Our editors' favorite cameras for travel

Smartphone cameras have come a long way, but for the best possible travel photos, many of our editors have a dedicated camera that’s compact, lightweight and captures stunning images. And since we're asked all too often which ones we recommend, we’ve rounded them up here, alongside shots we've captured with them.

Whether you’re looking to make the switch to a mirrorless model or want to try dabbling in film, these cameras are in our editors’ bags on every single trip – the proof is in the pictures.

All our recommendations are independently selected by our writers and editors. Lonely Planet may receive a commission if you buy something through the links on our site.

Ricoh GR IIIx 

Best replacement for your phone’s camera
Recommended by Pia Peterson, Photo Director

I take shockingly few photos for someone who works in photography. Maybe working with images on such a regular basis really stymies me — it's impossible not to overthink the framing, or the settings, or the light, or the culture. (I'm a lot of fun, clearly.) But part of that is why I started looking at this camera after I noticed some professional photographers I admire (Christopher Lee, Jack Davison, Daniel Arnold) using it as a quick point-and-shoot around town. I thought, good enough for them, then it's good enough for me. It took me a while to get the settings to a place I liked, but I usually keep it on manual and do some quick adjustments when I'm out and about, or with family. The image quality is truly so much better than my phone — and even though it's digital and not film, having something more semi-serious encourages me to slow down and really think about what I'm hoping to capture and why. It's also light, fits in my pocket or a small purse in its little carrying case, and is hardy enough that when my daughter drops it on the ground, it survives. It's taken not only every travel photo from the last 5 years, but all of my family pictures, too. I'm pretty sure I have wedding photos on this camera. She's perfect.

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Canon EOS R6 Mark II Mirrorless Camera

Best for versatility and speedy autofocus
Recommended by Rhia Hylton, Photo Editor

I recently upgraded to this from my Canon 7D Mark II, and I’m so happy with the decision. It’s lightweight and much smaller thanks to its mirrorless design, making it a great travel companion. It produces great images, and the autofocus is super speedy. 

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OM-5

Best for outdoor and wildlife photography
Recommended by Melissa Yeager, Destination Editor for Western USA and Canada

I’m an avid hiker, and when I decided it was time to invest in a mirrorless camera, weight and weather-proofing were a priority for me. For background: I have a DSLR that I took on an Everest Base Camp trek. After carrying the extra weight of that camera and its lenses for two weeks, I never took it on a trek again. But what a shame to be trekking such wonderful places that few people see, and not take high-quality photos? This time, I wanted a camera that I would actually take with me. 

After doing a ton of research, I found a lot of fellow hikers recommending OM System's Micro Four Thirds cameras – specifically the OM-5, which is designed for outdoor and wildlife photography. I bought mine before my trip to New Zealand, and it is absolutely perfect for me. I can fit the camera and a spare lens into my Uniqlo round mini shoulder bag, leaving room for a wallet. I took it everywhere and barely noticed its weight. I love how the photos turn out, too. It has a lot of great presets, and I know it's a camera I can grow into, as the line also offers a range of lenses, including telephoto (if I ever get that safari booked).

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Kodak Ektar H35 Half-Frame Film Camera

Best affordable film camera
Recommended by Rhia Hylton

Film photography is my one true love, and this camera is a great way to get fun snapshots on your travels without spending a lot of money. It’s a half frame, so you get 72 shots out of a roll of 35mm, rather than 36. The camera itself feels like a toy – super small and lightweight. If you’re looking for top-notch quality, this might not be for you, but I love it!

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Fujifilm X-T5

Best for film simulations and speed
Recommended by Alexander Howard, Editorial Director

I love my Fujifilm X-T5. I've taken it everywhere since I got it in 2023. It's much smaller than my clunky DSLR but still shoots 40MP, so I never feel like I'm making a quality trade-off. The film simulations mean I can share shots straight out of the camera, which is great because fussing with Lightroom is the last thing I want to do after a long travel day. I love the dials, too: shutter, aperture and ISO are all on the body, which sounds like a small thing until you're trying to grab a shot quickly.

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Fujifilm X-T30 II

Best (slightly more) affordable mirrorless camera
Recommended by Ann Douglas Lott, Digital Editor

I spent a god-awful amount of time researching my perfect travel camera. I wanted something compact and relatively lightweight (my old reliable for years, a Canon Rebel, was a dinosaur), within my budget, with the ability to create custom presets; I hate spending hours editing in Lightroom. It came down to two mirrorless options: the Fujifilm X-T30 II or the X-M5. Something I didn’t realize I wanted until I was at the counter, about to drop $1200, was how much I really rely on having a viewfinder, which the admittedly lighter-weight, smaller and cheaper X-M5 doesn’t have. I can’t stand when the sun glares on my camera screen, so suddenly, the decision was incredibly easy.

Let me tell you, however: mirrorless cameras have a steep learning curve for those accustomed to DSLRs, so give yourself some grace, and have fun playing around with yours. I’ve loved the convenience of this smaller camera, and the images I’ve captured are really lovely and feel so much like me. I’ve found so many beautiful free preset recipes on TikTok and Instagram to manipulate colors and create a fun film effect. Bonus: you can connect to your phone via Bluetooth to instantly transfer photos to your camera roll.

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Lumix S9

Best for a genuinely fun experience (and beautiful photos)
Recommended by Katelyn Perry, Photo Editor

My usual go-to camera is my Nikon Z9, and while I absolutely love it, it’s a beast. Carrying it around for long travel days can start to take a toll, especially on my shoulders and back. Last year I started looking for a more lightweight camera – something less intrusive that lets me look less like a professional photographer (and be more fly on the wall) without sacrificing professional-level results. That search led me to the Lumix S9, a compact full-frame, mirrorless camera that's surprisingly lightweight but, most importantly, fun. 

One of my favorite features is the built-in LUT system – essentially customizable filters you can shoot with in real time. You can download LUTs from other creators or make your own, which adds a creative, experimental element to the process. Photography is my career, and I take it seriously, but the S9 has genuinely brought back the sense of play that made me fall in love with photography in the first place. 

And if you’re looking for the ideal travel lens, I’d highly recommend pairing it with Panasonic's 24-60mm f2.8. The focal range is perfect for everything from landscapes to portraits, without adding much bulk to your bag. 

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Pentax K1000

Best for film beginners
Recommended by Ann Douglas Lott

I adore film. The mystery around what I’ve actually captured makes me embrace the spontaneity of the shot and the experience. It’s not the most accessible option, though it sure does make for some painterly pictures. I’ve carried my little Pentax for years and always recommend it to beginners, especially for travel photography. This camera is iconic for so many reasons: it’s easy to learn, it’s durable (I’ve dropped it too many times to count, seriously – I need to be better about using my strap), and the photos almost always come out fantastic. It’s also more affordable than the digital cameras on this list, though film costs a pretty penny these days. My advice: find a lab you like and see if they have a membership program to keep developing costs down.

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