Looking to buy the best camera for trips to mountain treks or city escapes? We've got you covered in this article, where our experts pick the best cameras and lenses with pro-level performance for your next trip.
Traveling is all about experiencing new stuff and capturing the right moment, and the best camera for a trip is one that’s always ready and reliable, because you rarely get a second chance to take the perfect shot. Before you take our word, we suggest that you consider your next purchase according to these criteria and look for these things in your next camera purchase:
1. Portability:
Your camera body should be portable; it should be small and lightweight. Nobody wants to carry a bulky camera and lens combo on their travels.
2. Fast Autofocus:
During travel, there are often once-in-a-lifetime moments that can't be recreated. That's why your camera must have fast autofocus to ensure you don’t miss the shot.
3. Wide ISO range:
If you are in low-light conditions, let’s say an afternoon or early night scene, then a higher ISO is a must for your camera body. If it can support expandable ISO, that’s a plus.
4. Stability:
Look for a camera with IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) or OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) to ensure sharp images and video. Blurry shots are common while traveling, especially in crowded, fast-moving environments, so stabilization is essential.
Based on the above criteria, we have rated below the top three camera systems, which we think are worth your attention in all the chatter and noise of countless brands all claiming to be the best one for outdoor photography.
1. Unarguably, the best camera for trip in 2025 is the Fujifilm X100VI with its large APS-C sensor, which is hailed for its optical performance for both street and landscape photography. It utilizes back-side illumination (BSI) technology, which excels in low-light conditions, and features an X-Processor 5 image processor, all of which combine to deliver stunning pictures. The only downside with it is that it has a fixed lens, which is a turnoff for many.
If the fixed lens is not your thing, then the Fujifilm X-S20 is another honorable mention, a super-compact mirrorless camera perfect for travelers. It comes with a 26.1MP sensor, which can deliver a solid 6.2K/30P video recording, and a vari-angle touchscreen optimized for outdoors.
2. The second-best camera for trips this year is the Canon EOS R8, with a super compact body and top-tier real-world performance. The camera body is a full-frame type and can deliver excellent color science and fast autofocus for quick shots during your travels.
The real magic lies in its Dual Pixel CMOS sensor, which is the same sensor you will find in Canon’s much higher-end camera body, the EOS R6 Mark II. It's a 24.2-megapixel camera with a spec sheet supporting ISO values ranging from 100 to 102,400, which can be further expanded to 50 to 204,800, giving stunning low-light performance outdoors.
3. Another great offering from Sony is the Alpha a7C II, which has made its name for super focusing systems and a compact body. It is a bit on the pricey side, but it delivers stunning pictures in outdoor photography.
The camera comes with a powerful BIONZ XR processor coupled with a well-respected 33-megapixel full-frame back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor found in mid-range and upper mid-range cameras of Sony. This camera also supports AI-based subject recognition, making it easier to focus on moving objects outdoors and an S-LOG3 gamma curve for 4K video recording at 60p or 50p in Super 35mm mode.
Best Lens for Trips in 2025:
So, choosing the right camera body will give you a solid base, but what about the lens? Well, the eyes of your camera body should be as capable as your camera body. Not only should it take high-quality pictures, but it should also help you bring your creative vision to life. For that, we recommend considering the SIRUI Saturn 35/50/75mm Full-Frame Carbon Fiber Anamorphic Lens series to get a cinematic touch to their travel stills and footage.
Available in a wide range of focal lengths, you will get an ultra-lightweight lens (less than 500 grams!) that is weather-sealed and capable of delivering super dreamy oval bokeh and characteristic lens flares (due to anamorphic optics) in your travel stills and footage, making them instantly professional and distinct. You will also get a 1.6x squeeze factor in your scenes made in stunning 2.4:1 / 2.8:1 aspect ratios and a super bright T2.9 to coherently work with the above cameras and deliver stunning low-light shots.
It also supports a wide range of camera mounts, including Canon RF, Nikon Z, Sony E, and more, and is a must-have to fully unlock the potential of the above-mentioned cameras. In 2025, the best camera for trip is incomplete without the SIRUI Saturn 35/50/75mm Full-Frame Carbon Fiber Anamorphic Lens due to its top-tier optics, high performance, distinctive anamorphic feel, and lightweight package.
