Looking for a lightweight camera for sightseeing, hiking, and all your travel adventures?

I’ve scoured the market and brought together all the best lightweight cameras: point-and-shoots, mirrorless models, and DSLRs.

In this guide, you’ll find reviews of the 7 best lightweight cameras currently available, helping you choose the perfect companion for your next journey!

QUICK TAKE

  • My top choice for travellers and hikers is The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III
  • The Canon EOS M50 Mark II is a versatile and affordable mirrorless camera 

7 Best Lightweight Cameras for Travel and Hiking


Here are some of the best lightweight cameras for travel and hiking that I recommend:

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

SPECIAL SALE
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III Camera Body (Silver)
  • 20MP live MOS sensor
  • Portable, weather sealed design
  • 121-point all-cross-type on-chip phase detection AF

With its impressive features and rugged design, this camera is built to withstand the elements and capture breathtaking moments on your adventures.

Equipped with a 20MP live MOS sensor, the E-M5 Mark III delivers stunningly detailed images that showcase the beauty of your surroundings. 

When it comes to stabilization, the E-M5 Mark III truly excels. Its compact, in-body 5-axis image stabilization provides up to approximately 5.5 EV steps of compensation.

This means you can confidently shoot handheld in low light conditions, resulting in sharp, blur-free images.

The E-M5 Mark III offers a 50MP tripod high-resolution shot mode, allowing you to capture stunning, ultra-detailed images when you have the luxury of time and stability.

This feature is perfect for those breathtaking landscape shots or architectural details.

Canon EOS M50 Mark II

Canon EOS M50 Mark II Body Black
  • 24.1 megapixel (aps-c) cmos sensor with iso 100-25600 (h: 51200).
  • Digic 8 image processor with auto lighting optimizer.
  • Improved dual pixel cmos af and eye detection af (still or movie servo af support).

Packed with powerful features, this camera is a true game-changer for capturing your adventures with ease.

With its 24.1-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and ISO range of 100-25600 (expandable to 51200), the EOS M50 Mark II delivers stunningly detailed photos in any lighting condition.

Powered by the DIGIC 8 image processor and Auto Lighting Optimizer, the EOS M50 Mark II produces vibrant and well-exposed images.

For those who love capturing videos, the EOS M50 Mark II offers 4K UHD 24p and HD 120p for slow-motion footage. 

If you want to capture stable videos, especially TimeLapse, you should opt for a gimbal. Click here to find 7 Best Gimbals for Canon m50 Mark II.

What’s more, the vari-angle touchscreen LCD adds convenience to your shooting experience, especially for vlogging and exploring unique compositions.

Fujifilm X-T4

Fujifilm X-T4 Mirrorless Digital Camera XF16-80mm Lens Kit - Black
  • Putting Stability in Your Hands: A huge part of creating great photos or videos is...
  • Performance You Can Rely On: For any serious image maker, having a tool that can be...
  • Find the Best Angle for Your Story: When chasing the perfect image, versatility is...

This mirrorless camera has a 26 MP APS-C sensor that delivers excellent image quality, even in low-light situations.

It also has a fast and accurate autofocus system that can track moving subjects with ease, making it ideal for capturing wildlife or action scenes.

The X-T4 can also shoot 4K video at up to 60 fps, or Full HD video at up to 240 fps for slow-motion effects.

The camera has a robust and weather-sealed body that can withstand dust, moisture, and cold temperatures.

It also has a vari-angle touchscreen and an electronic viewfinder that let you compose your shots from different angles.

The Fujifilm X-T4 features a large battery that can last for up to 600 shots per charge, or up to 1700 shots with the optional battery grip. 

Find 7 Top Video Lenses for Fujifilm X Mount>>>

Panasonic Lumix ZS200

PANASONIC LUMIX ZS200, 15X LEICA DC Lens with Stabilization, 20.1 Megapixel, Large 1 Inch Low Light Sensor, (DC-ZS200K USA BLACK) (Renewed)
  • High-Sensitivity MOS Sensor: The 20.1 megapixels large sensor lets you capture...
  • 4K Recording: The camera offers 4K video 30p, 4K photo, and 4K Live crop turn 4K...
  • Live View Finder: The Live view finder provides excellent clarity even in bright...

This camera has a 1.0-inch sensor that can capture 20.1 MP photos and 4K videos with great detail and color.

It also has a 15x optical zoom lens that covers a focal length of 24-360mm equivalent, giving you the flexibility to shoot anything from landscapes to portraits to wildlife.

The ZS200 also has a built-in electronic viewfinder and a touchscreen that lets you compose your shots with ease.

The camera also has a fast and accurate autofocus system, as well as image stabilization to reduce blur.

It features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to transfer your images and videos to your smartphone or tablet.

GoPro Hero 11

The GoPro HERO 11 Black is the ultimate adventure companion, taking your footage to new heights with its incredible features.

With SuperView capabilities up to 5K60/4K120, you can capture your adventures in stunning detail like never before.

The boost in image resolution, now at 27 megapixels, ensures exceptional clarity and sharpness in your photos.

GoPro-HERO-11

Equipped with a larger image sensor and the new HyperView lens, the HERO 11 delivers immersive visuals and the widest-angle shots ever seen from a GoPro.

Say goodbye to shaky footage with HyperSmooth 5.0 stabilization, offering even smoother shots for your action-packed moments.

Plus, with the Enduro battery, you can extend your recording time by up to 38 percent, ensuring you never miss a thrilling moment.

Check out GoPro alternatives for hiking: 5 Best GoPro Camera (or similar) for Hiking.

DJI Pocket 2

DJI Pocket 2 - Handheld 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer with 4K Camera, 1/1.7” CMOS, 64MP Photo, Pocket-Sized, ActiveTrack 3.0, Glamour Effects, YouTube TikTok Video Vlog, for Android and iPhone, Black
  • POCKET-SIZED: DJI Pocket 2 weighs only 116 g and offers up to 140 minutes of battery...
  • MOTORIZED STABILIZATION: A 3-axis gimbal stabilizes the camera for smooth video on...
  • HIGH IMAGE QUALITY: An upgraded 1/1.7-inch sensor captures images with 64MP photo and...

This camera is a tiny and portable gimbal camera that can shoot 4K videos and 64 MP photos with a wide-angle lens.

It also has a built-in microphone that can record clear and crisp sound and a touchscreen that lets you control the camera settings and modes.

The DJI Pocket 2 also has a built-in gimbal that can stabilize your footage and track your subjects with ease, making it ideal for vlogging or capturing dynamic scenes.

It features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to connect it to your smartphone or tablet for more features and functions.

You can buy another amazing accessories for this camera: DJI Osmo Pocket 2: Must Have Accessories & Gear.

The DJI Pocket 2 offers long battery life that can last for up to 140 minutes of continuous shooting. All these wonderful features and specs make the DJI Pocket 2 a great choice for travelers who want a fun and easy camera that can still deliver amazing results.

Find the comparison between GoPro Hero 11 and DJI Pocket 2>>>

Sony A7 IV

Sony Alpha 7 IV Full-frame Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera
  • 33MP full-frame Exmor R back-illuminated CMOS sensor.Operating temperature : 0 to 40...
  • 8x more powerful, next generation BIONZ XR image processing engine
  • Up to 4K 60p 10-bit 4:2:2 w/ full pixel readout in all recording formats

With its impressive features and compact design, this camera is a perfect companion for capturing your adventures in stunning detail.

Equipped with a full-frame 24-megapixel sensor, the A7 IV delivers exceptional image resolution, allowing you to capture every intricate detail with clarity and depth.

The A7 IV boasts an advanced autofocus system with improved tracking capabilities, ensuring precise and fast focus on your subjects.

It offers in-body image stabilization, providing up to 5.5 stops of compensation. This feature is a game-changer when shooting handheld in challenging conditions, as it helps eliminate camera shake and delivers sharp, blur-free images.

With 4K video capabilities, the A7 IV allows you to capture cinematic footage of your travel experiences.

You will also need to purchase a speedy and spacious SD card for you videos: Sony a7IV SD Card: Recommended Size, Specs, Price.

 

Word Of Advice


My top choice for travellers and hikers is The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III.

It’s a small, tough camera that takes 20MP pictures and can even do 50MP in a special mode. It also records 4K videos and has a slow-motion feature.

The Canon EOS M50 Mark II is a versatile and affordable mirrorless camera with a 24.1 MP sensor, built-in image stabilization, and 4K video recording capabilities.

It’s suitable for those who want good image quality and versatility in a compact package without a high price tag.

Check out the most useful accessories for hiking:

 

Thanks for reading! 🙏

I hope this guide helped you to choose the best lightweight camera 🙂

 

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