ceh1024 Loc: Lutz, FL

I bought a Canon G7X Mkii when they first came out. Originally for a European trip. I found I started using it more and more. It is just outstanding. Since then Consumer Reports came out with an issue rating the G series (G 7 5 & 9 in that order) in the top 15 P & S cameras.

Buildrt Loc: Sarasota Fl

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Although the 6D body isn't a large DSLR, the different lens you'll bring with it will really bog you down. Your first priority for a hassle free vacation is don't micro-manage it with camera equipment, your supposed to enjoy yourself. All the compact cameras people are mentioning will be good alternatives except maybe the Nikon P1000, the body is almost as big as your 6D. You won't be losing much image quality using a good compact camera.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

I'd recommend you get a Canon M5 or M50... both of which have a built-in, electronic viewfinder (earlier models and M6, M10, M100 don't).

These are quite compact and travel-friendly, mirrorless cameras. Yes, they are APS-C models (not full frame), but you would probably be surprised by their image quality. These newer APS-C are 24MP.... about 20% higher resolution than your 6D. Now, 6D is "king of low light", but the newer sensors are pretty darned good too. To really see much difference between APS-C and full frame, you have to make large prints (16x24" and larger?).... or be viewing your original files at ridiculously high magnification on your computer monitor (on most monitors, a 24MP image at 100% is equiv. to a 40x60" print).... or be cropping your images too heavily.

You'd be able to use your existing lenses on one of the Canon mirrorless via an adapter (Vello and Fotodiox adapters are MUCH more reasonably priced than Canon's)... HOWEVER, doing so will sort of negate the size/weight advantages of the camera. I'd recommend getting a compact zoom such as the EF-M 15-45mm (approx. = to 24-70mm on full frame) or EF-M 18-150mm (approx. = to 29-240mm FF).... and possibly one or two fast primes for low light situations. There's an EF-M 22mm f/2 avail., but not a lot more from Canon right now (rumors are there's a 35mm f/1.4 coming soon). There are some third party primes, but many of them are are manual focus only (the electronic viewfinder of the camera helps a lot with that). Those manual focus 3rd party lenses are also manual aperture (which can be used with aperture priority auto exposure).

Sony is the ONLY current manufacturer of full frame mirrorless cameras (well, okay, Leica makes them too... for millionaires and billionaires). Those can also be used with many Canon lenses, as well as their own system lenses. The camera itself can be smaller & lighter.. but the problem with ANY full frame mirrorless camera is that by the time you fit it with a full frame-capable lens, it ain't gonna be much smaller and lighter than your 6D and lenses. That's especially true when adapting DSLR lenses for use on the mirrorless, as the adapter adds some size and weight. ALSO, Canon lens to Sony MILC (mirrorless interchangeable lens camera) adapters that support AF and aperture control are EXPENSIVE (about $400). With the adapter autofocus is slower, too (though a 6D user may not notice too much, because that camera's AF isn't all that great at anything other than the center AF point).

Other responses recommend some Canon Powershot G? X models... Those are quite good too.... for what they are... advanced, non-interchangeable lens cameras. But be aware that most use a 1" sensor.... even smaller than APS-C. (In comparison, APS-C sensor are approx. 40% the size of FF and have a "lens factor" of 1.6X versus FF. So-called 1" sensors are less than 15% the size of FF, with a 2.7X lens factor. This is actually a much larger sensor than many "point n shoots" use (very small sensors allow them to claim extreme lens zoom range). But 1" is still somewhat limited compared to APS-C or FF. An exception is the Canon Powershot G1 X Mark III, which now uses a 24MP APS-C sensor... same as is in the M5, M50 and all current Canon DSLRs that aren't full frame.

Canon M5 in kit with EF-M 15-45mm lens currently sells for just under $1000.
Canon M50 in kit with same lens is selling for $700.
Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 lens (FF equiv. 35mm) is selling for $230 new.
Canon EF-M 11-22mm (FF equiv. 18-35mm) costs $350.
Canon EF-M 55-200mm (FF equiv. 90-320mm) also costs $350.

Vello or Fotodoiox adapter to use EF/EF-S lenses on M-series sells for around $50 (Canon's is more like $200).
Adapter may be practical especially to use smaller primes such as EF 50mm f/1.8 STM, EF-S 24mm "pancake" or EF 40mm "pancake".

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

If it's supposed to be a true vacation, leave the battery grip, mounting plate, and whatever else heavy at home. Travel light with minimal equipment and enjoy the trip. The camera, a lens or two, a flash unit, and maybe a compact monopod or mini tripod. Just the bare essentials to bring back a few nice shots from the trip. Don't pretend to be a professional on paid assignment - they have assistants to help lug all their heavy gear around, and they are there for neither relaxation nor a good time. You are there for vacation.

augieg27 Loc: Central California

I travel with my Nikon D5500 and Nikon 18-200mm VR and cover 95% of the shots.
Light and good IQ

augieg27 Loc: Central California

I travel with my Nikon D5500 and Nikon 18-200mm VR and cover 95% of the shots.
Light and good IQ

jhigbie Loc: Ventura, CA

I recently returned from 7 weeks in Southern Europe travelling with a used Fujifilm X-series mirrorless which I bought used on Ebay purposely for travelling since I have owned a D7100 and now have a D750 and know what it's like to have the enjoyment of travel disrupted by that continuous lead weight hanging on your body. Probably 70% of my photos (2000 in all--300 viewable) were taken with a wide-angle zoom (plazas, buildings, streets, church interiors), 20% telephoto (buildings in the distance), and 10% with a 50mm prime for art and objects in museums. I used an adapter to marry the Nikon prime to the Fuji. No flash was required for any shot.
I found a strap system that is worn across your body rather than around your neck is necessary to relieve stress on your neck. I carried the camera and the extra lens for the day (as well as water and snacks) in a canvas bag that was worn across my chest and hung at my hip. I cushioned the camera body in the bag with one of those blowup neck cushions used on airlines. By the 5th week I was tired of carrying the camera around all day but I imagine if I had taken a heavier camera I would have carried it all day maybe 1 of every 3 days. The temperature in Southern Europe was just 70 degrees F in May. Can't imagine what it would be like carrying a D750 and a big lens in 90 degrees all day for a few weeks surrounded by tourists, pickpockets, and thieves. (tourists being the worst :).
BTW Nikon users: change-out the strap with the big yellow "Nikons" printed along it. You might as well tape a couple of thousand dollar bills to your back.

Toolking Loc: Pacific Northwest

You haven't said what your 3 lenses are.
We're doing the same thing in Sept and I will use my 28-300 and a 1.4 nifty fifty on a Nikon 610.
Experience tells me that this will cover 90% of everything I want to shoot.
The 70-200 stays home as does the F-4 wide angle (Both heavy)

jhigbie Loc: Ventura, CA

The wide format was a Fuji in the 18-70mm range (sorry, I'm not near the camera), and it was lightweight. With an 18mm I could capture the breadth of a plaza and its contents, or the width of a cathedral rather than a shot of one thing like an alter or a statue. That is how you see things and wide-format shots will help you remember what you saw. An 18mm--120mm would have been better for more composition choices. The telephoto was a Fuji 70mm-200mm or so, was tiresome to carry even in a backpack while on the move, was used only with scenery like from a boat or while driving, and there was haze.
You can carry weighty stuff and make the trip about the camera, or you can enjoy the food, people and places and take lots of snaps of the stuff you saw. There is so much interesting to see that framing a shot became my main interest. There were only 3 scenes during the entire several weeks that I wanted to revisit and take time with. Also HDR was important for cathedrals. And if you get to Gaudi's cathedral in Barcelona, take video. Your people will not believe the light. Also go out in the cities just as they are waking up: empty streets will let the 12th century buildings come through. Otherwise you'll have lots of shots of the back of tourist's heads.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I own a ton of Canon, Nikon, and Sony equipment and the only camera I take on a trip is my trusty Sony HX90V with pop up viewfinder and a Zeiss 24-750 mm zoom. I also carry a Sony RX100 II as a back up. Both fit in belt pouches attached to my belt allowing me to hold my wife's hand until I see a shot I want, and pow, my camera is out quicker than Matt Dillon's 45.

clint f. Loc: Priest Lake Idaho, Spokane Wa

Thanks to all of you for your thoughtful responses. I didn’t make it clear in my post that my only luggage will be my carry on. I think the tota allowable weight is just over 16 lbs. again, thanks much.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

I’m not sure if it is doable at $1000, because I have not looked at used prices recently, but I’d look at a used Sony RX1. You did say superior IQ right?

happy sailor Loc: Ontario, Canada

most international flights (at least from Canada) cabin bag weight limit is 10kg which is 22 lbs. Only carry on luggage, man, you are travelling light!!!!!

Buildrt Loc: Sarasota Fl

Just put the camera around your neck.