What is the best camera to take on the road ? If you have asked yourself this question or have been asked, you will already know that it is not easy to answer. What’s more, it may not even be the correct one because each user has different needs when it comes to using a photo camera and even more so for something as particular as going on a trip. Therefore, this camera selection is geared towards different use cases while traveling.
The best cameras to travel
What kind of photographer are you? What do you like to capture when you travel? Where are you going to travel? These would be some of the questions you should ask yourself if you do not have much experience when choosing which camera you should buy or take with you on your next vacation.
It is not the same a trip only with your partner to others in which you will be accompanied by the rest of your family or friends. Nor is it the same to go on safari, on a nature route or to visit all the corners of a big city. So it is important that you think about all those things, because according to it there will be cameras that will be more comfortable for you than others. And that’s what really matters when choosing a new camera for travel.
Shuffling some usual combinations, if we had to bet on a new camera depending on the trip, it is very likely that these were the chosen ones. At least, if then there is no intention of being able to take advantage of them for other types of situations, investing more may not be recommended.
Sony ZV-1, point and shoot
Within the category of compact cameras perfect for traveling, the Sony RX100 family and the Canon G7 have always been present, both of which are also exponents of vlogging cameras. But now the new Sony ZV-1 has arrived and unifies the best of the RX100 with those ergonomic advantages of Canon’s flip-up camera display.
The only drawback that for now we could say that we see, beyond its price that may or may not enter your plans, is the issue of autonomy. You will need some extra batteries to ensure sufficient autonomy for those days of travel in which you surely take many photos and record enough videos.
Ideal for: vlogging, street photography
The best
- Size and portability
- Photo and video quality
- Focus system
- Flip-up screen
Worst
- Price
- Autonomy
Panasonic Lumix G90
When we analyze this Lumix G90 we comment on it, it is a very complete camera and capable in every way. The stabilization system allows shooting at low speeds that is interesting in low light as it prevents possible blurring due to movement while capturing the image. It is also very useful for video, you can take shots with a handheld camera without those annoying vibrations.
In general, the Lumix G90 is a fairly complete camera for photo and video. And the fact of including a micro four thirds sensor should not be a problem either. Although the issue of sensors always generates debate.
A micro four thirds sensor with a 2X multiplication factor has the advantage that the focal lengths are always higher. For example, a 14-140mm lens is equivalent to a 28-240mm, so they would have a great zoom for photographs of distant objects and that for safari or nature trips can be interesting.
In short, it is true that it is a somewhat more bulky camera, but its good value for money make it an interesting option for more than just covering a vacation trip.
Ideal for: video, photography of all kinds (urban, nature, night, …)
The best
- performance
- Price
- Advantages for landscape and nature photographs
- Interchangeable lenses
Worst
- Size
- Weight
GoPro Hero 8
The GoPro Hero 8 is still for many the perfect camera for trips, especially if it is to destinations where you go to practice sports or activities where the weather conditions will be difficult . It is small, easy to operate, has a very effective image stabilizer and if you connect an external microphone through its 3.5mm USB C to Jack adapter, you have a camera to even vlog with.
The only drawback that we see to this or any other GoPro is not so much the one that does not offer interchangeable lenses or different focal points (you can zoom by means of sensor clipping, but it is not ideal) is that its performance in low light is not as good . Therefore, if it is to record in broad daylight, perfect. For the rest, it is better to choose other options.
Ideal for: action, nature and sports video
The best
- Size and weight
- Resistance
- Stabilizer
Worst
- Low light performance
Insta360 One R
You can use the latest Insta360 camera as an action camera, you can also buy the module that allows you to use a higher quality sensor, but its appeal is undoubtedly in the ability to generate 360 content and how that capture gives so much play in editing by being able to select the angle you want to generate a very attractive 1080p video.
With a single camera, you can record while walking around your destination and then choose what you want to show from everything around you. Between that and its many creative options , the truth is that the Insta360 makes it very fun and interesting to capture a trip from a different point of view.
Ideal for: capturing a different point of view, perfect for documenting everyday life
The best
- Creative options
- Easy to use
- Size
Worst
- Price
- For a specific user
Huawei P30 Pro
Can a smartphone be considered a good travel camera? Yes, so much so that many users actually decided years ago that when they traveled their main camera would be the phone. In the market there are very good devices with very versatile cameras, but today and even more so seeing the evolution of its price, the P30 Pro is still a great option .
If you want to look for other options, there are OnePlus, Xiaomi, Realme or Apple itself, all manufacturers have interesting and high-level proposals for both photography and video. Here the key is to find the one that best fits you for the price. The Huawei P30 Pro despite being a terminal from last year is still one of the most versatile for its camera and has all the services and applications of Google, which is more attractive than the latest models due to the current situation.
Ideal for: urban photography and have all the advantages of a phone
The best
- Price
- Zoom versatility
Worst
- Smartphone with more than one year on the market
Other cameras for advanced travelers
These, as you can imagine, are not the only cameras on the market. The catalog of each of the main brands is so extensive that we could make this a listing as extensive as we would like. All would be good recommendations, but there would be little point in doing so.
Models like the Sony A7 III, Canon EOS R, Fuji X-T4, or Panasonic Lumix GH5 or S1H are so easy to recommend that it really doesn’t have much value. If you are looking for something more than a good camera for your next trip and the price does not pose any type of inconvenience for you, go ahead. As a photographer and experienced traveler you would get a lot out of them.
However, our idea was this, to offer you models and different scenarios in which one or the other option may interest you more. If you have any questions, ask.
