The 5 Best Cameras For Hiking And Backpacking - Spring 2024 Reviews

The Fujifilm X-T5 is the best camera for hiking that we've tested. With a sturdy, weather-sealed design and a relatively portable body, you can easily take it on the go. APS-C lenses are generally smaller than full-frame alternatives, making for a more portable overall kit. Fujifilm's old-school physical exposure dials give you more hands-on control over your settings. But the real highlight of this camera is its high-resolution sensor, which has a whopping 40 MP resolution that captures a stunning level of detail and gives you plenty of leeway to crop your photos.

The camera also features in-body image stabilization (IBIS), which can help you capture stable handheld shots at slower shutter speeds, meaning you can leave the bulky tripod at home. Beyond that, the X-T5 has a fantastic battery life for a mirrorless camera, making it a great choice for long hikes and backpacking excursions. If you want to save some money, its predecessor, the Fujifilm X-T4, is still a great choice, though it uses a lower-resolution sensor and is a tad bigger and heavier.

If you want something a little easier on the wallet, check out the OM SYSTEM OM-5. A Micro Four Thirds (MFT) camera like this is a great choice for hikes thanks to its portable size and smaller lenses. The OM-5 is a well-built camera with good ergonomics for its size and a weather-sealed body that the manufacturer advertises as dustproof, splashproof, and freezeproof.

It has some neat extra features, including computational photography modes to get higher-resolution composite images or make it easier to get long-exposure shots. To top it off, it has an excellent five-axis IBIS system to get steadier shots without a tripod. The battery life isn't as good as on the Fujifilm X-T5, but this is still a fantastic choice for adventurous photographers who want something compact and feature-rich without spending a fortune. If you can find one for less, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is the OM-5's predecessor and a great alternative with a largely identical feature set, though it uses an older processor.

The Fujifilm X-T30 II is another great mid-range option for hiking. While it doesn't have IBIS, it's just as small and lightweight as the OM SYSTEM OM-5, making it easy to hike and travel with. Also, despite sitting at a lower price point than the predecessor to our top pick, the Fujifilm X-T4, it uses the same APS-C sensor, so it's a great choice if image quality is a priority.

That said, there's a trade-off in build quality here. This model has no weather sealing, so you'll have to be more careful in adverse weather conditions. On the upside, its dedicated exposure dials make adjusting settings a breeze, and you get several film simulation profiles to play around with the look of your JPEGs in-camera. Ultimately, if you can live without weather sealing or built-in stabilization, this is an excellent little camera for the money.

If you're on an even tighter budget, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is one of the best-value options for hiking and backpacking. It's a step down from the OM SYSTEM OM-5 and the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III in the Olympus lineup, but it offers a lot of the same features that make the OM-5 a standout for backpackers and adventure-seekers.

For one, it's incredibly lightweight and portable, making it a breeze to take on long hikes. Since it's part of the MFT system, you'll have plenty of compact and relatively affordable lens options to choose from. On top of that, it's one of the few budget options to feature IBIS, allowing for clear handheld shots at slower shutter speeds. The camera doesn't feel as well-built as pricier models and has no weather sealing. However, it checks a lot of boxes at a price that's hard to beat, especially if you're just getting started in photography.

While an interchangeable lens camera will give you the best image quality and the most flexibility, a point-and-shoot like the RICOH GR III is an excellent take-anywhere camera. It's incredibly compact, easily fitting into a pocket, and thanks to a high-res APS-C sensor and a sharp built-in lens, it's tough to beat its size-to-image-quality ratio. The fixed 28 mm full-frame equivalent lens is a great fit for landscapes and wider shots, but if you prefer a narrower field of view, the RICOH GR IIIx has a 40 mm lens that may suit you better.

The camera's minimalist design makes it easy to shoot with, and it feels well-built overall, though it isn't weather-sealed to keep out dust and moisture. The fixed screen can also make it difficult to shoot at different angles. Of course, since it's so compact, it has a more limited battery life, so you may want to pack a spare battery for longer hikes. Having said that, if you want to eliminate the need for a bulkier kit, this truly pocketable camera is the way to go.