There are plenty of viable candidates for the mantle of best travel camera. Indeed, we have a whole guide devoted to rating and ranking the best travel cameras! Ultimately, of course, there is no single answer, as the best travel camera is going to be a little different for every user, depending on where they like to go and what they like to shoot.
With that said… there’s one camera that I think currently stands head-and-shoulders above the rest, and would unquestionably be my pick if I could bring just one camera with me on holiday.
Well, there’s no reason to keep you in suspense any longer, is there?
My dream travel camera… the Fujifilm X-E5
Key features:
- Mirrorless camera
- 40.2MP back-illuminated X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor (APS-C)
- Fujifilm X lens mount
- Fast autofocus with AI subject detection
- 5-axis in-body stabilisation
With the X-E5, I think that Fujifilm might just have created the perfect travel camera. You get the peerless style and shooting experience of an X100VI compact, combined with the mirrorless flexibility of the X-T50, and all the latest X-series technology including up-to-date Film Simulations that are fully customisable! If someone proposed to give me a budget to craft my perfect travel photography setup, I’d have hit “buy” on an X-E5 before they’d finished their sentence.
Here are the key reasons I think the X-E5 is the perfect travel camera:
- Fantastic images straight out of camera
When I’m travelling, I don’t have the capacity, time or inclination to spend time processing raw files. I might shoot them alongside my JPEGs if I’ve got the card space, but most of the time, I’m going to be shooting good old JPEGs, and that is something at which Fujifilm excels. I don’t think it’s controversial to say that Fujifilm is the best brand for JPEGs, as its cameras produce images that look fantastically vibrant, straight out of camera. This means I don’t have to wait to edit if I want to share a shot; I can just transfer it to my phone, and I’m off.
A big part of Fujifilm’s success in this regard is, of course, the range of Film Simulation modes, which emulate the looks of classic film stocks. As a newer camera, the X-E5 of course has all the latest simulations, including REALA ACE, which delivers gorgeous colour accuracy and striking tonality. It also inherits a feature I loved from the X-T50: the Film Simulation dial, which lets you quickly switch between different looks without having to dive into menus.
- Lightweight build with tactile controls
A lot of what I said in the first point could apply to basically any Fujifilm camera from the last few years. However, where I think the X-E5 truly excels is in its slim, lightweight, stylish design. It weighs just 445g, but still finds room for X100-style controls that make it a joy to operate, as well as (thank god) a viewfinder. Something unique to the X-E5 that I really love is the view-mode lever on the front, which gives you a tactile and easy way to access key settings and functions. You can assign it to your preferred functions, though I think a lot of the defaults (like the digital zoom that uses the sensor’s generous resolution to crop in) are going to be ones you’d find yourself using for travel.
- Powerful stabilisation and low-light AF
When I’m taking travel images, I tend not to muck about with a tripod. They’re bulkier than I like for a day bag, a lot of tourist attractions won’t let you set one up, and generally I just prefer to be more mobile. Also, my partner won’t let me take one.
The X-E5’s powerful 5-axis stabilisation system doesn’t entirely replace the rock-solid stability of a tripod, but it gets pretty close, and that puts low-light photography in play as it allows you to use slower shutter speeds to let in more light. I love capturing evening and night-time images of places I visit, and this system in the X-E5 combines brilliantly with the powerful low-light autofocus, which can acquire subjects in conditions as dim as -7.5EV.
- Brilliant lens range
The X-E5 can be bought bundled with a 23mm f2.8 WR pancake lens. Now, that’s a fine lens and well worth snapping up. However, since we’ve got one of the best and most enjoyable lens systems at our fingertips, we might as well put it to use.
A good travel zoom lens seems like the obvious choice. Something to cover multiple focal lengths and cut down on the hassle of changing lenses. The XF 16-80mm f4 R OIS WR (equiv. 24-120mm) is a terrific lens for travel, covering a broad focal spectrum that’s realistically going to cover you for the majority of situations. It’s also reasonably light at 440g, and comes with both weather resistance and optical image stabilisation.
However, I also want to shout out an alternative lens that many Fujifilm users swear by when it comes to travel: the XF 18-55mm f2.8-4 R LM OIS. Its optical quality is absolutely fantastic all the way through that zoom range, producing images that are punchy and vibrant. Okay, you get a narrower focal range than the 16-60mm, but an equivalent of 27-82mm is still going to cover the vast majority of day-to-day shots, and having a maximum aperture of F2.8 at the wide end opens up tantalising possibilities for low light and shallow depth of field. It’s also a lighter lens at just 310g.
Other great travel cameras…
I think the X-E5 is a brilliant bet for travel. However, there are a few cameras that do things it can’t, and are worth considering as alternatives.
Weather-sealed: OM System OM-5 Mark II
The Fujifilm X-E5 isn’t weather-sealed, unlike some of the bigger and pricier members of the Fuji family. I personally don’t think this is as big a deal as some do; it isn’t that hard to just keep your camera out of the rain, photographers have been doing that for decades. However, if you’re travelling to tough environments and need a camera that can take some punishment, I’d recommend instead considering the OM System OM-5 Mark II.
This is a mirrorless camera like the X-E5, only with a smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor that means it can use smaller lenses. OM System has really leant into weather-sealing as being its mirrorless range’s USP, and as such, the OM-5 Mark II has an IP53 rating that ensures it can withstand not just rain, but snow and freezing temperatures.
360-degree imaging: DJI Osmo 360 Adventure Combo
If you’re interested in 360-degree imaging, this is something that requires specialised cameras. The DJI Osmo 360 has caught my attention recently, being DJI’s long-awaited entry into the 360-degree camera market, and its capacity to produce 8K 30p video makes it one of the most advanced cameras of its type. The invisible selfie stick means you can create immersive views of the landscapes that surround you, and its IP68 rating means it is properly waterproof, not just weatherproof.
Full-frame: Sony RX1R III
If you’re one of those “give me full-frame or give me death” types, then the X-E5 obviously isn’t going to be suitable. I think the best bet for a full-frame travel camera for most people is probably the mirrorless Sony A7C II. However, this is my dream scenario where I can get what I want, so I’m actually going to opt for the gorgeous Sony RX1R III. Pairing a stunning full-frame sensor with a tack-sharp Zeiss 35mm f2 Sonnar T* lens, this is the kind of compact that’ll make even X100VI owners jealous.
About the Author
Jon Stapley is a London-based freelance writer and journalist who covers photography, art and technology. When not writing about cameras, Jon is a keen photographer who captures the world using his Olympus XA2. His creativity extends to works of fiction and other creative writing, all of which can be found on his website www.jonstapley.com
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