Hiking is one of the best ways to just let go and enjoy the beauty life has to offer and it also offers great opportunity for making memories. The best hiking Camera is not only small and easy to carry, but it also captures unforgettable images that can be revisited once the trip was over and you need to show your friends.
With so many cameras on the market, it can be quite daunting to choose the best one and this is where many people make the mistake and fall for the cheapest option. We have decided to look a little deeper at these cameras and find the top cameras that will be perfect for you on your next camping or hiking trip.
Review | Product Name | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Sony a7R | |||
PANASONIC LUMIX LX100 4K | |||
Sony a5100 | |||
PANASONIC LUMIX G7 4K | |||
GoPro HERO5 Black | |||
Canon EOS Rebel T6 | |||
Canon EOS 70D | |||
Nikon D3400 | |||
PANASONIC LUMIX GH5 | |||
Canon EOS M3 |
Point and Shoot vs. Mirrorless vs. DSLR
When choosing your hiking camera, you will need to focus on these three types when selecting one and the one you choose can make all the difference when capturing those unforgettable images and having them be as clear as possible. Here are the main differences between these three types of cameras:
1. Point and Shoot
The point and shoot cameras are some of the oldest models and they have a hard time focusing on moving objects or people. The sensors on the Point and Shoot models are much smaller and they use contrast detection autofocus when aiming at the target. This can be great for taking standing pictures, but might not be the best for moving people.
Point and Shoot cameras are affordable and they can easily be pickup every year. This does make them a great disposable option if you need something in a hurry.
2. Mirrorless
The mirrorless cameras are a little more advanced when compared to the point and shoot models and they also work well for outdoors. These cameras are generally lighter and work great in automatic mode, but most of them do not use the phase detect autofocus and this could be troublesome when trying to capture moving subjects.
The mirrorless cameras are small and lightweight, they also have decent battery life and they will not cost you an arm or a leg when it breaks.
3. DSLR
DSLR cameras are the most expensive, but they are also the best when it comes to capturing outdoor scenery and moving subjects. The camera includes a mirror lens that will reflect away the light and the phase detect auto-focus makes it great for capturing sports or action photos. These cameras have brilliant battery life and they will give you maximum control over the photo.
The only argument that can be made is the price and these cameras are quite expensive when compared to the others. However, they are the best and you will certainly get great value for your money when using them.
Key Features To Consider When Choosing The Best Hiking Camera
Now that you have a better understanding of the differences found in each type of camera, you should understand that each camera does have different features you have to consider before you buy the camera. Here are the main things you should look for to get the best possible value for your money:
- Size & Design: If the camera is too big or too heavy, it becomes something you will need to carry along and this can be extremely frustrating. The design and the size should be perfect to fit into your pockets and it should be light enough to carry around in your hands or around your neck when hiking or backpacking long distances.
- Exterior protection: The outer materials should be durable and capable of withstanding a few bumps when hiking. The top hiking cameras are also waterproof and they offer versatility for taking a few pictures in the wet and rainy conditions.
- Versatility: Many of these top cameras are designed to give you versatility and they offer additional video features as well. This will help you capture everything and relive those moments after the trip has ended. If it has a waterproof feature, this will be great for capturing pictures in the water as well.
- Lens selection: When choosing your lenses, you should consider the size, as this will give you more quality and better zoom. When selecting a mirrorless or DSLR camera, you should look for the 35 mm equivalent. The wider the angle, the better your photos will certainly be, but this will definitely spike the costs significantly as well.
- Battery type: The battery type is definitely important and having a great battery will be perfect if you are hiking longer distances. The lithium-ion batteries might be a little more expensive, but they also tend to last much longer. The batteries are also much better when it comes to long-term use and you will not have to replace them before the camera.
- USB Compatible: In today’s modern world, all new cameras are compatible with the PC and this does make them great for saving your photos and printing them. Many of the cheaper models might still lack this and use the removable memory card. Having the USB function is great for quickly cleaning the memory and moving the photos.
These are the main features that you will need to look for in your next hiking camera and having them will make all the difference in the world. The more features you include, the more expensive the product will be, but you will need to pay for the best. There are many other smaller features as well, but with these, you should be ready for that first hiking trip.
Top 10 Hiking & Backpacking Cameras Of 2017 Reviews
Sony a7R
Type: Mirrorless
The Sony a7R II Full-Frame Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera is one of the top cameras on the market today. It is designed for the active outdoor or sporting enthusiast and the small and lightweight design makes it ideal to carry around on all of your trips. With a CMOS sensor, it features back illumination that will dramatically improve low light photos and light collection.
The camera is also capable of connecting to your PC or your Smartphone via Wi-Fi or NFC, which allows you to easily send the images between the camera and the device. The Play Memories app is compatible with this device and it allows the user to customize their own camera and give it that unique and fresh taste.
A 3-inch LED screen is designed for you to see clearly where you are aiming and this can also be tilted to meet your needs if you are in an awkward position. Finally, the camera includes a lithium-ion battery for those longer trips and it can be portably recharged. The zoom on the lenses is 4X and this should be enough for your outdoor memories.
This camera is definitely one of the most expensive models, but it includes all the features needed to take professional photos. The camera is great for taking steady pictures and the vibration technology will keep any blurring from occurring. We would certainly like to recommend this camera to the more advanced and enthusiastic outdoor lover.
What We Like:
- Extremely durable
- Connects to Wi-Fi
- Decent 1-year warranty
- Can be fully customized
What We Didn't Like:
- Extremely expensive
PANASONIC LUMIX LX100 4K
Type: Point and Shoot
The PANASONIC LUMIX LX100 4K Point and Shoot Camera is part of the legendary Lumix LX series and features manual controls. It features great light capturing abilities with the micro four-thirds sensor and the focus is quite easy to use once you get the hang of the camera. The Eye-level EVF provides clear and stable framing as well.
The entire design is lightweight and easy to use. The price is not too expensive and this should be the ideal camera for the occasional outdoor enthusiast. It includes a 4K video and photo mode for capturing your favorite images and videos for your friends and family to see after the trip.
While the shutter speed and the bracketing are amazing, the camera does lack somewhat when dust is in the area. Unfortunately, the design is not fully dustproof and this might cause a ton of damage if you are not careful. We would recommend buying an additional cover for the dust particles that might find its way inside.
What We Like:
- Reasonably priced
- Great picture quality
- Portable and versatile
- Decent warranty
What We Didn't Like:
- Not dustproof
- The flash is external
Sony a5100
Type: Mirrorless
The Sony a5100 16-50mm Mirrorless Digital Camera is an affordable mirrorless camera, designed for all your hiking and backpacking trips. The camera features 179 auto-focus points and it makes it much easier for snapping those unexpected images on the trip. The rugged aluminum casing is quite durable and small enough to fit inside your pockets.
It features additional Wi-Fi connectivity that can be used to connect to your PC and smartphone and framing an image to your smartphone has never been easier. The 24 Megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor is designed for pristine and clear images in the worst of conditions. The camera can also be customized with a few apps and you will have a unique outdoor tool.
This camera is one of the most affordable models and it is designed for outdoor use. It includes everything that you might need to take pristine pictures and we would definitely recommend it for the avid and social hiker.
What We Like:
- Small and compact
- Durable design
- Great battery life
- Includes 179 AF points
What We Didn't Like:
- The camera only has one control dial, limiting your control
PANASONIC LUMIX G7 4K
Type: Mirrorless
The PANASONIC LUMIX G7 4K Mirrorless Camera is another great affordable option with multiple new features for the avid hiker and for beginner photographers. The camera includes 3 modes that will give you 4K images and the video can also be paused if you need to capture another photo unexpectedly. Focusing is made easy with the clear and precise autofocus points.
The camera includes a 16-megapixel sensor with 4X zoom and the images can be framed to your smartphone or even shared with your friends over the Wi-Fi. The camera can also be modified to your liking. It is really affordable and we would definitely recommend it for the durability and the compact design.
What We Like:
- Decent durability
- Includes multiple 4K features
- Includes Wi-Fi connectivity
- Reasonably priced
- Massive 3-year warrant
What We Didn't Like:
- The customer service is quite slow
GoPro HERO5 Black
Next, we have the GoPro HERO5 Black and this camera is designed for the outdoor lovers and for water sports. It features a durable rugged design and will be impervious to bumps and shocks. The camera is also waterproof for up to 33 feet and this will be ideal for taking those images under the water or in the rain.
With 4K videos and a 12MP camera, one might think that this is one of the expensive models; however, it is one of the most affordable models that will benefit any outdoor enthusiast. The voice control is easy to use on this camera and you might not need to carry along your selfie stick any longer. We would definitely recommend the camera for outdoor use and water adventures.
What We Like:
- Weatherproof
- Really affordable
- Extremely durable
- Includes voice control
What We Didn't Like:
- It includes GPS. But this lacks some accuracy
Canon EOS Rebel T6
Type: DSLR
The Canon EOS Rebel T6 Digital SLR Camera is designed to give you all the control in the world. The camera features a large design and this might not be comfortable to carry around, but with the great autofocus, your pictures should be perfect every time.
What sets this camera apart from the other is the price and the amount of accessories and add-ons you will receive. While all these extras are cumbersome to carry along on your trips, they will definitely make the experience better and you could snap pictures from virtually anywhere. While this camera is more for camping, we would also recommend it for beginners in the photography industry.
What We Like:
- Durable
- Reasonably priced
- Includes a ton of accessories
What We Didn't Like:
- Quite heavy
