Best dSLR camera for trekking

If you want the best camera system for your trek, you've come to the right place here. I'll show you a couple of options for the best dSLR trekking cameras. This is the true photography aisle! Perhaps you've used compact pocket size cameras before and now ready to upgrade to get the best image quality, the best user experience! Would be nice with the ability to make poster-size prints from your trek, right? There's no way around it then. You need to get yourself a SLR camera! Just know that for trekking, the SLR cameras can be a bit awkward to carry. Not impossible either, I do it all the time. There's also a lightweight option here, at the bottom of this post.

(This is the last post of the 4-part series about finding the Best Camera for Trekking.)

• Choosing the best camera for trekking
• Best mini / ultra-compact camera for trekking
  
• Best compact camera for trekking
• Best dSLR camera for trekking

When it comes to SLR cameras, you also need to consider the camera system. IE, what lenses goes with the camera. The two hottest products now (September 2009) are the Canon 5D Mark II and the Nikon D700, both full-frame cameras and both manufacturers have an amazing arsenal of general purpose and specialist lenses. It’s really the battle of the giants here. The heavy-weight championship of cameras! I myself am a Canon man, but all respect to the Nikon folks as well!

The big setup (Canon)

This is the camera gear that I'm mostly using when trekking. It's a bit heavy of course, but for me it's worth the weight. Top image quality, high resolution, solid construction etc. You can get the equivalent in Nikon, here's the gear list:

Canon 5D Mark II (0.9kg, 2700$) Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L (1.0kg, 1300$) Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L (1.4kg, 1500$) Canon total : 3.3kg, 5500$.

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Nikon D700 (1.1kg, 2300$) Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 Nikkor (0.9kg, 1900$) Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 Nikkor (1.4kg, 48oz, 1600$) Nikon total : 3.4kg, 5800$.

(for full details, reviews and order, click any link)

In the end it's a close call by these numbers. I'd say the advantage goes to Canon though, since it has video recording in it's camera and it has significantly more megapixels (21 over Nikon's 12) which can be useful for landscapes, while the Nikon is faster and perhaps better for action. But still, they're both great!

Any lightweight and cheap dSLR trekking cameras?

However, these cameras are pretty heavy for taking along on your trek. I can already hear a choir of trekkers asking me: Can't we get a good dSLR camera for trekking that weighs under 1 kg and costs under 1000 dollars?

The simple set-up, Canon 500D + 28mm prime lens

Yes, you can! - If I have to go extremely lightweight for a trek, while wanting some top gear, I'll go with something like this (my stuff is older models, but same idea). The Canon 500D camera (called T1i in the USA) with a fixed Canon 28mm f/2.8 Lens! Or the Nikon equivalent: The Nikon D5000camera and their 28mm f/2.8 lens.
(again, click links for more detailed info / order)

Both have very good image quality and are easy to carry, both with a weight of only 0.8kg everything included! Expect to pay around $900-950 for either set (camera + lens). Both have superb image quality: High ISO, lots of megapixels etc. Both have video recording etc. Won't go into the details here. But click on the links and there'll be more detailed descriptions and reviews.

But there’s no zoom, no wide-angle, no tele-photo…! It's just a simple prime lens?
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That’s right! And you know what? This camera and lens gives me a good, old-fashioned joy of taking pictures! It’s no-nonsense, back-to-basics. I’m sure an old photographic grand-master like Henri Cartier-Bresson would give me a pad on my back, if he could. No fancy frills and features here. Just a man and his camera, capturing cool compositions and decisive moments! You get this advice from pro photographers a lot. Just get a good, little prime and learn to use it well! On a cropped-size-frame camera like this, the 28 mm turns into something a little less than a 50 mm lens. Good for both capturing scenery and people. Not really wildlife, unless you manage to sneak up on a yak or a snow leopard!

No, seriously. When you get back and print out your photos, you can enjoy that the whole series is taken with the same ‘expression’. Same ‘perspective’. There will be a certain consistency. So for SLR’s and lightweight demands, that will be my ideal trekking camera!

What about using the kit lens that comes with the cameras very cheap?

Well, if you must. But typical kit lenses aren't something to cheer for, I'm afraid. The quality is much better with a simple little prime lens, like the ones I mentioned.

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The easiest way to buy any of these dSLR cameras for your trek is to order it online - and have it delivered on your doorstep in a few days! Just click any of the above links to see more user reviews and order. You will also be supporting my blogging efforts and it won't cost you extra.

Happy trekking and happy shooting!