Backpacking Around the World. Which camera would you take?

Honestly for backpacking around the world, I would NEVER take anything you wouldn't mind finding lost, destroyed, or stolen. This goes for cloths, laptop, camera, etc...

With this being said, I have been backpacking through Eastern Europe and the Middle East for some years now with an old NEX5. I can recommend this (or a newer NEX) as it's reliable, and takes up minimal room in my bag (35L) with the charger and 3 batteries, also it's relatively pocketable. As a bonus with the ILC you can pick up any old soviet lens at a market for almost nothing to play with if you're bored. Seriously consider buying an older used camera, using the difference in price to add to your trip; I would trade megapixels for a few extra weeks/months of backpacking any day!

Backpacking and making new friends is one of the most exciting things you can do when you're young~ish. Good luck, don't panic, and do hitch hike!

tfrantz