Our Favorite Climbing Cameras

Nearly every climber we know is a “photographer” in 2025 thanks to the thin cell phones that slip so easily into a chalk bag or jacket pocket. But there is something extra satisfying about making a photo with a purpose-built camera rather than simply taking a photo with your iPhone. Climbers, however, must be discerning about which cameras they lug up mountains and cliffs. We need something durable, weather-resistant, and most importantly lightweight, lest we have biceps like Janja and quads like Killian.

We asked three of our regular contributing photographers for their favorite lightweight cameras. (And, yes, we included our favorite photo-making cell phone too.)

Best for lightweight commercial photography

Sony a1

The Sony a1 is my go-to camera for both climbing photography and run-and-gun verité filmmaking. It offers an unparalleled combination of speed, resolution, and versatility—qualities that are essential when capturing the dynamic and unpredictable world of adventure sports. Its 50.1-megapixel sensor delivers stunning image quality, even in challenging lighting conditions like the harsh contrasts of shady rock faces and bright skies. The 30 frame-per-second (fps) burst mode ensures I never miss a critical moment, whether it’s a climber making a dynamic move or a candid moment of human emotion. For filmmaking, the 8K video resolution and 4K at 120fps provide extraordinary detail and creative flexibility, perfect for crafting immersive, slow-motion sequences. I love that its robust build and weather sealing make it reliable in rugged environments, while its compact design—relative to other full-frame cameras—ensures easy portability in remote shooting locations. Paired with fast autofocus and exceptional dynamic range, the Sony a1 consistently enables me to capture the raw emotion and beauty of climbing adventures. —Eva Capozzola, contributing photographer and writer

$4,999

Weight: 737 g/26oz

Dimensions: 5.13×3.88×3.25 (in)

Best for all-around versatility

Sony Alpha 6500

Sony’s Alpha 6500 is a compact APSC-sensor camera with a great lens selection to help you get creative. The Alpha 6500 can fit in a small bag on your harness or even in a jacket pocket. Despite the small package, it is still a full-fledged workhorse, with solid low-light capabilities, durable exterior, and a decent battery life. I took this camera on countless missions in Patagonia, where I live, and it held up well against the area’s infamous wind and snow. Having a small rig like the 6500 is key in being able to take the shot while climbing or belaying in alpine environments, where speed equals safety. The 6500’s size, relatively low cost, and functionality of a “real” camera is what made me buy another after my first finally broke after years of abuse. —Kiff Alcocer, contributing photographer

$598

Weight: 453g/15.98oz

Dimensions: 4.72×2.64×2.09 (in)

Best for new and/or weight conscious photographers

Panasonic ZS100

Panasonic’s ZS100 is a classic, tiny point-and-shoot that can always be available on your harness. I find the ZS100 to be nearly as quick as a cell phone to snap a shot while on the move—except I have the versatility to adjust aperture and shutter speed as well. This camera has a noticeably lower image quality compared to the Sony Alpha 6500, but it is inexpensive, easy to use, and highly durable. If you are a beginner looking to buy a first camera, this is a great choice.—Kiff Alcocer

$599 (Discontinued but easy to find used online)

Weight: 312g/11.01oz

Dimensions: 4.37×2.56×1.73 (in)

Best cell phone camera

Google Pixel 8

Google’s Pixel 8 phone may not take print-worthy photos, but it is a worthy and super-light choice for photo-curious climbers. It has a long battery life—especially compared to iPhones—and has lasted me up to five days in the backcountry on a single charge (in “extreme battery saver” mode). The Pixel 8 has an ultrawide “0.5” lens, great for capturing all the action at cramped belays, and Google’s stock case is extremely grippy which makes me more inclined to snap a photo on an exposed multi-pitch. The Pixel 8 is noticeably smaller and therefore more attractive to climbers than its sibling, the Pixel 8 Pro, but be warned: while both phones are marketed as having 50 megapixel cameras, because of a digital process called “binning,” only the Pixel 8 Pro actually shoots at that resolution. —Anthony Walsh, digital editor at Climbing

$949

Weight: 187g/6.6oz

Dimensions: 5.9×2.8×0.4 (in)

Watch the Pixel 8 capture Olivier Boutin approaching the striking East Face of Snowpatch Spire, in the Bugaboos, B.C. Testers were impressed with both its photo and video capabilities, especially image stabilization.

Best camera bag

Hyperlight Camera Pod

I’ve been using the Hyperlight Camera Pod for nearly three years and it’s still going strong. Every time I take my camera into the mountain it comes in this bag. The Camera Pod has kept my camera safe on Cerro Torre and winter snow-kiting journeys on the vast Patagonian ice cap. The bag is highly water resistant and padded with closed-cell foam for extra protection. By using the sewn attachment points and some cordelette, you can easily switch from an over-the-shoulder carry to clipping it onto your harness. This is far and away the best camera bag I have ever used—there is literally nothing I would change about it.—Kiff Alcocer

$119

Weight: 79g/2.8oz

Dimensions (size regular): 7.0×5.5×3.8(in)