9 Best GPS Camera in 2024

While there are hundreds of extremely powerful digital point and shoot cameras available in the market today, not all of them are equal. One feature that remains quite rare among modern-day cameras is geotagging with the help of built-in GPS. This feature allows your freshly captured photos or videos to be tagged with the location information. So how do we find cameras with built-in GPS? Well, it requires a bit of digging. Fortunately, we’ve done that for you to come up with nine separate best GPS camera that offer GPS by default.

The lack of GPS sensors on cameras is so widespread that camera makers and third-party manufacturers even sell something known as a GPS unit that can be added to their cameras later.

It’s worth noting that built-in GPS can only be found in some of the higher-priced cameras, although we’ve managed to uncover some GPS cameras that will go easier on your wallets. We will also go through the pros and cons of these GPS cameras which should make the choice easier for you.

So with that in mind, let’s have a closer look at some of the best GPS cameras available in the market today.

Best GPS Camera in 2024

 

 

1. GoPro Hero7

This may seem like a slightly unconventional choice on this list, but it fits all the criteria. The GoPro Hero7 is among the many GoPro cameras that offer comprehensive photo and video capture abilities with the advantage of being half the size of most point and shoot cameras. Speaking of which, GoPro uses a 12 MP sensor on the Hero7, which is capable of stunning stills and high-quality 4K video recording. Clever face detection features are included here as well.

The inclusion of GoPro’s iconic HyperSmooth tech allows the Hero7 to provide gimbal-like image stabilization, particularly with videos. One of our favorite features of the Hero7 is SuperPhoto which automatically applies HDR, local tone mapping, or noise reduction for high-quality photos. The Hero7 also lets you live stream videos on your favorite platforms, which is yet another feather in its cap.

One of the biggest features of this camera is its ability to shoot pictures and videos in harsh conditions like snow or even underwater thanks to built-in water resistance. The built-in GPS on this highly portable action camera allows you to measure how far you went or how high you jumped, among other metrics. All pictures and videos captured on this camera go directly into the GoPro app, making it easier to find all your recorded content in one location.

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2. Pentax K-1 Mark II

Japanese manufacturer Pentax makes some of the best cameras out there. The K-1 Mark II by the manufacturer is pretty much up there. It consists of a 36 MP sensor with an AA filter. Though this model is sold with the camera body only, users can also choose to get bundles with the suitable lens. As you would expect, this is a high-end digital camera with excellent image quality. It is backed by a powerful image sensor to make sure your photos look fantastic each time.

Other inclusions include Engine Accelerometer to help reduce noise in your photos as well as APS C crop mode which enables compatibility with Pentax K mount lenses. Those willing to take photos of the stars will welcome the inclusion of Astro tracer extended exposure mode on this highly capable camera. Users will also find that all photos are geotagged by default thanks to the presence of a GPS chip, though this feature can be toggled via the settings.

The manufacturer mentions that it supports 1080p Full HD video capture, which is in line with most high-end cameras available right now. The battery of the Pentax K-1 Mark II can reportedly last for up to 670 still frames and approximately 340 minutes of video playback. It’s worth pointing out that this camera lacks a dedicated flash unit, so customers may have to get one separately. This GPS camera isn’t the cheapest in terms of price, but customers and experts believe the features justify the premium price tag.

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3. Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX400V

Sony’s expertise in the camera industry is well documented. However, this is one of the company’s few cameras with a built-in GPS chip. It uses a 1/2.3-inch optical sensor (20.4 MP Exmor R CMOS) with the ability to capture excellent low-light images. This is coupled with a 3-inch LCD screen. It uses a premium ZEISS Clear Image Zoom lens and is backed by internal features like panorama as well as 360-degree video recording. The inclusion of Optical SteadyShot significantly minimizes the blurring of pictures.

The Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX400V is also backed by modern features like Wi-Fi and NFC, allowing users to pair the camera with their smartphones for image transfer and other tasks. Though it only supports 1080p video recording, this 20.4 MP point and shoot camera comes with a massive 50X zoom by default. The GPS chip works exactly as advertised, and users should have geotagged photos by default.

This GPS camera uses Sony’s renowned Exmor R CMOS sensor for optimum performance. As for the battery life, the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX400V can reportedly last for up to 300 still images, which is pretty decent in comparison with other standard lens cameras.

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4. Panasonic LUMIX ZS100

This GPS camera uses a large 20 MP sensor with features like optical image stabilization to capture excellent images and videos. It is accompanied by a 25-250mm LEICA DC Lens with a 10X optical zoom and wide F/2.8-5.9 aperture for exciting background blurring effects. Unlike some of the cameras we’ve spoken about today, this Panasonic Lumix model comes with a touchscreen LCD panel to help you navigate its features more easily.

As a bonus, this GPS camera also supports 4K video recording which is a welcome addition for sure. The inclusion of a lens mounted control ring brings DSLR style exposure control for your photos. We also like the inclusion of a conventional viewfinder on this camera, something that we don’t see a lot of in modern digital cameras. Though there’s no built-in GPS here, it uses your smartphone’s location to effectively geotag images.

The standard set of features like face detection and Wi-Fi connectivity to establish a connection with your favorite mobile devices. Overall, the Panasonic Lumix ZS100 has all the physical attributes that would impress a traditionalist while also offering modern and standout features, thus offering the best of both worlds.

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5. Olympus TG-5

The Olympus TG-5 is an excellent inclusion on this list thanks to its set of features. Though it only has a 12 MP sensor on board, it is capable of capturing excellent images as well as video thanks to the bright f2.0 high speed lens. As for location tagging on your pictures, it has a Field sensor system with GPS along with manometer, compass, and temperature sensors. Olympus includes a Dual Quad Core TruePic VIII image processor which brings features like night time live composite mode, microscope mode, and RAW capture.

The body of the Olympus TG-5 is designed to withstand the elements, and is also waterproof (up to 50 feet), making it one of the best rugged GPS cameras out there. It is also shockproof at up to 7 feet and dust proof. In terms of the battery, it can last for about 340 images on a single charge or 110 minutes of video capture. Further, it uses a CMOS sensor for autofocus, known officially as the CMOS Contrast Detection System. This GPS camera also has a 3-inch LCD screen.

This camera is designed to be smartphone ready, with Olympus also offering a free app that lets you transfer pictures and videos onto your mobile device. Unfortunately, this camera lacks the ability to pair wirelessly with a PC/Mac.

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6. Nikon COOLPIX S9700

This GPS camera by Nikon covers a lot of bases, putting it among the best in the business right now. For starters, it comes with a wide-angle 16 MP camera sensor which is supported by 20x optical zoom and up to 60x zoom using the company’s Dynamic Fine Zoom. There’s also a pretty bright flash unit here, although Nikon doesn’t allow turning it off easily.

The built-in GPS function works perfectly well on the Coolpix S9700, and is a great way to have a detailed geographical map of your trips or vacations. The inclusion of Wi-Fi allows for photos to be instantly shared with nearby devices, including smartphones and tablets. Customers can also wirelessly control the camera using their phones. Users are recommended to download Nikon’s free mobile app which unlocks extensive camera controls.

Further, features like the Electronic Compass and Points of Interest (POI) can be pretty useful while shooting photos or videos. Nikon mentions that the camera can shoot 1080p video, though we would have liked to see support for 4K video capabilities. As for the battery life, Nikon mentions that the Coolpix S9700 can last for up to 300 still shots, which is as good as it can get with a GPS camera of this size.

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7. Nikon W300

The second Nikon camera on our list, the Nikon W300 is one of the best affordable rugged cameras that also has a GPS sensor built-in. What’s even better is the fact that this GPS camera is rated to be waterproof, freeze proof, shockproof, and dustproof, making it well suited for an trips to the wild. Nikon has also included other important features like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which allows easy pairing with wireless devices like your smartphone.

Speaking of which, the W300 is also compatible with the Nikon SnapBridge application which is available as a free download on Android and iOS devices. This app lets you transfer pictures to your phone or any other device using either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. As for the hardware underneath, Nikon mentions that this GPS camera is equipped with a 16 MP backside illuminated CMOS sensor with included 5x optical zoom. This camera can also shoot 4K Ultra HD videos.

Other features like Hybrid Vibration Reduction make sure your pictures are shake free every single time. Lastly, the camera’s features are all very easy to access thanks to the dedicated tool button which offers easy access to GPS, eCompass, and other features. Given the size of this GPS camera, the battery is somewhat short at only 280 shots as per Nikon.

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8. Fujifilm FinePix XP30

The Fujifilm FinePix XP30 may not look like much, but it has a ton of decent features hidden underneath. To start off, it comes with a 14 MP CCD sensor accompanied by 5x wide-angle optical zoom. There’s also a 2.7-inch LCD screen that doubles as a digital viewfinder. Much like the camera we spoke of above, the FinePix XP30 is rated to be waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, and dustproof, putting it in the elite league of GPS cameras.

Speaking of GPS, Fujifilm includes a dedicated sensor on board with the ability to automatically add location data to your pictures along with precise cooridnates. Other exciting features like face detection and automatic red eye reduction go a long way in improving image quality.

Fujifilm mentions that this GPS camera uses a Dual Image Stabilization (CIS) system that makes sure your images and videos look perfect each time. Oddly, the battery on the FinePix XP30 can only last for around 165 shots which is significantly low in comparison to other offerings we’ve talked about today.

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9. Leica V-LUX 30

Brands like Leica need no introduction in the camera segment. The company has paired with several high-end mobile manufacturers recently. The V-Lux 30 comes with a distinctive Leica-style design, while the hardware underneath is built to match it. Leica is using a 14.1 MP camera with a 1/2.33-inch CMOS sensor. It can record videos in 1080p resolution while also allowing 16x zoom by default thanks to the Leica DC Vario-Elmar 4.3 lens.

There’s also a 3-inch LCD touchscreen on the V-LUX 30 which should help navigate its myriad features comfortably. The company is touting the inclusion of a new 3D mode that allows photographers to capture creative images. As you would expect, there’s built-in GPS here with the ability to save your geographical coordinates within the EXIF data of each image/video.

Customers will also find that the V-LUX 30 offers excellent image stabilization with handy software tricks like face detection, and others. This GPS camera also includes a stereo microphone to capture high quality audio whilst shooting videos. Users can download the Leica FOTOS app to remotely control the camera, transfer/edit pictures, and more.

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