On these dates there are many people who yearn for a trip. If you are one of them and you are lucky enough to materialize it, you may be looking for your ideal travel companion, the one who will help you to immortalize your next experience. That’s why today I bring a list of cameras to travel. You will surely find the one that best suits your needs, because I bring you everything from compact to SLR 😉 But you also want tips and tricks to capture the best photos on your trip, don’t miss this very complete guide that we have prepared for you.
Characteristics of a camera to travel
Before launching into a list, I would like to tell you what a camera must do to make it your ideal travel companion. If you have read the previous paragraph well, you may (and I hope) have stuck with the phrase “the most suitable for your needs”. And it is that the needs are not the same for all photographers.
- Camera type: Do you need an SLR? Or do you just want to capture memories in automatic mode but with good quality? These are questions that you should ask yourself, because not having a SLR will make you take better photos. For example, SLR, mirrorless (EVIL) or advanced compact cameras are for people who are really interested in photography and are willing to spend hours and hours learning and practicing. If you doubt which is the ideal camera for you, it is best to take a look at this article with an infographic on the subject. But before continuing, you must be clear about the answer, at least hesitate between two groups.
- Photo or video: Not everyone looking for a camera thinks only of photos. There are also video lovers. If this is your case and you cannot conceive of a trip without recording videos as well as photos, keep in mind this detail At the time of choosing.
- Sealed body: Some travelers are more adventurous than others, right? There are those who enjoy touring the streets of quiet little towns and those who cannot conceive of their vacations without crossing deserts or experiencing the uncertainty of a downpour falling at the most unexpected moment. If you are more of this last group, then yes or yes, I recommend looking for a sealed body camera.
- Size and weight: What weight are you willing to carry? Are you traveling with light luggage? Or do you not mind carrying an exclusively photographic backpack with your SLR and different optics? Important aspect when choosing a camera.
- Optics: You should also consider if you want a camera, period. Or you want a camera and the ability to change lenses. If you are always photographing with the same focal lengths or you like from doing macro to photographing the moon as if you had it at 10 meters.
- Drums: How often do you think you will be able to charge your battery. How many photos do you usually take? If you’re in a place where you can plug in your battery often, you still shouldn’t worry too much, but if you’re camping in the open on top of a mountain, you won’t find many plugs, or make sure your battery life is going to respond well to your needs or loads with several spare parts.
- temperatures: All cameras have adequate performance temperatures, it is normal for them to be between 0-40º C approximately. If you plan to travel to a place with lower or much higher temperatures, you should pay attention to this aspect.
reflex
If you are only looking for a camera to accompany you on your travels, it is perhaps the least recommended option. Unless you make the trips exclusively to chase the photos you’ve been dreaming of for so long 😉
Now, if you are going to give it more uses and you are clear that you want a SLR, these are some recommendations.
1. Pentax KP- For adventurous travelers
This reflex is sealed, so it is the most suitable for those adventurous travelers or those who go to places with adverse weather.
- 24MP sensor.
- Stabilizer.
- Good response with high ISO values.
- Flip screen.
- 27 focus points.
- Electronic shutter (speeds up to 1/24000s)
- 7 frames per second
- Sealed body.
- WiFi connection
To find out more, check out our Pentax KP review article.
2. Canon EOS 250D – A small video DSLR
Small SLRs are best suited when your primary purpose is travel. And this one is, it’s small and it’s light.
However, its size does not imply that it does not have the benefits of an advanced SLR camera, among its features we find:
- 24 megapixel resolution (for large enlargements).
- Folding screen, ideal for self-portraits with your family or partner.
- Fast shooting up to 5 fps (up to 5 photos per second).
- ISO up to 25,600 that are expandable up to 51,200, image quality in low light conditions.
- and much more…
Another important aspect of this Canon EOS 250D is that it is one of the few cheap SLRs with 4K video recording.
If you decide on this model, it currently costs around 600 EUR .
3. Nikon D3400 – The one Mario would recommend
It’s no secret that the Nikon D3400 is the camera Mario recommends the most to get started in the SLR world. Its main features:
- 24 megapixel resolution CMOS sensor.
- Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s.
- Up to 5 photos per second in burst mode.
- ISO sensitivity from 100 – 25,600.
- 11 focus points.
- Screen with Live View.
- Video recording in Full HD up to 60fps.
- Bluetooth connectivity.
And if what you are looking for is the cheapest SLR, these are your options.
mirrorless
If I had to choose one type of camera for a true traveling photographer, it would be mirrorless. With authentic traveling photographer I mean that it is not casual, neither in the photographer nor in the traveler, but rather they are two words that go with his person 😉 . For occasional travelers or photographers there are also other interesting options.
But for those who travel a lot and take pictures non-stop, I think that mirrorless cameras are the best suited, due to size, because at the level of manual adjustments they work like a SLR and because they are quieter than SLRs. They also produce less shake. And travel photography poses many situations where these features are greatly needed. Let’s look at some interesting mirrorless travel camera options:
4. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III – For video and vintage lovers
At the time we reviewed the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III as the ideal travel companion, it would be for a reason, don’t you think?
Apart from this name that is so complicated to memorize, it is light, versatile, with a very cool design and with some features that do not disappoint:
- 16MP.
- Image Stabilizer.
- 121 focus points (contrast focus system).
- ISO up to 25600.
- Speed 60s-1/4000s.
- 8 frames per second burst.
- Integrated flash.
- WiFi connection.
- Touch screen and folding.
- 4k video recording.
You only have the body for less than 400 euros.
5. Fujifilm X-T20 – Design and technology hand in hand
We continue with another mirrorless camera, this time from the Fujifilm brand, which combines technology and design. Its silent shutter, its wireless connections and its great focus make it an interesting bet.
- 4k videos.
- ISO up to 12800.
- Touch screen and folding.
- 14 frames per second.
- Geotagging.
- 325 focus points.
I follow? Here you have much more information about the Fujifilm X T-20.
6. Sony A6000 – To capture the action.
Years go by and it remains one of the users’ favorite mirrorless cameras. This super fast focusing and very light camera is a great option for your travels:
- lenses with Sony E-mount.
- 24MP.
- Hybrid approach with 179 points.
- ISO up to 25,600.
- Shutter speed between 1/4000s and 30”.
- 11 frames per second.
- WiFi connection.
Refrain lovers of 4k or touch screens.
You can find it for about 550 euros.
Bridge
Those cameras halfway between compact and reflex-mirrorless are the bridge. If the compact ones slip out of your hands and seem too small, and the ones you need to change lenses seem like a sucker, this is your ideal camera. The Bridges are moderately sized, allow for manual adjustments but have everything you need in one lens. Some are capable of incredible zooming. Let’s see among the Bridge some options of cameras to travel:
7. Nikon Coolpix B600 – The all-terrain camera for traveling
If you like from doing macro to photographing the moon, this is your option. You will not achieve the most demanding quality, but you will have everything you can imagine photographing in a single body-objective.
Of course, do not ask for a touch screen or 4k videos. But yes WIFI and Bluetooth connections. More features in this review.
If you are wondering the price of the Nikon Coolpix B600, now you can find it for approximately 300 euros.
8. Canon POWERSHOT SX540 HS – Another all-rounder
The characteristics are very similar to the Nikon bridge, you can learn about them in detail in this review, so I’d better give you the differences.
Nikon better screen resolution, longer focal length, higher ISO and faster shutter speed, and longer battery life.
Canyon greater exposure control, more megapixels, for larger print sizes, NFC connection, 1080×60 fps video recording, versus Nikon’s 1080×30 fps and it’s a tad lighter in weight. And it does shoot in RAW format, unlike the Nikon.
Compact and advanced compact for traveling
The compact ones are for those who only use their cameras on the road or are looking for a camera that fits in their pocket. They don’t want to worry about changing optics but they want to go beyond the memory.
Some want to be part of the photography creation and need the manual adjustments that an advanced compact offers, others just want a little more quality than their smartphone offers.
Well the good news is that the compact ones are all travel-friendly, because they fit anywhere, they are small, light and discreet. In this link you will find our BONUS with which we consider the 10 best compact cameras, also for all types of photographers. Surely if it is what you are looking for, you will find the one that best suits your needs.
Cameras for traveling with children
Families travel too. Some not as much as they would like but yes. Families travel with children who also want to take photos of all the wonders they find. If this is your case, here are a couple of recommendations.
9. Olympus Tough TG-6 – For aquatic families and divers
This submersible camera up to 15m is designed for those underwater travelers. It is also resistant to dust and falls, supports temperatures down to -10Cº
It has a sensor that records the location, depth/altitude and temperature at which the image was taken.
- 12MP CMOS sensor.
- Macro photography from 1cm.
- Video…