5 Best Point and Shoot Cameras for Travel Photographers

Summer is upon us, which often leads to taking some time off, relaxing, and taking a vacation or two. However, many photographers I know, including myself, don't have a great portable camera system that works well when vacationing. When I'm trying to relax on a beach on a tropical island, the last thing I want to do is bring an entire camera bag full of bodies and lenses; I would love to opt for a small, portable system instead. And if it's a camera that you're only going to use for one week out of the year, it doesn't make much sense to buy something that will inevitably spend its life in a drawer somewhere. And that's why renting your portable camera system is a great alternative when traveling. So I've spent quite a lot of time paging through camera specs, and have put together a list of portable cameras available to rent that are perfect for the vacationing photographer.

This article is presented in partnership with Lensrentals. Try before you buy, especially in this economy. And always know that Lensrentals will let you purchase the camera if it is in stock.

Sony Cyber-Shot RX100 VII: A Budget Option

To start, we need to recommend the Sony Cyber-Shot RX100 VII, a compact powerhouse. This camera system features a 20.1MP 1-inch stacked sensor paired with Sony's BIONZ X image processor, delivering exceptional speed and image quality. However, what truly sets this camera apart is its versatility. The RX100VII features a ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5 zoom lens, which is both very fast and offers an exceptional focal range, allowing you to capture both selfies with friends and telephoto images. The camera also features a very fast and accurate autofocusing system, and powers up quickly, allowing it to be ready to shoot at blistering speeds, so you never miss the shot. If you're looking for a small form-factor camera that can do a little bit of everything, then the RX100 VII is an obvious choice.

Leica D-Lux 8: For Street Photographers

If you're looking for a camera with a bit more pizzazz, then the obvious choice is to look at Leica's lineup of cameras. The most obvious choice for those seeking an exceptional yet portable option for their vacation is, of course, the Leica D-Lux 8. Reasonably affordable for the Leica branding, the D-Lux 8 sits at a sub-$2,000 price point, and offers a 17MP Four Thirds sensor, paired with a Leica 24-75mm f/1.7-2.8 equivalent lens. You'll find that despite its affordability, the D-Lux 8 very much earns the Leica name. Designed and inspired by the Leica Q series, the D-Lux 8 shares the die-cast magnesium body and offers a wicked fast lens with Leica image quality and sharpness. If you're looking to add some siphiscation to your travels, the Leica D-Lux 8 should be on your radar.

Fuji X100VI: The Social Media Sensation

It couldn't be a list about point-and-shoot style cameras without including the Fuji X100VI camera system. As the most desired camera of last year, and possibly this year as well, Fujifilm has refined the X100 platform further, while retaining its rangefinder aesthetics. The beloved 23mm f/2 (35mm equiv) lens is highlighted by a 40MP sensor and powered using the X-Processor 5, promising 3x faster speeds over its previous model. We don't really need to go on and on about this camera, as it has been talked about ad nauseam for the last year and a half. But the reason for that is clear - it's an exceptional camera system.

Canon PowerShot G7 X III: A Perfect Hybrid?

If you're looking for the best, yet most practical camera on a price-to-quality scale, it's hard to select anything but the most obvious choice-the Canon PowerShot G7 X III. The design isn't particularly flashy or interesting, but when it comes to image quality versus price, the Canon outperforms all other competitors. With a DIGIC 8 image processor and 20.2MP 1" sensor, the Canon PowerShot G7 X III offers a 4.2X optical zoom with its 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 equivalent zoom lens. The Canon also features an optical image stabilizer and is specifically designed as a complementary camera for working professional photographers.

Fuji GFX 100RF: Make Your Best Prints Yet

Now again, I'm certainly pushing the bounds of what a point-and-shoot camera is, but we can't be in this realm without talking about the most exciting fixed-lens camera, perhaps of all time. The Fuji GFX 100RF is a medium-format 100-megapixel behemoth that is housed in a relatively small body and offers a 23mm fixed lens. Since announcing this camera a couple of months ago, there have been a lot of questions as to what it is for, but the most straightforward answer is that it's for the gearhead photographer who wants the absolute best image quality possible, in any relatively small camera system.

While this camera is easily the most expensive on the list, it’s still considered a great value. The 100-megapixel medium format sensor is one of the best, if not the best sensor on the market, and Fujifilm has done an exceptional job of making medium format viable for a broader range of photographers. This camera might not be as fast as the others listed, or have the focal range of everything else, but this camera is a diamond in the list of gemstones.

And that's our list of the best point-and-shoot cameras to take on your travels this summer. The title 'point & shoot' feels archaic at this point, especially since most portable cameras now offer a full range of tools designed for photographers. Still, these options offer all that a working professional might need in a portable camera, while still being easy to pick up and shoot with.