The best travel cameras (2026), tested and reviewed

If I were to buy a camera today, this is the body I would get, travel or otherwise. The A7C R is one of the smallest full-frame interchangeable-lens cameras on the market. That’s why it’s a top traveler’s pick in our guide to the best mirrorless cameras. The 61MP sensor delivers stunning detail and very good dynamic range (14.7 EV). The super-fast autofocus system is among the best you’ll find in a mirrorless camera, and there’s great subject tracking too, making it ideal for shooting fast-moving scenes on the go.

While Sony’s R series cameras are primarily intended for high-resolution still images, the video specs here are strong enough for the average video user, with support for 4K/60fps video in full frame mode (1.2X crop) or 4K/30fps video in overdrive. Both support 10-bit 4:2 color depth, various record formats, and even 16-bit RAW output to an external recorder.

My main issue with the A7C R is the same as it was in my initial review. The viewfinder is narrow and low-resolution (2.36 million dots). This isn’t a deal breaker for me, but it is something to consider and a good reason to rent a camera before investing.

The big question with this camera is, what lens can you pair it with while traveling? There’s a compelling case to be made for the Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G ($1,398), which gives you everything from wide to portrait with a little extra reach, too. Another great option if you like prime lenses is the Sony 40mm f2.5 G ($798), which makes for a compact kit, and 40mm is a surprisingly great focal length for travel in my experience.

★ Alternative: At $2,198, the Sony A7C II (note, no R) is a bit cheaper. It uses the smaller 33MP Sony sensor but is very close in size and capabilities, with much more video than the A7C R. If you want to create videos as well as still images, the A7C II is a better choice.