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Updated April 25 2026

The Best Travel Photography Gear — Our Complete Kit

Everything we actually carry when shooting across Europe and beyond — cameras, lenses, bags, accessories, and the software we use to edit it all.

How we chose this gear: We’ve shot across 20+ countries — through European markets, ancient ruins, highland landscapes, and city streets from Paris to Jerusalem. Every item on this page is something we’ve personally used in the field. We update this guide whenever something better comes along — no filler, no padding.

This page contains affiliate links — I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend gear I personally use or have tested.

Updated April 25 2026

The Best Travel Photography Gear — Our Complete Kit

Everything we actually carry when shooting across Europe and beyond — cameras, lenses, bags, accessories, and the software we use to edit it all.

How we chose this gear: We’ve shot across 20+ countries — through European markets, ancient ruins, highland landscapes, and city streets from Paris to Jerusalem. Every item on this page is something we’ve personally used in the field. We update this guide whenever something better comes along — no filler, no padding.

Best cameras for travel photography

The best travel camera is the one that balances image quality with weight you’re actually willing to carry all day. Here’s what we reach for.

Note: all of the cameras listed are offered as a stand-alone camera or in value kits that can include memory cards, card wallet, tripod, cleaning kit, and much more.

From ~$2,098

Sony A7C II — Best overall travel mirrorless

Full-frame quality in a genuinely compact body. The A7C II is what we reach for on most international trips — it’s light enough to carry all day through markets and cobblestone streets, handles low light brilliantly, and the 33MP sensor gives plenty of room to crop.

Fujifilm X-T5 — Best APS-C for travel

40MP in an APS-C body is extraordinary. The X-T5 is lighter than most full-frame options and Fuji’s film simulations make JPEGs straight out of camera stunning. A great choice if you want to travel lighter without sacrificing detail.

From ~$1,999

Sony ZV-E10 II — Best budget travel camera

If you’re just getting started and don’t want to spend $2,000+, the ZV-E10 II is the most capable budget mirrorless available. APS-C sensor, interchangeable lenses, and great video. Perfect first travel camera.

From ~$998

pro tips

When flying internationally, always keep your camera body in your carry-on, never checked luggage. Airlines won’t cover damage to fragile electronics.

When traveling internationally, it’s not a bad idea to have an electronic receipt of your camera gear purchases.  The reason is proof that you have purchased your gear in the country of origin and will not be subject to possible import fees.

One of our favorite tools in our bag is a Rocket Blower to help eliminate those dust particles that magically appear out of nowhere and can be used on both our camera sensors and lenses

Don’t forget extra batteries. Nothing worse than running out of juice just before the sun goes down (or rises), and a plug converter, for example US to Euro plugs as well as 110v – 220v for electric.

Best lenses for travel photography

We’d rather travel with two great lenses than five mediocre ones. Here’s what actually lives in our bag.

From ~$1,398

Sony 24-105mm f/4 G — Best one-lens travel solution

If we could only bring one lens to Europe, this would be it. The 24-105mm range covers wide landscapes, street shots, market scenes, and architectural details without changing glass. The f/4 aperture is consistent throughout the zoom range.

Sony 35mm f/1.8 — Best prime for street photography

Light, small, and fast. The 35mm focal length is natural and unobtrusive — perfect for street scenes in Paris, Rome, or Prague. The f/1.8 aperture is a fast lens for low-light cathedral interiors.

From ~$798

Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II

Used in conjunction with the APS-C format cameras, the f/2.8 aperture excels in low light, creating beautiful bokeh.  In addition, it is weather resistant and ideal for portraits, landscapes, and everyday shooting.

From ~$1399

pro tips

When selecting lenses keep your gear expansion in mind as your system is only as good as your worst component. Meaning, cameras typically evolve faster than your lenses and if you get a great camera but use “cheap glass” (lenses) then you are doing yourself a disservice in quality images. Buy good lenses because you can always use those going forward if you upgrade your camera. If you upgrade your camera and still have the same cheap glass you have not improved anything.

Be sure to include quality lens cloths for cleaning lenses and don’t use your shirt or a towel to clean the front or rear elements.

If you know you are shooting in humid or muggy conditions, acclimate your gear ahead of time to prevent condensation building on the sensor or lenses. Open your camera bag and remove lens caps ahead of time.
Buy a UV protection filter to put onto the front of the lens. These are inexpensive and will prevent accidental scratches. Better to replace an inexpensive filter than repair or replacement of a lens for example the Hoya NXT Plus 82mm UV filter

Best camera bags for international travel

Your bag needs to fit airline carry-on requirements, protect your gear, and not scream “expensive camera inside.”

From ~$299

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L — Best all-in-one travel bag

We’ve used this bag across 20+ countries. It fits carry-on requirements on most airlines, has a dedicated camera cube system (sold separately), and doubles as a regular travel bag so you don’t look like a photographer walking through crowded city markets.

Shimoda Explore v2 35L — Best hiking + travel hybrid

If your travel includes hiking — Scottish Highlands, Dolomites, Iceland — the Shimoda is built for it. Comfortable enough for 10-hour days on trail, with a removable camera unit that keeps gear protected and accessible.

From ~$319

Essential accessories

The small things that make a real difference on a long trip.

Item Our pick Why I use it Link
Travel tripod Peak Design Travel Tripod Fits in a bag, carbon fiber, incredibly rigid Adorama →
ND filter Kase Wolverine 82mm kit Magnetic system, optically excellent, fast to swap Amazon →
Memory cards Sony Tough CFexpress Type A Water resistant, bend proof, fastest write speeds Adorama →
Portable drive Samsung T7 Shield SSD Rugged, fast USB-C, 1TB fits everything Amazon →
Lens Cloths Microfiber Cleaning Cloth Compact 5.8 x 5.8" perfect for on the go Adorama →
Air Blaster Giottos Rocket Air Blaster Stands uprights large blast of air Amazon →
Camera strap Peak Design Slide Lite Quick-release clips, comfortable all day Adorama →
Travel adapter Epicka Universal Adapter Works in 150+ countries, 4 USB ports Amazon →
Drone DJI Mini 4 Pro Under 249g so fewer permit requirements in Europe Adorama →

pro tip

Pro Tip on Memory Cards : invest in a “Card Wallet” to protect your memory cards. They are inexpensive while being invaluable..

Editing software I use

You don’t need every app — just the right ones. Here’s our editing stack.

Adobe Lightroom

Still the best all-in-one for organizing, culling, and editing travel photos. The mobile sync is genuinely useful on the road.

Capture One

Better color science than Lightroom, especially for skin tones and complex scenes. Steeper learning curve but worth it for serious shooters.

Photomechanic

The fastest way to cull thousands of photos after a trip. Preview RAW files at full speed — nothing else comes close.

DaVinci Resolve

Free and professional-grade video editing. What we use for all our travel video. The color grading tools are industry standard.

Best budget travel photography kit (under $1,500 total)

You don’t need to spend $5,000 to get stunning travel photos. Here’s a complete beginner kit that won’t break the bank.

From ~$1,100

Sony ZV-E10 II + 16-50mm kit lens + Lowepro Flipside bag

This combination gives you a capable interchangeable lens camera, a versatile walk-around zoom, and a solid protective bag — all for under $1,200. Everything you need to start shooting seriously in Europe and beyond without the pro-level price tag.

Want Our Complete Packing Checklist?

We’ve put together a free downloadable checklist of everything we pack for a 2-week photography trip to Europe — gear, cables, documents, and the small things most people forget until they’re standing in a Scottish moor with a dead battery.