Posted on Monday, 9 April 2018

From the dawn of mass travel in the 1960s, right through to the mid-2000s, taking your holiday photos meant owning a film camera - and nearly always one that used the 35mm format. Whether it was a disposable or an expensive single lens reflex - chances are both would use exactly the same format film.

Back then, you needed a fairly heavy SLR camera to take a decent image. That weight was down to the robust metal body and components, as well as the thick glass used in the lens(es).

Today, the holiday photography market is dominated by digital technology. Of course, film still has a dedicated group of followers who adore the authentic colours and analogue graininess - a group which has become large enough to prompt Kodak to revive its Ektachrome colour reversal film.

But for most people who want to take some dazzling photos of their next holiday, digital technology offers a wealth of options, ranging from small, low-cost, low-weight products, to advanced DSLR cameras for those who aren't averse to paying an over-weight fee on their hand luggage (well, you wouldn't want such a costly camera in your stowed luggage!).

Indeed, the sheer range of cameras available can make picking one rather tricky.

Here we run though the key camera types you can choose from. There is no ultimate 'right' camera - only the kind of camera that will suit you and your style of travelling.

Compact Digital Cameras (Point and Shoot)

A compact digital camera might be the right option if you're seeking a light, affordable and easy-to-use camera. As the name suggests, a compact will fit easily into your handbag or day-pack, making it easy to capture those special moments on the fly.

Compacts - or 'point and shoots' - usually have fewer features than more elaborate, costly cameras, but that doesn't mean you can't take fantastic photos with them. Indeed, because even mid-range smart-phones can take impressive images these days, compact cameras are increasingly feature-laden - so they remain desirable to consumers.                                                       

Examples of popular compact cameras:

• Canon Powershot G9 range
• Panasonic Lumix TZ range
• Fujifilm X100F

Advanced Compact Digital Cameras (High-End Compact)

Like the idea of a compact, but want more professional features? An advanced compact could be for you. These cameras still have built-in lenses - as opposed to DSLR cameras whose lenses are interchangeable.

An advanced compact will also permit full manual control (although many regular compacts do, too), and will be able to capture frames in RAW format - a super high quality format that has been minimally processed. RAW is ideal if you want to edit your image on a computer.

Advanced compacts are cheaper than DSLR and mirrorless cameras, but as you would expect cost more than regular compacts.

Examples of popular advanced compacts

• Sony RX range
• Canon G7 range
• Panasonic Lumix FZ range

Mirrorless Cameras

This camera type is gunning for territory traditionally dominated by the digital single lens reflex (DSLR). It offers excellent image quality and interchangeable lenses but does not feature a mirror reflex optical viewfinder - making it lighter than the average digital SLR. And unlike a DSLR, a mirrorless camera gives you a real-time view of ISO and aperture adjustments.

Along with this more precise view of the image being captured, Mirrorless cameras possess a number of other crowd-pleasing features, such as low noise at high ISO. They are also cheaper and lighter to carry around - important when you're on holiday!

Popular mirrorless cameras

• Sony A7 range
• Fuji X-T1 range

Digital SLR Cameras

DSLRs are arguably the most professional of all camera types - they are certainly the most expensive and the heaviest. If you have a passion for capturing wildlife on holiday, or fast action scenes (such as sport), then a DSLR would be a great option. More lens options, quicker focus and marginally better battery life are also plus-points. However, if cost and weight are an issue, a mirrorless could be a better alternative - while still delivering excellent image quality.

Popular DSLRs

Canon Rebel range

Action/Sports/Underwater Cameras

iStock.com/igor_kell

GoPro continue to dominate the action camera market, with a range of durable watertight cameras that deliver exceptional image quality. Indeed, the latest Hero 6 can capture 12MP photos and full 4K videos. Naturally, this is primarily a video camera - but it takes great stills under water - as well as on dry land.

Other well-reviewed underwater cameras:

• Olympus Tough! TG-5
• Nikon Coolpix W300
• Panasonic Lumix FT5 / TS5

Smartphone Camera

Many people simply rely on their smartphone in order to take holiday snaps - and with good reason. Many mid- and high-end smartphones deliver amazing image quality and enable fast and easy upload to social media. With so many camera phones available, picking out the best is not easy, but below are some of the best-reviewed options:

• Google Pixel 2 / Pixel 2 XL
• Samsung Galaxy Note 8
• Samsung Galaxy S8 / Galaxy S8 Plus
• iPhone X
• Huawei Mate 10 Pro

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