Photography Gift Guide

Looking for the perfect holiday present for that photographer in your life? It’s not always easy! These are best photography gift ideas for camera lovers, no matter what your budget.

Skip the gift card this year, and buy a birthday or holiday photography gift that your favorite amateur or professional photographer will actually appreciate.

These popular gifts for photographers can help make taking photos more convenient.

Photographers can be a picky bunch! If you’re not a photographer yourself, it can be difficult to know what they want.

As a long-time travel photographer, I choose to pack photo gadgets that have multiple uses, don’t take up to much space, and will improve my photography experience of capturing beautiful images.

So here are some of my best gift ideas for photographers that are guaranteed to put a smile on the recipient’s face!

Why listen to me? Experience! I’ve been traveling around the world for ten years as a professional travel photographer, licensing images to brands like National Geographic.

Matthew KarstenThe Expert Vagabond

My Photographer Gift Guide For 2022

Best Photography Gifts Under $100

1: Camera Sensor Cleaning Wand

A must-have for photographers to keep their camera sensors clean. The Eyelead Cleaning Kit is used to pull away stubborn sensor dust that can’t be removed with a standard air blower.

Dust on a digital camera’s sensor can ruin photos & video with spots, this camera cleaning kit allows you to safely remove the dust without damaging the sensitive sensor.

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2: Peak Design Camera Clip

One of my favorite pieces of photography gear, the Peak Design Capture Clip allows you to wear your camera on your belt, or on your backpack straps, keeping your hands free for other tasks. The camera adapter fits into most tripod heads too!

Clipping in and out of the device is very quick and easy. You can even run with your camera strapped to your belt wearing this thing. Never miss another shot due to messing around with a camera bag. It’s a fantastic accessory for those who hike or walk a lot with their camera.

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3: SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD

Photographers can never have enough storage space for their photos! The SanDisk Portable SSD is a pocket hard drive you can bring with you anywhere. Because it’s SSD, the drive is super reliable and can take a bit of abuse on the road.

I bring one of these drives with me to backup up any photos I take during a trip, so I have at least two copies of the images somewhere, just in case my computer gets busted or stolen. The 500 GB version costs less than $100, but you can also get storage up to 4TB (it just costs more).

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4: Wireless Bluetooth Remote

Does that photographer you’re shopping for never get photos of herself/himself? Why not give the gift of great selfies and group shots without needing to hand the camera over to someone else? Check out this Sony Wireless Bluetooth Remote!

Once paired to a Sony camera, you can use the remote to focus and shoot photos or video from up to 60 feet away. The perfect accessory for an Instagram addict!

IMPORTANT NOTE: this particular remote only works with Sony Cameras. Check out this remote for Canon Cameras, and this one for Nikon Cameras.

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5: Peak Design Sling Bag

A Peak Design Sling Bag is wonderful gift for a photographer who needs something small and lightweight to carry their equipment around. The bag is weather-resistant, stylish, and will help protect camera gear. It also has has a lifetime guarantee!

There are 3 different sizes, and both the 3L & 6L bags are under $100. They are the perfect size to carry a camera and spare lens around a city for a day. Available in multiple colors too. It’s also a wonderful gift for travelers.

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6: Camera Rain Cover

A Peak Design Camera Shell is always in my camera bag, as it allows me to protect my camera in bad weather like rain or snow. It also doubles as some basic protection in general, like if I’m just going to throw my camera in a beach bag for the day.

Combined with a Peak Design Capture Clip mentioned earlier, photographers get the best of both worlds — quick access to their camera on the go, but with protection from the elements too. A very unique gift idea for photographers!

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7: Quick Release Camera Strap

The Peak Design Leash is a minimalist camera strap that packs down small, but is easy and convenient to use. The quick connectors can hold up to 200 lbs, so it works for both small and larger camera setups.

If the camera strap is getting in the way or blowing in the wind, for example when your using a tripod, you can easily remove it. It comes in multiple colors, and they have wider versions too if you prefer more comfort.

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Gifts For Photographers Under $25

8: Filtered Air Blaster

An air blaster is used to clean a digital camera’s sensor, lens, and other sensitive components from dust buildup. I personally love this particular air blaster because it pre-filters the air coming in, so you’re not just blowing dusty air back on your camera.

It’s also super small and easy to pack in a camera bag. Most photographers carry multiple lenses with them, that need to be changed from time to time. Dust can get into the camera during these lens changes, and it can ruin photos unless it’s blown away.

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9: Micro-Fiber Cleaning Cloths

Another photographer must-have gift is a healthy stash of micro-fiber cleaning cloths. These are used to clean fingerprints, smudges, and water droplets off a camera lens to get the clearest images possible.

I always pack a few of these in my camera bag, and I’m always running low on them too.

These K&F Concept Micro-Fiber Cloths are my favorites so far, each comes individually vacuum-sealed to ensure they are free of dust. They are small, and don’t take up much space.

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10: Think Tank Camera Accessory Pouch

I own a few of these Think Tank Camera Accessory Pouches (in different sizes) to keep all my cables, battery chargers, SD cards, and other camera accessories organized. The clear sides allow me to quickly figure out what’s inside.

An awesome gift for photographers who want to stay more organized!

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11: Camera Lens Coffee Mugs

This is just a fun photography gift. Know someone who’s both into photography, and loves coffee? These camera lens coffee mugs are a wonderful gift idea!

The mugs look exactly like camera lenses, and they come in both white and black colors. The top of these stainless steel insulated coffee mugs even looks like lenses! This could also be a good idea for photography enthusiasts who work from home.

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Unique High-End Photographer Gift Ideas

12: Portable Travel Camera Tripod

Every photographer needs a solid tripod to help capture the magic of the northern lights, epic sunrises and sunsets, and other kids of low-light or night photography. The Peak Design Travel Tripod is small enough to take anywhere and strong enough to hold large cameras.

The innovative design allows it to be packed down very small for travel, yet extends to a full size tripod. It also includes a handy attachment for your smartphone! You can read my full review of this tripod here.

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13: Fujifilm Instax Smartphone Printer

This thing is magic! The Fujifilm Instax Printer is an ultra small portable photo printer that allows you to quickly print photos directly from your smartphone for friends and family. It’s super fun to bring to parties, family reunions, or while traveling.

Send your photos to the printer via Bluetooth from your phone, and print them out to give to friends or hang them up around the house. Images print fast, with surprising quality, in a 2X3 format.

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14: Aura Mason Digital Photo Frame

While it may look like a normal picture frame, this Digital Photo Frame from Aura can store all your favorite photos and display them in high resolution on a rotating basis. The frame is 9 inches.

You can control what’s displayed on the frame using their smartphone app, or set it up with some pre-loaded images before you give it as a gift (great for family or friends who might not be very tech savvy). The brightness of the photos automatically adjusts to the ambient lighting of the room too.

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15: An Online Photography Course

I know most photographers think their photos are amazing already, but there’s always room to improve! The best way to level-up your photography skills is to learn from other professional working photographers.

Gifting a professional online photography course is a wonderful present for that photographer in your life. Plenty of amature photographers could use some help with turning their hobby into a well-paying career.

Luckily I’ve put together a review about my favorite online photography classes that cover everything from post-processing techniques — to making money with your photography.

Browse Top photo courses here →

Happy Holidays This Season!

Well, that’s it for the best gifts for photographers in 2022. I hope you found some unique gift ideas for the photographer in your life who loves shooting images.

Whether you’re photography shopping for a birthday, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwansa, or even Festivus — you can’t go wrong with these fun photography gifts!

I actually own and use most of these products regularly as a working photographer.

Happy shopping this holiday season, and remember to get out there with your own camera too! ★

My Amazon Shop

Check out my full Amazon Shop to see all my favorite travel, photography, and outdoor gear.

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This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

Travel Photography Gear

I’ve been working as a travel photographer & blogger for 10-years, so I get a lot of questions about what kind of photography gear I use. Take a peek inside my camera bag!

Now, when you’re reading this list, please understand that I’m a working professional freelance photographer. I own a lot of gear. Much more than I first started with.

Most travelers don’t need backup cameras, drones, and multiple lenses.

If you’re simply interested in a good portable camera for traveling, make sure to check out my complete guide to the best travel cameras for every budget.

I also share some photography gear recommendations for beginners at the end of this post, and you can check out my personal Amazon Shop to see all my photography & travel gear.

Keep in mind that I don’t pack absolutely everything on this list in my camera bag all the time, instead I pack according to each trip and shooting scenario.

My Travel Photography Gear In 2022

Sony A7R III – Main Camera Body

I was a Canon fanboy for years and started my backpacking adventures back in 2010 with the Canon 7D. However, when Sony came out with their smaller (and superior) mirrorless A7 line, I made the switch.

Since then I’ve been using Sony cameras & lenses for the past 6-years.

Sony’s camera & sensor technology is often far ahead of competitors these days — in fact, even Nikon uses Sony sensors in their cameras!

The Sony A7R III is built for high-end landscape photography with a massive 42.4-megapixel full-frame sensor. This sensor is HUGE! But the camera body isn’t, which is pretty incredible.

Frankly, this is far too much camera for most travelers though.

If you are trying to save some money, another great option is picking up a used Sony A7 III or Sony A6600. Both are amazing cameras for travel photos.

Camera Lenses

Sony 16-35mm F2.8 – Wide Angle Lens

The 16-35mm F2.8 is the lens that’s on my camera 75% of the time. As a landscape photographer, I love shooting wide to capture as much of a big landscape as possible.

But you can also get decent portraits out of it zoomed in to 35mm and stopped down to F2.8. This lens works well for night and star photography too.

There is a less expensive version of this, the Sony 16-35mm F4 which is another decent option too.

Sony 24-70mm F2.8 – Medium Zoom Lens

Occasionally I need a little more reach. Or, I only have space for one lens (like on bigger hiking trips), and want the best of both worlds.

The 24-70mm F2.8 isn’t quite as wide, but often wide enough for most landscapes. With the added ability to zoom in to small subjects far away, or to compress the background making mountains “look” bigger.

This is also my go-to portrait lens for taking photos of people!

Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM – Telephoto Zoom

The 100-400mm F4.5 is my wildlife photography lens, outdoor portraits, or to compress big mountain ranges. I don’t use it that often, and don’t bring it along on every trip. If weight is an issue, it’s usually the first to be left behind.

But if I have a particular shot in mind that requires a telephoto, I’ll bring it.

By adding a Sony 1.4X teleconverter, I can increase the range to 560mm (which is nice for safari photography).

Additional Photography Equipment

Sony RX100 VII – Backup Camera

For a long time, I only traveled with one camera. But as I began getting hired for professional photography gigs, I realized that a backup camera was a wise investment.

The Sony RX100 is a tiny point & shoot pocket camera with professional features. It offers full manual control, and the ability to shoot in RAW format.

I also use it for shooting time-lapses, vlogging, and for certain situations where I don’t want to bring my large camera with me. Like sketchy parts of town, into bars/nightclubs, etc.

For most travelers, this would be a perfectly fine primary travel camera too! It’s super small, but super powerful. It even has a 200mm zoom for wildlife!

GoPro Hero 9 – Action Camera

I’ve been using a GoPro since I started traveling ten years ago. I’ve owned almost all the models! Currently, I travel with the GoPro Hero 9.

GoPro cameras are great at capturing hands-free action or “b-roll” and you can attach them to almost anything. Plus, they are waterproof and shockproof!

I use my GoPro for surfing, mountain biking, hiking, snowboarding, snorkeling, scuba diving, cliff jumping, interior and exterior moving-vehicle footage, and more.

Just owning a GoPro is not enough to get great images and video. The magic of these cameras is in the multitude of accessories that are available for them!

DJI Mavic Air 2 – Flying Drone

The perfect tool for capturing aerial photography and video, while costing much less than renting a helicopter! Drones have really come a long way.

I couldn’t be happier with the DJI Mavic Air 2.

It flies super fast, is extremely reliable, and shoots high-quality RAW photos and 4K video. Not to mention it folds up crazy small!

The 360-degree sensors help stop you from running into things while flying, so you can concentrate on the shot. Active track and intelligent flight modes can do a lot of the work for you.

Top Online Photography Courses

Want to improve your photography? Fancy gear is nice, but learning from other photographers is a better investment.

Click Here For Free Guide

Camera Bags For Travel Photography

Peak Design Travel Backpack – Camera Daypack

It took me a while to find a great camera backpack that I really loved, and I went through many different ones.

I finally found a winner in the Peak Design Travel Backpack. It holds everything I need it to, sits comfortably on my back, and has the perfect amount of weatherproofing and gear protection.

You can strap on a tripod, hiking poles, and other day-hiking gear. There’s a dedicated laptop pocket, room for a jacket and snacks, plus it opens from the back for easy access on the ground. It’s perfect to carry-on airplanes or walk around a city with my photo gear.

Now, it’s not really set up for long-distance trekking or overnight camping though. For that, I use a different setup.

Peak Design Range Pouch – Camera Lens Bag

This is a special lens pouch, and the large size is big enough to keep a 100-400mm zoom lens safe & secure.

Or you can fit two smaller lenses in it (with a divider) or even a drone.

I use this specifically for long-distance trekking adventures, when I want to bring along an extra lens or my drone, but I also need to carry a regular hiking backpack filled with food, clothing, and camping gear.

It’s also handy for safely packing a camera lens in my suitcase, if my camera bag is going to be too heavy for some smaller airplane flights (specifically tropical islands!).

My Lightweight Camera Tripod

Peak Design Travel Tripod – Lightweight Tripod

As a landscape photographer, a solid yet lightweight travel tripod is a key piece of my photography equipment.

I use my Peak Design Travel Tripod (full review here) to stabilize the camera in low light situations and with high f-stop settings (for maximum focus range). It allows me to get shots I just can’t achieve hand-held.

Sunsets, sunrises, the northern lights, star photography, and motion blurred waterfalls are just some of the situations where having a tripod is important.

I also use it to film myself for vlogs, as well as to shoot travel selfies when I’m hiking on my own. There are cheaper tripod options available, which I share in my guide to the best travel tripods.

Favorite Camera Accessories

Peak Design Capture Clip

I love this thing so much! Basically, the Peak Design Capture Clip allows you to “clip” your camera onto your belt, or on the shoulder straps of a backpack, for easy access (and to keep your hands free).

I use it constantly for day hikes, long-distance trekking, walking around cities, and basically, anywhere I know I’ll want quick access to my camera. While I still use a camera strap sometimes, this is the primary way I carry my camera. You can even run with it!

It’s also a great photography gift idea, if you’re unsure what a photographer would want.

HINT: If you have a larger camera, the Peak Design Pro Pad makes carrying it on your belt MUCH more comfortable.

Peak Design Camera Strap

When I’m not using my Peak Design camera clip mentioned above, I snap on this Peak Design Leash Camera Strap and sling it around my shoulders it like you’d wear a rifle.

The Peak Design quick release system allows me to easily remove the strap if it’s getting in the way, or snap it right back on. Adjusting the strap length is also super fast. It’s pretty minimal and doesn’t take up much room in a camera bag. 

Camera Rain & Snow Protection

So, if I’m carrying my camera on my backpack straps, what happens if it starts raining? While my Sony A7R III has decent weather sealing, in bad weather I throw on my Peak Design Shell Rain Cover. This helps protect my camera from the elements, while also keeping it ready to access.

Now if the rain or snow is REALLY coming down, or I’m shooting near the ocean (like in Antarctica), or maybe under a waterfall, I also pack a simple plastic rain sleeve like this.

External Microphones

For video, the internal microphones on cameras just aren’t very good. In fact, they’re pretty terrible. Because audio is SO important for creating a good video, I pack two different external microphones.

One is the Sennheiser MKE 400 Shotgun, which goes on the top of my camera. Great quality, and very small.

The other is the Tascam DR-TL Lavalier. This goes on my body, so I can get great audio even if the camera is far away, the room has a lot of echoes, or if it’s super windy out. You can than easily sync the audio to the video later while editing.

LED Video Light

This tiny but powerful Aputure ALM9 LED Light mounts to the camera’s hot-shoe and allows me to shoot video at night. It takes up almost no space and can be recharged via USB cable.

Camera Lens Filters

Lens filters help you achieve certain photography effects that just aren’t possible with software yet. Think of them as sunglasses for your camera.

I carry a Hoya Fusion One Polarizing Filter to help reduce glare & reflections on water, glass (like through helicopter windows), and to darken up the blues and clouds in a sky.

I also carry a Tiffen Variable ND Filter (neutral density) which cuts down the amount of light going into the camera to different degrees, depending on how much you spin it. Why? To create special effects like motion blur in a waterfall, even when it’s sunny outside.

Wireless Remote

One of my favorite pieces of gear is the Sony Bluetooth Remote. This allows me to shoot photos or video remotely, when I’m away from my camera.

I used to own a wireless radio intervalometer remote, but newer Sony cameras have the time-lapse function built into their camera software (FINALLY!), so it is no longer needed.

However I do still like to shoot photos of myself, or group photos, with the ability to auto-focus, and this Bluetooth remote does that perfectly without any special camera attachments!

Memory Cards

Because I shoot in RAW, with very large camera files, I use very fast memory cards. I own a mixture of Sony High-Performance 64GB and SanDisk Extreme Pro 64GB class 10 cards which read/write at around 300 mb/s. 

Spare Batteries

There is nothing worse than running out of battery power during an epic photography moment! That’s why I always carry spare batteries for my cameras.

I own 4 batteries for my Sony A7R III, 2 batteries for my Sony RX100, 3 batteries for my drone, and 3 batteries for my GoPro.

Portable Hard Drives

I travel with an Apple Macbook Air 13″ with a 2TB SDD, which is usually plenty of room for the images & video I shoot on any given trip.

To back that up, I also pack a super small 2TB Sandisk Extreme Portable SSD. Once I get back “home”, I move everything over to a larger desktop RAID system.

Cold Weather Protection

I bought a cold-weather jacket for my camera a while back, for a few winter projects I was working on. Like camping on a frozen lake in Manitoba, and snowmobiling through the Russian wilderness.

It keeps your camera, batteries, lens, and your hands nice and toasty while shooting outdoors in below-zero temperatures. It’s a bit of a specialty product, and only makes it into my bag when I know I’ll be shooting in very extreme weather conditions.

Clear Accessory Pouches

I own a few Think Tank Camera Accessory Pouches to keep all my cables, battery chargers, and GoPro Accessories organized. The clear sides allow me to quickly figure out what’s inside.

Camera Cleaning & Maintenance

Microfiber Lens Cloths

There’s nothing worse than a foggy or smudged camera lens! I pack no less than 3 of these K&F Concept Microfiber Lens Cloths on every trip. Two go in my camera bag, one goes in my pocket for easy access. 

I always end up losing them too, so it never hurts to have more than you need laying around.

Air Blower

The problem with changing your lenses on mirrorless cameras is that the mirror is exposed to the elements, and they’re a magnet for dust. Dust on your sensor leaves you with “dust spots” on your photos (or worse, video).

A few quick bursts of air with this Camera Air Blower on your sensor can help clear that dust away.

Sticky Sensor Stick

When the air blower doesn’t work, and the dust on my sensor is too stubborn to blow away, I break out the big guns, my Eyelead Sensor Stick. It’s kind of like a gummy bear on a stick that pulls the dust away.

Budget-Friendly Camera Kit Examples

Yes, I own a lot of camera gear now. But that wasn’t always the case.

When I first started traveling, all I used was a Canon 7D, a wide angle zoom lens, a tripod, and a GoPro.

If you are still new to travel and adventure photography, don’t get discouraged by this giant list of gear-porn that I’ve accumulated over the years!

I do this professionally, so I can afford to go a little crazy.

For those of you traveling on a tighter budget, I’ve put together my ideal “starter travel photography kits” below — which won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

The Minimalist Backpacker Kit

• Sony RX100 VII – Compact Point & Shoot
• Joby Gorillapod 3K – Compact Tripod

Travel Photography Enthusiast Kit

• Sony A6600 – Compact Mirrorless
• Sony 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 – Travel Zoom Lens
• MeFoto Backpacker S – Travel Tripod
• Peak Design Everyday Sling – Mirrorless Camera Bag

Improving Your Travel Photography

Ok! That was a big post. But people kept asking about my gear, so there you go.

However please remember that gear isn’t everything.

The best way to improve your travel photography is to practice as much as possible and learn new skills.

Even after ten years doing this, I’m still learning new techniques to get better.

Joining some online photography classes can really help you improve your images, as well as learn about the business side of photography.

Finally, check out my top travel photography tips for beginners too! ★

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This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR

As a professional travel photographer, I get a lot of questions about what’s the best camera backpack for hauling your photo gear around. These are my favorites, and why.

Let’s be honest. Most tourists these days take photos with their smartphones, or maybe a compact travel camera. They don’t need a dedicated camera bag.

But what if you travel internationally with a ton of photography equipment like me? Or take your gear hiking?

Multiple cameras, lenses, a drone, etc. Maybe photography is your passion, or you run a YouTube channel, or work as a professional photographer?

You probably want a specialty photography backpack to pack that expensive gear safely and securely. I prefer traveling with a dedicated carry-on friendly camera backpack, and have spent the last few years trying out all kinds of different camera bags.

But what’s the best camera backpack for storing and traveling with your photo gear?

There’s no easy answer to this question. Different people will have different requirements and budgets for choosing a good camera backpack.

My goal with this camera backpack buyers guide is to help you narrow down the overwhelming choices — and pick the perfect camera backpack so you’re prepared for your next trip.

Why listen to me? Experience! I’ve been traveling around the world for ten years as a professional travel photographer, licensing images to brands like National Geographic.

Matthew KarstenThe Expert Vagabond

Here’s everything we’re going to cover (feel free to click to a specific section if you want to skip around).

Ultimate Camera Backpack Buyer’s Guide

Quick Answer: Best Camera Backpacks Of 2022

Backpack

Description

Price

Best Camera Backpack For Travel

Peak Design Travel Backpack

• FEATURES: Rear & Side loading, comfortable, durable, lockable zippers.
• WEIGHT: 4.5 LBS (2 KG)
• CAPACITY: 30-45L

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Best Urban Camera Backpack

Peak Design Everyday Backpack

• FEATURES: Top & side loading, comfortable, minimalist.
• WEIGHT: 4.65 LBS (2.1 KG)
• CAPACITY: 30L

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Stylish Camera Backpack

Nomatic McKinnon Camera Pack

• FEATURES: Rear loading, comfortable, waterproof.
• WEIGHT: 5.75 LBS (2.6 KG)
• CAPACITY: 35-42L

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Adventure Camera Backpack

Lowe Pro Whistler 350

• FEATURES: Rear loading, waterproof, durable, room for outdoor gear.
• WEIGHT: 5.6 LBS (2.5 KG)
• CAPACITY: 30L

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Trekking Photography Backpack

F-Stop Anja Camera Backpack

• FEATURES: Rear loading, waterproof, durable, room for outdoor gear.
• WEIGHT: 3.75 LBS (1.7 KG)
• CAPACITY: 40L

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Important Camera Backpack Features

WEIGHT – Obviously you want the lightest camera backpack you can find that’s also comfortable, because this will save your body from fatigue. The materials a backpack is made of can also affect its weight, and super light-weight fabrics can increase the price.

SIZE & CAPACITY – Backpack sizes are usually quoted in liters of volume they can hold. Generally, camera backpacks are going to run between 20-40 liters. However some adventure camera backpacks are designed to carry hiking & camping gear too, and can run 45-60 liters.

GEAR PROTECTION – The whole purpose of a specialized camera backpack over a regular bag is to help protect your expensive gear, while making it easily accessible too. Some bags go over the top with too much padding which adds to the overall weight.

SIDE/REAR LOADING – Camera backpacks are usually rear-loading, meaning you need unzip a panel on the back of the bag to access your photo gear. Some camera bags also offer side entry, so you can pull your camera out without taking off your backpack.

STRAP TYPES – A padded waist strap distributes the weight of your backpack on your core, instead of just your shoulders. This helps avoid sore shoulders and back pain, especially when wearing it for long periods of time. Especially handy for camera backpacks.

GEAR POCKETS – This is subjective, and everyone is different, but I prefer a minimal amount of pockets on my camera backpack. Some important ones include a quick-access pocket for things like keys, passport, sunglasses, etc. I also love when there’s a laptop pocket, and one for my filtered water bottle.

ZIPPERS – I prefer large, easy to use zippers on a backpack. Bonus points if they’re lockable zippers, specifically designed to be secured with a small luggage lock.

PROPER FIT – You could have the best travel backpack available, but if it doesn’t fit right, you’ll be miserable. Your torso length is more important than your height. Here’s a great backpack fitting guide.

LOOKS – Some camera backpacks are built to look like normal backpacks, others scream “there’s an expensive camera in here!”. I prefer a more subtle & minimalist look, but it’s ultimately up to you how important looks are.

WEATHER RESISTANCE – The material a backpack is made of can determine how weather-resistant it is. Some backpacks need a special rain-cover, others have rain-resistance built right in. You don’t want your gear getting wet!

CARRY-ON FRIENDLY – Airlines are getting stricter about the size and weight of your carry-on bag. As a general rule, I wouldn’t try to bring anything larger than a 40L camera backpack for carry-on luggage to be safe.

What Kind Of Photographer Are You?

When choosing a camera backpack, it’s important to have a general idea about how you plan to use it. Generally, I split photographers up into some different categories.

If you don’t lug a ton of photo equipment around, a small discreet camera backpack that you can carry-on an airplane and walk around a city with will do just fine. However, if you’re a professional photographer with lot of camera gear, or go on overnight treks with a lot of hiking & camping gear — you might want a larger adventure-style camera backpack.

Travel Photographers

Most typical travel photographers are going to want to keep their camera equipment on the plane with them in a camera backpack that’s not too big, and will look good when walking around the streets of Paris or Rome. They might embark on the occasional day hike too, but won’t need to fit camping gear inside their bag.

Adventure Photographers

Adventure photographers spend a lot of time shooting in the mountains, deserts, and jungles. Maybe they prefer visiting more remote destinations, and need space in their bag for a sleeping bag and tent. They pack their own multi-day backpacking and camping equipment to survive outside in the backcountry.

The camera backpack you choose from the guide below will depend on what kind of photographer you are (or think you’re going to be).

Online Photography Courses

Want to improve your photography? Fancy gear is nice, but learning from other photographers is a better investment.

Click Here For Free Guide

Top 6 Camera Backpacks For Photographers

1. Peak Design Travel Backpack – Matt’s Top Pick

Weight: 4.5 LBS (2 KG)
Capacity: 30-45 Liters
Load Range: 20-40 LBS
Colors: Black, Sage
Best For: Travel & Day Hiking
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

The best designed camera backpack I’ve tested so far, the Peak Design Travel Backpack has loads of space, makes it easy to access your gear, and the quality is fantastic. It was designed as a carry-on travel bag, but works amazing as a camera backpack too when paired with camera-specific packing cubes (which come in different sizes).

You can adjust the size of the bag from 30L to 45L depending on your travel needs. Backpack straps can all be hidden super fast, which is awesome. Accessing your photo gear is super easy and fast, it’s comfortable to carry, and it protects your equipment while traveling or hiking. There’s a dedicated laptop pocket too.

OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS:

2. Peak Design Everyday V2 – Urban Camera Backpack

Weight: 4.65 LBS (2.1 KG)
Capacity: 22-30 Liters
Load Range: 20-40 LBS
Colors: Black, Grey, Blue
Best For: Travel & Day Hiking
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

The Peak Design Everyday Backpack is a popular walk-around camera bag that’s great for lugging your camera equipment around cities, for day hikes, or as a carry-on camera backpack. The material looks great but is pretty weather resistant too.

It has three points of entry into the bag. From the top, as well as two side flaps for easy access to your camera gear without needing to remove the backpack completely. The MagLatch system leaves part of the bag open on the sides, because there’s no drawstring closure.

OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS:

3. McKinnon Camera Pack – Stylish Camera Backpack

Weight: 5.75 LBS (2.6 KG)
Capacity: 35-42 Liters
Load Range: 20-40 LBS
Colors: Black
Best For: Travel & Day Hiking
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

The Peter McKinnon Camera Pack from Nomatic is the perfect bag for every adventure. It allows you to pack camera gear and clothing in the same bag. With removable folding dividers, expansion, and external carry straps it allows you to pack it any way you want.

OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS:

4. LowePro Whistler 350 – Adventure Camera Backpack

Weight: 5.6 LBS (2.5 KG)
Capacity: 30 Liters
Load Range: 30-40 LBS
Colors: Grey
Best For: Outdoor Adventure Photography
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

The LowePro Whistler 350 has been my favorite travel camera backpack for years now! The special TPU coating can take a lot of abuse from the elements, and a large easy-to-use zipper allows you to open the camera compartment quickly, even with gloves on. The newer versions have a laptop pocket too.

It holds a deceptively large amount of gear, and I regularly carry it on airplanes loaded down with 30-40 lbs (don’t tell the airlines!). There’s a large front pocket to pack your lunch, a jacket, or even avalanche equipment. External gear straps can hold snowshoes, a snowboard, skis, your tripod, or anything you need.

LowePro also makes a larger 450 model, but it’s too big for airline carry-on.

OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS:

5. Strohl Mountain Light – Adventure Photography Backpack

Weight: 2.2 LBS (1 KG)
Capacity: 45 Liters
Load Range: 30-50 LBS
Colors: Black, Blue
Best For: Outdoor Adventure Photography
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

From day hikes to overnights, the Strohl Mountain Light Backpack was designed by professional photographer Alex Strohl to be lightweight and nimble. Constructed using rugged custom materials, taped seams, and thoughtful external storage.

The backpack is weatherproof and adaptable to any type of mission you can think of. Quick Back panel access and a compact camera unit allow easy camera carry and fast access. It’s also the lightest camera backpack in this guide!

OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS:

6. F-Stop Anja – Mountain Series Camera Backpack

Weight: 3.75 LBS (1.7 KG)
Capacity: 40 Liters
Load Range: 30-50 LBS
Colors: Black, Green, Orange
Best For: Outdoor Adventure Photography
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

The rugged and weather proof F-Stop Anja Backpack was created for adventure photographers who need to pack hiking & camping gear along with their photo gear. At 40-liters it’s still airline carry-on approved for most airlines too.

It has an internal aluminum frame for support, waist belt, and comfortable shoulder straps. It comes with a Slope Medium ICU for holding a professional DSLR with an attached lens & other gear. However there are other ICU sizes available depending on the amount of gear you need to carry.

Its outer shell is fully water resistant, features plenty of small pockets for extra storage and it is hydration system compatible. There’s also a 13″ laptop compartment, quick-access top pocket, and plenty of attachment points for adventure gear like skis or ice axes.

OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS:

What’s In My Camera Bag?

Take a peek inside my camera bag to learn what I pack with me on my travel photography adventures around the world.

Click Here For Free Guide

FAQ: Top Camera Backpack Questions

Well, I hope you learned a little bit more about the different kind of travel cameras available, and are able to choose one that fits your budget and needs. Or maybe if you’re researching nice gifts to give a photographer in your life.

Happy travels, and let me know which camera model you decide to pick for your next vacation! ★

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This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

Photography Gear Review

After 4-years of development, the Peak Design Travel Tripod is finally out! Here’s why I think it’s the best lightweight tripod for travel & backpacking adventures.

If you’re a frequent traveler like me, or enjoy hiking out into the backcountry with your camera, finding a great lightweight travel tripod can be a difficult task.

You want it to be sturdy of course — but small, lightweight, and easy to pack too.

I’ve owned many travel tripods over the years, but Peak Design’s new Travel Tripod is the closest I’ve found to perfection — lightweight, compact, and an innovative design makes it the best lightweight tripod on the market right now.

If you’re looking for a high-quality tripod for travel & backpacking, it’s a great choice!

Below I’ll give you a rundown of its features, the how to use it, and some of the reasons it’s become one of my favorite pieces of photography gear.

Peak Design Travel Tripod Review

The Travel Tripod is available in two versions and price points — aluminum ($350) and carbon fiber ($600). I own and have been using the carbon fiber version since July, and it became a mainstay in my travel photography kit.

I’d say I pack it on 75% of my photography trips these days, due to its compact nature. It’s really easy to travel with compared to other tripods!

Tripod Specs & Features

Weight (Carbon Fiber Version): 2.81 lbs (1.27 kg)
Weight (Aluminum Version): 3.44 lbs (1.56 kg)
Maximum Height: 60″ (152 cm)
Minimum Height: 5.5″ (10 cm)
Folded Length: 15.2″ (39 cm)
Load Capacity: 20 lbs (9.1 kg)
Tripod Leg Sections: 5

The Ultimate Travel Tripod

My favorite feature of the Peak Design Travel Tripod is just how small & sleek the tripod is when fully collapsed — there is no wasted empty space!

I don’t know how they did it, but the tripod’s folded diameter is very small, so it can fit into a water bottle pocket on the side of a backpack (or even INSIDE a camera backpack).

The tripod’s legs have five sections with a lever lock for each. Its maximum height is 60” inches (152.4 cm) with the center column raised. This is actually very tall!

Because I’m six feet tall, with most travel tripods I have to bend over quite a bit to look into my camera, but not this one. Which is pretty amazing with how small it packs down!

Its minimum height with the collapsed legs extended wide (“low mode”) is 5.5” (14 cm). In “table top mode” the maximum height is 22.5” (57.2 cm) with the center column raised and 13.125″ (35.9 cm) with the center column down. 

Lightweight Yet Stable

As for weight capacity, it easily carries most cameras and lenses. Including a 70-200mm telephoto lens. It’s incredibly sturdy even with the tripod leg sections fully extended.

In fact, this is what’s most surprising about the tripod. Many lightweight travel tripods with several leg sections can be wobbly and unstable in the wind — this one is not!

Peak Design’s special omni-directional ball head is another great feature. It is ARCA SWISS compatible and has a standard camera plate, an adjustment ring, locking ring, quick release, and a tiny bubble level built right in.

It also features two removable pins that make it L-bracket compatible. The ball head is detachable from the center column as well (I’ll talk more about this below).

The Travel Tripod In Action

Setting up the Peak Design travel tripod is simple. The cam levers are easy to open and lock very securely so there’s little chance of them opening accidentally.

The tripod won’t slip on most surfaces thanks to its rubberized feet (if you shoot in icy or snowy conditions and want more grip, Peak Design sells a spiked-feet set for $25).

A small adjustment knob controls the raising and lowering of the center column. The adjustment ring is smooth and easy to operate. A locking ring prevents the quick release from being used accidentally.

There is a detachable hook on the bottom end of the center column that you can hang your bag on for even more stability.

Removable Center Column

The ball head is detachable from the center column. This allows the tripod to go into “low mode” (5.5” or 14 cm from the ground), which is perfect for wide angle, macro, or creative shots.

It also gives you the option of using Peak Design’s universal head adapter, which you use to attach a third-party tripod head, like one with video pan & tilt controls.

You can also make the tripod weigh even less! The company sells ultralight conversion kit, which consists of three special feet that transforms it into a table-top tripod. Perfect if you are trying to save weight on a long-distance backpacking trip!

Other Cool Peak Design Features

Hex Wrench Tool

The tripod has a hex wrench tool mounted to a removable leg clip holder, plus a bushing removal tool (used for maintenance and stored in a hidden pocket in the tripod case).

The hex wrench is for attaching the plate to the camera, to remove the two pins on the ball head plate, and remove the ball head from the center column. Not something I personally do on a regular basis.

Secret Mobile Phone Mount

The travel tripod comes with a a very cool mobile phone mount, stored in the bottom of the center column above the detachable hook (a magnet keeps it from falling out when you remove the hook!).

It snaps easily onto the ball head and grips phones securely.

I find its great for shooting Instagram Stories of yourself on the go, and for Instagram or Facebook Live posts. No need to lug around a separate iPhone tripod mount!

A Lifetime Guarantee!

Yup, that’s right. If your travel tripod ever breaks, Peak Design will send you a new one! This alone is worth the slightly higher price tag on these incredible tripods.

If any part of your Peak Design travel tripod becomes non-functioning or defective, they will repair or replace it with a fully-functioning one in the same or better condition.

Unfortunately it doesn’t include cosmetic wear & tear — I’m rough on my equipment!

A Few Downsides…

Despite all of the great features of the Peak Design travel tripod, it does have a few minor disadvantages. One is that the legs only have two leg angles — tall or very low, there’s no middle angle. Many tripods usually have 3-angles.

Not a huge deal, as you can create a 3rd angle by adjusting two of the legs to low angle, and the third to high angle.

Another potential issue is the lack of a panning knob. For video work, or some kinds of landscape photography work, you might want to replace the included ball head with one that allows panning (which you can totally do!)

The hex wrench tool is pretty easy to lose. I’ve already lost mine once, so now I just keep it in my camera bag rather than attached to the tripod.

Finally, the awesomeness of this travel tripod comes at a price. The aluminum model is $350 while the carbon fiber model costs $600. Not the most expensive tripods out there, but not exactly cheap either.

The Peak Design Travel Tripod is a great piece of photography gear. Its compact size and low weight make it ideal for traveling, backpacking, and every-day photography.

It’s stable, well designed, and securely supports the vast majority of cameras, even your smartphone. And if you have a favorite ball head, simply swap it in using the ball head adapter.

While not cheap, it’s an outstanding lightweight tripod overall. It will keep your camera secure and your back happy while traveling and hiking! ★

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

Photography Gear Review

Drones are incredible tools for capturing photography & video from a totally different perspective. The new DJI Mavic 2 Pro boasts a very powerful camera in a small, travel-friendly package.

It’s finally here! The perfect flying camera that travel photographers like me have been dreaming of. A drone that’s both small enough to fold up into a camera backpack, yet powerful enough to capture high-end images and pristine 4k video.

With the new Mavic 2 Pro, DJI has managed the impossible, sticking a giant 20mp, 1-inch sensor Hasselblad camera onto a compact drone full of high-tech sensors to avoid crashing into things.

This new Mavic flies longer, faster, and farther than ever before too.

I spent a week in Iceland flying the Mavic 2 Pro around the Highlands, exploring beautiful canyons, driving through rivers, and hiking with it in the mountains.

DJI Mavic 2 Pro Review

The Mavic 2 Pro has been improved in all sorts of ways over the original Mavic 1. The batteries are larger, resulting in longer flight time.

The motors are bigger, allowing it to fly faster and power through strong winds. The gimbal is tougher, smoother, and the whole drone is more aerodynamic.

But it’s the large square Hasselblad camera that really stands out.

The Mavic 2 Pro comes equipped with a professional 1-inch camera sensor, just like the much larger Phantom 4 Pro, yet it’s over a pound lighter than the latter, and packs down MUCH smaller, to about the size of a Nalgene water bottle.

Another big change with the Mavic 2 is its new omnidirectional obstacle sensing through the use of 10 different sensors that help you avoid obstacles in almost all directions.

Sensors now look forward, backward, above, below, and to the sides — improving the drone’s ability to avoid crashing.

DJI Mavic 2 Pro Specs

Video Recording: 4K in 24/30p or 1080 in 24/30/60/120p
Pixel Count: 20 Megapixels
Max Resolution: 5472 × 3648
Lens Size: 28mm
Adustable Aperture: f/2.8 – f/11
ISO Sensitivity: 100 – 12800
Max Speed: 45 mph
Wind Resistance: 29 – 38 kph (18-24 mph)
Average Flight Time: 31 minutes
Max Distance: 11 miles
Weight: 2 lbs (907 g)

DJI Mavic 2 Pro VS Mavic 2 Zoom

With the release of the new Mavic, DJI decided to offer two different models. The Mavic 2 Pro, and the Mavic 2 Zoom. Each has their own special features, and price point, and deciding which is right for you really depends on your needs.

The major difference between them is the ability of the Mavic 2 Zoom to “zoom in” in real time. From 24mm at the wide end to 48mm (2X crop). This is a nice feature for those who need it.

For example, zooming in close to skyscrapers without needing to fly right next to them. Or zooming in on wildlife from farther away without scaring them off.

The zoom feature also allows for a cool effect called the Dolly Zoom, made famous in classic horror movies.

While the Mavic 2 Pro doesn’t have this ability to physically zoom the camera, it’s more professional due to the nicer Hasselblad camera, ability to shoot in 10-bit and a 4 times larger camera sensor.

This means images it produces are higher-quality and have better detail in low-light. Plus, you can still produce some basic zoom-effects in post processing if you shoot in 4K.

For me personally, having a higher quality camera was more important than the ability to zoom. It’s also why the Mavic 2 Pro is about $250 more expensive than the Zoom.

Flying The Mavic 2 Pro

The DJI Mavic 2 Pro is even easier to fly than the last one, if you can believe that. The remote control feels much more responsive, and you actually may want to turn down the sensitivity because it reacts so fast to your inputs.

With even more obstacle avoiding sensors than the previous versions, you can fly with total confidence that you won’t crash into anything!

Before you start flying for the first time though, I always recommend watching the Mavic 2 tutorial videos here. Then, practice flying in a large field.

Drones sometimes feel like toys, but they really aren’t. They’re expensive flying machines that can do a lot of damage if you’re not careful!

Image Quality

The Mavic 2 Pro comes equipped with a fancy new Hasselblad camera and large 1-inch sensor, giving it the ability to shoot incredible photos and video.

This sensor is about 4X bigger than the Mavic 2 Zoom. The Mavic 2 Pro can also shoot 10-bit video, at a 100 mb/s bitrate. Without getting too technical here, basically, it records much more information for producing high-end video & photos.

Battery Life

Battery life for the DJI Mavic 2 has improved, now able to fly for 31 minutes on a single charge (as opposed to 24 minutes on the Mavic 1). However, in real-world use, these times are a bit high.

In my experience, the Mavic 2 Pro can fly for about 24 minutes before you need to land it safely (the original Mavic also had this quirk). I generally travel with 2-3 batteries to maximize my flight time in each location.

It takes about 1.5 hours to recharge these larger batteries, and the charger itself now includes an integrated USB cable for the controller. Because it’s permanently attached, you can’t lose it. Very handy!

DJI Mavic Pro 2 Settings

Best Video Settings

If you’re looking to capture the most cinematic looking footage as possible, shooting in 4K at 24p will give you the best footage.

The Mavic can now shoot something called H.265, which is a newer video codec that’s much more efficient. While this is definitely the future of video, H.264 is still easier for most computers to process.

There are two versions of 4K to choose from, 4K Full FOV and 4K HQ. Basically, 4K HQ crop-zooms the 4K footage to a 40mm frame. This can be nice for isolating a subject or compressing a big background to make it appear larger, like tall mountains.

I recommend you set your white balance manually for video, rather than keeping it in auto, so the white balance doesn’t change while you’re filming.

Color Profiles

If you don’t color-grade your footage, the “Normal” color profile setting works great. However, if you use color grading techniques or LUTs with software like Color Finale, you’ll probably want the flat color profile called D-LOG M.

These are the settings I’ve found work best for me.

• Profile: D-LOG M
• Sharpness: 0
• Contrast: 0
• Saturation: 0

One thing to keep in mind is that under the “Normal” camera profile, the Mavic shoots in 8-bit. However, when using the D-LOG M profile, it shoots in full 10-bit (many more colors possible).

But D-LOG M footage straight out of the camera looks very bland (on purpose). You’ll need to bring back the color, contrast, and sharpness using editing software later. For more information on color grading, click here.

Best Photography Settings

One of the coolest features of the Mavic 2 Pro for travel photographers is the ability to manually change the camera’s aperture to adjust focus/light.

Generally, camera lens focus can be a bit soft with wide-open apertures, like F/2.8. But they can also be a bit soft if the aperture is fully closed, at F/11.

I typically try to keep the aperture between F/5.6 and F/8 for good sharp drone landscape photography on the Mavic 2 Pro.

Of course, you can also shoot in RAW format with the Mavic, which helps save as much information as possible for flexibility in post-processing later.

Intelligent Flight Modes

The Mavic 2 comes with all the standard intelligent flight modes, like “Point Of Interest”, “Cinematic”, and “Quick Shots”.

Tripod Mode is no longer in here though, that has been moved to the side switch on the remote — a very nice change. Much quicker to access.

Quick Shots tell the drone to fly complicated patterns that would be very difficult to do on your own without tons of flying experience, like flying perfect circles while also flying up and keeping a subject in frame.

Active Track 2

The Mavic 2 has a new and improved Active Track system, which is far easier to use. It can identify multiple subjects (vehicles, people, etc.), and you simply click on the one you want to start tracking.

Due to the increased number of sensors on the drone (there’s 10 now), it’s far better at maneuvering through tight spaces with obstacles above, below, to the sides, in front and behind it too.

Active Track starts in “SAFE” mode, which limits its speed, however you can also turn this off. Just beware that obstacle avoidance won’t work at speeds over 26 mph.

NOTE: The side sensors are not on all the time. They only turn on during Active Track, Tripod Mode, and Quick Shots.

APAS Mode

The Mavic 2 comes equipped with a new Advanced Pilot Assistance (APAS) Mode which uses the camera sensors to automatically fly around obstacles rather than stopping in front of them.

Previously DJI drones would just stop when they encountered an obstacle, but the Mavic 2 is smart enough to find an alternate route and continue flying.

Hyperlapse Mode

The Mavic 2 also has a new mode called “Hyperlapse”. Basically, this shoots cool moving time-lapse video from the drone, with minimal work on your part.

It does this by shooting multiple still photos over a set period of time while flying. You can let the drone process the video clip itself, or choose to save the still photos, edit them, and convert to a time-lapse video later.

Just know that this process can take between 5-8 minutes for a 5-second video clip, so it will drain a good chunk of your battery (around 30%).

Differences With Mavic Pro 1

There are a few more differences between the Mavic 2 Pro and the original Mavic 1. The Mavic 2 now includes 8GB of internal storage, just in case you forget your memory card.

While the Mavic 2 Pro is about the same physical size as the Mavic 1, it’s about half a pound heavier due to the larger batteries, additional sensors, and a bigger camera.

The new camera cover on the Mavic 2 has a built-in gimbal clamp now. There are fewer pieces to lose, and it’s a bit quicker to put on/take off.

DJI Mavic 2 Tips & Tricks

Full Screen View

The DJI Mavic 2 remote controller is pretty slick, displaying flight details like speed, altitude, distance, and battery level. You can switch your phone into full-screen mode (swipe up on iPhones), removing the information overlay so you can concentrate on framing your shots.

Slow & Steady Movements

Racing around at 45mph in sport mode is fun as hell, but doesn’t always make great video footage. The best drone shots are smooth and steady. Small input changes can have a big effect — you don’t need to jam down on the control sticks full throttle. You can always speed things up later in post.

Return To Home

Why engage return to home when I can fly back myself? Well, the software is much more efficient than humans are. It takes the shortest path back, flying at optimal speed, saving you precious battery power. If you really want to land yourself, you can cancel it at the last minute and take control.

Catch Landing

If I’m attempting to fly from uneven ground (rocks, tall grass, sand) I generally launch the Mavic 2 Pro from my camera backpack, and catch-land it in my hand. However, I don’t recommend catch-landing until you have experience flying in all kinds of situations/weather. It can be dangerous if it goes wrong.

Recovering After A Crash

Everyone crashes their drone eventually. Everyone. I’ve crashed a drone twice now, once in water! If you crash, look for the “Find My Drone” feature that shows its last location via GPS, and you can even force the drone to beep at you.

Facebook Live

Did you know you can broadcast live video from your DJI Mavic 2 to Facebook & YouTube? The video feed comes from the drone, while the audio comes from your phone. This lets you tell a story, or describe what you’re seeing, as you fly the drone live. 3G signals can work, but wifi or 4G connections are best.

DJI Mavic 2 Accessories

Sun Shade Hood

The DJI Mavic Sun Hood helps you see your phone’s screen in full-on sunlight, cutting out the glare. Especially if your eyes are sensitive to the sun.

Car Charger

The DJI Mavic Car Charger can plug into a vehicle’s cigarette lighter and charge your battery while driving. Super helpful during travel photography road trips, so you always have fresh batteries.

ND Filters

These Mavic ND Filters are a bit like sunglasses for your drone. It gives professional videographers the ability to shoot video at slower shutter speeds in bright sunlight, creating a more cinematic look.

DJI Care Refresh

Like I said earlier, everyone crashes their drone eventually. It’s best to be prepared and purchase the DJI Care Refresh insurance, so when you do crash one day, you can get back to flying as soon as possible at minimal cost.

Final Thoughts On The Mavic

The DJI Mavic 2 Pro is the perfect drone for a travel photographer. Its high-end camera combined with a portable, folding frame, make it ideal for creating professional images & video on the road.

It’s super easy to pack this drone with you for hiking in the mountains, snowboarding, out on a boat, or any adventure you can dream up.

The Mavic 2 is just an all-around better drone. Faster, stronger, smoother, and quieter, plus more intelligent than the previous generation too.

It’s a lot of camera for most people though, and if you’re just starting out, you may be better off with the smaller, and cheaper, DJI Mavic Air. ★

DJI Mavic Drone Giveaway!

Congratulations! That was a long post, and to reward you for making it down this far, I’m giving one lucky reader my older DJI Mavic Pro 1 to use on your next travel adventure!

I loved the original Mavic, and traveled with it everywhere. It’s great for capturing unique video footage and photos from the sky when you travel. Here’s your chance to win it!

WE HAVE A WINNER! Congratulations Delaney & Eduardo from Caravan Spirits! You’ve won the DJI Mavic! Happy flying!

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

Travel Photography Gear

Tripods are a fixture of a good travel photographer’s toolkit. These are the best lightweight travel tripods for capturing stunning landscape photos or video with your camera.

Working as a professional adventure travel blogger, I rely on a lightweight and sturdy travel tripod to keep my camera steady for producing epic landscape and adventure images from my trips around the world.

Whether it’s hiking in the mountains of Afghanistan, or wandering the streets of Italy. My travel tripod joins me almost everywhere I’m shooting photos.

I seriously can’t imagine traveling without a good tripod!

Today I wanted to share some of the best lightweight travel tripods available, and review my favorites along with which tripod I personally pack with my camera gear.

Why listen to me? Experience! I’ve been traveling around the world for ten years as a professional travel photographer, selling my images to brands & magazines.

Matthew KarstenThe Expert Vagabond

Here’s everything we’re going to cover (feel free to click to a specific section if you want to skip around).

Ultimate Travel Tripod Buyers Guide

Quick Answer: Best Travel Tripods Of 2022

tripod

Description

Price

Best overall Travel tripod

Peak Design Travel Tripod

• FEATURES: Innovative design, packs down small, very lightweight. Lifetime guarantee.
• WEIGHT: 3.4 lbs
• MAX HEIGHT: 60″

CHECK PRICE

Professional travel tripod

Gitzo Series 1 Traveler

• FEATURES: Super stable, extremely lightweight, favorite of professionals.
• WEIGHT: 3.1 lbs
• MAX HEIGHT: 58.5″

CHECK PRICE

Best value Travel tripod

Sirui T-OS

• FEATURES: Lightweight carbon fiber, affordable and sturdy.
• WEIGHT: 2.2 lbs
• MAX HEIGHT: 53.8″

CHECK PRICE

Best backpacking tripod

Manfrotto BeFree

• FEATURES: Lightweight carbon fiber, affordable and sturdy.
• WEIGHT: 3.4 lbs
• MAX HEIGHT: 63.7″

CHECK PRICE

Best budget travel tripod

MeFoto Roadtrip S

• FEATURES: Budget friendly, portable, lightweight. Good for beginners.
• WEIGHT: 4.1 lbs
• MAX HEIGHT: 54.7″

CHECK PRICE

Why Are Travel Tripods Important?

Do you really need a tripod for traveling? Well, not everyone one does. Tools like sensor-based image stabilization and optical lens stabilization actually make them less mandatory than ever.

But if you want to capture professionally sharp landscapes, stunning sunsets, time-lapse video, flowing waterfalls, low light situations, or star photography during your travel adventures — a good lightweight travel tripod is key.

I also use my tripod for shooting selfies if I’m traveling solo. For video and vlogging too. Because not everyone wants to wake up at 5am during their vacation to help you hold a camera!

If you enjoy creating smooth curtain effects with waterfalls, sunset time-lapse footage, or climbing mountains to shoot the Milky Way, you’ll need a lightweight travel tripod that can take a beating in the field and keep going.

Key Travel Tripod Features

BUILD MATERIALS – Aluminum and carbon fiber are the most common materials for travel tripods. Carbon fiber is stronger, lighter, and resists rust in wet conditions, but it’s more expensive too.

HEIGHT – Not only how high does the tripod extend, but the minimum height as well. Some can get as low as 3” from the ground while others can extend up to six feet high. Smaller tripods weigh less, but they can also limit your framing options.

FOLDING SIZE – How small can your tripod fold up? Will it fit in a travel backpack? A tripod that folds down small makes it easier to travel with. But small folding tripods often have to sacrifice maximum height and sturdiness.

WEIGHT – If a tripod is too heavy, you won’t want to lug it around all day through a city, or hiking in the backcountry. Lightweight tripods are usually more expensive. The key is to find a balance.

STURDINESS – A sturdy tripod is important when shooting long-exposure images, when any small vibration can blur the photo. You can generally get an idea of a tripod’s sturdiness by looking at its weight capacity.

SECTIONS – The fewer leg sections a tripod has, generally the sturdier it is, and the quicker it will be to set up.

LEG LOCKS – Some photographers prefer twist locks because they’re low-profile. Others prefer lever locks, because you can visually see that they’re secure. Both are quick to use with practice.

Best Budget Travel Tripods

1. Peak Design Travel Tripod – Best Overall Tripod

Tripod Weight: 3.44 lbs (1.5 kg)
Build: Aluminum
Maximum Load: 20 lbs (9.1 kg)
Extended Height: 60″ (152.4 cm)
Folded Length: 15.4″ (39.1 cm)
Ballhead: Included
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

Move over guys, there’s a new king in town! The long awaited Peak Design Travel Tripod has finally been released to the public. This crowd-funded concept has totally redefined the lightweight tripod genre.

Innovative leg and ball head design dramatically reduce the packed size of this tripod. It folds down smaller than the others in this list. Easily the most expensive of the budget tripods — but worth the price with a lifetime guarantee.

You can read my full review of this tripod here.

OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS:

2. Sirui T-0S – Best Value Tripod

Tripod Weight: 2.2 lb (1 kg)
Build: Carbon Fiber
Maximum Load: 13.2 lb (5.99 kg)
Extended Height: 53.8″ (136.7 cm)
Folded Length: 12.2″ (30.99 cm)
Ballhead: Included
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

The Sirui T-0S mixes carbon fiber and aluminum to create a lightweight marvel. It’s aluminum components are anodized to increases the corrosion resistance and hardness of the metal.

The center column is reversible to suit your composition needs, plus it comes with a shorter center column for shooting as low as 5.1” from the ground. It’s one of the lowest priced carbon fiber tripods on the market, and insanely lightweight.

OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS:

3. Manfrotto Befree Advanced – Lightweight Tripod

Tripod Weight: 3.4 lbs (1.5 kg)
Build: Carbon Fiber
Maximum Load: 22 lbs (9.9 kg)
Extended Height: 63.7 in (161.7 cm)
Folded Length: 16.9 in (42.9 cm)
Ballhead: Included
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

Aluminum Version (Cheaper/Heavier): Befree Aluminum

The Manfrotto Befree Advanced is a favorite for many travel photographers. It’s very lightweight, even with the included ball-head. However, it’s not the most stable tripod in this group.

Twist locks are easy to engage, and the whole system packs down very small. Stable enough for most situations, however it might not be great in strong winds or when placed in a river or the ocean (which I sometimes do).

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4. MeFOTO Roadtrip S – Most Budget Friendly

Tripod Weight: 4.1 lbs (1.8 kg)
Build: Aluminum
Maximum Load: 13 lbs (5.8 kg)
Extended Height: 59.4 in (150 cm)
Folded Length: 13.9 in (35 cm)
Ballhead: Included
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

The MeFOTO Roadtrip S is the most budget friendly (AKA cheap) travel tripod that I’d recommend for anyone trying to save money.

It’s not the most sturdy tripod, but it will work fine in most situations. This is a good beginner tripod for those who are just starting to use them for travel photography.

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5. 3 Legged Thing Leo – Most Sturdy Travel Tripod

Tripod Weight: 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg)
Build: Carbon Fiber
Maximum Load: 66 lbs
Extended Height: 57.7 in (146.6 cm)
Folded Length: 13.75 in
Ballhead: Included
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

The 3 Legged Thing Leo is an extremely high maximum load capacity tripod, with a 23-degree leg angle. It makes it the sturdy tripod of choice for videographers and other gear-heavy photographers. The legs and center column all come with twist-lock sections for extra security.

For photographers who need stability on the move the center column can also be attached to a single leg to create an instant monopod. It’s not the lightest of the bunch, but it’s rock-solid.

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6. Joby GorillaPod 5K – Top Travel Vlogging Tripod

Tripod Weight: 1.55 lbs
Build: Stainless steel, aluminum, plastic
Maximum Load: 11 lbs
Extended Height: 15.2 in
Folded Length: NA
Ballhead: Included
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

If portability is your #1 consideration, the Joby GorillaPod is the smallest tripod here. At only 1.55 lbs. with included ball head, it fits into anyone’s photography kit. This model is built for large cameras & large lenses, but there’s a 3K version for smaller mirrorless systems.

Mixed construction materials of the GorillaPod help keep this top travel tripod inexpensive yet sturdy enough for most shooting conditions. It’s a wonderful option if you’re visiting tourist attractions that prohibit the use of full-size tripods.

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Best Professional Travel Tripods

1. RRS Ascend – Professional Travel Tripod

Tripod Weight: 3 lbs
Build: Carbon Fiber
Maximum Load: 30 lbs
Extended Height: 58.2” (148 cm)
Folded Length: 17.1 in
Ballhead: Included
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

The Really Right Stuff Ascend is a wonderful high-end professional travel tripod. Ratcheting angle stops control the angle of the legs. The legs are extended using twist locks, and designed to secure and undo instantly.

A ballast hook on the center column allows you to add weight in unstable or windy conditions. This actually isn’t the lightest tripod of the group, however, I’ve found it’s the easiest to use and is tall enough (with the quick-column version) that I don’t need to bend over to look through my viewfinder.

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2. Gitzo Series 1 Traveler – Best Designed Tripod

Tripod Weight: 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg)
Build: Carbon Fiber
Maximum Load: 22 lbs
Extended Height: 58.5” (148.5 cm)
Folded Length: 17.7 in
Ballhead: Included
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

The Gitzo Series 1 Traveler is a rugged carbon fiber tripod weighing in at 3.1 lbs. This tripod also includes a ball head with Swiss Arca-style quick release plate. It uses a reverse folding leg design when stowed to ensure it fits even into overhead flight storage.

The twist-lock design of the legs is quick, smooth, and secure. Gitzo makes a few different versions of the Traveler, for example the Series 2 is taller and slightly heavier.

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Which Travel Tripod Is Best For You?

Each travel tripod listed here offers a unique set of creative features. While I can share my personal favorites based on MY needs, every photographer is different.

• If you’re looking for the ultimate lightweight, full-size hiking tripod I’d probably go with the Peak Design Travel Tripod.
• If you want the best all-around tripod that’s a combination of lightweight, sturdy, and affordable, I’d pick the Sirui T-0S.
• If you don’t think you’ll need a tripod that often, or do a lot of vlogging, the Joby GorillaPod is your best bet.
• If you have money to burn and want nothing but the highest quality gear, Gitzo Series 1 Traveler will make you very happy.

FAQ: Your Top Tripod Questions Answered!

What Is The Best Tripod For Photography?

It really depends on what kind of photography you’re doing, and what your budget is for photography gear. For normal travel photography, you want something lightweight that packs down small. But if you’re doing super-long exposure astro photography, you may want to bring a bigger, heavy tripod.

Do I Really Need A Travel Tripod?

If you are not shooting low-light situations that often (sunsets, sunrises, night) and are not trying to capture photos (or video) of yourself, then you probably don’t need a tripod. Just try to shoot with fast shutter speeds. However, I believe using a tripod DOES improve your images, as you slow down and pay more attention to details and get more creative with your images.

Do Tripods Work For All Cameras?

Yes travel tripods will work for most cameras, as long as they can be screwed into a tripod head mounting plate. There are different types of plates available, like my favorite, the Arca-Swiss plate. Most cameras have the screw hole at the bottom for a tripod plate, but some, like the GoPro camera, need a special accessory.

What Is A Monopod?

A monopod is just a single leg for you to steady your camera on. It’s not completely free-standing, you need to keep at least one hand on the camera. If you’re moving frequently, like for sports or action photography, it doesn’t always make sense to lug a full tripod around, which is why those photographers use monopods. It’s often better than no support at all.

What’s The Best Travel Tripod Head?

Each tripod brand will have its own ball heads. Generally, I recommend just using the ball head that was designed for your tripod. Ballheads can come in different sizes though, depending on how heavy your camera setup is. You want a light one, as long as it can handle your gear. For example, if you use a large 70-200mm lens, you may need a bigger tripod head.

Whatever lightweight travel tripod you decide to use on your next adventure, it will certainly help you improve your travel photography in all sorts of different landscape and low-light situations.

Good luck, safe travels, and happy shooting! ★

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

Travel Photography Gear

As a professional travel photographer, I get a lot of questions about what’s the best travel camera. There are so many to choose from! Here’s what I would pick, and why.

If you’re into travel photography, exploring the world with a good travel camera can help you bring back vacation images that will stand the test of time.

Epic travel memories & experiences to share with family and friends for years to come. Travel photos are some of my most treasured souvenirs!

But what’s the best travel camera for capturing these special moments?

There’s no easy answer to this question. Different people will have different requirements and budgets for choosing a travel camera.

My goal with this digital camera buyers guide is to help you narrow down the overwhelming choices — and pick the perfect camera for travel so you’re prepared for your next trip.

Why listen to me? Experience! I’ve been traveling around the world for ten years as a professional travel photographer, licensing images to brands like National Geographic.

Matthew KarstenThe Expert Vagabond

Here’s everything we’re going to cover (click on a specific section if you want to skip around).

Ultimate Travel Camera Buyers Guide

Quick Answer: Best Travel Cameras Of 2023

Camera

Description

Price

Best Compact Travel Camera

Sony RX100 VII

• FEATURES: Small point & shoot camera, 1″ sensor, professional settings, 4K video, lightweight, beginner friendly.
• WEIGHT: 10.6 oz
• MEGAPIXELS: 20

CHECK PRICE

Best VALUE Travel Camera

Sony A6600

• FEATURES: Professional settings, large APS-C sensor, 4K video, interchangeable lenses, and flip screen.
• WEIGHT: 17.7 oz
• MEGAPIXELS: 24

CHECK PRICE

Best action Travel Camera

GoPro Hero 9

• FEATURES: Two screens. 5K video, voice activated.
• WEIGHT: 5.57 oz
• MEGAPIXELS: 20

CHECK PRICE

Best budget Travel Camera

Panasonic Lumix ZS70

• FEATURES: Small point & shoot camera, 1″ sensor, lightweight, and under $400.
• WEIGHT: 11.7 oz
• MEGAPIXELS: 20

CHECK PRICE

Best mirrorless Travel Camera

Sony A7 III

• FEATURES: Professional settings, full frame sensor, great low light ability, 4K video, interchangeable lenses, and weather sealed.
• WEIGHT: 22.9 oz
• MEGAPIXELS: 24

CHECK PRICE

Important Travel Camera Features

We’ll get to the juicy stuff in a second (I promise!), but first, it’s important to understand what makes a camera good for travel.

When picking a travel camera, you must define what your needs are.

Are you looking for lightweight portability? Something weatherproof? Professional image quality? Reasonably priced? A well-rounded model for landscapes, portraits, but can also handle vlogging?

Here are some key camera features you should be aware of moving forward.

SIZE & WEIGHT – Gone are the days when a bigger camera means a better camera. If you want to travel with your camera, you’ll want something small & lightweight. Luckily technology has improved a lot.

MANUAL SETTINGS – Professional photographers want the ability to manually control all camera settings to dial in the perfect shot in different situations. Pick a travel camera with full manual control if you want to improve your skills.

MEGAPIXELS – Many people assume that more megapixels is better. This isn’t always true if the pixels themselves are small. However, more megapixels on a large sensor will give you higher detail, and allow you to “crop” your image without reducing quality.

APERTURE – Lens aperture is measured in f/numbers, like f/1.4, f/2.8, f/4, etc. The lower the number, the better it will perform in low-light situations (and more expensive). Lower numbers also create a nice “bokeh” effect in portraits.

ZOOM RANGE – A zoom lens lets you get closer to the action, especially for wildlife or people. But the bigger the zoom the bulkier a camera gets. The amount of zoom is a personal preference. For travel, having the option to zoom in without changing lenses is nice.

HD/4K VIDEO – Most quality travel cameras will shoot video in HD 1080p. Some even have 4K capabilities — which most people won’t need unless you’re doing professional work. Travel cameras that can shoot in 4K are generally more expensive.

WIFI/BLUETOOTH – Some cameras have their own wifi network, allowing you to upload your photos instantly to your computer or smartphone. This can be handy if you want to share travel photos to social media without a computer.

INTERCHANGEABLE LENSES – High-end mirrorless and DSLR cameras have interchangeable lenses, allowing you to pick the perfect lens for different situations. Smartphones and compact travel cameras usually have fixed lenses.

WEATHERPROOFING – Will your travel camera hold up against the elements? Some cameras are better protected from moisture and dust than others. If you plan on shooting in very dusty or wet environments, it helps to have strong weatherproofing.

RAW – Not all cameras shoot in RAW format. Camera RAW basically saves the image without any internal modifications, as opposed to JPG. It’s preferred by advanced users for more leeway when editing their images with software later.

STABILIZATION – Some cameras or lenses offer Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). This feature compensates for “handshake” on slower shutter speeds, to help keep images sharp in low-light situations. Some cameras also have internal sensor stabilization, for even better results.

Understanding Camera Sensors

When choosing the perfect camera for traveling, you need to understand different camera sensors, and how they affect image quality and camera size.

In general, a camera with a large sensor is going to perform better in low light because that large sensor can capture more of it.

With a large sensor, you’ll also get more detail, allowing you to print your images large, or crop them smaller, and not lose any quality.

However, a large camera sensor means the camera itself will be larger as well.

Best Compact Cameras For Travel Photography

Compact cameras have come a long way. Improved technology means companies can pack these portable travel cameras with a ton of features.

Many shoot 4K video and have manual settings, just like the more expensive cameras on this list.

In my opinion as a professional photographer, a decent compact camera is the best option for 75% of amateur travel photographers.

They combine the perfect mix of being portable, powerful, and pretty budget-friendly too.

Here are my current top 5 picks for compact travel cameras that are perfect for shooting travel photography on your next vacation.

1. Sony RX100 VII – Best Compact Travel Camera

Weight: 10.6 oz
Zoom: 24-200mm
Sensor Size: 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm)
Megapixels: 20.1
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

The Sony RX100 VII is my favorite small travel camera. It’s what I’d call a “professional” point & shoot. While it is compact enough to fit in my pocket, it has many of the same features as my larger primary mirrorless camera.

It’s not the cheapest travel camera, but you can also pick up older models like the RX100 IV for a bit less. They also make reasonably priced underwater dive-housings for this line. It’s a great one for travel blogging & Instagram photos!

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2. Canon G7X III – Travel Vlogging Camera

Weight: 11.25 oz
Zoom: 24-200mm
Sensor Size: 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm)
Megapixels: 20.1
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

The Canon G7 X III is another fantastic compact point & shoot camera that’s great for travel photography. A bit less expensive than the Sony, it has fewer high-end features but shoots great video with better onboard audio than the Sony. It’s a favorite for many traveling YouTubers and Vloggers.

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3. Panasonic Lumix LX10 – Portable Camera

Weight: 10.9 oz
Zoom: 24-72mm
Sensor Size: 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm)
Megapixels: 20
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

The Panasonic LX10 is another nice portable point & shoot camera that’s good for traveling. It’s very similar to the Sony & Canon in specs. The big differences are no viewfinder (just the LCD), a slightly larger aperture, and less battery power.

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Best Mirrorless Travel Cameras

Larger than a point & shoot, but smaller than a DSLR, mirrorless digital cameras are all the rage right now.

Even professional photographers are starting to switch over due to their small size and ability to produce high-quality images. A smaller camera allows you to pack more lens options into your camera backpack.

I use a mirrorless camera as my main travel camera. They offer more features than a point & shoot, like the ability to use interchangeable lenses, and a larger sensor with better low-light capability and detail.

1. Sony A7 III – Best Mirrorless Travel Camera

Weight: 22.93 oz
Zoom: Various Lenses Available
Sensor Size: Full Frame (35.8 x 23.8 mm)
Megapixels: 24
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

The Sony A7 III is the best travel camera money can buy at the moment. Sony has been on the cutting edge the past few years, and other brands are having trouble keeping up. Its sensor technology, focusing speeds, and dynamic range are incredible — while also being cheaper than competitors.

Sony has additional specialty models too. Sony A7S II is geared towards videographers, with extremely good low-light capabilities. The Sony A7R III (what I use) is for landscape photographers with a whopping 42.4 megapixels.

And the new Sony A7C is an even smaller version of the Sony A7, which might be ideal if you’re looking for the smallest Full Frame travel camera option.

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2. Fujifilm X‑T3 – Classic Travel Style

Weight: 17.2 oz
Zoom: Various Lenses Available
Sensor Size: APS-C (23.6 x 15.6 mm)
Megapixels: 26.1
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

The Fuji X-T3 is a popular competitor to the Sony A7 mirrorless camera. I’ve used it while traveling before, and the Fuji is very well-made! My favorite part about it is the rugged all-metal dials that control this camera’s settings.

One downside is the smaller APS-C crop sensor rather than being Full Frame like the Sony A7. Another is less power in low-light situations. The Fuji also has fewer focus points, half the battery capacity, and no internal stabilization.

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3. Sony A6600 – Best Value For Travel

Weight: 17.7 oz
Zoom: Various Lenses Available
Sensor Size: APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Megapixels: 24
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

The Sony A6600 is an even smaller version of Sony’s awesome A7 mirrorless camera. The big difference is a slightly smaller APS-C cropped sensor, and less weatherproofing to protect against rain.

The A6600 is also wonderful for travel video with 4K resolution and has a touch-screen, but with less low-light capability. For a more budget-friendly version, the older Sony A6400 is almost just as good, for about $400 hundred dollars less!

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Best Action Cameras For Travel

Action cameras have really transformed the travel photography & video world over the years. These tiny, waterproof, indestructible cameras can travel anywhere & record anything!

If you plan on hiking, mountain biking, surfing, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, or even swimming under waterfalls during your trips, an action camera can create epic video & photos of the experience.

1. GoPro Hero 9 – Adventure Travel Camera

Weight: 158 g (5.57 oz)
Sensor Size: 1/2.3″
Megapixels: 23
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

The GoPro Hero 9 is GoPro’s best camera yet, with improved video stabilization, color, and 5K(!) footage. It’s waterproof case & touch-screen will handle any activity you dream up. A must-have for adventure addicts like me!

One cool feature of the new GoPro is the 2nd front-facing screen. This solves one of the old problems of not being able to preview selfie style shots. There are also many great GoPro accessories for attaching your camera to anything!

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2. DJI Osmo Action – Budget Action Camera

Weight: 124 g
Sensor Size: 1/2.3″
Megapixels: 12
Price: Click Here For Latest Price

While GoPro generally controls the adventure travel camera market the DJI Osmo Action is a solid alternative that’s significantly cheaper as well. The features are nearly identical, including 4K video at 60 fps, dual screens, and voice control.

The Osmo Action also has digitally stabilized video, much like the GoPro, but offers little beyond basic 4K recording and a 12 MP photography experience. If you don’t need the additional features of the GoPro line the Osmo Action is a decent budget alternative.

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Top Budget Travel Cameras (Under $500)

Trying to save money on a travel camera? Here are some of the best budget travel cameras for under $500 with a lens included. They have fewer bells & whistles but are much more affordable.

And if these are still too expensive for you, try looking at the “used” versions of these cameras. They can cost a few hundred less, and work just as good.

1. Panasonic Lumix ZS70 – Best Budget Travel Camera

If you’re looking for the smallest, most affordable travel camera that will fit in your pocket but can also take quality photos, look no further. It’s a great value at under $400 USD.

A large 20MP sensor, optical image stabilization, and a good zoom make this an excellent choice for beginners. But with the ability to shoot in RAW format, as well as full manual control — this camera will allow you to grow as a photographer too.

2. Nikon D3500 – Low Cost Travel Camera

The somewhat venerable Nikon D3500 was one of the most popular DSLR cameras ever created, and for good reason. It has a slightly lighter body compared to the likes of the Canon 80D and a significantly lighter one compared to the Nikon D7200.

The light body trades the weatherization that the other two DSLRs provide, but includes nearly every other features of the D7200 save wireless camera control. One standout feature of the D3500 is the insane battery life at 1200 shots per charge.

3. Canon Rebel T7 – Popular Beginner Camera

Canon’s Rebel line is where many photographers begin their journey into the world of travel photography. Fortunately, the Canon T7 offers plenty to get you started. The large 24 MP APS-C sensor provides plenty of resolution for sharp images or cropping as needed and the controls are easy to use.

With many lenses to choose from, you’ll find an aperture and focal length combination to suit any sort of photography style. While not a particularly discrete camera the T6 is affordable and provides great photo and Full HD video quality on a budget.

Best Smartphones For Photography

Can you use your smartphone as a travel camera? Of course you can!

You’ll sacrifice a bit of quality due to the super small camera sensor in phones, but if you’re only publishing images online, most people won’t notice.

Some other downsides to smartphone cameras are the lack of a physical zoom (digital zoom looks bad), not many lens options, few manual controls, and of course the battery drain on your phone if you’re using it all the time.

Here are some of the best smartphone cameras for traveling…

1. iPhone 13 Pro

Smartphone cameras are continuing to eat into the camera market share and the new iPhone 13 Pro is one of the best on the market. With THREE dedicated lenses built-in: Ultra-Wide 13mm f/1.8, wide 26mm f/1.5, and telephoto 77mm f/2.8 — you have a variety of viewing angles to choose from.

The out-of-focus areas are surprisingly well rendered; it is amazing given how small smartphone sensors are. You can even adjust the background post-shoot using Depth Control to enhance background bokeh and make your subject stand out. It’s a super powerful travel camera in your pocket.

2. Google Pixel 5a

Google’s new Pixel 5a has one of the best portrait modes you can find and intelligently sharpens the borders around your subject while allowing for micro-adjustment of the background blur. The low light photography experience is also very good.

Night Sight allows for exposure stacking using multiple images taken in tandem and even non-stacked images properly preserve dark areas and bright highlights without excessive noise. The phone has a powerful 12.2 MP Duel Pixel lens at f/1.7, as well as a 16 MP Ultra Wide lens at f/2.2.

Best Camera Lenses For Traveling

You honestly don’t need a million different camera lenses for travel. When I first started traveling, I used a single general-purpose zoom lens that was perfect for most things.

If you have money, get two: a wide-angle zoom and a telephoto zoom.

Two travel lenses will allow you to capture a mix of landscapes, portraits, and wildlife from a distance.

However, lugging around multiple lenses and changing them can be annoying if you’re new to travel photography.

To keep things easy, I’d recommend just one lens at first. Something with a decent focal range, like 18-55mm or 28-70mm. Because I’m a Sony guy, I’d pick up the 24-70mm F4 or the 24-70mm F2.8.

When looking at the camera lens apertures, the lower the number, the better it is in low light. F2.8 or F4 should cover you for most situations. If you want to shoot star photography while traveling, go with F2.8.

Best Drones For Travel Photography

Drones are incredible tools for capturing images & video from a totally different perspective. But this probably isn’t the most important travel camera for the average person.

Many places have restrictions on flying personal drones, for example, US National Parks, and even entire countries. So you need to do your research to avoid heavy fines or confiscation.

If you REALLY want to travel with a drone, I’d recommend the DJI Mavic Mini for beginners. It’s tiny, pretty affordable, and very easy to use.

If you eventually want to make money from your drone photography, and have a larger budget, than you’ll completely fall in love with the small DJI Mavic Air 2.

Which Travel Cameras Do I Use?

I actually travel with 4 different cameras on my adventures around the world. This is a bit overkill for most people.

However travel photography is how I make my living, so I invest in gear to help me accomplish my job. When I first started 10 years ago, all I used was a Canon 7D and a GoPro Hero.

My Current Camera Collection

• Sony A7R III – My main travel camera.
• Sony RX100 – This is my backup camera.
• GoPro Hero 9 – Action camera for extreme sports.
• DJI Mavic Air 2 – Drone for aerial photography & video.

The camera backpack I use is called a Peak Design Travel Backpack. It has room for a 13″+ laptop, jacket, and incredibly fits all 4 travel cameras, lenses & some accessories if I need it to — perfect as an airplane carry-on and day hikes with my camera gear.

But I’ve owned a lot of camera backpacks over the years, and every photographer will have different requirements. Here’s a review of some of my favorite camera backpacks for hiking & travel.

What’s In My Camera Bag?

Take a peek inside my camera bag to learn what I pack with me on my travel photography adventures around the world.

Click Here For Free Guide

How To Improve Your Travel Photography

I want to let you in on a little travel photography secret. Even if you have a top-of-the-line $10,000 camera, your photos aren’t going to be spectacular if you don’t know how to use it.

And I don’t mean pressing the shutter — I mean things like:

• Learning how to shoot in manual mode
• How to expose images properly
• Framing shots for maximum impact
• Paying attention to light & timing
• Location scouting & seeking photogenic situations
• Post-processing your images with software

You don’t become a good travel photographer because you have a nice camera. Your photography improves with practice, patience, and learning new skills.

So sure, invest in a new travel camera if you want to, but remember to invest time into learning new photography skills if you really want to create those jealousy-inducing images for your Instagram feed!

Top Online Photography Courses

Want to improve your photography? Check out my favorite online photography classes & tutorials!

Click Here For Free Guide

FAQ: Top Travel Camera Questions

Well, I hope you learned a little bit more about the different kind of travel cameras available, and are able to choose one that fits your budget and needs.

Happy travels, and let me know which camera model you decide to pick for your next vacation! ★

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This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

Sony A7/A7R Camera Review

Gear Review

I’ve been traveling around the world with Sony A7 or A7R II cameras shooting travel photography for the past 3 years. Here’s my review of this outstanding equipment.

[su_note note_color=”#DCEFF5″ text_color=”#333333″ radius=”3″ class=””]
UPDATE: Since initially writing this post on the A7 I’ve upgraded to the newer Sony A7R II. It’s the best camera I’ve ever owned![/su_note]

When I first heard Sony was releasing a compact, full-frame, mirrorless camera, my initial reaction was “FINALLY!”. It was exactly what I’d been waiting for. The Sony A7 line of cameras enable you to create high-end images using a small, lightweight system.

Because I live out of a backpack working as a professional travel blogger, I’m always searching for new ways to pack less.

I’d grown very fond of my Canon 7D over the past few years. However Sony finally raised the bar — this new technology was too good to ignore. In December 2013 I made the switch to a Sony A7, and after a year of hard use through 9 different countries, I couldn’t be happier with my choice.

Many people have been asking me about the Sony A7 or A7R II, so I wanted to share my experience with you. In this article you’ll learn what I like (and dislike) about these cameras along with sample images from my travels.

Sony A7 Camera Body

Sony A7 & A7R II Camera Review

So what’s so special about the Sony A7? Well it was the first time a full-frame sensor had been squeezed into a compact mirrorless camera body. This means the sensor inside the camera is big, producing high quality images with low noise.

Yet the camera body is smaller and lighter than your typical full-frame cameras from Canon & Nikon. Professional quality in a small package — a powerful combination many travel photographers have been waiting for.

Sony currently has three A7 models available. The Sony A7 II is the entry level model. The Sony A7R II has more megapixels. The Sony A7S II is geared for video, with fewer megapixels but higher ISO sensitivity.

Sony A7R II Camera Specs

Camera Format: Full Frame
Pixels: 42 Megapixels
Max Resolution: 7952 x 5304
Lens Format: Sony E & FE
Memory Card: SD/SDHC/SDXC
Video Recording: 4K or 1080 in 60/30/24p
Viewfinder: Electronic (100% coverage)
ISO Sensitivity: 100 – 102,400
Shutter: Silent Electronic (30 – 1/8000 seconds)
Burst Rate: 5 FPS
Focus Points: Hybrid Focus with 399 points
Wireless: Wifi/NFC
Weight: 22 oz / 625 g

READ MORE: How To Choose A Good Travel Camera

Edinburgh Castle, Scotland (1/200, f/9, ISO 200)

Albayzin Market, Spain (1/6, f/9, ISO 800)

Small & Lightweight

One of the biggest benefits of mirrorless full-frame technology is how small & light the Sony A7 line is compared to large DSLRs. Especially when paired with native Sony FE lenses, you’ll sometimes forget you’re carrying around a professional quality camera.

I can’t tell you how often I’ve had to double check my bag to make sure it was still in there. As the old photography saying goes, “the best camera is the one you have with you”.

I’m much more likely to bring my camera along with me for everyday activities if it’s small, ensuring I don’t miss a great photo opportunity. Over the past few years I’ve noticed that’s just what I’ll do with my Sony A7R II.

At 22 ounces, the Sony weighs less than Canon’s 5D Mark III.

Sony A7 Travel Photography

Kackar Mountains, Turkey (1/125, f/22, ISO 250)

Image Quality

The image quality produced by the Sony A7 & A7R cameras are amazing for their size. In fact the quality is even rated higher than a Canon 5D Mark III by SnapSort.com.

Sony’s sensors are actually used in many other camera brands like Nikon & Fuji, as they are arguably the leader in sensor technology. The gapless design on the Sony A7 (A7R) sensor allows it to collect more light than others.

The new BIONZ X Image Processing technology allows for more natural textures & details to be captured with lower noise. I’ve been very impressed with the quality of Sony A7 (A7R) images.

Below you’ll find a before & after processing example photograph:

RAW Camera File

George the Boxer, South Africa (1/250, f/5, ISO 500)

Weather Sealing

As a travel photographer I’m often outside capturing landscapes in all kinds of conditions. Over the last year I’ve tested my Sony A7R II in a variety of weather situations — snowstorms in Iceland, thunderstorms in Turkey, hot sandy deserts in Israel, and salty ocean spray on the coast of South Africa.

Luckily the camera is weather resistant. The only issue I’ve had is when I lost the tiny flash hot-shoe cover, and waterfall mist created an annoying camera error. I could still shoot photos, but the error would keep popping up in between each shot. Once dry this was no longer a problem.

There is a bit of controversy about the weather resistance though, as Sony later decided to remove any references to weather sealing. Probably because of reports to the contrary. However in my experience the Sony A7 (A7R) is pretty weather resistant.

Just don’t take your Sony A7 (A7R) out for extended sessions in pouring rain or drop it in a lake. Extremely cold weather can also be an issue for the small batteries, which drain pretty fast.

LCD Screen & Viewfinder

Sony’s articulating LCD screen has been a pleasant surprise, I find myself using it more than I thought I would. It tilts up and down so you can get shots from up high or down low and still see what you’re shooting on the LCD.

It does not however rotate enough for selfies, which would have been nice. Especially when trying to shoot video of yourself. Both the LCD screen and electronic viewfinder have great resolution.

Spinner Dolphins, Reunion Island (1/800, f/5.6, ISO 400)

Sony A7 (A7R) Lenses

If you’ve invested a fortune in lenses from Nikon or Canon, you don’t have to sell them all and purchase new ones to use the Sony A7 (A7R). There are Metabones adapters that allow you to use glass from other manufacturers on the Sony.

But if you really want to reap the benefits of a smaller camera body, I’d recommend slowly updating your kit with Sony’s FE lenses specifically designed for the A7 line. No extra adapter to lug around, and smaller lenses.

I only travel with 2 lenses at the moment. The Zeiss FE 16-35mm F4 and the Sony FE 70-200mm F4.

Affordable Zoom Lenses

• Zeiss FE 24-70mm F4
• Zeiss FE 16-35mm F4
• Sony FE 70-200mm F4
• Sony FE 24-240 F3.5-6.3 OSS

Available Prime Lenses

• Sony FE 28 F2.0
• Sony FE 35 F1.4 ZA
• Zeiss FE 55mm F1.8
• Zeiss FE 35mm F2.8
• Sony FE 90 F2.8 Macro G OSS

Professional GM Lenses

• Sony FE 16-35 F2.8
• Sony FE 24-70 F2.8
• Sony FE 70-200 F2.8

Menus & Ease Of Use

The Sony A7 (A7R) camera’s menu system is pleasantly user-friendly. Most buttons are fully customizable to do pretty much anything you want — you can completely change their functions in the menu settings, including 3 custom function buttons.

Apart from the oddly placed video recording button on the right side of the grip, the rest of the camera’s functions are quick, intuitive, and easy to change on the fly.

There are also 2 custom modes on the camera’s dial — allowing you to save your most used camera settings for easy access on the fly.

Negev Desert Canyon, Israel (1/400, f/14, ISO 200)

Sony A7 (A7R) Video

With the ability to record high quality 1080 video at 60p (for slow motion), the Sony A7 (A7R) is very capable for general video applications. The A7R and A7S both shoot 4K video too. The cameras include external 3.5mm microphone and headphone jacks specifically for video.

The Sony A7R II has a continuous autofocus mode which is very handy. While not as fast or accurate as a dedicated video camera, it’s pretty good.

With the realize of the 2nd generation A7 line of cameras, they also feature 5-axis internal stabilization for the sensor, resulting in super smooth video clips while moving or reducing camera shake.

Other video highlights include fully manual exposure control, active audio levels, and full-time live view of what you’re recording on the LCD screen.

Video can be recorded in MP4 or AVCHD formats. While AVCHD (MTS files) are higher quality, they’re a bit clumsy to move around or preview once downloaded off the camera. I use Acrok MTS Converter for Mac to batch-convert clips into more manageable ProRes 422 files.

Flowers in Sirmione, Italy (1/400, f/13, ISO 250)

Battery Life

Another issue I’ve had with the Sony A7 (A7R) is short battery life. For such a small camera body there simply isn’t enough room for a large battery. These smaller batteries don’t last very long.

I pack 3 batteries in my camera bag, and can sometimes go through all of them on a really full day of heavy shooting. Especially in cold weather. However draining through two is more common, leaving me with the 3rd as a spare.

But you’ll almost always want to recharge them all overnight.

Sony In-Camera Apps

You can download camera apps to use with your Sony A7 (A7R) through Sony’s website. I use the Smart Remote Control which allows you control the camera with your smartphone (great for selfies or group shots).

I’ve also used the Time Lapse App for shooting time lapse photography. It’s not the most user-friendly app, but it works. However these days I prefer to use a wireless intervalometer described below…

Sony A7 & A7R II Accessories

These are some useful accessories for the Sony A7 that I highly recommend.

• Wasabi Batteries & Wall Charger
• Peak Design Camera Strap
• Sony 43M Flash & LED Video Light
• Vello Wireless Shutterboss II

Glacial Crystal Ice Caves, Iceland (1/125, f/9, ISO 320)

Sony A7 & A7R II Tips

• Turn off WiFi when not in use to improve battery life.
• Turn on “steady shot” when hand-holding the camera if your lens is compatible. Turn it off when using a tripod.
• Focus peaking is excellent for quickly achieving focus in manual focus mode, with yellow lines helping to display what’s in focus. Great for video.

SEE ALSO: Best Travel Cameras Review

Conclusion

Could the Sony A7 (A7R) cameras be improved? Of course they can. But their benefits far outweigh the few issues, like short battery life. At the moment I think it’s probably the best camera out there for travel photography — especially if you’re looking for the smallest and lightest kit possible.

While the camera is small, it still feels well-built and confident in your hands. I’m amazed they managed to cram a full-frame sensor into that tiny body. It’s a powerful tool at a reasonable price that I’ve been very happy with.

The Sony A7R II is definitely my favorite camera for travel photography. ★

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UPDATE: Since initially writing this post on the A7 I’ve upgraded to the newer Sony A7R II. It’s the best camera I’ve ever owned![/su_note]

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Have any questions about the Sony A7 camera? What do you use? Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to share!

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

Ultimate GoPro Accessories Guide 2020

Travel Photography Gear

I’ve been traveling with a GoPro camera for 9 years. Here are the best GoPro accessories & mounts to help you share unique travel adventures from around the world.

When I left for Latin America to begin a new lifestyle of long-term travel, the original GoPro Hero camera was packed in my backpack.

Since then I’ve owned all versions, including my current GoPro Hero 8.

As a professional travel blogger and travel photographer I’ve been using a GoPro to record travel experiences in all sorts of crazy situations where a regular travel camera just won’t cut it.

My adventure travel images have been featured by GoPro on their social media accounts a number of times, and I seriously can’t imagine traveling without it!

Today I wanted to share a behind-the-scenes look at some of the best GoPro accessories and custom mounts I use to make the most out of traveling with this amazing little camera.

Best GoPro Accessories (2019)

RAM Socket Arm & Clamp

Off-Roading Fiji

RAM Mounts

GoPro has its own selection of mounting accessories. However, I’ve found that some are not ideal for many reasons. The little plastic arms are a pain to adjust on the fly, and limited in their movements.

There are better options out there. Like a RAM mounting system.

RAM mounts use a 1″ rubber ball & socket system for super quick, easy, and secure adjustments on the fly. You can interchange the pieces to mount your GoPro in any way you could imagine! I’m a minimalist, and only pack accessories with multiple uses.

My RAM System:

• RAM Short Socket Arm
• RAM Suction Cup
• RAM Tough Claw
• RAM 1″ Ball with 1/4 Thread (Male)
• GoPro Tripod Mount

This amazing clamp & suction cup setup allows you to attach your GoPro to pretty much anything. Tree branches, chairs, fences, doors, windows, cars, water guns, motorcycles, bikes, luggage racks, etc.

GoPro has their own clamp & suction cup mounts, but I prefer this RAM system. It’s cheaper, lighter, and more secure!

Scuba Diving with GoPro

Red Underwater Filter

If you plan to do any SCUBA diving or snorkeling with your GoPro, I highly recommend picking up a red filter from Polar Pro. With the new GoPro Hero 8, they only have one for use with the Underwater Housing.

• PolarPro Underwater Filter

Why a red filter? The color red gets absorbed underwater, so these filters help bring back some of the red, orange, and yellow hues. It makes your footage less “blue”, and more natural looking.

Would You Jump?

Whitewater Kayaking in New England

Sticky Mounts

I always keep an assortment of flat and curved adhesive mounts in my kit too. They work great as disposable mounting options for kayaks, helmets, and more.

After attaching one, technically you should let the adhesive set for 8 hours. But they’ll also stay put after only 1 hour — depending on how rough the activity is.

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USEFUL TIP: Sticky mounts are easily removed with a hair dryer & credit/id card.[/su_note]

Safety Leash

A small GoPro camera can cost $300-$400. It’s not something you want to lose. Which is why I always attach a safety leash of some sort. A standard point & shoot camera wrist leash with the ability to cinch shut works great.

I recently used this type of leash to capture some great shots while rock climbing in Thailand. But when extra length is needed, you can also attach thin (but strong) 3mm accessory cord.

GoPole Evo for Shark Selfies

GoPole Arm Extension on Helmet

Camera Extender (Selfie Stick)

Another useful GoPro travel accessory worth carrying is a hand-held camera extender (aka the selfie stick) which allows you to capture video or photos of yourself from hard-to-reach angles.

There are a few different GoPro selfie-stick brands out there.

Personally, my favorite is the SANDMARC 17-40″ Extension Pole. It’s very sturdy, lightweight, and can extend really long if you want it to (think, getting your whole body in the frame if needed, like for snowboarding).

Another one I own is the GoPole Evo. This smaller telescoping selfie stick is super lightweight, portable, plus it floats in the water!

GoPole makes a pretty cool 2 piece extension arm that can produce some very unique angles if attached to a helmet or kayak.

Now, GoPro has their own 3-Way Extender too, and while it folds up super small, it’s not as sturdy as the others (the arms often bend when you don’t want them too) and the elbow screws seem to go missing, I’m not sure why.

Surf Mount & Anti-Fog Inserts

GoPro FCS Surf Mount

GoPro Surf Mount Accessory

If you plan to do any surfing or paddle boarding, GoPro Surf Mounts are a good investment. However you can also find them for sale in most surf towns, along with the Floaty Back Door.

On a recent surfing trip to South Africa, I installed the more permanent FCS surf mount on my board for about $15. This is great if you own the surfboard yourself, and keeps it nice and low-profile.

Anti-Fog Inserts

The last GoPro travel accessory I want to mention is the anti-fog inserts. These are a must if you’re planning to use your GoPro in or around water.

The special GoPro ones seem to work best, but it’s also possible to fashion some DIY versions with slivers of toilet paper or grains of rice…

GoPro Chest Strap Mount?

While the GoPro Chest Harness is great for all kinds of adventure sports applications, I don’t usually carry one with me on the road. It’s kinda big, and I wouldn’t use it enough.

However there is something smaller and more useful for me, the POV Action Mount which attaches right to a backpack strap.

Extreme Hiking in Spain

GoPro Tips & Tricks

After 8 years of experience filming with a GoPro, I’ve learned a few things that will improve the quality of your videos & photos.

TIP #1: Keep it steady! Because these cameras are so small, it’s easy to move it around wildly. But slow and steady shots make the best videos. Try to hold on with 2 hands if possible. Always remind yourself to move slow & smooth.

TIP #2: Practice shooting “from the hip”. For example, if I want to shoot a selfie of myself, I know that aiming the camera at my chest rather than my face will result in the best composition due to the wide angle.

TIP #3: Use the Time-Lapse mode to capture great selfie photos. This mode automatically takes a photo every .5 seconds after you press the shutter. You can now move the camera around or change your expression, continuously shooting photos. You’ll end up with way too many — just pick the best and delete the rest.

TIP #4: Just because you own a GoPro does not mean your photos & videos will look exactly like professional ones produced by the company. However, you can now learn their specialized techniques with the release of an amazing new book called GoPro: Professional Guide to Filmmaking.

Have fun with your GoPro, it’s one of the coolest travel cameras available!

GoPro Travel Videos

Want to watch some of my GoPro travel videos from around the world?
Visit My YouTube Channel Here »

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Packing Guide

Check out my travel gear guide to help you start packing for your trip. Pick up a travel backpack, camera gear, and other useful travel accessories.

Book Your Flight

Book cheap flights on Skyscanner, my favorite airline search engine to find deals. Also read my tips for how I find the cheapest flights.

Rent A Car

Discover Cars is a great site for comparing car prices to find the best deal. They search both local & international rental companies.

Book Accommodation

Booking.com is my favorite hotel search engine. Or rent local apartments on Airbnb ($35 discount!). Read my post for tips on booking cheap hotels.

Protect Your Trip

Don’t forget travel insurance! I’m a big fan of World Nomads for short-term trips. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read more about why you should always carry travel insurance.
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Have any questions about the GoPro accessories I use? What about other suggestions? Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to share!

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.