The Best Cameras for Travel

Travel photography is a broad term that can mean very different things to different people. World explorers want to capture the moment while still taking it all in, but there are also those who travel as a means to make new photos.

Regardless of your purpose, taking a good camera—or cameras—with you when you travel will let you capture the views and memories that you've gone so far to see. It could be something as basic as a nice dinner during a weekend jaunt to the beach, or a sweeping landscape shot from atop Machu Picchu.

Here are some of our favorite cameras, lenses, and accessories that you'll want to think about taking with you on your next trip. And before you hit the road, make sure to check out our quick tips to fix bad photos and beyond-basic digital photography guide.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VI

The latest entry in Sony's premium pocket series seems like it was made just for travel photography. The RX100 VI sports a 1-inch image sensor—much more capable in low light than the sensor in your smartphone—along with a 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5 (8.3x) zoom lens. There's a tilting touch LCD, an EVF that retracts into the body for storage, 4K capture, and extreme slow-motion video. It's one of the most capable pocket cameras out there, but it also carries a $1,200 price tag. If that's too much of a pill to swallow, think about the Sony RX100 III, which has a shorter zoom and not as many advanced features, the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II, or the Panasonic ZS200—each is priced under $800.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000

If you like capturing images of local wildlife, but don't want to carry a big, bulky telezoom lens, think about a bridge camera. About the size of a small SLR, a fixed-lens design allows for longer zooms than you can get with an interchangeable lens of the same size. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 is one of the best values out there, offering 25x zoom power (25-400mm) and a 1-inch sensor. If you have a bigger budget and want more zoom power, the Sony RX10 III and IV are also excellent options in a similar form factor. For more, see Why a Bridge Camera Is a Great Traveling Companion.

Olympus Tough TG-5

A waterproof camera is a must if you've got plans to go snorkeling or scuba diving. Our favorite waterproof model is the Olympus Tough TG-5, which has a good zoom range for its class, and an everything-proof build. Its 4x lens is a bright f/2 at the widest 25mm setting, and Olympus includes support for 4K video, extreme macro photography, and Raw imaging. More serious divers who need to go lower than the fifty feet supported by the TG-5 should take a look at the SeaLife DC2000 as an alternative.

GoPro Hero7 Black

If your trip involves serious outdoor activities—rock climbing, snorkeling, paragliding, or the like—a GoPro action camera will serve you well. Tough, waterproof, and small enough to be mounted just about anywhere on your person, the Hero7 Black is the company's most advanced model to date. It's got loads of slow-motion options, 4K capture, and gimbal-quality HyperSmooth stabilization.

DJI Osmo Mobile 2

Happy with your smartphone's camera for your travel needs? Don't be too surprised—modern phone cameras are very, very good. The DJI Osmo Mobile 2 is a worthwhile accessory if you plan on capturing a lot of video—it delivers better stabilization than your phone's optical image stabilization system. It also supports time-lapse and hyper-lapse, which can turn a long day of adventure into bite-sized video clips for Instagram.

Leica Q (Typ 116)

Love the wide-angle look of your smartphone? Crave the image quality of full-frame? Have a few extra thousand budgeted for a camera? There aren't a lot of cameras like the Leica Q, with its impeccably sharp, fixed 28mm f/1.7 lens, 24MP full-frame image sensor, and sleek, stunning deign. The $4,500 camera is more than a fashion accessory, however—it's one of the best cameras in its class (though it's true that its peers are few).

Fujifilm X100F

The X100F is similar in concept to the Leica Q, albeit with a narrower 35mm f/2 (full-frame equivalent) lens, a smaller APS-C image sensor, and a viewfinder that swaps between an optical and electronic view. It's also a bit slimmer, so it can slip into a larger pocket. Its wide-angle lens won't bring distant subjects into view, but is a fine choice for landscapes and walks about town.

Canon EOS Rebel SL2

If you want to take an SLR with you, but still want to travel light, think about the Canon EOS Rebel SL2. It's the smallest model in the Rebel line, but still has a vari-angle touch screen, a good 24MP image sensor, and smooth, quick focus when recording video. To keep it even smaller, think about swapping out the standard 18-55mm zoom with the super-small EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM.

Sony a6400

Mirrorless cameras are a great option for travel as they are typically smaller than SLRs, and modern models don't make any sacrifices in focus speed or image quality. The Sony a6400 offers class-leading autofocus performance, excellent image quality, and 4K video capture. It is also protected from dust and splashes—so you won't have to put it away if it starts to rain.

Ultra-Wide Lens

Regardless of which SLR or mirrorless camera you carry, think about adding an ultra-wide zoom lens to your kit. The right lens depends on what type of camera you use, but popular choices for smaller-than-full-frame sensors include the Canon EF-S 10-18mm for Rebel owners (linked below), the Canon EF-M 11-22mm for the EOS M, the Fujifilm 10-24mm for Fujifilm X, the Nikon 10-20mm for Nikon SLRs, and the Sony 10-18mm for E-mount. If you shoot full-frame, think about the Sigma 12-24mm for Canon or Nikon SLRs , the Pentax 15-30mm for Pentax SLRs, or the Sony 12-24mm for FE mirrorless cameras.

About Our Expert

Jim Fisher

Principal Writer, Cameras

My Experience

Images, and the devices that capture them, are my focus. I've covered cameras at PCMag for the past 14 years, which has given me a front row seat for the changeover from DSLRs to mirrorless cameras, the smartphone camera revolution, and the emergence of drones for aerial imaging. I have extensive experience with every major mirrorless and SLR system, and am also comfortable using point-and-shoot and action cameras. As a Part 107 Certified drone pilot, I’m licensed to fly unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for commercial and editorial purposes, and am knowledgeable about federal rules and regulations regarding drones.

The Technology I Use

I use all of the major camera systems on a regular basis, swapping between Canon, Fujifilm, L-Mount, Micro Four Thirds, Nikon, and Sony systems. I still find time to use Leica M rangefinders and Pentax SLRs on occasion, too. I keep an iPhone 13 in my pocket for the rare occasions I'm not carrying a camera.

I'm not a brand-specific photographer. For product review photos, I swap between a Canon EOS R5 and a Sony a7R IV. I use Flashpoint and Godox TTL lights and Peak Design tripods, and I most often reach for a Think Tank or Peak Design backpack to carry equipment.

When it comes to computers, I'm an unapologetic Mac person and have been for the past 20 years. I write in Pages and use Numbers for spreadsheets. I currently swap between an Intel i9 MacBook Pro and an Apple Silicon Mac Studio for writing and use a calibrated BenQ 32.5-inch with the Studio for photo and video editing. I rely on a LaCie 6big RAID for media storage. I also keep a PC around for gaming, but please don't tell my Macs about it; they'll get jealous.

I split time between several different software apps depending on the type of editing I'm doing. For Raw image processing, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic is my standard. I pair it with a LoupeDeck CT console to supplement my keyboard and trackpad, and I lean on RNI All Films 5 presets when I want to give an image a film look. I use Apple Final Cut Pro for video editing.

My first digital camera was the Canon PowerShot Elph S200, and my first DSLR was the Pentax *ist DL. I have a soft spot for antique film gear. I still use a 1950 vintage Rolleiflex Automat TLR and love trying mid-century Leica lenses on film and digital alike. I mainly use whatever's in front of me for review for digital snaps, but I pick up either my Leica M Typ 240 or Pentax K-3 III Monochrome when I want to step away from review work. In my downtime, I enjoy bird watching, reading, video games, and both good and bad movies, especially in the sci-fi and horror genres.

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