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-7 – buy now
• Best fixed-lens compact for travel: Fujifilm X100VI – buy now
• Best zoom compact for travel: Panasonic LX100 II – buy now
• Best point and shoot for travel: Panasonic Lumix TZ200 / ZS200 – buy now
• Best small compact camera for travel: Sony RX100 VII – buy now
• Best all-in-one travel camera: Sony RX10 IV – buy now
• Best DSLR for travel: Nikon D5600
• Best travel camera for enthusiasts: Fujifilm X-S10 – buy now
• Best weather-sealed mirrorless camera: Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III – buy now
• Best full-frame mirrorless for travel: Nikon Z5 – buy now

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The best travel cameras and vacation cameras: our full list

Best waterproof for travel and sunny beaches: Olympus Tough TG-7

At a glance

• Price: £499
• 4x optical zoom lens, f/2.0-4.9, 24-100mm equivalent  
• 12MP 1/2.33inch BSI CMOS Sensor  
• ISO 100-12,800
• 4K 30/25fps video recording  
• 3in, 1.04m-dot screen
• In-body image stabilisation (CMOS shift, up to 2.5stops) 

The Olympus Tough TG-7 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.

The TG-7 is the latest in the Tough lineup and received several upgrades compared to its predecessor, the TG-6. Even though sensor and LCD size remained the same it gained other useful features like USB Type-C connection, time-lapse movie creation in-camera, remote control compatibility and vertical video recording support.  

Key to its attraction is its sheer robustness. The TG-7 is waterproof to 15m, shockproof to a drop from 2.1m, 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-7.

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

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Best fixed-lens compact for travel: Fujifilm X100VI 

At a glance:

• 35mm equivalent f/2 lens
• 40.2MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor
• ISO 125-12,800 (standard), ISO 64-51,200 (extended)
• 11fps (mechanical shutter); 20fps with electronic shutter and 1.29x crop
• Hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder
• 3.2in, 1.62m-dot tilting touchscreen
• In-Body Image Stabilisation – 6 stops (5-axis)

Among all the cameras covered in this article, the Fujifilm X100VI 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 X100VI 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 X100VI looks very much like the previous four models in the X100 series, it brings some significant improvements, most noteworthy probably the increased sensor size from 20MP to 40 MP and 5-axis in-body image stabilisation. Another useful addition is subject recognition autofocus and tracking, with birds, planes, and automobiles all being detected. There’s also human face and eye detection, but unfortunately this option is a bit hidden under a different menu setting.

Fujifilm continued with the tilting rear screen first seen in the Fujifilm X100V, which is 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 X100VI is packed full of up-to-date features. It’s capable of 11fps shooting, but this can be beefed up to 20fps with the electronic shutter even though applying a 1.29x crop. 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 X100VI.

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Best zoom compact for travel: Panasonic LX100 II

At a glance:

• 17MP Four Thirds sensor
• 24-75mm equivalent f/1.7-2.8 lens
• Multi aspect-ratio shooting
• 2.76M-dot equivalent EVF
• 4K/30p video recording
• 3in, 1.24k-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.

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Best point and shoot for travel: Panasonic Lumix TZ200 / ZS200

At a glance:

• 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
• 3in, 1.24m-dot touchscreen

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.

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Best small compact camera for travel: Sony RX100 VII

At a glance:

• New price $1,298 / £1,049
• Used price $1,019-1,129 / £1,009
• 24-200mm equivalent f/2.8-4.5 lens
• 20MP 1in sensor
• 20fps continuous shooting
• 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.

Read our Sony RX100 VII review.

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Best all-in-one travel camera: Sony RX10 IV – $1,698 / £1,499

At a glance:

• 24-600mm equivalent f/2.4-4 lens
• 20MP 1in sensor
• ISO 100-12,800
• 24fps continuous shooting
• 2.35m-dot viewfinder
• 3in, 1.44m-dot tilting touchscreen

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

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Best DSLR for travel: Nikon D5600 + 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 lens – $969 / £749

At a glance:

• 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

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Best travel camera for enthusiasts: Fujifilm X-S20 + 16-80mm f/4 lens

At a glance:

• 26.1MP sensor
• 30 fps shooting
• Upto 6.2K/30P video, up to 360Mbps
• 1.84m-dot vari-angle touch-screen
• AI-based autofocus

For enthusiast photographers who’d like a small, lightweight camera that handles well and offers excellent image quality, the Fujifilm X-S20 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 the Fujifilm X-T5 in a considerably smaller body.

It comes in kits with various lenses, with prices starting at $1559 / £1249 body only or it can be purchased as part of a kit with one of two lenses. However in this compilation, we’ve picked an older, but more 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-S20 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, 6.2K video recording is available at up to 30 frames per second. The new Vlog mode is designed for recording yourself, as well as giving quick on-screen access to product priority focus, as well as a background defocus mode, face/eye detection, self-timer, IS mode, and high-speed mode.

With its prominent handgrip, twin control dials and joystick for positioning the focus area, the X-S20 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-S20 a great choice for existing DSLR users looking for a smaller camera.

read our original review of the Fujifilm X-S20.

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Best weather-sealed mirrorless camera: Olympus OM-5 with 12-45 F4 PRO lens

At a glance:

• 20.4MP Four Thirds sensor
• ISO 200-6400 (extended: L64-25600)
• 30fps shooting
• 4K 30p video
• 2.36m-dot EVF
• 3inch, 1.04m-dot vari-angle LCD

Olympus cameras have traditionally offered high performance in a compact form factor, and the OM-5 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.

With improved image stabilisation, as well as a number of features inherited from the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III / OM System OM-1, including Starry Sky AF (for astrophotography), built-in LiveND (up to ND16), and other video updates this is an extremely versatile choice for travel photography.

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 complements 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-5https://amateurphotographer.com/review/om-system-om-5-review/

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Best full-frame mirrorless for travel: Nikon Z 5 + 24-200mm f/4-6.3 lens – $2,193 / £2,029

At a glance:

• 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

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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

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