Hitting the road soon? Well, wherever your next adventure leads, be sure to bring a camera that’s ready to shoot all the breathtaking sights, crazy exploits and blissful moments in-between. Actually, we rounded up the top-rated photography sidekicks to help you with exactly that.
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This means durable action cams for your splashiest days, featherweight mirrorless bodies that won’t weigh you down, and specialty shooters to document your journey at a sweeping 360 degrees. Our helpful guide draws from the newest, most buzzed-about releases as well as cherished tried-and-true models. Check them out below!
Best Travel Cameras
OM SYSTEM OM-5 Outdoor Camera
Best Overall
This one’s got it all covered.
The compact, weather-sealed OM System OM-5 mirrorless delivers impressive image quality and stabilization with its 20MP sensor and 5-axis in-body system. It excels at landscape and adventure photography with Starry Sky AF, handheld Hi-Res mode, advanced computational features, fast 10fps burst, and easy USB webcam functionality.
- Class-leading 5-axis stabilization rated to 6.5 stops with select lenses.
- Starry Sky AF excels at astrophotography with no manual focus needed.
- Compact, weather-sealed magnesium alloy body ideal for travel.
- Mediocre subject tracking in continuous autofocus modes.
At first glance, the new OM-5 mirrorless camera looks nearly identical to its predecessor, but don’t dismiss it just yet. OM System injects fresh life into this compact, weather-sealed body aimed at outdoor shooters. Sure, it reuses the aging 20MP sensor, but some exciting new tech makes this a worthy update.
Let’s start with Starry Sky AF. This clever feature effortlessly focuses on stars, making astrophotography as easy as a click without any frustrating manual adjustments. Paired with best-in-class 5-axis stabilization rated at 6.5 stops, your celestial shots will come out crisper than ever. Impressive stuff, if we may say so ourselves.
Despite the dated sensor, OM System injects new life with faster processing and introduces handy features like Live ND filters and a handheld 50MP High Res mode for incredible detail in scenes with minimal motion. While it’s not a massive leap past prior OlympusMicro Four Thirds cameras, the OM-5 brings welcome bonus features that make this a great compact pick for those who spend more time shooting skies and landscapes than sports or action.
Sony Alpha 7C Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera
Best Full-Frame
Full frame, fuller shots.
The Sony Alpha 7C mirrorless camera packs pro-level full frame image quality into an ultra-compact and lightweight body perfect for travel and everyday shooting. With sophisticated autofocus, super fast 10fps bursts, and advanced video capabilities like 4K/30p, the 7C delivers performance that punches above its size.
- Extremely compact and lightweight for a full-frame camera.
- Fast 10fps continuous shooting speed.
- Excellent image quality with 24MP and great high ISO performance.
- Has a low resolution EVF.
Sony’s A7C is a seriously unique full-frame camera, and we mean that in the best way possible. Coming in at just over a pound, this thing is tiny and feather-light for the imaging firepower it packs. But make no mistake, the photos and video this baby can produce hold their own against far bulkier models.
Inside the teeny body you get a top-notch 24MP sensor, the same generation used in Sony’s heavyweight pro cameras. So the image quality is right up there with excellent dynamic range, tons of detail, and awesome high ISO control up to 51,200. The A7C can shoot briskly at up to 10 fps, so capturing fast action is no problem. Five-axis sensor-shift stabilization provides up to five stops of compensation for tack-sharp handheld shots.
On the video front, oversampled 4K/30p, S-Log profiles, and HLG make the A7C a highly capable hybrid camera also suited for high-quality filming and vlogging. Apart from that, connectivity options like mic input, USB-C, Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth round out the package nicely.
GoPro Hero 12 Black
Best Action Camera
Get into it, yuh.
Capture smooth 5.3K video and 27MP photos with the rugged, waterproof GoPro HERO12 Black. New upgrades like HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilization, HDR capture and 2x longer battery life make this tiny action camera more versatile than ever.
- Captures incredibly smooth 5.3K and 4K 120fps video.
- Rugged and waterproof design handles any adventure.
- Shoots stunning 27MP photos even from fast action scenes.
- No zoom lens natively, only gets wider with mods.
GoPro’s newest and most powerful action camera yet, the HERO12 Black, really takes things up a notch. We’re talking 5.3K video resolution, 8X super slow motion, and stabilization so gosh darn smooth you’d think your bike ride was filmed on rails rather than bumpy terrain. Yeah, your shots are gonna look THAT great.
But it’s not all about flashy video modes that only hardcore YouTubers probably need. This compact yet rugged little cube can also shoot crystal clear 27MP photos that’ll look amazing printed or posted online after your next whitewater rafting trip or whatever crazy adventure you drag it onto.
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And don’t worry about fussing with different mounts or cases before bombing down a snowy mountain slope, the HERO12 is waterproof right out of the box. The built-in folding fingers make attaching it to selfie sticks, suction cups or more specialty GoPro mounts fast and tool-free too.
Canon EOS Rebel t8i
Best Value
A bang for your buck.
Capture life’s moments in stunning detail with the Canon EOS Rebel T8i DSLR. Boasting a 24.1MP APS-C sensor, DIGIC 8 processor, and 45-point AF system, this camera excels in any light.
- High-resolution 24.1MP sensor delivers excellent image quality.
- Expanded ISO range enables shooting in low-light conditions.
- 45-point all cross-type AF system ensures accurate focusing.
- Lacks in-body image stabilization for handheld shots.
Now, we know this one’s a bit of an oldie, and it came out a few years ago, but trust us. It’s still super reliable. At its core, you’ve got this impressive 24.1MP APS-C sensor, teamed up with Canon’s slick DIGIC 8 image processor. This combo means you’re getting images that are not just high in resolution, but also bursting with details. It’s the kind of camera that’s ready to tackle anything from the vastness of landscapes to the subtleties of portraits.
Let’s talk about one of the T8i’s standout features, its 45-point all cross-type autofocus system. This system is all about precision and speed, giving photographers the upper hand when it comes to snapping quick-moving subjects. Plus, with an ISO range that stretches up to 51200, low light settings are more of an opportunity than a challenge, adding to the T8i’s versatility.
Of course, no camera is without its quirks. The T8i’s plastic build and the missing in-body image stabilization can be something you may not necessarily want to deal with, but outside of that, it’s a damn solid choice for someone looking for a decent travel cam on a budget.
DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo
Best For Vlogging
Capture every moment.
Featuring a 1-inch CMOS sensor and 3-axis stabilization, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo captures stunning 4K/120fps videos and professional-grade photos. Compact and versatile, it’s the ideal handheld camera for creators seeking smooth, high-quality content on the go.
- 1-inch CMOS sensor ensures superior image quality in compact form.
- Fast charging capability enables quick readiness for extended shooting.
- 3-axis gimbal stabilization delivers smooth, cinematic footage effortlessly.
- High-quality video recording can rapidly deplete battery life.
The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo is definitely a breath of fresh air for content creators who crave top-notch footage without lugging around heavy gear. Imagine capturing crystal-clear 4K/120fps videos and stunning photos, all thanks to the magic of its 1-inch CMOS sensor. And let’s talk about smoothness. The three-axis gimbal stabilization makes your footage look like it’s literally been shot by a pro.
Now, onto one of the real MVPs here – fast charging. This means less waiting around and more creating. Plus, the creative doors that ActiveTrack 6.0 and Glamour Effects 2.0 open up? Absolutely brilliant for tracking your subjects with ninja-like precision and adding that sparkle to your shots
But then again, as it is with every product ever, it’s not all smooth sailing. The need for external microSD cards can be a bit of a bummer, especially if you’re prone to forgetting extras. And while the video quality is something to write home about, it does have a bit of a thirst for battery life.
Insta360 ONE X2 360 Degree Waterproof Action Camera
Best 360-Degree
See everything at once.
With features like 360-degree capture, waterproof design, FlowState stabilization, touch screen, voice control, and enhanced battery life, the Insta360 ONE X2 action camera is your go-to for immersive storytelling and capturing breathtaking adventures in stunning detail.
- FlowState stabilization ensures smooth, professional-grade footage.
- Long battery life supports extended shooting sessions.
- Waterproof up to 10 meters, making it ideal for your aquatic adventures.
- Limited low-light performance affects night shots.
When it comes to 360-degree cams, the Insta360 ONE X2 is a little powerhouse that stands out from the crowd. With its dual fish-eye lenses, this compact camera captures completely immersive panoramic footage that makes you feel like you’re inside the action. And get this: it’s waterproof straight out of the box, up to 10 meters deep.
Another awesome upgrade is that you get a way longer battery life compared to the previous model in this lineup, so you can keep the good times rolling without worrying about running out of juice so often. The advanced stabilization tech also deserves a shout-out for keeping your footage smooth even if things get bumpy.
What really makes the ONE X2 fun though are the editing possibilities…we’re talking automatically generating dramatic effects and that movie magic sauce to make your content pop. Now THAT is something that would definitely earn this cam a place on our list.
Frequently Asked Questions
What accessories can I use to make my travel photography better?
If you’re planning to go away for quite a bit, then we would recommend carrying essentials like spare batteries, portable chargers, compact tripods, weatherproof camera bags, polarizing and ND lens filters, remote shutters, and moisture absorbers. These things are pretty much the basic essentials and should go a long way in making your content better.
How is a travel camera different from my smartphone camera?
While smartphone cameras are getting better and stronger with each passing day, travel cameras tend to have native advantages, like significantly larger image sensors, superior optics, more versatile zoom ranges, better low light capability, more manual controls and exposure options, and a longer battery life, making them the superior choice here.
How can I protect my camera when traveling?
Some of our pro tips include investing in a sturdy, padded camera bag or case, using lens hoods and UV filters, cleaning sensors before changing lenses, watching out for moisture, avoiding extreme temps whenever possible, and having desiccant packs handy. If you’re working with a really expensive cam setup, having some insurance can also give a lil peace of mind.
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