Best Mirrorless Cameras For Travel

If you’re looking for the Best Mirrorless Cameras For Travel you can buy in (Summer) 2022, which is affordable, high quality and better performance, then you’re in the right place. In this guide, I have listed down the Best Mirrorless Cameras For Travel in 2022.

We made this list based on our own opinion, research, and customer reviews. We’ve considered their quality, features, and values when narrowing down the best choices possible.

The 16 best mirrorless cameras you can buy today.

So, here are the Best Mirrorless Cameras For Travel Of 2022. If you want more information and updated pricing on the products mentioned, be sure to check the links in each product we mentioned.

1. Sony α6400

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For bloggers, vloggers and independent content creators, the Sony A6400 is a dream. Its still image quality is very good, its 4K video is even better, and its 180-degree screen and eye-detect AF are perfect for single-handed video capture. But this is a specific market, and for regular stills photographers its high-tech image capture is poor consolation for its five-year-old design and limited external controls.

2. Fujifilm X-T30

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Bottom Line

The X-T30 has a couple of handling quirks that are practically inevitable in a camera this small, and it has no in-body stabilization, but these are the only faults we can find in a camera with superb external controls, a great 26.1-megapixel sensor, superb autofocus and powerful 4K video recording – and all for the price of regular mid-range camera.

3. Sony a7C

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Bottom Line

The Sony A7C’s specifications are unambitious to say the least, particularly in terms of its video capabilities, but its practical performance, from its handy vari-angle screen to its excellent AF system, make it effective enough as a camera. We will leave it to you to decide if its two-tone design is appealing, but for us it does not have the quality ‘feel’ of the other A7 models. Does the Sony range and the full frame mirrorless camera market need this camera, though? It’s not cheap, it’s not pretty and its not even technically very advanced.

4. Canon EOS M200

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Bottom Line

The Canon EOS M200 launches into a tough market and, while it’s a decent camera with some great easy-to-use features for beginners, it doesn’t really excite or produce compelling images. The Canon M200 is good for travel photography. It has a very good image quality, so your photos are clear and detailed, and its low minimum shutter speed enables you to take time-lapse photography. Its autofocus feature also does a great job tracking moving subjects and keeping them in focus. While it’s very portable, it doesn’t have a hand grip, which can be inconvenient for some users.

5. Sony a6000

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Bottom Line

Old as it is, the Sony A6000 shows that many of the most important things we look for in a camera haven’t changed. Its 24-megapixel sensor is as competitive today as it was when this camera was launched. Its 11fps burst mode is rarely bettered, even now, and while Sony has steadily improved the AF system in its later A6000-series cameras, the A6000 is already very good – perhaps as good as most of us need. You don’t get 4K video, though, and the design and displays are now looking a bit dated. Worse, the A6000, once a bargain, has been creeping up in price. It used to be old and cheap… now, it’s just looking old

6. Canon EOS R5

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Bottom Line

Canon’s best ever stills camera, the EOS R5 is an incredibly powerful tool for almost every kind of photography. While that versatility doesn’t quite extend to video, it is still a compelling hybrid option if you’re aware of its limitations. The only major barrier for most of us is that price tag.

7. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

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Bottom Line

The E-M10 Mark IV is an easy camera to overlook, but if you’re looking for a small, stills-focused camera, it deserves serious consideration. Olympus has carefully refined this model over the years, keeping a strong focus on taking beautiful pictures. Its combination of a 20MP Micro Four Thirds sensor, 3-inch flip-down touchscreen and five-axis in-body image stabilization put it in a different league to smartphones and most pocket cameras. If you’re a beginner or enthusiast who’s looking to take the next step up in photography, this is a brilliant option.

8. Sony a7 III

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Bottom Line

The Sony A7 III is far from new, being launched back in February 2018, and it’s since been superseded – technically – by the new A7 IV. Even so, it’s still a leading contender amongst affordable full frame cameras. Its specifications make it a terrific all-rounder, both for stills photography and video. Its handling and control layout aren’t perfect, and other cameras might grab the headlines in one area or another, but few are so consistently capable across such a wide range of disciplines.

9. Fujifilm X-S10

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Bottom Line

The Fujifilm X-S10 has more ‘consumer’ controls than the higher-level X-series cameras, but its build quality and handling stand out straight away. The swap to a conventional mode dial might disappoint Fujifilm fans, but the excellent finish, build quality and handling and the inclusion of IBIS (in-body stabilisation) gives this camera a very broad appeal, especially in this price sector, to produce perhaps the best combination of performance, quality and value in the APS-C mirrorless camera market right now.

10. Canon EOS R

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Bottom Line

A capable but conservative full-frame mirrorless camera, it boasts crisp 30.3MP imaging and unlocks the door to Canon’s spectacular RF-mount lenses. Even so, there are enough compromises – the cropped 4K, single memory card slot and lack of IBIS – that its rivals from Sony, Nikon and Panasonic make more compelling options, and it also faces stiff competition from the EOS RP.

11. Sony Alpha 6100

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Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a small, beginner-friendly camera for both stills and video, then the A6100 is one of the best around. Its main strengths are its image quality, battery life and class-leading autofocus. The fact that it inherits many features from Sony’s significantly more expensive APS-C cameras means it’s can also grow with you. The only real downsides are some handling quirks and a comparatively lackluster buffer when shooting continuously, but it’s otherwise a fantastic buy once you’ve spent some time setting it up for your tastes.

12. Canon EOS M50 Mark II

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Bottom Line

While we would in no way recommend upgrading to the Canon EOS M50 Mark II if you own the original camera, if you’re coming to the system afresh there are a lot of things to like about it. It’s incredibly compact and capable, taking great stills and 1080p video, which makes it ideal for travel, everyday imaging and vlogging and content creation – especially for streaming and vertical shooting. If you need to record 4K then this isn’t the camera for you, but as an affordable go-anywhere and shoot-(almost-)anything camera this is Canon’s most recommendable EOS M body.

What’s a Mirrorless Camera?

Without getting too technical, a mirrorless camera is a camera that doesn’t use a mirror to record an image. In a mirrorless camera, there is no mirror (duh!), so a photo can be taken without any ‘obstruction’ between the viewer’s eye and the sensor.

The humble DSLR uses a mirror to reflect the image up into the viewfinder (so you can see it), and moves the mirror out the way very quickly so that light can pass via the lens to the camera sensor.

Since the mirror takes up a large amount of space within DSLR cameras, without it, a mirrorless camera can be much smaller in size.

That’s what makes mirrorless cameras so perfect for travel photography.

Is a Mirrorless Camera the Same as a Micro Four Thirds Camera?

A Micro Four Thirds camera is a type of mirrorless camera. The term Micro Four Thirds refers to the size of the sensor inside the camera. So whilst all micro four thirds cameras that we know of on the market today are mirrorless cameras, not all mirrorless cameras are micro four thirds.

Mirrorless cameras come with a variety of sensor sizes, which include micro four thirds, APS-C, full frame, and even medium format.

The size of the sensor inside the camera affects both performance and image quality. As a general rule of thumb, the larger the sensor, the larger the camera, and the better the camera will perform in lower light. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, and different cameras featuring different sensor technology manufacturing techniques will perform differently.

Advantages of Mirrorless Cameras

Here are the general advantages of a mirrorless camera:

• Great image quality
• Interchangeable lenses
• Smaller and more lightweight than most DSLR cameras
• Good cameras to advance one’s photography skills on as settings changes instantly appear on the screen

What To Look for in a Mirrorless Travel Camera

The mirrorless camera market has a wide selection of cameras ranging from entry-level to professional—depending on your photography skills, you might need different specifications for your camera.

If you aren’t sure where to start, look no further! Here are some considerations for you to remember when looking at products online or at a store:

• Camera Sensors & Sensor Size – Choose between a full-frame sensor, APS-C sensor, or a micro four-thirds. If your camera has a smaller sensor, it won’t perform as well in low light conditions. This is one advantage to full-frame cameras.
• Camera Stabilization – Taking a shaky or blurry photo is a no-no—thankfully, mirrorless cameras usually come with either in-body image stabilization or optical image stabilization. IBIS usually performs better, but that typically only matters for pros.
• Autofocus System – You don’t always want to manually snap away when you’re multitasking! Older models used to have shaky focus points features that would defocus randomly, but new releases have improved this issue.
• Frames Per Second (FPS) – Continuous shooting is a must for travel photography, so the shutter speed is a crucial part of capturing a great image. The FPS burst rate is a good indicator of the camera’s processing engine, but unless you need high-speed shooting for sports, you can stick with lower frame rates for stills.
• Video Recording Capability – Most travel photographs double as vloggers on social media, so having video capability is an important tool to have in your travel cameras! Look for cameras with 4k video capabilities to get the most out of video shooting.
• Camera Body & Size – Form factor plays a huge role in choosing a good mirrorless camera. While some people want a more robust build that feels like a DSLR, others prefer a small handheld device for easier grip. It’s all a matter of preference!
• Megapixels (MP) – This tells you how many pixels go into each photo and how large your resolution can be when printing your photos. For the average traveler, a minimum of 12 megapixels is more than enough. 20+ megapixels is enough to print a poster. Beyond that is unnecessary unless you really need it for a specific reason.
• Weather Resistance – Having weatherproofing for your mirrorless camera is essential to protect it from damage, especially if you’re going to use it outdoors for landscape photography.
• Lens Options – While some brands provide a kit lens, you also have the option to hook up existing DSLR lenses to your camera using an adaptor from different manufacturers.
• Battery Capacity – Nothing is more important than battery life! Having to recharge constantly can be annoying, and older models weren’t as efficient. The latest models have resolved this with better batteries.
• Special Features: Touchscreen, voice commands, Bluetooth, and WiFi capabilities are definitely a plus. The more features, the merrier!
• Insurance: Warranty is an important part of making a purchase, so pick a camera that offers customer service and repairs for you as a consumer.

Why Go Mirrorless for a Travel Camera?

Instead of using an optical viewfinder, the mirrorless camera uses a large image sensor to transmit the light into the electronic viewfinder and onto the screen. The new sensor technology meant there was no need to use a flipping mirror mechanism that takes up space inside the body.

Thanks to modern-day innovation, we can enjoy more sights and sounds instead of fussing over equipment that weighs us down!

The Benefits of a Mirrorless Camera for Travel Photography

There are lots of benefits to owning a mirrorless camera, and the best part is you don’t have to be a professional photographer to use it! Mirrorless lenses are used in point and shoot cameras, smartphone cameras, and even action cameras.

However, mirrorless cameras takes things to the next level by producing quality images that rival those of high-end DSLR cameras. Imagine getting all the perks of a portable camera without having to compromise on image quality!

Mirrorless cameras have interchangeable lenses, are lightweight and provide added versatility for travel photographers, videographers, and enthusiasts. The advantages combine functionality, ease of use, and continuous shooting with minimal effort on your end.

The best part? The shutters can totally silent, making it easier for you to observe without being intrusive. However, mirrorless cameras do have their disadvantages, such as cost, decreased battery life and handling.

Types of Sensors for Travel Photography

The sensor size in your camera will affect the image quality and pixel count. It also dictates its ability to take good photos in low light conditions. A camera sensor works hand-in-hand with image processors to create the image data through dots in pixels.

Still confused? The differences between sensor terms can be confusing, so here’s a crash course on the kinds of sensors you’ll find in mirrorless cameras:

• Micro Four Thirds Sensor – The micro four thirds (MFT) system sensors are the smallest sensors with a sensor size of 17mm x 13.5mm, allowing users to shoot in the 4:3 aspect ratio. Olympus and Panasonic developed the micro four-thirds sensor for most of their mirrorless cameras.
• APS-C Sensor (CMOS or MOS) – This is a smaller sensor size for beginner-friendly and mid-range models, with most camera brands producing this to suit beginner-friendly budgets. The size dimensions are generally 24mm x 16mm and you can typically find them in Sony, Fuji, and Canon models.
• Full-Frame Sensor – This is the largest sensor size available for full-frame mirrorless cameras and it’s one of the best for taking 4k video or large format images. It’s more expensive than most since it measures 36mm x 24mm and can perform extremely well in all lighting conditions!

Mirrorless Cameras vs. SLR vs. DSLR Cameras

The precursor to the well-known DSLR is the SLR, which stands for ‘Single Lens Reflex’ and it has the same internal mechanism used by old school film cameras. The mirror mechanism reflects the image up into the viewfinder (so you can see it), and when you click the shutter, it moves the mirror out the way very quickly so that light can pass via the lens to the camera sensor.

While this worked like a charm for decades, technological advancements made way for electronics to take their place. As we developed into the digital age, newer technology gave us DSLR cameras or the ‘Digital Single Lens Reflex’ which allowed us to start writing images onto memory cards instead of film.

While the format has changed, the cameras pretty much used the same technology to flip the mirror with each shutter click.

You can see why, after all these years of using the same camera technology, it’s time to move on to the next generation.

Mirrorless Camera vs. Compact Camera

If you don’t think you’ve ever used a mirrorless camera before, it might surprise you that you’ve got one within hand’s reach—your smartphone uses the same mirrorless technology minus the high-resolution quality.

• Smartphones – While smartphones are great for snapping a quick pic for the ‘Gram, it doesn’t produce the same flawless look that we all know and love. That’s because your phone has a much smaller sensor than any “real” camera out there. And while it wins in portability, it’s still a far cry from being an ideal travel camera.
• Point-and-Shoot – The point-and-shoot (compact) camera has been around for decades, and they offer great value for most consumers. They’re ideal for people who want to start learning about the basics of photography without all the complicated controls. The collapsing lens makes them easy to stash in your pocket, but your depth of field won’t be that impressive. You won’t achieve any of those wondrous bokeh shots (blurry background), but they’re easy to use—hence the name.
• Action Cameras – The action camera (like a GoPro) is another competitor for photographers who want to capture fast-moving images or POV shots. Action cameras have risen in popularity for outdoor vlogging and sports coverage, but they aren’t ideal for taking photos and videos with your family and friends. While the GoPro is a crowd favorite for its easy to use features and sturdy build, there are restrictions in the photo modes—not to mention, they’re terrible for selfies!

Ready to Make The Mirrorless Switch?

Anyone can be a travel photographer with the right gear! You’ll enjoy making new memories and compiling all the highlights from your vacation with something that easily fits in your pockets. Just remember to pick the best camera that suits your lifestyle, budget, and photographic preferences.

Now that you’ve seen all the best mirrorless cameras for travel, you’re ready to see the world and your experiences through a better lens. The next time you’re packing for your upcoming adventures, I highly recommend taking your mirrorless camera along for the ride.