You may have heard the phrase, “The best camera is the one you have with you,” which for most of us, most of the time, is our smartphone. The idea is that a phone camera that you’re carrying is better than a high-resolution DSLR left at home.
For happy snaps and casual photography, a phone camera works great. They’re easy to use, always with us, and usually get the exposure right. However, a dedicated camera will beat a phone for quality in almost every situation.
Finding the best travel camera comes down to how much size you’re willing to carry for better quality. For once-in-a-lifetime trips, a great camera can help put you back in the moment when you pressed the shutter.
We’ve broken the most popular options into three categories: photography-focused phones, compact cameras, and entry-level mirrorless cameras.
Why a dedicated camera still beats your phone
The simple answer is physics. A digital camera sensor gathers light, and a larger sensor can gather more of it. That results in more detail, better low light performance, and smoother transitions between light and dark areas.
Most phone main sensors are a fraction of the size of dedicated camera sensors, and the telephoto and ultrawide sensors are even smaller than that.
Phones make up the difference with computational processing. They blend multiple exposures to help capture details in shadows, sharpen edges, and smooth digital noise. Many shots look great at a glance, but look closer and the images can often appear flat. Plus, post processing is increasingly leaning on AI to invent details that don’t actually exist.
It’s not just the sensor that improves the image. A dedicated camera has higher quality lenses that preserve fine details and resolve colour more accurately. Physical controls and dials make shooting faster and more accurate.
Phone cameras: what you already carry
Modern flagship phones take reliable photos, and you’re probably already carrying one. They definitely have advantages compared to a dedicated camera, and convenience is top of the list.
One device does it all
A phone is one less thing to pack, charge, and keep track of while travelling. You can take photos, edit them, and share them with friends all from the same device, speeding up your workflow. Anyone in your travel group can use it to take a photo of you without any coaching. In short, a phone’s big trick is immediacy and convenience.
Small sensors, heavy processing
A phone’s small sensor size means detail falls apart once you go beyond optical zoom range or crop closer into a shot. Post processing fills the gaps, but AI results can look unnatural and often can’t be switched off.
All-day shooting with your phone eats into the battery you rely on for so many other tasks like maps, payments, and translation. Plus, the phones that get close to dedicated camera quality are increasing in cost.
Photography phones worth a look
The Motorola Signature marks the brand’s return to flagship photography, and it’s one of our favourite phones of the year. It pairs a 50 megapixel Sony LYTIA main sensor with a quality lens for solid photos at an affordable price point. It launched at $1499 RRP but has regularly been discounted since, making it one of the best value flagships around.
The Honor Magic 8 Pro offers a 200 megapixel periscope telephoto lens, a 7100 mAh battery that comfortably lasts into two days, and durability credentials that help it survive your adventures. Its post processing can smooth away textures, but it’s a great phone camera coming in at $1999 RRP.
Compact cameras: big upgrades in a small package
Compact cameras are a natural next step. They’re pocketable like a phone, but with a larger sensor and real optical zoom. The demand for these cameras is strong enough right now that brands like Canon and Fujifilm are lifting production to meet it.
A key thing to remember is to look for cameras with a 1-inch sensor or larger to outperform the majority of phones in image quality.
Bigger sensors and real zoom
A good compact camera provides a high quality lens, tactile controls, and a big sensor all in a package that still fits into a pocket.
Most are easy to pick up and shoot with right away, with reliable auto and semi-auto modes so you can learn the basics. When you’re ready, manual settings are easy to access to learn more.
An ageing category in high demand
One downside right now is that many of the best compacts launched several years ago, and due to increased demand, remaining stock may have an inflated price. Particular models that are trending on social media also command a premium on the second hand market.
A smaller camera body means smaller buttons and minimal grip, which might feel a bit fiddly if you have larger hands. Battery life is often modest, so a spare battery or power bank is worth packing. Lastly, the fixed lens means living with whatever focal lengths and apertures come with the camera.
Compact camera picks
The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III is the current social media favourite. It features a 20 megapixel 1-inch sensor with a 24-100mm equivalent zoom lens. It launched in 2019, but even to this day it’s a capable compact camera that fits in the pocket. It comes in at around $1349 where available.
The Sony RX100 VII is a still-focused model in Sony’s compact lineup. It comes with a Zeiss 24-200mm equivalent zoom for extra reach, plus a pop-up viewfinder that helps in bright conditions. We’ve spotted the RX100 VII at around $1799.
The Ricoh GR IV is a cult favourite for street photographers, squeezing a massive 25.7 megapixel APS-C sensor into a body that fits in the pocket. It’s got a fixed 28mm lens so you’ll have to zoom with your feet, but features excellent optical quality and a wide enough view for establishing context. It costs around $2199.
Entry-level mirrorless: lens versatility
If you’re looking to get the best photos from your trip and the most hands-on experience, an entry-level mirrorless camera is where the real upgrade is. These cameras are still far smaller than the DSLRs they replaced, but their sensors are even bigger than most pocketable cameras offer. Plus, there’s more overlap in price than you might expect.
A camera that grows with you
Micro Four Thirds and APS-C sensors are much larger than those found in most phones and compacts. Micro Four Thirds is about twice the size of even the largest phone sensors, and APS-C about three times the size. Compared with the sensors in most flagship phones today, they’re roughly four to seven times bigger respectively.
Interchangeable lenses on these systems mean that the camera can grow with you. If you’re looking for better image quality or a new focal length, a new lens can be the answer.
Electronic viewfinders and physical dials make shooting easy and tactile, putting the key controls right at your fingertips.
A little extra size
The main trade-off is size. Even with a pancake lens, mirrorless cameras aren’t exactly pocketable unless you’re rocking cargo pants, so a small bag becomes necessary. Kit lenses that come with the lower priced packages aren’t the sharpest or fastest.
Entry-level mirrorless choices
The Olympus (now OM System) OM-D E-M10 Mark IV has a mouthful of a model name, but it’s one of the cheapest ways into mirrorless quality. It pairs a 20 megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor with in-body image stabilisation and a collapsible 14-42mm pancake kit lens that makes for a small setup to carry with you. We’ve spotted this package as cheap as $999.
The Nikon Z fc pairs retro styling with modern quality, featuring dedicated dials for shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation. Its 20.9 megapixel APS-C sensor offers excellent quality, and packages are available with several lens options. One popular package includes the 16-50mm lens at around $1699 RRP.
The Fujifilm X-T50 is a premium option with a 40.2 megapixel sensor and 5-axis in-body image stabilisation for steady shooting with lower shutter speeds. It offers dedicated film simulations, outstanding colours, and excellent detail. This model with a kit lens runs about $2499, but often goes on sale.
Choosing the best travel camera for your trip
There’s not much point buying a camera you won’t carry, so the biggest point to consider is whether or not you’ll be happy adventuring around for hours carrying it. The best travel camera doesn’t stay in your hotel room.
If you want one device that does everything with as little extra weight as possible, a flagship phone is a good option. After all, it’s hard to find a device more pocketable than a phone.
However, if you’re looking for a step up that still fits in a pocket, a compact camera with a 1-inch sensor is a real sweet spot. They deliver great image quality thanks to the larger sensor and optics.
When image quality is paramount, a mirrorless camera is the best choice that’s still reasonably compact. Interchangeable lenses, larger sensors, and a great shooting experience are the reasons to choose this category.
As a wildcard, second-hand DSLRs are remarkably affordable as many photographers are still shifting to newer systems. Older bodies with a low shutter count can be surprisingly cheap but still offer big sensors and excellent quality. The catch is they tend to be much bulkier and heavier.
Whichever you choose, make sure to go out and practice photography in your own city before jumping on a plane. Getting the right camera is only half the battle; knowing how to use it is just as important.
Check out our phone photography guide to brush up on the basics, and to keep up with the latest guides, news, and reviews, consider subscribing to our newsletter.
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