Step 2 - Travel Photography

Recommended Specification

Holiday snaps require a robust generalist camera with a good zoom lens that works well both in the day and at night as well as indoors and outside.

Due to the nature of travel, cameras will receive bumps and knocks so it is important that the camera body is made from a robust material (such as metal) and is protected by a good camera case.

Advanced compact cameras make ideal travel companions because their build quality tends to be very good, they are small in size and are relatively light in weight. They also feature a good range of automatic and manual exposure settings that will prove very useful across many different photographic situations. Advanced digital cameras will give you more control over the way you may wish to take a picture and they will also deliver better image quality. However, they do significantly weigh more than advanced compacts.

Zoom Range
Exposure Modes
Shutter Speeds

Sensitivity Range
Image Stabiliser
Flash Modes

Batteries
Weight

At least 5x zoom, ideally larger
Auto exposure plus optional scene modes
4 seconds to 1/2000 of a second

Auto and manual control (80 to 1600 ISO)
Yes
Auto, flash on, flash off, red eye reduction

AA (Ni-MH rechargeables)
Less than 300g