It's that time of year...people are making their travel plans and getting ready to hit the road. A new generation of cameras offers better image quality in smaller and lighter packages. Here's a look at a dozen cameras that are well-suited for travel.
This is a very subjective list and is not geared towards pros, who often need to bring along a back-breaking load of big, heavy cameras, several lenses and flashes, and a sturdy tripod. Instead, this list is designed for everyone else: people who need to travel light, but want to bring back high-quality images that they can turn into sharp enlargements to hang on a wall or share with friends.
In other words, this selection of travel-friendly cameras is for globehoppers like the guy on the left. Hopefully, you'll wear a quieter shirt.
Smaller and smarter
The good news is that you can get great images with the latest generation of smaller cameras. Innovations in camera design have resulted in dramatic changes and intense competition among manufacturers to create a camera that is flexible (read: choice of lenses and/or long-range built-in zooms) and can deliver sharp prints and good quality, even when light is low. Shake reduction is a standard feature, eliminating the need for tripods in some situations that previously called for one (although there are times when a tripod is still necessary to get the best quality shot).
In compiling this guide, I looked for the following features:
Size and weight: The camera should be small
Image quality: You should be able to make a nice, sharp 11x14-inch print at least when the camera is set at its lowest ISO
Low-light performance: Shake reduction, fast lenses, big sensors and good performance at high ISO are all possible ways to improve low-light images. I looked for at least one of the above.
Ease of use: You don't want to be fidgeting with setting as scenes pass you by.
Flexibility: Is the camera part of a system? Does it have a choice of lenses or a really good built-in one?
Here are a dozen cameras (and where appropriate, suggested lens or lenses), in alphabetical order, that I think will let you travel light but bring home great images on your summer vacation...and beyond:
Canon T3i w/18-135mm lens
Why? The Canon T3i is small and light (for a DSLR), it delivers high-quality images, lets you choose how much control or automation you want, and is capable of HD videos that pros would love.
Key features: DSLR with loads of features, 18MP sensor, auto-everything settings but you can also choose manual or aperture or shutter priority. Flip-out 3-inch LCD monitor is convenient for over-head or low-angle shooting in live view mode. Shoots RAW and/or JPEGs for more post-production options
Size/weight: One of the smallest and lightest DSLRs on the market, with access to the entire range of Canon lenses and flashes. Videographers can shoot 1080p HD movies and short clips with basic in-camera editing possible and the camera accepts an off-camera mic for better sound.
Portability: For a DSLR, it's quite light and small but if you're looking for a camera you can stick in your pocket, this isn't it.
Buying advice: I recommend getting the T3i with the the 18-135mm extended-range kit zoom as a good, flexible, relatively light “walking around” lens that will cover most travel photography needs without the need to constantly switch lenses.
Canon PowerShot S95
Why? In a recent survey of professional photographers, the S95 was the camera most often chosen as the compact camera pros would bring with them if they couldn't bring their big rigs. It's small, has a larger-than-average compact camera sensor, a super-fast f/2.0 lens, full manual exposure and focus control as well as all-auto, can deliver surprisingly good results, and fits in your shirt pocket. No excuses to leave home without a camera!
Key features: 10MP sensor, 3.8x zoom, 3-inch LCD, 720p HD video capture, f/2 maximum aperture, RAW and JPEG still image capture, built-in mechanical Image Stabilization.
Portability: It's the smallest, lightest camera in this group.
Buying advice: Consider getting the $10 Flipback compact camera grip CZFBG3 so the camera is easier to grasp.
Casio ZR100
Why? Behind its bells and whistles (notably the ability to shoot slow-motion videos), the ZR100 is a fast little camera with a long-range 12x zoom lens, but it will fit in your shirt pocket. In a recent street test, it proved to be fast and handled tough exposures well. It's a good little travel camera that can handle a wide range of shooting situations.
Key features: 12MP sensor, 12x zoom (24-300mm 35mm equivalent) lens, HDR image capture, 1080p HD video; slow-mo at lower resolution; CMOS sensor with sensor-shift image stabilization, slide panorama, focuses to 2 inches at wide angle macro.
Portability: Light and small for a camera with a 12x zoom lens.
Buying advice: Get a memory card with a fast write speed (Class 10) for more reliable performance when shooting rapid-fire sequences and videos.
Fujifilm FinePix HS20EXR
Why? With a remarkable 30x optical zoom lens that covers 24-720mm (35mm equivalent), the HS20EXR may not be the smallest or lightest camera on the block (in fact, it is larger than some DSLRS!) but its zoom lens makes it ideal if you want to shoot distant subjects. If your travels take you to wildlife preserves or zoos this is a camera worth considering for capturing camera-shy beasts.
Key features: 16MP CMOS Back Side Illuminated sensor, 30x zoom image stabilization, 3-inch LCD monitor, 1080i HD videos with Stereo sound. Face detection, many shooting modes, i-Flash, film simulation modes.
Portability: For a camera with a zoom reach of 720mm, it's quite compact. But compared to the others on this list, it's pretty big. Everything's relative.
Buying advice: If you plan to use the longer reaches of the telephoto lens, get a good travel tripod for greater stability. Image stabilization will only get you so far.
Nikon P7000
Why? Nikon gave its flagship compact camera line a complete overhaul, with the P7000 the glorious result. Its Back Side Illuminated 10MP CMOS sensor is capable of delivering high-quality, enlargeable results, while its dials and wheels are familiar to those who are looking for a compact alternative to a pro or enthusiast-level DSLR.
Key features: 10MP sensor, 7x optical zoom lens starts at 28mm (35mm equivalent); 3-inch, 921k resolution lens shift and electronic Vibration Reduction, motion detection, ISO range 100-6400, Best Shot Selector, JPEG and RAW file capture, internal noise reduction, D-Range, 18 scene modes.
Portability: Small but not quite pocketable, a bit lighter than direct competitor the Canon G12.
Buying advice: If you own an external flash such as the Nikon SB700 for use with a DSLR, you can use the P7000's pop-up flash as a master to set off your external flash wirelessly.
Nikon D5100 w/18-200mm
Why? Nikon has refreshed lineup of DSLRs includes the D3100 (a basic beginner model), the D7000 (a solid mid-range camera that's built to take a licking and offers killer image quality) and now the D5100, which is not as solidly built as the D7000 but shares the same sensor and spectacular image quality, which gives it an image quality advantage over the D3100. If you're looking for a camera that's lighter than the big rigs but has enough image quality and control, here's one for the road.
Key features: 16.2MP CMOS APS sensor, ISO range 100-6400, boostable to 25,000, JPEG and RAW image files, 5 adjustable Active D-Lighting levels, image sensor cleaning , 1080p HD Video, full-time AF in live view, effects modes.
Portability: The D5100 is a bit smaller than the already-small Canon T3i, and lighter than enthusiast and pro-level DSLRs.
Buying Advice: The Nikon 18-200mm lens is a good all-around superzoom that covers a wide enough range so you won't need to swap lenses constantly.
Olympus E-PL2
Why? The E-PL2 is a small camera with a body about the size of a typical point-and-shoot but with a growing lineup of small, interchangeable lenses. You can add on electronic or optical viewfinders or a flash, making it flexible, but it doesn't take up nearly as much space as a DSLR. Image quality? Since the sensor is larger than a typical compact camera, it's quite good and holds up well in low light.
Key Features: 12MP Four Thirds Live MOS sensor, accepts interchangeable Micro Four Thirds mount lenses, 324-zone pattern metering system, Art Filters, 22 scene modes, auto, program, aperture, manual exposure modes, external flash and optical and electronic viewfinders available. RAW and JPEG image files, 720p HD videos.
Portability: This camera line set a new standard for portability in interchangeable-lens cameras.
Buying Advice: Look for the E-PL2 in a kit that includes the 14-42mm lens (28-84mm equivalent). In addition to that, get the 17mm (34mm equivalent) pancake lens and additional VF-2 IOMVF2 viewfinder so you can shoot at eye level.
Panasonic DMC-GH1K
Why? With a built-in electronic viewfinder and compatibility with all Micro Four Thirds lenses, the Panasonic GH1 is a high-end compact interchangeable-lens camera that offers an extensive range of features from all manual operation to full autoexposure and focus. For both still and motion the iA mode lets you shoot with point-and-shoot ease while the camera's sophisticated face recognition feature can remember faces.
Key Features: 14MP Four Thirds Live MOS sensor, Mega Optical Image Stabilization, Intelligent Scene Selector, Light Detection, AF Tracking. For HD Videographers, it offers full 1080p or 740p resolution, Dolby stereo (with a port for an external stereo mic), and the all-important ability to focus during video capture.
Portability: Smaller and lighter than a DSLR but larger than a compact to accommodate the built-in electronic viewfinder.
Buying Advice: Buy it with the 14-42mm (28-84mm) kit lens to get started, consider adding the 45-200mm f/4-5.6G to stretch the camera's reach.
Pentax K-r w/18-55mm
Why? If you're planning on taking pictures in low light, or will be photographing active subjects, check out the K-r. A solid mid-range DSLR, the Pentax K-r offers excellent image quality at high ISO, a sharp LCD monitor, fast 6 frames-per-second burst rate for action shots (as well as an action-stopping 1/6000 sec top shutter speed, fastest in its class), built-in digital filters so you can apply special effects in-camera, built-in HDR, and backwards compatibility with all Pentax lenses going back over 3 decades.
Key Features: 12MP CMOS sensor, 720p HD video at 25fps, 3-inch LCD with 921K dot resolution, 6fps burst mode, ISO range 100-25,600, built-in HDR, creative color modes for special effects, 1/180 sec flash sync, pentamirror viewfinder.
Buying Advice: Start with the 18-55mm kit lens and then build out your lenses from there. Consider buying used Pentax K-mount lenses.
Ricoh GXR 28-300mm unit
Why? The Ricoh GXR is unique, a new kind of modular camera design, where the lens and sensor are sold as an integrated unit that slides into the camera body. Sensor size, resolution, and even the camera's features can vary with the lens being used. Word on the street is that with recent firmware updates, the 28mm/APS sensor module offers super-fast focus. Looking for portability? With the recommended 28-300mm unit, the GXR becomes the world's smallest, lightest camera with that long a zoom range.
Key Features: Sensor size and resolution vary depending on lens/sensor unit being used; rugged die-cast magnesium construction, program shift, shutter priority, aperture priority, manual exposure modes; 3-inch 920k-dot LCD monitor. P10 module includes 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 lens (35mm equivalent), 10MP sensor, JPEG and RAW image files.
Portability: Very small, solidly built. Thanks to self-contained lens-sensor units, dust won't affect sensor when changing lenses.
Buying Advice: Start with the 28-300mm unit if you're looking for wide-range zoom, 28mm/APS sensor unit if you want fastest AF and better image quality.
Samsung NX100 with 20-50mm kit lens
Why? If you're on a tight budget, but want a small interchangeable-lens camera with a big DSLR-type (APS) sensor, the NX100 ($450 with kit lens) offers a lot of bang for the buck and an innovative design. The main innovation is the ability to control the camera's exposure and other settings via the lens ring rather than a thumbwheel or other camera-body control, and this actually works quite well.
Key Features: 14MP APS-C CMOS sensor, 3-inch LCD, 720p HD video recording, i-Function Lens controls camera features. Top shutter speed 1/4000 sec, ISO range 100-3200, boosts to 6400, 3fps, Picture Wizard filter modes. RAW & JPEG image file recording.
Portability: One of the smallest interchangeable-lens cameras out there, although slightly larger than the Sony NEX cameras.
Buying Advice: Get the electronic viewfinder so you can shoot at eye-level.
Sony NEX-5 with 16mm f/2.8 & 18-55mm kit lenses
Why? The NEX-5 is the MILC image quality champion with the ability to record high-quality RAW images at up to ISO 800 and pretty darn good quality at even higher speeds. It's a good choice if you're planning to shoot dusk scenes, indoor photos without flash, and city life at night. Plus Sony's lineup of E-mount lenses is small but impressive, quality-wise.
Key Features: 14MP APS sized sensor, up to 7fps burst rate, ISO range 100-12,800, sweep panorama, handheld Twilight mode, built-in HDR, flip-out 3-inch LCD monitor with 920k pixel resolution, Intelligent Auto mode chooses best scene recognition, face detection and optical image stabilization modes for any given scene. On-screen help guide, 25-point AF.
Portability: The NEX-5 is one of the smallest MILCs on the market, despite having a larger sensor. The lenses as well are small and light, making this an easy choice for your carry-on luggage.
Buying Advice: Get both the standard 18-55mm kit lens and the 16mm f/2.8 pancake lens for a nice variety of shots.
Top photo credit: ranplett/istockphoto.com
What camera's in your travel bag? Leave a comment below!
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