Travel photography can include a world of possibilities, right from shooting for travel magazines to capturing the magic of family vacations. We wanted to pick the right camera for travel photography as beginners, and it got trickier than deciding where to go. Luckily, MPB used cameras came to our rescue. Not only was it affordable and within our budget, but also, we also found a wide variety of choices, which included compact and even mirrorless cameras, which are extremely suited to travel photography. What’s more, they adeptly captured various sceneries, were available in many sensor formats, allowed us to be on the move, and were lightweight, adaptable, and versatile, more than anything else.
We’ve done the groundwork for you to help you pick the best used photography gear you’ll ever need for your travels. We did a deep dive into all relevant considerations, including durability, portability, image quality, and sensor size, among others. All in all, these options strike the perfect balance between price, features, and performance — read on.
To get you started, here’s a detailed review of MPB for budget-conscious travelers.
Nikon Z50
6
Most versatile. This used Nikon Z50, which is listed for just USD 510 on MPB, is one of the most lightweight products on this list, weighing just 450 g. We loved its excellent, almost new-like cosmetic condition, with a shutter count of just 1,086. What’s more, the product offering included the neck strap, the Z front body cap, the battery, the battery door, and battery charger, the eyecup, and the standard six-month warranty, besides the camera itself.
Coming to the technical specs, the camera boasted a 20.9-MP APS-C sensor paired with 11 FPS continuous shooting, with autofocus and automatic exposure. That, along with the 2.36 million dot OLED viewfinder and the tilting screen, is extremely useful for street travel photography. In fact, we could hold the Z50 at waist level and compose our shots without anyone noticing. Finally, the combination of touchscreen and physical controls and the dedicated ‘help’ button, this is an intuitive and easy-to-use mid-range mirrorless camera perfect for beginners’ travel photography.
Specs
- Weight: 450 g
- Image sensor: 20.9-megapixel APS-C sensor
- FPS: 11 with autofocus and automatic exposure
Pros
- The camera has a weather-sealed and compact body.
- It boasts a dynamic range and excellent image quality.
- The Wi-Fi image transfer and the ‘help’ button on the menu are very useful.
Cons
- The battery life could be better.
Buy on:
Ricoh GR III
5
Most lightweight. Aptly nicknamed the “Pocket Rocket,” the Ricoh GR III fits everything in a package that weighs just 255 g! However, the lightest — and smallest — camera on this list is chock full of features, punching well above its weight, even for the USD 1,100 price. Street photography was a dream with this Ricoh camera, which was equipped with a sharp 28mm equivalent f/2.8 lens. Besides that, it also boasted an excellent hybrid autofocus system, resulting in sharper and clearer images across the entire frame even when the aperture setting was at the widest.
“We were looking for an extremely lightweight and portable camera for our travels with our kids, and the Ricoh GR III was perfect!”
The entire package included not just the camera, but also the USB charging cable, the ring cap, the battery, and the six-month warranty. However, the Ricoh wrist strap and the original packaging weren’t included.
Specs
- Weight: 255 g
- Image sensor: 24-megapixel APS-C sensor
- FPS: 4 with full HD video recording
Pros
- The camera boasted a fast and responsive autofocus.
- We loved the exceptional 28mm lens.
- The camera was remarkably lightweight and portable.
Cons
- It doesn’t have an electronic viewfinder.
Buy on:
Canon EOS RP
4
Costing just USD 630, Canon’s entry-level full-frame camera, the Canon EOS RP, is an excellent value buy. Small and surprisingly lightweight at 485 g, the camera also allowed us access to the brand’s strong and vast library of lenses. There were many other reasons we loved the Canon EOS RP, starting with the impressively quick autofocus. What’s more, we could shoot a 4K video too, and that too in the brand’s famed gorgeous and natural-feeling hues. We especially loved shooting JPEGs, as the photographs boasted great contrast, were rendered quite beautifully, and came out punchy. If you’re on a budget, then this is unarguably the best value full-frame camera from the brand you can find on the website.
Specs
- Weight: 485 g
- Image sensor: 26.2-megapixel full-frame Dual Pixel sensor
- FPS: 4K/24 fps (with 1.7x crop)
Pros
- There are many strong and varied connectivity options.
- The camera was lightweight, compact, and offered excellent value.
- We loved the superior JPEG quality.
Cons
- No IBIS (in-body image stabilization)
Buy on:
Panasonic Lumix DC-G9
3
For a difference of just USD 30, we got the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 in almost new condition, costing just USD 700. Not only did it include the standard six-month warranty, but it also included the body cap, the eyecup, the battery and battery charger, the neck strap, an instruction manual, and even original packaging. This feature-rich camera boasted a compact design even though it weighed 658 g, making it more discreet and less obstructive than bulkier cameras. A reliable contrast detection system aside, it even had a ridiculously fantastic 20 FPS burst mode, which is ideal for wildlife shots.
Impressive in-body image stabilization, a sturdy and rugged weather-sealed body, and textured rubber-like grips that keep the camera firmly in our hands are just some of its excellent features. However, we loved the fact that we didn’t need to recharge the battery frequently, as it could capture an impressive 920 shots per charge.
Specs
- Weight: 658 g
- Image sensor: 20.3-megapixel sensor with no AA filter
- FPS: 20, burst with continuous autofocus using the electronic shutter
Pros
- The weather-sealed and rugged body with a large grip was ideal.
- The sharpness and JPEG noise reduction was great.
- The image stabilization was excellent.
Cons
- The autofocus joystick wasn’t very responsive.
Buy on:
Fujifilm X-T5
2
The Fujifilm X-T5 is the brand’s second camera to be equipped with its famed and astonishing amazing Trans 5 sensor. This light and compact camera boasted a fantastic build quality and was jam-packed with mirrorless features. Firstly, the condition was like new, and the used camera came with not just the standard six-month warranty but also the original packaging, front body cap, neck strap, the brand’s charging cable, battery, and eyecup, as well as the power adapter. That’s why we didn’t mind paying the USD 1,680 price for this camera!
For us, the camera had two standout features. First is the fantastic image quality with exceptional detail and tonality, considering the APS-C sensor. Second is the “Pixel Shift,” which, using the IBIS (in-body image stabilization), takes a series of RAW images and moves the sensor automatically to capture ultra-high-resolution images. If you’re interested in detail-oriented travel photos like us, this camera is perfect.
Specs
- Weight: 557 g
- Image sensor: 40-megapixel back-illuminated APS-C sensor
- FPS: 15 with continuous shooting and autofocus
Pros
- The camera boasted an excellent battery life.
- We loved the robust build quality.
- The RAW dynamic range was unbelievable.
Cons
- There was a rolling shutter in the videography.
Buy on:
Sony A7 IV
1
Best overall. Sitting at the top of the list is the Sony A7 IV, which is our recommended pick for the most versatile and well-rounded used cameras on the website. There were a ton of things we loved about this camera, starting with the 33-MP sensor, which provided an excellent balance between low-light capability and resolution. So, we were able to shoot across various lighting and weather scenarios throughout the day. What’s more, the autofocus was robust and simple, nailing focus pretty much every time.
If that wasn’t enough, the Sony A7 IV delivers on travel videography as well. This is where the IBIS (in-body image stabilization) was very useful for controlling the camera shake when we were recording the video. So, if you do a ton of handheld shooting, then this is the ticket. It’s pricey at USD 2,160, but it’s an excellent deal for a camera that looks almost brand-new. Oh, and the best bit? The A7 IV opened up access to the brand’s ever-growing and impressive range of FE lenses. Did we mention that the shutter count is less than 350? Yep.
Specs
- Weight: 659 g
- Image sensor: 33-megapixel BSI CMOS full-frame sensor
- FPS: 10 with continuous shooting
Pros
- The camera has a light and small body.
- It boasts excellent image quality and features.
- There was a huge variety of FE-mount lenses available.
Cons
- None, really.
Buy on:
Our Verdict!
Here’s a smaller list where we’ve listed the best products from the list according to their features so you can make a choice.
- Best overall: Sony A7 IV
- Most lightweight: Ricoh GR III
- Most versatile: Nikon Z50
What is the warranty on MPB cameras?
All used gear from MPB, including the products mentioned above, comes with a free six-month warranty as well as a return period of 14 days, which begins from the day one receives their order.
Does MPB clean gear?
Yes. Everything that MPB sells and trades is professionally cleaned and inspected for quality by in-house and brand experts.
Do you need a flash for travel photography?
Having some or the other kind of fill flash is definitely a plus point, especially when it’s bright and sunny and when you’re photographing people on rainy days.
Some images on this article are copyrighted by MPB.
