I travel a lot and I take a lot of pictures. I also bring more camera gear than I usually need. Fortunately, I built a campervan for road trips that lets me carry all that and other road trip gear. If you're planning on your own epic road trip your phone's camera should suffice but for some shots, you need a real camera. Despite regularly bringing too many cameras and lenses, there is some road trip camera gear I end up using all the time. Those, or newer versions of those, are in this guide along with other gear I recommend.
For most people, the GoPro Hero 13 Black is the most convenient and useful road trip camera. One of the biggest changes from previous models is the ability to swap out the lens. GoPro offers numerous lens options, including an ultrawide lens and neutral density filters for ultrasmooth backgrounds in video while the camera is moving.
Pros
- Great image quality
- Rugged design
- Easy to use
Cons
- Poor low-light image quality
- Do you actually need an action camera?
I've used 360 cameras for years, and they've come a long way. Cameras like the X5 can fully double as an action camera but with the clever trick of capturing everything in a sphere around the camera. Later, with the app, you can pick and choose what to show and how. So basically, you record everything and then crop to show just the interesting parts. One of the coolest tricks a 360 camera can do is automatically remove the selfie stick so it looks like you have a drone following you.
Pros
- Excellent image quality
- Easy to use
- Replaceable lenses
Cons
- Expensive
- X4 is cheaper and almost as good
There are a lot of reasons why you might want a real camera compared to your phone, not least of which is just not having your phone in your hand all the time.
Pros
- Impressive zoom for its size
- Screen rotates for easy selfies
- Easy to use for beginners, plus some manual features
Cons
- Image quality is decent but not great
- Compact but not "small"
- Low-light performance is mediocre
The Nikon Coolpix P1100 is a very strange camera. It's big, bulky, uses a very small image sensor and doesn't have an interchangeable lens. What it does have is an absolutely incredible zoom. At 125x, it can bring subjects far closer than any camera anywhere near its price. In 35mm equivalent terms, it can go from 24mm at the wide end, similar to the main camera on most phones, to 3,000mm. That's more of a telephoto than those huge lenses you see on the sidelines of sporting events.
Pros
- Remarkable 125x optical zoom
- Bluetooth and USB-C
- Some use beyond its zoom
Cons
- An absolute unit of a camera
- Zoom is conspicuous (to put it mildly)
- Slow lens and small sensor
This tiny action camera can fit where no other camera can. It's about the size of your thumb -- and magnetic. You can hang it on your shirt while wearing an included magnetic pendant, attach it to anything metal or use one of the myriad clever mounts. The case that recharges and controls the camera has a big flip-up screen, so when it's docked, it functions like a regular action camera. The footage is stabilized and looks far better than you'd expect for something so small.
Pros
- Absolutely tiny
- Case converts it into a regularly sized action camera
- Magnetic
Cons
- Lower resolution and image quality compared to full-size action cameras
Pros
- Great image quality
- Rugged design
- Easy to use
Cons
- Poor low-light image quality
- Do you actually need an action camera?
For most people, the GoPro Hero 13 Black is the most convenient and useful road trip camera. One of the biggest changes from previous models is the ability to swap out the lens. GoPro offers numerous lens options, including an ultrawide lens and neutral density filters for ultrasmooth backgrounds in video while the camera is moving.
Why I like it
It can record high-resolution video, take vibrant photos and is rugged, waterproof and small. Overall, it and its app are easy to use and the results look great.
Who is it for
Anyone looking for a camera that can go where their phone can't should consider this. It has the added bonus of waterproofing, durability and tons of accessories and mounts.
Who should skip it
Newer phones can take similar photos and videos. If you don't specifically need something rugged or want a telephoto/zoom, there are better options.
Pros
- Excellent image quality
- Easy to use
- Replaceable lenses
Cons
- Expensive
- X4 is cheaper and almost as good
I've used 360 cameras for years, and they've come a long way. Cameras like the X5 can fully double as an action camera but with the clever trick of capturing everything in a sphere around the camera. Later, with the app, you can pick and choose what to show and how. So basically, you record everything and then crop to show just the interesting parts. One of the coolest tricks a 360 camera can do is automatically remove the selfie stick so it looks like you have a drone following you.
Why I like it
360 cameras can produce unique photos and videos that are impossible with other cameras. Even if you want to capture traditional 16:9 or 9:16 content, 360 cameras offer a different way to shoot that can help you stay in the moment instead of worrying about the camera.
Who is it for
Anyone bored with traditional cameras or who wants to try something different.
Who should skip it
If you want to post things immediately after recording, keep in mind that all 360-degree photos and videos must be edited in some way first.
For more, check out:
Pros
- Impressive zoom for its size
- Screen rotates for easy selfies
- Easy to use for beginners, plus some manual features
Cons
- Image quality is decent but not great
- Compact but not "small"
- Low-light performance is mediocre
There are a lot of reasons why you might want a real camera compared to your phone, not least of which is just not having your phone in your hand all the time.
Why I like it
The Panasonic ZS99 is the quintessential point-and-shoot camera. It's compact, easy to use, and has an optical zoom that's better than most phones.
Who is it for
Anyone who specifically wants a point-and-shoot camera with a long zoom lens.
Who should skip it
Image quality isn't as good as that of higher-end cameras with bigger sensors and more elaborate lenses, but those cameras are typically larger, heavier and a lot more expensive. Which is to say, your phone is probably fine and, other than the zoom, likely takes similar-quality photos and videos.
For more options, check out the best point-and-shoot camera for 2025.
A close-up of a duck taken with the Panasonic ZS99.
Geoffrey Morrison/CNET
Pros
- Remarkable 125x optical zoom
- Bluetooth and USB-C
- Some use beyond its zoom
Cons
- An absolute unit of a camera
- Zoom is conspicuous (to put it mildly)
- Slow lens and small sensor
The Nikon Coolpix P1100 is a very strange camera. It's big, bulky, uses a very small image sensor and doesn't have an interchangeable lens. What it does have is an absolutely incredible zoom. At 125x, it can bring subjects far closer than any camera anywhere near its price. In 35mm equivalent terms, it can go from 24mm at the wide end, similar to the main camera on most phones, to 3,000mm. That's more of a telephoto than those huge lenses you see on the sidelines of sporting events.
Why I like it
That zoom is super impressive.
Who is it for
Birders or anyone who wants to get close-up photos of wildlife. If you're headed to a National Park or other areas where animals are in the distance, this can help you get some epic close-ups.
Who should skip it
Overall image quality is just OK. The small sensor paired with a slow lens means that even during bright sunlight, you can get blurry subjects and soft images. It can be a challenge to use and, because it's so big, a challenge to carry. So, if you want better image quality than your phone, this might not be it. Different photos than you can take with your phone, however, are definitely possible.
Check out our full review of the Nikon P1100 for more info.
A close-up with the Nikon P1100.
Geoffrey Morrison/CNET
Pros
- Absolutely tiny
- Case converts it into a regularly sized action camera
- Magnetic
Cons
- Lower resolution and image quality compared to full-size action cameras
This tiny action camera can fit where no other camera can. It's about the size of your thumb -- and magnetic. You can hang it on your shirt while wearing an included magnetic pendant, attach it to anything metal or use one of the myriad clever mounts. The case that recharges and controls the camera has a big flip-up screen, so when it's docked, it functions like a regular action camera. The footage is stabilized and looks far better than you'd expect for something so small.
Why I like it
It's so tiny!
Who is it for
Anyone who wants to record more POV-style videos without the "bulk" of a regular action camera.
Who should skip it
If you want the best possible image quality, other cameras are better. Also, if you're prone to losing things, you'll lose this camera for sure.
Pros
- Great size and shape
Cons
- Do you really need a hard drive/SSD backup?
- Cloud storage safer than any hard drive/SSD.
If you're recording a lot of video, your camera and phone's storage will fill up fast. Cloud storage is one option, but if you're bringing a laptop, consider a tiny portable hard drive. I have one of these, and they seem impossibly small for how much they can store. They're also reasonably rugged.
Why I like it
Great size and shape for easy storage and transport.
Who is it for
Anyone who wants/needs to back up their footage while traveling.
Who should skip it
If you're not shooting a lot of footage, a backup like this is probably overkill. Also, cloud storage is even safer.
One of the possibilities of 360 cameras and a long selfie stick is being able to capture ultrawide images like this, taken with the QooCam 3 Ultra at the Grand Canyon.
Geoffrey Morrison/CNETI don't have a strong recommendation for this one, other than to say selfie sticks are great (when you're not in crowds, that is) and you should find one you like. Even I, who has what one friend describes as "freakishly long arms," find great use in a selfie stick. They let me capture photos and videos that would be impossible any other way, especially with a 360 camera that automatically deletes the stick from the final image or video.
I recommend getting one with tripod-mount screws on both ends, which gives you more options on what you can mount and how you can mount the stick itself. Similarly, make sure you get one that can support all your cameras and phones.
I find these to be super handy, though depending on how you're recording, it might not be. It's a simple Bluetooth remote that lets you control when the camera starts and stops recording, along with changing modes, settings and so on. True, you can use the camera's app on your phone instead but I feel like I spend half my life trying to get cameras to connect to their apps so sometimes a remote is easier and faster. Sometimes the remote won't connect either. It's a hassle either way. Oh well.
One last thing: tripods and mounts. You probably don't need a full-size tripod; few people do. A small bendable model can be super handy, though, letting you mount the camera to just about anything and get a great shot with you in it. I've had good luck with Joby GorillaPods. I have an older version of this one.
Also, check out suction-cup and dash mounts. Generally, I'd recommend mounting the camera as high as possible for a better view and to keep it out of your eyeline.
I'll end with my favorite: an antenna mount. Unscrew your antenna and install this mount. When paired with a 360-degree camera, it lets you get an exciting and unique view of your adventure. I got one of these and put a selfie stick on top of it, plus a 360-degree camera, to get drone-like footage of me and my car in Grand Teton National Park. How well this works is going to depend on your particular vehicle, however.
Although the image quality won't be as good as an action camera, many dash cams can record time lapses of your drive.
Read more: Best Tripod for Photography and Video in 2025
In addition to covering cameras and display tech, Geoff does photo tours of cool museums and locations around the world, including nuclear submarines, aircraft carriers, medieval castles, epic 10,000-mile road trips and more.
Also, check out Budget Travel for Dummies, his travel book, and his bestselling sci-fi novel about city-sized submarines. You can follow him on Instagram and YouTube.