What camera should you get for travelling? Your FAQ answered!

WRITTEN BYMollie Updated on
Hello fellow explorers!
Today’s post is the answer to a question you guys ask me a lot…
‘Which camera should I get for travelling?’ 

Cameras, as we know, are pretty darn essential if you want to be capturing memories and looking back on the good times for years to come.
So step 1 is already complete – we’ve established you need a camera.
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Step 2 requires a little more thinking.
But don’t worry, not too much, that’s what I’m here for hey!
We all have different photography ambitions and preferences, for that reason and luckily for us all, there are plenty of cameras on the market to choose from.
If you simply want a camera so that you can upload a few photos to Facebook and order a couple of prints when you get home, then spending £2000 on a camera is going to be totally bonkers. You’ll probably just want your iPhone for that. 
If photography is something you’re really passionate about and a standard digital cameras functionally is too basic then, yes, it may be worth investing a little more money.
So it’s all comes down to YOU and what you want from your photos.
(And also whether you’re looking for a double up to take videos too!)

What I use:
Social media posts & blog posts – OLYMPUS OMD EM5 MKII or GoPro Hero 4 Silver
YouTube videos – GoPro Hero 4 Silver

What’s important to you?
Really great quality photos? Convenience? Price? 
HD video recording? Inbuilt WIFI? 
Size?
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Let’s have a little look through your options…
(P.s. I am no camera expert)
Option 1
Iphones / Phone Cameras
– simple to use
– double up as your phone so less to carry
– easy upload to social media  

Option 2
Something fun
I’ve ALWAYS wanted one of these cameras. I absolutely love polaroid style photos and think the instant capture is so refreshing compared to how much we analyse and retake photos these days.

I haven’t quite been able to justify taking ANOTHER camera away with me, simply because of space, but it’s a great option for a weekend away or roadtrip!

TIP – If you love polaroids like me but don’t want to haul too many cameras around, you can always upload to Cheerz.com and get them printed off as polaroids. You can see my scrapbook polaroids on this post, and if you want to order your own use ‘MOLLAO’ to get £4 off your order.

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Option 3
Compact Cameras
Shop here

– not too bulky
– great quality photos / videos
– easy to use for the standard user

If you want more than an iPhone but something simple to use and with not too many complicated functions, this is the one. Portable with the power of a DSLR.
I personally love the first one, the Sony Cyber-shot. It has the flip screen, inbuilt WIFI (love), amazing quality and a few of my blogger friends have it and love it.

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Option 4
GoPro
Shop here

– tiny, discreet & easy to carry
– incredibly powerful for their tiny size
– Great photo quality and HD video capable
– can capture underwater shots
– inbuilt wifi (on most of them)

You know my feelings on the GoPro… I FREAKING LOVE ‘EM.
I never travel without mine, it slips in my pocket, my backpack, my bumbag and even comes underwater with me.
I highly recommend them for the backpacker, the ones that like to get super creative and well… anyone. Even parents that haven’t the slightest clue about technology!

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If you have no idea which one to buy or simply want to know more about GoPros – i’ve already got you covered in my ‘Guide to Buying a GoPro!
:: Watch here…

Option 5
That little bit extra

A super cute camera with a whole load’a extra features, a whole range of funky filters, amazing quality photo and video and a flip down screen for those killer selfies! Compact in size and a great middle range option…

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Option 6
Advanced cameras / DSLR
Shop Compact system cameras
Shop Digital DSLR

If you’re looking for something advanced, something to grow into or maybe something to highlight and showcase your advanced photography skills… then this will be your section.

Obviously these cameras come at a higher price, but if photography is a passion of yours and you can stretch your budget then longer term it’s going to be a worthwhile investment.

I am no advanced photographer, but my camera skills are something I’m focusing on this year and so I invested in the OLYMPUS OMD EM5 MKII (with a 14-150mm Lumix sense). It has full HD video recording, amazing quality photos, fully rotatable screen for when I’m filming YouTube videos, inbuilt wifi, it looks super cute AND it has the full functionality of an advanced user for me to grow in to.

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Bottom line is… you just need something reliable and something that can take photos when you’re travelling.

Don’t over complicate it.

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Look at your budget and if you’re really stuck with which camera to go for… call the camera shop (I spoke to London Camera Exchange in Charing Cross) and one of the guys will be more than happy to help you!
Other things to remember:
– If you are going to use your iPhone, make sure you upload your photos to Facebook / The Cloud so that they are backed up.
Should the unfortunate circumstance happen that you lose your phone, drop it in the sea or have it stolen… you will be GUTTED. 
TRUST ME I KNOW.
– If you are taking a camera, take a few memory cards and tuck them away from your camera so that should anything get stolen you are less likely to lose them all.
(P.S. I don’t mean to scare you with all this ‘stealing’. I’ve luckily never experienced it, but it’s always best to prepare for the worst.)
– YOU’LL NEED A MEMORY CARD
Shop here

– IF YOUR CAMERA IS OF VALUE, MAKE SURE IT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE. MOST INSURANCE COMPANIES WILL ONLY INSURE SINGLE VALUE GOODS UP TO £250 SO MY CAMERA IS COVERED UNDER OUR HOUSE INSURANCE.

– HAVING A USB CONVERTER IS REALLY HANDY WHEN YOU HAVE A GOPRO
– TAKE / USE FOR A CASE WHEN YOU’RE BACKPACKING (if your camera doesn’t already have a proper case, OBV) TO AVOID SANDY & SCRATCHED PHONES / LENSES
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Got a question? 
Leave me a comment below…
Are you an expert? 
Leave us a comment below!
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Thank you for reading!


Happy adventuring 🙂
♡
Mollie xxxx


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