Mark Condon

Make your travel photos pop simply by choosing the best travel camera for you. Image © Mark Condon

Rule #1: Your Smart Phone Has Its Limits

The smart phone has come a long way with regards to photo quality, but there’s still a lot that it can’t do when compared to a dedicated camera. Even though the latest iPhone has features such as ‘portrait mode’ which helps to blur the background behind your subject, investing in a camera and lens that can do this properly will make your photos look 10x better. In addition to this, when the light begins to fall, your smart phone will always struggle. If you resort to the tiny flash on your phone, the photos will usually look terrible. Invest in a camera which is able to shoot in ‘higher ISOs’, or in ‘faster’ lenses (i.e. ones with smaller aperture numbers, like f/2.8, f/2, f/1.8 etc), to be able to shoot after dark without the need for a flash.

Rule #2: Stay Small and Light

It used to be true to some extent that the bigger the camera, the better the quality of the image. This was largely down to the size of the sensor; the bigger the sensor, the more image data. However, times have changed and thankfully for travellers you can get a great camera that’s not much bigger than the average smart phone. Having a smaller, lighter camera is always a more enjoyable experience, especially while travelling. I’d recommend you handle the camera first before buying though, as how the camera feels in your hands is also important.

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Rule #3: Don’t be Tempted by Accessories

I love gadgets and gizmos, especially ones for photography. However, when I’m travelling, I choose to take the bare minimum; one spare battery, one lens (attached to the camera), and sometimes a strap. If you invest in an inter-changeable lens camera (like a dSLR), it’ll be tempting to bring along a whole assortment of different lenses. I’d strongly advise against this. 

Stick to your kit lens (usually a mid-range zoom like an 18-55mm), or even better, invest in an all purpose ‘prime’ lens like a 50mm or 35mm to cover all your bases. Prime lenses are usually ‘faster’, lighter, smaller, offer better image quality and teach you the fundamentals of composition much quicker than zoom lenses. Having less accessories will make your camera lighter and more agile, but it will also make you a better photographer in the long run. By limiting your options, you’ll learn to react faster, and anticipate your shot.

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Rule #4: You Can’t Afford to Buy Cheap

I’m all for getting a bargain, but there are some times when it’s best to invest a little more and buying a camera is one of them. You don’t have to break the bank, but if you want a camera that yields better results than your expensive smart phone, it’s usually wise to spend as much, or more than the price of the phone. For a decent camera to carry in your backpack, don’t opt for something too cheap or you’ll be buying another camera next year when you realise your photos look awful.

Don’t waste your money on cheap photography equipment. You get what you pay for. Image © Mark Condon

Rule #5: Don’t Worry if it’s Not Waterproof

Do you know what the perfect travel camera is? Clue: it doesn’t even exist. For a camera to be perfect, it would need to offer all the usual features, plus a lot of other ones that aren’t necessary all the time, but may help in 1% of situations. Features like being waterproof. Of course, I’d love for all my cameras to be waterproof. Unfortunately, this will never be the case, simply because, to make a camera waterproof, certain compromises need to be made. Most notably in image quality. So, whilst the latest compact underwater camera might look tempting for you as the avid traveller, take my advice and steer clear. Invest in a regular compact camera, mirrorless or dSLR instead. If you happen to go snorkelling and just can’t stand not taking photos, buy a waterproof disposable one.

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The best travel cameras can often be small, light, compact and fun to use. Image © Mark Condon

Rule #6: Have Fun

What I mean by this is choose a camera that you enjoy picking up and using. Whether that means choosing a small, light weight camera, or one that looks all retro and funky, it’s important that you want to take your camera out with you. It’s too easy to fall back on the “Oh, I’ve got my iPhone” excuse to not pack your camera in your handbag, but if you choose a camera that you can’t bear to be without, this will never be the case. The best travel camera I have found is the Fuji X100F. It’s not in everyone’s budget, but for the image quality, looks and durability, I highly recommend it. It’s also the camera I reach for first, as I love using it.

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Taking great photos whilst on holiday isn’t about having great gear. I know as well as anyone that photography is about much more than just the camera. Having said this, having the right tool for the job will make your life much easier whilst travelling, and buying a good camera to be able to document your trips with is a great investment.

Mark Condon

Mark Condon is a Sydney wedding photographer covering weddings all over the world.

Mark runs the website Shotkit, and is the author of LIT, More Brides, Lightroom Power User and the Shotkit Books.

shotkit.com/

Skye Gilkeson

The Parrot Bebop 2 FPV Drone is compact, super lightweight and quick. Image © Skye Gilkeson

What We Loved about the Parrot Bebop 2 FPV

The Price Makes it a Great Entry-Level Drone

The Parrot Bebop 2 is a leisure drone making it was a great entry level drone in terms of size, price and complexity. We didn’t feel like we were at risk of losing thousands of dollars if we made an error piloting it for the first time. A lot of the bigger drones on the market are priced much higher making both the investment and the risk greater too. The Bebop 2 comes at a fraction of the cost, making it suitable for everyone from families wanting to use a drone to explore, farmers who need an extra pair of eyes in the paddock or digital content creators who are starting to dabble in drone footage and photography.

It’s Super Light and Compact

At just 500 grams, we could carry it in a single hand, effortlessly. When you are carrying a backpack full of other cameras, accessories and devices, that is a big bonus. It also means you are more likely to take it out for a shoot, rather than leaving it at home, as can often happen with heavier equipment when you just want to run off to explore. The Skycontroller, feels a little like a sophisticated gaming controller and is super lightweight. The pilot plugs their phone in to the unit and it then becomes the view finder, with video streamed live from the drone’s camera through the controller and on to the phone, via the FreeFlight Pro app.

The SkyController for the Parrot Bebop 2 FPV Drone is lightweight and very easy to use. Image © Skye Gilkeson

It’s Stronger Than It Looks

The Bebop 2 has been designed to fly at bursts of 60km/h horizontally and 21 km/h vertically and can withstand winds up to 63km/h so i  It can reach maximum speed in 14 seconds and stop in under five seconds. We took the Bebop 2 out during a couple of extremely windy days. I watched as The Hubby’s hands shook while he held the controller, terrified the drone might be carried off by the wind. But it withstood the weather and we were able to get quite a bit of height, despite the heavy gusts. If you are flying it in the wind, my advice would be to take off and watch to see whether it begins to be swept away, take it up and keep returning to ensure it’s safe. It’s is much more robust than it looks.

The Image Quality was Impressive

We were pretty impressed with the stability of the picture the drone captured, even in the wind. It was much more stable than I had imagined it would be. The forward facing camera features a 14 megapixel fish-eye lens and shoots full HD so it’s a lovely wide image that really shows off a beautiful sweeping landscape well. The video is then easily transferred from the controller to your phone using the Parrot app and then you can transfer the clips on to a computer for editing.

It Offers an Immersive Flying Experience

The unique cockpit glasses take you directly into the picture, helping to block out any distractions and focus within the frame. You slip your smartphone into the glasses, so it becomes both your screen and view finder, displaying the flight data with the image for a full FPV (first-person view) experience.

The Hubby, getting used to the controls of the Parrot Bebop 2 FPV Drone. Image © Skye Gilkeson

The Parrot Bebop 2 FPV Drone can reach its maximum speed in 14 seconds. Image © Skye Gilkeson

What we Didn’t Love about the Parrot Bebop 2

• We didn’t love the FPV. This was mostly because the Bebop 2 was our first drone experience, we were flying it near a tree line and over water. No doubt, over time you would get used to piloting with just the glasses and it would definitely help create smoother, more cohesive sequences of video, but we didn’t quite get there in the short time with had the drone.
• The joystick was very sensitive, no doubt owing to the fact that the compact Bebop 2 is so responsive. This would also be something you would get used to over time, just like you do with a new car.
• We wished the Bebop 2 was a little easier to carry. While it was lightweight, we carried it mostly in hand. That too is easily resolved by buying the Parrot Bebop 2 FPV Backpack.
• While the video was pretty good quality, particularly when it was closer to the subject, when we were filming at a higher elevation it really lost sharpness and image quality. This is something that likely wouldn’t effect the leisure drone user. For those hoping to use it professionally, you may find it to be a problem.

 BUY the Parrot Bebop 2 FPV Drone

Skye Gilkeson

Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.

She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.

As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.

Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.

Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.

Read more about Skye’s story here.

thefittraveller.com/

Skye Gilkeson | Updated May 22, 2020

15 of the Best Travel Gadgets to Gift This Year

Wireless Headphones

I was gifted a brand new pair of Parrot Zik 3 wireless headphones and I’m not sure how I lived without them. I have used other brands in the past but had to part ways as they were too stiff to wear after a while, particularly on long haul flights.

These are covered in soft leather and sit comfortably over the ears. I can wear them from the plane to the street in comfort and with incredible sound quality.

Action Camera

I’ve been travelling with a GoPro for years and I wouldn’t travel without it. It is one of the best travel gadgets for a number of simple reasons; It’s compact, perfect for tucking into a running belt, handbag or carrying in the palm of your hand and of course, it is made for adventure travel.

We have used it snorkelling, white water rafting, mountain bike riding, ziplining. The list goes on. It’s a must-buy for the active traveller. There are a few GoPro accessories that I highly recommend too:

A waterproof housing is essential for us, we carry our GoPro in it all the time for added protection from bumps and any risk of rain. We simply change the back of the cover if we need better quality sound.

The GoPro selfie stick, gimble or adventure kit bundle may come in handy. The selfie stick enables you to shoot a super wide shot without the awkward out of proportion arm you’ll have to crop around later and a gimble ensures a smooth shot.

We have our eyes on a Karma Grip gimbal too. It helps stabilise your video, even when you are on the move which could be a game-changer for those of us who like to shoot video with a GoPro.

The GoPro Jaws Clamp Mount is also useful for the adventurous; attaching the camera to a car, bike, canoe or any other craft.

DSLR Camera

I have had a number of DSLR cameras over the years. At the moment I am shooting with a Canon EOS 7D Mark II and I cannot fault it. For someone looking to step up their photography game, a DSLR really is one of the best travel gadgets you can buy and will change the way you take photos whether it’s for work or play.

Compact or Mirrorless Camera

Compact and mirrorless cameras are becoming increasingly more popular with travellers, particularly those who feel that DSLR are too heavy. Vloggers are often drawn to more compact cameras as they are lightweight, discreet and can be carried around all day for filming.

The Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III is a popular pick for video content creators with the Canon EOS R range set to shake things up.

Here are some tips on choosing photography equipment for beginners (including the best travel camera).

360 Degree Camera

Have you seen those cool photos on Instagram that show beautiful landscapes street-view style? Those images are created using a 360-degree camera. A photographer friend uses the Samsung Gear 360 Degree Cam and loves it.

The camera captures two super wide videos or images at once. You then use the app to stitch the images together and you have your very impressive Insta-worthy shot.

eReader

A Kindle is a really handy travel companion for book lovers. Gone are the days of carrying heavy books and swapping at hostels (although that was a lot of fun). Now, you can simply download the titles you want as soon as you want them, which is particularly important for those studying or growing a business while travelling.

Lenses For Your Phone

I have met a few Instagram photographers lately and it’s fascinating to see their work. Some rely solely on their iPhone and they take incredible photos. Lenses for the iPhone are a big help here. Try the Moment Lenses macro, tele, wide or superfish lenses.

Selfie Stick

We’ve all laughed at them and nearly been decapitated by one at a tourist attraction, but secretly we all wish we had a Selfie Stick, if only to achieve that elusive perfect high angle that takes off 5 kilos. Jokes aside, selfie sticks can come in handy, particularly if you are shooting video on your phone.

The added length allows you to film a wider angle, bringing in more of your surrounding than a simple talking head. Don’t forget to flip your phone to landscape orientation first.

Mini Tripod

The GripTight PRO GorillaPod Stand by Joby is on my own list right now. A very clever invention, you simply clip your phone into the stand, place the tripod on the ground or wrap it around a tree or any other object, allowing you to capture you photos or video from the exact angle you are after.

Neoprene Computer Case

I’ve been using my neoprene laptop case for years now and it has saved my computer on many occasions from falls and lots of incidental impacts while travelling.

Power Bank

Confession: I have about 6 power banks of varying sizes and shapes that I take when I travel. I couldn’t do my job without them. With the demands of social media, particularly when it comes to video media, my phone gets drained very quickly on the road. This dual USB Power Bank could be a lifesaver for travellers who like to stay connected.

Adapters

Universal Travel Adapter Plugs are non-negotiable for travel. I prefer simple adapters like these to the bulky, universal plugs as I find they fall out of sockets easily. A multi-port USB Charger Plug will also become your best friend after a long day of exploring. Simply set and forget by plugging in all of your gadgets at once.

Camera Backpack

Not exactly one of the best travel gadgets, but rather the best backpack to protect your favourite camera and travel accessories, the right camera bag can be both a time saver and a lower back saver while in transit and out shooting.

I have a Lowepro Fastpack that I have been using for a couple of years. I will probably pick up the Lowepro Flipside Pro pack next so my tripod will strap on easily to the front.

These backpacks fit my DSLR, lenses, GoPro, accessories, laptop and even a few extra essentials for a day of touring. Make sure you get an all-weather cover for your pack too, so you’re covered when you get caught in the rain.

Wireless Speaker

A little waterproof wireless speaker is a great accessory to throw into a daypack to help boost laptop audio while watching movies at night or to play songs from your phone via Bluetooth.

Personal Wifi Hotspot

A digital nomad’s first question when checking into a hotel or sitting down at a cafe is sadly often “Do you have wifi?”. A portable wifi hotspot like this one from Skyroam offers unlimited internet access for 24 hours a day for a daily rate.

This article on the best travel gadgets includes affiliate links through which we may receive a small commission to help support the growth and development of The Fit Traveller. You don’t pay a cent more.

Shopping for a woman or man who loves to travel? Browse our guides here and here. 

Skye Gilkeson

Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.

She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.

As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.

Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.

Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.

Read more about Skye’s story here.

thefittraveller.com/

Skye Gilkeson

The world becomes your workplace with the gorgeous and compact ASUS ZenBook 3 UX390UA. Image © Skye Gilkeson

What I loved about the ASUS ZenBook 3 UX390UA

It is super light, compact and ultraportable

When you have a camera bag kitted out with an SLR, lenses and accessories you are quickly carrying around about 15 kilos on your back. Add a laptop to that and you may need a sherpa just to get through the airport. Every gram counts. The ZenBook 3 only weighs 910 grams, that’s more than 30 percent lighter than my current laptop. My shoulders are already breathing a sigh of relief.

The ultra light body obviously makes it super mobile, not just for the long haul trips. It means you can carry it in one hand with your coffee in the other and you can throw it discretely into your handbag so you aren’t broadcasting to the world that you are in possession of something valuable; that’s key when you are travelling to new destinations, particularly alone.

It is paper thin

Okay, so it’s not quite paper thin, but it’s a supermodel in the world of laptops at less than 12 mm thick. It’s one of the slimmest laptops on the market. If you are a daily commuter or a traveller, you will appreciate just how important that is to squeeze it into your bag, whether it’s a backpack or briefcase.

The ASUS ZenBook 3 UX390UA is one of the slimmest laptops on the market at less than 12mm. Image © Skye Gilkeson

It is powerful and a little pimped out

Now, I’m no tech genius. While I work in the digital space, I simply expect my tech tools to work for me on demand, and I am very demanding. I edit photos, video and write on my laptop everyday so I expect my workhorse simply to keep up with the pace.

The ZenBook 3UX390UA features a 15W Intel Core i7-7500U processor, 8GB of high-speed 2133MHz RAM and 512 SSD. That’s a lot of tech speak that translates to “it’s super powerful”. It’s more powerful than the MacBook. In real terms, that means it does everything a little faster, from transferring photos to saving files. Every second counts when you are bursting to head out and explore a new city.

The fingerprint sensor on the keyboard brings a little Bond feel to the design. It also means you don’t have to type in a password after you step away from the screen for a few minutes.

The three port mini dock is also a clever essential so you aren’t stuck with a single USB port.

The size of the screen

The 12.5-inch screen is a little bigger than the MacBook and the perfect size for travel. It’s not just important during the work day, but also the wind down. There are many nights spent catching up on Netflix while I am on the road and my laptop instantly becomes my television. For that reason the screen size is important. The audio is also important for movie nights and listening to music. Did I mention my laptop is also my Spotify speaker? The ZenBook 3 has four speakers meaning the sound isn’t as flat as it is on other devices. I was impressed.

Luxe Laptop: Royal blue and gold detailing the ASUS ZenBook 3 UX390UA has both beauty and brains. Image © Skye Gilkeson

The ASUS ZenBook 3 UX390UA mini port is the valuable accessory for the digital nomad. Image © Skye Gilkeson

It is pretty. Really Pretty

I’m the first to admit vanity plays a part when I’m shopping for tech toys. Nothing kills your look quite like a chunky, matt black computer propped on your lap while in transit. I had the Royal Blue ZenBook 3UX390UA to try. It features accents in gold both externally and on the colour-matched keyboard. It’s very flash. The Royal Blue is the most subtle colour way available and the one I would prefer for travel. If you are simply using it for university, hot desking or carrying it around town, you must check out the rose gold.

It is deceptively strong

The ZenBook 3 is little but it packs a punch. Constructed from Aerospace-grade aluminium alloy, ASUS says it is 50% stronger than a standard alloy used for laptops. If you are anything like me and you accidentally knock your laptop off tables, leave it in precarious positions and put it down on hard surfaces, this added protection might just come in handy.

The ASUS ZenBook 3 UX390UA is a powerful work station and travel companion. Image © Skye Gilkeson

What I didn’t love about the ZenBook 3

• The screen resolution wasn’t as great as the MacBook and it wasn’t quite as bright.
• The keyboard is a little clunky. I’m sure this is something you simply get used to.
• The fan noise. This is also something I am not used to but no doubt would become accustomed to, particularly as I work outdoors a lot and anything that helps keep that computer cooler is a bonus to me.
• While it is super strong and comes with a stylish carry case, I would probably pick up a neoprene sleeve just to ensure it is really protected from all the bumps that come with a trip.

I have to admit as a long-time Apple aficionado, I secretly didn’t want to like the ASUS. But, it won me over. For a traveller, it has everything you need in one very beautiful package. It’s powerful, it’s thin, lightweight, extremely beautiful and it’s cheaper than its competitor. 

Learn more about the ASUS ZenBook 3 UX390UA here.

Shop the ASUS ZenBook 3UX390UA  here.

This is a sponsored article. As always the opinions, words and images are authentically our own.

Skye Gilkeson

Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.

She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.

As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.

Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.

Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.

Read more about Skye’s story here.

thefittraveller.com/