7 Best Travel Cameras Under S$2,000 for Every Type of Traveller (2025)

Not all travel memories can be captured well on a phone, especially if you’re chasing wildlife from afar, filming fast-moving city scenes, or trying to shoot in low light. That’s where a good travel camera comes in.

But with so many options on the market, it can be hard to know where to start. Do you need something small and fuss-free?A step up from your phone? Or a camera that can handle shaky hikes and sudden weather changes?

To help you figure it out, we’ve rounded up seven of the best travel cameras under S$2,000, grouped by the kind of traveller you are and what you actually need. Whether you’re filming your first solo trip or capturing food and street life in sharp detail, there’s something here that works without blowing your budget.

Also read: 10 Add-on Gadgets to Level Up Your Mobile Photography

1. If you’re just starting out and want something simple

Canon EOS R50 Kit (with RF-S18-45mm lens)

Approx. Price: S$1,200

The Canon R50 is a lightweight mirrorless camera that’s beginner-friendly but offers noticeably better image quality than most phones. It comes with a standard 18–45mm zoom lens that covers wide-angle to short telephoto needs, and the lens opens to f/4.5–6.3, which is fine for everyday outdoor shots and decently lit indoor spaces.

This camera shoots sharp 24.2MP photos and records uncropped 4K video at 30fps. It has fast autofocus with face and eye tracking, a built-in flash for night or backlit scenes, and a fully articulating touchscreen that’s intuitive to use. While it doesn’t have in-body image stabilisation (IBIS), the digital IS in video mode and the lens stabilisation help reduce shake.

What to know:

• Has a built-in mic but no headphone jack

• Compact and lightweight (only 375g with battery)

• Best for daytime shooting or places with decent lighting

• Lens is limited in low light due to smaller f-stop

2. If you’re creating vlogs or short-form video content

Sony ZV-E10 Kit (with 16–50mm lens)

Approx. Price: S$1000–1,300

Made for content creators, the Sony ZV-E10 is ideal if you want to film yourself or record casual vlogs on the go. It comes with a 16–50mm zoom lens (f/3.5–5.6), giving you flexibility for selfie-style shots, walking tours, and food videos. Its 24.2MP sensor delivers crisp images, and it records 4K video at 30fps with oversampling for sharpness.

This model has no in-body stabilisation, but the lens includes Optical SteadyShot (OIS), and digital stabilisation is available for video. Autofocus is a strong point, with fast subject tracking and real-time eye detection. The camera includes a directional 3-capsule mic with a wind shield, and there’s a flip screen for self-framing.

What to know:

• No electronic viewfinder or built-in flash

• Audio jack and mic input included

• Lightweight but not pocket-sized

• No optical zoom on the lens when filming in digital stabilisation mode

• Great for video, decent for stills, especially portraits

3. If you’re ready to get serious about photography

Fujifilm X-T30 II Kit (with XC15–45mm lens)

Approx. Price: S$1,600–1,650

The Fujifilm X-T30 II is a good step up for those who want more control over their photography and care about colour, detail, and style. It uses a 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor, which is the same one found in some of Fujifilm’s pro-level cameras that produces crisp, film-like images even without much editing.

You get fast and accurate autofocus with face and eye detection, and the camera can shoot up to 8fps with the mechanical shutter. Video recording is available at 4K 30p, with oversampled footage taken from 6K data, which gives better clarity and sharpness. There’s also Full HD at 120fps for smooth slow motion.

The included lens is a compact XC15–45mm zoom (f/3.5–5.6) with optical image stabilisation and a power zoom function. While it doesn’t handle low light as well as a prime lens, it covers everyday needs from wide-angle shots to portraits. The camera also has a built-in pop-up flash, a sharp electronic viewfinder, and Fujifilm’s signature film simulation modes.

What to know:

• 26.1MP APS-C sensor with Fujifilm’s film simulations

• No in-body stabilisation, but lens has optical IS

• Records 4K video (30p) from 6K oversampling

• Comes with a small and lightweight power zoom lens

• Built-in flash, mic input, no headphone jack

• Has both touchscreen and physical dials for manual control

• Great for street photography, travel portraits, and growing your skills

4. If you want a powerful camera that fits in your pocket

Sony RX100 VII

Approx. Price: S$1,680–1,950

The RX100 VII is a high-performance compact camera with a 1-inch 20.1MP sensor and a versatile 24–200mm zoom lens (f/2.8–4.5). It’s perfect for travellers who want excellent quality without the bulk of interchangeable lenses. This camera delivers sharp images, strong background blur, and real-time autofocus that locks onto faces and eyes quickly.

It also shoots 4K video, includes a pop-up electronic viewfinder, and has a flip-up screen for selfies or vlogs. Though the body is small, it includes a built-in flash and microphone input. There’s no in-body stabilisation, but the optical stabilisation in the lens keeps handheld shooting smooth enough for casual use.

What to know:

• Best image quality you can get in a truly pocket-sized camera

• No weather sealing

• Audio jack available, but no headphone port

• Battery life is average — consider a spare

• Great for fast-paced trips where portability is key

5. If you need something rugged for outdoor adventures

GoPro Hero12 Black

Approx. Price: S$450

The GoPro Hero12 Black is built for action. It captures 5.3K video at up to 60fps, has one of the best stabilisation systems (HyperSmooth 6.0), and works well in harsh conditions like snow, rain, underwater, or rocky trails. It’s waterproof up to 10 metres without a case and can be mounted anywhere from helmets to surfboards.

The camera includes both front and rear screens, making it easier to film yourself. You can also shoot stills at 27MP, and it supports HDR for both video and photo. Audio quality has improved with wind noise reduction, though for more professional sound, an external mic mod is available.

What to know:

• No zoom or optical focus — everything is ultra-wide

• Not ideal for low light or indoor use

• Very small and light (154g), fits in any pocket

• Best for video, not designed for serious stills

• Durable and flexible for travel that involves movement

6. If you’re filming in low light or during sunrise hikes

DJI Osmo Action 4

Approx. Price: S$280–300

The DJI Osmo Action 4 rivals the GoPro in many ways, but with better performance in low-light environments thanks to its larger 1/1.3″ image sensor and f/2.8 aperture lens. It shoots 4K video at up to 120fps, has smooth stabilisation (RockSteady and HorizonSteady), and is waterproof to 18 metres without needing a case.

The front and back touchscreens make framing and settings easy, even when the camera is mounted. Audio capture is solid with built-in dual microphones, and it supports external mics via USB-C. The magnetic quick-release system also makes it faster to set up or switch between mounts.

What to know:

• Slightly heavier than a GoPro, but still pocketable

• Strong low-light video, decent for darker environments

• Touchscreen is responsive even with wet fingers

• Best for video-first travellers who want cleaner night footage

• Battery performs well in cold weather

7. If you want a classic-looking camera that’s light and versatile

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV (with 14–42mm kit lens)

Approx. Price: S$1,000–1,150

The Olympus E-M10 Mark IV has the look of a vintage film camera but the flexibility of a modern mirrorless system. It comes with a Micro Four Thirds 20MP sensor and in-body image stabilisation for sharper handheld shots. The included 14–42mm lens is compact and covers wide to portrait distances with a variable f/3.5–5.6 aperture.

The camera includes a flip-down screen, built-in flash, and fast autofocus with face and eye detection. It’s well suited for casual street photography, family trips, or creative everyday shooting. While it doesn’t have 4K at high frame rates, it does shoot 4K30 video and includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for easy sharing.

What to know:

• One of the lightest mirrorless cameras (380g with battery)

• Works well with a wide range of small, budget-friendly lenses

• Stabilisation makes it easy to shoot without a tripod

• Not ideal for very dark environments without a brighter lens upgrade

• A solid pick for photographers who care about aesthetics and portability

Also read: Best Travel Power Banks Under S$50 in Singapore (2025)

Final thoughts

There’s no one-size-fits-all travel camera, and that’s a good thing. The best camera for you depends on how you travel, what you like to shoot, and how much gear you’re willing to carry. Whether you’re hiking through forests, filming café-hopping days, or just starting to learn photography basics, there’s a solid option under S$2,000 that can meet your needs.

Before buying, think about where you’ll be using the camera most often — indoors or outdoors, stills or video, solo or with others, and pick something you’ll actually bring with you. The best travel camera isn’t just the one with the best specs, but the one that fits your style, your trip, and your hands.