As you traverse the iconic slopes of Kilimanjaro or gaze admiringly upon the wildlife at Arusha National Park, the inescapable urge to capture the surreal sights and scenes will overcome you. Before embarking on an adventure of this magnitude, you’ll want to do at least some homework to find the device or gear (assuming you don’t already own it) that best suits your needs to ensure those countless memories are preserved and can be cherished for years to come. As the saying goes, “The best camera is the one that’s with you,” and while that remains an absolute truth, a little research and consideration might just help you avoid returning home with hundreds of photos that, even with editing, do no amount of justice to what you experienced first-hand.
Ansel Adams and Jimmy Chin most of us are not, and thus we should in most instances refrain from lugging thousands of dollars in camera equipment halfway around the globe and then up and down a 20,000-foot (dormant) volcano that will prove amply challenging on its own. The reality for most is that we just want to get the most “bang for our buck,” and have limited to no experience dealing with aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and the numerous other settings one can get wrapped up in. Rest assured, there are plenty of cameras and camera phones on the market today that are capable of eliminating much of that guesswork. There are also countless photo editing programs and phone apps (many of them free) that can turn an otherwise average image into something that transports you right back into that moment.
Before you even begin looking at what’s out there, you’ll want to ask yourself a few simple questions: Are you only climbing the mountain? This might direct your search toward something capable of delivering wide-angle landscape shots in a variety of light conditions. Will you be going on a safari during your trip? If so, you might want something with powerful zoom capability that can also take multiple images in rapid succession while aimed at a dazzle of frolicking zebras. Are you adding a couple beach days in Zanzibar? Perhaps you’ve seen those stunning 4k YouTube nature videos and have visions of capturing the tranquil bliss of an unimaginably beautiful beach scene. Answering these few basic questions before diving headlong into your Google search will help start you on a more direct path.
For the purposes of simplifying things still further, we’ll highlight the pros and cons of one reputable option from each of the three categories of camera (camera phone, point-and-shoot, and DSLR).
Camera Phone
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max:
PROS
- 48 megapixel (MP) main camera (module), along with 12MP ultrawide and 12MP telephoto modules with 3x optical zoom (To offer some context, when I bought the iPhone 7 Plus a few years back, it was one of the best camera phones available and had a 12MP main camera and a 7MP selfie camera)
- Action mode when taking videos, which makes for less wobbly videos
- Four available storage options (128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB – price increases with storage capacity)
- Estimated battery life of over 13 hours
- Self-contained, meaning you don’t have to worry about multiple lenses, changeable batteries and memory cards, and all the other accessories you might need with other camera options
CONS
- $750-$1000, depending on storage capacity
- Many reviews insist that the 14 is not that much better than some of the iPhone 12 and 13 models, which can be found for a fraction of the price
- A lack of a SIM card slot is a major drawback for some, though if you arrive in Tanzania with a near empty phone and a terabyte of storage to play with, this shouldn’t be an issue
- The size (6.33” in length by 3.05” in width by 0.31” in thickness not counting a case), and weighs in at just over half a pound
- Zoom functionality with any phone is limited, though the iPhone 14 Pro Max is touted as one of the best on the market
- If you’re relying on a cellphone as your primary camera, you will also need to bring a portable charging device, and will want to ration your usage throughout the day as the portable chargers carry only a certain amount of charges
Point and Shoot
Olympus Tough TG-6
PROS
- Small and lightweight (9 ounces/.26kg), as well as waterproof to 15m (50 feet), dustproof, shockproof to 2.1m/7 feet, crushproof, anti-fog, and freeze-proof down to -10 Celsius or 14 degrees Fahrenheit (this is basically the modern equivalent of what I had in 2015)
- High resolution lens, maximum 4x optical zoom, 4k video and full HD (1080p) @ 120 frames per second
- Arguably one of its best features is its ability to shoot RAW images, meaning they are uncompressed, unlike JPEG (which it can also shoot) – this means you can use photo editing in post to pick up hidden details
- Flash can be manually controlled in 18 increments to adjust to different lighting scenarios
- Image stabilization for both movies and stills
- GPS can record location, altitude, and air temperature for photos and videos
- Memory card slot, so you can bring as many as you can safely store
CONS
- 12MP image resolution, which may require more work in editing to achieve the desired result
- No fully manual control (which may be a pro for some)
- Small (1/2.3-inch) sensor, which can result in more noise in low-light photos
- According to some, it’s not much of an upgrade from its predecessor (TG-5)
- 340 Images per charge, so you will likely want to have additional batteries, which are sold online for between $30-40 each
- You will need to carry a bag or have the ability to safely store the camera and additional batteries and memory cards
- $450-500 for the camera, with the option to purchase additional accessory bundles that allow for underwater shooting, better protection, and different types of lenses, for example
Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR)
Nikon D850
PROS
- Continuous shooting speed (7 frames per second at full resolution – capable of 9 with optional add-ons) that rivals a dedicated sports camera
- Made for capturing nature and landscapes
- 4k Ultra High Definition (3840×2160) video recording at 30 frames per second
- 4k and 8k time-lapse
- 7MP resolution photos
- Dynamic range down to ISO 64 (expandable down to 32), which is the lowest base ISO of any DSLR camera (this numerical value represents the camera’s sensitivity to light); bright-light conditions benefit from lower ISO values
- RAW photo capability in three different compression sizes
- Built-in wireless connectivity
- Can shoot approximately 1800 shots at full resolution or approximately 70 minutes of video on a single charge
- Built to withstand harsh weather conditions
CONS
- $2000-2500 just for the camera body
- The need for additional accessories, batteries, memory cards, lenses and equipment to store and maintain, which could add $1000s more to the total cost
- The inherent stress of having multiple pieces of high-priced gear to manage and protect from the elements
- More expertise is required on the part of the user in order to get the most out of the camera and justify the added expense of going with this option
- The size and weight is greater than the other alternatives (5.7” x 4.9” x 3.1” and 2.01 lbs)
- Operating temperature is listed as 32 degrees F (0 Celsius) to 104 F (40 Celsius), meaning summit day and the evening before may bring about some weather-related challenges
The decision you arrive at should be based on your comfort level in both the technology you’re carrying with you and with how much bulk it adds to your pack. The last thing you want to do is make climbing Kilimanjaro more challenging than it already is because you elected to bring $5000 worth of camera and accessories up the mountain without prior experience in similar scenarios. Whatever option you ultimately go with, try to get out in the field with that device or that equipment ahead of your trip. Take pictures in various lighting conditions, play with settings, if applicable, and tinker with different free editing software that’s available and see if you’re happy with the results. As was mentioned earlier, “the best camera is the one that’s with you,” and if in the end you’re able to look through the many gigabytes of photos and videos you’ve taken and smile, well then there’s nothing left to do but reminisce