jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Bring a compact camera with decent zoom that will fit into a pocket or a belt case. It will make your life so much simpler, and using a camera will probably be more comfortable than using a phone. Of course, you can use the phone, too, depending on the situation.

Roland wh

No worries, go with your favorit equipment.
These are civilised citys and countries. Everything and nothing will happen.
Enjoy your trip

photoman43

I would take the D7100 with a Nikon DX 18-200mm or DX 18-300mm lens. And if you have it, the DX 35mm prime. Consider renting the lens if you do not want to buy it.

When I take such a trip as yours, to get my laptop and camera gear on the airplane, I use the Gura Gear Chobe bag. It is one of the most versatile air/photo/ travel bags I know of. I comes is two size now. The smaller one is what you might need. I use it all the time for all kinds of things that are not related to photography.

https://guragear.com/products/chobe-13l

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

A lot of UHHers have a Panasonic or Olympus travel setup. Look at a Panasonic GH4 with 12-35 f2.8 and 35-100 f2.8 and Olympus E-M5 with either a 12-45 f4 Pro, 12-40 f2.8 Pro, or 12-100 f4 Pro IS (double the focal length for 35mm angle of view; 100 x 2 = 200).

It can always be rented too. If you would decide to rent rather than own, I would rent the new OM-1 and 12-100 f4 Pro IS. It is about the size and weight of the Sony RX10 mkIV but with a bigger sensor, much better low light characteristics (very similar to full frame), and less depth of field to help isolate subjects. No rain gear needed except a micro fiber towel to wipe rain off the front lens element (camera system is weatherproof). And no tripod needed either; 6.5 stops of IS and 7.5 with the 12-100 on the body. It will probably fit in your purse if your purse is big enough. Also, rent the charger and an extra battery. And do not change the battery while the camera is wet (use towel). And I would take out rental insurance (I have used LenseRental and they are excellent).

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

Unless you plan on making huge prints with some of your photos, just take your new cell phone, which has a very capable camera system. Practice with it before you go. Each time I go to Europe I take less and less camera equipment. Interestingly, and surprisingly to me, the last time I went for a month the focal length I used most often was 50mm.
I’m assuming with your choir you may be spending some time singing in Prague and Vienna? So, not so much time within your week sightseeing? Depends what your goals are for the week. Enjoy!

grberg

It may come down to why you take travel photos in the first place. If you want to have memories of what you experienced and reminisce and share some pics with friends on a phone or computer screen, a good cell phone is probably the best choice. If you like to edit your photos, make larger prints, maybe create some wall art, then a good dslr and an 18-300 zoom is the way to go. I’ve made Shutterfly albums of my two European vacations. A few years ago I took my old Nikon d5200 and an 18-300 to Italy, came back with about 3500 pics, and put about 150 of the ones I liked in a hard copy album. Our next trip was to Austria down to Greece and my wife said no more big camera and stop taking so many photos. Her ultimatum was either her or the camera. Took a few days to decide but ended up just taking an old iPhone 6 (and my slightly older wife), and still came back with about the same number of pics (using a Bluetooth pocket trigger makes taking lots of photos less obvious). I put my favorites in another album and guess what? The photos in both albums are excellent and have provided nice memories over the years. Maybe you lose a little in vey low light situations, but I seldom need that capability.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

One more possibility if you rent the OM-1. If you see a landscape scene that you would want big, the OM-1 is capable of 50mp handheld high resolution shots. Of course architectural interiors are possible too. Well worth renting for your trip.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

It really depends on your approach to photos. If you just need "I was there" shots, a phone will do. If you want museum quality shots, the DSLR is needed. But this can distract from the enjoyment of the vacation.

In between - you decide.

KR Pletzer

Laurel, I just got back from a Transatlantic cruise and a week stay in Rome. I took my D500 with my Tamron 18-400 and 50 f1.8. 99% of my shots were with the 18-400 using the full zoom capabilities of the lens. When walking around I carried the camera with lens attached in a PacSafe sling bag (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K7LQ568/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). The bag is small and light, but has enough room for small souvenirs picked up along the way. Enjoy your trip!

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Reading a ;\lot of things.
Your D7100 and 18-400mm would be most excellent. You have it, know how to use it, are comfortable with it.
Then enjoy your travels.

oldschool

Some years ago I was reluctant to take my Nikon D750 on an extensive tour of Peru and purchased a Panasonic Lumix ZS100. I was completely satisfied with performance and appreciated the simplicity of carrying one small item. I recently opted to take the Lumix on a trip from Prague to Budapest via Vienna. Consider downsizing.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

"chalienow" I have used one only the last few times in Europe and never had a problem either. I also put a filter on my lenses and never broke or scratched it but once in the last 70 years I have taken pictures. "BUT ONCE"

Burkley Loc: Park City

As you can see, there are a lot of opinions. See what suits your style. In Europe, over the years I have used a bridge camera, a Canon PS, my phone, two Panasonic 4/3 and a series of NIKON DSLR: D300 S, D800 and now a D850. They all work but there are trade offs in size, weight, features and dynamic range. If you are going to be taking pictures of the kids singing in low light venues or you want to catch distant candids of the kids, I would want the DSLR. Nighttime shots same. If you just want to capture memories, I use my phone because they are so easy to share. I take pictures with my walk around 4/3 or D850 (I take one or the other, never both) when I want to have fun with photography.

As for carrying the camera, I have used one of the padded wraps and placed it in a carryon backpack or simply stuffed the camera bag in the bottom of my pack. I take a carry on suitcase and the backpack as does my wife, and nothing more. We NEVER check.

Chris F. Loc: San Francisco

👍👍

bobforman Loc: Anacortes, Washington State

I write this from souther Italy. I have my D7200 with the 10-20 wide angle zoom and a 18-140. I’m mostly inside but have shot 90% of my photos with the wide angle. I would make the same lens decision again. Take two, they’re small.