Last updated 6th July 2026: I’ve continued shooting Fujifilm heavily throughout 2025 and 2026. The X-Series still offers my favourite prime lens lineup — a rare mix of lightweight travel lenses and genuinely professional-grade glass. Since my move to Scotland at the beginning of 2026 I have started to shoot and test a few more zooms. I’m currently testing the Fuji 16-55mm f/2.8II as the weather here, out in the Scottish Highlands is not the place to be changing lenses regulalry. If any of the zooms I’m testing are good enough, I will add them to this article in due course. If you simply want to see the best Fuji lenses without specifically being for travel then this guide will help you.

Fujifilm’s lens lineup is now pretty mature. Going into 2026, my recommendations remain very similar, with one addition — the kits below are still the ones I actually use for travel

If you’re looking for the best Fujifilm cameras and lenses for travel photography in 2026, this guide breaks down the top, high-performing options for every kind of trip.

Jump straight to the kits ↓

Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. If you purchase something through them, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. It helps support the blog and allows me to keep creating helpful, real-world photography content. I only recommend gear I use and trust.

My love affair with travel photography began on a round-the-world trip in 2006/2007. I started out with a compact Casio camera in South Africa — which promptly vanished during a vineyard-fueled night out with Stellenbosch university graduates. From there, we scraped by through Argentina, Peru, the U.S., Canada, and Tahiti using disposable film cameras… until I landed in New Zealand. Where, I finally began to understand the value of having a proper camera — something I reflect on in my guide to the best compact travel cameras in 2026. I’ve also put together a dedicated guide to the best mirrorless travel cameras in 2026 — including Fuji, Nikon, OM System, and more.

Recommended Fujifilm Travel Kits (2026)

If you are looking for the best lens combinations for your next trip, here are the configurations I recommend depending on your style of photography:

Lightweight Flexible Kit: X-T5 + 23mm, 35mm, and 50mm f/2 WR primes. This setup is compact, fully weather-sealed, and covers almost every scenario you’ll encounter on the road.

Check current pricing for this kit

Premium Primes Kit: X-T5 + 33mm f/1.4 WR + 56mm f/1.2 WR. Use this when your priority is portraiture, low-light performance, and maximum subject separation without moving to the GFX system.

Check current pricing for this kit

Best Travel Zooms Kit: 10–24mm f/4 WR + 70–300mm WR (optionally add a 33mm or 35mm prime). This is your best choice for maximum focal range coverage, taking you from ultra-wide vistas to long-distance telephoto reach.

Check current pricing for this kit

One Lens Kit: After buying and heavily testing the Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8II lens I would now recommend it as a one lens solution.

Check current pricing for the Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8II

The stunning beauty of that country was too much to ignore. I bought a little Sony compact, and while the photos weren’t amazing, they sparked something permanent: a desire to keep improving and keep exploring.

Fast forward a few years and I was working professionally as a landscape photographer, lugging around a Canon 5D Mark II and tripod wherever I went. It wasn’t exactly travel-friendly. But when mirrorless cameras emerged, I became an early adopter — eventually settling on the original Fujifilm X-Pro1 with a couple of the first XF primes. Since moving out of the UK in 2014, travel has remained at the center of my life, now shared with my wife and daughters.

I’ve tested just about every major camera system, but Fuji hits that rare balance of image quality, portability, and soul — especially important now that I’m traveling as a dad. See my gear list if you’re curious just how deep the Fuji rabbit hole goes, but suffice it to say: I’ve built what I consider to be the ideal Fujifilm travel photography setup — one that balances size, speed, performance, and joy.

So if you’re planning your next trip and wondering which Fujifilm lenses (and cameras) are best suited for travel, here’s what’s worked for me — across solo adventures, family holidays, and once-in-a-lifetime locations. If you already have an X-T5 then these are the best accessories for it. If you’re still considering the X-T5 then here’s my long term review.

Let’s break it down into the four travel kits I actually use:

1. The Ultra-Light Everyday Kit — when photography isn’t the focus, but I still want to capture memories.
2. The Balanced Travel Kit — for family trips where I need flexibility in a small, weather-sealed setup.
3. The Premium Kit — when I’m traveling solo or prioritizing photography without going full GFX.
4. The Ultimate Kit — for trips where image quality trumps everything else.

Recommended Fujifilm Travel Photography Kits for 2026

The Ultra-Light Everyday Kit (X100VI)

When I just want to bring a camera, not a whole bunch of gear.

I still remember family holidays when my dad was the photographer. He’d pause whatever we were doing and ask us to pose for a quick shot on his 35mm film camera — the same one he left to me when he passed away a couple of years ago. My sister and I would groan at the interruption, of course. That memory made me conscious of being that dad — so my super-lightweight kit is built to let me document freely, without becoming “photo dad” and annoying everyone too much. (Though I still annoy them a little… obviously.)

For those moments, the Fujifilm X100VI is unbeatable. See my Fuji X100VI review and how the X100VI compares to the X100V . Read this if you want to know if the X100VI is worth the hype.

It’s small, discreet, and doesn’t demand much. There are no lenses to swap — just one fixed 23mm f/2 lens that encourages you to shoot freely. I grab the shot, and everyone moves on.

Weight of This Kit

Fujifilm X100VI Travel Setup

For a balanced and protected travel configuration, this is my current setup:

• Fujifilm X100VI: 521g (including battery and card). Check current price.
• Lens Protection: Haoge filter adapter and lens hood combined with a 49mm UV filter (approx. 70–80g total).
  • Haoge adapter and lens hood
  • 49mm UV filter

Total weight: ~590–600 g ready to shoot, fully weather-sealed

It’s rare to get this level of image quality, weather sealing, and capability in a sub-600g package — which is why this kit gets so much use.

Why This Kit Works

• Weather-Sealed Simplicity
  I pair the X100VI with a Haoge lens hood and UV filter adapter, making it weather-sealed. It gives me peace of mind in dusty or rainy conditions — no need to hide it away at the first sign of a downpour. Here are the accessories I use with my X100VI.
• Incredible Image Quality
  The 40MP sensor delivers beautiful, printable images with plenty of flexibility in editing. The JPEG engine is superb, and I often shoot JPEGs when I know I’ll want to share photos that same evening. (My wife handles the social media — I’m more of a dinosaur in that area.)
• Perfect Travel Companion Features
  • IBIS and a fast f/2 lens mean I can shoot in low light without hassle.
  • The built-in ND filter allows shallow depth of field even in bright midday light.
  • The built-in flash is actually fantastic — perfect for a bit of fill during the day or subtle lighting at night.
• It’s Just Fun to Use
  It’s a beautiful camera — and that matters. The styling and tactile controls make me want to use it. Plus, manual dials for shutter, aperture, and ISO give instant visual feedback. No more getting back to the hotel only to realize I accidentally shot everything at ISO 12800. See how I setup my X100VI for travel photography.

How I Carry It

I keep it in a small Lowepro Event Messenger 100 (This is the modern version )with:

• A couple of Spare batteries
• Extra Memory cards
• A rocket blower
• A lens cloth

My Lightweight Flexible Fuji Travel Kit

This is the setup I turn to when I want flexibility without sacrificing too much on size or weight. It’s modular by design — I pick 2 or 3 lenses depending on the trip and what kind of photography I expect to do. The idea is to stay light, stay mobile, and be able to handle a wide range of situations.

My Most Used Core Kit

• Fujifilm X-T5: 557 g (with battery and card)
• XF 23mm f/1.4 WR: 375 g
• XF 35mm f/2: 170 g
• XF 50mm f/2: 200 g

Total weight (camera + 3 lenses): ~1,302 g

That gives you a full, weather-sealed three-lens setup covering wide, mid, and short telephoto — all in a compact kit just over 1.3 kg. If you drop one of the primes for an even lighter carry, you’re comfortably under 1.1 kg while still maintaining excellent flexibility and quality.

This is the combination I use most frequently. The Fuji XT5 is a pleasure to use and does everything I could ask for. See this article for more details about the XT5. The 23mm f/1.4 WR is my main lens — it balances incredible image quality, fast autofocus, and a natural field of view that suits almost everything I shoot. It’s perfect for both daytime and low light thanks to the f/1.4 aperture and sharp rendering across the frame. I compared it to the X100VI here if you want to see which is better.

The 35mm f/2 and 50mm f/2 round out the setup with added reach and compression for portraits or isolating subjects. Both lenses are extremely compact, weather-sealed, and very reliable. This three-lens kit gives me wide-ish, mid, and short telephoto options without weighing me down.

Alternate Kit Combos (Depending on Trip Type)

• Urban or Tight Spaces:
  Swap in the 16mm f/2.8 or 18mm f/1.4 WR instead of the 23mm for a wider perspective. The 18mm gives you premium quality, fast aperture and is perfect if you prefer to shoot wider.
• Low Light Priority:
  Stick with the 23mm f/1.4 WR but perhaps pair it with the 33mm f/1.4 WR if you want two premium fast primes. The 33mm gives beautiful subject separation and renders like a short telephoto on APS-C.
• People/Detail Focused Trips:
  Go with the 23mm f/2, 35mm f/2, and 56mm f/1.2 WR. This setup is heavier but gives a portrait-focused bias and beautiful rendering at the long end. I don’t use this variation as often, but for family gatherings or more intimate moments, it’s a strong option.

Ultra-Light, Daytime Travel

• 23mm f/2 – See how it compares with the X100VI
• 50mm f/2

This is my most compact, high-quality two-lens travel setup. Both lenses are weather sealed, lightning fast to focus, and pretty sharp wide open. The 23mm f/2 gives me that natural field of view I love, while the 50mm f/2 handles portraits and tighter framing. The 50mm f/2 isn’t as sharp as the other f/2 primes I own, as I found in my Fuji 50mm f/2 review but if light weight is your priority then it still covers this focal range well enough. I must admit though, that I now much prefer to use the Fuji 56mm 1.2WR, purely due to the image quality.

If I know I’ll be out in good light and don’t need fast glass, this kit keeps the weight to a minimum and the friction low — perfect for days when photography isn’t the main priority but I still want excellent images.

How I Carry It

This entire kit fits easily into my Peak Design Everyday Sling 10L bag. It’s the perfect size for staying agile while carrying just enough gear to cover most situations. Alongside the camera and 2–3 lenses, I also pack:

• A few spare batteries
• Charger and cable
• Spare memory cards
• A rocket blower and lens cleaning cloth
• A small pouch with ND or polarizing filters
• My iPad Pro 13″ M4, which I use for quick editing and backing up photos on the go

This setup gives me a full-featured, high-quality travel kit without the bulk — ideal for photography-heavy travel days where I want flexibility, creative control, and peace of mind knowing I have backups and editing tools ready at hand.

Want the full lightweight Fujifilm travel kit?

I’ve compiled everything mentioned in this kit—including the camera, lenses, and essential accessories—into a single list for easy browsing.

View the full lightweight travel kit on Amazon

Premium Travel Photography Kit

For when image quality matters most and I want to travel light, but not compromise.

This is the kit I take when photography is a key part of the trip — maybe an island adventure in the Philippines, or somewhere I may not be able to return to. It’s the kind of setup I pack when I’m aiming to make the best images possible while still keeping the weight manageable.

I typically use my X100VI as the main camera and bring the XT5 as a secondary body. Not only does this give me my favorite 23mm focal length in a beautifully compact form for contextual, documentary-style shots, but it also gives me peace of mind with a backup camera should anything go wrong.

For lenses, I bring:

• XF 33mm f/1.4 WR – This is the spiritual successor to one of my all-time favorite lenses, the original 35mm f/1.4. I used that lens extensively with my X-Pro1 back in the day, but this newer version improves on it in every way — faster autofocus, sharper optics, and crucially, weather sealing. It’s slightly heavier, but still light compared to full-frame equivalents.
• XF 56mm f/1.2 WR – Another top-tier lens. I owned the original version before, and this newer WR model is noticeably quicker to focus and importantly, weather sealed. All while retaining that beautiful, shallow depth of field and dreamy bokeh.

• Fujifilm X-T5: 557 g (with battery and card)
• Fujifilm X100VI: 521 g
• + Haoge hood/filter adapter + UV filter: ~70 g
• XF 33mm f/1.4 WR: 360 g
• XF 56mm f/1.2 WR: 445 g

Total weight: ~1,953 g (or ~1.95 kg)

Depending on the nature of the trip, I may occasionally swap out the X100VI for either the XF 18mm f/1.4 WR or the XF 23mm f/1.4 WR if I want a faster lens or a slightly different field of view. But more often than not, the fixed-lens simplicity and compact form of the X100VI makes it the perfect complement to the X-T5 and premium primes.

How I Carry It

I carry this kit in exactly the same way as my flexible travel setup — packed neatly into my Peak Design Everyday Sling 10L bag. It fits the X-T5, X100VI, both premium primes, and all the accessories I might need for a short trip.

Alongside the cameras and lenses, I carry:

• Spare batteries
• Chargers
• Extra memory cards
• A rocket blower and lens cleaning cloth
• My filter kit
• And my 13″ iPad Pro M4, which I use for backing up photos and editing on the go using Lightroom Mobile. I opted for the 1TB version along with the Magic Keyboard and Pen. It’s powerful enough to edit videos and easily copes with Lightroom.

It’s a surprisingly compact, high-performance kit that doesn’t weigh me down — ideal for serious travel photography.

Premium Fujifilm Travel Kit

This is my top-tier Fujifilm travel setup—combining the X-T5 and X100VI with Fujifilm’s best fast primes for serious image quality without moving to the GFX system. If you are after the very best the X-Series has to offer in a compact and reliable travel kit, this is it.

View the Premium Fujifilm Travel Kit on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Why No Zooms?

A lot of people might wonder why I’m not using any zooms for my travel kit. The answer is simple: personal preference and the kind of shooting that I was doing in the Philippines.

I just prefer prime lenses — both for the image quality and the way they make me work. With a zoom, it’s easy to get lazy. You can frame your subject from wherever you’re standing, but I often find those compositions lack intention. Instead of moving my feet to experiment with angles and perspective, I’m more likely to just zoom to crop out distractions. It’s fast, but it can also stop me from fully exploring a scene to find the best possible composition. Granted, it means I miss some shots but overall I’ve found this to be the approach that works best for me although now that I’m based in the Scottish Highlands I am starting to test out some high quality zooms such as the Fuji 16-55mm f/2.8II to see if I can make them work here. More on that in the future but I recently shot the Fuji 18-55mm at one of my local Glens.

That said, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with using zooms. In fact, I’ve previously travelled with a zoom-based kit and had great results. If maximizing coverage and flexibility is your top priority, here’s a zoom kit I’d recommend for travel photography that still delivers excellent image quality, while staying compact and weather-resistant:

• Fujifilm XF 10–24mm f/4 R OIS WR
  This is the updated version of the original 10–24mm. I’ve used both, and while they’re optically the same, this one adds weather sealing — which I consider important for travel. It’s lightweight for an ultra-wide zoom and performs very well for landscapes. There’s some distortion (as you’d expect at 10mm), but nothing you can’t fix in post. I’d choose this over the 8–16mm f/2.8 for travel due to the weight, size, and filter compatibility.
• Fujifilm XF 70–300mm f/4–5.6 R LM OIS WR
  While I used to travel with the 55–200mm, I now recommend this newer telephoto. I haven’t personally owned it (yet), but from everything I’ve read and seen, it’s one of the best-performing Fuji telephoto lenses for its price. It’s also light, faster to focus, and weather sealed — a perfect match for travel photography needs.

With those two zooms, you’ll have nearly every focal length covered. I’d suggest rounding out the kit with a mid-range prime like the 35mm f/2 or 33mm f/1.4 WR. That gives you something compact for portraits, low-light, or general shooting — while still keeping the whole kit flexible and relatively lightweight.

Weight of This Kit

• Fujifilm X-T5: 557 g (with battery and card)
• XF 10–24mm f/4 R OIS WR: 385 g
• XF 70–300mm f/4–5.6 R LM OIS WR: 580 g
• XF 35mm f/2 R WR: 170 g

Total weight: ~1,692 g (or ~1.69 kg)

Zoom Travel Kit
Maximum versatility for travel photography, from wide landscapes to distant detail. Weather-sealed and compact.

Get the Zoom Travel Kit

One lens kit

Early in 2026 I bought the Fujifilm 16-55mm f/1.8II lens. Mainly because it promised excellent optical quality and on paper at least, huge weight savings over the older version. Having shot it for everything from landscapes to portraits I can attest to the fact that it is bitingly sharp and really not much heavier than Fuji’s premium primes. If you are the kind of travel photographer who just wants to keep things as simple as possible while remaining flexible then this is the lens that you should choose. You can read my full Fuji 16-55mm f/2.8II review and comparisons to Fuji’s premium f/1.2-1.4 primes in a series of articles where it performed incredibly well.

I still prefer using the primes for travel but with an aperture of f/2.8 and the flexibility of that 24-70mm equivalent focal range, I can see this being the only lens some travel photographers would ever need, especially in places where you face bad weather. It’s not cheap but if you want one lens to cover all your travel photos and not compromise on image quality, then the 16-55mm f/2.8II is that lens.

You can see the latest pricing here.

Weight of this one lens kit:

Fujifilm X-T5 (Body + Battery/Card): 557 g

Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II: 410 g

Combined Travel Weight: 967 g

Premium Kit: For Once-in-a-Lifetime Images

This is the dream kit I put together for those moments that really matter — the kind of once-in-a-lifetime images you want to print big and hang on the wall. It’s not used anywhere near as much as my X-Series kit due to the weight, but for a medium format setup, it’s incredible how compact it is. Honestly, it’s smaller than what I used to lug around back in my Canon 5D Mark II days with L lenses — and the image quality absolutely blows that old kit away.

I use the Fujifilm GFX 100S paired with the GF 45mm f/2.8, which gives me roughly the equivalent field of view of a 35mm full-frame lens or my preferred 23mm on the X-Series — perfect for storytelling, travel, and documentary-style work.

When I want portraits or subject separation, I have two options:

• GF 80mm f/1.7 – This one strikes a great balance between size and stunning image quality.
• GF 110mm f/2 – This is the heavyweight, in every sense. I only bring it when portraits are a clear focus.

Fair warning: I once used this combo (100S + 110mm f/2) to take portraits of my wife — and to this day, she still talks about those images. And she’s used to being photographed with every kind of camera I’ve ever owned. This combo just has that magic.

So if you want the best possible image quality Fujifilm can offer and are willing to carry a bit more weight, this is it. But is it all perfect? Of course not.

• Weight: It’s noticeably heavier than my X-Series gear — not unmanageable, but definitely more deliberate.
• Autofocus: It’s fast for medium format, but won’t reliably track fast-moving kids. This is a camera that asks you to slow down.
• Storage: 100MP files are huge. You’ll need fast SD cards, a powerful computer, and probably a bit of extra storage space.
• Spousal awareness: Let’s just say if your partner knows the value of this setup, you’d better have a great explanation. Or better yet, keep them blissfully unaware

That said, if photography is the focus of your trip — or if the images matter more than the gear weight — this setup is absolutely worth it. It delivers results that no crop or full-frame camera can match, with dynamic range and tonality that’s in a different league.

Weight of This Kit

• Fujifilm GFX 100S: 900 g (with battery and card)
• GF 45mm f/2.8 R WR: 490 g
• GF 80mm f/1.7 R WR: 795 g
• GF 110mm f/2 R LM WR: 1010 g

Configurations:

• GFX100S + 45mm + 80mm combo: ~2,185 g (≈2.19 kg)
• GFX100S + 45mm + 110mm combo: ~2,400 g (≈2.40 kg)

How I Carry It

Simple. Employ a Sherpa.

But seriously — despite being a medium format setup, it’s surprisingly manageable. I still carry this kit in my Peak Design Everyday Sling 10L, the same one I use for my smaller setups. It fits either combo (GFX 100S + 45mm/80mm or 45mm/110mm) with room left over for:

• Spare batteries
• Lens cleaning cloth and rocket blower
• Filters
• SD cards and a card reader
• My iPad Pro 13″ M4, which I use for on-the-go backups and editing

It’s tight, but it works. And if I’m really pushing it, I’ll put it all in my Lowepro Lowepro Flipside AW400ii. But I try to keep it minimal — I’m not trying to relive my landscape photography backpacking days.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been searching for the best Fujifilm travel photography kit, I hope this article has given you a bit of inspiration — or even a straightforward shopping list to follow.

The kits I’ve shared here are what I personally use, refined over years of shooting everywhere from tropical islands to busy city streets, often with my family in tow. But the principles behind them — portability, speed, image quality, and joy of use — are broadly applicable to almost any photographer.

If I had to recommend just one setup, it would be the middle ground kit: two of the compact f/2 primes, paired with one premium f/1.4 or f/1.2 lens. From a cost, quality, and weight standpoint, it hits the sweet spot. It’s what I’d recommend for most beginner to intermediate photographers who want a kit that’s flexible, capable, and easy to grow with.

And one last note: if you’re ever torn between upgrading your camera body or investing in better lenses, go for the lenses. Every time. They hold their value better, and they’ll make a far bigger difference to your photos than a new camera will. Even moving from a kit zoom to a compact f/2 prime can completely change the feel and quality of your images.

Now go take some photos that matter.

Want More Fuji Travel Tips Like This?

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Want the bigger picture? Compare all systems here: Best Cameras 2026

Want to refine your family photography kit?

If you’re looking for guidance on which Fujifilm lenses are best for capturing your family’s daily moments—and want to avoid analysis paralysis—this guide breaks down the specific lenses I actually use as a dad:

Best Fujifilm Lenses for Family Photography

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best Fujifilm lens for travel photography?

The XF 23mm f/1.4 WR is my top choice for travel—it offers a natural field of view, excellent low-light performance, and superb image quality in a compact, weather-sealed package. If you want something smaller and lighter, the XF 23mm f/2 is also a fantastic option.

Is the Fujifilm X-T5 good for travel photography?

Yes, the X-T5 is one of the best cameras for travel. It offers 40MP resolution, in-body image stabilization (IBIS), weather sealing, and excellent battery life, all in a relatively compact body.

Which Fuji prime lens should I buy first for travel?

If you want one do-it-all prime lens that balances cost and performance, go with the XF 23mm f/2 WR. It’s small, light, weather-sealed, and versatile enough for landscapes, portraits, and everyday travel shots.

Do I need a zoom lens for travel?

Not necessarily—many travel photographers prefer primes for their size and image quality. However, if you want maximum flexibility, a combo like the XF 10–24mm f/4 WR and XF 70–300mm WR covers almost every situation, from wide landscapes to distant subjects.

I have access to and use a lot of cameras yet I choose to travel with an Olympus OM-D E-M5II. Here are just 7 reasons why Micro 4/3 offers the best cameras for travel photography.

1. Size and weight

Cameras like the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II, Pen F and Panasonic GX-8 are small, light and well-built cameras.

Today, the latest OM System and Panasonic bodies like the OM-3 or G9 II build on everything I loved about those cameras — faster AF, better EVFs, and even more powerful image stabilization.

When you are looking for a camera for travel photography you have to consider just how much you want to carry with you. Yes the Sony A series are in some cases equally as small but then add in a decent zoom lens and a couple of primes and the difference in weight grows substantially. I carry with me an Olympus EM5II, Olympus HLD 8 battery grip, Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro, Olympus 25mm f/1.8, 45mm f/1.8 and 75mm f/1.8. My Olympus system feels modular in nature. I can choose to go from really small and light using just the EM5II and the 25mm 1.8 or I can add the grip and use the 12-40mm Pro lens on the fully gripped body for extra battery life when I am on extended shoots.

2. Image Quality

Cameras from Olympus and Panasonic offer me a lightweight system without compromising on image quality. Some people will say you need a full frame camera and you may, if you specifically want the most shallow depth of field possible and the best high ISO noise performance. However if most of your photography is not shot in pitch black conditions at night and you don’t just want one eye in focus for portraits then Micro 4/3 is more than capable.

The differences between Micro 4/3 and APS-C in anything below 3200 ISO are negligible. In fact in a blind test I would be willing to bet 95% of people could not tell what sized sensor was used between the two. It more than meets the standards needed to submit your photos to stock photography sites and earn some cash to pay for all those trips. Add in the incredible in-body image stabilisation and you can shoot at much lower ISO’s than using other cameras without IS. So not only can you shoot at lower ISO’s to give the best possible image quality but you may not need to drag your tripod with you everywhere. The OM-D E-M1 Mark II allows you to get sharp hand-held shots at shutter speeds of 1 second and longer. I have printed 30×20″ prints from Micro 4/3 and hung them and most importantly sold them in galleries. They stand up well when proper technique is used.

Image quality is great on Micro 4/3. Prints up to 30×20″ at gallery quality, more than good enough to sell for stock. What more do you need?

3. Lens Choice

Micro 4/3 offers a huge range of lenses so that whatever your shooting style there is bound to be a lens that fits. The system has lenses from the tiny Panasonic 14mm f/2.5 up to Pro grade zooms like the Olympus 300mm f/4. In general the lenses are very sharp. I love the results from my Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro. I’d go as far as to say it is my favourite zoom lens of any system (and I have used a lot of Canon L glass and the Nikon 2.8 zooms). Want the best value portrait lens in the World? Pick up the Olympus 45mm f/1.8 for around £200 and you got it. That little lens is sharp and incredible value. It also takes up virtually no weight in your bag.

My Olympus prime lenses. From left to right the 25mm 1.8, 45mm 1.8 and 75mm 1.8.
I find that these complement my 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro lens perfectly.

Take a look at the huge range of Micro 4/3 lenses available here 

4.Electronic Viewfinder.

When you are considering which camera is best for travel photography you have to remember that often you don’t have a lot of time to get the shot. You may be working on a deadline or maybe your family are waiting for you and asking you to hurry up because they want dinner. If you are using a standard DSLR with an optical viewfinder it is quite likely that you will take the shot and then have to check it on your rear LCD screen to see if the exposure is correct, is it in focus, how are the colours etc. I remember shooting with a Canon 5D MK II for years and as good as that camera was, there was a process required to get the shot that I wanted. It involved checking my image on the rear LCD screen, then correcting the exposure, re-shooting and so on. It might often take 5 shots to get everything perfect. All the time your family are giving you that look that says, we are bored now, hurry up. With an electronic viewfinder what you see in the viewfinder is what you get in your final image. No more chimping on the rear screen afterwards. Select your settings and take the picture. You already know that you got the shot. Now it’s time to go and enjoy dinner with a happy family.

5. Image Stabilisation

I cannot overstate how useful it is to have image stabilisation built-in to the camera body. There are so many benefits. It increases your keeper rate. No more blurry photos because you had too much coffee that morning and your hands were shaking. No more worrying about getting sharp food shots when you are in poor light in that restaurant. Simply select the ISO, aperture and shutter speed you want and the IS system will do the rest. Tack sharp food shots and great IQ because you could use a lower ISO setting. Don’t want to lug a tripod around with you. No problem as the latest in body IS has you covered for shutter speeds as low as a few seconds. Not only does this allow you to keep your ISO low but it gives you creative flexibility to use slower shutter speeds in order to blur water or show movement without having to carry tripods. Your travel photography will become more creative and your back will thank you later.

In-body IS means that you can leave your tripod at home more often.

6. Discretion

I have traveled to every continent except the Antarctic. I have lived in many countries and one thing that I have always found is that with a smaller camera you can take photos without attracting too much attention. If you are carrying around a hulking great DSLR with Pro f/2.8 lens attached then you stand out like a sore thumb in many countries. It also feels a little awkward when you are carrying around gear that costs more than the average annual salary of a worker in some countries. Being discreet allows you to blend in (or at least not stand out as much) and get photos that just wouldn’t be possible with a DSLR and huge white lens attached. When people see DSLR’s they get a little camera shy, their expressions often change and they may even wish to avoid being photographed altogether. Pull out your cute looking Olympus Pen F and it is a totally different story. You will look like a tourist, an amatuer but that’s great, Just what you want because you know that inside your ‘cute’ ‘inexpensive’ looking camera the image that you just captured is just as good as your DSLR could have done.

7.Video.

If you’re a striving creative who wants to add to their skill set and portfolio then you will probably want to get in to video. It is a great way to bring your audience with you and show them the beauty of the places that you visit. Micro 4/3 offers all of the above benefits while giving impressive video quality. My OM-D E-M5II offers full HD video at up to 60 frames per second. That allows for some slow motion capture . It even has the ability to create slow motion in camera. Combine the decent video quality with in built image stabilisation and it is no longer a chore to set up and create travel videos to go along side your photos. The Olympus OM-D Em1 II offers 4k video with excellent quality. If you are really serious about video then Micro 4/3 offers the best video camera below a full blown pro rig in the form of the Panasonic GH5. It gives you Internal 4K/30p 10-bit 4:2:2, 4K/59.94p and 50p shooting with 10-bit 4:2:2 external output or 8-bit, 4:2:0 internal at 150Mbps IPB, 1080 video at up to 180p, Pre-config rack focus mode, Waveform and vectorscope monitors, Paid upgrade for V-Log video capture with preview display using luts. This will be my next investment as I get more and more in to video work.

So there you have 7 reasons why Micro 4/3 make the best cameras for travel photography. I didn’t even mention that they offer some of the best built and most weather sealed cameras, the benefits of the 2x crop factor for wildlife shots or that manufacturers such as Olympus often upgrade the cameras throughout their life cycle to add improvements and new features. That is the sort of customer service and product support that gives me confidence to buy their cameras.

If you want to look in more detail at how Micro 4/3 compares against APS-C sensors then I did a comparison here

Want to make sure you get the sharpest photos possible then check out my article here

If you want to buy any of the cameras mentioned in this article then you can do so at no extra cost by purchasing through my Amazon links. Thank you if you make any purchases as it really does help me to keep this site going.

What camera do you use for your travel photography? I’d love to hear your thoughts below.