I’d suspect the biggest reason people go hiking and backpacking is to immerse themselves in the spectacular natural environment. From snow-capped mountains, bright blue lakes, gushing rivers – the stunning landscapes we witness while hiking deserve to be captured by a great camera. So what are the best cameras for backpacking and hiking? Read on, my friend.
Since I started taking photography more seriously on my outdoor adventures, I’ve started getting asked what backpacking camera I use (especially considering I prioritize packing ultralightweight). To answer all these questions, I have decided to write this long, thorough guide on the best cameras for backpacking and hiking.
This is a long post, so you can use the table of contents below to skip to the section you’re most interested in. I’m going to review the best hiking cameras across all categories, i.e., compact cameras, mirrorless cameras, DSLRs/SLRs, and even drones and video cameras.
I will also give my two cents on factors to consider when buying cameras for backpacking.
Top Picks for Hiking Cameras
Before diving deeper into the world of the best backpacking cameras, let me quickly enlist my top picks from each category here:
Best Mirrorless Camera for Hiking: Sony a7R III or Sony Alpha 6400
Best Compact Camera for Hiking: Sony RX100 VII
Best DSLR for Backpacking: Nikon D7500 or Canon EOS Rebel SL3
Best Action Camera: GoPro Hero 9
You can read the detailed reviews of each of the above cameras for outdoor photography below.
How to Choose the Best Backpacking Camera: Considerations
Type
Before I discuss the key factors to consider when buying backpacking cameras, let me quickly talk about the types of cameras. I am not going to get too technical here but simply outline the features of each type and their relevance to backpacking.
DSLR
DSLR stands for digital single-lens reflex. A single lens allows light to enter, hit a mirror which in turn passes it on to the viewfinder. From a backpacking perspective, DSLRs have the following pros and cons:
Pros:
- Excellent image quality
- Compatible with various lenses
- Customizable settings
- Optical viewfinder
- Weather-sealed
Cons:
- Expensive
- Bulky
- Involves a learning curve
Mirrorless
Mirrorless cameras send the light straight to the sensor instead of to a mirror, as in the case of a DSLR. The image quality is comparable to a DSLR while keeping the camera weight lesser and allowing better stability. For backpackers, the pros and cons are:
Pros:
- Lighter than DSLR
- Better in-built image stabilization
- Less expensive
- Great image quality
- Electronic viewfinder
Cons:
- Not as customizable as a DSLR
- Lesser battery-life
If you’re specifically looking for a camera for backpacking, I recommend a Mirrorless camera over a DSLR because they’re lighter and less bulky. If you’re mostly doing day hiking and weight isn’t as much of a consideration, a DSLR can be a good choice.
Compact Camera
Compact cameras are also referred to as point and shoot. They are not as customizable as DSLRs but deliver impressive results in all types of landscapes. They work well for hiking and backpacking mainly because they’re very small, lightweight and typically low-cost (so if you have a tendency of losing / breaking things on trip, this could be a good option for you).
Pros
- Lightweight
- Affordable
- Versatile
Cons:
- Not customizable
- Image quality not as good as DSLRs or Mirrorless
Action Cameras
Action cameras are the best cameras for outdoor adventures and I personally bring one on every single trip. They are specifically designed to capture action or sports while being immersed in performing it. They are much smaller than other cameras and very durable. Action cameras are better for video, but I still like to have a proper camera for photos because action cameras don’t allow have a manual mode.
Pros:
- Lightweight and compact
- Durable
- Weather-proof
- High quality images of moving persons, objects and activities
Cons:
- Lower batter life
- No manual settings
- Fewer options of customization
Drones
Drones are aerial cameras that are operated using a joystick. They capture the best aerial views and panoramic views of a place. I still get major anxiety using my drone (mostly that I’ll fly it in a no-drone zone by mistake and get in trouble, but also that I’ll crash it), so I haven’t gotten much use out of mine. That said, they are a ton of fun and get really cool footage.
Pros:
- Great for making professional videos
- High-quality images
- Relatively affordable
Cons:
- A bit bulky
- Involve a learning curve
- Not legally permissible in all areas
There is a misconception amongst outdoor enthusiasts that DSLRs are an absolute must when hiking or backpacking. But the point that I want to drive across here is that every type enjoys certain benefits. One type is not superior, and you can opt for a camera that suits your budget requirements and hiking conditions. (I used a disposable camera on all my trips for five years!).
Weather Sealed
Hiking and backpacking involve battling with harsh weather conditions. Therefore, it is important to consider how well your camera can withstand these conditions.
A weather-sealed camera is built to withstand light splashes of water, a light shower, dust particles, snow, etc. Today, almost all DSLRs and Mirrorless cameras are weather-sealed. Some compact cameras also come in weather-sealed variants. You should remember that weather-sealed cameras can’t be used to shoot and click in heavy rains, storms, waterfalls, etc. For such conditions, an action camera works the best. They are not waterproof! (I irreparably wrecked one of my cameras on the Spanish River in a thunderstorm last month – very sad).
Weight
A good camera for hiking has to be one that’s lightweight. Unfortunately, this is where DSLRs suffer. Even the best DSLR camera for hiking is always bulkier than a point and shoot. Carrying a DSLR with a couple of lenses almost certainly means having to leave out some other type of hiking gear.
For casual hikers and backpackers, a compact camera can be the best camera for hiking trips. But if the primary objective of your hike is photography or if you run a blog or a video platform, a DSLR / Mirrorless camera is a non-negotiable for the quality of photos that it delivers. Mirrorless cameras are a good alternative to cut down on some weight. But nothing beats the effortless ease of a point and shoot.
For kayaking, canoeing, or other adventure activities, nothing beats the comfort of a lightweight action camera!
Battery Life
Buying a camera with a great battery life eliminates the need to carry a battery back up, which often adds a few ounces to your backpack. This is where DSLRs enjoy an advantage over mirrorless cameras. Compact cameras, as always, work far better than other types of cameras in this department and eliminate the hassle of having to carry heavy batteries and chargers.
When I finally upgraded my Canon Rebel for the Sony a6400, I ended up returning the Sony after a week – the battery life just wasn’t enough for the length of trips I was about to do and I didn’t want to carry tons of batteries.
Most action cameras drones also require you to carry spare batteries or a charger. Even though the weight of these accessories is not much, the task of charging the gadgets at regular intervals can prove to be a hassle when out hiking. For my GoPro, I bring two extra batteries, a power bank and a fast charger.
Technical Specifications
The quality of your image depends heavily on the camera’s technical specifications. With DSLRs or mirrorless cameras, the lens determines what type of shot you would be able to take.
For backpacking, a basic rule with lens selection is to go for a lens that lets you capture wide-angle shots (so you can capture everything around you). For most parts, the 35-55 mm lens that comes with most DSLRs is suitable, but not ideal, for capturing the wide expanse of landscapes. A 16-24 mm lens is considered a better camera lens for hiking. Some people also like telephoto or Zoom lenses, like 70-200 mm, for capturing wildlife or far-off mountains. For a mirrorless camera, opt for a compatible equivalent.
Compact cameras, on the other hand, are available in a wide range of technical variations. The zoom capacity, in my opinion, is the most crucial for making your camera versatile for capturing landscapes, human figures, and wildlife and this is where I find compact cameras fall short.
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Best Cameras for Backpacking and Hiking 2021
In this section, I will review all the best cameras for hiking. I have classified cameras as per type so that it is easier for you to compare them and decide which is the best camera for outdoors for your specific requirements.
Best Mirrorless Cameras for Backpacking
Comparison Chart – Best Mirrorless Camera for Backpacking
Name | Megapixels | Weather-sealed | Weight (gms) | Price |
Sony a7R III | 42.4 | Yes | 657 | $$$$ |
Sony Alpha 6400 | 24.2 | Yes | 658 | $$ |
Fujifilm X-T30 | 26.1 | No | 998 | $$ |
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III | 20 | Yes | 1179 | $$ |
Canon EOS R5 | 45 | Yes | 735 | $$$$ |
Great image quality, excellent value for money, weather-sealed, high-quality low light performance, outstanding battery life
Specs:
- 42.4 MP
- Full frame sensor
- ISO 100 to 102400
- 657 gms
Pros: Great image quality, excellent value, weather-sealed, high-quality, low light performance, outstanding battery life
Cons: It takes some time to get used to its menu, involves a learning curve, is very expensive.
This beautiful weather-sealed camera is probably the best camera for backpackers who are serious about photography. The full-frame sensor captures clean images with little noise. The colours stand out, and the landscape images look spectacular. Its low-light performance is also remarkable, making it suitable for night hikes.
The battery life of this camera is one of the best amongst mirrorless variants.
You can also consider the Sony a7R II (the previous model) or the Sony a7R IV (the newer model), but I think the a7R III comes in at the perfect sweet spot in terms of value for money right now… for professionals. For amateur and enthusiast photographers, this one is probably too much of an investment. You could consider the a7 II (the camera I have!) or the a6400 reviewed below. The biggest difference between the a7R models and the a7 models is the resolution – but if you won’t be doing large prints, you can get away with a lower resolution.
Overall, its weight, dimensions, and weather resistance make it an ideal backpacking camera. There’s a bit of a learning curve involved because of the many features incorporated into this camera, but once you master their use, you will love this camera.
Note: This is the camera I wanted to get, but it’s a little out of my price range. Instead I got the Sony a7 II, which has been fantastic so far. Not as great for prints, but otherwise it’s almost the same.
Featured Photographer – Dean Heliotis is a professional landscape photographer in Ontario, Canada. He uses the Sony a7R III and – as you can see – he takes amazing photos. Check out his Instagram or the trip report he wrote about Lake Superior (amazing photos!).
Excellent image quality for APS-C sensor, most feature-rich camera in this price range, affordable, compact & lightweight, customizable menu, weather sealed
Specs:
- 24.2 MP
- APS-C sensor
- ISO 100 to 102400
- World’s fastest 0.02 sec AF
- 658 gms
Pros: Excellent image quality for an APS-C sensor, most feature-rich camera in this price range, affordable, compact & lightweight, customizable menu, weather-sealed
Cons: It takes time to get used to its UI, no image stabilization
The Sony Alpha A6400 is one of the most popular cameras by Sony primarily because it over-delivers for its price. The menu on this camera is fully customizable as per your taste. It comes with an excellent eye AF which is a boon when trying to capture wildlife. The compact size of the camera and its weight help as you can easily carry a couple of extra lenses without worrying about your backpack becoming heavy.
The world’s fastest AF used on this camera delivers super-sharp photo and video quality. However, this is not Sony’s top-of-the-line camera and will not perform well as the Sony A7 III above. For videos, you will need to use a tripod to compensate for the lack of an in-built stabilizer. But even then, it is a great choice for those looking for a mid-range reliable camera that captures excellent images.
Featured Photographer: Hi! I used to use this camera! It was fantastic, though I did end up upgrading to the Sony A7 II. If you aren’t ready to make the price leap to a full frame camera, this is the one I most recommend.
Best in line 4k video quality, great image quality for APS-C sensor, easy-to-use, super fast auto focus for moving objects, affordable
Specs:
- 26.1 MP
- APS-C sensor
- no-crop 4k video
- 998 gms
Pros: Best inline 4k video quality, great image quality for an APS-C sensor, easy-to-use, super-fast autofocus for moving objects, affordable
Cons: not weather-sealed, no flip screen for vlogging, no in-built image stabilization
The Fujifilm X-T30 is comparable in its offerings with the Sony a6400 above. While the Sony a6400 beats this camera for its AF speed, the Fujifilm impresses with its video quality. The 4k video quality offered by this camera is as great as its top-of-the-line cameras. No camera in this price range offers a better video quality.
The user interface of Fujifilm is also far more intuitive and easy to use than Sony’s. Although a few grams heavier than Sony’s a6400, the camera comes in a clean, compact design. Thanks to its rich APS-C images and full, no-cropped videos, it is one of the best cameras for backpacking. A fully flippable screen would have been a welcome addition, but you still get more than your money’s worth with this camera.
Affordable, excellent image stabilization, good quality photo with low light compatibility, weather-sealed, compatible with a variety of lenses.
Specs:
- 20 MP
- Micro-four-thirds sensor size
- 121 point all-across-type on-chip phase detection AF
- 5-Axis image stabilization
- 1179 gms
Pros: Affordable, excellent image stabilization, good quality photo with low light compatibility, weather-sealed, compatible with a variety of lenses.
Cons: Average quality video for this price, a bit heavy
The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is one of the best micro 4/3 cameras. (Micro 4/3 is a smaller sensor size than the APS-C). If you are comfortable using the cropped sensor size, the image quality is par excellence. Moreover, the use of the micro 4/3 makes the camera compatible with a wide variety of lenses.
The camera is also weather-sealed, making it more suitable for backpacking in rough weather than the Fujifilm X-T30. However, in terms of video quality, the camera falls way short of the Fujifilm.
But if you are only looking for a compact, reliable camera with excellent image quality for stills, you could opt for this camera for hiking.
Best mirrorless camera, outstanding photo and video quality, impressive image stabilization, suitable for all types of photography, super lightweight, weather-sealed
Specs:
- 45 MP
- 8K Video
- 5 Axis image stabilization
- Full frame
- 735 gms
Pros: Best mirrorless camera, outstanding photo and video quality, impressive image stabilization, suitable for all types of photography, super lightweight, weather-sealed
Cons: Average battery life, occasionally heats up
The Canon EOS R5 is a top-class mirrorless camera designed for professionals. Thus, this camera is perfect for you if you want a full-frame camera that can support all types of lighting conditions and capture top-notch still photos that capture the finest details.
What also makes it the best mirrorless camera for backpacking is its ultra-lightweight, compact design, and impressive image stabilization. It is also weather-sealed to withstand rough conditions.
However, its 45 megapixels full-frame CMOS sensor and 8k video support come for a premium price that’s well above the other cameras listed in this section. But for professionals who can’t settle for moderate quality images, videos, and camera functionality, the camera will definitely not disappoint.
Best DSLR/SLR for Backpacking
Comparison Chart – Best DSLR Camera for Hiking
Name | Megapixels | Weather-sealed | Weight (gms) (body only) | Price |
Nikon D3500 | 24.2 | No | 365 | $$ |
Canon EOS Rebel SL3 | 24.1 | No | 449 | $$ |
Nikon D7500 | 20.9 | Yes | 720 | $$$ |
Pentax K-1 Mark II | 36 | Yes | 1010 | $$$ |
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV | 30.4 | Yes | 890 | $$$$ |
Budget-friendly, excellent for DSLR newbies, lightweight, durable, compatible with multiple lenses
Specs:
- 24.1 MP
- ISO 100-25600
- Vari-angle touch screen
- APS-C Sensor
- 449 gms
Pros: Budget-friendly, excellent for DSLR newbies, lightweight, touchscreen for great user experience
Cons: Average video quality
The Nikon D3500 is almost every person’s first DSLR for its excellent functionality. It comes with all the basic essentials required to capture good photos. The menu and the user interface may seem too basic, but is a great starting point for hikers learning about photography in the manual mode.
Plus, it is so lightweight that you don’t have to worry about your backpack getting too heavy. The construction also looks pretty solid for long-term use. However, the body is not weather-sealed. This means that you won’t be able to use it in wet conditions.
This is the camera that one of my closest friends uses. If you’ve noticed my new set of ‘headshots’ on the site, she took them with this camera (or some of my Chicoutimi and BC photos were also taken by her and this camera).
Budget-friendly, excellent for DSLR newbies, lightweight, touchscreen for great user experience
Specs:
- 24.1 MP
- ISO 100-25600
- Vari-angle touch screen
- APS-C Sensor
- 449 gms
Pros: Budget-friendly, excellent for DSLR newbies, lightweight, touchscreen for great user experience
Cons: Average video quality
The Canon EOS Rebel SL3 is comparable to Nikon D3500 in most aspects. Both the cameras use a 24.1 MP APS-C sensor. Both are also designed for DSLR newbies, and both are relatively lightweight.
The photo quality captured by this camera is excellent for this price range. Plus, Canon comes with a handy beginner’s guide, which works as a great entry point into the world of DSLRs for hikers. Just like the Nikon D3500, though, this camera is not weather-sealed and requires due care.
Canon Rebel XS was the first real camera I ever owned and I brought it everything – Nunavut, New Brunswick, Europe, Costa Rica – and it did an excellent job.
Featured Photographer – Professional landscape photographer, Glenn Lee Robinson uses a Canon EOS 5D Mark III (the precursor to the Mark IV). He takes absolutely stunning photos and is a big believer in “the best camera is the one you have on you.” Check out his Instagram.
Versatile, excellent for low-light photography, great video quality, weather-sealed
Specs:
- 20.9 MP
- ISO 100-51200 expandable to ISO 50-1640000
- LCD Touchscreen
- DX Format sensor (APS-C)
- 8 fps continuous shooting spped
- 365 gms
Pros: Versatile, excellent for low-light photography, great video quality, weather-sealed
Cons: Cropped video
The Nikon D7500 is an excellent camera for hiking because it is weather-sealed. In addition to that, its fast shooting speed allows for great wildlife photography. Its performance in low-light conditions is also much better than the beginner-level models reviewed above.
The camera’s weight, when put together with an additional wide-angle lens, can add up. Still, it’s well worth those extra pounds for the precision and manual customization that this camera allows.
The video quality of this camera is also excellent, but the videos will be cropped and may disappoint travel vloggers.
High-quality images, excellent for shooting moving objects, weather-sealed, compatible with a variety of lenses
Specs:
- 36 MP
- up to ISO 819200
- LCD Touchscreen
- Full frame
- Five-axis stabilization
- 1010 gms
Pros: High-quality images, excellent for shooting moving objects, weather-sealed, compatible with a variety of lenses
Cons: A bit expensive, average video quality
The Pentax K-1 Mark II is the best camera for backpackers that like to shoot moving objects or landscapes in varying lighting conditions. It renders clean, high-quality images. Plus, the full-frame sensor also boosts its versatility. In fact, it even allows you to shift to an APS-C for sharper image quality.
Moreover, this DSLR is weather-sealed and is made to resist rough weather and moderate showers. The only area where it disappoints is its video quality which doesn’t match up to the number of cameras listed here.
High-quality images, great video-quality, ease-of-use, built-in GPS, versatile, good battery life
Specs:
- 30.4 MP
- ISO 32000 (Expandable up to 50-102400)
- LCD Touchscreen
- Full frame
- up to 7fps continuous shooting speed
- 890 gms
Pros: High-quality images, great video quality, ease-of-use, built-in GPS, versatile, good battery life
Cons: Expensive
The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is a powerful DSLR for professionals or backpackers and hikers who insist on superior-quality photography. The photo quality is terrific, with very little noise, thanks to it allowing you to work at a lower ISO. The camera excels at night photography. Its user interface also feels super intuitive, and the focus point lights up in red to improve composition. The video quality is also quite impressive, thanks to its 30 fps speed.
The camera is also built to withstand extreme weather conditions and wet conditions. Thus, overall, this is the best camera for hiking and travel provided you are willing to pay its steep price.
Featured Photographer – Zach Baranowski, a professional outdoor photographer in Ontario, used the Canon Mark IV. Check out his Instagram or the interview I did with him.
Best Compact Cameras
Comparison Chart – Best Compact Camera for Hiking
Name | Megapixels | Zoom (mm) | Weight (gms) | Price |
Sony RX100 VII | 20.1 | 24-200 | 302 | $$$ |
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II | 20.1 | 24-100 | 454 | $$ |
Panasonic Lumix LX10 | 20.1 | 24-72 | 308 | $$ |
Olympus Tough TG-6 | 12 | 25-100 | 254 | $ |
Premium quality camera, excellent image quality, pop-up viewfinder, great zoom quality, versatile, lightweight
Specs:
- 20.1 MP
- 0.02 sec AF speed
- 2160p video resolution
- 24-200 sq. mm zoom
- 302 gms
Pros: Premium quality camera, excellent image quality, pop-up viewfinder, great zoom quality, versatile, lightweight
Cons: A bit expensive
If you want a compact camera that performs almost as well as the mirrorless Sony A7 III, reviewed above, this one is perfect for you. It is super lightweight and compact, making it the perfect choice for short hikes and long backpacking trips.
The image quality that this pocket-friendly camera delivers absolutely justifies its price. The deep zoom makes it super versatile and suitable for capturing wildlife. Its autofocus is razor-sharp and can capture moving objects with ease. Its video quality can also easily support vlogging requirements.
A long time ago I used to have the predecessor of this camera. It’s very impressive considering its size and weight.
Affordable, great quality images, excellent for low light performance, easy-to-use interface, great value for money
Specs:
- 20.1 MP
- 1 inch sensor
- 4.2x Optical Zoom (24-100mm)
- 1080p video resolution
- 454 gms
Pros: Affordable, great quality images, excellent for low light performance, easy-to-use interface, great value for money
Cons: Average battery life
The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III is great to use, thanks to its intuitive user interface. Even though its zoom quality and video quality don’t match the Sony RX100 VII above, this camera delivers great value for money for its price.
It captures movement with ease, and the picture quality is sharp with little noise. The images it takes in auto mode are really impressive. However, the manual mode also allows great customization. The night photography of this camera is particularly impressive.
I also find the design easier to grip than other models on this list. Overall, this is the best compact camera for hiking for those who do not want to splurge on the Sony camera listed above.
Outstanding image quality in all weather conditions, great for night photography, fast lens, delivers great value for money
Specs:
- 20.1 MP
- 1 inch sensor
- 3x Optical Zoom (24-72mm)
- 2160p video resolution
- 308 gms
Pros: Outstanding image quality in all weather conditions, great for night photography, fast lens, delivers great value for money
Cons: Less durable, average battery life
The Panasonic Lumix LX10 is a masterstroke product from Panasonic. Its fast lens allows you to click at a lower ISO, making the photos much sharper even in terrible light conditions. This quality, in itself, places this camera well ahead of some of the leading DSLRs. Plus, thanks to its super lightweight, many consider it to be the best small camera for hiking.
However, the camera’s construction does not feel as premium as the Sony or Canon cameras and therefore require careful handling. You will also need to carry spare batteries as the battery life of this camera can disappoint.
Waterproof up to 50 feet, rugged, lightweight, great raw images, good battery life, affordable
Specs:
- 12 MP
- 1/2.3 inch sensor
- 4x Optical Zoom (24-72mm)
- 2160p video resolution
- 254 gms
Pros: Waterproof up to 50 feet, rugged, lightweight, great raw images, good battery life, affordable
Cons: Not versatile, average image quality
The Olympus Tough TG-6 is a rugged, compact camera that has been specifically designed for underwater use. It is fully waterproof up to 50 feet deep, can withstand snow, rains, dust storms, and comes with an anti-fog feature. These features make it the best outdoors camera in this segment.
However, even though it clicks good quality pictures, its sensor size cannot click wide-angled shots. Similarly, the video quality is average and a setback when compared with other models on this list.
I haven’t used this camera personally, but a lot of the campers I used to guide had it (and I have their pictures). So quite a few of my Missinaibi and Killarney photos are from this camera. It is impressively indestructible (amazing how many times it can be dropped on rocks and still work).
Turns out iPhone selfies are not good in low light conditions…
Best Action Cameras/Drones
Comparison Chart – Best Action Camera for Hiking
Name | Megapixels | Video | Weight (gms) | Price |
GoPro Hero 9 | 20 | 5k | 317 | $$ |
DJI Osmo Pocket | 12 | 4k | 116 | $ |
DJI Mavic Air 2 | 48 | 8k | 571 | $$$ |
Outstanding action camera, rugged, great image stabilization, great video quality, super lightweight
Specs:
- 20 MP
- 5k video
- 1080p live streaming
- waterproof up to 33 feet
- 317 gms
Pros: Outstanding action camera, rugged, great image stabilization, great video quality, super lightweight
Cons: Not suitable for regular photography
The GoPro Hero series has been a market leader in action photography. Therefore, it is no surprise that the GoPro Hero 9 bags the title of being the best action camera for hiking. (Though honestly, I also have the GoPro Hero 8 and it is very comparable).
The Hero 9 is also the best GoPro camera for hiking, thanks to its rugged construction. Nothing breaks this camera (believe me), and its super lightweight hardly adds any weight to the backpack. Its underwater performance is exceptional, thanks to its robust image stabilization technology.
If you want a reliable camera to record your adventures, the GoPro is the most adept. However, for regular landscape photos, you will need a different camera from the categories listed above.
Smallest action camera, fits in hip-belt, excellent photo and video quality, great stabilization, lightweight, affordable
Specs:
- 12 MP
- 4K video
- 1/2.3 inch sensor
- 571 gms
Pros: Smallest action camera, fits in hip-belt, excellent photo and video quality, great stabilization, lightweight, affordable
Cons: Not waterproof (needs a waterproof jacket)
This camera is the best outdoors camera for its negligible weight, small design, and incredible photo and video performance. It works well for action photography, and its video photography comes packaged with excellent stabilization.
It can also be connected to a smartphone for better control and view. Its battery life can easily last you on your longer trekking trips as well. However, its only downside is that it is not waterproof. You will either need a waterproof jacket or opt for a GoPro Hero 9 for underwater photography.
I haven’t tried this one personally, but it’s next on my list of purchases. As I get more into vlogging my outdoor adventures, I want something with a little more control that a GoPro.
Great battery life, lightweight, great video and photo quality, easy-to-use, great value for money
Specs:
- 48 MP
- 4K video
- 1/2 inch sensor
- 60 fps video
- 571 gms
Pros: Great battery life, lightweight, great video and photo quality, easy-to-use, great value for money
Cons: Overheats occasionally
This is the only drone on this list and the reason why I have chosen this over any other drones available in the market is that it delivers the best value for money and is simply excellent. It is lightweight and compact and doesn’t occupy much space in the backpack.
It is easy to set up and can be maneuvered easily. Its battery life is great for long flights (though for multi-day trips, you’ll want multiple batters). The video quality and photo quality are exceptional. It can heat up in case of extended use, but there is no shortcoming other than that. This is the drone I have and I really like it! (Plus, it’s light enough that in Canada & the US, you don’t need a drone license to operate it).
I love action cameras for making hiking & backpacking videos. The video below is from a backpacking trip in Algonquin and was filmed almost entirely with GoPros (we also used an iPhone for a few shots).
Final Thoughts
Deciding on which is the best camera for backpacking shouldn’t feel like an overwhelming decision. I hope that the advice and reviews in this article have helped you.
If you still feel confused, opt for a high-quality compact camera like the Sony RX100 VII. Once you get used to backpacking with a camera and feel the need to upgrade, you can always upgrade to a mirrorless camera like the Sony a6400 or Sony a7R III or a versatile DSLR like the Nikon D7500!
MY FAVOURITE GEAR
Fleece Sweater
Down Jacket
Hiking Boots
Hiking Shirt
Back Pack
Hiking Pants