I was in Bilbao earlier this year, and a photographer appeared from around a narrow backstreet with a massive backpack and a huge full frame camera and zoom lens hanging from his neck. He carefully took the obviously heavy pack off and placed it on a chair outside a cafe. The relief on his face, to take a break from lugging all that weight around, was telling.
I couldn't help but wonder why someone would spend all that money to travel to a beautiful destination, only to burden himself with an enormous amount of camera gear. A trip like this should be enjoyable, not exhausting. The truth is, I could relate to this guy, because that was me a few years ago.
I used to have a Nikon D700 with a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens, plus a 16-30mm f/2.8 and a couple of primes in my pack. Moving to Z mount wasn't much better. A Z9 with a pro zoom or two was just as burdensome. And after decades of travel photography, one day I had this bright idea to buy Nikon's little Z50 as an everyday carry. After using it for a few weeks, I had a eureka moment: smaller APS-C cameras are the smartest choice for travel photography. I wondered why I hadn't discovered this years ago.
The great thing about an APS-C system is that not only are the cameras smaller, so are the lenses. This makes photography easier, lighter, more spontaneous, and ultimately more enjoyable. And when photography is enjoyable, you tend to take more photos, which ultimately results in better photographs.
A Camera You'll Actually Carry
I discovered that my little APS-C kit, being so light, meant I was carrying it around more. It's perfect for wandering around old cities all day, or taking on hiking and backpacking trips. The inconspicuous size means I feel more confident carrying it around at night.
When we're traveling, we really need a camera around our neck all the time, just in case something interesting presents itself. When we're exploring somewhere new, it's those unexpected, fleeting moments that we want to catch: beautiful light, interesting details, local characters interacting. If your camera is in your backpack or in your hotel room, you're missing out.
Smaller cameras stay with you, and that's a real advantage.
APS-C Image Quality Is More Than Good Enough
The obsession with full frame cameras has become slightly ridiculous. Modern APS-C sensors are excellent.
They might not be good enough if you're printing enormous gallery pieces, shooting high-end commercial campaigns, or wanting to do heavy image editing and manipulation. Otherwise, an APS-C camera is more than capable of producing beautiful, professional-quality images. On a four-week backpacking trip, I took my APS-C camera and small prime lens instead of my full frame kit, and shot enough images to make a coffee table book. There is more than enough quality and resolution in the files for this. I've even used the camera on client shoots that have been printed in magazines.
It's worth reminding ourselves that photography is never limited by megapixels, only by your vision.
Smaller Cameras Change How You Shoot
Large professional camera systems often create a psychological barrier between you and the world around you. People notice them and become self-conscious or suspicious. Smaller APS-C cameras feel less intrusive. They allow you to blend in and work more naturally, particularly for street and documentary photography.
I Prefer Prime Lenses
One of the biggest mistakes travel photographers make is carrying too many lenses.
My full frame travel kit used to consist of an ultra-wide zoom, standard zoom, telephoto zoom, and sometimes a fast nifty-fifty. When I moved to my lightweight APS-C kit, I realized prime lenses were tiny, so my kit now consists of a 23mm, 35mm, and 50mm. That's the full frame equivalent of 35mm, 52mm, and 75mm. My three lenses weigh less than a full frame zoom!
Carrying such a small and light kit around means it fits into a small shoulder bag, and it's incredibly liberating. The simple lens choices are creatively liberating too. I tend to have the 35mm on most of the time. You stop obsessing over focal lengths and start concentrating on the actual things that make photographs interesting.
Traveling with a camera is all about experience, and an APS-C kit allows you to enjoy that experience.
Some Excellent Lightweight APS-C Travel Cameras
There are plenty of excellent APS-C systems available today. A few worthy of a mention include:
Fujifilm X-E5
The Fujifilm X‑E5 has a 40.2 MP sensor in a lightweight rangefinder-style body. Its 7-stop in-body stabilization and X-Processor 5 engine ensure sharp, steady images and smooth autofocus across a variety of subjects. The X-E5 is a very compact design, yet still packs in 6.2K video should you need to shoot some footage on your travels.
The older X-E3 is another option if you want to spend less money, and are happy with 24 MP, no in-body stabilization or tilting screen, and fewer film simulation profiles than the newer bodies. Personally, I think this is a great option, and the lower resolution is perfectly fine.
Fujifilm X-T50
Like the X-E5, the compact Fujifilm X-T50 has a 40.2 MP sensor and in-body stabilization, so your photos stay sharp and full of detail. The main difference is the retro-style SLR styling with a center viewfinder. It comes down to what body style you prefer, although the X-T50 does have a built-in flash.
Sony a6700
The Sony a6700 is a compact APS-C camera for hybrid creators. Its 26 MP sensor and BIONZ XR processor enable 11 fps bursts and 4K/120p 10-bit video. AI-driven subject tracking handles people, animals, and vehicles with precision. Five-axis stabilization, a vari-angle screen, and a weather-sealed body make it a strong choice for travel and street shooting.
Nikon Z50
The Nikon Z50 features a 20.9 MP sensor that results in beautiful image quality. This is a tiny camera and one of the nicest to hold. It's very much a photographer's camera, and doesn't feature as many bells and whistles as the others in this listing. There's no in-body stabilization, and the autofocus isn't as advanced as the other cameras here. Its video capabilities are nothing to write home about. Having said that, this is my favorite camera in this list!
If you want a huge upgrade to incredibly impressive autofocus tracking and the ability to shoot internal 10-bit video, you'll need to look at the Z50 II. It is a little heavier and bigger than the Z50, though.
Canon R50
The Canon EOS R50 is a very compact, entry-level mirrorless camera designed for beginners, and perfect for travel. It features a 24.2 MP sensor and has very good autofocus. It also features 4K/30p video with no crop. There's not as much lens choice compared to other cameras we've mentioned.
Conclusion
My definition of a good travel photography experience is the ability to wander around all day with your camera without feeling physically exhausted or creatively burdened by equipment.
Smaller APS-C cameras make that easier.
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