10 Awesome Compact Travel Cameras
We often get asked this question about our travel photography gear: “What is the best compact travel camera?”
To answer this question, we decided that the criteria for a ‘travel camera’ for this article means: the camera must produce quality photos without sacrificing convenience.
Most decent cameras can produce good images, but there are only a few that offer features to produce high-quality photos AND are convenient to carry and use when traveling.
This buyer’s guide is for the traveler who wants quality images, but doesn’t want to transport and carry heavy cameras.
Plus we’ll share how to choose the right compact camera for your travel style and needs.
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Where Should I Buy Camera Equipment?
We get asked this question often. There are two places where we buy our cameras, lenses and other accessories: Amazon and B&H Photo.
B&H Photo is our go-to company for buying the high quality cameras, tripods and lenses. They are a reputable company that’s been in business for over 45 years. Their customer service and knowledge about photography equipment gives us peace of mind when spending money on higher ticket items.
→ Photography Gear at B&H Photo
Amazon is where we buy most of our camera accessories like filters, memory cards, etc. The free two-day shipping is always a plus. We have bought cameras, lenses and tripods from Amazon with no problem as well. They are good about returns, but won’t be able to answer gear-specific questions.
How to Choose the Right Travel Camera
When choosing the best travel camera for your needs, you must know what type of photography you will do.
Each camera has different strengths and weaknesses depending on what you’re using them for.
Are you going to photograph landscapes, wildlife, people or adventure activities? Do you need weatherproofing & ruggedness? What is your budget?
You may not find a compact travel camera with every function and feature so it’s important to know your specific needs and preferences to help you find the one that’s right for you.
You’ll also want to find the best camera backpack for travel to hold all your photography equipment!
List of Compact Travel Cameras
Check out this list of compact travel cameras that product quality photos to capture your vacation memories!
Sony Alpha ZV-E10 Mirrorless Travel Camera
Key Features
- 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS Sensor
- UHD 4K30p and Full HD 120p Video
- 3.0" Side Flip-Out Touchscreen LCD
- 425-Point Fast Hybrid AF
- Up to 11-fps Shooting, ISO 100-32000
- Real-Time Eye AF and Tracking
- Background Defocus & Face Priority AE
- Directional 3-Capsule Mic and Windscreen
- Headphone and Microphone Ports
OLYMPUS OM-D E-M10 Mark IV Mirrorless Camera Kit
Key Features
- 20.3MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds Sensor
- TruePic VIII Image Processor
- UHD 4K30p Video Recording
- 2.36m-Dot 0.67x-Magnification OLED EVF
- 3.0" 1.04m-Dot 180° Tilt Touchscreen
- 5-Axis Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization
- 121-Point Contrast-Detection AF
- 8.7 fps Shooting, ISO 200-25600
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connectivity
Sony RX100 VII Premium Compact Camera
Key Features
- 20.1MP 1" Exmor RS BSI CMOS Sensor
- BIONZ X Image Processor & Front-End LSI
- ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* f/2.8-4.5 Lens
- 24-200mm (35mm Equivalent)
- Up to 20-fps Blackout-Free Shooting
- UHD 4K30p Video with HLG & S-Log3 Gammas
- 0.39" 2.36m-Dot OLED Pop-Up EVF
- 3.0" 921.6k-Dot 180° Tilting Touchscreen
- Fast Hybrid AF, 357 Phase-Detect Points
- Real-Time Tracking and Eye-AF
Fujifilm X-T4 Mirrorless Camera
Key Features
- 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans BSI CMOS 4 Sensor
- X-Processor 4 Image Processor
- 5-Axis In-Body Image Stabilization
- DCI/UHD 4K at 60 fps, Full HD at 240 fps
- 425-Point Hybrid AF System
- 3.69m-Dot 0.75x OLED EVF
- 3.0" 1.62m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
- ISO 160-12800, up to 15-fps Shooting
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Connectivity
- Film Simulation Modes
Nikon Z fc DX-Format Mirrorless Camera
Key Features
- 20.9MP DX-Format CMOS Sensor
- EXPEED 6 Image Processor
- UHD 4K and Full HD Video Recording
- 2.36m-Dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder
- 3" 1.04m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
- ISO 100-51200, Up to 11 fps Shooting
- 209-Point Hybrid AF, Eye Detection AF
- Time-Lapse Movie
- Built-In Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- USB Type-C Connectivity
Canon EOS R10 Compact Mirrorless Travel Camera
Key Features
- 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF II
- 4K30 Video, 4K60 with Crop; HDR-PQ
- 23 fps E. Shutter, 15 fps Mech. Shutter
- 2.36m-Dot OLED EVF
- 1.04m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen LCD
- Multi-Function Shoe, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
OLYMPUS Tough TG-6 Waterproof Camera
Key Features
- 12MP BSI CMOS Sensor
- TruePic VIII Image Processor
- Olympus 4x Optical Zoom f/2 Lens
- 25-100mm (35mm Equivalent)
- 3.0" 1.04m-Dot LCD Monitor
- Water, Crush, Shock, Freeze & Dustproof
- 4K Video Recording and Full HD at 120p
- Built-In Wi-Fi, GPS, Field Sensor System
- ISO 12800 and up to 20-fps Shooting
- Pro Capture Mode & Variable Macro System
Nikon Z 6II FX-Format Mirrorless Camera
Key Features
- 24.5MP FX-Format BSI CMOS Sensor
- Dual EXPEED 6 Image Processors
- UHD 4K30 Video; N-Log & 10-Bit HDMI Out
- 14 fps Cont. Shooting, ISO 100-51200
- 273-Point Phase-Detect AF System
- 3.6m-Dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder
- 3.2" 2.1m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
- 5-Axis In-Body Vibration Reduction
- Dual Memory Card Slots
Canon EOS R5 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera
Key Features
- 45MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
- DIGIC X Image Processor
- 8K30 Raw and 4K120 10-Bit Internal Video
- Sensor-Shift 5-Axis Image Stabilization
- 12 fps Mech. Shutter, 20 fps E. Shutter
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with 1053 Points
- 0.5" 5.76m-Dot OLED EVF
- 3.2" Vari-Angle Touchscreen LCD
- Subject Tracking with Deep Learning
- CFexpress & SD UHS-II Memory Card Slots
Panasonic LUMIX GH6 Mirrorless Travel Camera
Key Features
- 25.2MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds Sensor
- 4K 60p 4:2:2 10-Bit Unlimited Recording
- 5.7K 60p, 4K 120p HFR, FHD 300p VFR
- ProRes 422 HQ, V-Log and DR Boost
- Dual I.S. 2, 7.5-Stop 5-Axis Stabilizer
- 100MP Handheld High-Resolution Mode
- 3.68m-Dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder
- 3.0" 1.84m-Dot Free Angle Touchscreen
- CFexpress Type B & SD UHS-II Card Slots
- Built-In Active Cooling
Landscape Photography Gear Resources
- FREE DOWNLOAD: Camera Gear Checklist
- Best Cameras for Landscape Photography
- Best Lightweight Travel Tripods
- Camera Accessories for Photography
Great information. Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ’s.
I love this post!! So helpful and great tips. Bookmarking this one.