Backpackers travel only with the essentials, and a camera is one of them. Having few possessions is crucial to keeping your luggage lightweight and easy to rummage through. So which are the best cameras for backpacking that won’t break the bank, and what features should you be looking for? Let’s take a closer look.
What Makes For A Good Backpacking Camera?
A good travel camera has to suit your travel style. Keep in mind the following so your camera doesn’t become a liability while on the road:
Size Matters
In this case, the smaller the better. The smallest high-quality cameras are action-oriented, with brands like GoPro and DJI leading the pack. Point-and-shoots are popular as they rival the size of your smartphone but usually produce better quality images. Mirrorless cameras are the biggest you should go, and they offer lens interchangeability. While they aren’t exactly “compact”, they’re still small enough to be traveled with while producing very high-quality photos and videos.
Having a small camera that easily fits into any backpack or daypack is a space saver. They’re also lightweight so you won’t be overloaded when carrying them on your back or shooting for long periods of time.
Make Sure It’s Durable
The quality of materials and workmanship is important to get the most out of your investment. Cameras under $1000 are usually built with inferior materials compared to their high-end brethren (ie. bodies made of plastic polycarbonate vs. magnesium alloy). Spend as much as you can afford and avoid a camera that feels cheap or is made with overly inferior materials. Most reputable brands produce good-quality cameras across the board, but some models are more prone to wear and tear.
Invest In Functions You’ll Use
Modern cameras can do a whole bunch of things to help you get that perfect shot. Look for a camera that has a specific function(s) you’ll need for your photography. For example, if you regularly shoot fast-moving wildlife, make sure the camera has fast shutter speeds and a high frame rate for speed burst. If you’re a night shooter, you’ll need a camera with a large sensor, and a lens with a low/wide aperture. Whatever your style, do your homework so that you don’t run into problems down the road.
Weatherproof
Backpacking the world exposes you to every kind of weather. Some cameras are built with weather sealing materials, allowing you to shoot in the very worst conditions. If you anticipate being in cold or rainy climates regularly, go with a camera that caters to those environments to best protect your investment.
2021’s Best Cameras For Backpacking
There’s no shortage of cameras that can be used for backpacking. The ones below have been broken down into three categories, with multiple cost-effective options to choose from.
Pro tip: Save money on your new camera by purchasing the previous year’s model. Image quality is usually on par with the current model, and new features are minimally upgraded.
1. Action Cameras
An action camera is designed to capture a scene while the shooter is immersed in it, POV style. They mainly shoot video but can also be used for stills. Action cameras cater to the adventurous traveler and can be used on a selfie stick or worn on a harness/mount. The footage is usually shot while engaging in sports activities like skiing, motorbiking, surfing, or bungee jumping.
GoPro Hero 10
GoPro is almost 20 years old and is the undisputed king of the action cam market. The new GoPro Hero 10 is their latest incarnation. It offers 23 MP image quality, 5.3K video up to 60 fps, and 4k up to 120fps. Also included is their Hypersmooth 4.0 image stabilization to eliminate any shake in your footage. A 2.27” touchscreen back panel rounds out this camera that can easily fit in the palm of your hand.
Camera Size: 2.8” (H) x 2.2” (W) x 1.3” (D) / 153 grams (5.4 ounces)
Sensor Size: 1”
Lens: Ultra Wide, 16.5mm full-frame equivalent
Battery: Rechargeable 1720mAh Lithium Ion
Weather-Sealed: Waterproof up to 10 meters (33 feet)
Price: $499 USD
DJI Pocket 2
The DJI Pocket 2 is vertically designed with the camera housed on a small gimbal. Using its 3-axis stabilization, you can get smooth-as-butter video at all times. The downside to the gimbal is that it makes the unit slightly more fragile than other action cams. Regardless, it gives a whopping 64MP of JPG quality, 16MP of RAW, and shoots 4K video as well. The Pocket 2 can also connect to your phone if you require a bigger screen for monitoring.
Camera Size: 4.9” (L) x 1.5” (W) x 1.18” (H) / 116 grams (4.1 ounces)
Sensor Size: 1/1.7” CMOS
Lens: Ultra Wide, 20 mm full-frame equivalent, 93° FOV
Battery: 140 mins of battery life
Weather-Sealed: Waterproof up to 10 meters (33 feet)
Price: $349 USD
Insta360 Go 2
One of the smallest cameras available (it’s roughly the size of your pinky), this is an impressive action cam that shoots 9MP photos and 3k video. It has 32GB of internal storage, shoots up to 1080p120 slo-mo video, and has 6-axis gyro stabilization. One of the coolest things about it is the case can be transformed into a tripod (or attached to a large tripod), and it has magnetic mounting using a necklace pendant. This eliminates the harness that other action cams require for POV shooting.
Camera Size: 2” (W) x 0.9” (H) x 0.8″ (D) / 26.5 g (0.9 oz)
Lens: Ultra Wide, 11.24mm full-frame equivalent
Battery: Rechargeable 1100mAh Lithium Ion, 2.5 Hours per Charge
Weather-Sealed: IPX8 waterproof up to 3.4 meters (13 feet)
Price: $299 USD
2. Point-And-Shoot
Point-and-shoot cameras are the simplest cameras to operate. They’re small, have a fixed lens, and an autofocus system for quick snaps on the fly. They’re great cameras for backpackers, as their image quality is usually a step up from small sensor cameras like smartphones. However, they still lack the high quality that a mirrorless camera offers.
Olympus Tough TG-6
Available in red or black, this camera’s selling feature is its durability, but it also has a lot of great features packed in. It shoots 12 MP images, has both RAW and JPG formats, and can be used in manual or scene mode. Video shooting goes up to 4K at 30p. Multiple autofocus modes can be used as single, tracking, super macro, or manual, and the entire camera is waterproof up to 49 feet deep. Additionally, it can withstand 200 lbs. (100kg) of pressure, a 6.9 foot (2.1 meters) drop, cold temperatures to -10°C, and is anti-fog so your lens always stays clear.
Camera Size: 4.45” x 2.6” x 1.26″ / 253 grams (0.56 lbs.)
Sensor Size: 1/2.3″ (6.17 x 4.55 mm) BSI-CMOS
Lens: Standard to Telephoto: 25mm to 100mm full-frame equivalent
Battery: Up to 340 photos
Weather-Sealed: Waterproof up to 15 meters (49 feet)
Price: $449 USD
Sony RX100VA
This camera expands on Sony’s RX100V by including new metering, white balance, and faster autofocus options. It’s known for its tack-sharp 20MP images, courtesy of its impressive Zeiss lens. The tilting LCD screen on the back comes in handy, and shooting can be as wide as f/1.8. The Sony RX100 line has multiple variations of this camera, with some having more features than others. It’s one of the best point-and-shoots available and fits neatly in your pocket.
Camera Size: 4.02” x 2.28” x 1.61″ / 299 grams (0.66 lbs.)
Sensor Size: 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) Stacked CMOS
Lens: Wide to Telephoto: 24mm to 70mm full-frame equivalent
Battery: Up to 220 photos
Weather-Sealed: No
Price: $999 USD
Fuji X100V
Available in black or silver, the Fuji X100V has been dubbed the perfect travel camera. It boasts a 26 MP APS-C sensor and a 23mm f2 fixed pancake lens. This combination makes its photo quality exceptional while keeping the overall size of the camera small. A tilting LCD screen is included, and Fuji’s film simulation presets provide stylized variety for your shots. The knock on the X100V is that it has slow autofocus and tends to struggle in low-light conditions. But for amateur shooters, this is one of the most engaging cameras you can use for travel photography.
Camera Size: 5.04” (W) x 2.94” (H) x 2.1″ (D) / 476 grams (1.05 lbs.)
Sensor Size: 23.5mm x 15.6 mm APS-C CMOS
Lens: Wide: 23mm (35mm full-frame equivalent)
Battery: Up to 2.75 hours of use
Weather-Sealed: No
Price: $1399 USD
3. Mirrorless Cameras
Mirrorless cameras are designed without a reflex mirror in them. DSLR cameras (the mirrorless camera predecessor), use a prism and mirror mechanics which add bulk and weight to their bodies. By removing them, mirrorless cameras are smaller and lighter while still offering high-quality images. They also allow for lens interchangeability so you can shoot photos at your ideal focal length.
Nikon Z50
While small, the Nikon Z50 handles great. It has a large grip that makes it ergonomically on par with a small DSLR. The sensor provides 21MP resolution, video can be shot in 4K, and the camera uses Nikon’s Z-mount for lens swapping. The back screen flips up which makes it an ideal camera for vlogging or taking shameless travel selfies. Face and eye detection are present as well, and you can shoot continuously at 11 fps. This is a solid entry-level mirrorless camera that renders beautiful Nikon colors for any style of photography.
Camera Size: 5” x 3.7” x 2.36″/ 450 grams (0.99 lbs.)
Sensor Size: 23.5 x 15.6 mm APS-C CMOS
Battery: 320 shots per charge
Weather-Sealed: No
Price: $860 USD (body only)
Fuji X-T30
Fuji’s X-T30 is a downsized version of their high-end X-T3 model. They’ve taken out some premium features but image quality isn’t one of them. It boasts the same 26.1MP X-Trans sensor and quad-core processor which aids in video and fast autofocusing. There are limited frame rate options with 4K video (like most mid-range cameras), but plenty of choices if shooting 1080p. The camera’s display screen is touch-activated, but you can also use the provided joystick if you prefer. While it tilts, the screen doesn’t flip or fully articulate which can be a downer for some. Overall, this is a superb camera for the money.
Camera Size: 4.65” x 3.27” x 1.85″ / 383 g (0.84 lbs.)
Sensor Size: 23.5 x 15.6 mm APS-C CMOS
Battery: 380 shots per charge
Weather-Sealed: No
Price: $899 USD (body only)
Sony a6400
Sony’s a6400 takes great 24 MP photos, but it’s a mini-powerhouse where video is concerned. Vloggers will get a lot of use from it, as it shoots 4K at 24, 25, or 30fps, and also captures 1080p up to 120fps. The back screen flips up for monitoring and it can be used as a touchscreen or with the provided dial. Sony’s famous autofocus system is proudly on display here, with 425 detection points tracking eyes and moving subjects in real-time. The knock on the a6400 is that it lacks image stabilization, but that’s no different from its competition in this price range.
Camera Size: 4.72” x 2.64” x 2.36″ / 403 g (0.89 lbs.)
Sensor Size: 23.5 x 15.6 mm APS-C CMOS
Battery: 360 shots per charge
Weather-Sealed: No
Price: $899 USD (body only)
Have Camera, Will Travel
The best cameras for backpacking are the ones that get the job done and do it well. Some shooters need a photography-minded camera, while others prefer a hybrid photo and video camera. Once you’re clear on what your needs are, you shouldn’t have any issues finding a camera (or two) to suit your travel needs.
About Post Author
