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The 12 Best Cameras for Travel Photography in 2024

A Post By: Matt Murray

This article was updated in February 2024 with contributions from Matt Murray and Jaymes Dempsey.

Need a top-notch travel camera so you can capture gorgeous photos of your next adventure? You’ve come to the right place.

Picking the best camera for travel photography can be hard work, considering the array of options on the market. Fortunately, I’ve spent decades traveling with dozens of cameras (film, instant, and digital), and below, I share my top 12 favorite models.

Note that I’ve offered a variety of choices, including models for beginners, professionals, and everyone in between – as well as cameras at every price point, from affordable point-and-shoot models all the way up to pro-level full-frame cameras. (In other words: No matter your requirements, we’ve got you covered!)

So if you’re ready to find the perfect camera, then let’s dive right in, starting with our top choice:

1. Sony a7C II

The original a7C was an excellent travel photography camera in its own right, thanks to the full-frame sensor and compact body – but the Sony a7C II , which debuted in the fall of 2023, is even better than its predecessor.

Sony’s latest full-frame offering is an all-around great camera, but travel photographers in particular will appreciate the extremely compact body combined with the impressive 33 MP full-frame sensor. Expect outstanding low-light capabilities for interior architecture and nighttime street shots as well as amazing autofocus performance when capturing travel portraits and action scenes. Plus, if you like to do a mix of photo and video shooting while exploring distant countries, you’ll love the beautiful 4K/60p video.

The in-body image stabilization ensures sharper handheld shots when working at slower shutter speeds, such as when shooting at restaurants and in churches (where tripod use is often restricted), and the camera also includes access to a tremendous line of travel photography lenses. My biggest gripe is the lower-resolution electronic viewfinder, which is on par with the old a7C as well as the Sony a7 III. But it’s still highly usable, and for serious travel shooters looking for top-notch image quality in a compact body, the a7C II is a stellar pick.

• Ultra-compact body
• Excellent 33 MP full-frame sensor
• Amazing low-light performance
• In-body image stabilization
• 2.36M-dot electronic viewfinder
• Somewhat pricey

2. Nikon Z fc

Looking for solid image quality in a portable, easy-to-use camera? Then check out the Nikon Z fc , which offers plenty of handy features, not to mention a retro-style, streamlined camera body.

The Z fc boasts a high-quality APS-C sensor , so you’ll have no problem capturing beautiful images of landscapes, cities, and any other subject you might encounter on your travels – yet the camera is relatively small and inconspicuous, so you won’t need to worry when photographing in busy areas or carrying the camera for long hours on buses, planes, or trains.

The film-type dials on the top of the camera promise a tactile shooting experience, and the articulating screen makes it easy to capture photos and videos of all kinds. Speaking of video, the Z fc does offer 4K recording, so if you also like to vlog or shoot cinema-type footage while traveling, you’ll be thoroughly impressed by the results.

And did I mention that you can grab the Z fc for under $1000? In other words, it’s a great option for travel photographers on a budget!

• Great image quality
• Reasonable price
• Beautiful design
• Retro style doesn’t suit all photographers
• Not as small as point-and-shoot options

3. Fujifilm X-T30 II

The X-T30 II is the latest model in Fujifilm’s midrange APS-C lineup, which successfully packs high-level features into smaller, lighter bodies. The X-T30 II boasts a capable 26-megapixel APS-C sensor (so you won’t struggle to capture printable images even in low-light scenarios), and it can shoot up to a whopping 30 frames per second (so you don’t need to worry about capturing those split-second moments on your travels). Like other Fujifilm cameras, the X-T30 II has face- and eye-detection autofocus, which is a big help for travel portraits and street shots . It also includes Fujifilm’s renowned film simulations .

When you buy into the Fujifilm system, you’ll gain access to dozens of great travel photography lenses ; in fact, the hard part is actually deciding which is right for you! My personal go-to lens for travel photography is the XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 lens . While the X-T30 II doesn’t include in-body image stabilization, the technology is included in several of Fujifilm’s best travel lenses, so as long as you choose your lenses carefully, you won’t have problems handholding indoors or at night.

The X-T30 II offers a uniquely tactile shooting experience thanks to a shutter speed and exposure compensation dial, so if you’re a fan of film-camera ergonomics, this camera will make you feel especially at home. It offers surprisingly great value, too; at the time of writing, you’ll pay just $900 for the camera body (though you will need to buy a lens separately).

• Excellent lens lineup from the affordable XC lenses to enthusiast and professional XF lenses
• Stunning image quality with a range of JPEG film simulations
• Many amazing features
• Not as robust as Fujifilm’s higher-end models

4. Sony RX100 VII

Sony keeps improving the RX100 line, and the RX100 VII is its best model yet. It may have a smaller sensor than the Nikon Z fc featured above, but the RX100 VII is still a powerful performer. It boasts impressive autofocus, a flip-screen for vlogging and selfies, a mic socket, and a huge zoom range (equivalent to 24-200mm in full-frame terms).

The RX100 VII also borrows tech from Sony’s flagship models, which is why it can shoot up to 20 frames per second with no viewfinder blackout.

If you’re a watersports fan, there’s an added bonus: the RX100 has underwater housing available for surfing, diving, and snorkeling photos. At around $1300 USD, the RX100 VII is on the pricier side, but for serious travel photographers, it’s an excellent choice.

• Impressive autofocus
• Handy zoom range
• Up to 20 frames-per-second shooting
• Expensive for a compact camera
• Smaller 1-inch sensor

5. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

Olympus may not be the world’s most popular camera brand, but that’s okay – especially if the company continues to develop outstanding models like the OM-D E-M10 Mark IV .

In many ways, the E-M10 Mark IV is an ideal travel photography camera. It offers amazing image quality – thanks to a 20 MP Four-Thirds sensor – yet it’s remarkably compact, so you can literally slip it in your pocket or handbag while traveling and only pull it out as needed. And the lenses are designed with portability in mind, too; a perfect choice for a lightweight setup is the 14-42mm EZ lens , though if you want more range, take a look at the 14-150mm .

Other features include a tilting 3-inch screen (so you can capture low-angle shots as desired), a 2.36M-dot electronic viewfinder (for a DSLR-like shooting experience), and in-body image stabilization (so you can work handheld even in low-light travel scenarios). Plus, the price is incredible; you can grab the E-M10 Mark IV for just $700, and if you want to add a capable kit lens, you’ll pay just $799. How’s that for a bargain travel camera?

• Compact and light
• Excellent image quality
• Good range of lenses
• Smaller sensor
• Lower-resolution EVF

6. Sony a7 IV

If you’re an advanced travel photographer in need of a do-everything camera, consider the Sony a7 IV , a full-frame, pro-level model that combines incredible autofocusing, beautiful image quality, and capable video into one reasonably priced package. 

The a7 IV isn’t designed specifically for travel, so while it’s not big , it’s not especially compact, either. But you can comfortably travel with it in a backpack or even around your neck, and for serious shooters, the bevy of top-notch features will make up for the extra bulk.

The a7 IV’s incredible sensor and in-body image stabilization allow you to capture sharp handheld photos indoors (e.g., at museums and churches) and at night. And thanks to the 3.68M-dot electronic viewfinder, you can expect a lifelike shooting experience (along with other cool perks like exposure simulation), while the fully articulating screen makes it easy to create unique low- and high-angle shots of popular landmarks. Finally, the 4K/60p recording capabilities make the camera a top option for hybrid shooters; you can vlog, shoot video, and capture beautiful images all on the same day.

• Astonishingly good image quality
• Great video features
• Fully articulating screen
• Beautiful EVF
• Pricey compared to other models on this list
• Larger than other options

7. Nikon D5600

This next model needs no introduction; Nikon SLRs were favored by many famous travel photographers in the 1980s and beyond. The D5600 is the latest camera in Nikon’s midrange APS-C series, and it’s a perfect choice for beginners and enthusiast photographers alike.

The D5600 boasts Nikon’s excellent ergonomics, and the camera feels reassuringly comfortable in your hand, although it’s not as compact as other models on this list. Image quality is superb and low-light shooting is very impressive. Plus, you get a fully articulating screen (for selfies, vlogging, and tough compositions) along with excellent battery life.

These days, you can purchase a new D5600 for a great price, and it’s even cheaper if you buy it used – so if you’re in need of a reasonably high-level camera with a bargain price tag, it’s definitely a model worth checking out.

• Good ergonomics and handling
• Good battery life
• No 4K video
• On the larger side

8. Ricoh GR III

Ricoh has been producing super-compact GR cameras since the film heydays of the late 1990s. Those classic point-and-shoot GR models were known for their sharp wide-angle lenses and minimalist controls, and the digital line of GR cameras is no different.

The Ricoh GR III is a perfect mix of portability, optical quality, and impressive features. You get a fixed 28mm full-frame equivalent f/2.8 lens capable of producing great images, and four-stop shake reduction that ensures sharp files even in challenging light.

The GR III is often compared to another camera in this list, the Fujifilm X100V, but I’d encourage you to grab the Ricoh if you prefer a smaller camera with a wider angle of view.

• Truly pocketable
• Four-stop shake reduction
• Fantastic wide-angle lens
• The straight-out-of-camera JPEGs are not as good as Fujifilm’s
• Battery life could be better

9. Sony a6700

It’s easy to see why Sony has grabbed a big share of the mirrorless camera market in recent years: The company produces an impressive range of cameras that appeal to professionals and enthusiasts alike.

The Sony a6700 may not have a full-frame sensor like some of its stablemates, but its compact body and impressive specs make it a strong candidate for the best enthusiast travel photography camera on the market. The a6700 features a 26-megapixel APS-C sensor, outstanding autofocusing for photography and video, and five-axis optical image stabilization. The 180-degree flip screen also makes the a6700 handy for vlogging and selfies.

And speaking of vlogging and video: While the a6700’s predecessor, the a6600, only offered 4K/30p, the a6700 now offers 4K/60p and can even capture 4K/120p video (albeit with a heavy crop) for those epic slow-motion travel clips!

I do think the layout and controls could be improved, but it’s one of the only drawbacks to an otherwise excellent product. Quick note: If you like the look of the a6700 but you’re on a tighter budget, also consider the a6400 . It may not be as impressive as the a6700, but it offers excellent value for money.

• Small and light
• Great lens lineup
• Good image quality
• Handling and ergonomics could be improved

10. Olympus Tough TG-6

Going on an extreme adventure? The Olympus Tough TG-6 could be the best travel camera for you. This compact point-and-shoot model can withstand a lot of punishment, thanks to its shockproof, dustproof, and crushproof body.

The TG-6 can also work in temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 degrees Celsius), and it’s fogproof, even during sudden changes in temperature. As I found out on a recent trip to Indonesia – where I was frequently moving from an air-conditioned hotel room to the outside heat and humidity – a foggy camera can be a real inconvenience.

For snorkeling and diving fans, the Tough TG-6 will love being underwater almost as much as you. It’s waterproof up to 49 ft (15 m), and it boasts several nifty underwater modes, including a microscope mode that can focus on objects 0.39 in (1 cm) away.

• Super tough
• Only 12 megapixels
• More suited to adventurers than enthusiast photographers

11. Fujifilm X100V

I’m a huge fan of the Fujifilm X100 series cameras (I’ve owned three of the five models released over the last decade). In fact, many photographers loyal to other brands buy an X100-series camera as their “take-everywhere” body.

The X100V is small and light, yet it boasts an incredible 35mm f/2 fixed lens. Other useful features include its leaf shutter (good for photographing in quieter places like museums and churches ) as well as a built-in neutral density filter (perfect for beautiful long-exposure landscapes and wide-aperture shots in bright light). And of course, you get a range of stunning JPEG film simulations that are ready to go as soon as you turn on the camera.

While the entire X100 series is great, note that the latest model, the X100V, does have an important improvement over its predecessors: it’s weather-resistant. This makes it an excellent choice for photographers who shoot in sand, rain, snow, and more.

• Excellent lens
• Built-in ND filter
• Fujifilm JPEGs
• Weather-resistant
• No in-body image stabilization
• More expensive than its predecessors

12. Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III

The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III is the third iteration of a popular point-and-shoot series from Canon. It’s sleek, it’s stylish, and it almost looks like a mini DSLR.

Many compact cameras have a tiny sensor – one inch or smaller – but the G1 X Mark III is an exception; it boasts an impressive APS-C sensor, which is one of the biggest sensors offered in such a portable camera. It also features a handy zoom range of 24-72mm and an optical stabilizer for shooting in low light, so you’ll be ready to handle any travel photo scenario you encounter.

The G1 X Mark III is easy to use and produces images with high clarity and outstanding colors. The only downside is the price tag: At around $1000 USD, it may be on the high end for some enthusiast photographers, but for intermediate shooters, it’s certainly worth the extra cash.

• Large APS-C sensor
• Compact size
• Articulating screen
• Premium price

What is the best camera for travel photography?

Choosing the perfect travel photography camera is a difficult task, one that depends on many factors. Before you hit that “Buy” button, try to determine what you value most, then evaluate the different cameras I’ve discussed based on those criteria.

So what is the best camera for travel photography? Only you can answer that question! Read my list carefully, think about what matters to you – and, if you’re still struggling, go to a camera shop, where you can talk to the staff and hold each camera in your hands.

Then, when you’re ready, grab a camera and hit the road!

Now over to you:

What travel photography camera do you plan to buy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Read more from our Cameras & Equipment category

Matt Murray is a travel, portrait and stock photographer from Brisbane, Australia. Matt publishes Fujifilm X-series body reviews, lens reviews and photo galleries on his website Matt Loves Fuji . Matt also hosts an analogue photography podcast Matt Loves Cameras featuring reviews of classic film and instant cameras.

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16 Amazing Instagram Travel Photographers – Girl Power

Written By: The Planet D

Travel Photography

Updated On: January 17, 2021

Instagram was made for dreaming and therefore it was made for travel. It was in Queensland, Australia last year that we met a bunch of Instagram travel photographers and they really showed us the ropes.

We had long chats with Top Travel Instagrammer, Garry Norris about photography and he inspired us to spend more time on this social channel. Instagram was our new pet project.

Table of Contents

ThePlanetD on Instagram

Cut to a year and a half later, and we’ve since been named as one of the top Travel Instagram Accounts by the likes of Forbes, Yahoo Travel , AOL , Harpers Bazaar , and USA Today . Needless to say, we love Instagram!

Check out: 9 iPhone photography Apps to create kick-ass shots!

If you are not on Instagram, you should be. It’s the hottest social media stream in travel. If you are looking for some great accounts to get started, check out these very talented and well-travelled ladies!

16 Amazing Instagram Travel Photographers- Girl Power

A couple of months ago, we introduced you to the best Australian Instagrammers in Travel. It was fitting because they were really the first country to really embrace Instagram. Well, this month we want to introduce you to our favourite women Instagram travel photographers. As a woman, I love celebrating talent and success in the field of photography. The ladies are leading the pack when it comes to Instagram and here are our favourite Travel Instagram Photographers celebrating Girl Power. I really love these accounts they are all so unique, filled with beauty, inspiration and incredible photography. So get over to Instagram and follow them now!

Kirsten Alana

Kirsten Alana was the first real travel Instagram photographer we got to know. We had the pleasure of traveling with her quite a bit and picking her brain. She has always been so generous with her knowledge and she’s hugely talented. She’s been on countless Top10 Travel Instagram lists and it’s well deserved. I love following along to see what she and her man @dante8 are up to and reading here well crafted captions to go with her fantastic photographs.

We met Jen in Egypt and were totally blown away by her photography skills. She is a master at iPhone photography. So much so that her Instagram photography is featured in Apple’s World Gallery #shotoniPhone6

Miss Jetsetter

I have no idea how we discovered Miss Jetsetter, but I’m glad we did. I love her pastel hues in her photography. She is always somewhere exciting and her photographs will take you away to a far off place. Plus, she’s a great lady, she’s always been so supportive of us.

YoungAdventuress

We first took notice of Liz while in Queensland Australia. We were doing the same campaign #Room753. However, we never saw each other. She was doing adventures in one spot and we were doing them in another. But we kept up to date on her travels through Queensland through here Instagram photography and we’ve never stopped following. She’s now New Zealand’s premier Instagram photographer and she is always showcasing exciting photographs and adventures to her followers.

LaurenepBath

What can we say about Lauren. She’s the world’s most famous Instagram Travel Photographer and has amassed a huge following. We’ve met her now in both Canada and Australia and she’s as fun in real life as she is at taking amazing photographs. She is constantly crisscrossing the globe sharing a diverse range of photographs.

We just met Chrysti in South Dakota and had an amazing time with this gal. She was one of the first travel photographers on Instagram and has been going strong ever since. If you are wondering why you haven’t heard of her yet, well, health issues forced her to take a year off but she is coming back with gusto and showcasing her beautiful iPhone photography to the world.

The Blonde Abroad

I really enjoy Kiersten’s Instagram feed. She mixes fashion with travel in the most exotic locations. Plus she’s gorgeous. (I can say that, I’m a lady) Her photos always put a smile on my face as she really showcases what it is like to love life and live it to the fullest. I’m always transported somewhere to paradise.

Legal Nomads

What I love about Jodi’s account is how diverse it is. She isn’t afraid to post something out of the ordinary. LegalNomads main focus is food travel, but her photographs show the fun and excitement that travel brings. When you follow LegalNomads you are treated to a window into Jodi’s very exciting life!

We discovered Jewelszee when we discovered the other amazing Australian Instagram travel photographers. We have yet to meet her in person, but she already feels like a friend. She is supportive and generous. We are small potatoes compared to her, but she regularly visits our account to say hello and give our photographs a like. Like many of the other women in this list, her photographs are diverse displaying a range of photography skills.

StephBeTravel

I love Steph Be’s Intagram photography feed. She’s a master at citysapes, but then as you scroll through her photographs, you see that she’s a master at everything. I love her beach shots, fun people shots, selfies and landscapes. It is a feed that makes you want to travel.

AdventurousKate

Kate is a power player in the travel blogging world and is going strong on Instagram too! She is constantly travelling and her feed really shows off the places that she visits. I love the blend of photographs that she shares. It’s a mix of landscape, cities, food, portraits and art. It’s so much fun to follow along and see what Kate is up to each day.

A Lady in London

Don’t let the name fool you. A Lady in London has been to more than 100 countries! Her colourful photographs create a mosaic of sunsets, flowers and luxury living. Named top Instagram in travel by the likes of Esquire & Harper’s Bazaar she also posts for one of our other favourite Instagram Travel Accounts, BBC_Travel.

Inside Travel Lab

Inside the Travel Lab was the very first person we followed in Instagram. Abi has a real eclectic stream of Instagram photographs and I love it! She’s always finding the interesting perspectives and angles and captures exactly what she feels like. There isn’t an agenda in her photographs, it’s a stream of her varied and fun travels.

Rikerama is my kind of Instagram style. Rich hues of travelling the world. Lately she’s done some excellent portraits. She’s another talent coming out of Australia but her feed will take you around the world.

Sherry Ott is an excellent photographer that doesn’t get enough recognition in my humble opinion. Each week on her travel blog, Ottsworld, she highlights the best of Instagram and her Instagram stream is filled with amazing world travels. She doesn’t have one specific style, she has many. Sometimes her shots are saturated, sometimes they’re simple and other times she’ll post a still life and then she’ll freeze a moment in time. I love seeing what moments Sherry chooses to freeze in time.

Nellie is always doing an amazing adventure and her Instagram travel feed proves it. Be it on safari in Africa, jumping out of a plane or trekking in Bhutan, Nellie does it all. Her photography captures each event beautifully. I really love the colours of her feed. They just pop as much as the adventure jumps off the page!

So there you have it! Our favourite female Instagram travel photographers. Do you have a favourite Instagrammer that you follow? We’re always looking for great photographs that transport us to another place, leave your suggestion in the comments and if we love them too, we’ll add them in!

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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About The Planet D

Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine , the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

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39 thoughts on “16 Amazing Instagram Travel Photographers – Girl Power”

This post is outstanding. Yours content is total unique. I hope you will better use yours skill in next time. I waiting yours next blog. Thanks….

Nice post and links! Maybe you should check my insta too ? name : tolive2travel

Very nice collection!

Wow thats amazing photography. These pictures are marvelous !

You have covered some of the most amazing images on travelling around the world! Great work!

Awesome list of this amazing photographer

Thanks for the share

Hey guys, I really loved reading this post. I have some awesome new fellow travel lovers to follow! Thank you so much for sharing! I also read your post about best IPhone editing apps & I learned so much from that! I would love if you guys could check out my Instagram account to see if I qualify to be amongst this group of travel photographers! My handle is @inspiredpassort Thank you! ~Toya

This is a great list! It’s nice to see some of my favourite Aussie accounts on there. You guys should be on that list too!! 🙂 @lizs_b on Instagram.

These are wonderful and so inspiring! The Simple Sol is doing some amazing photography on her Instagram and her blog. Thesimplesol.com

All the above travelling photography are superb but i like pic shared by “Ottsworld”. I want to ask that if you can some travel photography from India. If you have then please share it.

We’ve travelled India in the past but not recently. If you go through our feed you will definitely find photographs from there and we have articles about your country here too!

I followed them and I can’t wait to see awesome travel pictures for inspiration!

Simply amazing people. I love the list and the photos. Such an inspiration!

Glad you lie them Dave, they are definitely inspiring!

Marvellous post. So inspirational!

Thanks Steph, I’m glad you enjoyed it. I just took a look at your Instagram following too. For those looking for more travel check out A Nerd at Large https://instagram.com/anerdatlarge/

Nice collection of photographers! What a coincidence that today a Guy from IBM who left his job and is popular on instagram is featured on many websites! Before minutes read that article and here it is another nice collection 🙂

I guess today is an Instagram day all around. Cheers!

Nice selection of shots.

I’ve been working on my new site ( and buried in it) after being so inspired by you two. I was pleasantly surprised to see this pop up on Facebook lats night! I SO appreciate the shout-out – and discovering some new-to-me amazing feeds!

Meeting y’all was one of the highlights of our trip – and I’ll always treasure it!

It was definitely a highlight of my trip meeting you and Carl as well Chrysti. I loved joining you two in the truck! I can’t wait to see your new website up and running and to see you back in action taking amazing photographs and sharing your art and writing. All the best to you and hopefully we’ll see you soon!

What a fun surprise – thanks guys for including me! I can hardly believe how many followers some of these wonderful photographers have…it’s impressive – fun to be included in such a great group! It’s funny – I have been trying to convince people to write a post like this – and then of course the people I didn’t bug about it did it! Totally grateful! Miss you both!

You see, great minds think alike! We don’t do a lot of round up posts like this. Inevitably somebody amazing gets left out, but as we talked about Instagram and just came off an Instagram focused trip, it was on our mind. We wanted to do something different and share our favourites with people. You are so right, some of these women have huge followings. What I love about them is that they are all humble and kind while being incredibly successful. Go ladies!

Oh goodness! Thank you so very much for including me. I’ve been such a huge fan of your work, so this is certainly an honor! Thank you again ?????? Can’t wait til we cross paths somewhere on this beautiful earth.????

You are fans of us? We’re fans of you! I remember when we first connected on Instagram and I asked how do you get such great engagement? Do you remember that? I know first and foremost it’s because of your beautiful photography, but you also have a way of connecting with your followers. That’s so important. I’ve watched many amazing photographers post gorgeous photos, but they can’t seem to connect with their fans, it’s a gift that you have. You’ve always been so open and supportive with us, we’re honoured to feature you and introduce you to our readers.

Really surprised to find my name on the list! Thanks guys for including me and appreciate the kind words! 😉

Thanks for including me! I’m honored to be on a list with such great photographers.

Thanks for the comment and thank you for posting great photographs. We haven’t met yet, but between your shares on StumbleUpon and your Instagram feed, I feel like I know you. Looking forward to see where you go next!

I clicked on this link to learn how to learn from the best. I scrolled down. I looked at the photos, I looked at the numbers. I have to admit, I started to feel like this kind of thing was beyond my abilities.

Then – blow my eyebrows – as a beloved UK sitcom would say – MY NAME WAS ON THE LIST!

How did this happen?

Honestly, I have no idea.

But, thank you for the enormous boost from being on the list and for the compliment (though I should probably apologise) of being the first person you followed.

In a strange quirk of fate that I’m sure you don’t remember…Years ago, I found your write up of via ferrata in southern France. I mentioned I was nervous about my upcoming trip, you said I’d be fine.

I went on to climb not only a practice route in Austria but the “original” route in Italy too.

Never forgot your words, they encouraged me, and you were right.

Thanks again – cheers, Abi

Thanks so much for the feature! You’re the sweetest! Awesome accounts you mentioned!

Thanks for sharing such fun and inspiring photos Kiersten. I really love the way you integrate your fashion into your photos too.

I really love following Brooke Saward on Instagram at @worldwanderlust

Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll check her out! Cheers.

Thanks so much for including me on your list with your kind words. (Also impressed that you took the screengrabs from today! Nobody ever does that in Instagram round-ups!)

This past March I gave the keynote at the Women in Travel Summit, focusing on gender inequality in the travel blogging industry. One of my topics was about how women are often overlooked in travel photography, especially women of color. So it makes me very happy to see you curating a list of female travel photographers and including some women of color on the list. Thank you for that. 🙂

It’s a tough subject to broach. Just days after my talk, a prominent blog did a featured list of travel photographers and it was entirely men. I pointed this out and the blogger responded that these were his favorite photographers and he didn’t think that he had to fulfill a quota of women if he was talking about his genuine favorites.

And while I do understand why he felt this way, I think it’s important to be cognizant of the content you’re consuming. Be critical of your own taste. If you’re not following female photographers, start following some! If you’re not reading blogs by people of color, start reading some! If you’re not reading fiction by LGBT authors, why not start searching for some on Goodreads?

This list will help people broaden their horizons when it comes to travel photography, and I’m really happy about that.

Thanks Kate. Yeah, I had something else I was going to post today and then changed my mind so I went through everyone’s accounts and took screen grabs from today since the post moved. If it was going up next week like I orignally planned, I probably would have been a week behind in my screen grabs:-) It’s nice to keep it up do date thought and I’m glad you noticed. I think women are really making a mark in photography, especially in Instagram. Dave and I were talking about how so many of our favourite Instagrammers are women. That’s what sparked this post. The people we follow with the some of the biggest numbers are the ladies, like Izkiz who has more than two million followers! I didn’t include her in this post because she tends to showcase other people’s photos these days. It’s only every once in a while I see her own shots in her feed, but she’s a heavy player in photography and it is a fun feed. It also focuses more on DeluxeFX so it’s not necessarily travel. Great point about being aware. I have to admit, I didn’t think about the colour of skin of the photographers, I was just brainstorming what photographs and Instagram accounts I like. I wasn’t about numbers either, Dave and I discussed who we love seeing in our feed. Everyone in this list is unique and talented, and most importantly, they transport us to a destination through there photographs. I think that’s important for travel photography – to make the viewer want to visit that destination. There are women we follow with bigger numbers and while their photos are superb, they don’t make us want to travel or even focus on travel. They are a different type of Instagram photographer. Like fashion, lifestyle or artistic. They’re not travel so they’re not on this list of ours. We really thought this through in the sense that we wanted to showcase female travel instagrammers, but you are so right, in today’s world, we need to be sensitive of everything. Equality in this world should be at the forefront of all our minds. I know I want to live in a world where everyone is treated equal and keeping the conversation going is important. I’m glad that we are naturally diverse in what we read and follow, but I think we can all definitely do better. Thanks for sharing your wise words.

Thanks so much for including me on this list! I’m in such great company and it’s always fun to find new travel instagrammers to follow… you’ve introduced me to a few!!!

Thanks for the reply Jen, we have always loved your photographs and glad we could introduce you to a few. I remember you speaking about iPhone and Instagram photography in Egypt and I was inspired and listened to every single word. It started our learning about iPhone photography.

New: 7 Best cameras for travel

Updated March 2024

Travel can expose you to once-in-a-lifetime sights and experiences, and a good camera can be the perfect way to preserve those memories. We've looked at a range of models that offer great image quality, good autofocus and excellent video, so that you can capture whatever you encounter on your travels. We've also tried to select relatively small cameras so they don't interfere with your trip.

Our selections include relatively compact cameras with fixed lenses, perfect for just documenting what you saw on your trip; they also include Micro Four Thirds and APS-C models that allow smaller camera/lens combinations, if you're looking to travel light. Full-frame cameras open up the potential for even better image quality but the lenses can get pretty big, so it's worth checking how big the total package is, before committing to a large-sensor model.

Our recommendations

Best pocketable travel camera: ricoh gr iii, the classic choice: fujifilm x100vi, truly compact mirrorless: om system om-5, all-round compact capability: sony a6700, the great travel kit: fujifilm x-s20 with 18-55mm f2.8-4.0 ois, the stylish travel companion: nikon zf, portable full-frame: sony a7cr.

24MP APS-C sensor | 28mm equiv. F2.8 lens | Wi-Fi + Bluetooth

What we like:

• Excellent image quality
• Good controls and ergonomics
• Truly pocketable

What we don't:

• Short battery life
• No built-in flash
• Sluggish AF in low light

The Ricoh GR III is the latest in a series of classic compact cameras with a large APS-C sensor and a 28mm equivalent lens. It's not the most flexible camera but it's one of the most pocketable and has built up a dedicated following of photographers who find it a joy to shoot with.

Our only concern, in terms of using the GR III for travel are that some users have found dust can get into the lens. So it's worth trying to find some sort of protective bag to keep it in.

There's also the GR IIIx , a variant with a longer, 40mm equivalent lens on it. This may be a little tight for documenting your travels, but it's historically a popular focal length.

Read our Ricoh GR III review

See the Ricoh GR III studio scene

40MP BSI CMOS APS-C X-Trans sensor | 35mm equiv F2 lens | Hybrid viewfinder

• Excellent build quality
• Subject-detection autofocus
• Now with in-body image stabilization
• Lens not especially fast to focus
• Hard to find in stock

Like the Fujifilm X100V before it, the Fujifilm X100VI is a classically styled fixed lens camera with a 35mm equivalent F2 lens. But being in active production following its 2024 launch, the X100VI is somewhat easier to buy than its constantly out-of-stock forebear.

Updated with in-body image stabilization rated at up to 6EV of correction and a 40MP BSI CMOS APS-C X-Trans sensor, the X100VI is a significant upgrade over its predecessor despite looking virtually identical. And those improvements in part explain the X100VI's $200 increase in list price to $1,600.

Like its older brother, the X100VI isn't the smallest or most inconspicuous camera, but its fixed focal length means you develop an 'eye' for the photos it'll take, essentially making it a better quality, more engaging alternative to snapping away with your phone.

The addition of subject-detection autofocus has given the X100VI the ability to recognize animals, birds, automobiles, motorcycles and bikes, airplanes, and trains though human (face/eye) detection is a separate mode. However, the lens the X100VI shares with the X100V is not the fastest to autofocus, prioritizing sharpness over speed.

The X100VI brings a level of polish you would expect from a sixth iteration of a camera. Fujifilm has done a great job keeping the X100-series up to date without messing with the formula that's made it so popular. No surprise, this is the best X100 yet.

Unfortunately, despite ramped-up production, demand for the X100VI seems to have outstripped supply with the camera already on backorder at virtually all dealers. With any luck, however, its release will depress the over-inflated sale price of previous generation X100V cameras, which are still quite capable if you can find them for prices befitting used gear.

Read our Fujifilm X100VI review

20MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor | 4K/30p video | In-body stabilization rated to 6.5EV (7.5 with some lenses)

• Attractive JPEG output
• Selection of clever photo features
• Excellent image stabilization
• IP53 rating supports claims of weather sealing
• AF tracking is disappointing
• Image quality is behind larger sensor cameras

The OM System OM-5 is a compact interchangeable lens camera with a 20MP Four Thirds sensor in a compact body with plenty of external control.

That relatively small sensor means it can remain fairly small, even with a lens attached, and the Micro Four Thirds lens system provides extensive options in that regard, from compact zooms to small prime lenses.

Read our OM System OM-5 review

See the OM System OM-5 studio scene

26MP BSI CMOS sensor | 4K/60p video capture | Fully articulating screen

• Front and rear command dials
• Excellent AF in stills and video
• 4K/120p capture (with crop)
• No AF joystick
• JPEG sharpening can be aggressive

The Sony a6700 is built around a 26MP APS-C-sized sensor. Its excellent autofocus performance means it excels at both stills and video capture. There's a good choice of relatively compact lenses available, too. We'd suggest avoiding the really small 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 though: it's not the lens to get the most out of this camera.

Fast, dependable autofocus with a selection of subject recognition modes means the a6700 will help maximize your chances of capturing the unexpected moments on a trip.

Read our full Sony a6700 review

See the Sony a6700 studio scene

26MP X-Trans APS-C sensor | Up to 6.2K/30P 10-bit video | In-body image stablization

• Excellent still and video quality
• Long battery life
• Comfortable, simple ergonomics
• AF tracking still lags behind peers
• Small electronic viewfinder
• Micro HDMI instead of full-size

Fujifilm's X-S20 is also worth considering. Like the a6700, it's built around a 26MP BSI CMOS sensor and is strong at both stills and video. Its autofocus isn't as simple and powerful as the Sony's, but its JPEG color modes produce really attractive results, and there's a wide choice of lenses including compact prime and the well-priced, supremely useful 18-55mm F2.8-4.0 OIS, which is a great travel option.

Read our Fujifilm X-S20 initial review

See the Fujifilm X-S20 studio scene

24MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor | Full-width 4K/30 video, cropped 4K/60 | Stabilization rated to 8EV

• Distinctive design with direct controls
• Effective subject recognition
• Strong stills and video features
• Weight and minimal grip can become uncomfortable
• Slow MicroSD second slot
• Few custom buttons

The Nikon Zf is a classically styled full-frame camera built around a 24MP full-frame sensor that's used by many of its peers. The angular 80s-style body isn't the most comfortable to hold in your hand for extended periods, but the lack of stick-out grip makes it smaller than many of its rivals, making it a tempting travel companion.

At least in its all-black form, there's a chance of it being mistaken for a film camera, which may help avoid the wrong kind of attention, when you're out and about in an unfamiliar setting.

Read our initial review of the Nikon Zf

61MP BSI CMOS sensor | 4K/60p video with 10-bit color | Dedicated ‘AI’ processor for AF system

• Big camera features in a small body
• Outstanding AF performance
• Auto Framing video mode
• Small, low-res viewfinder
• No joystick control
• No fully mechanical shutter

The Sony a7CR is a relatively compact full-frame camera with an image-stabilized 61MP CMOS sensor. You sacrifice the convenience of an AF joystick and get a pretty small and basic viewfinder to keep the camera's size down, but there's little else that delivers this much image quality in such a compact package.

You'll need to pick your lenses carefully to keep the camera portable but the a7CR's autofocus means it can respond rapidly to just about anything you encounter on your travels.

Read our Sony a7CR initial review

Why you should trust us

This buying guide is based on cameras used and tested by DPReview's editorial team. We don't select a camera until we've used it enough to be confident in recommending it, usually after our extensive review process. The selections are purely a reflection of which cameras we believe to be best: there are no financial incentives for us to select one model or brand over another.

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The arrival of the Fujifilm X100VI reignites the debate on what it means for its most direct competitor, the 40mm equiv. Ricoh GR IIIx. Which is the better photographer's compact? We think there's an obvious answer, but you'll have to find out for yourself which it is.

Panasonic's Lumix DC-S5 II and Nikon's Zf are two very different answers to the question: "what's the best enthusiast full-frame camera for $2000." They share more than you might expect, but with different areas of appeal. Discover the difference.

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The Fujifilm X100VI is the sixth iteration of Fujifilm's classically-styled large sensor compact. A 40MP X-Trans sensor, in-body stabilization and 6.2K video are the major updates, but do they make the camera better?

The Panasonic Lumix S5II launched the second generation of Panasonic’s full-frame mirrorless camera system and was the first Panasonic to feature phase detect autofocus. As our review reveals, it’s a heck of an all-around camera for both still and video shooters.

The latest Lumix puts a Four Thirds sensor in a full-frame body with boosted AF and a wealth of stills and video capabilities to create a Swiss Army Knife of a Micro Four Thirds camera.

The fourth camera in Leica's SL series of full-frame mirrorless cameras sees the 60MP BSI sensor from the Q3 and M11 models arrive with a significant interface redesign.

This $250 electronic lens adapter is perfect for Nikon Z-mount curious Sony shooters — shhh, we won’t tell anyone.

Latest buying guides

What’s the best camera for around $2000? This price point gives you access to some of the most all-round capable cameras available. Excellent image quality, powerful autofocus and great looking video are the least you can expect. We've picked the models that really stand out.

What's the best camera for travel? Good travel cameras should be small, versatile, and offer good image quality. In this buying guide we've rounded-up several great cameras for travel and recommended the best.

If you want a compact camera that produces great quality photos without the hassle of changing lenses, there are plenty of choices available for every budget. Read on to find out which portable enthusiast compacts are our favorites.

'What's the best mirrorless camera?' We're glad you asked.

Above $2500 cameras tend to become increasingly specialized, making it difficult to select a 'best' option. We case our eye over the options costing more than $2500 but less than $4000, to find the best all-rounder.

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Notable Mentions

Recent updates, all reviews, the 6 best travel cameras - spring 2024 reviews.

A good camera can be an indispensable travel companion, letting you capture your adventures abroad to share with friends and family. For many, the best option for traveling will be the camera you've already got in your pocket—your smartphone. If you want to step up your photography game, however, there are plenty of great cameras out there that won't take up too much space in your luggage. While it can be hard to narrow them down, it's important to consider things like portability, battery life, build quality, your own ergonomic preferences, and, of course, your budget.

We've bought over 100 cameras, and below, you'll find the best cameras for travel photography that we've tested in our lab. If you're specifically looking for a point-and-shoot camera, check out the best compact cameras for travel  instead. Or, if you're interested in capturing beautiful landscapes on your travels, the  best cameras for landscape photography might also be of interest. Travel vloggers can also look at our top vlogging picks .

Best Camera For Travel

The OM SYSTEM OM-5 is one of the best travel cameras you can get. As part of the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system, it offers a good combination of portability, ruggedness, and image quality. Though it isn't as heavy-duty as higher-end models like the OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II or the older Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III , it has a more compact body that makes it better for travel. Plus, it's compatible with a wide selection of portable MFT lenses that will keep the overall size of your kit down.

Beyond its size, the camera feels well-built, with weather-sealing for added peace of mind in adverse weather conditions. It also has an excellent five-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS) system, which can reduce camera shake in travel vlogs or help you shoot at slower shutter speeds without a tripod. Unfortunately, it doesn't have the longest battery life, so you might have to buy a spare battery for long days on the go, but if you're looking for something small and mighty, this is an excellent travel camera for the price. If you want to save even more money, the older Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is nearly identical and can be found for less if you buy used, though it uses an older processor and lacks some extra features like 'Live ND' mode.

See our review

Best Full Frame Camera For Travel

If image quality is your top priority, the Sony α7C II is one of the best cameras for travel photography you can buy. It's one of the few full-frame cameras on the market that can boast such a compact size. While it's still the largest option on this list, and full-frame lenses are typically larger, it's impressive how compact Sony made this camera while including features like IBIS and a fully articulated screen.

However, the real benefit here is a high-resolution full-frame sensor with plenty of dynamic range and great noise handling for excellent results in trickier lighting conditions. On top of that, the camera has a fantastic battery life and a sturdy, weather-sealed body. That said, its ergonomics leave a little to be desired, particularly when shooting through its small viewfinder. If you want to save a bit of money, check out the original  Sony α7C . The new model is more well-rounded, with better video features and a higher-resolution sensor, but the original is still excellent and costs less.

Best Mid-Range Camera For Travel

If you can do without IBIS and want something a bit more affordable, the Fujifilm X-T30 II is a great mid-range option. It uses an APS-C sensor and has a portable, lightweight body that's ideal for traveling. While it lacks more premium features like weather-sealing and advanced video specs, it's still a relatively sturdy camera, and its dedicated exposure dials give you more hands-on control over exposure settings.

Aside from its portability, the  X-T30 II  uses a high-resolution crop sensor that delivers excellent image quality straight out of the camera. Film simulation profiles make the camera a blast to shoot with and allow you to change up the look of your photos without having to do any post-processing. On top of that, it has a decent autofocus system and a relatively long-lasting battery, making this an excellent travel camera for the price.

Best Budget Camera For Travel

If you're on a tighter budget, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is a great choice that offers a lot of value. Like the higher-end OM SYSTEM OM-5 above, it uses a Four Thirds sensor, making for a remarkably portable camera kit with plenty of lightweight and affordable lens options. It's also a great choice for beginners, thanks to simple controls and easy-to-use creative shooting modes.

This is one of the few budget cameras to feature IBIS, so it's a good choice if you also like to shoot vlogs or videos on the side. IBIS is also helpful in low light, letting you shoot at slower shutter speeds without a tripod. However, this is still an entry-level model, so it doesn't have the greatest build quality. Its autofocus system can also be sluggish with faster subjects. If you'd prefer a camera with a more reliable autofocus system, the Canon EOS R50 is an amazing alternative and is even a bit cheaper. However, its lens options are more limited, and it's less portable overall.

Best Point-And-Shoot Camera For Travel

A premium point-and-shoot is the way to go if you need something compact but more capable than your smartphone camera. The Sony RX100 VII has been going strong for several iterations, and for good reason. This latest model uses a stacked 1-inch sensor, so image quality is very solid for its class. It's also one of the few cameras that's actually pocketable, so you can bring it with you wherever your travels take you, and its built-in lens has a fairly long zoom range that's great for travel snapshots of everything from landscapes to far-away subjects.

Be aware that compact cameras like this have a limited battery life, though you can always bring a spare battery or a portable battery pack to charge it on the go. The RICOH GR III is a great alternative if you want something more minimalist. It doesn't have a viewfinder, and its fixed focal length lens is less versatile than the zoom lens on the Sony. However, it has a larger APS-C sensor that delivers excellent image quality and is better suited to low-light situations. On the other hand, if you're looking for something cheaper, you can still find older generations of the RX100 on eBay and other used camera retailers.

Best Vlogging Camera For Travel

If you prefer to vlog about your travels rather than photograph them, try the Sony ZV-1. Like the  Sony RX100 VII above, it uses a 1-inch type sensor, performing similarly when it comes to image quality and autofocus, but it has a different design, with no viewfinder and a shorter zoom range. On the flip side, it also has a fully articulated screen that makes it easy to monitor yourself while vlogging, as well as a better built-in mic, complete with a detachable windscreen to cut down on wind noise while recording.

If you prefer a wider-angle field of view, consider getting the newer Sony ZV-1 II , which has a new wider-angle lens that's a good fit for walk-and-talk vlogs. It performs similarly otherwise, but Sony also removed optical stabilization from its lens, and it's a bit pricier, so the original ZV-1 is a better deal overall for most travel vloggers and one of the best video cameras for travel if you need something compact.

• Fujifilm X100V: The Fujifilm X100V is a large-sensor point-and-shoot camera. It isn't nearly as portable as the Sony RX100 VII and its fixed focal length isn't as versatile as the Sony camera's zoom lens. However, it's still relatively compact, and its larger sensor captures higher-quality images if that's a priority. Just be aware that stock shortages have made it difficult to find, and the manufacturer has since replaced it with the Fujifilm X100VI. See our review
• Nikon Z f: The Nikon Z f is an excellent full-frame option for travel, particularly if you like vintage-style cameras. It has a retro-inspired and relatively portable design but isn't as compact as the Sony α7C II. See our review
• Sony ZV-E1: The Sony ZV-E1 is a full-frame camera that's even more compact than the Sony α7C II. It's a great choice for high-quality travel videos, with a sensor optimized for low light. However, it lacks a viewfinder and is generally less versatile for photographers and hybrid shooters. See our review

May 08, 2024: We reviewed the cameras included in the article, including their price and availability, to ensure the article is up to date and adequately meets user needs.

Apr 10, 2024: We've replaced the Sony α7C with the Sony α7C II because it's more widely available and offers some advantages for video work. We also removed the Sony ZV-1 from the Notable Mentions, making it the 'Best Vlogging Camera For Travel.' Finally, we added the Nikon Z f to the Notable Mentions.

Mar 13, 2024: We've removed the 'Best Action Camera For Travel' since we've temporarily paused buying and testing action cameras.

Feb 15, 2024: Minor tweaks to text to ensure article is relevant to the current state of the market.

Jan 19, 2024: Replaced the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III with the OM SYSTEM OM-5 in the top spot, because it has better availability and performs very similarly.

Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the top travel cameras for most people, according to their needs. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability (no cameras that are difficult to find or almost out of stock in the U.S.).

If you'd like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all of our camera reviews, ranked by their suitability for travel photography. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There is no single perfect camera. Personal taste, preference, and shooting habits will matter more in your selection.

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The best travel cameras for 2024

Andy Westlake rounds up our pick of the best travel cameras for trips long and short, vacations and all other adventures

Welcome to our guide to the best travel cameras and holiday cameras! Here, we are going to be running through our picks for the best small and light cameras to take away with you. A full camera setup tends to be too bulky and heavy to use on a photo trip or vacation, while a smartphone will generally be too restrictive in terms of what it can capture (and never mind the battery). A dedicated travel camera is the ideal solution.

At AP, our review team tests cameras of all types, and that includes travel cameras. DSLRs, mirrorless models and compact cameras have all passed across our testing bench, and we’ve chosen the best of the best for this guide. This doesn’t just mean the most expensive premium models – after all, travel is expensive enough without having to add a whacking great camera bill on top.

Of course, you do have to spend a bit of money to make sure you get something worth buying. So, we’ve put together a list to suit a range of budgets, including new models and older ones that have come down in price. However, every camera on here has one thing in common – it impressed our reviewing team enough to earn their recommendation.

We’ve got plenty of advice for taking better travel images here .

How to choose the best travel camera or holiday camera

So what features might be most desirable for a travel camera? Small size and light weight are a given, and we’ve assumed that most users will prefer using a zoom lens , quite probably with an extended range. This could be complemented by a couple of small primes , for shooting in low light or going out in the evening. It might also make sense to add an ultra-wideangle zoom for architecture, landscapes or interiors.

As such, where we’ve picked an interchangeable-lens camera , we’ve also provided a lens recommendation, generally one that you can buy bundled with the camera. The fixed-lens compact cameras we’ve picked generally have generous zoom ranges , with the exception of the Fujifilm X100V, which is loved by travelling street photographers for its super-sharp 35mm prime. This is one we’d recommend for city breaks rather than countryside hikes.

In general, the cameras we’ve chosen in this guide also include fully manual control , a built-in viewfinder and raw format image recording . In order to attain a certain level of image quality, they also use sensors of the 1-inch type or larger . The one exception is the Olympus Tough TG-6, which we have chosen as the best bet for a waterproof camera . Going to be spending most of your time snorkelling on the beach? That one is your best bet.

Read on for our choice of the best travel cameras and holiday cameras that are available right now, including both high-end pocket cameras and lightweight mirrorless models teamed up with versatile zoom lenses.

Where to find the best travel and vacation cameras:

• Best waterproof travel camera: Olympus Tough TG-6 – check best price
• Best fixed-lens compact for travel: Fujifilm X100V – check best price
• Best zoom compact for travel: Panasonic LX100 II – check best price
• Best point and shoot for travel: Panasonic Lumix TZ200 / ZS200 –  check best price
• Sony RX100 VII – check best price
• Best all-in-one travel camera: Sony RX10 IV – check for best price
• Best DSLR for travel: Nikon D5600 – check best price
• Best travel camera for enthusiasts: Fujifilm X-S10 – check best price
• Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III – check best price
• Nikon Z 5 – check best price

The best travel cameras and vacation cameras: our full list

Olympus tough tg-6 – $489 / £399.

Olympus Tough TG-6 (Red) Lego for scale. Photo Joshua Waller

At a glance

• 25-100mm f/2-4.9 lens
• 12MP 1/2.3in sensor
• ISO 100-12,800
• 20fps continuous shooting
• 3in, 1.04m-dot screen

The Olympus Tough TG-6 is different from the other cameras included in this round-up, as it employs a relatively small sensor, which means it won’t give anywhere near the same image quality. It also does without a viewfinder, relying solely on a fixed rear screen instead. But it makes our list simply because it’s the best rugged camera you can buy right now.

Key to its attraction is its sheer robustness. The TG-6 is waterproof to 15m, shockproof to a drop from 2.4m, freezeproof to -10°C, and crushproof . So you can use it without any worries on the beach or in the sea. It also boasts impressive close-up capability and an extensive range of underwater modes, plus an extensive range of lighting and lens accessories.

For outdoor adventurers, it also includes a suite of environmental sensors that allow you to keep track of your travels, including GPS with a compass, a thermometer and an accelerometer.

Read our full review of the Olympus Tough TG-6 .

What we like:

• Supremely rugged build
• Has optical zoom (many tough compacts don’t)
• Useful environmental features

What we don’t like:

• Small sensor
• No viewfinder

Jellyfish, taken with the Olympus Tough TG-6, photo Joshua Waller

Take a look at other waterproof and underwater camera options here: Top 12 Best Waterproof and Underwater Cameras  

Fujifilm X100V  – $1,399 / £1,339

The Fujifilm X100V is a premium compact camera beloved of street photographers.

At a glance:

• 35mm equivalent f/2 lens
• 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor
• ISO 80-51,200 (extended)
• 11fps continuous shooting
• Hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder
• 3.2in, 1.62m-dot tilting touchscreen

Among all the cameras covered in this article, the Fujifilm X100V is unique, as it’s the only one with a fixed, single-focal-length lens . Usually for travel we presume photographers will prefer a zoom, ideally with an extended range to cover a broad array of subjects. But the X100V is different.

With its APS-C sensor, fixed 35mm equivalent lens, and classic rangefinder-like styling, it embraces a different way of shooting. It’s all about working with a fixed angle of view, and ‘zooming with your feet’ to find your pictures. It’s not for everyone, but for some photographers, it’ll be perfect.

While the X100V looks very much like the previous four models in the X100 series, it brings some significant improvements. Its redesigned lens is sharper, especially at close focus distances, and it gains a tilting rear screen that’s great for discreet, unobtrusive shooting.

Thankfully these upgrades don’t come at the detriment of the camera’s other major attractions, which include analogue dials for shutter speed, ISO, aperture and exposure compensation, and Fujifilm’s unique hybrid viewfinder that gives a choice of optical or electronic viewing.

Despite its old-fashioned good looks, the X100V is packed full of up-to-date features . It’s capable of 11fps shooting, 4K video recording, and face- and eye-detection autofocus. It also benefits from Fujifilm’s superb colour rendition, with a full array of Film Simulation modes on board to provide a variety of different looks.

And for those who really can’t do without a few different lenses, optional wideangle and teleconverters are available, giving 28mm and 50mm equivalent views.

Read our full review of the Fujifilm X100V. 

• Sublime image quality
• Super-sharp lens
• Has nailed the street photography feel
• Expensive for a compact

Image: Michael Topham

Panasonic LX100 II – $849 / £859

The Panasonic Lumix LX100 II

• 24-75mm equivalent f/1.7-2.8 lens
• 17MP Four Thirds sensor
• ISO 100-25,600 (extended)
• 11fps shooting
• 2.76m-dot EVF
• 3in, 1.24m-dot touchscreen

If you love the idea of an X100-like camera, but can’t live without a zoom, then the Panasonic Lumix LX100 II might just be for you. It boasts a similar array of external controls for shutter speed, aperture and exposure compensation, and incorporates a corner-mounted 2.76m-dot electronic viewfinder. But it also includes a 24-75mm equivalent optically stabilised zoom lens with an unusually fast f/1.7-2.8 aperture. This is particularly impressive given that the camera employs a relatively large Four Thirds type sensor.

One unique feature of the LX100 II lies with the way that it uses its sensor. It employs a multi-aspect ratio design that, at the flick of a switch on the lens barrel, can toggle between 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 settings , all with the same diagonal angle of view, and therefore progressively wider horizontal views. There’s also a 1:1 option for those who enjoy shooting square-format images.

While the LX100 II is very much designed for stills shooters, it also offers 4K video recording , although with a 1.25x crop. Panasonic’s various 4K Photo modes are on board too, in effect shooting 8MP JPEGs at 30fps. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are built-in for connecting to your smartphone.

The real attraction of the LX100 II, though, lies in just how pleasing it is to shoot with, thanks to its robust metal build and engaging control layout. It also delivers fine image quality. For enthusiast photographers who’d like a zoom compact camera that offers lots of manual control and creative potential, there’s nothing else quite like it.

Read our full review of the Panasonic Lumix LX100 II .

• Clever multi-aspect sensor
• Robust metal body
• Fast f/1.7 lens for low light
• Somewhat restricted zoom range
• Quite bulky for a camera of this type

Panasonic Lumix TZ200 / ZS200 – $697 / £679

The Panasonic Lumix TZ200 is portable and agile, but boasts a hefty zoom range.

• 24-360mm equivalent f/3.3-6.4 lens
• 20.1MP 1in sensor
• ISO 80-25,600 (extended)
• 10fps continuous shooting
• 2.33m-dot viewfinder

Panasonic originally invented the long-lens, pocket-sized ‘travel zoom’ camera, and the TZ200 (or ZS200 in the US) is the ultimate expression of this concept. Like its predecessor the TZ100, it adds a 20MP 1-inch sensor into the mix, to provide considerably improved image quality compared to its cheaper siblings with smaller sensors, such as the TZ95.

But it improves on the TZ100 with a longer 24-360mm equivalent zoom (compared to 25-250mm) and a larger, higher-resolution electronic viewfinder, yet without noticeably increasing in size. For those who can’t afford the TZ200, the TZ100 remains an attractive proposition for £389.

In contrast to its sibling the LX100 II, the TZ200 is very much a point-and-shoot at heart. But it still offers lots of manual control, including a full set of exposure modes and raw format recording. It’s capable of shooting at 10 frames per second, or 7fps with live view between frames. A vast array of features is available for those who’d like to experiment further, including panoramic, multi-exposure, intervalometer and even stop-motion animation modes.

As usual, Panasonic has included 4K video recording, along with its unique 4K Photo mode that allows 8MP JPEGs to be captured at 30fps.

Crucially, the TZ200 gives attractive images, particularly in bright, sunny conditions. It’s also more usable than you might expect in low light, as while the lens’s aperture isn’t especially large, the optical image stabilisation is extremely effective. It’s a great choice for when you just want to carry a pocket point-and-shoot camera but not skimp on zoom range.

• Huge zoom in a tiny body
• Clever 4K Photo modes
• Effective optical stabilisation
• Pricier than TZ100
• Lens aperture tops out at f/3.3

Sony RX100 VII – $1,298 / £1,049

The RX100 VII benefits from a pop-up viewfinder.

• 24-200mm equivalent f/2.8-4.5 lens
• 20MP 1in sensor
• 2.36m-dot pop-up EVF
• 3in, 921k-dot tilting touchscreen

Sony’s RX100-series compact cameras are famed for the way they fit an awful lot of technology into a small, pocketable package. The latest model in the range exemplifies this, with a 24-200mm equivalent f/2.8-4.5 zoom, a 20MP 1-inch stacked CMOS sensor, a pop-up electronic viewfinder and a tilting rear screen, all in a body that’ll slip neatly into a jacket pocket.

What’s more, it’ll shoot at 20 frames per second and record 4K video. Compared to its predecessor, it gains an upgraded sensor that enables Sony’s AI-based tracking autofocus, along with a socket for an external microphone and a few interface improvements. Otherwise, the older RX100 VI offers most of the same features for a slightly more affordable £849.

With 357 phase-detection AF points covering 68% of the frame and Sony’s Real-time Eye AF and Real-time Tracking on board, the RX100 VII has the most sophisticated autofocus of any compact camera . Set it to continuous focus and tracking, and you can almost forget about having to move the AF area or change focus modes ever again. This is very welcome, as in many respects the camera’s ambitious feature set has rather outgrown its simple control layout.

One area where the RX100 VII excels lies with composing your images, thanks its large pop-up viewfinder and tilting rear screen. The lens is a strong performer too, especially when stopped down. Crucially, the camera delivers attractive images which are a noticeable improvement over older Sony models in terms of colour rendition.

• Class-leading autofocus
• Pocketable form factor
• Great viewfinder and screen
• Still very pricey
• RX100 VI will do most of the same stuff for less money

Sony RX10 IV – $1,698 / £1,499

Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV. Photo credit: Andy Westlake.

• 24-600mm equivalent f/2.4-4 lens
• 24fps continuous shooting
• 2.35m-dot viewfinder
• 3in, 1.44m-dot tilting touchcreen

For photographers who’d like an all-in-one camera with a long zoom lens , but who are prepared to carry something the size of a DSLR, there’s nothing else quite like the Sony RX10 IV .

Its 24-600mm equivalent optically stabilised lens offers immense versatility and reach, yet still boasts a usefully fast f/2.4-4 aperture . Meanwhile its 20MP 1in stacked CMOS sensor provides a combination of fine image quality and breathtaking speed. The camera also incorporates Sony’s sophisticated autofocus systems, including eye AF for both humans and animals.

The RX10 IV handles well too, with a large, comfortable handgrip. Three rings arranged around the lens barrel control zoom, focus and aperture, and there’s a dedicated exposure compensation dial perfectly placed for operation by your thumb. Focus area selection is handled using either the touchscreen or the rear d-pad. The viewfinder is decently large and gives an accurate preview, while the screen tilts for low-angle shooting.

To fully understand the RX10 IV’s attraction, though, we need to consider how it compares to mirrorless or DSLR alternatives. Quite simply, none can match its zoom range without changing lenses . What’s more, few other cameras get close to its ability to shoot at 24 frames per second with continuous autofocus and a vast 110-frame raw buffer.

The silent electronic shutter provides speeds as fast as 1/32,000sec while minimising any risk of subject distortion. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi provide smartphone connectivity, and as the icing on the cake, it’ll record 4K video. It’s without doubt the best bridge camera that’s ever been made.

Read our original review of the Sony RX10 IV

• Incredible built-in zoom range
• Fast burst and big buffer
• Comfortable, well-engineered handling
• Very expensive for a fixed lens

Nikon D5600 + 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 lens – $969 / £749

The 18-140mm lens transforms the D5600 into a travel photography powerhouse.

• 24.2MP APS-C sensor
• ISO 100-25,600
• 5fps continuous shooting
• Optical pentamirror viewfinder
• 3.2in, 1.4m-dot fully articulated touchscreen

Some photographers still prefer a traditional DSLR with an optical viewfinder, and Nikon’s D5600 provides a solid specification in a portable package. What’s more, it can be bought in a kit with a versatile 18-140mm kit zoom, offering a 27-210mm equivalent range, for just £749. As the icing on the cake, Nikon’s SnapBridge connectivity can transfer all your pictures automatically to your smartphone , making sharing your adventures a breeze.

In terms of key features, the Nikon D5600 boasts a reasonably solid specification. Its 24.2MP sensor goes up to ISO 25,600 and supports continuous shooting at 5fps. Autofocus employs a 39-point phase-detection system covering the central region of the frame, while metering is handled by a 2,016-pixel RGB sensor.

One area where the D5600 shows its age, though, is with regards to video recording, which is Full HD only, rather than 4K. Recent mirrorless models undoubtedly offer more, but on the other hand, they can’t match the D5600’s impressive 820-shot battery life.

In general the D5600 delivers attractive images, with warm, saturated colours and plenty of detail. It handles nicely too, with the responsive touchscreen making up for a relatively simple set of external controls. Those who’d like to add extra lenses are well served by Nikon’s sizeable F-mount range , including the affordable AF-P DX-Nikkor 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR wideangle zoom and the AF-S DX-Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 G. The latter would nicely complement the zoom for low-light shooting. See our guide to the best Nikon F-mount lenses for more ideas.

Read our original review of the Nikon D5600

• Solid DSLR handling
• Good connectivity features
• Well-priced
• Price may go up as it gets harder to find
• Middling video spec

Fujifilm X-S10 + 16-80mm f/4 lens – $1698 / £1,399

Fujifilm X-S10 in hand, Photo: Andy Westlake

• 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor
• 2.36m-dot viewfinder
• 3in, 1.04m-dot fully articulated touchscreen

For enthusiast photographers who’d like a small, lightweight camera that handles well and offers excellent image quality , the Fujifilm X-S10 is extremely appealing. Styled to look and work very much like a shrunken DSLR, it offers most of the features of the firm’s flagship X-T4 in a considerably smaller body.

It comes in kits with various lenses, with prices starting from just below £1,000 for the XC 15-45mm power zoom. We’ve picked the most versatile kit zoom option, the XF 16-80mm F4, which provides a 24-120mm equivalent range.

Based around Fujifilm’s unique 26MP X-Trans CMOS sensor, the X-S10 delivers the firm’s signature attractive JPEG colour rendition. It even has a dedicated dial to select between the various Film Simulation modes, which provide an interesting range of different looks. Other highlights include 5-axis in-body stabilisation that works with every lens, and a fully articulated screen for shooting at unusual angles. When it comes to video, 4K recording is available at up to 30 frames per second.

With its prominent handgrip, twin control dials and joystick for positioning the focus area, the X-S10 provides the kind of handling that should satisfy experienced photographers. Fujifilm also makes the best available range of lenses for the APS-C format, including a nice set of compact primes.

What’s more, the major third-party lens makers have also recently started to support the firm’s X mount, with some interesting optics now available from Samyang, Sigma, and Tamron . This makes the X-S10 a great choice for existing DSLR users looking for a smaller camera.

A newer model, the Fujifilm X-S20 has recently been released and our review team found that when choosing between both models it depends if you’re planning on doing video content, particularly travel vlogging , ‘If you already have the X-S10 and are primarily a stills photographer, then the X-S20 may be overkill for you, but for the budding or experienced videographer, vlogger, and live streamer, the X-S20 hits it out of the park, with a cracking set of video features that really takes it to the next level.’

Read our original review of the Fujifilm X-S10 and how it compares to the newer Fujifilm X-S20 .

• Eye-catching images straight out of camera
• Excellent X-mount lenses
• Effective stabilisation
• Still quite pricey

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III + 14-150mm lens – $1,498 / £1,299

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is one of the best Micro Four Thirds cameras you can buy.

• 20.4MP Four Thirds sensor
• ISO 64-25,600 (extended)
• 3in,1.04m-dot fully articulated touchscreen

Olympus cameras have traditionally offered high performance in a compact form factor, and the E-M5 series delivers on this principle particularly well. Like its predecessors, the Mark III is unique in being extremely small and lightweight, while still having a fully weather-sealed body and a good set of external controls. What’s more, you don’t have to spend a huge amount of money to get a matching sealed lens.

Buy it in a kit with the 14-150mm f/4-5.6 II, and you get an extremely useful 28-300mm equivalent lens that’s also dust- and splashproof. If you’re prepared to spend a bit extra, there’s even a 12-200mm superzoom that offers a massive 24-400mm equivalent range. Despite its small size, the E-M5 III doesn’t skimp on features.

Its 20MP sensor includes on-chip phase detection that provides 121 focus points spread across the entire image area. You get 10 frames per second shooting, a decently large viewfinder, and a fully articulated screen. As usual from Olympus, the camera also produces very attractive JPEG images , with well-judged exposure and white balance that complement the firm’s signature punchy colour reproduction.

Micro Four Thirds models inevitably give more visible image noise at high ISOs, but this can often be offset by the superb 5-axis in-body image stabilisation, as it allows you to shoot handheld at remarkably slow shutter speeds. There’s also a good range of affordable f/1.8 prime lenses available for low-light shooting that’ll take up next to no space in your bag. There is also a good choice of lenses .

Read our original review of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

• Exceptional stabilisation
• Loads of lenses available
• Weatherproof body
• Unavoidably small sensor

Nikon Z 5 + 24-200mm f/4-6.3 lens – $2,193 / £2,029

The Nikon Z 5 is the only full-frame camera on our list.

• 24.3MP full-frame sensor
• ISO 160-51,200
• 4.5fps continuous shooting
• 3.69m-dot viewfinder
• 3.2in, 1.04m-dot tilting touchscreen

If you really can’t do without full frame, the latest mirrorless models are ideal for travel , as they’re smaller and lighter than their DSLR counterparts. It’s also possible to get all-in-one superzoom lenses for them that deliver very creditable results. We’ve chosen the Nikon Z 5 , as it’s available in a kit with the firm’s Z Nikkor 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR for a decent discount over buying the two separately.

The lens has a slightly shorter zoom range than its Canon and Sony counterparts, but provides a welcome weight reduction in return, of about 200g. While the Z 5 counts as Nikon’s ‘entry-level’ full-frame mirrorless body, it doesn’t give up a huge amount compared to the more expensive Nikon Z 6 .

Its 24MP sensor resolves just as much detail in good light, and while it falls behind in terms of noise performance at the highest sensitivities, it’s still perfectly usable at ISO 12,800. However, its maximum shooting speed of 4.5fps looks rather pedestrian by today’s standards, meaning it’s not the best choice for fast action or wildlife. It’s also only able to record 4K video with a significant 1.7x crop.

In other respects, though, the Z 5 maintains most of what makes Nikon’s mirrorless cameras so attractive. The body may be small, but it has plenty of external controls, along with a lovely large viewfinder and a tilting touchscreen . Dual SD card slots offer the option of backing up your images for peace of mind, while in-body IS means you can often do without a tripod. A range of fine fast primes is also available for low-light shooting.

Read our original review of the Nikon Z 5 here

• Satisfying controls and handling
• Does well in low light
• Gorgeous full-frame images
• Pedestrian burst rate
• Vicious crop into 4K video

Take a look at our latest buying guides  for more great options.

Related content:

• The DSLR is dead, long live the compact
• Flying with camera kit: how to do it
• Do travel photography like a street photographer
• How to take great travel photos with a smartphone

Follow AP on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , and YouTube .

Andy has been Amateur Photographer's Technical Editor since 2014, responsible for reviewing everything from cameras and lenses to accessories and software. Prior to that, he was DPReview's Technical Editor, and introduced lens reviews to that website in 2008. Along the way, he's shot extensively with cameras and lenses of almost every imaginable type, brand and format.

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21 TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS (Easy Ways to Improve Today)

• Last Updated: February 8, 2024

Here are our best travel photography tips for beginners and intermediates, based on our experience of going from complete beginners to professional travel photographers, and now working in the industry for 8 years.

Picture this.

You finally book a trip to your ultimate bucket list destination.

Antarctica, Iceland, Namibia, Bali, seeing the Aurora Borealis – wherever it is, you’ve waited your whole life to finally visit.

Naturally you are going to want to capture the best travel photos possible of this once-in-a-lifetime adventure to share with your portrfriends and family members, on social media, and maybe even print on the wall at home.

Moments in time or a travel experience that you always want to cherish.

So you’ve splashed out on a new camera based on expert recommendations , and you’re keen to hit the road.

But here’s the problem – you don’t have the faintest idea how to get the same kinds of images you see in postcards or on the internet.

The kinds of travel photos that just pop, stand out from the rest, inspire you to book a flight immediately.

Luckily that’s where we come in.

We’ve been fortunate enough to work as professional travel photographers for almost a decade now, being paid to fly around the world, running photography workshops, take pictures for the tourism industry and tell stories.

And now we want to share our knowledge, secrets and insights from our travel photography journey with you so you can take better travel photos.

In this post you’ll find many of our favourite travel photography tips you need to know to come home with shots you will be proud to show off.

Today is the time to learn. Let’s begin.

Table of Contents

1) Know Your Camera

2) focus on the golden and blue hours, 3) plan your shots, 4) learn about composition, 5) framing, framing and more framing, 6) move your feet, make them feel comfortable, 8) use a tripod, 9) find the right travel photography gear, 10) be unique, 11) find your voice as a photographer, 13) aperture, 15) shutter speed, 17) bonus – general ideas for camera equipment settings, 18) use manual mode, 19) shoot in raw (if available), 20) learn about post processing, save this pin for later, general travel photography tips for beginners.

To start with let me talk about the general travel photography tips that I feel are not only the most important, but also the most difficult to master.

Developing an eye for photography takes time. Years in fact. It’s a never-ending learning process, but I promise you with practice you will get much better.

And once you start to get the skills for framing and composing a shot, the rest is easy.

Whether you shoot on a dSLR, mirrorless, smartphone or an old film unit, the first travel photography tip is to get to know your camera equipment.

Whatever you have in your camera bag , take the time to read the instructions, play around with all the buttons and camera settings, and spend hours with it in your hand so that it becomes a part of you.

Study the menu so that if you need to change camera settings in the field you’re not spending minutes scrolling through it when timing is critical.

Also don’t forget to learn your camera’s limitations.

Does it perform well in low-light or does the image fall apart? Is it sharp wide open, or do you need to stop down to get the best clarity? Does it have inbuilt image stabilisation?

Ultimately when you pick up your camera you want to feel comfortable and know exactly how it works. Then getting better pictures will come faster and easier.

Light is everything when it comes to travel photography images, and there’s a good chance you’ve already heard about the golden and blue hours.

The Golden Hour is that time when the sun is low in the sky and it throws a magical, warm glow across the scene.

Think the first hour after the sun peaks in the morning, and the last hour or two before the sun drops over the horizon in the afternoon.

The Blue Hour is when the sun is below the horizon and the sky gives off a beautiful blue hue.

If you really want better travel photos, one of the best travel photography tips we can give is to get used to waking up early and stay out late to make the most of these two times of day.

If you’re not a morning person, get used to setting an alarm. Many of the great travel photos of the Taj Mahal and other tourist sites with no one in them for example were taken by people who got there early.

Taking photos in the middle of the day can still result in great shots, but in general you’ll find the blue sky too blown out unless there are some interesting clouds, and on a sunny day you’ll find the lighting conditions can be a bit harsh.

Instead use the middle of the day to get street photography, or scout out photo locations and a vantage point for your sunrise and sunset photos to come back later.

Bonus Tip – Even if it looks like the sunrise or sunset might not be so beautiful, wait around. You never know when the clouds might break or the sky randomly lights up in brilliant colours.

Before you arrive in your tourist destinations, spend a few hours planning out your shot list of images you want to photograph.

You can get inspiration from Instagram, Google Maps, travel guides, magazines and more.

Make a note of these pictures, and then plan your day around the optimum time to shoot (sunrise or sunset for example).

Doing this will help you nail the shots you want to go, and give you more purpose and direction.

You need to know that all of the best photographers use tools like Google Maps or social media to form a shot list, and you should get used to it too.

You’ve probably heard about how important it is to compose a shot properly, and I bet if you’ve ever read a photography manual you would have come across the ‘ rule of thirds ‘.

Good composition can be the difference between an average shot and award-winning travel photos.

There’s all kinds of ‘rules’ that theoretically make a photo look nicer, such as not putting your subject in the middle of the shot, don’t cut elements out of the frame, etc.

But right now let’s go a bit into the Rule of Thirds.

This concept is where you divide your image into 9 even squares (many cameras actually have this grid line feature built into their display options).

Then what you do is you place the subjects and points of interest such as a human element along those lines and squares.

Here’s an example of how this looks:

The idea of the rule of thirds is that this is a mathematical idea of what our eyes naturally find pleasing. So it’s good practice to incorporate this method into your shots.

Another thing to look for is leading lines that naturally draw your eye around the photo, as well as different angles and shapes.

Have a river flowing from the side of the shot up to a waterfall on the top left for example, or the foreground bending around, leading the eye towards a church at the top of the photo.

This is a skill that you’ll learn with more practice.

An important thing to remember is that rules are meant to be broken .

Get used to analysing your shots with the rule of thirds, but please don’t use it as gospel if you think a different composition would work.

Adding a human element also brings a lot of interest to a good shot, so place people in your frame.

When you look through the viewfinder or LCD screen, don’t just focus on the subject.

Make sure you run your eyes around the entire frame to make sure you’re not accidentally cutting off something important.

Double-check that the top of a mountain is fully inside the frame, or that your friend’s whole body is in the shot as an example.

This isn’t gospel, because sometimes having something cut off from the frame can be good for composition, but you’ll have to be the judge of that.

Also check to see if you can use something natural in the scene to create a frame inside your picture.

Think of looking out a window at a building, or a bent-over tree surrounding a pretty lake.

These can all help make better travel photos.

This is one of the most important travel photography tips I can give – Move your feet.

Don’t just arrive to a scene and take a shot from the place you’re standing.

Instead take a few minutes to walk around and see if there is a better frame or composition.

Go closer, move back, step to the side, consider your lens’ focal length, etc.

Imagine trying to take that iconic Taj Mahal photo, only to find out later that you were 2m to the left of centre, throwing off that perfect symmetry.

Or maybe if you walk to the river’s edge you’ll be able to incorporate some interesting rocks into the scene instead of just water.

Better yet, take multiple travel photos and fill up those memory cards from the same photo locations so you have lots of options when you get home to see which is your favourite.

7) Ask People for Permission

Travel photography isn’t all about capturing the most beautiful sunsets and gorgeous architecture around the world.

Travel photography is also about the people you meet. But if you’re a bit shy like me, how do you get those amazing portrait photos without feeling rude?

Simple – just ask for permission.

Asking someone for permission to take their photo is polite and respectful.

If you have had a great encounter with someone, or you just see a great opportunity and want to capture a wonderful portrait, give them a big smile and ask if it’s ok to take their photo.

You’ll find many people are more than happy to pose for a photo if you just ask (just make sure you respect them if they say no).

But what if you want to get a candid shot, with the subject looking natural?

There’s always another way to get these without annoying the person.

Don’t make it obvious that you are taking their photo. Act natural and take lots of photos of the environment around them.

You can also keep your camera down by your side and point the lens in their direction.

If you have a zoom lens, use it. This was you can be on the other side of the street or market and still photograph the person.

Interested in learning more? Join one of our exclusive photography workshops in Antarctica, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan or Mongolia !

Another one of my favourite travel photography tips for portraits is to bring in another element to the shot.

Some people will feel uncomfortable posing for a stranger, but if you can make it about something else they will feel much more at ease.

As an example, maybe ask if they can pose with something in their store like a rug, or ask them to show you their wedding ring.

This way they’ll realise there is more to your photo than just them. This will also add a lot more interesting elements to the shot!

A tripod is one of the best camera accessories you can have in your camera bag, and really essential for travel photography.

This will allow you to get excellent shots in low light, as well as get creative with your images (like taking long exposures).

These days you don’t always need a massive tripod to travel around with, especially if you want to travel light and are a hobbyist photographer. Look at some of the Joby Gorillapods .

Another good thing about using a tripod is that it will force you to slow down with your photography and put more thought into each shot.

Rather than just pointing and shooting, you will think carefully about where you want to set up your tripod and how you want to compose your shot.

Honestly if you want to become a better travel photographer, you’ll need to invest in at least a small tripod.

You don’t need to go out and spend tens of thousands of dollars on new travel photography gear to get the best shots.

In fact chances are you already have a perfectly adequate camera right next to you (your phone).

Instead just get what you an afford, and as you grow with your photography style, post production, etc, you’ll learn what camera gear you need as well.

Things like filters, tripods, flashes, prime lenses, zoom lenses, etc will come in time.

For now, all you really need is a camera, memory card and enthusiasm!

Check out our recommendations for the best travel tripods .

There’s nothing wrong with getting those iconic shots of the Eiffel Tower or Machu Picchu to share on social media.

They’re beautiful and are often amazing camera angles of famous places that everyone wants to visit.

But don’t forget to be unique as well! Find a different perspective that hasn’t been photographed a million times.

In fact make it your goal to get a few unique shots that you can be proud of.

Over-expose, under-expose, incorporate motion blue – the only limitation is your imagination!

Just like a writer or musician finds a particular style they like, as a photographer you need to discover your ‘voice’.

Travel photography is such a broad term that can cover just about anything.

Really just taking any travel photos will fit the description, whether it is landscape photography, wildlife photography, architecture, portraits, food or whatever.

Just find a style you love most, and focus on getting better at it.

If you really like black and white photography, then start shooting in black and white! Love taking images of crazy street markets? Then get out there and find them!

Experiment, learn, discover and nurture!

Technical Travel Photography Tips

While the technical side of using a camera is usually the most overwhelming thing for a new photographer to think about, it’s actually one of the easiest things to master. All it takes is a bit of study and practice.

If you’ve never looked into getting out of ‘Auto mode’ on your camera, then terms like ISO, aperture, white balance and shutter speed will seem completely foreign.

READ MORE: Check out our great article and blog posts featuring our best landscape photography tips !

12) Exposure Triangle of Photography

The Exposure Triangle is a metaphor to explain the 3 elements that allow light onto a sensor.

A camera captures light, and the right amount is needed so that your image isn’t too bright or too dark.

The 3 parts of the Exposure Triangle are aperture, ISO and shutter.

Each one affects how light reaches the sensor in different ways, and getting this combination right is essential to capturing a beautiful image.

If you want more information, I’ve put together this comprehensive guide to understanding the exposure triangle which you should really check out.

For now though I’ll explain these three things briefly, and how they relate to taking better travel photographs.

Aperture is how wide, or small, the blades in your lens are and how much light goes through the lens.

The aperture size is measured in ‘F Stops’, and displayed as numbers. f5.6, f8, f11, f16, etc

A wide aperture (small number – f1.8) lets in more light than a low aperture (big number – f22).

A wide aperture also has a shallowed depth of field than a low aperture. I know it can be a little confusing, but you’ll pick it up the more you play around with it.

If you want the background blurry in your photo, you’ll want a wide aperture. If you want everything in focus, you’ll want a low aperture.

ISO is how sensitive your camera sensor is to light. A small number, such as 100, means it’s not very sensitive and therefore needs more light to leave an impression.

A high number, like 6400, means it’s very sensitive and needs only a little bit of light to show up on the sensor.

The higher the ISO, the more noise shows up in a photo. Noise lowers the quality of your image, so in a perfect world you’ll want to keep this as low as possible (unless you’re going to stay out late doing astro and night photography ).

It’s also necessary to raise your ISO if you’re shooting moving subjects (or handheld) indoors.

Shutter speed is pretty straight forward – how long it takes for your shutter to open and close. This allows you to freeze a frame, or introduce motion blur.

Want to capture a bird in flight? You’ll want to have a fast shutter (1/4000th of a second for example).

Want to make a waterfall look silky smooth, like you see in so much Iceland photography? Go for slow shutter speeds (3 seconds for example), and check out our guide to waterfall photography tips while you’re at it!

Keep in mind that if you are holding your camera equipment rather than using a tripod, you’ll need to have a fast enough shutter to eliminate your own hand movement.

As a general rule 1/60 of a second is the slowest you should go so your picture doesn’t pick up hand movement. Any slower than that and you’ll probably need a tripod.

16) Combining All Three for Perfect Exposure

There is no ‘perfect setting’ for aperture, ISO and shutter. It all depends on what you are trying to photograph and the style you’re going for.

Luckily most decent digital cameras have two little tools that will let you play around figure out how all three work together – manual mode and histograms.

Manual gives you complete control over your camera’s ISO, aperture and shutter.

If you change one, nothing else will change, unlike in ‘aperture priority’ mode or ‘shutter priority’ mode.

The histogram is a visual display of light. When the bars are all the way to the left, the image is darker. When they are all the way to the right, the image is lighter.

When most of the bars are in the centre, this is perfectly exposed.

The best way to figure out what combinations work best when you’re a complete amateur is to put your camera on “manual” mode, activate the histogram, and play around with the settings.

Pick an aperture (f/8 for example) and point it at the scene. Now look at the histogram.

If the image is too dark, then you’ll need to let more light in. Let’s make the speed slower. See a change?

Now put the shutter back to where it was and instead change the ISO. Make the ISO higher. Is the image getting lighter?

Spend an hour or two playing around with different apertures, ISO and shutter so you get an idea of how each one affects the light hitting the display.

Take note at how drastically things can change if a cloud goes in front of the sun, or you take the camera inside.

This just comes with practice of course, and knowing what settings you want for a particular scene will become second nature

Keep in mind that not all travel photos needs to be perfectly exposed. Sometimes having a darker image looks much better than having one that is nice and bright. You can use your judgement for this.

This is very, very basic and by no means should be read as gospel. There are a million different things that can affect why you would want a faster shutter, or wider aperture. But if you are confused about what to pick for what here’s a quick idea.

• Landscapes – You’ll want your aperture around f8-f11. You’ll also want your ISO as low as possible. Slow down the shutter accordingly.
• Portraits – You’ll probably want to photograph your subject to be sharp, but the background blurry to bring focus on the person. Have a wider aperture (say f2.8 for example), and a faster shutter (around 1/160 at the absolute slowest) to freeze the subject. Adjust ISO accordingly.
• Indoors – Because it is darker inside than outside, you’ll need to let a lot more light into the sensor. Unless you’re using a tripod, keep the speed at around 1/60 as the slowest, and the aperture around f5.6 to start with. Adjust ISO and aperture accordingly.

Of course there’s a bunch of other styles of travel photography that would use different settings, such as astrophotography, architecture, street scenes photography, wildlife photography, etc.

In time you’ll learn what settings work best for each scene.

The best way to get to know your camera and how light works is to have complete control over what settings you choose.

The only way to do this is to shoot in manual mode (shown by the letter M on most cameras).

It will take months of practice, but I promise you that in time you’ll be able to look at a scene and instantly know what aperture, ISO and shutter to use to get the exact style of image you’re looking for.

You can also use aperture priority mode (the letter A on your camera) if you don’t want to make the big leap to manual just yet.

This way you can lock in the aperture you want (f8 for landscape photography, f2.8 for portraits, etc) and the camera will automatically adjust the ISO (although you can control this part too) and shutter to get perfect exposure.

I highly recommend focusing on learning manual settings though until you have it perfected.

When you take a photo on your digital camera, the computer chip inside it takes what you captured on the sensor and converts it into a format that can be easily read. For most cameras, these two formats are RAW and JPEG.

JPEG is a compressed format that the camera creates to save on space. In doing so it ‘locks in’ all the data that it picked up such as the colour and white balance.

RAW files actually saves all the data of what you took and doesn’t compress it.

Most decent digital cameras will give you the menu option of shooting in RAW, and I recommend you use it if you ever plan on editing your photos.

Keep in mind that the file sizes will be a lot bigger (for example on one of our cameras a RAW is 42, while a JPEG is just 20), so you’ll need to have extra memory cards and external hard drive storage.

If you have no plans on editing your photos then shoot in JPEG.

Some people think that editing your photo is ‘cheating’. But the truth is photographers have been editing their photos ever since photography was invented.

Yes, even your favourite photos in National Geographic have been manipulated in some way.

99% of photos you see in your favourite travel magazines have been edited. Every professional photographer edits their photos to some degree.

The reason is that not all cameras are great at capturing exactly what the eye saw in terms of colour and light.

If you really want to get the most out of your professional travel photography business, you should start playing around with post processing.

Many people have heard of Adobe Photoshop , but it’s a pretty advanced tool that most people wouldn’t ever need to use (until you get more experience).

To start with look at the free apps that you can get on your phone, such as Snapseed, or free editing programs on your computer, like iPhoto or GIMP.

Once you get serious about travel photography and you want to start editing all of your photos that are filling up your memory cards and external hard drive, we recommend purchasing Adobe Lightroom.

If you’re ready to make the jump to using Lightroom and Photoshop, Adobe have a great ‘Creative Cloud’ package, which is what we use for only $10 a month. You can buy it here with a 7-day free trial

21) Practice, Practice, Practice

Just like anything, becoming a great travel photographer takes time, and a lot of practice. The only way you can get better is by getting out there taking travel photos!

You don’t even have to travel the world to tourist destinations or have the most travel camera available to be a great photographer.

Borrow some family members to take their portraits, get a friend who is also interested in photography and push each other, or grab your smartphone and go shoot sunset.

Buy whatever you can afford, go for a walk around your city and snap away.

We hope that this general guide on travel photography tips for beginners has been helpful.

Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any other questions. We have a lot of experience working with tourism boards, and would be happy to help you too.

Good luck on your photographic journey, and maybe we’ll see you in National Geographic one day!

DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you book accommodation, tours or buy a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products that ourselves or our fantastic editorial team have personally experienced, and regularly review these. Thanks for your support, kind friend!

Alesha and Jarryd

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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Gopro hero 7 black review – is this the ultimate action camera, the nas backup workflow – how pros backup photos, your guide to the top vivid sydney photography tips and locations, 73 thoughts on “21 travel photography tips (easy ways to improve today)”.

I indeed agree in Know your camera and Plan your shots. These tips would make a good start in achieving your socmed worthy travel shots. And ofcourse, the other tips will surely be useful too. Great post!

Good article but I need to say something about using Manual – it’s not that great. Manual is just a different mode of settings for exposure, little different from either shutter or aperture priority, except these two give you a leg up, to where you’re going anyway. At the end of the day whatever exposure setting you choose will be just a combination of the 3 on the ‘exposure triangle’. Instead of using manual try these other two in conjunction with exposure compensation, which overrides the exposure meter reading. You still need the meter for any exposure anyway, just not necessarily using the value it recommends. It amounts to the same thing, only easier, quicker, and still constraining one of the triangle sides that you want. I use manual for specific unusual objects, such as sun, moon, stars, but during general daytime subjects it’ll be very unusual to hamper yourself by not using the aid provided when there is no advantage.

Your blog has become my go-to source for insightful content.

Thank you so much. So glad to hear. 🙂

Before you go, research your destination and its culture. This will help you better understand the people, customs, and landscapes you’ll be photographing.

I benefited a lot from your post. Thank you

So glad you did. Thank you for stopping by. 🙂

Thanks for sharing all this amazing tips & information. Fabulous post !

You are welcome. We are happy to help. Happy photographing

nice summary of basic photo tips that will improve my shots, thanx!

You are rocking..keep it up your work

Thank you so much. We really appreciate it.

Great article with great tips and i also like the pictures

Thank you so much Alesha and Jarryd for these amazing photography tips! I look forward to putting into practice some of your wonderful ideas and tips! I do so appreciate any tips that I can get to improve my photography. :)) Cheers, Marilyn

I absolutely loved this article! Like you I received my first ‘proper’ camera at 14 and since then have been hooked. I recently purchased a Nikon D750 and am absolutely loving it. Although at the moment I only have two lenses for it I am hoping to be able to afford more soon. What are your favourite lenses?

In my photography I love capturing candid portraits of people I encounter during my travels. I always struggle with the dilemma of getting the perfect candid shot and feeling compelled to ask permission before taking the shot. As a very shy person directing people in images is daunting, but it is something I am striving to work on. It’s nice to read that you are also shy yet manage to capture such incredible images of people.

As I am mostly self-taught, I always love to read technical tips to improve my images. I found the technical side of your post incredibly helpful and wanted to say thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed post. I believe it really helps and inspires amateur photographers like myself.

Glad you liked the article. Thank you for your comment. Keep photographying Caitlyn 🙂

Great tips and awesome photos! I always tell people if they aren’t comfortable with their settings, the #1 way to make sure their images aren’t blurry is to shoot in TV/S (shutter) priority. That way you can prioritize having no hand shake.

Thank you so much. Great advice. Thanks for your comment. 🙂

Awesome tips for everyone and specially to me who loves capturing photos everytime i travel.This one also help me and give me more knowledge on how to make awesome photos and its good because you don’t need to buy expensive camera to have a good quality photos, just your iPhone or smartphone you can make a great photos.

Hi, you are so right. You can take great photos with your phone. Glad the article could help you.

Great article! Do you even bother carrying your camera with you during the day in broad sunlight? I find it’s not worth the hassle for such poor shooting conditions.

Hi Scott, It all depends what we are doing. If we are on a job, we always carry our cameras with us. The midday sun is harsh but you get used to working with it. Especially indoors with the sun coming through the cracks, it can work out really lovely sometimes. When we are travelling on our own time, we don’t usually carry the camera. Happy travels

I really enjoyed reading this post, as I am a beginner in photography as well and it’s always interesting to see what gear other people are using!

I have the Canon Rebel as well, and also love the 50mm lens. It’s just great and is so versatile!

Thanks for sharing.

Glad we could help. Thank you for your comment. Happy photographing,

Great tips guys! Photography is an art so it must be learned properly. A good guide can teach art in a great way. This article is similar to a guide because it is an eye-opener for blooming photographers and travel lovers.

Thank you so much!

Thank you for your comment Glorias. Glad the article could help.

Hello Alesha and Jarryd, not sure to whom I adresse the message to, but I’m guessing Jarryd took the pictures and Alesha wrote about it :p

Anyway, do you guys use any customized Firmware on your DSLR? like the CHDK or Magic Lantern. That’s one question, the other one will be: can’t find any Mobile Phone photography on your blog? can you please refer me to any article that provide valuable info around Mobile phone photography?

Hi Ayoub, The photos and words in the article are a combination of both of us. Usually Alesha is the photographer and Jarryd is the writer.

We use use no customise firmware at all. We haven’t ventured this way as it voids our warranty.

As for phone photography, maybe this is an article we should write. With our phone photos, we do use Snapseed to edit them. But do not take any photos through any apps. All the best

Thank you for the tip regarding phone photography, I mostly use the customized firmware to do timelaps and edit directly on the camera, keep me posted after publishing the new article. (Already subscribed to the weekly newsletter)

Definitely will do. Thank you so much. Happy photographing. 🙂

you are doing a great job

Thank you so much. 🙂

This was really an amazing list of tips, I am a hobbyist photographer and this would really helps me a lot

Glad we could help. Keep up the photographing. 🙂

Great tips Alesha and Jarred. I really liked your golden and blue hours tip. Will try it soon and hope get amazing pics 🙂

Glad we could help. Practise will get you on the right track and before you know it you will be taking amazing shots. We are still learning about photography everyday. We love that you can never stop learning. Thanks Linda.

Some of the best tips I have read so far. Amazing post and captures so much detail. Worth the read for every travel photographer. 🙂 Keep it up.

Thank you so much,. We really appreciate it. 🙂

Priceless tips for amateurs like me. Thanks for sharing. For a long while, I’ve tried to follow the rule of thirds, but the best shots came out when I finally dared to break it. You’re absolutely right about the rules are meant to be broken. Regarding the camera, I agree it doesn’t have to be the most expensive. But sometimes I have a feeling my shots would have been better had I owned a proper camera. What device is the best balance between price and quality?

HI Robin, you’re welcome. We are so happy we could help. Sometimes breaking the rules works out to be better. 🙂 We definitely know what you mean. You do not need to buy the most experience camera. A camera that you can use manual settings, is great as you can start using and playing with aperture, shutter speed and ISO. We started off with a Sony RX100ii and it was great. Compact and a great camera to learn. Here is some articles that may help. https://www.nomadasaurus.com/best-camera-for-travel-ultimate-photography-series/ https://www.nomadasaurus.com/best-camera-accessories-ultimate-photography-series/

Thanks a lot for the great advise! I especially like your explanations about the exposure triangle. I was a bit aware of it before, but never played around with it unless I wanted to change the depth of field (and even then, I did this very rarely). But thanks to focusing more on it, I am starting to get the hang of it. I have taken some very good hummingbird pictures, for example, which never would have been possible if I hadn’t raised the ISO so I can keep the shutter speed fast. Those birds zip around like crazy!

Also, I think one of the most important pieces of advise, and the one I’m struggling with most, is to always look at the whole frame. I am guilty of looking at the main subject and later finding out that I cut off important things on the side or that something weird is in the photo that shouldn’t have been there.

Hi Ilona, so happy the article could help you. That’s amazing you experiment with your hummingbird shots. They are fast birds. By practising photography, you will get better and better. No matter how experienced you are, there are always things to learn. When you come to a scene you want to photograph, stop for a minute look around, walk around and think about what shots you want to take. Obviously this is hard when the subject is moving but great for landscape and street photography. All the best and keep up the awesome work. 🙂

Hi, I took around 500 shots on a trip to Kyrgyzstan recently, some I think are pretty good, but now after reading your tips, I think I will make another trip to that part of the world again soon!

what a great tips especially the lighting part – i also agree that getting up earlier and shooting in the natural sunlight is so great for your photos. talking to the locals and knowing your camera, You guys covered it all

Thank you so much for reading Shama. Glad you liked our article. Natural lighting is the best. Even though sometimes that early morning is hard it is worth it. 🙂

u are absolutely right u don’t need an expensive camera or go to Bali ( although it’s a good idea) to get great photos. it’s just simple common sense and a good eye and you can master photography

Well said. Thank you for your comment and reading Shama. Have a great week.

Thanks a lot for the helpful tips on holiday photos. My partner and I are in Easter Island, irresistible place for photo opportunity. My Nikon D7000 will keep on taking photos on auto mode for the time being until I have had enough practice following your guidelines and the who knows what photos I might produce! Thanks.

Glad we could help Balu. Definitely when you have time, go out and take some photos on manual. Play with the different settings. Before you know it, you’ll only be on manual. At the beginning when I was still learning, I would take a shot on the manual settings I thought and then a shot of the same view on auto in case I messed up. Better safe than sorry. Have a great time in Easter Island. There is so much to do there and learning about the history is amazing. Take care. Alesha

Guys your advice are completely helped me. I was stressed before, i want to travelling at the moment but i hope i can take a good picture cause you know how annoying it will be when we take a picture and then when we are home they are completely bad. So then you have to comeback at the same place again just to take a picture. But this one is helpfull

Hi Fabio, Don’t stress. You are going to bring back amazing photos from your travels. It is all overwhelming at the beginning but it gets easy. When you are shooting, put some time aside and concentrate on what you have learned. It doesn’t matter if it takes you 20 minutes to an hour to get your shot. If their are other photographers around, most of the time that are happy to give you some advice. Let them know you are new. Maybe they will let you know their settings for ISO, aperture and shutter. When it comes to editing, take your time as well. There are many You Tube videos that can help you for free. Have a great time on your trip. Happy travels

Hey Guys, very useful tips especially the Bonus tips.

Keep Sharing!!!

Glad we could help. Thanks for reading.

P(Program) you set either the aperture or shutter and the camera adjusts the other one accordingly to maintain the right exposure. Thanks

Thanks Rezan

I love traveling around the world. I wish to capture some of the beautiful places that I enjoyed. The above tips helped me to improve my travel photography skills. It also helped me to click some of the memorable moments of my travel with my friends and relatives.

Hi Vivek, Glad we could help. It is all about practise. We love having a day to ourselves and just getting out and shooting anything – landscape, cityscape, people or animals. We try to give ourselves a challenge sometimes. It makes it interesting and we are enjoying ourselves. 🙂

Great tips to help out beginners like me. I need to work on to ask people for permission as I get shy sometimes. I love the quote “rules are meant to be broken”!

Thank you Mao. Don’t worry, “asking” will come. Alesha was so shy and I used to take all the people shots. Now she is more confident and really enjoys shooting people. All the best.

THANK YOU . Your very easy to read starter guide to photography was AMAZEBALLS I learnt so much .cheers LIZY

Thank you. Glad we could help. Happy shooting and get creative. 🙂

Hey guys, this is an amazing guide, thanks for writing this up in such detail. As an amateur, I always look for good travel photography tips from other travellers. I left my tripod behind in Thailand and I think this was a huge mistake, I need to get a new one, urgently 🙂

By the way, really enjoy your photos on your blog and Instagram, they are amazing! 🙂

Glad we could help guys. We never used to use a tripod in our early years until we discovered how amazing the shots can be with one in low light and now we have 3. You can rest your camera on something to get a shot but you are limited to positions. Thanks for reading guys. 🙂

thanks for the tips. i’d make one edit: instead of ‘move your feet’ i’d say “don’t be lazy”…move left or right. move forward or back. climb up on something or get down on your knees.

Love it Aaron. You are so right. A little to the left might be the perfect shot or a little to the right and crouching might be the perfect shot. thanks for the input. Have a good one.

I love this post. It is incredibly helpful to all beginner travel photographers like myself! I have only been shooting in manual mode for the past 5 months and have already seen a huge increase in the quality of my photos! But I am always looking to improve. Will definitely be sharing your post

It is crazy how you improve when you start shooting manual. I know Alesha did also. You learn so much about the camera and what it can do, it is incredible. Thank you for reading and all the best with your photography Hayley. 🙂

this guide is amazing, thank you so much for explaining everything in a way an amateur can understand 🙂

Bookmarking the post for future reference!

Cheers, Naddya

Thank you guys. We are glad it is useful for you. 🙂

Wow! Amazing Tips. These tips will help a lot to click great pictures with your camera. Love the point of Shutter Speed. and about RAW.

Thanks for Sharing Helpful Post.

Thank you so much Nitin. Glad we can help. Thank you for reading.

Yeah I agree with you buddy.

Thank you 🙂

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31 Most Famous Travel Photographers to Follow in 2024

Want to know the best travel photographers to follow on Instagram? Get inspired by these 31 incredible travel photography accounts!

Famous Photographers | Learn | By Jeff Collier

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You’re about to discover 31 of the best travel photographers on Instagram in 2024.

I’ll introduce you to award-winning travel photographers who fly around the world in search of the most incredible photos.

I’ll also answer some frequently asked questions related to travel photographers in general.

You’ll find a ton of inspiration for your own travel photography in this guide.

You should also check out our related guides:

• Most famous photographers in the world
• Most famous celebrity photographers
• Most famous street photographers
• Most famous fashion photographers
• Most famous underwater photographers

Table of Contents

Who Are The Most Famous Travel Photographers in 2024?

Chris burkard.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by ChrisBurkard (@chrisburkard)

Burkard is a self-taught photographer who has truly mastered the art of taking breathtaking landscapes and action-filled portraits.

• What is the Best Camera for Travel Photography?

Lauren Bath

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Lauren Bath | Australia (@laurenepbath)

Her Instagram feed showcases her unique perspective in highly saturated landscapes and atmospheric wildlife photography .

She also gives you behind-the-scenes photography insights into how she goes about capturing her travel photos.

Joshua Cripps

@joshuacrippsphotography

Joshua Cripps is a well-known American photographer , international speaker, and tour leader. His epic landscapes are somehow able to capture the feeling of being there yourself.

Melissa Hie

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by ❤️ Mel’s Food & Travel log (@girleatworld)

This concept allows her to share tiny moments from around the world in fun and unique ways.

• Read more: What hashtags get the most attention on Instagram?

Lucy Rose Laucht

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Lucy Rose Laucht (@lucylaucht)

As a Leica ambassador, her passion and dedication to her craft shows up in every image, from beach scene to cityscape.

Even now, when most people take photographs with their phones, there’s still a lot to learn from film photography where every shot is precious.

• Best travel camera for blogging

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Sam Horine (@samhorine)

His Instagram account features life around him, with images from the city and the natural wonders his day job brings him to document.

Chase Guttman

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Chase Guttman (@chaseguttman)

He uses a drone to shoot amazing landscape photography in a different light, and he finds beauty in the repeating patterns you can see from above.

How Much Do You REALLY Know About Photography?! 🤔

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• What is the best lens for travel photography?

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Gab Scanu | Travel • Photography (@gabscanu)

His duo-toned landscape shots are framed with a manmade element that helps the viewer focus on the natural beauty of the outdoors and be reminded of man’s interaction with it.

Glenn Lee Robinson

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Adventure Enthusiasts (@adventurenthusiasts)

From snowy mountains in Yosemite to a bird’s eye view of Lake Tahoe, his photos highlight the sheer beauty of California’s national parks and forests.

Senai Senna

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Senna Relax (@sennarelax)

In the meantime, I like to look at his tagged locations for travel inspiration and where I want to go next.

Lisa Michele Burns

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Lisa Michele Burns (@the_wanderinglens)

The pastel colors of sunset and the misty aura of waterfalls and ocean spray fill her feed with calming energy.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Gary Arndt (@everythingeverywhere)

While he doesn’t post new images often, his reputation as a three-time Travel Photographer of the Year means that every post or reel is a must-see.

• Who are the 33 most famous architecture photographers?

Manuel Dietrich

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Manuel Dietrich | Germany 🇩🇪 | Travel | Hiking (@manueldietrichphotography)

Dietrich’s Instagram grid showcases his teal-orange-green style in a way that’s deeply inspiring. Instead of applying a filter to any photograph, he makes sure his subject fits into his style.

Laurence and Jessica Norah

View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Laurence Norah (@lozula)

As full-time photography bloggers, they share their expertise in planning trips and documenting them.

Their Instagram feed is an approachable portfolio of experiences that almost anyone can learn from and emulate on their next big trip.

Colby Brown

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Colby Brown (@colbybrownphotography)

One feature of Brown’s photograph descriptions is the camera settings or equipment he uses. For most shots, he lets you know which lens and body he used, which is helpful when you’re ready for an upgrade.

Richard Bernabe

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Richard Bernabe (@bernabephoto)

His adventure photos from around the world move people to think about conserving the natural environment that he is so good at capturing.

• Read more: How do I start adventure photography?

Alex Strohl

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Alex Strohl (@alexstrohl)

His Instagram feed is more like a collection of mini blog posts behind the scenes of taking and producing images that you can share with the world.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Sam (@sam.vox)

Don’t miss out on Vox’s reels which provide a behind-the-scenes look at the day’s work. Some photos are taken with a small point-and-shoot which proves that the best camera is the one that you have with you.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Art Wolfe (@artwolfe)

His extensive archive of Instagram images showcases why he’s known as a master of color, composition and perspective.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Bob Krist (@bobkristphoto)

Because of his experience, his Instagram travel photographs have a range of styles and subjects that I – and many others – look to for inspiration.

Timothy Allen

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Timothy Allen (@timothy_allen)

Paul Nicklen

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Paul Nicklen (@paulnicklen)

Nicklen’s skill in composing his photos is something I study before going on a trip and again before I edit my shots. His use of framing and composition takes his photos from snapshots to masterpieces.

Michael Yamashita

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Michael Yamashita (@yamashitaphoto)

His books, workshops, and lectures help him share his passion for historic explorers and the landscapes that they would have seen in ancient times.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Yosigo (@yosigo_yosigo)

Whether it’s a trip to the beach or an abandoned parking garage, he has the ability to portray the modern world in a fresh light.

Navaneeth Unnikrishnan

View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Navaneeth Unnikrishnan (@navaneeth_unnikrishnan)

Ami Vitale is a renowned photographer who has travelled to over 100 countries and published a book showing pandas being released into the wild.

Lola Akinmade Åkerström

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by PhotoShelter (@photoshelter)

Jord Hammond

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by JORD | TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY (@jordhammond)

Eric Rubens

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Eric Rubens 🌅 Travel & Photography (@ericrubens)

Though the colors in his landscapes must be highly edited, his skill in knowing what to highlight and when to stop makes his dreamy seascapes something special.

• Read more: Who are the most famous landscape photographers?

Elia Locardi

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Elia Locardi (@elialocardi)

From a once-in-a-lifetime photo of the Northern Lights to a series of shots documenting the city’s skyline, he knows how to draw you into his world.

Matjaž Krivic

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Matjaz Krivic Photography (@krivicmatjaz)

The emotion of the trip is evident in every shot, which he shares on his Instagram feed.

FAQs about Travel Photographers

What is considered as a travel photographer?

Anyone who uses a camera to document the world and showcase what makes a location unique. Instagram travel photographers may have a defined vision or may take inspiration from an area’s landscape, food, people and history.

Is it hard to be a travel photographer?

It takes dedication, and it can be hard at times. My favorite photographers are skilled with both a camera and a computer, and they work almost as hard at marketing themselves and teaching others as they do in capturing the perfect picture.

Are travel photographers in demand?

Yes! The travel industry is not slowing down, which means that the demand for new photographs and videos of exciting locations around the world is still high.

Does travel photography pay well?

Instagram travel photographers may be paid by brand sponsorships and marketing agencies for the trips they take. They can make money selling prints of their work directly online or through galleries . Many even guide trips and have online classes teaching others how to recreate their style.

Check out these 8 essential tools to help you succeed as a professional photographer.

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Jeff Collier is an experienced film photographer who enjoys experimenting with modern digital photography equipment, software and apps. He’s also an ex-world champion triathlete and avid cyclist, clocking hundreds of km each week in the beautiful Tweed Valley of northern NSW, Australia.

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The best travel cameras of 2023

No matter where your travels take you, these cameras will set you up for success in documenting every detail of the journey.

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Choosing travel cameras for your trips can be an overwhelming prospect. You’re faced with a ton of great options, from advanced mirrorless systems to compacts and action cameras. It’s easy to get lost in the noise. Plus, when you consider features like video capabilities, screen type, and sensor size, it can be downright confusing. All of these features need to fit your photographic—and budgetary—needs. Knowing what you intend to use your captures for and what is most vital for you when traveling with a camera is the best place to start. These are the best travel cameras available, no matter what you are looking for.

• Best overall: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII
• Best action camera: GoPro HERO11 Black
• Best 360 camera: Insta360 X3
• Best mirrorless: Fujifilm X -T5
• Best mirrorless on a budget: Canon EOS R100
• Best for video: Sony ZV-E1
• Best for video on a budget: Sony ZV-1

How we picked the best travel cameras

The editors and writers at Popular Photography have decades of photography experience in just about every genre and have covered and reviewed just about every major camera on the market. When selecting the products in this list of best travel cameras, we looked at a wide range of important features in travel cameras. We researched the different camera choices available and compared specs and image and video quality. Size and weight, sensor size, autofocus abilities, battery life, and lens options were just some of the considerations. In addition, we noted any unique attributes or settings available on the cameras. We also aimed to choose offerings at different price points and cover the range of camera types from DSLR to compact. All of these considerations allowed us to compile a list of cameras suitable to various travel styles and capture needs.

The best travel cameras: Reviews & recommendations

While you certainly can use your smartphone to document your travels, there are lots of reasons to bring a dedicated camera along. Whether you’re looking for better image or video quality, a different perspective, or just don’t want the distraction of your phone, the best travel cameras will help you capture epic images to help you relive your trip down the line.

• Resolution:  20.1 megapixels
• Sensor size:  1-inch
• Lens mount:  N/A
• Image stabilization:  Digital and optical in the integrated lens
• Memory card slots:  Single Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC
• Weight:  10.65 ounces
• Dimensions: 4 x 2.29 x 1.69 inches
• Versatile 24-200mm zoom lens built into the camera
• Fast autofocus with AF points covering nearly the entire field of view
• Pricey for a compact

The newest iteration of the Sony RX100 is an excellent bridge between a compact camera and a DSLR or mirrorless option. Its pocket-ready size makes it easy to carry and pack, an important feature for a travel camera. The smooth finish on the camera body does make it a bit slippery, but a wrist strap can help with carrying. 

Despite falling into the compact category , it has the option to use full manual mode (and other staples like aperture and shutter priority), allowing you to have complete control over your images. The 24-200mm equivalent lens covers both the wide-angle and telephoto sides of things, which is helpful for documenting a range of subjects on your travels. Plus, with a maximum aperture of f/2.8-4.5, you can still get nicely blurred backgrounds for drawing attention to your main subject. It’s also handy for shooting in low light if you don’t want to rely on the built-in pop-up flash.

The RX100 VII has 4K video recording with human and animal eye autofocus, which mimics Sony’s higher-end mirrorless models. The newly designed sensor and BIONZ X image processor allow for extremely fast autofocus, with 68% of the image area covered by AF points.

• Resolution:  27 megapixels
• Sensor size: 1/1.9-inch
• Image stabilization:  Digital
• Memory card slots:  Single microSD
• Weight:  4.5 ounces
• Dimensions: 2.8 x 2 x 1.3
• Award-winning stabilization
• Extremely compact
• Waterproof without a case
• Tons of mounting accessories
• Still not the best in low light conditions
• Limited controls

GoPro cameras have been synonymous with travel cameras for quite some time. That’s in part thanks to how rugged and compact they are. And now, the GoPro HERO 11 features the largest sensor of any GoPro yet. It can produce 27-megapixel stills, as well as 5.3k 60p video. And the expanded image sensor allows for more flexibility when zooming, cropping, changing digital lenses or adjusting the aspect ratio. You’ll be able to easily create vertical videos for social media platforms without losing most of your image.

GoPro’s HyperSmooth 5.0 image stabilization system is truly impressive, offering several modes depending on the activity in which you’re participating. It’s even burly enough to smooth out footage from high-impact activities like mountain biking or skiing. And it offers Horizon Lock to keep your footage level even as you move around.

GoPro also added new night effects to its latest action camera . That includes modes for documenting star trails, creating light painting photos, or capturing vehicle light trails. It still won’t perform as well in low light conditions as something like a mirrorless camera, but it has been improved compared to previous models.

If you want the latest GoPro, the recently released Hero 12 offers even longer run times and higher-quality HDR video.

Abby Ferguson

• Resolution:  48 megapixels
• Sensor size:  1/2-inch
• Image stabilization:  Yes
• Weight:  6.3 ounces
• Dimensions: 4.5 x 1.8 x 1.3
• Excellent stabilization
• Unique 360-degree perspective
• Lots of mounting options
• High-quality video
• App is a bit tricky to use

If you want something a bit unique for your travels, the Insta360 X3 action camera fits the bill. It records 360-degree video with its dual lenses so that you can show every direction for immersive content. The selfie stick is invisible in the footage, so you won’t have that distracting element in your shots. And it’s plenty rugged, with an IPX8 rating and waterproofing down to 33 feet without a case, making it an ideal travel camera for rugged adventures.

The X3 offers many different video and photo modes for extra versatility. It’s capable of 5.7K 24p 360-degree video, 4K 30p single-lens footage, 8K 360-degree timelapse, or ultra-wide 170-degree shots at 2.7K resolution. It can also create up to 72-megapixel photos, so you’ll be able to get high-quality stills as well. And thanks to its 6-axis gyroscope and FlowState Stabilization technology, your videos will be smooth and level no matter how adventurous your activity.

The camera pairs with the Insta360 app, which gives you lots of creative control. It provides lots of AI-powered features to simplify the process, or you can have full control. If working with 360-degree files, you can choose the direction the camera points, have it follow something, and so much more. The app is a little confusing to use, so takes some getting used to, but it offers nearly endless editing options.

To learn more about the Insta360 X3, read our full review .

• Best mirrorless: Fujifilm X-T5

Stan Horaczek

• Resolution: 40.2 megapixels
• Sensor size: APS-C
• Lens mount: Fujifilm X
• Image stabilization: Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis
• Memory card slots: Dual slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II)
• Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Dimensions: 5.1 x 3.6 x 2.5 inches
• 6.2K video at 30fps
• In-body stabilization
• Attractive in-camera film presets
• Tactile camera controls
• Solid weather sealing
• Expensive for an APS-C camera
• Rear screen only tilts

The newest version of Fujifilm’s X-T5 camera is an ideal choice for a hybrid shooter who wants to take both photographs and video on their trips. As an APS-C mirrorless camera , the body is relatively compact, which is ideal for a travel camera since it won’t take up much room in your bag. And it features Fujifilm’s typical retro styling, so it will look cool when you bust it out on your trips. Plus, there are lots of tactile dials on the top of the camera that keep you from digging in the camera menus, which is always ideal for staying in the moment.

The X-T5 offers 40.2 megapixels for detailed, high-quality photos. If that’s not enough, you can take advantage of Pixel Shift Multishot, which automatically takes 20 frames with a single press of the shutter to produce a 160-megapixel file. The electronic shutter goes up to 1/180,000 seconds, with 20 frames per second burst shooting to help you document fast action.

On the video side, it’s capable of 6.2K 30p video or oversampled 4K footage. The seven-stop in-body image stabilization system will help with achieving sharp photos even when shooting in low light. And it will help keep your videos smooth, even without a gimbal.

As with other Fujifilm cameras , it comes with lots of different film simulation modes. These can give your photos a more polished, unique look without needing to spend time editing, which is ideal when traveling.

To learn more about the X-T5, check out our full review .

• Resolution:  24.1 megapixels
• Sensor size:  APS-C
• Lens mount:  Canon RF
• Image stabilization:  None
• Memory card slots:  Single slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC
• Weight:  12.6 ounces
• Dimensions:  4.6 x 3.4 x 2.7 inches
• Budget-friendly
• Very compact
• Excellent image quality
• 4K video 24p video
• Rear screen is fixed
• No touchscreen functionality

Canon’s EOS R100 is an absolutely tiny camera, especially for one that offers interchangeable lens functionality. It is compatible with all RF lenses, as well as EF lenses if you get an adapter. The camera weighs a measly 12.6 ounces, making it the smallest Canon R line camera yet. It’s also very affordable.

Despite the small size and budget price, this camera has a lot to offer. It’s capable of cropped 4K 24p video, of you can record full HD at up to 60p. The autofocus system is very advanced for a budget camera, so you can trust that your images and videos will be in focus without much work on your end. The Eye Detection will even work when you are trying to get full body shots of a subject. Still images will also be high-quality thanks to the 24.1-megapixel sensor and excellent dynamic range.

The main downside to the camera is the rear screen. It is fixed, so you won’t be able to flip it around for selfies. And it isn’t a touch screen. But it offers lots of wireless connectivity options for transferring your files, so you don’t need to worry about sitting down to a computer to get images to share to social media while traveling.

• Resolution:  12.9 megapixels
• Sensor size:  Full-frame
• Lens mount:  Sony E
• Image stabilization:  Digital, 5-Axis
• Memory card slots:  Single slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II)
• Weight:  1.1 pounds
• Dimensions:  4.8 x 2.8 x 2.1 inches
• Impressive autofocus
• Unlimited 4K recording
• Lots of color control options
• Single UHS-I card slot
• Lower resolution sensor isn’t as ideal for stills

Sony’s ZV-E1 is a full-frame camera that is specifically built for vloggers . It is an interchangeable lens camera, unlike its more budget-friendly sibling mentioned below, meaning you can have more control over the look of your content thanks to the wide selection of lenses for Sony E mount. And, even though it’s a full-frame camera, it’s still very compact and lightweight, making it ideal for travel.

The ZV-E1 offers advanced and impressive autofocus. It can even track multiple people in a single frame, which is helpful if you are traveling with a group. It also offers focus breathing compensation, which is a change in focal length when adjusting the focusing distance. A bokeh switch allows for a custom level of bokeh, so you can fine-tune the style of your shots.

Perhaps most importantly, the video from the ZV-E1 is excellent. It’s capable of up to 4K 120p video or 240 fps with full HD resolution. And there are no recording limits, so you can record long cuts. It provides access to advanced color control, such as S-Cinetone, for natural-looking skin tones. You can also adjust the gamma, black level, knee, color level, and more. Or you can import and apply your LUTs in camera to save you editing time.

• Resolution:  10.1 megapixels
• Sensor size:  One-inch
• Weight:  10.4 ounces
• Dimensions: 4.15 x 2.36 x 1.71 inches
• Compact and lightweight
• Excellent autofocus
• Flip-out screen great for vlogging
• Less than impressive battery life
• 24-70mm lens may not be wide enough for some

This is the first version of Sony’s entry-level vlogging camera, but it is still an excellent choice and will save you money over the latest iteration. To create this vlogger camera, Sony used much of the tech featured in the more expensive RX100 line, resulting in superb quality in a bit more stripped-down package. They also added a handgrip on the ZV-1, making it easier to hold. And, the screen flips to the side, making selfies easier to record even when you have accessories on the hot shoe. 

Despite being a small point-and-shoot camera, you get 4K video and access to tons of AF points across the sensor. There is even a focus mode that allows you to easily shift focus from your face to elsewhere in the foreground, which is helpful for showing off your travel finds.

While the quality of the 24-70mm lens is solid, having something a little wider would have been ideal. If you do want a wider lens, the new ZV-1 II offers an 18-55mm equivalent lens. It also features a faster sensor and a new mic design. It will cost you a little over $100 more at the time of writing but may be worth it if you want that wide view for documenting travel.

Things to consider before buying the best travel cameras

When selecting the best travel cameras for your trips, there are a handful of things you should consider.

Your photography style

It is essential to consider what kind of traveler you are and how you intend to use the camera. For example, if you don’t mind traveling with heavy gear and want quality over anything else, your camera needs will differ from someone who likes to travel fast and light. Likewise, a backpacking trip through a jungle could call for a different camera than a luxury cruise. Deciding on what your priorities are first will help you narrow down all of the options available to you in a camera.

You’ll want to pay attention to both dimensions and weight in your setup. The amount of space that a camera takes up in your bag is significant when maximizing what you can bring along. Carrying a heavy camera around on your back while in between destinations or holding it for long periods while out and about gets old fast, so weight does make a difference. Even a few ounces can start to weigh you down on long treks.

You’ll want to choose a camera that offers features you’ll actually use but skips others that won’t be necessary. For example, if you want to take lots of selfies or group photos, a camera with a screen that flips around will be extremely helpful. Or, perhaps you would like to take lots of videos and share your travels. If so, paying attention to the video recording capabilities is a good idea.

Ruggedness and weather-sealing

Moisture and sand don’t play nicely with electronics. Hard falls can do even more damage. If you’re planning to take your camera out into the wilderness or other treacherous terrain, opt for a camera with robust weather sealing. Some cameras come with an IP (ingress protection) rating that will tell you exactly how much exposure to water, dust, and shocks they can withstand. Even if you’re not headed into the jungle, travel can take a toll on cameras, so ruggedness always comes in handy. 

Image size and quality

Not every photo is destined to become a giant print.  If you plan to use photos and videos solely for social media and to remember your trip, spending money on a camera with exceptional image quality and large files is unnecessary. However, if you want to make large prints of your images or produce high-quality films from video footage, you will want to invest in a camera with more megapixels and higher video resolution. Just remember, more pixels require more storage, so don’t skimp on those SD cards .

As with most purchasing decisions, cost is a significant factor. This is especially true with a travel camera, as you are likely putting an expensive piece of equipment at risk of getting broken, lost, or stolen, depending on how you use it. Finding a camera that isn’t pushing your budget to the max may be a good idea because of the risk. Insuring your equipment before trips is also recommended.

Q: Are mirrorless cameras better for travel?

Mirrorless cameras are often smaller than DSLRs because they can cut out all the space and weight required for the mirror mechanism. That also gives mirrorless cameras fewer moving parts, which means fewer things to break during your trip. As mentioned above, lighter and smaller cameras are ideal for travel, making mirrorless a frequently preferred option for travel cameras.

Q: Is GoPro good for travel photography?

GoPro cameras are excellent for travel for a few reasons. First, they are built to withstand extreme conditions, so you don’t have to baby them by any means. Second, they are tiny. You can easily throw one into your backpack or even a jacket pocket, making lightweight travel more possible. Lastly, they have excellent video capabilities and pretty solid still photo specs. However, they are limited in exposure control (among other things), and the ultra-wide-angle lens may not be ideal for all settings. There are tradeoffs, but overall it is an exceptional pick for travel.

Q: Can an iPhone 12 replace a DSLR?

The iPhone 12’s camera is impressive, no doubt. And as photographer Chase Jarvis once said, “the best camera is the one that’s with you.” Depending on your goals for your travel photography, the iPhone can absolutely replace a DSLR. However, if you want more control over your images or want higher-quality files, a dedicated camera, whether a DSLR or something else, will be the way to go.

Final thoughts on the best travel cameras

Choosing the best travel cameras will come down to your travel style (rugged adventures or luxury stays), documentation needs (stills or video), and how much control you want with your camera. For most users, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII is a well-rounded option that meets a variety of needs. In addition, it offers more quality and features than a phone would, making it a worthwhile upgrade.

Why trust us

PopPhoto has a long history of delivering the opinions of some of the sharpest and most prolific camera dorks the world has to offer. Since 1937, we’ve been reviewing cameras, providing wisdom from well-known photographers, and generally just nerding out about all that goes into making great pictures. Our current crop of writers and editors have decades of professional photography and camera writing experience among them. Collectively, we’ve probably shot with just about every camera and lens combo you can imagine—as well as some obscure stuff you may not even know about. Remember the Casio Tryx folding camera? PopPhoto does.

We also get that buying a camera is a big decision, which is why we’re dedicated to helping folks choose the right one (or, in our case “ones”) for their needs. Case in point: Handing over top dollar for an expensive rig may leave you unsatisfied if it doesn’t fit your preferred shooting style. Sure, a $6,000 sports-oriented DSLR can capture landscapes, but do you really need to do it at 30 frames-per-second? No, you don’t.

Abby Ferguson is the Associate Editor for Gear and Reviews at PopPhoto, joining the team in 2022. She has been involved with the photography industry in various capacities since her undergraduate training at the University of Kentucky, with work ranging from client photography to program development and management of the photo department at Evolve, a vacation rental company.

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Stunning travel photos to inspire your 2022 travel plans

15 spectacular examples of the finest travel photography have been released as part of the CEWE Photo Award

With travel becoming a potential possibility once again, many of us are likely considering which locations to visit as part of our anticipated 2022 travel plans, pandemic permitting, of course. 

To aid with inspiration (or wishful thinking), CEWE have released a collection of dazzling travel photography captured by photographers across the globe and submitted as part of this year's CEWE Photo Award competition.

· Read more:   Best travel camera 

Images were submitted to the travel and culture category of the competition, as well as nine other available to enter categories ranging from aerial shots to animals. The competition, now in its fourth edition, asked entrants to submit photos that celebrate the competition theme of 'Our World is Beautiful'. 

Sharing some of the best photos from 2021's travel and culture category, here are 15 images provided by CEWE to inspire your travel adventures.

“The travel and culture category always provides some of the most beautiful and standout images as they offer a really unique perspective of the wonders people see all across the world," said Clare Moreton, photo expert at CEWE UK. "If you’re looking ahead to your next traveling adventure, these photos are sure to provide you with an array of inspiration".

One of the largest free to enter photo contests in the world, the CEWE Photo Award aims to connect photo enthusiasts around the globe and showcase and celebrate the Earth's beauty. CEWE also generously donated €0.10 for every singular entry received into the photo competition to SOS Children’s Villages , an independent global charity working to improve the lives of disadvantaged children across the world.

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The full gallery of the best CEWE travel and culture category  2021 images can be found on its website, along with general information about the CEWE Photo Award .

The contest will return in May 2022 for its fifth edition.

· Read more:

Best professional cameras Best mirrorless cameras Look ahead to 2022 with a CEWE Calendar Squirrel playing hide and seek tops CEWE Photo Award

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A staff writer for Digital Camera World, Beth has an extensive background in various elements of technology with five years of experience working as a tester and sales assistant for CeX. After completing a degree in Music Journalism, followed by obtaining a Master's degree in Photography awarded by the University of Brighton, she spends her time outside of DCW as a freelance photographer specialising in live music events and band press shots under the alias 'bethshootsbands'. 

Related articles

11 Best Travel Cameras, According to Experts and Amateurs Alike

By Alex Erdekian

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

If you’re debating whether to spring for one of the best travel cameras before an upcoming trip, consider this: Yes, a smartphone is perfectly capable of serving the average traveler’s photography goals, but a dedicated camera is required for capturing high-quality memories. The wide angle lens of a smartphone camera can only take its images so far; in spite of technology’s advancements over the years, its zoom feature still degrades photo quality, making them too grainy—in our opinion—to be worth taking. When it comes to travel photography, many of us want to get close and fill the frame with exciting faraway shots like skylines and canyons. A good travel camera also allows the photographer to shoot exciting, fleeting scenes from their trips, like bicycles blurring through a charming street, low-light landscapes like a starry sky, or a city strip flashing with neon lights. Lastly, we’ll leave you with this: In an era when we’re glued to our phones every minute of the day, documenting a trip with a camera allows us to be present in the here and now, and actually connect with the place we’ve traveled so far to experience .

To guide your search for the perfect new device, we’ve tapped experts, editors, and frequent travelers to weigh in on their most-loved cameras. Below, 11 travel cameras to consider bringing on your next adventure.

Find the best travel cameras:

For taking your interest to the next level, for capturing video footage, for emulating the experts, for unserious fun with film.

Larry Guo, a Brooklyn-based reader who studied fine art photography as an undergraduate, loves Fujifilm’s ecosystem of cameras when it comes to taking travel photos. His particular camera of choice is the Fujifilm xT10, a mirrorless digital camera that is significantly more lightweight and portable than a DSLR. “You have all of the abilities of a raw digital camera, but it’s less bulky,” Guo says.

Guo’s recent travels have taken him and his partner Rob to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and throughout Japan . His partner, who has an affinity for landscape photography, uses the Fujifilm XT3, which is a more semi-professional model.

“[Rob] really likes the process of coming home and editing. He enjoys landscape photography, so he brought an extra lens. He took really beautiful shots in Puerto Vallarta of the mist. In Japan, he took beautiful photos all over the place. We had them printed at Griffin Editions in Gowanus [Brooklyn].”

Pallavi Kumar , Condé Nast Traveler’s senior visuals director, is loyal to Fujifilm as well. “Fuji’s image quality and colors are unmatched,” Kumar says. “Sony is supposedly advanced, but Fuji's image quality is something else.” She shoots with the Fujifilm x100V.

Guo added that he has heard terrific things about the point-and-shoot cameras by Ricoh. These high-end point-and-shoots make snapping high-caliber photos on the move easy and seamless, requiring little to no steps before hitting the shutter. “It’s a really well-made point-and-shoot,” he says. “There’s no interchanging lenses. And for most people, that's really what you need. Most people don’t want to travel with multiple lenses.”

Filmmaker and writer Leslye Davis—who is a co-director of the documentary Father Soldier Son and has worked as a visual journalist at the New York Times —has been taking a camcorder with her on her personal travels. “It keeps me off my cell phone and it makes it easier to keep track of footage but also to edit while you shoot, so it’s fun to watch the shots back-to-back,” she says. For photos, she’s been shooting with the Canon R6. “It’s light and has a silent shutter and the images are high-res.”

National Geographic underwater wildlife photographer Cristina Mittenmeier previously told Traveler that she shoots with a Sony a7R III . Given the subject matter she captures, she uses it for its extraordinarily high-resolution images and low-light capabilities.

In a previous version of this article, legend Steve McCurry recommended the Leica SL2 and White House photographer Pete Souza recommended the Fujifilm X‑Pro3.

McCurry is famous for his iconic photograph “Afghan Girl,” which was featured on the cover of National Geographic in June 1985. The SL2’s lenses, he said, were the best he’s used, and he praised the camera’s incredible durability. The camera has extremely crisp 5K and 4K recording capabilities, so for users who are traveling in rogue conditions—like windy deserts or beaches with massive waves—the camera’s weather sealing, which keeps out the elements, is key.

The Fujifilm X‑Pro3 is Souza’s favorite walking around camera. It's lightweight and quiet. Souza, who photographed Presidents Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama throughout their terms, recommends planning your travel shots with this camera for the “first two hours of light in the morning, the last two hours of light in the evening, or when the weather is really bad (think fog, rain, or snow).”

Growing in popularity lately has been Kodak’s new film cameras. Mercedes Bleth , Traveler’s g lobal associate director of social, has been loving the Kodak Ektar H35, a 35mm point-and-shoot film camera that shoots half-frame—which means you get twice as many photos for each roll of film. (A major plus considering film is so expensive.)

“I love taking this little film camera with me on trips,” Bleth says. “It is very compact, lightweight, and easy to use (point-and-shoot at its finest). I find that it's a more present way to capture memories while traveling—it allows you to stay in the moment because you don't spend as much time with your phone in hand, taking too many photos to get the perfect shot. Film is precious (even at half-frame), so what you get is what you get, which in my opinion, makes the memories that much more tangible, and fun to look back on once it's developed.”

I also own this camera in mint green and love how paper-light, affordable, and cute it is. For an even lower stakes experience shooting film, Traveler contributor Lydia Mansel loves her colorful Kodak M35 35mm film camera , a $25 option that is great for those into disposable cameras who want to upgrade to something reusable so they can stop shelling out and throwing away new ones after each trip.

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The Best Travel Vlogging Cameras in 2020

• Blogging , Photography , Travel Essentials , Videos

From compact to budget-friendly to flip screens, I’ve searched far and wide for the best travel vlogging cameras this year, 2020. Here they are!

Watch my video below for the full rundown or scroll down to read!

*I hope you love the products I recommend! I research far and wide to share highly-rated products I know you’d love.  Just so you know, I may collect a share of sales from links on this page. And prices are as accurate as the date indicated on this post.

Before we get ahead of ourselves,  there is no best camera  but  there is a camera that’s best for you!  How you’ll find your perfect camera is to first ask yourself;  What kind of vlogs do you want to shoot? Daily travel, adventure travel, travel tips? What vlogging features are important to you?

Based on your wants and needs, I go through point and shoot cameras to mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses. I don’t include DSLRs  because despite their power and versatility, they’re not travel-friendly because of their heft, bulky build and lenses.

What makes a great travel vlogging camera?

Video quality.

The most important feature every person looks at is video quality. The most common video resolutions are 720p HD, 1080p Full HD, and 4k Ultra HD . It’s already 2020 so I highly suggest filming at least 1080p Full HD.

PORTABILITY

If it’s light and compact, it’s definitely portable. Which means it’s definitely perfect for travel. It’s up to you to decide what’s compact and light enough for you. Some people use SLRs and find mirrorless cameras compact for them. (That’s me) And some people use their phones and want a point and shoot that’s not much bigger than their phones. (Also me)

FLIP SCREEN CAPABILITY

Also called tilt screen or swivel screen. If you want to be selfie-ready, this is an important feature for vlogging to make sure you’re in frame and in focus.

Having a great autofocus system on your camera will help you save so much time. When you’re traveling and on-the-go, you’ll want a camera that autofocuses while it’s recording so you know you’re always in focus as you move.

IMAGE STABILIZATION

Because you’re traveling, odds are you’ll be walking or moving around while vlogging. Image stabilization will keep your vlogs smooth instead of shaky.

AUDIO INPUT

Your audio quality is just as important as your video. So when you’re in situations where your built-in microphone isn’t enough (i.e. windy days, crowded places), having an audio input for a separate microphone will do the trick. Your viewers will thank you (trust me).

POINT AND SHOOT CAMERAS

These types of cameras are the lightest and most compact  and the  least finicky  which make them easy to use and  quick to learn .

Best for everyday vlogging: Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II

• + Great for everyday vlogging
• + 180° flip screen
• + Shoots up to 1080p HD at 60fps
• + Great in low-light situations
• + Great built-in image stabilization
• – Doesn’t shoot 4k Ultra HD
• – No viewfinder

The  Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II   is a vlogging camera many Youtubers use . For its compact size, amazing photo & video quality it shoots up to  1080p HD at 60fps  (frames per second). It has a 5-axis image stabilization so you can trust your footage won’t look shaky. It also has a  large lens range (24mm-100mm) so you can zoom in real close and still have crisp quality in your imagery.

The 180° flip screens  makes it perfect for vlogs and even tilts 45° downwards  so you can shoot way above yourself and still see the screen. It also works well in low-light situations , a definite plus.

Get it on Amazon for  $649 .

Best SMALL BUT POWERFUL camera with 4k capabilities: Sony RX100 V

• + Shoots up to 4k Ultra HD at 25fps
• + 180° flip screen
• + Ultra fast autofocus
• + Great for amateurs & professionals
• – Price is high
• – No audio input for external

In case the Canon PowerShot G7X Mark II wasn’t good enough for you, maybe the Sony RX100 V  is. Shooting up to 4k Ultra HD at 25fps , this camera maybe be compact but it definitely packs a punch.

Its fast lens has  ultra fast   shooting speeds with quick phase-detect Auto Focus  and can film up to 960fps for those super slow motion shots . So you can be sure to capture numerous shots of a bird catching flight in front of you. It also has face-detection autofocus to always keep you looking sharp while vlogging.

Get it on Amazon for $898 .

Best budget-friendly camera & best for beginners: Canon PowerShot sx620

• + Super budget-friendly
• + Great for beginners
• + Shoots up to 1080p Full HD
• + Great battery life
• + Fast face-detection focus
• – No flip screen
• – Doesn’t film 4k
• – No audio input for external microphones

If you’re on a budget, look no further. The Canon PowerShot SX620  is the most affordable camera on this list. Though it doesn’t have a flip screen , it has fast face-detection autofocus so you can trust you’ll be in focus even when you can’t see yourself.

It also has an Eco-Mode where the screen dims after a few seconds on inactivity so don’t have to worry about losing battery life throughout the day.And its simple design  doesn’t have many buttons which is perfect for beginners or vloggers who don’t want to get caught up in camera features.  It’s also great in low-light situations and captures 1080p Full HD.

Get it on Amazon for $249 .

Best rugged & waterproof camera for adventures: Gopro Hero 7 BLACK

• + Extremely compact
• + Shoots 4k Ultra HD at 60fps
• + Impressive image stabilization (like really)
• + Waterproof and perfect for rugged conditions
• +- Has a pricey adapter for external microphones
• – Not great for everyday vlogging

If you find yourself swimming with fishes underwater or zip-lining between mountains often, the GoPro Hero 7 Black should be in your vlogging arsenal. This camera is literally made for travel. Whether you’re vlogging yourself jogging or skiing down a mountain of moguls, the image stabilization keeps your footage impressively smooth.

It captures up to 4k Ultra HD at 60fps  with amazing quality for such a tiny camera. You can connect a separate microphone  but it does require an adapter that’s pretty expensive .

Get it on Amazon for $388.96 .

mirrorless CAMERAS

These cameras pack a punch in terms of quality because they have  larger sensors than point and shoots.  They also use  interchangeable lenses  which does take up more space than your point and shoots but if you prefer having  creative control , these are your go-to vlogging cameras.

BEST affordable mirrorless camera WITH A BALANCE OF PORTABILITY & QUALITY: Sony A5100

• + Shoots up to 1080p Full HD at 60fps
• + Super fast auto-focus
• – No built-in image stabilization

For a mirrorless camera, the Sony a5100 is pretty light and compact. It has fast and continuous autofocus and can capture up to 1080p Full HD at 60fps.  It has great battery life and films well low-light situations.

The only cons are that it doesn’t have image stabilization and an audio input for microphones.

Get it on Amazon for $498 .

Best Value for High-Quality Vlogs: Panasonic Lumix g7

• + Shoots up to 4k Ultra HD at 30fps
• + Has an audio input for external microphones
• + Focus peaking
• – Crops in when shooting 4k

The Panasonic Lumix G7 packs quite a punch. It shoots up to 4k Ultra HD at 30fps , has an audio input for microphones, autofocus during recording and even focus peaking for you filmmaker enthusiasts.

It has a flip screen but it doesn’t have in-camera image stabilization , making it a need to make sure your lens has it.

Get it on Amazon for $497.99 .

BEST FOR DSLR USERS: Canon EOS M50

• + Shoots 4k Ultra HD
• + APS-C sensor
• – Battery life could be better

If you’re looking for a next level Canon camera from the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II, this one is for you. The Canon EOS M50 shoots 4k HD unlike its counterpart which shoots 1080p HD. However, the Canon EOS M50 does crop in tighter when shooting 4k, so if you’re looking to stick to wide shots, you would need a wider lens counteract the crop .

It has a flip screen and audio input for your microphone. A disadvantage is that it has no built-in image stabilization , so you will have to make sure your lens has it.

Get it on Amazon for $649 .

That’s what I have for the best travel vlogging cameras in 2020 ! I hope you like the compact and high-quality video choices I recommended.

Just don’t forget that  it’s about the value of  your vlogging content , not what camera you have.   You can have the most amazing camera in the world and still shoot not-so-great vlogs. So create vlogs that give value to others while showing off your personality!

I’m in between the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II and the Sony RX 100 V . I can’t wait to choose one so I can already write my post on my current travel vlogging gear! Let me know if you’d like a post on it!

For more travel vlogging tips, don’t forget to  subscribe to my email newsletter  and  YouTube channel!  I really appreciate it when you do.

Now let’s chat in the comments! Which camera you would choose and what kind of vlogging you would use it for?

15 comments on the best travel vlogging cameras in 2020.

Hy Jojo, i personally love to take GoPro with me for vlogging !! nice article by the way, keep it up 🙂

Thank you so much! I also love to bring my GoPro with me too. It’s easy to bring and easy to use too 🙂

Hi! Thank you for a great article, I really want to start with travel blogging so articles like this really are a great start to figure some things out, so thank you for this sort of information and sharing!

I’m happy to hear that! If you have any questions about travel blogging, feel free to reply to me here or send me an email 🙂

I would like to know if Canon EOS 1500d would be good for vlogging. I’m planning to buy 1500d to study some photography. Anyway, Thank you for the information 😀

Hi Arjun! As long as it films as least 1080HD and has continuous focus while filming, you’re good to go! Some people would prefer lighter camera for vlogging because if you’re okay with the weight of an SLR, then the 1500d would be a good option 🙂

If somebody says they’re good at cell phone cameras these days … so I’m taking pictures with my blog. Just do it. It’s hard to say that there must be a camera there.

Hi ! great article ! I wanted to ask – what external mic would you recommend (im a beginner but I really want to start off with great quality audio and image wise) and would you say that the cameras you mentionned need additional stabilisation gear?

Thanks a lot !

hi Wiktoria! thank you, i love the external microphone you can find here: https://amzn.to/32M6mrT (affiliate link). It locks onto a shoe mount which not all cameras have so double-check if the camera you’re getting has it, otherwise, you can use a bracket to connect it with your camera (which is what I use for my other camera that doesn’t have a shoe mount). As for stabilization, I don’t use stabilization gear, I actually stabilize the footage in editing. But the cameras I mentioned would need additional stabilization if you want smooth filming

What a great information . thank’s

I think Canon EOS 50 is best for travel vlogging.

Good work! Your post is an excellent.. Thanks

you’re welcome andrew

Thanks for sharing this valuable information with us, really best camera drone review.keep sharing with us.Thank you.

glad you thought the article was helpful and thanks

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