Hiking can be an exciting activity, and what better way to relieve the experience than to capture the fascinating and unexpected moments from your trip? Gone are the days where you had to choose which moments were worth remembering with limited camera film. But thanks to technology, we now have enough space for as many memories as we want to keep.
To capture these memories successfully, you need a good camera for hiking. There are several options available, but not all of them are ideal. Therefore, I have reviewed a few of them to help you choose the best for your next adventure.
What is the Best Camera for Hiking?
We have compiled for you the top 5 Best Camera for Hiking in 2023. In this article we go through the products that we have used ourselves, checked what other users thought about them and we ranked them accordingly.
With years of experience with hiking cameras and having used several cameras for hiking you can trust our review.
Moreover, you can scroll to the end of this review to see our mini buying guide as well as the answers to some of the frequently asked questions about cameras for hiking.
1. Olympus Tough TG-6 Waterproof Camera
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.56 pounds (0.25 kg) Size: 4.4 x 2.6 x 1.3 inches (11.2 x 6.6 x 3.3 cm) Optical Sensor Resolution: 12 megapixels Optical Zoom: 4 x Video Capture Resolution: 4K UHD |
This camera is weather-sealed, making it waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, crushproof, and freezeproof. Its design can withstand harsh weather conditions and is compact and robust for outdoor activities such as hiking. It is also one of the best underwater photography cameras in its class. However, its lightweight, exceptional photography, and rugged construction make it my top choice.
The TG-6 features a macro lens for taking clear close-up pictures, while its ultra HD 4K feature ensures that your photos have better color and detail. However, the camera does not come with a lens cover, so you might need to get one separately, which may be a slight drawback. But on the positive side, it does have a decent battery life that ensures you capture all the photos you need in between charges.
Pros
- Waterproof to 50 feet underwater, Macro lens for close up photographs,
- Lightweight and robust construction,
- Ultra HD 4k and F2.0 lens for clear pictures
Cons
- Does not come with a lens cover
2. AKASO EK7000 4K WiFi Sports Action Camera
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.75 pounds (0.34 kg) Size: 2 x 1.5 x 0.9 inches (5.1 x 3.8 x 2.3 cm) Optical Sensor Resolution: 12 megapixels Video Capture Resolution: 2K UHD |
The AKASO EK7000 is the best budget option on this list, and like the Olympus Tough TG-6 Waterproof Camera, it features ultra HD 4K that produces high-quality pictures. Weighing in at 0.75lbs, this action camera is light enough to take on hiking trips.
It features a wi-fi application that allows you to transfer pictures to your phone and upload them to your social media. However, just like the Canon PowerShot SX620, this application is not compatible with all phones, and you will have to do some research to see if it is compatible.
This camera has a 170-degree wide-angle lens that allows you to capture more expansive pictures. It comes with accessories that enable you to mount the camera anywhere. You can use it as a dashcam when you are not hiking! Various shooting styles that include loop recording, burst photo, and time-lapse give you enough options to choose the ideal mode to capture anything, for instance, landscapes, flowers, or yourself successfully conquering that steep hill. Sadly, this camera does not have image stabilization, so taking pictures of moving objects can be somewhat challenging. This camera also struggles to take clear pictures in low-light spaces or at night.
Pros
- Waterproof up to 100 feet,
- Wi-fi and HDMI allow easy transferring of pictures and videos, 4K ultra HD with various shooting modes,
- 2 rechargeable batteries to increase battery life,
- Wireless remote control for easy camera control
Cons
- Does not have image stabilization,
- The app is not compatible with all phones,
- Not ideal for low light
3. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.76 pounds (0.8 kg) Size: 5.9 x 4.6 x 3 inches (15 x 11.7 x 7.6 cm) Optical Sensor Resolution: 30.4 megapixels Optical Zoom: 1 x Video Capture Resolution: 2160 p |
Canon is one of the biggest camera manufacturers with a wide range of technologies that improve the user’s experience. The Canon EOS 5D is one of the best cameras for professional landscape and wildlife photographers. It is why this camera is the best premium choice on my list. The EOS 5D features Canon’s dual pixel CMOS AF and 6 point AF system, which improves autofocus, allowing you to capture focused and clear photos. The touch screen interface allows easy subject tracking, while the built-in WiFi and GPS enable you to set up, take photos, and share remotely with compatible mobile devices.
However, the GPS function may have restrictions in some countries or regions. Other users found that the battery does not last long when using the WiFi to connect the camera remotely.
Pros
- 30.4-megapixel full-frame sensor
- 61-point AF system for increased focus accuracy,
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF (autofocus) for video and live view capturing, DIGIC 6+ for Continuous shooting,
- Built-in wi-fi and GPS, Touch screen interface
Cons
- Weighs 800g which is considerably heavy, The battery drains quickly
4. Pentax K-70
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 2 pounds (0.91 kg) Size: 4.9 x 3.7 x 2.9 inches (12.4 x 9.4 x 7.4 cm) Optical Sensor Resolution: 24.24 megapixels Optical Zoom: 3 x Video Capture Resolution: 1080 p |
The Pentax K-70 camera features an In-body shake reduction mechanism that minimizes camera movement to avoid blurry images. Like the Olympus TG-6 Waterproof Camera, its design can withstand harsh weather such as water, fog, snow, sand, and dust, making it ideal for outdoor adventures like hiking. The camera’s control buttons can be easily accessed when wearing gloves to improve convenience when using the camera outdoors. The K-70 features a compact design for easy portability on the one hand. However, on the other hand, it is considerably heavy for some hikers at 900g weight.
One of the perks of hiking and camping is the expansive night sky that is typically not visible in the city. The K-70 comes with the O-GPS1 feature that works with your camera’s sensors, Electronic Compass, and Shake Reduction mechanism to calculate the movement of celestial bodies for astrophotography without needing to use an equatorial mount. The camera has a Wireless LAN connection that allows the user to use the camera to remotely check the Live View image, capture still images or even adjust camera settings through your phone. Another outstanding feature of the LCD is the Night Vision Red-Light display function that allows you to access all of the camera’s display menu in the dark without affecting your vision for nighttime shooting. The K-70 comes with a versatile 18-55mm kit lens that is excellent for beginner and amateur photographers. Although it does have limited magnification and aperture for professional photography, the lens kit does offer a 26-degree field of view and an adequate zoom range for general outdoor photography.
Pros
- Wi-fi for easy transferring of pictures, Weather-resistant and dustproof,
- Easy access controls for more convenient photography,
- LCD monitor with night vision red light display,
- Pixel Shift Resolution with motion correction for clearer pictures
Cons
- Limited zoom capacity
5. Canon PowerShot SX620
| Specs |
|---|
| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1 pounds (0.45 kg) Size: 6.3 x 5.7 x 2.3 inches (16 x 14.5 x 5.8 cm) Optical Sensor Resolution: 20.2 megapixels Optical Zoom: 25 x Video Capture Resolution: 1080 p |
The PowerShot SX620 is the second Canon product on this list and unlike Pentax K-70, this camera has a 25x optical zoom with Intelligent IS that allows you to take clear pictures from a distance. The IS technology helps you achieve crisp photos that would otherwise require a tripod to stabilize.
The 1080p full HD video allows you to take detailed and lifelike images, while the Hybrid Auto function enables you to capture your experiences in a special way by recording up to four seconds of video every time you take a still image. The various shoot modes grant you the flexibility of choosing the style that accurately captures your memories, while the auto functions simplify the process by auto-setting to optimize image quality. This camera is small at 500g to fit in your pocket easily while you enjoy the hike.
You can conveniently transfer pictures to your compatible mobile device and control your camera with the built-in wi-fi using the Canon Camera Connect app. The camera also allows you to take high-quality images in low light with the 20.2 Megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4+ image processor.
Pros
- Powerful 25x optical zoom to capture distant objects, 20.2 Megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor delivers high, resolution photos, Built-in wi-fi and NFC for easy content transferring,
- Camera connect app for remote shooting
Cons
- Wi-fi and NFC not compatible with all devices,
- Takes soft images
Verdict
To summarize, we have gone through dozens of cameras for hiking and decided that 5 are worth your consideration. Out of these, the absolute Best Camera for Hiking is Olympus Tough TG-6 Waterproof Camera which we highly recommend as our overall best.
If money is not an issue, you can consider Canon EOS 5D Mark IV as this is our Premium Pick.
Otherwise, there’s no shame in spending prudently, AKASO EK7000 4K WiFi Sports Action Camera is the Budget Option.
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying cameras for hiking
Overview
Buying a hiking camera is an investment. You need something that will perform well for a long time. These are some factors to consider when looking for the best camera for hiking.
Weather Sealing
As hiking is an outdoor activity, you need a camera to handle external elements such as rain, humidity, and dust that you are likely to experience while hiking. Cameras that feature rubber sealing, silicon rings, lining, and gaskets are weather-sealed to withstand external influences like harsh weather.
Weight and Size
Cameras come in various sizes to cater to different occasions. Hiking on its own is tiring, and you do not want a heavy camera to make it worse. However, you may want to consider some key features of the camera you are using, depending on the photography you are undertaking. For general hiking purposes, a compact camera will be ideal as they are often lightweight and easily portable. However, you can also consider some of the lighter options in the mirrorless and mid-range categories of cameras for hiking.
Lens Selection
The lens is probably one of the most important features of a camera. There are different lenses to cater to different types of photography in various conditions. Some options include macro lenses designed for close-up photos, while Telephoto lenses are zoom lenses with multiple focal points that take clear pictures from a distance. The wide-angle lens is ideal for hiking purposes because it has a wide field of view to capture beautiful landscape pictures.
Focal Lengths for Landscapes
Focal length refers to the maximum or minimum distance required between your camera and the object or landscape to capture the best picture. Cameras with a higher zoom capacity enable you to take clear photos of objects or landscapes from a great distance.
Questions and Answers About cameras for hiking
Is GoPro good for hiking?
GoPro is a small action camera that can withstand outdoor conditions making it a good choice for hiking. It is designed for active sports such as hiking, cycling, and kite surfing, so you get clear photos amid lots of movement. You can even get a dedicated GoPro Drone to get aerial footage too.
How do I keep my camera safe while hiking?
Hiking can be an intense activity, and if you drop your camera, there are chances that it might get damaged. You can opt to use camera straps attached to your backpack or hung around your neck to avoid accidents while allowing easy access to your camera. I would recommend using a UV filter to protect your camera lens, especially if your camera is not weather sealed. For more tips on how to prepare your camera for different weather conditions, check out this article.
