The good, the better, and the best travel camera 2019

By Mark Myerson on Aug 16, 2019, 3:49 pm EDT under Daily Digest

With the summer in full swing, you may have a vacation coming up pretty soon. Taking photos is a great way to remember your travels — but which camera should you take? We tried to find the best travel camera 2019.

Best travel camera 2019

What makes a good travel camera? You need something that is lightweight, discreet, and versatile enough to capture both portraits and landscapes.
What photography gear should you take on vacation? Along with your camera, take zoom lenses, cleaning cloths and maybe some sort of stabilizer (e.g. tripod).
Is a DSLR or mirrorless camera better for travel? For most of us, mirrorless cameras provide the best combination of size and features.

Many people rely on their phones for vacation photography. But if you want to capture your travels artistically and at the best possible quality, it makes sense to pack a camera. But which should you take? We decided to go looking for the best travel camera 2019.

Compact cameras

Modern compact cameras have impressive sensors and touchscreen controls. Here’s our pick of the pocket-sized crop:

Sony RX100 VII Compact Camera

The brand new RX100 VII offers 0.02-second autofocus with eye tracking, and a 24-200mm lens. It also takes 4K video, with a flip-up screen for vlogging.

Price: $1,198 USD

: The Sony RX100 IV is a pocket rocket

Panasonic Lumix ZS200 Compact Camera

With a 24-360mm equivalent lens, the ZS200 (TZ200 outside North America) can handle any situation. It has a one-inch, 20MP sensor that captures superb detail and 4K video.

Price: $697.99 USD

[tweet_box]Going on vacation? We tried to find the best travel camera 2019[/tweet_box]

The big zoomers

Want to get closer to the action? Pack one of these bridge cameras:

Nikon COOLPIX P1000 Superzoom Compact Digital Camera

The P1000 is far from the smallest camera here. However, this beast packs a lens with a 24-3000mm equivalent focal length — perfect for capturing wildlife or distant details.

Price: $999.95 USD

: Go long with the Nikon P1000

Leica C-Lux Long-Zoom Compact Camera

Although the Leica C-Lux is compact-sized, it has a 15x zoom. This stylish camera also has a 20MP sensor that can capture 4K video.

Price: $1,050 USD

: Style meets quality in the C-Lux

Wearable wonders

If you plan on getting adventurous, these action cameras might better suit your needs:

GoPro HERO7 Black Waterproof Action Camera

With a 12MP sensor and built-in image stabilization, the HERO7 Black lets you capture amazing video and stills. It also offers Wi-Fi connectivity and voice control.

Price: $399.99 USD

: Capture your adventures with the HERO7

Shonin Streamcam Compact Wearable Camera

Measuring just 56mm long, Shonin clips on to your clothing. You can record footage with a tap and stream your adventures live via SIM or Wi-Fi.

Price: $149 USD, pre-order

: Livestream with Shonin

Top of the range

If image quality is paramount, take one of these amazing cameras along for the ride:

Fujifilm X-T3 APS-C Mirrorless Digital Camera

Combining classic looks at cutting-edge technology, the X-T3 is an APS-C camera that fits in your pocket. With 16 film simulations on board, you can get really artistic.

Price: $1,399 USD

: Upgrade to the Fujifilm XT-3

Sony A7R IV Full Frame DSLR

Putting pro models to one side, the new A7R IV might be the best camera that money can buy. This thing has a 61MP sensor, with 15 stops of dynamic range for incredible performance in all lighting conditions.

Price: $3,498 USD, pre-order

The best travel camera 2019

The best travel camera for you will depend on your particular needs. But if we had to pick our absolute favorite, it would be the Sony RX100 VII. This pocket-sized beast has a huge sensor, a good zoom range, excellent image quality, and even 4K video.

Do you have a favorite travel camera? Tell us why you love it in the comments!