After May, comes June, and then, you know what time it is? Summa! (Or if you live anywhere but Boston, New York or London – it’s summer!) And you’ve decided to lift your body off the computer chair for the oncoming season with some travel and hiking plans. Now, you need some sturdy shoes that can rough any terrain and a fantastic camera to catch each sight in its purest form.

The first thing to consider when buying a camera for this purpose is how much weight you are willing to add to your backpack and what size camera suits your needs. Remember the gear as well – meaning memory cards, spare batteries, and lenses. You may want some filters and a tripod too.

If you are looking for a compact camera that’ll fit in your pocket and allow you to zoom with a 40X optical zoom lens, consider the Canon PowerShot SX720. It has built-in WIFI and an HD video recording feature as well.

Another lightweight that is no “lightweight” is the Canon PowerShot G9X. This option will allow you to take better quality pics than with one of the leading smartphone cameras and has a 28-84mm zoom lens. Yeehaw!

If your traveling is likely to take you to crowded bazaars, speed boats, or romantic places with low lighting, you might want to consider the Canon G7X Mark II. Its lens will cover wide-angle to short-telephoto zooms and has superior focusing speeds and enhanced image stabilization.

Are you that iPhone camera user who wishes for something better to use on your special trip? Well, the Canon Rebel T6 may be your answer. It has an 18-megapixel sensor, DIGIC 4+ image processing and full 1080p video recording to make sure you get solid performance.One CYA staffer recommends this model for its “optimal speed for action shots, choice of optics (interchangeable lenses), and compatible accessories.” His other recommendation for the same prized characteristics is the D3400. So, check them out!

If white water rafting or other wild splashing activities are on your agenda, you should consider Go Pro’s Hero 6 Model with its tough outer case and ability to function with or under water. Your videos, regular or slow motion, will come out sharp and smooth and your still shots will be top quality.

The Olympus Tough TG5 is your baby if you will be spending lots of time underwater and want to utilize a 4k video, bursts of 20fps photos and raw image data for great quality post-editing. With this camera, you can get real close to crocodiles and still get clear depth of field in HD quality. And if crocodiles are not your thing, but you love to follow racing cheetahs in a field or take shots out of your rough and topless jeep, you may want to consider the compact Sony Alpha A6300. It has a 4D Focus system that enables you to zero in on moving objects in 0.05 seconds!

Zoom Zoom Zoom in on bugs chewing through leaves or birds fluttering in trees with the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000, one of the most versatile mirrorless cameras on the market. It has a 16x zoom and a 20-megapixel MOS sensor which is about 4 x larger than most long-zoom compact cameras.

After you’ve made your choice, make sure to buy camera insurance. You can get a camera insurance policy for your new toy at CYA and keep your camera in excellent condition for your next vacay. Here’s to a future with fun-filled, memory-worthy travel. Have a great trip!