Thinking about traveling the world but are afraid to leave your DSLR at home? Fear not! There are plenty of great travel cameras that won’t break the bank and can even serve as your main camera when you’re not on vacation. Check out these affordable options to find the best travel camera for you!
BEST BUDGET CAMERA FOR TRAVEL - WHAT TO CONSIDER?
Great pictures are priceless. And when you're on vacation or a business trip, getting great shots of your family, friends and amazing sights can help you relive your adventures again and again—and make all that planning worth it.
So what's a traveler to do? The problem is, it's not just good photography skills that make for great photos; what also matters is having a good camera with a lot of features. It doesn't have to be super expensive either.
There are plenty of affordable cameras out there that will give you high-quality images and let you get creative with different lenses, filters, and fun effects.
So, you're a travel blogger and want to take some photos of your trip, but don't want to spend thousands on a pro's DSLR or fancy mirrorless system?
Good for you! There are some fantastic options for getting a good-quality camera that won't break your bank. Take a look at these best affordable cameras for travelers!
IMAGE QUALITY
Go for high-megapixel sensors. Many people don’t realize that more megapixels do not necessarily mean better image quality. However, a higher megapixel count means more detail in your photos—which is important if you want to take advantage of your camera’s full zoom capabilities.
Remember: You can always crop your photo later on! A nice 24-megapixel sensor is great for all kinds of outdoor photography, including landscapes and portraits. Anything higher than 36 megapixels isn’t worth considering (unless you have a reason to shoot in 3D).
On many higher-end models, you’ll also find image stabilization technology, which will keep blurry shots at bay. It makes no sense to purchase a professional model without IS technology.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 ($1,100): The Olympus OM-D E-M5 is perfect for photographers who want great image quality. It’s a Micro Four Thirds (MFT) camera and offers interchangeable lenses from Panasonic, Olympus, and third-party manufacturers.
MEGAPIXEL AND RESOLUTION
Digital cameras start with two basic specs: megapixels and resolution. Resolution refers to a camera’s ability to capture sharp detail, while megapixels indicate how much information it can handle.
Both are extremely important, but they’re often confused. The rule of thumb: higher numbers on both fronts mean sharper photos and videos (more on that below). When choosing your next device, make sure you read these specs carefully; more doesn’t always mean better.
For example, a 15-megapixel iPhone 6 captures more details than a 13-megapixel iPad Air 2—both have 3.7-inch screens—but only if you zoom in close enough for your pictures to actually show that level of detail.
For a DSLR, 12MP and up is standard. While you can go with fewer megapixels if you’re willing to sacrifice image quality, the resolution goes hand-in-hand with megapixels:
Resolution is measured in pixels per inch (PPI), so an 8MP camera at 24mm-by-36mm resolution offers 3,264 pixels per inch of image; a 16MP sensor at 21mm-by-28mm resolution offers 4,096 PPI.
1. SONY CYBER-SHOT DSC-HX80
Sony may be one of those big companies that are not so well known for their point-and-shoot cameras, but they have some awesome options. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 shoots still photos at 16 megapixels and is compatible with Sony's 2D/3D Sweep Panorama feature.
It comes equipped with a 3-inch swivel screen, which lets you easily view photos or self-videos you've shot while on your travels. This model has built-in Wi-Fi capabilities and can create time-lapse images as well as 4K videos.
It also has an easy-to-use manual mode so you can really play around with all of your settings! You can purchase this camera for about $300 online.
If you’re looking for a bridge camera (one that’s larger than your average point-and-shoot but smaller than a DSLR), check out Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-HX80, which provides an excellent balance of quality and price.
It includes 20.1 megapixels of resolution, along with HD video capabilities that make it an all-around solid choice for still photography.
At $380 on Amazon, it comes in under our target price by $50; if that extra cost is a concern, consider Nikon’s Coolpix A (also about $400), which provides 16 megapixels and 4K video capabilities.
This compact zoom camera records high-definition video (HD), takes detailed 20.4-megapixel photos and has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC wireless connectivity to quickly share images with your friends. It’s an excellent choice for beginners thanks to its point-and-shoot simplicity and beginner-friendly touchscreen display.
2. CANON POWERSHOT SX620 HS
There is much to love about Canon’s latest point-and-shoot. The SX620 HS offers a swiveling LCD screen and a 40x optical zoom that covers everything from wide angles to extreme telephoto.
Although it doesn’t have 4K video or an electronic viewfinder, what it does have is great image quality. And at $319 on Amazon, it could be considered an ultra-affordable option for vloggers who need more than just basic HD footage in their cameras.
The Canon Powershot SX620 HS is a good camera for its price. It does not boast much more than average in terms of performance, but it is definitely worth its asking price.
The camera has a 12-megapixel sensor and comes with a 24mm wide-angle lens, which makes taking group shots easier for you. The 1080p Full HD video recording is another feature that will allow you to record your trips with utmost clarity.
3. PANASONIC LUMIX DMC-FZ300
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 is a small, relatively lightweight bridge camera that shoots great photos and videos and offers a ton of advanced features.
It's well-suited for everything from vacations to vlogging thanks to its fast lens, physical controls, and 4K video capabilities. It has an eye-catching design and a high-quality 2.5-inch swiveling touchscreen LCD.
The downside? It's pricey, with no viewfinder included (an add-on accessory). Overall, if you're looking for high quality on a budget, it's worth taking a look at one of these cameras — although they are still expensive compared to smaller point-and-shoot cameras.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 (MSRP $449.99) is a superzoom camera designed for everyone from passionate photographers to beginner snappers who want to up their photography game on vacation.
Its 28mm-equivalent Leica lens covers an extremely wide 24–480mm range, allowing you to capture subjects near and far without having to change lenses.
This pocket-sized point-and-shoot features a large 30x optical zoom, excellent 4K video, and a huge 20.1MP image sensor that produces great photos.
The Lumix FZ300 is an affordable best travel camera, perfect for taking shots on vacation or other excursions. At $448 from Amazon, it offers much more than most cameras in its price range.
4. RICOH WG-6
Megapixels and resolution are two words that get thrown around a lot when talking about cameras, but do you know what they mean? Megapixels refer to how many millions of pixels can be produced by a digital image sensor.
This matters because megapixels relate directly to photo quality; with more megapixels, you’ll be able to crop photos without losing any image quality. When it comes to resolution, there are essentially two kinds: printed resolution and on-screen resolution.
Printed resolution is based on dpi (dots per inch), which refers to how many pixels fit in a single inch of paper or another surface. Digital cameras typically have lower resolutions than what your screen can display—meaning everything looks sharper when viewed online or on your phone rather than through print.
Affordable doesn’t mean low quality. In fact, you can find an affordable travel camera that shoots professional-quality photos if you know where to look.
Case in point: The RICOH WG-6 compact digital camera, which is a Best Buy award winner and best of its class for 2017. But what exactly makes it so special?
For starters, there’s a dual-lens system that includes both a 28mm lens (for close-ups) and a 70mm lens (for landscapes). You also get dual focusing technologies (Phase Detection Auto Focus and Contrast AF), which means you can take your time framing photos perfectly with little lag time.
If you’re looking for a good, affordable action camera, you might consider picking up a Ricoh WG-6. This rugged point-and-shoot is best for those who like to be physically active and want to capture their adventures in 1080p HD.
It shoots 6MP photos at up to 20 fps and 720p video at 30 fps—and with its waterproof exterior and shockproof interior, it’s more than tough enough to handle whatever you throw at it.
5. CANON POWERSHOT SX540 HS
The Canon Powershot SX540 HS is great for travelers and vacationers who want to take high-quality photos on their vacations. The power shot is easy to use, whether you are traveling in cold weather or on sandy beaches.
It has a very durable design, which means that it can stand up to a lot of abuse. There are a variety of settings that make it possible for you to get exactly what you want out of your photos.
The versatility will allow any photographer to get perfect shots every time they take a picture. This camera is also waterproof and shockproof, so you do not have to worry about it breaking if you drop it in the water or accidentally bump into something while walking around town.
This is Canon’s best selling point and shoots for a reason. It offers great image quality, especially in good light. It has a 30x optical zoom and uses a 1/2.3 sensor, which can create some noticeable image degradation at high ISOs.
But it does offer RAW shooting capabilities in case you want to do some editing on your own. This would make an excellent vacation or weekend trip camera and an even better first real camera for parents looking to capture their kids' growth spurts without breaking the bank.
If you’re looking for a solid, inexpensive, point-and-shoot alternative to a DSLR or mirrorless camera, check out Canon’s Powershot SX540 HS.
It has many of the same manual controls and modes as higher-end models without being overly complicated. It also has a nifty little feature called Creative Shot.
That helps you learn how to better frame shots and provides 52 different options like Panorama Shot (take two photos at once) and Super Vivid (enhances colors in your photo). $300
6. CANON EOS M50
This mirrorless EOS from Canon offers great video quality, a nice touch screen, and a bunch of control options for very little money. If you’re looking to replace your point-and-shoot with something more versatile and powerful.
Take a look at Canon’s new EOS M50. The 21 MP sensor will give you great photos for sharing on social media and is an excellent alternative to an entry-level DSLR.
It also doesn’t hurt that it has Bluetooth connectivity so you can wirelessly transfer images to your phone while out on location. With 1080p video at 60 fps as well as 4K at 30 fps, you get options depending on what type of content you want to produce.
You’re not going to take photos like you can with a full-sized DSLR, but for what it is, Canon's EOS M50 provides an excellent set of features for aspiring photographers.
With 24.1 megapixels of image resolution and an ISO range from 100 to 25600, it's capable of producing high-quality images. The M50 offers a 3-inch touchscreen monitor.
Along with full 1080p HD video recording at 60 fps and continuous AF tracking at 7 fps. You'll be able to use multiple lenses with its optional adapter mount if you want even more versatility out of your camera.
The Canon EOS M50 has great photo quality and an excellent touchscreen for shooting on the go. It’s also really easy to use, but it has fewer manual controls than other entry-level cameras. If you’re looking for a great budget mirrorless camera, look no further than Canon’s EOS M50.
7. CANON EOS REBEL T7
This is a great travel camera that also doubles as a high-quality everyday shooter. The M50 is one of Canon’s newest mirrorless offerings.
Though it has some shortcomings, it offers stunning performance at an affordable price. Video quality and autofocus are both strong suits; photographers will have a solid time shooting in low light as well.
Overall, you can’t go wrong with Canon’s EOS M50 – it’s one of our top choices for compact cameras under $1,000! This DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) is one of Canon’s most popular and most affordable models.
It comes with an EF-S 18–55mm lens, which gives you a good range of view without spending extra money on an expensive zoom lens. However, if you want to add more lenses to your collection, just know that they can be pricier than entry-level versions (about $1,000).
Plus, there are many other brands you can consider. Nikon and Sony make high-quality options for beginners that have interchangeable lenses. The Nikon D3300 costs about $450 with an 18–55mm kit lens or about $700 for a 35 mm f/1.8 prime lens.
Canon's EOS Rebel T7 is a great pick for vloggers, travelers, and anyone else who needs a solid camera to shoot with but doesn't want to spend too much money.
With 1080p video capabilities, it's got all of your video needs covered. It can also be upgraded to 12 megapixels for high-quality photography. Plus, its small size makes it perfect for traveling.
This light-weight compact digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera includes an 18-megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor and DIGIC 4+ image processor for excellent image quality and sharp detail that you'll want to show off on social media or your own website.
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