best compact camera for travel photography 2022

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5 Best Compact Cameras for Travel in 2024

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With the best compact camera for travel, you can capture stunning images and videos without being weighed down by heavy equipment. But which compact camera is best for your next adventure?

Are you looking for a simple photography camera? Are you a travel vlogger? Or are you an intrepid explorer who needs a robust travel companion? Our list has compact cameras for all types of travelers.

The Sony ZV-1 II is our top choice for the best compact camera for travel. Its pocket-sized body makes it super portable. It also has specialist features for vlogging, like a built-in mic and rotating touchscreen, and it takes gorgeous still images. It’s the perfect camera for the modern traveler.

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What Is the Best Compact Camera for Travel?

The best compact camera for travel should be small and easy to carry wherever you go, but it shouldn’t compromise on results. The Sony ZV-1 II , Panasonic TZ200 , and OM System Tough TG-7 top our list for those reasons.

With a compact camera, just because it’s not an interchangeable lens doesn’t mean you can’t capture incredible photos and videos. All the cameras on our list prove that compact doesn’t mean compromise.

Some have larger sensors than others, but you can expect gorgeous images from each one. And some of the cameras even produce stunning 4K video footage.

Other handy features for travel photographers? They include a zoom lens, accurate autofocus (AF), and specialist shooting modes. You might also want some durability so you and your camera make it home in one piece.

You can see our selection of the best compact cameras for travel in the table below. We take a closer look at each camera in the section after. Then we have a buyer’s guide at the end if you need more information to help you.

• Compact size for easy transportation
• Fixed 18-50mm lens with f/1.8-4.0 max aperture
• Eye-detection and tracking autofocus
• Webcam functionality
• Built-in 3-capsule microphone with sound muffler
• 4K video at 30 fps and 120 fps in Full HD
• In-body 5-axis stabilization
• Very useful 15x zoom
• Sharp and clear 4K video
• Impressive battery life
• Rugged, waterproof, dustproof, freezeproof, crushproof
• Fixed f/2.0 lens with 4x zoom range
• Five underwater shooting modes including underwater HDR
• Macro modes with 0.4 inch / 1 cm min focus distance
• 4K video with high-speed frame rates and vertical mode

• 26 MP sensor for good noise reduction and fast readout
• Sharp JPEGs with low noise
• 15 quality film simulations
• Hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder
• Tilting touchscreen
• Excellent 4K Ultra HD video

• Impressive lens quality in a compact camera
• 24-600mm equivalent zoom lens
• Superb 24 fps burst speed
• 4K video with several frame rate options

5 Best Compact Cameras for Travel

1. sony zv-1 ii.

The Sony ZV-1 II is the best compact camera for travel right now. Its high-resolution sensor and specialist vlogging features meet the needs of modern travelers. It’s an all-in-one content-creation camera small enough to carry in your pocket.

The 18-50 mm zoom lens offers decent composition flexibility. Although it doesn’t offer much magnification, the wide angle is perfect for filming vlogs and travel footage.

The optical quality of this Zeiss lens is excellent. Its f/1.8 to f/4 max aperture provides good low-light performance.

This entry-level Sony mirrorless is equipped with a small yet powerful CMOS sensor. Its 20 MP resolution is impressive for a one-inch sensor, and its images look fantastic on social media. You can even expand the low ISO to 80 to help you maximize image quality.

But most users choose the ZV-1 II for its video features. And the standard 4K footage at 30 fps is terrific. But you can switch to Sony’s special Cinematic Vlog Setting to make your video content more unique and eye-catching.

A built-in three-capsule mic helps you record audio with your video. You don’t need any extra audio equipment, which helps you travel light. The camera also comes with a wind muffler, so voices come through loud and clear when shooting outside.

Real-time autofocus keeps your subjects in focus as they move around the frame. The sophisticated system also has face and eye detection, which is ideal for filming people.

It also has gyroscopic video stabilization that reduces the effects of camera shake. This is handy if you don’t have a travel tripod or stabilizer.

The Sony ZV-1 II is the must-have compact camera for the traveling vlogger. It has everything a vlogger needs when traveling abroad. And it’s a worthwhile investment if you’re serious about creating exciting travel content.

2. Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200

The Panasonic Lumix ZS200 (TZ200) is a pocketable compact camera . It comes with an impressive retractable 15x zoom lens. Weighing 0.75 lb (340 g), it feels solid in your hand, thanks to the metal body.

It has a large 20.1 MP, one-inch sensor to ensure high image quality. Although not very fast, the zoom lens of the ZS 200 covers an impressive 24-360mm focal range. This is ideal for travel photography.

Low-light performance is good thanks to the five-axis Hybrid OIS stabilization. You can raise your ISO to 25,600. But aggressive noise reduction at the higher ISO values might make the image look too smooth.

Images are composed and reviewed with the large three-inch LCD screen. Although it’s not tiltable, it has touchscreen capabilities. The ZS 200 has plenty of auto modes to make it easier for beginners. Experienced users will enjoy switching to manual.

The Lumix ZS200 features 4K/30 video and a 4K Photo mode. You can extract single frames and save them as 8 MP still photos.

Battery life is good, ensuring about 350 shots before recharging. Another great feature for the travel photographer is the AC charger. This Olympus OM System camera can also be charged via USB using a portable power bank.

3. Olympus OM System Tough TG-7

The Olympus OM System Tough TG-7 is the best rugged compact camera on the market. Tough isn’t just a clever name with this one. It really can cope with the toughest of tough conditions. So, if you’re the more adventurous type of traveler, this is the camera you need.

It’s completely waterproof down to 50 feet (15 m). And we don’t just mean it’ll survive a dip in the water. You can use this camera underwater ! It even has five specialist underwater photography modes.

It’s also shockproof and withstands drops over 6.5 ft (2 m). Through dust-proofing allows you to use the camera in dry, desert-like conditions. And Arctic explorers can keep shooting in temperatures as low as -10 C. You can take this camera anywhere.

We’re disappointed OM System hasn’t improved the sensor resolution from the previous model. It stays at a modest 12 MP, which isn’t great compared to other modern cameras. But the picture quality is still accurate, rich, and vibrant. Your pics will look great on social media.

A 4x zoom lens gives you decent magnification and shot variety. And the constant f/2 maximum aperture gives you solid low-light performance.

The in-camera macro modes are a brilliant way to capture details close up. Nature lovers can snap detailed images of all the new flora in an exotic country.

Thrill seekers can use this Olympus OM System as a rugged action camera . You can attach it to your handlebars or helmet and record exhilarating 4K footage at 30 fps. And if 30 fps isn’t fast enough, switch to Full HD for a smoother 60 fps video frame rate.

The OM System Tought TG-7 is the perfect compact camera for wild, adrenaline-fueled travels. It can withstand the toughest conditions and helps you bring home some fabulous media.

4. Fujifilm X100V

The Fujifilm X100V is one of the most popular cameras among street photographers . It looks fantastic with a classic rangefinder design. It’s compact and easy to hold for hours at a time.

The weather sealing protects it from bad weather. Combine all that with outstanding image processing powers, and you’ve got one of the best compact cameras for travel.

Although it’s a compact camera with a fixed lens, it has a powerful APS-C sensor. The 26.1 MP resolution gives vibrant images with rich colors and details. The quality is far superior to most smartphones, even beating many interchangeable-lens cameras.

A 23mm focal length gives you a lovely wide angle for street-style travel shots. The wider field of view helps you snap images in tight spaces like old European streets or crowded markets. It also has an f/2 maximum aperture, giving you brilliant low-light performance.

The native 160 t0 12,800 ISO range isn’t great, but you can expand the top end to 51,200 if you’re in a dark location. There’s also a low ISO setting of 80, allowing you to boost image quality in stunning locations.

Fujifilm has used its knowledge and heritage of film photography to create fantastic film simulation modes. Each mode gives you images that replicate the finish of one of their iconic film stocks. They have simulations of color and black-and-white films.

Thanks to the glorious 4K video recording, this Fujifilm mirrorless is ideal for video travel logs. It offers a smooth 30 fps frame rate at full resolution and 10-bit 4:2:2 color via the HDMI port. The 120 fps frame rate option enables full HD slow-motion videos.

The X100V ‘s size, durability, and retro style make it a top choice for traveling street photographers. It fits in any camera backpack without fuss and is an absolute joy to shoot. It’s the best compact camera for travel if you love street photography.

5. Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV

The Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV is the most expensive camera on our list. But the price is justified by the camera’s performance, which will appeal to expert and pro photographers on the move.

The RX10 is a rather bulky, DSLR-style bridge camera . It’s not the lightest and most compact camera on our list. But it packs a wonderful zoom lens, covering an impressive 24-600mm range. And it is bright, too, having an f/2.4-4 variable aperture.

Optical stabilization is very effective. Combined with the fast aperture, it makes taking good images in low-light conditions easier. Another interesting feature is the hybrid AF. It’s fast and precise, and it has a 14 fps burst shooting mode and RAW image format.

The camera includes NFC, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth for connectivity. These allow for the easy transfer of your images to a smartphone and remote control of the camera.

This camera also records high-quality 4K video . The dedicated microphone jack port allows recording audio with an external microphone. This makes this camera very attractive for vloggers.

Due to its size, the handling experience is very similar to that of a classic DSLR camera . You will not find yourself battling with small buttons.

A welcome feature for travel photography is that the Sony Cyber-Shot RX10 IV is weather-sealed. You can shoot in any conditions without worries.

Best Compact Camera for Travel FAQs

Packing the right gear is a key element of success when traveling abroad. Finding the best compact camera for travel is an important factor, but your camera is only one piece of the puzzle.

Other accessories are also important. And maybe you’re not confident about compact cameras. These Q&As should help you prepare for your next photography trip.

What Are the Best Mirrorless Cameras for Travel?

The Nikon Z50 is our top recommendation for a mirrorless camera for travel. Its compact body fits any travel backpack, and the APS-C sensor produces gorgeous images. The camera has many creative features and delivers lovely 4K video footage.

More experienced travelers might prefer the Canon EOS R8 . It’s one of the most compact and lightweight full-frame cameras around.

Its 24.2 MP resolution might be modest for a full-frame sensor. But the image quality is still exceptional, with a wide dynamic range and low-noise performance in low light.

Mirrorless cameras are an excellent choice for travel photographers. They are lighter and have smaller bodies than DSLR cameras, making them more portable. They have powerful sensors and superior features. A mirrorless is ideal if you want more from a camera.

Our full article has more of the best mirrorless cameras for travel . We also have another article on the best lightweight cameras , all of which make excellent travel cameras.

Which Backpack Is Best for Compact Travel Cameras?

If you’re traveling with a compact camera, we recommend the Wandrd Duo Daypack . It’s a stylish yet unassuming backpack with plenty of storage space and thorough weather sealing.

If you’re traveling with a compact camera as your main shooter and minimal gear, you don’t need a big travel camera backpack if you’re traveling with minimal equipment. 

The Duo Daypack is ideal for the photographer who travels light. It has a protective “pop camera cube” for larger mirrorless cameras or DSLRs. But it also has padded pockets for smaller gear like compact cameras.

Sensational build quality reassures you when you’re traveling in a new place. You know your gear is safe within. And you’re confident the backpack will last the distance.

You can read our full, in-depth review of the Wandrd Duo Daypack here. Or you can see more of the best camera backpacks for travel we recommend .

What Other Camera Accessories Does a Travel Photographer Need?

Packing too much gear can be a problem when going on a photography trip. It’s easy to fill your backpack with every piece of gear you have, just in case. You then have a heavy backpack of camera gear you won’t use.

The key to a successful trip is packing smart. So here are some photography accessories that are genuinely useful when you’re in a far-flung location.

A secure and protective SD card case is a must-have when traveling. When new, exciting visuals surround you, you can get pretty trigger-happy, and memory cards fill up fast.

Take as many SD cards as possible so your storage isn’t limited. But you have to keep them safe in a durable holder.

The Kiorafoto Professional Card Case is the best option. It has a solid outer casing and is completely watertight when closed. This affordable item can be a lifesaver. See more top-quality SD card cases we’ve reviewed .

Another digital storage solution is to take a rugged portable external hard drive. The LaCie Rugged Mini is ideal for travelers. It has storage options from 1 to 5 TB, is water and dust-resistant, and has fast read-write speeds for quick media transfers.

Another handy digital gadget is a portable power bank like Anker’s slim one . If your camera has USB charging, a power bank lets you fill it up whenever and wherever. This allows you to shoot longer without returning to your hotel or hostel.

Some travelers like to travel with a tripod. While tripods might seem big and cumbersome, you can get specialist travel tripods that are portable . The K&F Concept Lightweight Tripod is one of those. And it’s one we recommend if you need extra stability when country hopping.

Mini tripods are another handy option if you want a light pack. They’re popular with travel vloggers and content creators. And they work very well with compact cameras. The Manfrotto Pixi Evo is the best place to start with mini tripods.

Conclusion: Best Compact Cameras for Travel

The best compact camera for travel is lightweight and portable yet delivers top-quality media. Whether you want high-level holiday snaps or exotic video content, there’s a compact camera with your name on it.

The Sony ZV-1 II is the top choice as the best compact camera for travelers. It produces lovely still photos but excels in vlogging features. The 4K video footage is gorgeous. Hardware features like the built-in mic or rotating touchscreen make it an all-in-one camera for content creation.

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These are the best compact cameras for travelers in 2022

National Geographic’s photo engineer picks the best cameras for capturing your journeys in the year ahead.

The pandemic may have changed when, where, and how we travel, but it did not stamp out our drive to see the world.  

A return to travel means that wanderlust now has an outlet. “Traveling and making photos again is like seeing the north star on a voyage across the ocean,” says National Geographic explorer Kiliii Yüyan . “It feels like I am granted a passport into the hidden stories of the universe, and I’d better make the most of every minute of it.”

Making photographs is one of the best ways to enjoy your adventures in the moment—and long after you return home. As the photo engineer for National Geographic, I design and build custom equipment for professional photographers. I also test consumer products for this annual guide of compact cameras for travelers.

While this year did not bring revolutionary changes in camera manufacturing, there are some excellent new models and helpful updates to discover. Here is our list of the best cameras to bring along on your journeys in the year ahead.

Ricoh GR III and GR IIIx

The GR III may not be the prettiest or flashiest, but it packs a punch. The 24 megapixel (MP) APS-C sensor features in-body image stabilization (IBIS) and dual-type autofocus. The touch screen is snappy, and the menu system is easy to navigate. It’s the one camera I would consider purchasing as my own travel companion.

( See Kiliii Yüyan’s breathtaking images of America’s least visited national park .)

Released in 2021, the GR IIIx is identical to the GR III in every way except for its lens, which is a slightly tighter 40mm f/2.8 equivalent lens. I regularly recommend this camera to pros as a handy backup. For more: Ricoh  

Tip:   The camera’s battery does not have a long life span, but it comes with a built-in USB-C connector. Between shooting days, it’s easy to top it off with a phone charger.  

Sony RX100VII

The seventh-generation RX100 line is packed with useful features, yet each model is small enough to fit inside a jacket pocket. This version comes with real-time autofocus from Sony’s pro line, giving photographers highly reliable eye/face autofocus that now works with animals, as well as people. No other camera in this size has autofocus or shoot speeds close to this little wonder. Plus, it shoots electronically with almost no distortion of moving subjects.

In practice, this means silent shooting and high shutter speeds for working in bright light. The RX100VII sports a 24-200mm equivalent zoom lens that, while not as bright as I would like, covers a wide range for the traveler. I have regularly described this camera line as my “desert island” choice. Does it command a high price for such a small camera? Yes, but it delivers with outstanding performance. For more: Sony

Fujifilm X-T4

While other cameras attempt to imitate or technologically usurp the X-T4, none seem able to match the camera’s design, technology, and performance. This camera can go toe-to-toe with professional full-frame mirrorless models and DSLRs in performance, autofocus, image quality, and handling. It shares the same sensor and image processor as the X-Pro 3, but in an SLR-style body that has all of the controls you could want at your fingertips.

( These photos from the Nat Geo archives capture extraordinary moments in time .)

One of the most impressive things about the X-T4 is that it retains retro charm (vintage dials) while providing professional-grade controls (modern, wheel based), weather sealing, and ports for video or still photography. This provides an enjoyable shooting experience for enthusiasts and pros. The X-T4 isn’t just an excellent travel camera, it’s one of the best mirrorless APS-C cameras on the market, which makes it—in my view—the reigning champion of 2022 travel cameras.   For more: Fujifilm  

Fujifilm X100V

Fujifilm used to be known for one thing: film. But the original X100 was a game-changer in the digital camera industry. The camera revitalized the brand and brought retro styling back to the forefront of camera design. Now the X100V, the fifth in the X100 series, brings a few significant changes. The lens has the same value (35mm f/2 equivalent), but a new design significantly increases sharpness corner to corner, both for wide open and close up images.

The camera's body design adds nearly full weather sealing, a flip-out screen, and a slightly changed grip, as well as improvements to the control layouts (including a control stick). Fujifilm cameras produce the best JPEGs in the industry, with amazing film simulations; cameras in the X100 line are often the backup of choice for photojournalists. This one has a leaf shutter that can sync to high speeds with a strobe and a built-in neutral-density (ND) filter for combatting bright sunlight. For more:   Fujifilm  

Tip:   When photographing with the Fujifilm X100 always pack three things: a hot shoe thumb rest, a lens hood, and a wrist strap. With those you can easily ditch the camera bag and the lens cap.  

Leica Q2, Q2 Monochrom, and Q-P

While the venerable Q series cameras are anything but affordable, they are wonderful to use. If you can overcome the price, these cameras reward in spades. The Q series comprises full-frame, fixed-lens cameras with a 28mm f/1.7 lens providing built-in stabilization. The Q and Q-P are the first generation with a 24.2 MP sensor; the Q2 and Q2 Monochrom have a 47.5 MP sensor, a larger battery, and full weather sealing.

( Photos reveal 51 years of environmental victories .)

I used to prefer the Q-P to the Q2, but the Q2 Monochrom is a totally different animal with a defining feature you may have guessed: it shoots only black and white. The Q2 Monochrom is nearly identical to the Q2, except that its sensor is missing the color filter stack (or Bayer array) and it has a sleek black paint job.

Removing the color filter makes for astounding black and white images; it also increases sharpness and high ISO performance because more light reaches the pixels. If you’re happy with only black and white, you’ll love the Monochrom. If you prefer color, the Q2 or the elder Q-P will be more your liking. You can’t go wrong with any of these models. For more: Leica

Fujifilm X-S10

This model takes almost everything we love about the Fujifilm X-T4 and offers it up at an excellent price, with even better ergonomics and minimal tradeoffs. The only major downgrades from the X-T4 to the X-S10 are a smaller battery, only one memory card slot, no official weather sealing, a smaller viewfinder, and other features such as a lower top shutter speed (which only serious photographer will miss). Other than that, this option has the same internal electronics as the X-T4, thus making it the most affordable new model of APS-C mirrorless camera with IBIS. In all, it may be the best deal on the whole list. For more: Fujifilm  

Tip:   Thanks to its ergonomic grip, this camera pairs well with an all-around zoom lens, such as the Fujifilm XF18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR, to make the perfect one lens travel kit.  

Canon EOS RP

Although I have never chosen a full-frame, interchangeable lens camera for this annual list, there are now a few compact full-frame mirrorless cameras on the market and a few tiny lenses to go with them. This year I tested both the Canon RP and the even smaller Sony a7c. While the a7c is more technically competent in every category, the Canon RP crushes the a7c in a few ways.

First and foremost, the RP is far more comfortable to use in the hand and up to the face. The RP is an affordable full-frame camera, and one of the least expensive cameras on this list. That’s amazing, considering what the camera brings to the table. It wraps all the fundamentals of photography into a package that is forgiving for the beginner and inviting for the enthusiast. For more: Canon  

Tip: Purchase a Canon EF-RF mount adapter so that you can take advantage of countless affordable used EF DSLR lenses on the market.    

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III

A stalwart of this article is the Olympus E-M1 series. This camera series has always impressed me with the sheer number of features it provides. Yes, you have a smaller size 4/3 inch sensor, but this allows for ultra-compact long lenses. The E-M1 Mark III brings various superlatives to the list: best ergonomics, best weather sealing, smallest super-telephoto lenses, and the best stabilization system in the still camera industry.

These highlights are coupled with outstanding new special features such as hand-held high-res shooting (you can take 50 MP images out of a burst of 16 frames) and the Live-ND filter, which simulates a neutral-density filter. In addition, computational photography for handheld shooting emulates some tripod-based long exposure shooting (for example, blurred water of a waterfall). The slightly updated 20 MP sensor from the previous generation E-M1 camera leads to a small increase in sharpness and clarity. The pro line lenses have a high-quality build and sport features such as integrated lens hoods, smooth zoom and focus rings, and round bokeh visualization (background blur).  

The fantastic ergonomics, excellent image stabilization, all-weather durability, high-speed performance, and easy-to-use small lenses add up to a potent wildlife photography kit that won’t weigh you down. Note: The firm that bought the Olympus imaging division seems to be keeping its promises of continuing lens and camera development, so I can confidently recommend the brand. For more: Olympus  

Tip: The best lenses include the Olympus 12-100mm F/4 IS PRO (24-200mm kit lens), 40-150mm F/2.8 PRO (80-300mm pro zoom), 7-14mm PRO (wide-angle zoom), and 300mm F/4 IS PRO (600mm F4 equivalent).  

Tom O’Brien is a mechanical engineer and the photo engineer for National Geographic magazine . He spends his days in his workshop designing and building custom equipment for the magazine’s photographers. You can follow him on Instagram .

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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.

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.

Read more below

The best value travel camera

With a large 1-inch sensor and useful 15x optical zoom, the Panasonic TZ200 puts smartphone-beating performance in your pocket.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. 

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The best compact cameras in 2024: top quality cameras you can take anywhere

These are the best compact cameras you can get right now, and we've tried them all. Get big camera quality in your pocket!

The Quick List

• Best overall
• Best for YouTube
• Best for the streets
• Best hybrid
• Best waterproof
• Best budget
• Best for stills
• Best 1-inch sensor
• Best for megapixels
• How to choose
• How we test

The Quick List ↩ 1. Best overall 2. Best for YouTube 3. Best for the streets 4. Best hybrid 5. Best waterproof 6. Best budget 7. Best for stills 8. Best 1-inch-sensor 9. Best for megapixels How to choose How we test

The best compact cameras are perfect as a 'second' camera for DSLR or mirrorless camera owners who want to travel light now and again. They give little away in features or image quality, but they are small enough to slip into a jacket pocket. These are the ones we rate the highest.

With this guide, we have picked compact cameras that nevertheless have sensors large enough for high-quality images and the mix of automatic and manual controls that enthusiasts and experts will be looking for, and that we are used to getting in a DSLR or mirrorless camera. If you want something cheaper and simpler, we've got that covered too in our guide to the best point-and-shoot cameras .

The key point about 'compact' cameras is that the lenses are not interchangeable. The lens is built in which saves you having to think about which lenses to invest in and which lenses to pack. 

As Ecommerce Editor for Digital Camera World, and having been a professional  photographer for nearly two decades, I've seen and used a LOT of cameras, using compacts while on holiday or when I wanted to travel light. Now in my spare time, I use my trusted Leica M-E to shoot street photography, usually in black and white.

If you want the latest and greatest then there is no denying the new FujiFilm X100VI is the best overall compact on the market with 40MP stills and 6K video capabilities.

Read more below

Aimed at vloggers, the Sony ZV-1 might just look like another variant from the RX100 range but in reality, it's so much more. If you've used one of the RX100s, the sensor and lens will probably be quite familiar.

One of our favorite compact street cameras ever. This is a powerful pocket-sized camera with built-in editing tools, an ND filter, 2GB of internal storage, and a choice of focal lengths.

Panasonic hits a sweet spot by using a mid-sized MFT sensor, which makes it great for both shooting video, and for normal stills photos. However, you do only get a modest 3x zoom.

An update on the TG-6 does little to change the specs, just swapping Olympus for OM Systems on the front – but that doesn't stop this being the best waterproof camera out there.

Best budget option Not many compact cameras offer such a massive zoom, 4K video, manual shooting and a viewfinder. It doesn't have the biggest sensor or the fastest burst mode but it is an impressive little camera. Read more

Load the next products ↴

Best for stills quality This Canon PowerShot uses a big APS-C 24-megapixel sensor that allows it to maximize image quality, whilst still offering you a 3x zoom. Read more

If you want a versatile camera, with a decent zoom range and a great 1-inch sensor then this is the one I'd pick. Read more below

If you want the best compact camera for megapixels then the Leica Q3's 60MP stills beats all the competition - but you'll have to pay a hefty price tag.

The best compact cameras 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 camera overall

1. Fujifilm X100VI

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The new Fujifilm X100VI may seem unchanged on the surface, but I find it hard to complain when the design is as breathtaking and well-crafted as ever. Using the X100VI is still an absolute delight for me, especially with its hybrid viewfinder and manual dials that add a tactile element to my photography experience.

Thankfully, there are some noteworthy upgrades under the hood. With a new 40MP sensor, updated processor, and IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization), the X100VI's stills and video capabilities have received a significant boost. From the initial samples I've taken, the results have been nothing short of excellent.

Admittedly, the price of the X100VI is the highest yet, which does make it a tough decision, especially when there are cameras with better technology available for less. However, for me, the iconic design and enhanced features make it a compelling choice despite the price tag.

Read our Hands-on of the Fujifilm X100VI

Best compact camera for YouTube

2. Sony ZV-1

Aimed at vloggers, the Sony ZV-1 might just look like another variant from the RX100 range but in reality, it's so much more. If you've used one of the RX100s, the sensor and lens will probably be quite familiar. 

Where this camera excels is the controls, rear screen, and body, making it perfect for YouTube . It too has the popular zoom range of 24-70mm with a variable aperture of f/1.8 - f/2.8 however, there is a big change in minimum focusing distance as you zoom which is annoying, especially if you're using it to record video.

The SteadyShot active stabilization wasn't the best however the autofocus is very impressive. It has a vari-angle, a rear tilting screen that means it's perfect for recording yourself or taking selfies and it comes with a mic-wind shield which means its audio quality even with the built-in mic is still pretty good. Unlike the Sony RX100 cameras, it doesn't have a viewfinder, but it produces high-quality images, is even better at video, and, best of all, it'll cost you less. 

Read our full Sony ZV-1 review  

Best for compact camera street photography

3. Ricoh GR IIIx

The Ricoh GR IIIx is a street-savvy version of the Ricoh GR III with a better-suited 40mm lens instead of the original 28mm. It does have a few other benefits to it, including an optional 1.5x teleconverter lens, which can be attached to the fixed lens for a more zoomed-in view.

For an APS-C camera, it's incredibly compact, making it ideal for street or travel photography, and with a wide f/2.8 lens, super fast eye AF, plus sensor-shift stabilization, it's great for portraits, too. It's pocket-sized but it's big on features boasting 2GB internal storage and built-in NDs. It truly is a compact camera aimed at photographers who want to have total control.

Read our full Ricoh GR IIIx review  

Best compact camera for stills and video

4. Panasonic Lumix LX100 II

When it comes to big sensors, the struggle has always been finding a compact camera to match. But let me tell you, Panasonic has nailed it with the LX100 II. It's got the perfect blend of stellar stills and video performance all packed into a pocket-sized body.

What sets it apart is its Micro Four Thirds sensor, which is almost as large as the APS-C sensors found in many DSLRs. Yet, somehow, Panasonic has managed to shrink down the lens assembly to fit snugly within the camera body. It's truly remarkable how they've achieved such a compact design without sacrificing performance.

The LX100 II is a fresh take on the original LX100, which was starting to show its age. With its new 17-megapixel 'multi-aspect' sensor, you have the flexibility to shoot in different aspect ratios without compromising on image quality. And let's not forget the external shutter speed dial, lens aperture ring, and aspect ratio switch – they make shooting with this camera an absolute joy. Trust me, it's a game-changer.

Read our full Panasonic Lumix LX100 II review

Best compact camera for all conditions

5. OM System Tough TG-7

The Olympus TG-6 was my go-to waterproof compact camera, and now it's back as the OM System TG-7. I'm glad to see it's pretty much unchanged because that's exactly what I loved about it. It's still my top pick for a rugged waterproof camera.

One of my favorite features is the built-in microscope setting, which allows me to capture stunning close-up shots. Plus, the Field Sensor System is a neat addition, recording GPS coordinates and ambient temperature along with my photos.

With 4K video at 30fps and the option for Full HD video at 120fps for super-slow motion, the TG-7 is quite versatile. The generous 25-100mm optical zoom lens lets me get up close to the action.

I appreciate the improved chunky handgrip, which gives me a secure hold on the camera, and the internal zoom mechanism means the lens is always protected from knocks and bumps.

Overall, the TG-7 is straightforward yet sophisticated, making it hands down the best waterproof camera I've come across.

Read our full OM System Tough TG-7 review

Best compact camera for budget

6. Panasonic Lumix ZS80/TZ95

When I worked at Wex Photo Video (a British camera retailer), the Panasonic ZS80/TZ95 was my top recommended camera for people who were after something compact, with a generous zoom that didn't break the bank. 

For such a tiny camera, it's hard to believe it has a zoom range of 24-720mm making it possible to shoot wide landscapes and objects far in the distance. With 4K video, a pop-up flash, a range of shooting modes you'd expect to find on a mirrorless camera or DSLR and a macro mode so you can focus as close as 3cm, it really is a jack-of-all-trades system.

 It might not have the fastest burst mode but at 10fps it's plenty quick enough if you're mostly looking for a camera to take on holiday or as an upgrade from your camera phone. 

Read our full Panasonic Lumix ZS80/TZ95 review

Best compact camera for stills only

7. Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III

The Canon G1 X Mark III might be pretty pricey but it's practically a DSLR in a compact body. It boasts an impressive 24-megapixel APS-C sensor, the same sensor you'll find in the Canon EOS 80D DSLR making this compact a great stills-only option.

The lens has a versatile 24-72mm focal range and retracts into the camera to make it perfectly pocket-sized when you're not using it. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a fixed aperture, so at 24mm you can shoot as wide open as f/2.8 but at 72mm the aperture will drop down to f/5.6, which isn't great.

The G1 X Mark III can only shoot 1080P video, not 4K, but that doesn't bother us much as it's not what we would buy it for. It can shoot at 7fps in continuous burst mode and has wifi connectivity for transferring images on the go. 

I did like this flagship PowerShot a lot, and the only thing putting us off is that it's been out for a while but the price has barely shifted. Maybe that's because of how good it is!

Read our Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III review

Best compact camera with a 1-inch sensor

8. Panasonic Lumix LX15 / LX10

The Panasonic LX15, which goes by the name LX10 in North America, lacks a viewfinder, and rather than including a Micro Four Thirds sensor it has a smaller 1-inch 20-megapixel sensor which will reduce image resolution and performance.

However, it is capable of recording 4K video and it has a super-responsive touch screen which makes focusing really easy. It has a zoom range of 24-72mm and a really fast variable aperture of f/1.4-2.0, making it the fastest compact zoom lens available. 

Overall, I think it's a great little camera that has a perfect balance of features, performance, and pricing. It's small enough to fit in a pocket but is powerful enough to take some stunning photos. It's just that... having used both, we'd rather pay the extra for the LX100 II.

Read our full Panasonic Lumix LX10 review

Best compact camera for megapixels

9. Leica Q3

Leica cameras are a bit like Marmite – you either love them or hate them. No matter where you stand, you can't deny they are incredible cameras that offer exceptional image quality. The new Leica Q3 features an impressive full-frame 60-megapixel sensor. It has a fixed 28mm f/1.7 lens, making it one of the fastest prime lenses available on a compact camera. This update to the Leica Q2 now also shoots 8K video.

The biggest downside of this camera is the thing that will put most people off – the price. It's an insanely expensive bit of kit and it would probably be higher on our list if it didn't cost an arm and a leg.

You could pick up one of the best mirrorless cameras and a lens for less, but sometimes the experience of using a Leica is worth the money. Other than the price, they're relatively hard to get hold of so if you have your heart set on one, you might have to hunt for one first.

Read our full Leica Q3 review  

How to choose the best compact camera

You might imagine that one compact camera will be much like another, but there are three key features to take into account before you make a decision.

1) Prime vs zoom lenses: With a compact camera is that the lens is non-interchangeable, so the one it comes with will have to do all the jobs you want the camera for. You may be happy with a single focal length prime lens, or you may prefer the extra scope of a zoom. The focal length range on these zoom cameras varies enormously - from 3x up to over 100x on a bridge camera .

2) Viewfinders: If you find you use the rear screen on a camera most of the time, you may not need an eyelevel viewfinder – and this does give you more scope with cameras. Some photographers, though, would be lost without a viewfinder. 

3) Sensor size : It is not just about megapixels, image quality also improves by using a larger sensor. Full-frame is the biggest size sensor found on compacts, but full-frame compacts are very expensive and have a fixed wide-angle lens. If you want a zoom, the biggest-sized sensor is APS-C which under half the size of full frame. But if you want a big zoom in a pocketable camera, then you will need a model with a 1in sensor (about a third of the size of an APS-C sensor). An MFT sensor is smaller than an APS-C sensor, but bigger than a 1in one. 

How we test compact cameras

During our testing process, we take compact cameras out into the real world, snapping photos in various lighting situations to gauge their performance. With a collective experience encompassing hundreds of models, our reviewers compare the results against both current competitors and past iterations. 

Our focus lies heavily on image quality, scrutinizing the details captured in each shot. Since compact cameras prioritize ease of use and portability, we also closely examine the ergonomics and handling of every model we evaluate.

See more on how we test products at Digital Camera World

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For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. Originally specializing in Equestrianism, his visuals have been used by the leading names in the equestrian industry such as The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), The Jockey Club, Horse & Hound, and many more for various advertising campaigns, books, and pre/post-event highlights.

He is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, holds a Foundation Degree in Equitation Science, and is a Master of Arts in Publishing.  He is a member of Nikon NPS and has been a Nikon user since the film days using a Nikon F5 and saw the digital transition with Nikon's D series cameras and is still to this day the youngest member to be elected into BEWA, The British Equestrian Writers' Association. 

He is familiar with and shows great interest in street, medium, and large format photography with products by Leica, Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa, and Sinar. Sebastian has also used many cinema cameras from the likes of Sony, RED, ARRI, and everything in between. He now spends his spare time using his trusted Leica M-E or Leica M2 shooting Street photography or general life as he sees it, usually in Black and White.

• Gareth Bevan Reviews Editor
• Rod Lawton Contributor

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Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

The Best Travel Camera: Compact, DSLR, Mirrorless & Phone!

Last updated: April 7, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 167 Comments

I’m a professional travel photographer, and one of the most popular questions I’m asked by readers and students on my travel photography course is what the best travel camera is.

With that in mind, I wanted to put together a definitive (and regularly updated) guide to the best travel camera out there.

This guide covers everything you need to know to help you choose the best camera for travel, based on your needs and budget, as well as a guide to all my favourite cameras.

This is a detailed post, in which I’m going to cover my top picks for the best camera across a range of categories, including smartphones, compact cameras, mirrorless cameras and DSLR cameras, to name just some of the options.

These travel camera picks will suit a wide range of budgets, needs, and expertise levels. Our picks are ordered in approximate order of budget, from lower budget models through to higher end models.

I’m also going to go through in detail what you need to look for when buying a camera for travelling, and why each specification is important, so you can make the best choice for you.

Remember, the best camera for travel is going to be very dependent on your needs and situation, but after reading this post you should be able to pick the right camera for you – even if it’s not one we suggest!

I also have a guide to the best cameras for hiking and backpacking which contains some different options specific to those requirements, as well as a guide to the best action cameras .

This guide will also work if you are looking to buy a camera for someone else, and I recommend taking a look at our photography gift guide for more ideas of what to buy a photographer too.

Now, before we dive into individual travel camera recommendations, let’s get started by looking at what you need to think about when picking a camera for travel.

I think this is essential reading, as understanding what you are looking for when buying a camera will help you make a truly informed decision.

What To Consider When Picking A Travel Camera

Budget – how much do you have to spend on a travel camera.

This is an important one. Cameras vary wildly in price, from a couple of hundred dollars up to thousands of dollars. So you definitely need to think about how much you want to spend.

Also, this is a travel camera. Whilst you want to get the best shots, travel can expose you to risks, from loss to theft. Obviously, these are things that can be mitigated against with insurance, but it’s something to bear in mind when making an investment – the more pricey the camera, the higher the insurance premium.

Finally, don’t forget that the camera is only a part of the puzzle. You will also need things like memory cards, spare batteries, lenses – as well as possibly a tripod and filters. Your needs will vary, but don’t forget to include them in your overall budget – I’ve written a post on travel photography accessories to give you some pointers, as well as a guide to picking the best lens for travel photography .

Weight – How much are you willing to carry around?

This is a really important question. If you’re the kind of person who likes to travel light, then you’re not going to want a bulky DSLR. Having the best travel camera that sits in your hotel room while you’re out having fun isn’t going to be much use.

Even a mirrorless system might be too much for you if you want something that will truly fit in your pocket or purse, and your best bet is probably a smartphone or compact camera.

On the other hand, if image quality and low-light performance are more important to you than weight, and you’re happy carrying spare lenses, filters, and other accessories, then you’ll likely be looking at a mirrorless or DSLR system.

Remember, as a general rule of thumb, the bigger the camera, the more room it has for a larger sensor. A larger sensor means the camera can capture more light, which means you’ll get sharper, cleaner images even when shooting in darker situations.

Use – What are you going to be taking pictures of?

The type of photography you’re going to be doing makes a big different to the type of travel camera you will be buying. If your main goal is to take nice travel photos for your albums, social media, and to post to friends and family online, then any of the camera types will likely do the job.

However, if you’re going to be doing a lot of action photography, or need the camera to be fully waterproof, then something like a GoPro is going to be the best option.

If you like astrophotography, you’re going to need a camera with a big sensor to let in plenty of light and you might want to invest in a DSLR. Conversely, if you just want a general purpose camera with plenty of flexibility for a variety of travel scenes, from food to landscapes to people, then something like a mirrorless system will most likely be best, offering the best performance for the weight.

Extra features to look for in a Travel Camera

A lot of cameras these days come with extra features that you may or may not care about. I’m talking about touchscreen interfaces, built-in GPS, WiFi, weather resistance, pivoting screens, and so on.

The main features you should be looking at in terms of actual image quality are the sensor size, aperture range, level of manual control, and, for cameras without an interchangeable lens, the optical zoom. Beyond that, which features you are interested in depend on your needs.

For example, you may also want to take videos with your camera. Some cameras are much better at video than others – notably Panasonic’s range of Lumix cameras are known for their video performance.

Personally, I love having a camera with GPS and WiFi capabilities so I can easily remember where my shots were taken, plus I can remote control my camera from my smartphone. On the other hand, a touchable, pivoting screen isn’t a deal breaker for me.

What works for me might not work for you though, so think about which features are important to you when making a purchasing decision. The best camera for travel photography definitely varies from person to person, but hopefully the information in this post will help you make the right decision.

Photography Terminology to Know When Buying a Camera for Travel

Like any subject, photography brings with it a raft of terminology – some of it is important to know about, other things are manufacturer buzzwords that don’t really make any difference to your photography. Here are the important terms to look for when buying a camera for travel, and what they mean.

Aperture. The aperture is the hole in the lens that lets light in, and is one side of the exposure triangle . Aperture is measured in numbers, with an “f” preceding the number, for example, f/1.8, f/2.2. The smaller the number after the “f”, the bigger the hole, and the more light that gets in. Look for smaller numbers, which will let you get better pictures even when there is less light available, and also allow you to better control depth of field .

Optical zoom. This represents the difference between the smallest and largest magnification that the camera’s lens can achieve. So a camera with a 10x optical zoom can make objects seem 10x bigger in the image compared to when the camera is zoomed out.

Digital zoom. A totally pointless feature that some manufacturers add to their cameras. It’s basically a software zoom – the same effect you get if you zoom in on your PC or smartphone when you have an image. Avoid using it.

Focal length. Focal length is the proper photography term for optical zoom, and is a standard across lenses and manufactures. Optical zoom is an easy to understand number that you will find in point and shoot cameras. Focal length, measured in mm, is the number you will find on cameras with interchangeable lenses. The bigger the focal length, the more magnification the lens offers.

EVF. An electronic viewfinder. This means that the camera has a viewfinder, but rather than being a glass based version that shows the scene in front of you as your eye sees it, instead there’s a small electronic screen which shows what the camera sensor is seeing – the same as the display on the back of the camera. You generally only find these on high end mirrorless cameras.

Megapixels. Megapixels just refers to the number of pixels the camera’s sensor has. Mega means million. So 12 megapixels is 12 million pixels, and would be an image 4000 pixels wide and 3000 pixels high. 4000 * 3000 = 12 million.

Thankfully, manufacturers are nearly over the megapixel war, which is a good thing, because as long as you have over about 12 megapixels, you’re good to go. In some cases, such as smartphones, less megapixels is actually better, as you’ll probably get better low-light performance as each pixel on the sensor might be bigger. But yes, unless you’re planning on printing out your images on billboard sized canvases, you can essentially ignore the megapixel marketing.

OIS / EIS. These are image stabilisation technologies, either Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) or Electronic Image Stabilisation (EIS). OIS is found in a number of camera and lens systems, and a small number of smartphones, and is a mechanical system that compensates for small movements of the camera system, such as your hand. EIS is generally only found in smartphones, and is a software solution for motion compensation. OIS generally achieves better results.

Sensor size. The size of the sensor inside a camera is one of the most important specifications to be aware of. The bigger the sensor, the more light it can capture, and so the better it will perform in conditions where there is less light.

Sensor sizes range from tiny, such as those found in smartphones, and generally increase in size as the size of the camera increases. Here’s a diagram to show different sensor sizes, and you can read more about different formats here .

Do be aware that manufactures can be a bit sneaky when it comes to describing sensor sizes, particularly in compact cameras. They might for example, talk about having a “1-inch” sensor.

This refers to the type of sensor, rather than it’s physical size. So whilst a 1/2.3 inch sensor is smaller than a 1-inch sensor, neither sensor is actually close to 1/2.3 inch or 1 inch. See more on how physical sensor sizes map to actual sensor sizes here .

RAW. RAW is a file format that more advanced cameras use, allowing you to save the unmodified image data that the camera has captured, rather than the edited JPG version.

This gives you much greater control over the final look of your images, with the downside that file sizes are much bigger, and you have to edit them on your computer in an image editing program before you can use them anywhere.

Many cameras give you the option to shoot in RAW, JPEG/JPG, or to shoot in both. We recommend shooting in both even if you plan only to use the JPG version for now – in the future as your photography skills develop, you’ll be pleased to have the option to go back and edit the original RAW files. You can find out more about RAW in my guide to RAW in photography .

If you are interested in learning more about photography and understanding in detail all the terms above and how they affect your shots, check out my travel photography course , which has all the photography answers you need.

The Best Travel Camera

I’ve divided this list into the different types of camera for travel, with some information on what to look for in each category. I will keep this post updated with the latest travel camera options as they are released. You can see the last date of update at the top of the post.

Each section has a series of the best travel camera recommendations ordered approximately by price, from lowest to highest. Note that prices change and sales occur, which is why we link you to the relevant pages on Amazon and other camera retailers for up to date pricing information.

This should give you everything you need to know to help you make a decision on which would be the best travel camera for you to buy, based on your budget, usage scenario and luggage space.

Best Smartphones for Photography

Why pick a smartphone for travel photography.

If you care about portability, ease of use, and not having to carry another device around with you, then my advice is to get a smartphone with a decent camera, and just use that.

A smartphone can certainly make for a good travel camera, and the latest smartphones take excellent photos in a wide variety of situations.

They also have more features than your average small travel camera – you can share the images directly from the smartphone to your favourite social media platforms, plus have them automatically back up to the cloud as you go using something like the Google Photos app.

In addition, since a smartphone is a device that nearly all of us will be travelling with anyway, choosing one which takes good photos is a cost-effective way of buying a camera.

The main disadvantages are the lack of lens options, reduced manual controls, and generally poor performance in low-light due to the small sensor. But if you want something you’re always going to have on you, a smartphone is hard to beat.

Finally, I’d also add that it’s worth picking a smartphone with a good camera even if you plan on buying a standalone camera. It will serve as a good backup, and you are likely to always have it on you.

What to Look for When Buying a Smartphone for Travel Photography

Manufacturers are fairly inventive when it comes to squeezing tech into tiny smartphone bodies, but obviously there’s a limit to what can be achieved in such a small form factor.

Features to look out for include a wide aperture, which will let more light in, and let you capture shots in low light conditions. Another good feature is an optical zoom, which will let you capture images of further away subjects. This is usually achieved either with a clever nifty periscope zoom, or through the use of multiple cameras as different focal lengths.

Some smartphone manufacturers talk about having bigger pixel sizes. This relates to the physical size of the pixels on the sensor, a number measured in µm, or micrometers. Larger pixel sizes are good as they are more light sensitive and help low light performance.

Speaking of pixels, be wary of high megapixel numbers. In my opinion, anything above 16MP is a warning sign that the manufacturer is trying to win you over with high numbers – you really want less megapixels, as each pixel can then be bigger to capture more light.

Other features to look out for are some form of stabilisation, either optical or electronic, which will let you get photos in lower light and compensate for your hand movement. Better smartphones will have more manual controls to give you more options for your photos. There are different types of focusing system, but I’ve never found a lot of variation between them. Waterproofing can be a benefit, meaning you can get photos in the rain or at the beach.

Also if you plan to travel internationally with your phone a lot, try to choose an unlocked phone so you can put a foreign SIM card in, and that works on multiple frequencies so you still get 3G, LTE/4G and 5G (for more recent phones). That means you can still easily use it to call, text, and get online when travelling internationally. Here’s an excellent resource for finding out which phones work on which networks in which countries.

The Best Smartphone for Travel Photography

Here are five suggestions for current phones which I think are some of the best smartphones for travel photography and should definitely at least get you started in your search. Prices are for the unlocked version of the phones, you might be able to get a better deal through a carrier on a contract.

1. Google Pixel 8

Launched in late 2023, the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro offer a combination of reasonable price and excellent camera performance. They can take great pictures in the majority of lighting situations, including in low light, when it switches into a low light mode.

Most users will likely be happy with the Pixel 8 version. This comes with a 50MP wide angle camera (which outputs 12.5MP images) and a 12MP ultrawide camera, as well as an 8MP front facing camera. It comes with a 1/1.31” sensor and a f/1.7 aperture. The wide-angle camera has 1.2µm pixels, whilst the ultrawide uses 1.25µm pixels

You also get 4K video support as well as built-in image stabilization. The standard Pixel has no optical zoom, but it does support shooting in RAW. Being a smartphone, it has a touchscreen, and it’s also water resistant.

You can also upgrade to the Pixel 8 Pro if you want an additional 5x telephoto lens, although it does cost a bit more.

This would be our pick for the best reasonably priced smartphone for travel photography.

Check latest price here .

2. Fairphone 5

Since 2013, Fairphone have been manufacturing smartphones that are fairly made. What does that mean? Well, the idea is that the production of their devices is made in a sustainable way, with practices that benefit everyone involved.

That includes the people involved in everything from the mining of the materials that go into the phone, through to you, the consumer. Over the years, smartphones have become increasingly hard for consumers to repair, with the industry moving towards a more disposable model.

Fairphone wants to change that, with phones that are user repairable and upgradeable, as well as relatively affordable.

Now, to be honest, the first few phones from FairPhone weren’t class leading. Building a device that meets all their requirements is tough. But they have continued, and the latest iteration, the Fairphone 5, is actually solid performer when it comes to general use, and also as a camera.

You get two main cameras. The first is a 50MP f/1.9 aperture camera with a 1/1.56″ sensor, 1 μm pixels and optical image stabilization. The second is an ultrawide 50MP with an f/2.2 aperture, 0.7um pixels and a 1/2.51″ sensor.

Now, the image quality from other phones on our list will be marginally better, but the green and environmental credentials of the Fairphone are world leading for smartphones.

3. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Samsung’s flagship Galaxy phones are known for their superior photography capabilities, and the 2023 Galaxy S23 Ultra is no exception.

You get four rear mounted lenses, a boggling 200MP f/1.7 wide angle, a telephoto 10MP f/4.9, a second telephoto 10MP f/2.4 and an ultrawide 12MP f/2.2.

This range of lenses gives you a 10x optical zoom, as well as impressive digital zoom capabilities which go all the way up to 100x! The front facing camera is no slouch either, offering a 12MP f/2.2 wide angle.

Pair that with pixel sizes from 0.6µm-1.4µm pixels and OIS – all packaged in a water-resistant smartphone, it’s no wonder that it is usually found at the top of the pile when people review cameras for smartphones. This is the smartphone I currently own and use for my mobile travel photography needs. Check latest price here .

4. iPhone 15 Pro Max

The latest iPhone Max model offers a range of photography focused features that make it a worthwhile upgrade over previous iPhone models. You get 3 cameras in total.

There’s a main 48MP camera which also offers a 2x 12MP zoom. Then there are 2 12-megapixel cameras, one which offers an ultra-wide lens, and one with a 5x telephoto zoom. This latter is the biggest optical zoom of any iPhone to date.

There’s also a built in LIDAR scanner, which makes for wonderful night photos, as well as a RAW mode. A great choice if you’re an Apple person.  Check latest price here .

Best Compact Camera for Travel Photography

Why pick a compact camera for travel photography.

A compact travel camera offers a number of advantages. First, they offer larger sensors than most smartphones, so image quality and performance is usually improved. They are pocketable, so easy to take with you.

Compact cameras also tend to be designed to be more user friendly (hence the nickname point-and-shoot cameras) and are generally much less expensive than mirrorless and DSLR camera systems. Many models offer manual controls, and having a separate device means you can keep on taking photos even if your smartphone battery is on the way out.

One of the biggest advantages though, and the reason to pick a compact travel camera over a smartphone, is the optical zoom. All the compact travel cameras we feature have an optical zoom (except the GoPros), letting you get shots of distant objects that you wouldn’t be able to get with a smartphone.

The main disadvantages are the smaller sensor sizes compared to a mirrorless or DSLR and the lack of interchangeable lenses.

If you’re interested in buying a compact camera, see our detailed guide to getting the most out of a compact camera here for some tips and advice.

What to look for when buying a Compact Travel Camera for Travel Photography

There are a variety of features that compact travel cameras offer for travel photography. Key features to look for are the optical zoom, and specifically, how much optical zoom the camera offers.

Other features include the size of the sensor – the bigger the sensor, the better the performance – the maximum aperture, and whether or not there is some form of image stabilisation technology built in.

Any camera with a long optical zoom needs excellent image stabilisation, as the more you zoom in, the more exacerbated tiny movements become.

Other features to consider depending on your needs include GPS, WiFi and touchscreen capabilities. Some more advanced compact travel cameras also include manual modes, which can really help you get the most out of them, and some even shoot in RAW. Let’s take a look at our pick of the best compact travel cameras.

The Best Compact Camera for Travel Photography

Here are a number of my top suggestions for compact travel cameras which I think are some of the best options for travel photography.

Note, many manufacturers have ramped down production of their compact cameras and new models are not being released. This is largely due to the popularity of smartphones.

The main impact is that many of the models I recommend are now older models.

This means stock and availability of some compact camera models can be very low. This is especially the case at the lower price points.

I’d suggest checking used camera sites like KEH or MPB if you are struggling to find a specific model.

1. Panasonic Lumix ZS70 / (TZ90 in UK)

With a 30x optical zoom lens, a 20.3MP 1/2.3 inch sensor, OIS, full manual controls and RAW support, this camera puts out some great shots at an excellent price for what you get. It even has an electronic viewfinder, which is rare in a compact camera and can make composing images in bright sunlight easier.

A newer model was released in 2019 – the ZS80 . This adds Bluetooth and a higher resolution EVF but not much else. We’re not sure that is a sufficient upgrade to justify the price difference, but it’s up to you. If you find them at the same price, then you might as well get the ZS80, otherwise the ZS70 remains our pick while it’s still available.

Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

2. Sony RX100

It also has a fast f/1.8 aperture and a 3x optical zoom. It’s a little long in the tooth now, but you can pick one up for a great price, hence the inclusion in this list. You can also get newer models with newer features at increasing price points.

We use and love the RX100 version V , which offers a number of upgrades over this model and is available at a reasonable price. You can see the bottom of this section for the latest and greatest version as well.

Check price on Amazon here

3. Canon Powershot SX740

At 1/2.3in, the sensor is similar to other cameras at this price point. Also, as with other cameras with a long zoom, it comes with the tradeoff that the maximum aperture only goes to f3.3, and at maximum zoom, is all the way down at f/6.9.

Still, it’s one of the best zoom cameras in our list of point and shoot travel cameras, especially at this price point, and the price is excellent for what you get.

4. Olympus TG-7 Waterproof Camera

If you need a camera that will survive nearly everything you throw at it, including drops and being submerged in water, then this Olympus is a great option.

It’s particularly focused on those looking for underwater photography, and unlike the GoPro mentioned below, it features a 4x optical zoom lens. This is also optically stabilized.

This camera also has RAW shooting, 4K video support, a fast f/2 lens and built in GPS, as well as a variety of dust, shock and waterproof features. Of all the cameras in our list, this is probably the one with the most survivability!

5. Canon Powershot G9 X Mark II

It has more manual controls, allows for RAW shooting, and an aperture that starts at f/2. The optical zoom isn’t too impressive at 3x, but you definitely get improved image quality from that larger sensor.

6. Sony Cybershot HX99

With an excellent 28x optical zoom packed into a small body, the camera offers an 18.2-megapixel 1/2.3in sensor, flipping touch screen, 4K video support, electronic viewfinder, manual modes, RAW support, Bluetooth and 10fps shooting support.

It’s an excellent choice for a compact zoom camera, with good image quality and solid features. It’s also reasonably priced for what it offers.

Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here .

7. Panasonic Lumix ZS100 (TZ100 in UK)

Panasonic’s 1-inch sensor camera model is no slouch, with an f/2.8 aperture lens and an impressive 10x optical zoom. It also has full manual controls, a touchscreen interface, EVF, OIS and RAW shooting.

It’s a little more pricey than other options in our list, but that optical zoom is a definite bonus in the 1-inch sensor category. There is also a newer model, the ZS200 , which costs a bit more and also has a 15x optical lens, although it has a narrower aperture as a result.

8. Panasonic Lumix LX100 II

We’re moving up a price point now with the Panasonic Lumix LX100 II. This is unique amongst the compact cameras in our lineup, as it uses a micro four thirds sensor.

This larger sensor results in better low light performance, but does mean the camera is larger and heavier. The sensor offers 17MP of resolution in a 4:3 aspect ratio. The camera comes with a 24-75mm equivalent lens (approximately 3x optical zoom) which offers a variable aperture of f/1.7 – f/2.8.

You also get a touch screen, electronic viewfinder, optical image stabilization, full manual controls, and RAW support. The screen however doesn’t flip out.

Overall, this is an excellent option for those who don’t mind trading absolutely portability for improved image quality. If you fall within this category, you may also consider the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III , which has an even larger APS-C sized sensor in an even larger body.

9. Sony RX100 VII

There’s a big jump in price to Sony’s latest RX100 model, the RX100 VII. Released in August 2019, in our opinion this is one of the best compact travel cameras money can buy. If your budget can stretch to it then this would be our pick for the best compact camera for travel.

Like the previous model in the lineup, the VI, this camera is a leap over previous cameras in the RX100 lineup as it has a far more impressive optical zoom, equivalent to 8x, with a 24mm – 200mm lens.

This compares very favourably to the previous optical zoom of models in the range (versions I – V), at 3x.

It still retains the 1-inch sensor, so you get better image quality than your average compact camera. It’s also the first in the series to feature a variable aperture which is slightly slower – however we feel this is a reasonable trade-off due to the zoom capability. It also has image stabilisation, a tilting screen and an electronic viewfinder.

We would argue that this is the best small camera for travel photography, if you have the budget for it, although the improvements over the VI are not too significant, so if you can find that for a lower price, that might be the one to go for. We personally have the version V model which we got for a great price during a sale event.

The Best Action Camera for Travel Photography

Why pick an action camera for travel photography.

If you are going to be spending time doing any kind of adventure activities, from snorkelling and swimming to skiing or snowboarding, an action camera is likely going to be the best option for you.

These tiny cameras are designed for use in more extreme environments, including total water immersion, and are perfect for capturing moments that other cameras simply wouldn’t survive.

That survivability does come with a trade-off of course – most action cameras don’t have manual controls, optical zoom or the ability to change aperture settings. However, when you’re catching the perfect wave you are unlikely to be wanting to fiddle with that sort of thing anyway – you just want something that works.

We’d generally say that an action camera is going to be best as a secondary camera or if you plan on making a lot of video. It can work as your primary camera, if you are happy to live with the restrictions.

What to look for when buying an Action Camera for Travel Photography

Most action cameras are fairly similar in size and features, although there are a few things to look out for.

Obviously, the environments the camera can survive in are important to consider. Some action cameras are totally waterproof for example, whilst others will need a special housing.

The interface is also important. These cameras are very small, so having a simple interface is key so you aren’t fumbling with setting when trying to get the shot.

Other features to look out for are image or video stabilization, size of the screen, if it has a touchscreen for control, additional features like voice commands and the resolution of the video and photo files. Support for 4K video for example should be the default for any action camera you buy for travel.

It’s also worth checking to see what accessories the camera comes with, as this can add a lot to the price. Some cameras come with a lot of accessories out of the box, whilst others will require you to spend quite a bit on additional accessories to meet your needs.

Best Action Camera for Travel Photography

Here are some of our suggestions for the best action cameras for travel photography. We also have a more complete guide to the best action cameras if you want some more suggestions.

1. Akaso Brave 7 LE

Despite the lower price, this camera doesn’t skimp on features. It supports video at up to 4K at 30 frames per second, 20MP still image capture, voice commands, electronic image stabilization, a large touch screen for control, and a second front facing screen which is perfect for selfies. It’s even water resistant without the case down to a metre, or 40 metres with the case.

Check price on Amazon here .

2. GoPro Hero

The most well-known brand in action cameras has to be GoPro, and specifically the GoPro Hero range of action cameras. Whilst they tend to be the more expensive option, they excel at action photography and video.

If you need something that’s going to survive water and action, then the GoPro line is the best option out there.

Advantages of the GoPro are that it is waterproof without a housing down to 10 metres (with housings available deeper than this), and they have fantastic image stabilization. It also has voice activated commands.

The disadvantage is that to get the best shots you are going to need to buy a number of accessories so you can mount the GoPro wherever you want. These can add up a bit. You’re also likely to need additional batteries.

Still, if you want the best action camera out there for image quality and features, the GoPro series is the one to go for!

Check price on Amazon here and  B&H here  

3. Insta360 Go 3

If you can’t decide between an ultraportable action camera and one with a screen, then we’d highly recommend checking out the Insta360 Go 3, which offers the best of both worlds, and is one of the action cameras we currently use.

The camera itself is tiny, weighing around 35g (1.2oz). Despite the diminutive size it’s still fully featured though, supporting 2.7K video. It’s also waterproof without a housing and features a powerful magnet system which allows you to mount and attach it almost anywhere.

If you use the camera on its own then there’s no screen. However, pop it into the “action pod” and it turns into a more traditional looking action camera with a full size tiling touchscreen, control buttons and additional battery life.

4. Insta360 X3

Most cameras on the market today shoot what’s in front of you. However, if you want to capture all the action, then you might consider a 360-degree action camera.

If that’s the case, then the brand we recommend is Insta360. They’ve been making 360-degree cameras for a number of years, and we have used a number of their cameras on trips around the world.

Their latest 360 action camera is the Insta360 X3 . It comes with two cameras, meaning it can capture a 360-degree view of the world at 5.7K. It’s no slouch at photography either, able to capture a 72MP 360 degree photo.

That means that you can get the shot and then crop down as you wish to frame the exact action moment you want. Alternatively, you can shoot with a single lens if you want. Both front and rear facing cameras are equipped with a 1/2″ 48MP sensor. It also supports HDR mode and is waterproof to 33ft (10 metres).

Check price on Amazon here and  B&H here 

Best Mirrorless Camera for Travel Photography

Why pick a mirrorless travel camera for travel photography.

A mirrorless travel camera is a relatively new development in the travel camera space. They are similar to DSLR cameras; however they do not have an internal mirror to reflect light from the lens to the optical viewfinder.

This means that they can be smaller, lighter and more portable – making them a top contender for the best camera for travel.

Mirrorless cameras also have all the other benefits of a DSLR – larger sensors, manual controls, excellent image quality and interchangeable lenses.

In terms of disadvantages, they are of course larger and heavier than smartphones or compact travel cameras and are more expensive, especially when you factor in one or two good lenses.

Compared to DSLRs, they generally have poorer battery life, and less lens choice – although this latter is improving as mirrorless systems mature.

What to look for when buying a Mirrorless Travel Camera for Travel Photography

Mirrorless cameras come with different sensor sizes, from the micro 4/3 format up to full frame. All of these are larger than those you will find in compact travel cameras or smartphones, and again, the larger the sensor, the more light the camera can capture in any given situation.

Another key factor to consider is the lens selection. Different manufacturers offer different lens systems, so it’s worth investigating to be sure there are sufficient lens choices for the kind of photography you want to be doing. Also be aware that whilst most mirrorless cameras ship with a kit lens, you can also buy them without a kit lens and then buy a more suitable lens for your needs.

Other considerations include the screen type, if the camera has an EVF, WiFi, water resistance, type of focus system and so on.

Also be aware that all of the camera manufacturer’s below have a range of mirrorless options – I’ve done my best to highlight those that offer the best combination of price and features for travel photography.

Based on a few years of experience shooting with a variety of different mirrorless camera systems, and feedback from fellow travel photographers, we’re put together our list of the best mirrorless cameras for travel.

If you choose one of these, we also recommend reading our guide to how to use a mirrorless camera to get you started!

1. Canon EOS R100

With a large APS-C size sensor as found in their consumer DSLRs, the Canon EOS R100 is one of the best budget travel camera options to consider. It took Canon a while to get into the mirrorless camera game, but their “R” series is now a serious line-up of excellent cameras.

The R100 is the entry level model, launched in July 2023. You get an APS-C sized 24.1MP sensor, a superb autofocus system, support for a wide range of lenses as well as built in Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth. The relatively large sensor offers good performance, and I’ve personally always found the Canon menu system to be the most intuitive to use.

There’s no touchscreen, which is a logical omission at this price point, but other than that you are looking at perhaps the best entry-level mirrorless camera for beginners.

Check price on Amazon here and B&H here .

2. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

The Olympus has an excellent in-camera stabilisation system, an EVF, a (fixed) touchscreen and WiFi connectivity. There’s also a wide range of micro 4/3 lenses available.

3. Sony a6100

Sony have been making mirrorless cameras for a long time, and the a6000 was our model of choice for a long time. However, the camera was released in 2014, and is now getting a bit long in the tooth.

Today, we recommend the a6100 which was released in 2019. This features an APS-C sized sensor (the same as you find in most DSLR’s), fast autofocus, a tilting touch screen, EVF, and a wide range of lenses, plus WiFi, and is an excellent bit of kit for the price. The main omission is weather sealing, for which you’d want to consider the a6400 or a6600 .

Sony have a number of models in the a6xxx range. These include the a6000 (2014, discontinued), a6300 (2016, discontinued), a6500 (2016, discontinued), a6600 (2019), a6400 (2019) our current recommendation, the a6100 (2019) and the a6700 (2023).

Each of these offers different features and capabilities over the a6100. Differences include battery life, autofocus, touch screen capabilities and image stabilization.

Depending on your budget, you might find one of these suits your needs better. The a6600 in particular is an excellent choice as it offers in camera image stabilization as well as a touch screen, weather sealing and much improved battery life.

However, as of writing we think the a6100 is one of the best budget mirrorless cameras for travel.

4. Nikon Z50

Nikon was late to the mirrorless camera game, but they’ve now released a number of mirrorless camera models including full frame and DX sensor models.

The Z50 is their more entry level mirrorless camera, which features a DX sized sensor, similar to the APS-C sensor in other cameras.

It has a 20.9MP sensor, 11fps burst shooting, 4K video support, a tilting touchscreen display and an OLED viewfinder.  You also get Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, with battery life rated to around 300 shots.

If you are an existing Nikon user looking to make the leap to mirrorless, this is an excellent option. It’s a great lightweight alternative to something like the D7500, and has compatibility with most of Nikon’s lenses via an adaptor.

If you’d prefer a full frame option, consider the Nikon Z6 II or Z7 II .

Price: Check price on Amazon here , B&H here , and Adorama here

5. Panasonic Lumix GX9

To start with, Panasonic cameras are known for excellent video performance, and if this was a round-up of the best travel video camera, it would have many more Panasonic cameras in!

The GX9 also has the advantages of a fully tilting touchscreen, 4K video, excellent sensor based optical stabilisation, a wide lens choice (most micro 4/3 lenses will work). Unfortunately, unlike the GX8, this doesn’t have a weather sealed body.

6. Fujifilm X-T30 II

The X-T30 II features an APS-C sized 26.1MP sensor, excellent build quality and a reputation for taking superb, sharp photos.

You also get an EVF, a tilting touch screen and WiFi.

If you want a more traditional mode dial interface, check out the Fuji X-S10 which offers similar specifications but with the addition of in-body stabilization.

7. Canon EOS RP

This is the first full frame option in our list. I wanted to include full frame cameras in this list, despite them being a little larger and often more expensive than cameras with smaller sensors.

A full frame camera has a sensor that is approximately equivalent to a frame of 35mm film, and they generally offer the best image quality and low-light performance, at the downside of a higher price and larger physical size.

Canon’s full frame mirrorless range launched in 2018 with the Canon EOS R , and the RP is the more budget friendly offering, which has an excellent feature set in a very compact offering.

For your money you get a full frame sensor in a lightweight, weather-resistant body. There’s a flipping touchscreen, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, and a 26.2-megapixel sensor.

The best news though is that if you are an existing Canon user, there’s a lens adaptor. This will let you use all your existing EF and EF-S Canon lenses with the camera, meaning you don’t have to re-invest in all new lenses.

There are a few omissions – there’s no in-body image stabilization, and burst rates max out at 5fps. However we think this is an excellent option, especially if you already have some Canon lenses.

If your budget stretches to it you might instead consider the more recent Canon EOS R8 , but for the money I think the RP is a bargain full frame option.

8. Canon EOS R7

Launched in 2022, this APS-C camera is packed with the latest technology. In fact, a lot of the technology in this camera, especially around autofocus, is borrowed from Canon’s high-end EOS R3, a camera which retails in excess of $6,000 USD.

At the heart of this camera is a 32.5MP APS-C sized sensor. That is fully image stabilized, and it supports shooting at 15 frames per second (mechanical) and a staggering 30 frames per second (electronic).

Perhaps the most impressive feature though is the autofocus. This can identify and track a range of subjects, including animals and birds. I have used this system extensively and it is amazing how well it can lock onto even a fast moving subject to enable you to get sharp shots every time.

You also get a touch-enabled flip screen, weather sealing, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and compatibility with a massive selection of Canon lenses. Battery life is reasonable at 660 shots, and the weight without a lens is also good at 612g/ 21.58oz.

If the price is a bit much, consider instead the Canon EOS R10 . The sensor has fewer megapixels and you lose image stabilization and weather sealing. However, it weighs a lot less and you still get a very powerful camera for your money.

Price on B&H here  and  Adorama here

9. Sony Alpha 7c II

If you like the look of the Sony A6xxx line but want something with a full frame sensor, look no further than the Sony A7C.

Somehow, Sony has managed to fit a full frame sensor into a body that is almost identical in size and weight to the A6600, making it one of the smallest full frame mirrorless cameras on the market today.

They haven’t cut corners in terms of features either. You get a 33MP sensor, 10fps shooting, in body image stabilization, 4K video, WiFi, bluetooth, vari-angle touchscreen and weather proofing.

It even manages 540 shots on a charge. A fantastic option if you want something with a full frame sensor but in a relatively compact size.

Check latest price on Amazon here , B&H here , and Adorama here

10. Canon EOS R6 Mark II

In 2020, Canon launched two spectacular mirrorless camera options, namely the Canon EOS R6 and the Canon EOS R5 .

These were the first full frame mirrorless cameras from Canon featuring in-body image stabilization, offering an amazing 8 stops of stabilization when used with a compatible lens.

In 2022, a new model of the R6 was released, the R6 Mark II. This features improved battery life, a slightly larger sensor, and a much faster burst shooting speed compared to the original R6. It also retails at the same original MSRP of the R6, so would be the camera we recommend.

Compared to the R5, the R6 Mark II is the lower priced version, and the one we would recommend for most travel photographers. The R5 is an amazing bit of kit, with 8K video support and a higher megapixel sensor. We personally use the R5 (see our full Canon EOS R5 review here ), and love it.

However, the R6 Mark II offers a very similar experience with a much-improved price point, so unless you really need the 8K video support or higher megapixel count, we think the R6 Mark II is a great option.

Specs wise the Canon EOS R6 gives you a 24.2MP full frame sensor, autofocus that can track people, animals, and vehicles, up to a staggering 40 frames per second burst shooting, Wi-Fi & Bluetooth, 4K video, as well as a flip-out touchscreen. It’s also dust and drip-proof.

As with the Canon EOS RP above, there’s a lens adaptor which will let you use all your existing EF and EF-S Canon lenses with the camera, meaning you don’t have to re-invest in all new lenses. If you have the budget, this would definitely be my camera of choice for travel photography.

You can see our full Canon EOS R5 review here , which covers a lot of the features of the R6 Mark II, to see if it might be the camera for you.

Check price on Amazon here , B&H here  and Adorama here .

11. Sony Alpha a7 IV

Sony effectively started the mirrorless camera revolution, and the Sony a7 IV, as the name suggests, is the fourth iteration in the excellent a7 range.

It comes with a full frame 33MP back side illuminated sensor, flip out LCD display, a high refresh rate EVF, WiFi, 10fps burst shooting and a fast autofocus system that includes animal and people eye tracking.

It also has excellent battery life at 610 shots per full charge, and includes weather sealing.

Of course, all these features do mean the price is relatively high. The good news is that you can still pick up previous models in the range, including the A7 III and A7 II . You lose some of the latest technology, but you still get great performance at a much lower price.

Check price on B&H here and Adorama here .

Best DSLR Cameras for Travel Photography

Why pick a dslr travel camera for travel photography.

Honestly, if this is your first travel camera purchase, then I suggest that a mirrorless camera is a better choice for most travel photography use compared to a DSLR. They offer all the control you need in a smaller, lighter package, with an ideal balance of portability and image quality.

For a time DSLR’s had a better choice of lenses and improved battery life over their mirrorless counterparts, but those areas have been significantly improved with modern mirrorless cameras and so this is no longer a good reason.

The main disadvantage of a DSLR is the weight – the weight in particular, especially when you add in some high quality lenses, is a real issue for many users.

That said, at the entry level especially, you can pick up some real bargain DSLR cameras. So if you are just starting out and want something to learn photography with, a DSLR can be a solid budget option, giving you full manual control over your photography.

Just be aware that the main manufacturers are almost exclusively focusing on mirrorless cameras going forward, which would appear to be the future of photography.

What to look for when buying a DSLR Travel Camera for Travel Photography

DSLRs tend to be the largest type of camera, so one thing that is important to look for is that the camera is comfortable in your hand. My suggestion is to visit a store and try the camera in hand, with a variety of lenses attached, to see how they perform before making a purchase. Canon and Nikon still rule the cameras in this category.

Features are fairly similar across most DSLR’s in terms of capability. They’ll either offer an APS-C sized sensor, or, more expensively, a full frame sensor.

Other features to look for include the ISO range, lens selection, weather resistance, GPS, WiFi, touch screen, autofocus system and number of control dials. More dials can be a good thing – letting you quickly set the camera up for different needs without having to dive into menu options.

If you do purchase a DSLR camera, do also take a look at our guide to using a DSLR camera to help you get the most out of it.

Best DSLR Camera for Travel Photography

We personally travel with both mirrorless camera’s and DSLR’s – for our work as travel photographers we still love our full frame DSLR – the image quality and lens selection still make these a great choice for us. Based on our experiences, here are the top five DSLR travel cameras available at the moment:

1. Nikon D3500

For the money you get a 24.2 APS-C sized sensor, solid performance and an excellent selection of lenses. To be honest, there’s not much between this and the more expensive Canon below other than this doesn’t offer 4K video support. It really depends what works for you and your budget.

2. Canon Rebel SL3 (EOS 250D in Europe)

The Canon Rebel line is an excellent series of good value entry-level DSLR cameras (my first DSLR was a Rebel), and the SL3 is no exception.

It’s one of the smaller SLR cameras Canon has made, and offers great performance for an excellent price. Specs include a touchscreen, 24.2MP sensor, WiFi, 1070 shot battery capacity, 4K video support, and compatibility with all of Canon’s lenses (and a great many third party lenses.).

The SL3 was released in April 2019, and it’s predecessor (and our previous pick), the Rebel SL2 , is likely to be available at a good price as a result. It’s a very similar camera, featuring the same sensor, but has around half the battery life and doesn’t support 4K video.

3. Nikon D7500

Moving up into the “prosumer” category of DSLR camera’s, and Nikon’s version is the D7500. This is Nikon’s high end APS-C camera, with a 20.9MP sensor, fast autofocus, a weather sealed body, and Wi-Fi. It also has a tilting 3.2″ touchscreen.

If you’re looking to upgrade from an existing consumer focused Nikon to something a bit more professional from the Nikon range, this is a good choice. However, you might prefer the lighter and just as fully featured Nikon Z50 instead.

4. Canon EOS 90D

5. Canon EOS 6D Mark II

Compared to its predecessor, and our previous favourite travel camera the Canon EOS 6D, the Mark II adds a touchscreen which swivels.

It’s solidly built, and well priced, having seen some great discounts since it launched at $1800. For a full-frame travel DSLR, we think this is a great bit of kit.

Just be aware that it’s only compatible with “EF” mount lenses – any “EF-S” mount lenses from other Canon bodies won’t work. If it’s a bit pricey, do consider the original 6D, which is still a fantastic travel camera and is very competitively priced nowadays.

What is the Best Budget Travel Camera?

As a bonus section – this is one of the most popular questions I’m asked when people ask me to help them choose the best travel camera, so I thought a section to help those of you with a fixed budget would help.

My suggestion for the best budget travel camera is one of the following cameras. Note that some of these are older and may no longer be in stock. As a result, you might want to pick them up second hand, see my guide to buying used cameras for tips on how and where to do that.

1.  Nikon D3500

It also comes with the advantage that you get access to all the Nikon and Nikon compatible lenses, which is a huge choice. If you’re keen on an SLR, this is a great option at a fantastic price point.

2. Olympus OM-D EM-M10 III

It’s also cheaper since the launch of the Mark 4, meaning you can pick it up with a lens and be right on budget!

3.  Sony RX100

With full manual controls and the ability to shoot in RAW, plus a 1-inch sensor and excellent image quality, this is far more than “just” a point and shoot.

As mentioned in the compact camera section above, there are various iterations of this model available, and you can pick up one of the earlier versions for a great price.

If you’re looking for a quick summary of the best travel camera on the market today, these would be our picks, ordered by camera type.

• Sony RX100 range : If you’re just looking for a point and shoot camera that will take great photos with minimal input, then I’d suggest this range as a great option.
• Panasonic Lumix ZS70 : If you are constrained by budget but want a good zoom, this is the best budget compact travel camera with a decent zoom.
• Sony a6600 : If you want a great compact mirrorless camera, the Sony a6xxx range is the one to go for. The entry level model is the Sony a6100 , (discontinued in late 2021 but stock is still available) but if you can stretch to the a6600 that’s a better option as it has image stabilization and a touch screen.
• Sony Alpha 7c II – if you want all the benefits of a full frame camera but in a compact package, this is the camera to go for. I think it’s the ideal camera for hiking or backpacking .
• Sony Alpha a7 II – for a budget full frame mirrorless camera, this would be our choice. It’s also fantastic value. Note this is a bit older now, so the A7 III or A7 IV might be a better option depending on your budget.
• Nikon D3500 : If you are looking for a DSLR for travel photography, I’d recommend this Nikon at the entry level
• Canon EOS 6D Mark II : This is our pick for our favourite high end DSLR for travel photography, although we’d recommend a mirrorless camera to most users
• Canon EOS R6 Mark II – An excellent compact full frame mirrorless camera with all the features you need. If your budget will stretch to it, also consider the Canon EOS R5 which is the camera I currently use

Hopefully this summary helps with your purchasing decision! If I was purchasing a camera today with no previous lenses, I would likely go with the Sony Alpha 7c if I wanted something lightweight.

As a Canon user with lots of lenses though, I’d go with the Canon EOS R6 Mark II or Canon EOS R5 . If you are a Nikon user with existing lenses, then I’d suggest the Nikon Z50 , the Nikon Z6 II or Z7 II .

When upgrading, it’s often easier to stay with the same manufacturer as the menu systems are usually going to be familiar, and your existing lenses might carry over.

Accessories for your Travel Camera

When budgeting for your travel camera, don’t forget to think about any accessories you might need.

If you’re planning to buy an interchangeable lens camera like a mirrorless or DSLR system, then you will obviously need a lens. Check out our guide to the best travel lenses here for some recommendations across a range of systems.

We’d also recommend considering some of the following accessories.

Travel can be rough on your photography gear, and so I recommend investing in a good photography bag.

Camera bags are specially designed to provide padding and protection for your gear, and many of them also come with rain covers. This means that you have somewhere safe, protected and padded to put your gear.

Personally, I use Vanguard photography bags and I’ve been an ambassador for Vanguard for many years now. If you see something on their store that works for your equipment, you can save money using our exclusive Vanguard discount code. This will give you 20% off everything in the  Vanguard store.

Just use the code  FindingTheUniverse for your discount! This code works in the Vanguard USA, UK, Australia, Spain, and Germany stores.

There are of course a range of other camera bags available, you can see the options on Amazon here and B&H Photo here .

External Hard Drive

When you travel, it’s important to be able to store your photos somewhere safe. To do this, we recommend investing in an external SSD.

The price of external SSDs has come down in recent years, so we would recommend one of these over a mechanical version as they are much faster, smaller, as well as being far less prone to losing data.

The external SSD we currently use by Adata is ruggedized and dust and water resistant. It also supports both Mac and PC users.

Photo Editing Software

To get the best out of your photos you are going to want to edit them, and to do that you’ll need a photo editing application!

There are a number to choose from, including paid options like Adobe Lightroom Classic CC , Skylum Luminar AI , and ON1 Photo RAW , as well as free options like Darktable and Fotor .

Deciding which to go for is a whole other decision. To help you out, I’ve put together a guide to the best photo editing applications , which has both paid and free options.

Accident Protection

A camera is a significant investment, and as such you might want to protect yourself from accidental damage.

The price of this varies depending on the cost of your camera gear, but a relatively small investment can provide peace of mind against a variety of common accidents, from liquid spills, to accidentally dropping it.

For some examples, here’s a 3 year accident protection plan for electronics valued between $1500 and $1999.99, whilst this one covers products between $800 and $899.

Note that both of these are only valid for qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. If you are shopping elsewhere, or direct from the manufacturer, check what they have available before purchasing if this is important to you.

It’s also possible to take out separate insurance, or that your homeowners insurance for example covers such things.

Backup Software

If you aren’t already backing up your photos, now is the time to change that. There’s no point having an awesome laptop to edit your photos on if you lose them all!

We have a complete guide to how to back up photos , which has a range of options and covers what to look for.

However, if you want an easy to use option with unlimited backups, then we use and recommend Backblaze . It’s well priced and in our experience is just works. You can try it out for free here .

Further travel photography reading and resources

And that summarizes my guide to the best travel camera for travel photography! Hopefully you found it useful. I’ll be keeping it up to date as new camera models come out and prices change.

In the meantime, if you’re looking for more resources to help you make the most out of your travel photography, check out the following resources I’ve put together:

• My guide to picking the best lens for travel photography , which will be useful if you have a camera with interchangeable lenses.
• My always expanding series of Photography Location Guides , to help you get the best shot in locations around the world.
• Photos need editing to get the best out of them. See our guide to the best photo editing software for our suggestions. If you’re looking for something to edit your photos on, see our guide to the best laptops for photo editing
• An overview of my Travel Photography Gear , in case you wondered what a professional photographer has in his bag
• Our guide to what to buy a photographer , which has gift ideas at every price point and experience level. For more general gift ideas, see our gift guide for travelers , and our tech gift buying guide .
• A  Beginners’ Guide to Improving your Travel Photos
• My series of Photography Tips , which I am always expanding and updating with posts like this one. See our guides to northern lights photography , lens compression ,  back button focus ,  fireworks photography ,  taking photos of stars ,  cold weather photography ,  long exposure photography ,  RAW in photography , use of  ND filters ,  depth of field  and  photography composition , which should get you going
• If you like the photos on this blog, you’ll be pleased to hear they are all available for sale. Head on over to our photography sales page to place an order.

Looking to Improve Your Photography?

If you found this post helpful, and you want to improve your photography overall, you might want to check out my online travel photography course .

Since launching the course in 2016, I’ve already helped over 2,000+ students learn how to take better photos. The course covers pretty much everything you need to know, from the basics of how a camera works, through to composition, light, and photo editing.

It also covers more advanced topics, including astrophotography, long exposure photography, flash photography and HDR photography.

You get feedback from me as you progress, access to webinars, interviews and videos, as well as exclusive membership of a facebook group where you can get feedback on your work and take part in regular challenges.

It’s available for an amazing one-off price for lifetime access, and I think you should check it out. Which you can do by clicking here .

And we’re done! Thanks for reading – if you’ve got any comments, feedback or suggestions, just let me know in the comments below.

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Ian Andersen says

28th January 2024 at 10:29 am

Thanks for great and thorough reviews. I did not read through all of them and I was wondering if you could say which travel (super zoom) camera WITH GPS is better.

Laurence Norah says

28th January 2024 at 5:58 pm

Unfortunately, the majority of newer cameras don’t come with built-in GPS tagging functionality on the camera. Instead, if you find a camera which has WiFi and a companion smartphone app, they tend to pull the GPS info from the companion app. So really what you want is one of the travel cameras which has this feature. The Sony cameras in this list such as the RX100 do support this, and I believe the Panasonic ones do. However I’d recommend doing a search for each camera to ensure it does meet your requirements. Do you have a short list of cameras you like already, and I can look at trying to help.

29th January 2024 at 6:29 am

Thanks Laurence, I was a satisfied Lumix TZ user for many years up to – was it TZ 60 or 70 that still had the GPS built in. The argument for losing it was saving battery power but I found that carrying extra batteries was way simpler than using their clunky iPhone app. My latest is a TZ 202. Great pictures but annoying not to gave them tagged. I tried to switch to the SONY DSC-HX90V hoping for easier operation of the phone connection. Again, great photos but clunky GPS solution. So I am really hoping for a small (belt-carried) camera with GPS so I can get away from almost exclusively using my iPhone 15 pro.

29th January 2024 at 4:05 pm

I assure you, I feel your pain. I shot on a Canon 6D for a very long time and one of the features I loved was the built-in GPS tagging. Now I have an R5, and I have to use the Canon companion smartphone app for GPS tagging. Whilst it works pretty well, it’s another step I have to remember to do. It also eats up my smartphone battery if I forget to shut it off after shooting. About the only system I know of that still has built in GPS on a relatively compact camera is the Olympus Tough TG6, but that doesn’t have much of a zoom and is more designed as a rugged camera. So I’m not sure it will meet your needs, but one to look at.

Happy shooting 🙂

Farhana Farid says

29th September 2023 at 6:22 am

This guide on the best travel cameras is a game-changer for wanderlust enthusiasts like me! The detailed reviews and recommendations provide a clear understanding of which cameras are most suitable for capturing those breathtaking moments on the go. The consideration of factors like portability, image quality, and versatility is spot on. Thanks for making my travel photography decisions so much easier!

1st October 2023 at 10:13 am

My pleasure Farhana, I hope you find a great camera for your travels 🙂

Kevin Nalty says

15th October 2023 at 1:43 am

Hi. Agree- this is really thorough and didn’t overwhelm me. I’m curious what you think of the Canon EOS R50. I did a review of it in my blog (Willvideoforfood) but I’m not even remotely as informed. -Kevin

15th October 2023 at 12:14 pm

Thanks very much! So I think Canon has been hitting it out of the park recently with their mirrorless camera options and to be honest it’s almost hard to go wrong with whatever recent mirrorless model you pick up. The R50 specifically offers tremendous value and you get a lot of features, especially the autofocus system, which has the same features as you would find on their super high-end models like the R5 (which is what I use). In the old days of Canon they arbitrarily kept some features for their higher end models only, but that approach seems to be changing for the better which is good news for us consumers. The main downside with the R50 as you note in your review is a lack of optical image stabilization. I would also add that I don’t create video, so those areas of a camera are something I don’t review or use.

For anyone else reading this, now is honestly a great time to be buying a camera. The vast majority of recent releases have been excellent, with superb image quality and a solid range of features. As I said, it’s almost hard to go wrong 🙂

Thanks for stopping by!

Gurshabad Bakshi says

9th September 2023 at 6:02 am

Hi, awesome post. Very thoughtful and comprehensive. I have been reading your bogs and planned a visit to Bali based on your suggestions. I want to carry a leisure photography budget camera, that can click good photos and underwater videos and stuff. I have some questions for that. For what all activities and where all do you use Akaso Brave 7 camera? Is its image quality good enough? And if you could share some sample pics and viseos, it would be so very wonderful and helpful.

10th September 2023 at 3:02 pm

Hi Gurshabad!

So we honestly only use the Akaso (and any other action camera for that matter) for specific situations like underwater photography. The reason is that we personally have other cameras that are better for things like landscapes, and wildlife photography, but the Akaso is the only camera we have for underwater photography. So whilst it definitely works for that, we wouldn’t personally use it for everything just because we have other camera gear. However, if you are happy with the limitations, like not being able to zoom or adjust many settings, it could certainly work. I’m on a trip right now so don’t have access to all my images, so I can’t share samples unfortunately.

Hopefully this helps a bit. Have a great time in Bali 🙂

William says

22nd August 2023 at 11:10 pm

Great review and suggestions!. Thank you.

23rd August 2023 at 10:35 am

Thanks William!

Rachel says

3rd June 2023 at 8:47 pm

Thank you for this great article! I’m going to be traveling for my honeymoon soon, and decided I should upgrade from using my smartphone for all my photos to using an actual camera so I can get some printable quality photos. I’ve read a few lists like this one, but yours is the only one I’ve read that doesn’t just feel like a paid advertisement. I appreciate all the tips and advice you listed here. I now have a camera on my wishlist, thank you!

4th June 2023 at 7:03 pm

Hey Rachel! I’m so glad you found my article helpful, and many thanks for taking the time to let me know. I hope you enjoy your new camera, and if you have any questions as you continue your photography adventure feel free to reach out!

Claude AYMARD says

31st January 2023 at 8:15 pm

Hello, for you which can be the best safari travel camera easy to used for good photo quality -canon sx70 hs -canon m200 with 55-200mm -lumix tz100 -Lumix GX9 with 14-140mm thank’s in advance

1st February 2023 at 10:40 am

I do have a guide to the best safari cameras here which might help. However, from your list I would probably lean towards the Canon SX70HS for ease of use and also the great zoom means you can get good shots of further away subjects. My dad actually has the SX60 and he really likes it, we’re on safari right now and he is using it with good results.

Let me know if you have any more questions and bon voyage 🙂

9th August 2022 at 2:04 pm

10th August 2022 at 12:38 pm

Thanks Tanis!

9th July 2022 at 8:13 pm

Hello! I am so happy that I stumbled upon your website when researching for a trip to Iceland. I fell in love with photography when I was on my high school’s yearbook staff, a long long time ago. I have collected many SLR cameras over the years, manual and digital along with lenses (Nikon and Canon). Sadly, none of them have been used for several years and when I recently pulled them out, I realized how outdated they are. So…I am looking to sell everything (thanks for your amazing article on how to do that!) and start fresh. If you were me, with a budget of $2k-$4k, looking for a very high quality, relatively light weight camera system with the latest and best technology, what would you recommend? I would like one camera with two lenses at the most. Light weight enough that it’s easy to carry and use, without sacrificing image quality. Something that I can ‘grow into’ as a I renew my love of photography. Many thanks for sharing your expertise. Cheers!

10th July 2022 at 9:59 am

It’s great to hear from you, and I’m so pleased you have been finding the site useful so far!

With your requirement for something lightweight but that also has great image quality (and within budget of course) I would probably suggest the Sony Alpha 7c . Excellent autofocus, in body image stabilization, a full frame sensor and a weather sealed design, somehow all in a body that weighs about a 1lb.

If you wanted lighter, the Canon EOS RP is another full frame option which is fractionally lighter and also significantly cheaper, however you lose in body image stabilization and the focus tracking system isn’t quite as accomplished as the Sony in this model. It’s also slightly larger, despite being less heavy.

Both cameras have an excellent selection of lenses to choose from depending on what you want to photograph 🙂

Let me know if I can help any more!

17th April 2022 at 12:56 am

Hello Laurence, First off let me say thank you for such great articles, guides, advice and overview for someone who’s never been to Scotland and interested in touring the NC500. With that said, there are many great choices concerning camera & lens combinations in your article. Getting specific addressing the NC500 route, just what would be your best advice for focal lengths in reference to 35mm full frame? I see many wide to ultra wide images in the article, so inquiring about specific needs. Want to pack a 1-2 lens kit for this specific trip, and of course I’m thinking a tripod will be handy also!

17th April 2022 at 10:21 am

It’s our pleasure, I am pleased to have been of help. So I primarily travel with two lenses, a 16-35mm and a 70-200mm. Most of the landscape shots I take are with the wide angle, although there are sometimes nice opportunities to use the longer lens for isolating a subject. But if I was going to only take one lens it would be the wide-angle all the way.

Hopefully this answers your question! Let me know if I can offer any further input, I’m happy to help.

Edward says

31st January 2021 at 9:50 am

Hi, I was happy to read where you wrote “Personally, I love having a camera with GPS”. So do I, or rather so would I, but I am having trouble finding one that I like the look of. All I want is a compact camera with GPS and a viewfinder, with a useable zoom (say up to 200mm equivalent) and good image quality (which today would imply a sensor of 1″ or bigger). There is no such unicorn.

So what do you use, please, that gives you GPS? Or do you use an “add-on later” method like recording a GPS track and geotagging your photos later? I personally am reluctant to do that for a number of reasons, mainly that I travel for 3-6 months at a time (or at least I did when I could) without carrying a computer, so I would not only have a lot of geotagging to do later, but the on-the-road backup to Dropbox would not be geotagged.

31st January 2021 at 2:11 pm

I currently use a Canon 6D, which is a full frame DSLR. For a while Canon added GPS units to a number of their cameras, but unfortunately this useful feature has been missing from their newer models. For me it’s one of the most useful features to have, so I don’t like the omission. The reasoning is to do with battery life I suspect. GPS units take up power, and newer mirrorless cameras are already battery hungry. So leaving off the GPS is done in an effort to conserve battery power I suspect.

The good news is that many cameras today include the ability to pair with a smartphone app over Bluetooth or Wifi. When the camera takes a picture, it polls the smartphone app for location data, and embeds that in the photo. This of course does require extra setup, remembering to connect the camera to the phone before every shoot, and can drain your smartphone battery too. So it’s not amazing as an alternative, but it does at least work.

I believe that the Sony Image link app supports this for the Sony RX100 series, so with your requirements of a 200mm zoom and a 1″ sensor, the Sony RX100 VI or higher would be an option. Another option I believe would be the Panasonic ZS200.

Finally, another option, as you mention, is to use a third party GPS logger, either a standalone device or an app on your phone, that records the data and saves it, which you can then manually sync later. Again, it’s more work.

Overall, I would much prefer that manufacturers just add the GPS device and let us as users decide for ourselves if we want to use it and use up battery life. Hopefully it makes a reappearance as a standard feature!

1st March 2021 at 5:06 pm

Hello, thanks for the well thought-out response. It gives me a lot to think about, and if I do have to give up one or more of my checkboxes (or at least half of one, by needing to use a separate app), I may rethink them all – take a step back and ask myself what I really want to do, rather than ask what equipment will satisfy what I think are my wants. I suspect that the RX100 VI plus the app would be the nearest I could get. Or the Panasonic SZ200/TZ200 (or SZ100) plus its app. It is ironic that it seems that 1-inch sensor compacts really took off in the mid-2010s, just as manufacturers were deciding to drop GPS.

2nd March 2021 at 4:37 pm

My pleasure Edward! I would say that one of those would be the best option. It is certainly disappointing that this is no longer a standard feature!

Kyle O'Donnell says

16th December 2020 at 8:30 am

awesome list, you put it together very well 🙂 i got a Sony A6400 from amazon, it’s absolutely amazing, it really show in my vlogs.

16th December 2020 at 11:12 am

Thanks Kyle!

Charles Haskins says

29th April 2020 at 10:19 am

I have been reading through your responses to questions and I am astonished by the detail and the thoughtfulness of your answers. Quite apart from the photography info, it is a great lesson in human decency – great “customer service” for people who aren’t even customers really. I will definitely be following you in the future! Thank you!

29th April 2020 at 10:21 am

Hi Charlie,

Thanks very much, that’s kind of you to say. We do our best to try and answer everyone’s questions, be it photography or travel related 🙂 If folks have taken the time to read and leave a comment, then we feel it’s only right to answer if we can!

Thanks again for your comment, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions of your own!

All the best

29th February 2020 at 11:15 pm

I am quite new to photography. I purchased the M50 last summer (my first non-compact). I don’t know if it is my skills, the camera, or that I need better lenses, but so far I haven’t had much success getting sharp images.

1st March 2020 at 10:52 am

Sorry to hear about your issues. There are so many variables that go into what could make an image less sharp, from incorrect focus through to a lens issue. It’s hard to diagnose without seeing an image – do you have one somewhere online you can link to that I can take a look and provide some more insight? It would be best if it also shows the camera settings at the time – usually a site like flickr will save this info.

1st March 2020 at 4:27 pm

These aren’t all from the M50, but several of them are. Also, these happen to be the better ones: https://www.flickr.com/photos/me77777 . I feel like I have to sort through so many that aren’t as sharp as these to find a good one, but even some of the ones I’ve posted could certainly be sharper.

1st March 2020 at 4:41 pm

Thanks for sharing. So, some initial thoughts:

On this image of the lighthouse: https://www.flickr.com/photos/me77777/49596740501/in/photostream/

The camera is set to f/29. This is a super narrow aperture. Most lenses produce their sharpest images at around f/8, with sharpness falling off towards the edges wider than f/8 (i.e. f/5.6, f/4 etc). Above f/16, sharpness dramatically reduces due to an effect known as diffraction. It’s generally not advisable to go above f/16 for this reason. Performance will vary by lens, but as a general rule, f/8 – f/12 is a good range.

Of course, this doesn’t consider depth of field for composition. For landscapes, a wider depth of field is usually preferable, so you’d be looking at f/8 – f/16 in most cases. For portraits, a shallow depth of field would be preferable. Softness in portraits is less of an issue as you wouldn’t normally have the subject on the edge of the shot, so the softness wouldn’t be too noticeable.

Now, here’s another image of a church in a city: https://www.flickr.com/photos/me77777/49503917028/in/photostream/

So this was shot a 1/40th of a second at 200mm focal length. The longer the zoom, the harder it is to hold a camera steady. As a general rule of thumb, shutter speed should not be lower than the inverse of the focal length. So if you are shooting at 200mm, you would not use a shutter speed slower than 1/200th of a second. A 50mm focal length would be 1/50th of a second.

The file format you are shooting in will also make a difference. If you’re shooting in JPG, then the compression setting and sharpness setting in camera will make a big difference to the final image sharpness. Ideally you’d want to shoot in RAW, so you can edit sharpness after the fact.

These are just some ideas to start with. Something like this shot looks wonderfully sharp to me: https://www.flickr.com/photos/me77777/49498974486/in/photostream/

Happy to provide any more feedback if you have more specific images of course 🙂

https://www.flickr.com/photos/me77777/49503917028/in/photostream/

2nd March 2020 at 4:34 am

Thanks for taking the time to give feedback. You have an amazing site.

2nd March 2020 at 11:19 am

Thanks Craig – my pleasure 🙂

Natalie says

24th December 2019 at 1:05 pm

Thank you very much for collating all this information together- I do not feel nearly as overwhelmed as I did before!

I am going away travelling to India and South East Asia, and would like to both take great pictures in low light, and film a short documentary (so stability is also key without lugging a tripod around (Oof).

I am looking into purchasing a DSLR, budget however is a concern. This will be my first time camera, however I have a little experience in film cameras (mostly SonyPMW200).

I am currently looking at the Nikon D750…can you recommend something cheaper and still great for filming? I guess the Nikon D5300?

Nikon also seems to be cheaper for lenses than Canon- what would you reccomend?

Any suggestions would be great. Thanks so much

24th December 2019 at 2:53 pm

Hi Natalie,

Thanks very much!

So I have to be honest, video is not an area of expertise for me. However, if you want to shoot stable video without a tripod, you are going to need to think about how you are going to stabilize your camera. Without a tripod, your best bet is going to be some kind of camera stabilization. Currently, the Canon and Nikon DSLR’s don’t offer this in camera, so you would need to rely on a lens with image stabilization built in.

Alternatively, you could look for a camera with image stabilization built in. I’m not sure what your budget is all in, but one of the micro four thirds cameras from Olympus or Panasonic might be a good option. These are notable for producing great video, have a wide choice of lenses, and most importantly, have built in image-stabilization in the camera body. The Olympus Om-D E-M10 Mark 3 is currently on sale all over the place with a lens. For video and low light, you will benefit from a wide aperture prime lens, such as the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 .

I appreciate this might not be the answer you were looking for, but if video is important, I think this might be a better direction to go in than a DSLR. All the capabilities are the same, the only disadvantages are a reduced battery life and a slightly smaller sensor. However, by using a wide aperture lens you can make up for the reduced low light performance.

I hope this helps – I’m happy to discuss further of course!

20th December 2019 at 1:17 am

Sorry I visited your site but couldn’t read a thing. Please fix the site. Best regards

20th December 2019 at 10:46 am

Thanks for your comment. Could you clarify perhaps what you couldn’t read and what i need to fix? The site loads ok on all our devices, but if you can let me know what device and browser you are using, and what specifically is not working, then I will be happy to take a look,

Martha Dobson says

3rd November 2021 at 4:02 pm

Website was beautiful, I think that this man is lying to you about the website not being legible.

3rd November 2021 at 6:07 pm

Thanks Martha!

Marije says

17th December 2019 at 8:47 am

Hi Laurence,

Thank you so much for this very insight- and helpful review. I’m looking to buy a compact camera with good optical zoom possibilities for photographing people, landscapes and wildlife during my holidays. As I’ll be visiting Swedish Lapland for a week of winterfun, I would like a camera that will also be Able to capture the northern light (autora). Which compact camera will be a good or even the best choice. Was Leaning towards a Sony Cybershot DSC-RX 100 series but found vi and vii quite expensive anD not shure about optical zoom of v. Love to hear your opinion.

17th December 2019 at 9:14 pm

So I would say probably the next best option after the RX100 would be the Panasonic Lumix ZS100 or ZS200. The Canon Powershot G3X is another good option as it has a 1 inch sensor and a 25x zoom lens. I have to say, northern lights photography is a challenge for any camera though, even a full frame DSLR. So while you will definitely be able to get photos with a compact camera, just be aware of its limitations. I have some tips on taking taking photos of the northern lights here , which might be worth a read.

Otherwise, let me know if you have any more questions – and have a great trip!

22nd October 2019 at 8:36 am

How about the Panasonic G90/95? It has all bells and whistles of GX9 and much more (like UHS-II support, stronger IS and focus stacking). It has a comfortable grip and a rugged body, a swivel touch screen, unlimited video shooting, mic and headphones port (hello vloggers!). Similar to GX9 it can be charged via usb but comes with an external charger and both can be charged via a powerbank with 2 ports! I’m almost happy with my gx9 but miss the weather sealing and the mic port. If Pana doesn’t release a gx10 with these 2 features I’ll go for the G90.

24th October 2019 at 12:51 pm

The G90/95 is certainly an excellent camera, although is at a bit of a price premium compared to the GX9 so isn’t directly comparable in my mind. However, if it fits what you are looking for you should definitely go for it – this list is by no means definitive (hence the long section at the beginning to help people decide).

Enjoy your new camera, whatever it turns out to be!

lalan kalansooriya says

15th September 2019 at 12:36 pm

Hi I am bigginer to the photography and i wish to buy a camera. I love to travel photography. My budjet is about 300$. So I would like to know what are the recomended cameras for me

15th September 2019 at 2:25 pm

At $300 you will definitely be looking at either a mid-range compact camera or a lower end DSLR. There aren’t many mirrorless cameras at that price point unfortunately, unless you go second hand. In terms of compact cameras, I’d suggest either the Lumix DC-ZS70 or the Sony RX100 .

For DSLRs, consider the Nikon D3400 or the EOS Rebel T6 .

10th August 2019 at 8:23 am

Hi Laurence and Jessica, Just a quick thank you message to say that this is the first article I read (and I ‘ve read quite a few!) that really explains things about cameras in a clear way! Im new to travel photography and was looking for info on how and where to start from. Thanks a lot!

11th August 2019 at 11:38 am

Our pleasure! We’re always happy to hear that we’ve been able to help people, and believe me, I know that photography is not the easiest topic to get to grips with 🙂 Let us know if you ever have any questions!

Stuart Svoboda says

21st July 2019 at 6:03 pm

Thanks for your thoughtful and comprehensive advice. Obviously, budget plays a big role in most people’s decisions and there are few aspects of photography that don’t involve some compromise. However, for those who are willing to part with a bit more cash in pursuit of a supremely capable yet practical alternative, you missed at least one significant choice and that’s the Lumix G9. My G9, battery grip, lenses (mostly Leica, covering the 35mm-eq range from 16-800mm), spare batteries, flash/soft box, filters, etc. (including an Olympus TG-5, which I agree is a great, bomb-proof, go-anywhere camera) all fit into a small pack that weighs 6400) ISO noise with moving subjects. Big deal (looks more like film anyway). A much more compact (although not pocket-sized) and far cheaper alternative that still produces great IQ (stills and 4K video–much better than a 1/2.3) is the Lumix FZ1000. The first-gen (which I got for c.US$600) is still available and a great bargain (IMHO, the best price/performance value currently available). The Mk II adds some nice features but has the same great 1″ sensor and 25-400mm-eq Leica lens. If you can’t get great images under most conditions with that, it’s not the camera… And no, I don’t work for Panny–they just make great cameras (performance and ergonomics). Bottom line: the IQ achievable in most conditions from even “mid level” cameras these days is more than enough for most purposes–much beyond that is overkill (but some of us like overkill on occasion).

Thanks for your blog.

21st July 2019 at 6:32 pm

Thanks Stuart! We also like the Panasonic gear, I’ve had a G6 and still use the GX8 on a regular basis. There just wasn’t room for every camera on the list, but we certainly appreciate your recommendation and no doubt folks reading the post will find your input useful as well 🙂

Sandra says

11th July 2019 at 7:50 pm

Thanks for such a great article! I am wondering what you think of the new Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II which was announced July 9th and is due in stores August 1st. How do you think it compares to others in your compact camera list? I am taking a 3-week trip to China in September and want a great travel camera. Looked at the Sony RX100 VI but it felt very small in my 73-year-old hands and I missed it not having a grip. I am replacing a very old Canon G16. Thanks for any input you can share!

12th July 2019 at 4:19 am

I’ve been reading up on these two cameras and they both look very promising. I would say that they would probably be excellent, but I’ve not been able to personally try them out as yet. However, if you are used to Canon, it would be a logical step to buy one of these two, and I am confident you will be happy with the performance. I’ll be updating this post in the near future, but likely after your trip. In the meantime though, I am still happy to recommend them on spec as the price / specifications are great.

Candy Luong says

24th June 2019 at 8:45 pm

Thank you for the well-written review! I am on the market to purchase an upgrade from a 2011 Canon Rebel T3i with a couple of EF lens. I am conflicted between upgrading to a DSLR or mirrorless camera for travel and leisure photography. What I look for in an upgrade is WIFI, GPS, lightweight, adaptability to the canon lens, and does not break the bank (max $1500) for a full kit. Is there a mirrorless camera that has a proven adapter for canon lens? I’ve looked into the Canon EOS RP but the price point for a full kit is insanely expensive. What would you recommend?

25th June 2019 at 1:38 am

So the Canon EOS RP would be my recommendation – with the adaptor the body only should come in under your budget, and it will work great with the Canon lenses you have. If you move to another manufacturer, I think you will struggle to get a full frame camera for any less money, and the adaptors are not so good as they have to do a conversion between the electronic systems, which usually results in slower performance. The only thing missing from the EOS R is built in GPS, however the low energy bluetooth capabilities mean you can sync GPS from your phone without too much battery drain.

If it’s still too much, you might consider a second hand Canon 6D or 6D Mark 2, which are both great cameras. I still shoot full time with the original 6D and have no complaints. GPS is one of my favourite features on it, and I wish more cameras had it as a default!

I hope this helps!

Kathy Golden says

17th June 2019 at 11:27 pm

I just happened upon your website while researching DSLR cameras and I found a treasure-trove of information! Thank you so much for this thorough and informative blog. It is very helpful. I hope to compare mirrorless and DSLRs for both travel and “family” photography.

19th June 2019 at 4:18 pm

My pleasure, let me know if you have any questions!

6th June 2019 at 11:50 am

Really found this article useful – thanks!

Soon, I am quitting my job and going travelling for the ‘foreseeable future’ – yay fun!

I love taking pictures generally (e.g., smartphones or on friends cameras). But knowing I am going travelling, I would love to capture some great quality shots and edit them myself etc along the way. Although a ‘first purchase’, I need it to be high quality so that it is worthwhile over a smartphone, worth the financial investment, and worth carrying around. I am very likely to take a look into some of your courses too before I go (so that I actually CAN capture some good moments) – with this in mind, what would you recommend?

Many thanks in advance!! Flo

6th June 2019 at 12:02 pm

My pleasure! So it will depend on how much you want to carry with you. If it’s a minimal amount, then you’d be better off with a high end point and shoot, like the Lumix ZS200 or the Sony RX100 series. These both take excellent photos, have full manual controls and even shoot in RAW.

If you want to step up above that there are many choices. For travel, I’d recommend probably a mirrorless camera to keep the weight down, paired with one or two lenses. At this point it will come down to your budget – all the mirrorless cameras on this list will do a great job, but they are at different price points, starting with less expensive and then getting more expensive! At the higher end, I’d suggest perhaps the Canon EOS RP, whilst at the lower end, the Sony a6000 or Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III.

Let me know if I can help any more 🙂

6th June 2019 at 7:32 am

Hi thank you for such wonderful tips. Im no expert. I would really appreciate some guidance. I own iphone x and photos are great. But for travel I d also need a solid zoom for vast landscapes. I ve been looking into Panasonic, I like idea of Leica lens… what I d like is what can i get up to 1000 usd ( preferabbly less) that would make sense to get better photography then iphone x, a good zoom and still a nice looking not too big camera. Thank you 🙂

6th June 2019 at 11:40 am

So based on your requirements for a smaller camera, I’d say either the Sony RX 100 VI or the Lumix ZS200. They both offer a good zoom range and good image quality, as well as manual controls.

You could look into mirrorless cameras too, but to get a good zoom you’d need a larger lens, and it wouldn’t be so compact!

Let me know if you need any more information, I’m happy to help 🙂

12th May 2019 at 10:46 am

Hi .. I am a Nikon d5300 (with two lenses 18-55mm and 55-200mm lenses) user and I need to buy a compact camera with dslr quality lesser in weight .. please suggest

12th May 2019 at 7:16 pm

So if you want something really compact then the Sony RX100 range is a good option. The quality is great for a compact camera, and you also get full manual controls. If you just want something a bit smaller, then you might consider one of the mirrorless options, but they aren’t always a lot smaller, so a compact is likely to be a better option.

Thomas Mygind says

1st June 2019 at 7:38 am

If you want the smallest Full Frame option – then this basis option weighs 450 gram + EF-lenses. Cannon M100 + Viltrox 0.71x adapter makes your APS-C into a full frame eqvivalent.

Then add any EF-lens you like -for example: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Lens 33.5 oz (950g) 3.3 x 4.9″ (83 x 124mm) 77mm 2002 Canon EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Lens 13.4 oz (380g) 2.9 x 2.8″ (73 x 70mm) 67mm 1996 Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens 23.7 oz (670g) 3.3 x 4.2″ (83.5 x 107mm) 77mm 2005 Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM Lens 13.2 oz (375g) 2.8 x 3.0″ (72 x 75mm) 58mm 2000 Canon EF 28-105mm f/4.0-5.6 USM Lens 7.4 oz (210g) 2.6 x 2.7″ (67 x 68mm) 58mm 2002 Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens 19.1 oz (540g) 3.1 x 3.8″ (78 x 97mm) 72mm 1998 Canon EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM Lens 17.6 oz (500g) 3.1 x 3.5″ (78 x 90mm) 72mm 2000

9th May 2019 at 11:20 am

Hi, I’m relatively new to serious photography, but I’ve long had an interest in photo editing and am now wanting to learn more about the actual photography part of it. As it is, you’ve pretty much sold me on the Nikon D3500 since it sounds like an excellent option to learn from without being too expensive, though I’m also considering the D5300 for its video capabilities (from what I’ve found) and the GPS option. Can you recommend a few additional lenses, ideally at least one for further away shots? Particularly for some darker areas.

Whatever the case, this guide has taught me quite a bit and given me a lot to think about. Thank you for that.

11th May 2019 at 9:03 pm

Delighted to have been of assistance. So my first recommendation would be to check out our guide to the best travel lenses, which has a number of options for Nikon. You can see that here:

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/best-lenses-for-travel-photography/

The criteria you have (long lens that is good in low light) does unfortunately bring you into the more costly type of lens – you need a wide aperture to capture more light, and all the glass ends up costing more. I’d suggest looking for a lens with a f/4 or faster aperture (f/2.8 would be ideal), and 200mm to 400mm focal length.

Happy to provide some more specific suggestions if my linked post doesn’t do it for you 🙂

13th May 2019 at 9:39 am

Hey Laurence,

You make a compelling point, as did the price tags once I looked into what you suggested. I’ll add that to my “eventual” list once I’ve gotten good enough to justify the cash.

I ordered a D3500 bundle “w/AF-P DX 18-55mm & 70-300mm Zoom Lens” and “55mm Wide Angle & Telephoto Lens”. Seemed like a fair way to start (though I wish I’d have ordered it a few hours prior because I missed a nice sale, haha).

I’m keeping this page bookmarked, there’s so much to learn and I appreciate the help. I had to check out your guide on San Francisco since that’s part of why I wanted a new camera: I’m taking a trip up that way later this year and am planning on making the most of it – I live in California, but I’ve never spent much time that way since it gets expensive fast – including a few museums, Grace Cathedral, Chinatown, and several other areas. Now I’ve just got to practice a lot in the next 3 1/2 months so that I can manage something awesome by then.

Thanks again, this has been incredibly helpful.

13th May 2019 at 6:34 pm

It’s absolutely my pleasure, and please do reach out if you ever have any more questions about photography or travel, and I’ll do my best to help out. Enjoy your new gear, I’m sure you’ll be very happy with it!

4th May 2019 at 10:06 pm

Great website!

I will be going to Europe this summer and I intend to take many HDR pics. I currently have a Nikon D3400. (I prefer the APS-C cameras to the full frame cameras because I like the lighter weight, especially for travel.). I like the camera except for the fact that it has no exposure bracketing at all. This makes HDR photography, especially of tourist sites that might have people walking in the distance, slightly difficult. My question is: Should I take the D3400 to Europe or purchase the latest Canon Rebel, with which I can do 3 quick shots continuously?

Please consider: I have compared my Nikon to my old Canon T3i. Using the same settings for both, the Nikon seems to take better pictures when I compare the exact same shots side by side. Is that just my imagination or is that due to the very slightly larger sensor?

So, again, the choice is: 1) take the Nikon, which seems to take good pics, and be forced to take all my HDR shots manually? (The advantage there is that I could take 5 or more.); OR 2) buy a new Canon T7 or T7i and be able to take 3 quick shots at different exposures? (I don’t mind the extra cost if you find it is the best choice.)

I would appreciate any advice you can provide.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration to this matter.

5th May 2019 at 9:48 am

Thanks! So the sensor size probably doesn’t make that much difference, but the sensor technology likely will. The T3i was released in 2011, and it’s hard to really compare that against a much newer camera, as sensor technology moves on every year. I would say that the newer Canon would likely be comparable. It’s definitely frustrating that the Nikon cameras in the D3xxx range don’t have exposure bracketing, that’s a real omission by Nikon. I would say that if this is something that is important to you, and you don’t have a wide selection of Nikon lenses, that you might find the Canon more suited to your specific needs. I also can’t speak for the T7i, but on my Canon 6D, I can set it to take 3 or 5 shots for the exposure bracketing 🙂

Best of luck, and have a great trip!

22nd April 2019 at 7:03 am

Thank you for your great article. It is well-written and informative. I notice in your picture comparing sensor size, that Nikon’s aps-c is larger than the Canon aps-c. Is Nikon’s significantly better than Canon’s in terms of the final picture? What is the measurable difference between the two, in terms of pixels and/or quality? Should I base my decision on that? Thanks again

22nd April 2019 at 10:30 am

There is not a big difference between the two to be honest, the small size difference is not big enough to make a real world difference in my opinion, certainly not enough to make a purchase decision on 🙂

Mohit Chupra says

21st April 2019 at 9:57 am

Hi , after read the content i understand that there a lot of good value entry -level DSLR cammers .

21st April 2019 at 11:22 am

That is correct, DSLR cameras are great value for sure 🙂

20th April 2019 at 2:27 pm

Hi, I currently have galaxy s10 and thinking of buying Famon g7x for travelling. The main purpose of the trip is the northern lights. Would g7x worth buying? Or would s10 do the trick? Thanks

20th April 2019 at 3:25 pm

So the Canon G7x does have a larger sensor than a smartphone, and will therefore be better for northern lights photography. Smartphones are capable of taking pictures of the northern lights, but they won’t produce the best results. Either way, you will definitely want a tripod as otherwise you will get blurry pictures. I have a full guide to taking pictures of the northern lights you might want to check out too.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Sanjeev Rai says

12th April 2019 at 7:34 pm

I am going on a family trip to Europe covering Italy Switzerland and Paris . Looking into various videos of gopro I am inclined to buy go pro but not sure how much I will utilize as I am not into adventure sports. Although I feel a good family video covering mountains and beach will be cool. Also thinking of buying Nikon D3500 or May be both . Totally confused . I am not a photography enthusiast but regularly travel and wants to keep memories of my trips . Pleas guide

12th April 2019 at 7:44 pm

Hey Sanjeev,

So a GoPro is good as a general point and shoot action camera that will survive most situations. It’s also great for video. However, it has limitations – you can’t zoom, and it takes very wide angle photos. So things will seem further away. This is great for action sports and so on, but not really ideal for landscape photography.

If you want something pocketable that does great quality, I’d probably suggest one of the compact cameras on our list, or a mirrorless cameras. Most of these also do good video as well 🙂

Sanjeev says

13th April 2019 at 11:50 am

Thanks Laurence

I have budget of USD 500 . Will see which one fits the budget. Also may be GOPro + IPhone 7

13th April 2019 at 2:18 pm

Best of luck 😀

7th April 2019 at 7:18 pm

Hi – I’ve been a portrait photographer for too many years to say 🙂 and have always used Canon. At the moment we have 2 5d mark iii and one 7d at the studio with multiple lenses. I have finally made a decision to follow my passion and start traveling to shoot more landscapes and small towns. Weight is the biggest issue for me, however, quality of camera and lens is too. I’ll be headed for Europe then Asia this fall so I have some time but I’m trying to figure it out now. Any advice would greatly be appreciated.

7th April 2019 at 7:27 pm

Ah, the old conundrum – weight vs quality! Personally, we travel with a pair of Canon 6D’s and usually three lenses, a wide angle, a 70-200 (plus 2x convertor for wildlife) and a fast prime.

The key is a good strap for the camera (we love the Peak Design straps) and a good bag.

If I was you, and used to the Canon system (which I am), I would stay with it. I’d probably also suggest sticking with full frame. If size is the predominant issue, mirrorless cameras can help a bit, but not as much as folks might make out, because often so much of the weight is in the lens anyway.

I would probably be tempted by the Canon EOS RP. It’s a full frame mirrorless camera that, with a mount, will be compatible with all your EF (and even EF-S) lenses. It’s very compact for a full frame mirrorless camera.

If you want to just start over, and don’t mind investing in new lenses, then I might suggest something like the Fuji X-T30, which produces really lovely images. My only concern with shifting to a new system is that Canon is really great and colour, and other camera systems may not be as good as you used to (this is a reason many photographers I know have not shifted to the Sony mirrorless system for example).

I hope this response helps a bit! Let me know your thoughts 🙂

7th April 2019 at 10:04 pm

Hi Laurence, Thank you for your quick reply. I agree about the Sony, as we are so invested in all Canon lenses it makes it hard to change. I have, however, been very interested in the mirrorless camera and now with Canon’s out I have contemplated it but don’t see it being so much better than the 5diii except of course the weight, (which is what I need) I also worry that the battery doesn’t last long and even if I use an attachment won’t it slow down my lens? Deb

7th April 2019 at 11:38 pm

Canon has designed the mount adaptor so it just works like a passthrough. There’s no impact on the lenses. I know this has been an issue with other systems, like using the Canon lenses on Sony cameras, you lose autofocus speed and sometimes stops of light, but Canon didn’t want that to happen so the lenses should work just as well as if they are native.

To be honest, the performance won’t be massively improved over the 5D Mark III which is a great camera. If you are happy travelling with that, then go for it. But if size is a consideration, I’d say it’s the best option that would also let you use your existing lenses.

Carrie says

4th April 2019 at 9:16 pm

Thanks for the reply.

It’s a little difficult for me to describe how looking through a viewfinder on a non-DSLR camera affects my eyes. For many photos I prefer using the viewfinder, but for other photos I really like having the articulated screen.

I’m leaning toward the Canon EOS Rebel SL2 or one of the Nikon’s with an articulated screen (the good thing about a Nikon is my boyfriend has Nikon cameras and we might be able to share lenses). It’s just a matter of finding the right Nikon.

5th April 2019 at 12:04 pm

My pleasure. So it sounds like a DSLR is the right kind of camera for you. I would definitely recommend Nikon if your boyfriend has Nikon already, as this will save you the hassle of multiple lenses. When Jess and I got together, she had Nikon and I had Canon, and we just decided we’d merge everything to Canon to make life easier.

In terms of cameras, the Nikon D5600 is probably the best option as it comes with the tilting screen. You could also pick up the D5500 for a lower price if budget is a concern.

3rd April 2019 at 10:09 pm

The current camera I’m using is a Nikon B700, which I like for its small size, articulated screen, and super-zoom. However, the image quality seems to have deteriorated a lot in the two years I’ve had it and I now am having issues with using the viewfinder (my dry eyes are making it difficult to see what I’m trying to focus on because I’m looking at a tiny screen). So I think it’s time to switch to a DSLR or mirrorless camera. Mirrorless might be better because of the smaller size, but having never used one I don’t know how my eyes will handle it.

Any recommendations for a good, smaller DSLR or mirrorless with a good zoom and an articulated screen? My father has been using Panasonic Lumix cameras for years and has been very happy with his results.

4th April 2019 at 12:12 pm

So for DSLR and mirrorless cameras, these don’t come with a fixed lens, meaning you can change the lens to something that meets your requirements. However, there are not many lenses out there that would offer the sort of zoom you might be used to with the B700, that would also be smaller. So even if the camera body ends up being smaller, the overall package would be fairly large. Bridge cameras like the one you have are a fairly specific product and the main way they have been able to differentiate from all the other types of camera out there is by offering these pretty incredible zoom lenses.

I am a little confused though – the B700 has a screen, so I am wondering why you would not be using that for the focus? If the viewfinder is too small, this will be a similar problem with viewfinders on other cameras too I think.

I just don’t want to recommend a camera that doesn’t actually solve the problem!

2nd April 2019 at 6:52 pm

Hi, I have been looking into the Sony RX100 VÍ and the brand new Lumix FZ 1000 II. I want zoom, big sensor, tilting LCD, and low light capability. My only concern is size of the Lumix since my primary use will be for travel. Please help! What are your thoughts?

2nd April 2019 at 7:12 pm

So both cameras actually have the same size sensor, which is the 1″ sensor. The FZ1000 II definitely has more zoom, but it is much less compact. However, it also has a longer battery life and a tilting / swivel screen.

Personally if a compact camera is what you want, I would go for the Sony as it will slip into a pocket or purse. The Lumix definitely won’t. I don’t think image quality will be much different, although there are not many reviews on the FZ1000 II as it’s so new.

I hope this helps 🙂

2nd April 2019 at 7:24 pm

Thank you so much. It definitely helps.

Donna F. says

26th March 2019 at 1:43 am

This article is super! And, so is findingtheuniverse.com – I’ve learned so much as I am researching what camera to purchase. Any recommendations would be welcomed. I want a compact camera to travel with me on my motorcycle. It will need to endure a lot of vibration. I’d like for it to fit in a jacket pocket or tank bag. And, I’ll be taking pictures of landscapes, awesome views and interesting people.

26th March 2019 at 1:53 pm

Thanks very much Donna – delighted to be able to help!

So if you think the camera is going to be subjected to a pretty rough time, you might consider the Olympus TG-5 Waterproof Camera . It’s a good camera, although the 4x optical zoom, whilst good, may not be perfect for everything. It’s certainly the toughest camera in our list though.

If image quality and more zoom is more important, and you think you can trade off a bit of the survivability factor, I might consider either the Panasonic Lumix ZS100 or the Sony RX100 VI . These both have more manual controls as well as a larger image sensor, so the image quality will be higher. The Sony is at quite a premium price point though, so you would definitely want a good case to protect it!

I hope this helps a bit 🙂

Let me know if I can help out any further!

Nowshad Rahman says

24th March 2019 at 4:18 pm

I was looking for features the basic travel camera and this helped a lot. Thanks for the insightful article. Sony RX100 VI is good for travel?

24th March 2019 at 4:24 pm

It certainly is. It is definitely a premium compact camera, but the combination of image quality, manual controls, and the impressive zoom and autofocus performance make it probably the best compact camera for travel on the market today 🙂

Mallory J says

20th March 2019 at 4:42 am

Looking for some input… I have a Nikon D80. I used to do newborn photography some years ago. It worked fine for me then. Had my own kids, moved on in my career and on the side we travel a ton. The Nikon is clearly older and the whole set up is too heavy to travel with (I have 4 lenses total for it, however only use the my 24mm and 50mm. Rarely the 125 as I felt the quality was bad and never the telephoto that I bought with it. Anyhow, years later I know nothing about photography anymore and am looking for something other than my phone (iPhone xsmax). I want better, easier and more convenient than the D80. I like the blurry backgrounds (see I can’t even remember the correct terminology for this) and clear photos for nature and sports. My questions is, right off the bat, is there a camera that stands out? Do I go Nikon and continue to use my lenses and forgo the weight? Do I get something new, compact, same brand, different brand?

20th March 2019 at 10:22 am

Hi Mallory,

The word you are looking for is bokeh 😉

Ok, so this is a bit of a challenging question. SInce you already have lenses, my initial response would be to consider maybe the Nikon Z6 . Whilst this is pretty much identical in size to the D80, it’s a mirrorless camera with a full frame sensor, so you will be getting a marked step up in image quality and capability in a camera that is the same size. There’s also a Nikon adaptor so your existing lenses should work, although you’ll want to check compatibility. You should also find it easier to pick up as the menu system will be similar.

If size / cost is more of a consideration, then I think you would want to consider a mirrorless camera and look to invest in a couple of lenses. If you are happy with prime lenses then this is great because they tend to be cheaper and higher quality.

I’d say perhaps the Canon RP, or the Fujifilm X-T30 would be a great starting point, depending on budget 🙂

Happy to answer any follow up questions of course!

5th March 2019 at 9:33 am

Hi, thanks for you great article about various compact/travel cameras. I am planning to buy a new camera. I am trying to decide between Canon m50, Canon 200d, Nikon d5600 as well as Canon g3x. I live in humid area & that’s why I am concerned & also bit worried about that. I don’t have budget to buy expensive camera that have weather sealing. Canon g3x. does have weather sealing but then it have only 1 inch sensor (I do need camera which takes great quality images, video making is not my priority). Moreover, I also want to have a touchscreen. Kindly help me in this regard. Thanking you for the same

5th March 2019 at 12:09 pm

So based on your requirements and budget (I am assuming your budget based on the cameras you are looking at), I am going to suggest a totally different camera to those which you have been looking at.

My suggestion is either the Pentax KS-2, the Pentax K70 or the Pentax KP.

These are all APS-C sized sensor SLR camera which are weather sealed. They are also great value for a weather sealed camera.

The only disadvantage is that they do not come with touchscreens. I know this is something you want, but it might be a decision between weather sealing and a touchscreen at this price point. If the touchscreen is more important, I would suggest the Canon m50.

8th March 2019 at 11:35 am

Thanks for your reply. Kindly let me know why you suggested Canon m50 and also are mirrorless camera more sensitive to moisture/dust than DSLR? Thanks

8th March 2019 at 2:13 pm

So a mirrorless camera is more sensitive to dust than a DSLR. This is because there’s no mirror protecting the sensor, and every time you change lenses the sensor is exposed to the elements. In terms of moisture, I would not say there is a significant difference. A mirrorless camera has more electronic parts if you include the screen, so in theory more could go wrong, but I would say in the real world this isn’t likely to be a big issue.

I recommended the M50 as it’s a great compact mirrorless camera that is easy to use and produces quality results. However, a compact DSLR from Canon or Nikon would also be a good choice. Honestly, most cameras these days will take great photos in the right hands, the technology has come along very far. It’s just question of what has the specific specifications you need.

8th March 2019 at 2:26 pm

Thank you sooo much for your swift response. And thank you for clearing my doubts too. Actually I had almost decided to buy canon m50 but due to doubt about absence of mirror may make it more sensitive, I have narrowed down my choices to Nikon D5600 and Canon 200d. But still confused cause Nikon D5600 have 39 AF points whereas Canon 200d have just 9 and canon have dual pixal Autofocus. My priority is for stills. Kindly let me know if more Autofocus points are really that important. And please help me to decide between these two models. Thank you soo much for helping me out.

8th March 2019 at 7:49 pm

A lot of autofocus points can be useful if you are shooting fast action or wildlife photography. Otherwise it’s not too critical. I have a Canon 6D which is my primary camera, which I think has 9 autofocus points, and I’ve never found I needed more!

4th March 2019 at 8:24 pm

Hello, hope you’re doing well. I love your web page ❤️ I have some months suffering and searching information about a digital camera. I am interested for full frame & Mirrorless Camera for my work as a Aesthetician , and for travel also , I have considered Canon G7 X Mark II but im not pretty sure if it good for photography. Suggest me one good camera or good lenses for travel, fashion, makeup . Good bless you and thankful if you wanna respond

5th March 2019 at 3:03 pm

If you’re interested in a full frame mirrorless camera, I’d say that the Sony A7II would be a good option. The G7X Mark II is a lighter and more compact camera, but you can’t change the lenses, and it doesn’t have a full frame sensor.

Other options include the Canon EOS RP, Canon EOS R, Nikon Z series, and the more recent Sony A7 III, although this is somewhat more expensive now than the version 2.

For lenses, there’s a huge choice. I’d suggest a walk around lens for general travel photography, and then a fast prime lens for portrait work. A 50mm f/1.8 lens would be good for that. I have a guide to travel lenses you can see here:

Mick England says

3rd March 2019 at 3:53 pm

This may have been written before the D7500 came out as you state: “This is Nikon’s high end APS-C camera, with a 20.9MP sensor, fast autofocus, a weather sealed body, dual SD card slots and Wi-Fi.” In fact Nikon actually dropped the dual card slot that was present in the 7200 but the D7500 is nevertheless an excellent camera and I have never had a card fail on me.

3rd March 2019 at 4:05 pm

Hi Mick! Thanks for the catch 🙂 I’ve updated the description of the D7500. I too have never had an SD card fail on me in any camera, although I appreciate some folks like the peace of mind – especially for critical work like weddings and other event photography.

22nd February 2019 at 12:54 am

Hi, I have come across your website while I am searching for best travel camera. I am very limited knowledge about camera and planning to get my first ever camera. Thinking of getting either sony or canon. I am going to visit Euroup in 2 months and need travel camera for both photo and video capturing. May I request for your recommendation please? Thanks in advance ~

23rd February 2019 at 7:27 am

I would likely recommend a mirrorless camera like the EOS M100 as they are easy to pick up and use, and also easy to learn. However, I don’t know your budget – the M100 is at the low end of the budget (although it’s still a great choice). However, if you have more money to spend, there are other options too 🙂

12th February 2019 at 9:36 am

Hey there, I want to buy a travel system camera because my DSLR is just too heavy to carry around all the time. I‘m currently trying to decide between the sony a6000 and sony a63000. So far, from what i‘ve heard it seems like there‘s no big difference between the two cameras that justifies the much higher price of the newer model. However, since i‘m planning to go to south east asia, i‘m not sure how important it is for me to have a camera that‘s water and dust resistant (as the a6300 is). What‘s your experience? Is the a6000 likely to survive rainy season (pf course i‘m going to put my camera in the rain either way) or is worth investing 300€ more for that feature? Thank you!

12th February 2019 at 5:31 pm

I would probably lean towards the a6000 – it’s less costly, and weather sealing won’t make a camera waterproof unfortunately – you’re better off just trying to keep it dry 🙂 The a6300 is a decent camera, but I think for the price difference it’s not that much better.

Have a great trip!

11th February 2019 at 6:38 am

hi, thanks for your such informative blog. I am considering to purchase Fujifilm X-T20 with 18-55mm lens or Canon M50. And, my usage is more to photo shoots instead of video shoot.

I appreciate if you could give advise on this,

13th February 2019 at 9:17 pm

Both are excellent cameras, so it is hard to really decide between them. The Canon is slightly better for videos, and the Fuji might give slightly better photo performance, but the difference is very small. The main difference is the lens options – I would say there are more better value lenses for the Canon than the Fuji, but to be honest, both are really great cameras and I don’t think you will be disappointed with either choice!

Roxanne says

5th February 2019 at 6:58 am

What camera would you recommend for the following.. Indoor for a convention I will be attending Site seeing photos Novice photographer Selfies Price isn’t a deal breaker, so as long as it’s going to last me Captures my memories Ease of grab and shot Social posting Printing

Also considering a upgrade on cell too. To have both a camera and cell phone handy for just in case. I currently have a iPhone 7plus. But open to a smartphone that offers better photo capabilities.

Thanks in advance for your help!

5th February 2019 at 11:44 am

Hi Roxanne!

So the most challenging scene you’ll be looking at shooting will be the indoor scenes, which is where many cameras will struggle due to a lack of light.

If you wanted a capable smartphone, I currently use the Google Pixel 3 which is excellent for a wide range of shooting scenarios, including low light. I’ve not tried out the latest iPhone though.

In terms of a camera, for point and shoot I’d have to suggest either the ZS100 / ZS200, or one of the Sony RX100 options. However, the smaller sensor might not give the best results for indoor work.

So if you don’t mind a slightly bigger camera, I’d probably recommend the Fujifilm X-A5. This has a flipping screen for selfies, a large sensor that performs well in low light, and is still quite portable and easy to use.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any more questions 🙂

Ranjeet Kaur says

19th January 2019 at 6:47 pm

Hi guys, thanks so much for creating this page its an amazing read… i had a dslr camera for 10 years but it has now broken i also have a small canonn camera very small.brought in 2005 takes a card of 2gb but thats givent up as well. I i belive its time to up grade…. i use the camera for travling, gathering and amy social events. I also use it with work when i go and look at properties… so with this in mind im strugling to decide which camera to buy as i would like to get a small compact one…. what would you recommend?

19th January 2019 at 6:55 pm

Hi Ranjeet!

Our pleasure. So if it’s a small compact camera you are after, that is the section of the post to look at. We also have an expanded version of suggested compact cameras here . It’s hard to recommend without knowing your budget, but that page should give you lots more options!

4th January 2019 at 1:05 am

I’m hoping you can help as I am probably comparing apples to oranges. I’m looking for a travel camera for an amateur that is fairly compact, has an auto function, can take selfies, and takes bright, crisp pictures. Deciding between the Canon EOS M50 and the Sony RX100 iii. Any advice?

4th January 2019 at 9:47 am

Sure thing! So the RX100 will be more compact than the M50, but my personal preference would be the M50. It has a larger sensor, meaning images will be higher quality in a variety of shooting situations, has the full auto function, and also has a fully articulating screen for selfies. So that would be my preference of the two.

Another option is the EOS M100, which is a bit smaller, but has similar features. It’s also less expensive. It might be a good balance between the two options 🙂

26th December 2018 at 9:41 pm

What would your opinion be with getting the 200d with a 35mm prime and an ultrwide zoom? Do you have any suggestions as to which lenses I should look at? Total budget would only be around 700 I think at this stage. It would be used for travelling (cities and mountains) as well as a little bit of filming in the woods, but this is very much a secondary use

Many thanks

26th December 2018 at 10:01 pm

So that would be a great combination. Assuming a total budget of $700 to include the 200d, which is around $400 body only, then my suggestion would be the Canon 10-18 ultrawide angle , and the Canon 50mm f/1.8 , which is an amazing lens for the price.

That will take you to $794 all in, which is pretty decent for what you are getting 🙂

26th December 2018 at 10:06 pm

Sounds just about perfect, thanks for the speedy reply

If I remember I’ll try to post how I get on with them, such a good thread I’ll probably have a read over in a few months again XD

Thanks for the help, Flo

26th December 2018 at 10:17 pm

My pleasure 🙂 I’d love to hear how that combination works for you, so do pop back and let me know 🙂

We keep this post up to date as newer models come along, we also have a guide to travel lenses if you want another post to read 🙂 https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/best-lenses-for-travel-photography/

Have a wonderful 2019!

26th December 2018 at 7:23 am

Thanks for your article, it was really helpful. I was already considering the Nikon D3500 with an 18- 140mm lens as an alround in-expensive travel camera for an upcoming trip where we really only want to travel with the bare minimum. We can get this as a kit lens in Aus. However, I was wondering about the comparison between the D3500 and the D5600 with the 18-140 mm which is also available as a kit?

26th December 2018 at 11:09 am

Hi Helen, and thanks!

So there is not a great deal of difference between the two. They have pretty much the same specification, the main difference is that the D5600 has a moveable touchscreen and the D3500 has a fixed, non touch-screen. The D5600 is a bit heavier too, but they are otherwise dimensionally identical.

So really it comes down to whether or not the moving touchscreen is something you would want, as otherwise these two cameras are pretty much identical.

Hope this helps!

valina1981 says

11th December 2018 at 6:03 am

Absolutely love this post! Thank you. I’ve spent the last few weeks drowning in information and agonizing over which camera will be the best for me. As a complete beginner who wants to capture great images but wouldn’t have the slightest idea where to start with changeable lens this guide is ideal. Thank you

11th December 2018 at 10:06 am

My pleasure!

9th December 2018 at 7:21 am

I found this very helpful and an now as subscriber. I was going to sign up for your course, but got confused (my constant state) when I was about to pay and was greeted by a different instructor (‘Nomatic” Matt, or something like that). I now have a little over and hour experience reading your material and felt there was a good match, so didn’t sign up with Matt, if that is what I was doing. May be I missed something. Please let me know if you are in fact the instructor. Thanks

9th December 2018 at 10:31 am

Sorry about that confusion, I should probably try to make it clearer. So the course that you are talking about is my course, I wrote the whole thing, and all the homework / feedback comes to me. The course is just hosted at the Nomadic Matt site as he has a number of courses that compliment each other, plus it means I don’t have to worry about server hosting and the technology of the course – I just run it 🙂

But yes, that’s the one to sign up for to get to me 🙂

9th December 2018 at 5:06 pm

Thanks for the quick response and clarification. I will be signing up.

9th December 2018 at 7:11 pm

Thanks Steve, looking forward to helping you out 😀

Shirzad says

27th November 2018 at 1:13 am

You are a star!! Thank you, very informative.

27th November 2018 at 11:21 am

My pleasure! let us know which one you chose 🙂

David Stepenberg says

19th November 2018 at 1:56 am

Outstanding publication that was informative and easily understood. I appreciate your sharing your experience and expertise.

I’m interested in a digital camera that produces extremely high quality photos for canvas enlargement, has a large sensor, image stabilization, and is compatible with a high quality long range zoom lense. Based on this publication I’m assuming a DSLR is best, but I’m not sure which one and would appreciate your feedback.

19th November 2018 at 10:13 am

Thanks very much 🙂

So based on your requirements, you’d be looking at a fairly high end camera. You have a few options, depending on your budget:

The Canon 5D Mark IV The Sony A7r III The Nikon D850

These are all roughly the same price. For your specific needs, I would probably lean towards the Sony a7 rIII, which is a mirrorless full frame camera, with in body image stabilization and a high megapixel sensor which means you’ll be able to get those high quality images you’re after.

The 5D is a great camera, but the sensor doesn’t have so many megapixels. The Nikon is also excellent, with a fantastic (Sony made) sensor, but has no in body stablization.

Of course, both Nikon and Canon offer stabilised lenses, so you can get the same effect with a lens.

I hope this helps. There are other options at lower (and higher!) budgets, but this would me my starting point without knowing your exact budget 🙂

26th October 2018 at 4:13 pm

Nice article..! Any reason to choose D3300 over D3400?

26th October 2018 at 6:07 pm

In terms of the cameras under $500, I wanted to pick a great value camera, and the D3300 certainly fits that bill, especially since the D3400 and D3500 have since been released. However, if you have the budget, the newer models are definitely worth checking out 🙂

17th October 2018 at 9:22 pm

I feel you are missing a well known and loved travel camera. The Ricoh GR &/or GRii essentially the same, is ultra light, a somewhat fast 2.8 for low light, no AA filter that delivers sharp images and can be found used $350 or brand new $600. Yes, it has a fixed 28mm lens but it’s also so sharp with an aps-c sensor That cropping into a RAW image is still sharp after digital processing. Not the fastest auto focus but for those who focus on setting up their image or are patient for the scene to develop, it’s sufficient.

Great blog. Thanks for the work.

18th October 2018 at 5:43 pm

Thanks very much! There are a lot of great cameras out there for sure, and thanks for recommending your favourite. Hopefully someone finds your recommendation useful 😀

7th October 2018 at 2:10 pm

Absolutely brill article thankyou! I have a question for you . . . Im a land artist in the UK and currently looking to invest in a camera to capture my artwork. Been using a samsung galaxy phone up till now but seriously need to upgrade as Im being asked for large prints! Im good with light and composition but have very little tech knowledge! So looking for the smallest simplest camera that is not a phone! that shoots in RAW for high quality large prints that I can carry easily and not have to think about! Ive been looking at the Sony RX100 V and wondering if the image quality will be good enough . . friends saying Sony Alpha series is better! Help! Getting confused with so much choice! Would really appreciate your opinion or advice :)) *artwork ranges from small macro creations to much larger woodland or river work

10th October 2018 at 4:59 pm

So for something small the shoots in RAW, a higher end point and shoot should work fine for your specific needs 🙂 The Alpha series from Sony is a great choice too, but they are certainly bigger than a point and shoot, and also a bit more complicated to use. So I would advise something like the Panasonic or Sony in this post. We also have a more comprehensive Point and shoot camera guide here with even more choices 🙂 https://independenttravelcats.com/best-compact-camera-travel-point-and-shoot-cameras/

Let me know if you have any more questions!

Cecilia Lawrence says

11th September 2018 at 1:22 am

Hi there! Thank you for taking the time to write up this list! I was wondering if you could give me some camera recommendations. I’m an amateur photographer and I mostly use my camera for taking interior photos (like architecture or portraits) for art references. The things I’m looking for are:

1.) Long battery life (when traveling) 2.) Under $500 3.) Good in low-light settings

I’m trying to find either a good point-and-shoot or a mirrorless camera that fits in my budget. I was told that the Canon Rebel t6 is a good DSLR for what I’m looking for, but I’m wondering if it might not be a little too cumbersome when traveling. Any suggestions?

11th September 2018 at 10:34 am

Hi Cecilia!

My pleasure. So, your wishlist is quite a challenge I have to be honest 🙂

For a long battery life, your best option is going to be a DSLR, as mirrorless cameras use up more battery due to not having an optical viewfinder, which means you always need to be powering a screen.

Low light is the hardest environment for a camera to work in. My suggestion for the type of photography you are wanting to do would be to invest in a tripod, which can help get around some of the challenges of shooting in low light by letting you use longer exposures.

My suggestion would be perhaps the Canon M100 . This has the same sensor has the Canon DSLR cameras, but is in a smaller body, so it is quite compact. It comes in under budget including a lens. The only issue is that the battery life is not going to be as good as a DSLR.

let me know how that sounds!

11th September 2018 at 6:06 pm

Thank you so much for your quick response! This camera looks perfect–exactly what I was looking for. Thank you again!

11th September 2018 at 6:09 pm

My pleasure Cecilia 🙂 You inspired me to add it to the post as well, I think it’s an excellent option at this price point 🙂

Prashanth says

31st August 2018 at 9:17 am

Hello, thank you for an excellent article. I’ve got a tough one for you – my trusty Panasonic FZ300 has checked itself out after three terrific years. I can’t seem to find anything else that matches its set of amazing features. Can you help? Thanks!!

31st August 2018 at 10:31 am

Hi Prashanth,

I think the logical replacement would be the new Panasonic FZ330, which seems to have a similar set of features and upgraded technology 🙂

1st September 2018 at 6:00 am

Oh wow Laurence, thank you! I can’t believe I wasn’t able to find it myself. I kept searching for “FZ300 successor” but apart from a few forum postings on what a potential successor should look like, I only saw pages from four years ago that declared that the FZ300 was a successor to the FZ200! I noticed that you don’t have a section for bridge cameras on your blog – from my own experience, I found the FZ300 the most versatile cam I’ve used. I go on an annual 5500+ meter trek (Kailash Manasarovar yatra if you’re interested), and I’ve really put the weather sealing capabilities of the FZ300 to the ultimate test! The ultrazoom really comes in handy on the trek (to scope out far away features or wildlife) and the insane feature set (from 4 years ago!) – 4k video, timelapse, wifi, multiple zoom controls, touchscreen, etc. make this camera an absolute treat to use. If at all anything could be improved, it would be the sensor, because it isn’t good at all in low light (thats when the RX100 comes out of my pocket ;-)). I look forward to checking the FZ330 out – thanks again!

1st September 2018 at 6:04 am

Oops! I had just replied to your comment Laurence, but I’m afraid the FZ300 and the FZ330 are exactly the same 🙁 “There is no functional difference as far as I know. It is a brand / labeling thing. The FZ330 IS the FZ300.”

1st September 2018 at 10:54 am

You are right! I am so sorry, I just found that and figured it must be the latest version of it as that’s what Panasonic has on their website. They don’t seem to have anything newer with the same sort of features, and I can’t find anything else that is the same sort of bridge design with the same feature set. The FZ300 / 330 seems to still be the only option. So I’m not sure if you’ve considered just buying another one?

You are definitely correct that this guide is currently missing bridge cameras, the only reason being I don’t have personal experience with them so it’s hard for me to give good advice!

2nd April 2019 at 7:07 pm

Hi again Prashanth!

A bit of a delay, but I thought you’d be interested in the recently launched FZ-1000 II. It doesn’t have quite the zoom of the FZ330, but the sensor is both bigger and has higher megapixels, so when you crop the image you will likely end up with the same results. It’s also somewhat more expensive. But in case you were still looking, I thought you’d like to know 🙂

2nd August 2018 at 7:15 am

Thank you so so much for this. This helped me so much

2nd August 2018 at 10:00 am

My pleasure Rachel 😀

Techwhippet.com says

23rd May 2018 at 3:55 pm

Hi findingtheuniverse, This article is very much helpful. But still I have question on it should I ask here ?

23rd May 2018 at 7:36 pm

If you have a question you are welcome to ask it 🙂

nick esposito says

16th March 2018 at 4:23 pm

6D II has a swivel screen and a touchscreen..your info is wrong in the article.

16th March 2018 at 4:29 pm

Thanks Nick – I’ve fixed that in the article 🙂

Gezina Uys says

21st February 2018 at 12:59 pm

I have been looking for a travel camera for a long time now, but not one can can do everything I want it to do. 1. It must be lighter than my Canon EOS . 2. Must take superb photo’s because I print a lot and enlarge them. 3. Large sensor. 4. Good optical zoom lens. 5. Image stabilization. 6. Build in flash with range more than 10m. 7. Megapixels – more than 20.

Please advice me what to buy. I go on a holiday in August and must have the camera by then. My Canon is just to heavy to carry around.

21st February 2018 at 1:13 pm

That is quite a list 🙂

Getting everything you want in one camera is going to be quite hard – a large sensor will require a larger camera body, that’s just how it works. I’d also add that very few built in flashes are either that powerful or produce good results – this is why pretty much every professional level camera doesn’t even have a built-in flash.

It’s hard to give specific advice without a budget in mind. However, my advice to you would be to consider the Sony mirrorless systems, and in particular the Sony Alpha a7II ( http://amzn.to/2CbOehK ) for your requirements. This has nearly everything you have asked for:

1 – mirrorless, so smaller and lighter than EOS full frame cameras, weighs 1.32lbs 2 – takes great photos 3 – full frame sensor 4 – lots of lenses available 5 – built in 5-axis image stabilisation 6 – no flash (see above for why) 7 – 24.3MP

21st February 2018 at 1:37 pm

To follow on from your e-mail where you say that Sony are leaving the South African market (!). This is definitely a problem, as there aren’t any other full frame mirrorless cameras that I’m aware of, other than the Leica range, which are really expensive.

So my advice would be to look instead at the APS-C sized sensors on mirrorless cameras. These still produce great image quality and come in a smaller format. I’d specifically advise either the Fuji XT2 or the Fuji XT20, depending on your budget, both of which offer superb image quality. I know a number of professional photographers who love these cameras and use them as their main cameras day in and day out.

Techwhippet says

15th February 2018 at 7:22 am

Hi Mate! I just bought the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III, and am curious, do you ever take prime lenses when travelling? I’ve seen some amazing travel pictures taken with Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III. Amazing blog, keep up the great work!

17th February 2018 at 8:36 pm

Thanks very much! I don’t usually take prime lenses, I usually have a wide angle and a telephoto, and find that is enough to carry!

Greg Kennon says

3rd February 2017 at 4:05 pm

Wow! Awesome in depth post! We recently bought a Sony point and shoot camera and we have loved it. We have used a DSLR before but they are so heavy to take on long walks/hikes! Thanks for the great post! I will definitely reference this when it’s time to upgrade:)

Laurence says

3rd February 2017 at 4:09 pm

Thanks Greg, pleased you find it useful!

Leslie Hoerwinkle says

24th January 2017 at 3:53 am

So, which camera is the best? ????

13th February 2018 at 10:23 pm

It really depends on what you want to do with it, and your budget! I’d suggest checking out the post and making a decision on the best travel camera for you 🙂

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Best Compact Cameras for Travel Photography

Deciding on the right camera can be challenging with such a wide range of options on the market. Are you hunting for a compact camera that rivals the features of a DSLR or mirrorless and still delivers quality images? Then look no further than our buying guide of the best compact cameras.

Features to Look for in a Small & Compact Travel Cameras

If you want the best compact camera for travel, look beyond the lightness and portability of the camera. Of course, it helps to have a lightweight, easy-to-use, and small camera. But it helps even more to be able to take high-quality photographs in all situations.

Sensor Size

The first feature you should check is the sensor’s size . The larger the sensor is, the better the image quality.

The best compact camera for travel has a wide-angle lens with a focal length of around 35-50mm. The lens provides the field of view of the human eye and creates natural-looking travel compositions. It shows the viewer exactly what you see, inviting them to participate in your journey. If you want more versatility in terms of focal length, some of the best compact cameras come with zoom lenses and offer a range of focal lengths from wide to telephoto .

Low-light Performance

Another feature you should consider is the camera’s performance in low light conditions. For example, your best compact camera for travel should have a large maximum aperture to allow more light to reach the sensor. It should also have a wide ISO range and take noiseless photos even at high ISO values. Most of the time, you will handhold the camera and won’t afford to slow down the shutter speed to get the right exposure.

Durable Build

Last but not least, the best travel camera has to be solid, reliable, and weather-resistant. The battery should have a long life. The autofocus system should be fast, silent, and efficient. You need the camera ready at all times and perform in any conditions.

Best Small & Compact Cameras for Travel

If you want the best compact camera for travel, check out ZV-1. It features a 20.1 MP CMOS sensor, a real-time tracking autofocus system, image stabilization, and a vari-angle LCD screen. Its smart auto-exposure is optimized for faces, making the camera perfect for street portraits. To enhance your photographs, ZV-1 includes in-camera creative styles and effects.

Key Specifications:

• Type: Compact
• Sensor: 1.0-inch Exmor RS CMOS sensor
• Megapixels: 20.1 MP
• Lens: ZEISS® 24–70 mm lens f/1.8-2.8 (equiv.)
• LCD: 7.5 cm (3.0 type), 921,600 dots
• Maximum continuous shooting speed: 24fps
• Max video resolution: 4K
• User level: Enthusiast/Expert

GoPro Hero 11 Black

For some people, travel equals adventure. Therefore, the best travel camera for them is a camera ready for any situation. The new GoPro Hero 11 can record 5.3K60 video and take 27MP photos. It provides high frame rates, image stabilization, and a long-lasting battery. The camera body is small, tough, and waterproof to 33feet. And it weighs only 127g (4.47oz).

• Type: Action Camera
• Megapixels: 27MP
• LCD: 2.27-inch
• Max video resolution: 5.3K video

Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II

With an expansive range, the Canon PowerShot is an impressive, well-designed compact camera that satisfies beginners and enthusiasts alike. Known for its competitive DSLR range , Canon also boasts an enviable collection of compact cameras that can really perform. The PowerShot series heats up the competition with its 45x optical zoom and 24mm wide angle.

• Sensor: 1.0-inch stacked CMOS
• Lens: 24-120mm f/1.8-2.8 (equiv.)
• LCD: 3″ tilting touchscreen, 1.04 million dots
• Maximum continuous shooting speed: 30fps
• Viewfinder: EVF

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10

If you’re a casual photographer looking to expand your range, the Lumix family of cameras is a competitive option. This entry-level series is a big win for Panasonic because these high-performers tick a surprising amount of boxes for a budget compact camera. The brand also boasts more robust models with built-in zoom lenses to choose from, making this one of the best lines of mirrorless cameras on the market. No wonder this is one of the best point-and-shoot cameras available on the market today.

• Sensor: 1-inch High Sensitivity MOS Sensor
• Megapixels: 20.10 MP
• Lens: 24-70mm f/1.4-2.8 Leica DC Vario-Summilux lens
• LCD: 3″ tilting, 1,040k dot
• Maximum continuous shooting speed:10fps
• User level: Intermediate/Expert

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2500

This bridge camera is built to help you capture travel memories on the go. With a 1-inch 20.1MP CMOS sensor and a 20X Leica DC Vario-Elmarit f/2.8-4.5, 24-480mm-equivalent zoom lens, it can handle your biggest moments. Videographers will also love this camera and its ability to capture 4K video at 24 fps or UHD 4K at 29.97.

Check out our hands-on review of the DMC-FZ2500 to see it in action.

• Megapixels: 20 MP
• Lens: 24-360mm LEICA DC Vario-Elmar Lens
• User level: Beginner/Intermediate

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII

A high-end camera line that excels across a variety of settings, the Sony Cyber-Shot RX series packs a punch with a full list of features to please any level of photographer, from intermediate to expert. Solid, small, and easy to store in your pocket, there’s no better digital camera to team up with your smartphone. Plus, the DSC-RX100 VII has video features that max out at 4K. As a follow-up to the beloved RX100 VI , it’s clear why it’s also one of our favorite selfie cameras .

• Sensor: 1-inch CMOS
• Lens: 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5
• LCD: 3” tilting, 922k dots
• Maximum continuous shooting speed: 20fps

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV

This DSLR-style all-in-one long-range zoom camera from Sony boasts a 1-inch 20.1MP Exmor CMOS sensor, and a 25x, 24-600mm-equivalent Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* f/2.4-4.0 zoom lens. Videographers can capture UHD 4K videos at 30fps and with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, you’ll be able to capture and share your footage in seconds.

• Sensor: 1.0-inch -type Exmor RS CMOS sensor
• Megapixels: 20.1MP
• Lens: 24-70mm equiv. F1.8-2.8
• LCD: 3″ 1.28M-dot tilting (640 x 480 RGBW)
• Maximum continuous shooting speed: 5.5fps
• Max video resolution: 4K/30p

Fujifilm X100V

Trendy and easy to use, the Fuji X series offers something for every type of photographer. Fujifilm has created a full range of compact cameras at impressive price points with robust features and capabilities. As a result, they deliver excellent image quality, improved low light performance, and superb auto focus. From landscapes to wildlife, portraits to sports, this well-rounded camera is an excellent value for money.

• Sensor: APS-C X-Trans CMOS 4
• Megapixels: 24.3 MP
• Lens: 23mm f/2
• LCD: 3” fixed, 1.62 million dots
• Maximum continuous shooting speed: 11fps
• User level: Expert

Olympus Tough TG-6

The Olympus Tough TG-6 has all the offerings to make an adventure photographer very satisfied. It features a 12-megapixel sensor, up to 4x optical zoom that can be lengthened to 8x with its digital teleconverter. Videographers will also be happy with its 4k movie recording, and built-in GPS, compass, and thermometer to help in even the most rugged situations .

• Sensor: 1/2.3″ BSI CMOS
• Megapixels: 24.2 MP
• Lens: 25mm – 100mm f/2.0 (equiv)
• LCD: 3” fixed,1,040k-dots
• Maximum continuous shooting speed: 20 fps

The Leica Q2 is a throwback to the classic sleek look of yesteryear , with all the modern conveniences you covet in a camera. This pocketable point-and-shoot camera offers crisp imagery and guaranteed photo quality. It’s a solid entry-level option to the world of impeccable Leica photography .

• Sensor: Full-frame CMOS
• Megapixels: 47.3 MP
• Lens: 28mm, f/1.7
• LCD: 3″ fixed touchscreen, 1.04 million dots
• Maximum continuous shooting speed: 10fps
• Max video resolution: Full HD

Ricoh GR III

Ready to capture, record, and move with you, the Ricoh GR III is the epitome of user-friendly . It’s designed to be slim and compact, and Ricoh optimized the performance capabilities with features to bring you one step closer to the ultimate point and shoot experience.

• Sensor: APS-C
• Lens: 28mm f/2.8 (equiv)
• LCD: 3” fixed, 1.04 million dots
• Maximum continuous shooting speed: N/A
• Max video resolution: 1080p

Best Compact Camera for Video

While plenty of the best compact cameras offer great features and 4K video recording capabilities, the Fujifilm X-T4 is among the best on this list for video recording. In the past, photographers and videographers had to choose between great video and a compact camera size, but that’s no longer the case.

With a slim, well designed profile, the Fujifilm X-T4 certainly counts as a compact camera. But as an interchangeable lens, mirrorless camera, it gives photographers and videographers plenty of added flexibility. Choose the best lens for your ideal footage and feel confident that your camera may look like a compact model, but it doesn’t behave like one.

With features like super-slow motion and subject autofocus tracking, the X-T4 fits a whole lot of camera into a small package. 5-axis in body stabilization even lets you capture steady shots in low light.

iPhone vs Compact Camera?

With iPhone camera technology getting better and better, many consumers are wondering why they should bother carrying a compact camera at all. iPhones have certainly come a long way in the past few years. But camera manufacturers like Sony, Panasonic, Fuji, and Canon constantly push the boundaries of technology to help photographers and videographers achieve their goals.

Top-of-the-line image sensors and processors, image stabilization technology, advanced autofocus drives, long battery life, in-camera editing, and models with interchangeable lenses make shooting with a compact camera a no-brainer. For flexibility and reliable, high-quality content, it’s hard to do with a cell phone what you can with a well-designed camera.

Next time you get ready to leave the house and wonder if it’s worth bringing your compact camera along, remember one key fact. Cell phones are designed to do lots of things pretty well, but standalone cameras are designed best for photography.

Are Point and Shoot Cameras Better than an iPhone?

Many point-and-shoot cameras are getting better at taking high quality photos. But do they offer enough improvement to warrant carrying around an extra piece of equipment?

The easiest way to decide between an iPhone and a point-and-shoot is to look at the features and image resolution of both. If your iPhone’s resolution is comparable and you can get it to do everything you want in a camera, then it makes sense to save space and avoid the hassle of carrying an extra device.

Most new iPhone models contain multiple lenses so you’re not locked into a certain focal length or image quality. However, when zooming with a cell phone camera, you’re usually using digital zoom rather than the optical zoom offered by many point-and-shoots. If high quality zooming is your goal, a camera might be your best option.

Should I Travel with a Camera?

Of course, you should. A small camera can capture unique moments and enrich your portfolio. You should always be prepared to take your best photo. And the best compact cameras on the market include all the features you need in a portable and easy-to-use body.

Make sure you choose your best compact camera for travel. It should match your traveling style perfectly. For example, if your journey includes outdoor adventures, the camera should be lightweight and dust and weather-resistant. If you enjoy photographing people on the street, the camera should be silent and discrete and maybe have a longer focal length lens. If you like taking selfies, don’t forget about accessories. Choosing the best compact camera for travel is a personal decision.

Feature photo by Kishore Sawh

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Compact Camera Reviews

The 10 best compact cameras for travel photography in 2022 (video).

Entry-level and mid-range compact cameras have fallen by the wayside as most of us own a high-end smartphone that’s sufficient for capturing impromptu images. But for “serious” photography on the go there are still several compelling reasons to carry a premium point-and shoot camera with easily accessible creative controls.

While there are relatively robust apps enabling you to control a variety of settings on a flagship smartphone, functionality tends to be cumbersome as compared to a “real” camera. In the video below you’ll see why you’re much better served by a full-featured compact camera with manual controls, and see 10 models that are among the best you can buy in 2022.

Top 10 Zone is an interesting YouTube channel with an experienced team of product researchers who provide unbiased gear guides based upon product popularity, price, and overall quality. In this episode they present their top picks for full-featured compact cameras, chosen specifically for travel photography.

Key criteria include a small form factor, quality optics with a versatile zoom range, both still and video capabilities, and enough manual controls to let you flex your creative muscles. The 10 recommended cameras include models from Panasonic, Canon, Fujifilm, Olympus, Leica, and Sony.

The choice you make will depend upon your budget and specific needs, but this gear guide explains the strong points of each model so you’ll know whether to buy it or something else.

The Top 10 Zone YouTube channel not only reviews cameras but also a wide variety of other products, so check it out the next time you’re ready to go shopping.

And take a look at another video we posted recently, explaining everything you need to know about memory cards, readers, and downloading images .

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• In Progress
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• Mirrorless For Travel
• Table of Contents
• Best Camera
• Best Full Frame
• Best Upper Mid-Range
• Best Mid-Range
• Best Budget
• Best Vlogging

Notable Mentions

Recent updates, all reviews, the 6 best mirrorless cameras for travel - spring 2024 reviews.

As is often the case, the best camera for the job is usually the one you've already got on you, and that's especially true when you're traveling and likely don't have the space to pack a bulky camera kit. A smartphone will suffice for most people, especially since modern smartphone cameras can get more impressive by the year. But if you want to take your travel photography to the next level, a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera will get you there. While the battery life on mirrorless cameras isn't as strong as their DSLR counterparts, they're tough to beat on portability, making them great travel cameras if you want the versatility of shooting with different lenses.

We've bought and tested over 100 cameras in our lab, and below, you'll find our recommendations for the best mirrorless cameras for travel. If you'd prefer a fixed-lens compact camera, check out our  best compact cameras for travel instead. You can also check out our top vlogging cameras if you're a travel vlogger. Or, if you want a mirrorless camera for use beyond just traveling, see our recommendations for the best mirrorless cameras  overall.

Best Mirrorless Camera For Travel

Among mirrorless options, the Fujifilm X-T5 stands out as one of the best for travel photography. It's aimed at enthusiast photographers, with old-school exposure dials that make it easy to adjust settings on the go. It also has a relatively portable, lightweight design and sturdy build quality, with weather-sealing for added peace of mind when shooting in adverse weather. Beyond its sleek exterior, it also comes equipped with one of the highest-resolution APS-C sensors on the market, at 40 megapixels, capturing stunning levels of detail and giving you plenty of leeway to crop your photos.

If that wasn't enough, it has excellent battery life for a mirrorless model and features Fujifilm's most advanced autofocus system, with intuitive AF tracking and subject detection for a wide range of subjects, including people, birds, and vehicles. Overall, the X-T5's combination of image quality, portability, and photography-first design make it our top pick for the intrepid travel photographer.

See our review

Best Full Frame Mirrorless Camera For Travel

If image quality is your top priority, the Sony α7C is hard to beat for high-level travel photography. It's one of the most compact full-frame bodies on the market, proving that portability and image quality aren't mutually exclusive. While full-frame lenses are still bigger than APS-C or Micro Four Thirds alternatives, the compact body helps make a more portable kit, especially if you stick to smaller prime lenses. Its compact size does mean fewer custom buttons and an uncomfortably small viewfinder; however, these are small sacrifices to make if you need portability but still want the best possible image quality.

The camera's real selling point is its excellent full-frame sensor, which can capture beautiful images—from busy street scenes in European cities to breathtaking landscapes in the mountains of South America or anything in between. That said, the camera's now been succeeded by the Sony α7C II , which boasts a higher-resolution sensor and more advanced video features, but it's more expensive. Overall, the α7C performs on par for photography, so it's a better deal for most travelers.

Best Upper Mid-Range Mirrorless Camera For Travel

Micro Four Thirds (MFT) models like the OM SYSTEM OM-5 are practically made for travel photography. Though there's a slight trade-off in low light capability with an MFT sensor, you can still get excellent images out of this camera. It also has some neat computational photography features, like a high-resolution composite mode to capture stunningly detailed landscapes. Plus, the MFT system has a well-established lineup of lenses, including more compact options that'll make for a more portable overall kit.

On top of that, the OM-5 is weather-sealed and ruggedly built, giving you some peace of mind while traveling. Built-in image stabilization allows you to get clear shots at slower shutter speeds, and the camera has a decent autofocus system, though it falls short of the standard set by brands like Sony and Canon. Battery life is also underwhelming, but this model is still a sure bet if you're looking for a portable and feature-rich camera system at a reasonable price point. If you can find it for cheaper, the older Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III offers near-identical performance, though it uses an older sensor and lacks a few extra features found on the OM-5, like 'Live ND' mode.

Best Mid-Range Mirrorless Camera For Travel

The Fujifilm X-T30 II doesn't offer too many upgrades over the original Fujifilm X-T30 , but if it ain't broke, why fix it? As far as mid-range options go, the X-T30 II is an excellent choice with a super portable body. Like the higher-end Fujifilm X-T5 , it has a sleek retro-inspired design with the same old-school exposure dials, giving you more hands-on control over camera settings on the fly.

The camera's APS-C sensor captures excellent image quality straight out of the camera. And while competitors like the  Sony α6400  (or one of its α6x00 series siblings) might have better autofocus, the combination of physical controls and Fuji's film simulation profiles make the Fujifilm a blast to shoot with. Throw in a solid selection of fast prime lenses, and you've got a great camera for travel photography, particularly if you're interested in capturing people or street scenes. That said, unlike the OM SYSTEM OM-5  mentioned above, there's no IBIS here, and the camera is less versatile for videos and vlogs because of its tilt screen.

Best Budget Mirrorless Camera For Travel

If you're on a tighter budget, the small and mighty Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV offers a ton of value for its price. Like its higher-end sibling above, it uses an MFT sensor, making for a more portable overall kit with a budget-friendly price tag. It's a great option for beginners, with simple controls and plenty of creative shooting modes that allow you to play with different photography styles.

Beyond that, this is one of the few cameras at this price point with in-body image stabilization, which can help reduce camera shake in videos or make it easier to get clear handheld shots at slower shutter speeds. That said, this model doesn't have the most reliable autofocus, so if that's important to you, the Canon EOS R50 is a good alternative with a larger APS-C sensor and a more effective AF system. Just be aware that there are fewer lens options for Canon's RF mount, and the lenses are generally bigger.

Best Mirrorless Camera For Travel Vlogging

If you're more inclined to shoot videos while traveling, consider a vlogging camera like the Sony ZV-E10. It's small and lightweight, so it's easy to toss into a bag and take on the go. While it doesn't have a viewfinder like the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV , its fully articulated screen is perfect for vlogging, allowing you to monitor yourself while shooting. It has vlogging-friendly features like a detachable windscreen to reduce ambient noise, specialized focus modes, and a great battery life.

It's worth noting that the camera doesn't have built-in stabilization, and its e-stabilization feature can introduce a distracting wobble effect, so you're better off using an optically stabilized lens if you want to keep the camera shake to a minimum. Otherwise, the ZV-E10's relatively low price, convenient size, and solid video features make this the ideal mirrorless camera for travel vlogging.

• Fujifilm X-T4: The Fujifilm X-T4 is the predecessor to the Fujifilm X-T5, and though it's a tad heavier, it's a great choice if you want to save money, offering many of the same advantages. That said, it uses an older processor and lower-resolution sensor and has a less reliable autofocus system. See our review
• OM SYSTEM OM-1: The OM SYSTEM OM-1 is a fantastic Micro Four Thirds camera. It's more rugged and better built than the OM SYSTEM OM-5, but it's also pricier and likely overkill for most people. See our review

Mar 20, 2024: We've reviewed the article to ensure the picks and text are up to date.

Jan 26, 2024: Replaced the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III with the OM SYSTEM OM-5, as it's more widely available.

Oct 27, 2023: Added mention of the Sony α7C II to flesh out the market context for the Sony a7C.

Aug 31, 2023: Added the Fujifilm X-T5 as the 'Best Mirrorless Camera For Travel' and shifted the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III down to the upper mid-range spot.

Jul 06, 2023: Renamed the Sony a7C to 'Best Full Frame Mirrorless Camera For Travel' and replaced it with the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III.

Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best mirrorless cameras for travel for most people to buy, according to their needs. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability (no cameras that are difficult to find or almost out of stock in the U.S.).

If you'd like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our interchangeable-lens mirrorless camera reviews, ranked by their suitability for travel photography. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There is no single perfect camera. Personal taste, preference, and shooting habits will matter more in your selection.

Review: The best travel camera for every type of photographer

UPDATE: Aug. 8, 2023, 5:00 AM EDT This guide has been updated to reflect Mashable's latest hands-on testing.

We live in an age of over-sharing, but the best travel cameras do so much more than help you post your adventures on Instagram, Youtube, or TikTok. Travel cameras can also help you freeze moments in time so that you never forget your favorite travel experiences. Travel photography can be a great way to capture pictures of your loved ones at their happiest, and you may look back on these photos decades in the future.

Of course, the best travel camera should also be used to show off your adventures on social media — we never said over-sharing was bad.

The best cameras for travel make it easy to take pictures without overstuffing your suitcase. While there are plenty of accessories for travel photography , modern travel cameras are lightweight, compact, and user-friendly.

As anyone who's had to sit on their suitcase to close it would know, you need to save every square inch you can when packing. You should always make sure you have the essentials , but nobody wants to have to throw things away at the airport gate because their bag is overweight .

Unless you're a professional YouTuber or National Geographic photographer, chances are you don't want to lug around a heavy-duty model, or a mirrorless camera that requires five different lens for each subject. Similarly, if you're not part of a camera crew traveling for work, a fragile camera that requires careful packing and gentle handling probably isn't worth the trouble.

Fortunately for you, Mashable is on the case, and we’ve been busy researching, testing, and reviewing travel cameras. When picking the best travel camera for every type of photographer — whether you’re a beginner, photography expert, action-adventurer, or content creator — we looked for easy-to-use and easy-to-pack cameras that won’t get in your way.

Should you bring a travel camera at all?

If you clicked on this article, you're likely planning to. But take a minute to consider your phone camera — if you have a new smartphone, it probably comes equipped with a camera that has formidable photography abilities of its own. In fact, the newest flagship smartphones have some downright futuristic photography capabilities. We're not even impressed by the iPhone's ability to shoot in 4K anymore. Give us advanced lowlight photography from Pixel phones, the Samsung Galaxy's famous ultra-zoom lens, or the Xiaomi smartphone with Leica cameras.

So, if you already have the latest iPhone , Samsung Galaxy , or Xiaomi model , is there any reason to carry an extra camera instead of just snapping pics with that?

Well, it depends. For skilled photographers, even the best smartphone cameras can't compare to a mirrorless camera from Sony or Leica . For everyone else, there are still lots of reasons to upgrade to the best travel cameras.

Are you going somewhere beachy and want to take cool underwater photos without worrying about water damage? Is this a ski trip or something active that requires image stabilization and 4K HDR video? Or would you just rather keep your phone safe in your bag at all times, so that you don't accidentally drop it while taking pictures? For all of the above, the best camera for travel will outperform your smartphone camera.

Whatever the reason (even if it's just better quality pics for the 'gram), if you want to pack the best camera for travel, you should evaluate your options based on the following:

Technical Considerations:

• Size/Weight: There's no point to investing in a professional model that doesn't fit in your travel bag. Make sure that your choice isn't so hefty that you don't end up leave your camera and lens at home.
• Image Quality: Anyone can snap a blurry picture of the Eiffel Tower, but you want a crystal-clear and totally unique photo to remember your trip. A camera's sensor size will be the biggest factor on overall image quality (more on this below).
• Zoom Range: Despite massive advances in smartphone camera technology, this is still one area in which most smartphones fall short. For close-up photography, you'll need cameras equipped with zoom lenses.
• Shooting Modes: Versatility is one of the other perks of toting around a camera — from drones that will give you aerial shots to vlogging cameras for video quality, different devices offer different advantages over your standard phone cam.
• Price: Above all, don't purchase anything beyond your means. For this guide, we've avoided $5,000 Lecia cameras, as these can be risky to travel with unless you're a professional photographer.

What's the difference between DSLR and mirrorless cameras?

When searching for the best travel cameras of 2023, we wanted to include the most common types of travel cameras: mirrorless cameras, DSLR cameras, action cameras, and drones. (We also decided to include a smartphone for good measure.) But what type of camera is best for your needs? Action cameras, drones, and smartphones are pretty self-explanatory, so what's the difference between DSLR and mirrorless cameras? And what camera is best for travel photography?

For a long time, DSLR cameras were the gold standard for high-quality digital cameras. They provide professional-level photo quality and more advanced features for experienced photographers. DSLR stands for digital single-lens reflex camera. In this type of camera, light passing through the lens bounces off a mirror into a traditional viewfinder. Even the best DSLR camera for travel will be larger in size compared to point-and-shoot and mirrorless cameras, and this can be an issue when traveling.

Mirrorless cameras don't have a mirror, and thus lack a traditional viewfinder (although they typically have a digital viewfinder). For this reason, mirrorless cameras are lighter and more compact than DSLR cameras, which also make them more travel-friendly. Because of the digital viewfinder, mirrorless cameras often have a shorter battery life compared to a DSLR.

You can take equally great images with both a mirrorless and DSLR camera. Because mirrorless cameras are newer (and more trendy), many of the best new cameras fall into this category. However, DSLR cameras are often much more affordable.

The specs to look for in the best travel cameras:

To pick the best camera for travel, you'll need a basic understanding of some photography terms and camera specifications. You could spend a lifetime mastering the art or photography, but before buying a camera, take the time to familiarize yourself with the following terms.

Megapixels: The unit itself (MP) denotes one million ("mega-") pixels, which essentially describes the detail of your photos. You can have too many megapixels, depending on your purpose — Instagram, for example, automatically downsizes overlarge images to 1.2MP.

Image File Format: This refers to the image formats supported by the camera. Typically, this includes .jpeg and raw image files. A camera with easy-to-access image files is an underrated feature. This can be important if you're traveling for a long time and want to be able to access your pictures externally from your camera ASAP. Make sure you can open and, if necessary, edit photos on your laptop or even phone (an adapter or external card reader will usually be needed as well).

Sensor: A camera's sensor has a huge impact on overall image quality, which is why sensor size is the main specification professional photographers look at. Bigger sensors have more pixels, which means better low-light and dynamic performance as well as reduced noise. However, smaller sensors have a better zoom range and are both lighter and cheaper. DSLR and mirrorless cameras usually have full-frame (~36mm wide) or APS-C (22.3-23.6mm wide) sensors, while compact cameras have 1-inch (13.2mm wide) sensors. The iPhone 11 has a 1/2.55" sensor, for comparison, and that will give you 12MP images. For a more detailed guide to sensor sizes, check out this graphic .

Lens: Pro photographers will rattle off details about the makers and materials of camera lenses, but what you really need to know is mostly just aperture and focal length. So while names like the "Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8 E ED VR" look intimidating, they really just boil down to naming conventions that list brand, lens type/size, focal length, maximum aperture, and miscellaneous details ("VR" here stands for vibration reduction) in that order.

Focal length denotes zoom, and aperture is how much light the lens lets in, which affects exposure and depth of field. Zoom is fairly straightforward — some lens have ranges, while others have a fixed focal length, so you'll have to move to get your subject in frame. Aperture, on the other hand, is measured in fractions. A smaller aperture, say of f/11, gives you less background blur (like, the opposite of portrait mode), aka more depth of field, and a darker image. Larger apertures — f/2.8 is pretty standard — will give you a very focused effect with lots of light.

Continuous Shooting Speed (Video Mode): Measured in fps — that is, frames per second — this number is what you look at if you need your camera to be capable of quick shots for action scenes. The higher the frame-rate, the smoother and clearer the action.

Max Video Resolution: This one is mostly for those people who want to edit a highlight reel of their travels, or vlog their trip. Otherwise, typical 1080p will do just fine for most purposes — you don't need to splurge on 4k unless you want to crop footage while retaining the quality (and you really don't need 8k unless you're a filmmaker).

While this sounds overwhelming (and it definitely can be, to be honest), if you aren't fussed about specs, our list below gives a quick breakdown of what each camera is good for, taking into consideration all its features. On the other hand, if you have a very specific lens type in mind or just want to fully understand your purchase before committing, take a look at the listed specs and how they compare.

With all this in mind, we've gathered the best cameras for travel below. Our top recommendations were hands-on tested by the Mashable team, and we've included some additional options so that you can find the best travel camera for your particular needs.

This guide is geared more toward photography beginners than pros, so we've favored cameras that are more affordable and beginner friendly. And to make sure they travel well, we've prioritized cameras that are durable, lightweight, and compact.

This article may contain affiliate links that Microsoft and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links.

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REI, Amazon, and More Are Having Under-the-radar Hiking Gear Sales — Shop the 10 Best Deals Up to 55% Off

A longtime backpacker shares her top picks from $17.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Travel + Leisure / Tyler Roeland

Spring has sprung and the trails are calling. There are parks to explore, boots to break in , and summits to reach. Whether you’re new to hiking or, like me, due for (more than) a few gear upgrades , now’s the time to expand your kit as outfitters and retailers like REI, Amazon, and Backcountry are currently running sales on hiking gear galore. For a limited time, you can score brand-name trail essentials and outdoor gear on sale for up to 55 percent off.

After all, your gear can make or break your trip, so why not use this opportunity to save big on these pricey items before your next adventure? From my tried-and-true Osprey pack to Amazon’s best-selling women’s hiking boots and hydration bladders , here are the 10 best hiking gear deals that this longtime trekker , backpacker, and traveler is eyeing. 

Osprey Archeon 45 Pack

Many seasoned hikers would agree that Osprey packs are the best on the market. They’re known for their quality, comfort, ergonomic fit, and for being truly ultra-light. Believe me, I lived out of a backpack for two years and every ounce that you don’t have to carry on your back matters. Right now, REI is offering 50 percent off this 45-liter Archeon style that’s ideally sized for multi-day hikes lasting from three days to up to a week. One reviewer called it the “best bag ever” and the most comfortable hiking pack they’ve ever worn — and after testing a range of other brands, I agree. As a bonus, it can sometimes pass as a carry-on on flights. Hurry, it's selling out fast!

Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped Hiking Boots

Amazon’s no. 1 best-selling women’s hiking boots are also almost half off right now. With their full-grain leather uppers and eye-catching red laces, Columbia’s Newton Ridge Boots harken back to the traditional mountaineering style (a.k.a. the style resurrected by the iconic book cover of Cheryl Strayed’s “Wild”). The shoes have amassed more than 18,000 five-star ratings, with countless reviewers praising their durability and unwavering waterproof capabilities. The cushiony midsoles, arch and ankle support, and grippy traction also get high marks.

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

LifeStraw is the OG portable water filter. You can stick the best-selling filter straw right into a stream and take a sip without having to worry about harmful bacteria, parasites, and microplastics. This tiny gadget, taking up less than 9 square inches in your pack, can be a lifesaver in emergency situations or just save your back from the stress of carrying excess water. Snag it for 22 percent off now; you won't regret adding it to your pack.

Athleta Trekkie North Joggers

These joggers are made with stretchy, moisture-wicking recycled nylon meant to resist tears when you inevitably get caught up in a branch on the trail. Although I haven’t tried them myself, I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews from my hiking friends — and just one look at the glowing testimonies from REI shoppers will tell you that these are quality hiking pants . This highly rated Trekkie North style is starting at $49, and sizes are selling out quickly.

Zimfem Portable Camping Chair

For this summer’s overnight hikes or the times when you just want a comfy seat when you reach your destination , a portable camping chair comes in handy. At 4.7 pounds, this is perhaps not the best chair to cover long distances with — proper backpacking chairs weigh more like 2 pounds to mere ounces — but it’s a very affordable option for shorter treks when you have room in your bag for a luxury item. Despite being a new release, it's already generating a lot of buzz among Amazon shoppers (more than 1,000 units were sold in the last month, according to the retailer). For packing convenience, the fabric seat separates from the frame, which folds down to fit into a relatively compact 17-inch by 7-inch carrying sack.

Gonii Low-cut Hiking Socks 4-pack

Good hiking socks are the key to preventing blisters. You want a material that balances breathability with cushioning, and Amazon reviewers say that these cotton-blend athletic ankle socks by Gonii hit that sweet spot. In fact, a shopper was happy to report that they kept their feet cool on a scorching-hot 20-mile walk. They come in your standard white, black, and gray hues, as well as fun pastels and bright colors. For a pack of five pairs, $15 is a true bargain.

Stoic Venture UPF Sun Hoodie

Backcountry

On a recent hike under the relentless sun in Sedona, Arizona, I noticed that the most seasoned and prepared people on the trail sported hoodies — a counterintuitive move when the temperature is approaching triple digits, but one that your skin will thank you for. This Stoic sun hoodie, on sale for 55 percent off at Backcountry, has UPF 50+ protection built right into it, making it a wearable sun shade. It’s made with lightweight and moisture-wicking recycled polyester, so you don’t have to worry about overheating or lingering sweat patches.

Baen Sendi 2-liter Hydration Bladder 2-pack

Maybe you’re the type to never leave home without your emotional support water bottle, but on the trail, hands-free hydration is the way to go . At 20 percent off, this pack of two Baen Sendi bladders is less than the price of one single CamelBak replacement reservoir (and way less than the buzzy water bottles and tumblers on TikTok). Reviewers say that it works just as well as its pricier counterparts and fits perfectly inside their brand-name hydration packs. 

Willit Hiking Shorts

Thousands of Amazon shoppers have given these Willit Hiking Shorts five-star ratings for their comfort, stretch, and durability. They’re super versatile and can be worn off the trail, too — the hallmark of the perfect travel shorts. You get your pick of almost 30 colors and patterns like trail-ready camo and sleek graphite gray. They’re normally priced at $34, but with Amazon’s 26-percent-off deal plus an extra 10-percent-off coupon, they’re only $23 (a steal). 

SealLine 5-liter Dry Bag

Helpful on drizzly days, in unexpected showers, and when you’re keen to cool off in a stream on your hike, a dry bag separates the wet from the dry — and is a useful tool to safeguard your valuables. Throw your camera gear and other electronics in it to protect them from water damage, or save it to hold your soaked swimwear until you get back to the campsite clothesline. In addition to hikes, this 5-liter dry bag is good to have handy for kayaking and paddleboarding missions.

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40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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Elektrostal, visit elektrostal, check elektrostal hotel availability, popular places to visit.

• Electrostal History and Art Museum

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Electrostal History and Art Museum in Elektrostal. Take in the museums while you're in the area.

• Cities near Elektrostal

• Places of interest
• Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
• Peter the Great Military Academy
• Central Museum of the Air Forces at Monino
• History of Russian Scarfs and Shawls Museum
• Balashikha Arena
• Balashikha Museum of History and Local Lore
• Bykovo Manor
• Pekhorka Park
• Malenky Puppet Theater
• Drama Theatre BOOM
• Ramenskii History and Art Museum
• Noginsk Museum and Exhibition Center
• Pavlovsky Posad Museum of Art and History
• Saturn Stadium
• Fairy Tale Children's Model Puppet Theater
• Fifth House Gallery
• Church of Vladimir
• Likino Dulevo Museum of Local Lore
• Malakhovka Museum of History and Culture
• Orekhovo Zuevsky City Exhibition Hall

Claudia Looi

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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