The Best Travel Cameras and How to Choose the Right One for You

You know you’ve created a successful travel blog when you virtually ship the viewer from his seat to the destination you visited. How you describe your experience plays a key role in achieving that, but so do the photos or videos you post. That’s why choosing the right camera is essential for your travels.

Continue reading to learn more about the best camera for travel blogging and what to consider before purchasing one!

Best Overall: Sony A7 III

There’s a reason why you’ll hear, or read, about the Sony A7 III in almost everything related to travel photography. It features a mirrorless camera body design, so it’s lightweight, weighing approximately 1.43 pounds. 

Let’s just say Sony made us proud regarding image and video resolution. This camera has a full-frame, 24-megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor capable of producing accurate 6000 x 4000-pixel images, even in dim light.

Speaking of low-light performance, get ready to capture some detailed shots on your nights out without using a flash. We can thank the A7 III high ISO performance for that!

Did we mention that this Sony model can shoot 4K videos at up to 30 frames per second, and 1080p videos at up to 60 frames per second? In other words, if your line of work requires you to shoot some killer videos while on the road, this camera could be your new best friend.

What’s more, the A7 III has In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS). This feature stabilizes the camera’s sensors, producing sharp, blur-free images.

One of the disadvantages of using this camera is that its memory buffers quickly. This is especially true when using its continuous shooting mode, as it rapidly fills the memory. Moreover, the A7 III lacks a built-in flash, as do most professional cameras.

Runner-Up: Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III

The Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III is ideal for anyone who wants a taste of high-end photography without breaking the bank.

The first thing we loved about this camera was its ultra-compact, pocket-sized design. This design was also created to mimic the ease of holding a phone to take a photo or record a video.

Its flexible 180° tilting screen also helps in this, which makes taking selfies and shooting video selfies a breeze! We can say that the camera’s LCD screen did a good job of making up for the lack of a viewfinder. We’re still on the viewfinder team, though!

The PowerShot G7X Mark III has a decent resolution of 20.20 Megapixels and can shoot 4K videos at up to 30 frames per second.

Here’s the cool part, if sharing moments in real-time is important to you, you’ll love using this camera’s live-stream feature. It doesn’t stop there; if you vlog frequently, you’ll also appreciate the microphone jack built into this camera.

Best Action Camera: GoPro HERO11

If there is a camera tailored for adventure travel blogging, it’s the GoPro HERO11. Every detail in this action camera has been meticulously designed to make documenting adventures much simpler and more enjoyable.

Aside from being small in size, measuring 2.64 x 1.34 x 1.85 inches, it comes with a variety of accessories that make carrying it around easier. For example, the Chesty can attach the GoPro to your chest, allowing you to record activities like hiking and kayaking while remaining hands-free.

Getting shaky content won’t be a problem because this tiny device has impeccable video stabilization. In fact, their HyperSmooth Stabilization software won an Emmy award. Not to mention the 5.3K resolution with which you’ll record videos, which is 91% higher than 4K.

You don’t need to worry about taking pictures during your excursion while you have a GoPro. You can easily capture a shot from your videos with a resolution of 24.7 Megapixels.

Want to hear something impressive? The GoPro HERO11 supports three epic time-lapse modes: Star Trails, Light Painting, and Vehicle Light Trails. Their names perfectly describe their function, and you have no idea how artistic the results are in each context!

The GoPro, however, lacks a viewfinder and relies on a small display on the back of the camera. That might not be ideal for blogging about leisure or luxury trips. Most of the time, in such scenarios, you’d want to capture images seen through your eyes.

Best Compact Camera: Sony RX100 VII

The Sony RX100 VII is an excellent choice for those who want a compact camera that packs a punch. It has a 20.1 MP CMOS sensor and can record in 4K resolution, making it perfect for capturing high-quality images and videos while on the go.

One of the standout features of this camera is its impressive autofocus system. It has a total of 357 phase-detection points, which allows it to focus quickly and accurately on your subject. This makes it ideal for action shots or fast-moving subjects, such as wildlife or sports events.

Another great feature of the RX100 VII is its built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF). This allows you to see exactly what your image will look like before you take the shot, making it easier to frame and compose your photos.

Additionally, the camera has a tilting touchscreen, which is perfect for vloggers or anyone who wants to take selfies. It also has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, allowing you to easily transfer your images and videos to your phone or other devices.

Overall, the Sony RX100 VII offers a fantastic combination of portability and high-quality performance. It’s no wonder why it’s one of the top choices for travelers and content creators alike. So if you’re looking for a compact camera that can keep up with your adventures, this might just be the perfect option for you!

3 Things to Consider When Buying a Travel Blogging Camera

Now that we’ve shared with you the top cameras available for travel blogging, it’s time to go over three factors to think about before deciding on one:

Your Purpose of Use

It’s always a good idea to start by determining how you intend to use this camera. For example, if you want to document your adventures step by step, you’ll need a camera like the GoPro HERO11. 

However, if you’re primarily interested in photographing a destination’s scenery, attractions, food, and so on, the Sony A7 III is a better choice.

Size and Weight

When traveling, you’ll be on the move most of the time. Besides, you do not always will you have both of your hands-free to pause and take the perfect shot.

Therefore, it’s always preferable to go with a camera that fits easily in your bag and is light to carry around. It’s also important that it’s not too bulky so you can get a good grip on it even with one hand.

In-Body Image Stabilization

We’re sure you already know this, but some of the best travel photos aren’t always taken while standing still. Sometimes you want to capture a moment while dancing, riding a bike, or being in moving a car.

One of the worst things that can happen in such situations is to discover that the pictures you took were shaky. In-body image stabilization comes in handy at this point. This is simply a mechanical feature that aids in reducing the amount of blur caused by a camera’s unsteadiness.

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Conclusion

When it comes to choosing the perfect camera for travel blogging, there are a few key factors that you should consider. Your intended purpose of use, size and weight, and in-body image stabilization are all important aspects to think about before making your decision.

Ultimately, the best camera for you will depend on your personal preferences and needs. It’s always a good idea to do some research and read reviews from other travel bloggers to get an idea of what works well for them.