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Travel Photography: Best Travel Digital
Cameras & Digital SLR Cameras 2012

Best Digital Camera, Mirrorless Compact System & Digital SLR camera choice for Travel Photography 2012
 
Sony-NEX-5N
Sony NEX-5N
For: Large 16 megapixel APS size sensor. Superb images. 3" LCD. Shoots at 10 fps. Panorama mode. Full HD videos at 1080p. SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. Full manual controls. Jpeg & RAW. Extremely compact. Ideal for professional travel photography.
Against: No built in flash. Limited lens range.
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Sony-Cybershot-DSC-HX9V
Sony DSC-HX9V
For: 16 megapixel sensor. 24-384mm (35mm equiv) zoom. Built in flash. 3" 921k pixels LCD. Full HD movies at 1080p in AVCHD. SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. Compact size. Panorama mode. High quality images. Good all round compact.
Against: Small sensor limits low light capability.
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Panasonic-DMC-TS3
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3
For: 12 megapixel sensor. Leica 28 to 128mm zoom lens. Image stabilization. Waterproof to 40 feet. Shockproof, freezeproof & dustproof. 2.7" LCD. Built in GPS. Full HD movies in Dolby digital sound. SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. Ideal for extreme conditions, adventure travel, sport, & general travel photography.
Against: Limited manual controls.
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Nikon-Coolpix-P300
Nikon Coolpix P300
For: 12.2 megapixel sensor. Fast f1.8 -4.9 24-100mm lens. Optical image stabilization. 3" 921k pixels LCD. Many modes including backlight HDR & panorama. HD movies at 1080p with stereo sound.. SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. High quality travel compact.
Against: No RAW.
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Olympus-XZ-1
Olympus XZ-1
For: 10 megapixel sensor. 28-112mm F1.8-2.5 zoom. Sensor shift image stabilization. 3" 614k OLED LCD. Jpeg & RAW. Full manual controls. Hotshoe for external flash. Video at 720p. Good quality compact for general travel photography.

Against: No full HD video at 1080p. Strong noise reduction takes away some of the detail in images.
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Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GF3
Panasonic DMC-GF3
For: 12.1 megapixel live MOS sensor. Micro four thirds lens mount. 3" 460k pixels LCD. Fast auto focus. Full HD movies at 1080p in AVCHD format. SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. Full manual controls. Built in flash. Jpeg & RAW. Compact size. Suit beginner to intermediate travel photographer.
Against: No hotshoe.
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Sony-NEX-7
Sony NEX-7 Pro Camera
For: Professional quality camera with new 24.3 megapixel APS size HD CMOS sensor. Sony E mount. High resolution OLED electronic viewfinder with 2.4 million dots. Tilting 3" 921k pixels LCD. Built in flash. Sony/Minolta hot shoe. Super fast operation at 10 fps. Currently the best travel camera (with interchangeable lenses) on the market for professional quality results.
Against: Expensive. Limited lens range.
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Olympus-E-P3
Olympus PEN E-P3
For: Large 12.3 megapixel sensor. Micro four thirds lens mount. Articulating 3" 460k pixels LCD. Small external flash supplied as standard. Shoots at 5.5 fps. Full HD movies at 1080p. Full manual controls. Art filters. Jpeg & RAW. Hotshoe. Semi professional travel camera capable of superb results. Also consider Olympus E-PL3.
Against: No built in flash.
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Nikon-D5100
Nikon D5100
For: 16.2 megapixel DX format sensor. Nikkor F-mount gives access to vast range of Nikkor lenses. Rotating 3" 921k pixels LCD. Optical viewfinder. Hotshoe. Full manual controls. Jpeg & RAW. Fast operation at 4 fps. HDR mode. Full HD video at 1080p with stereo mic input. SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. Compact size for a digital SLR. Superb DSLR for travel photography.
Against: Autofocus limited to AF-S and AF-I lenses.
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Travel Digital Camera & Digital SLR Archives 2007-2010
Travel Digital Camera & Digital SLR Archives for 2006
Digital camera reviews edited from many varied sources.
For travel photography, the needs of people can vary from a week's holiday at the seaside to trekking in the Himalayas. Ideally, the best digital cameras and SLRs should have most of the following features:

Speed - the digital camera must have minimal shutter lag to allow fast picture taking. This may not be so important for travel landscape photographs but is essential for photographing people, animals, festivals and social occasions.

Zoom lens - the zoom lens must be 3x or longer and must be capable of producing sharp high quality photos. A good zoom lens provides many options for the travel photographer or holiday maker. A zoom lens will bring the subject closer at the telephoto setting or take in a wide panaroma or interior at its wide setting.

Manual controls - aperture priority, shutter priority and full manual control can be useful in achieving creative results. The travel photographer can use aperture priority to control depth of field to control areas of sharpness. Shutter priority helps to freeze action with fast shutter speeds or allows night time photography through long shutter speeds. Manual control allows full control of both shutter and aperture and offers the greatest creative possibilities for the travel photographer.

Size - a small digital camera is more likely to be taken on more journeys than a large camera. Except for digital SLR cameras, many of the digital cameras listed below are small to medium in size. A small and light digital camera can prove invaluable to the travel photographer carrying a large or heavy backpack over a long period of time. The lack of weight can also allow the travel photographer to carry additional accessories such as external flash and a tripod.

Battery Life - the camera battery must be able to last for a reasonable time before recharging is required.

Large LCD - the LCD viewfinder must be 2" or larger to accurately view and compose the picture.

Except where otherwise stated, all the digital cameras recommended for travel have the above features. Other features or additions which can be useful for the travel photographer include:

Large memory card - for long travel periods, a large memory card or cards will be required. Small external hard disks, CD and DVD writers are also available with memory slots to back up data on the go.

Powerful zoom - A wide angle zoom for landscapes and interiors can be useful. Also a long telephoto zoom lens is desirable for distant shots.

Weatherproofing - with hazardous elements such as rain and sand, a weatherproof camera can be very useful in capturing shots that would otherwise have been missed.

Optical image stabilizer - for shooting in low light conditions without flash or using a camera with a large telephoto lens.


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