Looking for the best camera for your next big hiking trip? Luckily for us, long gone are the days where clunky DSLRs were the only option. Nowadays you can find much more streamlined adventure cameras including mirrorless cameras, action cameras, point-and-shoot camera, and even nifty drone options.
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Many cameras on the market are specifically optimised for outdoor adventures too. You’ll find features like in-camera image stabilisation, waterproofing up to 10m or more, 5K video quality, built-in GPS tagging, as well as adventure proof outer casings and more. Essentially, they’re built to endure anything the great outdoors will throw at them.
From bikepacking and thru-hiking to alpine mountaineering and deep sea cave diving; it’s now possible to document your travels in some of the most far-flung corners of the world. And all in a very small yet sturdy package.
With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of our favourite hiking and backpacking cameras from over the years (including one 35mm film option). Tried and tested by various members of our outdoor gear testing team, here’s our top choices so far.
Best Cameras for Hiking in 2026 | Our Favourites
Here’s the results of our tests so far, including our category winners.
- Sony RX100 VII – Best Camera for Hiking and Backpacking Overall
- DJI Osmo Action 6 – Our Runner Up
- GoPro Hero 13 – Best Camera for Running
- HOVERAir X1 ProMAX – Best Mini Drone for Outdoor Adventures
- Olympus Tough TG-7 – Most Rugged Outdoor Camera
- Sony Alpha 7R IV Mirrorless Camera – Best Mirrorless Camera for Hiking
- Yashica T5 (or T4)
- Akaso Brave 8
- GoPro Hero 11
- DJI Osmo Nano
1. Sony RX100 VII
Best camera for hiking and backpacking overall
Price: £1100
Weight: 302g
Stills: 20.1MP
Video: 4k up to 30fps
Waterproof: no
Overall rating: 4.5/5
The Sony RX100 VII has grown a bit of a cult following among travellers and outdoor adventurers over the years. Its popularity is in part due to its incredibly compact size, the reliable image quality, and its unparalleled zooming capabilities. Put simply, it’s probably one of the most versatile compact cameras out there, even after all these years.
I’d argue that it’s not geared towards specialists – if you’re specifically looking to shoot videos, or if you’re only interested in outdoor photography, I’d look elsewhere. The appeal, for me at least, lies in its versatility across the board. Think: multi-day backpacking trips or month-long road trips where you want to be able to shoot different types of footage along the way without worrying too much about a professional-level camera weighing you down or getting nicked/ broken.
I’ve gotta give a special shout-out to the zoom – it’s not often you find a compact camera with ZEISS lens quality coupled with a 24-200mm lens. I’ve spent many years taking DSLRs and mirrorless cameras up mountains and my main qualm has been how heavy a zoom lens is on longer journeys. It’s not exactly something I want to have in my pack on a multi-day hike. Having 24-200mm lens capabilities at just 302g, on the flipside, feels positively luxurious.
Pros: very compact and lightweight, excellent zoom capabilities, great autofocus, good image quality
Cons: expensive, not weatherproof
Full Specifications
Lens: ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* 24-200 mm F2.8-4.5 high-resolution zoom lens / video resolution: 4k up to 30fps with AF/AE tracking / 180-degree flip touch screen / sensor type: 1.0-type (13.2mm x 8.8mm) Exmor RS CMOS sensor, aspect ratio 3:2 / approx. 20.1 megapixels / ISO 100-12800 / dimensions: 58.1 x 101.6 x 42.8mm (HxWxD) / integrated flash / still battery life: approx. 130 mins / video battery life: approx. 40 mins.
Buy the Sony RX100 VII camera: £1100 at Amazon.co.uk
2. DJI Osmo Action 6
Our runner up for best hiking camera
Price: £320
Weight: 149g
Stills: 1/1.1” square sensor with 38MP stills
Video: 4k up to 120fps (capable of doing 8k at 30fps with latest update)
Waterproof: IP68-rated (up to 20m without case)
Overall rating: 4/5
DJI have been making waves in the action camera world for a number of years now, most recently with the Osmo Action 6. Great resolution aside, the main reason that this wins the spot for ‘best camera for hiking and backpacking’, in my opinion, is because of the adjustable aperture. This really sets it apart from similar cameras on the market as it’s a feature that few action cameras actually have. Along with giving you more creative control when you’re out and about in the hills, this makes it a lot nicer to grab photos from too.
Another highlight for me is the 1/1.1 inch square sensor (compared to the Osmo Action 5’s 1/1.3 inch sensor). While the trade-off for this bigger sensor is a slightly larger overall build, the payoff, in my opinion, is definitely worth it. Put simply, this square sensor is what makes the image quality so good on the DJI Osmo Action 6 and is what gives it the edge in terms of low-light performance over its competitors. It also means that if you’re zooming in or cropping footage to fit specific social media platforms, you’re less likely to experience a significant loss of resolution. All in all, this is one impressive little camera.
Pros: excellent image and video quality, big sensor for size, tough build, goods accessories
Cons: not the smallest on this list, the app could do with some updates
Full Specifications
Aperture f/2.0–f/4.0 / up to 8K video footage / 1/1.1″ square sensor / 2x zoom capability /shoots up to 4 hours / cold-resistant down to -20°C / connects to DJI mics / 50GB built-in storage / underwater capabilities up to 20m without a case / gesture and voice controls / built-in stabilisation / subject tracking / dimensions: 72.8 x 47.2 x 33.1mm (HxWxD).
Buy the DJI Osmo Action 6 camera: £320 at Amazon.co.uk
3. GoPro Hero 13
Selected as the best camera for running, according to our tests
Price: £280
Weight: approx. 158g
Stills: 27MP
Video: 5.8k at 60fps
Waterproof: yes up to 10m
Overall rating: 4/5
It wouldn’t be a list about outdoor cameras without mention of a trusty GoPro. The 13 is their latest offering in the Hero series, and it continues to excel as one of the best action cameras on the market. The video quality is particularly impressive, with up to 5.3K resolution at 60 fps, and a crisp 4K at 120 fps. HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilisation stands out as one of the best out there, keeping footage smooth even in dynamic and fast-paced situations like mountain biking or surfing.
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The design remains tough and waterproof, making it ideal for outdoor adventurers who want a camera they can mount anywhere without extra housing. The battery life has also been improved over prior models, and enhanced features like slow-motion modes (up to 400 fps) and advanced HDR video add fun and creative options for users. That being said, its low-light performance still lags behind some of its competitors such as the DJI Osmo Action 6.
All in all though, the HERO13 Black is a very versatile, feature-rich action camera that we think is ideal for outdoor adventurers, vloggers, and content creators looking for top-tier performance in a rugged, little package.
Pros: very tough, versatile, lasts a long time, ideal for video use, excellent slo-mo capabilities
Cons: no longer the highest spec option on the market
Full Specifications
New 1900mAh Enduro battery for up to 2.5 hours of recording / 5.3K video / stills up to 27MP / waterproof up to 10m / in-camera video stabilisation / bluetooth audio support / magnetic mounting / dimensions: 50.8 x 71.8 x 33.6 mm (HxWxD).
Buy the GoPro Hero 13 camera: £280 at Amazon.co.uk
4. HOVERAir X1 ProMAX
Best mini drone for outdoor adventures
Price: £640
Weight: 196g
Stills: 48MP with 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor
Video: 8K at 30/25/24 fps
Waterproof: no
Overall rating: 4.5/5
The HOVERAir X1 ProMAX is one impressive little drone. I’ve been using it in the Cairngorms recently for both hiking and cycling, and have been pretty blown away with what such a small drone can do. The first thing I noticed was the video and image quality compared to other mini drones on the market, such as the DJI Neo and the like. In terms of resolution, I’d go so far as to say it’s a leader in its field for a non-professional drone of this size.
Then you’ve got the intelligent flight modes, such as Orbit, Follow, Bird’s Eye, Dolly Track, Side Track, Cycling, Skiing mode, and more. I’ve found these really intuitive and simple to use, even in challenging weather conditions. On one occasion, I used this drone on the summit of Cairn Gorm and, while it was a relatively calm day by Scottish standards, it managed to hold strong against some (roughly) 15 to 20mph winds. I also used it while cycling through some forests and was impressed with how well it weaved in and out of the trees, even at speed.
This intuitive control system makes flying feel effortless, while the compact design allows for easy storage and portability. I’ve literally stuffed it into my jacket pocket on most days out, so I can easily get it up and running when I want that perfect shot.
That being said, I do wish it had more weatherproofing as I’ve found myself getting quite paranoid when it starts to drizzle (as it does often here in the UK). It’s also worth mentioning that the battery life does drain quite quickly so I’d recommend buying some extra batteries with it if you’re planning on using it for long stints outdoors.
All in all, I think this is a very impressive drone that will suit hikers, cyclists and outdoor content creators to a tee. The high-quality footage combined with the advanced flight modes and user-friendly design makes it a great choice for anyone looking to take their drone flying experience to the next level.
(Disclaimer: I’m yet to test the ‘OmniTerrain’ mode but will come back and update this review once I do.)
Pros: incredibly compact and lightweight, great image/ video quality, easy-to-use, very effective and responsive flight modes, has both manual and autopilot modes, helpful app
Cons: expensive, battery drains quickly, not the most weatherproof
Full Specifications
Foldable and portable / AI-powered / 8K at 30fps video recording / 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor / 107° field of view (FOV) / 48MP stills / 16-minute flight time / advanced obstacle avoidance / designed for autonomous tracking with a max speed of 26mph (up to 37mph in burst mode) / USB-C charging / 15+ flight modes / dimensions (folded): 149×105×34 mm.
Buy the HOVERAir X1 ProMAX drone: £640 at Hoverair.com
5. Olympus Tough TG-7
Most rugged outdoor camera
Price: £400
Weight: 249g
Stills: 12.7MP
Video: 4k at 30fps
Waterproof: IPX8 rated (up to 15m)
Overall rating: 3.5/5
The Olympus Tough TG-7 is a rugged compact camera designed for adventurers, travellers, and anyone who wants reliable point-and-shoot performance in extreme outdoor conditions. It’s built with durability in mind, and is waterproof down to 15m, shockproof from drops up to 2.1m, crushproof under heavy loads, and freeze-proof in cold weather.
Image quality isn’t the highest on the list, but is still impressive for a camera with this level of protectiveness. The 12MP sensor and bright lens captures clear, vibrant photos in good light, and the TG-7’s speciality modes – such as the advanced macro and underwater shooting options – offer possibilities that many other compact cameras don’t. Performance in low light isn’t the best, but that’s to be expected from a compact sensor with just 12.7MP.
Overall, for what the Olympus Tough TG-7 is – an extremely rugged and portable camera built primarily to document your adventures rather than give you the highest spec images – I think it fills an important niche in the world of outdoor adventure.
Pros: extremely tough build
Cons: not the highest image/ video quality, more portable options available nowadays
Full Specifications
IPX8 waterproof (15m) / IP6X dustproof / 2.1m shockproof / -10°C freezeproof / 100kgf crushproof / stills: 12.7MP / lens: 4.5-18.0mm (25-100mm equivalent in 35mm) / video: 4K at 30fps / ISO 100-12800 / microscope and 4x macro modes with a minimum working distance of 1cm / dimensions: 113.9mm x 65.8mm x 32.7mm / shooting Modes: Pro Capture (20fps), Live Composite, Interval Shooting, 4K Time-lapse / battery capacity: approx. 330 shots / dedicated underwater mode.
Buy the Olympus Tough TG-7 camera: £400 at Amazon.co.uk
6. Sony Alpha 7R IV Mirrorless Camera
Best mirrorless camera for hiking and backpacking
Price: £1500
Weight: 665g (without lens)
Stills: 61MP with a full frame sensor
Video: 4k up to 30fps
Waterproof: no but weather-sealed
Overall rating: 4/5
I’ve had this camera for over 5 years now and I think it’s fantastic. It’s probably a bit overkill if you’re looking for a more casual camera for outdoor adventuring, however, if you’re looking to make the jump into professional-level photography, this is the camera I’d recommend.
My first highlight would be the unparalleled image quality. At 61MP with a full frame sensor, the resolution on this thing is pretty wild. Even in very low light conditions pushed to ISO 3200 and above, it’s seriously impressive. There inevitably reaches a point where grain starts to enter the picture, but even then, when removed in post-production the resolution is still very ,very good.
Mega-pixels aside, I’d also like to shout-out the durability on the Sony Alpha 7R IV. While by no means waterproof (at £1500, I’m not gonna push that), I’ve always been impressed with its weatherproofing. Specifically, it’s been sealed to protect the camera against dust and moisture when in extreme conditions. Of course, there’s a limit to weather sealing, but on test, I’ve found that it holds its own in the outdoors very well, especially in snow and freezing cold conditions.
Pros: deceptively weatherproof, professional image and video quality, lots of premium quality lenses to choose from, lightweight body for a mirrorless camera, very good in low light
Cons: expensive, only really suited to professionals, bulky with lens attached
Full Specifications
Full-frame 61MP sensor / 4k video up to 30fps / ISO 100-32000 / 15 stops of dynamic range / in-body stabilisation / 567 phase-detection autofocus points (covering 74-84% of the frame) / 3-inch LCD monitor / Sony E lens mount / dual memory card slots / battery capacity: approx. 530 shots / dimensions: 128.9 x 96.4 x 77.5 mm / body material: magnesium alloy.
Buy the Sony Alpha 7R IV camera: £1500 at Amazon.co.uk
7. Yashica T5 (or T4)
Price: £300 to £700
Weight: approx. 200g
Stills: Carl Zeiss T* Tessar 35mm f/3.5 lens
Video: no
Waterproof: no
Overall rating: 4/5
This one’s for the film fans out there. No exaggeration – there is not one single hike I’ve been on without this camera since I bought it many moons ago. It’s become both my everyday and adventure companion and it rarely leaves my bag.
Without getting too much into the many reasons I love film, I find the Yashica T5 (or T4 – both are fantastic) particularly great for outdoor adventures because of how compact and weatherproof it is. While not waterproof, the tough outer plastic casing is great for throwing in your backpack and not worrying too much about it getting crushed.
I’ve also found the weatherproof sealing to be effective for most adventures I’ve found myself on. The only time it’s every failed me was on a particularly humid trip to Japan where the lens and viewfinder kept fogging up. Having said that, I’m yet to come across a camera that doesn’t struggle with humidity.
A final shout out to the excellent image quality of this lens. Thanks to that top-quality Carl Zeiss glass, this camera favours sharp, high contrast and vibrant images. That sharpness in particular is vert impressive – I can’t think of any other point-and-shoot film camera that achieves this within such a small package, and at a fairly reasonable price point. If that’s something that you look for in a film camera, then I think you’ll get along very well with the Yashica T5.
Full Specifications
Carl Zeiss Tessar 35mm lends at f/3.5 / active 3-point infrared autofocus / minimum focal distance: 0.35m (approx. 1.15 ft) / shutter speed: 1s to 1/700s / programmed automatic exposure / film speed: DX coded ISO 50 to 3200 / integrated flash with multiple modes ( (Auto, Red-eye, Flash-IN, Flash-OFF, Landscape) / battery: One 3V CR123A / dimensions: 116.5 x 63.5 x 37mm / top-mounted LCD / weatherproof body / “Super Scope” waist-level finder (on Super/Super D models).
8. Akaso Brave 8
Price: £250
Weight: 114.8g
Stills: 48MP
Video: 4K 60fps
Waterproof: yes up to 10m (or 60m with housing)
Overall rating: 3.5/5
For budget-minded creators and adventurers, we think the Akaso Brave 8 brings a lot to the table. It offers up to 4K video at 60 fps and 48 MP stills from a 1/2-inch sensor, along with slow-motion and time-lapse modes, making it versatile for capturing action and travel, as well as everyday moments.
The build quality feels solid and the waterproofing goes down to around 10m without exterior casing. While it won’t dethrone premium action cams when it comes to refinement and specifications, you still get a whole bunch of features such as AI face metering, SuperSmooth image stabilisation, hands-free voice control, and a battery life of up to 90 minutes; all in a budget-friendly package.
Pros: great value, a good all-rounder, effective waterproofing, lightweight
Cons: not the highest image/ video quality on this list, not the toughest build
Full Specifications
4K 60fps / 48MP / 8K time lapse / super wide angle / 16x slo-mo / AI face metering / dual colour screens / ½ inch CMOS sensor / waterproof to 10m (33ft) or 60m (196ft) with casing / voice control in 7 languages / 1550mAh battery (90 mins) / aperture: f/2.5 / ISO: 100 to 3200 (6400 for video) / dimensions: 63×36.5x45mm.
Buy the Akaso Brave 8 camera: £250 at Amazon.co.uk
9. GoPro Hero 11
Price: £285
Weight: 154g
Stills: 27MP
Video: 5.3K at 60fps
Waterproof: yes up to 10m
Overall rating: 3.5/5
Featuring 5.3K video capabilities and up to 27MP in stills resolution, while not the latest offering from GoPro, the Hero 11 still packs a punch. And since it came out in 2022, you can find it at much lower price points than its retail price at the moment, so it’s ideal if you’re on a budget.
I’ve used the Hero 11 for two years now and found that it’s great for everything from hiking and cycling to travelling and roadtripping. I’m always on the look out for an action camera that has just as strong stills capacity as it does video capabilities, and I’ve consistently been impressed with the 11’s performance. The 10-bit colour in particular provides great colour accuracy compared to similar models on the market.
Where the Hero 11 ever so slightly falls down, in my opinion, is in its low light performance and its battery life. In that respect, options like the DJI Osmo Action 6 or the latest Hero 13 perform better.
Pros: great value, good image and video quality, great accessories
Cons: not the highest spec option nowadays, more versatile options out there, app subscription fees
Full Specifications
27MP sensor / 5.3k video at 60fps / 10-bit color / HyperSmooth 5.0 stabilisation with 360° horizon lock / 1/1.9″ CMOS sensor / waterproof to 10m / 2.27″ rear touch screen / 1.4″ front status display / battery: 1720mAh enduro battery / dimensions: 71.8 x 50.8 x 33.6mm / digital lenses: HyperView, SuperView, Wide, Linear, Linear and Horizon Lock.
Buy the GoPro Hero 11 camera: £285 at Amazon.co.uk
10. DJI Osmo Nano
Price: £240
Weight: 52g (camera) + 72g (vision dock)
Stills: 35MP
Video: 4k up to 60fps
Waterproof: yes up to 10m for the camera, and IPX4-rated for the vision dock
Overall rating: 3.5/5
This is one teeny, tiny video camera. It’s about the size of my lip balm actually – perfect for on-the-go shooting. Despite its size, it delivers impressive video quality and stabilisation, producing smooth footage even when walking or filming handheld. In this sense we think it will be an appealing option for vloggers, travelers, and casual content creators.
Image quality is solid for a device in this category, with true-to-life colors and good detail in well-lit conditions. The intuitive touchscreen interface and streamlined controls make it accessible for beginners, while still offering enough manual options to satisfy more experienced users.
Battery life is respectable for short shooting sessions, though heavy users may want to carry a power bank. Overall, the DJI Osmo Nano strikes a strong balance between convenience, stabilisation, and image quality, making it a reliable companion for everyday creators who value portability the most.
Pros: extremely portable
Cons: less suited for photos, easily lost!
Full Specifications
Ultra-lightweight / 1/1.3″ CMOS sensor / 4K/60fps video / 143° f/2.8 lens / 200 minutes of total battery life / 10m waterproof rating / dimensions: 57.3 x 29.5 x 28mm (camera), 59.1 x 42.2 x 22.3mm (vision dock) / screen: 1.96”, 326ppi / battery life (camera): up to 90 minutes / battery life (with dock): up to 200 minutes / fast charging supported (80% in 20 mins) / available with 64GB or 128GB of storage.
Buy the DJI Osmo Action 6 camera: £240 at Amazon.co.uk
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