In the moment, it will not be the time to discover that your camera’s zoom is not powerful enough. That’s why the “travel camera” genre is so popular and we bring you our curated list of best travel camera. These are compact cameras that are only slightly bigger than a standard model, but with quite large 20x or 30x zoom lenses. You get the portability of a regular camera, but with much more room to take pictures on different types of subjects.
Also, don’t forget to checkout our guide to the best compact cameras as they are also pretty good for travel.
With these best travel cameras, you will not get the same kind of quality as a DSLR or a mirrorless camera, because the only way to make big zoom devices small enough to fit in a pocket is to use a sensor smaller. But the quality of the image is still good enough, and perfect to share with friends and family.
If not, keep reading, because here is our list of the best compact travel cameras you can buy today.
Best travel camera:
1. Panasonic Lumix TZ100
Panasonic’s high-end travel camera is equipped with a larger sensor than the rest of the range.
Sensor : 1 inch type, 20.1MP
Lens : 25-250mm, f / 2.8-5.9
Monitor : 3.0 inches, 1040K dots
Viewfinder : EVF
Continuous shooting : 10 frames per second
Movies : 4K
User Level: Beginner / Intermediate
4K Movies
No touch screen
With the rise of high-end compacts like Sony’s excellent Cyber-shot RX100 V, which steals the limelight from compact travel zooms, Panasonic’s response has been to keep a camera case pretty much the same. Same size as its older ZS / TZ devices while inserting a much larger sensor in its Lumix ZS100 (known as the Lumix TZ100 out of the US). This allows the pixels to be about 2.4 times larger than in models like the Lumix ZS50 / TZ70 (see below), which helps the Lumix ZS100 to produce much better quality images.
The slight disadvantage is that the zoom lens is not as wide, but you still get an electronic viewfinder that makes it easy to shoot in bright sunlight. Furthermore, there is the addition of 4K video recording and 4K photo mode from Panasonic to help you capture, in picture (8 MP), your ephemeral moments.
All this place it as a powerful choice, although bit expensive.
2. Panasonic Lumix ZS50 / TZ70
Panasonic has virtually invented the travel camera, here is his best model.
Sensor : 1/2. 3 inches, 12.1MP
Lens : 24-720mm, f / 3.3-6.4
Monitor : 3.0 inches, 1040K dots
Viewfinder : EVF
Continuous shooting : 10 frames per second
Movies : 1080p
User Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Manual controls and RAW format
Not cheap
The Panasonic ZS / TZ series cameras kicked off all styles of big-zoom travel cameras, and they are still leading the pack.
The Lumix ZS50 (Lumix TZ70 out of the USA) may not be the newest model in the lineup, but with a big 30x zoom, automatic and manual controls and the ability to shoot in RAW format – a Big bonus for passionate photographers looking for the best quality on a small camera – and there is not much to complain about the price. The Lumix ZS50 is even equipped with an electronic viewfinder.
Admittedly, it’s not the biggest EVF, but it can be very practical in the bright light. It’s the Swiss army knife for travel cameras, combining comfort, quality and control. There are many imitations, but this one is the original.
3. Sony Cyber-shot HX90V
The Sony Cyber-shot HX90V is the zoom range of the ZS50 and adds GPS to the integrated location data.
Sensor : 1/2. 3-inch, 18.2MP
Lens : 24-720mm, f / 3.5-6.4
Monitor : 3.0-inch, 921K dots
Viewfinder : EVF
Continuous shooting : 10 frames per second
Movies : 1080p
User Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Built-in GPS
Ultra fast viewfinder complicated
The Cyber-shot HX90V shares the same 30x optical zoom range as the ZS50 / TZ70, but has some very valuable tricks of its own. It features an instant-view electronic viewfinder – a big bonus when reflecting bright, intense light – when ordinary LCDs can be hard to watch. There’s even a 180-degree tilt screen, and while you can not shoot in RAW format, the HX90V puts your photos on the map – literally – by recording the location with its built-in GPS receiver.
4. Panasonic Lumix ZS70 / TZ90
Panasonic’s latest travel compact is good, but a bit pricey.
Sensor : 1/2. 3 inch, 20.3MP
Lens : 24-720mm, f / 3.3-6.4
Monitor : Touch screen with tiltable 3.0 inches, 1.040 K dots
Viewfinder : EVF
Continuous shooting : 10 frames per second
Movies : 4 K
User Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Touchscreen
Loss of details at the end of the zoom
You may be wondering why the Lumix ZS70 (Lumix TZ90 out of the US) is lower in our list than the ZS50 / TZ70 – a device that now has two generations. The answer is simple: the transition from a resolution of 12 MP to 20 MP saw the quality of the image suffer in low light conditions because of the increase in the number of pixels. That said, we can note the popular addition of 4K video capture and excellent touch interface. There is also a very good touch screen that now deviates from the body for selfies and the integrated EVF – it could be better, but some rivals at the same price do not even have one.
5. Canon PowerShot SX730 HS
Huge zoom in a slender body.
Sensor : 1/2. 3 inches, 20.3MP
Lens : 24-960mm, f / 3.3-6.9
Monitor : 3.0-inch tiltable display, 922,000K dots
Viewfinder : No
Continuous shooting: 5.9fps
Movies : 1080p
User Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Robust manufacturing quality
Non-touch LCD
The Canon PowerShot SX730 HS is a kind of two-part story. The good news is that it has a nice structure and is generally pleasant to use, with good responsiveness in most aspects of its use. If you want an easy-to-use camera, with a wide zoom range and everything else, the SX730 HS may be what you’re looking for.
The downside is that the PowerShot SX730 HS does not have some of the characteristics of its rivals, although it is one of the most expensive options in its class. 4K video, touch operation, electronic level, and even the ability to move the focus point; if you want one of these features, you will have to look elsewhere.
6. Canon PowerShot SX710 HS
The SX710 HS turns your travels into story with your photos and movies.
Sensor : 1/2. 3 inches, 16 MP
Lens : 25-600mm, f / 3.2-6.9
Monitor : 3 inches, 460K dots
Viewfinder : No
Continuous shooting: 11.5fps
Movies : 1080p
User Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Interesting movie options
No viewfinder
The Canon PowerShot SX710 HS offers a 30x zoom, just like the Panasonic ZS50 / TZ70, except it costs a little less – but you do not get a RAW photo or an electronic viewfinder. You get 5-axis image stabilization and a slew of video options, including 60p high-definition for slow-motion playback and an automatic hybrid mode that captures both images and images. movies – you can then create a Story Highlights movie directly from your camera.
The SX710 HS is on par with its opponents regarding video recording, but far surpasses them by making it an easy and fun way to capture your travels. It is worth considering if you have a tight budget and if you are going to take as many photos as there are movies.
7. Nikon Coolpix A900
Slim and solid, the A900 offers a great zoom at a lower cost.
Sensor : 1/2. 3 inches, 20.3MP
Lens : 24-840mm, f / 3.4-6.9
Monitor : 3.0 inches, 921,000 dots
Viewfinder : No
Continuous shooting : 7 frames per second
Movies : 4 K
User Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Variable angle screen
No viewfinder
Like the Coolpix S9900 it replaces, we find many things in this A900 for a Nikon. The combination of its compact construction and 35x optical zoom range are the main attractions of this compact zoom travel camera. The handling is good overall, and the tilting screen is a nice touch, although there is no built-in viewfinder. The Coolpix takes advantage of Nikon’s SnapBridge Wi-Fi system to transfer images.
Although the image quality of this device is not the best here, it is nevertheless solid, and overall, has a good quality / price ratio.
