Any frequent traveler knows that space and weight come at a premium when it comes to airports, flying, and exploring the world. For many, bringing a camera is essential, but finding the space to fit your camera in your bag or backpack can be more challenging than most would expect. Even if you don’t find yourself stuffing zippers shut and sitting on your suitcase to get it closed, having a better setup for travel photography can be beneficial in more ways than one. In this guide, we’ll cover how to pick the best lenses for travel photography and list a few of our current favorites on the market.
What are the Best Lenses for Travel Photography?
Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM Lens
Offering you the ability to shoot both wide-angle and telephoto images in one compact lens package makes for the perfect travel lens. The Canon RF is 4.82″ long and 3.17″ in diameter, with a weight of 26.4 oz. While this certainly is not the lightest lens on the market, when you consider the massive focal length capabilities, you can see how this lens would work great as a travel lens that never needs to leave your camera. For those aiming to capture wider scenes, this lens can be paired with something like the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM Lens for a totally lightweight and compact kit.
Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD Lens
Specifically made for Sony shooters, the Tamron 28-200mm boasts an affordable price in a compact and lightweight body. Additionally, the maximum aperture of f/2.8 is excellent for those shooting wide-angle images at 28mm when the light is low or when you want to have a shallow depth of field. The lens weighs just 20.3 oz and is 4.6″ long and 2.9″ in diameter. Tamron also makes a 17-28mm f/2.8 lens that pairs perfectly with the 28-200mm for Sony mirrorless full-frame and crop sensor cameras.
Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR Lens
This may be the ultimate travel lens for Nikon shooters. With a focal length of 28-400mm, this lens covers everything from wide-angle shots to up-close telephoto images. Weighing just 25.6 oz and coming in with dimensions that measure 3.4″ x 5.6″, this lens truly is compact and lightweight and offers an astounding 14.2x zoom factor. The minimum focusing distance is also quite impressive, ranging from 0.66′ on the wide-angle end to 3.94′ on the telephoto end. Regardless of where you are, this lens allows you to achieve a wide variety of images, all from one vantage point.
Panasonic Lumix S 28-200mm f/4-7.1 MACRO O.I.S. Lens
We didn’t forget about the L-mount shooters! This 28-200mm lens is another great choice for travel photography, especially for those that take an interest in macro photography. Weighing just 14.6 oz and measuring 3” x 3.7”, this is truly one of the most compact lenses on this list. Additionally, the minimum focusing distance is just 5.5”, making this lens a great choice for photographers that want to get up close to their subjects.
Fujifilm XF 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR Lens
For Fuji shooters looking for a slightly wider focal length, the Fujifilm XF 18-135mm lens is an incredibly compact lens for travel photography. At just 17.3 oz, 2.98″ in diameter, and 3.85″ in length, this lens is the perfect travel companion for those who shoot on the go. When paired with one of Fujifilm’s lightweight cameras, you can really have a compact setup for travel photography.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII Digital Camera
For those really looking for the most lightweight and compact solution, a compact camera may be an option that is worth looking into. While different from everything else on this list, it’s worth mentioning this small but mighty little camera from Sony. The DSC-RX100 VII is equipped with a 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5 lens and weighs just 10.5 oz. It measures 4″ x 2.29″ x 1.69″, making it small enough that you can even put it in a pocket. Keep in mind that this is a whole camera and lens system, and the lens can’t be changed, but this is still a solid option for someone who wants the most compact camera and lens combination.
Other Accessories to Consider for Travel Photography
Taking great travel photos takes more than just a good camera and lens. There are a few other accessories that help to make travel photography easy, without weighing down your bags.
One of our favorite camera accessories is a polarizer, which is a filter than goes on the front of your lens. A polarizer helps to remove reflections and glare, which is present in more places than you’d expect. For travel photography specifically, you’ll find a polarizer will cut the glare off of glass, water, foliage, and even the road. One of our favorite polarizers is the NiSi Polarizing Filter. You can find more information on polarizers here.
Another essential travel photography accessory is the Peak Design Capture Clip. This accessory allows you to store your camera on the shoulder strap of your backpack securely, making for quick and easy access when a photo op arises. Nothing is more frustrating as a photographer than missing the moment because you’re digging in your bag, so this accessory allows you to quickly access your camera to get the shot at the best moment.
Conclusion
These are a few of the best lenses for travel photography. They should cover what most photographers are looking for. If you are considering a lens not on this list, check out the article How to Pick a Travel Photography Lens for a dive into what makes a lens ideal for travel photography.
