Gear

The 7 Best Travel Cameras For Photos Better Than Your Phone Can Take

by Cool Material

February 19, 2024

Phones can take amazing photographs these days. But for images and video that stand out without bulky gear, you'll need a dedicated travel camera.

Gear

The 7 Best Travel Cameras For Photos Better Than Your Phone Can Take

Phones can take amazing photographs these days. But for images and video that stand out without bulky gear, you'll need a dedicated travel camera.

by Cool Material

February 19, 2024

Relying on smartphone cameras for travel photos has become so second nature that it’s easy to forget one simple fact: there’s a better way to do this. Using a compact travel camera for capturing trip photos offers a myriad of advantages over relying solely on a smartphone. First and foremost, these dedicated cameras typically feature superior optics and larger image sensors, resulting in higher image quality, sharper details, and enhanced low-light performance. They also offer greater versatility, with optical zoom capabilities allowing for close-up shots of distant subjects, and manual control settings that let photographers fine-tune exposure, aperture, and shutter speed for creative effects. Interchangeable lenses more easily adapt to different shooting scenarios. In short, the right travel camera provides versatility for different shooting situations that a smartphone simply can’t replicate. The compact size of today’s top travel cameras makes them ideal for travel photography, easily fitting in your bag even if you’re carry-on only.

Nikon D3500

The Nikon D3500 is an excellent entry level DSLR camera, perfect for beginners venturing into the world of travel photography.

Buy: $649.95

Pros

High performance for the price
24.2 megapixel sensor
Long battery life
Easy to use

Cons

Center-focused AF that struggles with low light an
Slower live view AF
No accessory ports for mic or headphones
Limited video recording with no 4K option
No touchscreen

Olympus OM-D EM-M10 III

This camera's small and lightweight body makes it easy to pack even when space is tight for photo and video.

Buy: $498

Pros

121-point autofocus system
4K video recording
1,040,000 pixel display
Tilting touch LCD
8.8fps burst shooting

Cons

16.05 MP resolution
Slower AF for moving subjects
Limited ISO control

Nikon Z fc

A compact, two-tone retro aesthetic combined with modern features makes this an eye-catching travel camera.

Buy: $959

Pros

20.9 megapixel sensor
4K video recording
Super lightweight
Vari-angle screen

Cons

No weather proofing
No full-frame sensor
Slow kit lens
Limited lens mount capabilities

OM System OM-5

This one is for adventure travel–whether that’s on the trail, in the city, or a mix of both–with a versatile shooting experience.

Buy: $999

Pros

Weather-sealed body
121-point hybrid autofocus system
No time limit on 4K video
Plenty of available quality lenses

Cons

Short battery life of 310 shots
Doesn’t perform as well in low light
No headphone jack
More complicated menu
Only micro USB charging

Sony RX100

Point-and-shoot cameras are far more compact than even mirrorless DSLRs for something that can fit in your pocket like a phone but provide much higher quality.

Buy: $1299

Pros

Weather sealing
Compact size and extremely portable
Full manual controls
f/1.8 aperture
Fast lens with low light performance

Cons

Expensive compared to competitors
Point-and-shoot
No lens changeability

Sony A6700

Sony makes some of the most popular vlogging cameras around, and the Sony A6700 is no exception–plus it’s easily packable for trips.

Buy: $1399

Pros

Wide ISO range from 50 to 102400
Excels in 4K video capture
Dynamic display for self-facing photo and video
Excellent subject recognition AF
Long battery life

Cons

Smaller body makes handling large lenses harder
Single memory card
Slower burst mode than comparable cameras
Heats up when shooting longer video

Fujifilm X100V

When it comes to quality point-and-shoot cameras for travel, journalism, and street photography, it’s hard to beat the Fujifilm X100V and its 26.1-megapixel sensor.

Buy: $1899