Travelling and cameras go hand in hand because they complement each other. Most people look forward to having fun and creating memories every time they travel and investing in a good camera can help you achieve that. Even though you can rely on your mobile devices to take pictures, it is necessary to have a dependable camera. Buying a good camera does not have to cost you a lot of money because there are cameras that are dependable, durable and produce high-quality images and they cost less than $500. You just need to research thoroughly and you will make the right choice eventually. However, since most cameras have a wide range of functionalities, it can be quite overwhelming to choose an ideal camera. This guide will help you choose the right camera for your travels. These are the factors that you need to consider when choosing a travel camera:
1. Budget
This is the first thing that you need to consider because cameras vary in price. You need to determine the amount of money you are willing to spend before you decide on the model or the type of camera you will buy. Remember, since you are investing in a travel camera, you will be exposed to certain risks like theft or damage and this requires you to insure your camera. Ideally, the higher the cost of a camera, the higher its insurance premium and this will affect your budget. Besides buying the camera, you will have to buy other items depending on certain factors such as where you will travel and the types of photographs you will take. Some of the items you will have to include in your overall budget include memory cards, filters, lenses, tripod, spare batteries, etc.
2. Weight
When people travel, a lot of walking is involved and this requires a lightweight camera. Also, traveling involves the use of different means of transport like taxis and buses, therefore, investing in a camera that you can carry around with ease is a good choice. Besides, investing in a good travel camera that you leave behind all the time due to its weight is not reasonable. If you are looking for a camera that can fit in your purse or pocket while traveling, look for a smartphone or a compact camera. However, if you don’t mind the weight of your camera because you are more concerned with the quality of image, invest in a DSLR or mirrorless system.
3. Camera use
The type of photography determines the type of travel camera you are going to invest in. Therefore, you need to determine the reason why you are buying the camera and how you intend to use it. When looking for a guide to choosing a travel camera, you should be very selective because some can be misleading or lack vital information. A good guide can help you understand the different types of cameras, how you can use them, their budget, their pros, and cons. For instance, if your main objective of buying a travel camera is to take travel photos for your album and to share on social media, any type of camera can help you achieve that although you will have to consider your budget. However, if you are interested in action photography, you will have to look for a camera that has high-quality pictures and probably waterproof to last longer. A Go-Pro camera is the best option for that use. A DSLR is ideal for astrophotography because it has a big sensor that allows plenty of light to produce a high-quality picture. Conversely, if you are just looking for a general-purpose camera that you can use on a wide range of uses such as taking pictures of landscapes, food, and people, a mirrorless camera is the best choice.
4. Additional features
Nowadays, cameras are available with different extra features depending on the type of camera, price, and manufacturer. Some of these extra features are beneficial and they can be a deal-breaker, however, we all have different tastes and preferences and this might affect the additional features you are looking for in a travel camera. When buying a travel camera, the additional features that you should be looking at include aperture range, optical zoom, sensor size and the level of manual control. However, if you would like to remember the exact place where you took your pictures or you would prefer to control your camera remotely using your smartphone, your camera should have GPS and WIFI capabilities as extra features.
Finally, the process of buying a travel camera is not easy because there are numerous factors that you should consider. Gathering vital information can help you make the right choice with ease.
