Equipment
Finding The Best Compact Travel Camera in 2025
Travel is back on the table for 2025, so we decided to look at some of the best and brightest stars in the travel camera market. What makes a travel camera so unique? Size, functionality, and aesthetics are all important features when looking for a camera to bring with you as you travel the world. So, let’s look at three top travel cameras – the Leica D-lux 8, Fuji x100 VI, and Sony ZV-E1- and explore their key features to help you decide which one is best for you.
Before we highlight each camera individually, let’s first look at some of their spec sheets to see which features differentiate them from each other. We’ll then go through the cameras one by one to help you decide on your next travel.
Leica D-Lux 8: The Compact Powerhouse
The Leica D-Lux 8 is the first camera we’ll examine in this three-camera showdown. Despite the assumption that might come with the name, it is very competitively priced with the other three cameras at $1,595. The D-Lux8 is not short of features, with a shutter speed as fast as 1/16000 sec thanks to its electronic shutter features. It offers a 12-bit color, along with RAW DNG output. But let’s take a look at its sensor and lens.
Leica Sensor and Lens Deep Dive
A micro 4/3 sensor is quite a bit smaller than the standard 35mm full-frame sensor typically found on Leica systems, but it’s certainly not short on image quality. The Leica D-Lux 8 has a Leica 10.9-34mm f/1.7-2.8 lens, which translates to a very usable 24-75mm in full-frame equivalence.
Who is the Leica D-Lux 8 for?
The Leica D-Lux 8 is the perfect camera for the traveling photographer who wants something incredibly capable while taking a minimalist approach to design. While its 17MP sensor might not be enough for some modern shooters, this system’s image quality offers exactly what you’d come to expect from the Leica name.
Fuji x100VI: The Fixed Lens Champion
If you’ve been looking for a small camera system for the last year or so, you’ve certainly seen the Fujifilm X100VI at the top of everyone’s lists. This impossible-to-find camera is still in short supply nearly a year after its original release, but for good reason – it’s an exceptionally capable camera.
Sensor and Lens Specifications
The Fuji x100VI has a fixed 23mm lens, which has been a staple of the X100 series for its entire lifespan. Paired with its crop APS-C sensor, the lens translates to a 35mm f/2 equivalent, which is excellent as a walk-around focal length. While the lens may make the focal length feel short, its 40MP sensor offers quite a bit of cropping power for those who love this camera but want more from the lens.
Who is the Fuji X100VI for?
The Fuji X100VI is the perfect camera for the creative photographer who considers the fixed lens an asset to their creativity rather than a shortcoming. Its hip design and sensible controls make it a great camera for the working professional who wants something they can shoot without overthinking it.
Sony ZV-E1: The Versatile All-Rounder
The Sony ZV-E1 is the most expensive camera system on this list but also likely the most versatile all-around system for the working pro who doesn’t want to limit themselves while traveling. Advertised as the perfect vlogging camera, the ZV-E1 focuses on video functionality, offering 4K 120p internal recording and active optical stabilization.
Sensor and Lens Specifications
The Sony ZV-E1 has a 12MP full-frame sensor, offering exceptional image quality in a small package. Additionally, it is the only camera on this list with a lens mount instead of a fixed lens, giving you the full functionality of the Sony E series of lenses. While this can add substantial weight and size to this kit, it also adds immense flexibility.
Who is the Sony ZV-E1 for?
The Sony ZV-E1 is the ideal camera for the traveling photographer who focuses on video and doesn’t mind carrying a bit more gear to get the versatility of interchangeable lenses and a full-frame sensor. Particularly if you’re a photographer/videographer with a Sony kit already, using those lenses might be worth it for traveling with something like the ZV-E1.
Final Thoughts & Conclusions
So, which camera is the best travel camera? Well, it really depends on what your intended use is. If you’re looking for something simple, the Leica DLux 8 might be your choice. If you’re looking for a camera without limitations, the Sony ZV-E1 is the obvious winner. And if you’re looking for something that is really going to challenge and push your creativity, the Fuji X100VI is the obvious choice. For an even further breakdown of these cameras, be sure to watch our video going over each of the use cases for these cameras.
Do you have a favorite travel camera? Chime in with your recommendations in the comments below.
