers. A Nikon AF-S 600mm 4.0, for example, comes in at a whopping 6.54” x 17” and 3810g—also known as “ginormous” in layman’s terms. On the flipside, smaller lenses, while lacking the ability to pick out rocks on the surface of the moon, can be drastically smaller. Take the Canon EF 50mm 1.8 as an example—it’s only 2.7” x 1.6” and 162g. A lens like that is certainly used for different types of photography, but if you don’t plan on doing a lot of birding on your trip to Iceland you might want to leave the telephoto at home.

If you’re curious about sizes or looking to make use of every inch in your one bag travel pack, you can compare different body sizes and weights at Camera Compare. A website that we find ourselves getting lost on with some regularity.

“Think about matching your setup with your needs and travel style. A DSLR and a quiver of lenses is awesome, but not if it doesn’t make it out of your backpack.” —Adrienne Tam, Architect and Photo Enthusiast

You’ll really have to think about what you’re planning on shooting and how you’d like to do so before you choose the lens you’re going to take with you. If you like versatility but don’t want to take more than one lens, you should definitely look into some zoom lenses.

Something like the Canon 24-105mm is a great option and will give you a good range of wide to telephoto. If you prefer the challenge of moving your body to get the right composition—rather than just zooming in—we’re massive fans of the Nifty Fifty by Canon . It’s a 50mm 1.8 lens that’s small, light and super purse happy. For a mere $150, you’ve got yourself a great little lens. It’s a classic for most beginners because of the price point, the shallow depth of field and the perspective, but it’s not just for newbies. This thing can pack a punch.

“I often travel with my nifty fifty as my only lens. It’s so light and I grew up shooting with a 50mm 1.8 so it feels like going home. The images are sharp and I love the perspective.” —Frances Beatty, Professional Wedding Photographer

If you’re sporting a Nikon camera, consider the D lenses . They’re more compact than the professional range of lenses and they’re light as a feather. They may not be as tack sharp as some of the heavier and more expensive lenses, but they’ll get the job done. They’re a staple for many professional photographers as well as hobbyists.

DSLR Gear We Can’t Live Without

Holdfast money maker.

A leather holster type camera strap, this allows you to carry two cameras at once—a favorite for wedding photographers. The even distribution of weight takes some of the pressure off of your neck and back, which is helpful on a 12 or 14 hour shoot. The hardware is tough and intended to take a DSLR with a professional lens, plus there is a redundancy tether that will be sure to keep your gear safe.

The leather looks sharp whether you’re dressed down for a less formal shoot or wearing a suit/dress at a wedding, looking like a total badass. There are also a number of options for colors, and they even make a vegan option!

“I get a lot of compliments while working. Lots of people liken me to Lara Croft, which I won’t complain about.” —Frances Beatty, Professional Wedding Photographer

This medium-sized backpack is a great option for anyone carrying around a good deal of lenses and gear with them. It’s got some great features for any urbanite photographer on the go, and we think it has a nice overall construction with some solid craftsmanship.

Pelican Memory Card Case (0915 and 0945) Review

A hard case is useful for keeping your memory cards safe from the elements and organized in one place. We like the Pelican because it’s waterproof and holds quite a number of cards. There are two different types of cases depending on which type of memory card you use, so make sure to get the right one.

Kelly Moore makes camera purses and bags that don’t look like your average camera bag. That makes this a favorite for traveling, as you’re a little less conspicuous. The Kate canvas bag comes with a removable camera cube, which makes things easy to organize. Depending on how you configure the cube, you can fit a number of items in there—we’ve been using this with a DSLR Pro body/lens and two additional lenses. The tough canvas doesn’t show signs of wear and tear very easily, which is also a big plus.

External Flash

If you’re a professional photographer or just interested in exploring what flash can do for your images, the Canon Speedlites or the Nikon Speedlites are great options. It’s easy to use but packs a punch.

You can use this flash in ETTL mode, which is a little like automatic mode—it will take your settings into account and fill in the light that you need. Or you can go old school with full manual mode! It has a swivel head to allow you to manipulate where the flash bounces, and there are a few options to power this bad boy. It also takes AA batteries, which is very convenient if you need to replace them while traveling.

“I have to have my Speedlites flash with me at all times.” —Corey Tenold Professional Fashion Photographer

A camera backpack made by photographers for photographers. This backpack can be your one-stop shop bag for long trips. The camera cube keeps your gear safe, and the rolltop leaves enough room for your personal belongings. There are multiple access points for easy access to your gear or laptop.

A crossbody strap for your camera. This strap is lightweight, designed with comfort in mind and will sit tightly against your hips when you’re moving around. It’s a great option for travelers.

The LaCie rugged hard drive is compact, fast, and designed to take a few hard hits. It’s crush, drop and rain resistant, which we hope won’t come in handy. The last thing you want while you’re traveling is to drop and destroy your backup—and this is why some professionals will even keep 2 hard drives on them while they’re on the go.

“I typically carry 2 hard drives with me. I have a portable that I typically leave at the hotel/apartment. And then I carry around a 1TB Samsung SSD portable for transferring/editing while I’m out and about. At the end of the day, I move my files from my SSD to my HD, and then clear the SSD for the next day.” —Corey Tenold, Professional Fashion Photographer

DSLR Apps We Love

Within the photography community, VSCO is best known for their lightroom presets that mimic old film stocks, but they also have an app. You can shoot directly in the app or add photos to it and edit them using presets created by VSCO. There are plenty to choose from, including some that match their lightroom presets and old film stocks like Kodak Portra or Fuji Pro. You can also manipulate other settings within the app and share it with the VSCO community. The VSCO app will give your photos that little extra spit and polish that can help them stand out against the masses.

“During dinner at weddings, I will use my camera’s wifi and send images directly to my phone to edit using either VSCO or the lightroom app. Then I’ll print it directly from my instax printer and have a print to give my clients in real-time. I love that I can leave my clients a couple of small prints in a thank you card on the day of their wedding.” —Frances Beatty, Professional Wedding Photographer

JPEGmini App

One thing you start to notice when you start getting into photography, whether as a hobby or as a career, is that there is never enough space. What seemed like an absurd amount of space at one point, quickly fills up with all of the amazing photos you’re taking. Memory isn’t super expensive, but it isn’t cheap either and it can add up quickly. No one loves being in that position where you have to decide if you’re going to keep those images of your nephew’s birthday, or delete them to make more room for your pictures from your latest trip to the Hamptons. Well! Luckily there’s an app for that (sorta). JPEG Mini is an app that compresses your Jpeg files without any loss. Tried, tested and true – you can compress a 32mb file down to under 10mb and still print it as a 30×40” print. You won’t even notice the difference. Better yet, it’s a drag and drop program, so it requires very little from you or you can install the plugin for lightroom and use it when you export your images. At this point it’s an industry standard, but it also comes in handy for personal use especially while traveling.

The DSLR world can be intimidating to newcomers, but the benefits largely outweigh the learning curve—which is not quite as steep as some may assume. Anyone interested in creating ultra high-quality pictures simply must consider a DSLR when looking to make their big camera purchase. It’s a no-brainer.

For both professionals and amateurs alike, the DSLR can cover a wide range of use-cases. Family vacation pics, full-fledged studio portraits, macro close-ups, jaw-dropping landscapes, and stunning city vistas…the DSLR can do it all. The possibilities—and the amount of gear/accessory combinations—are virtually endless.

When it comes to travel, the DSLR is a tricky item. Many minimalist travelers will still put up with the weight and size of a DSLR setup because they simply can’t give up the image quality. With the variety of lens and body sizes—plus a little research—you can almost certainly create a setup that accomplishes all of your photography needs while keeping in line with your weight and size budget.

That being said, many travelers—especially those in the ultra-light realm—either can’t stomach the additional weight, size, and price of a DSLR or they simply don’t need it. If high-quality images aren’t a priority, there are plenty of other low-weight options out there that will still give you great results.

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and a question of what your needs are. Do you travel with the goal of taking amazing pictures? Then you need to consider a DSLR. Do you travel to have amazing experiences and you’d like to document them every now and then? Other options will suffice, but a DSLR will give you some awesome photos—if you’re willing to sacrifice the space you will be pleasantly surprised with the quality you receive.

Are you only interested in taking food shots for Instagram? Well, you may not need a DSLR—although if you want to take the best food shots around… you guessed it, check out a DSLR.

Our Favorite DSLRs

Canon Rebel t7i
Canon 5D Mark IV

Whether you want to hit the skies or see your physical photos in real time, our list of supplemental cameras will add some spice to your life.

What About the Other Travel Cameras Out There?

While we have covered some of the most popular camera kits out there, we’re still just scratching the surface of what is ultimately available. Cameras have been around for a long time and there are many varieties available that are outside of the realm of what you might find in the average camera bag.

That being said, a truly comprehensive camera guide that includes every camera from throughout history would take years and years to develop. That sounds like way too much work for us, so we’ve decided to give you a quick overview of the more applicable “supplemental” cameras you might find out there.

When it comes to traveling and taking photos for professional or personal use, we’d recommend sticking to what’s listed in the overview guide above. But for those that are looking for something a little extra—either for their own pleasure or to capture photos in a truly unique way—check out our supplemental cameras below.

Film and Video

Film cameras have been around since the 1800’s. There’s still no digital camera out there that can compete with the quality of image you can get with a film camera. Accessibility is usually the biggest deterrent for people when it comes to picking up a film camera. Because you can’t preview the exposure or the image, you really need to know what you’re doing in order to avoid throwing away a whole roll of images. Film cameras are usually fairly cheap to pick up, but paying for the film and then developing it can sometimes turn people off. Most pharmacies still develop film, but for the serious photographer this won’t quite cut it—they’ll want access to a dark room to do it themselves.

While film cameras can be intimidating to newcomers, there is a certain appeal and nostalgia to film that many photographers like to indulge in from time to time. There’s a bit of risk involved, compared to digital cameras—you know that you’ve only got a few chances to get the shot. And at the same time, there’s some mystery as well—you don’t know what you’re actually going to get until you get into the darkroom.

While developing film on your own can be a process, it is also an experience that every true photographer should have at some point in their lives. The process is still the same as it was back then, and looking back, most of the iconic photos we know and love were discovered in the darkroom—not after the shutter clicked. Someone, at some point, had that image revealed to them in a tiny room under a red lamp, just like the one you’re developing your photos in now. That is pretty cool, if you ask us.

There are so many different types of film cameras out there. If you’re interested in dipping your toes into the film world, try a Fuji Instax camera. Everything is automatic in the camera and you get your images instantaneously.

Let’s be real, the whole world is going to be run by drones at some point. You’ll be receiving your groceries by drone in addition to using one like a carrier pigeon. Until that day comes, you should probably stick to exploring aerial photography and videography with a drone.

As they become more commonplace, the price tag of drones keeps coming down, along with the size. There is a bit of a learning curve with flying—and a mistake could mean losing your drone in the ocean—but once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty simple to use. Once you’ve got the flying down, you’re taking pictures from the SKY!

Drones are often used for sweeping landscape shots like you’d find in a Lord of the Rings movie, viewing “forbidden” areas from above, action sports sequences, or just providing a unique perspective. Mainly used for filming—but still equally good for stills—these cameras can assist in creating cool transitions and awesome overview shots. Do it right and you’ll have people thinking you rented a helicopter to get the shots you’ve created.

The DJI Mavic Air is a solid option for travel. Compact & powerful. There’s also the classic DJI Mavic Pro —another solid option.

“Do keep in mind that some countries require you to submit flight routes and there are many national parks that do not allow you to fly a drone (Banff, I’m looking at you).” —Frances Beatty, Professional Wedding Photographer

Action Cameras

Action cameras are designed to be right in the action—hence the name. These tiny cameras generally provide point of view (POV) video footage and still images by attaching themselves to something or someone. They are incredibly durable and oftentimes have completely waterproof cases that will allow the user to take them swimming, skiing, or on a boat. These cameras are incredibly popular with action sport aficionados as they can be attached to bikes, cars, helmets, or chests to give exhilarating footage that makes the viewer feel like they are in the shot themselves.

Most of these cameras do not have viewfinders or LCD’s, so you are often left guessing when taking a still image or quick video in your hands. Some models have smartphone apps that will provide a quick glimpse at what you’re shooting and can even upload images or videos directly to your phone. Image quality is surprisingly high, although these cameras tend to lack zoom or many settings at all, really.

The GoPro Hero7 is by far the most popular and well-known action camera, but there are a handful of others that are just as capable including the YI 4K+ Sports and Action Camera , YI Lite Action Camera (a little less robust) and the Sony FDRX3000 .

Disposable Cameras

A cardboard camera with film inside. It’s a super uncomplicated camera that you don’t really need to worry about damaging or insuring. These can be fun for taking snapshots during social events. Pass it around during a party or hand it to your kids to see what they see. They can also be a great way to remember a quick trip, as you’re guaranteed to have the physical prints in your hands at some point—as opposed to having them buried deep in your phone’s photo library. These prints may easily find their way into a picture frame or scrapbook, unlike your digital photos.

Instant Cameras

Shake it like a polaroid picture. Polaroid may not be around the way it used to be, but instant photography is making a comeback. It makes sense. Just like with vinyl, there’s been a real push back to analog after a point where it seemed like digital might make film obsolete. Instant cameras are really easy to use, with fully automatic cameras, but they provide you with an instant physical picture.

The downside? No duplicates. But that’s also kind of nice. Something to cherish.

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 is a good instant camera to have on the road. There’s nothing like meeting a new friend & creating a permanent memory with them within seconds.

That's a wrap!

The Final Decision: Choosing The Best Camera For Travel Photography

Whether you’re gearing up to snap a few pics with your smartphone or ready to buy a new lens for your DSLR, we hope this guide has helped steer you in the right direction towards finding the best travel camera kit for you. Traveling and photography go hand in hand, and quite frankly, if you’re not taking a few pics here and there during your world travels… You’re doing it wrong.

As you’ve probably noticed by this point, there is no one camera setup that works for everyone—just like there is no single “best” backpack. We encourage everyone to look at what they ultimately want from their photos, work backward, and try to decide what setup would suit them best. By no means do we expect you to have a clear solution just from reading this one guide, but we do hope that you have the knowledge to now help yourself figure out what the best travel camera is for you.

For the newer photographers out there, you may want to get yourself out to a store and hold some cameras in your hand. We love smaller, dedicated photography shops as opposed to the big tech retailers, because the folks there will have the expertise to give you quality advice depending on your situation.

And for the professionals out there, hopefully you’ve been able to get some insight into how you can travel around the world with your kit and augment it to suit your needs. If you have any good tips that you’d like to share, we are all ears. Feel free to drop us a line .

This Guide Was Brought to You By…

Frances beatty.

Frances is a thirty something wedding photographer living in small town Ontario with her husband. She’s a wedding photographer with some serious travel perks, and also the main creator of this guide! You can check out her website here .

Corey Tenold

Corey was born and raised in a small town outside of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Now, he’s based in New York City shooting for clients such as Vogue and Marc Jacobs. He looks at everyday things from a different perspective and believes that change inspires creativity. Check out his latest work here .

Jared Martin

Jared is a Professional, Real Estate, Architecture, and Interior Design Photographer. You can find him shooting anything from the intricate architecture in his home state of Minnesota to the mountain tops of Peru. Take a look at some of his work here .

Colin Field

Colin Field primarily shoots with a drone throughout his photography work and travels. He has bicycle toured through North and West Africa, taught English in Korea, worked as a bicycle courier in London, and hitchhiked throughout Australia and North America and more. Follow his latest adventures here .

Adrienne Tam

Adrienne is an Architect based out of Toronto. Whenever she gets the chance to hit the road, trips are focused around food, design, nature, and rock climbing. She’s learned the hard way that the climbing portion of traveling should probably occur before the eating, as gravity will get you every time. You can find some of her work here .

Tam is a self-taught mobile photographer and blogger. She captures small things, big things, and everything in-between. You can find her in Vietnam snapping photos of food and sharing her tips through Airbnb experiences .

Tara is a Whistler based wedding photographer that loves to travel and live in a van every chance she gets. She can get completely lost in the projects she is passionate about when she’s doing something she loves and can fall asleep faster than anyone on an airplane. Take a look at her work here .

Author: Pack Hacker Team

We find and test the best gear for travel based on form, function and aesthetic. We believe the best trips start with quality gear, regardless if you’re traveling for business or pleasure.

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The best travel cameras for 2024

Andy Westlake rounds up our pick of the best travel cameras for trips long and short, vacations and all other adventures

Welcome to our guide to the best travel cameras and holiday cameras! Here, we are going to be running through our picks for the best small and light cameras to take away with you. A full camera setup tends to be too bulky and heavy to use on a photo trip or vacation, while a smartphone will generally be too restrictive in terms of what it can capture (and never mind the battery). A dedicated travel camera is the ideal solution.

At AP, our review team tests cameras of all types, and that includes travel cameras. DSLRs, mirrorless models and compact cameras have all passed across our testing bench, and we’ve chosen the best of the best for this guide. This doesn’t just mean the most expensive premium models – after all, travel is expensive enough without having to add a whacking great camera bill on top.

Of course, you do have to spend a bit of money to make sure you get something worth buying. So, we’ve put together a list to suit a range of budgets, including new models and older ones that have come down in price. However, every camera on here has one thing in common – it impressed our reviewing team enough to earn their recommendation.

We’ve got plenty of advice for taking better travel images here .

How to choose the best travel camera or holiday camera

So what features might be most desirable for a travel camera? Small size and light weight are a given, and we’ve assumed that most users will prefer using a zoom lens , quite probably with an extended range. This could be complemented by a couple of small primes , for shooting in low light or going out in the evening. It might also make sense to add an ultra-wideangle zoom for architecture, landscapes or interiors.

As such, where we’ve picked an interchangeable-lens camera , we’ve also provided a lens recommendation, generally one that you can buy bundled with the camera. The fixed-lens compact cameras we’ve picked generally have generous zoom ranges , with the exception of the Fujifilm X100V, which is loved by travelling street photographers for its super-sharp 35mm prime. This is one we’d recommend for city breaks rather than countryside hikes.

In general, the cameras we’ve chosen in this guide also include fully manual control , a built-in viewfinder and raw format image recording . In order to attain a certain level of image quality, they also use sensors of the 1-inch type or larger . The one exception is the Olympus Tough TG-6, which we have chosen as the best bet for a waterproof camera . Going to be spending most of your time snorkelling on the beach? That one is your best bet.

Read on for our choice of the best travel cameras and holiday cameras that are available right now, including both high-end pocket cameras and lightweight mirrorless models teamed up with versatile zoom lenses.

Where to find the best travel and vacation cameras:

Best waterproof travel camera: Olympus Tough TG-6 – check best price
Best fixed-lens compact for travel: Fujifilm X100V – check best price
Best zoom compact for travel: Panasonic LX100 II – check best price
Best point and shoot for travel: Panasonic Lumix TZ200 / ZS200 – check best price
Sony RX100 VII – check best price
Best all-in-one travel camera: Sony RX10 IV – check for best price
Best DSLR for travel: Nikon D5600 – check best price
Best travel camera for enthusiasts: Fujifilm X-S10 – check best price
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III – check best price
Nikon Z 5 – check best price

The best travel cameras and vacation cameras: our full list

Olympus tough tg-6 – $489 / £399.

Olympus Tough TG-6 (Red) Lego for scale. Photo Joshua Waller

At a glance

25-100mm f/2-4.9 lens
12MP 1/2.3in sensor
ISO 100-12,800
20fps continuous shooting
3in, 1.04m-dot screen

The Olympus Tough TG-6 is different from the other cameras included in this round-up, as it employs a relatively small sensor, which means it won’t give anywhere near the same image quality. It also does without a viewfinder, relying solely on a fixed rear screen instead. But it makes our list simply because it’s the best rugged camera you can buy right now.

Key to its attraction is its sheer robustness. The TG-6 is waterproof to 15m, shockproof to a drop from 2.4m, freezeproof to -10°C, and crushproof . So you can use it without any worries on the beach or in the sea. It also boasts impressive close-up capability and an extensive range of underwater modes, plus an extensive range of lighting and lens accessories.

For outdoor adventurers, it also includes a suite of environmental sensors that allow you to keep track of your travels, including GPS with a compass, a thermometer and an accelerometer.

Read our full review of the Olympus Tough TG-6 .

What we like:

Supremely rugged build
Has optical zoom (many tough compacts don’t)
Useful environmental features

What we don’t like:

Small sensor
No viewfinder

Jellyfish, taken with the Olympus Tough TG-6 one of the best travel cameras

Jellyfish, taken with the Olympus Tough TG-6, photo Joshua Waller

Take a look at other waterproof and underwater camera options here: Top 12 Best Waterproof and Underwater Cameras

Fujifilm X100V – $1,399 / £1,339

Best travel cameras and holiday cameras: Fujifilm X100V

The Fujifilm X100V is a premium compact camera beloved of street photographers.

At a glance:

35mm equivalent f/2 lens
26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor
ISO 80-51,200 (extended)
11fps continuous shooting
Hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder
3.2in, 1.62m-dot tilting touchscreen

Among all the cameras covered in this article, the Fujifilm X100V is unique, as it’s the only one with a fixed, single-focal-length lens . Usually for travel we presume photographers will prefer a zoom, ideally with an extended range to cover a broad array of subjects. But the X100V is different.

With its APS-C sensor, fixed 35mm equivalent lens, and classic rangefinder-like styling, it embraces a different way of shooting. It’s all about working with a fixed angle of view, and ‘zooming with your feet’ to find your pictures. It’s not for everyone, but for some photographers, it’ll be perfect.

While the X100V looks very much like the previous four models in the X100 series, it brings some significant improvements. Its redesigned lens is sharper, especially at close focus distances, and it gains a tilting rear screen that’s great for discreet, unobtrusive shooting.

Thankfully these upgrades don’t come at the detriment of the camera’s other major attractions, which include analogue dials for shutter speed, ISO, aperture and exposure compensation, and Fujifilm’s unique hybrid viewfinder that gives a choice of optical or electronic viewing.

Despite its old-fashioned good looks, the X100V is packed full of up-to-date features . It’s capable of 11fps shooting, 4K video recording, and face- and eye-detection autofocus. It also benefits from Fujifilm’s superb colour rendition, with a full array of Film Simulation modes on board to provide a variety of different looks.

And for those who really can’t do without a few different lenses, optional wideangle and teleconverters are available, giving 28mm and 50mm equivalent views.

Read our full review of the Fujifilm X100V.

Sublime image quality
Super-sharp lens
Has nailed the street photography feel
Expensive for a compact

Image: Michael Topham

Panasonic LX100 II – $849 / £859

Best travel cameras and holiday cameras: Panasonic LX100 II

The Panasonic Lumix LX100 II

24-75mm equivalent f/1.7-2.8 lens
17MP Four Thirds sensor
ISO 100-25,600 (extended)
11fps shooting
2.76m-dot EVF
3in, 1.24m-dot touchscreen

If you love the idea of an X100-like camera, but can’t live without a zoom, then the Panasonic Lumix LX100 II might just be for you. It boasts a similar array of external controls for shutter speed, aperture and exposure compensation, and incorporates a corner-mounted 2.76m-dot electronic viewfinder. But it also includes a 24-75mm equivalent optically stabilised zoom lens with an unusually fast f/1.7-2.8 aperture. This is particularly impressive given that the camera employs a relatively large Four Thirds type sensor.

One unique feature of the LX100 II lies with the way that it uses its sensor. It employs a multi-aspect ratio design that, at the flick of a switch on the lens barrel, can toggle between 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 settings , all with the same diagonal angle of view, and therefore progressively wider horizontal views. There’s also a 1:1 option for those who enjoy shooting square-format images.

While the LX100 II is very much designed for stills shooters, it also offers 4K video recording , although with a 1.25x crop. Panasonic’s various 4K Photo modes are on board too, in effect shooting 8MP JPEGs at 30fps. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are built-in for connecting to your smartphone.

The real attraction of the LX100 II, though, lies in just how pleasing it is to shoot with, thanks to its robust metal build and engaging control layout. It also delivers fine image quality. For enthusiast photographers who’d like a zoom compact camera that offers lots of manual control and creative potential, there’s nothing else quite like it.

Read our full review of the Panasonic Lumix LX100 II .

Clever multi-aspect sensor
Robust metal body
Fast f/1.7 lens for low light
Somewhat restricted zoom range
Quite bulky for a camera of this type

Panasonic Lumix TZ200 / ZS200 – $697 / £679

Best travel cameras and holiday cameras: Panasonic Lumix TZ200 in hand

The Panasonic Lumix TZ200 is portable and agile, but boasts a hefty zoom range.

24-360mm equivalent f/3.3-6.4 lens
20.1MP 1in sensor
ISO 80-25,600 (extended)
10fps continuous shooting
2.33m-dot viewfinder

Panasonic originally invented the long-lens, pocket-sized ‘travel zoom’ camera, and the TZ200 (or ZS200 in the US) is the ultimate expression of this concept. Like its predecessor the TZ100, it adds a 20MP 1-inch sensor into the mix, to provide considerably improved image quality compared to its cheaper siblings with smaller sensors, such as the TZ95.

But it improves on the TZ100 with a longer 24-360mm equivalent zoom (compared to 25-250mm) and a larger, higher-resolution electronic viewfinder, yet without noticeably increasing in size. For those who can’t afford the TZ200, the TZ100 remains an attractive proposition for £389.

In contrast to its sibling the LX100 II, the TZ200 is very much a point-and-shoot at heart. But it still offers lots of manual control, including a full set of exposure modes and raw format recording. It’s capable of shooting at 10 frames per second, or 7fps with live view between frames. A vast array of features is available for those who’d like to experiment further, including panoramic, multi-exposure, intervalometer and even stop-motion animation modes.

As usual, Panasonic has included 4K video recording, along with its unique 4K Photo mode that allows 8MP JPEGs to be captured at 30fps.

Crucially, the TZ200 gives attractive images, particularly in bright, sunny conditions. It’s also more usable than you might expect in low light, as while the lens’s aperture isn’t especially large, the optical image stabilisation is extremely effective. It’s a great choice for when you just want to carry a pocket point-and-shoot camera but not skimp on zoom range.

Huge zoom in a tiny body
Clever 4K Photo modes
Effective optical stabilisation
Pricier than TZ100
Lens aperture tops out at f/3.3

Sony RX100 VII – $1,298 / £1,049

Best travel cameras and holiday cameras: Sony RX100 VII

The RX100 VII benefits from a pop-up viewfinder.

24-200mm equivalent f/2.8-4.5 lens
20MP 1in sensor
2.36m-dot pop-up EVF
3in, 921k-dot tilting touchscreen

Sony’s RX100-series compact cameras are famed for the way they fit an awful lot of technology into a small, pocketable package. The latest model in the range exemplifies this, with a 24-200mm equivalent f/2.8-4.5 zoom, a 20MP 1-inch stacked CMOS sensor, a pop-up electronic viewfinder and a tilting rear screen, all in a body that’ll slip neatly into a jacket pocket.

What’s more, it’ll shoot at 20 frames per second and record 4K video. Compared to its predecessor, it gains an upgraded sensor that enables Sony’s AI-based tracking autofocus, along with a socket for an external microphone and a few interface improvements. Otherwise, the older RX100 VI offers most of the same features for a slightly more affordable £849.

With 357 phase-detection AF points covering 68% of the frame and Sony’s Real-time Eye AF and Real-time Tracking on board, the RX100 VII has the most sophisticated autofocus of any compact camera . Set it to continuous focus and tracking, and you can almost forget about having to move the AF area or change focus modes ever again. This is very welcome, as in many respects the camera’s ambitious feature set has rather outgrown its simple control layout.

One area where the RX100 VII excels lies with composing your images, thanks its large pop-up viewfinder and tilting rear screen. The lens is a strong performer too, especially when stopped down. Crucially, the camera delivers attractive images which are a noticeable improvement over older Sony models in terms of colour rendition.

Class-leading autofocus
Pocketable form factor
Great viewfinder and screen
Still very pricey
RX100 VI will do most of the same stuff for less money

Sony RX10 IV – $1,698 / £1,499

Best travel cameras and holiday cameras: Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV - Image: Andy Westlake / AP

Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV. Photo credit: Andy Westlake.

24-600mm equivalent f/2.4-4 lens
24fps continuous shooting
2.35m-dot viewfinder
3in, 1.44m-dot tilting touchcreen

For photographers who’d like an all-in-one camera with a long zoom lens , but who are prepared to carry something the size of a DSLR, there’s nothing else quite like the Sony RX10 IV .

Its 24-600mm equivalent optically stabilised lens offers immense versatility and reach, yet still boasts a usefully fast f/2.4-4 aperture . Meanwhile its 20MP 1in stacked CMOS sensor provides a combination of fine image quality and breathtaking speed. The camera also incorporates Sony’s sophisticated autofocus systems, including eye AF for both humans and animals.

The RX10 IV handles well too, with a large, comfortable handgrip. Three rings arranged around the lens barrel control zoom, focus and aperture, and there’s a dedicated exposure compensation dial perfectly placed for operation by your thumb. Focus area selection is handled using either the touchscreen or the rear d-pad. The viewfinder is decently large and gives an accurate preview, while the screen tilts for low-angle shooting.

To fully understand the RX10 IV’s attraction, though, we need to consider how it compares to mirrorless or DSLR alternatives. Quite simply, none can match its zoom range without changing lenses . What’s more, few other cameras get close to its ability to shoot at 24 frames per second with continuous autofocus and a vast 110-frame raw buffer.

The silent electronic shutter provides speeds as fast as 1/32,000sec while minimising any risk of subject distortion. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi provide smartphone connectivity, and as the icing on the cake, it’ll record 4K video. It’s without doubt the best bridge camera that’s ever been made.

Read our original review of the Sony RX10 IV

Incredible built-in zoom range
Fast burst and big buffer
Comfortable, well-engineered handling
Very expensive for a fixed lens

Nikon D5600 + 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 lens – $969 / £749

Best travel cameras and holiday cameras: Nikon D5600 and 18-140mm lens

The 18-140mm lens transforms the D5600 into a travel photography powerhouse.

24.2MP APS-C sensor
ISO 100-25,600
5fps continuous shooting
Optical pentamirror viewfinder
3.2in, 1.4m-dot fully articulated touchscreen

Some photographers still prefer a traditional DSLR with an optical viewfinder, and Nikon’s D5600 provides a solid specification in a portable package. What’s more, it can be bought in a kit with a versatile 18-140mm kit zoom, offering a 27-210mm equivalent range, for just £749. As the icing on the cake, Nikon’s SnapBridge connectivity can transfer all your pictures automatically to your smartphone , making sharing your adventures a breeze.

In terms of key features, the Nikon D5600 boasts a reasonably solid specification. Its 24.2MP sensor goes up to ISO 25,600 and supports continuous shooting at 5fps. Autofocus employs a 39-point phase-detection system covering the central region of the frame, while metering is handled by a 2,016-pixel RGB sensor.

One area where the D5600 shows its age, though, is with regards to video recording, which is Full HD only, rather than 4K. Recent mirrorless models undoubtedly offer more, but on the other hand, they can’t match the D5600’s impressive 820-shot battery life.

In general the D5600 delivers attractive images, with warm, saturated colours and plenty of detail. It handles nicely too, with the responsive touchscreen making up for a relatively simple set of external controls. Those who’d like to add extra lenses are well served by Nikon’s sizeable F-mount range , including the affordable AF-P DX-Nikkor 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR wideangle zoom and the AF-S DX-Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 G. The latter would nicely complement the zoom for low-light shooting. See our guide to the best Nikon F-mount lenses for more ideas.

Read our original review of the Nikon D5600

Solid DSLR handling
Good connectivity features
Well-priced
Price may go up as it gets harder to find
Middling video spec

Fujifilm X-S10 + 16-80mm f/4 lens – $1698 / £1,399

Fujifilm X-S10 in hand, Photo: Andy Westlake

26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor
2.36m-dot viewfinder
3in, 1.04m-dot fully articulated touchscreen

For enthusiast photographers who’d like a small, lightweight camera that handles well and offers excellent image quality , the Fujifilm X-S10 is extremely appealing. Styled to look and work very much like a shrunken DSLR, it offers most of the features of the firm’s flagship X-T4 in a considerably smaller body.

It comes in kits with various lenses, with prices starting from just below £1,000 for the XC 15-45mm power zoom. We’ve picked the most versatile kit zoom option, the XF 16-80mm F4, which provides a 24-120mm equivalent range.

Based around Fujifilm’s unique 26MP X-Trans CMOS sensor, the X-S10 delivers the firm’s signature attractive JPEG colour rendition. It even has a dedicated dial to select between the various Film Simulation modes, which provide an interesting range of different looks. Other highlights include 5-axis in-body stabilisation that works with every lens, and a fully articulated screen for shooting at unusual angles. When it comes to video, 4K recording is available at up to 30 frames per second.

With its prominent handgrip, twin control dials and joystick for positioning the focus area, the X-S10 provides the kind of handling that should satisfy experienced photographers. Fujifilm also makes the best available range of lenses for the APS-C format, including a nice set of compact primes.

What’s more, the major third-party lens makers have also recently started to support the firm’s X mount, with some interesting optics now available from Samyang, Sigma, and Tamron . This makes the X-S10 a great choice for existing DSLR users looking for a smaller camera.

A newer model, the Fujifilm X-S20 has recently been released and our review team found that when choosing between both models it depends if you’re planning on doing video content, particularly travel vlogging , ‘If you already have the X-S10 and are primarily a stills photographer, then the X-S20 may be overkill for you, but for the budding or experienced videographer, vlogger, and live streamer, the X-S20 hits it out of the park, with a cracking set of video features that really takes it to the next level.’

Read our original review of the Fujifilm X-S10 and how it compares to the newer Fujifilm X-S20 .

Eye-catching images straight out of camera
Excellent X-mount lenses
Effective stabilisation
Still quite pricey

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III + 14-150mm lens – $1,498 / £1,299

Best travel cameras and holiday cameras: Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is one of the best Micro Four Thirds cameras you can buy.

20.4MP Four Thirds sensor
ISO 64-25,600 (extended)
3in,1.04m-dot fully articulated touchscreen

Olympus cameras have traditionally offered high performance in a compact form factor, and the E-M5 series delivers on this principle particularly well. Like its predecessors, the Mark III is unique in being extremely small and lightweight, while still having a fully weather-sealed body and a good set of external controls. What’s more, you don’t have to spend a huge amount of money to get a matching sealed lens.

Buy it in a kit with the 14-150mm f/4-5.6 II, and you get an extremely useful 28-300mm equivalent lens that’s also dust- and splashproof. If you’re prepared to spend a bit extra, there’s even a 12-200mm superzoom that offers a massive 24-400mm equivalent range. Despite its small size, the E-M5 III doesn’t skimp on features.

Its 20MP sensor includes on-chip phase detection that provides 121 focus points spread across the entire image area. You get 10 frames per second shooting, a decently large viewfinder, and a fully articulated screen. As usual from Olympus, the camera also produces very attractive JPEG images , with well-judged exposure and white balance that complement the firm’s signature punchy colour reproduction.

Micro Four Thirds models inevitably give more visible image noise at high ISOs, but this can often be offset by the superb 5-axis in-body image stabilisation, as it allows you to shoot handheld at remarkably slow shutter speeds. There’s also a good range of affordable f/1.8 prime lenses available for low-light shooting that’ll take up next to no space in your bag. There is also a good choice of lenses .

Read our original review of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Exceptional stabilisation
Loads of lenses available
Weatherproof body
Unavoidably small sensor

Nikon Z 5 + 24-200mm f/4-6.3 lens – $2,193 / £2,029

Best travel cameras and holiday cameras: Nikon Z5 with 24-200mm lens

The Nikon Z 5 is the only full-frame camera on our list.

24.3MP full-frame sensor
ISO 160-51,200
4.5fps continuous shooting
3.69m-dot viewfinder
3.2in, 1.04m-dot tilting touchscreen

If you really can’t do without full frame, the latest mirrorless models are ideal for travel , as they’re smaller and lighter than their DSLR counterparts. It’s also possible to get all-in-one superzoom lenses for them that deliver very creditable results. We’ve chosen the Nikon Z 5 , as it’s available in a kit with the firm’s Z Nikkor 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR for a decent discount over buying the two separately.

The lens has a slightly shorter zoom range than its Canon and Sony counterparts, but provides a welcome weight reduction in return, of about 200g. While the Z 5 counts as Nikon’s ‘entry-level’ full-frame mirrorless body, it doesn’t give up a huge amount compared to the more expensive Nikon Z 6 .

Its 24MP sensor resolves just as much detail in good light, and while it falls behind in terms of noise performance at the highest sensitivities, it’s still perfectly usable at ISO 12,800. However, its maximum shooting speed of 4.5fps looks rather pedestrian by today’s standards, meaning it’s not the best choice for fast action or wildlife. It’s also only able to record 4K video with a significant 1.7x crop.

In other respects, though, the Z 5 maintains most of what makes Nikon’s mirrorless cameras so attractive. The body may be small, but it has plenty of external controls, along with a lovely large viewfinder and a tilting touchscreen . Dual SD card slots offer the option of backing up your images for peace of mind, while in-body IS means you can often do without a tripod. A range of fine fast primes is also available for low-light shooting.

Read our original review of the Nikon Z 5 here

Satisfying controls and handling
Does well in low light
Gorgeous full-frame images
Pedestrian burst rate
Vicious crop into 4K video

Take a look at our latest buying guides for more great options.

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Berty Mandagie with Leica SL2 - Travel Photography Gear Guide

The Foolproof Travel Photography Gear List (8 Essential Tech Categories)

Post Summary: Our Current Travel Blogging Photography Gear List

Have you ever been curious about travel blogging or starting your own travel photography business ? Or simply wondered what travel photography gear we use?

Some of our most asked questions here on the blog and on our Instagram have been around photography. What cameras we capture with, what lenses to choose, how we edit, etc.

Well, you asked and we answered!

This post is a definitive list of all the travel photography gear we use for our travel blogging process. We’ll break down the best cameras and lenses for travel photography, best travel photography accessories, backpacking, and more right here!

Before We Begin:

This list may look different for you depending on what your goals and interests are for your photography journey. In this post, we thought it would be fun to share a little bit about our gear with you.

Maybe it will inspire you to try a new lens or experiment with a new accessory! Whatever works for you – photography looks different for everyone.

Another thing to note – this is a collection we’ve acquired through many years of upgrading gear and saving up .

You DO NOT need everything on this list to take beautiful photographs! We have also provided affiliate links to these products, which means if you click, we can keep this blog running. Thank you!

Our Ultimate Travel Photography Gear List

Travel Camera Bodies

So, how do you choose the best camera for travel photography? We’ve discovered that many of our professional travel photography friends don’t actually shoot with the same gear!

Each of the big brands (Canon, Sony, Nikon, FujiFilm, Panasonic, Leica, etc) have their own unique features and capabilities. It’s important to read up on each (Youtube video comparison videos work great for this!) before making a decision on the brand(s) that are right for you.

Personally, we shoot with Canon and Leica. We’ll describe their uses and features below, and that will be the majority focus of this post.

Read More: Travel Photography: 8 Easy Practices To Enhance Your Images

Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 5D Mark IV : See Prices at B&H Photo Here

The Canon 5D Mark IV is our default DSLR camera body. With wifi capabilities, mobile app options, and a touchscreen LCD monitor, it’s been extremely convenient to use when traveling. This camera is able to shoot 4K video and 30 frames per second, but we personally have chosen it for it’s color profile!

It also has a weather-sealed body, which is essential for those rainy hikes in Washington !

Canon EOS R

Canon EOS R : See Prices at B&H Photo Here

The Canon EOS R series is Canon’s mirrorless camera . It has a weather-sealed body, which means we were able to take it on Pacific Northwest hikes and not worry about the rain ruining our travel photography gear!

The one downside of having a DSLR camera AND a mirrorless one is that a Canon Mount Adapter is needed to use the Mark IV’s EF lenses on R series.

The Canon R series uses RF lenses, so you’ll have to get this adapter to use the EF lenses you already own, or start your travel photography gear list with a mirrorless camera and only purchase RF lenses.

Leica Q2: See Prices at B&H Photo Here

The Leica Q2 is arguably the best camera for travel and street photography.

Its small size makes it easy to stow away in virtually any travel bag and makes it less intimidating to strangers when snapping photos. While it’s small, it packs a huge punch, with a 47.3MP full-frame sensor and a 28mm fixed lens creating true-to-eye images. (no distortion)

The price, however, is quite steep if you are just a casual travel photographer. For a more affordable compact camera for travel, consider the Fujifilm XT200.

Canon Powershot G7X Mark III

Because of our busy travel schedule, we wanted to get a camera that fits easily in a pocket and could take really good quality video. We occasionally use it to post on our Youtube channel , but it’s also a fun way to grab candid moments and fun videos for our personal use.

We captured a fun video when hiking Mount Storm King trail in the Olympic National Park , and this Canon Powershot G7X is a super convenient way to capture video is a low-key and natural way.

Best Travel Film Cameras

Leica m6 film camera.

Leica M6 - Our Travel Photography Gear List

The Leica M6 is our go-to range-finder film camera. What makes this camera special is that the Leica M6 is a fully-mechanical camera, and also has a battery for automatic light metering. That means this camera will still work even when the battery is dead, so you can still continue shooting without the metering.

For more of our film camera choices, we’ve made an extensive list of resources below to learn more! The 12 Best Beginner Film Cameras (Under $500!) The 12 Best 35mm Film Stock For Incredible Images How To Store And Develop Film The 23 BEST Gifts for Film Photographers

Buying Used Camera Bodies

Don’t have the $$$ to buy them brand-spanking new? Try buying used through B&H , Adorama , or trade in your old lenses or camera bodies for a deeper discount.

We wouldn’t recommend buying off of Craigslist – we’re not saying it’s impossible, but with a piece of equipment as expensive as a camera, it’s smart to know exactly what you’re buying.

Buying through a trusted brand will give you more transparency. They will also let you know exactly the condition your used item is in, and that’s not always the case when purchasing from a private party. Be safe!

Best Lenses For Travel Photography

When choosing camera lenses for travel photography, we require a solid mix to fit a lot of situations.

Most of our travel photography camera lenses have been acquired over several years of collecting and adding to our arsenal as we expand our business.

When choosing travel lenses, think about the kind of photos you enjoy taking. Do you like being outdoors? Taking portraits? Shooting wildlife in nature like NatGeo photographers?

You certainly don’t need all of these listed – read on to the descriptions and consider what will benefit you and your personal work !

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 : (versatile lens)- Used for large landscapes, wide angles – you can see examples in this post .

Canon 50mm f/1.2 : (prime lens) This one is primarily used for weddings and portraits, mainly by Berty.

Canon 35mm f/1.4 II : (prime lens) This one is my (Emily’s) personal favorite. I love the soft background it creates when I’m focusing on something up close. With this lens, you can really pay attention to detail with sharp precision.

Canon 17-40mm f/4 : (Wide lens) Used for landscapes. This lens doesn’t really give you that soft background but it’s helpful when wanting to capture huge scenes like Yosemite’s Tunnel View or Hurricane Ridge . It also is helpful when shooting in our small apartment – it is very wide and captures the whole room.

Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 : (Telephoto lens) We used it when shooting the Total Eclipse in Oregon this past August and flying over the Tetons in Wyoming with Fly Jackson Hole .

Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 : (Wide lens) – Used primarily for wide landscapes, like sweeping views or long skylines. We used it almost exclusively in our New York photography spots blog post.

The best 3 lenses for travel photography? Choose a combination of a wide lens, prime lens, and a versatile lens. This will cover the best range for almost any situation.

Travel Photography Kit Combinations

So, what’s a good camera and lens combination to have?

Maybe you’re looking for the best camera for travel photography beginners. Maybe you’re serious, but don’t have a huge budget to spend. Or maybe you’re seeking something light and minimal!

Here are our suggestions for the best combinations for all kinds of adventure travel photography.

Minimalist Travel Photography Kit

Looking for a minimalist travel photography gear set up? Here are some combinations to choose from if you’re looking to go light on gear:

Option 1: Seeking versatility in landscapes and portraits

Body: Canon EOS R5 OR Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Lens : Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L OR Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L

Option 2: Portrait Photography

Body: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Lens: Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L

Beginner Travel Photography Kit

Looking for travel photography gear for beginners? Here’s a great setup when you’re just getting started!

Body: Canon EOS Rebel T7
Lenses: Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 // Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 STM

Affordable Travel Photography Kit

Is the big price stage holding you back from buying gear for travel photography? Don’t fret, we’re going to provide you with some affordable options!

Here are the best affordable cameras for travel photography, including the lenses we recommend with them.

Body: Canon EOS 6D (DSLR) OR Canon EOS RP (Mirrorless)
Lenses : Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 // Sigma 35mm f/1.4

Note: while these are some of the best budget camera lenses for travel photography, Sigma lenses are NOT weather sealed . Keep scrolling to the camera maintenance section of this post for our recommendations for protecting your gear in rainy or inclement weather.

Best Travel Photography Accessories

These travel photography accessories enhance our content in so many ways.

Read Here >> The Best Travel Photography Accessories

Peak Design Camera Strap : Adjustable, and the universal anchors mean you can easily switch one strap between many cameras.

Camera Batteries : We like to have as many batteries as camera bodies + two extras that are always charged and ready to switch out.

Memory Cards : Really the bigger storage the better. SHooting fast motion? Make sure to get a card that processes over 170MB per second.

Card Reader : Get a card reader to transfer files to a computer when you’re on the go.

SandDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD V2 : This compact external hard drive doesn’t have a moving disc inside, meaning you can edit been on the bumpiest of car rides.

Lacie Portable Hard Drives : These are great, affordable storage options for on-the-go travel photography.

Pelican Memory Card Holder: This little case keeps memory cards safe, secure, and in one place. Oftentimes these cards can get lost in a bag or suitcase because of their small size, but with a case, it’s easier to keep track of them all.

Peak Design Travel Tripod : This is one of the best compact tripods for travel photography. It holds nearly any camera and lens combination, fits easily into your bag, and weighs only 3.4 pounds. (Their carbon version weighs only 2.8!)

JOBY Gorillapod Tripod (The Mini Version) : This company makes tripods for all camera sizes. We use it as a travel tripod when hiking and in places with uneven ground. Be careful though – we’re pretty rough with ours and have already gone through two sets. They probably aren’t mean for all the wear and tear we put them through.

Rode Video Pro Microphone: Used in our sporadically uploaded Youtube channel videos , this enhances the quality of the sound, and makes voices crystal clear! Example pictures in this blog post.

Camera Cleaning and Maintenance For Travel Photography Gear

If you learn anything from this post, it should be how to properly care for your travel photography gear. Here are some ways to keep your investments safe on the road!

Lens Covers : Make sure to purchase them in the right sizes to fit your specific lenses.

Cleaning Kit: This MOVO one comes with a zip pouch for easy traveling.

Bulb Air Blower : Traveling somewhere with a lot of dust and dirt? Keep an extra one of these air blowers handy to ward off those flecks from your camera lenses.

Camera Rain Shield: Concerned about your gear in the rain? Maybe you purchased some lenses or have a camera that’s not weather-sealed? Make sure to get a camera rain cover to protect your investment in the elements, especially of you’re planning an Olympic National Park photography tour .

Best backpack for photography and travel : keep scrolling to the next section!

Best Travel Photography Backpacks

Peak Design Everyday Bag : This is our current go-to hiking bag. It can hold 2 camera bodies, lenses, and opens up on both sides for easy access to your gear. The magnetic hook at the top latches firmly but opens easily, and it’s water-resistant for inclement weather.

Wanded PRVKE : This is the best travel photography backpack if you are flying on a plane! It holds a TON of gear, and phase built-in adjustable separators to customize your layout configuration. The roll-top expands and folds down easily for easy-to-grab times like sweatshirts and headphones.

Ona Bags : These bags were specifically designed with photographers in mind. ONA backpacks and bags are not only stylish but extremely functional. You can see more examples of these in our posts here.

Travel Photography Gear: Laptops

MacBook Pro 13inch w/ Touchbar: – This is what we use when traveling. It’s very compact and fits easily in any carry-on we’ve used. We love how small this computer is – it can practically fit into any bag we carry.

MacBook Pro 15inch w/ Touchbar: – This is Berty’s photo editing superhero. The colors are great and the screen is big so he can see what he’s doing.

This is one aspect of our travel photography gear that we need to update! For our next laptop, we’ll focus on one that has large internal storage and RAM to run powerful image editing programs like Lightroom and other Adobe Suite products.

Are there any other questions you have about our travel photography gear? What programs we use? Our editing process? Let us know what you want to hear and we can cover it in a future blog post!

Read travel tips.

How To Keep Your Tech Safe Abroad

10 Hiking Essentials Every Hiker Needs

20 Energizing Hikes In The PNW

30 Road Trip Essentials You Must Be Packing

20 Adventurous Things To See/Do In Banff, Canada

30 Essentials For The Carry-On Only Traveler

Follow Our Travel Gear Board on Pinterest For More Ideas!

The Best Fujifilm X-Series Kits for Travel Photography

A Post By: Matt Murray

Travel has always been my first love. In 1994 I bought my first camera – a Pentax Zoom 90 WR point and shoot – because I was going to Europe for a two-year working holiday. The only way to share photos with family back then was to have the film developed and post the prints home!

While photography (and technology) has changed remarkably in the last 25 years, what you should look for in a camera for travel photography is much the same: small, light, capable of great results and preferably weather resistant.

I’ve used all sorts of camera brands over the years. However, for me, Fujifilm X-Series cameras and lenses are the perfect travel companions. Whether it’s a trip to the Australian outback, visiting remote Buddhist temples in the Javanese jungle, photographing puffins in the Faroe Islands or capturing traffic trails in Taiwan, my X-Series cameras have always produced stunning results. Here are my recommended Fujifilm X-Series kits for your next big adventure.

Best minimalist kit

Camera: Fujifilm X100F Lens: Fixed F2 Fujinon lens Weight: 469 grams

The best minimalist kit choice was easily the stunning Fujifilm X100F . This is the best compact digital camera ever made. Yes, it really is that good!

Many photographers – including diehard users of other brands – use this as their “take everywhere” shooter. The X100F is small and quiet, and the fast f/2 Fujinon lens creates beautiful images. It may be small, but it boasts an impressive array of features including a leaf shutter and built-in neutral density filter.

Like all the cameras I feature in this article, the X100F can shoot RAW alongside Fujifilm’s array of stunning JPG film simulations, that replicate the look of classic films such as Provia and Velvia. Fujifilm cameras produce the best JPGs I’ve seen straight out of the camera.

This choice is a little unusual as it has a fixed lens. That’s right. You can’t take it off and swap it for another lens. If the 23mm focal length (35mm in full-frame terms) isn’t your preferred choice, the system also has wide-angle conversion and telephoto converter lenses. However, these do add extra weight to your kit. One of the few downsides to the X100F is that it’s not weather resistant. But, at least it’s small enough to fit in your pocket during a downpour.

One body plus one lens kit

Camera body: X-T30 Lens: XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS lens Approximate weight: 693 grams

If you only have space to take one body and one lens on a trip, I would recommend the brand new Fujifilm X-T30 with the XF 18-55mm F/2.8-4 R LM OIS lens . I’ve been using this line of cameras since buying the X-T10 as a second body back up to my X-T1, and I’ve also used the X-T20. The X-T cameras with a “0” after them are lighter, cheaper, non-weather resistant versions of the flagship models, but usually feature much of the same technology. For example, the X-T30 has the same 26.1MP X-Trans 4 CMOS sensor as the X-T3.

Alternatives for the camera body would be the X-T20 and the X-E3 . The X-T20 gives you a screen that tilts up and down for overhead and low to the ground shots. Whereas, the X-E3 is the more minimalist choice, and features a joystick that controls where the focus point is in the frame. The X-T30 and the X-T3 have both of these features.

My choice of lens for this kit is the XF 18-55mm F/2.8-4 R LM OIS. Not only is it one of my favorite Fujifilm lenses, but it’s also the lens that I’ve used the most over the last three years.

Often sold with camera bodies, many newcomers to the X-Series remark that the XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS lens is “surprisingly good for a kit lens.” In no way is this lens like the subpar beginner kit lenses produced by other manufacturers. The XF 18-55mm F/2.8-4 R LM OIS is a stunningly sharp lens in its own right and has produced some of my favorite images ever.

It may not be weather resistant, but it does feature OIS (optical image stabilization) to ensure your shots are as sharp as possible at lower shutter speeds. It’s a variable aperture zoom lens, meaning that the maximum aperture changes as you zoom through the range. However, you can still shoot at f/2.8 at the 18mm focal length, and f/4 at the 55mm end. It’s a top lens for landscape, cityscape, and portraits.

Best kit under 1kg

Camera body: X-T30 Lenses: XF 18-55mm F/2.8-4 R LM OIS + XF 35mm f/1.4 R Approximate weight: 880 grams

My picks for the best kit weighing under 1kg include the same choices as the ‘One body plus one lens’ kit above, with the addition of the XF 35mm f/1.4 R . The first time I used this lens, I was blown away by its sharpness and stunning bokeh. It’s a top lens for portraits, still life subjects and even street shooting.

It did have a reputation of being slow to focus, but with Fujifilm’s ongoing firmware updates to both lenses and camera bodies, this has greatly improved. I wouldn’t hesitate to use it in any situation. This lens has a fast maximum aperture of f/1.4 that enables you to shoot images handheld at night without raising the ISO too high or lowering the shutter speed too low.

One zoom, two fast primes kit

Camera bodies: X-T30 Lenses: XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS + XF 35 1.4 R + XF 60mm f2.4 R Macro Approximate weight: 1.095kg

For a lightweight travel kit weighing just over 1kg and featuring two fast prime lenses, add the XF 60mm f/2.4 R Macro to the kit above. This is another option often overlooked by newer lenses on the block, but it offers superb image quality for portraits and macro shots.

Although it’s not a true macro lens (it offers 1:2 magnification rather than the standard 1:1 magnification for a true macro lens), it is an incredibly light option for close up shots. It weighs less than a third of the weight of Fujifilm’s XF 80mm F/2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro lens.

Best weather resistant kit

Camera bodies: X-T3 Lenses: XF 16mm F1.4 R WR, 23f2, XF 50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR. Approximate weight: 2.6 kg check

The best weather resistant kit features Fujifilm’s newest X-Series flagship camera. The X-T3 has won high praise from users and critics alike since its release in mid-2018. It is an impressive performer, having the fastest autofocus in the X-Series lineup and a continuous shooting rate of up to 20 frames per second. I’ve really enjoyed using this camera alongside my X-T2, which is still an excellent camera.

The newcomer to this kit is the XF 16 f/1.4 WR lens – often praised as the best lens in the X-Series lineup. Weather resistant, the lens is optically stunning, and a solid performer for landscape, cityscape, and low light shots. With a close focusing distance of 15cm, the XF 16 f1.4 WR lens is highly versatile. I’ve loved using it for food photography.

Best travel kit with zoom lenses

Camera bodies: X-T3 and X-T30 Lenses: XF 18-55mm F/2.8-4 R LM OIS and XF 50-140mm F/2.8 R LM OIS WR. Weight: 1.8kg

This kit gives you the best of both worlds: the light X-T30 with the XF 18-55mm F/2.8-4 R LM OIS lens, and a weather resistant combo of the X-T3 with the stunning XF 50-140mm F/2.8 R LM OIS WR lens.

Weighing in at 995 grams, you might actually question why I would choose this lens as part of a travel kit? I’ve even been laughed at when I’ve suggested this lens for travel. Although it’s heavy, this lens is a must-have in my travel photography kit.

Like an equivalent focal range 70-200mm, the lens has a constant maximum aperture of f/2.8, meaning that you can shoot with a shallow depth of field throughout the zoom range. This is particularly helpful during low light situations, or to achieve shallow depth of field at any time.

This XF 50-140mm F/2.8 R LM OIS WR lens also features OIS (optical image stabilization) and has a pleasing bokeh. I’ve used this lens for landscape, cityscape, and portraits. If I could only pick one lens for travel, I’d have to flip a coin to choose between the two amazing zooms in this kit.

If you have different weight or budget considerations, you could substitute the excellent XF 55-200mm F/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS lens in this kit. I’ve never regretted taking this lens along with me on trips, but if you plan on shooting in low light at the far range of the zoom, you will be shooting at a maximum aperture of f/4.8, which may slow down shutter speeds. Thankfully, this is another lens with OIS (optical image stabilization).

My favorite kit

Camera bodies: X-T3 and X-T2 Lenses: XF 16mm F/1.4 R WR + XF 18-55mm F/2.8-4 R LM OIS + XF 35mm f/1.4 R + XF 50-140mm F/2.8 R LM OIS WR Approximate weight: 2.9 kg

This is my favorite kit. It may be the heaviest listed in this list, but this is what I would typically take on my travel adventures. It pairs two weather resistant camera bodies with my two favorite zooms and two favorite primes. This kit has a reach from 16-140mm (24-210 in full-frame terms) and covers many shooting situations. The XF 50-140mm F/2.8 R LM OIS WR lens may not be the longest in the X-Series lineup, but it’s still capable of capturing stunning wildlife images.

X-Series options I don’t recommend for travel kits

In 2018, Fujifilm released the entry-level X-T100 . Although this attractive looking camera looks very much like the rest of the X-Series line-up, its autofocus can’t match the cameras I’ve featured above.

18-135mm lens

The XF18-135mm lens is often on the list of recommended lenses for Fujifilm travel photography. Having owned and used one, it doesn’t make my list. For a slower, all-in-one travel zoom, I don’t think it has enough reach.

The 27mm F/2.8 pancake lens is sharp, and you can often buy them at a bargain price. It’s a firm favorite amongst many Fujifilm photographers, but it doesn’t make my list as it’s the only lens in the lineup not to have a ring on the lens to change aperture.

The Fujifilm X-Series range is perfect for travel photographers for so many reasons.

With an impressive lineup of prime and zoom lenses for all budgets, the X-Series has you covered for a wide range of situations including low light photography and adverse weather conditions. The camera bodies feature retro charm and excellent ergonomics, and no other system can match the beauty of Fujifilm’s straight out of camera JPGs.

Whether it’s a day trip near home or the trip of a lifetime, Fujifilm X-Series is my number one recommendation for travel photography.

Do you use Fujifilm Cameras for your travel photography? Let us know what you use in the comments below.

Travel photography.

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The Best Travel Camera Gear – What’s In My Kit Bag? (2020 Update)

Hunting for the best travel camera gear for your next adventure? From action cameras to drones and editing – here’s what’s in my kit bag for photos & video

Trying to figure out the best travel camera for your next adventure? Or looking to piece together an epic travel camera kit bag to capture all the fun?

After 10 years on the road, using and testing numerous cameras, gadgets and accessories this is what travel camera gear has made the cut for my personal kit bag…

The Best Travel Camera Gear – What’s In My Kit Bag? (2021 Update)

What makes the best travel camera gear.

So what makes the best travel camera gear? Well picking the best setup for you will come down to 4 key things – size, weight, price and your personal adventures/subject matters/

Unless you’re only heading off on short trips and can afford to lug around other items, size is going to be a huge deciding factor. Sure things like a full Digital SLR setup will capture epic footage, but they’re also pretty bulky and will limit the other gear you can squeeze in! In fact this has been one of the biggest factors in streamline my kit bag.

It does come with some compromises, but compact gear usually means your more inclined to actually take it with you and use it!

Along with size is weight! If you’re travelling around a heap you wont want a huge and more importantly heavy kit bag.

It’ll make everything a huge pain in the ass and you’ll find you leave gear behind simply because its too heavy to lug up to the top of that mountain or take on that day trip – meaning you miss the shots!

Travelling is expensive, so you don’t want your gear to eat into your travel funds too much! Now good gear is going to be an investment and creating a well rounded travel kit isn’t going to be a cheap investment – but your personal budget is going to be a large factor in what you end up buying.

Your Adventures

Finally you need to be thinking about what you’re going to be doing and therefore capturing. You can have the best travel camera money can buy, but if it not waterproof then you sure as hell aren’t going to take it into the ocean to shoot surf photos or take it diving are you?

Balance all the above with what you’re doing along the way – you’ll find you might need a few pieces of gear to get the job done, but it’ll mean no adventure goes undocumented!

Nomatic Camera Bag

Now when it comes to carrying your travel camera gear around a solid bag is a must. Personally I’m now using the 30L Nomatic Backpack .

Now this isn’t primarily designed as a camera bag (although they’ve now launched an epic collaboration pack with Peter McKinnon which is a great one to look into) and because of this the bag itself doesn’t look like a camera bag.

Now not only does this make it less attractive to thieves, but it also draws less attention to itself in airports too – so you’re more likely to get away with it as a carry on bag without getting weighed! In fact fully packed my bag comes in at around 12kg, WAY above the 7kg carry on limit…so not getting clocked at check in has saved me heaps!

The bag itself is built really well and most importantly there are plenty of pockets to store lenses, chargers etc etc. I’ve also invested in the Nomatic packing cubes too, which instead of holding clothes are now divided up to hold all my accessories.

Click for more info and to buy

Sony a6300, 75-210mm lens and 16-55mm lens.

Having ditched my Canon 7D a few years back due to the size and weight I’ve finally reinvested in a “proper camera” once again – in the form of the mirrorless Sony A6300.

The reasons were simple – I needed a camera which would shoot high frame rates (for surf and action photography), be compact and relatively light weight, shoot 4K video and that I could buy a decent zoom lens (min 200mm).

Oh and that I could get for under £1,000.

After a whole heap of research I ended up buying the Sony A6300, 16-55m kit lens and 75-210mm lens.

Total cost = £1,013

However Sony were also running a cash back offer and I got £250 back – so in the end I got the whole setup for £763!

Why didn’t I go for the newer models in the A6000 series? Well it was a combination of cost (the latest model is nearly double the price) and in terms of features they really didn’t add enough to justify the jump in the price.

Sure the Sony A6400 has the flip up screen (great for vlogging) but given the other kit in my bag for vlogging it wasn’t worth the price jump (RRP is currently £949), especially when you consider the fact that my whole setup still cost less than that camera body alone!

I’m stoked to have the A6300 in my kit bag and it’s now my go to for shooting in water pictures too (more on that in a bit). Oh and you can also charge it using a USB cable and a portable power pack too, which is an epic bonus!

My Sony Mirrorless Setup (Click for more info and to buy)

Sony A6300 + kit lens
Sony 75-210mm lens
Polarising filter (zoom lens)
UV filter (main lens)
2 spare batteries + charger

LiquidEye Surf Housing

I got back into surf photography last year by complete accident!

They usually retail at around £700, but I picked mine up for just under £400 with a spare port.

I know for most people this piece of kit wont be of interest, but for those looking for the best travel camera gear this is certainly something I’d recommend if you’re looking to do any in water shooting with a mirrorless camera.

The surf housing itself is pretty lightweight too – weighing in at only 685g – which is pretty impressive when you look into alternative options.

My Surf Housing Setup (Click for more info and to buy)

Liquideye Surf Housing
Standard Port
Pistol grip trigger
Full control backplate

Mavic Air 2 Drone

When it comes to the best travel camera gear having a drone is a must these days. The epic aerial photos and videos really boost what you can create and add a whole new dimension to your travel filming and photography – especially if you’re looking to monetise or work with brands.

review dji mavic air 2 best travel drone

I did have the Mavic Pro, but swapped over to the original Mavic Air as it was simply much more suited for travel and a condensed kit bag.

The Mavic Air 2 builds on this and adds in heaps of amazing features and upgrades – including 4K @ 60FPS (for those lovely slow mo clips), OcuSync 2.0 (for better signal strength) and nearly doubled the battery life to a 34 min flight time!

I also opted for the “Fly More Combo” too – which meant the Mavic Air 2 came with 3 batteries, charger and a nifty little carry case.

There are heaps of drone options out there but honestly I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Mavic Air – it’s a small package with a big punch and has allowed me to create some epic content all over the world.

Click here for more info and to buy

GoPro Hero 10 Vlog Setup

My GoPro vlog setup is at the core of my kit bag and for me it’s arguable the single best travel camera I have with me.

gopro for vlogging hero 8 travel vlog setup media mod

Lightweight, compact, easy to use and super robust – I’ve put GoPros through their paces doing everything from surfing to skydiving and I’m always stoked with the epic footage they can capture!

To create the ultimate GoPro travel vlog setup I teamed it up with the Media Mod (which includes a shotgun mic, 2 cold shoe adapters and most importantly a 3.5mm jack for external mic), the Shorty Mount (which doubles up as a mini tripod) and rounded it off with the Rode Wireless Go and Rode Lavalier Go for my audio.

This full setup costs around £780 – but the Rode Wireless Go and Lavalier Go are a big chunk of that and you can make do with just the Media Mod or a cheaper shotgun mic.

As you might have guessed I now use it more for video work than still images – but it does have the capability to create some pretty awesome pics too.

Sept 2021 Update – I’ve now upgraded to the new GoPro Hero 10, which build on all the awesome parts of the Hero 8 and 9 but with the added front facing selfie screen and new GP2 chip, making it even better for vlogging and framing! You’ll need the new Hero 8 Media Mod to get the full use of external audio.

The Setup I Use – (Click for more info and to buy)

GoPro Hero 10
GoPro Media Mod
Shorty Mount
Rode Wireless Go
Rode Lavalier Go

Alongside my Hero 8 I also ended up buying the GoPro MAX as well – although I still have some mixed feelings about it.

At £479 it’s not a small investment but the 360 video does have some great creative uses, so I guess it comes down more to your budget and needs than anything else.

That being said the SuperView mode and forward facing camera are pretty good for vlogging (even if the inbuilt audio isn’t as crisp as I’d want it) and it has allowed me to add in some more unusual clips to my travel videos.

Again for travel photography the 360 options are really handy for creative angles and being able to capture some epic scenes – just be careful not to overdo it with the zoom out function and tiny planets!

Assorted GoPro Mounts & Accessories

One of the best things about shooting with a GoPro is the huge range of accessories available – both by GoPro and this party options – that open up a whole heap of creative shooting options.

I’ve already smashed together a full post on the best GoPro travel accessories but for me the main mounts I use are the Shorty (mini selfie stick and tripod combo), Floaty Mount (for snorkelling and in water shooting), SP Gadgets POV Pole (for diving and selfies) and also a Mouth Mount for some awesome first person angles, especially when surfing!

My Main Mounts (Click for more info and to buy)

Floaty Grip
Mouth Mount
Ho! Stevie Armband
SP Gadgets POV Pole (aka selfie stick!)

Osmo Pocket

UPDATE: I’ve now upgraded to the DJI Pocket 2. Click here for the full review

When it comes to shooting travel videos I have to admit the Osmo Pocket is my go to for videography.

Why the Osmo Pocket as well as the GoPro? Well as much as I love shooting with the GoPro, I find the Osmo Pocket a lot easier to work with for anything outside of action videography.

The inbuilt gimbal of the Osmo Pocket makes for incredible footage and connecting it to your smartphone gives you heaps of control over all the modes and settings – allowing you to get the perfect shot.

It’s small, compact, super simply to use and also surprisingly affordable too – so it really does tick all the boxes!

For those looking at getting into vlogging it’s also. solid option as well – with forward facing LCD scree, gimbal smoothness and even facial tracking so you’re always the focus of your shot.

Personally I think the Osmo Pocket is massively under rated in terms of travel videography so go check it out.

iPhone 13 Pro

They say the best camera is the one you have with you – and I never go too far without my iPhone!

As well as being super useful for life on the road in general (I don’t know what I’d do without Google Maps!) the camera on the iPhone 13 is insanely good!

With 3 lenses to choose from – standard, 3 x zoom and wide angle – it’s really versatile and the fact you can shoot 4K video with it makes it ideal for B roll footage and also capturing those spontaneous travel photos too.

And the new iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max both have the insanely good Cinematic modes too – which allows you to seamlessly change between focal point for that truly professional feel.

Bottom line is don’t underestimate your smartphone and how much it bring to the table as an essential part of your travel camera gear.

Macbook Pro, Lightroom, Photoshop + Final Cut Pro

When it comes to editing I’ve kept things pretty simple – MacBook Pro 13” with subscription to Adobes Creative Cloud (Lightroom and Photoshop option) with Final Cut Pro installed for video editing.

The MacBook Pro is a great work horse for editing both videos and photos, so that’s a no brainer. I also bumped up the specs to 16GB memory and the quad core processors (2020 model) which really speeds things up, especially for video.

Lightroom is my primary photo editing software, with Photoshop being used a few extra edits, exporting in different formats and creating things like YouTube thumbnails etc. It costs £9.98 per month but that gives you all the latest updates and is well worth it in my opinion.

Then on top of that I splashed out the £300 on Final Cut Pro for video editing. I had originally been using the free iMovie install that comes with every MacBook, but progressed to Final Cut as things got more serious.

My Laptop Setup (Click for more info and to buy)

Macbook Pro
Adobe CC Lightroom and Photoshop Package
Final Cut Pro

Sandisk SSD – 1TB + 500GB

When it comes to underrated but essential things on this best travel camera gear list external storage is the unsung hero!

After a lot of deliberation I FINALLY made the move over to using SSD hard drives and I haven’t looked back.

Incase you didn’t know SSD stands for “solid state drive” and essentially it means that unlike traditional hard drives they have no moving parts.

Not only does this make them heaps more robust (a must for travelling remember), it also makes them REALLY small and really fast too.

Like insanely small! In fact I could probably fit 4 SSD drives into the same space as a single standard hard drive like the WD Passport!

These advantages do come at a price though and the 500GB option from Sandisk will set you back around £70

My SSD Drives (Click for more info and to buy)

Sandisk SSD 500GB
Sandisk SSD 1TB

Are you piecing together your perfect travel camera gear setup?

Anything else you’d add to the list, related posts.

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Best Lens for Travel Photography in 2024 (All Cameras)

Discover the ideal lenses for travel photography, balancing versatility, size, aperture, and durability to capture stunning images on your journeys this year.

Camera Gear Guides | Lens Guides | By Jeff Collier

This guide will help you find the best lens for travel photography , depending on your camera.

The right choice of lens can elevate your travel storytelling skills, allowing you to express and encapsulate the essence of each destination.

From wide-angle primes for shooting sweeping landscapes to versatile zoom lenses for dynamic versatility, the choices can be bewildering.

So, let us take you by the hand and walk you through some of the best options.

Table of Contents

How to Choose the Best Lens for Travel Photography

When selecting the best lens for travel photography, there are several key qualities to consider:

Versatility: A good travel lens needs to be versatile. You want a lens that can handle various situations, from rolling countryside landscapes to detailed street scenes. A zoom lens with a range like 24-70mm or 18-135mm can be ideal, offering both wide-angle and moderate telephoto perspectives.
Size and Weight: Traveling often involves moving around a lot, sometimes in cramped conditions. So, the size and weight of the lens are crucial. A compact and lightweight lens will be less burdensome during long days of sightseeing or hiking.
Aperture: While zoom lenses with wide apertures like f/2.8 are great for low light and creating a shallow depth of field , they’re often heavier and more expensive. An f/4 lens strikes a good balance – it’s typically lighter, more compact, and less costly, yet still performs well in various lighting conditions.
Prime or Zoom: A prime lens is typically smaller and lighter than a zoom lens, but it doesn’t offer the same versatility with only a single focal length. If you have space in your travel bag, a combination of one small prime lens (like a nifty-fifty) and one zoom would be ideal.
Image Stabilization: This feature is a must for travel photographers, especially when shooting in low light or when using slower shutter speeds. It helps reduce the blurriness caused by camera shake, ensuring sharper images.
Durability: A travel lens should be durable enough to withstand different environments. Look for lenses with weather-sealing if you plan to shoot in various outdoor conditions.
Image Quality: High image quality is, of course, a priority. Look for lenses that offer sharp, clear imaging across their aperture range and focal lengths.

Best Full Frame Lenses for Travel Photography

Canon ef 24-105mm f/4l is usm (best canon ef zoom lens for travel photography).

Great optical quality
Durable build
Versatile focal length
Image stabilization
Relatively expensive
Some distortion at 24mm

The Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is a travel photography favourite, thanks to its blend of versatility and image quality.

As part of Canon’s esteemed L-Series, it’s well-known for superior optical performance. It delivers exceptional image quality and sharpness, ensuring your travel photos are (hopefully) visually stunning.

It has a robust build and is completely weather-sealed. It’s also surprisingly light and compact, considering its focal range and capabilities.

Its 24-105mm focal range provides a huge amount of flexibility and is ideal for capturing everything from landscapes to detail shots.

The constant f/4 aperture across the zoom range makes exposure control very simple and allows you to maintain consistent settings in varied lighting conditions.

It’s also fast enough to be good in low light conditions and lets you play with a shallow depth of field, especially when fully extended.

The camera lens also comes with built-in image stabilization, which is essential for the kind of handheld shooting that’s normal when travelling.

Those looking for a less expensive alternative could consider the Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM [ Amazon | B&H ] – although you should bear in mind that it’s not weather-sealed.

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS (Best Canon RF Zoom Lens for Travel Photography)

Weather sealed
Excellent build quality
Image stabilisation
Excellent autofocus capabilities
f/4 is not the fastest

The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS lens is among the mirrorless staples for Canon users.

The 24-105mm focal length is a versatile focal range, suitable for capturing wide-angle landscapes, portraits, and even some telephoto shots.

It’s an ideal range for travel photographers wanting to avoid constantly switching lenses.

As an L series camera lens, it’s very well-built, compact, and lightweight, with a robust construction and weather-sealing for added durability.

With its constant f/4 aperture throughout the zoom range, you get consistent exposure control, and the lens has impressive optical quality, producing sharp images with minimal distortion and chromatic aberrations.

The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS also has in-built image stabilization. That means you’ll be able to take sharper images, even shooting handheld in low-light conditions, a common scenario when travelling.

Its Dual Nano USM (Ultrasonic Motor) also ensures smooth, accurate, and quiet autofocus, giving you the ability to get all your shots in focus, regardless of how challenging your subjects or environments are.

Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G (Best Nikon FX Zoom Lens for Travel Photography)

Excellent image quality
Well-designed
Versatile focal range
Great autofocus
Some barrel distortion

The Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G is a great all-round lens for the Nikon shooter.

It has a nearly identical focal range to the Canon lens above and, as such, provides users with great versatility and the ability to shoot a wide range of photographic scenarios.

You can comfortably shoot expansive landscapes to detail shots and portraits. It’s the kind of lens you could just leave on your camera and be ready for anything.

Its constant aperture throughout the zoom range ensures consistent exposure settings. That means that, whatever the lighting conditions, you’ll be ready and won’t have to make a lot of setting changes to adapt.

Like the Canon, it’s also a high-end product that delivers sharp, clear images throughout its focal range.

It has Nano Crystal Coating, too, which reduces chromatic aberration and lens flare, ensuring consistently high image quality whatever the lighting conditions.

This lens is surprisingly compact and lightweight, given its focal range, and is fully weather-sealed, so you can confidently take it on your next adventure.

The Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G has optical image stabilization – essential for handheld shooting – and its Silent Wave Motor (SWM) technology provides lightning-fast and silent autofocus.

Having such quick and quiet autofocus is a definite bonus during travel, for street photography, and for capturing candid scenes like a ninja.

More: Best Lenses for Landscape Photography

Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S (Best Nikon Z Zoom Lens for Travel Photography)

Excellent optical quality
Customizable control ring
f/4 not the best in low light

For the travel photographer shooting Nikon mirrorless, the Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S is a stellar choice.

Once again, it’s a lens with a 24-120mm focal range, which provides travel photographers with great versatility.

Whether you’re shooting landscapes or zooming in on details, you can adapt without the need for frequent lens changes.

This lens also has a constant f/4 aperture throughout its zoom range, which means consistent exposure. Plus, it’s easy to adjust your settings when moving between varied lighting conditions.

It’s compact and lightweight, given its capabilities, and has in-built image stabilization and extremely fast autofocus.

Travel photographers generally shoot most scenes handheld, so image stabilization is essential, and it’s always handy to have quiet and quick autofocus so you can react quickly and be discreet.

The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S boasts exceptional optics and delivers crisp, colorful images with excellent contrast.

One nice feature is the lens’ customizable control ring, which allows travel photographers to adjust settings like aperture, ISO, or exposure compensation on the fly.

This ability to tailor-make your shooting experience adds another level of versatility to this as a travel lens.

Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 (Best Sony FE Zoom Lens for Travel Photography)

Great image quality
Weather-sealed
A little heavy
Limiting aperture

Although it lacks a few millimeters of focal length compared to the others in this section, the Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 is a travel photographer favorite known for its exceptional performance and versatility.

Starting at 24mm, the lens has wide-angle capabilities to help you shoot landscapes and architecture. And 105mm is still enough for detail shots and portraits.

Like every other lens in this section, it has a constant f/4 aperture throughout the zoom range. That makes it easy on you when it comes to changing settings, gives you some depth of field to play with, and helps you out in low-light conditions.

Travel photography often involves shooting in dynamic environments, so having built-in image stabilization is a must, particularly when shooting handheld at longer focal lengths. This lens delivers.

It’s also weather-sealed, so you can take it anywhere.

But what about its image quality? Well, Sony is renowned for producing lenses with outstanding optical performance, and the FE 24-105mm f/4 is no exception.

This lens produces sharp images with minimal distortion, chromatic aberration, and vignetting, so you should end up with stunning travel images.

For those photographers who need more range or want to save some money, consider the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III [ Amazon | B&H ].

More: Best Lightweight Travel Cameras

Best APS-C Lenses for Travel Photography

APS-C cameras are more compact than their full-frame brothers and sisters, and they often have the specs to deliver great images.

So, if you’re someone who has one of these cameras, these lenses could be for you.

Fujifilm XF 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 (Best Fujifilm Zoom Lens for Travel Photography)

Lightweight and compact
Variable aperture
Some image softness

The Fujifilm XF 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 lens (full review here ) is pretty popular thanks to its wide focal range and compact design.

The best feature of this lens is clearly its impressive focal range. It’s both a wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens, so provides users with exceptional versatility for capturing everything from landscapes to distant subjects.

Weighing in at a mere 490 grams, the XF 18-135mm is also remarkably lightweight. So, it’s an excellent choice for travel photographers who prioritize portability.

The lens is fully weather-sealed, providing protection against dust and moisture, and is equipped with Fujifilm’s Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) technology.

With this, photographers can shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds without sacrificing image quality.

And, as you’d expect from Fuji, the lens has exceptional optical quality. The images are sharp, with well-rendered colors, minimal distortion, and chromatic aberration – a travel lens that can be relied on.

More: Guide to the Best Wide-Angle Lenses

Panasonic Lumix 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 II (Best MFT Zoom Lens for Travel Photography)

Extremely versatile focal length
In-built image stabilization
Plastic construction

Just a note before I get into it: there are multiple versions of this lens, so it can be a bit confusing. The latest version, which is the version you want, says H-FSA14140 on the box and the barrel.

And if you get it, you’ll get a lens that is well-liked in the travel photography community for its broad focal range and compact design.

With its extensive 14-140mm range, it’s the most versatile lens in this guide. There is very little you wouldn’t be able to capture with it, thereby reducing the need to change lenses.

It’s also, especially given this focal range, exceptionally compact and lightweight and weighs in at a mere 265 grams. No need to use up much space or add unnecessary weight to your camera bag.

Panasonic’s Power O.I.S. technology is also integrated into the lens, providing effective image stabilization to ensure sharp, blur-free images, even when shooting zoomed-out.

It boasts an excellent autofocus system, fast and virtually silent. That’s particularly good for travel photography as you can shoot in quiet or intimate settings and capture moments without disturbing the atmosphere.

Thanks to both those last features, the smooth zoom and silent autofocus, the Lumix 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 II is also well-suited to videography, adding an extra dimension to your travel storytelling.

Another option is the Olympus 12-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Lens [ Amazon | B&H ], though by most accounts, the Panasonic is a better performer.

Canon EF-S 18-135mm (Best Canon APS-C Zoom for Travel Photography)

Light and compact
Excellent autofocus
Made of plastic materials

Weighing in at just 480 grams, the EF-S 18-135mm is a relatively lightweight and compact lens – important for travel photographers who want to minimize weight and maximize space in their gear bag .

And, with its 18-135mm focal range, whether you’re shooting landscapes, portraits, or distant subjects, the Canon EF-S has you covered.

The lens features Canon’s STM (Stepping Motor) autofocus technology, providing smooth and silent focusing during both still photography and video recording.

It is also equipped with Dynamic Image Stabilization (IS), which reduces the impact of camera shake.

This feature is invaluable for handheld shooting, ensuring sharp images even when using the lens at longer focal lengths or in low-light conditions – a common scenario in travel photography.

The overall image quality is excellent, too, something that Canon is well-known for. The images are sharp, well-contrasted, and with good color reproduction across its focal range.

Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR (Best Nikon Z DX Zoom for Travel Photography)

Extremely lightweight and compact
Good autofocus
Good focal range
Slightly cheap feel

The Nikon Z DX 16-50mm is exceptionally compact and lightweight, making it an ideal companion for travel photographers.

The lens’s sleek design ensures it takes up minimal space in your gear bag. It’s so sleek it almost looks like a pancake lens!

Not only that, but the lens also has an electrically retractable mechanism, allowing it to collapse into an even more compact form when not in use.

Despite its small form factor, it nevertheless covers a decent focal range, from 16mm to 50mm. This makes it well-suited for a variety of travel scenarios, from wide-angle landscapes to portraits.

Overall, the image quality is good, and sharp throughout the range. That’s aided by built-in stabilization that eliminates the effects of camera shake when shooting handheld.

Equipped with a Stepping Motor autofocus system, the Nikon Z DX 16-50mm has fast, quiet, and precise focusing. This is super useful when shooting travel photos, as you need to react quickly and often be discrete.

More: Best Lenses for Portrait Photography

Nikon AF-S DX 16-80mm f/2.8-4E (Best Nikon DX Zoom for Travel Photography)

Fast variable aperture

This lens gives you a bit more focal range to play with than the one above, and a faster variable aperture.

16-80mm gives you a lot of flexibility in terms of what you can shoot. It’s wide enough for architecture and landscapes, and also perfect for portraits and details shots.

It’s the kind of lens that, if you’re thinking of an all-around solution, this could be it.

Although variable aperture lenses aren’t the most convenient, f/2.8-4, gives this lens impressive low-light performance and creative depth of field control.

Its brighter aperture is especially good for dimly lit environments, so you can capture stunning images in indoor settings or even as the sun sets.

The lens also features Nikon’s Vibration Reduction technology, which ensures clear handheld images even at low shutter speeds and the end of the range.

The Nikon AF-S DX 16-80mm f/2.8-4E has fast and accurate autofocus, as well as Nikon’s high-end Nano Crystal Coating and Extra-Low Dispersion elements, which help reduce lens flare, ghosting, and chromatic aberrations.

This means that the images it produces are high quality and with accurate color reproduction, even in the kind of challenging lighting situations that commonly occur in travel photography.

More: 77 Awesome Travel Tips for Photographers

Sony 16-55mm f/2.8 G (Best Sony E Zoom Lens for Travel Photography)

A person holding a black lens on a wooden table.

Credit: Marc Bergreen

Great optics
No image stabilization

This is an extremely versatile lens with a constant f/2.8 aperture throughout the focal range.

That bright aperture somewhat compensates for the lens’ lack of in-built image stabilization and allows for excellent low-light performance and creative control over the depth of field.

It’s compact and fairly light, and has a robust, weather-sealed build that can comfortably withstand the rigours of travel photography.

As photographers have come to expect from Sony, you also get excellent image quality, with sharp pictures and true-to-life colors, and great autofocus capabilities, essential for capturing those sometimes fleeting travel moments.

Best Prime Lenses for Travel Photography

In terms of both optical and build quality, nothing really beats primes.

So, if you can find one that suits your shooting style, choosing just one or two to put in your bag could be a good way to go.

The links below each section are to the full-frame equivalents.

As a focal length, 35mm is justifiably popular, as it provides a natural perspective that matches the field of view of the human eye.

They are sometimes referred to as the ‘storytelling lens’ because, given this natural feel, photographers easily feel in sync with their camera, which makes it easier to compose scenes.

They are ideal for capturing a wide range of scenarios, from street photography to environmental portraits.

Many 35mm primes feature wide apertures, such as f/1.4 or f/2, so they’re good in low light and can also handle high shutter speeds. This makes them extremely versatile.

Possibly the best lens for travel photography, and any photography.

A 24mm prime provides a broader view, allowing you to include more of a scene in your frame.

This makes it perfect for capturing expansive landscapes or architecture, particularly when you want to emphasize the scale or beauty of a location.

It’s also good for photographing, for example, bustling marketplaces or cultural events, as you can get right in the centre of the action and still fit plenty into the frame.

Despite being a wider focal length, a 24mm is also good for environmental portraits, as it can capture subjects in their surroundings, providing context and storytelling elements.

The nifty fifty is renowned for its flattering portrait perspective that allows you to isolate subjects from the background.

Many 50mm primes have wide apertures (f/1.8 or f/1.4), so you can create beautiful background blur and really emphasize your subject.

Those wide apertures mean they generally have great low-light performance, too.

50mm is also a good focal length for detail shots, such as a local artisan’s hands or the textures of street food or handicrafts.

What’s Best for Travel Photography: One Lens, Two Lenses, or a Three-Lens Kit?

Choosing the right combination of lenses for your travel photography kit is an important decision that can have a significant impact on what you can capture.

Do you travel as light as possible and take only one lens? Should you take more lenses to cover more situations?

Which focal lengths should you choose?

A telephoto lens? Zoom lenses or primes?

Let’s take a look at a few of the options.

One Lens Kit

My ideal one-lens kit would be my go-to lens for every kind of photography, a 24-70mm f/2.8, or a 24-105mm f/4.

These are generally high-quality lenses, and they are extremely versatile.

With their broad focal ranges, you can take wide-angle shots and also zoom in for portraits and other detail shots.

As you can shoot so much with them, and often won’t feel limited in any way, you can focus on being in the moment and just enjoy the photography.

Having one lens also means less weight to carry and less space taken up in your bag – perfect for those who prioritize traveling light.

If you have an f/2.8 aperture, it’s also fast enough that you can shoot in even challenging light conditions. With f/4, you may struggle more, but as a trade-off, you’ll get the extra focal length.

Two Lens Kit

My ideal two-lens kit would have a 24-70mm f/2.8 or 24-105 f/4, paired with either a 50mm f/1.4 or an 85mm f/1.2.

The 24-70mm covers a wide focal range, while 50mm and 85mm primes excel at portraits, detail shots and low-light situations.

As I’ve already run through the features of the 24-70mm and 24-105mm, I won’t repeat myself, so let’s consider the primes.

Choosing either of these primes will enhance your creativity. Their wide apertures can create beautiful background blur and enhance low-light performance.

Not only this, but shooting with primes forces you to move around more and immerse yourself in a scene to try out compositions, whereas, with a zoom lens, you can stand in one place and let the lens do more of the work.

In my opinion, when you’re traveling, anything that forces you to get more involved is a good thing.

A two-lens setup is also still relatively compact compared to a three-lens kit.

Three-Lens Kit

My ideal three-lens travel photography kit would be made up of a 24-70mm f/2.8 or 24-105mm f/4, with either a 50mm f/1.8 or 85mm f/1.2, and either a wide-angle lens (such as a 10-22mm) or a longer prime, such as a 135mm or a 200mm.

I’ll just cover the third lens here, to avoid repeating myself.

My reasoning for these two choices is that, with a third lens, you are starting to get into specialist travel photography.

The first one or two lenses are all-round options that will basically help you photograph pretty much anything.

When choosing a third lens, given it’s going to add more weight and cost, and is not totally essential, you need to pick something that will help you photograph something specific that your other two lenses might struggle with.

If you particularly like to photograph architecture or panoramas, you might want to consider a 10-20mm (or something close to those focal lengths).

If you like to take pictures with a lot of lens compression, shoot wildlife, landscape details, or creative portraits, a longer prime will definitely help.

With a three-lens kit, you’ll be ready for anything.

Single Zoom vs. Multiple Primes

When choosing the best lens for travel photography, you of course have to consider the differences between zoom lenses and primes.

If you choose to take a single zoom lens, you will have the ultimate in convenience and versatility.

You’ll never need to change your lens (or feel like you want to).

But there are limitations. They’re often not as good in low light, and they give you less creative control over depth of field compared to primes.

With primes, you get enhanced low-light performance, sharper image quality, and creative control with different focal lengths and apertures.

But, on the flipside, you’ll need to make (possibly frequent) lens changes, due to potential gaps in focal length coverage, and primes tend to weigh more.

FAQs About the Best Lens for Travel Photography

Which lens is used for travel photography?

Many lenses can be used for travel photography.

You can use a telephoto lens, zoom lenses or primes, and you can choose the focal length you need.

The important thing is that, whatever camera lenses you choose, they’re versatile enough that you can shoot in a variety of environments and situations.

What focal length is best for travel?

The best lens for travel photography in terms of focal length is the most versatile one.

Generally, if you have to choose one lens, a zoom with a focal range of 24-70mm or 24mm-105mm is best.

What is the best prime lens for travel photography?

The best prime lens for travel photography would be, depending on your shooting style and preferences, one of either a 24mm, 35mm, or 50mm. Only if you shoot wildlife would you need a telephoto lens.

What two lenses should I have for travel photography?

If you just want to take two camera lenses with you, I recommend you take one zoom lens (for versatility) and one prime (for creativity).

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Jeff Collier is an experienced film photographer who enjoys experimenting with modern digital photography equipment, software and apps. He’s also an ex-world champion triathlete and avid cyclist, clocking hundreds of km each week in the beautiful Tweed Valley of northern NSW, Australia.

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FUJI X WEEKLY

My “ultimate” fujifilm travel kit.

Posted on March 29, 2021 by Ritchie Roesch

I recently set out to create an “ultimate” Fujifilm travel kit.

Over the last couple of years, as I’ve collected more and more gear, traveling with my cameras and lenses has become cumbersome, which has lead to frustrations and reduced productivity. More isn’t always better; in fact, less is often more—this is especially true when traveling. I realized that my gear wasn’t nearly as ready for adventure as I was, and I needed to make some series changes to my kit before embarking on my next road trip.

What makes a travel kit bad ? If it’s big and heavy and gets in the way, it’s not good. My travel kit consisted of a backpack camera bag filled with multiple bodies and as many lenses as I could stuff inside. I went to Montana last fall, and in my bag there was an X-T1, X-T30, X100V, and X-M1, plus a handful of lenses, including the Fujinon 100-400mm and Fujinon 90mm, which aren’t small or lightweight. I hardly used any of them, except for the X100V, which I could easily carry with me, and so I did. Because I had it with me, I used it often. The rest of the gear just got in the way—literally, the backpack took up too much space in the car, and it become a point of frustration. I would have been better off just bringing one or two cameras and maybe a few small lenses—gear that might have actually been used.

I was afraid that if I didn’t have a certain camera or lens, I would regret not bringing it, if at some point I thought I might need it. You never know what you’ll need, so it’s better to be prepared, right? What I discovered over the last few trips is that the majority of what I was carrying with me I didn’t use. Or, for some of it, if I did use it, it’s only because I forced myself to use it when it wasn’t really necessary. Having too much gear actually made me want to photograph less, and made me less creative when I did. My best photography most often happened when I had limited gear—perhaps one camera and one lens—and left the rest behind.

What makes a travel kit good ? It should be compact and lightweight, yet versatile. One camera and one lens is often enough, but not always. The X100V is a great travel camera, but sometimes I need something more wide-angle or more telephoto—it’s not always versatile enough, even though it is often my camera of choice. I think two bodies and a limited assortment of lenses in a small bag is good. Small enough to not get in the way. Lightweight. Something that you don’t mind having with you, so you do. A good travel kit strikes a comfortable balance between practicality and petiteness.

I put together what I hoped would be a great kit for travel photography. I was able to put it to the test on a road trip to Arizona—was it actually going to work for me?—and I discovered many good points and a few things that still need to be worked out. Let’s take a close look at this “ultimate” Fujifilm travel kit that I assembled for myself, piece-by-piece.

This post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase using my links I’ll be compensated a small amount for it.

It might seem strange to begin with the bag, but in my mind it’s just that important. The camera bag needed to be very small, but it also had to be able to hold everything. Finding one that I felt was just the right size and design turned out to be a challenge, but after much research I stumbled across the National Geographic NG2344 Earth Explorer Shoulder Bag, and for only $40! The dimensions of this bag are roughly 8″ x 7″ x 6″, yet I can fit two cameras and six lenses inside. I was thrilled to learn that the bag fit into the middle storage console of my car, so it is completely out of the way on road trips, yet is easily and quickly accessible.

I subdivided the main compartment into four, using the soft dividers to create “hidden” storage under the cameras, which I use for lenses. The bottom-right holds two Fujinon lenses, and the bottom-left holds three third-party lenses. Two cameras fit on top, just as long as the interchangeable-lens camera has a pancake lens attached. The small front compartment holds charging cords, extra batteries, SD-cards, etc., while the two tiny top pockets (which are probably more for looks than anything) hold lens-wipes. While everything is packed in, I don’t feel like it’s overstuffed—there actually is a little room for more, should I need it.

One thing that I don’t like about this bag is that the shoulder strap is permanently attached. I might modify it at some point to make the strap removable, as I think that would improve it. Otherwise, the bag seems pretty darn good for the travel photographer.

National Geographic Earth Explorer Bag Amazon B&H

I already owned a Fujifilm X100V, and that camera was going to be in this kit, no doubt about it. The other camera was a question mark for me. It needed to be small yet an interchangeable-lens model. I thought that my X-T30 might be too big, so maybe the X-E3, but it has the older sensor. I really wasn’t sure which camera was going to be the right one. Then Fujifilm announced the X-E4, and I really hoped that it would be the correct camera for this kit, so I immediately preordered it. After several weeks of waiting, and just a couple of days before my Arizona trip, it arrived at my doorstep. And it fit perfectly into the camera bag.

Fujifilm X100V

The Fujifilm X100V , which I’ve had for about 10 months, was a birthday gift from my wife. It’s such a great camera and I absolutely love to shoot with it. The X100V has a permanently attached 23mm lens, which is 35mm full-frame equivalent—a very useful focal-length. The compactness of it makes it especially great for travel.

There are some X100V features that are unique in my bag. It’s weather-sealed, has a nearly silent mechanical leaf shutter, built-in high-speed-synch fill-flash, optical viewfinder, and built-in neutral-density filter. I could photograph with this camera 90% of the time and be very happy, but the X100V isn’t always the right choice. It has strengths, but it also has weaknesses that limit its versatility.

If I could only have one camera, it would be the X100V; however, I believe that this camera demands a partner. If you have this camera, you also need an interchangeable-lens option to accompany it. That’s why I have two cameras in my kit, even though the X100V is oftentimes all that I need.

Fujifilm X100V Black Amazon B&H Fujifilm X100V Silver Amazon B&H

Below are a few pictures that I captured with my Fujifilm X100V on the Arizona trip.

Fujifilm X-E4

The Fujifilm X-E4 is the smallest interchangeable-lens camera with an electronic viewfinder offered by Fujifilm. The compact size of the X-E4 is an important aspect of this travel kit. I have an X-T30, which is a small camera that’s a little bigger than the X-E4, and it does fit into the camera bag, but barely—it’s much more snug than I want it to be. In a pinch it would work, but the X-E4 is a more comfortable fit, and a better choice because of that.

When the X100V isn’t the right tool, the X-E4 fills in nicely. It adds great versatility to the travel kit. I can go more wide-angle or telephoto by changing the lens. It can store one more film simulation recipe than the X100V. It has some new JPEG features that the X100V doesn’t. Even though 90% of the time the X100V is all that I need, I found myself using the X-E4 much more than I thought I would. It’s a fun camera that’s easy to have with you because of its compact size.

Fujifilm X-E4 Black Amazon B&H Fujifilm X-E4 Silver Amazon B&H

Below are a few pictures that I captured with my Fujifilm X-E4 on the Arizona trip.

In the camera bag I have six lenses—seven if you count the one permanently attached to the X100V. This provides versatility for whatever photographic situations present themselves. The lenses must be small, or else they won’t fit inside the bag.

Would a 100-400mm zoom be nice to have as an option? Yes, for sure! But it’s too big, and it would add a lot of weight—if it’s not going to be used much, it’s not worth bringing along. The Fujinon 90mm f/2 is one of my favorite lenses, but it’s also big and heavy, and not used often enough, so it’s not in this kit. A zoom lens would make a lot of sense, perhaps something like the 18-55mm f/2.8-4, but I prefer primes. My philosophy as I put this travel kit together was smaller is better . Zooms are often smaller than a few primes put together, but are rarely smaller than a singe prime. If a lens attached to the X-E4 made it possibly pocketable, that was a win. The more compact the camera and lens combo is, the more convenient it will be for travel. With those goals in mind, I chose six lenses to place inside my camera bag.

Fujinon XF 18mm f/2 R

The Fujinon XF 18mm f/2 R is Fujifilm’s second smallest lens, which makes it a great option for travel. The 18mm focal-length, which is 27mm full-frame equivalent, is very useful—great for walk-around photography and landscapes. This is my primary wide-angle lens in this kit. The 18mm f/2 is a little loud and a bit slow, but it captures beautiful pictures. The compact size and lovely image quality are what makes this lens great.

Most of the time when I want a wide-angle option, the 18mm focal-length works well; however, occasionally I would like something a little wider. I think a 14mm or 12mm lens would be preferable sometimes, but unfortunately there’s not an option that’s small enough for my camera bag—for example, my Rokinon 12mm f/2 is just a little too big. Thankfully, this lens is often a great choice when I want to shoot wide-angle, so it gets used a lot, and is an essential part of this travel kit.

Fujinon XF 18mm f/2 R Amazon B&H

Below are a few pictures that I captured with my Fujinon 18mm lens on the Arizona trip.

Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR

The Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR was my most used lens on the trip to Arizona. It’s Fujifilm’s smallest lens, so I knew that it would be an essential element of my travel kit, but I didn’t know just how much I’d love using it. The 27mm focal length, which is 40.5mm full-frame equivalent, is the closest to a “normal” lens on Fujifilm X, yet it is slightly wide-angle.

If I wanted to really simplify things, I could be happy just bringing this lens and the 18mm f/2 to pair with the X-E4 (plus the X100V). That would be a lightweight and uncomplicated kit. Expanding the focal-length options with a few other lenses is a nice bonus, but the heart and soul of the camera bag are the two camera bodies and the 27mm and 18mm pancake lenses.

Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR Amazon B&H

Below are a few pictures that I captured with my Fujinon 27mm lens on the Arizona trip.

Fujinon XF 35mm f/2 R WR

The Fujinon XF 35mm f/2 R WR has been my most used lens over the last two years. The 52.5mm full-frame equivalent focal-length makes this a slightly telephoto “standard” prime lens, often referred to as a “nifty fifty”. There’s a little redundancy between this and the 27mm, as they’re both “standard” lenses, but the 35mm has some advantages: quieter autofocus, larger maximum aperture, slightly superior optics. Despite that, I found myself using the 35mm f/2 less often than I thought I would.

Because I have the 27mm lens, this lens isn’t an essential part of the travel kit. Since there’s room for it and it’s been a favorite lens of mine for a couple years, I decided to include it anyway. I did use it a little on my trip, but more because I forced myself to and not so much because I needed to. I might rethink its inclusion in the camera bag, but for now the 35mm f/2 lens stays.

Fujinon XF 35mm f/2 R WR Amazon B&H

Below are a few pictures that I captured with my Fujinon 35mm lens on the Arizona trip.

Pergear 10mm f/8 Fisheye

The Pergear 10mm f/8 Fisheye lens is quite limited in its usefulness, but occasionally it comes in handy, such as when I visited Horseshoe Bend , which demanded an ultra-wide-angle option for the dramatic landscape. The Fujinon 18mm lens wasn’t nearly wide-enough, so the Pergear 10mm came out and did the trick. The strong barrel distortion makes it tough to use, but it’s definitely useable in a pinch.

This compact pancake lens takes up almost no space in the camera bag, so its inclusion is a no-brainer. Even if it was only used a few times, and otherwise remained in the bag unused, it’s worth having around for those rare occasions when this lens comes in handy. It’s so small, lightweight and cheap, it just makes sense to have it in the camera bag, providing a more wide-angle option than 18mm.

Pergear 10mm f/8 Fisheye Amazon

Below are a few pictures that I captured with my Pergear 10mm lens on the Arizona trip.

Asahi Pentax-110 50mm f/2.8

The Asahi Pentax-110 50mm f/2.8 was the last lens that I added to the travel kit. Why did I include it? Because, since it’s a tiny lens, there was room for it, and I really like how it renders pictures. This lens has a fixed aperture, which makes its usefulness limited, but when I do use it I enjoy the pictures that I capture with it. This Asahi lens is the only vintage lens in this kit.

I wish that I had used this lens more, but it had competition, so I ended up using it less than I should have. Next time I will use it more. This little 75mm full-frame-equivalent lens has a special quality and takes up so little space, so its inclusion in the travel kit should have been obvious. The Asahi Pentax-110 50mm lens is going to stick around awhile.

Below are a few pictures that I captured with my Asahi Pentax-110 50mm lens on the Arizona trip.

7artisans 50mm f/1.8

The sixth lens in my travel kit is the 7artisans 50mm f/.8 . This fully manually lens is good and all, but there are two reasons why it will be replaced: I already have a 50mm lens that I like, and focusing on distant objects is more difficult than it should be. Otherwise this a decent lens, and it has several advantages over the Asahi 50mm: closer minimum focus distance, larger maximum aperture, adjustable aperture, less vignetting—technically speaking, it’s a superior lens, but it’s missing the great character that is oozing from the vintage Asahi lens.

The reason why I selected this particular lens for this kit is because it’s the smallest 50mm X-mount lens available. I did discover that there’s actually a little more room in the bag for something slightly bigger. Ideally I’d like to replace this with a longer focal-length lens, but at the moment I’m just not sure what it will be, or when I’ll replace it. I do know that the inclusion of the 7artisans 50mm f/1.8 lens in my travel kit won’t last long.

7artisans 50mm f/1.8 Amazon

Conclusions

How ultimate is my “ultimate” Fujifilm travel kit? It’s not perfect, but it’s significantly better than what I was traveling with before. The bag is ideal. The two cameras are wonderful. There are some excellent lenses to choose from. No doubt about it, this is a really good kit for travel photography.

If anything, it’s the lens selection that’s not quite perfect. I like the 18mm and 27mm. The 35mm is great, too, but a little unnecessary since I have the 27mm. The X100V, with its built-in 23mm lens, is awesome. I like the Asahi Pentax 50mm lens, but it’s not especially practical for everyday photography. The 10mm Fisheye is good to have around, but not especially useful most of the time. Those two lenses take up very little space, so it’s easy to keep them in the bag just in case I want to use them, but I know that I won’t be using either of them all that often. I don’t need two 50mm lenses, so the 7artisans will be replaced.

Should I replace the Fujinon 35mm f/2? If so, with what? The 16mm f/2.8 is the same size, so it’s a logical option, although it creates the same redundancy problem, just at the wide-angle end, which actually might be slightly more practical. Maybe the Fujinon 16mm f/2.8 and the Fujinon 50mm f/2 would be good options to replace the 35mm and the 7artisans models. The 50mm f/2 is a little bigger, but I believe it would fit. The Fujinon 60mm f/2.4 might be an option instead of the 50mm, which would be preferable because it has a longer reach and is also a macro lens, but it might be a tad too big for the bag. Maybe I should consider a vintage model. Or maybe replace two primes with a zoom. There’s a lot to consider, and I think replacing one or two lenses will make this “ultimate” travel kit even better. I’ll let you know when I make that modification, and how it goes.

This trip to Arizona that I recently returned from was photographically so much more pleasant than my other travels over the last couple of years. A small camera bag filled with compact and lightweight gear—a purposeful assortment of cameras and lenses—is a night-and-day difference from the heavy backpack stuffed with everything that could fit that I used to haul around. Practical and petite is preferable when it comes to travel photography. Less is often more. This might not yet be the “ultimate” Fujifilm travel kit, but it’s pretty close, and will only get better.

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Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow. Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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Bykovo Manor
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Noginsk Museum and Exhibition Center
Pavlovsky Posad Museum of Art and History
Saturn Stadium
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The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 II is one of the best values on the market thanks to its 25x zoom lens (25-400mm) and large Type 1 sensor. If you have a bigger budget and want more zoom power, the ...
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Best of all, the camera is incredibly well-priced, making it the best option for traveling without worrying too much about eye-wateringly expensive kit. 3. Fujifilm X-S20. The Fujifilm X-S20 is a camera for everyone, with great quality stills, but is set apart by its deceptively powerful video skills.
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Sample photos: Create beautiful images from unique perspectives by adding a drone to your travel camera kit DJI Mavic 3. The DJI Mavic 3 is currently one of the best travel drones you can buy, and the drone I currently use. While it is a little bulkier and a bit more dated than some of the newer, smaller drones by DJI, it still offers the best ...
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Take the Canon EF 50mm 1.8 as an example—it's only 2.7" x 1.6" and 162g. A lens like that is certainly used for different types of photography, but if you don't plan on doing a lot of birding on your trip to Iceland you might want to leave the telephoto at home. Shot by Frances Beatty | Best Travel Camera Guide.
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Best pocketable travel camera: Ricoh GR III. 24MP APS-C sensor | 28mm equiv. F2.8 lens | Wi-Fi + Bluetooth. The Ricoh is a pocketable compact with a large APS-C sensor. Photo: Barney Britton. Buy now: $997 at B&H Photo $997 at Adorama $1016 at Amazon.
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It can shoot video in 10-bit color and the modern codec of H.265. In form, the camera feels great in hand and features dual card slots, a rotating screen, and multiple dials. The EVF is brilliantly bright, and the rear LCD looks sharp. APS-C cameras are great for travel as they utilize more compact lenses.
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Type: Mirrorless APS-C sensor camera. Megapixels: 24.2. Size: 4.72 x 2.64 x 2.36 (120 x 67 x 60 mm) Weight: 403 g (0.89 lb) More Info: Sony a6400 Review. Check current price. This is by far the best camera for travel photography. The Sony APS-C sensor a6 series has been the best selling mirrorless cameras in history.
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Best waterproof travel camera: Olympus Tough TG-6 - check best price. Best fixed-lens compact for travel: Fujifilm X100V - check best price. Best zoom compact for travel: Panasonic LX100 II - check best price. Best point and shoot for travel: Panasonic Lumix TZ200 / ZS200 - check best price. Sony RX100 VII - check best price.
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The Lumix LX DC-ZS200 is a compact point-and-shoot camera that still can satisfy even the most experienced photographer's expectations with its 20.1 MP 1″ sensor. It makes full use of the little Leica zoom lens that can reach up to 15x for a range of 24 to 360mm.
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Here are the best affordable cameras for travel photography, including the lenses we recommend with them. Body: Canon EOS 6D (DSLR) OR Canon EOS RP (Mirrorless) Lenses: Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 // Sigma 35mm f/1.4. Note: while these are some of the best budget camera lenses for travel photography, Sigma lenses are NOT weather sealed.
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Travel Camera Kit. Sony AIV. We bought the Sony A7 IV camera because it takes both excellent video and photos making it in our opinion the best camera for travel photography, and because it's fairly affordable. It is a mirrorless camera and fairly small and compact, yet it delivers excellent image quality. If you are looking for a good full ...
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Best weather resistant kit. Camera bodies: X-T3. Lenses: XF 16mm F1.4 R WR, 23f2, XF 50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR. Approximate weight: 2.6 kg check. The best weather resistant kit features Fujifilm's newest X-Series flagship camera. The X-T3 has won high praise from users and critics alike since its release in mid-2018.
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The first and most glaring feature of the TZ200 is its ridiculously long zoom lens—the longest of any 1-inch sensor compact—a 15x zoom, equivalent to a 24-360mm lens. It can, in theory, be used for anything from wildlife photography to landscape photography. Panasonic DMC-TZ200 | 9mm | f/4.0 | 1/160 sec | ISO 125.
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Fujifilm X100V. Yellow Kayaks, White Trucks - Pismo Beach, CA - Fujifilm X100V - Superia Premium 400. The Fujifilm X100V is the ultimate travel camera, in my opinion. It's compact (pocketable if you have large pockets). It has amazing image quality. It's weather-sealed to an extent. It's fun.
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Mavic Air 2 Drone. When it comes to the best travel camera gear having a drone is a must these days. The epic aerial photos and videos really boost what you can create and add a whole new dimension to your travel filming and photography - especially if you're looking to monetise or work with brands. For me the ultimate travel drone is the ...
Best Lens for Travel Photography in 2024 (All Cameras)
More: Best Lightweight Travel Cameras; Best APS-C Lenses for Travel Photography. ... My ideal three-lens travel photography kit would be made up of a 24-70mm f/2.8 or 24-105mm f/4, with either a 50mm f/1.8 or 85mm f/1.2, and either a wide-angle lens (such as a 10-22mm) or a longer prime, such as a 135mm or a 200mm. ...
My "Ultimate" Fujifilm Travel Kit
The Fujifilm X-E4 is the smallest interchangeable-lens camera with an electronic viewfinder offered by Fujifilm. The compact size of the X-E4 is an important aspect of this travel kit. I have an X-T30, which is a small camera that's a little bigger than the X-E4, and it does fit into the camera bag, but barely—it's much more snug than I want it to be.
Review: Ricoh GR IIIx Compact Camera for Travel
The Ricoh GR IIIx is a highly capable and incredibly portable compact camera, well-suited for travel photography. It features a 24 megapixel APS-C sensor paired with a 40mm equivalent f/2.8 lens. We named its older sibling, the 'Pocket Rocket' Ricoh GR III, in our list of the best compact cameras —and the GR IIIx is just as impressive. The GR IIIx delivers exceptional image quality ...
Zf Prime Travel Kit
after some weeks with the Zf, I am settled to a bunch of non-Nikkors for my travel kit - 24 f3.5 Sigma, 40 F2.5 Sony, 65 F2 Sigma. I've built it around the 40mm, which works simply great for City Scapes and Street, my major topics. I won't complain about the lack of these lenses within the Nikon portfolio - they have good reasons, of course.
Amazon.com: Hard Case for Sony Alpha ZV-E10 / ZV-1 / ZV-1F / ZV-1 II
Buy Hard Case for Sony Alpha ZV-E10 / ZV-1 / ZV-1F / ZV-1 II Vlog Camera with Shoulder Strap by LTGEM, Fits Vlogger Accessory Kit Tripod and Microphone - Travel Protective Carrying Storage Bag(Black+Grey) and other Camera Cases at Amazon.com. Our wide selection is eligible for free shipping and free returns.
Elektrostal Map
Elektrostal is a city in Moscow Oblast, Russia, located 58 kilometers east of Moscow. Elektrostal has about 158,000 residents. Mapcarta, the open map.
Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations
6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders. Novoslobodskaya metro station. 7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power.
Moscow Metro
Along with the journey through the Golden Ring of Russia, every travel guide includes a trip to another interesting ring. The ring of Moscow metro stations. We have collected for you the best metro stations of Moscow. Just look for yourself at what amazing art is presented in underground area.
Visit Elektrostal: 2024 Travel Guide for Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast
Travel Guide. Check-in. Check-out. Guests. Search. Explore map. Visit Elektrostal. Things to do. Check Elektrostal hotel availability. Check prices in Elektrostal for tonight, Mar 21 - Mar 22. Tonight. Mar 21 - Mar 22. Check prices in Elektrostal for tomorrow night, Mar 22 - Mar 23. Tomorrow night.

The best travel camera in 2024: compact and portable cameras to take anywhere

The Quick List

The best travel camera in 2024

Best compact travel camera

1. Fujifilm X100VI

Specifications

Best full frame on a budget

2. Sony A7 III

Best hybrid travel camera

3. Fujifilm X-S20

Best travel camera for size

4. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

Best travel camera on a budget

5. Panasonic Lumix G100

Best waterproof compact travel camera

6. OM System Tough TG-7

Best action camera for travel

7. DJI Osmo Action 4

Best 360º camera for travel

8. Insta360 X3

Best for travel vloggers

9. Sony ZV-E10

How to choose the right travel camera

Is it better to use phone or camera for travel?

Is a DSLR or mirrorless camera better for travel photography?

What size camera lens is best for travel?

How we test travel cameras

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The best travel camera for 2024: the finest choices for your adventures

Best for moving subjects

How to choose

The quick list

The best travel camera overall

The best-looking travel camera

The best action camera for travel

The best tough travel camera

The best premium compact

The best small full-frame camera

The best hybrid for travel vlogging

The best superzoom camera

The best travel cameras in 2024

1. OM System OM-5

Specifications

The best-value travel camera

2. Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200

3. Nikon Z fc

4. GoPro Hero 12 Black

5. OM System Tough TG-7

6. Fujifilm X100VI

7. Sony A7C R

8. Fujifilm X-S20

9. Sony A6700

10. Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV

How to choose the best travel camera for you

Which type of camera is best for traveling?

Is a DSLR or mirrorless camera better for travel photography?

How we test travel cameras

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Best Travel Camera Kit

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What This Guide is

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Considerations

How Do You Plan to Use Your Images?

How Do You Plan to Travel?

What’s Your Budget?

Our Contributors That Made This Guide Possible

Why Mobile Photography?

The Nitty-Gritty

A Note on Storage

Traveling With a Smartphone Camera

Mobile Photo Gear We Can’t Live Without

Apps We Love

Dropbox File Management

Our Favorite Mobile Phones That Have Great Cameras

Why Point and Shoot Photography?

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