Finding the best travel camera might not be a huge priority for you right now, given the restrictions of the global pandemic. But when those shackles are lifted, you’ll want to be ready to pounce – and that’s what we’re here to help you do with this guide to the finest travel cameras you can buy.
There isn’t one perfect travel camera – choosing the right one depends on the kind of traveling you’re doing and your preferred shooting experience. If you’re going on a city break and will be mainly shooting at night, then a big sensor and fast lens are crucial. Heading out on safari? Then you’ll need a long zoom instead.
Wherever you’re going, the best travel cameras won’t weigh you down – so we’ve picked a variety of options that offer top specifications without needing their own suitcase. Specs like 4K video, generous zoom ranges and large sensors.
Today’s smartphones are incredibly capable, but a good travel camera can give you superior image quality (particularly if you’re looking to print your souvenir snaps), better manual control and far more comfortable handling. And, in many cases, all three of those.
The first thing you'll likely want to think about is the type of camera you're willing to take on your travels. For many, a bulky DSLR or mirrorless camera will be too much hassle, making a long zoom premium compact camera the obvious choice. On the other hand, if you really want your shots to stand out, packing something versatile – but still – makes a lot of sense.
In this guide, we'll select a few different kinds of camera that are just perfect for your next vacation. Whether you want to travel as light as possible, or you don't mind having a little more to carry around, we've got you covered here.
Before we take a look at our best travel camera list, we wanted to highlight an alternative that is a few generations old but still packs a punch. The RX100 III from Sony is a couple of years old now and was originally selling for near $1,000/£1,000, but with the arrival of newer models (including the RX100 VII below), it’s dropped massively in price. Downsides? Well, the zoom is pretty short compared to other rivals here, but otherwise there’s a lot to like. There’s a decent 20.1MP 1-inch sensor, a pop-up electronic viewfinder and 4K video recording, while it’s packaged in a premium, metal body. Definitely worth a look if the zoom range isn’t your main concern.
With the rise of high-end compacts like the excellent Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V stealing the thunder from compact travel zooms, Panasonic’s response has been to keep the camera body about the same size as its earlier ZS/TZ-series cameras but to squeeze in a much larger sensor. We saw this with the Lumix ZS100 (known as the Lumix TZ100 outside the US), and Panasonic has continued this with the newer Lumix ZS200 / TZ200. This physically larger 1in sensor enables much better image quality than would otherwise be the case, but the slight downside is that the zoom range from the lens isn’t quite as extensive as some others with smaller sensors. That said, The ZS200 / TZ200 still sports a very versatile 15x zoom, while there’s also a handy built-in electronic viewfinder, which makes it easier to compose images in bright light. It’s a bit pricey, but this is still the best travel zoom compact camera available right now.
(Image credit: Future)
2. Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III
Compact yet capable – arguably the ultimate travel package
Compact, versatile, capable – pick any two and you've got a good travel camera. The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is all three, and then some. Its weatherproof polycarbonate shell is small and light, yet handles wonderfully. It offers on-the-go photographers a raft of modes and features that guarantee great holiday snaps. And the combination of a powerful image processor, on-chip phase detection autofocus and some of the best image stabilization skills around make it an incredibly capable piece of kit to shoot with as you move. Yes, its outright image quality can't match larger formats in trickier conditions – low-light, for example – but you'll struggle to find a travel camera that can tick so many other boxes. Add 4K video into the mix for those roaming vlogs and you've got a mirrorless camera that deserves a spot in your carry-on.
(Image credit: Future)
3. Canon G5X Mark II
This great all-rounder could be the perfect enthusiast compact
What the G5X Mark II loses in zoom, it makes up for in other areas. With a wide maximum aperture throughout the focal length, this is a camera which is well-suited to a wide range of lighting conditions. Besides which, having up to 120mm (in 35mm terms) available is still pretty flexible. Elsewhere, there’s a high-performing 1-inch sensor, great 4K videos and a pop-up electronic viewfinder which pairs well with the tilting LCD screen. There are undoubtedly more advanced cameras on the market, but not many combine a good range of features like this in one competitively-priced package.
Sony revolutionized premium compact cameras with the original RX100 as it was the first pocket-sized camera to feature a large 1.0-inch sensor. They were always great for travel, but thanks to a relatively limited zoom lens, were perhaps sometimes overlooked in favour of other models. Things changed when we got to the RX100 VI, which paired a much longer lens than ever before – and now we’ve seen some refinement of the model for the latest, the RX100 VII. The sacrifice for making the lens longer is losing the super wide aperture of previous generations, but if you’re mainly going to be shooting in sunny climes, it may not be such a big deal. There’s also a heck of a lot of power under the hood of the RX100 VII. It houses features that you might not ever use, such as a ridiculous 90fps burst mode, as well as those that are more commonplace, such as 4K video. The big downside of this model is its super-high asking price, but if you want the best of the best for your travels – it could just be the one for you. If your budget doesn’t quite stretch to the asking price of the RX100 VII, take a look at older models throughout the range for better prices.
(Image credit: Future)
5. Sony A6100
A compact yet capable mirrorless camera with plenty of jet-set skills
If you don’t mind carrying something slightly larger than a pocket camera on your travels, the Sony A6100 arguably offers the best balance of size, shooting power and value right now. It isn’t without its flaws, but it does tick most boxes for globetrotting photographers. Despite its compact size, this entry-level mirrorless camera offers a fleet of useful features – from customizable buttons and a microphone input to the flip-up touchscreen that, though limited in functionality, is ideal for framing far-flung selfies. Paired with a good lens, the 24.2MP sensor serves up decent images with plenty of detail, while the AF system – shared with the flagship A6600 – ensures reliably sharp focus and excellent continuous tracking, even on the move. The A6100 can capture 4K footage at 30fps, too, though there's no IBIS when shooting travel vlogs. Battery life is also pretty solid, as is the Wi-Fi, which works well with the partner app for rapid sharing of holiday snaps. Less impressive are the relatively low-res EVF & LCD and the Auto ISO, which can struggle with quick-moving subjects – so it's best to go full manual for street action shots. It's not perfect, then, but the A6100 comes close to travel perfection, offering good value, strong specs and a satchel-friendly form.
(Image credit: Future)
6. Fujifilm X-T30
A super-stylish compact system camera that’s ideal for travelling
Sensor: APS-C, 26.1MP | Lens Mount: X Mount | Monitor: 3.0-inch tilt-ange touchscreen, 1040K dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Continuous shooting: 30fps | Movies: 4K | User level: Intermediate
Great build quality and handling
Gorgeous looks
Some fiddly controls
No inbuilt stabilization
For those happy to tote a compact system camera, the Fujifilm X-T30 is one of our favourites, and one which makes a heck of a lot of sense as a travel camera. Distilling many of the best elements of its older, bigger and more expensive brother, the X-T3 into a pleasingly small form, the X-T30 will help you get gorgeous shots while also looking gorgeous itself. There’s lots of great lenses available for the Fuji X system, so you’ll be spoiled for choice there, while 4K video recording, a tilting touch-sensitive screen and a high-resolution EVF help to round out the spec sheet.
The Nikon Z50 is a great option if you like Nikon and are after your first ‘proper’ camera. It works well as a travel camera and has a very comfortable button layout. The 3.2-inch screen can also flip underneath the body to compose selfies of an altogether higher class, although it and the tripod mount compete for space. At this point, not many lenses have been made specifically for the Z50's DX format, but the range will naturally grow larger over time, and you can use those made for the full-frame Nikons too. We prefer the Sony A6500 for high-speed action shooting, but this is a good-value camera and generally a joy to use.
(Image credit: Future)
8. Fujifilm X100V
A niche but polished compact that's perfect for the street
A premium compact camera with a design inspired by 1950s analogue cameras and a fixed 23mm f/2 lens? Sounds like the very definition of niche. And yet, far from an anachronism, Fujifilm's X100V is one of the best travel cameras you can buy.
For a start, it takes the small form factor that made the X100F before it so convenient to carry and adds a supremely useful tilting touchscreen. The advantages are gesture support and easier shooting at tight angles.
Inside, a new 26.1MP sensor and X-Processor 4 translate into improved autofocus, image quality and high ISO performance, building on what was already a fantastic shooting experience with the fixed aperture lens. Add in the option to shoot 4K/30p footage on the fly, as well as a higher resolution hybrid EVF, and you've got a properly capable pocket performer – provided you're happy to pay a premium.
(Image credit: Future)
9. Panasonic LX100 II
A brilliant, fixed lens option for keen photographers
Sensor: 12MP, 1/2.3 inch | Lens: 24-75mm f/1.7-2.8 | Monitor: 2.0-inch fixed touchscreen | Viewfinder: NA | Continuous shooting: 30fps | Movies: 4K 60fps | User level: Beginner/intermediate/expert
Brilliant image quality for the size
Lots of controls
Fixed rear screen
Somewhat fiddly interface
The first LX100 camera arrived way back in 2014 and was notable for its use of a large Micro Four Thirds sensor in a compact camera frame. There's still no worry about getting sucked into a wallet-draining well of lens-buying in this second-gen version, and the high-quality 24-75mm glass will do the job for most scenarios, bar a safari. Handy travel-friendly changes in the second generation LX100 include Bluetooth, USB charging and quickie monochrome filter modes. Its sensor is also higher resolution than the original, with a 21.77MP chip that ends up with 17 megapixels after applying the crop the camera uses for stills. It’s no point-and-shoot camera, but if you need a big sensor in a small body, this is one of the best around.
(Image credit: Future)
10. Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV
Expensive, but in a league of its own – this is possibly the ultimate travel companion
In terms of offering something for everybody, the RX10 IV ticks a lot of boxes. It’s like having a bag full of lenses, but with the benefit of never having to change them. There’s a very long zoom, while the maximum aperture is pretty wide throughout the lens. The sensor might not be as a large as the ones you’ll find on a DSLR/CSC, but Sony’s 20.1MP one-inch device has proven itself to be very capable regardless. You also get 24fps shooting, cracking 4K video quality and handling to rival a DSLR. The major downside? The high price – if your budget is tighter, don’t forget about this camera’s predecessor, the RX10 III.
Honorary mentions
These cameras are slightly different to the more traditional models in our list – if your main priority is waterproofing or video quality, then the Olympus TG-6 and GoPro Hero 8 Black are well worth considering:
(Image credit: Future)
Olympus TG-6
The zoom isn’t huge but this compact can go where others fear
Not all holidays and stretches of travel are all about capturing wide-angle vistas and subjects in the distance. For some photographers, having a camera that can withstand being dropped, knocked, splashed or frozen would be more appropriate, and that’s precisely what the Olympus TG-6 offers. In addition to its rugged credentials, the camera offers 4K video recording, built-in Wi-Fi and a ring of LED lights around its lens to throw plenty of light on close-up subjects. There’s even the option to capture raw files.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
GoPro Hero 8 Black
Great for video and capable of taking decent stills too
Sensor: 12MP, 1/2.3 inch | Lens: 16mm f/2.8 | Monitor: 2.0-inch fixed touchscreen | Viewfinder: NA | Continuous shooting: 30fps | Movies: 4K 60fps | User level: Beginner/intermediate/expert
Superb image stabilization
Handy new built-in mount
Stills quality only decent
Not great in low light
If video quality is your main priority in a travel camera, then it’s well worth considering GoPro’s latest flagship. The Hero 8 Black uses the same sensor and a similar lens arrangement to the previous Hero 7 Black, but there are some fairly significant changes here. The camera now has built-in mount fingers, so a shell is no longer needed. Video stabilization is also much improved and you can use the Hypersmooth judder-buster in all modes. If you’re doing something really extreme, a new Boost stabilization feature crops further into the view for even more effective smoothing.
How to choose the best travel camera for you
Need a bit more guidance on how to decide the right type of travel camera? Have a think about the following options:
Travel Zoom Compact
These small pocket-friendly cameras give you great scope for shooting lots of different kinds of subject, with a zoom lens that gets you close to the action, as well as giving you the opportunity to shoot nice and wide. The trade off for having all of this in a neat compact size is generally a smaller sensor which is less useful for shooting in low light.
Premium Compact
If you want to stay pocket friendly, but you're happy to lose the ultra long zoom, think about a premium compact. These generally pack a one-inch sensor for better image quality, but will normally have a shorter zoom. Some may give you both – but you'll pay a very high price for it.
Bridge Camera
A bulkier option than a standard compact camera, but with better scope for zooming, a bridge camera is also ideal for those who like more intuitive and comfortable handling. They'll usually have a solid grip, decent electronic viewfinder and a flexible screen. You get many of the benefits of having a bag full of lenses, but without the extra luggage.
Mirrorless / Compact System Camera
This is the option if you want the best possible image quality and you're prepared for a little bit of hassle. With lots of different lenses to choose from, you can pack different optics depending on the type of trip you're on, or pack a good all-round lens and not worry too much about swapping optics. You'll have the best possible handling, too as well as plenty of advanced options.
Many of the current compact system cameras on the market have been specifically designed with travel in mind – and are as small as possible. We've included some of the best options here.
If you're still unsure about which kind of camera you need, check our step-by-step guide: What camera should I buy? Alternatively, if you're going to be by the pool or on the beach, you might want something a bit more rugged – in which case, take a look at our best waterproof camera and best action camera guides.
Pay for your new camera AND get points for your next trip with one of the best credit cards for travel (US only)
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