RainierView Loc: Eatonville, WA

My wife and I have our airline tickets traveling in May for our once in a lifetime trip from Seattle to Iceland. Staying there for 3 days then to Zurich, spend the night, change airlines going to Venice for 2 days. Then taking train from Venice to Florence changing trains to Siena, renting a car, driving to a villa in Passignano sul Trasimeno. Staying there for a week (for a wedding) taking trains to various points for the next 10 days. Returning home by train via Lucerne, staying there for 2 days before returning to Zurich for our flight home.

I said all this to make the point we will be going here and there with only a carry-on roller bag and a small backpack each. I'm 70 and can't be hauling heavy suitcases all over. We normally do not travel light so this is a big challenge. We will be cramming clothes for; the wedding, hiking on glaciers, and temps in the 70s, in the carry-on bag and backpack along with other necessities. Thankfully the villa has a washer and dryer.

Trying to cut down weight and volume, I'm debating taking my DSLR and only my 18-200 lens, or just using my cell phone. But I think I'd be kicking myself when there without my camera. This trip is breaking the bank so can't invest much in a good small pocket camera, if there is one better than a cell phone.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Also, if I take my camera is there any way to backup photos if only taking small tablet (if it fits), not a laptop.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

Sounds like a great trip. Right time of the year to travel.Not too hot and pre-tourist season. I'm a little bit older. Lately, the cell phone is the go-to mode for taking pictures on trips. I have not experienced camera envy.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Ship your wedding clothes ahead of time so you don't have to put them in your luggage. When finished, ship them home. Carry your camera equipment and any medication in your carry-on. Take your camera and the 18-200.

deer2ker Loc: Nashville, TN

So jealous! Remember, except for the wedding, no one knows you or cares that you wear the same outfit every other day ;) I would take a bunch of memory cards and your dslr. They are light and easy to pack - I would miss my camera if I went without it (especially where you are going!) and the lens you mentioned seems perfect. Just have fun!

Photocraig

I took a similar trip without the wedding several years ago. Consider the fact that you won't have TIME for serious photography with your itinerary. While my initial suggestion would be to take your DASR, perhaps it is a time to challenge yourself to get the best with what you have! I'm considering adding a 24mm pancake to my light Canon 77D for a low profile quality 24Mpx Phone alternative.

But, check out the phone photo add on apps that allow Aperture and exposure control beyond just point and shoot. Practice and make some great memories and bring some good shots home. A full DSLR kit will spend most of the time in the bag unless you have dedicated time to use it.

Also note that Jockeying around 2 roller bags up from the platforms onto European trains 18 years ago when I was 56 is (MY wife couldn't do hers herself) was enough of a workout, for me THEN!

Have a wonderful trip and focus on the moment and challenge yourself to make ONE good image daily with what you have. Your phone is WAY better than cameras folks used to bring good photos home with not that very long ago!

SteveR Loc: Michigan

As far as phones taking good photos....I've been impressed with the photos that my daughter's iPhone takes.....until I asked her to have some printed.

Joe Blow

Cell phones are getting better all the time, but still lag considerably behind DSLRs. Save your cell phone for those opportunities when you don't have your camera with you.

Ship your wedding clothes and stuff ahead of time. Take your camera and All-Purpose lens with you. Either take a very large card (128 gb) or several smaller ones with wallet keepers. Have a good time and get some keepers.

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

I call my brother Photon... Because he's traveling light.

RainierView Loc: Eatonville, WA

I know. I have a LG V20 phone with 16MP camera that the photos look great on my laptop, not so great when printed in only a 16x20.

Plus with the cell camera you have to turn on the phone, put in pin or use finger print, hit the camera icon, hope the sun isn't on the screen, use fingers to zoom in or out, hit what to focus on, by then the shot is missed.

I think I just talked myself into finding room for my camera and one lens. And my new circular polarizer.

RainierView Loc: Eatonville, WA

I think you are right. I can eliminate a shirt and pair of jeans to make room for the camera.

I took over 900 photos on our recent 10 day Florida visit (went to visit family, I used to live there). Some were with my cell to see how happy I'd be using just that, but most with my camera and the 18-200 lens. I got several good shots with the cell when there was time and the proper lighting. My 4 1/2 year old great-granddaughter moves too fast for cell photos.

Here is a photo of her taken with my Canon T4i I bought new back when it first came out. She wasn't standing still when I took this shot. Don't think I could ever get that shot with any cell phone

deer2ker Loc: Nashville, TN

What a beautiful little girl - and great photo!

RainierView Loc: Eatonville, WA

asiafish Loc: Bakersfield, CA

An 18-200 lens is a compromise, neither excellent wide nor long, and slow (as in f stop) to boot.

Why not try a small prime lens (like your cell phone has)? If you are using a DX sensor, you can get a cheap 24mm prime (the smallest are usually f/2.8, with f/1.8 still small, light and cheap). If you are shooting on an FX body then a 35mm f/1.8 or 50mm f/1.8 will cost next to nothing, weigh next to nothing and give vastly better image quality than a cell phone or an 18-200 zoom lens.

asiafish Loc: Bakersfield, CA

Since you mention Canon T4i, the 24mm f/2.8 STM (DX only) is a tiny pancake lens with excellent optical quality. Add either the 40/2.8 STM or 50/1.8 STM for an outstanding longer lens that is also FX compatible if you ever add an FX body in the future.

Those two lenses likely cover most of what most people want to shoot, do so in low light (I'd pick the 50/1.8 over the 40/2.8 for the extra stop) and despite their low prices, are among Canon's better lenses.

I don't even take a DSLR anymore. For my last trip to Canada I took my Leica M10 with 35mm f/2 only (not a lightweight combo though) and for my upcoming trip to Japan I will be taking a Fuji X100F, which weighs about the same as your T4 body only and has a built-in 23mm f/2 (35mm equivalent). Fuji has an even smaller and lighter body in the X70 with an 18mm (28mm equivalent) lens, but no viewfinder, that is also outstanding.

Whatever you choose, have fun.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

A few yrs back I had a Photo-Chat buddy who was making a trip to Europe, he was worried about weight taking his Dslr and lenses, I suggested he take his photo gear and one change of shoes & clothing, upon arrival purchasing some extra clothing from a resale shop, the washing his underwear in the hotel bathroom each night, the at the end of the trip leave the purchased clothing as part of the tip for the hotel maid.
At the time this was acceptable in Europe (as per a pro photog I knew that traveled the world).
He didn't take my suggestion saying he could not wear used clothing (????) a phobia I believe. He didn't take his dlsr instead he took a P&S he was not used to using and can home with less than good images. Not because of the equipment but his lack of knowledge of the camera.
The suggestion of taking many smaller Cards is good, however I suggest if your camera has dual cards keep one card with you and mail the other home to a friend or relative each day.And use 8-16gb cards, never put all your eggs in one basket!!!!!