11 Best Budget Travel Cameras (Top Picks for Travel 2024!)

The Sony A7 III is the best option for professional photographers who want a powerful camera for travel. It is not the newest camera in Sony’s A7 range. This means the A7 III will be cheaper while still having amazing abilities. Professional photographers may have a big, bulky kit. By getting a mirrorless camera, you’ll reduce the weight and size of your standard kit. You are still able to use interchangeable lenses on the Sony A7III. This means that the size and weight of your equipment will be dictated by the lenses you decide to bring with you.

The size and weight are slightly smaller than its newer sibling, the Sony A7 IV. This size will fit without being too much of a handful. You will also notice that without a lens attached, the Sony A7 III can slide into many places in your baggage to stay safe. Sony’s A7 also allows you to film in 4K video. It can only achieve 4K at 30 fps, but at least you have the option to take great videos to show off your environment.

Sony’s A7 III is a full frame camera with a powerful sensor. Considering its ISO range, autofocus point, and battery life, you have the ultimate travel camera. All these features will ensure that you are shooting your locations in the highest quality possible! But the price is more “budget friendly” for a professional.

If you’re curious, check out these popular competitors compared with the A7 III:

• Sony A7 III vs Sony a7R IV
• Nikon Z5 vs Sony a7 III
• Canon EOS 5D Mark II vs Sony A7 III
• Fujifilm X-T5 vs Sony A7 III
• Pentax K-3 Mark III vs Sony A7 III
• Panasonic Lumix DC-GH6 vs Sony A7 III

Fujifilm’s X-Pro 3 is the kind of camera you want hanging off your shoulder during your travels. Not only because it is light but because it looks stylish while taking amazing photos. The X-Pro 3 is a mirrorless camera that looks similar to old 35 mm cameras. In such a compact camera, Fuji has managed to pack in a 26 megapixel sensor as well as 4K video quality that can shoot up to 120 fps! Few mirrorless cameras can achieve these same features, and the Fujifilm X-Pro 3 won’t break the bank.

You will find that the camera’s body is made of robust material. A couple of knocks here and there won’t compromise its performance. Fujifilm also put a lot of attention into its weather-resistant abilities. They allow you to use your X-Pro 3 in the rain without worrying about water getting into the camera. Of course, you shouldn’t push this too far, as everything is only waterproof up to a certain point.

My favorite aspect of this camera in terms of a budget travel camera is its ease of use. Every button on the camera is there to give you quick control over your image. This is even reflected in its option to choose between the electronic or optical viewfinder. You will be able to change this at the press of a button. The electronic viewfinder allows you to see your image’s exposure in real time before you press the shutter.

Sony’s ZV-E10 sits at the top of this list if you’re looking for a compact travel camera with interchangeable lenses. It is aimed toward vloggers, but all its features still make it an amazing camera for travel. Some of these features that are good for travel are its autofocus and light body. The autofocus has many AI features. It can identify your eye for the sharpest possible image. The AI can also identify animals and other subjects you may want to photograph on your travels.

The Sony ZV-E10 is the best camera for anyone who wants to take selfies during their travels, thanks to the bokeh switch. The bokeh switch automatically blurs the background to put added focus on you. Of course, travel photography aims to get your surroundings in, so you may not use the bokeh button. But, the ZV-E10 with a wide-angle lens will be able to capture you, your friends, and the surroundings in complete clarity.

If you want to produce videos, you get 4K abilities at 120 fps! Because the camera is so light, it’s perfect for filming yourself in different fun locations. You won’t need to worry about audio, as Sony has invested the time to develop its built-in microphone. The microphone comes with three separate mics and a windshield, so you can get good audio even outdoors.

The Sony ZV-E10 is the perfect travel companion for someone who wants to take photos and make videos. You will not get the control professionals will be looking for in their photography. But, the camera would work well for any photographer who wants to shoot on auto with great results.

The Nikon Z fc is one of Nikon’s newest mirrorless cameras. Instantly I am drawn to its looks. It is modeled around Nikon’s classic 35 mm cameras in both look and size. I am a big fan of the top dials. Nikon has managed to simplify manual features into these dials. They’re not overwhelming to look at for beginners. A vintage-looking camera with great digital image quality!

It is amazing the technology they can now fit in a camera the same size as these old cameras. In the Z fc body, you will find a 21 MP APS-C sensor with 4K, 120 fps video abilities. You also get a high count of autofocus points to help you get the sharpest shot possible.

As a cropped sensor, the Nikon Z fc will take DX mount lenses. These are not the top range of lenses, but they are still of amazing quality. The benefit is that your lens options will all be cheaper and still provide you with professional quality. The Z fc is built with a magnesium alloy, which means the camera is both durable and light. It also has weather sealing so your camera should survive if you get caught in bad weather.

One feature that makes the Nikon Z fc among the top travel cameras is that you can charge the camera through a USB cable. You can charge your camera with a portable charger or a USB port. You probably have another cable that will work in your luggage already. This allows you to reduce the amount of electrical equipment you take on your travels with you.

The GoPro has solidified itself as one of the best sports cameras in the world. These same qualities transfer perfectly for travel photography, minus the manual controls. The GoPro Hero10 is the perfect compact camera if you only intend to use your camera gear for point-and-shoot purposes. You can fit the camera in your pocket, pull it out, and take a picture in seconds. The GoPro is known for its amazing weather sealing abilities. You can take photos and videos anywhere, even up to 33 feet underwater.

The GoPro Hero10 is primarily for video but you can take quality images at the click of a button. You are even able to take photographs while creating films. Video is very popular in travel photography nowadays, especially on social media. So, the GoPro could be for you if you plan to put content on your social media sites. It’s even one of our recommended cameras for podcasters!

The perfect selfie will be easy to get with a screen at the front and the back of the camera. I am a big fan of the amazing image stabilization in the GoPro Hero10. If you are traveling with adventures in mind, the Go Pro Hero10 will ensure that you get liquid footage.

For all these reasons, I would say the GoPro Hero10 is the best budget camera for those who want the least amount of control from their compact camera. The other great feature of the GoPro series is that they make loads of accessories to accompany your camera. It’s almost certain they have accessories for whatever scenario you need. They’ve recently released the upgraded Hero11 which is worth checking out too!

Fujifilm’s X100V is one of the best mirrorless travel cameras as it has a small, flat fixed lens. The X100 series has been extremely popular thanks to this winning formula as a cropped sensor camera with a fixed lens and full manual controls. It is also an extremely light and compact camera. It’s even small enough to fit in an oversized pocket or a fanny pack. Its weight and size won’t have your arm aching at all. It is so small that it feels like and can be operated as a standard point-and-shoot camera.

The Fujifilm X100V also has a built-in flash, electronic or optical viewfinder, and a tilting LCD screen. Considering these features, Fujifilm has managed to pack everything into such a small camera body. They have also spent time developing their low-light abilities. The X100V has a high ISO and a great processor that can deal with long-exposure images quickly. Fujifilm has also improved its autofocus abilities. Not only does this mean more AF points, but also a quicker AF time. All these elements together mean you can take a great photo in just a few seconds.

One of my favorite parts about Fujifilm cameras is the film simulations they have in the camera. This is a welcome feature for anyone who likes film photography or photographing in a particular style. You can choose from their extensive range of films, which also come with numerous black and white options. In-camera film simulation modes help you get into the rhythm of shooting in a particular style. You will also see a live view of your image through the electronic viewfinder.

One of Canon’s point-and-shoot cameras finds its way onto the best camera for travel list with their Powershot G7 X III. This is a small camera that can produce amazing results. It is a point-and-shoot ready to fit into your pocket, but it’s still packed with features and delivers great image quality. You get a 20 MP camera from a 1″ sensor. Canon also gives you a built-in flash and an LCD that you can tilt to get the ideal shot. You will also find that the camera can record video in 4K!

My favorite aspect of the Canon Powershot G7 X III is how easy it is to use. This is made the most evident in its remote control function. Canon has made a smartphone app that links to your Powershot. This app allows you to control the camera, telling it to photograph, take a video, or change its settings.

I recommend this camera to any photographer who doesn’t want to use manual controls. If you know you will simply point your camera and shoot at arm’s length, this is the camera for you. You still get fantastic image quality with a 4.2x optical zoom lens. The camera would also suit anyone who wants to wants to shoot a video for their social media pages. You can easily format your videos to a social media size thanks to vertical video support.

The Canon 250D is one of the lightest DSLR cameras you will find on the market today, weighing only 450g! Canon claims it is the lightest DSLR camera with a movable screen in the world! A movable and articulating screen is a great feature to consider when picking your camera for travel. A movable screen will also match up well with the camera’s 4K video abilities. These two features together will allow you to capture beautiful videos with ease.

Not only does the 250D have great image quality, but it also extremely easy to use. The user interface comes with a guided user interface that will take you through and explain each function in simple terms. You will also find the ease of use extends to many other aspects of this DSLR camera. Most noticeably through the superb Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus. The autofocus system has Eye Auto Focus and Live View autofocus abilities. Both these functions will allow you to get the sharpest images possible when traveling.

The Olympus PEN E-PL10 is a Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera that is small, light, and easy to use. This handheld camera could be the perfect travel companion for an entry-level photographer. Or a professional that doesn’t want to mess around with manual settings.

The Olympus PEN series is a line of interchangeable lens cameras based on Olympus’ analog point-and-shoot camera range. This is why the camera has this fantastic looking classic aesthetic. So it may be a great choice for someone who wants to match their camera to their stylish outfit.

One of the best features of this camera is that it allows you to send images straight to your smartphone with a single click. The PEN’s integrated Wi-Fi and Olympus’ Share App allow you to easily connect your phone and transfer your favorite images. This is an excellent feature to have in a camera for travel, especially if you don’t plan on bringing a laptop. A feature like this allows you to use your favorite images for social media or send them to friends and family without uploading all your images.

The Olympus PEN E-PL10 is one of the mirrorless cameras that has in-body image stabilization. This will improve the image quality in tough situations. You will also find there are 4K video options.

Nikon’s D5600 is another one of the smaller DSLR cameras on the market. Even though it is a small camera, it still packs a punch with its image quality and autofocus abilities. These features alone make it an ideal camera for travel. Even though it’s a compact travel camera, you can still feel a secure grip on the camera body. This will help you feel secure, especially if you want to use bigger, more expensive lenses. The camera body also features a vari-angle touchscreen. This feature will help you take better photos in tricky situations.

My favorite feature of the Nikon D5600 is Nikon’s SnapBridge app. Bluetooth technology establishes a constant connection between your camera and a smart device. Once you connect, photographs will automatically appear in your app once the photo has been snapped. Features like this make the Nikon D5600 an ideal camera for travel.

The D5600 also comes with in-camera creative tools and time-lapse settings. Both these extra features will allow amateurs to experiment and have more fun with photography.

The Olympus Tough TG-6 is a budget camera built for the toughest conditions. The Tough cameras are waterproof, crushproof, freezeproof, dustproof, and shockproof. This would be the ideal camera for those who are into extreme adventure holidays.

It’s perfect for anyone who enjoys underwater sports and other activities in unfavorable conditions. You can take the camera up to 15 meters underwater. And it works in environments as cold as 10 degrees Celsius. The lens even has a special anti-fogging glass that prevents lens fogging due to sudden temperature changes.

The camera itself has a 12 MP blacklit sensor with one of the latest image processors from Olympus. You will also get a 4x digital zoom with a 2x digital teleconverter. This allows you to shoot in a similar focal length to a 200 mm lens! You will also find macro abilities and different underwater shooting options.

I am a big fan of the crushproof, durable body. The camera can take someone standing on it or being dropped from 2.1 meters. You will have no worries putting your camera at the bottom of a full bag or banging against rocks. All these features make it a great camera for travel.