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BEST TRAVEL CAMERAS 2012 review

Top recommended travel cameras (compact, DSLR, hybrid) as of May 2012.

Research by Tom Dempsey recommends the following portable cameras and gear best for on-the-go photographers. Support my work — buy gear from B&H or Amazon.com links below. Sign up now for our photography workshop this summer in spectacular Switzerland: Develop Your Photographic Genius with a Pro in the Alps, June 29-July 7, 2012 (click for details).

Pocket sized cameras for everyone:

Best pocket-sized compact camera:

Canon PowerShot S100 (at B&H) new 2011, with 24-120mm equivalent lens. Good in low light.
Canon PowerShot S95 (2010) with fast f/2.0-4.9 lens, 28-105mm equivalent, good in low light.

Canon PowerShot G12 (at B&H) has same image quality as S95 but a body twice as large, adding a handy flip-out (articulated) LCD and optical viewfinder.

Best superzoom pocket travel cameras cost less (but perform worse in dim light and won’t print or enlarge as sharply):

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS (buy at B&H) new 2011, with 28-392mm equivalent superzoom lens.
Nikon Coolpix S9100 (2011) with 25-450mm equivalent superzoom lens.

Best value compact underwater, shock-resistent, dustproof camera of 2011-12:

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 or TS4 (28-128mm equivalent zoom) or Canon PowerShot D20 (28-140mm).

Autofocus shutter lag in compact cameras can frustrate your capture of action, people, pets, and sports. For surer action shots and clearer capture of high ISO sensitivities ≥ 1600, consider a larger camera:

The best quality portable travel cameras with interchangeable-lenses are mirrorless:

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera (new 2012, 15 ounce body) with optional M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50 mm f/3.5-6.3 EZ lens (24-100mm equivalent, 7.5 oz, with splendid video and macro down to 36x27mm) for tough, dust-proof splash-proof lens and body combination, great for travel. It has high res Electronic Viewfinder (EVF), tilting 610,000-dot OLED LCD, and 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization. The external, clip-on weather-sealed flash unit fits easily in a pocket. For more telephoto versatility, get Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-150mm f/4.0-5.6 lens (28-300mm equivalent; 10 oz; but non-sealed) [or for sharper wide angle, mount the 6-ounces heavier Panasonic Lumix G 14-140mm lens].
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 camera with 14-42mm lens (at B&H) (or at Amazon.com) (2011, 15 oz body and 4 oz lens) has lower price, fully-articulated touch screen, good EVF, built-in flash, and slightly older Micro Four Thirds sensor. For travel, get Panasonic Lumix G Vario HD 14-140mm f/4.0-5.8 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S. lens (28-280mm equivalent, 16 oz).
Sony Alpha NEX-7 camera with 18-55mm lens (new 2012, 13 oz body and 7 oz lens, 27-82mm equivalent) with tilting 921,600-dot LCD, high res OLED EVF, built-in flash, and great 24-megapixel APS-C sensor, worth the price. For travel, get Sony E-Mount 18-200 f3.5-6.3 OSS lens (18.5 oz, 27-300mm equivalent) (which casts a shadow from 18-50mm when using NEX-7 pop-up flash – attach taller flash to resolve).

Bulkier DSLR (mirror style) cameras focus faster:

Sony’s new Translucent Mirror Technology leaps over previous DSLR abilities! Autofocus is now super fast in full-time Live View, using both the tilt/swivel 3.0-inch LCD and big OLED viewfinder (EVF):

Sony Alpha SLT-A65V camera (body only) from B&H or Amazon.com (2012, 22 oz body with SteadyShot INSIDE Stabilization), plus Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA DT lens (24-120mm equivalent, 16 oz) is one of the sharpest cameras reviewed in this article (along with Sony Alpha NEX-7 which is half as bulky). Or upgrade to a sophisticated Sony Alpha SLT-A77 Digital Camera (body only).

The following excellent, cheaper cameras focus fast with optical viewfinder, but focus very slowly in Live View on LCD (as do most DSLRs through 2011):

Best value travel DSLR camera: Nikon D3200 or earlier Nikon D3100 DSLR (at B&H)

Add the all-in-one Nikkor 18-200mm VR II zoom lens for travel.
Add Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm F4.5-5.6G lens for sharper shots of birds, wildlife, and sports.
For a pro wide angle, consider Tokina AT-X Pro SD 12-24mm F4 (IF) DX lens (or stitch images with Adobe Photoshop).

Comparison: The 2011 Canon EOS Rebel T3i DSLR with Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens resolves detail sharper than Nikon D3100 but fuzzier than Nikon D3200.

Recommended macro (close focus) DSLR lenses

For close focus (enlargement of insects and plants), copy work, and extra-sharp general photography:

Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens, 12 oz (335 g), captures true 1:1 reproduction ratio.
Nikon AF-S Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED Macro Autofocus Lens with fast SWM (Silent Wave Motor) and IF (Internal Focusing), 15 oz (425 g), captures true macro 1:1 reproduction ratio.
Compared to the above 60mm lenses, the larger size, weight, and expense of longer macro lenses (such as 100mm or 105mm) gives you a few more inches of comfortable working distance from the front of the lens (to avoid startling insects) and may change the bokeh (the character of out-of-focus areas).
Instead of carrying one of the above prime macro lenses for a DSLR camera, general travel photographers may prefer an all-in-one 11x zoom lens plus a backup 8-ounce pocket camera such as the Canon PowerShot S95 which can focus very closely at wide angle with deep depth of focus.

See related articles: “BEST TELEPHOTO ZOOM LENS 300mm+ for DSLR” and “BEST WIDE ANGLE LENS for DSLR.”

Important Accessories

Memory card

SanDisk 16GB Extreme SDHC Memory Card for fast shooting and reliable recording of HD Video.

Batteries

Buy at least 2 extra batteries for travel. Check if off-brand batteries work with your model. For example, Panasonic GH2 firmware may reject non-Panasonic brand batteries.

Printer with archival quality

Epson Stylus Photo R2000 Ink Jet Printer: 13 x 19 inch prints, 8-color cartridge, Epson UltraChrome Hi-Gloss 2 pigment ink for vibrant prints and beautiful skin tones, highly resistant to water, smudges, and fading.
Epson Stylus Photo R2880 Inkjet Printer or Epson Stylus Photo R3000 Inkjet Printer: 13″ x 44″ prints, Exhibition Quality Prints, 8-color ink set UltraChrome K3 with Vivid Magenta, enriched three-level blacks, print permanence rated 200+ years.

Lightweight travel tripod

Slik “Sprint Pro II GM” Tripod (at B&H) with built-in quick change plate, for small cameras.

Computer workflow software

Adobe Lightroom version 4 (new lower price): saves weeks of labor sorting and editing. Quickly adjust batches of images with the best tone sliders, adjustment brushes, and graduated filters. Add Adobe Photoshop for seamless panoramas, complex Layers, or CMYK color space for publishing. Apple Aperture is similar to Lightroom.
Datacolor Spyder4Express Color Calibration System: Calibrate your PC monitor and laptop before printing photo files so editing efforts match color standards without color shifts. The pricier Datacolor Spyder4Elite Display Calibration System accounts for ambient light and calibrates projectors.

Buy with reliable customer service

B&H Photo Video of New York charges no sales tax for residents outside of NY. Buy new cameras, video, software, and electronics at low prices. Test equipment thoroughly within their generous 30-day return policy. (Most competitors charge restocking fees 15 days after purchase.)
Amazon.com: If you can’t find it at B&H, search on Amazon.com for used, older model, or new cameras, books, electronics, computers, software, tools, and more.
Sign up for photography classes with expert Tom Dempsey. Order his book “Light Travel: Photography on the Go“ from the bottom of this page — only sold here on PhotoSeek.com, not in stores. Buy Tom’s photos, prints, and downloads.

Canon PowerShot S100 pocket camera

More Information: How to choose a travel camera

Above, I nominate the latest cameras best for on-the-go photography. Below are more details about how to choose between small-sensor cameras, larger mirrorless and bulkier DSLR models.

Compact cameras are more fun and portable for travel, and can make large prints if shot within their limitations. Sluggish autofocus in compact cameras is getting faster: the 8-ounce Fujifilm FinePix F600EXR (2011), F550EXR, and F300EXR cameras have fast hybrid autofocus combining contrast measurement with fast phase detection autofocus like a DSLR.
DSLR cameras are best for shooting action (sports, birds) with no shutter lag, capturing less noise in low light, shooting indoors, making superior poster-sized prints, and giving the most lens options. “DSLR” means Digital Single Lens Reflex, where a mirror lets the viewfinder see through the lens. During a shot, the mirror briefly flips up to expose the digital sensor. Almost all 2011 DSLR cameras have excruciatingly slow autofocus (2-4 seconds) in Live View on the LCD, except for the great Translucent Mirror Technology in Sony Alpha SLT-A65V (with fixed mirror).
Mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras are more compact than DSLR designs and can rival DSLR performance.

TIP: To work around the sluggish shutter lag of compact cameras, carefully prefocus on a contrasty edge of the subject by half-pressing-and-holding the shutter button, then the subsequent full press will be instant.

Camera buying advice

Join the exciting digital revolution — upgrade your camera every 2 or 3 years like I do, to benefit from significant advances in real resolution and lower noise at high ISO sensitivities 800-3200. Most compact cameras made within the past 3 years have added optical image stabilization, a crucial advance. Since 2009, cameras of all sizes have steadily improved dynamic range optimization of highlights and shadows.
For on-the-go travel photography, DLSR camera buyers should get a lens which is optically stabilized (Nikon VR, Canon IS, Panasonic OIS, Sigma OS, Tamron VC, Sony OSS) to free yourself from tripod constraints in dim light.
Also read: “BEST TELEPHOTO ZOOM LENS 300mm+ for DSLR“
Also read: “BEST WIDE ANGLE LENS for DSLR“

Buy the latest models at B&H or older/used models on Amazon.com. Buying a used or pre-owned camera may save money, but don’t miss technological leaps every 2-3 years.

Best subcompact and compact cameras

The Canon PowerShot S100 (November 2011) and Canon PowerShot S95 (March 2011) handle low light better than any cameras in their class, have full manual control options, record RAW files, beat the quality of home-scanned 35mm film, and fit in your shirt pocket! At only 7 ounces, they have the same 1/1.7 inch type CCD sensor as the larger Canon PowerShot G11 and Canon PowerShot G12 (which add optical viewfinder, articulated LCD, but double the size, weighing 13 oz). The S95 has slightly softer resolution than the G11 but equals the G12.

Canon PowerShot G12 (2010) has 1280 x 720p HD video with stereo audio, hybrid image stabilization, and electronic level. Canon PowerShot G11 didn’t have those new features, but captured the best quality images of 2009 in the 13-ounce camera class, with good 28mm-140mm equivalent 5x zoom lens, RAW file support, DIGIC IV. The handy articulated LCD flips out to assist arms-length shooting overhead or macro on the ground. Lower noise at ISO 800+ is significantly two stops better than the PowerShot G9 and G10. The Canon PowerShot G9 with 6x zoom 35-200mm equivalent lens has slightly higher resolution than the newer G11 at ISO 400 or less.

The best 7-ounce subcompact camera of 2009 was the Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR, which captured exceptionally sharp images with a 28-140mm equivalent 5x zoom f3.3-5.1 lens, and superb 1/1.6 inch type Super CCD EXR sensor. It didn’t shoot RAW, but equaled JPEG image quality of the twice-as-bulky Canon PowerShot G9 and G10. Or consider the Canon SD980 IS (2009) with 24-120mm zoom lens and touch screen.

Superzoom compact cameras add zoom range but sacrifice quality

You’ll have immense fun with a shirt-pocket-sized lightweight camera such as the Canon PowerShot SX230. Or save money on an older model Canon PowerShot SX210 IS (2010) with 28-400mm superzoom lens.

Consider a compact superzoom camera like this if you mostly shoot outdoors in bright light and rarely make prints bigger than 8 inches. Due to the laws of physics, building a superzoom into compact cameras requires a tinier, noisier sensor (such as 1/2.3″ type). Fuzzy resolution and noisy low light images limit print size and sharpness. Getting a newer camera made within the last 2 years will be much better than earlier versions.

You can improve the image quality of a superzoom “point-and-shoot” camera using a bulkier body with larger lens diameter, such as the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35, Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47, Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 or successors, all with Optical Image Stabilization and HD Video with sound. They are the size of a small DSLR but lighter in weight. If possible, shoot RAW file format and edit on a computer to extract better quality images. Carefully compare the price with larger-sensor cameras on this page which take better pictures.

Get a bigger sensor

Don’t capture your most important images using noisy, tiny sensors such as 1/2.3″ type found in superzoom cameras, or tinier sensors found in cell phones. Bigger, better sensors found in the best 8-ounce cameras include 1/1.6 inch and 1/1.7 inch type produced 2009-2012. In cameras of 13 ounces and heavier, look for Micro 4/3 (Four-Thirds) System and APS-C size sensors produced in the last 2 or 3 years, the sweet spot for quality. Some professional photographers prefer full frame (35mm size) or larger sensors or film, but physics makes those lenses and cameras rather big and heavy for on-the-go travel photography.

Best value portable underwater camera

Get a good, portable dedicated underwater camera, to save bulk and hassle compared to using an underwater housing. (The cold waters of Galapagos Islands fogged the underwater housing for our Canon PowerShot SD700 IS and blurred many shots.)

Best of 2011-12: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 or TS4 (Leica 4.6x zoom 28-128mm equivalent) or Canon PowerShot D20 (5x zoom 28-140mm equiv).
Best of 2009: Canon PowerShot D10 Digital Camera

How to improve autofocus speed and decrease noise at high ISO

For most point-and-shoot cameras, locking focus (such as by half pressing and holding the shutter button) takes a half a second at wide angle or up to a full second at telephoto. The subsequent full press is instant. You sometimes must wait a few seconds between shots especially when using flash.

For quicker autofocus, faster shot turnaround, lower noise at high ISO, improved low light performance, and interchangeable lenses, consider one of the advanced mirrorless or DSLR (mirror) cameras below.

Best lightweight travel cameras to replace a DSLR

The Sony Alpha NEX-7 Digital Camera with 18-55mm lens (2012) packs a better APS-C sensor and nearly the same capabilities as a DSLR. But look for a lens better than the kit 18-55mm to take better advantage of the great sensor. For travel flexibility, try the Sony E-Mount 18-200 f3.5-6.3 OSS lens.

Also consider the slightly smaller Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 (best travel camera of 2011), which has less noise in terms of one stop higher ISO compared to the earlier GH2.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 camera with 14-140mm lens introduced touch screen controls, equaled DSLR camera low noise up to ISO 800, and was the best travel camera of 2010. Compare to the earlier model:

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 camera was the best travel camera of 2009, equaled DSLR camera low noise up to ISO 800, and had the following features:

Only 32 ounces with 14-140mm lens (28-280mm equivalent in terms of 35mm film cameras.)
Lens Optical Image Stabilization (Mega O.I.S.) helps you sharply hand hold the camera using 2-3 stops slower shutter speed, reducing tripod usage.
Unusually large, sharp, responsive Live Viewfinder (EVF/Electronic Viewfinder).
3″ Free-Angle (articulated) high resolution LCD Display.
HD Video Recording with autofocus and Dolby Stereo sound option.
Micro Four-Thirds System (where sensor is smaller than a typical DSLR).
The GH1 contrast-detect autofocus almost matches the speed of phase-detect autofocus when using the optical viewfinder on DSLR style cameras in the same price range, but the GH1 isn’t quite as good with continuous predictive/tracking autofocus for capturing action.

Advanced photographers who need the best continuous predictive/tracking autofocus for action and one stop better image stabilization (and wider dynamic range and less noise at ISO 3200+ than Panasonic’s Micro Four-Thirds System) may prefer a DSLR style camera such as below.

Best travel DSLR cameras

If you can afford it, get the Sony Alpha SLT-A65V camera plus Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA DT lens (2011) — the sharpest, most capable camera in this article. Sony has blown away the painfully slow autofocus in Live View mode found on Nikon and Canon flip-out LCDs as of 2011. The A65V also costs less than the Canon EOS 60D, compared here:

Canon EOS 60D (buy at B&H) “super Rebel” resolves detail more sharply than Canon EOS Rebel T3i DSLR and Nikon D5100 DSLR cameras. At 24 ounces (675 grams), the 60D is significantly heavier and costlier than the 19 ounce Canon EOS Rebel T2i (at B&H) and 18-ounce Nikon D3100 DSLR (at B&H) travel cameras — discerning professional photographers may be attracted to its heavier commitment to higher quality. Unfortunately, the 60D focuses excruciatingly slow (3-4 seconds) in Live View, as with most 2011 DSLR cameras.

To save money, get the Nikon D3100 DSLR (at B&H) — the best value travel DSLR of 2010-11. Buy the body with Nikkor 18-200mm VR II lens for travel flexibility. Add Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm F4.5-5.6G lens for sharper bird, wildlife, and sports shots. To optimize lens sharpness, shoot the Nikon 18-200mm lens with an aperture of f/8 (and f/11 around 135mm, its weakest zoom focal length).

Compared to Nikon D3100, the Nikon D5100 DSLR (2011) captures sharper images and adds articulated high res LCD. The flip-out LCD is good for movies but autofocuses too slow for stills. Both cameras autofocus very slowly (2-4 seconds) in Live View. Instead, the ideal travel camera should have a fully articulated LCD and focus fast in Live View, as do Sony Alpha SLT-A65V DSLR, Panasonic Lumix G3 and GH2.

Compare the Nikon D3100 to earlier models and other brands:

Nikon D5000 DSLR was the best lightweight DSLR travel camera of 2009, weighing 45 ounces for body+lens+battery+strap. In comparison, the D3100 significantly upgrades image quality, improves ISO 3200 by 1 stop lower noise, adds autofocus in movies, and more. When compared to the Panasonic GH1, the Nikon D5000 has 2-3 stops less noise at ISO 1600+, 2 stops better RAW dynamic range, and about 1 stop better image stabilization in terms of slower shutter speed. But D5000 movies only use fixed/manual focus and record mono sound.
Canon EOS Rebel T2i Digital SLR (buy at B&H) with Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Autofocus Lens was the best lightweight DSLR travel camera of 2010. The Nikon D3100 costs less and captures equal quality. Although its LCD doesn’t flip out, the T2i captures sharper stills and better movies than the Nikon D5000 DSLR.

In this article, camera weights in ounces (oz) include battery and memory card.

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Posted on Thursday, January 20th, 2011 at 8:55 am. Filed under: All, All recent, cameras, Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, photo tips, shop for camera gear, Sony RSS 2.0 feed.

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