What Camera to Bring?
 

I know there is QUITE a wide variety of cameras on the market but I'm interested in what other motorcycle travelers use and would recommend.

I'll be embarking on a multi-year multi-continent trip in a couple months and want to capture my travels as well as I can. I have minimal experience in photography so any and all advice is much appreciated. Some things I'm keeping in mind while shopping for a camera are; I have little experience in photography so need something easy to use, and I need it to withstand traveling on a motorcycle.

With that said what are you guys using? I'm looking at mid to high end point and shoots vs DSLR's for compactness and ease of use.

Any suggestions?

I'm just bringing my DSLR and 2 lenses.

I sold my DSLR before I travelled as it was too bulky and I knew it would get trashed as i'm quite clumsy.

I used a panasonic tough point and shoot and it was ok, as I could hang it round my neck and tuck it in my jacket. It didn't produce consistent great images that I was used to with the DSLR, poor in low light, no depth of field, etc.

Now I've changed to a mirrorless setup, more compact but with the functionality and interchangable lenses of a DSLR. I have a Sony A6000. Taking it on my first trip next week so i'll see how I get on with it. I'm worried that it is not waterproof though.

Panasonic Lumix
 

If you don't have much knowledge about DSLR cameras, then maybe it is not worth the effort. If you are just going for point and shoot, a DSLR is a bit overkill and bulky when on a bike.

I just got the latest Smasung S9+ smartphone (one with two cameras, and two physical apertures). It allows you to do pics with depth of field, and even shooting in RAW which you could edit in Adobe Lightroom for example (on the same phone!)
Together with things like 4K and slow motion filming, this kind of thing is so versatile while being of course very compact.

So if you are the point and shoot kind of guy/girl, then don't bother with DSLRs anymore.

I will still be bringing a DSLR (we travel by car), but I think I will be using the phone most of the time.

Like allways: To make a good picture you have to learn how to take fotografes and you need an interesding place. Its NOT about the camera. I had photos taken by smartphone published as well as pictures taken by an old, second hand Canon EOS 400 d DSLR US$ 99 ob ebay.

Good thing on DSLR is they are allways ready hanging around your neck and you can shot right away while compact cameras first have to start, the objectiv comes out and it takes a while for them to focus.

To take pictures of animales a good zoom is requied...to not be treated as money on legs better dont have a long, expensive looking zoom on your cam...

http://adventure-travel-experience.d...en_transafrika

Thanks for the response. I’m unfamiliar with both of these cameras so thanks for enlightening me! I’ll look into them both. The ruggedness is very appealing especially because I’m kinda clumsy. Haha.

If I had a dslr I’d probably just take that with me but they are generally above my camera budget.

Yeah, I want to avoid purchasing a lack luster camera for this trip. There’s a lot of point and shoot cameras that will get the job done but I’d like a camera to capture the things I see as close to reality as possible.

I have been looking at some mirrorless options too and they look like a pretty great option. Just not sure if they’re in my budget right now.

Have fun with your A6000 and I can’t wait to see some pics!

Thank you!

Thanks for the link! I’ll be ingesting this this evening!

I agree that a dslr will be a bit too much of a learning curve for me right out of the gate. And my phone takes pretty great pictures as it is. But sounds like my iPhone is a bit more limited that your Samsung! Good to know for the future though.

Thanks!

Very good point and something I’ll have to keep in mind!! I will have my phone with me for quick pics and videos but I’m looking for a camera that I can learn on and has a little room for me to grow into. Ideally something that can be fully automatic as well as fully manual for when i get to a point where I can start experimenting down the line.

Thank you!

To touch on OPs question, I am really looking at bringing the Sony a7Rii with me on a multi year trip. Like OP I really want a camera that will do the sights and scenery justice. Ill be packing as a minimalist and riding an XR650L on a multi year/continent trip...
Is it incredibly impractical to bring such a high end camera+ one or two lenses with me?

Im quite sure Ill have the room for it and will be able to protect it from the elements, but it scares me to bring anything that expensive on such a trip. Just wondering what some thoughts on this might be.

A waterproof "point and shoot" is a must if you want to get great shots, because some of the best are when the bike is half underwater, or it's pouring rain etc. DAMHIK!

To get GREAT shots an SLR or one of the new smaller and lighter mirrorless SLR is an EXCELLENT way to go, and you can start with only one or two lenses and add as you feel the need and budget.

Hahaha, I won't ask Grant but thank you for the helpful tips! I like the idea of something rugged and waterproof for "action" shots. And having a camera that can really and truly capture the sights and scenes I'll be encountering seems like a no brainer. I'll talk to my wallet and see what it thinks before I start purchasing things though. Haha