Considering which camera to take with you before you head off on that annual vacation or trip of a lifetime is a crucial pre-travel decision. Many people opt to stick with their smartphone camera because, let’s face it, premium smartphones have excellent cameras nowadays.

Your smartphone can record your partying and culinary adventures pretty well, as well as selfies and portraits of the people you meet along the way. However, a smartphone won’t be that much use to you on safari, taking part in extreme sports, or capturing sweeping landscapes. A camera will give you all this and better image quality to boot.

Here are the best travel cameras available today.

Our Favorite Cameras for Travel in 2023

If you want to cut to the chase and buy the best all-around travel camera, and money is of no concern, you can’t do much better than the Sony RX100 VII. This camera excels in the field of action photography. That means it’s an ideal choice for capturing wildlife moments when you go bird watching or on safari.

Meanwhile, the 20MP 1-inch Stacked CMOS sensor and versatile 24-200mm zoom lens provide superior image quality even when you push up the ISO. Alongside a first-rate autofocus system, an excellent image stabilizer, and an incredible 90FPS continuous-shooting mode, you will capture those once-in-a-lifetime travel moments just about every time.

However, with its versatile lens, this camera isn’t limited to capturing just the animal kingdom. Photographing everyday moments, such as exotic dishes or unique moments while people-watching, is also easy, and shooting landscapes with rich dynamic range is a treat.

The Sony RX100 VII is also an excellent option for travel vloggers. The 4K video captures are among the best in a compact camera, and useful features such as the large articulating flip-screen are a blessing.

Despite all this and other features, like a pop-up flash and an EVF, Sony has still managed to keep this mirrorless camera incredibly lightweight, small, and easily packable.

If what you need is something highly durable that can bear many extremes, from freezing temperatures to careless drops, the Olympus Tough TG-6 may be just what you need.

It’s waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, crush-proof, childproof… just about anything-proof. It’s the perfect camera for around-the-world backpackers who might subject it to a range of challenging environments. Anyone traveling with children who want them to learn about photography while being safe in the knowledge that the camera will survive most accidents will also love this beast.

Curious kids can easily educate themselves on entomology or ocean life while on vacation with the four macro shooting modes and the outstanding Microscope Control Mode that gives an impressive 44x display magnification. The wide-angle f/2 lens also performs well in low light, and the three white-balance modes provide vivid color and fine detail.

However, the image resolution is only 12MP. It’s plenty for regular prints, but if you want to exceed poster size, you may want to consider a camera with better resolution.

With the GoPro HERO11 improving on its predecessor in several aspects, it's easily the ultimate action camera for travelers. For one, GoPro has improved previous overheating issues by including the once-sold-separately Enduro Battery. It has a longer life and a better cold-weather performance for anyone going on ski trips.

5.3K captures at 60FPS are still the order of the day, while you can also shoot in 4K at 120FPS and 2.7K at an astonishing 240FPS for incredible slo-mo captures. With the camera’s vast array of additional features, including an all-new 360-degree Horizon Lock and upgraded Hypersmooth 5.0 video stabilization, your movies will always look professional and provide cherished memories. You can even use this camera to live stream on social media to your envious friends and family back home.

It’s not the best device for still photography; images are decent but not the quality you can expect from premium travel cameras. However, you can extract high-res stills from your video with a 24.7MP resolution.

Additionally, it’s waterproof up to 33 feet, meaning you can use it when swimming, snorkeling, white-water rafting, or any aquatic adventure. If you want to take it even lower, scuba divers can purchase extra housing to film the world of the deep.

If you are looking to upgrade from your smartphone to a proper camera, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is a good option. It is easily one of the best cameras out there for beginners to travel photography and is a considerable step up from the smartphone.

It's an SLR-style, mirrorless camera, and thanks to its plastic body, it packs away easily and is remarkably lightweight. Additionally, the Micro Four Thirds sensor effectively doubles the focal length of any lens you use. Packing a couple of different lenses in your luggage is also a viable option because there are many compatible and compact ones available for this camera.

With fast, responsive autofocus and 15FPS continuous shooting, you can easily keep up with a rapidly-moving subject, such as a running animal or your child playing in the sea. A simple dial on the top of the camera selects different shooting modes, from which you can also control the aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation. The frosting on the cake is an excellent 5-axis image stabilizer that helps to achieve eye-catching shots in dim light while using slow shutter speeds.

It can capture pretty good videos in 4K at 30FPS, too. It’s great for vlogging, but the lack of microphone input may dissuade you. However, this is the camera for you if you just want to shoot short videos and take high-quality stills.

Mirrorless cameras like the Sony Alpha A6600 are a step up from compact point-and-shoots, and they also challenge DSLRs in image quality while being smaller in size. This camera’s image quality is essentially due to the 24MP APS-C sensor.

It also features a compact and easily-packable body that is great for anyone going on hiking adventures. These adventures can include anywhere but the coldest of biomes because the camera is weather sealed. It is also dustproof, so you can confidently document desert trekking, safaris, or relaxing at the beach. Also, thanks to the excellent battery life, you won’t need to worry about how long your day of hiking lasts. Your camera will have power and be available for the entire day.

You can capture mountain vistas and glacial lakes in high dynamic range and detail even at higher ISO settings. Excellent dusk shots of that foreboding peak will feature a good scope of contrast and look superior in quality. Thanks to the first-rate in-body image stabilization, one of the best autofocus systems on the market, and 11FPS continuous shooting, it’s also an ideal choice for wildlife photography.

The 18–50mm lens with an f/1.8–f/4 aperture range is the most significant difference the Sony ZV-1 II offers over its predecessor. This change makes it an even better choice for vloggers than the original iteration. You now get a broader field of view to capture more of the surrounding environment, while it also has a shorter minimum focal distance for better close-ups. However, the trade-off is a reduced zoom range.

Vloggers will also love the "Looks" and "Moods" options that allow for the creation of different visual styles and atmospheres, while the Cinematic Vlog setting adds a touch of class. Extra features for vloggers include the camera’s Product Showcase and Bokeh Switch settings. You can easily control all these options via the Mark II’s updated and more user-friendly touchscreen interface.

Besides its excellent vlogging potential, photo and video quality are also solid. The ZV-1 II features the same 20.1MP 1-inch Exmor RS CMOS sensor and Bionz X processor as its predecessor. It’s an excellent choice for portrait, landscape, and street photography, while 4K video is sharp and detailed.

You'll also find the excellent autofocus that was present in the Mark I, but the Mark II now includes animals in its multi-face recognition and real-time eye AF. It also retains the excellent 3-capsule mic with front, rear, and omnidirectional recording and the same fully-articulating touchscreen.

The design of the X-S20 is nearly identical to the X-S10. It has the same ergonomic and logical design that fans of the original were so pleased with. At just over 27oz, it’s slightly heavier than its predecessor but remains compact. This weight gain is down to the X-S20’s improved battery, which has, more or less, double the shot life.

The X-S20 retains the 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor, while the updated processor offers better performance. Image quality remains pristine, while the range of color profiles and filter effects offer a variety of different interpretations for your shots. These profiles and filters are easy to add and enhance the camera’s suitability as a good entry-level option.

Improvements to the camera’s auto shooting further enhance this beginner-friendly status by offering automatic scene setting and subject tracking. The latter recognizes people, animals, insects, and vehicles. The camera’s Vlog Mode also allows beginners to the vlogging world the opportunity to familiarize themselves with shooting video more easily.

With 6.2K at 30FPS 4:2:2 10-bit video and ProRes RAW shooting options, Fuji has also boosted the camera's video capabilities. It also supports 4K at up to 50FPS and 1080p at up to 240FPS for outstanding slow-motion captures.

Known as the TZ200 outside of North America, the Panasonic Lumix ZS200 is a fantastic choice of travel camera thanks to its versatility and compact form. It’s lightweight at just 12oz and can fit into a pocket or bag without trouble, making it an excellent choice for packing and carrying when on vacation.

It’s a bridge camera that boasts a 20.1MP 1-inch BSI CMOS sensor and comes with a 15x optical zoom lens that covers the equivalent focal length of 24–360mm in 35mm full-frame terms. It has an aperture range of f/3.3 to f/6.4 and delivers detailed images throughout. The camera also performs pretty well in challenging light and produces high-quality photos with sharp details and accurate color.

With 4K at up to 30FPS, the camera can also shoot satisfying vacation videos. Furthermore, the touchscreen LCD is responsive, but it doesn’t tilt or flip out. However, the menu system is intuitive, and adjusting images or videos is a straightforward process. When the display is difficult to see in bright environments, the camera’s EVF allows you to compose and review your images efficiently.

The Nikon Z fc blends classic design with innovative features. Its retro-inspired aesthetics are based on the iconic FM2 first released in the early 1980s that will inspire nostalgia in veteran photographers. However, this mirrorless camera embraces the technological advancements of the modern era, too.

It boasts a 20.9MP APS-C sensor that delivers excellent image quality with intricate details, enhanced dynamic range, and energetic color. You also get a responsive 209-point hybrid AF system with precise subject tracking. Coupled with an 11FPS max continuous shooting speed, it's ideal for capturing magical moments on safari.

Traveling content creators will love the slow motion and timelapse videos they can shoot on this camera, while you can capture 4K videos uncropped at 30FPS. It also has a fully-articulating touchscreen display that vloggers can utilize.

What to Consider Before Buying a Travel Camera in 2023

Most travelers, especially those long-term types, value a light, compact design over most other features. Professionals will still lug around bulky DSLRs and massive telephoto lenses, but that doesn’t mean the rest of us must compromise on quality with our lighter packs. Many compact cameras can still provide outstanding images and fit snugly into your luggage.

However, the type of photo or videography you prioritize will also impact the camera you choose. Your globetrotting may involve a lot of adventure activities and sports. Therefore, you might need something more rugged than you usually go for. The Olympus Tough TG-6 is a highly durable camera that can survive any extreme. You can even submerge it in the ocean up to 50 feet! On top of that, it’s also available at an excellent price for the budget-conscious traveler.

The GoPro HERO11 is an unparalleled action camera for those more interested in sharing envy-inducing videos on social media. You’ll get professional-grade movies thanks to its high resolution and advanced shooting features, and it's available at a fair price, too.

However, with excellent image and video quality, fast autofocus with impressive burst shooting, a versatile kit lens, excellent image stabilization, and a compact, lightweight design, the Sony RX100 VII is the ideal all-around choice of camera for travelers.