Travel is about experiencing new things and taking photos is one of the best ways to record those memories. A quality camera will help you preserve moments you’ll cherish.
When traveling, you want a user-friendly camera that produces excellent photos. Plus, make sure it offers some key features like full manual control and adequate sensor size.
Sony ZV-E10
If you’re in search of a compact camera that can capture stunning 4K video, the Sony ZV-E10 is an excellent option. It boasts a large 24MP APS-C sensor, impressive AF points, and numerous vlogging features designed to help you create beautiful videos with a professional-style presentation.
As with many Sony cameras, the ZV-E10 feels well-constructed and comfortable to hold. It features a textured grip and thumb rest area, plus buttons that feel precisely finished and of good size.
The large record button is especially helpful, while an optional blogging grip/tripod makes using it even easier. The ZV-E10 offers a directional 3-capsule microphone with a wide-angle end, as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack for audio capture. Furthermore, the camera has a low-power Bluetooth 4.1 connection that can link with smart devices and store GPS location data.
Image quality for the Sony ZV-E10 is impressive in the high ISO range. At ISO 12800, it produces crisp images with minimal grain or detail loss. Unfortunately, at ISO 25600 or 51200 there may be distracting noise and noticeable color speckling.
Thankfully, JPEGs can be shot with a wide sensitivity setting of ISO 6400 or higher and still capture good dynamic range. Furthermore, the ZV-E10 offers an ‘Auto’ mode which automatically selects the best sensitivity setting for you – and this works surprisingly well.
Sony cameras like the ZV-E10 offer a range of frame rates and resolutions to capture video. You can shoot in 4K at 30fps or Full HD at 100/120 fps depending on whether you are shooting PAL or NTSC format. Plus, it records in S-Log 2/3 gamma or HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) picture profiles for greater color grading control.
The camera’s autofocus system is another impressive aspect, boasting 425 phase-detection AF points spread across 84% of its area. This enables it to achieve an amazingly fast focus time of just 0.02 seconds.
Sony A7 III
This 24-megapixel full-frame sensor boasts backlighting for lower noise and greater dynamic range, along with an advanced front-end LSI and BIONZ X processor that reads data at a much faster rate than its predecessor – up to 10fps continuous shooting rate – double that of the A7 II – as well as stunning 4K video quality.
One of the standout features of the A7 III is its focus and tracking, which are powered by 693 embedded phase-detection AF points across 93% of the frame – double what was offered with its predecessor! Furthermore, eye detection support helps keep track of subjects even when they’re moving from side to side or panning.
The A7 III’s continuous focus tracking may not be as fast as some of Sony’s high-end cameras, but you’ll still be able to lock onto your subject and capture sharp shots without much fuss. Plus, there’s a focus peaking option for adjusting the intensity of the focus point and exposure warning zebras to help avoid overexposure.
Autofocus in video mode isn’t quite as accurate as the A7 II, but it’s still an improvement over that model and easy to use with slow-moving, predictable subjects (although it won’t match the best autofocus available when shooting wide open). Furthermore, this model features a focal length-aware automatic ISO sensitivity function which automatically raises the minimum shutter speed as you zoom or mount longer lenses – perfect for low light conditions!
The A7 III offers ample exposure bracketing options, with three, five, or nine frames to select from. Exposure bracketing can help mitigate the risk of underexposure when shooting RAW images with a higher shutter speed; it helps create a more natural-looking appearance.
Panasonic Lumix GX85
The Panasonic Lumix GX85 is the successor to its predecessor, maintaining many of its features while adding some new ones. This compact rangefinder-style camera makes a great choice for photographers who require a lightweight device with an extended zoom lens.
The GX85 shares many similarities to its siblings, featuring a 16MP Live MOS sensor capable of capturing high-resolution still images as well as UHD 4K video. It offers an expansive native ISO range from 200 to 25,600 with an extended low-ISO 100 mode for working in low-light conditions.
It also features a fast and accurate DFD (Depth from Defocus) autofocus system. This fast lock focus can quickly lock focus for individual shots in various scenarios while responding quickly with continuous shooting.
Another feature is a tilting 3″ touch-screen display with a 1,040k dots resolution. This makes it an ideal option for those who like to work outdoors since you can adjust focus points without taking your camera away from your eye level.
When it comes to design, the GX85 looks almost identical to its predecessor – which isn’t a bad thing as it’s comfortable and easy to hold and operate. Its mix of metal and plastic gives it an aged vibe.
The rear LCD screen of this model is slightly smaller than its predecessor, yet still quite large and provides excellent visibility in both bright and dim light conditions. Furthermore, it’s touch-friendly so you can move the focus point and customize settings with ease using your fingers.
The GX85 offers similar AF capabilities as its predecessors, such as Pinpoint AF and Full Area AF. Furthermore, it has 49-Area/Custom Multi mode which allows you to freely select an array of AF areas tailored towards your subject.
When it comes to image quality, the GX85 provides a generous range of controls for adjusting color and contrast. Plus, you get a Monochrome Photo Style which gives deeper blacks as well as various filters to add realistic gradations. Noise performance on the GX85 is impressive too – up to an impressive 3200 ISO; however, noise starts creeping in more at 12,800 ISO.
Sony RX100
The Sony RX100 is the ideal travel camera if you’re looking for excellent image quality and SLR-like handling in a small package. It also makes an ideal choice for vloggers, as it can capture full HD video footage.
It features a 1″ stacked CMOS sensor, which allows it to capture highly detailed images even at low sensitivity settings and keeps noise down when shooting at higher ISO values. However, you may notice some visible banding artifacts in darker shadow areas when shooting with higher sensitivities; additionally, results will have some softness to them.
Vloggers will appreciate the new feature of Sony’s RX100: Full HD video recording at frame rates up to 960fps (the original model was capable of 120fps). Furthermore, 4K output is supported, though it lacks the same level of detail as standard Full HD.
For stills photography, the RX100 excels with fast continuous shooting up to 24 frames per second. Furthermore, its AI-based real-time autofocus system has been improved so it can track subjects by analyzing their color, pattern, and distance in real-time.
It can also rapidly switch between focusing on a subject’s face and eye, and hold focus even if they turn away from the camera. This marks an enormous improvement over the previous model’s focus tracking which often locked on to only a few subjects under various lighting conditions.
Another new feature is the capability of capturing stills while recording video, which can come in handy if you need to stitch together scenes for post-production. Furthermore, you have the choice between shooting in JPEG or RAW format as well as up to 4K resolution for improved results when editing.
This lens features a 24-200mm equivalent focal length and a large aperture of F1.8 to F2.8 that makes it ideal for low-light shooting and shallow depth of field. There’s also a focus mode designed specifically for fast-moving subjects, plus image stabilization which helps keep pictures sharp when shooting in low-light conditions.
