The 10 Best Cameras For Hiking & Backpacking (Ultimate Buyer’s Guide)

1. Olympus TG-6

This budget friendly rugged camera was updated in 2019 from the TG-5 to give it additional underwater and macro capabilities, and an improved LCD display. It’s stupendously capable as a point and shoot camera while being waterproof, freezeproof, shockproof, and crushproof. You could clip this camera to your bag and not worry much about smashing it around while getting in and out of some tough places, though there have been some complaints about the LCD scratching easily. That’s solved with a screen protector film, however.

If you have need to go underwater, you can take this camera up to 50 feet beneath the surface, or drop it from 7 feet heights, and it will easily handle minus 10 Celsius/14 Fahrenheit conditions.

With compacts like these, lens focal lengths don’t provide much for wide angle shooting, however, the TG-6 offers a decent 25mm - 100mm equivalent range with an f/2.0 -f/4.9 aperture. The smaller sensor size really works the f/2.0, but sensor shift image stabilization will help you nail decent images in lower light. These are some of the trade-offs you encounter in a camera this affordable and as seemingly indestructible as the TG-6. Feel confident in taking it anywhere, and for some night time sky shooting, give the Live Composite mode a shot and capture some star trails or do some light painting while out in the back country.

The focus stacking mode will be a lot of fun for shooting macro images of flowers, bugs, or anything else you want to get up close to. Don’t forget to capture some 4K video clips, and the onboard technology will also collect GPS data to help further flesh out your trip journal. 

Olympus TG-6 accessories:

2. Insta360 ONE R 1” Edition

I’m not a big fan of action cameras, but wow, the latest slate of these tiny powerhouses really perform! The Insta360 ONE R comes in a couple of different configurations, including a smaller sensor action camera and a dual sensor 360 video version. While those offer some interesting options of their own, what really impresses me is the 1” sensor model.

The 1” Edition records a stunning 5.3K at 30 frames per second, 4K at 60 fps, and 1080p at a nice 120 fps so you can edit down some of those video clips and create dreamy slow motion waterfall videos and the like. Or go as high as the resolution allows and acquire ultra detailed, stabilized footage at a roughly 14mm equivalent focal length. That angle of view ought to cover everything from landscapes to vlogging style clips while adding very little to your pack weight.

As for still image quality, the 1” sensor does much better than the smaller, standard action camera module that Insta360 offers for this kit, though the smaller sensor is considerably cheaper and it records 1080p at 200fps for even more dramatic slow motion. Co-developed with Leica, the 1” sensor captures 19 megapixel photos in fairly contrasty scenes. You’re not going to get full-sized camera quality out of the Insta360 ONE R series, but that’s the tradeoff with such a small, rugged package. It’s even voice controlled so you could put it on the end of a trekking pole, or selfie stick with the right accessories and shoot in a number of creative ways.

The main control module features a display screen so you’re not going to be left wondering what you’re capturing, like some of the other action cameras used to do. It’s highly customizable and relatively affordable when you compare it to other action cameras out there as well. If you do catch the 360 immersive video bug, then you can actually order that module separately and it will work with your existing ONE R setup!

Insta360 ONE R 1” Edition accessories:

3. Canon M50

You’d be hard-pressed to find something as versatile and as inexpensive as the Canon M50. The quality you can tease from this camera is good enough for full-time professionals Erin Babnik, a Canon Explorer of Light who considers it her “exploration camera,” and Thomas Heaton, a well-known landscape photographer from the UK who uses one to capture beautiful video for his popular YouTube channel.

In Babnik’s online portfolio she confided in me that there is an M50 shot hidden in there. Go ahead, try to find it simply by comparing image quality. If it’s a good enough B camera for these two pros, you might want to consider it yourself.

With Sigma’s 16mm f/1.4 (approximately 24mm equivalent) lens for this camera you’re going to improve upon the camera’s middle of the road low-light video capture, or you can go even more compact and select from a range of smaller Canon zooms and avoid shooting video when the light dims.

Though it has no official weatherproof rating, plenty of people online have shown the sort of beating this little powerhouse can actually take. Obviously, don’t drop this in the lake, but feel free to use it in the rain to grab those misty landscapes.

In fact, due to its size, stills image quality, and bang for your buck, this camera ranks near the top of this list.

Canon M50 accessories:

4. SONY A6100 with 16-50mm lens

The A6100 is part of a venerable lineup of compact powerhouses that offer some of the best features SONY has developed over the years including fast 11 frames per second bursts, accurate subject tracking focus, and expanded ISO values to compensate for low light conditions.

The 24-75mm equivalent kit lens is a fairly standard focal range for walking about. You’ll be able to snap some fairly wide shots and you’ll also be able to zoom in on further subjects, like mountain details or elusive wildlife. You can rely on the autofocus capabilities of this camera to latch on to your subject and deliver some interesting shots, and if you want to mix it up, there’s a ton of SONY and third party lenses from the likes of Sigma to bring you a vast array of optical choices.

It’s not the most rugged camera, but there are numerous, affordable cages out there if you’re worried about it taking a knock, and they don’t add too much bulk either. With the compact size of the camera, a small pouch should do to keep it safe as you tread through the bush, but if you’re not casually throwing it around all the time then feel free to keep it in a pocket, or your backpack waist pouch.

While it shoots a nice UHD 4K video image, you’re relying on the lens image stabilization, as there is no in-body stabilization. You’ll also be cropping the video image quite a bit when shooting in certain frame rates, and worrying about rolling shutter, or jello-like wobbliness, in footage where the camera is panning quickly.

Overall this camera offers a compelling mix of features, quality, size, and price.

SONY A6100 accessories:

5. SONY ZV-1

Sony’s latest compact camera replaced the legendary RX line of cameras, which were known for their quality optics, image, and video capabilities. The RX lineup were some of the best travel cameras you could buy, featuring a relatively large sensor for a point and shoot system.

With the ZV-1, Sony has targeted the “vlogger” market with a feature set that includes flip screen, improved microphone audio, and steady shot mode that works quite well when walking with the camera. The auto-focus is SONY’s most advanced, and you’ll be able to take advantage of more modes if you’re interested in turning the camera on yourself for video, but the same AF technology also locks onto your photo subject with ease.

Not a vlogger? No problem. The ZV-1 offers sharp 20 megapixel still images with a versatile Zeiss 24-70mm equivalent f/1.8-2.8 zoom lens. It easily captures time-lapse movies, and there’s a variety of frame rates to choose from when shooting video so you can get those peaceful, slow-motion waterfall clips that you can loop endlessly on your computer screen when you’re back from your trip and stuck in the cubicle again.

There’s not much out there that can beat the SONY ZV-1 in such a compact form factor, and this is why even professionals pack one around with them. 

SONY ZV-1 accessories:

1. Fuji X-T4

Fujifilm roared back into the digital camera world when they embraced the retro styling of older rangefinder type cameras and has since thoroughly captivated the street photography crowd. But don’t let that emphasis on style fool you into thinking that Fuji mirrorless cameras lack substance—they’re some of the most capable cameras currently on the market, and increasingly you’ll find one in a landscape photographer’s bag.

Not only are they stylish, but they are deeply ergonomic and the vast customization available on the well-thought out button arrays will give the photographer confidence that they won’t miss a shot fiddling with settings.

An APS-C format X-Trans sensor developed by Fuji delivers stunning image quality especially when the body is paired with some of the stellar prime lenses available for the system. I find the lenses themselves are wonderfully built, but the zooms can seem a bit bulky, even though on paper the weights and dimensions aren’t that bad.

If you’re interested in capturing video as well as stills, the X-T4 might be your best choice right now if you’re set on quality and don’t mind a slight bit of weight. With gorgeous film simulations that you can bake into your image right in camera, you’re not likely to spend a ton of time editing once you return home. Your photos will look great straight out of the camera, but will survive a bit of post-processing as well. 

• Great ergonomics and retro styling don’t take away from performance
• Dreamy film simulation modes make for awesome images
• One of the best stills/video hybrids on the market
• Versatile custom buttons and modes

Fuji X-T4 accessories:

2. Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III (I know, shorten that name up a bit…) is probably the top camera for outdoor adventuring types who want a system that delivers terrific images without having to worry too much about the elements or pack weight.

You can run this camera under a tap to clean it off after dropping it in the mud. It’s no big deal for Olympus’ weather sealed powerhouse. I’ve hand held 10 second night shots, and the in-body image stabilization managed to give me a better than simply usable image!

With the Mark III hand-held high resolution mode, you can truly say goodbye to tripods forever and say hello to 50MP equivalent images. There’s also a host of creative modes that aren’t just the ubiquitous slate of “art” modes found on most cameras. For instance, the Live Composite mode will have you shooting hours-long star trails or ethereal light painting images with ease. Live ND mode simulates the blurred water effects from long exposures if you want to shoot those dreamy waterfall scenes.

And never mind the burst modes. If you’re trying to capture wildlife, this is one of the fastest cameras out there. It fires off rapid successions of up to 60 frames per second, which may as well be video, but it’s RAW frames not video stills. When coupled with Olympus PRO lenses you can also add in-camera focus stacking to the list of well thought out creative modes.

With all that and a beautifully simple video feature set, there’s really no reason not to consider the E-M1 Mark III.

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III accessories:

3. Panasonic Lumix G9

The feature sets alone make any of these Micro Four Thirds system cameras worth it, and the Panasonic Lumix G9 does not disappoint. With the best image quality among the Lumix lineup, you may even be able to argue that it has the best in the Micro Four Thirds lineup, this tough mirrorless monster is worth a look.

Incredible 60 fps stills burst rates mean you’re not likely to miss a shot of wildlife, and high-resolution mode delivers an 80 megapixel still for when you want to slow things down a bit. Panasonic really improved the video features on this camera with a recent free firmware update, making an already capable camera even better.
Like it’s Olympus counterpart, the OM-D E-M1 Mark II, the G9 has insane image stabilization, and also like the Olympus, it can link the in-body technology with lens stabilization technology for even steadier shots. Feel free to use a 300mm equivalent lens on this camera handheld, and capture tack sharp images.

Rugged build and weathersealing protect this camera from the elements and shock and battery life is great. A recent price drop will also help you to nab some accessories, or put toward a quality lens.

While the G9 is a bit larger than the Olympus, it still comes in quite small and can use the same compact lens lineup that Olympus does. When choosing lenses, however, only Panasonic OIS lenses will work in tandem with the G9’s in-body stabilization.

Panasonic Lumix G9 accessories:

4. Canon EOS R/RP

Canon was late to the game when it came to releasing a mirrorless camera, but with the EOS R and RP they seem to be headed in the right direction by offering a mirrorless version of the amazing 5D Mark IV (EOS R) and an affordable full-frame in the EOS RP.

While the Internet was up in arms over some of Canon’s questionable decisions when it came to the video capabilities of the EOS R, it was clear that they nailed it with their slate of new RF lenses, and a perfectly capable mount adapter that allows Canon users to continue using their EF lenses.

The EOS R improved on low light performance and auto focus on the 5d Mark IV, and it all comes in a sleek, compact form factor. While RF lenses aren’t the smallest, they do not compromise on image quality.

The EOS RP is even smaller than the R, but has a slightly lower pixel count on its sensor, but some will appreciate its more traditional ergonomics as opposed to the EOS R’s odd touch bar on the back.

Both feature dual pixel auto focus, a class leading technology, and ISO performance up to 40,000. As for video, the R has more options and better bitrates for higher quality capture, but you’ll be hard pressed to notice much of a difference unless you’re really used to better cameras.

They’re small, but they’re also sturdy and weathersealed. If you need the highest image quality and don’t mind a few heavy lenses, consider the EOS R and RP.

Canon EOS R/RP accessories:

5. Nikon Z7/Z6

To be honest, I used to be a Nikon guy. But carrying two full-sized pro bodies with large lenses on them in a huge LowePro shoulder bag took its toll on my back. I ditched all that equipment that I had started my news photography career with, and replaced it with an Olympus mirrorless camera that fit in my pocket and yet delivered stunning image quality.

Thankfully, Nikon has also entered the mirrorless arena. Albeit, the newest Nikons are not pocketable, they are significantly streamlined and somehow they managed to pack a punch without all that bulk!

The Nikon Z7 and Z6 are excel in image quality and video, respectively. While they don’t have that Canon dual pixel auto focus, they do have dependable weathersealing and build quality, and like Canon, they also offer a useful adapter that allows the new Z line to work with the older Nikon mount lenses.

I compared the Nikon Z6 to the Panasonic S1 a while back, and it was close when it came to how well each performed in low-light. Not just dusk, I’m talking about night time. If you have any interest in astrophotography, Milky Way photography, or just nightscapes, the Z6 and its large pixel sites just drink in the photons. It also happens to be stellar for video, though unlocking its potential requires a paid update. Feel free to shoot with it out of the box, however, as it should easily satisfy most people who don’t require the RAW video upgrade.

The Z7 houses a ridiculously powerful 45.7 megapixel sensor. You’re not going to need much of a telephoto lens with that kind of file size. The detail you can capture with the Z7 will allow for some cropping in, and give you a closer look at the scene.
While Nikon once seemed primarily focused on stills quality, the new Z lineup appears to have really learned a lot about video. The Z6 would be the best overall video/stills model, but if you’re mostly interested in stills, the Z7 is unmatched.

Nikon Z7/Z6 accessories: