When I travel, I like to have a good camera especially if I plan to print or show off those photos on Instagram or any other platform like my blog. Travel camera equipment and the accessories are essential in making a successful photography trip. Good cameras require an investment there’s no getting around that. If you plan to make money out of those photos then you must invest in good camera gear. Think of it as a business investment – your business and brand.
Another way to ease yourself into buying expensive camera equipment is to consider that once you set up a great platform, brands and companies will pay you to share photos of yourself using their products or services. If you do not have good camera equipment it will impact the quality of the photos that you create.
Remember that you can edit photos as much as you want but you will always need a great starting point to begin with. The cameras below are great for entry level photo making and the price points are not bad. You can upgrade over time and I have included upgrade options. Trust me that cameras can get expensive once you get into serious photography.
Travel Camera Equipment and Accessories that you need:
Nikon DSLR
My first camera was a Nikon DSLR – (Digital Single Lens Reflex) D3500. This camera is great for starting out and the price point is perfect for a starter camera. It is great for practicing before investing in a more professional camera category. The picture quality is high and it’s a compact size that is easy to carry around. It comes with two lenses so you can have two shooting options.
Another great feature is that it has WIFI compatibility which is great for self-portraits and downloading photos to edit and post on the go. The camera is relatively easy to navigate and it has multiple focus settings.
The next level is a D7500 which has amazing picture quality which is great for editing later. It is a bit more expensive but this upgrade will prove to be worth the investment. This camera is compatible with the D3500 in terms of lenses which is a consideration you should make before you invest in a camera the first time.
The D7500 is weather-sealed body which is important if you are shooting in the rain. It has great auto-focus detection and includes a dual SD card slot. It is also easy to navigate and there are more menus and buttons to choose from.
Lens
There is the one lens that I recommend for Nikon as a beginner. The Tamron AF 18-200mm. At this price point you cannot go wrong. It’s a multi purpose lens and my go-to lens for most of my shots. It’s great for travel photography and can be used for just about anything travel related. This lens is great for just about anything.
Sony Alpha
This next camera is extremely popular with travel bloggers and Instagrammers. It is not cheap by any means but with this camera you will not need to buy another camera for years. The Sony Alpha A7RII is one of the best cameras out there with long battery life and incredibly fast auto focus detection. This means that it shoots great pictures even when there is movement. It also has a dual SD card which is great for storage. With this camera you are better of bundling to save money because lenses can get expensive.
If you aren’t in the market for something so expensive and are just trying to document your travels the Sony a7III is an excellent alternative. It is cheaper than the Alpha and comes with the Sony FE 28-70mm lens.
Gopro Hero7 Black
I got the Gopro Hero7 Black when I traveled to the Philippines. I needed a great little camera that was waterproof. It has an extra wide angle and is so easy to use. It also has voice control which is a wonderful feature when your hands are occupied. The picture quality is great because it has an inbuilt stabilizer which ensures that even when you are moving which you will when you have a gopro the photos still look amazing!
The Hero7 Black also has touch screen features which is great for viewing footage. It also has Bluetooth so you can download photos faster even when you are on the go.
DJI Spark
Right now, I have the DJI Spark and it’s great for drone shots. I’m a girl who loves aerial shots. It’s easy to use and the picture quality is good for my needs. At this point I am not a professional and getting the Mavic Pro would not make sense for my level.
The DJI Spark has great footage and the price point is unbeatable when compared to other drones in the market. It is easy to carry and usually comes with a bag that’s compatible. The battery life is not the best especially for an amateur, but you can buy multiple batteries to protect yourself from the short battery life.
It is easy to set up and the Bluetooth connection is great for downloading photos when you are on the go. Also, if you are worried about flying a drone for the first time the Spark has various settings that require no manipulation on your part, just select a setting and fly. The drone takes the photos once it’s in the air.
Accessories
Tripod – If you are a solo traveler like I am sometimes you will need a tripod. I do not like asking strangers to take photos unless it is absolutely necessary. As kind as strangers are for taking photos, they sometimes cut off legs, arms etc. with a tripod you set up once and go. Also, if you buy one of the DSLR cameras above they have WIFI meaning you can set up the camera to take photos with your phone remotely.
SD card – You will also need to buy SD cards for memory. Most cameras don’t come with one.
Gopro Stick – The Gopro does not come with a stick so you will need one to ensure that you don’t lose the gopro when you are on the go.
Extra batteries for DJI Spark – As I mentioned the battery life is not great but you can always get more batteries which aren’t super expensive.
Camera bag– It goes without saying that if you spend all this money on a camera you need a good camera bag to protect your equipment.
There you have it. This is all the travel camera equipment and accessories that I recommend for beginners and advanced photographers. Remember there is so much information out there for taking great photography and specifically youtube.
