Best Travel Photography Cameras and Gear (From a Professional Photographer)
"What camera should I buy??"
"What tripod do you use??"
"What did you shoot this with??"
After 10 years of working as a full time travel photographer, I have worked my way through so many different models and brands of cameras, lenses, tripods, and continually added and removed things from my travel camera bag - both because the technology is constantly changing and improving, and because more often than I would like to admit, I think one thing will work for me but it really won't.
A breakdown of all the best photography gear for travel - ranked by the best for travel (compact, lightweight, easy to use), best budget choice, and which one I actually use an a daily basis.
The Best Travel Mirrorless Camera Bodies
Shooting while precariously balanced in heels is my specialty
For the more advanced photographer, you want a camera body that takes interchangeable photography lenses to maximize your options - a long zoom lens for capturing animals and far off scenery, a wide angle for interiors and smaller spaces, and a shallow lens for portraits (or all three in one, but more on that in the lenses section!) I initially labeled this section "best SLR / Mirrorless Cameras", but mirrorless models have really taken over since the Sony A7RII completely changed the game a decade ago - and have long been the wave of the future. With all of the power of an SLR and tons of additional advantages (I could never go back to not having a digital viewfinder), and a more compact size, a mirrorless is the way to go.
Best for Travel: Sony Alpha 7C II
Lightweight, full-frame, and compact - without compromising on image quality. Sony revolutionized and popularized mirrorless cameras a decade ago, and the brand is still releasing some of the best models around. The Sony Alpha 7C II flip-out screen is great for video, the autofocus is sharp, and it handles low light beautifully. It's one of the smallest full-frame mirrorless bodies on the market, which means it’s ideal for shooting street scenes or landscapes without attracting attention or weighing down your pack.
Shop on Amazon here | Shop on BestBuy here
Best on a Budget: Canon EOS R50
Canon’s entry-level mirrorless system is beginner-friendly, under $800 with a kit lens, and compact enough for easy travel - this is not only a great starter camera, but can take you quite a ways with a lens upgrade for a great price. Excellent color science, a responsive touchscreen, and reliable autofocus make this a smart choice if you're just getting into travel photography and don’t want to compromise too much on quality.
Shop on Amazon Here | Shop on Best Buy Here
What I Use: Canon EOS R5 Mark II
After many years and hundreds of thousands of miles shooting with Sony cameras (First the R II, then R III, and R IV), I finally made the switch to Canon - because the EOS R5 Mark II is finally the first mirrorless body that is comparable or surpasses Sony - at the high end of the market, all of your options are good and it really comes down to which works better for you and you just like better, because you can't really go wrong.
I switched to Canon for three main reasons:
- For our video work, we usually shoot with a RED cinema camera that takes Canon mounted lenses - so we were buying the same expensive lenses for both Canon and Sony, AND carrying them all around the world for about 9 years. We have wanted to streamline this process for years, and finally Canon made a body good enough to make the switch for
- The camera itself captures incredible video - with 8k and raw video, we can often swap this in and out with the RED without seeing much of a difference in quality - which is seriously impressive.
- This is actually the reason that pushed me over the edge: Canon released an incredible 28-70mm zoom lens with an f/2 aperture and I knew this lens would be a complete game-changer for me - enough so to spend the money and time to make a complete switch. I love to shoot shallow and have almost always used fixed lenses, which meant I often had to carry multiple around with me always and switch them in and out in precarious situations (like on a dusty, moving safari truck in South Africa). I am in love with this camera and lens combo, even though the lens is a heavy beast itself, it is worth taking everywhere.
Shop on Amazon Here | Shop on Best Buy Here
(This model was not chosen as best for travel due to it's price and size, but I would say it is best for a travel professional)
my Canon set up - heavy but worth it.
The Best Travel Point and Shoot / Compact Cameras
All-in-one rangefinder, attached lens rangefinder cameras have been having a renaissance the past few years, giving great quality in tiny (and often photo-perfect aesthetic themselves) bodies. These little cameras are easy for travel, to throw in a purse and take with you everywhere, and are designed to drop images and video directly to your phone for instant share-ability.
Even I added one to my kit recently!
Best for Travel: Fujifilm X100VI
Sleek, sharp, and film-like with fast autofocus and a signature Fuji aesthetic - this camera both looks like a vintage rangefinder and makes it easy to emulate old film looks with filters that match their old film stock built right in, so you can share directly from the camera. With a fixed 23mm f/2 lens, it encourages creativity while offering professional-grade results. It’s ideal for quick documentary-style shooting or low-profile street photography.
IF you can get one (or are prepared to pay a bit extra) - these have been hard to find since they came out and constantly sold old. But for a camera you can easily slip into a pocket or purse, looks great itself, and packs a strong aesthetic, it's worth the hunt.
Shop on Amazon Here | Shop on Best Buy Here
Best On A Budget: Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II / Mark III
PowershotThis camera has long been a cult-favorite among travel vloggers and content creators, and for good reason: the Canon G7X Mark II is small enough to fit in your jacket pocket or belt bag, but still packs in crisp 20.1MP stills, a fast f/1.8 lens, and Full HD video with solid low-light performance.
It has a flip-up touchscreen, built-in WiFi, and intuitive controls that make it ideal for creators who want beautiful content without spending hours learning manual settings. It's an incredible compact camera for $750, especially if you're focused on video and travel content.
Compared to the Mark II, the newer Canon G7 X Mark III adds 4K video, a mic input, better processor, and livestreaming support - major upgrades if you’re shooting video or doing social content on the go. However, availability on this model is scarce and you will likely pay a premium to get one ASAP - and either model will do an amazing job in a tiny body.
Shop on Amazon Here | Shop on Best Buy Here
What I Use: Leica Q3
The Leica Q3 is a beautiful camera that combines iconic Leica design and imagery with powerful modern features. It has a 60MP full-frame sensor and a fast Summilux 28mm f/1.7 lens, delivering incredibly sharp photos with beautiful depth and low-light performance.
And I will say - this is an expensive camera. You probably don't need to buy this camera. I wasn't planning on buying this camera for the cost (this one was all Brandon, I wanted the Fuji listed above.) However it is a truly beautiful camera that I love having now and has integrated so nicely to our kit. The Leica is designed for serious photographers who want pro-level image quality in a tiny set up - or hobbyists with unlimited funds.
(This model was not chosen for Best For Travel due to it's price, because like... come on.)
THE BEST TRAVEL TRIPODS
the set up vs the shot - a tripod is an absolute neccessity to be able to shoot anywhere.
Best for Travel: Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod
Literally almost every travel photographer I know uses this same exact tripod, and they are ubiquitous for a reason. Peak Design is known for making incredible, best in their class products, and this tripod folds down impossibly small, and is super stable and beautifully designed, while being under 3 pounds so even backpackers can take this one along. It’s an investment, but worth it if you’re on the road a lot, carrying it hiking or backpacking, or need to fit into airline weight requirements.
Shop on REI here | Shop on Amazon Here | Shop on Best Buy Here
Peak Design also has a similar, and still excellent, tripod in aluminum at about a 40% lower price - if you don't want to quite take the plunge.
Best on a Budget: K&F Concept Lightweight Travel Tripod
This tripod is aluminum, compact, and comes with a decent ball head. Plus, it packs down under 15 inches and under $50, finds the right balance of weight, quality, and budget. win if you're watching weight and budget. Works well for both mirrorless and smartphones.
What I Use: Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod
it's the best for a reason!
THE BEST PHONE TRIPODS
Because more and more we're shooting directly on our phones - and you don't need the weight and size of a full-size tripod.
Best for Travel: JOBY Compact Action 61" Tripod
Capture steady, clear photos with this Joby TelePod mobile tripod. Clever design lets you use it as a handgrip, monopod, tripod or stand, and it holds smartphones and small 360-degree cameras. Pair this Joby TelePod mobile tripod with GoPro, Flash and other mounts, and use the included Bluetooth remote shutter to trigger shots from a distance.
Also an amazing option if you don't need free-standing legs is Peak Design Mobile Tripod.
Minimal, magnetic, and fits in your jacket pocket. The build quality is premium, the kickstand design is intuitive, and it’s strong enough to hold newer iPhones securely.
Best On a Budget: TONEOF 67" Cell Phone Selfie Stick Tripod
The best of both worlds: full-height tripod functionality with a remote shutter and collapsible build. It fits in a daypack, sets up in seconds, and is tall enough to shoot eye-level without balancing on rocks or bags. This one is a little wobbly at full height, the size and ease of use make up for it.
What I Use: TONEOF 67" Cell Phone Selfie Stick Tripod
For me is wasn't the low price that sold me on this one, it was the tiny size and ease of set up - I was looking for a tripod I could throw in a person and pull out to get a shot in just a few seconds. The phone clamp and height of the tripod telescope out as one quick motion in one easy piece, making this one ideal for when you need to jump in the middle of the street with only 30 seconds to get it.
The Best ACTION CAMERAS
A travel kit isn't complete without an action camera! Luckily they are so small and lightweight that they can be slipped into even the tightest of packed bags.
Best 360 Action Camera: Insta360 X4
Tiny, innovative, and fully immersive. Great for POV travel videos or creative transitions. You can reframe everything after shooting, which makes it incredibly flexible.
Shop on Amazon Here | Shop on Best Buy Here
Best For Underwater (And Overall): GoPro HERO13
GoPro is synonymous with Action Cameras for a reason - they were the first, and continue to stay the best. The newest model has unbeatable stabilization, HDR video, improved battery life, and an endless catalogue of mounting accessories for everything from every part of your body to the outside of a plane.
Shop on Amazon Here | Shop on Best Buy Here
On a Budget? Look for a slightly older GoPro model.
Most people don't upgrade their GoPro every year, but past years models are significantly cheaper than the newest version - a great way to get a solid camera at a low price. Check out this GoPro Hero11 for only $140!
Happy Shooting!
