My Travel Photography Gear

This post was written in collaboration with Canon USA. I’ve been using their products for over a decade and highly recommend their gear including the Canon EOS R for travel photography. As always, I would never promote anything I wouldn’t use myself. I hope you find this post helpful in your photography journey!

I’m often asked what my go-to camera is for travel photography. I always recommend the setup I’ve brought to over 20 countries–the Canon EOS R + RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens. This camera is ideal for aspiring and professional photographers. It’s a lightweight, mirrorless, full frame body and versatile lens with a great zoom range. I’m able to capture a variety of subjects in many different environments with just one setup. No need to carry around extra gear while traveling around.

I’ve taken a wide variety of travel photography with it, from landscapes and portraits to food and architecture, and have used it all over the world.

For an entry level camera, check out my post on the Canon EOS Rebel T7i

Below are the best photo equipment for travel photography and blogging.

The best setup for travel photography

As a female traveler, there are many things to consider when choosing photography gear. The first is finding a setup that is lightweight and not too large, which can draw unnecessary attention.

Secondly, it should have a versatile zoom lens to accommodate different scenes and locations. I was recently in a village in the French Riviera where the streets were so narrow, I needed a wide angle lens to fit the entire facade of a house in my shot. Then that afternoon, I went to a hilltop scenic spot where I wanted to zoom in on beach umbrellas. It was nice having the option to zoom in and out as needed.

The best camera body

Canon EOS R Body

I’ve use Canon cameras for over 20 years and the Canon EOS R is my favorite camera body for its size and image quality.

It’s a full frame, mirrorless camera body meaning it’s compact in size, which makes it great for traveling, but not lacking in quality.
The 30 megapixel sensor and ultra-sensitive autofocus are able to capture beautiful colors and details from sunrise to sunset. It performs well in low-light, even in dark situations.
The autofocus tracking is incredibly fast and allows you to continuously track a subject while shooting comfortably.
The RF Mount is compatible with a wide range of RF Lenses and EF/EF-S Lenses.
Ability to record 4K movies which you can create high-quality still from.

Best Canon lenses for travel photography

RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens

Best all around travel lens

This is the all-around lens that I use 85% of the time when I’m traveling. It’s the most versatile lens and is great for day-to-day shooting with its superb image quality, fast focus and image stabilization. Most ideal, it is lightweight at 1.5 pounds, has an internal seal that prevents dust and splashes of water from entering and is very durable.

RF15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM

Wide Angle lens

There are times when I want to capture more of a setting in my frame. The RF15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM is a wide-angle lens great for landscape shots or shooting in tight spaces. It’s an ultra-wide zoom lens that includes its own image stabilization system. With the f/2.8 aperture, I’ve been able to photograph low light scenes and create bokeh in my photos.

RF70-200mm F4 L IS USM

Compact telephoto zoom lens

My 24-105mm zoom lens suffices for most situations I’m in, but there have been times I’ve needed a telephoto lens. Like I’ve emphasized many times, weight is a factor while traveling and this 70-200mm F4 lens is Canon’s shortest and lightest lens, weighing only 1.5lbs. It’s compact and light enough to keep in your camera bag. It’s most useful for bringing a subject or scene closer without moving, ideal for wildlife, landscapes or portraits to create compression and blurry backgrounds.