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There are many different factors when considering the best budget travel camera. Of course, the most important factor is the camera’s price. How much a good camera costs is very subjective. Professional photographers may be willing to pay a bit more for their budget options. So I have included some slightly more expensive options for professionals on this list.
The camera’s size and weight are a close second to the most important factor. Reducing the weight of your suitcase is always helpful when traveling. You also want to ensure you’re not carrying around a camera that will have your shoulders slumped.
Other factors to consider are the camera’s ease of use, weatherproof abilities, and battery life. Whether you plan to go skiing or on a sun holiday may be a deciding factor too. You will have to decide through your own personal preferences which will work for your travel photography. Even the look and style of the camera are a factor to consider! Now let’s dive into the top budget travel cameras on the market today!
What is the Best Budget Camera for Travel?
Before we discuss each camera in detail, here is an overview of the travel cameras we will be looking at. Be sure to read on to see why we picked each camera before making your decision.
- Sony a7 III
- Fujifilm X-Pro3
- Sony ZV-E10
- Nikon Z fc
- GoPro Hero10 Black
- Fujifilm X100V
- Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
- Canon EOS Rebel SL3 / 250D
- Olympus Pen E-PL10
- Nikon D5600
- Olympus Tough TG-6
11 Best Budget Travel Cameras (in Detail!)
Now let’s take you through an in-depth view of each budget travel camera. Each camera has different factors that may benefit different people. It is important to have an understanding of what kind of camera you want—small, convenient, or powerful. Make sure you read each description in depth to understand each camera’s pros and cons.
1. Sony A7 III
Best Budget Travel Camera
Sony a7 III
- Resolution
- 24.2 MP
- Sensor
- Full Frame
- Video
- 4K
- Weight
- 650 g
Highlights
- Small and relatively lightweight
- Cheap as its an older model
- Amazing image quality
- Durable construction with weather sealing for added protection
Trade-Offs
- Noise reduction can remove details
- Front heavy with big lenses
- Menu system is difficult to get used to
2. Fujifilm X-Pro 3
Best Budget Carry-Along Camera
Fujifilm X-Pro3
- Resolution
- 26 MP
- Sensor
- APS-C
- Video
- 4K
- Weight
- 497 g
Highlights
- Good looking design
- Compact design easily fits in bag or pocket
- Interchangeable lenses
- High-quality sound for videography
Trade-Offs
- Optical viewfinder doesn't work properly with wide or long lenses
- Face and eye detection are unreliable
- Hard to switch focus from near to far
- Limited LCD angles prevents use above eye level
- Slow-to-focus f/1.4 lenses
- Low-resolution LCD
3. Sony ZV-E10
Best Compact Camera for Travel
Sony ZV-E10
- Resolution
- 24 MP
- Sensor
- APS-C
- Video
- 4K
- Weight
- 343 g
Highlights
- High-resolution sensor captures sharp photos & vivid video
- Interchangeable lenses
- Small
- 8x zoom helps capture distant objects with clarity
- Hybrid autofocus
Trade-Offs
- No sensor-shift stabilization, only a shake reduction system
- Visible rolling shutter effect with tracking shots
- The lack of a viewfinder is disappointing
- 4K video is cropped at 30 fps
4. Nikon Z fc
Best Looking Budget Travel Camera
Nikon Z fc
- Resolution
- 21 MP
- Sensor
- APS-C
- Video
- 4K
- Weight
- 445 g
Highlights
- Good resolution for stunning images
- Classic style
- Advanced weather sealing for shooting in any environment
- Rugged
- Small
Trade-Offs
- Slow performing kit lens
- No optical image stabilization
- It lacks a built-in flash
- No joystick
- Battery life isn't great
5. GoPro Hero10
Best Budget Travel Camera for Action
GoPro Hero10 Black
- Resolution
- 23 MP
- Sensor
- Not recorded
- Video
- 5K
- Weight
- 153 g
Highlights
- Extremely durable
- Amazing video
- Perfect for sport
- Rugged and waterproof up to 33ft
- Weather-sealed body, ideal for outdoor usage
Trade-Offs
- Struggles in low-light conditions
- The touchscreen is small and fiddly
- Battery life could be better
- Overheats at higher video settings
- Mobile video editing only possible with latest smartphones
6. Fujifilm X100V
Best Budget Travel Camera for Size
Fujifilm X100V
- Resolution
- 26 MP
- Sensor
- APS-C
- Video
- 4K
- Weight
- 478 g
Highlights
- Stylish vintage look
- High-speed EXPEED 6 image processor
- Very compact
- Big sensor for small size
- Weather-sealed body, ideal for outdoor usage
Trade-Offs
- Slow AF and poor with optical viewfinder
- Lacks in-body image stabilization
- Limited customization
- Complicated menus
- Optional weather sealing costs extra
7. Canon Powershot G7X III
Best Budget Canon Travel Camera
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
- Resolution
- 20 MP
- Sensor
- 1"
- Video
- 4K
- Weight
- 304 g
Highlights
- Compact size and lightweight
- Rugged weather sealing for protection against the elements
- Great features
- Easy to use
- High-speed shooting up to 30 fps
Trade-Offs
- Soft focus at wider focal lengths
- No subject tracking in continuous shooting mode
- No electronic viewfinder
- Weak battery life for a compact
- 10 minute 4K recording limit
8. Canon 250D
Most Affordable DSLR Camera for Travel
Canon EOS Rebel SL3 / 250D
- Resolution
- 24 MP
- Sensor
- APS-C
- Video
- 4K
- Weight
- 449 g
Highlights
- Small and relatively lightweight DSLR
- Easy to use
- Great value for a DSLR
- Nice 24MP sensor for clear travel shots
- Long battery life
Trade-Offs
- Only 9 autofocus points
- Lacks in-body image stabilization
- No USB charging
- No weather sealing
- 1.7x 4K crop factor
9. Olympus PEN E-PL10
Best Budget Olympus Travel Camera
Olympus Pen E-PL10
- Resolution
- 16 MP
- Sensor
- Micro Four Thirds
- Video
- 4K
- Weight
- 380 g
Highlights
- Stylish and compact body
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Great in-body image stabilization
- 16.1MP Live MOS sensor
Trade-Offs
- Dated 16 MP sensor
- AF unreliable in low light
- Menu system Is difficult to navigate
- No audio jack for external mics
10. Nikon D5600
Best Budget Nikon DSLR for Travel
Nikon D5600
- Resolution
- 24.2 MP
- Sensor
- APS-C
- Video
- Full HD
- Weight
- 465 g
Highlights
- Cheap and cheerful DSLR, great for beginners
- Great range of features
- Connect to compatible devices via Bluetooth
- Fast 39-point AF system
Trade-Offs
- Autofocus isn't great in video mode
- No dual memory card slots
- No USB charging
- No Nikon Fine-Tune function to adjust AF for specific lenses
11. Olympus Tough TG-6
Best Waterproof Budget Travel Camera
Olympus Tough TG-6
- Resolution
- 12 MP
- Sensor
- 1/2.3”
- Video
- 4K
- Weight
- 253 g
Highlights
- Rugged construction: waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, freezeproof
- Best for tough environments
- Great quality
- Wi-Fi & GPS connectivity to enable remote shooting & geotagging
Trade-Offs
- Only 12 MP image resolution
- No fully manual controls
- No touchscreen
- Annoying notifications with Wi-Fi app
Our Verdict
After looking through this list of budget travel cameras, we can see a range of options to choose from. Each holiday will benefit from different camera features. You’ll really need to know what kind of holidays you go on. Do you like taking relaxing photos of the beach or on a leisurely stroll through a city? Or do you want footage of you going surfing and mountain biking? The main points to consider are weight and functionality. I would say that if you are buying a camera set up specifically for travel, the Sony A7 III is the best option.
Once you have decided on your ideal destination, return to this list to find the best camera that suits your needs!
Common Travel Camera FAQs
What Is the Best Camera to Take On Vacation?
This depends on what kind of activities you’ll be doing on holiday. If you’re looking to do more extreme adventures, an action camera like the GoPro Hero10 or the Olympus Tough TG-6 is best. But if you want the highest image quality from a camera that’s easy to carry around while you explore a new city, the Sony A7 III is perfect.
Which Is the Best Budget Travel Camera?
The best budget camera for travel is the GoPro Hero10. It’s mostly aimed at creating video footage, but it takes fantastic still photos. It’s easy to use for beginners and very small, making it ideal for travel photography and video. If you are traveling with adventures in mind, the Go Pro Hero10 will ensure that you get liquid footage.
What Should I Look For in a Travel Camera?
This depends on what you want to use it for. But the most important feature of a camera for traveling is its small size and light weight. Other factors to consider are the camera’s ease of use, weatherproof abilities, and battery life. Features like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity that makes it easy to upload to social media can be a plus, too.
Which Sony Camera is Best For Travel Photography?
The Sony A7 III is our recommended best camera for travel photography. This is a powerful camera, but cheaper than newer models. It produces incredible images in a wide range of settings. But if you’re looking for a smaller camera with interchangeable lenses, the Sony ZV-1 is an excellent camera for travel.
If you still are not sure which camera to go for, our recent Sony a7R III review or Sony vs Nikon mirrorless debate will give you food for thought! Or, why not check out these trending camera comparisons for more inspiration:
