Four excellent cameras for your next expedition

Capture nature's wonder. (Maksym Kaharlytskyi via Unsplash/)

Buying the right camera can be tough—and investing in one that isn’t part of your phone is even more of a trial. We’ve taken away some of that struggle. Included here is a list of four cameras perfect for any outdoor expedition, no matter your skill or desire. Whether you want to step up your game and learn to shoot on a DSLR, or you know you’re going to be wet more than dry, we’ve got you covered.

Take pictures anywhere—literally. (Amazon/)

This Olympus camera is named Tough for a reason. It’s waterproof up to 50 feet, crush-proof to 100 kg of force, freeze-proof to 14 degrees Fahrenheit, and anti-fog. Go ahead, dunk the camera to get those pictures of trout on the release. Take it with you skiing and don’t fret if you drop it in the powder (as long as you find it again). It also has a high resolution, F2.0 lens, 8x zoom, and can shoot magnified up to 1 cm from the lens.

Shoot like a pro without all the weight. (Amazon/)

Sony has cornered the market on mirrorless cameras, and as a result is one of the best options for someone hoping to break into more professional photography. Get started with this one. Interchangeable lenses allow you to upgrade as much as needed, while spending your money on glass instead of a bigger body. The small body means you can tuck this camera into your waders or slip it into your hunting pack. And with a 0.02 autofocus, it can capture just about anything you need.

Shoot like the best. (Amazon/)

The price tag is significant, but so is this camera. This Nikon shoots in full frame and 4k UHD video. It has wireless connectivity to transfer your images seamlessly from camera to phone, and allows for remoteless long exposures for those night shots you always wanted. When you experience its 24.5 megapixel resolution and robust image processing engine, you won’t question the price.

Take the shot then keep playing. (Amazon/)

It takes a pretty good point and shoot to replace smart phone cameras right now, but this one does. The Panasonic pairs with lens icon Leica to offer a point and shoot that operates somewhere between your phone and a bigger DSLR. The camera offers 20.1 megapixels and 4k video. It also has all of the creative scene modes. But the real seller is its ability to offer zoom and better images under low light.