Which is the best camera for a trip?

Comparing the Sony DSC-HX90, Nikon Coolpix A1000, Panasonic Lumix DMC ZS90/TZ90, Canon Powershot SX740.

They are all compact cameras with 30x or higher zoom, which is essential for detailed or distant shooting, as is the case for travel, reportage, hiking. It would be wrong to settle for a smarpthone to go on a trip. The battery runs out quickly by taking pictures or videos and then, you can not even phone... These compact camera offer in addition to a longer battery life, a grip that provides better comfort for filming or photography and a viewfinder useful when the sun's reflections make the screen unreadable.

To make your choice, that may be difficult among all the cameras on the market, we present you a comparison of the best compact cameras currently available...

Samples of photos

Panasonic Lumix ZS70 or TZ90, depending on the region:

Canon Powershot SX740HS:

These images show that the combination of digital zoom with optical zoom, in good light conditions, provides a perfectly clear zoomed image.

To see more images and in various light conditions, you can refer to the reviews of ezines whose notes on devices are mentioned in the table below.

Comparison of specs

Digital zoom may require a reduced resolution: Full HD = 1920x1080, VGA = 640x480.

This table should allow you to reduce your choice according to the use you plan for the camera. by checking the functions that match your criteria.

Which one is right for you?

Nikon Coolpix A1000

The Nikon A1000 released in 2019 brings many improvements to the A900 and in particular a viewfinder and better image quality in low light, but with a resolution that goes from 20 mp to 16mp!

For:

• 35x zoom.
• Smooth 4K video.
• Intuitive menu with help for beginners.

Against:

• Low resolution.
• Cropped and short-lived videos.
• Autofocus sometimes hesitant.
• Average quality of JPEG.

Panasonic Lumix ZS70/TZ90/TZ91

It offers the widest range of features. It's the only one to offer focus stacking. Some testers find it a lower image quality, but this is probably the habit of testing hybrids or SLRs. The image quality is good while offering no improvement over previous models.

For:

• Pleasant to use with its many settings.
• Responsive touch screen.
• The only one here to allow focus stacking, sharp photos without blurred background.
• Longer duration of videos.

Against:

• Digital zoom limited to 2x.

Canon Powershot SX740HS

Its main advantage over the others is a more powerful optical zoom. No automatic HDR (high dynamic range) mode on this unit, it must be done manually.
It is strictly identical to its predecessor the SX730 HS except 4K video added, so if the video is not your priority you can as well buy the latter for a lower price.

For:

• 40x zoom.
• Adjustable screen brightness.
• Food mode on the dial.

Against:

• No viewfinder.
• No touch screen.
• No HDR.
• No panorama.
• No RAW.
• Average image quality.
• Short video length. Cropped 4K.

Sony HX99

If you care about GPS, be sure to take the HX90V instead, not the HX90. Do not confuse also with the HX60V which does not have a viewfinder. Users do not always agree with the testers about quality of images, especially in low light where the testers find them degraded.

For:

• High autonomy.
• Very compact, with removable viewfinder that only appears when you need it.
• Offers a special cartoon effect.

Against:

• Touch screen for focus only.
• The GPS disappeared while it was present on the HX90V.

See also: Which bridge camera with big zoom to choose?