BEST FOR: VARIED LIGHTING CONDITIONS

You can’t beat the Gobe NDX Variable ND for an adjustable neutral density filter at a great value. This is a circular filter that attaches directly to your lens and blocks light to avoid overexposed images in bright, sunny conditions You can adjust the strength of the filter by simply rotating the ring. It is designed for use with lenses that are a medium focal length, but shouldn’t be used for extreme wide angle or telephoto shooting.

The Gobe NDX Variable ND filter features a protective coating which provides a neutral color balance, so it won’t add a strange color cast to your landscape photos.

BEST FOR: POLARIZER PERFORMANCE

The Breakthrough Photography X4 CPL Circular Polarizer is an extremely high-quality polarizing filter which eliminates glare to provide a crystal clear image with accurate colors. While polarizing filters can often add a color cast to photos, this filter is designed with special technology that virtually eliminates the yellow cast.

The glass of the X4 CPL Circular Polarizer is extra clear to ensure your photos stay sharp. The filter attaches directly to the front of your lens, and it is constructed to be weather-resistant, so it is made to handle whatever conditions you might find when you’re outdoors shooting landscapes.

BEST FOR: COMBINING POLARIZATION & COLOR ENHANCEMENT

Though it is an expensive filter, the Singh-Ray LB Color Combo performs double duty as a polarizer and intensifying filter, making it worth the investment if you need both. This is an excellent filter for landscape photography, as it is made especially to enhance both warm tones and green tones in an image, while reducing glare as well as a blue color cast.

The Singh-Ray LB Color Combo also enhances the saturation of the sky and provides extra contrast in photos. The filter is also constructed to avoid reducing light entering the lens, so you can still shoot in lower light conditions.

BEST FOR: TARGETING RED TONES

The Hoya Red Intensifier specifically targets the red and orange tones in an image to enhance those colors and create contrast with other colors, yet the filter preserves other tones, including white and neutral tones, without adding an unwanted cast. This filter is also useful for landscape photography at night, as it reduces light pollution by toning down the appearance of yellow light from artificial sources.

Made of extra clear optical glass and lightweight aluminum alloy, the Hoya Red Intensifier is durable and comes with a plastic case for storing in your kit and taking on the go for your outdoor adventures in landscape photography.

BEST FOR: VALUE POLARIZER

If you need a simple polarizing filter at a low price, the Tiffen Circular Polarizer fits the bill and makes an ideal addition to your landscape photography camera kit. This polarizing filter prevents your landscape photos from looking washed out by reducing reflections and glare. This saturates the sky and offers deeper image contrast.

The Tiffen Circular Polarizer attaches to the front of your camera lens. This provides extra control over how the filter affects your image, because you can rotate the filter to change the specific effect based on the angle of the sun and light entering the lens.

BEST FOR: ADJUSTABLE RANGE OF NEUTRAL DENSITY FILTERS

The set of LEE Graduated Neutral Density Soft Edge Filters is a great choice to give you a lot of control over the amount of light blocking you use and how it is applied to your photo composition. This is a set of three rectangular ND filters, which can be stacked in a holder to provide the right level of neutral density for the lighting conditions you shoot in. Because it is a graduated filter, only part of the image will be affected, and you can adjust the position of the filter in the frame. Plus, the soft edge on the gradation makes it more natural and less noticeable.

BEST FOR: HIGH-END POLARIZER

The B+W X-Pro Kaesemann HTC Circular Polarizer is a high-performing polarizing filter that comes with a higher price tag than entry-level filters. It is designed to provide the benefits of polarization, including reducing reflection and haziness, while reducing light entering the lens by a minimal amount, so you still have full control of the aperture.

The filter is specially coated with an extra protective layer which provides extra reflection reduction, as well as making the filter water resistant and easy to clean by causing water to bead up. The filter ring is also sealed to keep humidity and water out.

BEST FOR: ADJUSTABLE NEUTRAL DENSITY

If you want one filter that gives you a range of options for the level of neutral density you want to use, the Tiffen Variable Neutral Density is a perfect choice. This filter screws on to the front of your lens, and, with a simple twist of the ring, you can smoothly and easily change the level of light it blocks. This allows you to prevent overexposure in your landscape photos, as well as smooth motion in water for a beautiful blurred effect.

Tiffen uses a proprietary ColorCore process to construct the filter so clarity and color are not compromised. The thin profile of the filter is designed to reduce the chance of vignetting, which is when the corners in the image are darkened.

BEST FOR: NIGHTTIME LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY

When you’re shooting night landscapes, even when you’re out in nature, you can still have light pollution, but with the Nisi Natural Night Filter in your camera bag, you can eliminate the yellow cast from from artificial light. This filter blocks those lights, allowing stars and other natural light sources to appear more clearly in your landscape photos.

The Nisi Natural Night Filter is a rectangular filter that requires a holder to attach to the lens, which does allow this filter to be used with a variety of lenses. The surface of the lens has a protective coating which causes water and oil to bead up and makes for easy cleaning on the go.

BEST FOR: CAPTURING LANDSCAPES AT SUNRISE

The Tiffen Graduated Sunrise Filter is a specialized filter that comes in hand if you like to get an alpine start and catch the sunrise. The filter is half clear and graduates to a color enhancement that saturates orange and yellow tones to really make the sunrise stand out. A soft edge on the gradation provides smooth and natural looking blending in the photo, and you can rotate the ring of the filter to precisely align the color and clear parts.

This filter is not very useful for situations other than sunrise, so it’s more of a bonus addition to your camera kit than an essential for landscape photography.

BEST FOR: COMPACT PERFORMANCE

The Canon G7 X Mark II packs a lot of features into a compact camera, making it an affordable and portable choice for underwater photography. First of all, the controls are easy to operate, which is essential when you’re already dealing with the challenge of shooting underwater. The G7 X Mark II offers excellent image stabilization with a variety of settings you can change based on the conditions. The panning image stabilization mode is especially handy for following fish swimming while keeping them in focus.

Another unique feature of the Canon G7 X Mark II is the ability to edit your photos in the camera if you want to share them immediately. You can quickly adjust color, contrast, and sharpness without transferring your photos to a computer.

BEST FOR: PROFESSIONAL FEATURES

If you’re looking for a camera to provide professional features, but want something smaller than a DSLR, the mirrorless Sony A7III is an excellent option for underwater photography. The advanced autofocus system quickly sets the focus on the subject you choose and tracks it as you shoot, so your photos will be extremely sharp. The A7III shoots quickly in continuous mode at 10 frames per second, so you’ll never miss the shot.

Dual memory card slots mean that you won’t run out of storage space no matter how many photos you take, and you also have room to shoot high resolution 4K video.

BEST FOR: DESIGNED FOR ADVENTURE

You can tell that the Olympus Tough TG-6 is made for adventuring since it’s right there in the name. This tough compact camera is designed to take a beating, and it’s waterproof on its own in depths of up to 50 feet. If you want to dive deeper into your underwater photography, Olympus offers an underwater housing that makes it easy to operate the TG-6 in any water conditions.

The camera comes with an integrated lens that provides up to 4x optical zoom, so you can get closer to subjects that are far away. The lens also lets you shoot in macro mode and can focus on subjects that are incredibly close, as little as 1cm away from the lens.

BEST FOR: PROFESSIONAL VALUE

The Nikon D500 is a high-performance DSLR camera at a low price point for a professional model, although adding a lens (which is not included) will obviously increase the price. Regardless of the lens you choose, the sensor of the D500 doesn’t lose detail and produces exceptional images in low light situations, which is key for underwater photography.

When you’re ready to share you’re incredible underwater photos, the Nikon D500 makes the process super simple thanks to its proprietary SnapBridge technology. This function lets you transfer photos via Bluetooth or WiFi to compatible devices without worrying about cables.

BEST FOR: FOCUS ADJUSTMENTS

The Panasonic Lumix LX100 II lets you play with focus in a unique way. You can actually choose the area of focus after you shoot the picture, so if you missed the subject originally, you are able to correct it. You can even change the depth of field, blurring the background and sharpening the subject, thanks to the Focus Stacking feature.

The large electronic viewfinder of the Panasonic Lumix LX100 II makes it easy to follow the underwater action. The camera is also capable of shooting high resolution 4K video, and can also create a composite action photo of 4K images.

BEST FOR: PORTABILITY

The Sony RX100 II puts a lot of features into a small, portable package, making it a perfect option for underwater photography when you want to capture great images without carrying a giant camera. The built-lens has a nearly 3x optical zoom, so you can shoot underwater animals from a distance without disturbing them. The lens also has an included neutral density filter, which helps capture detail in bright, sunny light conditions.

The Sony RX100 II can be used in manual focus mode for more control, or you can use one of the many autofocus options to ensure your subject stays sharp. The zoom lens also allows you to adjust depth of field when you’re focusing.

BEST FOR: PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE

If you’re looking for a professional-level camera for your underwater photography, the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is an investment that will capture impressive images. The camera thrives in extremely low light conditions, so you can take it deep underwater and still take stunning photos. A lens is not included, but you can purchase interchangeable options to get the shot you want, whether that’s a macro closeup or a telephoto zoom.

If you travel a lot, the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV has a built-in GPS so you can geotag the location of your underwater adventures. The camera is also capable of shooting beautiful 4K video wherever you are.

BEST FOR: CUSTOMIZABLE CONTROL

The Sony Alpha A6000 allows precise control over the camera settings, so you can dial in the perfect shot. A wheel on the rear of the camera and two dials on top let you easily change settings, and seven customizable buttons can be assigned the functions that you use most. The superfast autofocus ensures you always capture a sharp shot while you are concentrating on other controls.

The Alpha A6000 does not include a lens, which gives you control over that choice as well, and the camera itself is offered at an affordable price, so you can spend more of your budget on a nice lens. You can even customize your choice of camera color, as the A6000 comes in black, white, or silver.

BEST FOR: LENS OPTIONS

The Nikon Z7 is your camera choice for underwater photography if you want the option of using a variety of high-quality lenses. The Z7 features a special larger lens mount that is compatible with a range of Nikkor Z lenses which are designed to let in more light and stay sharp at a larger aperture range. The tracking autofocus of the Nikon Z7 keeps your subject in focus, even in low light conditions.

Though the Nikon Z7 is not cheap, especially once you add in a lens or two (which are not included), but the quality of images is worth the large investment.

BEST FOR: UNDERWATER ACTION

The GoPro HERO 7 Black can easily capture underwater action in both photo and video form. The GoPro is waterproof down to 33 feet, so you can use it as is for snorkeling, and it has waterproof housing available to take it deeper for scuba diving. GoPro’s Hypersmooth image stabilization noticeably reduces camera shakiness while underwater, and the SuperPhoto mode automatically enhances your pictures to provide the best color and contrast.

However, the GoPro HERO 7 Black is a specialized action camera and lacks a lot of functions you will find in other cameras, such as a zoom lens and manual controls.

BEST FOR: ALL-AROUND VERSATILITY

If you’re looking for one travel lens to take with you that can do it all, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm offers a versatile range of focal lengths in a single, high-quality zoom lens. With this lens, you can shoot wide-angle closeups then quickly zoom to a short telephoto to capture distant subjects, all without switching lenses.

The NIKKOR 24-120mm has excellent image stabilization, so your shots won’t be blurry, even when you’re on-the-go shooting handheld. The Silent Wave Motor provides precise and fast autofocus capabilities, yet you can simply switch to manual focus if you want complete control.

BEST FOR: ZOOM RANGE

The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm lens is the travel lens of choice when you need a long zoom range. This lens can zoom in to full telephoto so you can capture clear shots of subjects far in the distance. At the wide end, it is suitable for landscape photos as well. However, the NIKKOR 28-300mm has a fairly slow aperture when it is zoomed in all the way, meaning it does not let in as much light as lenses with a faster aperture.

One feature that makes the NIKKOR 28-300mm lens especially nice for travel is the zoom lock switch which prevents the lens from extending accidentally in your bag during transport.

BEST FOR: GENERAL USE

If you don’t need a long zoom range, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-85mm is a good choice for a general lens. You can shoot wide angle landscapes and also capture great portraits with this lens, but you won’t be able to zoom close to objects far away. The autofocus is precise, and you can easily switch it to manual if you need more control.

The Vibration Reduction image stabilization system is a real asset when shooting handheld, and it also automatically detects when you’re using a tripod for video and adjusts the image stabilization to allow you to still pan smoothly.

BEST FOR: CAPTURING CANDIDS

You can’t beat the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm for taking pictures of people when you’re traveling. This lens captures beautifully illuminated images through its full range of zoom, and in low light, it’s great for playing with depth of field and focusing on select subjects. Internal elements in the lens are designed to provide clarity and reduce weird color effects, while special coatings prevent distracting lens reflections.

This zoom lens can capture landscapes as well, although the zoom range is not super long, so if you want a telephoto lens, you should add another lens to your kit as well.

BEST FOR: VERSATILE FIXED LENS

The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm is a fixed prime lens, so you can’t zoom with it, but this focal length imitates the perspective you naturally see with your eyes, making it extremely versatile for natural shooting. The fast aperture lets in a lot of light which creates clear images, even in low light conditions. It also means the background ends up blurrier than the subject you focus on, providing a beautiful depth of field effect.

The small size of this lens means it is very easy to carry when you’re traveling. If you already have a zoom lens, this makes a great complementary lens to have in your camera bag.

BEST FOR: WIDE ANGLE

When you want to play around with a super wide angle lens, the Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 10-20mm lets you find an interesting new point of view. This lens excels at landscapes and cityscapes, which is extremely useful when you’re traveling. It also provides a fun perspective for closer shots of people and animals, and you can focus on subjects as close as 0.8 feet away.

Though this lens lets you take cool wide angle photos with compatible Nikon cameras, it won’t work properly with all cameras, so double-check that you have a compatible camera before adding this lens to your camera kit.

BEST FOR: ACTION PHOTOS

The Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm lens lets you zoom in or out to follow the action of adventure, wildlife, or whatever you might encounter on your travels.The versatile focal length range of this zoom lens lets you capture both wider landscape shots along with telephoto images, and the large zoom ring makes it easy to quickly adjust your framing. The smooth autofocus also helps you catch fast-moving subjects with clarity.

Due to its durable construction which is both dust and water resistant, the NIKKOR 70-300mm lens can handle adventure travel, and the short length for a zoom lens makes it easy to pack.

BEST FOR: NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY

The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm is a dream lens for capturing outdoor scenes just as you see them with your naked eye, since this focal length mimics your natural perspective. It is a great choice to travel with on an outdoor adventure because you can never predict weather conditions, and the NIKKOR 50mm performs extremely well in whatever lighting conditions you might find yourself in.

Because this prime lens has a fixed focal length, you’ll need to bring another lens along if you want a zoom or telephoto option. But the NIKKOR 50mm makes an ideal additional lens, especially since it is so small and lightweight.

BEST FOR: LANDSCAPES

If you love landscape photography, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm lens belongs in your travel camera bag. This zoom lens lets you choose from a variety of wide angle focal lengths to perfectly capture the beautiful landscapes you discover on your outdoor travels. The image stabilization keeps your shot steady, even when you’re shooting handheld, and the design of the lens keeps your image sharp through the entire zoom range.

Since the NIKKOR 16-35mm lens only offers wide angle options, it is best paired with another lens when you’re traveling if you want a full range of focal length options.

BEST FOR: PORTRAITS

If you want to capture gorgeous portraits that highlight your subject while blurring the background (called a bokeh effect), the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm lens will make a useful addition to your travel lens collection. This lens also captures skin tones beautifully and handles low light conditions well, thanks to a wide aperture.

While the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm shines at portraiture, it is is a prime lens with a fixed focal length, so it is not the most versatile lens. But it is lightweight and small, so it makes a good extra travel lens.

BEST FOR: ALL-AROUND PERFORMANCE

The Peak Design Everyday Camera Pack 20L (it also comes in a 30L model) truly is a peak performer in travel camera bags. The pack easily fits a DSLR with a few lenses, and the FlexFold system of internal dividers allows you to customize the compartments to your gear, while an internal sleeve holds a laptop up to 15 in. The MagLatch system for top closure makes accessing your gear quick and easy, yet the closure is still extremely secure. The bag also offers side access on each side.

Thanks to tension straps that can easily be tucked away when not in use, you can attach a large amount of gear, such as tripods, to the pack externally. Though this might be called the Everyday Camera Pack, it really is the perfect way to carry all your gear with you wherever you travel.

BEST FOR: MINIMAL & LIGHTWEIGHT

If you’re looking for a small, lightweight bag, the Peak Design Everyday Sling 5L is the perfect go-anywhere pack. This bag is designed to be carried as a cross-body sling, so you always have your camera handy on your travels. The strap can also be adjusted to carry it as a waist pack for hands-free convenience.

Although it is not large enough to fit a whole camera kit, the Everyday Sling can easily fit a mirrorless camera plus a couple lenses or a DSLR with one lens, and it has plenty of pockets for small accessories such as batteries and cables.. The bag also includes two flexible dividers that attach with velcro, so you can adjust the layout of the interior to your needs.

BEST FOR: EASY TO CARRY

The Mountainsmith Tanack 10 Lumbar Camera Pack is part of a whole system including a backpack and camera cubes, yet it can be used on its own as a great shoulder bag. A padded waistbelt helps redistribute the weight and makes it more comfortable to carry. The bag includes several thoughtful features as well, such as an included rain cover if you get caught in wet conditions and a removable bag for keeping small accessories organized and handy.

The Tanack Lumbar Pack fits a camera inside the main compartment but does not include padded dividers for your lenses. You can purchase an optional Mountainsmith Kit Cube if you want to add dividers to your bag.

BEST FOR: BACKCOUNTRY TRAVEL

When you want to take your camera with you on an adventure into the backcountry, the Evoc Photo Op 16L is an excellent combination of a daypack and a camera bag. The outer fabric is a durable polyester which is coated in polyurethane to repel water and keep your camera gear dry if you’re hit by a rainstorm. The rear compartment is designed to hold a hydration system, so you can bring plenty of water on a hike.

The padded camera compartment is removable if you want to use it on its own, and if you don’t need your camera gear, the Evoc Photo Op is a nice daypack without it.

BEST FOR: CARRY-ON BAG

The Thule Covert DSLR Rolltop Backpack is the perfect bag to keep your camera gear safe and secure, especially as a carry-on when you’re traveling by plane. Made of durable and water-resistant fabric, this backpack can withstand a beating, whether you’re taking it across town or across the country. The protective camera compartment is easy to access through a side zipper, and the compartment can be removed to be carried on its own.

The Covert Rolltop Backpack can hold both a DSLR and a drone, so you don’t have to choose which one to bring on your next adventure. However, the bag can get a bit heavy if you pack all your gear in it, and although the shoulder straps are padded and ergonomic, there is no waistbelt to help support the load.

BEST FOR: BIKING

The Timbuk2 Enthusiast Camera Bag is designed to let you bring all your photo equipment into the great outdoors with ease. It has an attachment for a bike light, so if that’s your preferred mode of travel, the Enthusiast is an excellent choice for a camera bag. It can also carry a tripod externally, and you can easily fit a DSLR with extra lenses and accessories inside with padded dividers to protect each piece.

The outer fabric is durable to stand up to arduous travel, and padding on the shoulder straps and back is extra thick for comfort and protection when you’re on the move.

BEST FOR: EXPANDABILITY

The Peak Design Travel Camera Pack can compress down to 35L and expand up to 45L, so you can have room for what you need without leaving a lot of unnecessary empty space. The bag also has pockets everywhere, including the top, side, and even in the waistbelt, so it’s easy to stash and access all your small stuff without worrying about losing it.

Though the Peak Design Travel Camera Pack can pretty much do it all as a travel camera bag, it is definitely on the pricey side. Plus, it requires you to purchase camera cubes separately to compartmentalize and protect your gear in the large main compartment.

BEST FOR: OFFICE TO THE ROAD

The Peak Design Everyday Camera Messenger Bag is the camera bag you need to go from a regular office day to an on-the-road adventure. The bag can hold a DSLR with 3 lenses, as well as a laptop or tablet, so you can easily tote all of your gear with you. A tripod carry system makes it easy to bring your tripod along as well.

The rigid design of the Everyday Camera Messenger Bag protects your expensive gear. It also expands and contracts without losing its shape and putting pressure on the contents inside. Two Peak Design Camera Clip attachments on the outside of the bag allow you to quickly stow your camera hands-free between shots and easily grab it again when you need it.

BEST FOR: HEAVY CAMERAS

The Manfrotto Element Traveller Big is an excellent choice for a travel tripod, with lots of features that make it perform well in a variety of situations. At a little over 3.5 lbs, it’s not the lightest travel tripod out there, but it can hold a load of over 17 lbs, so it can support your heaviest DSLR along with big lenses and accessories.

The Element has rubber-coated twist locks on the legs, making it easy and quick to adjust each leg individually, which is especially nice when you’re on uneven terrain outside. Also, one of the legs detaches and converts to a monopod, which is handy in areas where tripods are not allowed.

BEST FOR: VERSATILITY

The GorillaPod 5K tripod features Joby’s unique flexible tripod design in a package that is large enough to handle a DSLR. The jointed legs of the Joby GorillaPod 5K allow you to use this travel tripod in all sorts of configurations just about anywhere – you can wrap it around trees, adjust it to sit on rocks, and even grip it in your hand if you’re on the move.

The head on the GorillaPod 5K can pan 360° and tilt 90° so you’ll never miss the shot once you’re set up. A bubble level allows you make sure that your shot is straight.

BEST FOR: ADJUSTABILITY

The 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey tripod folds down to a compact 13.7 in for travel, but when you set it up, it can extend to a maximum height of 58 in, so you can comfortably get the shot without crouching down too much. With the three different leg angles and five twist locks on each leg, the Corey can be adjusted to a variety of heights, so you can get the shot from just the right angle.

The Corey has a patented mounting plate which makes it easy to attach accessories, and the tripod kit also includes several tools, including a multi tool, hex key, and a carabiner.

BEST FOR: VARIED ANGLES

The Vanguard Alta Pro has a unique proprietary Multi-Angle Central Column which allows the central column to be positioned from a 0° to 180° angle. The center column also allows for a full 360° rotation, so you can get the exact angle you need for your shot, making the Alta Pro an excellent choice for macro photography.

The legs of the Alta Pro have flip leg locks for quick adjustments, and the legs can be positioned at three different angles. The legs also feature twist out metal spikes on the bottom to add stability on dirt or rocky ground.

BEST FOR: PROFESSIONAL QUALITY

The Gitzo Traveler Series 1 is a professional level tripod with a price tag to match. The carbon fiber legs make the Traveler Series 1 tripod extremely lightweight for its size, and the legs reverse to fold around the center column to pack away and transport. Yet the tripod can extend to a maximum height of 60 in and hold up to 22 lbs of camera gear. A second, short center column is included which can be used to capture low angle shots.

However, a pan head for the Gitzo Traveler Series 1 is not included and needs to be purchased separately, which only adds to the steep investment for this high-quality tripod.

BEST FOR: HIKING PHOTOGRAPHERS

The Manfrotto BeFree is an ideal choice for hikers who want to capture images on the trail. It comes with a carrying case with a shoulder strap, so you can easily transport the tripod and be ready to set up as soon as you see your shot. The legs can be positioned at two different angles, and the center column is removable so you can position the tripod low to the ground.

The Manfrotto BeFree comes in multiple colors to match your style, and you can also choose your preference of twist or lever leg locks when you purchase.

BEST FOR: BACKPACKING

The Vortex Optics Summit tripod is simple yet full-featured and weighs only two lbs while collapsing to a height of 14 in, so it is easy to slip inside your pack on your next adventure. The light weight and small size does only support small DSLRs up to 5 lbs, but if your camera is one of those, this is a great choice for a travel tripod.

The center column of the Vortex is split so you can remove the lower section to get low angle shots. The legs have twist leg locks for adjustability, and the legs can be positioned at three different angles. Rubber feet keep the tripod from slipping on slick surfaces such as polished rock.

BEST FOR: ALL-AROUND PERFORMANCE

The MeFOTO RoadTrip travel tripod offers many high-quality features in a small package that is easy to take with you when you’re exploring outdoors. Both the legs and center column have rubberized twist locks for easy and secure adjustments, and the legs can be set at two different angles to handle uneven ground. One of the legs is removable to convert to a full-size monopod, and it is foam-cushioned to help you keep a secure and comfortable grip while shooting.

The pan head rotates 360° and features a bubble level to prevent crooked shots. The RoadTrip also includes a carrying case which is handy, since it is slightly heavy for backpacking.

BEST FOR: VIDEOGRAPHERS

The Benro Aero 4 Travel Angel is designed with several features specifically for videographers. The fluid video head includes separate pan and tilt control and allows you to make smooth movements while you’re shooting video. The integrated leveling ball lets you make quick adjustments and keep your shot straight on the fly.

The legs of the tripod can be positioned and locked at three different angles – flip lock levers on the legs let you adjust each one individually on uneven ground. The tripod includes two types of feet, rubber or spiked, which you can swap out depending on the surface you’re setting the tripod on.

BEST FOR: TABLETOP TRIPOD

One of the tiniest travel tripods you can find, the Manfrotto PIXI EVO provides stable support for small DSLRs, though it lacks the height and features of a full-size travel tripod. The legs of the PIXI EVO have two sections and can be adjusted to 5 different levels, from a height of 2.4 in to 7.7 in. This means the PIXI EVO can handle uneven ground well, even if it can’t get very high.

The head of the tripod includes a notch at 90° so you can easily switch your camera into a portrait orientation, giving you extra options for framing the shot.