best travel compact camera 2022

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The 13 Best Compact Cameras of 2024

These are the top point-and-shoot options for epic travel photography.

In This Article

Our Top Picks
Tips for Buying

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Trust T + L

Travel + Leisure / David Hattan

What’s the best way to relive your favorite travel experiences over and over again? By taking epic photos that you can upload to social media or transform into a coffee table photo book, of course. Investing in a proper camera with a high-quality sensor and a decent number of megapixels will yield better, more printable results than your phone camera. But that doesn’t mean you need to lug a full-size DSLR and several interchangeable lenses around with you. You can get amazing results with a compact, or point-and-shoot, camera.

B&H Senior Technologist Mark Steinberg defines a compact camera as one that is “pocketable, with a minimum number of protrusions, that can be used one-handed.” They’re a great option for anyone who prioritizes easy portability or casual photographers who want good results without a steep learning curve. There are several different kinds of compact cameras, from the budget-friendly to the professional quality, and from digital to film and instant. We’ve researched them all to find the best options across several different categories.

Best Overall

Sony cyber-shot dsc-rx100 vii digital camera.

It has a high-quality sensor, near-instant autofocus, and a lens that fulfills both wide-angle and telephoto functions.

It’s an expensive option for occasional use only.

Chosen by Mark Steinberg as the best overall compact camera, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII is the seventh generation of a series that has been raising the bar for compacts since its inception. It’s simple to use for novice photographers, with enough manual settings to allow for experimentation and growth. The 1-inch Exmor RS BSI CMOS sensor is a major highlight, allowing for high sensitivity with a maximum resolution of 20.1 megapixels. With 8x optical zoom and 24–200mm equivalence, the ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* lens gives you the freedom to switch between wide angle and telephoto photography for everything from landscapes to wildlife.

Whatever your subject, the 0.02-second hybrid autofocus ensures sharp images in both still and video mode. You can shoot single, continuous, burst, and self-timer images and set an upper or lower limit for your ISO up to a maximum of 12800 for impressive low-light results. If film is your passion, you’ll love the camera’s 20 frames-per-second, 4K video for its smooth movement and cinema-quality resolution. When it comes to viewing your footage, framing (and taking) your shot, or scrolling through the menu, use the 180-degree-flip LCD touchscreen. In high-glare conditions, you can also revert to the pop-up electronic viewfinder.

The RX100 VII offers Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity for instant uploads to social media.

Best Image Quality

Ricoh gr iiix digital camera.

This camera uses advanced lens and sensor technology to deliver undistorted, true-color images with a high level of sharpness across the entire frame.

If video is a priority, bear in mind that the GR IIIx shoots Full HD rather than 4K.

Suitable for all experience levels, the Ricoh GR IIIx Digital Camera was designed with the express purpose of providing superior image quality. The 26.1mm GR lens offers a 40mm angle of view in the 35mm format that’s meant to mirror your natural field of view. It also uses premium technology to eliminate distortion, render colors accurately, and create amazingly sharp images. This is complemented by the camera’s high-resolution CMOS image sensor, which captures HD detail suitable for large-scale prints with up to 24.2 megapixels.

Other highlights include the camera’s impressive shake reduction technology and its fast, precise hybrid autofocus with eight focus modes to choose from including one that automatically detects the eyes and faces for perfect portraits. We love that you can shoot in macro, while an interval composite shooting mode allows you to capture star trail images (you’ll need to buy a tripod separately.) These are the unique images that set your travel shots apart. The camera offers Full HD video, a LCD touch screen with instantly adjustable brightness, and 2GB of built-in memory — a lifesaver when your memory card malfunctions at the crucial moment.

Best Full-frame Compact

Sony cyber-shot rx1r ii digital camera.

This camera packs the full-frame sensor of a professional DSLR into an unbelievably compact, travel-sized body.

You could buy a good DSLR body and lens for a similar price.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II is meant for professional photographers with a price tag and learning curve to match. The 35mm full-frame back-illuminated CMOS sensor is the largest available, offering more light, more information, better quality, and a greater dynamic range than the APS-C frame found in standard compact cameras. With 42.5 megapixels and the ability to shoot in uncompressed 14-bit RAW, this camera will produce pro-quality, large-scale prints with an astonishing amount of detail.

The ZEISS Sonnar T* 35mm f/2 lens is fixed with no optical zoom, making it best for wide-angle and close-up subjects (and especially, street photography). The large aperture allows you to work in low light and use an unusually shallow depth of field. And, if you’re familiar with terms like moiré and aliasing, you’ll appreciate the inclusion of the world’s first optical variable low-pass filter for reducing these kinds of distortion. Other perks include super-fast hybrid autofocus, Full HD video with the ability to capture slow-motion HD video, an electronic viewfinder, and an adjustable 3-inch LCD screen.

Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS200D Digital Camera

You can bring subjects 15 times closer without sacrificing image quality, thanks to its optical zoom.

It’s slightly heavier and bulkier than some of the other compact cameras on this list.

If you want to be able to photograph animals, birds, or any other subject from a distance without forking out thousands of dollars for a DSLR with a telephoto lens, the Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS200D is an excellent option. The Leica DC Vario-Elmar 24–360mm lens offers a 15x optical zoom — which brings subjects 15 times closer without any of the pixelation associated with digital zoom. Optical Image Stabilizer technology means your photos won’t suffer from blurry camera shake either.

The 1-inch MOS sensor with 20.1 megapixels results in bright, colorful images that lend themselves well to print. You can expand your photographic skills by playing around with traditional aperture and shutter priority modes, or use preset scene and filter modes for instantly different effects. We especially love the camera’s Post Focus feature, which varies the focal point while taking 30 photos per second so that you can go back afterwards and select the best one. In terms of video, shoot in 4K or use high-speed Full HD for instant 120 frames-per-second, slow-motion playback.

Best Splurge

Leica q3 digital camera.

This is a professional camera that pays equal attention to still images and video, delivering best-in-class results for both.

It’s not the best choice for those who want telephoto functionality.

The Leica Q3 is an ultra-exclusive option limited to one purchase per customer. And don’t be fooled by its compact size — coming in at just under $6,000, it’s a premium product for serious professionals. It boasts a full-frame BSI CMOS sensor for unparalleled photo and video quality. With a maximum aperture size of f/1.7 and a maximum ISO of 100000, it performs unbelievably well in low light conditions. The Summilux 28mm fixed lens includes an integrated macro mode, making the camera ideal for close-up work as well as wide-angle street photography.

There’s no optical zoom. However, Triple Resolution Technology with up to 60 megapixels means you can use the digital zoom without losing significant detail. You can also shoot in 36 or 18 megapixel mode to save space on your memory card. Video is equally versatile with multiple formats to choose from including 8K, 4K, ProRes, and Full HD. All of your work benefits from hybrid autofocus and subject tracking, while the Leica FOTOS app can be used for audiovisual content creation. Finally, you can frame shots using the 3-inch display or the OLED viewfinder.

Best for Videos and Vlogging

Canon powershot g7 x mark iii camera.

Designed to shoot high-quality video in vertical or horizontal formats, this camera offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and can live-stream direct to YouTube.

To realize full vlogging potential, you may need to purchase a tripod and remote control separately.

Looking for the best camera for filming quality reels? The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III is designed especially for this purpose with 4K and Full HD video, the ability to shoot horizontally or vertically, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity to social media, and the ability to live stream straight to YouTube. Whether you’re shooting video or still photos, the fact that you can tilt the LCD touch screen by 180 degrees makes it ideal for framing quality selfies.

The technology is impressive, too. We’re talking a 1-inch stacked CMOS sensor paired with a DIGIC 8 image processor for exceptionally fast autofocusing, with facial recognition that puts you in the center no matter how much you move around. The 24–100mm lens is suitable for a versatile mix of wide-angle and short telephoto shots, while the f/1.8-2.8 aperture performs well in low light conditions. Finally, the Optical Image Stabilizer reduces camera shake for clear, crisp results. Adding other gadgets is easy. The camera has a 3.5mm microphone terminal and can be purchased as part of a video creator kit that includes a tripod grip and remote control.

Fujifilm X100VI Camera

This camera combines state-of-the-art technology with a vintage aesthetic and a full range of film simulation modes.

The lens is fixed, so any zoom comes with the compromise of digital cropping.

First off, the Fujifilm X100VI just looks cool, with a gorgeous silver-and-black or all-black aesthetic reminiscent of a vintage film camera. Beneath the retro exterior lies a cutting-edge X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor with a revolutionary image-processing algorithm for efficient light reception and amazing image resolution at any ISO sensitivity. Thanks to the fixed 23mm f/2 lens, you’ll also get 35mm equivalency in terms of low-light performance and the ability to achieve a shallow depth of field — for a much lower cost than a full-frame compact camera.

You can zoom digitally by 1.4x or 2x. The 425-point intelligent autofocus system is super fast, while built-in image stabilization reduces the appearance of camera shake by up to six f-stops. And when it comes to video, you can switch between 6.2K, 4K, and Full HD at will. Above all, we love that this camera includes 20 simulation modes inspired by iconic Fujifilm film types ranging from Eterna Bleach Bypass to Nostalgic Neg. You can even shoot using a Grain Effect that replicates the textured look of vintage film photography.

Kodak Ektar H35 Half Frame Film Camera

It’s an inexpensive and easy-to-use film camera for maximum fun.

There’s a limit to how much you can do with such a basic setup, so it may not be ideal as your primary travel camera.

Perhaps you feel nostalgic for the days of film, or perhaps you grew up in the digital era and want to experience photography as it used to be. Either way, the Kodak Ektar H35 Half Frame Film Camera is great for film novices, those wanting to stretch their abilities as a photographer, and those who just love the retro look of original film. It’s inexpensive in terms of initial layout and because the half-frame format gives you twice as many images per roll as you’d get from a full-frame camera.

Weighing in at just three and a half ounces, this pocket-sized camera is made for on-the-go convenience. It features a 22mm f/9.5 lens — so with no zoom and no autofocus, it’s best for wide-angle shots and back-to-basics experimentation that’s as fun as it is challenging. You can frame shots using the optical viewfinder and deploy the built-in flash in low light or at night. The camera is compatible with black-and-white and color film and requires one AAA battery to work. Choose yours in Black, Brown, Sand, or Sage.

The Details: 22mm lens | 4.3 x 2.4 x 1.5 inches | 3.5 ounces | Optical viewfinder

Best Instant

Fujifilm instax mini evo instant camera.

Not only can you print photos instantly, you can also save a digital version to your smartphone via the app.

You’ll need to recharge after approximately 100 photos.

Available with a retro black or brown leather effect, the Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo Instant Camera lets you create 2 x 3-inch prints of your images in approximately 16 seconds. It features an autofocusing 28mm f/2 lens and uses automatic shutter speed and ISO for fool-proof results. Expressing your creativity is easy, with 10 lens effects (including Light Leak, Double Exposure, and Soft Focus) and 10 film effects from Vivid to Sepia. You can use these interchangeably for a total of 100 different possibilities.

Other features include a built-in flash, a self-timer, a selfie mirror, and a 3-inch LCD screen. What makes this instant camera different from the Polaroids of the past is the ability to use it in conjunction with the INSTAX app. This means being able to use your smartphone as a remote for releasing the camera shutter (handy for group shots and selfies) and being able to save a digital version of your instant prints complete with an INSTAX frame. From there, you can upload them to social media. You can even use Bluetooth to send pictures from your smartphone to the camera to print.

Best Durable

Ricoh pentax wg-90 digital camera.

Drop it, crush it, take it out in a sandstorm or underwater and this camera should still emerge in one piece.

If you’re looking for an underwater camera for scuba diving, scroll on — we’ve found ones with better depth ratings.

When it comes to durability, B&H’s Mark Steinberg recommends the Ricoh Pentax WG-90 above all others. It lives up to its armored appearance with some pretty impressive technical specs. It’s waterproof up to 46 feet underwater for up to two hours of continuous operation, making it ideal for surface water sports or snorkeling. It’s also shockproof against falls from five feet, crushproof against 220-pound-force weights, and dustproof. Heading somewhere cold? Unlike many of the cameras on this list, this one will still operate in temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit.

Toughness aside, it’s also a great little camera from a photography perspective. The 16-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor offers high sensitivity and minimal noise, even when using the maximum ISO setting (6400.) A built-in ring light and flash help out in low-light situations, while the 28–140mm equivalent lens is suited to both wide-angle and short telephoto use with a 5x optical zoom. Choose from a range of shooting modes including Fish-Eye, Sports, and Handheld Night; or capture moving images with Full HD video.

Best for Action Sports

Gopro hero12 black.

This camera stands out for its Emmy Award-winning video stabilization, 177-degree field of view, and action-ready, rugged build.

With a super wide-angle lens and no zoom functionality, this is a specialist camera for POV filming and photography only.

GoPro’s reputation precedes it in the action sports category, and the latest Hero12 camera really is a thing of wonder. Film High Dynamic Range (HDR) video in 5.3K, 4K, 2.7K, or Full HD. Revel in the 177-degree field of view that shows more of your daredevil POV than ever before. And know that whether you’re jumping out of an airplane or racing at high speed down a mountain, the camera’s HyperSmooth 6.0 video stabilization ensures the footage is super smooth. Turning a full 360 degrees? Horizon Lock keeps the horizon level throughout.

You can film vertically for direct upload to social media and slow things down by up to eight times for an epic fast-action/slow-motion effect. Meanwhile, Bluetooth audio support allows you to connect headphones for sound recording and remote voice commands. The camera also takes 27-megapixel still photos. Or, you can grab 24.7 megapixel stills from your video. The GoPro 12 is waterproof to 33 feet, can run continuously for over two and a half hours on Full HD, and features a new Enduro battery especially for temperatures down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit.

Best Waterproof

Sealife micro 3.0 digital underwater camera.

This camera dives as deep as you can and takes the stress out of O-ring maintenance with a permanently sealed body.

It’s very definitely geared towards underwater photography rather than as an all-rounder for topside travel shots.

Unlike the other waterproof cameras on this list, the SeaLife Micro 3.0 is designed with scuba divers in mind. It’s waterproof to 200 feet (exceeding recreational dive limits) and is permanently sealed making it suitable for even the most careless or inexperienced underwater photographer. Use the 100-degree wide-angle lens to get as close as possible to your subject for the best results. You can rely on the built-in underwater color correction to counteract the loss of red tones; or, for the more advanced, there’s a manual white balance option.

We love the large, f/2.8 aperture for its ability to make the most of limited ambient light. But if you tend to dive deep, the camera is also compatible with single or double after-market strobe sets. The camera delivers high-quality, 16-megapixel images in single or burst shooting mode and can also film 4K or Full HD video. And if you get all the way out to the dive site and realize you’ve left your memory card at home? No problem, the 64GB internal memory’s got your back. Finally, Piano Key controls make for easy menu navigation, even with dive gloves on.

Best Budget

Kodak pixpro az255 camera.

This is the ideal camera for beginners who want to learn, with automatic and manual settings at a very reasonable price point.

It requires two AA batteries.

If you’re just getting into photography and don’t want to make a major investment just yet, the Kodak Pixpro AZ255 offers plenty of functionality for roughly nine times less money than our overall winner. It uses a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor and is well suited to most kinds of photography with a wide-angle 24mm lens and a 25x optical zoom that brings you significantly closer to your subject without compromising image quality. You can also use the 4x digital zoom, although you should expect some pixelation.

Optical Image Stabilization helps eliminate blur, a continuous shooting mode ensures you never miss that action shot, and a built-in flash allows for nighttime shooting. And although the autofocus isn’t nearly as advanced as the more expensive models on this list, you’ll still benefit from subject tracking and face detection. Our favorite feature? The ability to keep things simple with 22 preset scene modes or to experiment with aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual settings. You’re not limited to still photos — this camera also shoots Full HD video.

Tips for Buying a Compact Camera

Understand the specs.

Before purchasing a compact camera, it’s important to understand some of the key specifications to look out for.

Sensor size: Sensor size has the greatest impact on photo quality and clarity, especially in low-light conditions. The larger the sensor, the better your image quality will be with greater sensitivity and less noise (or graininess). B&H Senior Technologist Mark Steinberg says that BSI, or Back Side Illumination, sensors are superior for their ability to increase light-gathering efficiency.

Megapixels: A megapixel equals one million pixels. Pixels are the tiny digital squares that make up your image and the more you have, the more detail you’ll capture. Most digital cameras offer sufficient megapixels for viewing on a screen. But the number of megapixels becomes important when zooming in on an image, cropping it, or printing it. Look for a higher number of megapixels if you plan on printing your photos, but bear in mind that more megapixels means larger files and less space on your memory card.

Zoom: If you plan on photographing wildlife or anything else that requires a zoom, it’s important to understand the difference between optical and digital zoom. Optical zoom brings the subject closer before capturing the image, with a lens that extends outwards from the camera body. This preserves photo quality. Digital zoom simply crops and resizes a smaller section of the original image, resulting in a blurrier, grainier picture.

LCD screen: The LCD screen is important because it allows you to view and compose your image before taking a picture. It also allows you to play your images back and scroll through the settings menu. Therefore, it’s important to choose a high-resolution LCD screen that displays colors accurately, even in bright light. It also needs to be big enough for you to see details clearly. Some point-and-shoots offer touchscreen capability for increased ease of use.

Viewfinder: Many compact cameras lack a traditional viewfinder (the hole you look through to view and frame your image). But if you plan on shooting in bright conditions, investing in a camera with a viewfinder is helpful for when glare impacts your ability to see the LCD screen clearly.

Video resolution: Video resolution refers to the number of horizontal and vertical pixels. The more you have, the more detailed your footage will be. Look for Full HD (1920 x 1090 pixels) as a minimum or 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) for premium, cinema-quality video.

Prioritize quality

It goes without saying that for the best results, you should spend as much as you can afford on the best quality camera possible. All of the specifications detailed above are worth considering, but if you focus on just one thing, Steinberg says that the most important factor in terms of image quality is the type and size of the sensor. If you plan on printing your vacation photos or using them to create a photo book or other memento, a reasonable number of megapixels (10 or more) is key. Finally, Steinberg points out that build quality and manufacturer support are also important.

Choose a camera based on your skill level and goals

Having said that, there’s no point in spending a fortune on a high-end compact camera with advanced specifications if all you really want is a simple way of capturing fun vacation snaps for social media. Beginners should prioritize cameras that are intuitive and simple to use. If your goals are more ambitious, Steinberg recommends looking for manual settings that will allow you to fine tune shutter speed, aperture size, and ISO for the best results.

It’s also worth considering where you’re traveling and your planned activities. If your camera will be exposed to dust, sand, humidity, or water, then looking for one that’s IP rated against dust and water ingress is crucial. When it comes to interpreting IP numbers, remember that the first number after the IP relates to dust while the second number relates to water. Only water ratings of seven or higher are fully waterproof. Scuba divers should be sure to check depth ratings.

In addition to considering all of the specifications listed above and how they relate to your requirements, Steinberg says it’s important to consider the ergonomics of the camera. Does it feel comfortable in your hands and next to your face? Are the controls and buttons easy for you to access and operate? Can you view the LCD screen clearly and does the menu navigation system make sense? You should also think about the ease of use. If you’re not sure, consider booking a free in-person or virtual appointment with a B&H expert to talk through different options.

Absolutely, and especially if you choose one with a decent number of megapixels. It’s generally accepted that in order for an image to be made into a high quality print, it needs to have 300 pixels per inch (300 PPI). The number of megapixels required to achieve this depends on how big you want your prints to be. For a standard 6 x 4 inch image, you’d need at least 2.2 megapixels. For a 5 x 7 inch image, you’d need at least 3.2 megapixels. It’s also worth remembering that good printing results are dependent on printer and paper quality too.

Before we tackle this question, it’s important to note that while compact cameras lack a mirror (and mirrorless cameras are more compact than DSLRs), mirrorless cameras are not the same as compact cameras for the purpose of this list. We’ve focused on point-and-shoot cameras for novice photographers and more advanced photographers who prioritize portability. Advantages of point-and-shoots over DSLRs include reduced size and weight, ease of use, and cost.

Mirrorless cameras were introduced in 2004 and have since evolved to compete with DSLRs as the category of choice for intermediate and professional photographers. They have a larger sensor than a traditional point-and-shoot, offering superior image quality. They’re bulkier, cost a lot more, and come with interchangeable lenses. The key difference between mirrorless and DSLR cameras is that mirrorless cameras let light hit the sensor directly whereas DSLRs use a mirror to reflect light onto the sensor.

This difference makes mirrorless cameras quicker and quieter — key advantages for fast-action and wildlife photography. High-end mirrorless cameras can also offer superior autofocus and better performance in low light conditions. DSLRs still hold the edge in terms of viewfinder accuracy, battery life, and a greater range of compatible lenses.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Jessica Macdonald has been writing about travel gear for more than a decade. She’s also a professional photographer who has sold images to many publications including Travel + Leisure. Although she typically shoots with her trusty Nikon DSLR, she has often used compact cameras especially for underwater photography. For this article, she conducted hours of online research and consulted the opinion of Mark Steinberg , a B&H Senior Technologist.

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The Best Compact Travel Cameras to Take on Your Next Adventure

These tiny point-and-shoot digitals cameras can capture high-resolution photos and videos, and they won’t weigh you down on your travels. They’re also reasonably affordable.

a collage of three among the best travel cameras

By Henry Phillips

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

A new wave of compact digital cameras has been hitting the market steadily over the past few years, with each new release getting closer to pro-level DSLRs in terms of optics quality and resolution. Pocket-sized and powerful, these compact cameras are changing the way in which consumer and prosumer photographers capture moments while on the road. Before you head out on your next adventure, consider leaving the DSLR behind and opting for one of the more sensible options below.

Products in the Guide

The Do-It-All Travel Camera

The Purist Smartphone Upgrade

The Enthusiast Fixed-Lens

The Fixed Lens Grail

Compact Interchangeable Mirrorless

Small-But-Mighty Full Frame System

Unlike “DSLR” or “Mirrorless” , the term “travel camera” is a bit murky. So, for the sake of this article (and our advice to you) let’s say that we’re looking for a lightweight camera (DSLRs: out), preferably with a fixed lens but potentially interchangeable if things don’t get too bulky. It should be attractive, too. We want to be able to plunk this thing on a cafe table and not look like a total neckbeard.

Otherwise, it should be pretty user-friendly, sure the Leica M11 is a fantastic travel camera, but we don’t have the time or money to get into manual focus rangefinder systems. Let’s stick to snappy autofocus cameras with the ability for some quick artistic controls (nix the ultra-cheap point and shoots) like aperture. Good phone connectivity is a huge plus.

Generally, you should be able to see a cool fleeting moment, capture said moment and have it on your phone within a pretty short amount of time, and you shouldn’t have to look like a dork while doing it.

What to Look for

Sensor size: Generally, bigger is better when it comes to sensor size. A bigger sensor can gather more light — and thus more detail — and so it’s able to create a higher-quality final image. A bigger sensor can help with things like background blur and low-light performance, too.

Lens: Most travel-sized cameras don’t support interchangeable lenses — although there are exceptions — meaning that the lens it comes with is the only lens you get. So the lens’s “zoom range” and “aperture” are very important.

Size and weight: The whole point of a travel camera is for it to be compact yet stillbe able to shoot better quality photos and videos than your smartphone. The smaller the camera, the more portable and travel-friendly it is. However, the smaller the camera, the smaller its sensor tends to be. So there tends to be a fine line between size and image quality.

Video Chops : If you’re in the market for a travel camera to shoot video, keep a close eye on the video specs. Not all smaller cameras have 4K (or even 8K) video, especially if they’re several years old. Also, a lot of manufacturers make cameras at similar price points, but one is better for video and one is better for stills (Fujifilm and Sony are notorious for this).

How We Tested

We’ve been writing about and reviewing cameras and photography gear for near-on a decade. We also work with major brands and talk to professional photographers and other experts within the industry. The below selections of travel cameras are a combination of products that we’ve had hands-on experience with as well as products that are made by brands trusted within the space. When reviewing, we test each camera’s photo and video shooting capabilities, as well as their ease of use, size and general durability.

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100 VII

$1,298.00 at B&H Photo
Time tested, refined design
Ultra compact
Feature rich
Can take some time to get the hang of
Smaller 1" sensor won't feel quite as "special" as something bigger
Sensor: 20.1MP 1-inch Exmor RS BSI CMOS Sensor
Lens: Zeiss Vario-Sonnar f/2.8-4.5 Lens, 24-200mm (35mm equivalent)
Year released: August 2019

Sony’s RX100 line of compact shooters has long been a fan favorite and the VII is the latest and greatest model — it’s really just a great all-around travel camera. It’s packing a solid (if a bit petite) 20.1MP 1-inch sensor behind a quality zoom lens and a very cool pop-up viewfinder. Plus, with 4K HDR video capabilities, terrific advanced tracking and autofocus features, a flip-around viewfinder and an external mic port (a first for a Sony RX100), the VII is really the perfect camera for amateur (and even serious) bloggers.

Ricoh GRIIIx

Ricoh GR IIIx

$1,046.95 at B&H Photo
Everything you need, nothing you don't
RAW image quality is fantastic
No viewfinder
Sensor: 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
Lens: 40mm f/2.8 Lens (35mm Equivalent)
Year released: 2021

The normal GRIII is a great little camera and the GRIIIx is an even great er little camera. The GRIII line is basically defined by having a honking big 24.2MP APS-C sensor, a fast, non-zoom lens, and nearly nothing else. It’s a purist camera that does one thing very well: taking photos. Though technically personal preference, we like the GRIIIx more because of its tighter 40mm focal length, which is right in the middle of what people would consider normal, instead of the original GRIII’s 28mm lens (wide). Generally, the 40mm focal length is gonna feel more special/different when compared to your phone camera.

Fujifilm X100V

Fuijifilm X100V

$1,399.00 at B&H Photo
Awesome hybrid viewfinder
Very good looking
External controls
You're paying extra for that viewfinder
Getting a bit long in the tooth
Sensor: 26.1 APS-C X-Trans
Lens: 35mm f/2 (35mm equivalent)
Year released: 2020

The Fujifilm X100V is just so. dang. good. It’s got a fast, 35mm f/2 lens projecting onto fuji’s omnipresent (see below) and fantastic 26.1MP APS-C sensor. It’s got classic looks and intuitive external controls for key settings, but what really sets this camera apart is the viewfinder. It’s this super trick/weird hybrid setup where you’ve got the option to either look at a very high-quality electronic viewfinder or a real-deal optical finder with all sorts of cool info overlaid. If you think it sounds like a gimmick…you’re mostly right, but it’s a very fun experience to shoot around in the optical viewfinder mode (even if you’ll spend most of your time in the EVF mode).

$4,995.00 at B&H Photo
Lens is God's gift to man
Sensor is Germany's gift to man
Price is devastatingly high
Your phone will hate dealing with 47 megapixel raw files
Sensor: 47.3MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
Lens: Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH. Lens
Year released: 2019

The Leica Q2 is the company’s fixed-lens full-frame digital camera and it looks basically identical to the company’s original Q, which was a smash hit amongst photographers who valued portability, fast speeds, minimalism and, most importantly, could afford the Q’s immense price tag. Like its predecessor, the Q2 once again proves that a Leica can have autofocus, an electronic viewfinder and a fixed lens – and still be a real Leica. The new model is more durable (and splash-resistant) and has better connectivity, but more importantly, a significantly upgraded sensor, with almost double the resolution (47.3 vs 24.2).

The Leica Q2 will likely be a grail item for most people. If money is no object (or you just want to splurge), however, this is a travel camera to buy if you want to be the envy of all your friends. For bonus points, track down the ultra-cool “Reporter” edition.

Fujifilm X-T30 II

$899.00 at B&H Photo
Compact size
Affordable, excellent lenses
Small-ish viewfinder
No sensor stabilization
Sensor: 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans BSI CMOS 4 Sensor
Lens: multiple X-mount lenses available

Best to think of Fuji’s X-T30 II as the sensible upgrade from a fixed lens system. It’s not necessarily more expensive, but you’ll be lugging around some extra lenses. The interchangeable-lens mirrorless camera is a pretty perfect travel camera for those that want to do the photo deep dive and have the ultimate flexibility that you can only get by having multiple lenses. It’s small and lightweight, plus it’s not terribly expensive, but the performance levels you get with this thing are off the charts. It has a huge APS-C image sensor, fast processor, incredible autofocus (on par with Sony’s APS-C offerings) and shoots 4k video at 30 frames per second.

You’ll get some top-notch design and Fujifilm’s X-mount lenses – particularly the non-zoom lenses – are top-notch and not too expensive. If you’ve got this body, a 23mm f/2 and a 50mm f/2 in your bag, you’re golden.

$1,598.00 at B&H Photo
Huge performance in a tiny package
E-mount lens ecosystem is massive
Aging internals
Some user interface quirks that require a learning curve
Sensor: 24.2MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI Sensor
Lens: Sony E-Mount
Year Released: 2020

It’s best to think of Sony’s full-frame A7C as an A7III in a new housing with smarter autofocus. That is to say, it’s an absolute unit. Its main selling point is cramming a huge, 24.2MP full-frame sensor into a tiny body with an interchangeable lens mount. Autofocus is snappy and it somehow manages to fit a 5-axis sensor stabilization in there too. The performance-per-cubic-inch of this camera is incredibly impressive and the fact that you get access to Sony’s massive (and very good) line of full-frame E-mount lenses is just gravy.

Other Cameras to Consider

Our recommendations are based on real-world testing and hands-on experience. Here’s a snapshot of new and unreleased cameras our testers are considering for future updates to this guide.

Fujifilm X-T5 ($1,699+) : Released in November 2022, the Fujifilm X-T5 is the company’s new flagship compact camera. It’s smaller, lighter and less video-focused than the X-T4. And it has many of the same hardware — including the same 40-megapixel APS-C sensor and X Processor — as Fujilfim’s higher-end X-H2.

Canon PowerShot SX740 HS ($599) : This little point-and-shoot is a fan favorite. It’s a few years old — released in mid-2018 — so you often find it heavily discounted, but it also over-delivers in a couple key ways. It has great zoom capabilities (up to 40x optical zoom), can shoot 4K video and has a flip-up viewfinder. The main downsides? It lacks a touchscreen and its 20.3-megapixel sensor is a bit dated.

Nikon Z50 ($995+) : Released in late 2019, the Z50 is Nikon’s first APS-C mirrorless camera. It comes with a 20.9-megapixel CMOS sensor and works with Nikon’s Z-mount ecosystem of lenses (same as the company’s flagship full-frame mirrorless cameras, the Z6 and Z7). Yet it’s also truly a compact camera that’s easy enough to wield one-handed.

Fujifilm X-E4 ($849+) : The Fujifilm X-E4 is a rangefinder-style mirrorless camera that was released in early 2021. It’s the company’s smallest camera that works with its X-series of lenses. It has a 26.1-megapixel APS-C sensor, a super snappy processor and a convenient LCD touchscreen that opens up a range of photo- and video-shooting options.

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

Last updated: June 14, 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.

Table of Contents:

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

Google Pixel 8 - Unlocked Android Smartphone with Advanced Pixel Camera, 24-Hour Battery, and Powerful Security - Obsidian - 128 GB

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.
I have a review of the Peak Design camera strap system as well as the Peak Design travel tripod
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.

Tips and advice on how to pick the best camera for travel, including what to look for, and suggestions in every category including the best smartphone, compact, mirrorless and DSLR cameras for travel photography!

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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 🙂

The 30 Best Travel Cameras in 2023 – Compact, DSLR & Mirrorless Camera Guide

Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

823 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 63 U.S. States Visited: 9

Keri Stooksbury

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The 30 Best Travel Cameras in 2023 – Compact, DSLR & Mirrorless Camera Guide

What are you going to use the camera for, key considerations when buying a camera for travel, camera terms and features explained, compact, mirrorless, or dslr cameras, the 11 best compact cameras for travel, the 11 best mirrorless cameras for travel, the 10 best dslr cameras for travel, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

With such a huge variety of camera brands, specs, features, and functions, it can be a bit of a minefield trying to work out what the best travel camera is for your needs.

Whether you want to up your Instagram game on your next vacation or are looking to get a bit more professional, this guide has you covered.

Before you rush out and blow your budget on a shiny new camera for your next trip, consider what you’re actually going to be using it for.

If you’re planning on taking pictures of yourself and the kids around the pool, a compact digital camera with Wi-Fi connectivity will take decent snaps that you can instantly share on your phone.

If, however, you’re traveling to far distant shores and are looking to capture unusual and awe-inspiring images or to ramp up your photography skills, you’d be better off investing in a mid-range mirrorless or DSLR camera that will offer the features and flexibility you’ll need on your travels.

What you need versus what you can afford will also be a significant factor in your final choice.

An expensive camera may provide you with incredible video and images, but if it eats into your travel budget , or becomes an expensive weight around your neck, it sort of defeats the object of having it in the first place.

Depending on how experienced you are as a photographer and how professional you want your finished product to look, your options are literally as deep as your pockets. Spend as much or as little as you want to on your camera, but make sure it’s exactly what you need before you spend a single cent.

Basic compact cameras can be purchased for well under $200 and are small, light, and easy to use. Entry-level DSLRs start from around $500 and usually come with a small-sized sensor and 8 to 12 MP, perfect for shooting more professional-looking images.

If you want to spend a bit more, mid-range compact cameras that come in between $200 to $600 are stylish and come complete with big LCD screens and fancy features.

DSLRs and mirrorless cameras tend to have a higher price tag, ranging up to $1,000 or more. They do, however, offer a heady blend of automatic functionality and creative manual controls for capturing truly epic images.

The best-priced camera for your next adventure is the one that you can afford and has a sensible price tag that doesn’t prohibit you from using it when you get there.

Size and Weight

It’s a common misconception that incredible images are only captured using larger cameras, when, in actuality, it’s smaller cameras with bigger or heavier lenses that make the grade.

If traveling light is one of your goals, the last thing you need is a heavy camera weighing you down.

A compact camera that you can fit in your pocket or day pack can give you a wide range of benefits over and above a full-sized camera setup. Discreet and easy to use, a compact camera can be whipped out to snap a quick photo with ease.

Big brands like Fuji, Olympus, Nikon, and Panasonic all have ranges of compact cameras that are designed to be the perfect size and weight to take anywhere with you.

If performance is more your goal, you might have to sacrifice size and weight, but the benefits are worth it for those who want a more professional output.

Before you can choose the perfect camera to take on your travels, you need to understand how different camera sensors work, and how they can affect both the quality of the pictures you take and the size of the camera.

Generally speaking, a camera with a larger sensor will take the very best pictures in low light conditions.

Large sensors capture more light and, therefore, better detail. Larger sensors are also better at creating depth of field (the blurry backgrounds), so if portraits or wildlife shots are your thing, take that into consideration. The downside is that the larger the sensor, the larger the camera.

Here are the typical sensor sizes you find in cameras:

Full Frame – 36 x 24mm
APS-H – 28.1 x 18.7mm
APS-C – 23.6 x 15.8mm
Four Thirds – 17.3 x 13mm
One Inch – 9 x 12mm

To put it into perspective, smartphone cameras are usually around one-third of an inch. For a travel camera, one-inch or four-thirds sensors would be the minimum you should look at. If budget is a concern, there are plenty of modern compact cameras that offer sensors of 1 inch or more that can produce beautiful images even with their compact size.

Mirrorless and DSLR cameras have interchangeable lenses, allowing you to pick the perfect lens for different situations.

For travel photography, focus on 1 or 2 lenses that work well in a wide variety of situations, rather than carrying an entire set with you.

At the very least, you should have a “walkaround” lens. This is a lens that isn’t the very best for every situation but one that can handle most situations. An all-purpose lens, if you will.

A lot of mirrorless and DSLR cameras will come bundled with a walkaround lens. Typically, this is a 24-70mm or 28-80mm lens. A lens like this will be able to handle landscapes, buildings, portraits, activities, and sports.

Some of the very best, most cost-effective, and readily available walkaround lenses on the market include those made by:

If your budget allows, the second or third lens you should buy is a wide-angle lens or a telephoto lens.

Wide-angle lenses are typically great for landscape and architecture photography but can also be used for interiors, portraits, and food photography.

Telephoto lenses are usually 70-300mm lenses and, as the name suggests, used to shoot far-away subjects. They’re usually bigger and heavier than a walkaround lens, but they are imperative if you’re doing wildlife photography.

Before you fly, make sure you practice or even attend a photography class, with your new equipment. This will ensure that when you’re presented with that perfect travel moment you want to capture, you’ll know exactly what to do.

Just because you like traveling and taking pictures doesn’t mean you have to be a professional photographer to shoot like a pro. This quick guide to the camera terms and features will have you thinking and sounding like an expert in no time.

One of the most talked-about components of a camera is the aperture. This simply refers to the size of the opening in the lens which lets the light flow in. Bigger openings and wide angles will let in more light while a smaller opening will let in less. Think of the aperture like a window — a bigger opening equals more light.

Aperture is measured in f-stops, and confusingly, smaller numbers denote larger openings. For example, f/1.8 is a wide opening, while f/22 is a very narrow one.

The aperture is important because it helps to determine how light or dark the image is, and it also affects how much of the image remains in focus.

A megapixel is 1 million pixels. A pixel is a small square that fits together with other pixels like the pieces of a puzzle to create a complete image. How clear your finished image looks will be greatly determined by how many of these tiny squares are packed together in a small space.

Different cameras offer different resolutions which will affect the number of megapixels per inch. An 8-megapixel camera (8MP), for example, would have roughly 8 million tiny squares of information per inch. So more megapixels are the way to go, right?

While every year cameras are upgraded with more and more megapixels, the marketing machine convinces you that you need more of them.

Unless you’re printing your images on very large canvases, you don’t need that many megapixels. For example, if you wanted a clear image printed on 14 x 11-inch paper, you need a minimum of 7 megapixels.

Megapixels are an important aspect of your camera and the quality of image you can produce with it. But don’t focus entirely on this one metric.

Focal Length

Focal length is represented in millimeters (mm) and used is used to describe a lens. Focal length isn’t the physical length of your lens but the point of convergence of light and the distance between it and your sensor.

Simply put, the higher the focal length, the narrower the angle, but more zoom. Conversely, shorter focal lengths give you wider angles but less zoom.

To give you a rough idea, 50mm is close to what our own eyes see. 20mm is considered wide-angle, and 70mm and beyond is telephoto.

In camera terms, ISO refers to the sensitivity ratings for camera sensors.

In its simplest form, ISO is a camera setting that will brighten or darken your photos. As you increase the ISO, your photos will grow progressively brighter.

ISO is an excellent tool to help you capture images in poor light or dark environments. It also allows you to be more flexible about your aperture and shutter speed settings.

Single Lens Reflex

As the name would suggest, a Single Lens Reflex camera — or SLR as they are more commonly known — uses only 1 lens.

The term “reflex” refers to the mirror present inside the camera body which reflects the light the lens captures when you aim it at a subject and sends out the exact same image to the viewfinder or electronic image sensor.

Electronic View Finder (EVF)

The EVF is a small, electronic display that can usually be found at the top of the backside of the camera. The EVF might be built-in or might be removable.

The EVF lets you capture the scene you’re shooting in real time by projecting it onto the camera sensor. It can also show you the areas where the camera will focus and help you to shoot in low light by automatically increasing the brightness on the screen.

Image Stabili z ation (IS)

Image stabilization is the popular name for a number of techniques that are used to obtain sharp, blur-free images. These techniques may be part of the camera or the lens and can be either simple electronic adjustments or highly advanced electrical systems.

Image stabilization is most beneficial when you’re shooting in low light with a long exposure time and are unable to hold the camera steady while you take your photos.

RAW is a file format that captures all of the image data that’s recorded by the sensor when you take a photo. Unlike formats like JPEG, none of the information is compressed, meaning that you can produce much higher-quality images.

RAW images are also much easier to work with when it comes to editing, making them the preferred choice of professional photographers who need to make adjustments in post-production.

It’s not just expensive cameras that can offer you professional-grade image quality either, as these days plenty of compact cameras will also shoot RAW images.

Some pictures just look better than others. This could be because of the light, the camera, or even the skill of the photographer, but more often than not grainy, unclear images are caused by camera noise.

In the world of photography, the term “noise” simply refers to visual distortions in an image.

Noise looks like tiny colored pixels or speckles on your photo, and can sometimes be so obvious it actually looks like the grain you see in old photos or film photography.

Images taken in low-lighting situations are more prone to suffer from noise, but other factors, such as sensor size, higher ISO settings, and even long exposures, can cause noise, too.

Compact Cameras

Point and shoots are also commonly known as compact cameras or P&S cameras.

They work mostly automatically with easy-to-use functions such as focus-free lenses or autofocus and automatic systems for setting the exposure and flash.

Mirrorless Cameras

Mirrorless cameras, on the other hand, are digital cameras that work with the addition of different lenses but don’t use a mirror to reflect the image into the viewfinder.

Advanced sensor technology has enabled this to happen, meaning that mirrorless cameras can be as slim as any compact camera, but with the added bonus of additional features.

Mirrorless cameras are available from budget to high-end.

DSLR Cameras

A DSLR camera is a digital single-lens reflex camera that reflects the light coming from the lens up into an optical viewfinder, by way of either a prism (in higher-end DSLRs) or a series of mirrors.

When the shutter is pressed, the light coming from the lens takes a straight shot to the imaging sensor where a photograph is made.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using a Compact Camera

If you’re considering going compact with your next travel camera, consider the following first:

Compact and Easy To Carry — The clue is in the title with this one, as these cameras are compact by name and definitely compact by nature. Modern compact cameras are completely pocketable, with many of them being smaller than the average smartphone.
Affordable and Easy To Find — Compact cameras can be purchased all over the world, everywhere from electrical stores and camera specialists to online retailers.
Easy To Use and Navigate — With easy-to-use controls and intuitive menus, anyone can capture decent images with a point-and-shoot camera.
Reduced Image Quality — Smaller sensors can lead to reduced quality in low-light situations, as well as a reduction in quality if you want to print large photographs.
Less Flexibility — Because there’s no way of changing lenses or other accessories, you’re limited to the built-in capabilities of the camera.
Slower Functionality — With compact cameras, focusing is generally slower and there can be a noticeable lag between pushing the button and the picture being taken.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using a Mirrorless Camera

Mirrorless cameras are not always in favor of seriously professional photographers, but they are winning over a whole new audience who want high performance and flexible functionality at affordable prices. Consider the following before you buy:

Image Stabilization and Autofocus — Of all the features you want in a camera, being able to guarantee steady, blur-free images is key to capturing razor-sharp images every time.
Size and Weight — Many photographers consider the compact size of a mirrorless camera versus the heft of a DSLR to be the main reason they invest in one.
Image Quality — You can pretty much guarantee that most mirrorless cameras will offer higher-quality images than most compact cameras can. They will even give DSLRs a run for their money.
Battery Life — Sad but true, mirrorless cameras can be less than efficient when it comes to battery life, meaning you’ll need to carry spare batteries or chargers with you wherever you go. This is only an issue if you’re doing continuous shooting for an extended period of time.
Higher Price Tags — Of course, you’ll probably expect to pay more for a camera that can do more things, but if you’re on a strict budget, you may fare better looking at a high-end compact camera, than an entry-level mirrorless camera.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using a DSLR Camera

Image Quality — A DSLR will offer you just about the best image quality your money can buy.
Adaptability — DSLRs can be fitted with many high-quality lenses ranging from wide-angle to long focal lengths, as well as a wide range of flashes, filters, and other accessories.
Long-term Investment — Unlike a compact or even some mirrorless cameras, a DSLR will hold its value for many years to come. You won’t need to upgrade a DSLR as often as you will a cheaper camera, as they’re highly sought after in photographic circles, and the lenses are compatible with other camera bodies.
Size and Weight — DSLRs are heavy, and when you add a lens or 2 to your load, you’ll have a lot of gear to lug about with you.
Complexity — The wide array of settings and features can be a little overwhelming at first. A good DSLR takes time to get to know properly.
Price — DSLRs are usually far more expensive than compact cameras. While there are well-priced bargains to be had, the additional cost of lenses and other accessories will make your DSLR more of an investment than a spur-of-the-moment purchase.

There are literally thousands of different cameras available today, each one offering a wide variety of features and promising awesome images at the click of a button.

If you’re unsure which is the best kind of camera for your next adventure, check out the following to see how they compare.

Best Compact Cameras Under $600

The panasonic on a strict budget, panasonic lumix zs60 camera.

Sensor: 1″ Lens: f/2.8-5.9 Megapixels: 20.1 Screen: 3″ Video: 4K

Using Panasonic’s Light Speed AF technology, combined with a 10x optical zoom range , this Lumix delivers snappy focusing and clear, razor-sharp images.

The advanced Hybrid OIS+ (Optical Image Stabilizer Plus) 5-axis anti-shake system, counteracts any risk of shaking and blurring. The electronic viewfinder and 1080k touchscreen certainly makes shooting much easier in bright conditions.

Other specification highlights include an expanded ISO of 25600, 4K video recording, and the ability to create incredible-looking time-lapse movies.

You can also shoot RAW files, meaning you can draw out as much detail from every image as possible, and post focus enables you to review a shot and readjust your image focus after you’ve taken the photo.

What We Like

Super small and lightweight for travel

What We Don’t Like

The auto-focus is a bit slow

Sony’s Budget Camera For Vlogging

Sony zv-1f vlog camera.

Sensor: 1″ Lens: f/2 Megapixels: 21 Screen: 3″ Video: 4K

This super-compact camera is a good camera for anyone that likes to document their travels.

Weighing just 122 grams, the Sony ZV-1F is incredibly compact but houses some useful features that are ideal for travel vloggers. Its ultra-wide 20mm lens is perfect for capturing everyone and everything in a single shot, and the auto-focus tracking technology ensures the subject stays in focus. Face Priority mode will control the exposure on your face, and there’s a soft skin effect to give you a healthy glow.

An aperture of F/2 will make your subject pop against some beautiful blurry backgrounds, and you can control the bokeh (those defocused backgrounds) with the touch of a button.

Active Mode image stabilization enables you to shoot smooth photos and video in 4K resolution, and the flip LCD screen gives you a clear view for any selfies.

Has interchangeable shooting modes for slow motion
Not great for photography

Continuous Shooting of 6fps From Canon

Canon eos m200 compact mirrorless camera.

Sensor: APS-C Lens: f/3.5-6.3 Megapixels: 24.1 Screen: 3″ Video: 4K

Offering 24.1MP images and 4K video , this little beauty is an excellent, all-around travel camera that will help you to take good quality images with ease.

It’s impressively small and should be able to fit in your pocket — meaning you never miss a moment of the action.

The image stabilization reduces the appearance of camera shake by up to 3.5 stops, so you can wave goodbye to blurry images. And, with dual Pixel CMOS autofocus and eye detection AF, you can take sharp images with ease. Canon’s latest DIGIC 8 processor gives you the ability to shoot outstanding stills at up to 6fps. The good size screen tilts 180 degrees, making it useful for shooting from slightly awkward angles.

LCD screen can flip over for selfies
No viewfinder to help with shooting in bright conditions

Best Compact Cameras Under $1,000

The best waterproof compact, olympus tg-6 waterproof camera.

Sensor : 1″ Lens: f/2.0 Megapixels: 12 Screen: 3″

TG-6 from Olympus is a tough and rugged camera that’s perfect for those who love adventures.

It’s waterproof (50 ft/15 m), shockproof (7 ft/2.1 m), crushproof (220 lbf/100 kgf), freezeproof (14°F/-10°C) , and even dustproof — meaning you literally can take in anywhere.

It may be small, but it’s surprisingly well-equipped for a camera of its size. This camera comes complete with an F2.0, high-speed lens, 20 fps burst shooting in RAW, and anti-fog dual pane glass for spectacular images in every environment.

Its advanced dual quad-core TruePic VIII Processor will allow you to take images, no matter the light conditions.

Has a long-lasting battery life
No lens cover for protection

Small 4K Camera Busting With Features

Panasonic lumix zs200 4k digital camera.

Sensor : 1″ Lens: f/3.3-6.4 Megapixels: 20.1 Screen: 3″ LCD display Video: 4K

The Panasonic LUMIX Digital Camera DMC-ZS200 combines the superior optical performance of a 15x (24-360mm) LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens with stability and ease of use, all in a highly portable compact travel camera.

The lens itself is advanced and features a super-bright F3.3-6.4 aperture range, which can capture powerful images. The hybrid IOS technology enables stabilized images and impressive depth of field, even in low-light conditions.

Feeling creative? The Post Focus and Focus Stacking features allow you to change the focus at the touch of a button and even after you’ve taken the photo. Designed with travel in mind, the DMC-ZS200 comes complete with USB charging and Wi-Fi connectivity for you to share your snaps in an instant.

The battery can be charged inside the camera
Doesn’t produce the sharpest images

Sony’s Best Pocket Camera

Sony rx100 i ii 20.1 mp premium compact digital camera.

Sensor : 1″ Lens: f/1.8-2.8 Megapixels: 20.1 Screen: 3″ LCD display Video: 1080p

Great for candid photographers that like to spread their wings, the Sony RX100 I II will allow you to capture stunning images with razor-sharp precision and professional quality focus.

The large 1-inch sensor, combined with the ultra-bright Zeiss f/1.8 lens , will ensure that you never miss a moment.

Useful features such as the easy-access, aperture-setting control ring, along with the Optical Steady Shot with Active Mode for complete stability, transform this compact camera into a very smart piece of gear to take with you on your travels. There’s also a wide range ISO sensitivity and RAW image capture settings too.

An entire menu of additional features is easily accessed using the 3-inch (1,229k dots) pop-up LCD Display, which can pop up and tilt to 180-degrees for varied-angle shooting.

Able to shoot RAW, JPEG, or RAW and JPEG
The LCD screen is not a touchscreen

SLR Style Control Over Aperture

Panasonic lumix lx10 4k camera.

Sensor: 4/3″ Lens: f/1.4-2.8 Megapixels: 20.1 Screen: 3″ 1040K dot LCD Video: 4K

The LUMIX LX10 offers all the perks of a brilliant point-and-shoot camera combined with manual control for those that want to craft their own image settings. Designed for photo and video in mind, the LX10 offers a full hybrid experience with 4K photo and film capabilities.

This compact camera can capture subtle details and beautiful images using the high sensitivity MOS Sensor with a multi-aspect ratio, and by maintaining a resolution of 20.1 megapixels.

The sophisticated LEICA lens system is the perfect complement to the camera’s compact body, and with F1.4-2.8 brightness, high speed, and crisp detail corner-to-corner. The lens-mounted aperture ring gives you SLR-style control over your exposure, along with shutter and ISO controls through the rear dials and settings.

The Lumix LX10 also comes with a 3-inch LCD touchscreen that tilts 180 degrees for those difficult angles or not-to-be-missed selfies.

Has built-in focus stacking to control depth of field
No in-built electronic viewfinder

The Fifth Generation of the Popular Sony RX100

Sony rx100va 20.1mp digital camera.

Sensor : 1″ Lens: f/1.8-2.8 Megapixels: 20.1 Screen: 3″ Video: 4K

The Sony RX100 packs a wealth of features into its small but sturdy frame and offers plenty for the modern photographer to play with while out on the road.

The zoom lens works well for landscapes, group shots, and even the occasional selfie, while the 4K video captures the kind of footage typically found in much more advanced pieces of camera equipment.

Capture the action as it happens with Sony’s phase/contrast-detection autofocus system with 315 focus points and quality action tracking . It will keep up with most moving images, and the high-speed continuous shooting mode is equally impressive.

The sensor makes for excellent image quality every time, and the ingenious flip-out back screen means you can even capture images from a low angle.

Excellent autofocus
The camera can overheat shooting continuously

A Worthy Upgrade to the Original G7X

Canon powershot g7 x iii digital camera.

Capture incredible images with this Canon camera that allows you to shoot continuously at up to 8 fps, and offers an aperture of f/1.8-2.8 to help you take high-precision pictures every time.

The high-resolution, 3-inch LCD monitor cleverly tilts up 180 degrees and down 45 degrees to help you take incredible self-portraits or to capture breathtaking high and low angles to add depth and interest to your photos.

The DIGIC 8 Image Processor has high-capability autofocus tracking , enhanced image stabilization, and superb image clarity, even when shooting with a high ISO.

Finally, the in-camera RAW conversion and built-in Wi-Fi even mean you can edit and share your masterpieces instantly.

Can be used to film vertical video
Camera can overheat with continuous filming

Best Compact Cameras Over $1,000

Traditional looks combined with modern technology, fujifilm x100v digital camera.

Sensor: CMOS APS-C Lens: f/2 Megapixels: 26.1 Screen: 2.8″ Video: 720p

The Fujifilm X100V offers impressive CMOS APS-C 26.1 MP capabilities and is the culmination of the very best technology used in previous models combined with cutting-edge additions to make shooting easier than ever.

The precise close focusing performance is an improvement on previous models, and unique to the X100V, the camera is compatible with an adapter ring for weatherproofing the lens.

Built with speed in mind, the X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor and X-Processor 4 allow for a wide dynamic range and exceptional images. This winning combination also means the auto-focus is super-responsive, even in low light.

One of the most impressive aspects of this compact camera is the hybrid viewfinder, allowing you a real-time view of your exposure when setting up your shot, and providing a snapshot of your camera settings. Of course, if you prefer to frame shots using a screen, then the tilting LDC screen is perfect for shooting from different angles.

The video quality is good, shooting 4K at 30fps, but if you’re looking to record in 10-bit, then you’ll need to use an external recorder via the HDMI port.

Has an optional adapter to weatherproof the lens
The fixed lens won’t suit everyone

A mirrorless camera offers you excellent, almost pro-standard images and super smooth video in pocket-sized packages.

You may not get all the bells and whistles you would find on a DSLR, but you’ll still be able to have plenty of fun.

Best Mirrorless Cameras Under $700

A high-value mirrorless camera from sony, sony alpha a6000 mirrorless digital camera 24.3mp slr camera.

Sensor: APS-C (23.5mm x 15.6mm) Megapixels: 24.3 Screen: 3″ tilting touchscreen Video: 1920 x 1080

The Sony Alpha a6000 is a veritable powerhouse of a compact camera, which will provide you with epic images wherever you are.

Fully loaded with the Bionz-X processor , which is also found in the Sony Alpha 7R, it offers incredible processing power giving it autofocus of just 0.06 seconds .

The burst mode is capable of shooting up to 11fps continuous for 21 frames of raw JPEG or 49 frames of fine JPEG. This camera also has 25 contrast-detection, AF points for high-precision pictures every time.

The automatic AF-S focus mode will also ensure that you never miss a moment, even if the action in front of you moves quickly. As an upgrade to the ever-popular Sony-NEX 6, this little camera certainly has big shoes to fill, and it effortlessly does that, and then some.

Compact camera with the same size APS-C sensor as most DSLRs
The included lens could be better

The Lean, Mean Selfie Machine

Panasonic lumix gx85 4k mirrorless camera accessories kit.

Sensor: Four Thirds Sensor Megapixels: 16 Screen: 3″ tilting touchscreen Video: 4K

This entry-level mirrorless camera is a great travel accessory for anyone who’s looking for more than their camera phone can offer.

The 16 megapixels, micro four thirds processor is highly capable and will offer you excellent resolution, razor-sharp focus, and epic images every time.

The interchangeable lenses will give you more flexibility than any camera phone could offer and the ability to record at Full HD or 4K. Your ability to upload instantly using the built-in Wi-Fi just adds to the fun.

The cool touchscreen can tilt up by 180 degrees making it perfect for selfies of vlogs. Panasonic’s Depth-by-Defocus, DFD, technology will predict how and where to focus, ensuring that blurry snapshots are a thing of the past.

As well as the camera, this bundle includes 2 lenses — 12-32mm and a 45-150mm.

Has an interchangeable lens
No manual mode for shooting video

The Favored Olympus E-M10 Just Got Better

Olympus om-d e-m10 mark iv.

Sensor: MOS sensor Megapixels: 20 Screen: 3″ tilting touchscreen Video: 4K

The Olympus E-M10 Mark IV comes complete with a 14-42mm EZ lens kit that has been specially designed for people who love photography and want to explore their ability to capture the perfect picture.

Compact and easy to use, the E-M10 is so small and lightweight that you can literally take it anywhere with you.

Designed with simplicity in mind, the fool proof in-body image stabilization will help you to shoot blur-free stills and super-smooth 4K video without the need for bulky tripods or any other additional equipment.

The flip-down screen is ideal for selfies or vlogging, and you can import and share images easily using the OI Share Smartphone app.

Great camera body stabilization
No input to use external microphones

Best Mirrorless Cameras Under $1,500

Touch screen goodness and compact design, panasonic lumix gx9 4k mirrorless ilc camera.

Sensor: Four Thirds sensor Megapixels: 20.3 Screen: 3″ tilting touchscreen Video: 4K

The Lumix G9 from Panasonic is a proficient mid-range mirrorless camera that features a 20 megapixel four thirds sensor with the power to provide epic images.

With in-body stabilization, a tiltable viewfinder, and a touchscreen, there’s literally no excuse for not capturing awesome snaps with this camera.

Never miss a moment with 9fps bursts with continuous autofocus and 4K video, complete with a clever range of photo modes. All of these features can create masterpieces that you’ll want to share instantly using the camera’s Bluetooth, location tagging, and seamless Wi-Fi connections.

49 focus points, Custom Multi AF mode, and Light Composition mode will help you to shoot first-class images, while the Tuned 3D Color Control detects hue, saturation, and brightness every time.

Has a clear, crisp LCD screen
Control buttons are easy to push by accident

Mid-Priced Mirrorless That Hits the Sweet Spot

Fujifilm x-t30 mirrorless digital camera.

Sensor: APS-C X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor Megapixels: 26.1 Screen: 3″ tilting touchscreen Video: 4K

The Fuji X-T30 is a clever little camera that closes the gap between a hobby camera and an entry-level professional one. It delivers functionality in spades and offers a ton of quality features at a reasonably affordable price.

The tilting LCD screen allows you to touch, focus and shoot, and the 2.16 million AF phase detection pixels provide accurate autofocusing.

The 4K video shoots at up to 30 fps and the HD video at up to an impressive 120 fps , and both are usable with the in-camera film simulation effects. The 30 fps continuous shooting with AF and in silent mode are professional touches that you don’t always find on cameras of this size.

Perfect for the traveler who wants more than just a basic point-and-shoot, the Fuji X-T30 is the real deal.

Super slow-motion filming in 120 fps 1080p
The app can be glitchy on Android to transfer images

Versatile with Excellent Build Quality

Fujifilm x-t4 4k mirrorless camera.

Sensor: APS-C Megapixels: 26.1 Screen: 3 touchscreen Video: 4K

This retro-looking camera may not be a full-frame camera, but it certainly performs like one. The X-T3 is refined, well-honed, and full of features that make it fun to use.

Offering fast, smooth autofocus and up to 11 fps (mechanical) or 30 fps (electronic) continuous shooting, you’re pretty much guaranteed to get the very best shot, every single time you shoot.

The powerful 4K creation tool allows you to direct moving pictures that you can send instantly, using the built-in Bluetooth or Wi-Fi capabilities.

The EVF is sharp and powerful, making it a pleasure to look through, while the features menu and buttons are easy to navigate and use.

The 26-megapixel X-Trans 4 sensor works well in all lighting conditions with an ISO of 160, and the phase-detect autofocus that spans a total of 425 selectable AF points, makes for clear, sharp images every time .

Great autofocusing
Battery life could be better

Best Mirrorless Cameras Over $1,500

Full frame sensor without the bulk, sony alpha a7iik mirrorless digital camera with 28-70mm lens.

Sensor: Full Frame Megapixels: 24.3 Screen: 3″ tilting touchscreen Video: 4K

This full-frame mirrorless camera uses the same 24-megapixel sensor and Bion X processor as its ever-popular predecessor, the original A7.

Improvements in this version include 5-axis sensor-based image stabilization and an improved AF performance system complete with 25 contrast-detect and 117 phase-detect points.

The 3-inch tilting LCD screen makes it super easy to capture awesome selfies or amazing forward-facing images, while the OLED viewfinder means you’ll never miss a shot.

The easy-to-use and incredibly familiar Sony function buttons are a welcome sight, and despite being a little larger than some other cameras in the same range, it’s still compact and incredibly portable.

The Wi-Fi connection with NFC capability and downloadable apps makes this little beauty great fun to play with and an incredibly capable camera wherever you’re planning to travel to.

Sony has since released the Sony Alpha a7III, and while it’s a better camera, the Sony Alpha a7II is currently $600 cheaper and provides great value for the price.

Focus peaking
Quite a heavy camera

One of the Best Mirrorless Cameras Money Can Buy

Sony a7r iii mirrorless camera.

Sensor: Full Frame Exmoor R CMOS Sensor Megapixels: 42.4 Screen: 3″ touchscreen Video: 4K

The Sony a7R Mark III is a full-frame mirrorless camera that uses a 42.4 megapixel stabilized BSI CMOS sensor . Offering a wide range of improvements over its predecessor, this newer model is one of the very best out there.

With impressive specifications in all aspects, serious semi-pros and enthusiasts will love the 42.4-megapixel sensor and 10fps continuous shooting.

The hybrid AF system that employs 399 phase-detection points covers approximately 68% of the frame. With 4K video recording, higher resolution EVF, and even a joystick for adjusting the focus point, it’s easy to see why the Sony A7R III is such an easy sell — even with its higher price tag.

Has good low-light performance
Doesn’t have a flip-out monitor

Best for Full Frame Fans with Deep Pockets

Nikon z7 ii fx-format mirrorless camera body.

Sensor: Full Frame BSI CMOS Sensor Megapixels: 45.7 Screen: 3.2″ tilting touchscreen Video: 4K

The Nikon Z7 II is a sophisticated, yet high-priced camera that offers a ton of options that you simply won’t find on lower-priced models.

With its innovative on-sensor 493 phase-detection system, you’re guaranteed extraordinary quality images.

Nikon certainly appears to have hit the ground running with this little number, as the in-camera image stabilization system (IBIS) will keep things blur-free, no matter how fast you or your subject are going.

Nikon users who are willing to part with the cash will also get the benefit of the new 5-axis, 5-stop VR system when shooting with NIKKOR Z lenses.

Other fabulous features of the Z7 II include an ISO range of 64-25,600, 10fps continuous shooting, 4K UHD video recording, and a weather-sealed magnesium alloy body.

This could just be the ultimate choice for those prepared to spend money on their travel camera.

Excellent in-body stabilization
No dedicated buttons for white balance or function settings

Quality AF Performance and Capable Handling

Canon eos r mirrorless digital camera.

Sensor: Full Frame CMOS Megapixels: 30.3 Screen: 3.15″ fully articulating touchscreen Video: 4K

The sharp look and enhanced functionality of the Canon EOS R make for great image quality, easy handling, and high-quality video capabilities.

Perfect for the high-end enthusiast, this camera houses a full-frame 30.3-megapixel sensor that guarantees truly stunning images.

The new DIGIC 8 processing engine offers a healthy, native ISO range of 100-40,000 , which can be expanded upon. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) on the EOS R features an impressive 3.69-million dot resolution for perfect vision.

Razor-sharp shooting capabilities add to its charm, as does the intuitive touchscreen LCD that will easily guide the user through a wide range of features. The 4K video capability is equally as impressive, and if you fancy yourself as a bit of a pro director, you won’t be disappointed with the finished product.

Compatible with EF/EF-S lenses with the optional mount adapter
No camera body stabilization

The Perfect Blend of Video and Still Camera

Panasonic lumix gh5 4k mirrorless camera.

Sensor: Micro Four Thirds Megapixels: 20.3 Screen: 3.2″ vari-angle touchscreen Video: 4K

The Panasonic Lumix GH5s offers great video capability paired with the necessary features to capture awesome stills. As one of the best 4K cameras on the market for video, this little number is an excellent choice for semi-pro videographers and photographers.

The combination of the Venus Engine and Digitial Live MOS sensor promises more natural, true-to-life images with better noise control.

The electronic viewfinder offers a staggering 3,680,000-dot resolution and 0.76x magnification . For razor-sharp and shake-free perfection, the Axis Dual IS II anti-shake system works in tandem with Panasonic’s wide range of optically stabilized lenses to deliver up to 5 stops of correction. Within this particular bundle, you get the LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 lens with Power IOS for extra stability.

The GH5 also offers an impressive 6K camera capability, allowing you to extract 18-megapixel still images from ultra-high video footage at 30fps at an unlimited burst rate.

Has dual native ISO
Doesn’t have the best low-light performance

If you have deep pockets, strong shoulders for carrying all that gear, and the dedication and skill to shoot like a pro, a DSLR could be just right for you.

Best DSLR Cameras Under $800

Your first budget dslr, nikon d3300 w / af-p dx 18-55mm digital slr.

Sensor: APS-C Megapixels: 24.2 Screen: 3.0″ fixed touchscreen Video: 1920 x 1080

Perfect for those looking to get into DSLR photography, the 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor in the D3300 is about as good as you can get in this price range .

It offers an impressive 5fps continuous shooting speed as well as an optional wireless adapter to transfer your images to your smart device.

There’s no in-body stabilization, but many of the Nikon lenses that are compatible with the D3300 body, including the AF-P 18-55mm lens (included with the camera), come with Nikon’s VR (Vibration Reduction) system.

There’s also a lack of 4K video capability, but the full HD 1920 x 1080 video at up to 60/50fps is pretty impressive for the price. Affordable, effortlessly usable, and pretty impressive across the board, the D3300 is an excellent entry-level DSLR to take with you on your next adventure.

Easy to use for beginners
Doesn’t come with a hot shoe cover

The Light and Easy Canon DSLR

Canon eos rebel sl3 dslr camera with ef-s 18-55mm stm lens.

Sensor: CMOS APS-C Megapixels: 24.2 Screen: 3.0″ vari-angle touchscreen Video: 4K

Compact and clever, the EOS Rebel SL32 is a great little camera for taking traveling with you.

A step up from regular smartphone cameras and their digital counterparts, this entry-level DSLR will change your game completely.

Canon’s newly developed 24.1-megapixel APS-C Canon CMOS image sensor pairs perfectly with the unique DIGIC 8 image processor . This offers features like Dual Pixel CMOS AF for smooth and accurate autofocus and a high-resolution Touch Screen monitor that supports both Touch AF and Touch Shutter release functionality.

When you have captured epic images, you can share them in an instant with the built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, while the EF-S 18-55mm STM Lens will effortlessly capture your subject with clarity and razor-sharp precision, every time.

Has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections
Continuous video-only films for 30 minutes

Good Value Option For Beginners

Canon eos rebel t7 digital slr camera.

Sensor: APS-C CMOS Megapixels: 24.1 Screen: 3″ touchscreen Video: HD 1080P

Offering versatile video and still image capabilities, the EOS Rebel T7 from Canon is a compact, sleek, and affordable DSLR that comes complete with a DIGIC 4+ image processor.

Rich quality images with reduced noise are easy to achieve using this camera, and the ability to shoot continuously at 3fps for photographing moving objects is an impressive feature, given the price.

The 9-point AF system incorporates a single center cross-type AF , as well as a contrast-detection focusing system, to ensure razor-sharp precision when shooting movies or working in live view.

When you’ve taken your shot, you can share your images instantly using the built-in Wi-Fi with NFC linked to your mobile device or smartphone. Good looking, easy to use, and easy on the bank balance, the EOS Rebel T7 is a good entry-level DSLR for broadening your skillset.

Comes with an accessory kit, including filters, flash, and a tripod
Doesn’t have a universal hot shoe

Best DSLR Cameras Under $1,500

Great ergonomics and a step up from the 70d, canon eos 80d dslr camera.

Sensor: APS-C CMOS Megapixels: 24.2 Screen: 3″ vari-angle touchscreen

The Canon EOS 80D DSLR is a versatile, feature-rich, and user-friendly camera that’s perfect for both professional photographers and those who would like to be. With an impressive 45-point all cross-type AF system, the ESO 80D provides high-speed, highly precise AF across all kinds of light.

The Intelligent Viewfinder, with approximately 100% coverage, provides a clear view and comprehensive image data while the built-in Wi-Fi with NFC allows you to share your images instantly.

The powerful 24.2-megapixel (APS-C) CMOS sensor and Dual Pixel CMOS AF for Live View shooting enhance the EOS 80D’s performance across the board and transform it into one of the finest cameras in its class.

Shoot full HD 60p movies, capture awesome stills, and work your way easily through the intuitive menu of features using the touchscreen .

The EOS 80D camera body is compatible with an ever-expanding collection of EF/EF-S lenses plus a host of EOS accessories.

Has a good in-built microphone
Doesn’t shoot 4K video

A Tempting Addition to the Nikon Range

Nikon d7500 dx-format digital slr.

Sensor: DX-Format CMOS Sensor Megapixels: 20.9 Screen: 3.2″ tilting touchscreen LCD Video: 4K

The Nikon D7500 allows you to lock on to fast-moving subjects with 51 available focus points, 15 cross-type sensors, and group-area AF for sharper , faster detection in low light.

The large 3.2-inch touchscreen will help you to shoot at high or low angles, and you can simply touch where you want to focus using Nikon’s innovative Live View feature.

If you’re planning on taking moving pictures, the Nikon D7500 will record rich and detailed 4K Ultra HD or Full HD videos when teamed with industry-leading NIKKOR lenses and a selection of pro-level video features, including time-lapse.

You can even share your masterpieces in the moment when you install Nikon’s SnapBridge app on a compatible phone or tablet and connect to the D7500 for instant sharing.

This enthusiast-level DSLR is one of the best in its class and offers flawless autofocus, 4K Ultra HD video, and professional-level creative tools wrapped up in a rugged package with intuitive, easy-to-use controls.

Has 8 FPS continuous shooting
No dual SD slot

A Well-Rounded Full-Frame DSLR

Canon eos 6d mark ii digital slr camera body.

Sensor: Full Frame CMOS Megapixels: 26.2 Screen: 3″ vary-angle touchscreen Video: 4K

Canon’s EOS 6D Mark II features a high-resolution 26.2 megapixel full-frame Canon CMOS image sensor that’s powerful enough to capture excellent images across the board.

The addition of Canon’s DIGIC 7 image processor and a 45-point All Cross-Type Viewfinder AF system means you’ll never miss your subject. The enhanced low light sensitivity to EV -3 at the center AF point allows you to be as creative as you want, whenever you want to shoot.

With a ton of additional features, including Dual Pixel CMOS AF and a 3.2-inch Vary-Angle Touchscreen LCD monitor, creating epic images and video is made easy.

When you’re happy with your work, share your videos and images instantly using the built-in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and NFC connectivity for easy operation.

Has a vari-angle touchscreen
Can be slow to focus

Best DSLR Cameras Over $1,500

Fast, robust, and well-rounded, nikon d850 fx-format digital slr.

Sensor: FX-format full-frame CMOS Megapixels: 46 Screen: 3.2″ tilting screen Video: 4K

This high-resolution, full-frame DSLR, boasts an impressive 46-megapixel, backside-illuminated CMOS sensor and is one of Nikon’s fastest-shooting DSLRs to date .

Loved by both professional photographers and high-end enthusiasts alike, the awesome power of the D850 is designed to impress. The efficiency of the sensor improves low-light performance, while the electronic front-curtain shutter (EFCS) and exposure delay, counteracts shutter shock.

The D850 is also the proud owner of one of the best AF systems on the market, with fine-tuning that allows you to benefit from your lens’ full capabilities.

When it comes to capturing moving images, at 1080 resolution, the camera can shoot at up to 60p, with a slow-mo mode that can capture at 120 frames per second before outputting at 30, 25, or 24p. The 4K capabilities are also pretty darn incredible.

The rear touchscreen is crisp and bright
Noise at quite a low ISO

High Performance at a Premium Price

Canon eos 5d mark iv full frame digital slr.

Sensor: Full-frame CMOS Megapixels: 30.4 Screen: 3.2″ touch panel LCD Video: 4K

Building on the powerful legacy of the 5D series, the EOS offers heaps of refinements across image quality, performance, and overall versatility.

The full-frame sensor means that high-quality images and epic 4K video are easy to capture. The focus accuracy has been improved and refined with the 61-point AF system and revolutionary Dual Pixel CMOS AF for smooth video and live-view shooting .

The DIGIC 6+ image processor provides continuous shooting at up to 7fps, and the built-in Wi-Fi means you can share your masterpiece with ease.

The easy-to-navigate touch panel will help you find features and access your photo library in seconds. Reliable, impressive, and perfect for all kinds of photography, the EOS is a capable camera with plenty of oomph!

Good auto-focus shooting video
Doesn’t have a tilting screen

The Big and Beautiful With Superior Performance

Canon eos-1dx mark iii.

Sensor: CMOS Megapixels: 20.1 Screen: 3.2″ touchscreen Video: 4K

If you have prior experience of shooting with a 1D series, chances are you’ll love this camera and will be able to work with it from the start.

If not, the seriously impressive range of features may take a little while for you to get used to. With an AF system that utilizes 61 AF points, a 350,000-pixel RGB+IR sensor for face recognition and subject tracking, and a dual-pixel autofocus system , this is one seriously impressive camera.

The 2 Digic 6+ processors help keep noise levels down by enabling the 1D X Mk II to apply complex noise-reduction algorithms. It can also shoot at up to 14 frames per second with full exposure metering and autofocus operation.

Capture literally anything, anywhere, with this high-end camera that comes with a price tag to match its utter brilliance.

Great battery life
Menus settings are not that intuitive

Wherever you’re heading, and whatever you’re planning to take pictures of when you get there, the right camera for you is out there.

For everyone from snap-happy beginners to hardened professionals, finding the right camera can bring your visions to life like never before.

From the light speed and razor-sharp images of the Panasonic Lumix to the intuitive features and the full-frame 30.3 megapixels of the Canon EOS, there really are a number of excellent quality, affordable cameras on the market.

If your budget is big and you’re happy to carry more with you, any of the DSLRs in the Nikon D Series could quite possibly allow you to capture your best photos ever.

Now that you’ve got yourself a savvy new camera, you’ll need a way to keep it safe… check out our review of the best camera bags for travel !

Interested in other top travel items you shouldn’t miss out on? Check out our additional product reviews:

All Our Best Travel Product Reviews – In One Place
What Are the Best GoPro Alternatives? [We Found Several Options]
The Best Laptop Backpacks to Buy for Travel
The Best Noise-Canceling Headphones To Buy for Travel

The 20 Best Camera Bags for Travel in 2024

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The best compact camera for 2024: top pocket choices to take anywhere

Find your dream smartphone-beating pocket compact

1. Best overall
2. Best features
3. Best video
4. Best photo quality
5. Best hobbyist
6. Best all-rounder
7. Best money-no-object
8. Best instant
9. Best vlogging
How to choose

How we test compact cameras

With smartphone photography improving all the time, the best compact cameras have to do more to earn a place in your pocket. That could be an optical zoom that gets you closer, or a large sensor that shoots sharper than the best camera phones . Some compacts are just good fun to shoot with. One thing is certain: every compact listed here does something unique.

If we’ve learnt anything from testing hundreds of compact cameras, it’s that there isn’t one right option for everyone. The choice comes down to your own needs and budget. Our personal favorite is the Fujifilm X100VI , because it combines everything we look for in a compact camera: fast autofocus, excellent image quality and in-body image stabilization, all wrapped up in a tidy package. But you might not feel the same.

We’ve spent countless hours testing compact cameras in the real world, in the kind of situations you’re likely to encounter. Think shooting from the hip, changing settings on the move and capturing a mix of stills and video. Based on the results, we’ve shared the good and the bad about each compact camera below, to help you make a better decision about which is right for you.

Top 3 picks

Use the round-up below for an instant summary of the best compact cameras in 2024. When you find one that ticks the right boxes, you can use the links beneath each entry to jump down to our full write-up.

Fujifilm X100VI compact camera on a white background

The best compact for enthusiasts overall

A sharp street shooter, the X100VI takes Fuji’s TikTok-famous X100 series to new heights, with a 40MP sensor and image stabilization.

The best pocket compact for features

With strong image quality, sharp 4K videos and class-leading AF, the RX100 VII is one of the most capable compacts right now.

The best compact for video creatives

A bright lens, superb autofocus and useful design features make the Sony ZV-1 a powerful pocket option for shooting video.

Best by use-case

The best photo quality from your pocket

Responsive, pocketable and intuitive handle, the GR IIIx uses a versatile 40mm f/2.8 lens to produce sharp RAW stills.

The best for keen hobbyists

A brilliant compact for enthusiasts, the Lumix LX100 II offers excellent stills quality, responsive autofocus and good physical controls.

The best all-rounder for photographers

The Canon PowerShot G5 X II blends a capable core with useful features, a quality build, and great controls and handling.

The best money-no-object compact

The Leica Q3 is the most powerful, most enjoyable, most expensive compact camera. Price aside, it’s tactile and high quality.

The best compact instant camera

Combining retro looks with point-and-shoot simplicity, the Go produces rich instant prints that are perfect for sharing.

Best for vlogging

This fantastic tool for solo vloggers is super-portable and super-stable thanks to its gimbal, plus it's affordable.

Tim is TechRadar's Cameras Editor. With more than 15 years’ experience in the photo video industry, Tim has been lucky enough to test countless cameras – including many of the best compacts. Over this time, he’s developed a deep practical understanding of what makes a good compact camera. He notes, “smartphones are now incredibly capable photography tools, but compacts can still offer something more. If you’re looking for a dedicated camera with superior features and handling, the premium models in this list are definitely worth considering.”

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The best compact 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 compact cameras in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

The best compact camera for most people

1. fujifilm x100vi.

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid, fujifilm x100vi sample images.

✅ You want a versatile everyday camera: A sharp sensor and image stabilization make the X100VI a flexible tool for shooting on a daily basis.

✅ You like a retro-modern hybrid: The X100V blends old-school looks with modern features, including a superb hybrid viewfinder.

❌ You want the best value overall: Its new skills are welcome, but the X100V offers many of the same core features for less – if you can find it in stock.

❌ You like to use different focal lengths: The fixed 23mm focal length is a calling card of the X100 series, but some will find it too limiting.

The Fujifilm X100V went viral for its retro style, pocket-friendly design, hybrid viewfinder and fixed 23mm f/2 lens. The X100VI takes the same concept and upgrades it again, boosting resolution to 40MP and adding in-body image stabilization for the first time. It also borrows the class-leading autofocus from the Fujifilm X-T5 . In our review, we found images pin-sharp across the entire sensor, with the increased pixel count offering greater flexibility when cropping. Together with impressive subject tracking autofocus and effective stabilization, we think it’s an even more rounded compact for street shooting.

Our tests also revealed the X100VI to be a more capable filmmaking tool, courtesy of 6.2K 10-bit video support. The fixed focal length will still be a limiting factor for some, as will the single UHS-I SD card slot. You need an adaptor for full weather-proofing, too. Given the sold-out demand for the X100V, it’s also unsurprising that Fujifilm has increased the price for its successor. But from our time living with the X100VI, we think it’s the pinnacle of the X100 series, and the best premium compact for everyday use.

Read our in-depth Fujifilm X100VI review

2. Sony RX100 Mark VII

Sony rx100 vii sample images.

✅ You need a complete pocket camera: The RX100 VII is arguably the most rounded pocket camera for photo and video.

✅ You shoot action: Lens zoom is limited, but the performance is not with super fast autofocus and continuous shooting.

❌ You want excellent handling: Small it may well be, the RX100 VII isn't the most ergonomic option available.

❌ You rely on a touch screen: The function of the touch screen is limited, with no support for menu navigation.

In many ways, the RX100 VII is still best compact around right now. Its autofocus system, we found, is comfortably ahead of any other pocket camera, tracking moving subjects with great reliability and making clever use of its Face and Eye AF, even in video mode. Video quality is superb, while image quality is also stellar. But all of this comes at a huge price, and for many people that could be a deal-breaker.

Still, we can't avoid including it in this guide, as it's one of the best options around. If your budget allows, then you won't find a more powerful compact than the Mark VII. But if you're happy to sacrifice some of the latest autofocus features and a microphone jack, check out the RX100 VI, which offers most of its performance but costs a little less.

Read our in-depth Sony RX100 Mark VII review

The best compact video camera

3. sony zv-1, sony zv-1 sample images.

✅ You want a powerful vlogging camera: The Sony ZV-1 is the best compact camera for YouTubers right now, shooting smartphone-beating 4K video.

✅ You want a compact you can grow with: Sony has made the ZV-1 simpler for beginners to use, but it's also jam-packed with pro features.

❌ You mainly want to shoot stills: While it's no slouch for stills, the lack of a viewfinder and moderate zoom range will limit some photographers.

❌ You need an all-weather action camera: The ZV-1 is packed with features, but one that's missing is weather-proofing.

If it's mainly video rather than stills that you're looking for from a compact camera, then the Sony ZV-1 is the one of the best options around. Not that it isn't also very capable at shooting still photos – it has the same sensor and processor as Sony 's latest RX100 series cameras, after all – but the ZV-1's main strength are its video powers. That includes its class-leading autofocus powers, which helps it tenaciously lock onto people and moving objects in your frame. During testing, we found it to do an excellent job of keeping moving subjects in focus and tracking our eyes across most of the frame. Of course, the video quality from its 20.1MP 1-inch sensor is nothing short of impressive as well.

These are backed up by a 3.5mm mic port for boosting audio quality with an external microphone, and a hotshoe to help mount the latter. Its bright 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8 doesn't give you the same reach as the RX100 VII, but it does ensure that you get lovely background blur in both stills and videos – perfect if you mainly shoot portraits or vlogs. Sony has since released the ZV-1 II , but for us the successor was a puzzling update that in real world use offered little extra than the ZV-1 to justify its pricier tag.

Read our in-depth Sony ZV-1 review

4. Ricoh GR IIIx

Ricoh gr iiix sample images.

✅ You want to develop your creative eye: With a fixed focal length lens, exposure tools and a wide range of in-camera edits, the GR III X encourages creativity.

✅ You want a fun pocket camera: Small enough to slip in the pocket, quick to use and intuitive to handle, the GR IIIx is point-and-shoot happiness.

❌ You want a versatile camera: The GR IIIx is as niche as they come. Fixed lens, fixed focal length, modest video specs. This is aimed at a certain type of photographer.

❌ You shoot video a lot: Tech-wise, the GR IIx is way behind today's smartphones for video recording, being limited to Full HD resolution and mono in-camera audio.

If you’re an avid street photographer there’s no doubt you’ll have heard of the Ricoh GR – a superb series of compact cameras that are famous for their sharp, fixed focal length lens and large APS-C sensor. The Ricoh GRIIIx is the latest model and features a 40mm f2.8 lens versus the standard GR III’s wider 28mm f2.8 option, which may make it a more versatile option depending on your proclivities. Personally, we’d prefer the X’s 40mm for portraiture while the GR III’s 28MM is ideally suited to landscape.

From our review, we think the GRIII X is a superb everyday carry camera, with new features like the Snap Focus system making it an intuitive camera for capturing decisive moments. A host of excellent customization options make it a great choice for experienced tinkerers with in-camera raw editing and easy sharing via the wireless smartphone connection. We would have liked better battery life and a tilt-screen, but such omissions are understandable given the compact body. We think this is the best GR iteration yet if you’re on the hunt for superb image quality, snappy performance, and intuitive handling in a pocket-friendly body.

Read our in-depth Ricoh GR IIIx review

5. Panasonic Lumix LX100 II

Panasonic lx100 ii sample images.

✅ You want a Micro Four Thirds sensor: The sensor is larger than the 1-inch ones used in most other compacts and produces lovely photos.

✅ You want excellent handling: A sensible size, decent grip, EVF and solid build all combine for a lovely shooting experience.

❌ You want the latest tech: The LX100 II is a fantastic camera but it was launched all the way back in 2018 and feels a little dated with its fixed screen and clunky UX.

❌ You want a speedy shooter: The zoom action is a touch pedestrian; both the zoom lever around the shutter release button and the multi-function control ring respond slowly.

Compact cameras with sensors larger than 1-inch in size are typically limited to fixed-focal-length lenses, which is great for quality but less so for flexibility. But not the Panasonic LX100 II; it manages to marry a 17MP Four Thirds sensor – the same size as those found inside Panasonic's G-series mirrorless cameras – with a zoom lens equivalent to 24-75mm in 35mm terms, proving that sometimes you can get quality and flexibility at once.

We found its Leica-badged lens to be very impressive, capturing very good levels of detail that's worthy of pricier APS-C cameras, and its exposure metering system more than reliable. Our tests also show that it handles noise pretty well and produces natural-looking images with faithful colors. The original LX100 was something of a landmark camera for offering something similar, and this latest iteration takes the baton, with a nippy AF system, robust body, clear 4K videos and a useful electronic viewfinder among its highlights.

Read our in-depth Panasonic Lumix LX100 II review

Image credit: TechRadar

6. Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II

Canon powershot g5 x mark ii sample images.

✅ You want excellent build quality: Build quality feels great overall, with secure handling and plenty of attention to detail around all the controls.

✅ You're want an everyday shooter: The 24-120mm f/1.8-2.8 lens strikes a nice balance between versatility and image quality, covering most everyday scenarios.

❌ You shoot 4K video: The G5X Mark II can shoot 4K video, but cannot match the superior features from Sony's rival offerings.

❌ You want excellent value: Canon is never cheap, and the G5X Mark II looks like an expensive option compared to its rivals.

The best Canon cameras you can buy don’t just include full-frame flagships - the Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II is easily one of the top options from the brand currently. It’s not the cheapest option out there currently but it’s a well-rounded camera with a pocket-friendly form-factor and fantastic handling, New features for the Mark II include the excellent stacked 20.1MP 1-inch CMOS sensor equipped with the brand’s DIGIC processing engine.

This model is now capable of 30fps in raw burst mode, 20fps burst in regular JPEG, and also features a respectable line-up of video specs. Being able to fully capture video at 4K without any crop factor is a particular highlight in such a small body. Other excellent new additions include USB charging, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectivity, which are all fantastic quality of life additions for any camera - especially one at this price point. These additions, combined with the Mark II’s excellent build quality and versatile 24-120mm f/1.8-2.8 lens make this camera an excellent every day carry option and one of best travel cameras in particular.

Read our in-depth Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II review

Find savings on Canon cameras with our Canon promo codes .

The best money-no-object compact camera

7. leica q3, leica q3 sample images.

✅ You like manual control and a tactile experience: The robust dials and shutter button offer the tactile experience that we'd like to see more of.

✅ You want the best-quality everyday camera: With a super-sharp lens and full-frame sensor, no compact camera can better the Leica Q3 on stills.

❌ You want to push a camera hard: The Q3 has some seriously impressive features, but they work best when in moderate, everyday use.

❌ You’re after great value: There’s no real rival to the Q3, and it does represent reasonable value for a Leica, but $5,995 / £5,300 / AU$9,790 is a lot of anyone’s money.

Compact cameras can be cost-effective alternatives to interchangeable lens cameras but that doesn’t mean there aren’t superb high-end options. Take the stunning Leica Q3: a full-frame monster that comes complete with the exceptional Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH fixed lens. Calling the Leica Q3 compact may be a slight stretch – it's around the same size as the Panasonic Lumix S5 II with a pancake lens – but it is the full package if you’re looking for superlative image quality and almost unparalleled build quality.

It’s this latter point that allows the Leica Q3 to stand out from the competition and smartphones. Put simply, the Leica Q3 offers a premium tactile shooting experience that even the best camera phones can’t hope to match. And, price aside, the Leica Q3 is an excellent performer. Unlike the well-known M-series rangefinders from the brand, the Q3 is fully autofocus capable, which makes it an excellent everyday carry for the well-heeled. Sure, the autofocus performance doesn’t quite match the best systems on the market right now but the Leica Q3 is the brand’s easiest to use camera yet - and one that scores full marks on style points.

Read our in-depth Leica Q3 review

8. Polaroid Go

Polaroid go sample images.

✅ You love keepsakes: There's nothing like a physical print and the Go spits out beautiful little prints that you can keep or share with those around you.

✅ You want a small instant camera: Most instant cameras are big and bulky and awkward, but the Polaroid Go is as small as they come.

❌ You want low running costs: The Go itself is inexpensive, but its instant film refills increase the cost significantly.

❌ You shoot close ups: Most instant cameras are point-and-shoot, but the fixed focus can feel quite limiting for close ups.

Instant cameras are designed for fun – and few make it easier to capture quick, attractive snaps than the Polaroid Go. Pitched as “the world’s smallest analogue digital camera”, its boxy, retro shape means it isn’t as portable as a digital compact camera – but it’s still one of the dinkiest instant cameras you can buy in 2021. Capable of producing credit card-sized prints with dreamy pastel tones and impressive detail, the Go’s greatest merit is its point-and-shoot simplicity.

The streamlined interface is super easy to use, with a handy digital shot counter for tracking your snaps. Unlike other instant cameras, we found this to be very versatile. Automatic flash can be manually overridden, while self-timer and double-exposure modes add welcome opportunities for creativity – although its fixed focus and lack of a macro mode mean it isn’t quite as flexible as certain alternatives. Film refills aren’t the cheapest, and you do pay a premium for the Polaroid Go’s portability. What you also get, though, is an entertaining, accessible and convenient – not to mention surprisingly capable – instant printing camera.

Read our in-depth Polaroid Go review

9. DJI Pocket 3

Dji osmo pocket 3 sample images.

✅ You shoot handheld solo vlogs: The three-axis gimbal offers unmatched stabilization, while ActiveTrack works like a virtual cameraman.

✅ You value portability: True to its name, the Pocket 3 is a pocket-friendly solution for shooting steady vlogs wherever you go.

❌ You shoot a lot of photos, too: Low light image quality is improved over the Pocket 2, but resolution is much lower.

❌ You’re happy with your smartphone: If you prefer shooting with your phone, a gimbal mount like the DJI OM 5 might make more sense.

We were already big fans of the DJI Osmo Pocket 2 , yet its successor takes quality and convenience for vlogging to a whole new level. It equals the video quality of larger models like the Sony ZV-1, yet still has an incredibly compact form factor. The improvement in video and image quality, now up to 4K 120p, is enough to pick the Pocket 3 over your smartphone for vlogging, as is the super smooth footage achieved thanks to the three-axis gimbal. It's also a massively convenient device, comfortably slipping into a pocket, with decent audio quality and compatibility with remote mics.

There's also a new trick up the Pocket 3's sleeve: multi-aspect video recording. Taking a leaf out the GoPro Hero 12 Black playbook, the Pocket 3's 1-inch sensor is squarer than your traditional 16:9 aspect, so you don't unnecessarily lose detail when switching between horizontal and vertical formats. The rear LCD screen touchscreen even rotates to instantly switch between those formats. Little wonder that the Pocket 3 is now our top recommendation for most vloggers.

Read our in-depth DJI Pocket 3 review

How to choose the best compact camera for you

How to choose the best compact camera

When it comes to selecting a compact camera, there are several factors to consider. As the name suggests, all compact cameras promise portability, but there’s more to keep in mind than form factor alone. All of the cameras in our list above offer some combination of versatility, handling, features and image quality. Which specific aspects matter most will depend on what and how you like to shoot. If you can’t find a compact the ticks your key boxes, you might be better off using your smartphone’s camera.

One of the key things to think about is sensor size. All of the best compact cameras should represent a step up from your smartphone. Micro Four Thirds and APS-C options, such as the Fujifilm X100V, are now as prevalent as 1-inch models.

If you plan on using your compact camera for travel, you should take a closer look at its lens and zoom capabilities. To be worthy of your attention, the latter should offer at least 10x optical zoom, if not more. If you plan on using your camera for street photography or candid portraits, a fixed lens might work better for you. Or if night-time shots are your thing, look for a compact with good noise handling and high ISO capabilities.

Whatever your subject of choice, pay attention to how a camera handles. This is something we cover in our reviews. Most compacts have an electronic viewfinder, but a small number use an optical one instead. Most also feature a touchscreen interface, which makes it more straightforward to upgrade from a smartphone, although not every display can tilt. You should also think about whether manual controls matter to you.

Some features you might not need, but a few – such image stabilization or face/eye tracking – could prove to be useful bonuses. Of course, price is a factor as well, so if the models above are too pricey new, check out their second-hand availability. Our guide on how to buy a second-hand DSLR or mirrorless camera may be aimed at larger models, but much of the same advice applies to premium compact cameras.

Is a compact camera better than a smartphone?

It’s widely accepted that the best camera is the one you have with you, and this will often be the smartphone in your pocket – especially if you’re looking to capture quick, sharp images for sharing on social media. While the best camera phone options are better than ever, though, the top compact cameras remain a cut above their mobile rivals when it comes to image quality and the overall shooting experience.

Larger sensors are an obvious bonus: the sensor inside a premium compact will, in general, be bigger than the one in your average smartphone. This means you’ll get more detail and better low-light performance, which will be evident if you choose to print out your images. It helps that most compact cameras also benefit from high-quality optics.

Only a handful of smartphones offer the versatility of optical zoom. While zoom range varies by model, most of the best compact cameras feature this as standard. Even with huge improvements to the quality of digital zoom technology, it can rarely compete with the quality of optical zoom when it comes to preserving detail.

Many compact cameras also have physical advantages over smartphones. While both types of device are designed to be pocket-friendly, the best compacts feature dedicated buttons and dials that offer greater creative control. Similarly, many of the best compact options feature a small but useful grip that gives them an ergonomic edge over smartphones when it comes to handling. Tilting touchscreens and dedicated electronic viewfinders are also handy for framing, while certain compacts ship with niche features, such as stabilizing gimbals and waterproof bodies.

The Sony RX100 VII sitting on a wooden bench

Do photographers use compact cameras?

Given their performance and relative portability, most photographers now favor one of the best mirrorless cameras as their primary camera. These models are not much bigger than a premium compact, with many numbering among the best travel cameras , yet they also offer the flexibility of interchangeable lenses.

That being said, many photographers still choose to travel with a premium compact as a second camera. While they might not compete outright with the images captured by top mirrorless models, a reliable compact camera can be a useful tool to keep within easy reach, in case a photo-worthy scene unfolds before you.

This is particularly true for street and travel photographers. A compact is less conspicuous than a professional full-frame camera, making it easier to shoot comfortably in public. The smaller proportions also mean you’re more likely to take it with you whenever you head out, without needing a bulky kit bag.

The same is true for photographers who want to travel light and leave their main camera at home. You’ll rarely see an image from a compact adorning billboard, but the best models can produce images plenty sharp enough for digital assignments and prize-winning pics. That’s especially true if you pick a compact that focuses on a specific niche, such as the Fujifilm X100V with its fixed 23mm f/2 lens – ideal for street and low-light photography.

Fujifilm X100VI camera held up to photographer's eye on the streets of Tokyo

☑️ 100s of cameras reviewed ☑️ 15 years of product testing ☑️ Over 16,000 products reviewed in total ☑️ Nearly 200,000 hours testing tech

Real-world tests are the most revealing way to understand the best compact cameras' performance, quirks, and features. So, along with standardized tests for factors like ISO performance, we take every camera we test for a spin to see how it fares in real-world scenarios.

We'll use it both handheld and on a tripod to get a sense of where its strengths lie, and test its startup speed. We also use a formatted UHS-1 card and shoot in both raw and JPEG (if available), testing its burst shooting and buffer performance.

For autofocusing, we use the different autofocus modes on hand in single point, area, and continuous modes. Naturally, we take a look at how accurate and reliable its metering is, how well it handles noise, and how well it minimizes things like fringing and distortion. Its video shooting skills are tested as well by shooting some test footage at different frame-rates and resolutions.

Of course, we also look at the camera's design, handling, and user interface while getting a sense of what kind of photographer it's most ideal for. Battery life is tested as well 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.

Once all is said and done, we take all our data and everything we've learned about the compact camera and compare it to its price tag to see if it offer great value for your money.

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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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12 Best Compact Cameras in 2024 (For Travel & Portability)

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Photographers never want to miss a moment. We want to capture everything we can. But sometimes, it can feel like you’re carrying a whole photography studio around with you.

Sometimes you just want to have fun without having a heavy camera around your neck. You want something compact and easy to carry. That used to mean having to compromise. But not anymore.

There are some excellent pocket-sized cameras on the market right now. Our top pick is the Fujifilm X100V . It’s an example of perfect retro-styling with up-to-the-minute technology, including a unique, hybrid electronic viewfinder.

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What Is the Best Compact Camera?

We’ll explain in more detail why we’ve chosen these cameras. But first, here is a summary of all our picks.

Beautifully styled and finished
Impressive 26 MP sensor
Hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder
Excellent low-noise JPEGs
Impressive high dynamic range
Genuinely compact size
Can be easily used for live streaming
High speed continuous shooting
Amazing value for money
Incredible 60x zoom
Built-in image stabilization

Incredible 90 fps burst speed
Zeiss zoom lens for quality images
Very neat and compact
Impressive 4K video

Beautiful quality from the Leica 14-75mm lens
Focuses down to 1.2 inches (3 cm)
4K video at 30 fps

Directional microphone is excellent for vlogging
Superb eye-recognition autofocus
Very compact and neat body
Impressive 24 fps burst speed

Full frame sensor for exceptional quality
42.4 MP sensor
Fast f/2 Zeiss lens
Variable low-pass filter

Unmatched image quality
Fast f/1.7 maximum aperture
Classic Leica styling and build quality
20 fps burst speed with mechanical shutter

High 24 fps burst speed
Impressive 24-600mm zoom lens
Super-fast autofocus

Class-leading 125x zoom lens
Focuses as close as 0.4 of an inch (1 cm)

Inbody image stabilization
Maximum f/1.4 aperture at wide angle
Leica zoom lens for quality
1-inch sensor gives super results

Impressive in-body image stabilization
24.2 MP APS-C sensor
High maximum ISO of 102,400
14-bit RAW mode

12 Best Compact Cameras

Let’s look at each of our recommendations starting with our top pick.

1. Fujifilm X100V

Everything about the Fujifilm X100V works. It features a 26.1 MP APS-C sensor. And it has a high-performance f/2 lens for great image quality and dynamic range.

It looks splendid with its brushed metal and faux leatherette. The knobs and dials are real analog controls with electronic effects.

It really is a superb blend of old and new. This is perhaps nowhere more evident than in its hybrid viewfinder.

This lets you frame your shot with the optical or electronic viewfinder (EVF). Or you can frame it optically but see a preview of the final result. It’s an elegant solution.

Another up-to-date feature is the tilting touchscreen that allows focus point selection . Plus, it has 4K video and in-camera multiple exposures.

They always say that the best camera is the one you have with you. And the X100V is a camera you will always want to have with you.

2. Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III

The Canon Powershot G7 X Mark III is a pocket rocket of the camera world. The camera body is small and slim. But this Canon has excellent image quality for its size.

The name Powershot is not misleading. The sensor may only be one inch. But with a 20 MP resolution, the images will surprise you. They’re sharp and vibrant with color.

Its burst speed is 8.2 fps (frames per second). This is rapid for a camera of this size.

The in-camera RAW file processing is a brilliant feature, making images easier to work with in post-processing. And the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities make it easy to move and share your images.

This compact Canon camera also has a good ISO range of 125 to 128,000. And the DIGIC 7 image processor keeps noise to a minimum when working in low light.

The 4K video quality is very good. And the video image stabilization will keep the footage quality high. It’s a great vlogging camera too.

It’s a great point-and-shoot camera for a beginner on the go. It fits in your pocket, and its images are impressive. That makes the PowerShot G7 X Mark III one of the best compact cameras you can buy.

3. Panasonic Lumix FZ80

The Panasonic Lumix FZ80 is a versatile compact camera. It’s perfect for travelers who want to take great stills and videos on the road. And it’s great value for your money.

The 18.1 MP MOS sensor produces stunning images. And you get a rapid 30 fps continuous shooting mode. It’s a function that’s great for capturing sports or action shots.

This compact Panasonic camera has a fixed 20-1200mm (60x) optical zoom lens. So you can get close or shoot far away. And the optical image stabilization will keep your images sharp.

A function you might not expect in such a small camera is its Post Focus. It lets you set your focus after you’ve taken the photo. And you can even stake focus points to give yourself creative freedom.

The Lumix FZ80 has an ergonomic design. It fits nicely in your hand and never feels like a burden. It’s lightweight but full of functions. And the video and stills quality is fantastic.

Combined with a modest price tag, all that makes it one of the best compact cameras for beginners.

4. Sony Cyber-Shot RX100 VII

The Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VII is for people who take photography seriously. A 20.1 MP resolution might not look like much. But it’s from a one-inch sensor. So it is pretty powerful.

That’s impressive image quality for a pocket-sized camera. And its autofocus system is very sophisticated for a camera this size, too.

It uses 357-point focal plane detection or 425-point contrast detection. And it uses AI tracking to hone in on eyes and faces for both stills and videos.

You’ll find this compact Sony camera in the pocket of many vloggers and videographers. The 4K video is excellent. And you can use the microphone jack for synced audio recording.

The Cyber-shot RX100 VII is expensive for a compact camera. But there are a lot of features and functions packed into this camera’s small stature. It’s a true compact with a lot of power!

5. Panasonic Lumix LX100 II

The Lumix LX100 II is a unique landmark entry in the world of compact cameras. It uses a Micro Four Thirds sensor , larger than the one-inch sensors commonly found in compact cameras.

It is a compact Panasonic camera for genuine photography enthusiasts. The on-camera controls give it the feel of a larger mirrorless camera . But it is still compact and lightweight.

It has a Leica DC zoom lens with a 24-75mm focal range. It gives macro camera capabilities as close as 1.2 inches (3 cm). And the telephoto length is pretty good too.

The zoom speed is noticeably slow. But you get optical image stabilization to compensate for any camera shake .

The electronic viewfinder has excellent resolution. But some people might not like the fact it’s not adjustable. But that adds to the feeling that this camera is for serious photographers.

The video and image quality is excellent. And the price is more than reasonable. So for a true enthusiast, the Panasonic Lumix LX100 II is one of the best compact cameras they will find!

6. Sony ZV-1

The Sony ZV-1 is often overlooked in favor of the RX100 II . This is because some of the specs are similar. But the ZV-1 is a camera designed for vloggers and videographers.

This Sony camera ‘s image quality for photos is still excellent. The 20.1 MP sensor has a lot of firepower. And you can happily snap away all day.

The strength of the camera lies in the autofocus (AF). It’s incredibly responsive for stills and videos. Even if your shots are full of movement, the AF system will lock on to people and keep them in focus.

The electronic viewfinder is variable at all angles. So you can see yourself while you’re filming. And you even get a wind protector. So the audio quality matches the image quality.

If video is your thing, the ZV-1 is one of the best compact cameras available. Plus, you can still capture some great shots. And it has a modest price tag!

7. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 RII

When you look at the specs for the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX1 RII , one stands out. And no, you’re not seeing things. This camera has an image resolution of 42.4 MP!

It’s hard to believe that a full frame sensor can be squeezed into a compact camera. But Sony has done it. The video is only 1080p. And the burst is a sluggish 5 fps. But at 42.4 MP, you can’t complain.

Stills are the main focus of this camera. And the image quality is amazing with that kind of horsepower under the hood. The camera has an incredible dynamic range. So the detail is excellent.

This compact Sony camera has the first user-selectable optical low-pass filter. It gives photographers a new dimension of creative control over their images.

Plus, the hybrid AF is one of the best we’ve seen—not just in compact cameras! You get 399 points of phase detection with 45% coverage. And AI predicts subject movement to keep them in focus.

The Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 RII isn’t cheap. But if you need professional-standard stills, it’s the best compact camera on the market.

8. Leica Q2

The Leica Q2 is something to behold. It almost doesn’t seem possible. But when you look at the price, reality hits you pretty hard.

The 47.3 MP full frame camera sensor has redefined what’s possible with a point-and-shoot. This level of image quality is usually reserved for professional-level full frame mirrorless cameras.

No zoom lens is disappointing. But you get a fixed 28mm f/1.7 prime lens. And Leica camera lenses are renowned for their excellence.

Plus, the autofocus system is precise and responsive. So shooting moving subjects isn’t a problem.

The video quality is very good but not outstanding. The footage is perfectly acceptable. But keep in mind that this camera is designed for stills rather than video.

The Leica Q2 is the most powerful compact camera there is. There’s no better compact camera for taking exquisite stills.

The problem is that the price is similar to the GDP of a small country! If you can afford it, go for it. But for the rest of us, it’s just not a possibility.

9. Sony Cyber-Shot RX10 IV

The Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV is an excellent all-around compact camera for professional photographers. It may not have the power of some previous options. But it is more versatile.

The stacked CMOS sensor gives you a 20.1 MP resolution. That’s not bad, considering the size of the sensor. But the other features bring this camera up to par.

The autofocus system is one of the best in a point-and-shoot camera . It has the world’s fasted acquisition speed of 0.03 seconds. That’s quicker than the blink of an eye!

It also uses a high-density phase detection system that predicts movement. So it keeps the focus of your subject locked on.

Plus, the autofocus also functions with precision when shooting at 24 fps. So low light is no trouble for it either. And you can be assured of sharp shots in all conditions.

This Soncy camera has a fixed lens with a powerful optical zoom. And it has an incredible focal range of 24-600mm.

The quality of the glass elements also reduces chromatic aberration . So you can push the lens to its fullest zoom without fear of losing image quality. And the 4K video is also excellent if you vlog.

All these great features make the Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV one of the best compact cameras for professionals.

10. Nikon Coolpix P1000

The Nikon Coolpix P1000 isn’t the most powerful compact camera in town. But it has one of the best zoom lenses you’ll find on a compact. And all its other features are reliable too.

The sensor only gives you an image resolution of 16.7 MP, which is a bit disappointing. But the image quality is still very good.

But the spec that sets this Nikon camera apart is its monster optical zoom lens. It gives you the equivalent of a 24-3000mm focal range. That’s a 125x zoom! So geography is no limitation.

The lens also gives you macro photography capabilities. It lets you focus on your subject as close as one foot away.

Plus, the viewfinder is excellent. The autofocus system is fast and reliable, even when stretching the zoom lens. And the 4K video quality is solid.

The Coolpix P1000 is larger than most. It looks and feels more like a small DLSR than a traditional compact. It isn’t the best in its class. But it does a lot well. And the price is very reasonable.

11. Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10 (LX15)

The max aperture of f/1.4 on the Lumix DMC-LX10 (LX15) is remarkable for a compact camera. Even at full telephoto, it is a respectable f/2.8. And this is in a Leica lens, known for crisp, clear photos.

It’s neat and stylish in a smooth, modern, and understated way. That styling complements its youth-oriented vlogging capabilities and the selfie-friendly articulating screen.

Autofocus performance is fast and accurate. And this Leica camera is equally at home capturing video or stills with its 20 MP one-inch sensor.

This compact camera outperforms my very expensive DSLR in at least one area—shutter speed. The Lumix boasts a 1/16,000 s shutter speed. So you can freeze even the most fast-paced subjects.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10 (LX15) is a very capable camera. It is always easy to take with you and delivers great results.

12. Ricoh GR III

If size is important in selecting a compact camera, then the Ricoh GR III won’t disappoint. It is neat and compact with an attractive style to it.

It has clear and clearly understood controls. And the images this Ricoh camera produces are excellent. That is partly due to the generously sized APS-C sensor with 24 MP resolution.

It is also because of its fast and effective autofocus, which even has a Snap Focus function. This allows the preselection of a focus point using the touchscreen.

With a very large ISO range of 100 to 102,400, the Ricoh GR III also has two selectable built-in neutral density filters . It’s good to see, as I have long thought it would be useful even on high-end cameras .

This is a stylish, highly-capable camera that is easy to carry and just as easy to use. You can read our full review of the Ricoh GR III for more info.

Is It Worth Buying a Compact Camera?

Yes, compact cameras are serious options. They’re powerful and robust. And they take outstanding photos. They pack a punch, but they’re still small and compact.

In the past, compact digital cameras had a bad name. They were seen as a bit amateur and dull. They were for holiday snaps and family vacations. But things have changed.

Sony, Canon, and Fujifilm all put a lot of effort into developing their compact cameras. And the effort is paying off. As a result, they all have excellent compact camera options on the market.

Conclusion: Best Compact Cameras

The compact camera market is really under pressure from ever-improving smartphone cameras . For the consumer, that’s good news. It means manufacturers have to make their compact options even better!

As you can see from our list, there are some outstanding compact cameras. All of them are excellent in one or many ways. But our top pick is the Fujifilm X100V . It has the looks and the ability.

Its hybrid viewfinder, versatile controls, and compact design make it a top choice. Enthusiasts and professionals seeking a powerful and portable camera will not be disappointed.

11 Best Travel Cameras, According to Experts and Amateurs Alike

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All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

If you’re debating whether to spring for one of the best travel cameras before an upcoming trip, consider this: Yes, a smartphone is perfectly capable of serving the average traveler’s photography goals, but a dedicated camera is required for capturing high-quality memories. The wide angle lens of a smartphone camera can only take its images so far; in spite of technology’s advancements over the years, its zoom feature still degrades photo quality, making them too grainy—in our opinion—to be worth taking. When it comes to travel photography, many of us want to get close and fill the frame with exciting faraway shots like skylines and canyons. A good travel camera also allows the photographer to shoot exciting, fleeting scenes from their trips, like bicycles blurring through a charming street, low-light landscapes like a starry sky, or a city strip flashing with neon lights. Lastly, we’ll leave you with this: In an era when we’re glued to our phones every minute of the day, documenting a trip with a camera allows us to be present in the here and now, and actually connect with the place we’ve traveled so far to experience .

To guide your search for the perfect new device, we’ve tapped experts, editors, and frequent travelers to weigh in on their most-loved cameras. Below, 11 travel cameras to consider bringing on your next adventure.

Find the best travel cameras:

For taking your interest to the next level, for capturing video footage, for emulating the experts, for unserious fun with film.

Larry Guo, a Brooklyn-based reader who studied fine art photography as an undergraduate, loves Fujifilm’s ecosystem of cameras when it comes to taking travel photos. His particular camera of choice is the Fujifilm xT10, a mirrorless digital camera that is significantly more lightweight and portable than a DSLR. “You have all of the abilities of a raw digital camera, but it’s less bulky,” Guo says.

Guo’s recent travels have taken him and his partner Rob to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and throughout Japan . His partner, who has an affinity for landscape photography, uses the Fujifilm XT3, which is a more semi-professional model.

“[Rob] really likes the process of coming home and editing. He enjoys landscape photography, so he brought an extra lens. He took really beautiful shots in Puerto Vallarta of the mist. In Japan, he took beautiful photos all over the place. We had them printed at Griffin Editions in Gowanus [Brooklyn].”

Pallavi Kumar , Condé Nast Traveler’s senior visuals director, is loyal to Fujifilm as well. “Fuji’s image quality and colors are unmatched,” Kumar says. “Sony is supposedly advanced, but Fuji's image quality is something else.” She shoots with the Fujifilm x100V.

Guo added that he has heard terrific things about the point-and-shoot cameras by Ricoh. These high-end point-and-shoots make snapping high-caliber photos on the move easy and seamless, requiring little to no steps before hitting the shutter. “It’s a really well-made point-and-shoot,” he says. “There’s no interchanging lenses. And for most people, that's really what you need. Most people don’t want to travel with multiple lenses.”

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Filmmaker and writer Leslye Davis—who is a co-director of the documentary Father Soldier Son and has worked as a visual journalist at the New York Times —has been taking a camcorder with her on her personal travels. “It keeps me off my cell phone and it makes it easier to keep track of footage but also to edit while you shoot, so it’s fun to watch the shots back-to-back,” she says. For photos, she’s been shooting with the Canon R6. “It’s light and has a silent shutter and the images are high-res.”

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National Geographic underwater wildlife photographer Cristina Mittenmeier previously told Traveler that she shoots with a Sony a7R III . Given the subject matter she captures, she uses it for its extraordinarily high-resolution images and low-light capabilities.

In a previous version of this article, legend Steve McCurry recommended the Leica SL2 and White House photographer Pete Souza recommended the Fujifilm X‑Pro3.

McCurry is famous for his iconic photograph “Afghan Girl,” which was featured on the cover of National Geographic in June 1985. The SL2’s lenses, he said, were the best he’s used, and he praised the camera’s incredible durability. The camera has extremely crisp 5K and 4K recording capabilities, so for users who are traveling in rogue conditions—like windy deserts or beaches with massive waves—the camera’s weather sealing, which keeps out the elements, is key.

The Fujifilm X‑Pro3 is Souza’s favorite walking around camera. It's lightweight and quiet. Souza, who photographed Presidents Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama throughout their terms, recommends planning your travel shots with this camera for the “first two hours of light in the morning, the last two hours of light in the evening, or when the weather is really bad (think fog, rain, or snow).”

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Growing in popularity lately has been Kodak’s new film cameras. Mercedes Bleth , Traveler’s g lobal associate director of social, has been loving the Kodak Ektar H35, a 35mm point-and-shoot film camera that shoots half-frame—which means you get twice as many photos for each roll of film. (A major plus considering film is so expensive.)

“I love taking this little film camera with me on trips,” Bleth says. “It is very compact, lightweight, and easy to use (point-and-shoot at its finest). I find that it's a more present way to capture memories while traveling—it allows you to stay in the moment because you don't spend as much time with your phone in hand, taking too many photos to get the perfect shot. Film is precious (even at half-frame), so what you get is what you get, which in my opinion, makes the memories that much more tangible, and fun to look back on once it's developed.”

I also own this camera in mint green and love how paper-light, affordable, and cute it is. For an even lower stakes experience shooting film, Traveler contributor Lydia Mansel loves her colorful Kodak M35 35mm film camera , a $25 option that is great for those into disposable cameras who want to upgrade to something reusable so they can stop shelling out and throwing away new ones after each trip.

Savvy Travel Advice

Best Compact Cameras for Travel

Last updated: January 1, 2024 - Written by Jessica Norah 116 Comments

Almost everyone takes a camera with them on vacation, and we’ve decided to put together a guide to the best point-and-shoot cameras for travel to help you choose the best option for you. Having a great travel camera will help you capture those wonderful travel moments and share them with your family and friends.

This guide is based on our knowledge and experience as full time professional travel photographers and writers who use a range of cameras on a day to day basis, including point and shoot cameras, smartphone cameras, mirrorless cameras and DSLR cameras. We rarely go anywhere without at least one camera!

Cameras come in all shapes and sizes these days, from the one on your smartphone to compact cameras to professional level DSLRs. We personally think though that the best camera you have is the one on you and one that you know how to use. For many people, a compact camera, often called a point-and-shoot camera, is the perfect travel camera as they are generally small, lightweight, easy to use, and budget friendly.

We’ll help you decide if a point-and-shoot camera is a good choice for you, provide advice on how to choose the best compact camera, and share a list of the best compact cameras currently available across various price points. We also give some tips on how to make the most of your point-and-shoot camera.

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Table of Contents:

Choosing a Point-and-Shoot Camera for Travel Photography

Before we get into all the various compact camera options though, we want to first explain how a compact camera compares to other camera options, point out the advantages and disadvantages of point-and-shoot cameras, and discuss the various features and specs to look for when choosing a compact camera.

What is a Digital Compact Camera?

A compact camera, also commonly known as a point-and-shoot camera, is a small and portable camera which is designed to make photography easy and accessible to everyone.

In most of the world, “compact camera” and “point-and-shoot camera” are used synonymously which is how we use them in this article. However, in some countries, the terms can have different meanings where “compact camera” refers to any smaller lightweight camera and “point-and-shoot” specifically refers to a fully automatic camera regardless of its size.

The idea is that you can point the camera at whatever you want to take a picture of and just press the “shoot” button, and the camera will handle all the technical stuff. It will shoot in an “auto” mode by default and try to choose the best settings given the conditions.

A compact camera is designed to help you capture great photos without needing to understand the underlying mechanics of how a camera works or fiddling with manual settings and dials. However, more advanced compact camera models do allow for those with more photography knowledge to use manual controls and have a number of professional quality features.

Is a Compact Camera the Right Type of Travel Camera for Me?

A compact camera is one of several types of cameras you might choose for taking photos while traveling. Photos from compact cameras are generally perfect for capturing memories, sharing with family and friends, posting on social media, or printing at a standard size.

Point-and-shoot cameras are not, however, generally ideal for professional photography, wildlife photography, portraits, or printing at a larger size. Although the more advanced and expensive compact camera models do have professional-level features, large sensors, and can take very high quality photos.

There are many options when it comes to picking the perfect camera for travel photography, which broadly fit into four major categories: smartphones, mirrorless cameras, and DSLR cameras.

There is also a sub-category of compact cameras known as action cameras, and these are cameras like a GoPro . These are however for very specific types of photography, and aren’t in most cases ideal for general travel photography use. But they can be a great option for the more outdoorsy and adventurous traveler who needs something small and more rugged than a regular camera. You can read our guide to the best action cameras if interested in those.

We’ll compare and contrast compact cameras versus smartphones, mirrorless cameras, and DSLR cameras, and discuss the general advantages and disadvantages of these cameras to help you choose the right type of camera for you.

Canon Powershot ELPH 360 best compact camera for travel point and shoot camera

Point-and-Shoot Camera vs. Smartphone

The first, and probably most common type of camera in the world today is the one in your smartphone. These have the major advantage that nearly all of us have a smartphone which we carry with us everywhere, and the newest ones all have decent cameras. So using these as a camera doesn’t require any additional purchase or gear.

The disadvantage of a smartphone camera is that they are usually very limited in terms of optical zoom, meaning that you can’t usually shoot subjects that are particularly far away. They also tend to have a limited battery life (which also gets eaten up by all the other things you do on your phone), and most have very small sensors which means they don’t perform well in limited light situations.

Smartphone cameras are used by a very large and broad number of people and are probably becoming the most common type of device used by tourists to capture vacation photos. However, because of their limitations they are not normally the sole camera of those wanting to capture high-quality photos or those wanting to use a camera in all situations, but can serve as a good back-up option.

Point-and-Shoot Camera vs. Mirrorless Camera

Mirrorless cameras are the newest type of camera on the market and unlike the DSLRs do not have optical mirrors or an optical viewfinder. They offer interchangeable lenses, meaning you have flexibility in your lens choice, but in a relatively compact form factor compared to more traditional DSLR’s.

They are generally considerably larger, costlier, and bulkier than most point-and-shoot cameras, but do offer improved image quality and flexibility. Mirrorless cameras are popular among keen hobbyists and amateur photographers who want more control over their photography and some professionals.

Point-and-Shoot Camera vs. DSLR

Digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLR) like mirrorless cameras also have interchangeable lens. DSLR cameras were the pinnacle of camera technology, although mirrorless cameras are rapidly catching up to them.

They tend to be the largest and heaviest of all the cameras, but they offer excellent image quality, long battery life, and the widest selection of lenses and accessories due to the fact they have been around the longest. As an example of the lens selection, check out my guide to the best lenses for travel photography , which will give you an idea of what is available.

The disadvantage of DSLRs are their bulk, weight, and cost of these cameras means that they are not the best option for most travelers. DSLRs are generally best suited for professionals or very keen amateur photographers.

Advantages of Compact Cameras

Here are the general advantages of a point-and-shoot camera:

Specifically designed to take photos and be easy to use so that they can be used efficiently by almost anyone.
Better image quality than the majority of smartphones and have optical zooms.
Portable, lightweight, and small. Most models fit easily into pockets, purses, and backpacks, and don’t add much weight to luggage.
Inexpensive compared to other types of cameras and there are many good value options out there.
No expensive additional purchases needed to use the camera. Unlike mirrorless and DSLRS where you have to purchase a camera body and at least one lens, the only extras you need for a point-and-shoot camera is a memory card and perhaps some extra batteries.
Due to their size, point-and-shoot cameras are much more discreet and unobtrusive than larger cameras.
Perfect for capturing memories for those who plan to share photos with family and friends, post on social media, or print at a standard size
Higher end compact cameras have a number of advanced features allowing you more control and can shoot at a quality similar to some mirrorless cameras.
Great for situations where you are worried about damage to a more expensive camera such as during a hiking, climbing, skiing, boating, backpacking, or camping trip.

Disadvantages of Compact Cameras

Here are the disadvantages of a point-and-shoot camera:

Requires you to carry a dedicated camera compared to just using the one on your phone.
Most allow less manual control over photos than with most mirrorless or DSLR camera. This makes it more difficult to do more advanced types of photography like long exposure or time lapse photography.
Small size means that they have smaller sensor sizes than most mirrorless and DSLR cameras, resulting in lower image quality, especially in lower light situations.
Not ideal for those who want to sell their photos, use their photos for professional purposes, do wedding or portrait photography, or print them at larger sizes. Although at the high-end range (over $800) you can get professional quality results.

If after reading this you are leaning more towards a mirrorless or DSLR camera than a point-and-shoot one, I’d check out our mirrorless cameras for travel guide , guide to best DSLR cameras for travel , and this general camera guide .

If your are looking to give a camera as a gift, you might want to also check out our guide to the best gifts for photographers for more ideas.

What to Look for when Buying a Point-and-Shoot Camera for Travel

When you are shopping for a compact camera (or any type of camera), you might find yourself quickly overwhelmed by technical jargon and features, and wonder which of them is actually important. Here are some of the key features you should keep an eye out for when looking at and comparing various camera models.

Optical zoom

An optical zoom is one of the main reasons to invest in a compact camera over a smartphone, so obviously this is an important feature to look out for! The number in the optical zoom signifies the difference in zoom between the most zoomed out setting and the most zoomed in setting.

So for example, a camera with a 10x optical zoom will be able to make an object seem ten times larger from one end of it’s zoom range to the other. We’d suggest a zoom of at least 8x would be a good number to aim for.

Note that optical zooms are not always directly comparable between cameras. Two cameras can have a “10x” optical zoom, but one might make your subjects seem bigger. This is because the “10x” just refers to the difference between the zoomed out and zoomed in positions of the lens, and if one lens has a wider angle at its most zoomed out setting, then the zoomed in result will be different to a lens with a narrower wide angle.

Image stabilization

Image stablization is a really important feature for any camera to offer, and compact cameras are no exception.

Generally when we take pictures, and especially with compact cameras, we are likely to be holding them in our hands. And I don’t know about you, but I find it’s generally impossible to hold anything entirely still for any length of time.

Unfortunately, the motion produced by our hand movements can quickly translate into blurry images that aren’t sharp. Thankfully, image stabilization resolves this problem by compensating for small movements from our hands, and letting us produce images that are still sharp. This is particularly important when shooting in lower light conditions, as the camera has to use a lower shutter speed to let more light in, meaning movement is picked up on the images even more apparently.

It’s also important to have image stabilization when shooting zoomed in as the zoom exacerbates the motion a great deal. So you really want to be sure that any camera with a longer optical zoom, say 8x or higher, has good image stabilization.

Aperture rating

When it comes to compact cameras, you will often see talk of a camera’s aperture rating. Usually this is denoted as a sequence of number, say 3.5 – 5.6, and may also be written at f/3.5 – f5.6.

The aperture of a camera refers to the size of the hole inside the lens through which light passes through. In most cameras, this aperture is variable and the camera can change the size of the aperture to let more or less light in, depending on the scene.

As a rule of thumb, the smaller the aperture number, the bigger the actual aperture, and the more light the camera will be able to let in. This will lead to improved image quality, especially in low light situations, and wider apertures are a desirable feature.

If you see the aperture is labeled as something like 3.5 – 5.6, this means that the maximum aperture varies depending on the zoom. So at its most zoomed out setting, a camera may have a maximum (widest) aperture of 3.5, and when zoomed in, the maximum aperture will reduce to 5.6.

Overall, the wider the maximum aperture, the better, as this will let more light in. A maximum aperture of f/3.5 or higher would be ideal, with more expensive cameras offering apertures as wide as f/1.8.

Sensor size

The sensor inside the camera is the modern day equivalent of a piece of film, and this is the part of the camera which records the light and saves it as image data.

The size of the image sensor is directly related to the quality of the image the camera will produce, with larger sensors producing better images. So generally the larger the sensor, the better quality the photos will be, especially in lower light situations.

For a long time, most compact cameras had similarly sized smaller sensors, but as of 2012, 1 inch sensor camera have become more popular. These offer improved image quality and better low-light performance, although the cameras tend to be a little bit heavier and more expensive as a result.

RAW / Manual controls

If you would like to have a bit more control over your photography process, you might want to invest in a camera that offers manual controls and/or RAW image support .

Manual controls just mean that you can adjust the settings of the camera, and specifically shutter speed, aperture and ISO yourself. So if you want to have more control over your settings, this may be a feature you want.

RAW is a file format and describes how the camera saves the image data, and RAW is essentially an uncompressed unaltered version of the more common JPG or JPEG file format. But unlike JPG or JPEG files which can be used, shared, or printed directly, RAW files cannot be used directly and need to be opened through a program and edited in a software program like Lightroom in order to create a usable image.

If you don’t see yourself doing either of these features, and just want a point and shoot camera that does everything for you and produces usable images, these are unlikely to be features you should worry about paying extra to get. However, if you think that in the future you may want more control over your photography, you might invest in a camera with these features but you can set the camera in Auto mode and use JPG or JPEG images until that time.

Video features / 4K support

Although compact cameras are mainly used to take photos, most compact camera these days also features video support. So if you are comparing cameras and there doesn’t seem to be much between them, take a look at the video support which might be a way to tell them apart.

As a rule of thumb, cheaper cameras shoot in lower resolutions. 720p is usually the lowest resolution available, followed by 1080p and finally, the most modern compact cameras offer high resolution 4K support.

Shooting video is quite demanding for a camera, so only a camera with fast image processing hardware can shoot at higher resolutions like 1080p and 4K. If you are thinking about doing video, then you might want to invest in a camera with 4K video support.

Many of the camera in this guide feature WiFi connectivity. WiFi connectivity isn’t critical but it is a handy feature that allows you to remotely control the camera and copy pictures from the camera to your smartphone or computer for easy sharing without having to use the camera cable or remove the memory card.

NFC (Near-Field Communications) is another technology that many cameras come with. This is a very short range wireless transmission technology that makes it easy to connect two devices together, such as when you want to pair your phone to your camera. This is definitely a “nice to have” but not a necessity, as you usually only need to pair your phone and your camera once, so I would definitely advise against worrying if a camera doesn’t have this one!

Battery life

Battery life is an often overlooked feature, but one that you will definitely start to care about when you find out that you camera dies after only taking 150 photos!

The battery life of compact cameras definitely varies a lot. It’s usually rated by number of shots the camera should be able to take in “average” conditions, although what exactly these conditions are is often a little vague. It’s always worth checking online reviews from real people to see if anyone reports noticeably lower battery life than that suggested by the manufacturer.

Generally you’ll want a camera that will go for around 300 shots or more per charge, although bear in mind that those big touch screens and additional features can drain batteries. Plus, you can always buy extra batteries quite easily, so don’t make this a deal breaker if it’s the only feature you’re not impressed by.

Size & Weight

Although most compact cameras are by nature fairly small and lightweight, there is a lot of variation in terms of size and weight of the cameras that are marketed as compact cameras. So it is important to still pay attention to the weight and dimension information, especially if size and/or weight is important to you.

Compact cameras often range between about 4 ounces (113 grams) and 14 ounces (396 grams) in weight, with the majority at 10 ounces or less. Cameras with larger sensors and more features are often heavier than more basic models.

In terms of size dimensions, most point-and-shoot cameras are 4 to 5 inches (102 mm to 127 mm) in width, 2 to 3 inches (50 mm to 76 mm) in height, and 1 to 2 inches (25 mm to 50 mm) in depth.

One of the reasons most people choose compact cameras is because they are smaller and more lightweight. The tradeoff, of course, is they lack some features that are common on mirrorless and DSLR cameras. So we’d look for cameras at 12 ounces or less. If you are OK with heavier and bulkier cameras, you might instead consider a mirrorless camera as you can find consumer-level mirrorless cameras in that weight range.

We list the weight for the camera as per Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) standards which includes the approximate weight of the camera body with the camera battery and memory card.

The cameras on our list range between about 4 oz. (113 g) and 12 oz. (340 g). These camera can usually fit easily into large clothing pockets, small purses, backpack pockets, and fanny packs. They can also be comfortably worn with a camera strap around the neck or across the body.

Image burst shooting

Last on our list of features to look out for is burst rate, also known as continuous shooting or continuous frame rate. This refers to how many pictures the camera can take if you put it into burst mode, often used for capturing the moment when shooting action scenes.

Like video, continuous shooting requires high end camera hardware, and if a camera has a high burst rate, you can be fairly confident that the hardware inside is top notch. Of course, it’s not important for everyone and not a feature most people looking for a compact camera care too much about, but it can certainly be nice to have a better burst rate.

As an example of the difference, the Canon Elph 180 has a burst rate of 0.8 photos per second, which isn’t exactly great. The Sony RX100 VII on the other hand, can take 24 photos every second. Quite a difference!

The Best Compact Cameras for Travel Photography

Now we’re going to go through what we think are the ten best compact cameras for travel photography across a variety of price points. These are ordered by price, from least expensive to most expensive. For each pick, we’re going to share a little bit of detail of each model. This compact camera comparison will hopefully help you choose the perfect camera for you.

We have chosen point-and-shoot cameras that we think would be ideal for every budget. Note that our suggested starting price point is $100 USD and while there are some cheaper compact cameras out there, we think at that price point you would likely be better off sticking with your smartphone rather than investing in something that may not perform well.

Here is our list of the best point-and-shoot cameras for travel photography.

Note that many brands are no longer actively developing compact cameras and stock levels have started to become low for some models. Unfortunately, with the switch to smartphones, we don’t forsee this situation improving significantly any time soon.

1. Canon PowerShot ELPH 180

If price is your key consideration, then this Canon Powershot Elph is a great option. Both Jess and I’s first compact digital camera were from the Canon ELPH range. We were always impressed by the image quality and features given the price point.

With image stabilization, an 8x optical zoom, a variety of creative shooting modes, and positive reviews, this is a great entry level compact camera for those on a tighter budget. Very lightweight at only 4.44 ounces and will even fit into your pocket.

Note there’s a very similar model, the Elph 190 . This has a slightly wider zoom range, and includes WiFi connectivity. It’s also marginally heavier and slightly more expensive.

Weight : ~ 4.44 ounces / 126 grams Check price on Amazon here , B&H here , and Adorama here

2. Sony DSC-W830

Sony have an excellent reputation for building excellent cameras, and even at the lower end of the price spectrum this little compact camera offers a number of great features.

Weight: ~ 4.23 oz / 120 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here , and Adorama here

3. Canon PowerShot ELPH 360

The Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 is another excellent compact camera from Canon at a budget price point. With a 12x optical zoom and image stabilization, this model also offers a number of extra features over the lower end models, including Wi-Fi connectivity and NFC.

If you’re into video, this PowerShot also lets you shoot at 1080p high definition, which is a step up from the 720p of the Sony. The extra optical zoom is also nice. Lightweight at around 5 oz. Offers great value at this price point.

Weight: ~ 5.19 oz / 147 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here , and Adorama here

4. Sony Cybershot WX220

Our next compact camera recommendation is another Sony, this one offering a few more features at a slightly higher price point. The main focus on this camera is its small physical size – somehow this diminutive compact camera manages to fit a 10x optical zoom with image stabilization, Wi-Fi, and NFC into a package weighing just over 4 oz!

Definitely an excellent option if size is a primary concern. The image quality also receives positive feedback from reviewers.

Weight: ~ 4.27 oz / 121 g Check price on Amazon here

5. Panasonic Lumix ZS70 / TZ90

Stepping up the price a little bit, this is the first entry on our list from Panasonic, who have a solid reputation for making excellent compact cameras. This ZS70 is no exception, and your extra money largely goes towards the lens as this camera offers an impressive 30x optical zoom lens. This makes it perfect for capturing the action even when it’s far away.

You also get a number of other features, including good low light performance, the option to shoot in RAW for more control over your images, and an advanced optical stabilization system.

This is also the first compact camera in our list to feature an electronic viewfinder, which can make taking photos in brighter conditions easier.

It does come in at a little over 11 oz when you add the battery and memory card, but considering the size of the zoom, this might be a worthwhile compromise. This is our pick for the best compact camera at this price point.

Note that the Panasonic Lumix ZS70 is the same as the Panasonic Lumix TZ90 which is the camera model name in some markets such as the UK.

Weight : ~ 11.3 oz / 322 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here , and Adorama here

6. Sony RX100

The Sony RX100 line of compact cameras marked a shift in compact camera thinking when first released in 2012, as it was one of the first compact cameras to feature a “1-inch” sensor. This larger sensor meant better quality images and better performance in low light situations, and the camera was named best invention of the year in 2012 by Time Magazine .

Since its release, seven models of the RX100 have been released, but if you look around you can still pick up the original, and to be honest, it’s an absolute bargain for what you get. With full manual controls, a 3.6x optical zoom, and a weight of 8.5 oz, this is a great compact travel camera for the price.

Weight : ~ 8.47 oz / 240 g Check price on Amazon here

7. Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II

As with the Sony RX100, the well regarded PowerShot G9 Mark X II compact camera from Canon features a 1-inch sensor, offering good low-light performance and superb image quality.

The G9 X Mark II only features a 3x optical zoom. However, it has a wealth of manual controls, RAW support and a touch screen, as well as fast burst shooting and Wi-Fi support. All this fits in a package that weighs just over 7 ounces. If image quality means more to you than optical zoom, this is a good deal. This would be our pick for the best compact camera in this price range.

Weight : ~ 7.26 oz / 206 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here , and Adorama here

8. Canon PowerShot SX740 HS

If optical zoom is more important to you than a large image sensor, then the Canon PowerShot SX740 should definitely be on your compact travel camera shortlist.

This model offers a remarkable 40x optical zoom, image stabilization, 4K video support, the ability to shoot at a fast 10 frames per second as well as a tilting LCD screen. It also offers manual controls, but no RAW support. That optical zoom does increase the weight a bit though, to just over 10 ounces.

Weight : ~ 10.55 oz / 299 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here , and Adorama here

9. Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200

The last few cameras in our compact travel camera round up are somewhat more expensive, but you certainly get what you pay for, with near professional level features and image quality in remarkably small formats.

If you have the budget, this would definitely be our pick for the best point and shoot camera under $1,000.

Note that the Panasonic Lumix ZS200 is the same camera as the Panasonic Lumix TZ200. It just marked under different names in different markets.

Weight : ~ 11.9 oz / 340 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here , and Adorama here

10. Canon G5X Mark II

New in 2019 from Canon is the Canon G5X Mark II, one of Canon’s premium compact camera options.

The G5X Mark II features a 20.2MP 1 inch sensor, a 5x optical zoom optically stabilised lens with a wide f/1.8 – f/2.8 aperture, meaning this will perform relatively well in low light situations.

There’s a tilting touchscreen as well as a popup electronic viewfinder. The camera can shoot in RAW continuously at 20fps as well as 30fps in burst mode, and there are full manual controls as well.

There’s 4K video support, a built-in flash, as well as both bluetooth and wifi connectivity. It comes in at 12 oz, and has a rated battery life of 230 shots. You can charge the camera in battery via USB, and it also comes with an external battery charger so you have the option of both.

11. Sony RX100 VII

At the top of Sony’s RX100 range is the RX100 VII. Released in August 2019, this offers a 1-inch sensor alongside an 8x stabilized optical zoom, world-leading autofocus performance, 24fps burst shooting, 4K video recording. and WiFi video connectivity. It also has RAW support and full manual controls.

Naturally, image quality is superb, and the camera manages to fit all this into a package that weighs just over 10 oz. It can’t quite match the optical zoom of the Panasonic Lumix TZ200, but it certainly has an impressive pedigree.

We currently have a prior version of this camera, the Sony Cyber-Shot RX100 V , and can recommend this model if you are looking for something less expensive. It’s a great compact camera.

Weight : ~ 10.7 oz / 302 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here , and Adorama here

**You can also see all the compact cameras we recommend above in a single page on Amazon here with current prices for an easy and handy reference.**

Tips for Taking the Best Photos with a Compact Camera

Now that you’ve hopefully decided on the best point-and-shoot camera for you, we wanted to share a few tips for getting the most out of your new compact camera. We also have a guide to using a compact camera here , which you might find helpful.

Learn how to use your camera properly

I always think that you will get more out of your equipment if you understand the various features, modes, and buttons that it offers. Whilst the idea behind a point and shoot is to make your photography life easier, every camera has a variety of features that can help you take better photos. We’d suggest having a look through your camera’s owner’s manual, or looking online for information about your particular camera model.

It is also important that you understand how to enable and disable features on your camera if required. For example, when traveling there are often restrictions on the use of flash photography, especially in museums which house valuable art and objects that can be damaged by light. Flash is often set as automatic on compact cameras so being able to disable and enable features like this can be really important.

Finally, learning the limitation of your camera can be the difference between frustration and understanding. For example, point-and-shoot cameras are not usually great in low-light situations, so if you are trying to take photos in a dark room or at night, you are probably not going to get the most ideal photo. However, you can compensate for limitations such as this one by using a tripod or finding a low light mode that helps.

Learn how to compose a great photo

Many people think that the better a camera, the better the photo will be. This is untrue. Someone who knows how to compose a great photo can usually get good results, regardless of their photography gear.

Photography composition is the art of understanding what makes a good photo, and how to place your subjects, using ideas such as the rule of thirds, color, and leading lines. Check out our full guide to photography composition for more ideas.

Learn some basic editing techniques

In the case of point-and-shoot cameras, especially if you are shooting in JPG, for the most part, images will look good straight out of the camera. However, you might want to learn some basic photo editing techniques so you can do things like crop images, straighten photos, fix red eyes, adjust the lighting, and so on.

For editing on smartphones or tablets, we highly recommend Snapseed ( Android app version / iOS version ), which is an excellent free photo editing tool app. On computers, your camera may come with free editing software or you can a free online editor like Canva or one like PicMonkey (small monthly fee).

Or for more serious editing, we recommend investing in something like Adobe PhotoShop or Lightroom . You can see our list of paid and free photo editors to decide what might be best for you.

Take advantage of the light

Photography is the art of capturing the light, but did you know that not all light is the same when it comes to photography? For example, the light at the start and the end of the day, around sunset and sunrise, is generally softer and warmer, and results in more pleasing images. In contrast to this, the light in the middle of the day is usually a bit harsher and less flattering.

As well as time of day, direction, and availability of light is important. Generally, the more light that is illuminating a subject the better. If the sun is covered by clouds and you can wait until the clouds move, you will generally get a better photo with more color and pop. Although the sun is a photographer’s friend, you will generally want to avoid shooting directly into the sun as this will result in very high contrast photos.

Consider getting some camera accessories

Although you won’t need as many accessories as larger cameras, there are still a few extras you’ll likely want to consider:

Extra batteries and memory cards. To ensure you can use your camera all day while out traveling, you’ll want to keep spare memory cards and batteries (and maybe your charger) handy. For the best performance of your memory card (and to keep from having to replace it a lot), we recommend getting a larger and faster one, we use these ones . Also remember that in cold weather, batteries will drain faster and you can check out these cold weather photography tips .
Camera case to store the camera and protect it when not in use, particularly recommended for those using it as a travel camera. We recommend a protective case like this one (we use the large version of this one for our Sony RX100 V) or this one that will easily fit where you need it (e.g., purse) and store your camera plus your most used accessories (e.g., spare batteries, cable, and memory cards). Some cases come with shoulder or neck strap and a way to affix to a belt or belt buckle.
You probably won’t need a camera strap with a lightweight compact camera. However, if you choose a heavier model or prefer to have your camera around your neck when traveling, a camera strap might be a good investment. Many of the colorful iMo straps are great for more lightweight cameras.
If you want to enhance your photography, you might want to consider a tripod. A tripod can help you shoot in low light conditions, capture better photos of yourself , and take better couple photos when traveling. Although a bulky tripod is not ideal for traveling, you can get a foldable mini-tripod like this one that can fit into a purse or backpack. We have a travel tripod guide to help you explore your options.

Think about taking a photography course

Finally, photography is very much a skill that benefits from practice and training, and one of the best way to improve is to take a photography class or workshop. Laurence teaches a popular online travel photography course which allow you to learn at your own pace while getting personalized feedback. The course will teach you everything you need to know about taking better travel photos, and it even has a whole lesson dedicated to how to get better photos with a compact camera.

Whether you decide to take a course or not, one of the best ways to improve your photography is to practice, practice, practice. Don’t just dust off your compact camera when its time to take a vacation or capture a special event. Take your camera with you to family outings, hikes, cafes, museums, sporting events, and even while out walking the dog.

Take the time to look through your photos with a critical eye, and you’ll naturally see improvement with more practice. Practice, experiment, and have fun!

And that’s it for our advice on choosing the best compact camera for travel! Hope this helps give you if you are looking for a compact camera or trying to take better photos with your point-and-shoot c amera.

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A guide to the best compact cameras for travel at every price point. We'll help you decide how to choose the best compact camera and share a list of the best compact point-and-shoot cameras currently available for any budget. We also give some tips on how to make the most of your point-and-shoot camera when you take it on your next vacation. #travelcamera #travelphotography #travel #compactcameras #pointandshootcamera #photography #budgettravel #cameras

Do you have any of your own tips or advice choosing or use a point-and-shoot camera? Have a questions about compact cameras or travel photography? If so, just let us know in the comments below!

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Anne Post author

November 16, 2022 at 7:09 am

Hi! I am planning a trip to the UK in September, and I have heard it can be quite a wet climate at that time. I will be traveling through Scotland and Ireland and I am looking for a camera that takes landscape pictures and video as well as good pictures of the numerous attractions I will be touring. Ease of use and battery life are of a higher priority. What camera would you recommend for me?

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

November 16, 2022 at 8:28 am

Yes, it can be quite wet here in the UK and Ireland so it is good to consider that when packing both your clothing as well as your gear. So for a camera, most compact cameras have little or no real weatherproofing (generally the best weather proofing and sealing is on the larger and more expensive camera models). So they are not designed for being used in the rain and can get water trapped inside if they get rained on or submerged in water. But you can easily prepare for this by simply having a waterproof camera case, bag, or even a sealable dry bag or Ziploc bag with you so you can always put it in there to protect it. Many camera bags and cases come with an included raincover if they are not waterproof.

So if it is raining hard or blowing rain and have a camera without any weathersealing, we’d probably recommend putting away and protecting your camera. But if it is just drizzling/sprinkling you can often still shoot if under an unbrella, camera rain cape, awning, etc. But to be honest, if it is pouring down rain, you are unlikely to get any good shots anyway 😉

So in terms of cameras, it really depends on your budget. But if you want a general recommendation of a mid-range compact camera, we’d suggest considering perhaps this Panasonic Lumix compact camera , which offers 380 shot battery life, has a great zoom, 20.3 megapixel sensor, and is pretty easy to use. Gets good reviews. But if you would like more suggestions, just let us know your budget.

Hope that helps, and just let us know if you have any further questions as you choose a camera and plan your trip to Scotland & Ireland!

Best, Jessica

Friadon Kader Post author

July 26, 2022 at 10:26 am

Hi I fully injoid your article, many useful subjects. I haven’t read the comments. I have a comment about choosing a compact/point-and-shoot camera which is”GPS” built. I did not see any referring to GPS in your article, it is very crucial to geotag any photo or video. I am looking for a compact/point and shoot camera with a focus on some criteria as: must be compact, GPS build-in, an optical zoom greater than 10, touch screen “3´”, wifi, good aperture and finally a price up to 800 $. Best Friadon

July 28, 2022 at 3:12 am

Hi Friadon,

So as you have observed, very few compact cameras these days come with GPS built in, and so it wasn’t a criteria we included as you will have a hard time finding a newer cameras with this feature. It was a popular feature a few years ago, but most manufacturers no longer include it as most users didn’t use it and so to save cost they leave it out. This is the same for larger cameras as well. We also like to geotag our images, so appreciate this is a bit frustrating.

The main issue with built-in GPS is that it uses a lot of battery so was mainly a feature on DSLRs as they typically don’t use as much battery as mirrorless and compact cameras. For example, the DSLR camera bodies we own have built-in GPS but neither our mirrorless or compact cameras offer this feature.

The good news is that many camera manufacturers still allow you to geotag your photos by pairing the camera with a smartphone, and then the app adds geotagging information from the phone as you go. This is an extra step you have to remember to do, but it does work, and is what we currently do with our mirrorless camera which does not have built-in WiFi. So you will just need to check to see if the manufacturer and camera you choose supports this and has an app that can do the geotagging.

Some example, cameras that include this functionality are various Sony compact cameras including the Sony RX-100 VII, RX100 VI, DSC-WX800, DSC-WX700, DSC-HX99, DSC-HX95. It’s also supported on the Panasonic ZS200. Other brands like Canon should also support it but you would need to check.

Based on your requirements, I would say the Panasonic ZS200 might be the best option, it has a 1 inch sensor, 15x optical zoom, relatively wide aperture and a touch screen. It’s also under budget. The other option would be the RX100 VI , which has similar features but it is more expensive. Performance on both is quite similar in most situations.

Hope this helps! Laurence

July 28, 2022 at 9:43 am

Hi Jessica & Laurence Norah Thanks a lot to you wherever you are on this planet. Your information is clear and useful. I came to a lot closer to decide my next camera. Especially these criteria as an app helps to geotag, compact form, 3´ inch touch, excellent optical zoom, wide aperture, 4k and at last under my budget is exactly what I am looking for. Sony cameras are excellent but usually overpriced everywhere even in my country Denmark. But the “Panasonic ZS200” might be the proper choice for me at this time. last week I spent a lot of time finding a camera close to all my preferences, but now I have this option Panasonic ZS200 from you. Usually, I am using my smartphone while I am travelling I enjoy plotting my photos on a google map “Coordinates and names” thanks to the GPS in the smartphone. But as we know smartphones are proper for taking photos to close, up to 7-10 meters away. Greeting Friadon

Laurence Post author

July 29, 2022 at 6:29 am

Glad to hear it was helpful! We hope you enjoy your new camera 🙂

Laurence & Jess

Friadon Post author

July 29, 2022 at 7:45 am

Hi Laurence & Jess

Thanks for your time and assistance, good luck.

Best Friadon

Zeb Grassi Post author

July 12, 2022 at 5:34 am

great post, a bit overwhelmed though as don’t know much about cameras. Just want a pocket camera that has decent zoom and fairly easy to use so can get good photos when traveling on an upcoming trip. Budget for camera up to around $500 or less. Live in USA. thanks for your kind assistance.

July 12, 2022 at 5:44 am

I would recommend taking a look at the Panasonic ZS70 . Based on what you are wanting, it sounds like it would be a good option, it is compact, has good image quality, good zoom, and comes in under your budget.

Hope that helps. If you have any further questions, just let us know!

Pam Post author

July 7, 2022 at 12:24 pm

Not sure what the update was, since nearly every camera is out of stock. Shame, because I thought the assessment was terrific and would have like to see more of your work. However, based on the comment dates this information is 4 years old, and there’s been plenty of changes since then.

July 8, 2022 at 5:16 am

This post was updated earlier this year. These are our latest recommendations for compact cameras. All the links worked fine when we checked today.

Unfortunately, the compact camera segment has become a little stagnant over the past years as consumers switch to smartphones or more powerful options. We checked all the cameras on our list and they are all showing as in stock on Amazon. B&H has less stock, but they don’t tend to focus on compact cameras, and there have been worldwide supply chain issues which are likely also contributing to that. But it will depend on where you live but if you live in US, Canada, Japan, or most of Europe, you should be able to get most of these camera models online. It can be a bit harder in other markets as it is with all types of cameras.

Some of the cameras we list have been discontinued by the manufacturer, but we keep them on the list while there is stock available and either a) they haven’t released an upgraded version or b) the upgraded version doesn’t offer significant improvements (such as the Panasonic ZS70 to ZS80) that make it worth paying more for.

We do keep this post up to date, as we strive to with all our content, however the reality is that there hasn’t been a lot new to recommend when it comes to compact cameras over the last couple of years, and as such our current recommendations still stand.

Which compact cameras are you interested in and where do you live? We are happy to try to see if we can help point in the right direction where you can purchase the camera of interest or suggest an alternative if it is not available in your particular region of the world.

Best, Jessica & Laurence

Anna Post author

August 14, 2021 at 6:30 am

Great article!

I have the Sony DSC-W830 and we love it. It’s very compact and cheap too! We bring it anywhere and let the kids use it. Will definitely consider the other cameras on this list, though.

Stay safe and cool!

August 14, 2021 at 10:31 am

Thanks for taking the time to let us know that you enjoyed our compact cameras for travel article!

Glad you like your Sony DSC-W830 . Sony makes nice compact cameras and that is definitely one of the better priced on our list. It was released in 2014, so there are definitely better models out there when you need to upgrade or replace it, but that camera sounds like it is great for your current needs!

If you have any questions about point-and-shoot cameras just let us know!

william henry Post author

February 3, 2021 at 11:51 am

I love travelling and want to buy this compact camera. Thanks for share!

February 8, 2021 at 6:24 am

Hi William,

Glad our compact camera guide was helpful in choosing a camera – if you have any questions about a specific camera, just let us know!

Steve martin Post author

November 9, 2020 at 3:13 am

Thanks for such an amazing blog, great information about compact cameras.

November 9, 2020 at 5:57 am

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and let us know it was helpful. If you are looking for a new compact camera and have any questions, feel free to ask!

John Post author

June 1, 2020 at 10:57 pm

Hi Cats, I am looking for a camera at the moment and I’m finding it very difficult to choose the right one. I love your photos and I’m very interested in what you use to take them. I have a few questions I hope you can answer. 1) What camera models do you use for this website and in what situations do you use each of the cameras? I would love to be able to associate a camera to a picture if possible. 2) If you could only use one camera from a number of cameras you own which one would it be and why? 3) Which camera do you use the most? 4) Which camera do you love the most and if you don’t use it the most why is that? 5) If you’re looking at upgrading to another model of camera(s) at the moment which model(s) are they? 6) I have looked at your photos in more detail and have noticed that you have managed to reduce photo file sizes to a very small size (like 65KB and under) and still have the pictures looking great. What software do you use to reduce the file size? I only seem to be able to reduce down to 80-100KB at the most before a noticeable drop in quality. Can you tell me the settings you typically use in your software package to reduce the file size down to these very small file sizes. 7) At the moment I am torn between a camera with a larger sensor (1 inch) or a better zoom (30x or 40x). If you had to choose a camera based on having one of these advantages alone and giving up the other, which would you prefer to have? By the way this website is awesome. I look forward to exploring more of it. All the best, John

June 2, 2020 at 8:14 am

We have used a variety of cameras to take photos on Independent Travel Cats and Finding the Universe as photos span over a 10 year timeline! So these are no easy answer to that question as it depends on the specific photo as we have used over 10 different cameras. You can check here, for a list of all the travel photography and camera gear we are currently using.

But in general, the camera we use most during our travels is a Canon EOS 6D, this is a DSLR camera so I would guess most photos were taken with that camera across our two travel blogs. But for example, in this post, all the photos (those that are not photos of compact cameras) were taken with a compact camera since it is a post about compact cameras.

But our go-to camera is the Canon EOS 6D as we both have one of these which makes it easy to share lenses. It has a full frame sensor and takes great photos and is a camera we both enjoy using. However, for most people wanting an all-around travel camera, we’d generally recommend a smaller camera such as a mirrorless camera since they are generally more travel friendly.

There is no one best camera for travel, but you should choose one that best fits your needs, how you plan to use, where you plan to use, and your budget. The more important thing is learning how to use your camera to the best of its ability.

The last camera we bought was a Sony RX100 V compact camera. I am not sure what our next camera might be, but perhaps a Canon mirrorless camera. This year’s EOS R5 and R6 releases look very exciting and we hope to get a chance to check them out at this year’s Photography Show.

Image sizing can be a complicated topic, and comes down to both compression and file size. We do almost our editing and exporting through Adobe Lightroom and then further compression through WordPress plugins. Laurence has written about some of this in his guide to image compression here .

Whether you prioritize a large sensor or long zoom really depends on the type of photography you want to do. A larger sensor is better in lower light situations, whereas a longer zoom is better for wildlife and shooting things in the distance. So there’s no one size fits all, it just depends on the type of photos you want to take

It sounds like you have a lot of questions around photography, and we’d definitely recommend checking out Laurence’s Online Photography Course where he covers the basics of photography, how to choose a camera and camera gear, mobile photography, photo editing, advanced techniques, and much more. You also have access to unlimited help from Laurence and a group of like-minded individuals interested in photography.

Hope that helps!

June 3, 2020 at 3:00 am

Hi Jessica, thanks for the great response. I have signed up for your Online Photography Course which looks fantastic so consider me one of the family now. All the best, John

June 3, 2020 at 6:41 am

Awesome to hear, and glad to have you aboard 😉 I think you’ll find the course, the assignments, the private Facebook group, and everything really helpful!

Eli Post author

May 10, 2020 at 10:10 am

HI and thank you for this informative article. We are looking for a camera and would like your advice: this are the features that are important to us: 1. large zoom 2. large sensor 3. under 500$ 4. easy to handle in auto mode

These are the cameras we were looking at, would like to know your advice which would give us the best results: Sony RX100 I, PANASONIC LUMIX ZS100, Canon PowerShot SX530 (small sensor), Canon PowerShot G9 (small zoom), Canon PowerShot SX740 (small sensor) Please advise either between those 5 or if you have a different camera in mind Thank you so much!

May 10, 2020 at 11:01 am

We are happy to help! Based on what you want in a compact camera and price point, I would say the only really contender out of those is the Panasonic Lumix ZS100 .

The RX100 I has a small zoom (up until the RX100 VI model the zoom is only 3x). You have already done a great job of highlighting the shortcomings of some of the cameras you have picked, and I believe the ZS100 is really the only camera that really meets all your criteria from your list.

So I think the Panasonic Lumix ZS100 is an excellent choice available at a great price, and I think you’ll be happy with it. Feel free to follow-up and let us know what you decide and how you like it.

Best, Laurence

May 10, 2020 at 1:14 pm

Thank you! I will

May 10, 2020 at 9:27 pm

Hi again, Just before I buy – how about the PANASONIC LUMIX FZ1000 it has larger zoom and same sensor, a bit more expensive but still in the budget. What do you think? Thank you again so much

May 14, 2020 at 5:34 am

The Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 is a much larger camera, more similar in size to a small DSLR rather than a compact camera. It is a bridge camera so it does not have interchangeable lenses, so in that way it is similar to a compact camera.

But if you are OK with the size and weight of the PANASONIC LUMIX FZ1000, you do get a much longer optical zoon and it will have slightly better image quality and capabilities in low light. But since this is not a compact camera, the two are not directly comparable.

So I think if you are considering those two, you’ll have to decide between the increased features versus the size/weight.

Hope that helps! Jessica

Dave Post author

April 7, 2020 at 11:26 am

Awesome article; the only thing that needs (IMO) rectifying is entering camera weight in grams as weird ounces just don’t cut it. I’m leaning towards Panasonic zs100 but still deciding. Hmm.

April 7, 2020 at 12:08 pm

We will add more of the measurements in grams in a future revision for those who are not familiar with ounces 😉 But it is easy to convert as 1 ounce equals about 28 grams.

The Panasonic ZS100 is a good camera with a nice optical zoom and a decent price. Just let us know if you have any questions as you try to decide on a compact camera!

Lyn Post author

March 21, 2020 at 4:29 pm

Great information! I am struggling to decide what type of compact camera to buy .( even after your wonderful post ) I want a zoom but also good image quality. Would probably only print to 8 x 10 ( possible 11 x17 max ) . If you had to choose which would you recommend , Panasonic Lumix SZ70 or PowerShot SX740. Which has better image quality. Also does Lumix ZS 200 have noticeably better image at 8 x 10 ( 11×17) to warrant twice the price .,

Thanks so much , Lyn

March 22, 2020 at 5:54 am

Between the Panasonic Lumix SZ70 and the Canon Powershot SX740, we would recommend the Lumix SZ70 . It has more manual controls, RAW support, a touch screen, and a viewfinder. While it doesn’t have quite as much optical zoom as the Canon, image quality on the Canon tends to drop off at those longer zooms anyway.

For printing, the Lumix ZS70 (and most cameras on the market) would be fine at that size. Choosing the Lumix ZS200 might make sense if you plan on doing more indoor or low light photography when the larger sensor will make a more noticeable difference to your images – they should be less grainy. However, for more general outdoor photography where there is plenty of light I don’t think you would notice much difference that would justify the much higher price tag, it is certainly not twice as good!

Hope that helps! Jessica & Laurence

March 22, 2020 at 8:05 am

Thank you, that helps a lot !

Rob Post author

March 3, 2020 at 12:21 pm

Ease of use is really important if you not a “serious” photographer. Which of your recommendations are the easiest to use out of the box. My spouse would like something compact and better than her iPhone camera. She sees me struggling to remember how to use my Sony RX100 VI with all its manual options. We would like something that is compact, has a good sensor, has a good optical capabilities, and just a few important manual controls.

March 3, 2020 at 1:53 pm

In terms of those that are most simple to use, most compact cameras are designed to be able to used out of the box and in “Auto” only mode. So most of the cameras will get the settings correct or close to correct when taking a shot most of the time.

If you want a larger sensor, I’d look at the last 3 cameras on the list (by Canon, Panasonic, and Sony). We have the Sony RX100 camera and we find it usually does well just in Auto Mode (or in a setting such as Aperture Priority mode) and has a 1 inch sensor. So someone could probably use the camera that way most of time and still get good photos. But if you want something with less buttons/controls, then you’ll want to look at the less expensive options but then they will have reduced sized sensors. So the compact cameras with larger sensors usually have more manual controls and are geared to more professional users, so you’ll likely have to balance those two wants.

I’d let her have a go with just using your Sony first since you already have it and just set it in Auto and see what she thinks. Also knowing her likes and dislikes on handling that camera may help give you some tips for finding a better one that would suit her.

Another idea if mirrorless cameras are also in consideration is the Fujifilm AX-5 as it is one of the most compact mirrorless cameras. It is also supposed to work really great in Auto and is marketed as a good camera for those looking for a step up from a smartphone.

Hope that helps, and happy to help further if you have more questions.

Jenny Post author

February 29, 2020 at 1:43 pm

Hello, Which Point and Shoot Camera would you recommend that shows a date printed right on the photo ? We like to see a date on the pictures. Thanks

March 1, 2020 at 5:10 am

Several compact cameras do offer the option to add the date stamp on the photos, but many do not. We know that most (perhaps all) of the Canon Powershot ELPH cameras offer this option, including the Canon ELPH 180 . Same with the Sony RX100 range of compact cameras. For instance, I just double-checked and this is a setting available in our Sony RX100 V . So I would just check the specific model before making a purchase if this is a feature you really want.

If there is a specific camera you are considering or a specific budget range, happy to try to check for you.

However, we would generally recommend against adding the print stamps into your print settings in your camera as it will be permanently added to your image, and you’ll never have the option to remove it or change it. So just be sure you will want it on the photos before turning the feature on. You can, of course, change it and turn it on for some photos and off for others. Also be sure that the date and time are correctly set in your camera first (and when traveling you may need to manually change this) before using the feature.

A more flexible option would be to do this with photo editing software or a plugin. For example, free software like FastStone lets you batch add this to your images, which you can save as a copy.

March 1, 2020 at 8:01 am

Thanks Jessica. Your reply was very helpful. We do want the date stamp. We are looking at 3 different camera’s. Out of these 3 Camera’s wish would you recommend as the best one for us to purchase:

Canon Power Short G7 Mark II Nikon Coolpix A1000 Samsung WB350F

We are trying to stay away from Sony. We weren’t happy with the last Sony we purchased. We like Panasonic too. Thank you so much.

March 1, 2020 at 9:15 am

You’re very welcome 😉

So of the three you mentioned, I believe that they all include the option to add the date stamp imprint except for the Canon G7 X Mark II. However, the newer version of this camera, the Canon G7 X Mark III does have this as a feature. So that would be an option if you want to go with a Canon camera.

In terms of the best performing cameras of the three, we would probably recommend either the Canon Powershot G7 X Mark III or the Nikon Coolpix A1000. The Samsung camera is quite a bit older, so the technology is a little bit dated and Samsung has stopped producing cameras.

The Canon has the advantage of a larger sensor, meaning higher quality images and better performance in low light. However, it only has a 3x zoom, which is not a lot. The Nikon Coolpix has the smaller sensor, but the longer zoom (35x), which is quite a big difference. If you often take photos of far away subjects, the Coolpix A1000 would be a better choice of these two.

So if the larger sensor and image quality is more important, we’d probably say the Canon. If the zoom is being able to take pictures of subjects that are further away, then we’d probably say to go for the Nikon. The Nikon Coolpix is also a lot less expensive if price is a concern.

Pat Scussel Post author

February 3, 2020 at 6:17 am

A very interesting and on-target article. Traveling with a pocketable camera really enhances the quality of a trip. I have used a Canon G7X Mark ii for years and have stunning travel photos framed on my walls. The G7X is truly an advanced feature-rich camera well beyond less expensive P&S cameras. It’s f 1.2-2.8 up to 100 mm lens, minor in-camera raw processing, hand held night shooting, and so much more – and its size make it a terrific travel camera. It can still be purchased for a very reasonable price.

February 3, 2020 at 7:23 am

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and share you experience with the Canon G7X Mark II . So glad that it has been a great compact camera for you and yes, there is something to be said for cameras that are lightweight and easy to fit into a pocket or bag. They certainly are more likley to come on daily outings and travels than a larger camera.

We definitely think the Canon Powershot G Range makes some great compact cameras that pack a lot of features in for a reasonable price point. It is also great that there are a lot of past and recent versions available at different price points.

Kat Post author

October 22, 2019 at 6:51 am

Hi, I am looking for a camera with decent quality picture and decent zoom with in budget. I found the Panasonic Lumix DCZS80 and Canon G7 X Mark II within my budget. Could you please give an advice that which one I should go with.

October 24, 2019 at 9:17 am

The Canon Powershot G7X Mark 2 has a larger sensor and will generally get better photos in a range of situations, including low light, compared to the ZS80.

However, the ZS80 has a much longer zoom and also supports 4k video recording.

If you are primarily going to be using the camera in outdoor and well-lit situations, the ZS80 would be fine and the zoom will likely come in handy. However, for portraits, indoor shooting, and times when there is generally less light available, the Canon will get better images, with the trade off that there is less zoom.

So I’d probably base your decision on whether the sensor size or zoom is most important to you. Hope that helps, and let us know if you have further questions!

Lisa Nussbaum Post author

October 19, 2019 at 11:22 am

Thank you so much for this guide! I am traveling to Costa Rica where I will be taking pictures in the rain forest as well as river rafting and zip lining. I am looking for a small light-weight durable digital camera with wifi capabilities and a viewfinder – I got used to it on me DSLR and find it much more difficult to look at the LCD panel. My budget is under $1000. The most important aspect to me is picture quality. Do you have any thoughts?L

October 19, 2019 at 2:31 pm

Your Costa Rica trip sounds exciting! For river rafting specifically, we’d recommend taking a waterproof camera like an action camera or a camera with waterproof casing to avoid potential damage from the water. Some cameras are weather sealed, so can handle a bit of rain, but not the sort of immersion you could get from river rafting. An action camera would also be a choice for ziplining as they are designed for that sort of activity and can be attached to your head, chest, wrist, etc.

Having said that, if it’s a compact camera you are after then the best option at your price point would probably be the Sony RX100 range. These have larger sensors than most compact cameras and offer great image quality for the size. You can even get an underwater housing for it if you wanted to make it fully waterproof, although these are a bit pricey.

The RX100 has a viewfinder and wifi capabilities, although the viewfinder is electronic. You won’t find an optical viewfinder on anything other than a DSLR.

Hope this helps – let us know if we can help any further!

Laurence & Jessica

J. Johnson Post author

September 27, 2019 at 9:59 am

This was a very well written and informative article. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

I am having a hard time finding a point-and-shoot camera that fits all of my requirements. I would really appreciate advise.

I want the camera mostly for candid shots of my children. I’d like it for pictures of them playing inside, at home, and outside on playgrounds, for birthday parties, Christmas morning, Easter egg hunts, etc. I also plan it to use at zoos, water parks, hiking, etc.

Unlike the majority of people, I really, really dislike bokeh and would prefer for as much of the picture to be in focus as possible. (This is the most difficult requirement for me because I don’t really understand what specs I should look for to get pictures that lack bokeh.)

I would like an optical and an electronic viewfinder.

I would like it to have image stabilization.

It is very important me that it delivers amazing picture resolution and that it can take pictures quickly.

The ability would to take RAW pictures would be an added bonus.

I’d like a big zoom, but I also need it to take good pictures in low light because my house is often dark due to small windows and poor lighting. I realize that there will be a trade off with zoom and low light capabilities.

I know that to give me everything I’d like to have, the camera will likely not be cheap, and that I may have to concede on some requirements. Do you have any suggestions?

Thank you for your time!

September 27, 2019 at 11:01 am

Thanks very much. So you certainly know what you want, which always makes things easier.

In terms of bokeh, this happens when you shoot at wider apertures, usually between f/1.8 and f/4. These wider apertures let more light in, and also give a more shallow depth of field, which generates that bokeh effect that many photographers love.

So if you don’t want bokeh, you want a camera that shoots at narrower apertures. To be honest, this is easier to do than you would think as it’s the wider apertures that are usually harder to engineer.

However, there is an issue shooting at narrower apertures. Less light enters the camera when the aperture is smaller, which means you either need to shoot at slower shutter speeds (potentially resulting is blurry images) or at a higher ISO (resulting in noisier images). You can read more about how aperture, shutter speed and ISO work together in my guide to the exposure triangle .

In essence, what you want is a camera with a decent optical zoom and a reasonably sized sensor. The larger sensor will help offset shooting at smaller apertures. Another option is to get an external flash unit to provide more light, although that’s a whole other conversation.

In terms of compact cameras that will do what you want, the only model I can really recommend would be the Sony RX100 VI or VII . These both have all the features you are looking for, with the exception of the optical and electronic viewfinder. No compact camera has a true optical viewfinder – only DSLR cameras have optical viewfinders. If you mean a viewfinder you can put your eye to, the Sony does have that, but it is an electronic screen inside the viewfinder. The zoom is also reasonable, although again it’s hard to find a compact camera with a long zoom and large sensor – the physics just doesn’t work out.

I hope this helps – let us know if you have further questions after taking a look at the above!

Fermin Lopez Post author

September 17, 2019 at 6:52 am

I congratulations on the article. I own an old Lumix GF3 with an automated 14-42 lens. I use the camera mostly for outdoor activities like mountaineering. I am planning to renew it and from the lesson learned I am looking for a camera with viewfinder and a good optical zoom (in the range 20x to 30x). But from what i have read, i appears that I have to buy again a Lumix, as others cameras with viewfinder (sony) have a smaller zoom. Am I Right? I would consider Sony should they have a zoom like 15x, but if I am not mistaken they all have optical zooms 3,6X. What do you think? Are there any other options to consider? Thank you very much

September 17, 2019 at 8:09 am

So there are some options for you, depending on how much you are willing to spend and your weight requirements.

The two options I would first suggest would be either the Sony RX100 VII or Sony RX100 VI , both of which have a viewfinder and an 8.3x optical zoom. Then there’s the Lumix Panasonic ZS200 , which has a 15x optical zoom.

Those cameras feature a 1 inch sensor, which gives higher image quality than the average compact camera.

If those are a bit expensive, the Lumix ZS70 is another option to consider. It has a smaller sensor, but a 30x optical zoom.

If you don’t mind carrying something a bit bigger, then the Powershot G3X has a one inch sensor and a 25x optical zoom. It’s also weather sealed. An electronic viewfinder is not included as standard, but you can get one as an add-on feature.

Hopefully one of these options works for you – if not, let us know your budget and size requirements and we can come up with some more options! Laurence

Demir Özkaya Post author

July 28, 2019 at 1:54 pm

Dear jessica and Laurance,

First of all many thanks for your very informative and very well structured article, which is one of the best i have read about compact cameras on the web. I am traveling a lot and considering to buy a compact camera with good zoom facility with the aim of printing some good images in A3 size, taking some videos and sharing some images with my friends. I have a Nikon Coolpix 7100 but if it comes to snapshots from distance or in less light, my images are not so satisfactory. Maybe i cannot master my camera. Beside them it has no wifi facility. So i am considering to buy a new one. I was thinking of getting Canon Powershot SX 740. But in shop i have seen another Canon camera SX70 HS in the size of mirrorless cameras but with 65X optical zoom. It’s heavier and bigger than 740 but it has a good viewfinder, which is a very important feature for taking zoom photos in outdoor and suny weather i think. Which camera should i buy or do you recommend another one considering that i have a budget of 550$. Or should i use my Nikon and wait for sometime to other new opportunities? All the best Demir Özkaya 28th July,2019

July 29, 2019 at 5:59 am

Dear Demir,

Thank you very much, we are pleased to have been able to help. So the two cameras you mention should both produce images that can be printed up to A3 size; however, many cameras will struggle to produce images in low light, and both of these cameras will likely have the same issues. If you want to do low light photography, the best option on a budget is to invest in a tripod.

Of the two cameras you mention, I would say that the only real advantage of the SX70 is the longer zoom, as it has the same size sensor as the SX740. The viewfinder is also a definite benefit.

If you want better low light performance, you would need a camera with a larger sensor, however, these usually have less zoom and are more expensive. An earlier version of the Sony RX100 would be an idea, but they only have a 3x zoom. You might also consider the Lumix ZS100 – it’s a little older now, but it does have a 10x optical zoom, 1 inch sensor and as it’s a bit older it should be available within budget.

I hope this helps!

Laurence and Jessica

Steve Brodsky Post author

June 26, 2019 at 1:56 am

I was looking for features the basic compact cameras and this helped a lot. Thanks for the insightful article.

June 27, 2019 at 5:38 am

Hi Steve, Glad to hear it was helpful! Best, Jessica

Maria Wile Post author

June 23, 2019 at 10:11 am

Hello, I loved reading all the information you shared. Thank you! I do have a question. I definitely don’t have much photography experience, but I am going to be taking a trip to Scotland and need a good compact camera for the trip. My main concern is all the rain that I am expecting while I am there and making sure I get a camera that can handle getting some raindrops on it. Do you recommend any particular camera for shooting pictures in rainy/misty weather? I will be all around Scotland taking scenic pictures and pictures of historical sites, besides just pictures of the people I am going there with. I am very curious what particular camera you might suggest.Thank you so much for your time!!!!!!

June 24, 2019 at 6:38 am

So not too many compact cameras are insulated against the weather. A notable exception is the Canon Powershot G3 X . There’s also the fully waterproof Olympus TG5, but it has a limited zoom.

However, as people who live in Scotland, you don’t really need to get a waterproof camera for Scotland. We normally just hold an umbrella up and take photos from underneath the umbrella to prevent the camera from getting wet. Almost any camera can handle a little bit of rain or mist, you just have to make sure it is limited and that you dry it off quickly. Even a water resistant camera is not really designed to be shooting in heavy rain. So I would focus on choosing the camera that has the features you want within your budget range rather than focusing too much on the weather proofing.

Hope that helps, and just let us know if you have more questions! Laurence & Jessica

Andrei Post author

June 7, 2019 at 2:04 am

Thank you for your recommendation, as I am already using Nikon P900 whose specifications meet beyond my expectation and I am much satisfied to use it in every field of life events, occasions and ceremonies. Thank you for advices and tips for better optimization of camera.

June 7, 2019 at 11:14 am

Hi Andrei, Glad you are enjoying your Nikon P900. That’s a nice bridge camera and definitely better than a regular compact camera if you are using it to primarily shoot event and wedding photography! Enjoy, Jessica

karen gilman Post author

June 3, 2019 at 6:25 pm

I am looking for the best compact camera that has a good view finder so you can actually see what you are taking a picture of when it’s really sunny. The current camera I have takes good pictures but since it only has the screen on the back when it’s really sunny you have to guess what you are shooting at…What is the best camera that you can see what you are trying to capture….. Thanks in advance

June 4, 2019 at 7:48 am

It depends of course on your budget and what other features you want, but the two options we’d suggest are the Sony RX100 cameras and the Panasonix Lumix ZS200 . These are both high quality compact cameras with larger sensors and a popup electronic viewfinder. The RX100 comes in a number of versions, from 1 – 6. We’d suggest either 4, 5 or 6 (RX100 IV, RX100 V and RX100 VI). These all come with a higher quality viewfinder. Each one is priced slightly higher than the previous one. We currently use the RX100 V as our compact camera, and love it.

Alec Post author

May 22, 2019 at 4:46 pm

Great information in the article and comments. My daughter (12) loves taking pictures and she recently commented that she wants a Hauwei P30 Pro specifically for it’s photo quality (great reviews), size, water resistance and the fact that she can still text…(She is saving her money). As far as compact point and shoot cameras are concerned, do the point and shoot cameras take better photos? Do the water proof cameras hold any value? Should I try and convince her to get a decent quality point and shoot, and if so, maybe point out some pro’s and cons or should she just stick with the high-end smartphone? Thank you,

May 23, 2019 at 5:43 am

The Huawei P30 Pro has really good reviews (although we haven’t tried it ourselves), and as it comes with a proper optical zoom, it also overcomes the main disadvantage that most smartphone cameras have. It is definitely not a cheap option though, and you could pick up a mirrorless or high end compact camera for the same price (although of course it wouldn’t do any of the other smartphone things).

In terms of photo quality, there are some advantages to a higher end compact camera as covered in the article, but if she is primarily taking photos to look at on her phone, social media, web, small prints, then her phone is likely going to take as good as photos as a compact camera at that size. Smartphone also tend to have tech built into them for take selfies and the like so are often better for those sorts of things.

I think it really depends on what she wants it for the most. If she is mostly wanting to use it as a smartphone that also takes good photos, then a smartphone with a good camera is the way to go. She might also consider the Google Pixel 3a, which is one of the best smartphone cameras out there at a more reasonable price although it does lack the optical zoom option.

But if she is passionate about learning more about photography and/or considering it as part of a future career, then getting started with a “real camera” is probably the best way to learn as it is going to get her using something more similar to a professional camera. In that case at her age, we’d recommend a higher-end compact camera that shoots in RAW (and JPG) and a photo editing computer program that could learn to edit RAW files if she wishes. Then later she could move into a mirrorless or DSLR camera later if she decides to continue in photography and be able to use more manual controls and work with interchangeable lenses.

Just as a side note, I am sure you know this, but Huawei products are now sort of banned in USA and by many international firms like Panasonic after a number of security issues by the company. This doesn’t look good for the company as many South Korean and UK companies look likely to follow suit. This means that certain software, tech, and security will likely not be available for these phones, including Google’s Android service. We both had bad experiences with Huawei phones in the past and have switched to the Google Pixel. Although we have no experience with their P30 Pro which does have good reviews so far. But may be good to investigate the situation more closely at the time she is planning to purchase a phone as the chips, software, etc. may change in these phones.

I hope this helps,

Michael Perry Post author

May 15, 2019 at 1:17 am

Just found this article and wanted to comment. I originally learned basic stuff on a FujiFilm X100F camera that I bought from eBay gently used. It lived with me here in Southeast asia. In six months in Vietnam, the camera got soaking wet, was dropped a few too many times, and at the end sometimes refused to turn on or would turn off.

I then made a large personal mistake by purchasing a much more expensive Fujifilm X-T2 camera which started having shutter button problems a few months into me having it. I ended up getting rid of that camera after I had it fixed in Singapore and the problems started again in Siem Reap. I then got another FujiFilm X100F and that had problems with the LCD. Finally that camera was unusable in George Town Malaysia so I made the first really good decision. I went to a local shop and looked at the Panasonic Lumix LX10. The entire thing came around to me whilst sitting in my room that this was what I should have done to begin with. Since I live in Southeast Asia and travel wherever I wish these days and like to walk miles each day and take pictures, the best camera always would have been a compact camera. The LX10 also does 4k Video which is something I thought I would never have used but wrong again.

My main message and it took a long time to learn was for my particular use case the Panasonic Lumix LX10 camera is what works the best for me. I just took a roundabout way to realize it and spent way more money than I should have. Now I have this camera that fits in a pocket, can be set to manual or aperture priority mode but it also just lets me shoot in Program or Program Switch mode when I wish. My main goals are to actually take photographs, let other people see them on social media, and archive them in google photos so I have a record forever of the places. I don’t need to shoot in RAW mode. I don’t need something with inter-changeable lens. I just never saw this so went a different direction. Not very smart or fiscally sound I guess. But I ended up with this little beast of a camera that does exactly what I want and need.

So my main message is consider carefully your use cases for a travel camera. Do some research on the brands and their features and functionality. I just know now that my mistakes were not large or small. They were just mine. When discovered what I really wanted out of it all was something if stolen or broken i would not be out $1500, that would let me go where I want here in Asia and see what I want, a camera that could be placed in a pocket or a small over the shoulder bag easily, and finally one that took photographs that I liked and could share easily. It just took me a long route to get there 🙂

May 16, 2019 at 4:24 am

Hi Michael,

Glad you found our article and thanks for taking the time to share you experience. Humid and tropical places like southeast Asia can definitely be harder on cameras and shorten their life span. Glad you have found the camera (Panasonic Lumix LX10) that works best for you, and I think that it is not often not the most expensive camera that is the best fit for most people. Those buying a new camera (especially those relatively new to photography) should definitely consider what they plan to mainly use it for to guide their buying decisions rather than trying to get all the newest bells and whistles which many people may never use.

Thanks again for your story and personal advice!

Kevin Post author

April 30, 2019 at 10:09 am

Great info but my head is still swimming from it all. We’ve made do with (ever-improving) phone cameras but would like something better, especially for travel. Usually for us that means the mountains, lots of hiking, grand vistas, and lots of pics of everything along the way, so size/weight and ease of use matter. I also like getting up close with flowers, etc, and, if possible, zooming in to wildlife in the distance, although that isn’t a priority. Would love to experiment with night sky photos as well. Most of that seems to lean toward a good compact, but we also want to print several of our travel pics at 16×20 or 16×24. Plus, the better compacts are as much or more than some good mirrorless ones that come with a lens or two. But are those kit lenses with the Sony a6000 or Canon EOS M50 or M100 or Fuji X A5 even worth having, or do they defeat the purpose of having a nicer camera, meaning we’d have to spend much more on better lenses – and therefore losing the value of choosing an entry level mirrorless over a top compact? Are included lenses for entry DSLRs the same quality too? Final question: is there a way to carry a camera while hiking that is hands free, secure (i.e. not swinging from a strap), and easily accessible (not tucked inside a closed case)? Like a holster that attaches directly to the front of a backpack kind of thing? Thanks!

April 30, 2019 at 10:46 am

Lots of questions and I will do my best to answer them all ????

So you are correct, a good compact camera is going to be as expensive as a low to mid range mirrorless or DSLR camera. This is partly because fitting all that technology into a tiny body is a challenge!

We use the Sony RX100 V as our compact camera of choice. We settled on this as it has the larger 1 inch sensor, image stabilization and fast lens, whilst being small enough to slip into a pocket. There’s a newer model, the VI, but whilst it has a better zoom, the lens is not quite as fast for low light situations – we often find ourselves needing to take photographs indoors in museums for example, so for us that was a factor.

To answer your question about lenses – kit lenses have definitely improved a great deal over the years, but yes, there is a reason a kit lens is bundled with a camera and only adds $100 to the value, whilst a decent lens will cost you in the region of $800 – $2000 plus. That said, a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a kit lens will likely still yield good printable results. however, if portability is key, a high end compact camera is a great option.

For your final question, yes there absolutely are hand-free straps and clips, and you will want to look into something maybe like the Peak Design Capture Clip .This is a really neat clip system which attaches to a backpack strap or any other belt like apparel (I have used mine on both, it works great), and then you can just clip the camera into it. It works for any camera with a tripod mount, which is basically most cameras ????

Although if you go with a small compact camera, that would be a bit overkill. With a small compact camera, you can stick it easily into your pocket, purse, backpack pocket, etc. or you can get a camera case that clips on your belt loop or backpack.

I hope this helps – let us know if you have any more questions!

May 13, 2019 at 9:00 am

Thanks for your answers. They lead to another question. You’ve probably answered this elsewhere, but…. Is there a noticeable difference between pics with a 1″ sensor and those with MFT or APS-C sensors, other factors being generally equal? I’m guessing there wouldn’t be in a 4×6 or 5×7 print, but would be on a 16×24 size or viewed on a HDTV screen. We’ve printed several gorgeous scenes taken with good cell phones at 16×20 size. They look pretty good… until you look closer. I don’t want to spend several hundred $ on a compact with 1″ sensor and feel the same way looking at the resulting pictures. Thanks again.

May 13, 2019 at 9:13 am

Yes, you are correct, it is really only for larger printing that you are likely to notice a difference, or if you crop your images a lot. Otherwise, for social media use, web images, and smaller prints you likely won’t notice any difference. I’d say up to around 8×10 there won’t be a huge difference for printed photos.

That said, I’ve printed out images from a 10MP camera at 6 feet wide, and they’ve looked OK, because you tend to look at larger prints from further away anyway! So unless you are poring over your images from close up, you might not notice the difference (and other people are even less likely to!).

Hope that helps! Laurence

Luther Post author

March 24, 2019 at 11:51 pm

Hi independenttravelcats, Amazing travel photo advice. And of course you’re right – you certainly CAN take better photos with any decent equipment.

March 25, 2019 at 9:27 am

Hi Luther, Yes, we agree, while the camera and equipment are important (especially for certain types of photography), one’s skills (technical, artistic, editing) are probably just as, if not more, important. Best, Jessica

Pat Post author

March 16, 2019 at 12:35 pm

What are your thoughts about an electronic view finder? I notice that many cameras today are without them but it seems to be a good feature if doing sunny outdoor photography. I could use your advice.

March 18, 2019 at 5:41 am

An electronic viewfinder is definitely more of a luxury item on a compact camera as they take up a bit of space and weight, and add to the cost. This is why you generally only find them on the more expensive and high-end compact cameras. We personally prefer a camera with an electronic viewfinder if possible, for the reasons you’ve given as on a bright day they can make it easier to see what you are doing as the main screen can be harder to see.

But they are of course not necessary and don’t affect the photo quality, so it comes down to weighing the cost versus the convenience of extra features like this. If you have the budget and it is a feature you really like, then you can certainly get a nice compact camera with a view finder.

Barbara Idzerda Post author

March 5, 2019 at 11:35 am

I’m going on an African Safari and also plan to go to Iceland for the Northern lights. I travel very light so I’m wondering what would be the smallest camera I could get away with knowing I will need to zoom and have low lights at night?

March 5, 2019 at 12:00 pm

So this is a challenging requirement unfortunately – longer lenses with high quality capabilities tend to be larger and more expensive, and low light photography is also one of the more demanding types of photography! It might be helpful to know a bit more about your priorities, what you want to be able to use the photos for, your budget, and your photography experience to make the best suggestions.

For the Northern Lights, you are going to need a tripod, there’s not really a way around that if you want good images. So we can recommend reading our travel tripod post . Even a mini tripod that can fold up in a large purse would do that you can set somewhere.

In terms of a camera, we’d probably suggest a micro four thirds sized mirrorless camera like the Panasonic GX9. The reason is that the lenses for these are not too huge, and you can get a long lens for wildlife photography that won’t take up too much space. You can see our guide to lenses for different cameras here: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/best-lenses-for-travel-photography/ , although we’d also suggest a longer zoom lens for safaris.

If you are committed to the smallest camera possible, then the Sony RX100 VI would be our suggestion. It has a reasonable zoom, great image quality, full manual controls, and with a tripod you’ll be able to photograph the Northern Lights. The other option would be the Panasonic ZS200 , which has a better zoom and so might be better for the safari.

You might also consider renting a zooms lens for Africa and just getting a smaller camera for the rest of your travels.

Mike Steenhuisen Post author

June 30, 2019 at 3:32 am

Hi, I have a similar predicament as far as the African safari. I was looking for advice on a compact with great zoom or a bridge camera and also weather sealed because of the dust. Your assistance is much appreciated and keep up the good work. Regards Mike

July 1, 2019 at 5:37 pm

Hi Mike, As a compact camera, we’d recommend taking a look at the Canon Powershot G3 X which has 25X zoom, a 1 inch sensor, and is dust and water resistant. One minus is that it does not have an electronic viewfinder. For a bridge camera, another option might be the Sony RX10 Mach III or IV , it is more expensive but does have a viewfinder.

We’d recommend getting the camera that sounds like the best fit well before your safari (just make sure it has a refund policy) and practice with it to see if it achieves the sort of results you were hoping for so you have the right camera for your trip.

Mike Post author

July 1, 2019 at 6:06 pm

Hi folks, Many thanks for your help. Kind Regards Mike

Tyler Post author

February 9, 2019 at 8:28 am

There are mentioned about best point-and-shoot cameras for travel. A great basic test you can do with your camera is to shoot a well-lit portrait. This helps you to choose Point-and-Shoot Camera for Travel Photography.

February 10, 2019 at 8:54 am

Hi Tyler, It is indeed a good idea if you are comparing different types of cameras to take a similar photo with each one. Although for travel, portraits may not be the best thing to focus on if you are mainly using it for landscapes, museums, family photos, etc. But that is definitely one way to test a camera! Best, Jessica

Francine Post author

February 7, 2019 at 7:49 am

Do most of the new point and shoot cameras have only the large display/LCD monitor to see what we’re taking a picture of? Is the view finder disappearing? In sunny or bright daylight, the rear display reflects the person taking the picture or the daylight itself, making it difficult to see the picture being taken. I find cameras without a view finder mostly good for inside picture taking.

February 8, 2019 at 12:32 pm

Hi Francine, Yes, the viewfinders are not as common on point and shoot. This is especially the case of the less expensive compact cameras as the viewfinder takes up more space and is more expensive to add. But many of the high end compact cameras do have viewfinders so that is something to pay attention to as you look for a point and shoot camera. You might also want to check out mirrorless camera options as well as more of those types of cameras do have viewfinders. Best, Jessica

Clarence Post author

December 29, 2018 at 5:56 am

Thank you so much for this post, it has been really educational.

I have just started to pick up photography, learning the basics and stuff with my friend’s camera. However, I’m looking into getting one myself, but I’m skipping the DSLR/mirrorless options because I want something more compact.

What I am looking for is to take photos at night. Is there a camera suitable for night photos with low light/light leak or does that all have to be edited in PS? Shots on my phone always tend out to be extremely grainy.

Thank you once again!

December 29, 2018 at 6:26 am

Hi Clarence,

Glad you are finding our guide to compact cameras helpful!

There are always going to be limits to how great photos at night or in low lights situations will be from any camera given they function with light, particularly compact cameras. But if you plan to do a lot of low light photography we recommend the following things in a camera and ways to maximize your results with any camera you choose:

1. Go with a camera with a larger sensor. Of all the specs, a larger sensor size is probably the feature that will help most in low light situations. 2. Get a camera with image stabilization as this will allow you to take photos at lower shutter speeds without them being as blurry. 3. Learn how to use your camera and its features/settings to its full potential. Read the manual and consider taking a photography workshop or online course such as Laurence’s Superstar Photography Course. 4. Yes, editing can always help a photo but it can’t perform miracles so you still have to get a decent photo to start with. If you want to do more in-depth editing, be sure to get a camera that supports RAW format. 5. Consider using a travel tripods to help get better photos at night. 6. A separate flash may be useful if you do a lot of indoor photography.

Hope this helps, and just let us know if you have more questions as you decide on which compact camera may be best for you!

Best, Laurence & Jessica

Valerie Post author

December 28, 2018 at 3:02 pm

Thank you for a great website. After searching the net I decided the Sony RX V1 was the one but I needed more assurance. You confirmed my decision. After owning bulky DSLR ‘s, video cameras, compact cameras with terrible video and looking like paparazzi on holidays I now have everything in one. Thanks a again.

December 28, 2018 at 4:00 pm

Hi Valerie, Glad you found our website useful in deciding on a camera. It sounds like you already knew it was the one for you before you got to our blog. Also just remember (keeping the return policy in mind of course) that you can always try it out for a few days and return it if it isn’t what you were looking for.

Hope that you enjoy the Sony RX100 VI camera and we’d love to hear your thoughts after you have had time to try it out!

December 15, 2018 at 10:13 pm

Thank you for your great article. I’ve done so much research, my head is spinning. I’m traveling in 10 days, and my iPhone 8+ is always filling up with Photos as I take waay too many. ????‍♀️

I’d like a fairly light camera that would fit in my tote. I use a Canon EOS SL1 at home but don’t want to carry it along with two lenses, etc., on the plane as I’m trying to travel light. I’d like a flip screen since my hubby doesn’t like to ask others to take our photo (lol,) WiFi connectivity so I can send the pics to my phone or iPad for editing and sharing, and of course, clear, high quality images. I’d probably not enlarge beyond a 5×7 or maybe a rare 8×10. I’ve mostly used Canon in the past but am open to suggestion.

As long as I spend under $1,000, budget isn’t my top priority. Quality, features and portability are. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

December 16, 2018 at 6:03 am

Ah, yes, it can certainly be a daunting task trying to decide on buying a camera, especially right before the holidays and a big trip!

Given your preferences, we’d suggest that you consider the Canon EOS M50 or the Sony RX100 V . The EOS M100 is a mirrorless camera from Canon which has a flip up screen and an APS-C sized sensor, making for great image quality. It comes with a fairly versatile lens and the lens contracts when not in use, taking up less space. It’s slightly larger than a compact camera, but not much, and it should be easy to learn to use to considering you have used a Canon in the past. You can also change the lenses if you want, and even get an adaptor for your existing lenses so you could use them on the body if you wish in the future.

If you wanted something even smaller, we’d suggest looking at the Sony RX100 compact camera range , and specifically in your case the RX100 V. This is a true compact camera with an excellent lens. The advantages are that it is smaller than the Canon, but you are restricted to never being able to change the lens, and the optical zoom is only 3x, so if you often find yourself zooming in on far away subjects it might not be ideal, but for most travel photography uses it will be fine. The sensor is slightly smaller than the Canon too. It has a flipping screen but it’s not a touch screen.

Note that few compact cameras have touch flip screens, but many mirrorless cameras do.

Personally I would likely go with the M100, as the image quality will be better thanks to the larger lens, you have the option to change lenses should you want to in the future, and the size difference is marginal. The touchscreen is also a bonus, and it can be had for a lot less. But it really depends on what is most important to you!

Hope that helps, and feel free to ask any more questions you may have.

December 17, 2018 at 12:23 pm

Thank you for the great suggestions! I notice that the M100 has an EVF wheraeas the M50 only has the LCD screen. I’m thinking about that. Also, I’m going to be touring a lot on foot this trip, and want to carry as little as possible, so my question is, what if I want a camera that will go from wide angle to zoom without changing lenses but still sporting the WiFi, flip screen, excellent photo quality, and maybe GPS ( not a deal breaker?)

I checked out the Sony you mentioned above, but many reviewers dislike the poor battery performance and speak of unreliability, so I’m hesitant to spend close to $1000 on it. I’ve a friend who has a Nikon Coolpix P610, and gets incredible shots, but that’s an older model, I think. What are your thoughts on Nikon?

Any other lighter weight all-in-one point and shoots you like? I should also mention that I love taking low light shots, and will be shooting pics of Christmas decorations after dark on this trip. Most important, though, is to get quality shots of people, with good color saturation. Thank you so much for your help; it’s great to have an expert to ask who is objective! You guys are awesome!!

PS Had tech issues today, so I apologize if this shows up as a duplicate post lol. ????

December 17, 2018 at 1:50 pm

Our pleasure. So to be honest, in terms of battery life any point and shoot or mirrorless camera will suffer from shorter battery life compared to a DSLR. The reason is that they always have to power the screen, be that the EVF or rear screen, and those things suck up battery. The best option is just to buy a spare battery, as there aren’t really any of these types of camera with particularly excellent battery life.

It sounds very much like you want a point and shoot for portability. The Nikon Coolpix you mention is a capable older camera. It’s a bridge camera, which sits between a compact camera and a DSLR in terms of features. However, it’s going to be a similar size to your DSLR, and it seems you would prefer a smaller camera, so this might not be ideal for you. Also, the sensors are about the same size as most point and shoots, so image quality will be roughly on par with those.

That said, if a camera like that has all the features you want, and the size is ok for you, then some options are the:

Panasonic FZ2500 Canon Powershot SX70 HS Nikon Coolpix P900 (or P1000 if you want a crazy amount of zoom)

Another thing to say is that shooting in lower light is probably the most challenging environment for any camera, and this is where the smaller sensors on compact and bridge cameras can really start to struggle. You can get around that by carrying a tripod, but that would sort of negate the benefits of a smaller camera!

So with all that in mind, I would be probably recommend thinking more of the Canon M50 or M100 again.

No camera is going to be perfect or have all the features you want given a need for it to be smaller and lightweight so I’d focus on those that check the top must-have boxes and still fits what you need (smaller and easy to carry for traveling).

valina1981 Post author

December 10, 2018 at 9:35 pm

I bought the Lumix but am still obsessed with this what to buy guide, wish this one had been out when I was deciding. Just need to learn how to use it now!

December 11, 2018 at 7:01 am

Hi Valina, Glad you are enjoying our compact camera guide 😉 Happy to hear you bought a new Panasonic Lumix camera. We’re recommend starting with just reading through the manual and learning the camera settings and functions. Then practice, practice, practice! If you want a boost, then you might consider doing a local photography class or workshop designed for you level of skill, or do an online photography course such as the one run by Laurence. Let us know if you have any questions. Best, Jessica

Jacqueline Sum Post author

November 28, 2018 at 10:13 am

I have a Sony RX100 but am not satisfied with the picture quality. Any suggestions for a point and shoot that gives good quality images?

November 28, 2018 at 11:25 am

Hi Jacqueline!

Generally the Sony RX100 is regarded as one of the better point and shoots for image quality, but there is only so much a compact camera with a smaller sensor can do. If you could elaborate what specifically it is about the image quality that you are unhappy with, and the kind of photography you enjoy, we could provide some more specific suggestions.

if you are definitely keen on another point and shoot, the two options we suggest are the Canon G1 X Mark III or the Fuji X100F which both have an APS-C sized sensor, the same as used in consumer level DSLRs. This should yield improved performance, and better images, especially in low light situations. Otherwise, I’d recommend considering moving up to a mirrorless camera model.

We hope this helps, and happy to answer any additional questions!

November 28, 2018 at 12:20 pm

Thank you for the prompt reply. The Sony RX100 that I have is the first generation. Will a later model make a difference? I have been travelling to destinations that will probably once-in-a-lifetime experiences and a substantial number of the pictures are blur.

I have a DSLR and some lenses and they take marvelous pictures but the camera is big ad clunky. I will be going to Italy in 2 weeks and would like to take a better camera with me. My requirements for the camera is that it is portable and can take pictures in low light. I do not shoot videos, nor do I post on social media. The photos are for my personal consumption.

November 28, 2018 at 12:33 pm

Hi Jacqueline,

Without seeing the images it’s hard to make an exact diagnosis, but I can give some ideas. You can also send a few example photos to us (you can find our emails on our Contact Us page) if you are not sure why they are blurry.

If the pictures are coming out blurry, this is most likely a result of shooting at too low a shutter speed – this can happen when there’s not enough light available, particularly in low light situations. The only real solutions to this problem are a camera with a bigger sensor (like a mirrorless or your DSLR), or a travel tripod . But as sensor size sounds like an issue in your case, I’m not sure a tripod would help and it would give you something else you would need to carry.

The other option is to get a camera with some sort of image stabilisation built in, although this is already a feature of the RX100 you have. A newer model might help as it has newer technology, but I feel that the upgrades probably won’t help too much in this specific case, as there will always be a restriction of how much light a smaller sensor can capture.

Perhaps you might consider a mirrorless camera instead? These are a bit bigger than a point and shoot but smaller than a DSLR. We’d suggest again something with built in image stabilization, like the Lumix or Olympus series, or the Sony a6500.

Whatever you get, I’d get something with a return policy so you can try it out before your trip in different conditions to see if the image quality is what you are looking for.

Hope this helps! Laurence and Jessica

James Post author

November 14, 2018 at 1:55 pm

Hey guys, thanks for the piece. Very informative. Question: what’s the model of Lumix in the main header image on this post? I’ve been happy with several Lumixes (Lumices? haha) over the years and this one looks like the prefect size to serve as a backup to my DSLR. I can’t see any mention of this particular model in the piece, although I assume it could be a special edition of one of the standard Lumix point and shoots. Any guidance you can provide would be awesome. Thanks!

November 15, 2018 at 4:08 am

It’s a Lumix DMC-fx500 (in the first photo pictured outdoors), which is quite old now (purchased in 2011). So we would no longer recommend that one which is why it is not in the list and you’d have to buy it secondhand probably.

The second camera pictured (sitting on a marbled table top) is a Canon Powershot ELPH 360, a much newer model compact camera purchased in 2018. This one is readily available online and in stores.

All of the cameras listed are small in size and most of the cameras on this list weigh only between 4 oz. to 10 oz. so easy to carry around as a back-up or to places where you might not want to take a bulkier DSLR.

But of more recent Lumix compact camera models of similar size and price to the pictured Lumix, we’d recommend checking out the Panasonic Lumix ZS50 . Another recommendation of a similar camera in terms of look and size if you don’t mind a Canon is a Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 (also pictured in post). We currently own both Canon and Panasonic Lumix cameras and have been very happy with them.

If you are looking for a compact camera with more professional features, I’d look at the last 3 ones on the list. One is the Lumix ZS200 which is one we are thinking of getting but is more of an investment at around $800. These ones are also larger than the others on the list with the Lumix ZS200 weighing in at 12 oz. so may not be what you are looking for.

Hope this helps, and do let us know if you have further questions! Laurence

Charla Post author

October 4, 2018 at 11:18 pm

October 19, 2018 at 3:29 pm

Hi Charla, Glad this helps you and a compact camera is a great place to start if you are relatively new to photography. They don’t have changeable lenses and are generally fairly easy to learn to use. You can start with it completely in auto and then learn to adjust some of the settings as you get more comfortable. Do let us know if you have any questions in choosing a compact camera – we are happy to help! Best, Jessica

Valentine B Post author

October 4, 2018 at 3:53 pm

I am not real superb with English but this post was very helpful in helping me and my friend decide on what type of compact cameras to buy on upcoming trip to Europe. We needed something not too expensive, good, and lightweight for travelling. Thank you very very much indeed.

October 19, 2018 at 3:25 pm

Hi Valentine, Thanks so much for taking the time to write and so glad you found our article helpful. Do let us know if you have any questions as you research buying a compact camera. Wishing you a wonderful time in Europe. Best, Jessica

Stephanie Post author

August 10, 2018 at 11:39 am

Great informative post on the best compact point and shoot camera to choose. A camera is an important investment to make and with this information makes the decision easier. Thanks for covering all the details. ? Pinned for later use.

August 13, 2018 at 12:53 pm

Hi Stephanie, Glad you found it useful and hope you find the perfect travel camera! Just let us know if you have any questions. Best, Jessica

Kreete Post author

August 10, 2018 at 1:52 am

Some amazing tips here and what an enjoyable read! I am in the market for a new travel camera and will definitely consider some of your recommendations. It’s awesome to have had someone review the cameras before purchasing! And yes, knowing your camera makes a huge difference in your photos!

August 10, 2018 at 7:56 am

Hi Kreete, Yes, doing some research before buying a camera (or any electronics purchase) is always a good idea! Just let us know if you have any questions if you are out camera shopping 😉 Best, Laurence

Anda Post author

August 6, 2018 at 3:07 pm

Great information! I’ll have to look more closely to it because I always struggle with my heavy camera (and lenses) when I travel. I’ve spent a great deal of money on it though and now I don’t feel like giving it up.

August 7, 2018 at 3:52 am

Hi Anda, Yes, we find a compact camera is a great back-up camera that you can use for trips when you might not want to take your heavier and more expensive cameras and lenses. Also great for sticking in the purse just in case when we don’t really plan to take photos. But it is all a matter of preference of course! Best, Jessica

Agness Post author

August 5, 2018 at 5:24 am

A good camera is essential if you want to take good pictures, especially for travellers, Laurence and Jessica. These are some great suggestions and I’ll have to consider which one from these to take and use in my travels!

August 6, 2018 at 4:43 am

Hi Agness, Thanks for taking the time to comment. Do let us know if you have any questions as you are choosing a new camera! Best, Jessica

Alexis Towle Post author

August 4, 2018 at 10:29 am

Unbelievable post on understanding compact cameras. I saved this to my travel board on Pinterest!

August 6, 2018 at 4:42 am

Hi Alexis, Thanks so much for sharing our post, we appreciate it! Best, Jessica

Kay R. Post author

August 4, 2018 at 7:14 am

Awesome tips!

August 6, 2018 at 4:41 am

Thanks Kay, glad you enjoyed it!

goblinette Post author

August 3, 2018 at 2:21 pm

I will use this guide when my current camera dies completely. Probably in a few weeks 🙁

August 3, 2018 at 3:13 pm

Hi there, So sorry to hear that you camera is not working property ;-( But hope this helps and let us know if you have any questions about choosing a travel camera as you search for a replacement! Best, Jessica

Anisa Post author

August 3, 2018 at 2:04 pm

We got a new camera recently and actually decided to go with a mirrorless camera. It’s not too much bigger than a point and shoot camera, which is nice. It’s more complicated to operate though.

August 3, 2018 at 3:12 pm

Yes, mirrorless cameras are great in-between cameras, I usually recommends them to bloggers, and we have had a Panasonic Lumix GX8 for the past few years as part of our photography kit. We use it when we need to take a smaller camera (our DSLRs are very bulky). But the mirrorless cameras are definitely much heavier and bulkier than the average point-and-shoot. Ours is 1.7 lbs for just the body alone (not to mention the lens weight), so it is not a great travel camera for someone wanting something light and easy to carry. But it allows you to change lens, gives you a lot more range in manual controls, and more features than most compact cameras. So definitely a great option for those who want more control.

Our next buy will be for a point-and-shoot camera at 1 lb or less in weight I think – which I imagine we’ll barely notice when carrying it with us 😉

Lolo Post author

August 3, 2018 at 12:37 pm

We’ve literally just been talking about investing in a easy-to-carry, point-and-shoot camera which can fit in my purse because there are just so many times we don’t want to carry all of our lenses and just want something simple but will produce good quality photos. I will be sharing this with my husband!

August 3, 2018 at 1:46 pm

Perfect timing it seems 😉 These are great for when you just need a simple camera and you you can get one for a really good value. Let us know if your husband has any questions and will consult Laurence who seems to get camera buying questions on a daily basis.

I gave my Canon Elph to a friend a few years ago when I moved and we haven’t had a compact camera since but intend to get one soon. We want something easy to carry around in a purse or backpack as a back-up camera and to take to places we don’t feel comfortable taking a larger camera so are looking for a good higher-end compact camera. We haven’t decided yet but do have our eyes on the new Sony RX VI.

The 9 best digital cameras for travelers, according to National Geographic

These are the cameras our photo engineering team likes for everyone from beginners to street photographers and those on a budget.

Overhead studio view of the 2023 travel video cameras of the year against an orange background

Now that the world is traveling again, the desire to capture precious moments is stronger than ever. A powerful travel image not only tells a story, it also reminds us of the wonders that await around every bend in the road.

With that in mind, we tapped the National Geographic photo engineering team to tell us which compact cameras they like best for travelers. Here are their top picks.

Best camera for most travelers: Fujifilm X-S20

Studio photograph of the Fujifilm X-S20 camera against a green background

The X-S20 gives you a lot of bang for your buck. It follows the X-S10 (another outstanding model featured in past camera guides) with most of the top features that the Fuji X line offers in an affordable, versatile, and stylish package.
Comfortable to handle, the X-S20 performs well with a balanced 26 megapixel (MP) sensor and a new, larger battery.

Tip: This camera is best paired with the all-around XF 16-80mm f/4 OIS WR lens. For a second lens, try the ultra-compact XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR, which gives human eye-like perspective at 40mm.

Find it on B & H .

Best camera for street photography (and most compact): Ricoh GR III

Studio photograph of the Ricoh GRIII camera against a teal gradient background

The Ricoh GR III has appeared on our list four times, since it packs a ton of power in a pocketable size.
With a stabilized 24 MP APS-C sensor, phase-detect autofocus, a highly responsive touch screen, and an easy-to-navigate menu system, the GR III works well for casual point-and-shoot settings and controlled manual shooting.

Tip: If the 28mm f/2.8 effective focal length is too wide, try the GR IIIx. Released in 2021, it’s identical to the GR III, aside from its lens, which has a tighter field of view with a 40mm f/2.8 equivalent lens.

Best camera for overall performance: Fujifilm X-T5

Studio photograph of the Fujifilm X-T5 against a green background

Fujifilm’s XT series provides an excellent shooting experience for amateurs and pros alike. This line blends vintage dials with modern, professional-grade controls, rugged construction, weather sealing, and strong autofocus and speed performance.
The X-T5 model remains one of the highest performing cameras with its combination of image quality, autofocus, size, lens choice, weather sealing, and battery life.
Slightly smaller than the X-T4, it’s packing the 40 MP sensor from the X-H2 model—one of the highest resolution APS-C sensors on the market—keeping the X-T5 the reigning champ of travel cameras again this year.

Tip: We love Fujifilm’s selection of compact prime lenses for traveling, including the 27mm f/2.8 R WR and the 23mm f/2 R WR.

Best luxury camera: Leica Q3

Studio photograph of the Leica Q3 against a blue background

At $5,995, this camera isn’t cheap. In the mirrorless full frame market, only one camera model not made by Leica currently sells for over $6,000—the Sony A1, the highest performance 35mm camera in the world. What does all that money get you? Arguably the finest shooting experience for travel photography, in one author’s opinion. The elegant controls and stunning looks make this camera a joy to use.
The image quality is second to none on this list, with massive 61 MP raw files that leave generous room for cropping. The camera is weather sealed and built like a tank.

Tip: We also suggest the Leica Q2, or the Q2 Monochrom, which sports a black-and-white-only sensor.

Best camera for a full-frame interchangeable lens: Nikon Zf

Studio photograph of a Nikon ZF camera against a green background

A rock-solid sensor, rear screen, the same high-quality electronic viewfinder from the Z6II model, and charming retro style make the Nikon Zf our top pick for this category.
It also features eight sensor stabilization stops and the same EXPEED 7 processor as Nikon’s flagship models, offering exceptional AF and VR performance.
The weather sealing, magnesium alloy body, and etched brass mechanical dials show that a lot of thought and care went into the user experience. This camera was the most fun to test.
The full-featured Zf sports tech (unique to this model) allows you to shift your focus point with the touch screen while using the viewfinder, use pixel shift shooting to create 96 MP images, and focus point stabilization. The Zf centers stabilization around your focus point, rather than the middle of the sensor. And it has a dedicated black-and-white mode.

Tip: If you get only one lens, make it the 24-120mm f/4. We recommend pairing that with one of the brand’s compact primes, such as the 40mm f/2 or the 28mm f/2.8.

Best camera for wildlife photography: OM System OM-1

Studio photograph of a OM Systems OM-1 camera against a teal gradient background

Like other flagship cameras from major brands (Sony A1, Nikon Z9, Canon R3), the OM-1 is stacked with features, and it’s incredibly fast. With continuous autofocus, the OM-1 can shoot up to 50 frames per second (fps)—faster than most video.
Its outstanding subject detection system tracks all sorts of animals in high-speed situations.
OM System’s flagship OM-1 has a unique Micro Four Thirds (MFT) sensor, which means the aspect ratio is 4:3, rather small at about half the size of full frame.
The camera also has multiple computational modes, including a hand-held high-res mode (makes a 50 MP file from a burst of 16 frames), and our favorite, the Live-ND filter, which simulates a physical neutral density filter. This allows for slower shutter speeds in brighter conditions to capture motion. Think blurred ocean waves or majestic waterfalls.
With the best weather sealing of any camera on this list, this model stands up to even the harshest conditions.

Tip: The top lenses for this camera are all in the pro line, which have outstanding build quality, often integrated lens hoods, and smooth focus/zoom rings. For the wildlife enthusiast and birder, the best lens is the 150-400mm F4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO. It gives you a lightweight 300-800mm range and an integrated teleconverter up to 1000mm handheld. The best overall lens for this model is the 12-100mm f/4 IS PRO (24-200mm).

Best camera for beginners: Canon EOS R50

Studio photograph of the Canon R50 camera against a green background

Canon continues to fill out its lineup of APS-C mirrorless bodies, and the R50 is a great choice for beginners or anyone wanting to upgrade from their cell phone.
It’s compact and comfortable to grip, with an integrated electronic viewfinder, and a small pop-up flash. It also has one of the best touch interfaces, with easy menu navigation and a touch control panel for adjusting your settings while shooting.
The greatest strength of the 18-45mm lens that comes with the R50 is its size. The APS-C line’s greatest weakness is the lack of lens options.

Best budget camera: Nikon Z30

Studio photograph of the Nikon Z30 camera against a blue background

Nikon introduced the Z30 last year as the third model in its mirrorless APS-C lineup. The absence of an electronic viewfinder keeps the size compact, so it’s easy to carry around and fun to shoot with. Yet it still has great features. Plus, besides Nikon’s own line of DX lenses, there are many affordable third-party lens options.
For an entry-level camera, the Z30 has impressive stills credentials, including excellent low-light performance, a mechanical shutter capable of shooting 11 frames per second with AF tracking, the option to save images as high-quality raw files, and strong autofocus capabilities.

Tip: This model is a perfect match for Nikon’s compact DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR. For added fun, shallow depth of field, and improved lowlight performance, look no further than the DX 24mm f/1.7. It’s a compact prime that you may want to leave on your Z30 full time.

Most versatile camera for travel: Sony RX100VII

Studio photograph of the Sony RX100VII camera against a green background

Sony’s RX100 line remains one of the most versatile ultra-compact cameras. Featured in past lists, the RX100VII still has the same features we praised before: the pro line’s real-time autofocus for highly reliable eye/face autofocus for people and animals; electronic shooting with almost no distortion of moving subjects; silent shooting and high shutter speeds for bright light conditions.
The RX100VII’s 24-200mm equivalent zoom lens still isn’t as bright as we would like, but it covers a wide range. Tom continues to consider the RX100 line his “desert island” choice.

Note: In future versions, we’d like to see a USB-C type connector for in-camera charging and image offloading. A model that sports Sony’s current menu system that’s easier to navigate and supports touch controls would be a welcome improvement too.

7 video cameras we love for every kind of traveler

The 10 best compact cameras, according to National Geographic

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The Masterclasses 2023: 10 practical tips to help you succeed as a travel photographer

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BUYER'S GUIDES

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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Advice on Picking a New Camera What to Know Before You Buy

Best All-Rounder Fujifilm X100V Read more

Front and back view of a black digital camera

Best For Everyday Picture-Taking Ricoh GR III and GR IIIx Read more

Best Basic Option Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VA Read more

While smartphones ate the low-end camera world, camera manufacturers have been making some extraordinary strides in what an advanced compact camera can do.

Sure, for day-to-day photography, a smartphone is convenient because it’s the camera that you always have with you. But image quality can be an issue in low light, and, if I'm honest, holding a flat rectangle without physical controls often makes for a dissatisfying picture-taking experience. With a dedicated camera, I find it's easier to get into the zone and focus (pun fully intended!) on making expressive art and capturing decisive moments. There are no social media notifications or text threads getting in the way—just you and a camera and your subject. Nothing else matters.

The first problem these devices easily solve is that of image quality. Although phones can boost their perceived image quality with software tricks, there's often no breaking the laws of physics–small phones have minuscule cameras inside that are unable to absorb much light. If you can snag more light, you can capture cleaner photos, and the only way to do that is to make every camera component bigger.

Sensors sizes from 1 inch all the way to a full 35 mm (1.38 inches) can neatly fit inside these devices meant for snapshots. For the sake of comparison, the best camera in the iPhone 14 Pro (which has the biggest-ever main camera sensor for an iPhone) has a sensor that's about 60 percent smaller than the least capable camera on the list below. From 12 megapixels to a whopping 47, the cameras on this list all have more than enough resolution for photographic prints and room to crop and adjust your composition after the fact. We're at a point where megapixels on the sensor are no longer a key indicator of image quality—remember that most images will be viewed on a tiny 6-inch screen rather than a huge billboard.

Then there's optics. While smartphone cameras are built with multiple lenses that make them jacks-of-all-trades, a dedicated camera will have a single lens of a far higher quality that often demonstrates unique strengths. Furthermore, although some of the best compact cameras have zoom lenses for flexibility, many opt for a fixed-lens design which can deliver even sharper photos and capture more light. Better lenses can also lend more authenticity to photos—if you love blurry backgrounds added by a phone's software in “portrait” mode, many of these cameras can do the same trick, but without making your images look weird or unnatural.

Finally, there's design. Cameras, whether they're digital or analog, can feel so much nicer to use. All of the models I looked at for this piece have physical controls that are easier to use than the virtual camera controls on a phone’s touchscreen (yes, even the ones in advanced photography apps). These cameras also often include viewfinders you can put your eye to when it's too bright out to accurately frame a shot on a naked LCD screen. The feel and control afforded by a physical camera give you a chance to hone your skills and experiment in ways that smartphones don't. And a real camera makes you look cool too, which might explain the recent interest—on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, among other places—in retro-styled digital models.

Perhaps the biggest hurdle you might face when using a stand-alone compact camera is when it comes time to share photos on social media. Nearly all modern cameras have some kind of Wi-Fi built in, but the quality of the companion mobile apps can vary wildly, and image transfer can be slow. But even this may be more a feature than a bug. In the spirit of slowing down and “seeing” what you're taking pictures of, the slower transfer of images gives you a chance to chill out and be selective. After all, you're probably not a press photographer sending photos of the big game to an editor on deadline. So relax and enjoy the process!

Be sure to check out our other buying guides , including the Best Action Cameras , Best Mirrorless Cameras , and Best Camera Accessories for Your Smartphone .

Updated June 2023: We added the Fujifilm X100V, Leica Q3, and Ricoh GR III and IIIx. We also fixed links and pricing throughout.

Advice on Picking a New Camera

The first thing to know is that nice cameras aren't cheap—most of our picks here cost around $1,000—and you usually get what you pay for. The second thing I want to impart is that these cameras require you to pay attention and put in a little effort while shooting. I'd bet that the first few times you use them, you'll be a little let down. The onus is on you to learn how to use your new camera in order to get the most from it. Although all these models have automatic modes that can be activated with a dial twist or a button press, you'll get the most from these devices if you take the time to look over the user manual, watch some instructional YouTube videos, and read some forums or websites on how to get the best results.

None of these cameras have built-in storage, so you'll need to buy an SD card, which thankfully are super cheap now. Grab a 64-GB card from a reputable store and never look back. I'd also recommend looking into other accessories. While some of these cameras are legitimately small, some are a bit bigger than a sling bag can fit, and not all of them include the nicest straps (whether you get a wrist strap or a full neck strap in the box), accessorizing can be a super fun experience. Unlike smartphones, all of these cameras have batteries you can remove yourself, so you can carry a spare for extended shoots or swap in a replacement cell years down the road once the original battery can’t hold a charge anymore. Some of these models let you charge the battery over USB, but not all of them have a USB-C port; they may have an older microUSB slot for in-camera charging from the wall or a battery bank.

Also, before you pick a camera, I'd recommend you think about what you shoot. The lenses on these cameras are not interchangeable, so you're stuck with the one the camera comes with. Most main phone lenses use a relatively wide 28-mm-equivalent focal length. If you shoot a lot of landscapes or architecture, this focal length is pretty nice. But if you want to get closer to your subjects, something like a 35- or 40-mm-equivalent lens may be a better choice. Just know that you won't be able to fit as much stuff in the frame without stepping farther back. Below, I'll use equivalent focal lengths to standardize across cameras and compare the lenses on each.

Best All-Rounder

While it's nigh impossible to buy at the time of this writing, the Fujifilm X100V lives up to the cacophonous online hype that surrounds it. Not only does it look like a retro rangefinder, it has a sharp, compact lens and delivers high-quality images. You can frame your shots either by using the tilting rear touchscreen or by peering through the unique hybrid optical viewfinder. What's a hybrid viewfinder, you ask? Well, this is a viewfinder that can either show you a true optical view of the scene (with some handy framing lines and the camera's settings drawn on top), or a purely digital image on a tiny screen inside the camera that gives you a preview of what the final image will look like. If you like an optical view, the hybrid finder can also switch to the digital screen momentarily to display the shot after you take it. This camera can even capture decent 4K video, although the lack of any kind of image stabilization means your videos will look shaky unless you use a tripod.

The 26-megapixel images have a lot of dynamic range, with extended light and dark tones. You'll also see some of Fuji's magic at work in the colors. Even on the standard color setting, images pop. That's not even mentioning the other “film simulation” modes Fujifilm offers, letting you shoot stylish, tasteful looks (ranging from vibrant colors to faded and muted tones, along with beautiful monochrome options) right from the jump. With a front filter and an adapter ring, the X100V becomes splash-proof, so it'll probably survive a light sprinkle but not a torrential downpour. In all, there's a reason the Fujifilm X100V has a widespread following among seasoned photographers and newcomers alike. It's just so fun to shoot, and the photos look fantastic.

Best For Everyday Picture-Taking

Want to join a cult? Don’t worry, this is a cult for camera owners—the long-time photographer-favorite Ricoh GR III has a well-deserved obsessive fan base. This GR has a lineage that goes back to the '90s, finding its way into the pockets of some famous film photographers. Today's digital GRs offer up simple ergonomics and high image quality in a pocketable package. While its basic black getup is not as flashy as the Fujifilm’s classic design, you can get a Ricoh GR in a few different editions that give it different looks. There is no viewfinder on this camera, but its simple rear touchscreen gets the job done well enough.

The biggest decision you'll need to make is which lens you want; the camera comes in two versions, each with a different piece of glass on the front. The standard Ricoh GR III is famous for its sharp, fast 28-mm-equivalent lens with a focusing distance that’s great for wider scenes and lets you get some macro shots. The GR IIIx, then, has a 40-mm-equivalent lens, which might be better for taking portraits of friends or getting closer to your subjects. Both cameras have 24-megapixel sensors and image stabilization systems that help keep shots sharper in low light. Ricoh also provides some appealing color profiles for your images, including some more artistic choices like harsh black-and-white, cross-processed photos, and a bleach bypass look. In terms of sheer image quality, the Ricoh GR is a powerful artistic tool. The fact that it’s so tiny and simple just adds to its appeal.

Best Basic Option

If you're a parent trying to document your young ones’ lives, you'll know that it can be hard to keep up with the kids’ constant movement. That's why this Sony compact is a great pick—it has phenomenally fast autofocus and can shoot 24 shots per second for up to 233 frames. It can also quickly pick out humans in shots, zeroing in to keep the eyes in focus if possible. While its zoom lens is a 24-70-mm-equivalent that's good for both wide shots and close-up portraits, you probably won't be capturing the school play or basketball game with it unless you're in the front row. Although it's physically small, the RX100 VA packs in more gizmos than Inspector Gadget. Its rear touchscreen can flip up and face forward, making selfies a snap, and if you're in a bright environment, you can pop up an itty bitty viewfinder. There's even a little flash to help illuminate dark scenes. Inside, its 1-inch, 20-megapixel sensor gives you better low-light performance than a phone camera, and the lens's fast f/1.8-2.8 aperture will let in plenty of light while making backgrounds tastefully blurred. You get a little bit of everything you might need in your day-to-day photography. Alternate Pick : Another basic camera worth considering is the Panasonic Lumix LX100 II ($1,120) . It has a great lens with a big sensor, and for snapshots it's a superior camera. Unfortunately it's been discontinued and is only available on the used market, but if you can get one, grab it.

Best Bargain Pick

If the $1,000 prices of these cameras gives you pause, then maybe consider this Canon, which has many of the same key features but sells for $300 to $400 less. Its 35-100-mm-equivalent lens offers up a lot of zoom, making it great for everything from wide landscapes to close-ups of faraway objects. With a 20 megapixel sensor, the PowerShot G7 X Mark II might not be a huge step up in image quality compared to a phone, but the camera’s lens and its built-in image stabilization system make for a far better shooting experience in low light and when zoomed way in. At first glance, the PowerShot G7 X Mark II might seem a lot like the Sony RX100 VA above, but the Canon lacks the Sony’s super-quick autofocus, bonkers burst shooting modes, and its viewfinder. But if you don't need these whizzy features, you can save hundreds and get very similar image quality. Having that extra zoom power is also a treat.

Best High-End Option

Let's say you inherited some money from a family member and want to spend it on a fancy new camera. Well, the Leica Q3 is probably what you're looking for.

While this camera is the biggest of these compacts, it also has the highest image quality by far. It inherits a superb 28-mm f/1.7 lens from the first two Leica Q cameras and boasts an impressive macro mode for close-ups with a lot of detail. The lens also has a silky smooth manual focus ring that you can twist to dial in details, making it feel like a “real” film Leica. But even if you opt for autofocus, the 60-megapixel sensor captures big, luscious images. They're so big, in fact, that it has some alternate modes for capturing smaller images with file sizes that are more manageable and easier to share online. Its larger physical dimensions make the Q3 a two-hand camera, but thankfully it's grippy and nice to hold, with pleasantly indexed and clicky buttons. A tilting touchscreen on the back functions as a flexible way to shoot (I love flipping it up perpendicular to the camera’s body and shooting from the waist), but it also can quickly be used to change some of the most critical settings. But you can also use the phenomenally sharp built-in OLED viewfinder if you prefer to hold the camera to your eye. Oh, and out of all the cameras on this list, it's the only one with an IP52 rating, meaning you can shoot in inclement weather without worry. At around $6,000, it's incredibly expensive (as are all Leicas), but this is a camera with modern specs that's designed to last for years. And who's to say you don't deserve a Leica?

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Best Travel Cameras

A small one that captures great images can be the perfect partner for your next vacation

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An ideal travel camera is compact, lightweight, and versatile. And while the smartphone in your pocket may be all of those things, it's not quite up to snuff for the challenging photographic situations you encounter on vacation.

A dedicated camera, including today's superzoom and advanced point-and-shoot models , simply takes better shots than even the best smartphone camera . It creates images with higher resolution, more accurate color, and finer details even in low-light conditions. And given what you're paying for your vacation, why not use a camera that will let you capture and share awesome images?

Today's small cameras also feature versatile lenses that allow you to zoom easily from wide angle to telephoto. But in the interest of compact packaging, they may sacrifice certain features, such as interchangeable lenses and a hot-shoe mount for attaching a powerful external flash unit.

Our list of the best travel cameras doesn't include any DSLR models . The most dedicated amateur photographers may pack one of those for an extended trip, but for the average consumer, a DSLR isn't ideal, mainly because it's typically bulkier and heavier than other options.

Go to Consumer Reports’ 2018 Holiday Central for updates on deals, expert product reviews, insider tips on shopping, and much more.

Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III

Canon PowerShot D30

Canon PowerShot SX730 HS

Fujifilm X-T20 w/ 16-50mm OIS

An Agile, Advanced Point-and-Shoot

This powerful point-and-shoot simply takes great photos and video. The built-in Zeiss lens has a bright f/1.8 maximum aperture, allowing for photos with almost no visual noise even in extreme low-light situations. At 10 ounces (with battery, memory card, and strap), the camera is lightweight, which is a big plus whether you're hiking up a mountain or strolling down a busy city street. It has built-in image stabilization and a convenient pop-up electronic viewfinder, which is a rarity in cameras of this size. And the large, swiveling liquid crystal display (LCD) is handy for composing and reviewing photos.

As a wireless model, it can easily transfer images to your phone or computer through an app, too.

But like most of the cameras on this list, the Sony lacks a hot-shoe mount, so you'll have to make do with the onboard flash if you're shooting in low light.

The Waterproof Wonder

If you're looking for a camera that's rugged and waterproof and also takes decent pictures, check out this 8-ounce Canon point-and-shoot. It allows you to dive deeper underwater than any camera in its class—down to a depth of 82 feet—and the manufacturer claims it can withstand a drop of more than 6 feet. The still images and video quality are good, especially for a camera at this price. The PowerShot D30 has a built-in flash, 5x ultrawide angle zoom lens, and built-in GPS unit, which lets you geotag your photos.

A Super Superzoom

This 11-ounce Canon superzoom packs a lot of versatility into a small package. For $400 you get a camera that produces impressive images and features a very long optical zoom lens (40x optical or 24-960mm). This makes it a great option for not only up-close shots of sporting events and wildlife but also wide-angle shots of landscapes and groups of friends.

The Canon also offers nice extras, such as image stabilization, a swiveling LCD, and a pop-up flash.

Before you buy, though, you should know that this Canon lacks a viewfinder and its video quality is a bit lackluster.

The Nimble Mirrorless

This Fujifilm camera delivers photos with lots of detail, with and without a flash. At 14 ounces, it's also the lightest mirrorless camera recommended in our ratings, with one of the longest-lasting batteries, too, good for about 350 shots. Our testers found that photos shot in low-light conditions had little visual noise. However, the model does stumble a bit when recording video. It has image stabilization, WiFi connectivity, a convenient pop-up flash, a hot-shoe mount, and a large, swiveling LCD. And unlike the other cameras on this list, this mirrorless model lets you swap out lenses , so you always have the best option for capturing the rhinos on safari or taking wide-angle shots of your daughter's kickflip.

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Pentax KF w/ 18-55mm

Fujifilm x-t5 w/ 18-55mm, canon eos r6 mark ii w/ 24-105mm, om system om-5 w/ 12-45mm, fujifilm x-h2 w/ 16-80mm, nikon z 30 w/ 18-140mm, nikon z 30 w/ 16-50mm, canon eos r7 w/ 18-150mm is stm, canon eos r10 w/ 18-150mm is stm, canon eos r10 w/ 18-45mm is stm, om system om-1 w/ 12-40mm pro ii.

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The 6 Best Panasonic Cameras of 2024 Reviews

Panasonic produces a range of cameras under its LUMIX brand, from point-and-shoots to DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. The company is known for standardizing and developing the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) camera and lens system in collaboration with Olympus. In 2018, Panasonic also entered into the L-Mount Alliance with Sigma and Leica to begin producing cameras using the latter's L-mount standard. Under this alliance, Panasonic has begun to produce full-frame cameras. However, it continues to offer many MFT, bridge, and compact cameras to suit a variety of budgets and experience levels.

We've bought and tested over 100 cameras in our lab. Below, you can find our picks for the best LUMIX cameras and see how the brand stacks up in today's camera market.

02/12/2024 Panasonic LUMIX GH6 reviewed
01/11/2024 Panasonic LUMIX G9 II reviewed
10/26/2023 Panasonic LUMIX S5 updated
10/16/2023 Panasonic LUMIX S5 II reviewed
06/16/2022 Panasonic LUMIX GH5s reviewed

Best Panasonic Cameras

Best full-frame panasonic camera.

The Panasonic LUMIX S5 II is the best Panasonic LUMIX camera we've tested with a full-frame sensor. It's a knockout hybrid camera with outstanding video specs. Features like open gate 6k recording, vectorscope functionality, and built-in heat vents to reduce overheating make it a videography powerhouse. That's not even mentioning its excellent in-body image stabilization (IBIS) system and amazing ergonomics.

It even improves on some of the biggest photography drawbacks of its predecessor, the Panasonic LUMIX S5 , with faster burst shooting and a new phase-detection autofocus system that's especially effective in video mode. However, its implementation is less impressive for photography. If that isn't a dealbreaker, you'll find much to love about the S5 Mark II.

See our review

Best Micro Four Thirds Panasonic Camera

If you've invested in the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system, the Panasonic LUMIX G9 II is the brand's flagship Four Thirds camera. It looks and feels similar to the Panasonic LUMIX S5 II , with excellent ergonomics and a sturdy, weather-sealed build. However, its smaller sensor leaves more room in the body for Panasonic to implement its most effective IBIS. You also get a wide range of compact and relatively affordable lens options within the MFT lens ecosystem.

Beyond that, the G9 II uses Panasonic's new phase-detection AF, which offers various subject detection modes and does a decent job tracking moving subjects. The camera also features very quick burst shooting and has surprisingly advanced video specs for a photography-first camera, on par in many ways with the S5 II above. All in all, this is one of the most capable Micro Four Thirds cameras on the market.

Best Panasonic Camera For Video

Panasonic's GH series has long been a favorite among videographers and YouTubers, and the Panasonic LUMIX GH6 is one of the best cameras in the company's lineup for video work. It uses the same 25-megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor as the Panasonic LUMIX G9 II , so you can use the camera with any of the wide array of MFT lenses. That aside, the camera is designed with videography in mind, with built-in heat vents to prevent overheating, a fully-articulated display that tilts out, and smaller touches like two video record buttons and a dedicated audio settings button.

Performance-wise, the GH6 is a powerhouse, offering a dizzying array of recording formats and codec options, including internal ProRes codecs, Panasonic's full V-Log gamma curve, and 4:2:2 10-bit color in most resolutions, not to mention 4k shooting at up to 120 fps without a crop. It uses Panasonic's older contrast-based autofocus, which isn't as quick as phase-detection AF and can sometimes cause pulsing artifacts. That won't be a dealbreaker if you primarily shoot with vintage lenses or prefer manual focus, but those who rely on AF may want to consider one of the hybrid options above, both of which use PDAF.

Best Panasonic Vlogging Camera

If all the talk of codecs and gamma curves went over your head, but you're still interested in shooting videos or vlogs, fear not! The Panasonic LUMIX G100 is a great little vlogging camera that's more accessible to newcomers. It's much more portable and affordable than the Panasonic LUMIX GH6 , which is most definitely overkill for many content creators who just need a simple setup to get started.

To that end, the G100 is very easy to use, with simple and intuitive controls. For instance, when you flip its screen around to face you, the camera automatically goes into 'Self Shot' mode, enabling face/eye detection, audio tracking, and a three-second recording start timer to make vlogging easier. The unique directional mic is better than most internal camera mics, but you also get a microphone input to attach a dedicated mic if you want better audio. Just be aware that the 2x crop factor plus an additional crop in 4k can bring the frame pretty tight on your face unless you use an extension pole. Still, this is a very solid vlogging camera if you want something lightweight and portable that won't break the bank.

Best Panasonic Bridge Camera

A bridge camera can be a solid option if you like the convenience of a built-in lens but still want the shooting experience and ergonomics of a DSLR. Thankfully, Panasonic has you covered with the LUMIX FZ1000 II. It's a solid all-in-one camera for casual or family photographers, with a versatile zoom lens and a wide full-frame equivalent focal range of 25–400mm. That gives you a lot of room to shoot everything from far-off birds and wildlife to your daughter's soccer game.

Naturally, you won't get the same image quality out of this camera as you would with one of the larger-sensor options mentioned above. But the camera features a 1-inch type sensor that puts it above the pack among bridge cameras. It also has a ton of extra features, including a '4k PHOTO' mode that lets you pull stills out of 30 fps video clips and focus bracketing to give you some flexibility to adjust the focus point after the fact. If you're on a tight budget, the Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 is a budget bridge camera with a lot of value and a longer zoom range. However, it has a much cheaper build and uses a smaller sensor, resulting in worse overall image quality.

Best Panasonic Point-And-Shoot Camera

While a bridge camera like the Panasonic LUMIX FZ1000 II gives you the convenience of a built-in lens, it isn't especially portable. If you want something you can easily carry around for street photography or travel, the Panasonic LUMIX LX100 II is an excellent choice. This premium option is aimed more at enthusiasts, with dedicated exposure dials that give you more hands-on control over settings. Though it's been discontinued, it's still one of the best Panasonic point-and-shoots, especially if you can find one on the used market for a lower price.

The camera also stands out among point-and-shoots for its multi-aspect sensor. It uses a Micro Four Thirds sensor that's larger than the lens's imaging circle, which lets you adjust the aspect ratio of your photos without affecting the camera's diagonal field of view. That basically means it's making more effective use of the sensor's resolution when using different aspect ratios. And it still captures high-quality photos, especially for a compact camera. The built-in lens also has a fairly wide max aperture, so it performs well in low light, and you get a bit of zoom range for flexible framing.

Compared To Other Brands

Advanced video features. Panasonic has been an industry leader in bringing advanced video features to the consumer camera market.
Micro Four Thirds system. Panasonic and Olympus standardized the Micro Four Thirds system, featuring 4/3 sensors and MFT-mount lenses. MFT cameras have some advantages, like more portable camera bodies and lenses and more effective IBIS implementation.
Excellent ergonomics Many Panasonic cameras have outstanding ergonomics, well-laid-out controls, and fairly intuitive user interfaces.
Autofocus lags behind some of its competitors. While Panasonic has continued to improve the autofocus performance of its cameras, it isn't quite as effective or reliable as some competitors, like Sony.
Fewer full-frame options. Panasonic is a relative newcomer to the full-frame camera market, so the company has fewer full-frame models to choose from.
Cameras tend to have slower continuous shooting speeds. Some of Panasonic's higher-end cameras have slower continuous shooting speeds than cameras from competing brands.

Panasonic vs Olympus

Panasonic and Olympus are both leading producers of Micro Four Thirds cameras. Panasonic has a wider range of camera offerings and more video-centric options. Olympus cameras are more rugged and portable, making them great travel cameras.

Panasonic vs Sony

Sony is one of Panasonic's biggest competitors regarding video-centric cameras. Sony offers more full-frame options and generally has a leg up in autofocus performance, but, setting aside each manufacturer's higher-end cinema cameras, LUMIX cameras tend to have more features aimed at advanced videography, like built-in heat vents, open gate recording, and vectorscope monitoring.

While Panasonic has a shorter history of making cameras than some of its competitors, it's still managed to produce a variety of innovative cameras that are sometimes ahead of the curve, particularly regarding video specs, offering models with advanced videography features at prices that are hard to beat. Panasonic has also started introducing phase-detection autofocus systems on its cameras, but its AF system implementation generally falls a bit behind competitors like Sony or Canon . However, the company is a mainstay in the realm of Micro Four Thirds cameras, which are a good fit for those who want a more portable camera system.

Panasonic offers a range of mirrorless, MFT, bridge, and compact cameras, with most models beginning with the prefix DMC and its newer line of full-frame mirrorless cameras beginning with the prefix DC. The following are some but not all of the most popular series in Panasonic's full lineup.

Full-Frame Interchangeable Lens Cameras

S series = Full-frame mirrorless cameras with L-mount lenses. Smaller numbers (S1) indicate higher-end cameras, while larger numbers (Panasonic LUMIX S5) sit lower in the lineup.

Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Cameras

G series = Mid-range SLR-style mirrorless cameras, with some models, like the G9, falling towards high-end. Higher single-digit model numbers typically indicate higher-end cameras, while the newer triple-digit G(xxx) model is the brand's entry-level vlogging camera.
GH series = High-end SLR-style mirrorless cameras with advanced video features. Higher model numbers indicate the latest models in the series.
GX series = A newer lineup of rangefinder-style mirrorless cameras that sit between entry-level and mid-level. These generally have smaller bodies but offer higher-end features that you might find on G or GH series cameras.
GF series = Entry-level rangefinder-style mirrorless cameras.

Bridge/Compact/Point-and-Shoot Cameras

FZ series = DSLR-style bridge cameras with small sensors and fixed long-zoom lenses. Smaller model numbers, like the FZ80, are more budget-friendly, while larger model numbers, like the FZ1000 II, are higher-end models with larger 1-inch sensors.
LX series = Premium compact cameras with manual controls. The latest triple-digit models in the series utilize Micro Four Thirds sensors but use a smaller lens opening, allowing the camera to shoot at various aspect ratios natively without reducing the field of view.
TZ/ZS series = 'Travel Zoom' compact point-and-shoot cameras.

Recent Updates

Jun 11, 2024: We updated the article's 'Compared To Other Brands' section, adding a direct comparison to Sony and adjusting some of the pros and cons.

Feb 14, 2024: Added the Panasonic LUMIX G9 II as the 'Best Micro Four Thirds Panasonic Camera' and renamed the Panasonic LUMIX S5 II to 'Best Full-Frame Panasonic Camera.' Replaced the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 II with the Panasonic LUMIX GH6 as the 'Best Panasonic Camera For Video.'

Oct 17, 2023: Replaced the Panasonic LUMIX S5 with the Panasonic LUMIX S5 II as the 'Best Panasonic Camera'.

Jun 15, 2023: Added mention of the Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 as a cheaper alternative to the Panasonic LUMIX FZ1000 II.

Feb 16, 2023: Added brand comparison to Olympus and renamed the Panasonic LUMIX LX100 II from 'Best Panasonic Compact Camera' to 'Best Panasonic Point-And-Shoot Camera'.

Panasonic cameras are some of the best consumer options for advanced video and filmmaking features. While the brand is relatively new to the full-frame camera market, it's already become a viable competitor to brands like Sony and Fujifilm in the mirrorless market. If you're looking to invest in the Micro Four Thirds system, Panasonic is still one of the few brands to look at. Its collaboration with Olympus in the MFT arena and its entry into the L-Mount Alliance also means that investing in one of these systems opens up your lens options, making Panasonic a cost-effective camera brand to invest in.

Test Results

IMAGES

The best compact cameras for travelers in 2022
Best Compact Cameras 2022
Best travel camera 2022: the 16 finest choices for your next adventure
Best travel camera 2022: the 16 finest choices for your next adventure
The best compact camera 2022: 16 best pocket cameras to buy
Best compact cameras of 2022

COMMENTS

The 13 Best Compact Cameras of 2024
Upgrade your travel photography with digital, film, and instant compact cameras to suit all budgets by top brands from Sony to Panasonic.
The 5 Best Compact Cameras For Travel
It isn't cheap, but the Sony RX100 VII is the best compact travel camera that we've tested. Sony has perfected the formula for compact zoom cameras with its RX100 series.
These are the best compact cameras for travelers in 2022
From budget-friendly point-and-shoot models to high-tech wonders perfect for photographing wildlife, here are the best cameras for travelers in 2022.
Best travel camera for 2024: top choices for your adventures
In our best travel camera guide, we look at the top travel cameras available to buy right now.
The best compact cameras for travelers in 2022
The 10 best compact cameras, according to National Geographic From budget-friendly point-and-shoots to high-tech wonders designed for wildlife photography, check out these recommendations from our ...
New: 7 Best cameras for travel
What's the best camera for travel? Good travel cameras should be small, versatile, and offer good image quality. In this buying guide we've rounded-up several great cameras for travel and recommended the best.
5 Best Compact Cameras for Travel in 2024
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?
The best travel camera in 2024
The best travel camera in 2024: compact and portable cameras to take anywhere
The best compact cameras in 2024
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.
The 6 Best Travel Cameras
We've bought and tested over 100 cameras in our lab, and below, you'll find our top camera recommendations for travel. If you're specifically looking for a point-and-shoot camera, check out the best compact cameras for travel instead.
The Best Travel Cameras for 2024
Not sure how to capture your upcoming trip? We're here to help you buy the best camera for your travel journey no matter the destination.
The Best Compact Travel Cameras to Take on Your Next Adventure
When traveling, it's important to have a camera that's easily portable without giving up performance. These are the best compact cameras for travel.
The Best Travel Camera: Compact, DSLR, Mirrorless & Phone!
Tips and advice on the best travel cameras, including what to look for. Suggestions in every category including smartphone, compact, mirrorless & DSLR cameras for travel photography!
The 30 Best Travel Cameras
The 30 Best Travel Cameras in 2023 - Compact, DSLR & Mirrorless Camera Guide Amar Hussain Updated: June 12, 2023, 3:58am CDT Edited by: Keri Stooksbury Jump to Section
The best compact camera for 2024: top choices to take anywhere
With smartphone photography improving all the time, the best compact cameras have to do more to earn a place in your pocket. That could be an optical zoom that gets you closer, or a large sensor ...
The 6 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.
12 Best Compact Cameras in 2024 (For Travel & Portability)
It's a great point-and-shoot camera for a beginner on the go. It fits in your pocket, and its images are impressive. That makes the PowerShot G7 X Mark III one of the best compact cameras you can buy.
11 Best Travel Cameras, According to Experts and Amateurs Alike
We asked the pros, amateurs, and our editors for their picks of the best travel cameras, from lightweight mirrorless cameras to portable vintage gems.
Best Compact Cameras for Travel: Point-and-Shoot Cameras
A guide to the best compact cameras for travel at every price point. We'll help you decide if a point-and-shoot camera is a good choice for you, provide advice on how to choose the best compact camera, and share a list of the best compact point-and-shoot cameras currently available across various price points. We also give some tips on how to make the most of your point-and-shoot camera.
The best digital cameras for travelers in 2023, according to National
The 9 best digital cameras for travelers, according to National Geographic These are the cameras our photo engineering team likes for everyone from beginners to street photographers and those on a ...
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.
The Best Compact Cameras to Level Up Your Photo Skills
Furthermore, although some of the best compact cameras have zoom lenses for flexibility, many opt for a fixed-lens design which can deliver even sharper photos and capture more light.
Best Travel Cameras
From a Wi-Fi-connected point-and-shoot to a powerful superzoom, here are four of the best travel cameras to emerge from the Consumer Reports test labs.
The Best Waterproof Cameras for 2024
The Best Waterproof Cameras for 2024. Whether you want to take some photos (or video) of a snorkeling expedition in an exotic locale or capture images poolside, you need a waterproof camera.
The 6 Best Panasonic Cameras of 2024: Reviews
LX series = Premium compact cameras with manual controls. The latest triple-digit models in the series utilize Micro Four Thirds sensors but use a smaller lens opening, allowing the camera to shoot at various aspect ratios natively without reducing the field of view. TZ/ZS series = 'Travel Zoom' compact point-and-shoot cameras.