Travel photography is a broad term that can mean very different things to different people. World explorers want to capture the moment while still taking it all in, whereas photography enthusiasts may travel as a means to discover new scenes to photograph. And while many folks just take a phone on vacation these days, shutterbugs and vloggers who prefer a dedicated camera have a wealth of excellent options from which to choose. I’ve been reviewing cameras for more than a decade, and these are some of my favorite portable snapshot machines across various form factors. So no matter what you’re looking for, you’re sure to find something that works for you below.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
EDITORS’ NOTE
November 17, 2025: With this update, we added the Camp Snap Screen-Free Digital and the Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS99, and removed the Ricoh GR III HDF and the Sony ZV-1 Mark II. Our remaining picks have been vetted for currency and availability. Since our last update, we reviewed and evaluated 17 new cameras for potential inclusion in this roundup and our other camera roundups. We currently have six cameras in PC Labs for evaluation.
(Credit: Jim Fisher)
(Credit: Jim Fisher)
Pros & Cons
Stunning retro industrial design
Magnesium and aluminum build materials
Clever optical-electronic hybrid viewfinder
Stabilized 40MP image sensor with digital zoom
Wide-aperture prime lens with built-in ND filter
Robust, dial-driven controls
Light, carry-friendly frame
Requires accessories for full weather protection
Why We Picked It
You won’t find a better small camera for vacation photos. The Fuji X100VI turns heads with its retro-chic style and delivers the goods with a large APS-C image sensor and a 35mm f/2 prime lens. Additionally, it’s easy to achieve good results thanks to Fuji’s impressive set of Film Simulation color profiles. The camera also features dust and splash protection, complementing its sleek exterior, making it the perfect camera to take on your next trip abroad or night out on the town.
Who It’s For
Photo pros on vacation: Pro photographers deserve time off, but that doesn’t mean that vacation snapshots are out of the question. The X100VI is an ideal choice for working photogs and shutterbugs to use during downtime, while still capturing images that’ll please discerning eyes.
Travel photographers: Photographers who go to exotic and esoteric locations to make images for travelogues or their own personal satisfaction will adore the X100VI. It is light enough to carry all day, weather-sealed, and its picture quality is top-notch.
Learn More
Fujifilm X100VI Review
(Credit: Jim Fisher)
(Credit: Jim Fisher)
Pros & Cons
10-bit 4K120 video
Class-leading battery life
Continuous recording without overheating
Extremely effective digital stabilization
Dual touch displays
Waterproof to 65.6 feet
Small, mountable design
Smartphones are better in dim light
App features not as strong as GoPro
Why We Picked It
Action cameras are a wise choice for travel because they are small, tough, waterproof, and well-stabilized for handheld recording. The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro is a winner on all fronts; it records clear footage at up to 4K120 quality with 10-bit color, includes a flat profile for expert editors, and features dual front and rear touch screens, as well as external mic support to enhance the production quality of your vlogs and home movies. We also appreciate the battery life; the Osmo runs for hours on a single charge, and a charging case with room for three spare batteries is available as an accessory, allowing you to record all day if needed.
Who It’s For
Beachgoers: The Osmo is fully waterproof, so you can use it comfortably at the beach, on a snorkeling trip, or poolside. If your travel plans include the water, the Action 5 Pro is your best bet for video.
Adventurers: If your travel plans include a hike through the woods to find an epic waterfall, kayaking, surfing, free climbing, or any other activity you want to capture for posterity, the Osmo Action 5 Pro is what you want to document it. It’s easily mountable and supports voice commands, allowing you to use it hands-free as well.
Learn More
DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro Review
Pros & Cons
Up to 8K video, 72MP stills capture
Large touch screen
Intuitive app and editing presets
Waterproof to 49 feet
Improved wind reduction from last gen
Lots of compatible accessories
Expensive
Learning curve to edit 360-degree videos
Why We Picked It
The waterproof Insta360 X5 uses two lenses to capture a 360-degree view of everything surrounding the camera (including you), making it an excellent choice for self-recorded travel vlogs. You’ll need to devote some time to editing video when you get home, but an app-based workflow makes it easy to zoom in and out of the spherical footage to guide your viewers through a scene. Time-lapse, photo, and single-lens modes round out the features.
Who It’s For
Travel vloggers: The X5’s dual lenses capture everything around you, making it a fantastic choice for capturing the feel of a foreign city or the tranquility of a secluded spot. Creative options, such as hyperlapse, add some spice to your travel logs, and the Insta360 smartphone app lets you edit and share footage on the go.
Beachgoers: You don’t have to worry about getting the X5 wet; it works underwater to 49 feet, so you can use it to record ocean life when snorkeling or to show off your graceful diving board skills.
Learn More
Insta360 X5 Review
Pros & Cons
Simple, one-button operation
No rear LCD for distraction-free photography
Lets you make and load your own color profiles for artistic effects
USB-C charging and transfer
Pre-loaded with memory card that holds 2,000 photos
Waterproof case available
Snobby photogs will hate it
May miss candids due to shutter lag
LED flash doesn’t freeze motion like Xenon
Why We Picked It
The Camp Snap Screen-Free Digital Camera wins big points for its affordable price and ease of use. It mixes the convenience of digital photography with the capture experience and low-fi aesthetics of a disposable film camera. Its picture quality is grody, but that’s the point. This camera is designed for having fun taking photos.
Who It’s For
Kids up through college age: The Screen-Free digital started as a camera for children to use at summer camps that don’t allow devices with screens, but it is a good choice for kids of all ages.
Screen-free vacations: Looking to get away from it all? If you want something to snap sunset photos and catch candid moments when you’re taking time away from LCDs, this is it.
Learn More
Camp Snap Screen-Free Digital Camera Review
(Credit: Jim Fisher)
(Credit: Jim Fisher)
Pros & Cons
Large image sensor excels in dim light
Excellent battery life
Records long clips without overheating
Built-in wireless mic support
USB-C charging
Not rugged or weatherproof
Costs more than the Pocket 2
Why We Picked It
The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 has taken the YouTube world by storm. It seems as if every travel vlogger uses one, and that’s not by accident. The Pocket 3 features a gimbal-stabilized camera with a Type 1 sensor, allowing for video recording that surpasses what smartphones can offer. Additionally, it boasts powered pan and tilt movements, enhancing the professional look of your footage beyond what a handheld phone or camera alone can achieve. We also like its accessory library, which includes an extended-life battery grip and wireless microphone kit. It’s a small, versatile video camera.
Who It’s For
Travel vloggers: The Osmo Pocket 3 is among the most popular cameras for YouTube, and is especially useful for travel channels. It’s small enough to take anywhere, and an integrated gimbal adds serious production value, while leaving you the flexibility to record handheld and move around.
Learn More
DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Review
(Credit: Jim Fisher)
(Credit: Jim Fisher)
Pros & Cons
3D Tracking supports up to 30fps focus drive
Sizable buffer for burst photography
Full-width 4K30 and cropped 4K60 with 10-bit color
Easily accessible color profiles and filters
Light and compact build with weather protection
Flip-out LCD with touch support and eye-level viewfinder
Built-in flash
Mediocre battery life
Pre-capture mode restricted to JPGs
Omits focus joystick
Why We Picked It
The Nikon Z50II is our Editors’ Choice among mid-entry-level mirrorless cameras due to its balanced all-around performance. It’s an especially good option for travelers who don’t want to forgo the creative freedom afforded by an interchangeable lens camera. The Z50II is small and lightweight, featuring smart autofocus with subject detection for people and animals, as well as a swing-out LCD, making it ideal for capturing vacation selfies. It sets itself apart from other entry models by including some dust and splash protection; the camera isn’t as thoroughly sealed as pro Nikons, but it is better for outdoor use versus other affordable ILCs.
Who It’s For
Family vacationers: If you want to capture memorable photos of your kids’ first trip to Disney or take stunning photos of landscapes and wildlife at a national park, you’ll want a mirrorless camera, and the Z50II is the best entry-level model available.
Travel photographers: If photography is the reason for your trip, the Z50II is a good pick among mirrorless options. It works with a full set of Z series lenses, includes weather sealing, and its autofocus is quite good, too.
Learn More
Nikon Z50II Review
Pros & Cons
Stylish and pocketable
Comfortable controls
30x zoom lens for wide angles and wildlife
Tasteful in-camera art filters
Snappy focus with 4.7fps continuous drive
Built-in xenon flash
Smartphones are better in low light and for bokeh
Not weather-sealed
Convoluted to pair with phone
Why We Picked It
The Lumix ZS99 is as good a pocket zoom camera as I’ve ever used. Its 30x lens covers everything from wide vistas to wildlife, and it’s small enough to slide into your pocket. Upper-end smartphones offer plenty of zoom these days, but the ZS99 is there for photographers who prefer to use a dedicated camera.
Who It’s For
Family vacationers: If you want to get pictures on your next family vacation while also enforcing a no-phones rule for the kids, give the ZS99 a look. Its 30x lens covers all kinds of scenes, and there are plenty of built-in filters to explore.
National park visitors: If you want to get photos of some cool animals and landscapes at a national park or on a western road tri,p the ZS99 fits the bill. Its lens has more optical zoom power than smartphones, while still fitting into your pocket.
Learn More
Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS99 Review
(Credit: Jim Fisher)
(Credit: Jim Fisher)
Pros & Cons
Simple, single-button operation
Gets 2x more images per roll than most 35mm film cams
Low cost of entry
Tripod socket and bulb mode for long exposures
Built-in star filter and support for 30.5mm threaded filters
Convenient AAA battery power for flash
Lens suffers in backlit scenarios
Not capable of close-up or macro images
Why We Picked It
Are you tired of the ease and perfection of digital photography? Take yourself back in time to the film era with the Kodak Ektar H35N. The one-button compact uses 35mm film but features a half-frame design, allowing for 72 shots per roll instead of the typical 36. The extra frames are welcome news, given the rising costs of both film and processing. The camera technically doesn’t need a battery to work, unless you use the flash, in which case a AAA cell is required. As for picture quality, the lens delivers dreamy results with ready flare and includes a built-in star filter to add some pop to scenes with bright points of light.
Who It’s For
Film enthusiasts: If you’re looking for a compact, straightforward film camera to use on your next trip or vacation, the Kodak Ektar H35N is a strong recommendation. It doesn’t cost much, yields 72 pictures on a standard 35mm film roll, and offers easy one-button operation. Plus, your photos are sure to stand out amidst a sea of digital snaps.
Learn More
Kodak Ektar H35N Review
(Credit: Jim Fisher)
(Credit: Jim Fisher)
Pros & Cons
Gorgeous 28mm F1.7 lens
Full-frame sensor with multi-resolution support
In-camera crop adds versatility
Focuses close-up
Tilting, touch-sensitive LCD
Big, sharp EVF
IP52 rating
8K and 4K video recording
Pricey
No built-in storage
Middling built-in mic limits video potential
Battery life could be better
Why We Picked It
Love the wide-angle look of your smartphone? Crave the image quality of full-frame? Have a few extra thousand dollars burning a hole in your pocket? There aren’t a lot of cameras like the Leica Q3, given its impeccably sharp, fixed 28mm Summilux lens, 60MP full-frame image sensor, and sleek, stunning design. It’s small enough to carry anywhere and includes IP54 weather protection, so you don’t have to run for cover from rain clouds.
Who It’s For
First-class fliers: If you always find yourself in first class and spend time among the fanciful crowd, the Leica Q3 serves as much as a fashion statement as it does a camera. Its classic European styling fits right in at gallery openings.
Travel photographers: While it may be seen as a fashion accessory for some, talented photographers will adore the Q3 for its lightweight build, fantastic lens, and full-frame picture quality.
Learn More
Leica Q3 Review
(Credit: Jim Fisher)
(Credit: Jim Fisher)
Pros & Cons
Stabilized full-frame sensor
Impressively small body style
Magnesium build with dust and splash protection
Best-in-class autofocus system
Long battery life
Just a single card slot
Mechanical shutter has some limitations
Undersized viewfinder
Why We Picked It
The compact and lightweight Sony a7C II doesn’t compromise picture quality to achieve its slim form. It squeezes a full-frame sensor into an APS-C-sized body while still incorporating a 5-axis image stabilizer. Sony offers an appropriately compact 28-60mm starter lens as a kit option, and you can supplement it with smaller lenses, such as the FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G or FE 24mm F2.8 G.
Who It’s For
Travel photographers: The a7C II packs a lot of picture quality into a light body. Its stabilized, full-frame sensor catches images that will satisfy pro photographers, and it works with a nice set of appropriately compact prime and zoom lenses.
Learn More
Sony a7C II Review
Get Our Best Stories!
All the Latest Tech, Tested by Our Experts
Sign up for the Lab Report to receive PCMag’s latest product reviews, buying advice, and insights.
Sign up for the Lab Report to receive PCMag’s latest product reviews, buying advice, and insights.
By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!
Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!
Buying Guide: The Best Travel Cameras for 2025
The Best Travel Camera Accessory: Get a Wide Lens
I hope this guide has helped you pick out a new camera for your next big trip. Don’t forget about lenses if you end up getting an interchangeable lens camera or already have one. A wide zoom is one of the most useful lenses you can carry when traveling.
Olympus M.Zuiko 8-25mm F4.0 Pro (Credit: Jim Fisher)
If you already own an interchangeable lens camera, consider adding an ultra-wide zoom lens to your kit. This type of lens is particularly useful for travel, as the wide view lets you capture a large swath of your location in the frame. Wide angles are also handy for landscapes, urban architecture, and tight interiors.
The right lens depends on what type of camera you use, but choices for smaller-than-full-frame sensors include the Canon EF-S 10-18mm for EOS Rebel owners, the Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary for EOS R cameras, the Fujifilm 10-24mm for Fujifilm X, the OM 8-25mm for Micro Four Thirds, the Nikon 10-20mm for Nikon SLRs, the Nikon Z DX 12-28mm for Nikon mirrorless, and the Tamron 11-20mm for Sony E-mount.
Recommended by Our Editors
If you use a full-frame camera, consider the Sigma 12-24mm for Canon or Nikon SLRs, or the Pentax 15-30mm for Pentax SLRs. Mirrorless owners can look to the Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 for L-mount and Sony FE mirrorless cameras, the RF 14-35mm for Canon EOS R, or the Nikkor Z 14-30mm for Nikon Z.
