I am always asked by readers what the best cameras for family travel are. I don’t believe there is a single answer, because we all have different budgets, needs, and abilities when taking pictures: for some, a camera with multiple lenses and manual settings works best, while others may just use their iPhone camera. I decided to ask my favorite family travel bloggers what they use when traveling. What a wide range of answers! Here are the recommendations for the best cameras for family travel, with some great shots to browse. (PS- the picture of my daughter above was taken with my Samsung Galaxy S7 since she was using my Nikon:).
Experts Recommend Best Cameras for Family Travel
Jessie from Jessie Taylor Travels: “I have a Sony mirrorless NEX-5t; it looks and feels like a point and shoot but takes pics like a dslr and offers interchangeable lenses.” (~$400) Karilyn loves her Sony Nex, which is lighter and smaller than a DSLR but has much of the same functionality.
Scott MacLeon from At The Drop says he loves the flexibility of the Nikon D3200, and the built in WiFi. Amy from Two Drifters agrees: “I love our Nikon D3200! An affordable DSLR that won’t overwhelm you and will create awesome shots, even in Auto!” (~$330)
Gretchen of Trips and Toys is also a Nikon fan: “I can’t live without my Nikon D3200 DSLR because of the wide range of it gives me in shooting so many different types of images of my family enjoying life. Great shutter speed control, paired with an 18-270 lens, gives me sharp close-ups, as well as high-quality zoom shots, no matter how fast the action. The color is brilliant and the clarity is amazing; and that matters because I don’t want to spend all my time editing photos after the fact. The manual adjustments are a learning curve, but the power of your image is well worth the upgrade from a point and shoot, without spending an absolute fortune. If you’re still learning, even automatic mode can capture your moment beautifully!” (~$330)
Michele from Sunscapes Resorts Blog shares that “a very family-friendly underwater camera is the Fujifilm FinePix XP90.” (~$199)
Alex Metcalf: “How has no one mentioned the Olympus OM-D E-M5 1 or 2!? Fantastic micro 4/3 camera and range. Check out Panasonics as well. Perfect for the aspiring travel writer, none of that DSLR baggage.” (~$900)
Jen from @longhautrekkers: “I use a Canon 60D (~$1000) and GoPro and have fun with them both!” Heather, from the Guinea Gringa says “I use a GoPro at the moment, which I think is very travel and family-friendly.” (~$230)
A shot with their Canon 60D:
Sora was such a good, patient model this day…and we didn’t even have any treats with us. ?
A photo posted by Jen, Dave, & Sora (@longhaultrekkers) on
A fantastic view with their Go Pro:
A photo posted by Jen, Dave, & Sora (@longhaultrekkers) on
Sara, from Solo Mom Takes Flight loves the Mirrorless Panasonic Lumix GX8. (~$1200)
Both Debbie from The English Explorer and Cameron from The World Pursuit recommend the Canon 5D MKIII. “It is pretty much the golden standard for full frame cameras.” (~$3000)
Lisa from Hilton Mom Voyage says that “For people who love little cameras that fit in your pocket, I swear by the Sony Cybershots. Currently I am using the DSC-WX220. It has served me well in my travels across the world and takes good quality HD video.” (~$178)
Shannon Entin from 100RoutesAcrossAmerica.com says “I just started using the LUMIX ZS60 and it’s incredible! Panasonic’s Lumix ZS60 is perfect for family travel because of its 4k pre-burst option that takes a 2 second video every time you press the shutter to take a photo. You can then go back and scroll through every frame of the mini-video to choose the perfect one. No more missing the perfect family shot when one kid blinks or looks away! It takes amazing night photos, too.” (~$447)
Ann from kidstravelbooks.com recommends the Canon Eos 70D because “it’s an easy to use dslr.” (~$1200)
Eric Stoen from travelbabbo.com: “I routinely use 4-5 different cameras depending on trip specifics, but have really been enjoying the LUMIX ZS100. It’s not quite as functional as a DSLR, but it’s a lot lighter, the quality is excellent and it shoots in RAW (a must for me). I find myself leaving my DSLRs/lenses at home more and more, only grabbing the Lumix, and 95% of the time I get the same shots that I would have with the heavier gear.” (~$697)
Kirsten from Kids Are A Trip: “The camera I am loving right now is the Panasonic ZS60. It takes amazing photos, allows for scene editing before the shot is taken, and pictures can be uploaded via wifi. The best part: it fits in your pocket or your purse!” (~$449)
Dana from Calgary Playground Review: “I really like the Nikon 1 mirrorless dSLR cameras because they take good pictures but aren’t so big that they are heavy or clonking my kids on the head. I’m even able to carry it with a baby in a front carrier.”
Jessie from the Wandering Educators asks “Is it awful to say that when my big Nikon died in turkey, I’ve been using my phone camera? Galaxy S6 active, and all on IG. I’m looking for a bigger camera, but for now… EASY.”
A photo posted by Dr. Jessie Voigts (@wanderingeducators) on
I agree with Jessie! I love to whip out my Samsung 7S phone to take quick pictures when my other camera isn’t accessible:
Family Travel Blog Hop
Visit all of our participants to discover crucial tips, fun activities, and recommendations for fun family travel!
Tips for Taking Kids on Long Flights from MamaSmiles
Best Travel Games from MissJaimeOT
How to Avoid Boring in A Long Trip For Extrovert And Introvert Kids from Living Ideas
Road Trip Books for Kids from CraftCreateCalm
Getting the Energy Out on a Road Trip from Royal Baloo
Record where you’ve been World Map Craft from The Diary of a Frugal Family
Best Cameras for Family Travel from Kid World Citizen
What beautiful photos taken by all these cameras!
I love all the options that work for different families. Great tips. Thanks for sharing!