Should I bring a camera for my first trip to Europe?

For most people a phone is is adequate, but you're correct in saying a good quality camera will produce better quality pictures than even the latest iPhone. I'm no expert, but I believe this is due to the fact that a camera has a much larger sensor than a phone. A phone uses software to create the images sometimes resulting in an artificial look. So it comes down to how much you want to spend, and how important photo quality is to you. Given you enjoy the art of photography, I'd say take a camera.

"nobody uses a camera anymore"

Your friend is clearly not my kids' age. Cameras are having a revival among younger people. Gen Z is going retro and carrying cameras: https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/cameras/mirrorless-cameras/is-nikon-cool-again-korean-gen-zers-make-up-over-61-percent-of-the-big-ns-domestic-mirrorless-sales

"You’ll look like a tourist.”

You're going to look, and sound, like a tourist anyway. Which is absolutely fine.

We typically use both camera and IPhone. But it just depends on where we are at the time. The iPhone 17 pro is great for in town pictures but you might want to use something like the Sony RX 100 Vii. It is small, which is very convenient, but with a great zoom. Great for long distances shots.

I bring my Sony camera on all my vacations. I find it easier to use compared to my phone and it has more options. Plus I am trying to become a better photographer with a camera so it supports that goal too.

Forget about what your friend says and just think about which type of photography you want to do.

A good compact camera will be as pricey as a new phone with great camera capability. Are you the type of person that likes to share photos with family/friends as you travel? If so, a phone camera may suit you better.

I love photography and it's like a hobby but I am not taking pictures for others. I used to carry my Cannon DSLR which was a drag. Then I tripped with it during a trip (no pun intended), the internal lenses got cracked, so I gave up. Instead of fixing or getting a new one, I invested on a new 15 iPhone pro which has satisfied my photography itch while traveling. I don't carry a laptop with me to process my photos while traveling, so a phone camera has worked well. I take lots of photos, and I like to share a few with my family while I am traveling. I spend my evenings processing/editing photos on my phone (mostly deleting duplicates, minor cropping. I'm against removing people/objects from the background - it's part of the story of the travel!).

But I do miss the features and manual control of a proper camera. I've considered buying a good compact camera, but I always get pushed away due to cost - I may just upgrade my phone every few years. I don't travel that often and I don't really take many photos outside of travel. And then few years will go by and that camera may not be as good anymore.

A friend (who is a professional photographer) told me I need a class to maximize the potential of my phone's camera for the type of photography I do. I have few more months to decide if I will invest on a new compact camera or upgrade my iPhone. Too bad my trip is before the usual release of new iPhones.

Bring whatever you like that you will enjoy. I see the comment on the forum often about not wanting to look like a tourist. I truly don't understand why anyone who is a tourist is concerned that some random person on the street will notice they are a tourist. First of all I wonder who we all think is looking at us. And why would you give power to a stranger at home or abroad who has an inner thought about your camera, let you decide whether you should bring your camera.

Be polite to others, respectful of your surrounding and environment, have some knowledge about the cultures you will experience, and enjoy your travels!

I don't think being a tourist is relevant, BUT... Not to be an old fogey which I happen to be, but I am at the stage of throwing away almost all of my SLR super-camera photos from the last decades because I haven't looked at any of them in years - and I know deep in my heart no one else will. Glorious Alpine Valleys in the moment will be lost as to where/when they are unless you label them immediately, which is a feature I like in smartphones. Pick the camera option that what will give you pleasure now. Whatever you bring remember that if you don't edit your collection relatively quickly you will never get around to it and the gems will be lost within the meh. Have fun.

My husband and I each bring a camera. I sometimes will take a picture on both my phone and my camera, but usually, I just use the camera. Its easier for editing, and my camera takes better pictures. I've long since resigned myself that no matter what I do, I will look like a tourist.

I have a Pentax K-1. It is large, bulky, with 3 lenses. My wife forbade me to take it on the last trip, and she was right.

Instead, I purchased a Canon GX-7. This camera is barely larger than a pack of cigarettes. It easily fits in the pocket. I downloaded photos each night to my computer, but the card will hold many and getting a second card can provide insurance. The camera was about $900.

You must charge the battery every night.

Pro-tip: Take a picture of city name signs to remember where you are.

I discovered a fact about the camera near the end of our trip which would have improved my pictures - the camera keeps the exposure when the button is half-pressed. That means that you can focus on the bottom of the statue, get the exposure right, and then take the whole picture and not have it overwhelmed by the sky to under-expose the actual statue.

my SLR super-camera photos from the last decades

Yes, this is a problem. I have 6 trips to finish up. Luckily our last trip is almost ready to make a souvenier book.

Whatever you bring remember that if you don't edit your collection relatively quickly you will never get around to it and the gems will be lost within the meh. Have fun.

Yes, so very true. This is why I took not one, but 2 computers for our 2 month stay in France. One was a compact computer with 2 screens. I processed all photos (at least labeling them with a little homemade program of my own) while on down days. When we returned, I only had about 5 days of 65 to process. Now we can proceed to the book.

It's a tough question, although I think your friend is incorrect - lots of people use "real" cameras, and who cares if you "look like a tourist" - I mean, you are one! I have an iPhone 17 and it takes an amazing photo. The zoom is crazy good. Love it. So I don't always take the "good" camera - in my case, a Panasonic LUMIX FZ300. On the cons list - it's heavy, and not always as quick to grab, focus and shoot even with autofocus. It's better if you have time, and can set your shot, and honestly, the iPhone is better in low-light. BUT in the pro column - you cannot beat the resolution on this type of "real" camera, so if you think you will enlarge and print any photos for framing, it's really the way to go. I have never regretted taking it - on safari, to Egypt, and will take it on an upcoming trip to Galapagos. So it kinda depends what kind of touring you are doing...do you have time to take the good shot? or do you need to snap and go? or both?

I bring my older DSLR on our trips. My wife brings her Android phone. We both are very happy.

If you want to share pictures while you are traveling that might influence your decision. Phones are perfect in this regard. Newer cameras have Wi-Fi capabilities, but I don’t know the full process to share them with friends or on social media.