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5 Best Travel Cameras for Your Next Backpacking Trip

We reviewed the best cameras you would love to consider bringing in your next adventure!

By: Geraldine Mills + Save to a List

We always want something that ensembles our precious moments and if we could just place the whole scenery in our backpacks, we will. This is why photographs are the best relics we can bring back home after our special trips.

Problem is, do you already have a camera for your backpacking trip? Are you shopping around for the best travel camera you can ever find?

People tend to prepare ahead of time for their next travel, especially if they have a new camera to bring with them. Surely, you might have tinkered with your camera, but it is important that you know how to use it properly before the trip!

You can join online photography courses or attend workshops to ace that perfect landscape shot. If you’re too lazy to go out, there are some tutorials over at YouTube —there’s certainly no excuse in practicing on how to use your camera.

However, we’re not here to deliberate on how to be a professional travel photographers, we will discuss how we can have a great photo by choosing the best camera. 


1.   Go Pro Hero 6

Go Pro Hero 6 is the latest and so far the most powerful because of the great images and quality videos it could give. This version is designed to be brought underwater and very durable so buying a case for this camera is not necessary.

And the cool part is that it can now fire in RAW format. It now enables the user to have their photography at night. It gives you a go signal to shoot from 4K at 60FPS to 1080p at 240FPS! And don’t forget about their new voice control so you can still do whatever you want without holding it.

Highlights:

  • 4k/60fps; 1080p/240fps video
  • HDR and RAW photography
  • Custom GP1 processor
  • Voice controls
  • Improved EIS, dynamic range and low light performance


2.   Fujifilm X-T2

Bring home the whole adventure in your photos with this state-of-the-art camera. It does everything for you that a professional DSLR is not needed anymore.

Aside from its fast image processing, it also comes up with remarkable line lenses that made it more an all-around camera even when it’s mirrorless. Aiming for an advanced photo with basic knowledge of capturing an image? This is for you!

Highlights:

  • Dual SD card slots
  • Cinema 4K video
  • Weather-sealed body
  • Full-mechanical dial core settings
  • 24.3-MEGAPIXEL, 26.6MM X 15.6MM (APS-C) X-Trans CMOS III w/ primary color filter


3.    Sony A7 II

This is one of the best investment you can have for your travel journey. Other brands are having a hard time to catch up with Sony’s camera technology.

It gives low-light with less noise quality and bigger pixels for advanced footages. Enjoy boundless shots and higher resolution images with SONY A7 II!

Highlights:

  • 24 MP: 6000 x 4000
  • JPEG, RAW, RAW+JPEG
  • Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS SEL2870
  • In-body 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization
  • BIONZ X Image Processor


4.   Olympus OM-D E-M1 MARK II

Olympus made it easier to be remotely controlled using your smartphone. It’s one of the most promising cameras that was ever made. This is a handy travel gadget because it tightly locks on to its subjects that will give you a perfect photo of any moving object.

Its fabulous focus and fast shutter made it easier for the person behind it to accurately capture anything!

Highlights:

  • 60fps with an electronic shutter; 15fps with mechanical shutter
  • 60-megapixel High-res shot mode
  • 5-axis image stabilization
  • Cinema 4k video
  • 121-point dual fast autofocus

5.   Ricoh GR II

Built with ultra-slim and lightweight creativeness, this is the perfect art piece any traveler should have. Its weight is not a scam, it will give you an awesome shot with its fast autofocus. You will never miss any scene in this high quality and in fashionable style camera.

Highlights:

  • ISO 100 – 25600
  • 28mm f2.80 Prime Lens
  • 4.0fps continuous shooting
  • 1920 x 1080 video resolution 251g. 117 x 63 x 35mm

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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