Buying a new camera can be a real slog at the best of times, but when you’re looking for specific cameras for backpacking and hiking it’s even more of a minefield. There are a LOT of amazing cameras out there, most of which will do a perfectly good job at taking really great pictures with little knowledge of photography. And most of which will do just fine at snapping your hiking experiences.
However, there are also some excellent options out there that are ideal for taking photos out in the elements, and that don’t compromise on image quality for the sake of convenience and weight. But once again, trawling through all the potential options can take far too many hours of time you’d probably rather spend out hiking!
- FAQs when choosing the best camera for hiking and backpacking
- Best compact cameras for backpacking and hiking
- Mirrorless cameras for backpacking and hiking
- Things to look for in the best backpacking cameras
Summary of the best backpacking cameras in 2024
So, to make life as easy as possible, we’ve asked some professional photographers and travel bloggers to share with us their top choice of camera for backpacking, hiking and wilderness adventures. And there’s a cracking bunch to choose from.
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Product | Type of camera | Weight | Megapixels | Weather resistant | Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sony Cybershot DSC RX 100 | Compact | 7.5 oz / 213g | 20.1 | No | $$ |
Olympus TG-860 Tough | Compact | 8.8oz / 250g | 12 | Yes | $ |
Fujifilm X100V Digital Camera | Compact | 16.8oz / 476g | 26.1 | Yes | $$$$$$ |
Canon PowerShot SX720 HS | Compact | 9.6oz / 272g | 20.3 | No | $ |
Ricoh GR II | Compact | 9.6oz / 272g | 16.2 | No | $$ |
GoPro Hero 9 | Compact | 5.6oz / 158g | 20 | Yes | $ |
Sony A7 | Mirrorless | 16.6oz / 470g (without lens) | 24.3 | No | $$$ |
Fujifilm X-T4 | Mirrorless | 18.5oz / 526g (without lens) | 26 | Yes | $$$$$ |
Canon EOS M50 | Mirrorless | 13.5oz / 387g (without lens) | 24.1 | No | $$$ |
Nikon Z5 | Mirrorless | 21oz / 595g (without lens) | 24.3 | Yes | $$$$ |
Sony Alpha a6000 | Mirrorless | 12.2oz / 346g (without lens) | 24.3 | No | $$ |
Panasonic Lumix GX8 | Mirrorless | 31.2oz / 884g (without lens) | 20.3 | Yes | $$$ |
Sony A7RII | Mirrorless | 21oz / 595g (without lens) | 42.4 | Yes | $$$$$ |
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II | Mirrorless | 16.5oz / 467g (without lens) | 16 | Yes | $$$ |
Check out our buyer’s guide at the bottom of the article for more in depth information and tips on what to look for when choosing a camera for backpacking and hiking. Otherwise, read on to see what the pros have to say about which cameras they love taking out with them on adventures in the wilderness…
FAQs when choosing the best camera for hiking and backpacking
If you’re looking for higher quality photos then you may want to consider the Sony Alpha a6000. It’s the most lightweight mirrorless camera on our list, and it won’t break the bank.
Compared to DSLR cameras, yes, mirrorless cameras are lighter. They usually weigh around 13oz (368g) without a lens, whereas top a level DSLR can weigh in at around 32oz (900g).
Compared with compact cameras, no, mirrorless cameras are not lighter. The most lightweight compact camera on our list is the Sony Cybershot DSC RX 100, weighing only 7.5 oz / 213g.
Best compact cameras for backpacking and hiking
Sony Cybershot DSC RX 100
Recommended by: Joey Holmes – Owner of Cool of the Wild
Weight: | 7.5 oz / 213g |
Megapixels: | 20.1 |
Weather resistant: | No |
Since I ‘downgraded’ to a compact camera from using a DSLR, I have started taking a LOAD more photos! Sure, the photos I now take will never quite compare with the quality of those taken with my DSLR. But for someone who’s photography skills are fairly limited, the difference isn’t as huge as I might have imagined. And I’m certainly no expert at photography!
The main reason I take so many more photos is that I can carry the Sony RX100 in my pocket and it’s MEGA lightwight. It also fits in the pocket of my backpack hip belt. Could it get more convenient than that?! It’s pretty hardy for something that isn’t designed to be bashed about. And it deals with the cold well, so long as it’s above freezing. The main downside is that it’s not water resistant.
What I really love about this camera is how easy it is to use on manual mode, giving me as much control over the settings as with my DSLR. And if I just can’t get a grip of the correct settings for the conditions then the auto modes create beautiful pics, too!
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Olympus TG-5 Tough
Recommended by: Warren Dobe – Outdoors and travel addict
Weight: | 8.8oz / 250g |
Megapixels: | 12 |
Weather resistant: | Yes |
Most recently I have been taking my photos with the Olympus TG-5 Tough Waterproof camera. I needed to source a camera that would serve me well for my sailing and mountaineering trip to Antarctica. Mostly due to its reliability, ability to survive the cold (-10ºC); waterproof to 15m and shock resistant (2m drop height). It has most of the standard compact camera settings and also GPS to track where the shot was taken from.
I believe photography in the outdoors is all about simplicity and being in the moment. Being able to access a quality camera quickly and know you can point and shoot with confidence that you will get a quality shot is essential. And to know the camera will survive no matter what the circumstances is also a major bonus. The Olympus Tough certainly fits that description and comes highly recommended from me!
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Fujifilm X100V Digital Camera
Recommended by: Kevin Mercier – Travel photographer and founder of Kev MRC travel blog
Weight: | 16.8oz / 476g |
Megapixels: | 26.1 |
Water resistant: | Yes, weather-sealed |
My favorite compact camera is the Fujifilm X100V, a beautiful and adaptable tiny camera that works well for outdoor photography. It has a fixed 23mm f/2 lens, which is equivalent to a full-frame camera’s 35mm lens and is ideal for taking pictures of landscapes, cityscapes, and people. The Fujifilm X100V is a fantastic option for outdoor photography when hiking. The Fujifilm X100V’s 26.1-megapixel APS-C sensor and X-Trans IV processing engine produce rich colors and fine details, which also results in superb image quality. The Fujifilm X100V is a portable camera that is simple to take on outdoor trips. Also, it has an excellent retro design that will draw attention. The Fujifilm X100V is weather-sealed, which means it is shielded against dust, moisture, and cold temperatures, making it ideal for outdoor photography in different weather conditions.
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Canon PowerShot SX720 HS
Recommended by: Daan Vreugdenhil – Professional Ecologist
Weight: | 9.6oz / 272g |
Megapixels: | 20.3 |
Weather resistant: | No |
I have been lugging along camera bodies with different focal lenses since I was 15, half a century ago! The last time I did so was on assignment for the national parks service of Ethiopia. On that mission, I carried a Canon body with a so-called vacation lens of 35 – 270 mm, as well as a compact Canon SX720HS. Being on the move constantly in the mountains, lugging a large camera is a hassle. While much slower that the professional camera, I had this little compact Canon camera in my breast pocket (out of harms way compared with having it in a pocket of my pants) wherever I went: on trails, in museums, on historical sites, at dinners – everywhere.
While the pictures I take with the Canon don’t match up with powerful DSLR cameras, they make up for the fact that you always have your camera with you when it fits in the pocket of your field shirt.
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Ricoh GR II
Recommended by: Mike Peysner – Photographer
Weight: | 9.6oz / 272g |
Megapixels: | 16.2 |
Weather resistant: | No |
I absolutely love that the Ricoh GR II is so compact while still having great image quality. It’s simple to use and the JPG images look great right out of the camera without needing to do much editing to make them look good. It can still be a great idea to set the white balance (shade, cloudy, etc.) but otherwise just having this camera set to Aperture Priority mode will give you good results without any effort.
Being a professional photographer for many years now I’ve learned that when a camera and lens combination is more simple it inspires you to be more creative. Compositions, exposures, and moments become the focus instead of fiddling with settings or endlessly zooming in and out with the lens. The result is that your imagination kicks in and your photos become more creative and storytelling.
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GoPro Hero 9
Recommended by: Paul Berger – Wildlife and travel photographer
Weight: | 5.6oz / 158g |
Megapixels: | 20 |
Water resistant: | Yes |
As a wildlife photographer I usually travel with heavy and expensive gear. I primarily shoot with the Sony A1, which is an amazing camera. But the last thing I want to do is take this equipment on a hike or near water. I always travel with a GoPro Hero 9 as well. The GoPro is lightweight, rugged and waterproof, everything I want when I’m going hiking. The remote app is great for taking selfies as the live view lets you put your Go Pro down and see the image you want to capture. I also take it diving for underwater photography.
A GoPro has resolution limitations, but for sharing photos with friends or online, it is great and it is always better to have a camera with you than nothing at all.
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Mirrorless cameras for backpacking and hiking
Sony A7
Recommended by: Jack Anstey – Photographer
Weight: | 16.6oz (without lens) |
Megapixels: | 24.3 |
Size: | 1.89 x 5 x 3.7 in (without lens) |
Weather resistant: | No |
I use the Sony A7 as my primary camera, usually with a 28-70mm tele-lens. When I’m out shooting I spend a lot of my time hiking, climbing and camping, which means the camera I take has to be as light and small as can be, without compromising on quality.
The A7 is a full-frame body that’s half the weight and 3/4 of the size of its competitors, whilst being a lot cheaper too. For me it’s the perfect accomplice for my outdoor lifestyle.
After years of dreaming, I also recently picked up a DJI Mavic, which also needs to have similar requirements to my main camera – small, light and quality. I look forward to adding the drone to my arsenal on my trips in the future.
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Fujifilm X-T4
Recommended by: Raffaella De Amicis – Traveling photographer
Weight: | 18.5oz / 526g (without lens) |
Megapixels: | 26 |
Water resistant: | Yes, weather-sealed |
I switched to the Fuji X System when looking for a compact but high quality travel photography setup. Now my Fuji X-T4 goes everywhere, from the back country of the American West to the mountains of Romania. This camera is small and light enough to be portable without being awkward to handle. The tactile retro design makes changing settings on the fly a breeze. Programmable buttons allow the camera to be customized to have the most-used features at my fingertips. This means I get to enjoy photography – and the outdoors – without fumbling through menus.
Weather sealing is essential for adventurous outdoor photography adventures, and the articulated screen makes capturing extreme angles much easier. Add to that in-body IBIS, sensor cleaning, excellent dynamic range, low noise at higher ISO settings, and the highly rated innovative X-Trans sensor, I’m able to obtain high quality images that print beautifully. At 26 megapixels, I can also print huge prints (so far up to 3 x 4 feet) without quality loss or bloating my hard drives.
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Canon EOS M50
Recommended by: Joey Holmes – Owner of Cool of the Wild
Weight: | 13.5 oz / 387g |
Megapixels: | 24.1 |
Weather resistant: | No |
The Canon EOS M50 was recommended to me by Darren Rose, a landscape photographer. I wanted something that would take great photos out in the wild, as well as being able to switch up the lens for product shots and food photography. But it also needed to be small and lightweight enough to carry into the hills and mountains. On winter splitboarding missions I carry the camera in a small pack around my waist. This makes for easy access when touring, yet it doesn’t take up too much space in my pack on the descents. It also deals surprisingly well with the cold, though I do hold spare batteries on my person.
One of my favourite things about this mid-range mirrorless camera is the Vari-Angle Touchscreen, which makes selfies on a tripod really easy and adds an element of versatility that fixed screen cameras lack. Plus, the touchscreen is intuitive and easy to use to alter the settings.
The video capabilities are also a huge plus, offering 4K, high definition videos, and further adding the versatility of the camera.
It’s main downside is its lack of weather resistance. However, as mentioned, it deals very well with cold conditions.
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Nikon Z5
Recommended by: Luca Della Valle – Photographer and Filmmaker
Weight: | 21oz / 590g (without lens) |
Megapixels: | 24.3 |
Water resistant: | Yes |
The Nikon Z5 is a mirrorless full frame camera with 24.3 MP sensor. I bought it because it’s lighter and less bulky than my DSLR. I was afraid I would be disappointed by the lower resolution but actually it turns out it’s just perfect for my outdoor needs. Lighter on the backpack as well as on the hard drive.
I mainly shot videos outside, and its 4k 30fps max video resolution is also satisfyingly good with rich colours and wide dynamic range.
The weather sealing it’s just unbelievable: totally rain and snow proof. I also enjoy the wireless capability. I’m now able to shoot self videos far away from the camera without losing time and memory card space by having to start the video and then walk to the spot and back. Now I just need to connect it to my phone and start-stop recording when I’ve already reached the spot.
I use old vintage prime Nikkor lenses and I am able to use all of them (manual focus as well as autofocus) on this brand new camera. You need to buy an adapter called FTZ that you usually find sold together with the camera in a kit.
This camera is great in the outdoors and very helpful in everyday usage too. I use this camera for a wide range of professional photography, not only while hiking or backpacking. If the work’s ending on digital supports, this camera will hardly leave any client disappointed. Of course for printed photos you might want to use 40MP or more.
Through wifi I can also immediately show raw images to remote clients without having to go through a computer: all I need is my phone and a connection.
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Sony Alpha a6000
Recommended by: George Figueroa – Photographer
Weight: | 12.2oz / 346g (without lens) |
Megapixels: | 24.3 |
Weather resistant: | No |
Taking quality outdoor photos can definitely be a challenge and the Sony Alpha 6000 is brilliantly practical for an adventurous landscape photographer. Here’s why…
As a landscape photographer, I greatly favor the mirrorless camera systems. The lightweight and compact design of the Sony Alpha a6000 opens up a new world of opportunities!
Unlike traditional DSLR’s, the a6000 does not use mirrors for the viewfinder but instead uses an electronic viewfinder which shows you in real time what your image will look like. This feature cuts down so much on weight and size and gives you ample room in your bag to load up some more lenses and accessories, (or backpacking gear!). The a6000 is roughly half or sometimes even a third of the size of traditional DSLR’s and it competes with some of the more advanced systems out there for a fraction of the price.
I have been able to use this particular camera in all kinds of scenarios and capture stunning images with it. The a6000 has made my journeys less troublesome and enjoyable knowing that I do not have to worry about compromising other gear in order to take pictures.
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Panasonic Lumix GX8
Recommended by: Laurence Norah – Travel Photographer
Weight: | 31.2oz / 884g (without lens) |
Megapixels: | 20.3 |
Weather resistant: | Yes |
My favorite compact camera for backpacking and hiking is the Panasonic Lumix GX8. This is a micro four thirds mirrorless camera. It has all the manual controls you would expect from an SLR camera, as well as an intuitive touch interface screen and excellent electronic viewfinder. Image quality is excellent, and there is a good range of lenses to suit a variety of situations.
It’s much smaller and lighter than a bulky SLR, yet does everything you would expect from a more professional camera. It’s even weather sealed, which is particularly handy for shooting when in nature, as the camera can withstand a bit of rain and moisture without giving up.
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Sony A7RII
Recommended by: Michael Shainblum – Photographer and Filmmaker
Weight: | 21oz / 582g (without lens) |
Megapixels: | 42.4 |
Weather resistant: | Yes |
It is a compact mirrorless full frame camera that shoots 4K video and 42 megapixel images with high dynamic range. It weighs a lot less then my Canon DSLRs and is much higher quality. One downside is the battery life, I need to bring extra batteries since they die quickly and the weather sealing is not perfect. So I bring a plastic rain cover in my bag with me.
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Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II
Recommended by: Itai Danan – Owner of Neocamera and avid travel photographer
Weight: | 16.5oz / 467g (without lens) |
Megapixels: | 16 |
Weather resistant: | Yes |
Working for Neocamera has allowed me to actually use digital cameras from all major manufacturer and test then under adverse conditions such as the Canadian winter. The reality is that today there are plenty of very good cameras and nearly all mirrorless and DSLRs are capable of taking fantastic pictures. But the outdoor photographer needs something light, compact, durable and easy to use in all sorts of weather, and while wearing gloves. This last one actually is critical and not that many digital cameras make their controls easy to use and features accessible without entering the menu system. The key is to find the most compact camera that still delivers high image quality andgood controls in a weatherproof body. For this I recommend the Olympus OM-DE-M5 Mark II.
It is a Micro Four-Thirds mirrorless camera with image quality comparable to a DSLR except in very low-light (when hikers are not usually very active), yet has a much smaller footprint. Its Micro Four-Thirds Sensor also means that lenses for it are smaller than equivalent ones for a DSLR or even mirrorless cameras with larger sensors.
The E-M5 Mark II is very capable and has plenty of external and even customizable buttons, so that someone can use it efficiently even while wearing gloves. Its body is weatherproof and freezeproof to -10ºC. It is also rather fast with 10 FPS continuous drive in case one wants to capture wildlife. Also, the built-in stabilization is superb and helps get a steady shot when the shooter is tired and cannot get perfectly still.
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Things to look for in the best cameras for backpacking and hiking
Weight
With the focus of pack weight becoming more and more important to backpackers and hikers, adding a 25oz (700g) chunk of memory capturing equipment to your pack is (in terms of weight) the difference between being cold at night, or not. Packing those extra layers, spare socks and a warmer sleeping bag instead would equate much happier and cosy snooze time. So keeping your camera as lightweight as possible is kind of important too.
Exactly how lightweight you go really depends on the quality of photographs you wish to be taking while out in the wild.
Compact cameras
While some of the lightweight compacts can weigh as little as 7.5 oz / 213g, you won’t be capturing award winning shots any time soon. For those wanting to simply make a record of their trip, compact cameras are ideal, and their small size makes them super accessible to snap away while on the move.
DSLR cameras
On the other end of the spectrum, however, a top level DSLR can weigh in at around 32oz (900g) for the camera body alone. That’s a few days worth of hiking food right there! But if taking wilderness photos is your thing, then you’ll find a way to carry it (along with all your other camera equipment), even if does mean foregoing a meal or three here and there! There are a load of superb carrying solutions specifically designed for hiking with your camera. Check out the options in our guide to the best camera backpacks for hiking.
Mirrorless cameras
The rise of mirrorless cameras bridges this vast gap of weight to quality ratio between compacts and DSLRs. Usually weighing around 13oz (368g) for a mirrorless camera body, these little beauties compete fiercely with their DSLR superiors in terms of image quality and shooting options. They are ideal cameras for backpacking and hiking when taking pics is more than just capturing a memory.
Size
As with weight, the size of most cameras for backpacking ideally needs to be as small as possible to not take up valuable pack space. And of course weight and size go hand in hand.
However, aside from the physical space required to carry a camera in your pack, its size can also impact on how convenient it is to use. A compact camera that fits in your pant pocket or the waist belt of your backpack will get way more use than a DSLR that you have to get out and put away each time you use it.
For this reason, many hikers keep larger cameras around their necks while on the move – fine if you’re on easy terrain, but less easy to deal with when the going gets a bit tough. Again, this is where the smaller, lighter mirrorless cameras really come into their own – they are much easier and more comfortable to carry mounted onto the shoulder strap of your backpack using a camera clip.
Weatherproof
Another important thing to consider when choosing a camera for backpacking and hiking is how well it will stand up to the elements. And how good you need it to be at this.
Rain
All cameras have varying degrees of waterproofing ranging from the fully submergible Olympus Tough to cameras that can only deal with light drizzle, at best. Weatherproof compact cameras often end up being more pricey without offering more in terms of image quality, but are worth every penny when being used in more extreme environments. When it comes to mirrorless and DSLR cameras, like compacts, the price tag is very much on the hefty side if they are weather sealed.
Unless you are likely to be hiking (and shooting) in predominantly rainy conditions then a better option is to cut the price tag in half and use specialised camera dry bags.
Cold
Another thing to consider when it comes to exposure to the elements, is the ability of the camera to deal with the cold. Battery life can become a real issue in sub-zero temperatures so it’s always worth carrying more spares than you think you’ll need. But there are also some cameras that have no issues with functioning in the cold like the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II which is freezeproof to -10ºC.
It’s also key that, if hiking in cold conditions, you are able use the camera while wearing gloves. Touchscreens instantly become a no-go, as do many cameras with small/fiddly buttons and controllers. Of course many of you won’t be backpacking in conditions where frostbite is likely to set in during the time it takes to capture the perfect photo. But if you want to be able to use your camera for winter trips, mountaineering or skiing, then this is certainly something to consider.
Image quality
If you’re looking to get killer shots every time then you need to opt for something with a high number of megapixels (MPs). The more MPs the higher the image quality. This is especially important if you intend on printing large versions of your photos. And the more MPs there are, the more room you have to play around with the images when editing them.
However, if you’re unlikely to only ever view your shots on a screen then you can save some cash and opt for a less technical camera with less MPs.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to this article, helping us figure out which are the best backpacking cameras for all your outdoor adventures.