Do you love traveling and capturing everything you encounter on the road? Many travelers in their journey decide to associate photography with their passion for the world. If you also feel this need, do not know where to start, or which camera to choose to improve your skills, this is the article for you.
There are many models of cameras, divided into three dominant groups of compact, mirrorless, and reflex. But how do you figure out which is the most suitable for your needs? Surely, expectations and ambitions count a lot in this hard choice. So in this article, we offer you the best camera for travel in 2021!
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Contents
- Top 10 Best Camera for Travel 2021 Reviews
- #1 Best Travel Camera for Family Trips: Olympus Tough TG-6 Waterproof Camera
- #2 Best Camera for Travel Photography: Canon EOS 4000D DSLR Camera
- #3 Best Camera for Travel Videography: Canon PowerShot G7X Vlogging Camera
- #4 Best Compact Camera for Travel: Sony RX100 VII Premium Compact Camera
- #5 Best DSLR Camera for Travel: Nikon D5600 DSLR Camera
- #6 Best Mirrorless Camera for Travel: Sony Alpha A6300 Mirrorless Camera
- #7 Best Point and Shoot Travel Camera: Sony A7R II Interchangeable Lens Camera
- #8 Best Travel Vlogging Camera: Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III Camera
- #9 Best Action Camera for Travel: GoPro Hero 8 4K Waterproof Camera
- #10 Best Budget Travel Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Digital SLR Camera
- Features to Consider When Choosing a Camera for Travel
- FAQs
- Final Words
Top 10 Best Camera for Travel 2021 Reviews
#1 Best Travel Camera for Family Trips: Olympus Tough TG-6 Waterproof Camera
The Olympus TG-6 is an excellent choice for people who need an extremely durable camera during travel and outdoor sports. It is waterproof up to 15 meters, drop-proof up to 2 meters, resistant to dust and low temperatures. The focal length is from 4.5mm to 18mm. The angular opening (25 mm) is not wide but sufficient. It is not the ideal option for landscape photography.
The camera includes many adventure features such as underwater mode, macro, live composite, built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, GPS, and compass. Although the lens is not interchangeable, there is the possibility of using converters, such as connecting an additional fisheye lens for wide shots and a telephoto lens to increase the zoom.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Lightweight and durable
- Dust and heat resistant
- Outstanding features
Cons
- Low-quality sensor
The Olympus TG-6 is lightweight, versatile, durable that comes with not inferior image quality for a compact camera. There is the possibility to buy it with the silicone shell and immerse it over 15 meters deep.
#2 Best Camera for Travel Photography: Canon EOS 4000D DSLR Camera
The Canon 4000D is a great option for those new to the world of photography. It comes with an 18MP APS-C sensor that captures brilliant images. In case you could afford to spend a little more, the Nikon 5500 has more pixels and a better sensor.
We especially recommend this model for professionals who could take advantage of all its features at 100%. It can also be useful for amateurs with a little experience behind them to practice and improve themselves.
Pros
- 18MP APS-C sensor
- More pixels and a better sensor
- Suitable for professions
Cons
- Bulky
Overall, it is a superb choice if you are looking for a decent DSLR at a very reasonable price. Keep in mind that SLRs are quite bulky.
#3 Best Camera for Travel Videography: Canon PowerShot G7X Vlogging Camera
The Canon Powershot G7X Mark III is an excellent choice between point and shoot. It has a three-inch LCD touch screen, Wi-Fi connectivity, a remote flash system, image sync, and many unique functions. Overall, it is a great camera for the price.
In the point-and-shoot selection, there are only two cameras and we would like to compare them. Both are compact and lightweight, equipped with good 20.1MP sensors that take impressive photos. Finally, the Sony RX100 V has a better overall performance.
Pros
- Excellent functions
- LCD touch screen
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Flash system
Cons
- Fair resolution
The Canon G7X has a slightly longer focal length, up to a maximum of 100mm (a spare tele zoom might be useful in some situations), and is much cheaper than its competitor.
#4 Best Compact Camera for Travel: Sony RX100 VII Premium Compact Camera
The Sony RX100 VII has become popular with travelers because it is light and compact, offering excellent performance. This mini machine takes amazing photos in the compact camera category. It captures 20.1 MP images and 4K Full HD video despite having a small sensor.
The unit comes with many functions such as 315 phase-detection AF points, 24 continuous shots, and super slow motion. A longer focal length would have been the icing for landscape photography. But we have to say it still defends itself well.
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Compact and lightweight
- Phase detection
- Continuous shots
- Slow-motion
Cons
- Expensive
Many surveys have qualified Sony RX100 VII as the best compact camera on the market.
#5 Best DSLR Camera for Travel: Nikon D5600 DSLR Camera
The Nikon 5600 is the camera I am using right now, and I am thrilled with the results. Besides taking great photos, it is pretty light and compact for a reflex camera. I was about to buy a Nikon 7200, which has a superior sensor and image quality. But I did not want to compromise myself with a too heavy camera on my travels.
Among DSLRs, the Nikon 5600 represents an excellent compromise between image quality, weight, and size. It is easy to use and has a very functional touch screen, integrated Wi-Fi, and special effects. If you could afford it, I recommend investing in a good lens to take unforgettable photos.
Pros
- Extremely lightweight
- Superior sensor
- High-quality images
- Functional touch screen
Cons
- Unsurprising functions
The Nikon D5600 is another highly recommended reflex for people who have little experience. It is excellent for learning how to make the most of the potential of a reflex.
#6 Best Mirrorless Camera for Travel: Sony Alpha A6300 Mirrorless Camera
The Sony A6300 is also a great option for professional photographers. Many people use it as a backup camera for outdoor photography. It features a 24.2MP sensor that takes high-quality photos and videos. Plus, it has a sealed body and costs less than a professional SLR.
It is compact, light, and strong. The kit comes with a 16 – 50mm lens, but it is not the most ideal size for photographic lenses. We suggest buying another lens if you want to get the best out of this camera.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact
- Suitable for professions
- High-quality sensor
Cons
- Low-quality lenses
The Sony Alpha A6300 is an expensive mirrorless camera. So, it is suitable for people who already have a certain dexterity with photography and for professionals in the sector.
#7 Best Point and Shoot Travel Camera: Sony A7R II Interchangeable Lens Camera
The Sony A7R II is a full-frame professional camera for professional photographers. Considered by many to be the best mirrorless on the market, it boasts a high-quality 42.4 megapixel CMOS sensor that is non-inferior to most pro SLRs.
It offers the most advanced features and best image quality in a small size. You will pay for quality as it is one of the more expensive cameras on the list.
Pros
- Integrated flash
- 180-degree tiltable display
- High-quality sensor
Cons
- Expensive
The Sony A7R II is perfect for users who are about to buy their first camera. It is light and handy and it is easy to connect to the smartphone via Wi-Fi and NFC.
#8 Best Travel Vlogging Camera: Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III Camera
The Olympus E-M5 Mark III is our latest camera in the mirrorless section and is worth a try. It has been a popular camera because it takes quality photos while being light, compact and durable. It has a 5-axis image stabilizer, selectable autofocus from 121 AF points, a fully articulated touch screen, and a weather-resistant body.
This Olympus mirrorless model, besides being a good buy full of interesting features, is also light to carry around. It has an original design from the others that gives it an extra aesthetic touch. Among its functions, it allows you to film in slow motion and time-lapse in 4K.
Pros
- Wi-Fi connection
- Image stabilization on 5 axes
- Autofocus
- Weather-resistant
Cons
- Expensive
Are you looking for high quality and small footprint? The Olympus E-M5 is one of the lightest mirrorless cameras.
#9 Best Action Camera for Travel: GoPro Hero 8 4K Waterproof Camera
The GoPro Hero 8 Black includes excellent features such as a touch screen, voice control, Hypersmooth 2.0 stabilization, and 4K 60 fps high-definition video. Unlike other GoPro models, it is waterproof to 10 meters with no shell. In case you want to dive deeper, there are waterproof cases made for it.
This model is a great camera for travel, hiking, and other outdoor sports because it is super compact and ultra-light. Plus, the batteries last a long time. It includes an image stabilizer for movies. The sensor quality is satisfactory and the video resolution impressive. Finally, the focal length is perfect for adventure sports and landscape photos.
Pros
- Excellent features
- Waterproof up to 10 meters
- Ultra-light and stable
- High sensor quality
Cons
- No accessories included
The GoPro Hero 8 Black is probably the best camera for travel photography you can find on the market.
#10 Best Budget Travel Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Digital SLR Camera
The Canon EOS 5D is not a camera for beginners and is more suitable for experts at the first experience or coming from heavy-duty cameras. But its characteristics are not bad at all.
The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is a full-frame DSLR with incredible features. There are more expensive models, but we think they are over budget for most mere mortals. We would recommend it only to professional photographers looking for the best performance and image quality.
Pros
- Premium construction
- High-quality sensor
- High resolution
- Reasonable price
Cons
- Heavyweight
It does not record in 4K. But thanks to the full-frame sensor, 1080p videos look like actual movies.
Features to Consider When Choosing a Camera for Travel
Portability
Point-and-shoot and sports cameras are the most compacts on the list. They have no interchangeable lenses, even with batteries, memory cards, and cables. So, the additional weight is minimal.
Image Quality
Lenses are the key factor in determining image quality. The lenses and their constitution will make the difference in the result, whether it is a dulcimer, a fisheye, or a fixed 50mm. Remember that adjustable lenses such as 18-200mm and 27-55mm.
Room Range
The sensor is vital if you are looking for a camera with high image quality. The result will depend on the type, and the megapixels, the lens, and other factors.
A good sensor is a determining factor in image quality. Do not think that cameras with a lot of megapixels take better photos because they have more. A compact 20MP camera will never measure up to a full-frame 12MP DSLR.
User Friendly
The more advanced DSLRs are, the faster the shutter speed and focusing speed. It is crucial when shooting motion such as sports or wildlife.
Most basic DSLRs allow you to shoot 2.5-3 frames per second (fps). it is enough to capture motion like children or pets. Mid-end DSLRs deliver 5 fps and top-end DSLRs that can hit 12 fps or more.
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Weather Proofing
It depends on the use and the activities you intend to practice. Water-resistance reduces exposure of internal components to moisture and dust. The most rugged and sporty cameras are waterproof because they can withstand extreme conditions.
FAQs
What is the best camera for travel photography?
Weighing only 319g and pocket size of 105.5 x 60.9 x 42.0mm, the Canon G7X compact digital camera can withstand any adventure. Thanks to the 180-degree touch screen and large 1.0 sensor for excellent image quality, it is ideal for vloggers and for capturing every moment.
What is the best DSLR camera for travel?
Nikon D5600 is our pick. Inside its portable body, the DSLR features a guided interface and Creative Assistant mode to help you unleash your creativity.
What cameras travel bloggers use?
Canon PowerShot G7X is the best choice. This product comes at a low cost that has everything you could want from a compact camera for travel.
Is the iPhone camera good enough for travel?
Travel photography with the iPhone 11 Pro (Max) has progressed so much that you can only take smartphone photos on vacation. For many users, it is unusual because we have used them for higher quality recording.
Final Words
In this article, we have shown which is the best camera for travel that you can take with you while you are on vacation. We picked the model Olympus TG-6 for its excellent performance. And we also carry a DSLR such as the Nikon D5600.