We tapped the National Geographic photo engineering team to select this year's best travel video cameras to help you document your most memorable journeys. They design and build custom equipment for professional photographers. Here are their best bets for your future adventures.
Panasonic Lumix G9 II
The new Lumix G9 II uses an improved version of the GH6 sensor and adopted some of the new features introduced with the Panasonic S5 II earlier this year.
It features improved dynamic range, 25-megapixel, phase detect autofocus, subject detection, a higher resolution rear LCD panel, two card slots, more robust in-body stabilization (IBIS), and some handy computational photography options like live compositing.
Tip: We recommend using the Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm f/2.8-4 ASPH POWER O.I.S. lens from Panasonic, which offers an impressive 24-120mm equivalent zoom.
Find it now at B&H and Best Buy.
GoPro Hero 12
The GoPro 12 is best seen as a refinement to the already outstanding GoPro 11, with slightly better stabilization due to including an advanced threaded mounting hole and some menu updates.
Our favorite feature of the GoPro Hero 12 (and the GoPro 11) is the horizon lock. It uses its almost square sensor and gyroscope system to lock off the horizon no matter the camera's angle. Imagine a steady horizon while you ride your mountain bike through rough terrain.
Tip: The only thing missing from the GoPro 12 is a geolocation system. This was removed to help improve the camera's runtime.
Find it now at B&H and Best Buy.
Insta360 X3
The real key to Insta360's success is the high quality of the user experience both on the device and in the cellphone app's editing mode.
With the Insta360 X3, you can edit the captured content on your phone (or computer) as a vertical or horizontal video. This lets you reframe the video in whatever way you want in a user-friendly way.
The camera is also waterproof down to 33 feet.
Pro Tip: Insta360 sells a special dive case if you want to take this on your next scuba adventure.
Find it now at B&H and Best Buy.
Perfectly situated on the Gulf of Mexico, in southwest Florida, Naples is well known and loved for not only its beautiful beaches and blue water, but also all of the family-friendly activities and outdoor fun. Here are the four best beaches in Naples.
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park
This grand state park offers breathtaking Gulf of Mexico views. It is also a home for an incredible diversity of wildlife including sea turtles and many different birds. If you have courage and a sense of wonder, you might even dive into the water and swim with dolphins! Visit early, especially in the busy tourist seasons, to avoid crowds and find a parking spot.
Vanderbilt Beach Park
It is perfect for little ones who love to play in the sand, build sandcastles, and cool off in the gentle waves. With easy access to many lovely hotels as well as shopping and restaurants, this beach is fun for bird watching, paddleboarding, and swimming. Free life jackets are available for little ones. The best time to visit, however, is sunset — arrive early to get a fantastic viewing spot.
Clam Pass Beach
It is family-friendly with three miles of sugary sand and calm water. The long boardwalk and nature trail (路线) are a bit of an effort to be sure, but most folks love the adventurous experience. It's beautiful on either side of the raised wooden path and if you look closely, you can spot butterflies, coastal birds, and other wildlife hiding in the forests. Seashell hunters should arrive early for the best find.
Keewaydin Island Beach
Off the coast of Naples, Keewaydin Island can only be accessed by boat. From wild pigs to bobcats, white-tailed deer, tortoises, and iguanas, there's much to see here on this island that is mostly undeveloped. The sightseeing boat tour leaves from Naples or Marco Island. It's worth noting, however, that there are no public bathroom facilities.
The Best Insect Repellent Sprays (驱蚊液) in 2023
Nothing ruins a pleasant outdoor experience quite like annoying mosquitoes sucking blood on your arms and legs. Sure, bug spray is great and all. After numerous tests, we found four bug sprays that stood above the rest.
Proven Insect Repellent Spray ($16.97 at Home Depot)
Picaridin-Proven's active ingredient, comprising 20% of its formula (配方)-is one of the best at repelling bugs. Proven Spray's smell is well nonexistent. It is easy to forget that we even apply this spray-besides the fact no bug would dare touch our skin.
Botanicals Mosquito and Insect Repellent IV ($4.96 at Wal-Mart)
This repellent is made with p-menthane-3, 8-diol and it doesn't have a smell at all, which is a huge bonus. It's also available in one of the smallest size choices, at 2 ounces, so if you want a truly tiny spray you can fit in your pocket, this one could be for you.
Coleman SkinSmart DEET-Free Insect Repellent Spray ($4.87 at Amazon)
A 30% IR3535 spray in an aerosol bottle, Coleman can be dried instantly and doesn't leave any remains on our skin. The aerosol pushes the repellent out, making spraying a super fast process. The only big speed bump is its smell. Some testers said it had a smell of chemicals that could easily make you cough when spraying it.
Cutter Backwoods Insect Repellent ($4.28 at Target)
Cutter Backwoods is a 25% DEET formula, the gold standard in insect repellents, It has a larger nozzle (喷嘴) than the others, resulting in a wider area of application. Its biggest downside was the bottle's big size, which makes it hard to simply throw in your bag.
