The best cameras for travelling

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

It can’t have escaped your attention that people like to take photographs when they travel. In fact, people who barely use their phone’s camera in regular life are often eager to document new places, wonderful landscapes, buildings, water features, art, nature, people, animals, and, of course, those ever-brilliant sunsets.

If you’re going to spend most of your trip with a camera in your hand, then you should probably think about investing in a decent device. There are lots of great travel cameras on the market from a bunch of leading brands, so you have plenty of choice.

With so many options to consider, we’ve gathered the best mirrorless, DSLR, compact, instant, and GoPro cameras to help inform your decision. If that sounds confusing, here’s some information on each type of camera.

What are the different types of camera?

DSLR — DSLR cameras are digital cameras with larger sensors that can capture higher-quality images, interchangeable lenses (meaning the photographer can adapt the camera to fit the specific environment they’re photographing), and a long battery life.  These cameras are the largest (and heaviest) of the bunch because the camera’s body houses a mirror inside, which reflects the light that comes in from the camera’s lens into the viewfinder (where one looks when taking a photograph). They do tend to be expensive, but we have lined up a good option. It’s pricey but excellent quality.

Mirrorless — Mirrorless cameras also produce high-quality images. They’re smaller and lighter than DSLR cameras, but they usually have a much shorter battery life. You might have to carry around an extra battery depending on how long your trip is. Mirrorless cameras tend to be slightly more affordable than DSLR cameras, and they have become increasingly more popular.

Point-and-shoot/compact — Point-and-shoot aka compact cameras offer good image quality in general, though not always on the level of DSLR and mirrorless. If you’re looking for a camera that will take a clear, simple photo, these are a solid option. Some compact cameras are built to withstand underwater submersion or a couple of falls, so if you’re going on a particularly rugged trip, compact might be the right option. “Compact” is an apt description. They are lighter and smaller than mirrorless and DSLR models. They tend to be cheaper than or priced similarly as mirrorless cameras.

Instant — The image quality on instant film cameras is low compared to the other choices on this list, however many enjoy the novelty of the simple, nostalgia-inducing photos taken by film cameras. The camera itself is a manageable size, but keep in mind that when carrying instant film cameras around, you’ll also want to bring film and have space to safely store the photos you take. Instant film cameras are the cheapest of the bunch, however film is sold separately at about £10 a pack.

GoPro — GoPro cameras are primarily used for capturing first-person video footage and can withstand harsh conditions. GoPros aren’t as fit for traditional photography as the other types of cameras on this list, but if you want to capture an outdoors-focused holiday on video, a GoPro is easily the best choice. GoPros are the smallest of all the cameras listed and are so light that users can easily wear the cameras on their heads using a head strap (sold separately). The GoPro in our list below is cheaper than most of the cameras listed here.

Keep these categories in mind when searching for your perfect camera.

Do cameras capture live video?

In 2023, it’s hard to imagine any camera not doubling up and taking live video as well as still images. All the cameras on this list capture video too. The real question is, what quality is the video? Most of these cameras capture 4K resolution. Some cameras capture lower resolution, such as 1080p HD, or even 5K and higher. Manufacturers tend to advertise video quality based on a camera’s fps (frames per second) capabilities. The higher the fps, the smoother the video.

Can you upload photos to social media?

Once again, this is now standard with cameras of a certain quality (and price point). We live in a social media-powered world, after all. And if you’re documenting your travels, especially as a blogger or vlogger, social media will be crucial. Some cameras connect to an app via WiFi or Bluetooth and allow you to upload directly.

What is the best camera for travelling?

We can’t say for definite because everyone’s travels — not to mention everyone’s photography requirements — are different. What we can do is round up a selection of the best and leave it up to you to decide.

These are the best cameras for travelling in 2023.