5 Best Compact Cameras With Interchangeable Lenses

Everyone likes to travel every once in a while, be it to escape from our mundane lives or to spend time with loved ones. It goes without saying that a lot of folks tend to click photos when they’re traveling too. After all, who wouldn’t want to capture beautiful memories, when they’re out and about? Speaking of which, a smartphone’s camera will serve you well as phones have come a long way. However, they still can’t hold a candle to a dedicated compact camera with an interchangeable lens.

To that end, the versatility that you get with interchangeable lenses cannot be achieved with the tiny camera sensors on smartphones. So, if you have an upcoming trip and want to capture some great photos and videos, check out the best compact cameras with interchangeable lenses.

Notably, our focus for today’s article is on compact cameras as they are easy to lug around when traveling. Before we get to the cameras though, here are some other articles you may be interested in –

• Are you planning to vlog your vacation? Check out the best vlogging cameras with flip screens.
• If you plan on getting a camera specifically for YouTube, take a look at the best cameras for YouTube videos for under $500.
• Looking for a handy camera that’s pocketable? Here are the best GoPro alternatives you can buy with 4K recording.

With that out of the way, let’s get to the cameras now.

1. Panasonic Lumix G100 4K Mirrorless Camera

Photo Resolution: 20.3MP | Video Resolution: 4K | Sensor: Micro Four Thirds

Panasonic Lumix G100 4K Mirrorless Camera

Buy

Panasonic is making upward strides with its video cameras off late. So, if you’re specifically looking for a camera to shoot more videos than pictures, the Lumix G100 can be a good option. It records videos in up to 4K resolution and even has 5-axis hybrid image stabilization built into the camera system.

The Panasonic Lumix G100 is a great travel camera thanks to its compact form factor. It is an interchangeable lens camera, so you’re not limited to a single focal length. You can buy multiple lenses that cover everything from portrait photography to wide-angle landscapes. Panasonic includes a 12-32mm kit lens which should be good enough to get you started.

The only downside of this camera seems to be the Micro Four Thirds system. While it’s not bad, you end up with a large crop compared to an APS-C or a full-frame sensor. In other words, shots taken from an ultra-wide lens will also appear rather zoomed-in. However, the user reviews are excellent with most people saying it’s the best budget compact camera with an interchangeable lens array.

Why should you buy: If you’re looking for a small and lightweight camera primarily for shooting videos, Panasonic gives you an excellent option at an attractive price point.

2. Insta360 ONE RS Twin Edition

Photo Resolution: 48MP | Video Resolution: 5.7K | Sensor: Ultra-wide

Insta360 ONE RS Twin Edition

Buy

Since we’re discussing small and compact cameras, you might want to consider getting a 360-degree camera that can also double-up as an action camera. The specialty of the Insta360 One RS Twin Edition is that, unlike other 360-degree cameras, it has a modular design with an interchangeable lens system making it a good option for a variety of scenarios.

Generally, 360 cameras or action cameras like the Go Pro have fixed lenses. Correspondingly, you get a fixed focal length, aperture, and sensor size to play with. However, the Insta360 One RS Twin Edition is unique in this aspect because it has interchangeable lenses. So, you could equip the unit with a large 1-inch sensor to boost the camera’s low-light capabilities.

Apart from shooting ordinary photos and videos, the Insta360 also gives you the option to capture outlandish perspectives in 360 degrees. You can capture yourself and your surroundings in one frame, which would be a bit of a pain point if you were using a standard camera.

Of course, the quality of photos and videos won’t be as good as you would get from the other cameras in this list. So, you have to pick whether you want the cool 360-degree functionality or a standard camera that can snap higher-quality images.

Why should you buy: 360-degree cameras allow you to capture unique perspectives, so if you want to capture some cool-looking videos, you must consider this camera.

3. Canon EOS M50 Mark II

Photo Resolution: 24.1MP | Video Resolution: 4K | Sensor: APS-C

Canon EOS M50 Mark II

Buy

The Canon M50 Mark II is one of the most affordable cameras with an APS-C sensor. An APS-C sensor is generally preferred since it has a lower crop factor as opposed to the Micro Four Thirds system. It’s also one of the most affordable mirrorless cameras from Canon, thereby making it a good option if you already own other cameras or lenses from the brand.

Canon has made an excellent mirrorless camera that lets you take splendid photos and videos without burning a hole in your pocket. And you can do so right from the get-go since the included kit lens is a 15-45mm glass that covers a wide range of focal lengths. You can take everything from group photos to individual portraits with the lens, so you’re getting a good degree of versatility without splurging on another lens.

There’s a flip-out screen which is helpful when you’re recording yourself. As per the reviews, the only real complaint with this camera is that it’s slightly on the bigger side despite being a mirrorless camera. If you’re okay with that, the Canon EOS M50 Mark II is an excellent mirrorless interchangeable lens camera from Canon.

Why should you buy: The EOS M40 Mark II is a great compact interchangeable lens camera for those who want to shoot more photos than videos.

4. Sony Alpha ZV-E10 Interchangeable Lens Mirrorless Camera

Photo Resolution: 24MP | Video Resolution: 4K | Sensor: APS-C

Sony Alpha ZV-E10 Interchangeable Lens Mirrorless Camera

Buy

The Sony Alpha ZV-E10 is arguably one of the best travel cameras on this list. Sony has a wide range of lenses to choose from and all of them provide excellent image quality. If you’re a beginner who has just started with photography and videography, we would highly recommend getting the Alpha ZV-E10 as it comes with a lot of convenient features.

The Sony Alpha ZV-E10 is similar to Sony’s mirrorless APS-C cameras. That said, the device is specifically made for vloggers and content creators. The camera has a 24.2MP CMOS sensor and sports a dedicated button to add more background blur, in addition to the natural depth of field that you would get from the large sensor and lens. Sony bundles a 16-50mm lens in the box that is good enough for basic needs.

This camera also comes with a pop-filter for the mic which can be helpful when you’re recording videos in a windy climate — a situation you may often encounter when traveling. The Sony Alpha ZV-E10 is the perfect do-it-all mid-range camera. Whether it’s photos or videos, this is the ideal travel companion we recommend.

Why should you buy: Videos are clearly the strong suit of the Sony ZV-E10. So, if you plan to record a lot of videos or even stream on services like YouTube, this is an excellent purchase.

5. Sony Alpha a6400 Compact Mirrorless Camera

Photo Resolution: 25MP | Video Resolution: 4K | Sensor: APS-C

Sony Alpha a6400

Buy

Don’t really have a fixed budget in mind? Want the best image quality for your photos and videos in a form factor that’s easily pocketable? Then, you have to consider the Sony a6400. It’s similar to the Sony ZV-E10 in a lot of ways but is slightly more advanced, thereby making it more suited to professional photography and videography.

Let’s start off with some key differences between the ZV-E10 and the a6400 to help you decide which one you should buy. The Sony a6400 has an electronic viewfinder, a dedicated aperture change knob, and two custom buttons. That gives you better manual controls if you’re not planning to shoot in auto mode. Another difference is in terms of build quality. The a6400 has an entirely metallic body whereas the ZV-E10 has some plastic elements.

The ZV-E10, on the other hand, has more modes for videos including an action mode and a feature to add more background blur to your footage. You get the same 16-50mm lens in the kit with this camera too. In conclusion, the ZV-E10 is a better camera for videographers, while the a6400 is more versatile. The latter is also a better option if you’re a budding photographer.

Why should you buy: The Sony Alpha a6400 is a great buy for anyone who shoots in manual mode. It’s compact and is built to sustain harsh environments thanks to the metallic chassis.

Capture Memories in 4K

Traveling unlocks so many new opportunities to meet new people or discover new places. Don’t forget to capture these once-in-a-lifetime memories to relive your nostalgia later. You can pick up a compact interchangeable lens camera to record your travel experiences in the best possible manner.