The best budget camera for backpacking and hiking

Looking for the best budget camera for backpacking? Well, not too long ago, I was also looking for exactly that. I did a ton of research before finally buying a good hiking camera that was still -somewhat- affordable. Today I decided to share all this information with you and create a handy buyers guide.

 

Best budget camera for backpacking

Before I start, I would like to mention that  the perfect budget camera for backpacking is different for everybody. Some backpackers value the compactness and weight a lot, because they are hiking long distance trails and do not have the luxury of bringing a big heavy camera. Other backpackers might not care too much about a few additional grams because they are mainly hitchhiking and using public transport.

I will separate my recommendations in 3 subsections: compact, extreme budget and bulky.

Most hikers and backpackers would probably be best suited with a good compact camera. However, be prepared, even tho these are the best affordable hiking cameras, the prices might still be pretty high. The reason for this is that if you don’t spend at least a couple of hundred dollars, you might as well keep using your smartphones to make pictures and videos.

For backpackers and hikers with a low end smartphone (or no smartphone) who don’t care too much about the quality of their pictures, the extreme budget section is for you.

For backpackers who care a lot about the quality of their pictures and who can afford to carry some extra weight, there is the bulky high-quality section. In this section I will cover bridge and DSLR cameras. The quality of these types of cameras are even better than my best compact recommendation. However, you obviously sacrifice a lot of portability.

If you are not sure about what type of camera you should get, I would always recommend a compact camera. Sure, the quality is not as good as with a bridge/DSLR camera, but you will still be able to create very high-quality images with a compact camera.

 

Best compact camera for backpacking

In this section I will talk about the best compact camera for backpacking. Especially hikers who like to hike long distance trails (like me) should go with a compact camera. But even the regular backpacker would not go wrong with this type of camera. If you are not a professional or semi-professional photographer, the quality of these cameras should be more than good enough.

Side note: the best way to get good value for money is to choose older models that are not outdated. Lots of brands keep updating their products because this results in more revenue. However, sometimes, the older model is not necessarily outdated. Still, the price of these products goes down because there is a newer version of that product. This is perfect for us, backpackers on a budget!

 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100

After hours and hours of research, this was the camera that came out on top. Needless to say, this was the one I eventually bought and I definitely do not regret it! Note that the ZS100 is the same as the TZ100 it just has different names in different regions.

So why did this one beat the competition? The answer is simple, this one was the best overall budget camera, it didn’t really lack anything and it wasn’t more expensive than the alternatives.

Key features:

There are a lot of good alternatives for the ZS100, but none of them had everything I needed. Let’s take a look at the key features:

• F2.8-5.9, 25-250mm equiv. lens
• 20.1MP 1″-type BSI CMOS sensor
• 4K video
• 4K Photo
• Wi-Fi
• 10x zoom
• Viewfinder

Especially a 10x zoom is something that is hard to find on similar budget cameras. I really do value a good zoom, mainly for wildlife, but it can be beneficial on many occasions.

4K has a lot of disadvantages, the biggest one that it requires a lot of storage space, but I wanted to prepare for the future. Therefore, 4K was a requirement for me. However, in my opinion, this is not a must-have. I mean, I would recommend it, but I wouldn’t say it’s always a terrible idea to buy a camera without 4K.

Another feature I like on a cheap backpacking camera is a viewfinder. When you are out on a hiking trail for example, the sunlight might make it difficult to look at the touchscreen. Therefore, you are not really seeing what you are shooting. A viewfinder would make all these troubles go away and is very valuable in these situations.

Keeping in mind the price and the size of this camera, the lens and the sensor are very decent. That said, if you sacrifice other qualities like the 10x zoom, you might be able to get a slightly better sensor for around the same price. But that would probably not really make a huge difference and it simply wouldn’t be worth it in my opinion.

If you are not only interested in making pictures, but you also want to make quality videos, this is also the camera I would recommend. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 makes high-quality 4K videos. Maybe not as good as a dedicated video camera, but this would be really close to the next best thing.

The Lumix ZS100 also comes with fun features like 4K burts mode. This is especially useful for wildlife photography or just for having fun with water splashes.

Oh, the total weight of this product? 312 g (0.69 lb / 11.01 oz) and this is battery included (!).

Last but not least, the battery life of the ZS100 is very good as well (300 shots per battery life).

Verdict

So yea, all in all, this would be my number one recommendation when it comes the best budget camera for backpacking and hiking. Depending on your expectations, you might think this camera is pretty expensive for a “budget-friendly” product. I had the same opinion once. However, the more research you do, the more you’ll realize that it is simply worth it to spend a little bit more on a backpacking camera. Not only will you be able to make better photos and videos, you will also be able to keep using the product for a longer time, which -in time- will also result in money saved.

If you really can’t afford this one, I would recommend looking at the extreme budget subsection instead.

For those of you who are convinced, or at least curious, you can take a look at the latest price on amazon by clicking the following link: Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100.

 

Compact camera alternatives.

Alright, so the ZS-100 is my favorite budget camera for backpacking. There are still some valid alternatives, but most of these are often almost twice as expensive (I’m looking at you Sony RX100). Still, there are some decent budget alternatives left.

 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX15

The name has probably tipped you off, but this camera is very similar to the ZS-100. The reason I’m including this in my article: I believe there are certain backpackers who would benefit from bringing the LX15 instead of the ZS100.

Let’s take a look at some of the main differences.

The LX15 only has a 3x zoom where the ZS100 has a 10x zoom. For me, this was the decisive factor. If you really don’t care about the zoom, I would actually recommend the LX15 over the ZS100. That said, I would assume that most hikers and backpackers do get a lot of value from that 10x zoom. Oh, and one more thing, the LX15 does not have a viewfinder. If you like the LX15, but you value a viewfinder too much, you could actually take a look at the LX100 instead.

The main advantage of the LX15 is that it has a slightly better lens. It has a wider-angle lens, which results in a wider view. Also, the lens of the LX15 has a wider maximum aperture in comparison with the ZS-100 (f/1.4 vs f/2.8). For those of you who don’t really know what this means: this will result in better light gathering.

For a more in-depth comparison, I would recommend taking a look at this article: LX15 vs ZS100.

You can check out the latest price on amazon: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX15.

 

Ricoh GRII

Let me start by saying what I love about the Ricoh GR II: It’s optimized for hikers. Seriously, they thought about everything.

First, they included a decent grip on the handle, this is lacking on the Panasonic Lumix DMC models that I recommended.

Second, the Ricoh GRII is amazingly lightweight. It’s really hard to find a camera that’s around the same price and quality at that weight. The overall weight of the Ricoh GRII is only 248 g (8.7 oz ) including batteries.

Last but not least: the battery life of the ZS100 is very good, but the battery life of the GRII is even better (320 shots per battery life).

If the GRII is so amazing, than why did I choose the ZS100 over this camera? The overall quality of images and video is simply better on the ZS100. Additionally, the GRII is lacking a lot of the newer features (like 4k and burst).

For a more in-depth comparison, check out this article: Ricoh GRII vs ZS100.

You can check out the latest price on amazon: Ricoh GRII.

 

Best extreme budget cameras for backpacking

Depending on what you are expecting when you are looking for the best budget camera for backpacking, the prices of the cameras so far might have been pretty expensive. Once again, unless you really can’t afford it, I would recommend to spend a bit more money on a camera. It will pay off in the long run. If you don’t do this, you might as well take pictures with your smartphone.

However, if you really can’t afford any of the above mentioned cameras and you have a low-end/no smartphone, buying an extreme budget camera might be the best option for you.

 

GordVE-PowerLead BP88 Camera

This camera is the cheapest one on the list. Let me start by pointing out that the image quality is not that great. The GordVE-PowerLead BP88 Camera comes with 5 megapixels, most modern smartphones have more megapixels. That said, megapixels is not the only thing that matters. The zoom for example is also important, this camera comes with a 8x zoom.

This camera weighs 8 ounces (227 grams), it is small, cheap and rugged. Additionally, it is completely waterproof, you can even even use it underwater. This makes this product extremely convenient as well. No need to put it away when it’s raining.

If photo quality does not matter that much to you, this is probably your best budget camera for backpacking.

Check out the latest price on amazon: GordVE-PowerLead BP88 Camera.

 

Canon PowerShot ELPH 180

This camera is probably my favorite camera for people on a very tight budget. It’s not as convenient as the GordVE-PowerLead BP88 because it is not waterproof, but it’s still very lightweight and small. It weighs only 4.4 ounces (126 grams).

The biggest advantage is that this camera has 20 megapixels, which means that the quality of the photos will be a lot better. This camera also has an 8x zoom.

It’s my favorite camera for people with a very tight budget because it is very good value for money. Obviously, the quality of the photos will be nowhere near as good as the recommendations that I’ve made in the “best compact cameras for backpacking” section. That said, for the money you are paying the results are pretty good.

Check out the latest price on amazon: Canon PowerShot ELPH 180.

 

Best bulky cameras for backpacking

In this section I will cover the best bulky cameras for backpacking. Even tho these cameras are more bulky than the other recommendations, I will still try and find the more lightweight options. I will recommend one DSLR camera and one Bridge camera. Check out this article if you are not sure what the difference is: Difference between DSLR and Bridge.

 

Nikon D3400

The Nikon D3400 is my recommendation for a backpacking DLSR. This camera provides good quality, but it is a lot more bulky than the cheaper options. It basically comes down to how badly you want high quality photos.

Carrying a big and heavy camera does not only mean additional weight, it also means it’s less convenient to use. Where are you going to store that camera? In your backpack? Around your neck? None of these options are very convenient.

I just want to make clear that high quality photos comes with a price.

That said, the Nikon D3400 is still a great choice as a backpacking camera. Sure, it’s a lot more bulky than the Panasonic Lumix ZS100, but it’s still a lot more lightweight than most of the DSLR alternatives.

The biggest benefit is that you can use the lens you like. Keep in mind that this lens might add to the total weight, size and cost of the product.

Check out the latest price on amazon: Nikon D3400.

 

Panasonic Lumix FZ1000

This is my recommended bridge camera for backpacking.

If you like advanced features, you are going to like the panasonic lumix FZ100. The image quality is not necessarily a lot better than the the Nikon D3400, but it has a better zoom, more features and many other benefits.

For a more in-depth comparison I would recommend this article.

Check out the latest price on amazon: PANASONIC LUMIX FZ1000.

 

What to look for in a budget backpacking  camera

Not 100% sure that one of these cameras is a perfect fit for you? No problem, I always encourage people to do their own research. That said, there are a couple of things that are very important when it comes to budget cameras for backpacking. You should keep those things in mind before buying.

 

Price

I know, this one is obvious. However, a lot of people don’t think enough about the value they are getting for a certain price. This becomes even more important when you are on a tight budget.

 

Weight

Weight is very important because a high-end camera can be very heavy. I probably don’t have to convince you about the importance of travelling lightweight. Make sure to double check the weight before buying. Don’t forget to think about the weight of the lens if you are buying that separately.

 

Size

Size is important because everything needs to fit inside your bag. But, it’s also important because you want to be able to easily carry it in an accessible place. The Ricoh GR II for example can easily be stored in the pocket of your pants or jacket. It won’t be possible to do that with the Nikon D3400 for example. Especially if you include a lens.

Also, if you are camping outside when it is freezing, you should put your camera inside your sleeping bag. You do not want to expose it to freezing temperatures. This might be another reason to buy a compact camera.

 

Convenience

If your camera is both lightweight and compact, it’s most likely going to be convenient as well. As I said before, you want to be able to carry your camera in an accessible place, but it should not bother you while hiking. Also, you want to be able to be very quick when it comes to taking pictures. If you spot some amazing wildlife along the trail, you better capture that fast.

 

Image & video quality

This might be more important for some people than for others. If you are out hiking, you might reach some places that are not easily accessible. Once you do eventually get rewarded with an amazing view at the top of that mountain, you probably want to eternalize that moment with a high quality image/video.

That said, better quality means that the camera will often be more expensive.

 

Durability

Durability is always important for people on a budget. Buying a new camera every year is obviously not good for your budget. Therefore, make sure to buy a durable product.

Also, your camera will be out on the trail with you. It will not be sitting on a shelf inside a cosy house. You want to buy a product that can take a beating or two.

 

Can I use my phone instead of a camera?

While there are many benefits of using a camera over smartphone, it’s still an option to simply use your phone as a camera.

Your smartphone is small, lightweight and it’s something that you are probably going to bring along anyway.

This does not only mean less weight, it also means you do not have to charge multiple devices. By only using a smartphone you will need less power. Therefore, a smaller power bank might suffice.

So there are plenty of advantages if you use your smartphone as a camera. However, if you truly care about image and video quality, using your smartphone is not really a valid option. Sure, the image quality on a smartphone is increasing every year, but there is still a big difference between a real camera.

 

Conclusion

As I said before, finding the right budget camera for backpacking can be a challenge. That said, this article should have given you a pretty clear idea on what’s important when it comes to buying a cheap hiking camera.

Different kinds of hikers might choose different kinds of cameras. For example, if you are a day hiker and you do not walk a lot of miles, you are probably fine with a rather heavy camera. Especially if image and video quality is very important to you. However, if you are a hiking and camping or multiple days in the wilderness, you probably want to stay as lightweight as possible. This becomes even more important if making a lot of miles is your priority.

If I could only recommend one camera, it would be the Panasonic Lumix ZS100 (also known as TZ100).  It has great image quality, great video quality, it’s lightweight, compact,  durable and it has lots of features.

So, what’s your opinion of this article about the best budget camera for backpacking? Do you have experience with any of my recommended cameras? Do you have another recommendation for me? Feel free to let me know in the comments below!