Best travel camera 2019: 10 compact models perfect for your vacation

Packing big zooms into small bodies, today's travel cameras are great do-it-all options for those on the move. Here's our pick of the best travel cameras you can buy right now.

While most smartphone cameras are fine for general snaps, they simply won't do justice to the things you see and experience when you're on your travels. On the other hand, carrying a bulky DSLR is just too much of a hassle for a lot of people.

This is why the 'travel camera' genre is so popular. These are pocket-sized compact cameras barely larger than a regular point-and-shoot model, but packing in massive 20x, 30x or even longer zoom lenses.

That means you get the portability of a regular compact camera, but with much more scope for shooting different kinds of subjects. Whether you want to shoot, wide, expansive vistas or tightly cropped buildings and monuments, these cameras will allow you to do just that.

You're not going to get the same kind of quality you'd get from a DSLR or a mirrorless camera because the only way to make cameras with big zooms small enough to go in a pocket is to use a smaller sensor. But the picture quality is still pretty good, and perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Some models now sport larger 1.0-inch sensors for improved image quality, and if you're shooting in bright light you may not even be able to tell the difference between these images and those from DSLRs or mirrorless cameras. Sure, they may not be as flexible otherwise, but they stand to be considerably better than those from all but the most modern smartphones.

If you're still not sure this is the kind of camera you need, check our step by step guide: What camera should I buy? Alternatively, if you're going to be by the pool or on the beach, you might want something a bit more rugged, so take a look at our best waterproof camera and best action camera guides.

Otherwise, keep reading, because here's our list of the top travel cameras you can buy right now.

Great value option: Sony Cyber-shot RX10 III

A couple of years old, but still packs a punch

Before we take a look at our best travel camera list, we wanted to highlight an alternative that doesn't quite fit in the travel zoom compact category, but is still worthy of consideration. The RX100 III from Sony is a couple of years old now and was originally selling for near $1,000/£1,000, but with new models (including the RX100 VI below), it's dropped massively in price. Downsides? Well, the zoom is pretty short compared to other rivals here, but otherwise there's a lot to like. There's a decent 20.1MP 1-inch sensor, and while the zoom range is pretty short, it features a fast maximum aperture of f/1.8-2.8. There's also a pop-up electronic viewfinder and 4K video, while it's packaged in a premium, metal body. Definitely worth a look if the zoom range isn't your main concern.

Best travel cameras in 2019

1. Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200

The most advanced travel zoom camera you can buy right now

With the rise of high-end compacts like the excellent Sony Cyber-shot RX100 Vstealing the thunder from compact travel zooms, Panasonic's response has been to keep the camera body about the same size as its earlier ZS/TZ-series cameras but to squeeze in a much larger sensor. We saw this with the Lumix ZS100 (known as the Lumix TZ100 outside the US), and Panasonic's continued this with the newer Lumix ZS200 / TZ200. This physically larger 1in sensor enables much better image quality than would otherwise be the case, but the slight downside is that the zoom range from the lens isn't quite as extensive as some others. That said, The ZS200 / TZ200 still sports a very versatile 15x zoom, while there's also a handy built-in electronic viewfinder, which makes it easier to compose images in bright light. Not only that, but there's also high-quality 4K video recording and Panasonic's 4K Photo mode to help capture 8MP images of fleeting moments. This is still the best travel zoom compact camera available, even if it's a little pricey.

2. Panasonic Lumix ZS100 / TZ100

Panasonic's premium travel camera has a larger sensor

Until the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 came along, the Lumix ZS100 / TZ100 was our pick of the travel zoom compacts. Like it's newer sibling, the ZS100 / TZ100 enjoys a large 1.0-inch sensor with a decent 20.1MP resolution, but the 10x zoom is one of the shortest available. Not let that put you off though, as the Z100 / TZ100 is a brilliant camera, with a built-in electronic viewfinder, large touchscreen, 4K video, Wi-Fi image transfer and easy-to-use controls. There's also more advanced manual features as well, including raw capture for those who like to edit their images at a latter date. It all adds up to be a powerful travel compact that should now be at an even more tempting price.

3. Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VI

Sony's pocket powerhouse

Sony revolutionised premium compact cameras with the original RX100 as it was the pocket-sized camera to feature a large 1.0-inch sensor. However, thanks to the pretty modest zoom lenses on previous models, they haven't really lent themselves as travel cameras. That all changes with the arrival of the RX100 VI, which packs in a decent 24-200mm zoom lens, which while shorter than a lot of rivals, features an impressive fast (variable) maximum aperture. On top of this, the RX100 VI features a stunning (if complex) autofocus system, the ability to shoot at 24fps and advanced 4K video recording. It can be a bit fiddly to use, and is expensive, but there's certainly nothing else that can touch it when it comes to performance.

4. Sony Cyber-shot HX99

A 30x optical zoom camera, but it compromises on image quality

The Cyber-shot HX99 features a 30x optical zoom range (identical to that of the Lumix ZS50 / TZ70 below) and a pop-up electronic viewfinder. This can be a big bonus in the glare of harsh, bright light, when regular LCD screens can be hard to see, but the EVF in the HX99 pops up out of the body when you need it. The downside is that the resolution is a light low, but it's certainly a handy feature to have. The 18.2MP sensor will capture better-looking photos than your smartphone can, but not by much. If you want better image quality you'll need to look for models with 1.0-inch sensors, but you won't find one with the same impressive 30x optical zoom. The addition of raw capture is welcome, giving you greater flexibility to tweak and adjust images post-capture though

5. Panasonic Lumix ZS50 / TZ70

This is the one to go for it you're on a budget

Panasonic's ZS/TZ-series cameras kicked off the whole big-zoom travel camera genre, and they still lead the field. The Lumix ZS50 (Lumix TZ70 outside the US) might not be the newest model in the range, but with a big 30x zoom, auto and manual controls and the ability to shoot raw files – a big bonus for keen photographers who want the best quality from a small camera, there's little to fault for the price. The Lumix ZS50 even squeezes in an electronic viewfinder. Okay, it's not the largest EVF out there, but it can be really handy in bright light. It's the Swiss Army Knife of travel cameras, combining convenience, quality and control. There are lots of imitators, but this is the original.

6. Panasonic Lumix ZS70 / TZ90

One of the latest TZ models is worth considering

You might be wondering why the Lumix ZS70 (Lumix TZ90 outside the US) comes lower down our list than the ZS50 / TZ70 - a camera now two generations old. The answer's simple - the jump from a resolution to 12MP to 20MP has seen image quality actually suffer in low light thanks to the increased pixel count. That said, there's the welcome addition of 4K video capture and a great a touchscreen interface. There's also a really good touchscreen that now flips out from the body for selfies and built-in EVF - this could be better, but some rivals at the same price don't even feature one at all.

7. Canon PowerShot SX730 HS

Huge zoom in a svelte shell

The Canon PowerShot SX730 HS is something of a tale of two halves. The good news is that it exhibits a fine build and is generally pleasing to use, with good response across most aspects of operation. If you want a no-nonsense camera with a broad zoom range, and most of the decision-making left to it, the SX730 HS may just be what you’re after. The flipside of this is that the PowerShot SX730 HS lacks several of the features of its rivals, despite being one of the dearest options of its kind. 4K video, touch operation, an electronic level, even the option to move the focusing point; if you want any of these you'll have to look elsewhere.

Honorary mention: Olympus TG-5

The zoom isn't huge but this compact can go where others fear

Not all holidays and stretches of travel are all about capturing wide-angle vistas and subjects in the distance. For some photographers, having a camera that can withstand being dropped, knocked, splashed or frozen would be more appropriate, and that's precisely what the Olympus TG-5 offers. In addition to its rugged credentials, the camera offers 4K video recording, built-in Wi-Fi and a ring of LED lights around its lens to throw plenty of light on close-up subjects. There's even the option to capture Raw files. The only serious bummer is that the sensor is somewhat small consider the camera's 25-100mm zoom range, although it's the same size as those inside a number of cameras featured above.

Also consider...

Going on vacation or further afield, but not fussed about size and weight? Then we've picked out three alternatives for you to consider - a DSLR, a mirrorless came ra and a bridge camera. All have advantages over a dedicated travel zoom compact if you're prepared to have a slightly bulkier bag. Let's take a look...

8. Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV

If you want even more zoom, this is it

Like the idea of an all-in-one camera with a quality sensor, but want an even longer zoom lens? Then a bridge camera is the answer and Sony's Cyber-shot RX10 IV is the best there is. Featuring a huge 24-600mm f/2.4-4 zoom lens, the RX10 IV builds on the RX10 III with an overhauled AF system that now does justice to the rest of the camera, while the 1-inch, 20.1MP sensor is capable of achieving excellent levels of detail. Handling is very polished, feeling like a DSLR in the hand and complemented by a large and bright electronic viewfinder. That's not forgetting the ability to capture video in 4K and shoot at up to 24fps. Impressive stuff.

9. Nikon D3500

Nikon's entry-level DSLR is a great travel camera when partnered with a superzoom lens

Nikon's D3500 is our favorite entry-level DSLR right now. The large 24.2MP APS-C sensor will deliver superior images to those of a travel zoom compact camera, while the 1550 battery life is brilliant if you're on your travels. It's fair to say it's not loaded with features, but the D3500 is very easy to use (even if you've never picked-up a DSLR before) and it's pretty compact to. While the D3500 is most often bundled with a 18-55mm kit lens, this will be pretty limiting for your travels, so you'll want to invest in something like Tamron's 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD superzoom lens. Thanks to the 1.5x crop factor of the APS-C sensor, this is equivalent to 27-600mm. This offers plenty of range to cover off most subjects, while you can always swap to a fast prime lens for more creative, shallow depth of field shots when on your travels.

10. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III

This neat mirrorless camera comes with some neat lenses

Olympus has refined and tweaked one of our favorite mirrorless cameras to make it an even more tempting proposition for new users and enthusiasts alike. Featuring a Micro Four Thirds sensor format sensor (roughly half the area of APS-C), means image quality isn't quite a match for APS-C rivals like the Nikon D3500, but the effect on image quality is minor and it's still better than a travel zoom. It also means that the lenses are as compact and lightweight as the camera itself. Sporting a 5-axis image stabilization system, decent electronic viewfinder, an impressive 8.6fps burst shooting speed and 4K video, it's no toy – the E-M10 Mark III is a properly powerful camera. Pair it with a couple of neat Micro Four Thirds lenses and you've got a decent little travel set-up.

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