The best travel cameras have to do one crucial thing: be better than your phone. That means the best travel cameras need to combine compactness with image quality, advanced features with simple operation, and ideally the ability to share your holiday photos and vacation videos fast.
Even though the best camera phones can produce great images, you just don’t get the same quality as you would if shooting with one of the best point-and-shoots or best mirrorless cameras. Smartphones are restricted by smaller sensors offering lower still and video quality, reduced low light performance, and minimal control over depth of field (for those blurry backgrounds).
Best overall
1. Fujifilm X100VI
Read more below ↓
Best for full frame
2. Sony A7 III
Read more below ↓
Best budget
3. Panasonic Lumix G100D
Read more below ↓
Best hybrid
4. Fujifilm X-S20
Read more below ↓
Best for size
5. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV
Read more below ↓
Best waterproof
6. OM System TG-7
Read more below ↓
View the full list ⇩
Best for action
7. DJI Osmo Action 4
Read more below ↓
Best for 360º
8. Insta360 X3
Read more below ↓
Best for vloggers
9. Sony ZV-E10
Read more below ↓
The best travel camera in 2024
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Best overall
Best overall
Specifications
Sensor: APS-C
Megapixels: 40.2MP
Lens: 23mm f/2
Screen: 3in tilting 1,620k dots
Viewfinder: Optical + 3,690k-dot EVF
Max continuous shooting speed: 20 fps
Max video resolution: 6.2K30P (x1.23 crop)
Reasons to buy
+
Beautiful retro design and excellent build quality
+
In-body image stabilization
+
Improved video quality
+
Big 40MP stills
Reasons to avoid
–
Premium price
–
6K video has a crop
–
Sensor readout slow for video
–
Adapter ring is an additional purchase
Buy it if:
✅ You want a pocketable camera: the Fujifilm X100VI is a very compact camera, the whole package of camera and lens are so small that you can easily slip this into a jacket or rucksack pocket. ✅ You want a camera that looks good: The X100VI is easily one of the best-looking cameras you can buy. The stunning retro looks of old-school film cameras are matched with superb build quality.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want a range of lenses: the lens is fixed on the X100VI, so you are stuck with the 23mm focal length, although its digital cropping modes give the illusion (but not performance) of more focal lengths ❌ You want a cheap travel camera: the X100VI has a premium price tag, and there are options that produce a similar image quality, if you don’t mind a different style of camera that is.
If you are looking for a camera for traveling, then one of the major things to look out for is something small and lightweight that can easily slip into a bag or a jacket pocket and won’t be a drag to carry around for long periods – enter the Fujifilm X100VI.
The X100VI is a fixed-lens camera, which means that it has a single lens that can’t be changed. The lens is 23mm, or equivalent to a 35mm length lens on on a full-frame camera, a perfect length for travel photography as it is wide enough to get in landscapes and street scenes, but narrow enough for portraits and family shots. While there are converters available for the X100V to change the length of the lens, I find these have an adverse effect on image quality. The X100VI does have a trick to crop images when taking them to give the illusion of additional focal lengths, although at a reduced size.
The X100V packs in some lovely 40MP photos, and while not the most ideal camera for video, you can get 6.2K (cropped), 4K, or HD video with slow motion reaching 240 frames per second. There is also human, animal, bird, and vehicle autofocus tracking, so you can snap away with confidence that your shots will be in focus. Finally, image stabilization helps cut out hand jitters in low light or shooting video, for more stable footage.
And for those who want to share travel snaps as you go, you get access to Fujifilm’s awesome film simulations and custom recipes, which takes the work out of editing, and with WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity and the Fujifilm X App, you can quickly share ready to post photos and video to social from your phone.
The X100VI’s design will catch a few eyes while traveling. The camera is lovely to hold, made with premium materials, and with a wonderful hybrid optical viewfinder that shows either the real picture or how it looks through the sensor with a flick of a button. However, as a major downside for travel, the X100VI lens is not weather-sealed without an adapter – at an additional cost.
Speaking of cost, this premium camera comes at a premium price, with some similar tech available for less in other models. But for the build quality and features, I think it does a lot to justify its higher price, but if you want the best compact camera, there is nothing better than this.
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Features
Big 40MP sensor, improved AF an IBIS makes this one heck of a good compact camera for traveling
★★★★★
Design
Not much has changed from the X100V, but this is still a stunning travel camera to turn a few heads
★★★★★
Performance
The images from the 40MP sensor are stunning, especially combined with Film Simulations. Video is also great, but there are better options
★★★★★
Value
Everything about this camera is premium including the price. There are cameras of similar capabilities for less, although with less style
★★★★
Read our full Fujifilm X100VI review for more
Sony A7 III might be the oldest Sony Alpha camera still being sold as new, even being replaced by a newer Sony A7 VI, it more than holds its own today. Any photographer looking for an excellent full-frame hybrid camera for traveling should seriously consider this camera as an option.
Why? Well, I don’t think there is a better value full-frame camera out there, which when traveling can take some of the jeopardy out of damaging or losing your incredibly expensive kit.
It might be getting on a little, but the camera still has a very competitive 24.2MP back-illuminated image sensor, which delivers great tonal range and makes high ISO settings possible, which anyone who is shooting a lot in low light on their travels will really appreciate. A 5-axis image stabilization system also delivers less shake when shooting at night, or capturing video.
And if you are also looking to get some video footage on your travels then the A7III has very capable 4K video, although has been surpassed by a few other models on this list which would be more suitable if video is a priority.
The A7III has a speedy and accurate 696-point AF system, and while not the latest algorithms, the A7 III also has some solid human face and eye tracking, so you can take reliably focused photos of your friends, family, or any interesting denizens you meet out on your travels.
Whilst the A7III can be thrown a little off-balance with big pro lenses, Sony’s lens range is extensive and there are many smaller primes to suit this camera perfectly for those who don’t want to carry a lot while traveling. Or superzoom lenses like the Sony FE 24-240mm will empower you to capture everything from near to far.
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Features
Not the newest model, but the only full frame sensor on this list still offers enough spec for great photo and video
★★★★★
Design
It’s compact and lightweight size makes it an excellent option for travel, although can be front heavy with big lenses
★★★★★
Performance
24MP stills, and 4K video supported by a great autofocus system, it still has specs to keep up with todays cameras
★★★★★
Value
The best value full-frame camera with an extensive range of affordable first and third-party lenses
★★★★★
Read our full Sony A7 III review
Panasonic Lumix G100D is the best camera you can get for traveling that offers all the quality features you will need but at an affordable price.
The G100D is a super-small, super-cute camera with a Micro Four Thirds sensor. It is still easy to capture high-quality video and stills with simple controls, menus, and its approachable button layout. The camera can be paired with numerous dinky Micro Four Thirds lenses too, especially small pancake lenses to keep the overall size down. Micro Four Thirds also has the benefit of doubling the focal length, so 100mm becomes 200mm, so you can pair the G100 camera with telephoto lenses for capturing far away subjects like wildlife without having to carry huge lenses.
A downside though is there is some compromise for the low price, and the G100D is not the most technically advanced camera on this list, and its autofocus uses Panasonic’s cruder contrast-detect technology, which is a little slower than other cameras and is notorious for “pulsing” and “hunting” during video.
Despite this, the G10S0 is also a perfect camera for vloggers, with an articulating screen and ready to share footage. But while there’s an inherent risk of dumbing things down too much when creating a camera for social media creatives, Panasonic has avoided that pitfall with the Lumix G100D, and this is a great camera if you’re just as interested in vlogging as you are in travel photography.
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Features
Easy to use with good stills and video quality, but autofocus is a lets down, as is the lack of IBIS
★★★★
Design
Incredibly compact and easy to use, especially for beginners, comes with a flipping screen for selfies and vlogging
★★★★★
Performance
While image quality is great, the camera uses older autofocus which is a bit hit-and-miss compared to modern rivals
★★★★
Value
The best value camera on this list, despite its few flaws it offers excellent value that more than make up for shortcomings
★★★★★
Read our full Panasonic Lumix G100D review
Fujifilm X-S20 review
(Image credit: Future)
Best for a small camera system
Specifications
Sensor: Micro Four Thirds
Megapixels: 20.3MP
Lens: MTF
Screen: 3in tilting, 1.04million dots
Viewfinder: 2.36m dot EVF
Max burst speed: 8.7fps
Max video resolution: 4K30P
Reasons to buy
+
Improved 20MP sensor
+
Tactile controls
+
Snappy, precise autofocus
Reasons to avoid
–
No mic port
Buy it if:
✅ You want a small system: the whole OM Micro Four Thirds system is tiny, with small cameras and lenses, so you can take a lot more gear to cover more subjects. ✅ You want a good-looking camera: with a cool vintage style based on Olympus’s OM film cameras, the E-M10 IV looks as good as the footage it shoots.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You shoot a lot in low light: the Micro Four Thirds sensor in the E-M10 IV doesn’t handle low light as well as larger sensors, not good for frequent nighttime shooters. ❌ You won’t use the retro dials: if you are looking for just fast auto controls then the dials on the top of the E-M10 IV will be largely redundant for your needs.
When picking the best travel camera, we’re focusing on portability, and the dinky but mighty Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is one of the best portable cameras around if you are looking for a whole system including lenses that can easily slip into a bag. The best Olympus lenses include positively tiny optics that can go a long way for travel photography, helping you keep your kit and weight size down. So if you are the type of carry-on-only travel photographer but with big photography ambitions then this is for you.
Not only does it have an incredibly lightweight body, but the camera will look great on your travels too, with a cool retro design that harks back to Olympus’s long pedigree in film cameras. The camera has tactile dial-led controls for anyone who wants to get creative with manual photography, although don’t let that fool you into thinking the camera is complicated, as there are lots of automatic modes and helpful features built into the camera.
The OM-D E-M10 Mark IV uses the smaller but still powerful Micro Four Thirds sensor. This has some slight disadvantages in terms of low-light capabilities, so if you like to go out a lot at night when you travel, then a larger sensor might be better for you.
But Micro Four Thirds does have one big advantage, it effectively doubles the focal length of any lens mounted to the camera; so a 50mm will behave like a 100mm, so if you are about to head off on safari, then this could make all the difference to getting up close to wildlife. Its snappy burst shooting, its accurate autofocus, and its impressive 4K video will also all assist you with creating amazing content. It’s a terrific all-around camera.
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Features
Snappy autofocus, 4K video and 20MP stills, and the MFT sensor provides extra reach for getting closer to subjects
★★★★
Design
Tiny body makes this an excellent travel camera to slip into a pocket or bag, the lenses are also small so you can pack a few
★★★★★
Performance
The 20MP might be a little small by todays standards, but the image and video quality are still superb for social media, and autofocus is very reliable
★★★★★
Value
Excellent value for the features with no premium for the pretty retro design and build of the camera
★★★★★
Read our full Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV review for more
OM System TG-7 is essentially an update to the much-loved Olympus Tough TG-6 under a new brand name. Although that camera has long been the top-regarded travel compact for adventurers who are as invested in photos as video. Action cameras might be smaller and just as hardy, but can’t compete with the TG-7 for photography experience.
The TG-7 is ready for any travel adventure and is water-proof, dust-proof, crush-proof, drop-proof, and freeze-proof, so whether your hiking, climbing, swimming, or otherwise take you to the hottest deserts to the coldest tundras, the camera should come out the other side unscathed.
The TG-7 might have a relatively conservative 12MP resolution, although this helps dramatically when it comes to low-light images, as each pixel is larger allowing it to capture more light. Why is this important? Well if you are shooting in darker underwater environments, in gloomy forests, or at night, then you will get higher-quality images.
The Touch also has RAW images, so you can get even more creative control over the final edit of your images. The camera also has a pretty incredible macro mode as well if you find some small details on your travels that you have to capture.
While it might not be up to the same standard as the best action cameras for video (see below for that), the Tough can capture decent 4K video, and will get some perfectly serviceable footage for social and YouTube of your wild adventures!
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Features
Rugged waterproof camera that offers a bigger sensor for still images, especially in low light, and its zoom lens gives plenty of versatility
★★★★
Design
Compact, rugged, and waterproof, too big for an action camera, but built for photography with easy physical controls
★★★★★
Performance
Great stills quality, even if 12MP is very conservative, the clever macro modes are a joy though
★★★★
Value
Not much more than the best action cams, this is a the camera to buy if top quality stills in challenging locations are your thing
★★★★★
Read our full OM System Tough TG-7 review
GoPro seem to finally growing out of this.
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Features
Waterproof and rugged with all the action camera mainstays like 4K video, stabilization, hyperlapse modes, and stills
★★★★★
Design
Very well built and premium feeling waterproof design with a touch screen on the back and front
★★★★★
Performance
The stabilized quality of the 4K video is outstanding, especially in low light, but the 10MP photo mode is a bit of a letdown
★★★★
Value
The debate will rage on, but going toe-to-toe with GoPro the DJI comes out as the more affordable of the two
★★★★★
Read our full DJI Osmo Action 4 review
Insta360 X4 has just launched offering 8K video and an updated design, but I still think the X3 offers great features for a much better value, so it remains in this guide for now!
There are times when handling even an action camera’s wide-angle lens becomes a problem, and that’s where a 360-degree action camera can step in. With two back-to-back lenses and enough smarts to eliminate a selfie stick from the footage, this almost magic camera can capture an image from a point within reach looking any direction you see fit.
I tried it with the bike attachment – which holds the camera a little way in front of the bike, over the front wheel – and was amazed at the footage which makes it look like I’m cycling toward a perfectly controlled drone. Better still, by syncing with my phone I could draw GPS data and have it overlaid, in the form of a speedometer, by the Insta360 app before sharing.
The only real worry is how naked those glass lenses are when the camera is in use; the joy of re-positioning the camera angle after the fact can be hours of fun. 5.7K is good enough for sharing, but more resolution would help pro work.
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Features
Incredible 360º views of your travels with some great stabilization, and easy connectivity makes getting your videos a snap
★★★★★
Design
Easy to use design that plays nicely with lots of accessories for mounting in different ways, the exposed lenses were a concern though
★★★★★
Performance
Impressive 360º video with the capability to readjust the view afterward, although 5.7K doesn’t give much resolution for pros
★★★★
Value
Not hugely expensive and offering good value on rivals, although a premium product if you only want to dabble in 360º
★★★★★
Read our full Insta 360 X3 review for more details
Sony A6400 is almost the same camera, but with an EVF.
The ZV-E10 makes for an excellent traveler’s camera and is one of the cheapest vlogging-focused cameras yet. Combined with its slim dimensions, and wide choice of lenses, this makes it a perfect choice for travelers who want to shoot a lot of video.
The big selling point of the ZV-E10 over other cameras capable of similar video is that the ZV-E10 comes with sophisticated built-in mics and a clip-on windshield for noise reduction, making it much easier to get clean audio on your vlogs even outdoors – which works excellently. Sony has put its years of audio experience into this camera and it shows.
The ZV-E10’s 4K UHD video is of excellent quality too, and as we’ve come to expect from Sony, the autofocus is best in class, whether shooting video or stills. The camera has tracking modes for easy autofocus and digital image stabilization that crops your footage slightly but attempts to iron out any shake, which works well except for in very heavy movement.
And a point worth mentioning is that, while the ZV-E10 may be optimized for vlogging, it’s still a capable stills camera with a 24MP sensor, and 11fps burst shooting, so photographers needed worry about restricting themselves with it.
However, if you are more keen on photography than video, cameras in the Sony a6xxx range (like the Sony a6400) offer almost the same specs, but with a viewfinder, but you do lose the built-in stereo mics. Making it a tough choice for a hybrid shooter that might want the best of both worlds.
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Features
Generally fantastic video quality, but for vlogging and video the inbuilt stereo mics are outstanding
★★★★
Design
The camera is very compact, has a vari-angle screen and works with a huge array of E-mount lenses
★★★★
Performance
Great video quality, but it is the audio quality that stands out and saves having to carry external microphones while traveling
★★★★
Value
A very affordable way to take your video and vlogs to a level beyond your phone, although require buying a lens too
★★★★★
Read our full Sony ZV-E10 review
standard zooms are a great option for all types of travel, but they can also be large and heavy. A wide-angle lens might be best for capturing cities and landscapes, or if you are going to see wildlife or a sporting event then a compact telephoto lens might be best.
3) Size and weight: If you’re going on vacation then the last thing you want to take is a heavy kit – especially given things like baggage restrictions when traveling. With that in mind, both your camera and lens(es) need to be small and light. If you want something that can fit in your pocket, get a compact camera – but if you don’t mind taking a bag, a mirrorless system with one or two lenses could be more versatile.
4) Simplicity: Don’t want to get bogged down with camera settings? Most modern cameras have a range of auto modes – especially compact cameras, which take away the stress. Advanced modes and complicated controls don’t usually mix with spur-of-the-moment snaps, so decide what is important to you and pick your camera based on that.
5) Price: The cameras in our list have a range of prices, and we try to include cameras that suit every budget. The price of a camera usually reflects its capabilities, although all the options listed here will take great images and video – so try to strike the right balance between what you need in a camera and what you can afford.
Is it better to use phone or camera for travel?
Olympus Tough TG-6, which is a weather-proof camera that goes the places that you wouldn’t dare to use your phone!
Is a DSLR or mirrorless camera better for travel photography?
best lenses for travel photography to see what’s right for you.
How we test travel cameras
When we are reviewing cameras, we carefully think about what scenarios each camera could be used for. When considering which cameras would make ideal travel cameras, we judge each camera on how small and lightweight it is for easy packing and transport, as well as carrying for long periods of the day while out exploring.
We also consider the technical capabilities of each camera, and how suitable they are specifically for travel photography scenarios from beach vacations to safaris, to city breaks. Finally, we consider the price of the cameras to select options that cover a range of budgets and requirements.
We use our real-world experience with each camera and our in-depth camera knowledge to determine a final selection of top cameras that we would recommend as the ideal camera traveling companions.
Want to find out how we test and review DSLR and mirrorless cameras? We trial cameras both in real-world shooting scenarios and in carefully controlled lab conditions. Our lab tests will generally measure resolution, dynamic range, and signal-to-noise ratio, which gives us a benchmark by which to compare cameras.
Resolution is measured using ISO resolution charts, dynamic range is measured using DxO Analyzer test equipment and DxO Analyzer is also used for noise analysis across the camera’s ISO range. Our compact camera evaluations are based on real-world testing alone.
For our real-world testing, our reviewers spend time with each camera, testing it in a variety of shooting situations and providing their qualitative thoughts on how the camera was to use and evaluating the images and video it produced. Here’s an example of how we literally take a camera on vacation to evaluate it!
George Barham, an accomplished journalist and avid gambling enthusiast, serves as the esteemed Editor-in-Chief at fly-to-australia.com, Australia’s leading source for comprehensive gambling news and insights. With an unwavering passion for both the written word and the ever-evolving world of betting and gaming, George brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the helm of our editorial team.