The Seven Best Travel Cameras In 2024

When it comes to deciding on the best travel cameras for your needs, there are a few factors that come into play. For example, are you more interested in having an ultra-zoom lens to capture those far away shots on safari, or would you rather have a higher pixel count to ensure the best possible quality photos? These are just a few of the attributes that you’ll need to consider when choosing from this list of the seven best travel cameras in 2021…

The Seven Best Travel Cameras

Amazon/Canon

Canon Powershot G5 X MKII

Pros: 

• 5x optimal zoom
• 20.1 megapixel CMOS sensor
• 4K uncropped video

Cons:

• No microphone jack
• Low battery life (230 shots)

Price:

£650 on Amazon + shipping

User level:

Beginner

The Canon Powershot G5 X MKII is one of the best travel cameras around at the moment, and for good reason, too. Providing the perfect balance between functionality, form and cost-effectiveness, this little piece of dynamite is almost fool-proof for any budding traveller.

It’s lightweight at just 12 oz with both memory card and battery, designed with the classic point-and-shoot camera in mind, all while boasting a 5x zoom lens with a wide f1.8 aperture. A tilting touchscreen, electronic viewfinder, 4K video at 30fps and Wi-Fi connectivity are just a few more of its endless features.

Aside from its relatively low battery life and missing mic jack, the Canon Powershot G5 X MKII is a brilliant all-rounder and a great consideration for the best travel cameras to try out in 2021.

Amazon/Fujifilm

Fujifilm X-T200

Pros: 

• Interchangeable lenses
• 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor
• 4K Video

Cons:

• Expensive with additional lenses
• Hard to get hold of!

Price:

£750 with 15-45mm kit lens + shipping*

User level:

Beginner/Intermediate

The mirrorless Fujifilm X-T200 makes our seven best travel cameras list due to its classic styling, easy-to-handle body and decisively large viewfinder. It also boasts a multi-angled touchscreen, increased 4K video features than its predecessor, the X-T100, and a much-improved autofocus ability.

According to Fujifilm, this particular camera is aimed at first-time photographers, however, it certainly packs enough punch to satisfy even the harshest of DSLR connoisseurs and camera critics!

The X-T200’s only downfall (if it really is one!) is that it’s so popular, it’s almost impossible to find online currently. You’ll either have to wait a little longer until it’s restocked or opt for Amazon’s “almost new” option through one of the verified sellers. Either way, we think this particular travel camera is really onto a winner!

Amazon/Olympus

Olympus Tough TG-6

Pros:

• Waterproof at 50ft
• Very cost-effective
• 4K video capability

Cons:

• Mediocre 12-megapixel resolution
• Lacks good zoom range

Price:

£285 + shipping*

User level:

Hobbyist/Beginner

The Olympus Tough TG-6 truly holds up to its name. It’s waterproof, shockproof and freezeproof (until -10ºC that is!) and can pretty much handle any travel adventure you throw at it! While it lacks a decent zoom range or larger sensors other travel cameras have, the TG-6 places emphasis on its raw shooting and 4K video credentials instead – which are brilliant, by the way!

With that being said, the TG-6 produces a relatively low resolution of 12 megapixels which calls for the more standard travel photo, even though Fujifilm chose to do this intentionally to help it produce better image quality with less noise.  

Despite this, it should still be treated as one of the best travel cameras around due to its resilience on the road – or underwater!

Amazon/Nikon

Nikon Z50

Pros:

• Easy-to-use button layout
• Great viewfinder
• Steady handling 

Cons:

• Limited lens range
• No joystick for AF points

Price:

£750 + Nikkor 16-55mm lens + shipping*

User level:

Beginner/Intermediate

For those looking for their first ‘proper’ camera, the Nikon Z50 is a great option for beginners, or novices looking to advance their camera knowledge. It boasts an easy-to-use button layout and a 3.2” screen which can be flipped underneath its body to help compose selfies or set up for a vlog.

The Z50’s downfall is that there aren’t many lenses specifically made for it, however, all lenses made for the full-frame Nikons can be used.

The Nikon Z50 makes the best travel cameras list due to it’s easy to learn functionality and reliable battery life – both great things for first-time buyers and travellers alike! 

Amazon/Panasonic

Panasonic Lumix TZ200

Pros: 

• Superzoom lens
• 20 megapixels resolution
• 4K video shooting

Cons:

• The sharpness and quality of the image lacks at full zoom

Price:

£450 + shipping*

User level:

Beginner

When it comes to the Panasonic Lumix TZ200, there’s little else that comes close to its offering. From its long-range telephoto setting at 360mm equivalent to its 1” 20-megapixel sensor, the TZ200 is fully equipped to handle any travel adventure! While it’s modelled on the classic compact travel camera, it offers so much more.

In addition to its advanced capabilities, it shoots video at 4K and offers a macro setting to help you gain focus on subjects just 3cm away. You can also choose your focus point on your photos if you use the 4K photo mode – a pretty nifty trick if you ask us!

Despite its lack of quality when at full zoom, there’s really not much else we can fault with the TZ200. For those who want versatility without the excess weight of lenses, the Panasonic Lumix TZ200 is up there with one of the best travel cameras for the job!

Amazon/Sony

Sony Cyber-Shot RX10 IV

Pros:

• Impeccable 4K quality
• Brilliant built-in lens
• 20.2-megapixel resolution

Cons:

• Expensive (but worth it!)
• Awkward menu settings

Price:

£1275 + shipping*

User level:

Intermediate/Expert

Possibly the best of the seven best travel cameras we’ve found, the Sony Cyber-Shot RX10 IV is one of the greats. It boasts a wide range of features including a 600mm zoom lens with a decently wide aperture, a 0.03-second auto-focus function and 24fps continuous shooting. What more could you want in the middle of a game drive?

The RX10 IV’s only real shortcoming (because we had to find one!) is the cost. However, in this case, we firmly believe it’s worth it. There’s also a couple of smaller things such as an awkward menu and a smaller sensor than DSLR’s (obviously!) but this has no real impact on the overall calibre of the camera itself.

The outstanding quality of the images and its ability to perform in wildly different settings has to make it one of the best travel cameras of all time, and thankfully, it’s here to stay!

Amazon/GoPro

GoPro Hero8 Black

Pros:

• Hypersmooth 2.0 image stabilization
• Extremely lightweight
• 4K video shooting 
• WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity

Cons:

• Lacking in low light performance
• No selfie screen
• Cheaper alternatives

Price:

£265 + shipping*

User level:

Intermediate

Last up on our list of the seven best travel cameras is something a little different: The GoPro Hero 8 Black. While it’s predominantly a video camera before its photographic capabilities, it’s an epic piece of equipment to have on the road with you.

It’s most impressive accolades are naturally it’s high quality 4K video shooting range, Hypersmooth image stabilization and various added effects to ‘edit’ whilst filming. When it comes to the photos, the Hero8’s SuperPhoto feature offers a great dynamic range, RAW captures and an ISO of up to 3200. If you’re well-versed in manual, you can also work the shutter open for up to 30 seconds – which is a huge plus for a video-first camera!

While the Hero8 handles night photography pretty well, it’s low light performance isn’t the best and is something a trusty smartphone may do one up in this case! With that being said, a GoPro is a must-have when documenting any adventure and we’re convinced the Hero8 is the best travel camera for videos around the world!

So, there we have it… The seven best travel cameras in 2021 with all of their most impressive traits. All that’s left to do is to decide which one sounds like the best fit for you and your travels and get on your way – camera in one hand, cocktail in the other!

*Prices accurate from February 2nd 2021 and are subject to change.