Top 5 Best Travel Camera of 2025
The best travel cameras for your next big trip
Traveling usually offers incredible photo and video opportunities that aren’t available every day, so you’ll want a portable, discrete, and long-lasting camera that can produce high-quality shots. You could just use your phone for the job, but we think it’s a better idea to take smartphone-beating pictures of those locations and memories with one of the suggested cameras below.
We’ve evaluated a lot of travel cameras over the years, in a variety of sizes and forms, from tough compacts to mirrorless hybrids. And the OM System OM-5 would be the camera we would choose to carry in our backpack if we could only carry one. It is a compact yet powerful Micro Four Thirds (MFT) camera with a variety of small lenses and a timeless appearance. It also has a ton of travel-friendly capabilities, like amazing picture stabilization and ingenious computational modes. It’s also reasonably priced.
Though your type of trip may require a different set of abilities, we believe that MFT is the finest sensor format for travel. Because of this, we’ve compiled a list of alternatives for a variety of price points, based on the opinions of our staff of professional reviewers, that replicate the kind of shooting scenarios you’ll probably run across while traveling. To assist you in finding the ideal travel camera, there are links to the greatest offers for each camera as well as a list of additional possibilities in the Also Consider area.
Table of Contents
BEST OVERALL
1. OM System OM-5
BEST COMPACT
2. Ricoh GR IIIx
BEST DESIGN
3. Nikon Z fc
BEST ACTION
4. GoPro Hero 13 Black
BEST TOUGH
5. OM System Tough TG-7
1. OM System OM-5
Although the OM-5 is a relatively slight improvement to the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III, we think its mix of features makes it the perfect travel camera, especially if you want to be able to switch lenses. It packs a lot of functionality into a small, waterproof body that works with a wide variety of similarly tiny lenses.
Travelers and adventurers are also the target audience for the majority of its features, which include computational photography modes and great in-body image stabilization.According to our tests, the OM-5 produces exceptionally high-quality video and still images for its size, aided by a stabilization mechanism that provides a high hit-rate of keepers.
Along with in-camera software techniques like Live ND and in-camera focus stacking, which are perfect for macro images or blurring skies for an ethereal look, we really loved the premium feel of the camera’s knobs. The relatively ordinary EVF resolution, 4K/30p video restriction, and relative limits of its smaller sensor are less than ideal, but these are all reasonable compromises given the size and cost of this camera.
2. Ricoh GR IIIx
One of our best choices for a genuinely portable camera with superb image quality is the Ricoh GR IIIx. The APS-C sensor, which is often used on larger mirrorless cameras, is included. A fixed 40mm f/2.8 lens, which has the perfect focal length for daily photography, is also included. The GR IIIx can produce rich, crisp stills thanks to the two of them working together and beautiful in-camera color settings. We discovered that its ingenious quick focus setting works very well for street photography.
The GR IIIx has flaws, including a fixed touchscreen, limited battery life, no built-in flash, and an inability to withstand harsh use. But in order to get the highest image quality possible from a camera this compact, you have to make those concessions. In 2025, this is one of the few truly small cameras still in production, and we believe it’s ideal for city vacations.
The Ricoh GR series has established a specialized market and is especially well-liked by street and regular photographers who like the camera’s fast reaction, easy handling, and, more recently, its Snap Focus feature for capturing pivotal moments. They have therefore long been staples in our lists of the top travel and compact cameras.
A more telephoto focal length than the 28mm f/2.8 lens found in the most recent version, the GR III, is something that many GR enthusiasts have yearned for. The GR IIIx, a camera that is nearly identical to the GR III save for having a 40mm f/2.8 equivalent lens, has finally fulfilled their ambition.
3. Nikon Z fc
The main goal of travel photography is to record memories, and Nikon’s Z fc perfectly embodies this idea of nostalgia. It is a gorgeous tribute to the analog Nikon FM2, complete with vintage dials, size, and design. In spite of its outdated appearance, the camera is actually quite modern, sharing many of its specifications with the competent Nikon Z50.
With the help of dependable tracking autofocus, our tests revealed that the 20.9MP APS-C sensor performs admirably when taking still photos and 4K videos. The Z fc’s dynamic range was remarkable, and it also handles noise quite well, particularly at ISO 800.
Another fantastic feature is its vari-angle touchscreen, which makes it simple to take selfies while traveling or to fold away entirely for a leather-back appearance that makes you feel as though you’re in the 1980s. The Nikon Z fc is a gorgeously distinctive camera for casual usage, even though it isn’t as durable as the camera that inspired it (for instance, it lacks weatherproofing). It’s also simple to operate while on the go thanks to a lens ring that can be customized and dedicated controls for exposure, shutter speed, and ISO.
4. GoPro Hero 13 Black
The GoPro Hero 13 Black is the best high-resolution action camera available if you want to enjoy taking sharp pictures and fluid films. Although the Hero 11 Black and Hero 12 Black are a restricted update to earlier versions, that’s not necessarily a bad thing because those cameras were already very powerful. The same 1/1.9in sensor is included, along with a flexible 8:7 aspect ratio that allows you to reframe for social media without compromising quality. Its maximum resolution of 5.3K/60p surpasses that of the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro. Additionally, you may extract 27MP stills from 5.3K video.
In terms of design, nothing has changed; it is physically the same as its predecessors, therefore the same accessories work with it. Nonetheless, a bigger capacity Enduro battery is included as standard for GoPro’s longest battery life to date, up to 2.5 hours of runtime, allowing for longer intervals between roadside recharges. With “Easy” and “Pro” modes to accommodate your ability level, the same interface allows you to customize the user experience. When it comes to stabilizing handheld video, Superior Horizon Lock and HyperSmooth 6.0 smarts perform really well.
The most notable feature is probably the new Lens Mod mount, which automatically recognizes any of the new HB-series lenses and ND filters, including a new Macro Lens Mod. GoPro has also brought back GPS and Performance Stickers, which was an irritating missing from the Hero 12 Black. Although they are expensive accessories, the system is incredibly useful, adaptable, and opens up the camera to new possibilities.
5. OM System Tough TG-7
The TG-7 is still among the best travel cameras available because tough cameras, like the TG-6, are waterproof, shockproof, and freeze-proof, allowing them to be utilized in situations that you wouldn’t think to use your phone or an expensive camera in. Its 3-inch LCD display provides good visibility in most situations, its industrial design feels reassuringly sturdy, and its large buttons make it easy to use in gloves or under the waves.
Although there was a propensity to overexpose and blow out highlights, we thought the image quality was decent for a camera with a 1/2.3-inch sensor, with lovely, rich colors. A reasonable zoom range is 25–100mm, and versatility is increased by the addition of 4K video and raw shooting. Although its image quality may not be as good as your phone’s for everyday photos, the TG-7 will let you take amazing vacation memories when you otherwise couldn’t. It also comes with a number of helpful attachments, such a ring light for close-up shots.
Naturally, there were many honorable mentions that were left off the list because the things on it were so varied. These are the top remaining travel cameras that are also deserving of your consideration:
Panasonic Lumix TZ200 is the best travel zoom. If you want a camera that is genuinely portable and versatile, the Lumix TZ200 can be the answer. With a 1.0-inch sensor and an amazing 15x optical zoom range, this travel zoom compact offers image quality that rivals that of smartphones. It has been discontinued, though, so purchasing a new one could be difficult.
Travel zoom best (new): Panasonic Lumix TZ99 The Lumix TZ99 is a better option if you’d want to get a new travel zoom compact camera. It has USB-C charging that is compatible with Europe, was released in late 2024, and is easily accessible.
The Panasonic Lumix G9 II is the best for safari: Similar to the OM System OM-5, the Lumix G9 II has a Micro Four Thirds sensor, which allows it to use a variety of high-quality, lightweight lenses. But it’s a much more capable camera, particularly for taking pictures of wildlife.
The Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III is the best-trending small camera: If TikTok’s It-Girls have anything to say about it, the G7X Mark III is another small camera that’s worth taking into consideration for your travels. With a good 1-inch sensor, a flexible zoom lens, and strong features, the G7X Mark III, the popular camera for 2024, is a fine camera in and of itself. However, considering its popularity and rapidly rising price, it is now not a fantastic value.
The Sony A6700 is the greatest mirrorless camera with an APS-C sensor for moving subjects. It is incredibly powerful and small, with a great 26MP sensor, 4K video at 60 frames per second, and slow motion capabilities, all of which are well-supported by Sony’s exceptional focusing. Additionally, there are many beautiful lenses available, most of which are smaller than those found in Sony’s full-frame cameras.
The best vlogger is the DJI Omso Pocket 3: Travel and vlogging go hand in hand these days, and if producing dynamic and incredibly smooth 4K video clips of your trips is your main goal, DJI’s Osmo Pocket 3 is our number one choice. The Pocket 3, which is incredibly compact and has a 1-inch sensor, is a popular vlogging camera among content producers and ranks first in our list of the best vlogging cameras.
It can be more difficult to choose the best travel camera than to locate reasonably priced airfares. You’ll want a camera that’s small enough to carry around with you, but still able to record steady video and crisp stills of your exciting excursions.
When selecting the perfect vacation camera, there are a few important factors to consider. Size is one of the most crucial. Although pocketable compacts are convenient, larger mirrorless models’ larger sensors will improve the quality of your trip photos.
It’s worthwhile to take into consideration a travel camera with robust credentials if your activities are likely to take you off the usual path. If you intend to record short, stylish travel videos, this might be one of the greatest action cameras available, like the GoPro Hero 13 Black. Alternatively, it might be a robust little camera like the OM System TG-7, one of the top waterproof models.
It’s also a good idea to consider what you might be photographing during your trip. While something small and quick is excellent for taking street photos during a city break, a long zoom range will be useful on safari. Zoom lenses are typically used in travel compacts, such the Panasonic Lumix ZS200 and TZ200, to accommodate a variety of shooting situations. The flexibility of both worlds can also be obtained with interchangeable lens cameras, such as the OM System OM-5, but only if you’re willing to carry extra barrels in your bag.