Smartphones are good, but these cameras will make your vacations more memorable

They say the best camera is the one you have with you when you need it, and while that statement is largely true, who says you cannot always have a good camera on hand? While smartphone cameras are great for everyday use, special occasions, like vacations, call for something, well, special! If you’re going on an exotic vacation, dedicated cameras can change the memories you bring back.

Let’s face it, dedicated cameras have always been more powerful and capable at taking pictures compared to our phones. Irrespective of which iPhone or Galaxy you have, a true camera will perform better when you’ve multiple people to focus, or when the lighting gets tricky. Also, cameras need not always mean bulky DSLRs. There are many compact cameras you can take on your next vacation. Here are five instances where true cameras will always beat your smartphone.

Night-time shots

Whether it is a night under the stars when camping, or your dream cruise trip, night-time memories need some extra effort to capture. While most phones will fall apart when it comes to capturing shots in the dark, mirrorless cameras like the Nikon Z 6II, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and the popular Canon EOS R10 will capture frame-worthy shots. This is thanks to the large sensors on these cameras, which will also let you take some neat long exposure shots when you’re feeling creative.

ALSO READ: A guide to mirrorless cameras

Adventure sports and safaris

Your vacation may include some adventure in the form of activities like parasailing, surfing, or even skydiving. As fun as these sports are, they also require you to have special cameras to capture memories. Your phone may not be cut out for going under water or being attached to your mountain bike, but an action camera like the GoPro Hero 10 or the Insta360 X3 is more than capable.

On the other hand, safaris can be full of fast-moving subjects and vibrant colours. To capture animals on the move, you’d want a camera that can focus accurately and fast. You could also really use a device that’s good at burst shots during these scenarios. Consider options like the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III or the Canon EOS R50.

At the beach

If your vacation doesn’t have at least one trip to a sunny beach, are you really even on a vacation? Well, we’ll let you decide that. However, if you do frequent beaches, you know they can be full of fast-moving objects and scenarios. Whether it’s capturing your kids’ precious smiles in the water, or someone perfectly surfing a wave, these moments can come and go before you blink.

To capture these shots quick and without any blurry lines, you’ll need some good cameras like the Nikon Z FC or the Canon EOS R50. However, if you plan on going in the water, you’ll need an action camera like the GoPro Hero 10. Not to mention, if you do face liquid damage, you’d want your camera to take that risk when you’re far away from home, not your phone.

Timelapse and other high-quality videos

If you’re a fan of time-lapse or hyper-lapse videos, you’ll know they’re one of the best ways to capture the top moments from your trips. Be it a road-trip through the mountains, or a star-trail captured from atop a quiet hill, you want a camera that can stay up for long hours while you sit back and relax. Check out the Canon EOS 200D II or the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III.

ALSO READ: Travel essentials to stock up on for your next vacation

There are many instances where a dedicated camera will serve you better than your smartphone camera. Also keep in mind that you will likely be taking a lot of pictures and videos during your vacations. If you have a separate camera to take care of this, you won’t be burning through your phone’s battery every few hours. So, what camera will you have with you on your next trip?