Planning a trip is a daunting task. With the logistics going into traveling abroad these days, the last thing you would ever want to deal with is – ‘I don’t have a camera… where do I start?!’. We gathered up our favorite camera models with the scenic adventure travel company, Travel Visions, your personal photography tour guide to the worlds most beautiful locations, to give you a selection of our favorites to consider for your next trip.
A good travel camera shouldn’t have a long list of requirements; small, lightweight and high quality images is the ultimate criteria. The DSLR has been the standard for some time, but with the size that comes with the DSLR form factor, we’re here to help offer practical alternatives to keep your travel kit fully featured and, well, easy to travel with! Other considerations based on your personal needs could be: a long zoom, interchangeable lenses, weather/water resistant design, wifi, the list could go on. Here is our list of our favorite cameras to keep you traveling nimble without fatigue.
Panasonic LX100
The Panasonic Lumix camera line has a slew of interesting, compact in size cameras that are perfect for grab and go, on the run style traveling. From their flagship GH4 with full weather sealing, magnesium body and 4K video, to the 20MP FZ1000 super zoom camera, with its’ huge, bright (f/2.8-4) built in zoom lens. Panasonic does not lack in great cameras to suit your travel camera needs. Our favorite is a bit of a combination between the two: the LX100. The LX100 has a large 12.8MP 4/3rd image sensor in a small compact design with a built in Leica zoom lens. The zoom lens is a photographers favorite focal range, 24-75mm equivalent, with a super bright f/1.7 aperture at the widest. The built in electronic viewfinder keeps your composition accurate with preview of exposure to minimize mistakes shooting manually. This camera is great as a do everything camera in a small package with amazing low light performance. And true to the Panasonic line, the LX100 also sports 4K video and built-in wifi! Wide angle landscapes at sunset with no noise? Check. Macro photo of insects or dinner? Check. Wifi upload to Instagram? Check! This camera is dynamite for those looking to simplify their gear and have everything they need in one package. Click here to view Panasonic LX100.
Sony RX100IV
The Sony RX100 series camera have without a doubt been the best quality point and shoot sized camera since its’ introduction. With 20.2MP 1 inch sensor and 24-70mm equivalent f/1.8-2.8 Zeiss lens the image quality will not let you down. With autofocus is faster than your cell phone and 10 fps you will never miss a beat. Oh, and it has a built in pop-up electronic viewfinder. A killer macro mode and built in wi-fi round out this small camera, all in a package that fits in any shirt pocket. This camera is compact, fully featured, and perfect for the weight/size concerned traveling photographer. Click here to view Sony RX100 IV.
Fuji X-T1 w/18-55mm
The Fujifilm X series cameras have developed quite a reputation over the past few years, and for good reason. Their innovative APS-C sized X-Trans sensors capture gorgeous color, with impressive dynamic range, sharpness and low noise, has developed a huge following. After years of developing new lenses and cameras, the Fujifilm X-T1 is their crown jewel. Fully weather sealed magnesium body, 16.3MP X-Trans II sensor, blazing fast autofocus, all within a reasonably sized mirrorless camera, this is the choice for those looking for interchangeable lens travel camera. The 18-55mm f/2.8-4 kit lens is also the best 18-55mm lens we have ever used, so as a first time Fujifilm buyer, this kit is ready to go to start creating amazing imagery out of the box. Click here to view Fujifilm X-T1.
Sony A7R II
The Sony A7 series was the first autofocus mirrorless full frame cameras on the market. Developing new camera bodies at a rapid pace, Sony has listened to it’s user base and repeatedly updated their designs to better suit photographers. With the newly released A7R II model, Sony has delivered their most serious performance oriented camera yet. 42.4MP full frame sensor for enormous prints and cropping power, new hybrid AF system with 399 phase detection autofocus points and 25 contrast detection autofocus points for blazing fast accurate autofocus to impress even the most demanding autofocus user. The rapidly multiplying amount of high quality Sony and Zeiss lenses available today round out this system as one of the most compact yet high quality solutions for users demanding the highest image quality available. Click here to view Sony A7R II.
Leica MP
Leica M cameras have long been the most romantic for photographers and for good reason; it hasn’t changed much throughout it’s 60 year period. The latest model in the Leica line up features a 24MP full frame sensor, discreet appearance, near silent shutter, and little else to distract from the photographers quest for capturing the decisive moment with incredible image quality. Fully manual in operation, there is no ‘auto’ mode. Aperture is set on the lens and shutter speed on the dial atop; everything is with purpose. Focus is achieved through beautiful brightline rangefinder viewfinder with automatic parallax compensation on the left of the camera with nothing more than a simple light meter to help guide exposure. Other than it’s size and discrete appearance, the Leica MP is famous for one other important feature: the lenses. Leica lenses are some of the greatest lenses ever produced and the designs hold true to the original, with the same lens mount and pursuit of optical perfection as the originals. Mount nearly any Leica M mount lens going back to 1954, or as recent as this year. Leica lenses are built to last and engineered to the highest level of optical performance. Click here to view Leica M-P.
Choosing a camera to fit your travel needs should be the most difficult part in planning your next adventure. Booking flights and accommodations is easy – leave it to the experts of Travel Visions and their Photo Walking Journeys to take you to the most beautiful locations around the world during the best possible time for each location. Rated top 50 tours of a lifetime by National Geographic, their Argentina Vision and Vine is currently booking, in addition to 7 other equally ‘bucket list’ level trips. There is no rush with Travel Visions; their passion for photography is fueled by their incessant need to seek the greatest locations worldwide to explore the world and capture it’s beauty along the way. Contact Travel Visions dedicated travel mastermind, Lauren Hefferon at 617-640-4837 or lauren@ciclismoclassico.com to help explore your options on traveling the world.
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Interested in travel photography tips from the experts? Download Ossian Lindholm’s travel tips here.