Choosing the right camera to take on your travels is a very important process. When you’re out there in the wilderness, you’re going to want something that’s hardy, maintains its battery life and, most importantly of all, takes amazing pictures. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best cameras for hiking, backpacking or travelling, so you can get the lowdown before you buy! From DSLRs to compacts to hiking mirrorless cameras, we’ve got you covered.

Olympus Tough-8010

Tough by name, tough by nature. The Olympus Tough-8010 is the perfect companion for any serious hiker; not only does it take excellent, crisp pictures that’d look great in any photobook, it also has a range of features that make it uniquely suited to life in the wild. It is waterproof to a depth of 10 metres, freezeproof to as low as -10 degrees, shockproof to two metres and even crush proof to 100kg – it’s entirely designed to survive the elements.

Sony a6000

For a DLSR option that’s light-weight, maneuverable, but also delivers the goods, the Sony a6000 is one of the best cameras for hiking or backpacking. By investing in a DSLR, not only will you get more memory and better quality photos, the range of lens attachments mean you can be more creative with the shots that you take. And being out on a hike, you’ll want to take a lot of different shots! However, unlike most DSLRs, the a6000’s weight makes it manageable and comfortable, even on long treks, so you can keep snapping for hours.

Nikon DL 18-50

Amateur photographers who want to document their travels will be more than happy with the Nikon DL 18-50. A so-called ‘point and shoot’ camera, it is perfect for beginners, with very few settings that are relatively easy to master, meaning that when the moment presents itself, all you have to do is press the button. Additionally, the Nikon DL 18-50 has an exceptional wide-angle lens, making it ideal for taking sweeping landscape shots – every backpacker’ s dream.

Pentax Optio W90

Looking more like a chunky bit of camping gear than an actual camera, the Pentax Optio W90 certainly looks sturdy. It has a rubberised design that improves its already impressive shock resistance (up to 1.5 metres), and larger buttons that are easy to use, even with gloves on! So, if you’re in the peaks and want to take the perfect picture, the cold won’t make you shaky. Equally, the Optio W90 has a waterproof depth of 12 metres as well as a sand-proof and dust-proof cover, making it ideal for pretty much any conditions.

Panasonic Lumix TZ90

Sometimes, a classic compact camera is all you need to get fantastic shots while you’re out on your adventures. The Panasonic Lumix TZ90 is light-weight, adjustable, and versatile, making it great for capturing those fleeting moments of beauty. With 20-megapixels and the ability to shoot 4K HD videos, you’re guaranteed crisp images in a number of different lights. To top it all off, the easy-to-navigate interface and flip out screen mean that even beginners will have no trouble getting to grips with it.

Fujifilm XT-1

If getting gorgeous shots is your main aim while out on a hike, the Fujifilm XT-1 is one of the best options out there. Being a DSLR, it produces fantastic picture quality at all times of the day, and the relatively lightweight design (15.52oz) means that it never gets uncomfortable to shoot over long periods. Moreover, the body is sufficiently water-resistance, and the selection of waterproof, dustproof, and sand-proof lenses mean that you can shoot in any and all conditions.

So there you have it, our list of the best cameras for hiking and backpacking on the market. Let us know if you agree, or have any other suggestions, in the comments below!