If you are an adventurous traveler, you know the importance of carrying a camera to capture beautiful scenery and unforgettable experiences. Many people use their smartphone, and I admit that the new models can take pretty good photos. However, if you want to go to the next level and take stunning photos, I recommend you invest in a good digital camera.
It's hard to say what would be the best camera for travel, trekking and mountaineering. Many people would say: the one you can carry without adding a lot of space and weight. I agree. However, some cameras take better pictures than others. What is the point of having a practical and light camera if it doesn't have quality?
You have to take into account the type of camera, its features, the destination and the price. For hiking and backpacking I recommend sports cameras, high quality compacts, mirrorless cameras or DSLRs.
Por otra parte, es difícil encontrar una cámara que cumpla con todo lo que queremos. Las que son compactas y ligeras no tendrán el mejor sensor, y las que ofrecen la mejor calidad fotográfica serán más pesadas y abultadas.
El mercado de las cámara digitales es mayor que nunca. Hay cientos de modelos nuevos cada año y es difícil tomar la decisión correcta. Déjame echarte una mano. Hemos creado una lista con los mejores modelos, comparando características y uso. Encuentra la cámara que se ajuste a tus necesidades.
The Olympus TG-6 Touch is a good choice for those who need a super rugged camera for travel and outdoor sports.
It is waterproof up to 15 meters, drop-proof up to 2 meters, dustproof, and withstands low temperatures (14ºF - 10Cº). Focal length is 4.5 - 18 mm (35 mm equivalent to 25 - 100 mm). The wide aperture (25 mm) is not very wide, but it will do. If you want to take very wide landscapes, it's not the best choice.
It comes with many adventure features such as: underwater mode, macro mode, live composite mode, built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, GPS and compass. Although you can't switch lenses, it offers the option to add converters. You can attach a fisheye converter to capture wide shots and a telephoto converter for more zoom.
It's lightweight, versatile and rugged, and the image quality isn't bad for a compact camera. You have the option to buy it with the housing, and take it more than 15 meters deep.
The GoPro Hero 11 Black is probably the best sports camera you can find on the market. It features a touch screen, voice control to activate the camera, Hypersmooth 5.0 stabilization that is mind-blowing and 5.3K HD video. It is submersible to 10 meters without the need for a housing. Of course, if you want to dive deeper, housings are available.
It's a great camera for travel, hiking and other outdoor sports because it's super compact and ultra-lightweight. Plus, the batteries last a long time. It includes an image stabilizer to improve video capture. The sensor quality is quite good and the video resolution is impressive. The focal length is perfect for adventure sports and landscape shots.
The Sony RX100 VII has become very popular among travelers because it is super light and compact, while offering excellent performance. This "baby" takes amazing pictures within compact cameras. Although it has a small sensor, it captures 20.1 MP images and 4K Full HD videos. It is equipped with many features such as: 357 AF point detection, 20 fps continuous shooting, super slow motion and others. The focal length of 24-200 mm fares very well.
If you want to take underwater photos and videos, you can buy a housing and take it on your next dive.
Many comparisons have rated it as the best compact camera on the market.
The Canon Powershot G7 X Mark III is another great choice among point-and-shoots. It features a three-inch LCD touchscreen, Wi-Fi connectivity, a remote shooting system, image sync and more. Overall, it's a great camera for the price. I've only left off two cameras in the point-and-shoot selection, so I'd like to do a little comparison:
The Canon G7X has a bit more focal length, with a maximum of 100mm (having that extra telezoom could be useful in some situations) and is much cheaper than its competitor. On the other hand, the Sony RX100 V has better overall performance.
Both are compact and lightweight, and have good sensors with 20.1 MP that take impressive photos.
The Sony A6600 is a great choice even for professional photographers. Many pros carry a Sony A6600 as a spare camera for taking photos outdoors. It is equipped with a 24.2 MP sensor that takes high quality photos and videos. Plus, it has a sealed body and costs much less than a professional DSLR.
It is compact, lightweight and rugged. The kit comes with an 18 - 135 mm lens which is not impressive (though not bad either). If you want to get the best out of this camera, you can buy a better lens.
The Sony A7 IV is a professional full frame camera for serious photographers. Considered by many to be the best mirrorless camera on the market, it features a high quality 33 megapixel CMOS sensor that has nothing to envy to most SLR pros.
It offers the most advanced features and the best image quality while maintaining a compact size. Of course, this is reflected in the price: it is one of the most expensive cameras on the list.
The Olympus E-M5 Mark III is our latest camera in the mirrorless section and is well worth a look. It has been quite a popular camera for some time because it takes very good photos while being light, compact and resistant. It features a 5-axis image stabilizer, 121-point selectable autofocus, a fully articulating touchscreen, and a weather-resistant body.
If you are looking for high quality without adding too much weight, it is one of the lightest mirrorless.
The Nikon 5600 is the camera I'm using right now and I'm super happy with the results. In addition to taking impressive photos, it is quite light and compact for an SLR. I was about to buy a Nikon 7200, which has a better sensor and higher image quality, but I didn't want to carry a heavy camera on my travels.
Among SLRs, the Nikon 5600 strikes the perfect balance between image quality, weight, and size. It's easy to use, with a handy articulating touchscreen, built-in Wi-Fi, and special effects. If you can spend some money, invest in a decent lens and you will be able to take unforgettable photos.
The Canon 2000d is a great option for those who are starting out. It is equipped with a 24 MP APS-C sensor that takes very good images. However, if you can spend a little more, the Nikon 5600 has a better sensor and more pixels.
Overall, it's a great option if you're looking for a decent DSLR camera at a very reasonable price. Keep in mind that DSLR cameras are quite bulky.
The Canon 5D Mark IV is a full-frame DSLR with incredible features (there are even more expensive models, but I think they are out of the budget for most mortals). I would only recommend it for professional photographers looking for the best image quality and performance.
You can record in 4K, making videos that look like real movies. Keep in mind that it is a bit heavy.
Whether it's a compact camera or an SLR, you're always going to add some weight to your backpack. The question is, how much extra weight is acceptable in my backpack?
Point-and-shoot and sports cameras are the lightest options on the list. Some models are incredibly ultralight. They don't use interchangeable lenses, so even with batteries, memory cards, cables, etc, you don't add much weight.
Mirrorless are the second lightest option. They are certainly lighter than most SLRs. However, keep in mind that you will most likely be using multiple lenses, which means that you will be adding more weight.
DSLRs are the heaviest on the list. Some cheap models can be as light as mirrorless cameras since they have a simple body construction. However, if you take a look at the professional models, you will see the difference. They have reinforced bodies and advanced features that make them very heavy.
If you are looking for a camera with high image quality, you have to look at the sensor. The end result will depend on the type of sensor, megapixels, lens, and other factors.
A good image sensor is what makes good photos. Don't think that high-megapixel cameras take better photos because they have more pixels. For most people, megapixels shouldn't matter much either. A 20 MP compact camera is never going to be as good as a 12 MP Full Frame DSLR. For those who are not photographers, who are going to look at the photos on the computer or print them in 10x15 or 13x18 cm, you don't need 32 MP!
What matters is the quality and size of the sensor.
You have to consider whether you need a waterproof camera or not. It will depend on the use and the activities you plan to practice. Body sealing reduces exposure of internal components to moisture, water, and dust. Most rugged and sports cameras are equipped with this feature (or are compatible with a protective case) because they are designed to withstand extreme conditions.
This is not to say that the camera is fully waterproof, but it does provide better protection. If you are outdoors very often, exposed to rain, dust, etc., it could be an important feature to consider.
On the other hand, if you take good care of your camera and don't hike much in bad weather, you might not need it.
Lenses are another key factor in determining image quality. Whether it's a telezoom, fisheye, or 50mm prime, the quality of the lens and its construction will make a difference to the end result. Remember that adjustable lenses like 18-200mm, 27-55mm, etc. They're super versatile but don't provide the same quality as fixed lenses (although they're good for beginners and travel). On the other hand, having a fixed lens means that you have to change lenses all the time depending on the scene and the type of photo.
Point-and-shoot cameras have built-in lenses of average quality, but usually with a generous zoom. They usually have a 24mm wide focal length, which wouldn't be the best option for shooting landscapes. Most DSLRs and mirrorless cameras come in a kit with an 18-55mm, 27-70mm or similar lens.
There are hundreds of lenses on the market and sometimes it's hard to know which lens you need. The choice will depend on the type of photography you like and the versatility you need. Wide-angle lenses take a much wider angle and therefore capture more of the scene. Telezoom lenses can take photos from a great distance, showing a narrower part of the scene on the sensor.
For landscape photography, a lens with a decent wide angle would be better. In this way, you can capture a greater landscape. Many outdoor photos are of lagoons, mountains, and other landscapes, so 16mm to 20mm is a good focal length (the lower the number, the more landscape will be captured). Any lens with a focal length greater than 24 mm (50, 70, etc.) will make you lose part of the landscape and the result will not be as good.
If you want to take photos of animals and people from a distance, telephoto lenses like 140mm, 200mm or 300mm would be a great help.
If you want to prolong the life of your new camera, follow these tips on how to keep your camera and lenses free of sand and dirt. This will improve the functionality and durability of your photographic equipment. The main items to avoid are dirt, dust, sand, water, smoke, extreme heat, extreme cold, and moisture. I know, you're going to be using the camera while traveling and you won't be able to avoid all those things. At the very least, try to protect your camera as much as you can.
A camera backpack would be a good investment. You can store other electronics depending on the size.
To clean the camera body, lenses, buttons, and touch screens, purchase a basic cleaning kit. You can remove dust from the camera and lens with a soft brush. If you're cleaning a lens, extend it to its full length so you can clean the inside.
You can use a handheld air blower to remove dust from the camera's lens and sensor. Never use pressurized air, as high pressure can damage the sensor. Remove the lens and look for the option in the “manual cleaning” menu. When the mirror becomes blocked, gently use the hand blower to remove any particles. Never touch the sensor with the blower or your fingers. Turn off the camera and the mirror will return to its normal position.
Use a microfiber cloth to clean the lens. I recommend starting at the center of the lens moving to the sides in a circular motion. You can use isopropyl alcohol.
Do you still have doubts? Let me give you some suggestions. If you are looking for a light camera with good image quality, the Sony RX 100 V could be your best option. For those looking for great image quality at a reasonable price, the Sony A6300 is an incredible performer.
If you need a high-resolution DSLR at a good price, the Nikon 5500 may be the perfect choice.
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