Find Your Perfect Travel Companion with MPB
Posted on Aug 15, 2024
Our essential guide to choosing a travel camera that does your memories justice
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Travelling is an opportunity to capture stunning landscapes, vibrant cultures and unforgettable moments. To do this effectively, you need a reliable and versatile camera, but with so many options on the market, choosing the right one can be daunting.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the essential travel camera features and make an informed decision from MPB’s huge selection of approved used gear.
First up is portability. When travelling, the last thing you want is to be burdened by a bulky, heavy camera. Portability is key. Look for a camera that is both compact and lightweight so it fits easily in your bag and doesn’t weigh you down during long excursions.
Mirrorless cameras and high-end compacts are great choices offering a balance between performance and size. This also helps to ensure the camera is more manoeuvrable in-hand, allowing quicker reactions for the perfect shot.
Second is the sensor. At the heart of any camera is its sensor, which directly impacts image quality. Pixel resolution is certainly important to an extent, but it’s not the be-all and end-all. There are arguably more significant factors to consider, such as sensor size. Simply put: the bigger the sensor, the more light it can absorb – and more light can equate to better image quality.
Micro Four Thirds, APS-C or full-frame sensors are ideal, as they are large enough to perform better in low light and produce clearer, more detailed images but small enough to ensure the camera body and lenses are not too unwieldy.
The third aspect to consider is the lens. A versatile focal length is a traveller’s best friend. Whether you go for an interchangeable lens system or a camera with a built-in zoom lens, being able to cover a wide range of focal lengths is key.
For example, a zoom lens with a full-frame equivalent focal range of 24-70mm is versatile enough to handle landscapes, portraits and close-up shots all in one.
Lens performance is another huge contributor to overall image quality – and when it comes to lenses, you get what you pay for – so spend as much as you can afford.
Bear in mind: while cameras usually update every few years, lenses can remain the same for decades, so go into your purchase seeing it as a long-term investment.
The good news is that many modern kit zoom lenses are excellent so you may not need to spend as much as you thought.
Another thing to keep in mind is the battery; nothing is worse than a dead camera in the middle of a scenic tour. Look for cameras with a long battery life – preferably one which can shoot at least 300-400 shots per charge.
Additionally, you’ll want to consider cameras that allow easy battery replacement or charging via USB, which can be a lifesaver in remote locations.
Fifth up is durability. Travel can expose your camera to harsh environments. A durable, weather-sealed camera can withstand rain, dust, and varying temperatures, ensuring you can keep shooting regardless of the conditions.
If you plan to tackle extreme conditions, it may be worth going for a purpose-built compact camera which can withstand heavier knocks and even go underwater.
Sixth is autofocus. Photographing the perfect moment often requires quick reflexes and a camera able to keep up. A fast and accurate AF is essential for sharp images, especially for moving subjects like wildlife or fast-paced city scenes.
Look for cameras with multiple phase detection AF points and good performance in low-light conditions at the very least.
Many newer mirrorless cameras feature powerful subject detection and tracking capabilities, which can keep even the most unpredictable subjects in sharp focus.
Seventh is connectivity. In today’s connected world, having a camera with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity can simplify your workflow. It allows you to quickly transfer photos to all your devices for instant sharing on social media or backup.
Some cameras also support remote control via smartphone apps, perfect for group shots, tricky angles or long exposures.
Video comes in at eighth on the list. It can add a wonderful extra dimension to your travel photography, so it’s worth having the option to easily create high-quality footage whenever you need it.
Most modern digital cameras are also highly capable video cameras, offering exceptional quality. Look for a camera which offers at least 1080p resolution, though 4K is becoming increasingly standard and provides superior quality.
Additionally, consider features like image stabilisation, external microphone support and slow-motion recording, which can all help create some truly evocative footage that you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
After reading all this, you may be thinking: ‘that sounds expensive’! But it doesn’t have to be. MPB is a global reseller of photography equipment and offers some of the best gear for very reasonable prices.
The choice is huge and every product has been meticulously checked, tested and rated by a team of experts to give you additional peace of mind. You’ll even get a six-month warranty on any purchase.
There’s nothing like a new camera to inspire you, so come and see how MPB can help make this summer’s holiday photos the best yet.
This feature was first published in Issue 116 of Photography News.
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