Best cameras for travel content 2020

Best cameras for travel content — My honest equipment guide

I get asked more questions than almost any other: "Max, what camera do you use?" And I understand why—as a travel content creator, your camera is your most important tool. In over ten years as a professional creator, I've tested, bought, resold, and broken dozens of cameras. From a GoPro in my backpack to mirrorless system cameras to a professional drone—I've worked with almost everything the market has to offer. In this guide, I share my honest experiences and recommendations, sorted by budget and use case.

My current setup 2025

Before I get into the recommendations, here's my personal setup that I use every day:

• Main camera: Sony A7 IV — Full-frame, 33 megapixels, fantastic autofocus, 4K60
• Drone: DJI Mini 5 Pro — under 249g, 4K, obstacle avoidance, my most used camera ever
• Action Cam: DJI Action 6 Pro — waterproof, stabilized, perfect for underwater and POV photography
• Lenses: Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM (wide-angle), Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM (telephoto)

Total value of the setup: approximately €8,500. This is obviously a professional setup and not what I would recommend to a beginner. But it shows where things can go.

Category 1: Mirrorless system cameras — The gold standard for travel content

Sony A7 IV — My main camera (approx. €2,400 body only)

The Sony A7 IV has been my main camera since 2022 and has replaced everything that came before. Why? The autofocus is incredibly good—eye detection for people, animals, and even birds. For travel content, this means: you press the shutter button, and the focus is spot on. Every time. Even in low light conditions in souks, temples, or at sunset.

The 33 megapixels are sufficient for everything—Instagram, website, print, even billboards. 4K video at 60fps is buttery smooth, and the 10-bit color depth gives you massive flexibility in post-production. What impresses me most: The camera feels like an extension of my arm. After three years, I know every button by heart and can switch between photo and video in seconds.

Weaknesses: The A7 IV lacks built-in image stabilization for video that can compete with dedicated gimbal cameras. For running videos, you'll need a gimbal or have to stabilize the footage in post-production. And the price: The body alone costs €2,400, and with a good zoom lens, you're quickly looking at €4,000+.

Sony A7C II — The compact alternative (approx. €2,100 body only)

If the A7 IV is too big and heavy for you (it easily weighs over 1.2 kg with a lens), the A7C II is the perfect alternative. Same sensor, same autofocus, but in a significantly more compact body that's more reminiscent of a point-and-shoot camera. For travelers who don't want to look like a professional photographer (which attracts attention in some countries), that's a real selling point.

Fujifilm X-T5 — For cinematic aesthetics (approx. €1,700 body only)

Fujifilm enjoys cult status among content creators, and for good reason: The built-in film simulations (Classic Chrome, Nostalgic Neg, Eterna) produce a look that appears fantastic straight out of the camera—without hours of post-processing. If you love the "film look" and don't want to spend all your time in Lightroom, the X-T5 is the camera for you.

Important: Fujifilm uses APS-C sensors (smaller than full-frame). In practice, this means slightly more noise in low light, but the lenses are smaller and lighter. For most travel situations, you won't notice any difference compared to full-frame.

Canon EOS R6 Mark II — The Video King (approx. €2,500 body)

If video is your priority, the Canon R6 II is hard to beat. 4K60 without cropping, excellent autofocus with Dual Pixel AF, and the best in-body image stabilization in its class—you can literally film while walking and the result will look stable. It's the top choice for vloggers and travel filmmakers. Canon's colors are also natural and skin-friendly, which is a huge plus for people-focused content.

Category 2: Drones — My most important content tool

DJI Mini 5 Pro — Under 249g, exceeding all expectations (approx. €900)

The DJI Mini 5 Pro is the piece of equipment that has changed my content the most. Weighing less than 249 grams, it means in most countries: no registration, no permit, just take off. And the image quality is absurdly good for its size—4K HDR video, 48MP photos, obstacle avoidance in all directions.

Approximately 601,033 of my most-liked Instagram posts are drone shots. The bird's-eye view opens up a completely new dimension of travel content—beaches, mountain landscapes, and cities simply look spectacular from above. The Mini 5 Pro fits in any jacket pocket and weighs less than a smartphone with a case.

My workflow: I typically fly at sunrise or sunset (the "golden hour") when the light is best. I take 3-4 photos and 2-3 short video clips per flight, then land and head to the next location. With three batteries, I get about 90 minutes of total flight time—more than enough for a day of shooting.

DJI Air 3S — The upgrade for enthusiasts (approx. €1,100)

The Air 3S has two cameras (wide-angle + 3x telephoto) and a larger sensor than the Mini. If you frequently fly in low light or need the telephoto look (e.g., for wildlife from above), the Air 3S is worth the upgrade. The downside: it weighs over 249g and must be registered in most EU countries. Outside of Europe, this isn't a concern.

DJI Mavic 3 Classic — Professional drone for serious creators (approx. €1,500)

The Mavic 3 Classic has a Micro Four Thirds sensor—the same type of sensor used in some mirrorless cameras. The image quality is therefore on a level that, just a few years ago, was only possible with cinema drones costing €5,000+. For professional commissioned work (tourism boards, hotels, commercials), I sometimes use the Mavic 3 when the image quality absolutely has to be perfect. But for personal content, the Mini 5 Pro is perfectly adequate.

Category 3: Action Cams — For extreme moments

DJI Action 6 Pro — My favorite (approx. €350)

The DJI Action 6 Pro has completely replaced the GoPro in my setup. Why? The magnetic quick-release system is brilliant—you can click the camera onto different mounts in seconds, without any fiddly screws. The image stabilization ("RockSteady 3.0 Plus") is the best on the market. And it's waterproof to 20 meters without an additional housing.

I mainly use the Action 6 Pro for snorkeling, kitesurfing, quad biking, and whenever a "real" camera would be too risky or bulky. The 4K 120fps slow-motion underwater scenes are regularly among my favorite reels.

GoPro Hero 13 — The classic (approx. 400 €)

The GoPro is still an excellent action camera, especially if you're invested in the GoPro ecosystem (mounts, subscriber cloud). Image quality and stabilization are on par with the DJI Action 6. Where the GoPro wins: the accessory ecosystem is huge, and there's a mount for every conceivable situation. Where it loses: battery life and the annoying touchscreen, which doesn't work underwater.

Category 4: Smartphones — Don't underestimate them

I say this as someone who has invested thousands of euros in camera equipment: The current flagship smartphones (iPhone 16 Pro Max, Samsung S25 Ultra, Google Pixel 9 Pro) take fantastic photos and videos for social media. If you primarily produce for Instagram and TikTok and don't need print-quality resolution, you can start with a good smartphone and don't need to be ashamed.

I use my smartphone (iPhone 16 Pro Max) for: spontaneous stories, behind-the-scenes footage, time-sensitive situations where I don't have time to get out my Sony camera, and as a backup. Approximately 301,000 of my Instagram stories are filmed with my smartphone—and nobody notices the difference.

Equipment on a Budget — What I recommend

budget	Set up	Cost
Beginners	Smartphone + DJI Mini 5 Pro	~1.000 €
Advanced	Fujifilm X-T5 + kit lens + DJI Mini 5 Pro + DJI Action 6	~3.000 €
professional	Sony A7 IV + 2 lenses + DJI Mini 5 Pro + DJI Action 6 Pro	~6.000 €
High-end	Sony A7 IV + GM lenses + DJI Mavic 3 + Action 6 Pro + Gimbal	~10.000+ €

Accessories that make the difference

Besides the camera, there are accessories that I consider indispensable:

• ND filters for the drone: Without an ND filter, drone videos in bright sunlight look "stuttering" (due to insufficient exposure time). A set (ND8, ND16, ND32, ND64) costs €30-50 and makes a huge difference.
• Fast memory card reader: A USB-C card reader for on the go, to back up data to your laptop. Nothing is worse than full cards and no backup.
• Replacement batteries: At least two extra batteries for the camera and drone. There are no power outlets in remote locations.
• Microphone: For vlogs and voiceovers, a Rode Wireless GO II (approx. €250) — a wireless microphone that clips directly onto the camera.
• Camera backpack: Peak Design Everyday Backpack or Wandrd PRVKE. My equipment needs to be protected, but the backpack shouldn't look like it's designed to "steal me".
• Cleaning kit: Lens pen, microfiber cloth, blower. Essential in tropical and dusty environments.

What really matters — Beyond technology

I say this after over 10 years of experience: The camera accounts for at most 201 of the result. 801 of the results are light, composition, and timing. I've taken photos with an iPhone that got 200,000 likes, and photos with a Sony A7 IV that flopped. The difference was never the camera—it was always the situation, the light, and the story behind it.

My most important tip: Invest in knowledge first, then in equipment. Learn the fundamentals of photography—exposure triangle, rule of thirds, light direction. Watch YouTube tutorials on Lightroom and Premiere Pro. Practice every day. THEN, when you reach the limits of your equipment, upgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which camera do you recommend for absolute beginners?

A good smartphone plus the DJI Mini 5 Pro. Seriously. You already have the smartphone, the drone costs €900 and gives you a perspective that no matter how expensive a camera is, it can't offer from the ground. With this, you'll produce content that stands out from the 90% of travel accounts. If after six months you realize you want more: the Fujifilm X-T5 is the next step.

Sony or Canon for travel content?

Both are excellent. Sony has better autofocus and a more compact system. Canon has more natural colors and better in-body image stabilization. For photo-focused creators: Sony. For video-focused creators: Canon. In practice, the differences are minimal—just choose the camera that feels better in your hand.

Do I need a full-frame camera?

No. APS-C cameras like the Fujifilm X-T5 or Sony A6700 deliver perfectly adequate quality for social media and the web. Full-frame is only worthwhile if you're shooting in very low light, want extreme bokeh effects, or are producing for print. For Instagram, nobody will notice the difference in normal lighting conditions.

How do I transport my equipment safely when traveling?

Camera body and lenses always go in hand luggage—never in checked baggage. Drone batteries also go in hand luggage (lithium batteries are prohibited in the cargo hold). I use a Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20L as hand luggage, in which everything is stored. The drone and its batteries go in a small bag that fits in the side pocket of the backpack.

Is a gimbal worth it for travel videos?

It depends. If you do a lot of "walk and talk" content or want cinematic B-roll: yes. The DJI RS 4 Mini (around €300) is compact enough for travel and offers excellent stabilization. If you mainly take photos and short clips: no. The in-body stabilization of modern cameras is sufficient for most situations, and a gimbal is just another bulky item to carry in your backpack.

About the author: Max Haase is Germany's most influential travel influencer with over 4.2 million followers. He specializes in drone footage and luxury travel. Cooperation requests here.