Whether it’s in the form of a travel vlog, documentary, or something more cinematic, creating travel videos lets you tell a story about your experiences in an immersive way not possible with other forms of expression. A dedicated camera provides better image quality especially when filming in low light places, and choosing the right one for you could unlock many more benefits. Here’s our guide to choosing the best camera for travel videos, as well as some camera recommendations.

 

Narrow down your needs: 2 simple questions to ask yourself

The features that you will want to look out for when you pick a camera depends on the kind of content you want to create. Here are two questions to consider.

- Will you be filming yourself?

Filming yourself is quite different from filming from behind the camera—even the way you hold the camera would be different. If you plan to create travel vlogs where you show yourself talking, a camera that caters to vlogging-specific needs would help your shoot and workflow.

We recommend:
- PowerShot V10
- EOS R50

- What’s your travel video approach and audience?

If your videos are for multiple social media platforms, features like aspect markers will help you compose shots for easier editing. If your style is more cinematic and involves more post-production work such as colour grading, you will probably want a camera with Canon Log recording.

Your shooting style will also affect the gear that works best for you. For example, do you need something small and discreet that you can take anywhere for run and gun, spur of the moment footage? Or do you usually plan your visuals carefully down to the kind of lens to use?

We recommend:
- EOS R6 Mark II

Below is a comparison of the 3 recommended video cameras for different shooting styles.

	PowerShot V10	EOS R50	EOS R6 Mark II
Small body size (Portability)	★★★	★★	★
Image sensor size	1-inch type	APS-C	Full-frame
Dynamic range	★	★★	★★★
Low light performance	★	★★	★★★
Lens type	Fixed (19mm)	Interchangeable	Interchangeable
Highest recording resolution	4K 30p	4K 30p (Oversampled from 6K)	- Internal: 4K 60p (Oversampled from 6K) - External: 6K RAW
Built-in microphone	Large omnidirectional	Normal stereo	Normal stereo
Vlogging-centric design	★★★	★★	★
Simple button layout	★★★	★★	★
Advanced controls	★	★★	★★★
Autofocus	★	★★	★★★
Slow motion	-	Full HD 120p	Full HD 180p
Canon Log	-	-	Canon Log 3
Wireless transfer to smartphone (Camera Connect)	✓	✓	✓
USB-C plug & play webcam	✓	✓	✓
Still photography functionality	★	★★	★★★
Weather sealing	-	-	✓

 

1. PowerShot V10: Convenient, fuss-free vlogging

The PowerShot V10 provides the essentials of a vlogging camera within an innovative, ergonomic design that also happens to be tiny and discreet. Smaller than a traditional compact camera, it is made to be comfortable to hold for long periods of handheld selfie recording. Even its 19mm full-frame equivalent lens was specially picked because it provides the optimal angle of view for footage that includes yourself, all while shooting from a comfortable handheld position.

 

 

2. EOS R50: The portable all-rounder

The EOS R50 is a lightweight, portable 24.2-megapixel APS-C mirrorless camera equipped with a plethora of video features. This includes more than just a few that will delight vloggers and content creators looking for something more feature-rich, such as:

- Cropless 6K-oversampled 4K 30p video (for cleaner, sharper video)
- Full HD 120p shooting (for slow motion video)
- 10-bit HDR PQ video

On top of it all, it also has excellent still shooting functions that make it a handy all-round travel camera.

Vlogging-friendly features

- Close-up Demo mode
- Movie Digital IS

Besides being small enough to fit easily on a smaller gimbal, stabilizer, or tripod grip like the Tripod Grip HG-100TBR, the EOS R50 has multiple functions enhanced with vloggers in mind. The Movie for Close-up Demos mode, which seamlessly switches focus from your face to objects presented close to the lens, is a good function/feature to use when showcasing local food or your travel shopping haul.

Or, turn on Movie Digital IS mode when shooting handheld to enjoy auto-leveling and even steadier wide-angle selfie videos, resulting in video that looks more professional, right out of the box!

Support for vertical videos and aspect markers in many popular aspect ratios lets you easily compose videos for multiple social media platforms.

 

3. EOS R6 Mark II: Cinematography on the go

The EOS R6 Mark II is a powerful option for creators who intend to turn their travel videos into travel cinematography.  Beyond its 24.2-megapixel full-frame image sensor, which captures a wider dynamic range, achieves a shallower depth of field, and enables 6K-oversampled 4K recording, it is equipped with multiple advanced features to suit more sophisticated production needs. These include Canon Log 3 recording, support for 12-bit 6K RAW external recording, and false colour display for those who want more control over output, as well as High Frame Rate Full HD 180p shooting.

Flip the switch from “VIDEO” to “PHOTO” mode to unleash one of the EOS R system’s fastest, most powerful still photography cameras.

Also see:
EOS R6 Mark II vs. EOS R8: Which to Choose?