Best Travel Cameras (2026), Tested & Reviewed

If I were buying a camera today, this is the body I would get, traveling or otherwise. The A7C R is one of the smallest full-frame interchangeable lens cameras on the market. That’s why it’s our first choice for travelers in our guide to the best mirrorless cameras. The 61 MP sensor offers astonishing details and a very good dynamic range (14.7 EV). The super-fast autofocus system is among the best you’ll find in a mirrorless camera, and it also offers excellent subject tracking, making it perfect for shooting fast-paced scenes on the go.

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

My main complaint about the A7C R is the same as in my first opinion. The viewfinder is cramped and low resolution (2.36 million dots). This isn’t a problem for me, but it’s something to keep in mind and a good reason to rent a camera before investing.

The big question with this camera is: what lens do you pair it with for traveling? There is a compelling argument to be made in favor of 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 numbers is the Sony 40mm f2.5 G ($798)making it a compact kit, and 40mm is a surprisingly good focal length for travel, in my experience.

★ Alternative: At $2,198, The Sony A7C II (note, no R) is a little cheaper. It uses Sony’s smaller 33 MP sensor, but it’s otherwise very close in size and capabilities, with many more video cuts than the A7C R. If you want to shoot video as well as stills, the A7C II is a better choice.