Find the Best Camera For Hiking
Looking for the best camera for hiking? We’ve put together a list of cameras that are perfect for hiking due to their portability, size and weight.
People always ask us about the travel photography gear we use when hiking so here’s our list!

We share tips for how to choose the perfect camera for hiking.
Check out our the list of the 10 cameras we recommend that are compact, lightweight and perfect for photographing the outdoors while hiking!
CAMERA GEAR FOR LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY
DOWNLOAD: Camera Gear Checklist
- Camera: check out the compact travel cameras we recommend!
- Tripod: take a look at these compact and lightweight travel tripods!
- Camera Bag: protect your camera from sand and water → We use Lowepro camera backpacks for outdoor photography.
- Neutral density filter: to compensate for variance of light you’ll need to use a neutral density filter. → Check out the Kase magnetic filters we use!
- Camera cleaning kit: remove dust or water that WILL get on your lens. NOTE: this is not for cleaning the sensor.
- Memory cards: purchase name brand memory cards since you’re trusting your images to the card! → We use Lexar and Sandisk!
- External hard drive: copy photos to a portable external hard drive ‘just in case’.
- Headlamp: use when taking sunrise and sunset photos!
Camera Gear at Amazon | Camera Gear at B&H Photo
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST CAMERA FOR HIKING
The best camera for hiking should be compact, portable and lightweight.
As you hike, you want camera gear to capture all the amazing things you see, but it needs to be small enough and light enough not to weigh you down.
The cameras we’ve listed will shoot high quality photos and video of your hiking adventures!
There are five things to consider when researching the best camera to add to your photography gear for hiking:
- Image quality
- Zoom range
- Size and weight
- Simplicity
- Price
Other cameras to consider:
- Best Compact Travel Cameras
- Best Cameras for Beginners
- Best DSLR Cameras for Travel
- Best Budget Vlogging Cameras
10 Best Cameras for Hiking

OLYMPUS OM-D E-M5 Mark III
The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is one of the best enthusiast mirrorless cameras around, and is a perfect choice for hiking.

Panasonic LUMIX FZ2500 4K Point and Shoot Camera
Bridge cameras are affordable, easy to use, and tend to have big zoom lenses that give you loads of options when you’re out on your hike.

OLYMPUS Tough TG-6 Waterproof Camera, Red
Weather-sealing is all well and good, but some hikers might want a camera that’s going to survive being fully submerged in a river or lake!

GoPro HERO9 Black - Waterproof Action Camera
GoPro Hero9 Black has a few features you might not be familiar with that make it a great hiking camera – class-leading stabilization for video, amazing smartphone connectivity via the GoPro app, and astonishingly good 5K video from a camera of this size.

Nikon Z50 + Z DX 16-50mm + Z DX 50-250mm Mirrorless Camera Kit
An affordable Nikon Z series mirrorless camera will deliver stunning images while hiking, from wide-angle to telephoto.

Sony ZV-1 Digital Camera for Content Creators, Vlogging and YouTube
Capture your hiking adventures with photographs and video - perfect for vlogging!

Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 Digital Camera
If you just want a basic point and shoot camera that doesn’t cost too much but will get reasonable results, then the Canon Powershot Elph 180 IS is a good option.

Insta360 GO 2 – Small Action Camera
If you are primarily focused on weight saving, then the Insta360 Go 2 Action camera is an incredibly lightweight option for hiking and backpacking.

Google Pixel 6 Pro - 5G Android Phone
If you don’t want to invest in a dedicated camera, or don’t feel that you will carry it around with you all day, then you should invest in a smartphone with a great camera.

Sony RX100VA Digital Camera
This is the perfect camera when you don’t want to carry the heavier mirrorless and DSLR cameras. The main downside is it doesn’t have a longer zoom or touchscreen controls.
Hiking Resources
- What to Bring on a Day Hike
- Hiking Gear and Tips for Kids
- Winter Clothing for Hiking
- Photography Gear for Hiking
Outdoor Gear we recommend! Travel Gear & Hiking Gear