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Going somewhere? Not without one of these.
If adventure is calling, we suggest you pick up. You know that surf trip to Costa Rica you've been thinking about? Now is the time to go. Remember when you wanted to go boarding down the powdery slopes in Aspen? You're not gettin' any younger, so you might as well get out there this winter. Or, how about the romantic vacation to Tahiti you promised your partner years ago? Yeah, we suggest you book that ASAP. And with these trips comes one thing you won't want to be without (besides, of course, your wallet): A high-tech travel camera.
Sure, your new iPhone 14 might take clear pictures, but we promise you that a real DSL camera is really going to be the thing that gets the action shot of you barreling the biggest wave you've ever seen in your life. And unlike the olden days (aka the '90s), these cameras are lightweight, fast, and offer incredible new features. They're also not bulky so you can easily toss them in your carry-on or weekender. Oh, and did we mention they take super clear, ultra-defined pictures every single time? Yeah, they can do that, too.
If we've convinced you that you need a travel camera for your next expedition, check out the 15 best options ahead for any kind of photographer. They range in price, features, and capabilities, but we promise you each one will cater to all of your photo-taking and vlogging-making needs.
Plain and simple, this Canon is great for anyone who just wants to shoot some good shots. It has all kinds of helpful capabilities, like a high-speed shutter, lightning-fast auto-focus, and great overall performance. It also snaps super crisp pictures. Done and done.
This slick Canon has a range of great features for the photographer who wants to snap cool photos and share them quickly. First, there's an optical image stabilizer, which helps reduce image blur caused by camera shake. Then, it has an ISO of up to 3200, which provides enhanced images in low-light conditions, as well as multiple shooting modes including creative shot, portrait, smile, wink self-timer, face self-timer, burst, handheld night scene, low light, monochrome, super vivid, and more. And, it can send photos directly to a printer so you can print them out instantly.
This Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 camera is more affordable than most full-frame cameras while still offering exceptional quality. It has extra-wide zoom features (which are great for landscape shots) as well as 96MP high-resolution mode, dual native ISO (which minimizes noise), and even slow motion options.
GoPro cameras have a cult following for a reason. For starters, they're extremely durable, they offer long shooting periods, and they have the ability to capture insane videos. On top of that, they're also made for the great outdoors, featuring a rugged, waterproof design that can withstand the elements.
Want to vlog your surf trip but don't know where to start? This portable camera is just the thing you need. It's for "beginners" because it has a killer anti-shake function that makes videos and pictures come out clear. It can also auto-focus, so you don't have to worry about that. And, just because it's for beginners, that doesn't mean it doesn't have good quality. It comes equipt with 48MP image resolution and an 8MP CMOS image sensor.
If you're capturing action shots, this point-and-shoot long zoom camera will get the best ones. It has an 18.1 megapixel MOS sensor plus a 60X zooms DC Vario lens as well as an optical image stabilizer that can capture far-off moments. You'll also love the high-resolution viewfinder, 4K QFHD video recording, and excellent low-light performance.
If you want to take equal amounts of pictures and videos, this camera will let you do just that. To make the most of your photos, it has a front-facing screen, a super good microphone, a bright F1.8-2.8 zoom, and a Type 1 sensor for defocused backgrounds. In terms of videos, it offers 4K30 and 1080p slow-motion capabilities.
Small but mighty, this tiny camera weighs less than one pound. It also offers easy-to-features (like a dedicated selfie mode), as well as snappy burst shooting, accurate autofocus, and a super impressive 4k video quality.
This waterproof action camera is ideal for the adventurer who wants to take things down under. Complete with 4K ultra HD capabilities, this camera can take photos at up to 30 frames per second, which is four times the resolution of traditional HD cameras.
Want a camera that can do it all? The Sony A7 IV is a mirrorless camera that has a 33MP full-frame sensor, great auto-tracking focus, and amazing video quality. You can easily swap out the lenses on this camera, meaning you can shoot wildlife one minute, action shots another, and everything else in between.
The pocket-sized snapshot camera is great for the diver. It's built to last in high-pressure environments, thanks to a 50-foot underwater rating. Not to mention, the zoom lens can capture subjects far away, while the macro lens is ideal for close-ups.
Nikon is a well-known brand in the camera industry for a reason. This sporty COOLPIX model has a 32GB SDHC high-speed memory card that can store hundreds of photos. One reviewer even noted that they took a video that was 38 minutes long and still had tons of storage left. Additionally, this camera set comes with a carrying bag, 32GB memory card, card reader, memory card wallet, AA batteries, a charger, an HDMI cable, and even a tripod.
Not the best picture-taker but still want to take pictures? We get it. This Sony camera comes with a super clear 2.7" LCD screen that allows you to look at your high-resolution pictures thanks to the handy brightness control and easy-to-see grid. It also allows you to capture up to 100 shots in rapid succession, while burst mode lets you get up to 100 shots at approximately 1 frame per second.
Want to vlog in real-time? This compact device offers live streaming services directly from the camera to YouTube. It also has vertical video shooting, 4K recording capability, and an external microphone terminal.
If you want well-defined, detailed images, this camera offers 16 million pixels, meaning you'll get the clearest shots of all. It also has 24mm wide angle lens, so you can capture everything in the frame. For the over-achiever, there's also a 180-degree panorama feature, meaning you can get that award-worthy snapshot.