Must Have Best Camera Lens for Travel Photography

Are you someone who loves to travel and capture beautiful moments with your camera lens but is tired of blurry photos?

As a travel enthusiast,  I love to capture every moment of my journey, and having the best camera lens for travel photography is essential.

I often get asked about the best camera lens for travel photography. In this guide, I’ll help you choose a camera lens. The same rules apply to mirrorless and DSLR cameras. Aperture, focal length, image stabilization, and lens weight are essential.

If you are new to the photography journey, I recommend checking out my blog on the beginner’s guide for buying camera lenses. This article will provide a foundation for choosing the right camera lens.

List of best camera lens for travel photography

Look no further than the best camera lens for travel photography. Then, you can go into more detail about the lens and its features.

1. Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM

(Standard zoom lens)

2. Tamron 18-400mm f3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD

(Ultra telephoto all-in-one superzoom lens APS-C DSLR camera)

3. Wide angle telephoto lens Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

(Wide angle telephoto lens)

4. Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM

(Super-zoom EOS-R Series of Canon)

5. Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC

(Versatile cameras with APS-C sensors)

6. Nikon AF-S 24-120mm f/4G ED VR

(Designed for Nikon DSLR cameras / Nikon FX-format (full-frame) cameras)

7. Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR

(Made for Nikon’s Z-mount mirrorless cameras)

8. Fujifilm 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 WR LM R OIS

(For Fujifilm X-Series mirrorless cameras with an APS-C sensor)

9. Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 II ASPH Power OIS

(Telephoto zoom lens)

10. Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS

(Full frame telephoto zoom lens)

11.Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III VC

(Telephoto zoom lens designed for mirrorless cameras with APS-C sensor)

Detailed analysis of the best camera lens for travel photography

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM Standard zoom lens

• The Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM is a high-performance standard zoom lens for full-frame Canon DSLRs and some APS-C sensor DSLRs.
• It has a constant maximum aperture of f/4 throughout its zoom range.

• With a twist of the focus ring, the EF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USM allows manual control even while AF is engaged.

Reasons to buy:

• Extensive weather seals
• Constant aperture value
• Four-stop image stabilizer

Reason to Avoid:

• Barrel distortion

In my opinion, despite the barrel distortion, this camera lens is ideal for daily travelers who wish to take portraits and vacation videos.

Tamron 18-400mm f3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD

Ultra telephoto all-in-one superzoom lens APS-C DSLR camera

• The Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD is classified as an all-in-one superzoom lens.
• The Tamron 18-400mm f3.5-6.3 has a wide focal length range for APS-C DSLR cameras. It is an all-in-one lens that eliminates lens switching.
• It’s ideal for light-traveling photographers.

Brand	Tamron
Type	Wide angle, telephoto
Effective zoom range	27-600mm
Image Stabilization	2.5 stops
Compatible mounting	Canon EF mountNikon F mountSony A-mountSony E-mount (APS-C format) Pentax K mount
No.of diaphragm blades	7
Lens construction	16 elements in 11 groups
Minimum focus distance	0.45m
Weight	700 g
Adjustment	Intended to provide convenience and flexibility by eliminating the need to switch lenses frequently.
Durability	Moisture-resistant construction
Chromatic Aberration	some chromatic aberrations in areas of high contrast, particularly near the 400mm

Reason to buy:

• Quick autofocus
• All-in-one zoom lens
• Decent sharpness for a superzoom
• Customization via optional console
• Built-in vibration control

Reason to Avoid:

• Fringing at 300-400mm
• No distance scale on the lens barrel
• Only for APS-C, not for full frame camera

So, if you value convenience and versatility in one lens, then Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD lens is best for you. However, specialist lenses may perform better in certain locations.

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Wide-angle telephoto lens

• The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is a versatile, high-quality camera lens for Canon’s full-frame mirrorless cameras.
• It can handle various shooting situations, making it an excellent all-purpose lens for travel photography
• The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM uses Canon’s L-series optics, which are noted for excellent image quality.

Brand	Canon
Type	Wide angle, telephoto
Effective zoom range	24-105mm
Image Stabilization	5 stopshelps to capture sharp and clear photos even in low-light conditions
Compatible Mounting	Canon RF lens mount
No.of diaphragm blades	9 blades
Lens construction	18 elements in 14 groupsone aspherical element and three UD elements
Minimum focus distance	0.45 m (1.48 ft)17.72 (450mm)
Weight	700 g
Adjustment	useful as a quick way to adjust white balance when shootingResponsive focus
Durability	It does not have a weather-sealed mount, which makes it unsuitable in rain, snow
Chromatic Aberration	Minor fringe

Reason to buy:

• Versatility
• Image stabilization
• Superior optics
• L-series build quality
• Lightweight
• Best in low light

Reason to Avoid:

• Not weather sealed

This is the greatest Canon L-series optic. If you are a travel photographer who prefers high-performance gear, you will love it.

Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM

Super-zoom EOS-R Series of Canon

• Canon’s full-frame mirrorless cameras work with the flexible Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM lens.
• Canon’s Ultrasonic Motor (USM) enables fast and quiet autofocus.
•  Its maximum aperture is f/6.3, which decreases as you zoom in and may reduce light reaching the sensor in low-light circumstances.

Brand	Canon
Type	Mirrorless for EOS-R Series(EOS RP, EOS R, EOS R5, EOS R6)
Effective zoom range	240mm
Image Stabilization	5 stopsOn shake correction
Compatible Mounting	Canon RF
No.of diaphragm blades	7 blades
Lens construction	21 elements and 15 groupsaspherical and UD (Ultra-low Dispersion) elements
Minimum focus distance	0.5m
Weight	775 g
Adjustment	The lens communicates with the camera body to achieve autofocus.
Durability	The lens features a solid build with metal and high-quality plastic materials.
Chromatic Aberration	It is designed to minimize chromatic aberration.Chromatic aberration may still occur, notably at 24mm and 240mm or at wider apertures.

Reasons to buy:

• Ultrasonic motor, fast autofocus
• 5-stop image stabilizer

Reasons to avoid:

• Massive distortion if not corrected
• Maximum Aperture Limitations for Creative Control
• Raw image vignetting.

If you’re the type of person who simply doesn’t want to miss a shot and will use the camera’s JPG 90% or more of the time, this lens is a complete delight.

Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC

Versatile cameras with APS-C sensors

• The Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC is a versatile all-in-one zoom lens designed for cameras with APS-C sensor sizes.
• It is compatible with various DSLR camera brands, such as Canon, Nikon, and Sony, but I mostly recommend it with Nikon DX-format DSLRs
• The lens features Vibration Compensation (VC), which reduces camera shake and sharpens handheld photos.

Brand	Tamron
Type	Versatile telephoto zoom lens
Effective zoom range	For Canon 28.8 – 320 mmFor Nikon 27 – 300 mm
Image Stabilization	3.5 stops
Compatible Mounting	Canon EF
No.of diaphragm blades	7 blades
Lens construction	16 elements in 14 groups
Minimum focus distance	0.49 m
Weight	400 gDespite having a weather-seal ring and a plastic mounting plate, it’s sturdy and light.
Adjustment	The zoom ring adjusts zoom, while the focus ring adjusts focus.
Durability	Lens has a weather-sealed construction.
Chromatic Aberration	Lateral chromatic aberration generates green and magenta color fringing in the corners at both ends of the zoom and vignetting at maximum aperture.

Reasons to Buy:

• Lightweight
• APS-C sensor
• Solid and strong construction

Reasons to Avoid:

• limit its performance in low-light situations
• image stabilization to a certain extent

It is a convenient option if you prefer the flexibility of an all-in-one zoom lens, particularly if using APS-C sensor cameras.

Nikon AF-S 24-120mm f/4G ED VR

designed for Nikon DSLR cameras / Nikon FX-format (full-frame) cameras.

• The lens features Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for fast and quiet autofocus performance.
• Nikon’s Vibration Reduction technology reduces camera shake and sharpens handheld shots, especially in low light or slower shutter rates.

Brand	Nikon
Type	Standard zoom lens
Effective zoom range	5x
Image Stabilization	3.5 stops
Compatible Mounting	Nikon F (FX)
No.of diaphragm blades	9 rounded blades
Lens construction	17 elements in 13 groupsWith Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements
Minimum focus distance	0.45 m
Weight	710 g
Adjustment	Easily adjusted
Durability	weather sealedprovides some protection against dust and moisture
Chromatic Aberration	Little bit of chromatic aberration at some extent

Reasons to buy:

• The zoom range is good
• The VR (vibration reduction – image stabilization) works well

Reasons to Avoid:

• Unavailability of widest aperture
• Large and heavy

So, if you are looking for a camera which is easily focused, you can easily go for this.

Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR

designed for Nikon’s Z-mount mirrorless cameras

• Vibration reduction and a wide-angle-to-telephoto focal range make Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR suitable for many shooting situations.
• The aperture range of the Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR lens is f/4 to f/6.3.
• As you zoom in, the maximum aperture decreases from f/4 at 24mm to f/6.3 at 200mm.

Brand	Nikon
Type	Zoom lens
Effective zoom range	8.3x
Image Stabilization	4.5 stops
Compatible Mounting	Nikon Z
No.of diaphragm blades	7 bladesRounded
Lens construction	19 elements in 15 groupsincluding 2 ED elements and 2 aspherical elementsARNEO Coating, Fluorine coating
Minimum focus distance	0.5 m
Weight	570 g
Adjustment	Adjusts exposure, shutter speed, etc. while in manual mode for creative looks.
Durability	Weather sealed. Easy to carry
Chromatic Aberration	24-200mm has severe chromatic aberration. It steadily improves, peaking at 70mm.Good build quality with no serious “wobble” even at 200mm

Reasons to buy:

• Minimalist construction: just 570 grammes (1.25 oz)
• Advanced weather sealing that should endure anything short of a dunking
• Good construction quality
• Superior clarity and color reproduction for a superzoom camera.
• Autofocus is very precise

Reasons to avoid:

• Narrow maximum aperture of f/4, decreasing to f/6.3 at 85mm and beyond.

In my view, It’s a good video lens, too. Subject tracking and autofocusing are silent. The flexible, clickless control ring lets you reach your most used camera settings quickly and silently.

Fujifilm 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 WR LM R OIS

designed for Fujifilm X-Series mirrorless cameras with an APS-C sensor.

• The lens has a focal length range of 18-135mm, providing a wide-angle to telephoto coverage.
• The maximum aperture varies from f/3.5 at 18mm to f/5.6 at 135mm.
• For fast, precise, and quiet autofocus, the lens has a linear motor (LM) and OIS on the lens reduces camera shake.

Brand	Fujifilm
Type	Versatile Zoom lensCovers wide-angle to telephoto
Effective zoom range	7.5x
Image Stabilization	5 stops
Compatible Mounting	Fujifilm X
No.of diaphragm blades	7 bladesRounded
Lens construction	16 elements 12 groups
Minimum focus distance	0.45 m
Weight	490 g
Adjustment	I like the buttons in the front of the lens that make it easy to turn OIS on or off and also, right next to it, make it easy to lock the exposure or have it able to be adjusted
Durability	The “WR” indicates that the lens is weather-resistant, protecting against dust and moisture.
Chromatic Aberration	I observed some chromatic aberration at 23mm and 55mm.

Reasons to buy:

• Useful 27-206mm effective zoom range
• Great handling and 5-stop stabilizer

Reasons to avoid;

• Lack of powerful telephoto reach

Overall, the Fujifilm 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 WR LM R OIS lens offers versatility, making it suitable for various photography genres and scenes.

Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 II ASPH Power OIS

Telephoto zoom lens

• The Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 II ASPH Power OIS lens has a variable aperture range from f/3.5 to f/5.6.
• As you zoom in, the maximum aperture decreases from f/3.5 at 14mm to f/5.6 at 140mm.
• Panasonic’s Micro Four Thirds cameras use this lens, which has Power OIS (Optical Image Stabilization).

Brand	Panasonic
Type	Telephoto zoom lens
Effective zoom range	28-280 mm
Image Stabilization	4 stops
Compatible Mounting	Micro-third mirrorless
No.of diaphragm blades	7 bladesrounded
Lens construction	14 elements in 12 groupsthree aspherical lenses and two ED (extra-low dispersion) lenses
Minimum focus distance	0.3 m
Weight	265 g
Adjustment	Zoom adjustment is done manually.
Durability	With its Power OIS image stabilization, you can rest assured that your photos will be blur-free.
Chromatic Aberration	Bit of chromatic aberration

Reasons to buy:

• Provides a wide-angle telephoto coverage
• The built-in Power OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) helps to reduce camera shake
• Compact and Lightweight

Reasons to avoid;

• The maximum aperture decreases as you zoom in.
• The lens’s variable focal length range is useful, but fixed-focal-length or wider-aperture lenses may produce better results.

In conclusion, this lens is adaptable and can capture a variety of themes and scenarios, including travel, outdoor adventures, everyday moments, portraiture, events and celebrations, wildlife, and nature.

Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS

Full frame telephoto zoom lens with OSS

• The Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS lens has a variable aperture, meaning the maximum aperture changes as you zoom in or out.
• The maximum aperture is f/3.5 at 24mm and  f/6.3 at 240mm.

• Remember that as you zoom in from 24mm to 240mm, the maximum aperture gradually decreases.

• At any given focal length between 24mm and 240mm, you can select an aperture within the specified range.

Brand	Sony
Type	Full frame telephoto zoom lens
Effective zoom range	10x
Image Stabilization	3 stops
Compatible Mounting	Sony E (NEX)
No.of diaphragm blades	7 bladesRounded
Lens construction	17 elements 12 groups
Minimum focus distance	0.5 – 0.8 m
Weight	780 g
Adjustment	Features manual and electronic autofocus settings, letting users to convert between accurate manual focus control and automatic focus.
Durability	Versatile enough to get expansive landscape images at the wide angle end of the range.
Chromatic Aberration	color  fringing can be observed, particularly in high-contrast scenes

Reasons to buy:

• Optical SteadyShot (OSS)
• Travel-friendly

Reasons to avoid;

• Limited Low-Light Performance

So, the Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS lens is a good option for travel, outdoor photography, and everyday shooting.

Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III VC

Telephoto zoom lens designed for mirrorless cameras with APS-C sensor

• The Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III VC lens is designed for Sony E-mount cameras.
• Similar to the Sony FE 24-240mm lens, it also has a variable aperture. Maximum aperture is f/3.5 at 18mm and f/6.3 at 200mm
• As you zoom in from 18mm to 200mm, the maximum aperture gradually decreases.
• At any given focal length within that range, you can select an aperture within the specified f/3.5-6.3 range.

Brand	Tamaron
Type	Telephoto zoom lensfor mirrorless cameras with APS-C sensor
Effective zoom range	11.1x
Image Stabilization	4 stops
Compatible Mounting	Sony E (NEX)
No.of diaphragm blades	7 bladesCircular
Lens construction	17 elements 13 groups
Minimum focus distance	0.5 m
Weight	460 g
Adjustment	Fringing increases when the lens zooms in
Durability	Compact and Lightweight
Chromatic Aberration	chromatic aberrations occur most strongly at 200mm

Reasons to buy:

• Wide Zoom Range
• Vibration Compensation (VC)
• Compact and Lightweight

Reasons to avoid;

• Limited Low-Light Performance
• Color fringing with a long zoom
• Short-zoom barrel distortion is strong.

The Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III VC lens is best suited for casual photography, travel, and everyday use.

Conclusion

In conclusion, based on personal research, a versatile camera lens with a wide focal length range is ideal for travel photography.

An all-in-one lens covering wide-angle and telephoto perspectives eliminates the need for frequent changes, making it a convenient choice for capturing diverse landscapes and moments during travel.