Rain does not have to cancel your photo plans, especially when your camera is built to thrive in wet weather. Whether you are chasing stormy coastlines, misty waterfalls, or drizzly city nights, the right waterproof or weather sealed gear lets you keep shooting confidently. January 2026 brings fresh upgrades, smarter stabilization, and pocketable options that love rain as much as you do. Let this shortlist guide you to dependable choices that will not blink at a downpour.
OM SYSTEM Tough TG-7
You want a pocketable camera that never flinches at rain, spray, or sudden puddles. The OM SYSTEM Tough TG-7 fits that rainy travel sweet spot with real waterproofing, crush resistance, and shock protection, so you can roam waterfalls or misty markets without fretting. It slips into a jacket pocket, yet handles close ups, macros, and quick travel clips with surprising ease.
In stormy light, its bright lens and dependable stabilization help you keep images sharp and colors lively. The microscope modes are fun for wet leaves, raindrops on flowers, or tide pool textures that your phone struggles to capture. Add an optional lens converter and lights for playful macro rainy day storytelling.
Battery life is trip friendly and the menus are straightforward when fingers are cold or gloved. You can rinse it under a tap after muddy hikes and keep moving. If you have been eyeing rain ready guides recently, this model consistently ranks as a no fuss favorite for drenching weather and spontaneous travel adventures.
GoPro Hero 13 Black
When you know you will get soaked, the GoPro Hero 13 Black makes filming easy and fearless. It is waterproof right out of the box, compact enough for a jacket pocket, and tough enough for boat spray, rainforest squalls, or sidewalk downpours. Clip it to a strap, point at the action, and let the stabilization smooth out your steps.
Video quality shines with crisp detail, punchy color, and horizon leveling that keeps shots usable even when you are hopping puddles. Hyperlapse in rain looks dramatic, and slow motion turns splashes into mesmerizing textures. Voice control helps when your hands are gloved or dripping.
Battery endurance has improved, and accessories like the Media Mod or hydrophobic lens protectors boost usability in foul weather. You can stage quick selfie updates for travel vlogs, then pivot to wide scenic views without changing lenses. If you want no nonsense durability for wet trips, this action cam is a confident, tiny powerhouse.
Sony a7R V
If serious image quality matters even in relentless drizzle, the Sony a7R V delivers. Its weather sealing, when paired with sealed lenses, shrugs off persistent mist and spray during coastal walks or mountain showers. High resolution files hold up to heavy cropping, perfect for distant rain veils or moody skyline details.
Autofocus is sticky on eyes and moving subjects through low contrast rainy scenes, and stabilization helps keep shutter speeds practical. The articulating screen is handy for low angles on wet streets, while the viewfinder stays crisp when the air turns foggy. Colors grade beautifully, giving you room for cinematic storm tones.
Yes, it is pricier and not feather light, but the payoff is immense when you return with gallery worthy results despite the weather. Bring a rain cover for long exposure sessions and microfiber cloths for the front element. With the right lens, you can keep shooting when most cameras hide under a coat.
Canon EOS R6 Mark II
The Canon EOS R6 Mark II hits a sweet balance of speed, low light performance, and weather reliability. Pair it with a sealed RF lens and you can keep working through misty forests, rainy alleys, and fogged outlooks. Autofocus locks confidently in soft, gray light where many cameras hunt.
Its in body stabilization and bright primes let you shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds without losing crispness. Color science delivers rich skin tones for quick portraits under umbrellas and saturated greens in rain soaked landscapes. The controls are intuitive when you need to adjust settings while your jacket drips.
Battery life is ample for wet day itineraries, and the camera feels balanced with compact zooms. Toss a lens hood and simple rain sleeve in your bag to reduce droplets on glass. If you want dependable pro leaning results without maxing out your luggage weight, this body is a confident wet weather companion.
Panasonic Lumix S5 II
Traveling light but still chasing full frame quality in rain points straight to the Panasonic Lumix S5 II. Its weather sealing, compact body, and excellent stabilization make handheld rainy shots surprisingly steady. The phase hybrid autofocus is a welcome upgrade for tracking subjects in low contrast showers.
Colors feel natural, and you can lean into V-Log for flexible grading when storm light swings from bright to brooding in minutes. The grip is secure with wet gloves, and the menus feel logical in a hurry. With a sealed zoom, you can hike through drizzle without babying your gear.
Video shooters will appreciate the heat management and recording options when capturing rain textured b roll. The body balances well on compact gimbals, though many scenes will not need one. If you want serious output and strong weather toughness without hauling a brick, the S5 II is a smart pick for January downpours.
Fujifilm X-H2 II
The Fujifilm X-H2 II brings robust weather sealing in a lighter APS-C package that suits rainy city strolls and damp trail days. You get excellent detail, fast autofocus, and strong stabilization that helps offset slower lenses in gloomy weather. Film simulations make moody rain hues pop straight out of camera.
Handling feels solid with a thick grip and practical top controls that are easy when your hands are cold. Paired with a sealed XF zoom, you can walk for hours through drizzle without fuss. The viewfinder remains bright, and the articulating screen helps frame low angle puddle reflections.
For travelers who want portability with pro leaning control, this body hits a pleasing middle ground. It is comfortable for both stills and video, with codecs that grade well if storm light shifts quickly. If full frame bulk feels excessive for rainy trips, this Fujifilm offers weather confidence and creative color in a compact footprint.
Nikon Z6 III
The Nikon Z6 III is a versatile full frame choice that thrives when clouds roll in and the light turns flat. Weather sealing, plus a sealed lens, lets you keep shooting through steady drizzle without anxiety. Files hold impressive dynamic range, helpful when balancing bright clouds and shadowed, rain darkened foregrounds.
Autofocus tracks confidently in low contrast scenes, and in body stabilization keeps handheld shots sharp at slower speeds. Colors look natural, and skin tones hold up under umbrellas or in soft window light. The grip is comfortable with wet gloves, and the body feels balanced with travel friendly zooms.
Video is equally capable for rainy travel logs or atmospheric b roll near waterfalls. Add a simple rain cover for longer exposure sessions and bring extra cloths for the front element. If you want reliable performance and weather trust without carrying flagship heft, the Z6 III is an easy recommendation.
Pentax KF Weather-Resistant DSLR
Prefer an optical viewfinder and classic ergonomics in the rain. The Pentax KF brings weather resistance and a rugged spirit that fits wet trails, dusty backroads, and winter slush. It is a dependable companion if you want tactile controls and a sturdy body that handles abuse.
In body stabilization pairs well with compact primes for low light drizzle scenes. Pentax color rendering is pleasing, especially for saturated greens and earthy tones after rainfall. The weather sealing extends across buttons and seams, inspiring confidence when clouds refuse to clear.
While autofocus and video features are not class leading, the overall shooting experience feels satisfying and grounded. You can keep composing through the OVF without screen glare or water spots getting in your way. For travelers who value resilience and straightforward operation, the KF stays cheerful when the forecast stays gray.
Olympus Tough TG-6
The Olympus Tough TG-6 remains a beloved waterproof compact for rainy day adventures and quick dips. It handles downpours, sandy spray, and muddy hikes without a case, so you can keep it ready in your pocket. The bright f2 lens and dedicated underwater modes help in dim, stormy light.
Macro capabilities are a highlight, letting you capture raindrop textures on petals or intricate lichen on soaked logs. It is simple to rinse after a muddy scramble and then keep shooting. GPS and field sensors add fun context to your travel journal when you review trips later.
While the sensor is smaller than many mirrorless bodies, the reliability and pure ease of use make this camera a rainy favorite. You will get colorful, sharp images when phones struggle with water. For city strolls, waterfalls, and beach fronts in January, the TG-6 is a compact workhorse that keeps delivering.
DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro
For travel vloggers who expect rain, the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro brings waterproof durability and stabilized footage in a tiny package. It mounts quickly to helmets, handlebars, or a compact grip, keeping your hands free while weather turns wild. The screens are bright, and the menus are straightforward when droplets cover everything.
Video quality is crisp with strong stabilization, so walking through downpours stays watchable. Horizon lock and intelligent modes help you focus on storytelling instead of micromanaging settings. Audio add ons and hydrophobic protectors keep raindrops from ruining takes.
Battery life is solid for daylong exploring, and quick charging gets you back out when storms clear. You can capture moody time lapses of rolling clouds, then pivot to slow motion splashes without swapping lenses. If you want a rain ready camera that slides into any pocket, this DJI option feels purpose built for wet adventures.
