best travel camera under $300

11 Best Budget Travel Cameras (Top Picks for Travel 2024!)

Finding the perfect camera for travel can be hard, especially if you are on a budget. Today, we will look through various options for travel photography. We’ll show you the best budget travel camera suitable for beginners all the way up to professionals .

Sony a7 III

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There are many different factors when considering the best budget travel camera. Of course, the most important factor is the camera’s price. How much a good camera costs is very subjective. Professional photographers may be willing to pay a bit more for their budget options. So I have included some slightly more expensive options for professionals on this list.

The camera’s size and weight are a close second to the most important factor. Reducing the weight of your suitcase is always helpful when traveling. You also want to ensure you’re not carrying around a camera that will have your shoulders slumped.

Other factors to consider are the camera’s ease of use, weatherproof abilities , and battery life. Whether you plan to go skiing or on a sun holiday may be a deciding factor too. You will have to decide through your own personal preferences which will work for your travel photography. Even the look and style of the camera are a factor to consider! Now let’s dive into the top budget travel cameras on the market today!

What is the Best Budget Camera for Travel?

Before we discuss each camera in detail, here is an overview of the travel cameras we will be looking at. Be sure to read on to see why we picked each camera before making your decision.

• Small and relatively lightweight
• Cheap as its an older model
• Amazing image quality
• Durable construction with weather sealing for added protection

• Good looking design
• Compact design easily fits in bag or pocket
• Interchangeable lenses
• High-quality sound for videography

• High-resolution sensor captures sharp photos & vivid video
• 8x zoom helps capture distant objects with clarity
• Hybrid autofocus

• Good resolution for stunning images
• Classic style
• Advanced weather sealing for shooting in any environment

• Extremely durable
• Amazing video
• Perfect for sport
• Rugged and waterproof up to 33ft
• Weather-sealed body, ideal for outdoor usage

• Stylish vintage look
• High-speed EXPEED 6 image processor
• Very compact
• Big sensor for small size

• Compact size and lightweight
• Rugged weather sealing for protection against the elements
• Great features
• Easy to use
• High-speed shooting up to 30 fps

• Small and relatively lightweight DSLR
• Great value for a DSLR
• Nice 24MP sensor for clear travel shots
• Long battery life

• Stylish and compact body
• Lightweight and easy to carry
• Great in-body image stabilization
• 16.1MP Live MOS sensor

• Cheap and cheerful DSLR, great for beginners
• Great range of features
• Connect to compatible devices via Bluetooth
• Fast 39-point AF system

• Rugged construction: waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, freezeproof
• Best for tough environments
• Great quality
• Wi-Fi & GPS connectivity to enable remote shooting & geotagging

11 Best Budget Travel Cameras (in Detail!)

Now let’s take you through an in-depth view of each budget travel camera. Each camera has different factors that may benefit different people. It is important to have an understanding of what kind of camera you want—small, convenient, or powerful. Make sure you read each description in depth to understand each camera’s pros and cons.

1. Sony A7 III

Best budget travel camera.

• Quick and accurate 693-point AF
• Wide ISO range with a low 50 setting
• Outstanding dynamic range and low-light performance
• Records stunning 4K video and has live stream capabilities
• Noise reduction can remove details
• Front heavy with big lenses
• Menu system is difficult to get used to

The Sony A7 III is the best option for professional photographers who want a powerful camera for travel. It is not the newest camera in Sony’s A7 range . This means the A7 III will be cheaper while still having amazing abilities. Professional photographers may have a big, bulky kit. By getting a mirrorless camera, you’ll reduce the weight and size of your standard kit. You are still able to use interchangeable lenses on the Sony A7III . This means that the size and weight of your equipment will be dictated by the lenses you decide to bring with you.

The size and weight are slightly smaller than its newer sibling, the Sony A7 IV . This size will fit without being too much of a handful. You will also notice that without a lens attached, the Sony A7 III can slide into many places in your baggage to stay safe. Sony’s A7 also allows you to film in 4K video. It can only achieve 4K at 30 fps, but at least you have the option to take great videos to show off your environment.

Sony’s A7 III is a full frame camera with a powerful sensor . Considering its ISO range, autofocus point, and battery life, you have the ultimate travel camera. All these features will ensure that you are shooting your locations in the highest quality possible! But the price is more “budget friendly” for a professional.

If you’re curious, check out these popular competitors compared with the A7 III:

• Sony A7 III vs Sony a7R IV
• Nikon Z5 vs Sony a7 III
• Canon EOS 5D Mark II vs Sony A7 III
• Fujifilm X-T5 vs Sony A7 III
• Pentax K-3 Mark III vs Sony A7 III
• Panasonic Lumix DC-GH6 vs Sony A7 III

2. Fujifilm X-Pro 3

Best budget carry-along camera.

• Good image quality
• 30 fps (with a 1.25x crop)
• Hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder
• Tilting flip-out screen works well for waist-level shooting
• 4K / 30p Ultra HD video
• 11 film simulations
• Optical viewfinder doesn't work properly with wide or long lenses
• Face and eye detection are unreliable
• Hard to switch focus from near to far
• Limited LCD angles prevents use above eye level
• Slow-to-focus f/1.4 lenses
• Low-resolution LCD

Fujifilm’s X-Pro 3 is the kind of camera you want hanging off your shoulder during your travels. Not only because it is light but because it looks stylish while taking amazing photos. The X-Pro 3 is a mirrorless camera that looks similar to old 35 mm cameras. In such a compact camera, Fuji has managed to pack in a 26 megapixel sensor as well as 4K video quality that can shoot up to 120 fps! Few mirrorless cameras can achieve these same features, and the Fujifilm X-Pro 3 won’t break the bank.

You will find that the camera’s body is made of robust material. A couple of knocks here and there won’t compromise its performance. Fujifilm also put a lot of attention into its weather-resistant abilities. They allow you to use your X-Pro 3 in the rain without worrying about water getting into the camera. Of course, you shouldn’t push this too far, as everything is only waterproof up to a certain point.

My favorite aspect of this camera in terms of a budget travel camera is its ease of use. Every button on the camera is there to give you quick control over your image. This is even reflected in its option to choose between the electronic or optical viewfinder. You will be able to change this at the press of a button. The electronic viewfinder allows you to see your image’s exposure in real time before you press the shutter.

3. Sony ZV-E10

Best compact camera for travel.

• Top-end autofocus system that's great with photo and video
• No time limit on video recording
• Fully articulating screen and selfie modes
• External microphones and headphones ports
• Compact and lightweight camera body
• No sensor-shift stabilization, only a shake reduction system
• Visible rolling shutter effect with tracking shots
• The lack of a viewfinder is disappointing
• 4K video is cropped at 30 fps

Sony’s ZV-E10 sits at the top of this list if you’re looking for a compact travel camera with interchangeable lenses. It is aimed toward vloggers , but all its features still make it an amazing camera for travel. Some of these features that are good for travel are its autofocus and light body. The autofocus has many AI features. It can identify your eye for the sharpest possible image. The AI can also identify animals and other subjects you may want to photograph on your travels.

The Sony ZV-E10 is the best camera for anyone who wants to take selfies during their travels, thanks to the bokeh switch. The bokeh switch automatically blurs the background to put added focus on you. Of course, travel photography aims to get your surroundings in, so you may not use the bokeh button. But, the ZV-E10 with a wide-angle lens will be able to capture you, your friends, and the surroundings in complete clarity.

If you want to produce videos, you get 4K abilities at 120 fps! Because the camera is so light , it’s perfect for filming yourself in different fun locations. You won’t need to worry about audio, as Sony has invested the time to develop its built-in microphone. The microphone comes with three separate mics and a windshield, so you can get good audio even outdoors.

The Sony ZV-E10 is the perfect travel companion for someone who wants to take photos and make videos. You will not get the control professionals will be looking for in their photography. But, the camera would work well for any photographer who wants to shoot on auto with great results.

4. Nikon Z fc

Best looking budget travel camera.

• Face- and eye-detect AF for humans and animals
• Lots of easy-access control dials
• Attractive and stylish design
• 4K video capabilities
• Slow performing kit lens
• No optical image stabilization
• It lacks a built-in flash
• No joystick
• Battery life isn't great

The Nikon Z fc is one of Nikon’s newest mirrorless cameras. Instantly I am drawn to its looks. It is modeled around Nikon’s classic 35 mm cameras in both look and size. I am a big fan of the top dials. Nikon has managed to simplify manual features into these dials. They’re not overwhelming to look at for beginners. A vintage-looking camera with great digital image quality!

It is amazing the technology they can now fit in a camera the same size as these old cameras. In the Z fc body, you will find a 21 MP APS-C sensor with 4K, 120 fps video abilities. You also get a high count of autofocus points to help you get the sharpest shot possible.

As a cropped sensor, the Nikon Z fc will take DX mount lenses. These are not the top range of lenses, but they are still of amazing quality. The benefit is that your lens options will all be cheaper and still provide you with professional quality. The Z fc is built with a magnesium alloy, which means the camera is both durable and light. It also has weather sealing so your camera should survive if you get caught in bad weather.

One feature that makes the Nikon Z fc among the top travel cameras is that you can charge the camera through a USB cable. You can charge your camera with a portable charger or a USB port. You probably have another cable that will work in your luggage already. This allows you to reduce the amount of electrical equipment you take on your travels with you.

5. GoPro Hero10

Best budget travel camera for action.

• High 23 MP resolution for photos
• HyperSmooth image stabilization for photos and videos
• The body is robust and waterproof
• Excellent Wi-Fi connectivity settings
• Incredible 5.2K video resolution
• Struggles in low-light conditions
• The touchscreen is small and fiddly
• Battery life could be better
• Overheats at higher video settings
• Mobile video editing only possible with latest smartphones

The GoPro has solidified itself as one of the best sports cameras in the world. These same qualities transfer perfectly for travel photography, minus the manual controls. The GoPro Hero10 is the perfect compact camera if you only intend to use your camera gear for point-and-shoot purposes. You can fit the camera in your pocket, pull it out, and take a picture in seconds. The GoPro is known for its amazing weather sealing abilities . You can take photos and videos anywhere, even up to 33 feet underwater.

The GoPro Hero10 is primarily for video but you can take quality images at the click of a button. You are even able to take photographs while creating films. Video is very popular in travel photography nowadays, especially on social media. So, the GoPro could be for you if you plan to put content on your social media sites. It’s even one of our recommended cameras for podcasters !

The perfect selfie will be easy to get with a screen at the front and the back of the camera. I am a big fan of the amazing image stabilization in the GoPro Hero10. If you are traveling with adventures in mind, the Go Pro Hero10 will ensure that you get liquid footage.

For all these reasons, I would say the GoPro Hero10 is the best budget camera for those who want the least amount of control from their compact camera. The other great feature of the GoPro series is that they make loads of accessories to accompany your camera. It’s almost certain they have accessories for whatever scenario you need. They’ve recently released the upgraded Hero11 which is worth checking out too!

6. Fujifilm X100V

Best budget travel camera for size.

• 26 MP sensor for good noise reduction and fast readout
• Sharp JPEGs with low noise
• 15 quality film simulations
• Tilting touchscreen
• Excellent 4K Ultra HD video
• Slow AF and poor with optical viewfinder
• Lacks in-body image stabilization
• Limited customization
• Complicated menus
• Optional weather sealing costs extra

Fujifilm’s X100V is one of the best mirrorless travel cameras as it has a small, flat fixed lens. The X100 series has been extremely popular thanks to this winning formula as a cropped sensor camera with a fixed lens and full manual controls. It is also an extremely light and compact camera. It’s even small enough to fit in an oversized pocket or a fanny pack. Its weight and size won’t have your arm aching at all. It is so small that it feels like and can be operated as a standard point-and-shoot camera .

The Fujifilm X100V also has a built-in flash, electronic or optical viewfinder, and a tilting LCD screen. Considering these features, Fujifilm has managed to pack everything into such a small camera body. They have also spent time developing their low-light abilities. The X100V has a high ISO and a great processor that can deal with long-exposure images quickly. Fujifilm has also improved its autofocus abilities. Not only does this mean more AF points, but also a quicker AF time. All these elements together mean you can take a great photo in just a few seconds.

One of my favorite parts about Fujifilm cameras is the film simulations they have in the camera. This is a welcome feature for anyone who likes film photography or photographing in a particular style. You can choose from their extensive range of films, which also come with numerous black and white options. In-camera film simulation modes help you get into the rhythm of shooting in a particular style. You will also see a live view of your image through the electronic viewfinder.

7. Canon Powershot G7X III

Best budget canon travel camera.

• A high dynamic range
• Fast continuous shooting speeds
• Stylish design
• Pocket-sized body
• Flip-up rear LCD touchscreen
• Live-streaming compatible
• Soft focus at wider focal lengths
• No subject tracking in continuous shooting mode
• No electronic viewfinder
• Weak battery life for a compact
• 10 minute 4K recording limit

One of Canon’s point-and-shoot cameras finds its way onto the best camera for travel list with their Powershot G7 X III . This is a small camera that can produce amazing results. It is a point-and-shoot ready to fit into your pocket, but it’s still packed with features and delivers great image quality. You get a 20 MP camera from a 1″ sensor. Canon also gives you a built-in flash and an LCD that you can tilt to get the ideal shot. You will also find that the camera can record video in 4K!

My favorite aspect of the Canon Powershot G7 X III is how easy it is to use. This is made the most evident in its remote control function. Canon has made a smartphone app that links to your Powershot. This app allows you to control the camera, telling it to photograph, take a video, or change its settings.

I recommend this camera to any photographer who doesn’t want to use manual controls. If you know you will simply point your camera and shoot at arm’s length, this is the camera for you. You still get fantastic image quality with a 4.2x optical zoom lens. The camera would also suit anyone who wants to wants to shoot a video for their social media pages. You can easily format your videos to a social media size thanks to vertical video support.

8. Canon 250D

Most affordable dslr camera for travel.

• Excellent value
• Compact body for a DSLR
• Insanely good battery life
• Fully articulating screen is helpful for capturing video
• Solid 4K video quality
• Only 9 autofocus points
• No USB charging
• No weather sealing
• 1.7x 4K crop factor

The Canon 250D is one of the lightest DSLR cameras you will find on the market today, weighing only 450g! Canon claims it is the lightest DSLR camera with a movable screen in the world! A movable and articulating screen is a great feature to consider when picking your camera for travel. A movable screen will also match up well with the camera’s 4K video abilities. These two features together will allow you to capture beautiful videos with ease.

Not only does the 250D have great image quality, but it also extremely easy to use. The user interface comes with a guided user interface that will take you through and explain each function in simple terms. You will also find the ease of use extends to many other aspects of this DSLR camera. Most noticeably through the superb Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus. The autofocus system has Eye Auto Focus and Live View autofocus abilities. Both these functions will allow you to get the sharpest images possible when traveling.

9. Olympus PEN E-PL10

Best budget olympus travel camera.

• Decent 4K video
• Good low-light picture quality
• Silent shutter mode
• Dated 16 MP sensor
• AF unreliable in low light
• Menu system Is difficult to navigate
• No audio jack for external mics

The Olympus PEN E-PL10 is a Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera that is small, light, and easy to use. This handheld camera could be the perfect travel companion for an entry-level photographer. Or a professional that doesn’t want to mess around with manual settings.

The Olympus PEN series is a line of interchangeable lens cameras based on Olympus’ analog point-and-shoot camera range. This is why the camera has this fantastic looking classic aesthetic. So it may be a great choice for someone who wants to match their camera to their stylish outfit.

One of the best features of this camera is that it allows you to send images straight to your smartphone with a single click. The PEN’s integrated Wi-Fi and Olympus’ Share App allow you to easily connect your phone and transfer your favorite images. This is an excellent feature to have in a camera for travel, especially if you don’t plan on bringing a laptop. A feature like this allows you to use your favorite images for social media or send them to friends and family without uploading all your images.

The Olympus PEN E-PL10 is one of the mirrorless cameras that has in-body image stabilization. This will improve the image quality in tough situations. You will also find there are 4K video options.

10. Nikon D5600

Best budget nikon dslr for travel.

• High quality images for crop sensor
• Great ISO sensitivity
• Not too bulky and nice to handle
• Autofocus isn't great in video mode
• No dual memory card slots
• No Nikon Fine-Tune function to adjust AF for specific lenses

Nikon’s D5600 is another one of the smaller DSLR cameras on the market. Even though it is a small camera, it still packs a punch with its image quality and autofocus abilities. These features alone make it an ideal camera for travel. Even though it’s a compact travel camera, you can still feel a secure grip on the camera body. This will help you feel secure, especially if you want to use bigger, more expensive lenses. The camera body also features a vari-angle touchscreen. This feature will help you take better photos in tricky situations.

My favorite feature of the Nikon D5600 is Nikon’s SnapBridge app. Bluetooth technology establishes a constant connection between your camera and a smart device. Once you connect, photographs will automatically appear in your app once the photo has been snapped. Features like this make the Nikon D5600 an ideal camera for travel.

The D5600 also comes with in-camera creative tools and time-lapse settings. Both these extra features will allow amateurs to experiment and have more fun with photography.

11. Olympus Tough TG-6

Best waterproof budget travel camera.

• Very strong and durable body
• Waterproof to 50 ft (15.5 m)
• RAW file shooting capabilities
• Excellent macro shooting
• Smooth 4K video recording
• Only 12 MP image resolution
• No fully manual controls
• No touchscreen
• Annoying notifications with Wi-Fi app

The Olympus Tough TG-6 is a budget camera built for the toughest conditions. The Tough cameras are waterproof, crushproof, freezeproof, dustproof, and shockproof. This would be the ideal camera for those who are into extreme adventure holidays.

It’s perfect for anyone who enjoys underwater sports and other activities in unfavorable conditions. You can take the camera up to 15 meters underwater. And it works in environments as cold as 10 degrees Celsius. The lens even has a special anti-fogging glass that prevents lens fogging due to sudden temperature changes.

The camera itself has a 12 MP blacklit sensor with one of the latest image processors from Olympus. You will also get a 4x digital zoom with a 2x digital teleconverter. This allows you to shoot in a similar focal length to a 200 mm lens! You will also find macro abilities and different underwater shooting options.

I am a big fan of the crushproof, durable body. The camera can take someone standing on it or being dropped from 2.1 meters. You will have no worries putting your camera at the bottom of a full bag or banging against rocks. All these features make it a great camera for travel.

Our Verdict

After looking through this list of budget travel cameras, we can see a range of options to choose from. Each holiday will benefit from different camera features . You’ll really need to know what kind of holidays you go on. Do you like taking relaxing photos of the beach or on a leisurely stroll through a city? Or do you want footage of you going surfing and mountain biking? The main points to consider are weight and functionality. I would say that if you are buying a camera set up specifically for travel, the Sony A7 III is the best option.

Once you have decided on your ideal destination, return to this list to find the best camera that suits your needs!

Common Travel Camera FAQs

What is the best camera to take on vacation.

This depends on what kind of activities you’ll be doing on holiday. If you’re looking to do more extreme adventures, an action camera like the GoPro Hero10 or the Olympus Tough TG-6 is best. But if you want the highest image quality from a camera that’s easy to carry around while you explore a new city, the Sony A7 III is perfect.

Which Is the Best Budget Travel Camera?

The best budget camera for travel is the GoPro Hero10. It’s mostly aimed at creating video footage, but it takes fantastic still photos. It’s easy to use for beginners and very small, making it ideal for travel photography and video. If you are traveling with adventures in mind, the Go Pro Hero10 will ensure that you get liquid footage.

What Should I Look For in a Travel Camera?

This depends on what you want to use it for. But the most important feature of a camera for traveling is its small size and light weight. Other factors to consider are the camera’s ease of use, weatherproof abilities, and battery life. Features like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity that makes it easy to upload to social media can be a plus, too.

Which Sony Camera is Best For Travel Photography?

The Sony A7 III is our recommended best camera for travel photography. This is a powerful camera, but cheaper than newer models. It produces incredible images in a wide range of settings. But if you’re looking for a smaller camera with interchangeable lenses, the Sony ZV-1 is an excellent camera for travel.

If you still are not sure which camera to go for, our recent Sony a7R III review or Sony vs Nikon mirrorless debate will give you food for thought! Or, why not check out these trending camera comparisons for more inspiration:

• Fujifilm X-T5 vs Sony a6600
• Canon EOS R6 Mark II vs Fujifilm X-T5
• Canon EOS R5 C vs Fujifilm X-T5
• Canon EOS R7 vs Fujifilm X-H2
• Fujifilm X-H2 vs Sony A7 III
• Canon EOS R5 vs Fujifilm X-H2
• Fujifilm X-H2 vs Nikon Z6 II

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BEST CAMERA UNDER $300 – FOR TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY 2024

By Author Katie

Posted on Last updated: November 19, 2023

Finding the perfect travel camera can be hard which is why we are sharing the best camera under $300 for travel photography!

In the past 12 years of travel, we have tried our fair share of cameras and all have had pros and cons when perfecting our travel photography. We also know that you don’t want to spend a fortune on a camera just before you travel the world, so here is our best travel cameras for photography for under $300!

When it comes to capturing moments with a unique, nostalgic quality, consider exploring the realm of best film cameras . These timeless devices offer a distinct charm that enhances your photography experience. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or a budget-conscious traveler, our recommendations ensure exceptional value, guaranteeing memorable shots during your worldly adventures.

Best travel cameras under $300

Nikon COOLPIX B500 Digital Camera $265

Pros: The Nikon COOLPIX B500 has an impressive zoom range extending to 40x with a digital zoom function that nearly doubles that range; making this camera great for wildlife and nature photography. The camera is great for travel photography and video; with Full HD video recording at 30 fps. The camera also has Bluetooth, WiFi and NFC; all helpful for the travelling blogger. It also has image stabilisation, a revolving screen to get those difficult angles and 1/4000s High Shutter Speed.

Cons: ISOs 3200 and 6400 are only available in auto-mode, meaning the camera doesn’t perform as well in low light. It is also run off four AA batteries, which can be expensive and a hassle to find/charge when you’re on the road.

Even in 2020, this is still a great camera for those looking for a great photography camera that is ideal for travelling around the world.

Learn more about this camera here.   Below is an example of the Nikon in action.

Fujifilm FinePix XP140 Waterproof Digital Camera – $226

Pros: You can’t go wrong with a good, affordable waterproof camera.

The Fujifilm FinePix XP140 9upgraded from the XP130) is just that; it’s good value for money, has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and has a 5x optical zoom lens. It is also waterproof down to 82ft and shock proof up to 5.9m – a big jump from the XP130.

This is an ideal camera for those with little knowledge on photography because is has a great face detection focusing feature and image stabilisation. It is also a light weight camera, convenient for travel and day trips.

It also captures 4K video up to 15 frames per second.

Cons: The lens is slow, which can be a struggle when you are trying to catch photographic moments quickly. The battery life is also pretty short and it can sometimes produce soft images.

Learn more about this camera here.

Canon PowerShot SX520 – $265

Pros:  This small sensor Superzoom camera has a 1/2.3″ sized CCD sensor. It has image stabilisation and face detection focusing, making it ideal for new photographers. The 24mm Wide Angle Lens is ideal for travellers, as is the 42X Optical Zoom. This is a great camera for those looking for a really good image and is often referred to as the best point and shoot camera under 300.

Cons:  For those wishing to step up their camera gear, this may not be the answer. There is no RAW shooting available on this camera and the max ISO is 1.600. There is also no full HD video and there isn’t a built-in viewfinder. It is also a heavy camera and has a low battery life; you will get around 196 shots from a full battery.

Learn more about this camera here.  Below is an example of the Canon at work.

Sony DSCWX350 18 MP Digital Camera – $190

Pros:  With 20x optical zoom and, like many Sony cameras, excellent lock-on focus, this camera is great for photography but also an ideal vlogigng camera. It connects to smartphones via Wi-Fi w/ NFC and offers Motion Shot Video which traces your subjects movement. It is incredibly compact and can be placed in a pocket, making it ideal for travel. The battery life is also pretty decent for the size of the camera.

The price makes it an affordable option for those looking for a high quality camera without the price tag.

Cons:  There is no macro setting available on this camera which isn’t ideal for upclose photography. Because of the size of the buttons, changing the settings can be a little difficult.

Canon PowerShot SX720 HS – $179

Pros:  The Canon PowerShot SX720 is arguably one of the best all-round cameras on the market. It is light weight and has a fantastic zoom range of 25-750mm on a 35mm camera. It is also one of the of the few budget cameras that offers full HD video.  It has built-in WiFi, image stabilisation and a pop-up flash. It also has a good autofocus speed when compared with other cameras at this price range.

Cons:  It is one of the higher priced point and shoot cameras and has a maximum ISO setting of 3200; meaning it struggles in low light. Although is has image stabilisation, the camera has some shake when the zoom lens is fully extended.

PANASONIC LUMIX FZ80 – $238

Pros:  This $300 camera has a huge zoom range of 60x and has fast autofocus. It can shoot in raw at 10fps and films 4K video at 30fps. In comes complete with a touch LCD and Wi-Fi.

Cons:  There is no EVF eye sensor on this camera and the rear LCD is fixed; not too helpful for those creative shots or vlogging. This is a more expensive camera at this price point however it gives you a lot of zoom compared to other cameras under $300.

What to look for in a camera?

Cameras often have a load of features which are generally available in a digital camera in the $300 price point. As a traveller, there are certain features you will want to look out for. 

• Zoom – A digital zoom is essential for travelling, with most models offering up to 24 – 1200mm. The problem is, the higher the zoom, the bigger a lens is likely to be, so for travelling, you will want a decent zoom without the camera becoming too heavy. 
• Sensor Size – The image quality on a camera is decided by the size of the sensor. A general rule; the bigger the sensor, the better the image quality. DSLRs have bigger lenses than digital cameras but not too many DSLRs are available in this price point. 
• Size and weight – For travellers, especially those who love to travel long term, the size and weight is an important feature to look out for. Travel cameras under $300 are either portable and made to be an easy camera you can carry around with you, or they are heavier camera’s that need a neck strap or bag to be carried around in. You can get lightweight DSLR cameras but these are often as a much higher price point. These kid-friendly Go Pros are great options for those looking for a first camera for their younger ones. 
• Weather protection – For those adventure travellers, you will want to choose a ‘rugged’ camera. These should be dust-proof, water-proof and even freeze-proof. These often have limitations so you will have to balance priorities between size, features and price. 
• Image Stabilization – Some cameras and lens offer image stabilization, which reduces the blur caused by movement in an image. This is ideal for photos in low light conditions. 
• 4K Video – If you are looking to record using your travel camera, then a camera which can record in 4K is a fantastic extra feature. This is especially true if you re looking to create travel videos for YouTube. 
• Battery – Rechargeable batteries are a must buy hang a long-lasting battery is also important for travellers. 

Best Vlogging Camera under $300

Having the perfect travel camera does’t just include taking the perfect pictures. More and more travellers want to vlog and share their experience from their travels, but which camera is the option to start with? 

• The Panasonic Lumix ZS50 is known as a travel video camera because of its high optical zoom and compact size. The sleek design allows you to hold the camera for long periods of time (ideal for vlogging), the camera records in full HD with a steady fps rate. However, there is no flip screen on this camera. 
• The Nikon Coolpix B500 is a compact, durable camera with fantastic photo capturing modes but also records in full HD video. However, if you intend on recording for long periods of time, choose a different camera; this camera tends to have heating issues. 
• Canon PowerShot SX620 – This camera is easy to use as well as being a lightweight, compact option. It records in full HD and has 25x optical Zoom, so focusing on small objects it not a hard task. 
• Nikon Coolpix L340 is a great camera for a decent price point. It is lightweight, durable, have an excellent optical zoom and an external microphone jack option. However, it only records in 720p. 
• Canon Vixia Rf800 – This is the best camcorder for vlogging, ideal for vlogging. The flip screen makes filming easier but and you can film is full HD but it comes with a 57x optical zoom. However, the battery drains fast and the camera isn’t great for photographs. 

Best travel cameras FAQ

Which camera is best for travelling?

For traveling, the DJI Osmo Pocket offers great stabliziation and is a small, easy to use camera which also records in 4K. For Adventure travellers, choose a GoPro camera whilst travel photographers will appreciate the features on the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII or the Canon EOS Rebel. 

Should I take a camera travelling?

If you have a decent camera phone, then it is not necessary to take a camera travelling with you. However, if you are looking to take some high quality images of video footage, investing in a camera is a great way to remember your travel experiences. 

What is the best camera to buy for a beginner photographer?

For a beginner photographer, looking for a DSLR, choose the Canon 90D, Nikon D56000 or the Canon EOS Revel T7i. 

What camera do travel bloggers use?

For travel blogging, you want a lightweight camera which can produce high quality images. The Sony RX100 V is a mirrorless camera but our favourite choice for travel photography. The Nikon D7500 is a DSLR which produces fantastic images for your travel blog; it is an investment but still one of the cheaper DSLR options available. 

What camera do most photographers use?

Professional photographers will use a high-end DSLR camera, often a Canon or Nikon. 

What is the best point and shoot camera for travel?

The Sony DSC-W830, the Canon PowerShot Elph 189 and 360 are all great pint and shoot cameras for travel. The Sony RX100 is also a great choice for those looking to film their travels too. 

What is the best travel camera with zoom?

The Panasonic Lumix TZ200/ZS200 is a compact travel camera with the best long-zoom option. 

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30 Top tips for visiting ORLANDO THEME PARKS • Creative Travel Guide

Tuesday 21st of December 2021

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10 Tips for TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY • Creative Travel Guide

Friday 9th of July 2021

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Monday 5th of April 2021

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My Top 10 Essential Travel Items - Traveling Tayler

Monday 2nd of September 2019

[…] These are the best travel cameras for photography under $300 […]

Thursday 29th of August 2019

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Our Expert Guide to the BEST Travel Cameras in 2024

• Last Updated: December 13, 2023

We’ve spent years working as professional travel photographers, and are proud to have put together this definitive guide to the best travel cameras in 2024 for every budget, based on actual hands-on experience.

One of the best souvenirs you can bring home from your adventures abroad is photographs.

As the old saying goes, pictures are worth a thousand words, and nothing brings back the excitement and thrill of holiday memories quite like looking back at your photos.

These days almost everybody has a decent camera in their pocket, thanks to the wonders of modern smartphones. And while these are fine for the average person, if you really want great image quality, you’re going to have to invest in something better.

People say, “It’s not the camera that takes good photos, it’s the photographer”, and this is completely true. Yet there’s a reason professionals use expensive gear – they are better for the job.

Never fear though, that doesn’t mean you need to go out and spend $10k on a set-up! Definitely not.

In fact this article is going to save you time and money by diving straight into the best travel camera for every budget.

So why listen to us?

We’ve been working as professional travel photographers for almost a decade, and have been fortunate enough to put hundreds of cameras to the test during our career.

Based on our personal experience, we’ve been able to narrow down the absolute top choice in every category.

Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or professional, or even if you know nothing at all, we’ll help you make the right choice so you don’t waste your money getting something that just isn’t up to the job.

READ MORE: Check out our comprehensive guide on how to take better travel photos .

Let’s dive into our comprehensive guide for the best camera for travel photography.

Table of Contents

Our Recommendation

Bonus: recommended lenses for sony a6600, bonus: recommended lenses for sony a7iv, size and weight, resolution/megapixels, interchangeable lenses, manual settings, weatherproofing, stabilization, mirrorless vs dslr, what camera do most professional photographers use, what camera is best for travel videos, what is the best small camera for travel, what is the best travel camera in 2024.

Without further ado, let’s get into the article!

Disclaimer – NOMADasaurus is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

GoPro HERO12 Black – The Best Action Camera

Action cameras have come a long way since we bought our first one back in 2010.

They used to be reserved just for people who were into extreme sports – skiing, skydiving, motocross, scuba diving, etc.

Now they have become one of the top travel cameras on the market thanks to their durability, compact size and high quality.

The good ones shoot in at least 4K video (this one though actually goes up to 5.3k), are completely waterproof and even connect to your phone so can take great photos from any angle.

They also shoot time-lapse photography, which is great if you’re catching an epic sunrise or particularly busy urban scene.

Even if you are not interested in jumping off of cliffs or mountain biking through a jungle, having an action compact camera is still a brilliant tool to have in your suitcase.

They are especially awesome if you’re looking for the best cameras for adventure travel.

The undisputed king of action sports cameras is GoPro, and we’ve been proudly using them for over 13 years.

These epic cameras have insane image quality and shoot some remarkable video. They’re also extremely durable, waterproof and fit in your pocket.

Adding to the GoPro series is a huge range of accessories that makes getting footage limited by only your imagination.

Check out our brand new GoPro HERO12 Black review to see if it’s right for you!

Different mounts allow you to put them just about anywhere, extension poles get unique angles (perfect for selfies), you can stick a GoPro on a tripod and there are even filters available.

We’ve had just about every GoPro camera since the original HERO was released, and we’re super excited to share that the newest one on the market is by far the best ever.

Their latest camera is the GoPro HERO12 Black , following hot off the heels of the successful HERO11 (click the link to read our review of it), and it’s risen the bar once again.

When the HERO7 came out they introduced a number of revolutionary features, such as HyperSmooth (in-built image stabilisation), TimeWarp (awesome hyper-lapse videos) and SuperPhoto (HDR photos on steroids).

The HERO9 added a front-facing LCD screen, which really stepped things up a notch, especially for vloggers.

The HERO10 brought in the new GP2 processor, which made everything work, well, just better.

The HERO11 went bonkers with a brand new larger sensor, 10-bit colour and all new aspect ratio.

And now with the HERO12 the company has gone and made everything more refined with a host of new features and upgraded battery life.

Boasting the fantastic GP2 processor, 1/1.9″ sensor and 8:7 aspect ratio, the latest GoPro HERO12 Black now has HDR video to go along with the expert camera settings.

The massive aspect ratio gives more room to crop, so you can shoot in one perspective and scale later for portrait social media content or landscape YouTube videos.

The camera shoots in 5.3k 60 frames per second, 4k at 120fps and 2.7k at a whopping 240fps (8x slow motion), which also allowing for 27 megapixel screen grabs when using 5.3k on the full 8:7 ratio.

The stabilization is even better with HyperSmooth 6.0 (in-built horizon levelling up to 360 degrees), TimeWarp 4.0 allows to switch between hyper-lapse, real-time and slow-mo recording in the same video with a tap of the screen, and the SuperPhoto has improved HDR abilities.

The screens are still very responsive and look excellent.

SuperPhoto for photographers, in particular, means you can point and shoot, and barely have to edit before uploading to social media. Although we still recommend shooting in RAW for the pros out there.

This article talks more about how to take better GoPro photos, written by a pro.

For the purists out there, the GoPro HERO12 shoots in RAW format for all photo modes.

There is still voice activation and the entire unit is waterproof to 10m, meaning there is no need for a dive housing if you’re not going below that depth.

Also the all-new Night Effects modes are really awesome. Who would have thought you could capture light trails and the Milky Way on such a tiny camera?

For the video gurus out there the HERO12 is a gimbal killer. What does that mean? It means HyperSmooth 6.0 is on another level.

The HERO7 stabilisation was amazing for vlogging and action sports, as was the HERO8 and 9, but after testing the new HERO12, the stabilisation is even better again. Don’t know how they do it, but they do! And it works at 4K at 120fps, TimeWarp and live streaming!

Want slow motion? How does 2.7k at 240FPS sound? Buttery smooth, that’s for sure.

Whereas in previous models they had White, Silver and Black models, the HERO12 only has a Black model.

Canon Powershot SX740HS – The Best Affordable Camera

If you want a dedicated camera that is cheap and still takes decent photos then you really are spoiled for choice.

We’ve personally owned a whole range of different brands in this range, from Canon to Fuji to Olympus to Sony, and with the way the best travel camera market is now if you’re not fussy about the brand you get, then you can’t really go wrong. But let us explain what you’ll need.

You’ll basically be looking for a small point and shoot, something that is foolproof and most importantly quite durable. Having a big zoom range is a big bonus so you can crop right in on different scenes.

The ability to use manual settings will come in handy if you ever want to play around and learn a bit more about how photography works.

And you want something affordable so that you won’t be overly worried if you lose it (just make sure you backup your photos).

The Canon Powershot SX720HS was a hugely successful compact camera, and Canon backed it up with the amazing SX730HS to become the best budget travel camera.

But like all good camera companies, Canon has stepped it up a notch again by bringing out the newest model in the range, the SX740HS .

This great little travel camera does it all, and for the price, it is the best travel zoom camera out there.

40x optical zoom, manual settings, shoots in 4K video, good color grading, and it is one of the better compact cameras out there.

It also has wifi so you can transfer photos straight to your phone or laptop without plugging it in, or control the camera from your phone. Perfect for the general traveler who just wants something to take decent photos with on their trip.

It also has a large articulated screen, so you can angle your shots perfectly, whether you’re shooting from the ground or above the head.

A few more updates over the SX730HS is an improved small sensor, meaning better low light capabilities, and faster burst shooting, cementing its position as the best budget camera for travelling.

READ MORE: Check out our latest guide on the best camera accessories !

Sony RX100 vii – The Best Compact Camera for Travel

This is the next level up. You still want the portability and benefits of having a point and shoot, but you want to take incredible photos too.

You’re interested in learning about the fundamentals of photography, and perhaps want to one day print your photos or maybe put them up online. Ultimately you’re after the best pocket camera for travel.

Here are the things you’ll need: Full manual control, a decent size sensor, zoom, high-quality video, flip screen (so you can shoot from different angles while still framing your shot), ability to shoot in RAW format, good ISO performance and a wide aperture.

This is the category that most people will be in. So if you’re asking yourself what is the best compact digital camera for traveling, read on…

READ MORE: Check out our comprehensive guide to the best landscape photography tips !

This is, in our opinion, the best point and shoot camera for travel on the market. It does everything you’ll ever need it to do and has incredible image quality in a premium compact size.

Sony have completely revolutionized the market with the RX100 range, and with each update it just gets better and better.

Without a doubt there’s no better option for the best compact camera for travel out there than the Sony RX100 vii right now.

The Mark 7 has a very long zoom range (8.6x optical, up from 3.6x optical, which is like having a 24-200mm lens), an amazing 20mp one-inch sensor to capture huge dynamic range, high quality 4K video and an articulating flip screen.

It’s an expensive camera, yes, but if you want the absolute best quality on the market in a small, compact unit that fits in your pocket, this is the best travel camera out right now.

BONUS TIP – If you want to create travel vlogs and have a decent camera for photography too, this is the model for you!

Canon G7X Mark iii – Best Camera for Vlogging

Vlogging is the newest craze, and it’s quite literally taking over as the new digital media of choice for many travelers and influencers.

If making videos is more your style instead of taking photos, then you’re going to want to look at a camera that has a range of specific features.

Most importantly is the ability to shoot in 4K (even if not many people have 4K monitors today, in a few years it will be common and you’re going to want to have footage to match the current standard).

Once you’ve got this another handy feature is an articulated LCD screen that can face you while you’re talking in the lens.

This allows you to frame your shot instead of cutting off half your head. Lastly you’ll want a microphone jack to catch better audio.

Get the camera, start filming and put some great videos up on YouTube ! Sounds easy, right? But what is the best travel camera for vlogging…

We’ve used more vlogging cameras than we can remember, from full-frame setups to GoPros and even putting to the test the brand new Sony ZV-1F .

But what have we settled on?

The Canon G7X Mark ii has always been considered the ultimate travel camera for vlogging, but it fell short in a few different categories.

That’s all changed now with the newest upgrade, the G7X Mark iii .

Shooting fantastic 4k video, this travel camera now has an in-built microphone jack for improved audio, a flip-up touchscreen for keeping your face in frame, and has a faster start-up time than previously.

The image quality is also much better now, and with manual control functions it really is a premium compact travel camera.

Sony A6600 – Best Mirrorless Camera for Travel

You’ve broken out of the realm of standard point and shoots, and you’re looking for a camera that has interchangeable lenses.

You’re getting into the idea of shooting wide, or perhaps portrait shots. Maybe you really would like to get a longer zoom.

Most of all, you really want to get serious about photography.

In your kit will be a range of lenses for a range of situations. You can look at getting filters to give beautiful effects on your shots. You might even want to start growing your photography portfolio .

A few years ago everyone would have recommended you to get an entry-level DSLR. This is no longer the case.

With the way mirrorless technology has gone DSLRs are losing traction and popularity. Now you can get something with the same image quality for half the size.

The Sony A6600 is an absolute powerhouse and puts up a good fight for being the ultimate travel camera.

For entry-level mirrorless cameras, Sony broke the mould by introducing the A6000 a few years ago. Since then every model has been lightyears ahead of the competition.

The latest A6600 is their newest offering, and for a compact camera, it is seriously next level.

It boasts one of the fastest autofocus capabilities of any camera on the market, an improved APS-C sensor capable of high-level video and great image quality, a touch-enabled articulating LCD screen and excellent electronic viewfinder.

The range of lenses available for this Sony mirrorless camera is huge, and manages to cover all bases for whether you want to shoot 4K video or take images that you can sell to magazines.

You can really get away with the standard lenses that come in most kits, but there are a couple of exceptions that you could splurge out for.

All Sony E mount lenses will fit onto the Sony A6XXX series (including the spectacular full-frame range, with a crop factor).

So if you are ever considering an upgrade to full frame and want to buy some new lenses for your APS-C sensor, you can fork out the money early and still use your lenses later on.

Best Wide Angle Lens

There’s really only one option in this range, and it’s the brilliant 10-18mm F4 . To this day one of the best photos we’ve seen taken of the Petronas Towers was taken with a Sony A6000 (older model) and this lens.

Best Portrait Lens

The Sony 50mm F1.8 is a great choice for a native portrait lens. It’s light, fast and cheap. 

The quality is decent without being amazing, but it definitely does a wonderful job for what you pay for.

Otherwise step up to the FE 55mm F1.8 (read about it below), although this will give you a 85mm perspective on the APS-C sensor.

Best Zoom Lens

Keeping with the affordable and light range that makes for great travel camera lenses, we recommend the Sony 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 .

For the amateur and hobbyist photographer, this will do just about everything you need and is a solid lens to have in your kit.

Sony A7iv – Best Professional Camera for Travel Photography

If you’re like us and want to make capturing the absolute best images of your travels a priority, then you’ll be looking at a professional range of travel cameras.

Following on from the discussion on mirrorless vs DSLR above, you’ll get many professional photographers who choose to stick to cameras like the Canon 6D or 5D series, or the Nikon D750 or D810.

These are legendary cameras in the industry, and with the enormous range of lenses available for each one, there’s a reason the best in the business use them.

But, we’re talking about travel cameras. And for this, we recommended sticking to mirrorless. 

Full frame DSLRs are big and heavy, whereas their equivalent in mirrorless are a fraction of the size.

If you have decided you want to take the leap to a full frame sensor and want to be rocking the best mirrorless camera for travel, then you have only two choices.

READ MORE: But you need to carry everything, right? Here’s our new expert guide to the best camera backpacks on the market today!

Sony was the first major camera producer to create a full frame mirrorless camera, and while Canon has finally caught up, Sony has years of research and development on their side.

The Sony A7 series is almost flawless. Fantastic image quality, 4K video capabilities (on the A7R, A7S and the A7iv), articulating LCD screens, wifi, light, compact and a whole range of native lenses available for it makes them the absolute best cameras for traveling.

And with the Metabones adaptors you can even use your old Canon, Nikon, Sigma, Samyang or other type of lenses on it.

As of 2024, Sony’s top cameras are the A1, A7iv, A7Siii, A7Rv and the A9ii. Now while the A9ii, A7Rv and A1 are absolute beasts of cameras, the truth is you most likely don’t need all the features they have.

We currently own the A7iv and A7Rv, and for professional travel photography, they are the best on the market.

The image quality is superb and the dynamic range is insane. The low light capabilities are also amazing. Even at ISO 12800, there’s barely any noise that shows up on the shot compared to a compact camera.

We personally recommend the A7iv as the best travel camera out there , as it’s just damn near perfect, especially as a hybrid photo and video camera.

4K video with 60fps, a lightning-fast autofocus system, joystick control, touch screen, fast processor, upgraded full frame sensor and amazing battery life.

If you’re the kind of person that loves to blow up their images for print, or does a lot of cropping when you edit your shots, then that’s the only reason you’ll want to step up to the A7Rv, as it has a 62mp sensor.

But wait – isn’t the brand new Sony A7Rv the best in class right now? Yes, it is. However, while it is absolutely incredible and takes things up another notch, it’s quite expensive and the megapixel count is likely not something you need..

Instead we recommend that you save your money on the body, put what’s left over towards some lenses, and get the A7iv be your go to camera for travel photography.

If you’re going for the Sony A7 series, we’ve got some bad news for you. Full frame lenses are expensive.

But if you’re considering turning your photography hobby into a profession, then this is a small sacrifice to make for the quality of photos you’ll be taking.

Trust us, if you’re buying the best camera for travel photography on the market, you’ll want to also have the best lenses to go with it.

The great thing with the Sony Alpha series is that their lenses are all interchangeable, meaning if you start out with a Sony A6600 and eventually upgrade to a Sony A7iv, you can take your old lenses and put them on the new camera (but it will have a crop factor).

Best All-Round Lens

The new FE 24-105mm f4 lens from Sony is pretty much the best all round travel zoom lens for photography.

It’s damn sharp, and with a constant aperture of f4, it means you can get excellent bokeh and decent low-light performance at any focal length.

This lens practically lives on our A7iv, as it’s so versatile, great for video and the image quality is fantastic.

The Sony 16-35mm f2.8 GM lens is one of the best wide angle lenses on the market, and when you throw it on your travel camera, you’re almost guaranteed to get fantastic shots.

Pretty much every review on photography sites raves about it, and having owned it for over three years now, we completely agree.

It’s not cheap, but to have such a fast and wide native lens for the Sony setup is pretty epic! If you want a cheaper alternative, check out the 16-35mm f4 , which is also very good.

Best Prime Lens

If you are into portrait or street photography make sure you get the FE 55mm F1.8 prime lens.

It’s very fast, very light and very sharp. And with such a good value, it may be the best prime lens that Sony makes (excluding the high-end GM series).

Owning a telephoto lens isn’t just about taking photos of wildlife or zooming in on things that are far away from you. It adds a whole new creative element known as lens compression to your arsenal.

This is the optical illusion that happens when the further you zoom into something, the bigger the background appears.

You start to get this effect from around 100mm and on, so if you’re looking for the best zoom lens to put on your Sony A7iv, consider the 70-200 f2.8 GMii lens, or the 100-400mm GM lens .

We have both of these zoom lenses, and we love love love them!

DJI Mavic Air 2 – The Best Drone for Travel

Aerial photography has gained in popularity over the last two years, and it’s easy to see why. 

Not that long ago the only way to get photos from the sky was by taking a chartered flight or helicopter.

But today just about anyone can go out, buy a drone and start taking shots from very unique angles.

The appeal is obvious. Capturing epic photos and video of landscapes from a perspective that few have ever seen before.

From the moment we bought our first drone (a DJI Phantom 4) we fell in love with it.

Good drones up until now have always been quite prohibitive when it comes to travel due to their bulky size.

The DJI Phantom series helped make it more accessible for most people, but even then it was still a commitment to travel with one.

Today the best drone for travel has finally been determined.

The DJI Mavic series is what you should be looking for when considering a travel drone.

With foldable legs and compact size, they tick all the boxes for portability.

There are a few different models to consider, and it really depends on your needs.

If you’re a professional, we recommend the DJI Mavic 2 Pro , thanks to its 1-inch Hasselblad Sensor and 360-degree collision avoidance.

But just announced is the Mavic Air 2 , and with features like 48-megapixel photo mode, panorama capabilities and 4k video, it’s the best option for anybody trying to take travel photos from the air on their next trip.

Its small size and great value makes it perfect for travel, but one thing to consider is the fixed focal length, meaning you can’t zoom in to take photos.

Note – With whatever drone you buy we highly recommend buying extra batteries. You’ll be surprised how quickly you chew through these. Check out the bundle packages from DJI (called ‘Fly More’ on the Mavics).

GoPro Max – Best 360 Travel Camera

With virtual reality becoming more and more popular, it might be no surprise that one of the best travel cameras for 2024 is actually a 360-degree camera!

These incredible little devices come with multiple cameras on one piece, managing to capture an entire scene in one shot in both photos and high definition video.

When they first came out they were very poor quality, but now they’ve improved enough that we actually travel with one full-time now.

360 cameras became popular when the Chinese company Insta360 started to bring out their affordable options, but the image quality was always pretty poor.

Then GoPro stepped onto the scene with the Fusion, and it changed the industry forever.

With all the standard great features GoPro is known for, such as being waterproof, having awesome connectivity and packing it all into compact cameras, the Fusion took things to the next level.

It did require a bit of work to use though, and the stitching wasn’t great. Plus with two SD card slots required to save media, it was just that bit too cumbersome for most photographers.

Cue the Max!

The GoPro Max took the best parts of all their cameras and threw it together into one unit with this one.

The Max, with its dual lenses on either side of the body, now uses just one SD card, making storage and management so much easier, and it has a touch LCD screen that can be used on the go.

For people looking for travel cameras that can do it all, it doesn’t just shoot in 360-degree mode.

There is their ultra-wide single perspective, and for having a small sensor, the low light shots are surprisingly good.

If you’re a travel vlogger you’ll be amazed at the quality of this! The inbuilt microphones do a great job at picking up audio while cutting out background noise, and the battery life is great.

It shoots at 5.6k video quality and 30 frames per second. You can change the pitch, yaw, field of view and angles to get the view you desire.

Even more unique, it can create 360 time-lapses and hyper lapses with a simple click. No need to pull it up in a program like Adobe Premiere Pro to make your videos any more!

Best of all it connects seamlessly to your smartphone using the GoPro app, so you can do all your editing, sticking and keyframing on the go.

When it comes to a travel camera that tries to do it all, this one is hard to beat.

That concludes our list of the best cameras for traveling. Let us know if you have any other recommendations, or if you use any of these cameras while traveling the world!

How to Choose the Best Camera for Travel 

No matter what level you are, the first piece of kit you are going to need to buy is the camera.

This can range from a cheap point-and-shoot right up to a top-of-the-line DSLR that can cost as much as a small car.

A quick visit to a camera store can leave you feeling completely overwhelmed with all the choices.

Keep on scrolling to find detailed information about each of these, and why they really are the best cameras for travel.

READ MORE: See what made the cut as the best travel tripod on the market in our expert guide!

What Features to Look for in a Travel Camera

There’s a number of different features that you need to look for when searching for the best travel camera to buy, based on your needs.

The first thing to look out for is how big and heavy a camera is.

When you’re on the road traveling, weight and space is a huge issue to overcome. You don’t want to be lugging around a heavy backpack full of gear if you don’t have to.

If you’re not a pro or a big enthusiast, we recommend checking out a compact camera or mirrorless camera, as they are smaller and more portable, while also providing decent image quality.

One thing that camera companies and salespeople like to preach about is megapixels. But what exactly does that mean?

A pixel is a tiny dot of color that you see on your computer or phone display. A megapixel is 1 million (actually 1,048,576 to be technically correct)  of those dots. So ‘24 megapixels’ so about 24 million dots of color

You may hear that more megapixels equal better quality photos, but this isn’t entirely true.

The sensor has more to do with image quality than the resolution does, but it does play a small part.

In short don’t get caught up about more buying a camera with more megapixels, unless you’re planning on printing your images on billboards.

Instead just use this guide to the best travel cameras to find out exactly what is the best choice you can afford.

One thing to consider when looking at the best travel camera is whether or not you can change the lens.

The reason this is important is that it gives you more choices down the road if you decide you want to get into different styles of photography.

A compact travel camera is most likely a fixed lens, meaning that whatever zoom range it comes with you can’t change.

A camera that you can change the lens on will let you upgrade to wide-angle lenses, a zoom lens, better maximum aperture options for low light performance, etc.

In general, if you can afford a mirrorless camera or DSLR, it’s worth buying.

A camera that allows you to change the manual settings gives you complete control over things like aperture, ISO and shutter speed.

This opens up a whole new world of creativity, and in our opinion, you shouldn’t consider a camera that doesn’t have this feature.

Luckily every recommendation on this list allows you to control those settings, even the GoPro HERO camera below!

It’s 2024 – make sure you get a camera that can shoot 4K video!

This provides much higher resolution when shooting video, and even if you don’t have a 4K monitor at home, you can always take that clip and watch it in high definition 1080p, or even crop into your footage.

Just beware that 4K video chews up your battery life, so make sure you have some spare ones!

Unless you plan on always being in perfect weather when you travel, it’s a good idea to get a camera that is either waterproof, or has good weather sealing.

Unfortunately you often have to compromise on a waterproof camera or a quality travel camera (unless you buy a GoPro), so we don’t recommend buying a camera that is fully waterproof.

Instead just make sure it has decent sealing, or look at buying an underwater housing if you want to get into underwater photography.

How far you can zoom in on a subject is very important when trying to decide the best travel camera.

If you buy a fixed lens camera, make sure it has a long zoom range, like a Canon Powershot or the Sony RX100vii.

Or if you buy a mirrorless camera or DSLR, you don’t have to worry about this as you can always upgrade later.

No matter how steady you think you are, you will almost always have a small amount of camera shake when taking handheld photos.

If you’re shooting at fast shutter speeds, this isn’t a problem. But if you’re photographing in low light, you can end up with motion blur.

Look out for cameras that have inbuilt image stabilization to counter this.

A DSLR ( digital single lens reflex ) works by having a mirror inside the camera. When you are looking through the viewfinder the mirror is down, covering the sensor, and you are looking at a reflected scene.

When you push the shutter the mirror flips up mechanically, allowing the image to be exposed onto the sensor, and then onto your SD card. All these moving parts take up room, hence why DSLRs are larger in size.

With mirrorless cameras, there are no moving parts inside. The image comes through the lens and directly onto the sensor.

There is an electronic viewfinder,  meaning you are seeing a digital copy of what you’re pointing the camera at, rather than a live view.

So without a mirror constantly flipping, the camera can be made a lot smaller. That’s why mirrorless cameras can be half the size of a DSLR.

When mirrorless cameras first came out the quality wasn’t that great. Now they are just about on par with DSLRs, and the portability means that they are the best cameras for travel photography!

In case you’re not sure what we mean, this article goes into a bit more information, but in short, we recommend getting a mirrorless camera.

The 3 most popular cameras that pros use are the Canon 5Div, the Nikon D850 and the Sony A7Riv.

For general travel videos, the kind of stuff you would publish on YouTube, we recommend the Sony RX100vii. If you’re looking to create more cinematic videos, the A6600 is the best compact travel camera for videos.

If you need the best small camera for travel, you should buy the Canon SX740HS. Compact, high quality and affordable, this little beast is a fantastic travel camera.

DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you book accommodation, tours or buy a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products that ourselves or our fantastic editorial team have personally experienced, and regularly review these. Thanks for your support, kind friend!

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What are the Best Cameras Under $300 Today? (TOP 10 Picks)

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Note: When this article was first published in 2021, it was possible to find some excellent cameras under $300, but these have increased in price (sometimes substantially).

I’ve kept this list largely intact, noting which cameras have now increased above $300, as they are still excellent models if you have the extra budget.

With a saturated camera market, it’s hard to know which are the best cameras under $300 without spending a vast amount of time stuck in research mode. Like me, you are probably interested in knowing which cameras are great value for money, and which are perhaps less good, because you don’t want to make a mistake when choosing.

Luckily for you, I have already done a ton of research on the best under $300 digital camera, and have a solid checklist that has helped me to find all of the top rated cameras, and leave out the duds. I don’t want to waste your time, so only the best cameras, that meet all of my exacting criteria, are included.

In this article, I will cover what features you should care about when searching for a new camera, plus my top picks. The list of all the cameras that make the grade are below:

• Panasonic Lumix ZS70 – now around $500
• Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 – around $400 used
• Canon PowerShot SX420 – best optical zoom camera
• Sony DSCWX350 – pocket point and shoot camera
• Canon PowerShot SX620 – best PowerShot camera
• Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 – compact Canon camera
• KODAK PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ401 – superzoom compact camera
• Nikon Coolpix W150 – best compact Nikon camera
• Kodak PIXPRO Friendly Zoom FZ43 – best budget point and shoot
• DJI Osmo Action – just over $300

What is the Best Camera Under $300?

If you want a pocket-sized camera, then it is the …, panasonic lumix dc-zs70.

Light & Pocket-Sized with a Long Zoom

• 30x zoom in a light 0.53lb (243g) camera
• 180 degree flip up 3 inch touch screen, plus electronic view finder
• 4K video recording
• 20.3 Megapixel sensor with 5-axis optical image stabilization
• Well-designed control ring allows for easy manual operation
• Only weighs 0.536 lbs (243 g)

But if you want a long zoom range, then it is the …

Panasonic lumix fz80.

Best for Long Zoom

• Massive 60x optical zoom using an optically stabilized lens
• High resolution, 18.1 Megapixel photos for reduced noise at high ISOs
• 4K video recording is possible at 30 fps
• Wide f2.8 – 5.9 aperture gives good low light performance for the sensor size
• Post focus feature lets you change the focal point after taking the photo
• Relatively large and heavy

Read More: Learn the fundamentals of photo editing in Lightroom & Photoshop What size of memory card should I buy?

Best Camera on a Budget

Kodak pixpro astro zoom az401.

Best Camera Under $200

• 40x Optical Zoom (24-960mm equivalent) with Optical Image Stabilizer
• 16 Megapixel Sensor with 24mm wide angle lens (35mm equivalent), perfect for landscape photography
• Surprisingly Small & Light for Easy Carrying
• Quick Autofocus
• Great Entry-Level Camera for around $150
• Check Latest Price

Comparison Table of the Best Digital Cameras Under $300

You can compare the best digital cameras under 300 dollars in the table below. The best camera for 300 dollars is the Lumix ZS70 , but the LUMIX FZ80 is a close runner-up, and is better suited to those who want a longer zoom range, but all of these are good cameras under $300.

Reviews of the Best Cameras Under $300

Take a look at the full reviews for the top ten cameras under $300 below, including the best point and shoot camera under 300 dollars, the Panasonic LUMIX ZS70 .

1. Panasonic Lumix ZS70

Best Vlogging Camera Under $300

• Sensor: 1/2.3″
• Photo Resolution: 20.3 MegaPixels
• Image Stabilization? Yes
• Optical Zoom Range: 30x (24-720mm equivalent)
• Max Video Resolution: 4K / 30fps
• Screen: 3-inch flippable touch screen, plus viewfinder
• Other Features: WiFi, USB charging
• Weight: 0.54 lbs (243 g)

The Lumix ZS70 is the smaller brother to the FZ80 seen below, losing a few features but available in a much smaller and lighter camera body. It’s this very small size and less than half a pound weight that makes it the best camera under $300 for me, as it easily fits in a pocket and is hardly noticeable to carry around all day.

You can record in 4K with this camera, and 1080p recording works at a frame rate up to 60 fps, providing the ability for slow motion video at about 1/2 the speed, and the lower resolution VGA recording works at 240 fps. These frame rates are pretty incredible at this price point, and make the ZS70 the best YouTube camera for those on a budget, as you are able to shoot all manner of professional-looking videos.

If you wanted a professional camera under $300, the Lumiz ZS70 would be your best bet, although if you have the budget, you can get much more for your money.

The 30x zoom, covering 35mm equivalent focal lengths of 24 – 720mm means that the camera is well-suited for bird or wildlife photography, and combined with the 5-axis IBIS, photos are still sharp with great colors even at the longest end of the lens.

If you want 4K video, and a 180 degree flippable touchscreen, then the Panasonic Lumix ZS70 is the ideal pocket point and shoot camera, and is a bargain as the best video camera under 300 dollars.

• Powerful 30x zoom covers most situations
• Very lightweight and small – fits in a pocket perfectly
• Strong image stabilization to eliminate hand shake
• Records 4K video at a 30fps, 1080p at 60fps and 720p at 120fps for amazing slow motion footage, and 240fps in VGA resolution
• Lens-mounted control ring for intuitive manual control of exposure, zoom or focus
• Includes a time-lapse mode for creative videos
• 1170k-dot live view viewfinder for use in sunny conditions
• Can use WiFi to transfer photos to your phone
• Shoots in RAW format for higher quality photos
• Shorter zoom range than larger cameras

Note: the same camera is available with many other new features in the upgraded Panasonic LUMIX ZS80 , although at a price above $300. The Lumix ZS50 is the same as the ZS70, but without 4K recording or a touch screen, and is the best camera for under $250. The very similar Panasonic Lumix ZS60 is essentially the same camera as the ZS70, although it reduces the megapixel count from 20.3 to 18, also reducing the price.

2. Panasonic LUMIX FZ80

Long Zoom Range

• Photo Resolution: 18.1 MegaPixels
• Optical Zoom Range: 60x (20-1200mm equivalent)
• Screen: 3-inch touchscreen, plus viewfinder
• Weight: 1.36 lbs (617 g)

As the best compact camera under $300, the Lumix FZ80 is pretty much unbeatable at this price point. Panasonic have stuffed their camera with features, including the ability to shoot 4K video, a massive 60x zoom with optical stabilization, and a remarkable post focus feature that lets you set your desired focus points after taking the photo, ensuring that you don’t end up with soft focus.

Having a 3 inch touchscreen and WiFi to transfer photos straight to your phone just shows the extra care taken in the design of this camera, and its higher quality over its competitors. With the ease of WiFi connection, this is without doubt the best compact camera with WiFi.

As this is the compact camera with best zoom, you are ideally placed for wildlife photography, or even basic astrophotography, with the top end of the zoom range allowing you to nearly fill the frame with the moon.

Image quality is obviously not at the same level as a DSLR or mirrorless camera, but pictures are surprisingly sharp, with colors that pop without having to modify any additional settings. There is minimal shutter release lag once you have half-pressed the shutter to lock the focus, and with the ability to shoot in RAW, you get the maximum amount of image data in each photo for maximum editing leeway.

One of the many standout features is the ability to shoot in 4K, which is not present on any other camera reviewed here. You can record at 30 fps at this resolution, or 60 fps at 1080p, opening up the possibility for you to create slow motion videos.

Overall, it is not surprising that I would consider the FZ80 to not only be the best bridge camera under $300, but also the overall best camera under $300.

• Massive 60x optical zoom using a stabilized lens
• High resolution, 18.1 Megapixel photos
• Lets you shoot in RAW for maximum editing flexibility
• 1040k-dot 3-inch touchscreen for easy camera control
• Can use WiFi to transfer photos straight to your phone
• 1170k-dot electronic viewfinder for photography in bright conditions
• Only just under $300
• As this is a bridge camera, there is no option to change lenses, and there is no focus or zoom rings on the lens.

3. Sony DSCWX350

Best Sony Point and Shoot Camera

• Photo Resolution: 18.2 MegaPixels
• Optical Zoom Range: 20x (25-500mm equivalent)
• Max Video Resolution: 1080p / 60 fps
• Screen: 3-inch
• Other Features: WiFi, NFC
• Weight: 0.23 lbs (105 g)

With 20x optical zoom and decent image stabilization, the Sony DSCWX350 is very good for most photography uses, from portraits to wildlife, but where it really stands out is as a travel camera. The very light weight and small size make it incredibly easy to carry around all day in a pocket, with the fully retracting lens when the camera is switched off.

Sony are well-known for providing strong autofocus capabilities and sensors with good low light performance, and the DSCWX350 doesn’t disappoint in either respect. AF locks on quickly, and can track subjects when in video mode, and the highly regarded Bionz X image processor keeps noise low when shooting in dark environments.

You can record video at 60 fps in 1080p resolution, which is good for such a small camera, but you don’t get 4K, and there is no viewfinder making compositions tricky in bright environments.

Although the Lumix cameras reviewed above are objectively better than this Sony in most regards, the DSCWX350 is the best pocket point and shoot superzoom, if a small form factor is your biggest requirement.

• 20x optical zoom covers most photography uses
• Super-compact and lightweight camera that is easy to carry all day
• Records 1080p video at 60 fps
• High resolution 18 Megapixel sensor for good low light performance
• Strong autofocus with lock-on option
• Includes WiFi and NFC for transferring photos straight to your phone
• No viewfinder
• Expensive for the specs

Note: essentially the same camera but with reduced optical zoom and video resolution is available at about half the price in the Sony DSCW830 and the Sony DSCW800 .

4. Canon PowerShot SX620

Best Small Canon Camera

• Photo Resolution: 20.2 MegaPixels
• Optical Zoom Range: 25x (25-625mm equivalent)
• Max Video Resolution: 1080p / 30 fps
• Weight: 0.40 lbs (181 g)

As the best small canon camera, the Powershot SX620 is a good choice for those wanting a point and shoot that simply takes pictures with no fuss, and doesn’t take up much space in a pocket or bag when not in use.

The 25x superzoom with image stabilization means that pictures are generally sharp and clear, and the WiFi and NFC mean that pictures can be transferred to your phone when on the go, without the use of a computer.

1080p video recording at 30 fps is useful, though not spectacular, but should suffice for most home uses.

Overall, the SX620 is a good choice for those looking for a small form factor Canon camera, that has a small learning curve, and which still offers high resolution photos.

• Very good 25x optical zoom with image stabilization
• Very small and lightweight, with a fully retracting lens
• Good color reproduction with images that pop
• 1080p video recording at 30 fps
• WiFi and NFC for easy image transfer to your phone
• Easy to use, even for beginners
• No USB charging
• No manual mode
• Poorer low light performance when compared with competitors

5. Canon PowerShot SX420

Superzoom Canon Cameras Under $300

• Photo Resolution: 20.0 MegaPixels
• Optical Zoom Range: 42x (24-1080mm equivalent)
• Max Video Resolution: 720p / 25 fps
• Weight: 0.72 lbs (326 g)

Bridge cameras like the Powershot SX420 are known for much more powerful, higher quality zooms than the pocket point and shoot cameras that otherwise tend to predominate in this price bracket. The 42x zoom works well in combination with the image stabilization feature to produce sharp photos, even of distant objects, but you do get a more bulky, heavier camera as a result, which some may not enjoy carrying all day.

You do get some ability to control the camera manually, setting aperture and shutter speed, although you cannot choose autofocus points, nor do you get the ability to shoot in RAW format, although this is less of an issue with Canon cameras, that are well-known to produce colorful, vibrant photos by default.

If you want a longer zoom range, the Canon PowerShot SX540 is otherwise identical but has a 50x optical zoom.

• Very good 42x optical zoom with image stabilization
• Good 20 megapixel resolution for stronger low light performance
• Lovely colors in images that pop
• Excellent value for money
• NFC and WiFi for easy photo transfers
• Slower autofocus performance
• Not pocket-sized

6. Canon PowerShot ELPH 360

Best Canon PowerShot Camera

• Optical Zoom Range: 12x (25-300mm equivalent)
• Weight: 0.33 lbs (147 g)

As one of the best PowerShot cameras, the Canon ELPH 360 is the older brother to the ELPH 190 and 180 models, with an upgraded zoom range and the ability to shoot 1080p video at 30 fps.

This is essentially a basic camera for those who want a camera to simply be of the point and shoot variety, and to work with little effort or stress on their part, which the 360 does very well. You have a minimal startup time, a solid AF system and plenty of auto modes to help you capture the photos you want.

The eco mode to improve battery life helps extend the use of the camera to around 250 photos before charging is needed, which should be plenty for most hobbyist photographers, and some more premium features like WiFi mean that you can easily transfer photos straight to your phone.

Colors looks good, as with any Canon camera, and pictures ‘pop’ with very little to no editing needed. Overall, you have a solid entry-level beginner camera in the Canon PowerShot ELPH 360.

• 12x optical zoom is very usable, particularly with the image stabilization
• Small, light and quick to startup and use
• Auto exposure modes work well and get decent photos
• WiFi allows transfer of photos to your phone
• Eco mode to improve battery life
• Solid autofocus system
• Low light performance is not the best, but is not terrible either
• Not a very ‘tough’ construction, or weather-sealed

Note: you can save some money if you are willing to get a smaller optical zoom. The Canon ELPH 180 is essentially the same camera, but with an 8x optical zoom, while the Canon ELPH 190 has a 10x optical zoom. Other than that, the above review also applies to both of these.

7. KODAK PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ401

Best Kodak Bridge Camera

• Photo Resolution: 16.1 MegaPixels
• Optical Zoom Range: 40x (24-960mm equivalent)
• Max Video Resolution: 720p / 30 fps
• Other Features: –
• Weight: 0.98 lbs (445 g)

The Kodak Astro Zoom series are aimed at budding photographers looking for a super-zoom lens for telephoto photography, such as astrophotography or other long-range shooting, and they are very good at it.

The image stabilization in the 40x optical zoom lens works well and lets you take sharp photos of distant objects. The face detection feature gives you perfectly exposed close up photos if you use the wider end of the lens, which has the 35mm equivalent focal length of 24mm – a good wide angle view for everyday photography.

Video quality is relatively poor, as the camera can only record at 720p max resolution, but this is reflected in the price, with the AZ401 being only slightly more than half the price of the Lumix FZ80, which is similar but can record in 4K.

If you want superzoom bridge camera at a low price, then this Kodak model is going to be your best bet, although I would recommend upping the budget a little, and getting something like the Canon PowerShot SX420 at least, or even the Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 .

• 40x optical zoom with image stabilization
• Low price for a super-zoom
• Good quality still photos, even at maximum zoom
• Face / cat / dog detection to automatically enhance subject highlighting, plus blink / smile detection
• 720p video recording
• Relatively bulky
• Doesn’t record 1080p video

8. Nikon Coolpix W150

Best Compact Nikon Camera

• Sensor: 1/3.1″
• Photo Resolution: 13.2 MegaPixels
• Optical Zoom Range: 3x (30-90mm equivalent)
• Screen: 2.7-inch
• Other Features: WiFi, Bluetooth
• Weight: 0.39 lbs (178 g)

The Nikon Coolpix W150 is the best compact Nikon camera in my opinion, thanks to its rugged construction and the ability to use it underwater. This is not the ultimate point and shoot camera for everyday use as it is otherwise very limited, with only a 3x optical zoom and a relatively small, low resolution sensor, but it is built to last and can survive quite a few knocks and falls, making it particularly suitable as a children’s camera.

The menu system is very straightforward and well-designed, so that even the youngest members of your family are likely to be able to get shooting without any difficulty, with the various modes helping to direct your photography. The large buttons on the back are simple to use, even for larger hands, and really make it clear how annoying the small buttons are that you find on other camera models.

Essentially, if you need a family camera that can put up with being dropped and gives you the ability to take wonderful pictures underwater, then you won’t go wrong with the Nikon W150.

• Lightweight and small and rugged – this can take a few knocks
• Simple to use with a menu system that doesn’t get in the way of taking photos
• Waterproof down to 33 feet (10 m), and shockproof when dropped from less than 5.9 ft
• Sound recording works even underwater
• ‘Shoot underwater’ and ‘underwater face framing’ modes
• WiFi to transfer photos easily
• Only 3x optical zoom
• Smaller sensor than other models in this article
• Poor low light performance, with limited ISO range of 125-1600

9. Kodak PIXPRO Friendly Zoom FZ43

Cheapest Point and Shoot Camera

• Photo Resolution: 16.0 MegaPixels
• Image Stabilization? No
• Optical Zoom Range: 4x (27-108mm equivalent)
• Weight: 0.26 lbs (118 g)

Although the Kodak FZ43 is a very basic camera, it does the job of taking pictures very well. The 1/2.3″ sensor offers 16 megapixels, which is comparable with the best cameras under $300, but at only a fraction of the price. In fact, this is one of the best cameras under $100, with its light weight and simple operating system.

You only get a 4x optical zoom, with the widest setting giving you the 35mm equivalent of a 27mm focal length, which is adequate for everyday use, but is not especially wide for more specialist uses like landscape photography.

The Kodak drains batteries very quickly, and as it uses standard AA batteries, it would make sense to buy a set of rechargeable batteries to save money and prevent waste.

But if you need a very cheap, easy to use point and shoot camera, then the Kodak FZ43 fits the bill.

• Very cheap and offering great value for money
• Sensor and resolution is comparable with cameras 5x the price
• Lightweight and easy to carry
• Perfect beginner camera
• Feels ‘plastic-y’
• Drains batteries quickly (and uses standard AA size)

10. DJI Osmo Action

Best 4K Action Camera

• Photo Resolution: 12 MegaPixels
• Optical Zoom Range: –
• Max Video Resolution: 4K / 60 fps; 1080p / 240 fps
• Screen: Front – 1.4-inches; Back – 2.25-inches
• Other Features: WiFi
• Weight: 0.28 lbs (125 g)

DJI are traditionally a maker of consumer drones, but have now branched out into action cameras as well, rivaling GoPro. Although an action camera like this is not suitable if you require a long zoom range, the Osmo is worth looking at for its very small size and weight, and the ability to use it in many different environments.

The DJI Osmo is essentially a direct competitor to the GoPro HERO8 , but at a considerably cheaper price. It has a 1/2.3″ sensor that delivers photos at 12 megapixels, which is comparable to some of the other budget cameras in this article, but photo ability is not really what the Osmo is about. This camera is designed primarily for video.

You can record at 4K at 60 fps, which must make this one of the cheapest 4K cameras around, and certainly puts it into competition with the best cameras under 300 dollars. Video quality is excellent, with smooth, sharp footage recorded, and better yet, the Osmo can record 1080p video at an incredible 240 fps, meaning you can slow down footage by a factor of 8. Slow motion videos look very professional when shot on this.

The RockSteady image stabilization algorithms really work well, delivering very steady footage, and mean that you don’t have to worry too much about keeping the camera still.

The only real negative is that as with all DJI products, you must register it with the company, otherwise it will stop working. If this is a concern for you, but you want an action camera, then I would recommend the GoPro HERO8 , which is very similar to the Osmo.

• 4K video recording at 60 fps, and 1080p at 240 fps for super slow-mo videos
• Dual screen – one front and one back for easy selfie shooting
• Waterproof down to 36 ft
• Lens has a 145-degree fixed wide angle
• Five voice commands to control the device
• Excellent image stabilization feature
• A better product than the GoPro Hero 8, and at 2/3 of the price
• No optical zoom
• Must register with DJI or the camera gets locked

Key Features of the Best Cameras Under 300 Dollars

Before we get into the key features that you should care about in when searching for the best camera under 300 dollars, it’s worth asking yourself if you even need one for the type of photography you do. Often, a modern smartphone can take better quality photos than the cheapest models of camera, so why should you pick a camera over a smartphone?

A dedicated point and shoot camera or DSLR has several advantages over a phone, but you must decide whether these matter to you or not.

• Optical Zoom – Phones generally only offer digital zoom, which degrades the image quality as you zoom, but even the best point and shoot cameras under $300 have optical zooms which get you in much closer and offer excellent image quality. So, if you think that you will be shooting from a distance, then the best pocket zoom camera like the Canon PowerShot SX420 would suit you better than a phone.
• Better Manual Controls – If you want shallow depth of field, a fast shutter speed to capture motion, quick changes to white balance, or any other easy way to manually change your camera, then phones do not work as well as compact cameras, which have dedicated buttons for pretty much every useful function.
• Better Storage – Digital cameras only store photos, unlike your phone which contains app and personal data. You therefore tend to get more storage on a camera, with memory cards being much easier to swap out when full.
• Beginner Features – the best point and shoot cameras under 300 dollars tend to be targeted towards beginners and those with less experience of photography. This means that they also come with many helpful learning modes, such as Night mode, or Fireworks mode, which adapt the aperture and shutter speeds to suit the selected scene and mean that you don’t have to struggle to get the pictures you want.

If you’ve decided that a standalone compact, or point and shoot camera would suit your photography, then you next need to think about the features that matter to you. I have created the checklist below to help define the best under $300 digital camera from my own research. All of the models reviewed here score highly in each of these categories.

There are not any true DSLRs reviewed here, but the best DSLR cameras under $300 can be found among the list of the best DSLR cameras for beginners .

If a camera has fallen down in one or more of these categories, then I haven’t included it in this article. The key features for the best $300 camera are:

Sensor Size / Resolution

• Size, Weight and Portability

Optical Zoom Level

Image stabilization, autofocus performance, video recording capabilities, low light performance.

• Camera Display – Electronic / Optical Viewfinders, Back Display Screen Size & Touchscreen Capabilities
• WiFi, GPS, NFC and Other Features

Value for Money

Although resolution is marketed as the most important feature to determine image quality, as defined by the number of megapixels of a camera, when you want the best camera for photography under 300 dollars, then sensor size is actually a much better metric to use, although can be harder to find.

Sensor size is defined according to the old standard of 35mm film. A full frame sensor has a sensor that is the same size as a piece of 35mm film, ie. it is 35mm on the longest edge.

All of the cameras reviewed here have much smaller sensors, as would be expected for cheap cameras.

Essentially, you want to look for the largest sensor you can get, as this equates to the compact camera with best image quality, and the lowest noise with best low light performance.

Size, Weight & Portability

Particularly when you are looking for the best point and shoot camera under 300 dollars, size, weight and the general portability and usability of the camera are important considerations, and are often the great advantage of these cheaper cameras. Ideally, you want a camera that can slip into your pocket and doesn’t weigh you down when walking around, although this will depend on your own intended use for the camera.

I have assumed that, like me, you will be looking for something like the best compact cameras for travel, rather than big, unwieldy cameras, so have prioritized lightweight and small models.

Zoom can be sub-divided into two types: digital and optical zoom.

Digital zoom is commonly found on smartphones, and is where the center of the picture is cropped, then expanded to fill the frame. Although this does work as a zoom method, photo quality drops off significantly as you are using only the center of the image sensor, discarding any image data that is recorded at the edges of the frame. The digitally zoomed image is only stored to the memory card as a full resolution photo by upscaling this otherwise lower resolution picture. If you are serious about taking great photos, then you should always try to avoid digital zoom.

Optical zoom is the preferred zoom method for image quality, as it uses moving pieces of glass within the lenses to enlarge the image hitting the sensor. The full width of the sensor is used, and the photo does not therefore have to be upscaled.

All cameras reviewed here have some degree of optical zoom available to them, with the level of optical zoom denoted by the magnification possible from the lenses widest setting. This is often also seen given in millimetres, relative to a 35mm, full frame camera. In this case, anything under 25mm is considered wide angle, while anything over 50mm is considered a mild telephoto lens, then a strong telephoto lens at over 100mm.

Depending on your style on photography, this will matter either more or less to you. For example, if you are interested in wildlife photography, then you will want the compact camera with best zoom, in the 200 -300mm range, whereas portraits are often better at fixed, mid-range focal lengths like 50mm.

Internal stabilization is not common in the best digital cameras under 300 dollars, but is a very useful feature if you can find it, assuming that you will be mostly taking photos handheld and not on a tripod.

More properly, it is called In-body image stabilization (IBIS), and reduces camera shake by having the sensor mounted on a plate that can move in 5-axes to offset motion imparted by your hands. Some cheaper cameras will have IBIS that digitally offsets the motion by cropping the frame, moving the recorded picture to cope with any hand shake.

The use of IBIS means that you can take pictures at a much slower shutter speed handheld, and it is therefore very useful for low light photography.

Autofocus (AF) performance is something that you should pay close attention to, particularly on budget models as this is often where manufacturers cut costs. If you are looking for outstanding AF abilities, then none of the cameras in this article are likely to be appropriate, and I would recommend going for something in the next price bracket up, like the Sony A6400 .

In particular, you should look out for slow, clunky AF that takes an age to hunt for the subject, and ideally some degree of object tracking. Pricier models of camera like the Sony A6400 have eye tracking modes, where the keep the eyes of your subject always in focus. You won’t get that on any of these cameras, but I have noted in the reviews which cameras have better AF than others.

If you are going to be a largely studio based photographer, for example you are looking for the best camera for YouTube under $300 that you can shoot selfie videos with, then AF performance is unlikely to matter, and you will likely be more concerned with video recording abilities.

Although some cameras have specialist modes to create effects like slow motion and time lapse videos, try not to get sucked in by these and instead focus on the raw video performance of the camera.

The cameras in this article fall into two video resolution standards:

• 1080p Full HD – this is now an older standard that is still perfectly fine for most videos that you are going to post online or watch on smaller screens. Every camera in this article at least meets this standard for video production.
• 4K Ultra HD – this is the current standard, with significantly increased video quality over 1080p (4x the resolution to be precise), and is likely to remain future proof for the next few years at least. Only the best video cameras for under $300, the Lumix ZS70 and the Lumix FZ80 have this mode available.

Other than video resolution, you also want to take into account the frame rate that the camera can record at. The industry standard is 24 frames per second (fps), but this will produce choppy video if you are panning quickly or shooting very fast moving objects, like motorsports .

A higher frame rate means that you have the option to slow down footage during editing to create slow motion effects, and also provides more data for higher quality video.

Most budget cameras tend to perform poorly in low light, as they have relatively small sensors which cannot resolve objects as well in darker conditions, and tend to display more noise.

Manufacturers often use ISO range (eg. ISO 100 – 256,000) to try to indicate that their cameras have strong low light performance, but this misses the fact that photos become unusable due to noise at a much lower point than the top of the ISO range.

The best low light compact camera is therefore defined by having a larger sensor, rather than the highest ISO range. Low light performance is mentioned in the reviews below.

Camera Viewfinder & Display Screen

Camera viewfinders can come in optical types and electronic types, with the former being primarily found in DSLRs, and the latter being far more common in cheaper cameras like those we are looking at here.

Modern electronic viewfinders are as good as optical viewfinders in most respects, although you should expect that image quality is slightly lower through an electronic viewfinder. But this doesn’t matter if you have a large, high resolution rear screen on which to compose your photos, which most cameras reviewed here do.

Although rear screen size might not seem important, I have found that when using smaller screens, you can often overlook fatal flaws in your photos, such as soft focus, which become immediately apparent when getting the photos back onto your computer. This is less of a problem on larger, higher res screens, where you can really see the detail in your photos.

For an added bonus, some cameras under $300 even come with touchscreens, making selecting AF points simple, and meaning that you can easily control all of the settings on handy sliders. Touchscreens are particularly useful if you are looking for a beginner’s camera for photography.

WiFi and Other Features

In addition to the main criteria, there are a few extra features that most good cameras under $300 have, but will not be crucial to your photography.

Mic Input – if you are shooting a lot of video, then an external microphone input is particularly useful, as high quality audio is the defining feature of professional videos – just take a look at the top YouTube vloggers for proof. Internal microphones on budget cameras tend to be less good, though are perfectly usable for everyday, home use.

WiFi – lets you control your camera from your phone, even seeing a live view picture of the screen in most cases. This can be particularly useful for shooting time lapse series, but also for transferring photos directly from your camera to your phone. This way, you don’t need to go back to your computer for photo editing, and after a quick tidy-up in Snapseed or Photopea, you have finished photos suitable for sharing, all in super-quick time.

GPS – appends a GPS position to each photo as you take it, allowing you to look back over your travels and easily find which photos you have taken where. This is mainly for travel photographers.

RAW Photos – if your camera can take RAW photos in addition to JPGs, then you open up a whole new world of possibility for photo editing . RAWs contain all of the image data saved directly from the sensor, rather than the compressed, edited version you find in JPGs. This means that you have a lot more leeway with your editing, and lets you start on the road to creating professional photos.

Battery Life – without a long battery life, you might find yourself spending a lot of time changing batteries in-the-field. You also don’t want to have to carry around a large number of spares, or you negate the reason for having a small, light, compact camera.

What you consider to be value for money for you will depend largely on how you intend to use your new camera. If you are looking for a simple to use, home camera, then you will most likely want the best point and shoot camera under $300, like the , whereas if you are a content creator, then it might be the best vlog camera under 300 dollars, the Lumix ZS70 .

Ultimately, know that every camera reviewed here has been rigorously tested against all of the criteria above, and has come out with a high score – everything in this list will be good value for money for you.

Don’t forget that you will almost certainly need to edit your photos to some degree. Photoshop is, in my opinion, the best software for photo editing, and along with Lightroom makes the photo editing workflow a breeze. If you don’t yet have a copy, then Adobe have an excellent value for money  photography plan  that I use everyday, and I recommend you check out.

Final Thoughts on the Best Digital Camera Under $300

With recent issues in camera production, prices have been increasing so that many models that were available for under $300 are now slightly over. Whether this will remain the case into the future is hard to predict, but these models remain among the best cheap cameras around, with quite a step up in terms of features and performance from those that are significantly under $300.

For my money, the Panasonic Lumix series are the best cameras around the $300 price point, and definitely deliver value for money, but the Kodak Astro Zoom offers a fantastic long zoom range in a budget package if you don’t mind the extra bulk and weight.

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Tim Daniels

Hi, I'm Tim Daniels, photographer and photo trainer, founder of Lapse of the Shutter and creator of the totally free Lightroom Develop System . I've travelled to (probably) 30 countries over the last few years, taking photos and licensing them around the world, and creating lots of free photography learning resources. Read More ...

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Last Updated on 7th February 2024 by Tim Daniels

Top 12 Best Cameras For Travel Under $300 in 2024

There is invariably a conspicuous question: why do people travel?. The answer to it is to make themselves happy. Now the substantial question is how they make themselves happy. Simply people love to travel with their friends, family, with their newly married couple and probably deliberately. Most people look for Best Cameras For Travel Under $300 so we’re here to address it.

Traveling will bring you amazing peace of mind from outside of your work, from the daily boring routine, domestic problems, and many more. Traveling is a remedy to make yourself more relaxed. 

In the 20th generation, traveling became a part of every daily routine because of the technology that generated it obviously for the travelers to go to various places in less time. Most of the country’s economy right now is boosting because of tourism.

The developed countries like Switzerland, Maldives, UK, Scotland, Iceland, Denmark and all the other countries make their economies talk because of tourism. The developing countries are also making an impact to increase their tourism to increase the state interest. This includes Pakistan, India, Nepal, Srilanka, and all the beautiful African countries trying to increase tourism.

Cheap Travel Cameras Under 300$

When people decide to travel, the first thing that comes to their mind is to make it more fun and exciting with a camera. A camera adds more fun and thrills to the traveling experience. Going on a trip without a camera is like going to a church and coming back without preaching. 

The camera is very important to have on a trip. While traveling, you will go through some mesmerizing landscapes and other beautiful scenarios that you would love to save with yourself. That required a camera with all these specifications for capturing stunning images. 

You can shoot images of your loved ones. While traveling with your friends it is always fun and more thrilling. With friends, the excitement goes on and you can take random pictures in beautiful places with your friends. The pictures of your family and friends are not only saving them into files, but it will save thousands of memories with themselves. 

Traveling will be more fun with gadgets and a gadget like a Camera will increase the amazingness of your traveling more. It is a world of social sharing. While traveling you can shoot some mesmerizing photos and then share them on social media to share them with your friends and your strange friends. They will remember the photos you get for a long time. It will define some emotions that you will get during traveling.

There are thousands of cameras out there from different brands and the same brands. Every camera has its quality and specification. The more good specification and high quality the price will be as high. Now some customers prefer low-cost cameras. There must be a different reason for that. The travel plans can be made and canceled for that someone might need an urgent camera for a journey which costs low. For that today we will witness you about the best cameras for travel under $300 in 2021.

For the best cameras for travel, there are so many recommended cameras like the SLR DSLR. As we perceive, we all have strange tastes and perceptions in every aspect of life. Likewise, for photography too, To assist you out of it, we have gathered almost every review on all cameras for travel under $300 and made a conclusion review that which one is better for your taste. We have conducted every little comparison between these unique travel cameras . After reading every passage clearly, you will find your best choice and then share it with your friends and family.

1. Sony DSCWX350 18 MP Digital Camera (Black)

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Your travel photography required a camera with some amazing features, especially in the image’s sharpness. Sony DSCWX 350 18 MP digital Camera can have all these features that will pronounce your traveling beautifully. Your travel experience will be more renovated with Sony DSCWX 350 18 MP digital camera. Nothing can get better than providing a sharp contrast full of colorful images of beautiful, mesmerizing landscapes during your travel. Sony DSCWX 350 18 MP digital Camera increases the vibrant colors of your travel photography. Sony DSCWX 350 18 MP digital camera is one of the best and top-ranked cameras for travel under 300$.

Sony DSCWX 350 18 MP digital camera has a compact and easy design. Its stylish and modern look provides more attraction. Sony DSCWX 350 18 MP digital Camera comprises leather that delivers enormous comfort to your hands while shooting beautiful landscapes while traveling. Its compact design gives it durability and much toughness that will last for your entire life. The incomparable design makes you more comfortable in your travel photography.

Sony DSCWX 350 18 MP digital camera is compatible with an 18.2 megapixel MP camera, which is perfect for sharp images. The high-quality detail image of your best shots during travel can only be provided with Sony DSCWX 350 18 MP digital camera. The continuous shooting up to 11fps in Sony DSCWX 350 18 MP digital Camera delivers a boost in your traveling. The full-frame Exmor R™ CMOS sensor enriches the image and more pin-sharpness that will define the landscape exactly what it deserves to be seen. 

The BIONZ X™ imaging engine is the most acceptable technology that Sony has included in every digital camera. BIONZ X™ imaging engine delivers every detail of your image in time. It also boosts your camera performance. The ISO helps you out when you are capturing pictures in Low light cinematic view. Sony DSCWX 350 18 MP digital Camera ISO ranges from 100 to 12800, a highly compatible number. This ISO range can provide even a brighter image in Low light than super DSLRs. 

On a bright sunny day, the ISO increased and captured a realistic and clean image. They design Sony DSCWX 350 18 MP Digital Camera with a more concise shutter assembly that reduces blur noise. The shutter assembly makes sure that little vibration in your hands doesn’t affect your fascinating picture.

The viewfinder delivers reduced noise and provides you with every little detail of your image. The prime points of autofocus AF points do everything. Autofocus AF points provide and ease you out of making every object into focus. The fast hybrid autofocus AF of Sony DSCWX 350 18 MP digital Camera sharp focus and even more sophisticated and natural background blur. 

This is the most amazing camera for travel under 300$. Just buy it and use it for traveling and tourism. When you get to the destination, you will be amused to see the performance of the Sony DSCWX 350 18 MP digital camera. It will amaze your companions with Sony DSCWX 350 18 MP digital Camera performance that how brilliant it is. 

2. Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera, 18.1 Megapixel Video Camera, 60X Zoom DC VARIO 20-1200mm Lens, F2.8-5.9 Aperture, Power O.I.S. Stabilization, Touch Enabled 3-inch LCD, Wi-Fi, DC-FZ80K (Black)

Panasonic developers always created some outstanding cameras throughout the years. Panasonic defines its best in cameras. Panasonic enriches the specification of every camera. The stylish vintage look of Panasonic is perfect for use. Its design shape gives more comfort than some of its competitors. There will be no problem facing it while using it for photography. Panasonic has so many cameras which cost 300$. Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera is the one which cost 300$ and has the features which define every aspect of photography. 

Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera has so many unique features and specifications that will shock you. It cost under 300$ still it has the features of a top camera. Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera can deliver all amazing and unique features to you at this cost. 

Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera is called an all-rounder because it can have features that are so to be called the wizard. Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera comprises a 20mm wide-angle lens. The 20mm wide-angle lens delivers wide-angle photos of beautiful landscapes and panoramic photos of the plane and mountainous areas that you will witness during your travel. 

The maximum and total zoom length of the Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera is 60x by which it can do a stunning job to capture close-ups and portrait images at its very best. The viewfinder of the Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera Makes it easier for you to capture more prolific pictures. The viewfinder allows the camera to provide more ease and comfort to the user to grip it tight and make photographs more beautiful. 

People ask in FAQs about the blurry image with full zoom in digital cameras, using Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera there will be no worry about that. Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera comprises power I.O.S which by turning on, you will never face a blurry image even while shaking it. 

Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera can do macro photography. Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera the macro photography can take place with a minimum focus range of 1cm. This is followed by architecture photography closeups and even more completely possible with Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera. 

The most amazing feature of the Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera is its 4K FHD making capability makes it more perfect for making videos. Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera provides the 4K video with image stabilization so there will be no worries of flare and ghosting. To make it comfortable while capturing fast-acting objects with Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera just make 30 seconds video and take pictures from them clear and sound. 

The ultra high speed focusing in Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera provides more comfort while capturing sports and other moving objects. The 6 fps burst shooting and AFC makes it easier to shoot fast-moving objects. Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera also provides 10 fps with AFS available. Probably the best travel companion on camera. It is the most influential and brilliant camera for travel under 300$. 

3. Canon PowerShot SX530 HS 16.0 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 50x Optical is Zoom, Built-in WiFi, 3-inch LCD and HD 1080p Video – Black (Renewed)

If you want to give yourself the ultimate ease or improve your photographic skills, this is the best alternative. For everyday use and traveling with its lightweight body, it is easy to carry wherever you go—the most usable and one of the most recommended cameras for traveling under 300$. Canon PowerShot SX530 HS comprises a fantastic feature that establishes your skills more workable. Canon PowerShot SX530 HS is a very lightweight, slim camera. You can take it with yourself with ease. It is one of the best cameras for travel under 300$.

As we know Canon for its Telephoto, Zooms, glaring, and Anamorphic, with 30x zooming capabilities plus 50x zoom plus you, can remedy that with it quickly. With its stellar capabilities, you can capture detailed long-range closeups and splendid landscapes with this camera. You can also take portraits with it as Canon PowerShot SX530 HS is the best traveling shooting, so you will shoot incredible landscapes that you will remember for a long time.

30x zoom plus 60x zoom plus keeps it simple to track the distant subjects, a landscape at high zoom. The zoom framing potential quickly zooms out of the scenes so you can locate your topic again. Canon PowerShot SX530 HS assists in the quick shooting of photos. It zooms in and zooms out quickly and helps you, so you don’t miss your prestigious moments.

Most people prefer it because of its low Weight. with 442g weight. You can easily carry it with you wherever you go. It fits easily in your hands and eases you to take pictures comfortably. Canon PowerShot SX730 HS design feels comfortable. You can do one hand photography. It is a lightweight and slim design. You can fit it anywhere you want. 

They establish it with a 20.3MP camera. Canon PowerShot SX530 HS comprises a DIGIC 6 processor that makes things quick for photography. With the easing capabilities of this camera, shooting great photos making movies in 1080p will be facile. You can also make memorable movies with it. Its Full HD 1080p high resolution will create a sharp image. Its VR sensor will keep the video noise-free.

It also has Wi-Fi connectivity, giving you the freedom to upload photos and movies on social media. Using the Canon app, you can share photos more quickly with your smartphones and control the camera with it. 

Furthermore, its HS system gives you a precise result even at night and in low light, so it gives you the real atmosphere to capture without flash. The Hybrid Auto option will make a 720p HD movie summary of all-day pictures automatically. It can give you a quick result when you shoot on the move, and you can still enjoy a potent influence.

4. Canon PowerShot SX540HS

This is the best camera for everyday use, for holidays, occasions, and many other events. You can capture distant objects and the details of landscapes, travel, wildlife with Canon PowerShot SX540 HS. the Canon PowerShot SX540HS and with its powerful zoom and you will get the shot with a 50X zoom range.

In simple words. The canon power shot SX540HS Effortless fun and expert control combine in this 50x zoom, connected bridge camera that takes you on an amazing experience and imaging journey to create and share stunning photos and movies with your family and friends. Canon PowerShot SX540HS is the ideal camera for capturing amazing photos and videos for holidays and parties. Canon PowerShot SX540HS is one of the best and the most stylish slim and smart cameras for travel under 300$.

As we know Canon for its Telephoto, Zooms, glaring, and Anamorphic, with 30x zooming capabilities plus 50x zoom plus you, can remedy that with it quickly. With its stellar capabilities, you can capture detailed long-range closeups and splendid landscapes with this camera. You can also take portraits with it as Canon PowerShot SX540 HS is the best traveling shooting, so you will shoot incredible landscapes that you will remember for a long time.

Canon PowerShot SX540 HS has some unique and stunning qualities which are enough for capturing outrageous photos during travel. The Canon PowerShot SX540 HS comprises zoom power 50X (24-1200mm), 24mm ultra-wide-angle. You can enjoy clear and noise-free shots in any light with Canon PowerShot SX540 HS’s perfect specification. Canon PowerShot SX540 HS consists of a 23.3MP CMOS sensor and a Powerful DIGIC6 processor captures with 0.13 AF and fast 5.9 fps eases continuous shooting.

Canon PowerShot SX540 HS gives you the edge to shoot continuous, more realistic Full HD 60p movies. Canon PowerShot SX540 HS gives a chance to shoot a film of your journey in your travels. Canon PowerShot SX540 HS is just amazing with its amazing qualities. You just have to start it by touching the shutter button to keep the footage steady and clear. Canon PowerShot SX540 HS has an advanced Dynamic Image stabilizer that makes the video smooth.  

Canon PowerShot SX540 HS has Hybrid Auto Creativity, which helps on many occasions while shooting on Canon PowerShot SX540 HS brilliance. you can shoot creative images with Canon PowerShot SX540 HS that automatically make 5 additional and unique images of your actual shots. This is especially for beginners once they mature you will take creative images easily.    

Transfer your latest adventure by using Wi-Fi and NFS in Canon PowerShot SX540 HS. it allows you to easily transfer images and videos to your smartphone, tablets, and laptops from Canon PowerShot SX540 HS. WITH the HDMI option, you can enjoy full HD videos and photos with your friends and family by capturing them picture perfect with Canon PowerShot SX540 HS. You can also connect it with the Canon app to control the camera from your smartphone for capturing photos.

5. Canon PowerShot SX730 Digital Camera w/40x Optical Zoom & 3 Inch Tilt LCD – Wi-Fi, NFC, & Bluetooth Enabled (Black)

If you want to give yourself the ultimate ease or improve your photographic skills, this is the best alternative. For everyday use and traveling with its lightweight body, it is easy to carry wherever you go—the most usable and one of the most recommended cameras for photography. Canon PowerShot SX730 HS comprises a fantastic feature that establishes your skills more workable. Canon PowerShot SX730 HS is a very lightweight, slim camera. You can take it with yourself with ease.

They build canon PowerShot SX730 HS up with advanced WI-FI and NFC technology by which you can share your images, video recordings to your smartphones. You can also share it with other WI-FI compatible cameras and devices. NFC assists you to share pictures and videos just by connecting your smartphone with the NFC icon area. Canon PowerShot SX730 HS is also built up with GPS, which reminds the duration and place with each image and video clip. Canon PowerShot SX730 HS also comprises Bluetooth, which provides you with the help of sharing pictures without trouble. Canon PowerShot SX730 HS is one of the best DSLRs cameras with Wi-Fi. 

As they know Canon for its Telephoto, Zooms, glaring, and Anamorphic, with 30x zooming capabilities plus 60x zoom plus you, can remedy that with it quickly. With its stellar capabilities, you can capture detailed long-range closeups and splendid landscapes with this camera. You can also take portraits with it as Canon PowerShot SX730 HS is the best photographic shooting, so you will shoot incredible landscapes that you will remember for a long time.

40x zoom plus 60x zoom plus keeps it simple to track the distant subjects, a landscape at high zoom. The zoom framing potential quickly zooms out of the scenes so you can locate your topic again. Canon PowerShot SX730 HS assists in the quick shooting of photos. It zooms in and zooms out quickly and helps you, so you don’t miss your prestigious moments.

Most people prefer it because of its low Weight. with 442g weight, you can easily carry it with you wherever you go. It fits easily in your hands and eases you to take pictures comfortably. Canon PowerShot SX730 HS design feels comfortable. You can do one hand photography. It is a lightweight and slim design. You can fit it anywhere you want. 

They establish it with a 20.3MP camera. Canon PowerShot SX730 HS comprises a DIGIC 6 processor that makes things quick for photography. With the easing capabilities of this camera, shooting great photos making movies in 1080p will be facile. You can also make memorable movies with it. Its Full HD 1080p high resolution will create a sharp image. Its VR sensor will keep the video noise-free.

It also has Wi-Fi connectivity, which will give you the freedom to upload photos and movies on social media. Using the Canon app, you can share photos more quickly to your smartphones and control the camera with it. 

Its HS system gives you a precise result even at night and in low light, so it gives you the real atmosphere to capture without flash. The Hybrid Auto option will make a 720p HD movie summary of all-day pictures automatically. It can give you a quick result when you shoot on the move, and you can still enjoy a powerful influence.

6. Nikon COOLPIX B500 Digital Camera (Black)

Nikon has generated some severe products that last for a too long time. Nikon Coolpix B500 Digital Camera is one of them. Nikon Coolpix B500 Digital Camera, a modern camera retains the capability to shoot staggering images and videos with its leading technology that will hold your photography to the next level. Its all-around performance in every situation is something you have waited for so long. Having a Nikon Coolpix B500 Digital Camera, you don’t have to be prepared, but you have to be ready to experience this unique camera with something you have never performed before.

Nikon Coolpix B500 Digital Camera, FX-format comprises the 16-megapixel camera, which permits excellent detail pin-sharp moving image. 7.4 fps continuous shooting provides quick shooting during a precise time. While conducting a video on Nikon Coolpix B500 Digital Camera with a Full HD 1080p, video resolution delivers an outrageous film with every slight detail be seen with the naked eye. Built-in WI-FI, NFC, and Bluetooth ease in sharing those beautiful pictures and videos. 

The composition of the Nikon Coolpix B500 Digital Camera is exceptionally stylish and comfortable. The most remarkable thing a photographer scout is a relief a camera gives while shooting, especially in a rough situation. Shooting on Nikon Coolpix B500 Digital Camera Body feels great and comfortable with its lens making it excellent for photography. Nikon Coolpix B500 Digital Camera is a digital camera that drives it lighter and smaller and eases you to take it with you wherever you go.

Nikon Coolpix B500 Digital Camera comes with a 40x Nikkor non-interchangeable lens, which is a high-class lens specially organized for Nikon Coolpix B500 Digital Camera. The 40x lens comprises practical features that assist the camera in making its process easier and faster. 

Nikon Coolpix B500 Digital Camera carries a 4 axis Hybrid VR system, bringing swift, accurate, and smooth AF and video with no blur or flares. 4 axis is an excessively high number that almost entirely completes the entire frame of the camera. The hybrid VR quickly denies the blurry flares, especially during your sports photography’s quick responses. The Hybrid VR ensures a systematic and smooth focus even in the faint light.

You can share your images and videos with Nikon Coolpix B500 Digital Camera using the Nikon snap Bridge app. Download it on your smartphone. You can also control your Nikon Coolpix B500 Digital Camera with your phone, which makes you take group photos easily.

Nikon Coolpix B500 Digital Camera is probably the best camera which costs under 300$. Nikon Coolpix B500 Digital Camera as we know from the top brand Nikon so there will be no doubt in its quality. Nikon Coolpix B500 Digital Camera has amazing features that will help you out while traveling. You can have amazing pictures of your friends and family with beautiful landscapes and giant fields. Nikon Coolpix B500 Digital Camera is one of the best and most amazing cameras for travel under 300$. 

7. GoPro HERO8 Black – Waterproof Action Camera with Touch Screen 4K Ultra HD Video 12MP Photos 1080p Live Streaming Stabilization

The world is advancing day by day, especially in the digital world, where you can find some amazing futuristic devices. In the past, people had some trouble with the cameras while taking pictures and making videos. It wasn’t very comfortable with them while making a video in a tough situation. Then there was some advancement with that, and the camera brand produces some small cameras for such a situation, but that was a failed try because of the quality of pictures and videos they have. 

But now the advancement is going to the extreme level, now have GoPro cameras which are small and can make 4k videos with a tilting screen, connectivity from which you can go to the live streaming directly from your GoPro. Some exciting and stunning attributes will make you love it. Out of all those GoPro we have chosen the best and most affordable GoPro for you, which can complete every little requirement of yours. Presenting your GoPro HERO8 Black- Waterproof Action camera.

GoPro HERO8 Black- Waterproof Action camera has some amazing features that will amaze you in a tiny device. GoPro HERO8 Black- Waterproof Action camera has a 12-megapixel camera that delivers high-quality images and videos for you. It contains three types mode Media mode, Display mode, and light mode. In the media mode, you can record your voice with a high-quality mic of the GoPro HERO8 Black- Waterproof Action camera. The shotgun mic performance catches your voice noise-free, even if you don’t have to buy a mic for it. 

The display mode in GoPro HERO8 Black- Waterproof Action camera eases you out while making selfie and selfie videos or vlogging. With its tilting screen, you can move it wherever you want. The light mode eases you out at night time. The LED lights in GoPro HERO8 Black- Waterproof Action camera show a clear image of you. GoPro HERO8 Black- Waterproof Action camera comprises three views, linear wider and super view. With three views, you can zoom in and zoom out your camera while taking a picture and recording a video. 

GoPro HERO8 Black- Waterproof Action camera comprises hyper 2.0 image stabilization, which is high-quality image stabilization. They have included it because of the use of the GoPro HERO8 Black- Waterproof Action camera. During running, driving, scattering, it will give a smooth and clear image and video. The time wrap mode helps you to make a quick video cleanly and smoothly. The super photo and improved HDR make your image textured and give it natural contrast. 

During the nighttime, GoPro HERO8 Black- Waterproof Action camera delivers you the best quality in 4k, 2.7k, 1440p, or 1080p. GoPro HERO8 Black- Waterproof Action camera comprises three mics that catch your sound with no noise. GoPro HERO8 Black- Waterproof Action camera is completely waterproof down to 10m, so you don’t have to worry about it while making a video beneath the water. The GoPro App makes it easy to share your pictures and videos with your smartphone.

8. Canon EOS Rebel GII 35mm Film SLR Camera Kit w/ EF 35-80mm Lens

Canon has created the most remarkable cameras that will stunt you with their performance. Canon produces every type of camera, which is specific for a certain reason. For traveling under 300$, you need a much higher detail camera that delivers high performance in textures. You want an ideal camera for your traveling photography Canon EOS Rebel GII 35mm Film SLR Camera is it. 

Its fantastic features and easy-to-use operation make it more compatible. It will give a High-quality image and amazing portrait images and video you will be proud of. With its built-in Wi-Fi system, you can share pictures and videos with friends and family instantly. 

It has an optical viewfinder SLR-type, eye-level roof mirror pentaprism, which will assist you in capturing every moment. The ISO range is up to 6400, which gives a lot of potential during indoor photography and in low light. It brightens up the dark shadows and creates a bright image that allows you to capture in any dim light. Still, the result will be fantastic.

It has a 24.1 MP camera that gives you outstanding detail and beautiful images. It lets you capture up to 1 fps; it gives some fantastic speedy operation for great shots. It has the option of auto flash program AE, which brightens your low-light photo. Canon EOS Rebel GII 35mm Film SLR Camera will provide you with stunning cinematic images. The low-light cinematic photoshoot of your travel will attract your heart more towards it. 

Canon EOS Rebel GII 35mm Film SLR Camera is built up with an optical viewfinder SLR-type, eye-level roof mirror pentaprism with 3-point all cross-type autofocus AF system provides fast and reliable image even in the quick reflexes, the 3 points all cross-type autofocus AF system covers the landscape of beautiful scenarios. You can have a full-frame picture into focus with 3 points all cross-type autofocus and will deliver a clean natural blur in the background. You can have some unique portraits that will satisfy your friends and family.

The various-angle LCD screen provides the edge of capturing difficult shots. You can also capture selfies and vlogging with a Canon EOS Rebel GII 35mm Film SLR Camera easily. Thanks to the soft shutter button of the Canon EOS Rebel GII 35mm Film SLR Camera, you can easily control your camera with simple controls of the camera. You can zoom in and zoom out quickly, so you don’t miss your precious moments.

Canon EOS Rebel T7i US 24.2 Digital SLR camera is built up with WI-FI technology by which you can share your images, video recordings to your smartphones. You can also share it with another canon WI-FI-compatible camera. Bluetooth assists you to share pictures and videos just by connecting your smartphone with the BlueTooth.

9. Kodak PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ421-BK 16MP Digital Camera with 42X Optical Zoom and 3″ LCD Screen (Black)

Kodak is one of the best top brands in the world. Kodak has produced some heart-taking cameras over the years. They are completely affordable with maximum durability and quality. Straightforwardly, Kodak is the best low-cost camera. They have cameras for every type of photography, traveling photography, fashion photography, product photography, indoor and outdoor photography, and many more. 

Today we are witnessing a low-cost camera so here it is, Kodak PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ421-BK 16 MP Digital Camera is the one we have picked among the best. Kodak PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ421-BK 16 MP Digital Camera is one of the best and most amazing cameras for travel under 300$.

Kodak PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ421-BK 16 MP Digital Camera has some stunning qualities which will shock you because at this cost you will expect not too much but with Kodak PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ421-BK 16 MP Digital Camera you may. 

Kodak PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ421-BK 16 MP Digital Camera comprises 42X zoom, which is enough to make your photographs look like a pure DSLR. The 42X zoom is so accurate and right that it grabs every focusing point you want to. 

Kodak PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ421-BK 16 MP Digital Camera has the zoom by which you can shoot sharp and majestic portraits of your friends and family during travel. The Minimum focal length in Kodak PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ421-BK 16 MP Digital Camera is 22mm. The 22mm wide-angle allows the camera to shoot wide-angle pictures of beautiful architecture and large and big landscapes during your travel. 

Kodak PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ421-BK 16 MP Digital Camera wide-angle ability will deliver sharp and noise-free images in any case. Kodak PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ421-BK 16 MP Digital Camera comprises 16 Megapixel mp camera. 

Without a doubt Kodak PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ421-BK 16 MP Digital Camera will provide a much better and sharp image with 16 megapixels than highly cost cameras. With a 16-megapixel mp camera, there will be no doubt in zooming the picture. With full zoom, the picture will be still clear and flare-free. Kodak PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ421-BK 16 MP Digital Camera has 3 inches LCD screen. The 3 inches LCD screen enlarges the image. The 3inche LCD screen will help you out when capturing a video. 

Kodak PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ421-BK 16 MP Digital Camera has the feature of panoramic pictures. You can have some amazing adventures with panoramic images by capturing from point A to B with no damage to the image. Kodak PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ421-BK 16 MP Digital Camera will provide the panoramic feature with almost every image you want to capture in one image. 

Kodak PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ421-BK 16 MP Digital Camera has so many qualities and features. Kodak PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ421-BK 16 MP Digital Camera cost of 300$. Probably the best option for traveling. Kodak PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ421-BK 16 MP Digital Camera will not cost that much, but you will get the specification and performance of a lifetime. Kodak PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ421-BK 16 MP Digital Camera is one the top best cameras for travel under 300$. 

10. Fujifilm FinePix XP120 – Sky Blue FinePix XP130 Waterproof Digital Camera, 2.78″ x 4.34″ x 1.26″, Blue

The Fujifilm FinePix XP 120 Digital Camera has had some remarkable performance throughout the preceding and is still ruling above some modern technology cameras. The most remarkable fact is Fujifilm FinePix XP 120 Digital Camera is a completely waterproof camera. 

The chicest and vintage touch camera has some outrageous technologies generated by Fujifilm and is one of the finest traveling cameras. Fujifilm FinePix XP 120 Digital Camera is a fourth-generation camera with some remarkable qualities that will refine your photos of fashion blogging. Fujifilm FinePix XP 120 Digital Camera is an exceptionally stylish weightless, and a slim camera linked to other brands. You can take it with you wherever you go.

Fujifilm FinePix XP 120 Digital Camera is a futuristic camera with stunning qualities and specifications. Fujifilm FinePix XP 120 Digital Camera is waterproof. Fujifilm FinePix XP 120 Digital Camera can get under the water up to 20 meters or 65ft. While traveling to the northern and freezing places. Fujifilm FinePix XP 120 Digital Camera is freeze-proof. Fujifilm FinePix XP 120 Digital Camera can bear the freeze up to 14°F/-10°C which is high and unbelievable. Fujifilm FinePix XP 120 Digital Camera comprises shockproof. If it falls from t5.8ft/1.75m nothing will happen and the shockproof will prevent it from breaking. 

Fujifilm FinePix XP 120 Digital Camera is dustproof. There will be no worries of dust keeping out sand and other foreign particles. Probably with all these qualities the best durable and top outside and travel camera. Fujifilm FinePix XP 120 Digital Camera comprises 28mm wide-angle length, 5x optical zoom, and 10 X intelligent digital zoom. 

The 28mm wide-angle allows the camera to shoot wide-angle pictures of beautiful architecture and large and big landscapes during your travel. Fujifilm Fine pix XP 120 Digital Camera wide-angle ability will deliver sharp and noise-free images. 

The 5X optical zoom in Fujifilm FinePix XP 120 Digital Camera, which is 28-144mm delivers a clear image. You can capture beautiful portraits with an extra 10x zoom. With full zoom in Fujifilm FinePix XP 120 Digital Camera, the picture will be still clear and sound. 

Fujifilm FinePix XP 120 Digital Camera comprises a BSI CMOS sensor that prevents flare and ghosting from an image and keeps the image sharp at any zoom. Fujifilm FinePix XP 120 Digital Camera is a 16 megapixel Mp camera. 

The 16 MP camera delivers pin-sharp images. The 16 MP camera delivers high texture at any zoom. The sensor-shift image stabilization in Fujifilm FinePix XP 120 Digital Camera assists in making a video. The image stabilization keeps the image clear and sharp. Fujifilm FinePix XP 120 Digital Camera comprises a burst shooting button that allows shooting up to 10 fps in quick and acting photography. 

Fujifilm FinePix XP 120 Digital Camera has also the option of ultra-high trust which shoots up to 60fps. This is a very high number. With Fujifilm FinePix XP 120 Digital Camera features there will be no missing the precious moments of your travel. This camera is poorly made for traveling. The 3 inch LCD screen adds more renovation to it.

Fujifilm FinePix XP 120 Digital Camera is the best top camera we have picked for your traveling. Fujifilm FinePix XP 120 Digital Camera contains all important features that are ideal for traveling and tourism. Fujifilm FinePix XP 120 Digital Camera is the most important camera for travel and the top camera for travel under 300$.

11. Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS Digital Camera w/ 32GB SD Card & Battery Park Bundle

You have seen the best of canon in terms of photography that they have created some amazing cameras through the years. The entire world admires them for what they have done. Likewise, I believe you will have never used a Canon digital camera that can make Full Ultra HD 4K video full HD 1080p videos, where you can record your videos while traveling with it. Presenting you the Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS Digital Camera. 

Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS Digital Camera is an all-rounder camera having so many features and specifications. It is not only an ordinary camera. Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS Digital Camera is a perfect digital camera that can shoot great photos and videos. Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS Digital Camera is considered being the best camera for traveling. Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS Digital Camera lightweight design keeps you in touch with it every time. You can take it with you wherever you go. It is a small SLR camera with so many attributes.

Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS Digital Camera comprises a 20.2 megapixel MP camera which provides you with a high detail image of your 1080p video. The dual pixel CMOS autofocus AF in Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless Vlogging Camera deliver super fast and smooth autofocus AF which eases you out in many situations like making a video of a sports match Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS Digital Camera will catch the quick reflexes of the player, so you don’t have to worry about it. You can shoot with it in any type of situation. The ISO range of Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS Digital Camera 3200 It can shoot an image in ISO range up to 3200. 

They build the canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS Digital Camera up with the DIGIC 4+ processor, which is the best processor among Canon cameras. The DIGIC 4+ processor makes your camera fast, like a jet plane. It can make easy and smooth pictures and videos. The AF works perfectly with the DIGIC 4+ processor. 

Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS Digital Camera comprises a 3 inches screen. The digital has a very small and simple design. Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS Digital Camera is stylish and easy to use. The camera allows you to set the settings quickly without any trouble. 

Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS Digital Camera has so many qualities and features. Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS Digital Camera costs under 300$. Probably the best option for traveling. Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS Digital Camera will not cost that much, but you will get the specification and performance of a lifetime. Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS Digital Camera is one of the top best cameras for travel under 300$. 

12. KODAK Printomatic Digital Instant Print Camera

If you want your photos in a Hard form easily, then Kodak Printomatic Digital Camera is the best option for it With its high-quality Printomatic feature instantly and automatically prints full-color photos with ease. Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print camera uses a specific high-quality paper called Kodak zink photo paper so no toners and ink are required for it.

With Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print camera is a very lightweight and special stylish design, you can put it in any pocket of your dress. Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print camera cost 100$. Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print camera is the best option to have on a trip for instant hard form photos. 

Because of Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print camera quality, capture print, and share in an instant are vivacious and fun. Because of the package included in it, the Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print Camera and USB will directly give the image on a hard Kodak paper and you can share the images via USB cable too. It is too easy just click the shutter and there you have your clicked picture in a hard form. Just by using Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print Camera.

Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print Camera has a wide-angle 8mm lens and a high-quality image sensor with 10 MP will give an amazing quality image. The Point-and-Shoot Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print camera offers a wide-angle f/2 lens that operates high-quality color or black and white photos. Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print camera makes the whole deal all in one. Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print Camera has two picture modes both color and black and white, with so many more filters that will make your photographs more fascinating. 

If you have a KODAK PRINTOMATIC Instant Print Camera, you don’t need printers just point and shoot and the photo in the hard form will come out. Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print camera also has indicators for low battery, low memory, and low storage which will give you the direction to take action. 

With so many varieties of colors, you can choose your favorite color. Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print Camera is stylish, slim, and easy to carry with you wherever you go. Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print camera is a modern camera with amazing digital technological advancement, despite that it is very easy to use. With Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print camera, you don’t have to worry about toners and ink. It uses zink paper, which is just like normal paper. 

We all know that the Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print camera will only cost 50 dollars, but still, it is a very useful full camera to have on a trip. We have included it in this blog just to give you an idea of prismatic cameras. Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print camera is one of the best cameras for travel. 

Photography is an adventure. A photographer faces many situations. Every situation has its fun excitement. A photographer loves all the scenes and scenarios that come in a photographer’s way. The most excitement a photographer gets during the photography is to do photography during traveling. 

Traveling photography creates a lot of direction to show your fantastic experience and wisdom in terms of photography. You can take different shots of landscapes, high mountains, bare green areas—desserts, wildlife experience sports, and many more. You can build your satisfaction in outdoor photography. You learn a lot in doing outdoor photography than doing indoors. 

All these cameras are some of the most recommended and top-class cameras for traveling. We have chosen everyone after a lot of research and development. Now there is no way these cameras can create a problem or don’t satisfy you during photography. We have chosen different cameras like prismatic cameras, SLRs, Digital cameras, all are of different prices so choose it according to your affordability. All the cameras are below 300$. So choose with no worry. 

All these cameras are best for a closeup, Architecture, weddings, Parties, Wildlife, and fantastic landscape photography. Choose it and go for it. Traveling will be more fun with gadgets and a gadget like a Camera will increase the amazingness of your traveling more. It is a world of social sharing. Then do it and do it better.  

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Best Digital Cameras Under $300

Yes, they beat a smartphone camera. These models have optical zoom, a big image sensor, and a great price.

When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. 100% of the fees we collect are used to support our nonprofit mission. Learn more .

If you’ve bought a smartphone in the last few years, you’ve got a good-to-great camera in your pocket . But a stand-alone camera—even a digital camera that costs less than $300—still has features that make it worth bringing to your next BBQ or holiday event.

Why? Even a compact point-and-shoot will have a better lens and a larger sensor than your phone, meaning you get better raw pictures. “Smartphone pictures go through extreme processing to get that picture looking decent,” says Artur Pietruch, a Consumer Reports camera-testing expert. “A camera, on the other hand, has a lot less work to do, so the picture is a lot less noisy.”

Dedicated cameras also have optical zoom, something only a few high-end smartphones like the iPhone XS and the Samsung Galaxy S10 provide. An optical zoom means the lens actually moves glass elements to get you closer to the action, while smartphone’s digital zoom just enlarges the image without enhancing the resolution, creating an blurrier image.

The larger sensor and higher-performance lens in a dedicated camera tends to produce better lowlight photos, too, whether it's from your kid’s piano recital or the critical blowing-out-the-candles moment at a birthday party. And when shooting in low light, a dedicated camera will use a bright xenon flash, freezing the action. Smartphones use a dimmer LED flash.

But most important, if you’re carrying a dedicated camera, you’re more likely to take a moment to compose a photograph instead of merely snapping a picture. Having the right tool makes you feel like a craftsman.

You can find each of the digital cameras listed here for $300 or less, and they score well in Consumer Reports testing. They don't have interchangeable lenses, or the high-end glass and sophisticated controls of our top-scoring cameras. But they are compact, easy to use, and have generous zooming chops—and the price is right for many casual photographers. (If you have more to spend, we've rounded up the best cameras under $500 , as well as a buying guide for the best high-end cameras overall .)

Like all products Consumer Reports reviews and rates, we bought these cameras from retailers, the same way you’d buy them—we don’t accept free review samples from manufacturers. If you’re a Consumer Reports member, you can compare and contrast ratings of the more than 170 models of cameras we’ve tested .

Canon PowerShot SX720 HS

With its slim, lightweight body and an impressive 40x optical zoom, the PowerShot SX720 HS is a great choice for snapping pictures of wildlife or a sporting event, while its wide-angle lens is well suited for shooting vistas or group shots. The image stabilization is top-notch, so even fully zoomed-in photos remain crisp. And it handles lowlight shooting extremely well, something many cameras with a long zoom can struggle with. You can find it for just $250, making it a lot of camera for not a lot money.

Canon PowerShot SX610 HS

This $215 point-and-shoot has an 18x optical zoom and comes WiFi-enabled, making image offloading easy. Its wide-angle lens excels at snapping the big stuff, from mountains to monuments. Also a nice bonus: It's very quick to start up, meaning you won't miss a shot while waiting for the camera turn on.

Jake Swearingen

I write about electronic doodads, geegaws, and gimcracks. Before joining Consumer Reports, I was a technology writer at New York magazine. During my off hours, I enjoy time with my wife and daughter in Bayonne, N.J., working on my baking and BBQ skills. Follow me on Twitter (@JakeSwearingen). 

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Pentax KF w/ 18-55mm

Fujifilm x-t5 w/ 18-55mm, canon eos r6 mark ii w/ 24-105mm, olympus om-5 w/ 12-45mm, fujifilm x-h2 w/ 16-80mm, nikon z 30 w/ 18-140mm, nikon z 30 w/ 16-50mm, canon eos r7 w/ 18-150mm is stm, canon eos r10 w/ 18-150mm is stm, canon eos r10 w/ 18-45mm is stm, olympus om-1 w/ 12-40mm pro ii.

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The best cheap mirrorless cameras in 2024: grab a bargain with these low-cost classics

These are the cheap mirrorless cameras around right now, from basic beginner cameras to discounted favorites

best cheap mirrorless cameras: our top picks

Best for vloggers, best budget, best for travel, best for beginners, best retro styling, best for content creators, best compact, best for sports, how we test.

The best cheap mirrorless cameras provide an incredibly cost-effective way to hop onto an exciting camera system. We've picked out the following cameras for this list because we believe they represent genuine value for money – you'll be able to use them and get value out of them for years to come. With competitively sized sensors and impressive megapixel counts, these aren't just good cheap cameras, but good cameras in their own right. 

Top picks 1. Best for vloggers 2. Best budget option 3. Best for travel 4. Best for beginners 5. Best retro styling 6. Best for content creators 7. Best compact 8. Best for sports

Many of them are great choices for vlogging, as well. With video content creation becoming ever more accessible, all of these models can shoot video - and many of them in 4K. If you're looking to get into YouTube , filmmaking, or content creation on a budget, cheap mirrorless cameras are the ideal place to start. 

Prices do fluctuate, especially when it comes to older cameras. However, all the cameras we've included on this list are consistently available at prices significantly lower than the average for a mirrorless camera. Though one thing to always check is whether the camera is packaged body-only or with a lens 

One more thing. When you're shopping for cheap mirrorless cameras, be sure to check whether the camera is 'body only' or comes with a lens. We'll give our thoughts on the best lenses to get below.

For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. Originally specializing in Equestrianism, his visuals have been used by the leading names in the equestrian industry such as The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), The Jockey Club, Horse & Hound, and many more for various advertising campaigns, books, and pre/post-event highlights.

He is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, holds a Foundation Degree in Equitation Science, and is a Master of Arts in Publishing.  He is a member of Nikon NPS and has been a Nikon user since the film days using a Nikon F5 and saw the digital transition with Nikon's D series cameras and is still to this day the youngest member to be elected into BEWA, The British Equestrian Writers' Association. 

He is familiar with and shows great interest in street, medium, and large format photography with products by Leica, Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa, and Sinar. Sebastian has also used many cinema cameras from the likes of Sony, RED, ARRI, and everything in between. He now spends his spare time using his trusted Leica M-E shooting Street/Life photography, usually in Black and White.

Best for vloggers The Panasonic Lumix G100 is a fantastic starter camera for vloggers and has clearly been designed with that exact audience in mind. Read more below

Best budget option While it might be quite old, this Micro Four Thirds camera still delivers 4K video and good 16MP stills, perfect for those on a strict budget. Read more below

Best for travel All the way back in 2014, Sony debuted the A6000, a camera that would kick off a whole series of enthusiast-oriented APS-C mirrorless models. Read more below

Best for beginners The Canon EOS M50 Mark II may seem like a fairly minor upgrade over the previous Canon EOS M50 – and that's because it is. Read more below

Best retro styling If you're looking for a cheap camera, but want that little bit of retro thrown in then this is the perfect balance of old-school looks and modern tech. Read more below

Best for content creators If you want to become a content creator the Canon ESO RP is perfect with 26mp still and 4K video (with a 1.6X crop) Read more below

The best cheap mirrorless cameras in 2024

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

1. Panasonic Lumix G100 with 12-32mm lens

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The Panasonic Lumix G100 is a fantastic starter camera for vloggers and has clearly been designed with that exact audience in mind. Unlike most consumer mirrorless cameras, it's got a fairly sophisticated built-in mic setup, meaning that while you can plug in an external mic with the 3.5mm jack, you don't have to, and that's hugely handy for casual vlogging.

Its approachable button layout makes it easy for pretty much anyone to pick up the Lumix G100 and start shooting high-quality 4K video. The tactile ergonomics make it a pleasure to use, and even though it's a relatively new model, the price has already come down a little. 

We appreciated a lot of features of the Lumix G100 when it came into our hands for a full review – with a bright electronic viewfinder and high-quality LCD screen, it's just an all-around pleasant shooting experience for stills and video. 

Read our full Panasonic Lumix G100 review

2. Panasonic Lumix G7 with 14-42mm lens

The Lumix G7 was launched back in 2015, so it’s a few years old now, and that shows in its styling and specs. It’s the ideal choice for mirrorless camera buyers who prefer the heft and gripability of a DSLR-style body, and it comes with a viewfinder, which is terrific in a mirrorless camera at this price. Bad points? 

The G7 was launched before Panasonic started including in-body stabilization in its cameras, so you’re reliant on any optical stabilization in the lenses themselves. It also has a relatively old 16-megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor, which knocks back the image quality ever so slightly compared to current APS-C sensor offerings. Prices vary a lot, so keep your eyes peeled,  we have seen some crazy twin-lens deals on this camera. Read our full Panasonic G7 review .

3. Sony A6000 with 16-50mm powerzoom lens

All the way back in 2014, Sony debuted the A6000, a camera that would kick off a whole series of enthusiast-oriented APS-C mirrorless models. Why are we still talking about it in 2023? First, because Sony is much better than a lot of other firms at keeping its older models in production, and second because it's still a really good camera. 

The fundamentals on the A6000 are incredibly solid, for photographers at least. With 11fps burst shooting, 24MP of resolution, and a highly capable autofocus system, it's got pretty much everything most photographers are going to need. It's far more powerful than many similarly priced beginner camera, and its slimline body makes it perfect for travel.

There's a reason we kept saying "photographers" in the previous paragraph – as we noted in our Sony A6000 review, its video specs have aged. It predates the 4K boom, and the lack of a mic port really hurts it when it comes to vlogging. We wouldn't recommend buying the A6000 as a primary video camera, but for photographers, it's a bargain.

Read our full Sony A6000 review

4. Canon EOS M50 Mark II with 15-45mm lens

The Canon EOS M50 Mark II may seem like a fairly minor upgrade over the previous Canon EOS M50 – and that's because it is. However, the additions that have been made are quite sharp, with Canon clearly having listened to feedback on the previous camera, and that makes this one worth your buy, especially now the price has come down.  

The autofocus has been improved, with the addition of eye detection in stills and video modes. Video shooters also get a clean HDMI out – perfect for streaming – as well as the option to shoot in a vertical orientation for social media. 

It's worth noting, as we did in our review, that the EOS M50 Mark II is at its best when shooting in Full HD 1080p, as shooting in 4K causes it to lose the Dual Pixel AF in favor of slower contrast-detect autofocus. And that's not even talking about the vicious 1.6x crop incurred by 4K. Full HD is more than good enough for most purposes though and having 24.1MP of resolution and 10fps burst shooting further rounds out this solid package. 

Read our full Canon EOS M50 II review

5. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV with 14-42mm 'EZ' lens

We love the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV. Its predecessor, the Mark III , was (and is) a perennial favorite around the DCW office, and we're full of admiration for how sensibly Olympus went about updating this beloved camera. 

The addition of the 20.3MP sensor from the PEN-F was a great shout, and we were immensely glad to see improved Continuous Autofocus further expanding Mark IV's burst shooting capabilities. After all, it's not much good being able to shoot at 15fps if you can't focus worth a damn!

The extra-tiltable screen impresses too, and the fact that it flips down 180° makes the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV a tempting proposition for YouTubers and vloggers. For the money, the Mark IV is absolutely stuffed with features, and the fact that it's so portable makes it a great choice for travel.

Read our full Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV review

6. Canon EOS RP

The EOS RP was Canon's second full-frame mirrorless camera, and it's smaller, lighter, and a lot cheaper than all of the others. It's designed to be a compact, affordable and easy-to-use entry point into Canon's full-frame mirrorless system, and it succeeds brilliantly.

Its small dimensions mean it can sometimes feel overbalanced by larger lenses, though, and the 4K video mode comes with some caveats – the image frame is cropped by a factor of 1.6 and you can't use Canon's speedy Dual Pixel CMOS AF system unless you drop the resolution to full HD.

On the upside, the pictures are clear and sharp, the vari-angle touchscreen display is a real advantage for both stills and video, and the inclusion of an EF lens adaptor means you can use existing Canon DSLR lenses alongside the new but growing RF lens system.

At $1,000/£1,000 or more you wouldn't say it was 'cheap' in the general run of things, but for a full-frame camera, its price is practically miraculous.

Read our full Canon EOS RP review

7. Olympus Pen E-PL9/E-PL10 with M.Zuiko 14-42mm lens

Olympus specifically targeted "step-up" users with its Pen E-PL9, referring to users looking to make their first jump from a smartphone to a proper camera. Thus, it's incredibly easy to use, with intuitive controls and helpful guide modes to get the most novice users familiar with the camera very quickly. It doesn't hurt that it looks pretty snazzy as well, and it is light enough to slip into a small bag or even a large jacket pocket.

There is no viewfinder, but the screen does tilt up and down and even flips out for selfie-shooting and vlogging, and it comes in a useful kit with Olympus's 14-42mm pancake lens. Images from the Pen E-PL9 look great immediately after you hit the button, making it easy and tempting to share them straight away with its built-in Wi-Fi function. If you can't get the E-PL9, try the E-PL10 instead – they are practically the same camera.

Read our full Olympus E-PL10 review

8. Sony A7 III

This is not the cheapest mirrorless camera in the list – but it is the only one with a big, full-frame sensor – and it is remarkably good value. The Sony A7 II was the first camera in the Sony Alpha mirrorless camera range to include sensor-shift image stabilization. Now that it's a few years old, you can pick one up pretty cheap and it offers a pretty big upgrade on the original Sony A7.

It's compatible with a range of Sony lenses as well as third-party companies such as Sigma or Tamron . An updated processor means it is a much faster camera, it has a 117-point phase-detect autofocus system and 25-point contrast-detect AF ensuring sharpness no matter where the subject is in the frame. 

Read our full Sony A7 II review

We test cameras both in real-world shooting scenarios and in carefully controlled lab conditions. Our lab tests measure resolution, dynamic range, and signal-to-noise ratio. Resolution is measured using ISO resolution charts, dynamic range is measured using DxO Analyzer test equipment and DxO Analyzer is also used for noise analysis across the camera's ISO range. We use both real-world testing and lab results to inform our comments in buying guides.

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He is familiar with and shows great interest in street, medium, and large format photography with products by Leica, Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa, and Sinar. Sebastian has also used many cinema cameras from the likes of Sony, RED, ARRI, and everything in between. He now spends his spare time using his trusted Leica M-E or Leica M2 shooting Street photography or general life as he sees it, usually in Black and White.

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Best Digital Cameras Under 300 for travel + Photo Tips & Apps

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If you love photography, you don’t need an expensive camera to start. Few years ago, both of us were using digital cameras that were priced about less than $300 and learnt basic editing skills to take photos and capture memories from our travels. When you are traveling you need a good digital camera, something that is compact, lasts you full day (or at-least 8-10 hours), wifi to share on social media and a decent lens. That’s where this post can help you. We have researched the best digital cameras under 300 that are perfect for travel. These are high performing cameras at a lower price point – so whether you are in Paris or in Blue Lagoon in Iceland or capturing a town near home – this list has you covered!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

QUICK OVERVIEW

• BEST OVERALL CAMERA: Canon Powershot SX720 – Click to view
• RUNNER UP OVERALL CAMERA: Nikon Coolpix B500 – Click to view
• BEST BUDGET CAMERA: Fujifilm Finepix XP130 waterproof – Click to view
• BEST ADVENTURE CAMERA: Go Pro Hero 7 Silver – Click to view 
• BEST EVERYDAY – WORRY FREE CAMERA: Canon Powershot elph 180 – Click to view

At the end of this post, we have shared some of our favorite phone apps that we use to edit our pictures on the go, including some basic photo tips. 

Happy Snapping!

Post Contents

Best Digital Cameras Under 300 USD

Canon powershot sx720 – best digital cameras overall.

• Megapixels : 20.3 MP
• Optical Zoom – 40x optical zoom
• Digital Zoom – 80x – 120x digital zoom
• Wi-fi – Inbuilt wifi to upload to social media or wirelessly transfer files
• Video recording – yes
• Multiple exposure options
• Can geo-tag pictures
• Good processor
• IDEAL USE – BEST OVERALL VALUE!

DETAILED REVIEW

Canon’s newest superzoom travel camera features a compact design and a 40x optical zoom lens that is amplified by the camera’s 80x digital zoom (known as zoom plus on the camera). It has one of the finest 20.3 megapixel cmos sensor. However, one of the many design features that really sets this device apart is its ability to further zoom to 120x; a fact that is quite impressive when you realize that this camera is actually slim enough to fit in your back pocket, at least as long as you’re not wearing super tight pants. (Note: Most superzoom point and shoot cameras only offer 20x optical zoom to 30x optical zoom, max this one exceeds it)

In addition to the Canon Powershot’s stream line design, the camera body has a sleek, metallic look that is further accentuated by chic, ultra-smooth corners that make this machine look more like a fashion accessory than an actual camera (I mean that in the best possible way). 

Yet, appearance can only take you so far. Functionality is what really makes cameras, such as this, stand out. Therefore, to compensate for the camera’s compressed design, manufacturers have developed a rubber-like grip on the front, and back near the mode dial, where your fingers can rest naturally; a characteristic that reduces the likelihood that this narrow camera will slip through your fingers.

Additionally, the button layout of the SX720 is incredibly straightforward, with a shutter release button at the top that is surrounded by a zoom rocker. You’ll also find the on and off button here, as well as the video record button.

There is also a mode dial along the top back of this machine, that allows you to quickly switch between exposure modes like Auto, Hybrid Auto, Live, Scene, Creative Shot, Movie mod, and more!

On the downside though, this camera will not let you shoot in raw format and only in either semi-automatic or manual control. Something this is a bit limiting for any passionate photographer looking to purchase this camera.

Another negative is that you cannot alter the point of autofocus in your photo; a fact that doesn’t quite coincide with the high level of manual control that is found within many of the camera’s other features. However, you can choose the centre point, or use the Tracking AF to pick a spot for you (don’t worry, it gives priority to human faces); a feature that is helpful, but just not the same as choosing a point of focus for yourself. Sigh.

The only other tiny drawback of this machine is that to use the inbuilt flash, you will have to first eject it from its built in chamber (do this by using a switch, on the side of camera, that is right above the zoom frame assist button). But that’s a small negative given the incredible versatility of this incredible piece of photography equipment.

Interestingly enough though, this button can also be used to help you quickly zoom out of the optical zoom, if your subject happens to move out of frame. And if you want to return to the same focal length you were just using? Easy, just release the zoom frame assist button and the lens will automatically return to its previous zoom level (this is also much easier than using the zoom rocker switch).

Plus, this camera boasts a 1/2.3-inch type back-illuminated sensitivity CMOS sensor, supplemented by a Digic 6 processor, that has roughly 20.3 million pixels.

Other exciting, camera features include full HD video recording capability (at 1080p), a 3 inch, rear LCD screen, as well as built in WIFI.

Canon Powershot elph 180

• Megapixels : 20.1 MP
• Optical Zoom – 8x optical zoom
• Wi-fi – No
• IDEAL USE – Great for everyday photography
• Not water proof or dust proof
• No wireless connectivity, so transfer files with a wired cable

If you’re looking for a simple point and shoot camera to help you capture candid moments with family and friends, then the slim and stylish Canon Powershot alpha 180 is for you. Before purchasing our Sony Alpha mirrorless camera , we were using this one. 

Not only does this device have an 8x Optical Zoom lens with good wide angle capability and great reach on tele (giving you great photographic flexibility), but it also has a 20.0 Megapixel CCD sensor, with DIGIC 4+ Image Processor, to help you create beautifully clear images every single time you take a shot.  You can also choose between a variety of scene modes, like Fisheye Effect, Toy Camera Effect, and Monochrome, to give you the creative freedom to tailor your photos to your exact needs.

This machine even has an incredible, Smart AUTO feature that helps you find the perfect settings for whatever you’re photographing. This way, novice photographers can still take high-quality photos even if they lack the technical acumen to do so.

Plus, this Canon Powershot even comes with Digital IS, to keep blur at a minimum, and an Auto Zoom feature that automatically focuses in on the subject of your photo. The camera’s

However, this compact camera does not come without its drawbacks. Not only does the Powershot alpha 180 lack a wireless connection and an articulating screen, but it is also not the highest resolution small sensor camera on the market, lacks environmental sealings to protect against water and dust, has a slow lens on both the wide and tele end of the photographic spectrum, and has a below average battery life of 220 shots.

But, if you’re looking for an inexpensive camera that is small, easy to use, and that still takes nice photos, then definitely consider purchasing the Canon Powershot alpha 180.

Nikon Coolpix B500 – Best Digital Cameras Runner Up

• Megapixels : 16 MP
• Wi-fi – yes
• IDEAL USE – Perfect for new/amateur photographers
• Uses AA batteries only, no rechargeable Nikon battery – could be costly

The Nikon Coolpix B500 is a fantastic, relatively inexpensive, mid-sized, bridge camera with a 16 megapixel sensor and a 40x optical zoom that is further enhanced by a 80x digital zoom.

And while this camera is incapable of shooting in manual modest, it does offer users a range of shooting modes that are perfect for beginners who are looking to better under the subtle art of photography.

Just turn the dial at the top of the Nikon and this versatile camera will quickly and easily switch between fully automatic, scene, creative, and movie shooting modes. Surprisingly though, of all the camera modes available, the fully automatic setting actually provides the photographer with the greatest amount of control over the camera and how you shoot your photos. Sure, you can’t change either the aperture or the shutter speed of this mode, but, you can adjust both the white balance and ISO setting (or you can leave them if such changes are a bit beyond your skill level). Also be aware that while most of the camera’s mode have a normal, operational speed, camera owners can get quite frustrated by the length of time that it takes this device to process movie clips with the Short Movie Show function.

When attempting to macro focus, please be aware that it can take several tries before this camera can focus correctly. Therefore, be exceptionally careful when using the zoom and taking close-up shots. Also note that when the light drops, it can take this Nikon a bit longer to focus, something that can get quite irritating if you’re doing low light photography.

Now, like with many of Nikon’s newer model cameras, this device comes with SnapBridge technology that allows photographers to maintain a constant, bluetooth connection with their smartphone device. Therefore, users can now instantly upload photos to their cellphone and share them across a wide range of social media channels.

In terms of usability, this camera comes with a sturdy, textured hand grip that protrudes significantly from the body of the camera, making it easy for novice photographers to get a secure grip on the camera. Additionally, this device is reasonably light, making it possible for users to snap photos with one hand, even though holding the camera steady with two hands feels a bit more natural.

Other fantastic features from one of the best digital cameras under $300 include 921k-dot resolution, inbuilt Wi-Fi, and Full HD video recording.

However, one slight negative is that this camera is powered by two double AA batteries instead of a single chargeable battery. So, while you definitely won’t have a problem finding a replacement battery if your camera should lose power, you will continually have to to go to store and spend more money on batteries. But, just a small drawback for an awesome, multi-use camera like this.

Fujifilm Finepix XP130 waterproof

• Megapixels : 16.4 MP
• Optical Zoom – 5x optical zoom
• IDEAL USE – Those looking for an affordable and compact camera
• Image Quality – Not the best for night time photos/low light

This compact, multi-faceted, waterproof camera is perfect for adventurers who need a device that can go anywhere and do anything, and all for just under $200. Fully equipped with a 16.4 MP BSI CMOS sensor and a 28-140mm (35mm equivalent) 5x optical zoom lens, users can quickly and easily manipulate the zoom with the W and T rocker button that is found at the back of the camera (along the top right).This camera also comes with a built-in WIFI and video recording up to 1080p60.

This camera also comes with a nice fill flash that is natural looking and effective at birthing harsh shadows during sunny days. That being said, the flash on this machine is still only a small bulb that can reach a maximum distance of about 14 feet (4 meters). This is why the XP130 generally does not perform well in low-light conditions and should really only be used during bright, sunny days.

While using this camera, you’ll also enjoy some manual control over shooting through exposure compensation and manual setting of the ISO up until ISO 6400. For additional photographic control, users can take advantage of this camera’s many shooting modes, including Portrait, Landscape, Sport, Night, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Underwater, Party, Flower, and more. There are several burst modes included with this machine, including Time-Lapse, Panorama, Macro Modes, and Cinema-graph (it creates hybrid photo and video clips).

Additionally, the XP130 is capable of taking pictures at a depth of up to 65 feet (20 m), a level of submersion that will easily satisfy the needs of most snorkelers, kayakers, swimmers, and recreational divers. This camera is also perfect for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts as well since it is freeze proof and can withstand temperatures as low as 14°F (-10°C).

Now, to protect this waterproof digital camera from potential damage associated with increased activity, manufacturers have designed this camera to withstand drops of up to 5.7 feet (1.8 m).

Yet, this camera does come without some slight drawbacks. Firstly, the automatic exposure system can be inconsistent and lead to underexposed photos, even in the brightest of conditions. And while this issue can easily be corrected with photo editing, such concerns should not arise with this class of camera. Additionally, the Scene Recognition Mode, which is the automatic shooting mode, doesn’t always choose the most appropriate mode for the subject of your photograph, making it difficult to take high quality photos. The lens also just isn’t as sharp as it should be, but with a camera in this price range, that’s to be expected.

Panasonic Lumix FZ80 

• Megapixels : 18 MP
• Optical Zoom – 60x optical zoom
• Good shutter
• Optical Image Stabilization 
• Bridge camera
• No wifi connectivity

TIP: For image and video stabilization, use a tripod

This superzoom bridge camera from Panasonic is perfect for photographers on a budget. Not only does this device feature a small, 1/2.33-inch sensor with a resolution of 18 MP, resulting in images that are often noisy and that lack detail.

But, what this device lacks in sensor size, it makes up for with its fantastic lens system, which features a massive focal length range between 20-1200mm (35mm film equivalent). And if users decide to take advantage of the device’s 60x digital zoom, the camera’s focal length range can be enhanced to an astounding, 4800mm.

Because the Lumix FZ80 is a bridge camera, it does come with an electronic viewfinder that has a resolution of 1,166,000 RGB dots. But, this viewfinder is relatively small, with a 0.46 scale factor (equivalent the viewfinder you’d use in a 35mm film camera viewfinder), and difficult to manually focus.

In addition to the viewfinder, this device also has a 3 inch, fixed, touch sensitive, 1.04 million RGB dots resolution, LCD screen that makes camera setup and photo parameter alterations incredibly easy. To switch between the viewfinder and the LCD screen, just use the “LVF” button near the viewfinder ocular since this device doesn’t come with an eye sensor.

This Panasonic camera also employs both a technical and electronic shutter system that both work together to allow this machine to reach exposure times of 1/16,000 of a second in electronic mode and a maximum shutter speeds of 1/2000 second in mechanical shutter mode. There’s even a “Post Focus” function in this camera that will automatically select an image with the desired focus area from a series of photographs. Users can even do “focus stacking” and combine images to create sharper images with a wider depth of field.

Additionally, the FZ80 comes with a built-in image stabilizer that functions with both photo shooting and video recording. Yet, this feature has limited functionality and cannot  stabilize photos and videos that fall between 800 and 1200 mm. Therefore, definitely consider using a tripod when doing photography or videography under such circumstances.

However, regardless of any negatives, this camera is still a versatile device with a wide range photographic capabilities that are perfect for new photographers who are looking for budget friendly camera options.

Canon Powershot SX530 – Best Digital Cameras

• Optical Zoom – 50x optical zoom
• 100x digital zoom
• Big back buttons
• Not compact
• Not great for selfies

Canon makes this list of best digital cameras under $300 again with the Canon Powershot SX530, their newest, high-zoom, bridge camera. This device features a 50x optical zoom that is accompanied by a 100x digital ZoomPlus.

And while this camera is rather bulky (you definitely won’t be sticking this camera in your back pocket), you can still easily steady the lens with your left hand and hold the base of the camera with your right.

Plus, unlike many other cameras listed here, the entire body of the devise has a textured coating that makes it feel more secure in your hands while simultaneously giving the camera a higher quality feel. There is also an additional recessed grip where your middle finger can naturally rest while your other finger holds the shutter release.

Move behind the camera’s shutter release and you’ll find a scrolling dial that controls the camera’s aperture and shutter speed, depending on the type of camera function that you’re using.

You’ll also enjoy a reasonably large mode dial that provides easy access to a variety of exposure modes like manual, semi-automatic, automatic, hybrid auto, creative shot, and more. There’s even a LIVE function that demonstrates the impact that a setting change will have on any photo that you take. This way, you can take that ever illusive “perfect shot” without actually understanding the technology that you need to obtain it. A fantastic feature for anyone who is new to photography.

Other amazing camera attributes include a 16 megapixel sensor, built in WIFI for easy smartphone connection, and, something that many of the other cameras on this list don’t have, the ability for the user to take full manual control. The SX530 even comes with digital filters and with the capability to shoot full, HD movies.

One slightly irritating thing about this camera is that you do have to press the shutter button rather intensely before the device will actually take a photo. And while this isn’t a huge issue, it can be problematic if you’re taking a picture that requires precise framing or one that needs slow shutter speeds (To avoid this issue, use the self-timer to give the camera the ability to steady before you expose your shot).

There’s also no viewfinder (get the Canon PowerShot SX60 if you want this feature) and the attached screen is fairly low resolution, with 461,000 dots, and fixed in the camera. Therefore, this device is not ideal if you’re looking take selfies or photograph at awkward angles. Yet, in spite of many of these issues, this camera still successfully takes pictures under most circumstances, except for instances of extreme sunlight.

Go Pro Hero 7 Silver (Best Digital Cameras – Adventure)

• Megapixels : 10 MP
• Video recording – 4K, QHD, and Full HD
• IDEAL USE – Adventure/ Water Use

By far the best Go Pro model to date, the Go Pro Hero 7 is perfect for adventurous travelers. This small, handheld, waterproof (Use the GoPro “SuperSuit” when going more than 10 meters below the surface to avoid water damage), digital camera can be affixed to almost any surface imaginable, to create a wide variety of videos, still photos, time lapse photos, night photos. and photo bursts with truly unique perspectives.

Choose between three Hero 7 models that include White, Silver, or Black , which can roughly be categorized as beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Personally, I would skip the White model since , while cheaper, is basically a waterproof, digital camera that comes with 1080 video.

In contrast, the Silver model has a few more features and includes 4K videos as well as WDR photos. In Quad HD and Full HD quality, you can record at 60 frames per second. This model also allows you to slow down the recordings up to 2 times, in order to create slow-motion images. The WDR function in this camera corrects dark shadows and overexposed parts of your photo. 

Lastly, the GoPro Hero 7 White comes with a wonderful, TimeWarp feature that operates much like a Hyperlapse. Just set your optimal speed and video settings (The faster the setting, the smoother the TimeWarp) for smooth, ultra-fast videos every single time. And remember, if you’re doing a video while running or walking, set TimeWarp to 150x. However, if your GoPro is mounted to a bicycle or fast moving vehicle, then set the TimeWarp to 30x.

Other features included with this latest GoPro model include a self timer, an enhanced sound system that makes it easier to Vlog and record audio while taking video, extended battery life that lasts for four hours (depending on the camera mode you’re working in), advanced voice control, and an auto exposure lock that brightens photos taken in low light conditions. Plus, you can now even flip the LCD screen so that you can easily take photos and videos in portrait mode, a format that is automatically transferred to your laptop when downloading photos and videos. Therefore, as a result of such design and ease of use advancements, the Go Pro isn’t just for Adeline junkies anymore and can now be considered one of the overall, best digital cameras under $300.

Basic Photography Tips: Best Digital Cameras Under $300

As travel content creators, we definitely use a lot of apps to make photos look all pretty and nice, without breaking the bank. Before getting into travel blogging, I (Mayuri) had relied on software and apps to make photos ‘Insta worthy”, even with an entry level camera, much like the Canon Powershot 180 . So here are some of the tips and apps that we recommend and still use.

Basic Photography Tips:

• Natural Light – Regardless of your camera lens, taking pictures in good day light makes a big difference. So always attempt to capture moments in natural light/day light. Images captured in dark, poor lighting will appear unpleasing. Same goes for rain or gloomy snow days. (During snow or rains, wear bright colors to make your pictures pop)
• Manual or Auto – Each camera comes a manual guide that helps you to change settings to make the most of your photography. If you are expecting a bad weather day, check if you can change the settings to capture grainy rainy days or remove red eye if you are capturing people/faces. Auto settings (settings that the camera comes in-built, after you set the date, time and region) is good as well. It is optimized for power and battery – perfect for normal weather conditions or day light shots. 
• Poses – Poses are good, sometimes. But it does take a few takes and experience to get those perfect shots. I found candid, in the moment pictures to be more precious and beautiful, then ones that are posed or acted. If you wish to take more of studio poses, portraits or professional photos – check how other models are posing and what you like or don’t like about them to create your own style. Or a photography workshop!
• Colors – Colors are important and they play a big role, when you edit them, which we will learn in our next section. Choose colors that contrast the background in a good way. Like photographing in the blue city of Jaipur India, wear yellow or white. Grey tones in Iceland – wear bright red, yellow or orange – for that pop of color.
• Symmetry – This is key when you are taking pictures of buildings or an item and need the object to be centered. Cameras have a feature to guide you to capture images at a vertical or horizontal symmetry. If you take the picture right, you don’t’ have to crop or straighten it later.
• Crowds – Let me be honest with you, some pictures are great with people in them like market places or busy streets. If you are wanting to take a picture of the Eiffel Tower without crowds, it is more dependent on timing, rather a camera lens. Start early before crowds come in or choose a spot, an angle from where you can capture the Iron lady without getting people or their hands into the frames.

Once you have a camera and you have taken some great shots, its time to edit them. Apps and software go a long way in giving a great finishing touch to your photos. Most of the apps mentioned here are free, unless other mentioned.

• LightRoom for Mobile : Lightroom for mobile is a free app. It is great to do basic edits like color correction, brightness, symmetry and even editing people out of photos. The desktop version is more powerful and paid monthly or annually. We use the monthly paid option to get the latest version. If you like using “presets”, you will need Lightroom.
• Presets: Because I mentioned presets, I will explain what they are here, before moving further. Presets means, ‘a set or pre-adjusted value that controls the image’s appearance, more predominant with colors, brightness, etc. Do you like the pop of red in my Paris photos? Yes, my dress is red, but it pops because I have used preset – that makes the red pop. There are presets available in the market that can make a picture look vintag-y, woody or make certain colors stand out. There are free presets and paid ones. Using YouTube, you can learn how to create them or use a preset that you have purchased. Super handy and once it’s set up on lightroom, it works like magic.
• SnapSeed – One of the most powerful and free photo editing tools that we use. It is easy to use and is downloaded to your iOS or Andriod device. It has editing tools – color, brightness, tones, etc. It can erase the old light pole or a mole on your cheek with its “healing” properties (healing option)
• Picasa – I have been using Picasa since probably I was in the 10 th grade. I use it for organizing photos, adding watermark, basic editing, crop, and straightening photos. You can also create collages and add filters (like presets). Also helps in reducing image files, before I upload them to our blog or send via email.
• VSCO – Free photo editing app, perfect for those woody tones.
• Layout – We use this app (on our iPhone) to create quick photo collages. It has am easy to use interface and you can save a collage directly to your phone. The files generated here are lighter then Picasa.
• UMUM – If you are into Instagram, use UMUM to plan your photos. This is a free app as well.

We hope you found this camera guide post very helpful. If you have further questions do not hesitate to contact us!

Below are some more of our buying guides – 

• Buying Guide – Best Anti theft backpacks for travel
• Buying Guide – Wheeled backpacks for travel
• Buying Guide to Travel Jackets
• Buying Guide to Travel Purses

Last Updated: June 22 2019

Pin – Best Digital Cameras Under 300 for travel!

Mayuri is the founder & editor of ToSomePlaceNew. An Indian-Canadian globetrotter, she has traveled to over 100 cities and 35+ countries. Mayuri has a graduate degree in History and is an MBA. She loves traveling the world, capturing historical nuances, and discussing that over a cup of coffee with her husband, Salil. She currently resides in Edmonton, Canada, and plots travel plans to Europe, the Americas, and beyond. 

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Bunch of thank you for this great post. Actually, I wanted to buy a camera and was looking for it for a long. It was very time consuming for me because I have to check so many websites. Thanks to your blog, you explained all the things in detail that saved my time as well. From your list, I have decided that I will buy Canon Powershot SX530.

I have also shared your article on my social media to help others. Once again thank you so much for this article.

The right apps and software are like your digital paintbrushes, bringing out the best in your captures. And hey, it’s even better when you don’t have to break the bank for these tools!

Yea, absolutely they are 🙂

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