When you travel, which camera do you prefer to take with you? I`ve traveled a fair bit and I think my favorite is still my DSLR, but every camera has their own advantages. Here`s a list of the camera`s I`ve used in the past year.
DSLR
Nikon D3100
For me, this is an easy camera to work with. I choose this one because of my budget and because I like to invest in the lenses and not so much in the body. It`s a great camera if you want to own a DSLR and different camera lenses or if you`re new to DSLR, it`s a good starter`s model. It`s not a heavy camera, so perfect for traveling (or even to have as a family camera, if you want to upgrade from a point and shoot camera).
This is a photo I recently took on a trip to Mexico:
Summary of benefits: budget friendly, light and easy to work with. Price starts from $480. I bought a Nikon D3100 as a kit with a standard 18-55mm lens. I always have this camera with me on my travels, however I`ve had the privilege to also test Nikon D7000, thanks to Nikon*.
Nikon D7000
This camera together with an 18-200mm lens went with me on an adventure in Jordan. Working with this camera shows you what a camera can do, but obviously there`s a price tag attached to that. The Nikon D7000 is a good choice for more experienced shooters.
The price for this camera starts from $895 for the body only.
For more info on the new D3200, D5100/5200 and the D7000, this review is helpful. As for lenses, the 18-200mm is my favorite, find out why here.
Point and shoot
Nikon 1 J1 with 10-30mmf/3.5-5.6
I had this camera with me on a city trip to Toronto, courtesy of Nikon*. Even though I`m used to working with my DSLR, this camera was very compact and still had a lot of potential. I like that you can change the lens, makes this camera a bit more than just a point and shoot actually.
The biggest benefit would be the weight and size of the camera, it even fits in your purse. To read more about this camera, check this review. You can buy this camera starting from $395, that`s with the 10-30mm lens.
Nikon Coolpix AW100 Waterproof Camera
I`d never used an underwater camera before, so this was my first experience with one (courtesy to Nikon*). As a beach lover, it`s definitely nice to have a camera with you that`s designed to survive in the outdoors with waterproof features and shock resistant at the same time. You can use the camera for underwater photography, video or land photography. Which in my case was convenient when visiting Tulum, it was humid and I didn`t want to take my DSLR with me. So I opted for only one camera, being the waterproof one.
The benefit here: a compact and light-weight camera, you can use everywhere when on an adventurous trip. It can handle when it`s dropped (shockproof), you can take it snorkeling or just on a day out. I have to admit, for underwater photography it took me a bit of time to get used to it. Not the camera itself (which you can shake to change settings, very convenient) but having a camera underwater takes some practice, at least it did for me. Read on for a full review. This camera starts at a price of $245.
iPhone 4
When I`m out and about, I always have my iPhone with me. So even if I don`t have a camera with me when I`m not traveling I can still take photos, as I`ve noticed there`s always a photo opportunity around. And the iPhone 4 does a good job (not as good as the 4S, as I`ve seen the difference, it`s a big difference!). Here`s one of my photos while in Australia. I had my DSLR with me too, but this one came out nicely I think.
In the end it depends what you`re looking for: do you want to have automatic settings, so you just have to “point and shoot” or do you want to learn more about photography and experiment with settings? How compact or heavy can it be? Does it need to be shock/waterproof? How big is your budget?
What`s your number one priority when buying a camera for your travels?
*Thanks to Nikon for providing me with some of the cameras to test them. As always opinions are my own, so are the photos, expect the image of the Nikon D7000, that`s courtesy of Nikon USA.
I travel only with an iPhone now. Camera is just too bulky. Spent 4 months around Europe just using an Iphone and Instagram. I am going to get a GoPro now and that will be it. Iphone now is my choice for our @greatoceanroad instagram Don’t really need filters for the Great Ocean Road.
I always take photos with my iPhone as it`s easy to share photos with on social media channels, but like I said, my DSLR is my favorite as it can do that bit extra. Would love to hear your thoughts on the GoPro, have considered it as well.
I can’t argue with the choice of brands! GO NIKON! I Think the P7700 deserves some honorable mentions. You have a great blog. I’m glad I stumbled upon it.
Hi Steve, glad to hear you stumbled upon my site! I haven`t tried the P7700 yet, maybe I should test that one next 😉 Thanks for your comment!
D7000 with a 18-300mm lens is my third arm. Pretty much with me with at every minute. Would recommend it to anyone with a heavy interest in photography.
Thanks for the tip!
Hello,
as I noticed it seems that you are a fan of Nikon too…lucky that they gave you some cameras to test: it’s awesome! Recently I bought the Nikon Coolpix S8200 and this a great camera to take with you during the travels as it easily stays into your pocket so it does not need an additional bag to carry on…well the related post is in my blog here: http://diariesofanexplorer.blogspot.it/2012/12/travel-essentials-quality-photo-camera.html
Marco
I’d actually love to test that Nikon 1 J1. I’m enthralled with all these new compacts that still allow lens changes. Really makes me think twice about only traveling with an iPhone.
It`s a nifty little camera, small to take with you but giving you the opportunity to do more than just with a point-and-shoot because of the lens options.
I’ve been in the market for a new camera, but can never seem to make up my mind. Been looking at the D3100 and J1. Just not sure which is right for me.
Well, it depends what you`re looking for. I love my D3100, as it gives me all the versatility I want, but you do have to lug it along. Whereas the J1 makes beautiful photos, you have the option of changing the lenses and it`s small to carry with you. If you`re going to travel extensively I would recommend the D3100.
I went travelling for 6 months three years ago and had a little wide-angled “point and shoot”. Perfect little camera but then it got dropped on a sandy beach and that was the end of that. I wish I’d just taken a waterproof camera Instead and then a), I wouldn’t have had to buy another camera at Ayers Rock and b), I could have actually used it in the water/on the beach without needing to worry 🙂
That said if you’re only on beaches 1% of the time should you have a non-waterproof camera which will most likely create better photos?
Good question! I have to say, I liked the waterproof (and sand/shockproof) because you didn`t have to worry about anything, but you make a good point, the other cameras still make for better photos in the end.