Our Travel Camera Kit for 2026

Our travel camera kit is deliberately small: one mirrorless body, a versatile zoom plus a fast prime, a compact travel tripod, spare batteries and a fast card — everything in a packable bag. You don’t need more than this to shoot great travel and sunset photos, and carrying less means you’ll actually use it. Here’s the full kit, plus a phone-only version.

The kit

• A mirrorless body — the best balance of quality, size and price. A mid-range crop or full-frame body is plenty for travel. See travel cameras →
• A versatile zoom (e.g. 24–105mm equivalent) — one lens for landscapes, streets and details, so you rarely swap in the field.
• A fast prime (35mm or 50mm, f/1.8) — for low light, blue hour, and portraits with lovely background blur.
• A compact travel tripod — essential as the light drops; keeps sunset and blue-hour shots sharp. See travel tripods →
• Spare batteries + a fast SD card — cold evenings drain batteries; sunsets fill cards.
• A packable, padded bag — protects the kit and disappears into your luggage.

Nice-to-haves

• ND and graduated ND filters — smooth long exposures and balance a bright sky. See filters →
• A remote or use the 2-second timer — avoids camera shake on long exposures.
• A microfibre cloth — sea spray and dust are constant on sunset shoots.

The phone-only alternative

You genuinely don’t need a camera to start:

• A recent phone shooting RAW/ProRAW covers most scenes.
• A mini/flexible tripod for steady low-light shots.
• A clip-on lens if you want wider or more reach.

The settings and composition matter far more than the gear — see our guide to photographing the perfect sunset.

Then go shoot

Pack light, learn the settings, edit with the free Lightroom tutorial, and point it all at the best sunset spots in the world. More in Golden Hour.

Frequently asked questions

What camera is best for travel photography?

A mirrorless camera hits the sweet spot of image quality, size and price. A single mid-range body with a versatile zoom covers most travel and sunset situations without weighing you down.

Do I need a tripod for sunset photos?

A small travel tripod helps a lot as the light drops and shutter speeds slow — it keeps shots sharp and lets you shoot the blue hour. A tabletop or flexible mini tripod is enough for most travellers.

Can I take great travel photos with just a phone?

Absolutely. A recent phone shooting in RAW, plus a mini tripod and a clip-on lens, covers most situations. The settings and composition matter far more than the camera.