8 Best Cameras For Travel Vlogging to Buy in 2023 – A Guide to Picking A Vlogging Camera For Travel Youtube Channel

Quick Summary: Best Cameras For Travel Vlogging

What to look for in a travel vlogging camera

Wide Enough Focal Length

One of the most important specifications you have to look for when picking a travel vlogging camera is its focal length. Since you are going to film yourself with your hands out in front of you, you are going to have to find a camera with a focal length that is wide enough to capture you as well as your surrounding at arm’s length.

How wide you asked? Well, that is a little more difficult to determine given the variety of sensor sizes available on cameras out there. There are many different sensor sizes when it comes to consumer cameras but for the sake of simplicity, we are going to focus on a handful of sensor sizes in the cameras we will be listed here.

Within this list, you will find cameras with 5 varying sensor sizes. Listing from the largest to the smallest sensor, the full-frame (professional cameras), the APS-C (intermediate cameras), one-inch (compact cameras), 1/2.3-inch (GoPros), and 1/1.7-inch (smartphone cameras) respectively.

Depending on which sensor size, the actual focal lengths of the lenses on these cameras will all be different and uncomparable unless you pick one sensor size and convert the rest to an equivalent measurement using its crop factor.

To prevent confusion, you will, often times, see the focal lengths on cameras with smaller sensor sizes (APS-C, one-inch, 1/2.3-inch, and 1/1.7-inch) converted into an equivalent focal length to full-frame cameras for easier comparison.

For example, the Sony ZV-1 camera, a compact camera with a 1-inch sensor, has a focal length of 24-70mm equivalent listed as its specification. When you see the word equivalent with a focal length specification, it means that it has already been converted to a full-frame equivalent.

Technically, the actual focal length of the Sony ZV-1 camera is around 9.4 – 25.7mm, but for comparison’s sake, it has been converted to a full-frame measurement so that you can easily see what focal lengths it actually has when you use the camera.

With this knowledge in mind, I will use the full-frame equivalent focal length to define what value is wide enough and what is not for travel vlogging cameras. Basically, the acceptable focal length for a vlogging camera is between 20 – 24mm.

Anything less than 20mm equivalent, focal length the field of view will be too distorted making yourself small and your surroundings distorted. Anything more than 24mm equivalent focal length, you won’t be able to capture yourself and your surroundings at arm’s length as the frame will be way too compressed.

Basically, if you are planning to buy a camera for travel vlogging, be sure that the full-frame equivalent focal length is less than 24mm. That way, you would have no trouble holding your camera out at arm’s length and capture yourself while you travel.

Good Stabilization

Travel vlogging requires you to do more run-and-gun style of shooting as you react to what is around you and more often than not, you will be using your camera handheld which can introduce some unwelcome camera shakes to your footages.

Cameras with IBIS or in-body stabilization will help smooth your footages out and stabilize your shots as you walk around filming yourself and so if you are looking for a good travel vlogging camera, be sure that the camera has a stabilization feature built-in.

Front Facing Flip Screen

When it comes to travel vlogging cameras, one of the most important features to look out for is whether the camera has a flip-out screen that allows you to see yourself when you are filming or not.

This is extremely important for travel vloggers as when you are vlogging, you will often find yourself having to compose your shots and make sure that you are in focus before filming and if the camera you are buying doesn’t come with a flip-out screen, it is going to take you much longer to do that.

If you are looking for a camera to travel vlog, be sure to pick one up that comes with a flip-out screen or a swivel screen that you can be turned front-facing and use to compose yourself while you are vlogging.

8 Best Cameras For Travel Vlogging

Sony ZV-1 Camera: For those of you who are starting out and are looking for a travel vlogging camera that is light, compact, and built specifically for vloggers, the Sony ZV-1 is the best compact camera to get.

The Sony ZV-1 Camera comes with a 24-70mm equivalent focal length which is wide enough for vlogging. It has a flip-out screen that you can use to compose yourself, and it comes with a directional 3-capsule microphone with a dedicated windscreen that allows you to capture front-facing audio while you vlog.

It has a 20 megapixels one-inch sensor which is generally pretty good for most daily use, it has features built specifically for vloggers like active SteadyShot (advanced image stabilization), soft skin effect, background defocus, and more.

Best of all, it is extremely compact, lightweight, and affordable with a retail price of only 748 USD. If you are looking for an easy-to-use all-in-one compact camera for vlogging, the Sony ZV-1 is hard to beat. For sales and discounted prices, click the link below:

Check Price

Looking for the best Sony travel cameras to buy? Check out:The Best Sony Travel Cameras To Buy In 2023

Sony ZV-E10 Camera: Now if you don’t mind having a vlogging camera that is a little bigger but comes with vlogging-specific features like switching between product and person priority mode and an interchangeable lens system allowing you to switch out lenses for different purposes all in a relatively lightweight and compact size with excellent low-light capability then you are going to love the Sony ZV-E10 camera.

The Sony ZV-E10 camera comes with an APS-C sensor which makes your vlogs much more bokeh-licious and performs much better in low light than the Sony ZV-1 camera. The interchangeable lens system also allows you to switch out lenses however you like.

Combining this camera with the Sony 10-18 F4 lens, and you have one hell of a vlogging machine that can shoot wide-angle which is a must for vlogging, comes with image stabilization, and yet, it still maintain its compact size.

Not to mention all the features that come with new Sony cameras like a flip-out screen, excellent autofocus system, and best of all, an electronic multi-interface shoe that supports Sony’s compact digital shotgun microphone making vlogging as hassle-free as it gets.

If you are looking for a great vlogging camera that is adaptable to different use cases, all in a compact form factor, you won’t be disappointed with the Sony ZV-E10 camera. Hit the link below to check its recent price.

Check Price

Looking for a travel vlogging lenses to buy for your Sony ZV-E10 camera? Check out:8 Best Sony ZV-E10 Lenses for Travel to Buy in 2023

Sony a6600 Camera with the Tamron 11-20mm F/2.8 Di III-A RXD: If you are looking for something more advanced and flexible that has an interchangeable lens system and yet still lightweight and compact enough to carry around with you at all times, the Sony a6600 is a great option for you.

The Sony a6600 Camera is an APS-C sensor camera that can shoot 24 megapixels photos and capture stunning 4K video downsampled from 6K, giving you beautifully sharp videos, unlike any other cameras with smaller sensor sizes.

The camera comes with a flip-up screen which allows you to capture yourself while filming. It is also an interchangeable lens camera which means you can swap lenses allowing the flexibility to adapt your cameras to all kinds of situations while you travel.

Pairing the Sony a6600 body that comes with IBIS (in-body image stabilization) with the Tamron 11-20mm F/2.8 lens which is around 16.5 – 30mm full-frame equivalent focal length, you will have yourself one great vlogging camera with flexible focal lengths and extremely beautiful bokeh, all in a relatively small and compact setup.

For those of you who are looking for a lightweight and compact vlogging camera that has the flexibility of an interchangeable lens camera that can produce sharp images even in a low-light situation for vlogging, the Sony a6600 with the Tamron 11-20mm F2.8, is one of the best combinations APS-C sized cameras you can get out there.

Check Price

Looking for more lenses for the Sony a6600? Check out:The Best Travel Lenses For The Sony A6600, A6000, A6500, A6400, A6100

Fujifilm X-S10 Camera: If the Sony a6600 is a little out of your budget, Fujifilm offers a great alternative with its Fujifilm X-S10 interchangeable lens cameras that are more catered towards travel vloggers but at a much cheaper price than the Sony a6600.

The Fujifilm X-S10 Camera has all the usual features you can come to expect from a vlogging camera like in-body image stabilization, flip-out screen, and a slew of great lens selections for you to vlog with. I dare say, it has even stronger lens options than the Sony APS-C lens line-up that has been rather lacking lately.

Combining the Fuji X-S10 camera body with a lens like the Fuji 16mm F1.4 XF lens which is a 24 mm full-frame equivalent, you have yourself quite a killer vlogging machine in your hand.

With its extremely fast aperture of F1.4, you can blur out your background while you vlog to create one stunning and smooth subject separation and with a 24 mm focal length, you should have no trouble filming yourself while you travel.

For those of you who are looking for a cheaper alternative to the Sony APS-C camera line-up for vlogging, relatively light and compact, and want the flexibility that comes with having an interchangeable lens camera, you should definitely consider the Fujifilm X-S10.

Check Price

Looking for more lenses for the Fujifilm X-S10? Check out:The Best Fuji Lenses For Travel

Sony a7C Camera: If you are looking for a professional-grade camera that has the largest sensor (the full-frame sensor), has all the advanced features for travel photography and filmmaking while have a compact and light body to carry around while vlogging, the Sony a7C is hard to beat.

The Sony a7C comes with a full-frame sensor, the largest sensor size on this list, that is amazing in low-light and allows you to shoot 24 megapixels photos as well shoot sharp 4K videos with no time limit.

It has a flip-out screen that you can be used to vlog as well as an interchangeable lens system that allows you to swap out lenses however you like, all in a body that is almost as small as the Sony a6600, which is a camera with smaller sensor size.

It’s amazing how Sony was able to put a full-frame technology in such a compact size and when you pair that with the Sony new line of compact lenses like the Sony 24mm F2.8 lens, you have yourself a camera that is extremely powerful yet, lighter and possibly even smaller than cameras with the inferior smaller sensor.

If you are looking for the lightest and most compact camera that doesn’t sacrifice advanced features, excellent low-light performance, have a ton of lens selection, extremely versatile allowing you to use it for other types of photography, and you don’t mind paying a little more, the Sony a7C is the best vlogging/travel camera you can get right now.

Check Price

Looking for my full review of the Sony a7C?A Traveler’s Review: The Sony a7C Camera

DJI Pocket 2: If you already carry a professional travel camera and are looking for a tiny companion camera to use only for vlogging, the DJI Pocket 2 is one of the smallest vlogging cameras you can get on this list.

The DJI Pocket 2 uses the 1/1.7-inch which is the same size as the cameras you find on your phones but the DJI Pocket 2 is so small that you wouldn’t mind carrying it with you when you travel.

With such a tiny size, DJI was still able to put in a front-facing screen which will allow you to see yourself while you vlog as well. It also comes with a gimbal which helps smooth out your video in a way that in-body image stabilization can not do.

If you are looking for a vlogging camera that is very small and allows you to create smooth footages handheld, the DJI Pocket 2 is a great companion camera you should definitely consider buying for vlogging.

Check Price

Insta360 One RS: If you are looking for a companion vlogging camera to your already professional-grade camera that is a little more advanced and modular than the DJI Pocket 2 or the GoPro Hero 11, the Insta360 One RS is highly recommended.

The Insta360 One RS is an updated version of the highly popular modular action camera, the Insta360 One R, that will allow you to adapt to any type of vlogging situation you might find yourself in with its swappable modular system. The modular system allows you to swap modules on the fly and help you adapt to the situation by mixing and matching camera features in a way other cameras can not do.

Want to vlog in a low-light environment? Swap in the one-inch sensor and capture videos in low-light without problems. Want to film yourself while you vlog? The 4K wide-angle camera module is great for that. Not sure which module to use? How about capturing everything with its dual-lens 360° module and pick out the frame later.

The action camera also comes with a great stabilization feature that will smooth out your footage almost as if your camera is on a dedicated gimbal, invisible sticks you can use to shoot yourself without seeing the selfie stick, and comes with a cool slow-motion feature for when you are doing epic activities.

The new version is better than the previous version in every way with better battery life, HDR capability, improved stabilization, more mics for better audio quality, instant zoom feature, and so much more.

If you are looking for an action camera that will allow you to vlog on as well as other gazillion things action cameras can do, the Insta360 One RS is definitely one of the best options you can get out there.

Check Price

GoPro Hero 11 Black: If you have used a GoPro before and are looking for a new action camera for vlogging that you are familiar with, you can also get the latest GoPro Hero 11 Black Edition camera that is catered more towards outgoing travelers and vloggers.

The GoPro Hero 11 Black comes equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor which is bigger than your average smartphone camera. It can shoot 27 megapixels photos as well as stunning 5.6K videos in 60 FPS which is great for selfies and vlogging as well as cinematic slow motion shot. It also comes with a front-facing screen which help you frame your shot correctly for your vlogs.

What is so great about GoPro cameras is all the compatible accessories and mods currently available in the market that you can use to adapt the camera to fit your experiences.

Want a better front-facing microphone? You can get the Media Mod. Want a larger front-facing flip-out screen to use while vlogging? Display Mod is perfect for you. No matter what kinds of accessories you are looking for, for your GoPro, there is a high chance that someone has already made it for you.

If you are looking for a familiar action camera that comes with a slew of awesome accessories, extremely durable, and comes with many features that will help improve your vlog footages like slow-motion, Hypersmooth, and more, you can’t go wrong with the GoPro Hero 11 Black edition.

Check Price

Looking for a GoPro alternative? Check out:8 Best GoPro Alternatives You Should Buy in 2023

And there you have it, the 8 best cameras for travel vlogging you should buy. What do you think of these cameras? Are you looking to pick one up soon? If so, do not hesitate to let us know in the comments below.

16 Pro-Grade Lightroom Presets Now Available!

Instantly turn your travel photos into beautiful work of art in one click. Available for both mobile and PC.

Buy Now

Get a Free Preset

Further Reading for Resources

Looking for more articles to help you with your travel may it be camera gears or clothing? Here is a collection of articles you might like: