Are you searching for the best travel camera for your next adventure or a mirrorless camera for videos? For those looking for the best quality photos, mirrorless ILCs and DSLRs speak to the two best sorts of advanced cameras. In this article, we recommend the 10 best cameras for travel and adventure enthusiasts.
1. Fujifilm X-T20
Starting with the best overall mirrorless camera we have the Fujifilm X-T20. The Fujifilm X-T20 offers the best mix of photo quality, speed, and price in the mirrorless digital camera market. Then there’s the very cool retro design of this camera, which we love. It has silver trim over the top and the base of a dark camera body. You can likewise get it in all dark if the retro look is excessive. Fujifilm is one of the best manufacturers of mirrorless cameras, as the company has had a lot of success in this arena, so the X-T20 is a trustworthy choice.
The X-T20 has 24.3 megapixels of resolution and an APS-C-sized image sensor, which is comparable in size to what you’d find in an entry-level DSLR camera (or the comparable Sony Alpha A6300). DP Review highlights the quality of this image sensor and points out that the X-T20 can record 4K video, too. You won’t be disappointed with the images this camera takes. In addition, The Verge simply calls the X-T20 an example of everything right with the world of technology. That’s high praise for a great mirrorless camera.
Individuals who purchase the camera for the most part, like it also. One Amazon buyer who has shot with a lot of DSLRs in the past was impressed with the build quality of this little Fujifilm camera. However, another Amazon reviewer was disappointed in the ergonomics of the X-T20. Small right-hand grips are a common complaint among users of thin mirrorless ILCs, though. If you’re looking for a simple kit that does it all, the X-T20 is, in our opinion, the best overall mirrorless camera you can buy.
2. Sony Alpha A6300
We have the Sony Alpha A6300 our pick for another best mirrorless camera under $1000. The Sony Alpha A6300 offers an impressive resolution of 24.2 megapixels. So you can count on it to take high-quality pictures consistently. The BIONZ X processing engine minimizes noise for a higher overall resolution.
One of the more impressive features of this camera is its 4D focusing system with an incredible 425 – phase-detection AF points2. It can quickly and accurately focus on any subject very fast. The high number of phase detects works even when you are using an A-mount lens. The 3-inch display on the rear of this camera boasts a 921 K dot resolution with a 16: 9 aspect ratio that is perfect for videos.
It does not have a touch interface which is a bit disappointing. The 0.39-inch electronic viewfinder has a 2.359 million dot XGA OLED panel for advanced viewing of subjects. We were blown away by this camera’s dust and moisture-resistant design. It’s very durable and perfect for those who do a lot of outdoor shooting.
This camera has the usual USB and HDMI maker connections. You also get built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity for wireless transfer of photos.
The shooting dial on the top of this camera is very responsive and offers several modes and settings that you can use to customize each picture and video that you take.
The menu system is easy to understand and also offers plenty of great shooting options. Some of the features of this camera include its 4D focus, and the point 5 autofocus acquisition time of this camera makes it one of the fastest models on the market.
24 Megapixels: This camera uses the 24.2 megapixels APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor which means clear and detailed photos.
4k Movie recording: The internal 4k recording in super 35 mm format provides you with great video quality.
Some of the pros of this camera include its amazing picture quality. The 24- 24-megapixel photos that you can take with this camera look professional. Lens included when you buy this camera. You will also get a Sony E-mount 16 50 mm retractable zoom lens.
Ergonomic design: This camera is very easy to hold for long periods due to its deep grip and ergonomic design.
One con of this camera is that the display has a somewhat dull picture compared to some of its competitors.
The Sony Alpha A6300 is the best mirrorless camera under $1000 on the market right now. It can take some incredibly beautiful quality pictures and has super-fast autofocus. It also has a nice minimalistic design that is quite attractive.
3. Sony Alpha a7RIII
Next up we have the best mirrorless camera when money isn’t a problem which goes to the Sony A7R III. The Sony A7R III is an outstanding mirrorless digital camera, creating images that will rival intermediate-level DSLRs that have a similar price point.
The video quality with the A7R III is excellent too, and according to Gizmodo, “it does an excellent job of smoothly auto-tracking focus while recording.” The camera’s full-frame image sensor is the largest physical size of an image sensor that’s found in a camera for the consumer market, so this Sony model’s image sensor sits at the top of the heap in mirrorless cameras.
You won’t find another mirrorless camera that has 42.4 megapixels of resolution, either. The A7R III has an extremely clear viewfinder along with a sharp main display screen you can use to frame the scene, which are two features praised in the Steve Huff Photo review. The unit’s autofocus system works extremely fast, giving this Sony mirrorless camera a high level of performance.
Battery life is seriously improved from the previous model. The A7R III allows for about 650 frames — or one relatively full shoot (still, keep an extra charged battery or two on hand).
You will pay a lot for this camera, so we wouldn’t recommend it for beginners just looking at getting their feet wet. Furthermore, you’ll need to be an experienced photographer to take advantage of the Sony camera’s metering and white balance capabilities, as adventure photographer and photojournalist Chris Burkard explains (this is filmed by and for Sony). But when you’re ready to step up your photography game and want a mirrorless ILC, nothing beats the Sony A7R III’s image quality.
4. Sony A7III
We have the Sony A7III as our pick for the best overall mirrorless camera. The Sony A7III supports a new 24-megapixel sensor with an ISO range of 100 to 51200 which can be expanded to 50 to 24,800. The 693 autofocus points mean that you can take great-looking pictures with this camera even in low-light environments.
The noise reduction technology means that you can make out more details in the pictures that you take. Â This camera has dual memory slots, one of which supports UHS-II fast memory cards. If you tend to take a lot of photos in one outing you will be glad for this particular feature.
The 5-axis image stabilization is something else that’s worth mentioning. it makes it very easy to take clear and detailed photos of moving objects without sacrificing picture sharpness.
When you buy this camera you will get the SEL 2870 lens, lens hood, lens cap, lens rear cap, rechargeable battery, AC adapter, shoulder strap, body cap, accessory shoe cap, eyepiece cap, and micro USB charging cable.
There are lots of customization options to choose from. If you prefer shooting in manual mode the numerous picture modes allow you to achieve a wide range of effects with the photos that you take. You can however always turn on auto mode if you’d prefer a simpler way to take pictures.
Some of the features of this camera include its 4D focus. The camera’s 693 autofocus points offered 93% coverage of the entire image area. Continuous Shooting: the very fast continuous shooting feature makes it easy to capture important moments. 4k HDR: you can record video in stunning 4k quality.
Pros
- High-quality photos: This camera’s high 24.2-megapixel resolution allows you to take high-quality photos.
- Long-lasting Battery: The rechargeable battery that this camera comes with can last up to 900 shots before you need to charge it.
- Lots of settings: the intuitive menu will provide you with numerous picture mode options to choose from.
Cons
- The camera’s rear display is fixed and doesn’t offer any tilting or multi-angle options.
Coming in at about $2,200 the Sony A7III is the best overall mirrorless camera. It takes beautiful pictures in a wide range of lighting environments and the innovative autofocus system is very impressive. This camera also has a nice sleek appearance and a long-lasting battery that is perfect for extended photography outings. Though it does cost more than the other cameras on this list it’s well worth the price.
5. Panasonic Lumix G85
Next, we have the best mirrorless camera for the video which goes to the Panasonic Lumix G85. The Panasonic Lumix G85 has a great set of features for photographers looking to buy their first advanced interchangeable lens camera.
This model ships with a kit lens, giving it a reasonable price point, but its greatest feature is the ability to shoot video at up to 4K resolution and 30 frames per second. The G85 also can record full HD video at 60 frames per second, producing a strong combination of video recording capabilities. You don’t need a separate digital camcorder if you own this Panasonic camera.
The Camera Labs audit referenced the significance of having a long battery life in a camera that is intended for video recording, and the G85 conveys. However, one Amazon reviewer says the camera’s autofocus system doesn’t always work accurately when shooting video in tough lighting conditions. The touchscreen simplifies the process of operating this Lumix G85 camera, making it run a lot more like a smartphone camera.
The G85 includes a viewfinder, too, which gives it a leg up on some other mirrorless cameras, according to TechRadar. The image sensor in the G85 delivers 16 megapixels of resolution in an image sensor that is similar in size to an APS-C-sized sensor. Steve’s Digicams review says the still image and video quality are both excellent with the G85. One Amazon buyer mentioned the low weight of the Lumix G85, which makes it easy to carry with you anywhere.
6. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II
Up next we have the best travel camera on a budget which goes to the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II. One of the biggest drawbacks to upgrading to an advanced interchangeable lens camera is the cost. That’s one of the reasons why we like the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II mirrorless camera. It has a low price point compared to other advanced models, yet provides a strong level of performance.
The OM-D E-M10 Mark II is a fast performer, too, offering a maximum burst mode setting of 8.5 frames per second. Unlike some mirrorless cameras, the Olympus Mark II has a built-in viewfinder that yields a sharp image. It’s a great choice for the price, according to Steve’s Digicams.
Additionally, the main display screen with the E-M10 is sharp and provides touch control, which is great for people who are migrating from Smartphone cameras to this Olympus model, according to the Photography Blog review. In fact, one Amazon purchaser says the general UI of this camera is great for inexperienced photographers. The Olympus E-M-10 has an image sensor similar in size to an APS-C-sized sensor, offering 16 megapixels of resolution.
The Imaging Resource review says this model does a great job recording in the RAW image format. It records video in full HD resolution, as opposed to 4K. A couple of Amazon purchasers announced issues with the life span of the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II, however.
7. Canon EOS M6
And now for our next pick, we have the best travel camera with the most lenses which goes to the Canon EOS M6. If you ask experienced photographers why they have shied away from switching from DSLRs to mirrorless ILCs, one reason you’re sure to hear is the limited number of lenses that are available. DSLR camera models have been around a lot longer, and they have a lot more lenses from which to choose. To gain access to more lenses with a mirrorless camera, we’d recommend the Canon EOS M6.
This camera can use Canon lenses made specifically for its line of mirrorless cameras (with an M mount), but by making use of a mount adapter, the M6 can also fully use many Canon DSLR lenses, opening up a whole new world of photography options.
With the adapter, any Canon lens made in the past three decades is usable with the M6, according to the Ken Rockwell review. An Amazon purchaser was excited to have the alternative to utilize a portion of his old DSLR Canon lenses with this model.
The EOS M6 has an APS-C-sized image sensor offering 24.2 megapixels of resolution, resulting in strong image quality, according to the Imaging Resource review. It has a nice set of wireless connection capabilities, too, including Wi-Fi1, NFC2, and Bluetooth3.
The M6 creates some amazing images, yet it remains a lightweight camera that works well for shooting one-handed, according to Steve’s Digicams. However, one Amazon buyer was disappointed in the video shooting options with the Canon M6, especially in less-than-ideal lighting conditions.
8. Panasonic Lumix G7
One of the best mirrorless cameras under $500 is the Panasonic Lumix G7. The Panasonic Lumix G7 has a nice slim body with sharp angles and a deep handgrip for comfortable extended use. It measures 3.4 x 4.9 x 3 inches with a weight of 14.4 ounces without a lens.
This camera offers lots of different controls to help you get the perfect shot but you still have a fully automatic setting that you can activate to make things simpler. The dial on the left of the pop-up flash controls the drive mode and offers numerous 4k photo mode options. The mode dial is located to the right of the flash and the power button is closed by the shutter button, which is part of the front control dial, which is very convenient.
There is also the Q menu which provides you with a wide range of settings to give your photos different effects. Some of these options include natural vivid standards and monochrome. You will find the built-in Wi-Fi that this camera offers to be particularly useful when it comes to transferring photos and sharing them with others on social media. If you have an Android device you can use NFC to do this. The overall quality of the pictures this camera takes is quite impressive. The 16-megapixel sensor means that you always get clear and detailed pictures.
OLED Live Viewfinder: This camera’s viewfinder offers 10,000:1 contrast for high visibility all the time, and time-lapse photography. There is a setting on this camera that makes time-lapse photography easier than ever. Some of the pros of this camera include its 4k video. This camera’s 4k video recording offers complete clarity and stunning detail dual control dials. Two different dials in this camera let you choose from a variety of settings.
Built-in Flash: The built-in flash is another great feature that will help you take high-quality pictures in low-light settings.
One con of this camera is that the tracking focus slows the burst rate which can be a bit annoying.
The Panasonic Lumix G7 is the best mirrorless camera for under $500. It takes great-looking pictures and even has 4k recording capabilities. There is an extra dial on this model with additional settings to help you take the best pictures. You will be hard-pressed to find a better mirrorless camera at this price point on the market today.
9. Panasonic Lumix G9
Next, we have the Panasonic Lumix G9. The Panasonic Lumix G9 is known for its very large electronic viewfinder which has a 3.68 million dot resolution at a 0.83 times full-frame equivalent magnification; it certainly makes viewing the subjects you shoot much easier. This camera’s rear LCD monitor is significantly smaller than the GH5 and the resolution isn’t quite as high.
You will, however, have access to optional touchpad autofocus. This feature will let you adjust the autofocus point with the simplest movement of your thumb. The function lever on the front of this camera makes it easy to switch to whichever mode or feature you want. The shutter button has a hair-trigger design so you only need to use the slightest bit of pressure to take a picture.
The 20-megapixel micro four-thirds image sensor on this camera was carried over from the GH5 model and for good reason, it’s combined with the stabilized Panasonic lens which will provide you with up to 6.5 stops of shape production. You can easily take great-looking pictures with this camera in almost any environment.
The 6K and 4K photo modes that this camera offers will let you take bursts of 18 or 8-megapixel photos. You can take 6k photos up to 30 frames per second. Their headphone and microphone jacks that you can plug into one recording video which is always nice.
Some of the features of this camera include its OLED live viewfinder. This camera’s viewfinder has 120 frames per second refresh rate and a 0.83 times magnification.
Dual USH-II SD card slots: The two different SD card slots in this camera will provide you with ample storage for extended shooting sessions.
Anti-shake lens: The Panasonic lens that this camera uses offers impressive image stabilization for shooting in chaotic environments.
Some of the pros of this camera include its high-resolution mode. The 80-megapixel high-resolution mode that this camera offers is very impressive.
Video modes: There are 6k and 4k video recording modes that will let you take amazing quality videos.
Great layout: All of the buttons and physical features of this camera are laid out in a very user-friendly way.
One con of this camera is that the sensor this camera uses is a bit smaller than some of the other cameras at this price point.
Coming in at just under $1,300 the Panasonic Lumix G9 is a great mirrorless camera that offers high-resolution photo and video shooting. it has an incredibly well-designed anti-shake lens as well as a plethora of shooting options for customizing your photos.
10. Fujifilm XT3
The Fujifilm XT 3 has an ultra-durable aluminum alloy body that is resistant to dust and moisture. It has a nice-sized handgrip that makes holding onto it very easy. There is also an MHG XT 3 grip which provides you with even more to hold onto. This camera’s 3.69 million dot OLED color electronic viewfinder offers a point 0.75 times magnification and blackout-free burst shooting making it easier to take high-quality pictures in any scenario. There is also the 3.2-inch LCD screen that has 1.04 million dots which is to be expected with a model of this price.
It has a touch interface and you can tilt it up and down to always get the perfect viewing angle. There are six ports on this camera including microphone and headphone jacks, USB C, micro HDMI a remote release connector, and a flash sync terminal.
This camera also allows you to use a second SD card when you require additional storage. You can use this camera for up to 1200 shots before having to charge it again. The three batteries inside this camera don’t take very long to charge. We love the new 26.1-megapixel x-trans CMOS 4 sensor which is combined with an X processor image processing engine for beautiful and detailed pictures.
some of the features of this camera include its 4k Movie Recording: the 4k video that this camera records looks extremely sharp and detailed,
Film Simulation Modes: There are 16 different film simulation modes including eternal cinema and black and white.
Supports Finder Mode: The supports finder mode that this camera offers makes it easy to capture moving objects like cars.
Some of the pros of this camera include its great autofocus. This camera’s xt3 sensor increased the face detection autofocus area to include the entire frame. Long battery life: you can take approximately 1200 pictures with your camera before having to charge it up. Ample storage: the dual SD card slots in this camera means that you will never run out of storage space while shooting.
One con of this camera is that the lack of in-body image stabilization is somewhat off-putting.
Fujifilm XT 3 is one of the best mirrorless digital cameras on the market. It takes unbelievably high-quality photos and videos with remarkable clarity and detail. The touchscreen display is very responsive and offers a good look at what you’re shooting and the pictures you’ve already taken. Its magnesium alloy body is very durable making it ideal for those who shoot outdoors a lot.
So that sums up our 10 best travel cameras for this year. Hope this article will assist you in finding your best camera for travel photography.
Like this article? Share it with your travel buddies and Pin it if you are on Pinterest.
You may also read:
- Unlocking Secrets: How to Find the Cheapest Flights Anywhere!
- Click Away from Adventure: Download These Travel Apps Now!
- Axa Assistance USA: The Ultimate Travel Companion for Peace of Mind
