I bet you’re excited – you’ve got a trip planned, and you want to be sure to document it to the best of your abilities, so you want a new camera. Something that’s going to accurately capture your memories, so you can treasure them for decades to come. Choosing a camera can be overwhelming, there are so many different types of cameras, sizes and styles, but it all depends on your budget how far down the rabbit hole you go. It can be tricky to choose, so here are some tips for choosing a camera for travel.
1) Think of the Size and Your Travel Style
I travelled around with a big bulky DSLR for a while, and during this period I got some absolutely lovely photos, but my back was really achey and sore. I found that often I wouldn’t take my camera out because I couldn’t be bothered dealing with the weight of it. If you’re going to be more of a suitcase-style traveller, as I am now, why not consider getting a special bag to keep all your camera gear in there. Otherwise, you might want to pack small so that you can enjoy the freedom of travelling light.
2) Think Long Term
Will you upgrade and get a few different lenses? As time goes on, would you be interested in spending more to get your dream lenses? If you’re looking for something you can spend little money on, and don’t need to worry too much about what lenses to use, then maybe a compact camera might be more up your alley. But if you want something that will grow with you – as your photography skills improve – why not consider a dSLR, such as the lovely Nikon D7100.
3) What Is Your Subject Matter, Really
The type of photos you’ll take will also influence your camera purchases. Are you going to focus on portraits, landscapes or something in between? For me, personally, I prefer wide angle lenses for landscapes or buildings and ‘zoom’ lenses for portraits. Everyone’s preferences are different and my best advice is just to borrow a few lenses (or cameras) until you’ve found one that is a perfect fit for you.
4) Choose a Budget Before you Go
One of the hardest things about buying anything new, is actually sticking to the budget. It’s easy to get excited with new features and bits and pieces, but be realistic about what you need, what you’ll use and what might just be surplus to your needs.
Traveling is one of life’s greatest joys. Make sure you take along a wonderful camera on your next trip overseas:
