Top 6 – Cameras for Climbing Photography & Videography

Best Cameras to Get Awesome Rock Climbing Pictures

Are you looking for the best climbing camera or mountaineering camera for your next trip? If so, you have come to the right place!

Pictures are the best way to capture and share our rock climbing experiences. The problem is, 90% of the pictures are taken on a cell phone (which works for showing off to your family but won't cut it with your fellow climbers). While camera phones these days are very good quality, if you want to get one of those mind-blowing Jimmy Chin pics then you need an upgrade.

Mountaineering and Rock Climbing Cameras are not something you can walk into your local big-box store and ask a sales associate about (unless you live in Boulder CO...). These cameras need to take some rad shots but also withstand the elements of the great outdoors.

The camera industry has blown up in the past few years. Cameras have been coming out with more and more advanced options and technologies.

These technologies include:

• High-Resolution Sensors
• Fast and Accurate Auto Focus
• Rapid Frame Rate
• Electronic Viewfinders
• Low Lighting Capabilities (High ISO Range)
• Modular Lens Options
• Built-in WiFi and NFC
• And much more

Features like these help us capture the climber in the perfect moment. For tips on how to take better climbing pictures check out This Link. Do remember that even the most expensive camera in the world won't make you a good photographer. You need to understand the camera and the techniques needed to get a good shot.

With thousands of cameras out there on the market today it is difficult to pick which ones will work best for climbing. That being said, with all the different disciplines of climbing today one camera might suit you better than another. In these reviews, we chose cameras that met the following criteria.

• Light Weight - Won't weigh you down while jugging up a fixed-line.
• Compact - Need to fit in your pack with ease.
• High Resolution - The more pixels the better right?
• Fast Auto Focus (AF) - Manual focus is great but sometimes you don't have time for that.
• Long Battery Life - A dead camera = no pictures
• Video Quality - While pictures are probably more important, having a high-quality video is a must!

With all of these things in mind here are the 6 best cameras for climbing:

Weight: 340g
Compact: Yes
Resolution: 20.1MP
Auto Focus (AF): 49 point
Battery: 370 pictures
Video Quality: 4k 30fps

The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS200 is a great option for someone looking for simplicity and quality. With a 15x zoom lens this will let you get the shots you need while keeping your pack nice and light. With extra features like 4k video and built-in WiFi, this is a great beginner level camera at a price that won't break the bank.

If you choose the ZS200 you won't be disappointed. This camera is both easy to use and fun to take shots with. At the price point, it is hard to pass up.

 

Weight: 118g
Compact: Extremely
Resolution: 12MP
Auto Focus (AF): N/A
Battery: 1-3 hrs. est.
Video Quality: 4k 30fps, 1080 up to 120fps, 720 up to 240fps

Update: there are new models for the GoPro now. For the money, the Hero5 seems like a better deal. We will keep you updated if something changes.

You couldn't make a list like this without mentioning GoPro. While this is not the best for stills, it has high-quality video capabilities and it comes with an indestructible body.

This is the camera that goes anywhere you go, so you will always be able to document your adventures. When it comes to the alpine, the GoPro is the best camera for high altitude mountaineering. This thing is a rugged as it gets. While this may not be a good primary camera is it a must-have for any climbing adventure.

If you have the budget, we'd suggest getting a GoPro along with a dedicated camera. This will allow you to take amazing videos in places that you aren't comfortable taking your pricer camera.

Another great feature of the GoPro is the app that comes with the camera. It allows you to edit and pull stills from your videos while on the go!

A good alternative at a lower price point is the HERO Session. 

 

Weight: 730g
Compact: No
Resolution: 24.2 MP
Auto Focus (AF): 45 point
Battery: Over 1000 pictures
Video Quality: 1080 60fps

The main thing that impressed us with this camera was the extremely crisp and clear photos it took. This camera is absolutely stellar and the pictures it takes will definitely not disappoint.

The Canon EOS 80D is a classic DSLR with some cutting-edge technologies. With very easy to use auto settings, the 80D will make anyone look like a pro. This very large camera will not fit in your jacket pocket but you will be able to shoot high-quality images for much longer than its smaller competitors without a recharge.

The Canon 80D has an APS-C (22.5 x 15.0mm) sensor which will make your pictures come out super crisp! This camera offers a variety of lenses for purchase to make sure you can get the right shot. If you are looking for something to take more than just rock climbing pictures this will be a good option for you.

 

Weight: 27g
Compact: Extremely
Resolution: 9MP
Auto Focus (AF): N/A
Battery: 2.5 hrs with case
Video Quality: 42560x1440@50fps, 30fps, 25fps, 24fps    1920x1080@50fps, 30fps, 25fps, 24fps

The Insta360 Go 2 is the smallest action camera I've ever seen. It's so packable that you won't have any issues bringing it along for your next adventure.

The video quality and stabilization of the Go 2 are absolutely stunning. No need for a large video camera with a bulky and expensive gimbal!

This camera comes with some pretty sweet accessories that will help you capture the action up close and personal. Other than the typical mount made popular by Go Pro, the Insta360 has a few added features made possible by its small size, lightweight, and magnetic back. This means you can get first-person footage, and even record your friends climbing without holding the camera in your hand #spottercam #belaycam!

Insta360 has a very powerful mobile app and desktop app that lets you easily cut, edit, and filter your footage. This would be ideal for someone trying to make quick clips for social media.

The only downsides to the Insta360 Go 2 are the low storage space and some of the controls. If you are shooting in Pro Mode (which I suggest), you only get about 30 minutes of storage. This means you will have to clear out the videos onto your Phone or Computer. This can be difficult when you're on a climbing trip. It should be noted that there is no SD card slot, just internal storage. With the lack of a preview screen, it can be difficult to get the shot you are looking for. You can attach the camera to your phone, via the app, which works quite nicely. The only issue is it can drain the battery rather quickly (on both devices). After a few sessions out with the camera you get a feel for the frame and controls so this becomes less of an issue.

Overall, this camera is a steal for the price. You get high-quality video you can bring with you anywhere.

 

Weight: 340g
Compact: Yes
Resolution: 24.3 MP
Auto Focus (AF): 179 point
Battery: 420 pictures
Video Quality: 1080/24/60p

Although this camera is a few years old it still has some of the best specs on the market. With a compact size, it will be able to travel anywhere and still give you the high-quality images of a full-sized DSLR.

If you are looking for something with professional picture capabilities but don't have $2000 bucks to drop then this is the one for you! Plus this thing can easily fit in a jacket pocket, try to do that with a traditional DSLR.

This camera also comes with a removable lens so you can get some extra glass to make your camera more versatile. With a high-resolution (921,000 dots) Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) you will be able to see how the picture will come out before you take it. It also comes it a tilting LCD screen for shots that require a tough angle. This model includes WiFi and NFC capabilities for on-the-go sharing.

If you have the extra cash and want to get the most up to date model check out the Sony a6600 

 

Weight: 625g
Compact: No
Resolution: 42.4 MP
Auto Focus (AF): 399 point
Battery: 340 pictures
Video Quality: 4k 30fps

The Sony Alpha ar7II is the best all-around cameras on the market today. While this is not in most dirtbag climbers price range it will no doubt blow away the competition.

This camera is reserved for mainly professional rock climbing photographers and very serious amateur photographers. Although if you have it in your budget you really can't go wrong with this camera.

With a whopping 42.4 MP sensor, you can count on your photos coming out sharper and clearer than anyone else. Sony's AF technology is cutting edge and the ar7II has the most advanced system yet with 399 point detection. With the EVF having 2,359,296 dots, you can expect a crystal clear images with this Sony. This camera comes with 5-axis in-body image stabilization inside the camera to make sure the 4k video comes out stable and crisp.

If you can afford it this is the camera you want.

 

This camera is the best overall value as well as the most versatile for the price.

If you never want to worry about your camera breaking on you then this is the one for you.

If you have the dough this is it. You will not be disappointed this the camera.

We hope you liked the cameras listed in this article. If you have a camera you like better than the ones we listed leave a comment below or send us an email.

Keep Crushing!