Given the widespread travel restrictions currently in effect around the globe in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic, now may not feel like the best time to start a travel blog.
Still, we can take the spirit of travel and find little ways to satisfy our wanderlust, whether it’s driving across state lines to safely visit one of the open national parks, or simply taking a stroll around a part of your town you haven’t been to in a while.
With about one-third of the total U.S. land area being covered by forests, there should be no shortage of woods to explore and get some good shots.
Whether you’re planning on building a travel blog with a significant following or you just want some beautiful photos to share with friends and family, it pays to have a good camera for travel that you can take with you wherever you go.
And remember, if you do go the blog route, make sure it’s mobile friendly or you could lose up to 61% of your viewers.
Fortunately, there are plenty of travel blog tutorials out there to help you get started.
Today, we’re going to go through one of the best cameras for travel you can throw in your backpack, with options to suit any budget.
We’ll be talking about the Sony RX100.
The First Sony RX100 Model
In 2012, Sony released its first camera in the RX100 line — a premium point-and-shoot that takes DSLR-quality photos with a fraction of the physical footprint.
The initial release had a 20MP 1-inch sensor, the fastest aperture setting of f/1.8, and an equivalent 28-100mm adjustable focal length.
Over the last decade, smartphones have been rapidly infringing upon the point-and-shoot market due to their convenience and increasingly impressive performance.
The RX100 was Sony’s rebuttal to this trend; it was an argument that point-and-shoot cameras can still be relevant.
Later Models
As impressive as the first iteration of the RX100 was, these days it feels a bit outdated.
It lacks the WiFi capabilities, 4K video recording, and articulating touch screen of later models. By model, the upgrades go as follows:
- RX100 II: The second model added a hot shoe for accessory capabilities and put a hinge on the LCD.
- RX100 III: The third model got an upgraded lens, featuring stronger low light performance at greater focal lengths and a built-in ND filter.
- RX100 IV/VA: The fourth model is the first with 4K capabilities in the form of the RX100 VA. The IV and VA both have upgraded electronic viewfinders and sensor phase detection.
- RX100 VI: The VI finally added touch capabilities to the articulating LCD, as well as a serious upgrade to the camera’s zoom.
- RX100 VII: The VII is the latest model. It has an added mic input and improved autofocus during continuous shooting. The sensor has received a big upgrade, with a faster readout speed due to its stacked design.
In Conclusion
While non-essential travel is largely suspended throughout the U.S. and many parts of the world, that doesn’t mean you can’t get one of these cameras for travel and find your own ways to explore.
There are many benefits to “traveling” to places that are close by.
Not only does it save you money as you don’t have to take part in the nearly 40 billion gallons of fuel spent on transportation each year, but it also allows you to rediscover the beauty around you to which you may have grown accustomed.
Without these reminders, we can start to take things for granted. So pack up, grab your favorite camera for travel, and get some shots — even if they’re in your own neighborhood.