One of the questions I receive most here on the blog is about which camera to carry in your suitcase. It's easy to understand why, as photos are often our only memories of some destinations, especially when traveling on a tight budget.
I've been through this dilemma myself. On my first international trip, to Disney in 2007, I took my Sony CyberShot and took countless photos. This was one of the most famous models at the time, and most of my friends also had a camera like this, rs.
Shortly afterwards, the smartphones, and on my exchange to Australia, I only took my iPhone 5. The camera was great for the time, and I spent almost the entire trip with just my cell phone. In the end, I ended up buying a super simple Canon camera so as not to waste my space and battery, since I used my iPhone for everything.
That was five years ago, and since that time countless new developments have appeared in the photography market, such as mirrorless e action cameras like GoPro. It's easy, then, to be in doubt about the best equipment to record that long-awaited adventure.
To help you with this dilemma, I've gathered some of the best cameras for travel in this post. The models are separated by categories, and I explained a little about each of them and what types of travelers they are suitable for. If you go for a leisurely stroll, for example, you will hardly need the same equipment as someone who works with photography. I also suggested some smartphones with great cameras, for those who want the convenience of taking photos with just their cell phone.
To make it easier, I've already added the link to Amazon for all the products, so you can buy without even leaving home. If you prefer to buy during your trip, I also took the opportunity to include links to stores in Europe and the United States, where most equipment is cheaper than in Brazil. To avoid wasting time during your trip, you can buy online and have it delivered directly to your hotel.
Best Cameras for Travel
Point and shoot
If you're looking for a practical, easy-to-use camera, this is your category.
The models point and shoot They are used precisely to point in the desired direction and take the photo, as the name says. Most models work perfectly in automatic mode, so you won't need to worry about details like focal length and lens aperture.
In general, these machines are compact, light and differ from other smartphones for its ability to zoom meeting. The Canon PowerShot SX730 HS, for example, has magnification power of up to forty times.
If you are just traveling for leisure and want to take some photos for Instagram, this is a great alternative. Among all the options on the list, this is also the cheapest category.
The most popular models are:
Sony Cyber Shot W800
Sony's entry-level model, with one of the lowest prices. It is super compact and has 20,1 megapixels, in addition to having a stabilizer and smile shutter. It has up to 5x zoom, panoramic mode and weighs just over 100g.
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Sony Cyber Shot W830
Another great option from Sony, also with 20,1 megapixels. The difference to the previous one, in addition to the 8x zoom, is the possibility of recording in HD 720p. It also takes panoramic photos and has a “fun” menu for those who like to play with editing.
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Canon Powershot SX620
A little more expensive than the Sony models, this Canon has a zoom of up to 25x and films in Full HD 1080p. It has WiFi to connect directly to your cell phone and takes up to 6 photos at once.
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Canon Powershot SX730
In addition to the high zoom power, this camera also has 20,3 megapixels and records in Full HD. The display is movable, making it easier for those who want to take selfies or record vlogs, and it also has a built-in image stabilizer.
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mirrorless
A compact version of large professional cameras, it is precisely the “lack of mirror” (translation into Portuguese of mirrorless) which makes these models smaller. They are great for travel because they are very powerful, yet light.
Overall, these machines do everything a DSLR does. They have a manual mode for adjusting the shutter speed, ISO and focal length, in addition to having interchangeable lenses, which can be changed according to your needs.
It's a great option if you want more elaborate photos (with a blurred background, for example), but you need to read the manual to learn how to use at least the basics. It's not a cheap investment either, as it's one of the newest technologies on the market.
The best models are:
Canon EOS M100
With 24,2 megapixels and Full HD videos, one of the biggest advantages of this camera is the possibility of connecting with smart devices via WiFi and Bluetooth. The screen is touch and tiltable, and the camera also shoots continuously at 6,1 fps.
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sony alpha a6400
I use the older version of this for blog photos (a5000) and I love it! It has 24.2 megapixels and the kit comes with a 16-50mm lens. It has a fast focus system and a tilting LCD screen, in addition to recording in 4K and having a smart viewfinder.
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Fujifilm X T3
The most expensive model on the list, this camera is for those looking for all the features of a professional camera. It has a mobile and touch screen, and allows you to control almost all aspects of the photo, in addition to recording in 4K. 26.1 MP, in addition to having bluetooth and wifi so you can share your records easily.
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ACTION CAMERAS
Super compact (most fit in the palm of your hand), action models make great travel cameras.
In addition to being very light, these machines can also be enhanced with the use of accessories, such as a Bluetooth remote control, selfie stick, chest strap, buoys and domes. They are very popular among adventure sports enthusiasts, as they can easily be glued to boards or tied to the body, in addition to having waterproof covers.
Most of them also offer WiFi functionality, making it easy to connect to your cell phone and transfer photos quickly. Its disadvantages are the night photos, which are not that good, and the lenses, which in some models are only fisheye.
If you are looking for equipment to use in almost all situations, investing in this category is a great option.
The most popular models are:
XIAOMI 4K
I use the 4K model to take some photos for the blog, and I highly recommend it. The 4K+ version is the most recent, and in addition to filming in 4k, it also has a touch screen, and works with different burst and timer times. Unfortunately, Xiaomi no longer produces action cameras, but they can still be found in several stores for great prices, both in the YI version (another design) and in the MIJIA version (design in the photo).
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GOPRO HERO9
A camera that does it all! In addition to recording in 5K and having a state-of-the-art stabilizer, the GoPro Hero 9 also has 20MP for photos and allows you to live stream in 1080p. It is waterproof without needing a waterproof case. It has voice control, GPS and touchscreen.
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best smartphones for taking photos
Don't want to invest in equipment just for photography? No problem, most current smartphones are already equipped with incredible cameras (yes, more than one!) that will give you great recordings. Some of the more modern ones also offer the option to manually adjust some of their camera settings, allowing even better control over how your photos will turn out.
Here are some of the best:
Xiaomi MI note 10
In addition to great prices, Xiaomi smartphones are also equipped with great cameras. The Mi Note 10, for example, has five cameras, one of which has 108 megapixels, the best camera on a phone today. For those who like selfies, the front camera also has an incredible 32MP, higher than even the PRO version of current iPhones.
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iPhone 11 Pro
There's no denying that the fast operating system and triple camera make the iPhone a great option for those who want a cell phone for everything, including great photographs. It allows you to manually control rear camera settings, in addition to offering that background blurring effect that everyone loves. Despite version 12 arriving in Brazil this month, the camera on the 11 Pro and 12 Pro is practically the same, so I recommend that you invest in the previous version.
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SAMSUNG Galaxy S20
For those who want a more traditional but not so expensive option, the S20 version of the Galaxy is a great option. With a triple rear camera, your photos will be of great quality without you needing to make much effort. The front camera is also 10MP, great for selfies. Looking for an even more powerful version? Try the Galaxy S20 Ultra.
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ACCESSORIES FOR CAMERA AND CELL PHONE
In addition to the devices, some travel camera accessories can also help you take great photos, especially if you are traveling alone. With them, you don't need to ask for help from strangers, who usually cut off the tourist spot in the background (amazing how this always it happens).
Some of the most popular among travelers are:
Selfies-stick
The “selfie stick”, as it is known in Brazil. You attach your camera (or even smartphone) to the end of this stick, and this way you can take selfies from a greater distance. Be careful as there are places, such as Disney parks, that do not allow this item.
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Remote control
It normally works with Bluetooth technology. With one controller you can start or end a video, or take multiple photos without having to press the button on the camera again and again.
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Tripod
Ideal for those places where there is nowhere to rest the camera, or for photos that require more light to enter the lens (and therefore need more stability). There are many lightweight models, and some even have flexible rods to attach to branches, handrails or benches, for example.
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It is also common to find all of these accessories for sale together.
OTHER TIPS
Good equipment helps you take better photos, but if you want to make the images even more incredible, it's also worth investing in accessories and editing apps. The Travel Tips Brasil blog has several tips to make your travel photos even more incredible.
And there you have it, the best travel camera models!You can also check out 11 other cool accessories to take on trips in this post!
Do you have any of them? Do you use a different one? Share in the comments! 🙂
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