When it comes to landscape photography, having the right camera is the first step towards capturing those amazing images that you’re after. But choosing the best landscape camera can be difficult! With so many options available and different features to choose from, how can you ensure that you’ll find a camera that will best fit your needs?
Here at The Adventure Junkies, our goal is to educate our readers on available landscape cameras and their features, making it easier for you to find the best one for your landscape photography. From mirrorless cameras to digital SLRs to point-and-shoots, here’s a rundown on some of the best camera options that are available today.
For more of our top outdoor photography gear recommendations, check out these popular articles:
Landscape Camera | Landscape Lenses | Landscape Tripods
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Wildlife Camera | Wildlife Lenses | Wildlife Tripods
QUICK ANSWER – THE BEST LANDSCAPE CAMERAS
1. SONY A7R II FULL-FRAME
2. SONY ALPHA A6500
3. OLYMPUS OM-D E-MI MARK II
4. NIKON D810
5. CANON EOS 5DS R
6. NIKON D750
7. CANON EOS 6D
8. CANON POWERSHOT SX710 HS
9. PANASONIC LUMIX DMC-LX10K
10. SONY DSC-RX100 MP EXMOR
COMPARISON TABLE – THE BEST LANDSCAPE CAMERAS
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LANDSCAPE CAMERAS REVIEWS
SONY A7R II FULL-FRAME
BEST FOR: Superb image quality
MEGAPIXELS: 42.4
WEIGHT: 3.0lbs
PROS: High resolution, fast autofocus, built-in Wi-Fi, 4k video
CONS: No touch screen, slow to start up and shoot photos, no built-in flash
SONY ALPHA A6500
BEST FOR: Stability, speed, versatility
MEGAPIXELS: 20.0
WEIGHT: .91lbs
PROS: Realistic images, high-resolution, built-in Wi-Fi, 4k video
CONS: Touchscreen isn’t very intuitive, slower autofocus when using zoom lenses
OLYMPUS OM-D E-M1 MARK II
BEST FOR: Top-notch performance
MEGAPIXELS: 20.4
WEIGHT: 1.10lbs
PROS: Excellent image quality, very good dynamic range and high ISO performance, 4K UHD & Cinema 4K (DCI) video
CONS: Expensive, no built-in flash
NIKON D810
BEST FOR: Print-quality landscape images
MEGAPIXELS: 36.3
WEIGHT: 2.16lbs
PROS: Beautiful image quality, wide sensitivity range for its resolution, impressive low-light autofocus
CONS: Heavy, prone to false color with some subjects, requires excellent lenses for the best detail
CANON EOS 5DS R
BEST FOR: Beautifully detailed images
MEGAPIXELS: 50.6
WEIGHT: 2.05lbs
PROS: Incredible detail, great build and handling, excellent autofocus performance
CONS: Narrow native ISO range, limited wireless features
NIKON D750
BEST FOR: Capturing an impressive level of sharp detail
MEGAPIXELS: 24.3
WEIGHT: 1.65lbs
PROS: Excellent 24MP full-frame sensor, lightweight full-frame body, tilt-angle screen
CONS: No autofocus on button, shutter speed limited to 1/4000 sec
CANON EOS 6D
BEST FOR: A responsive, all-around good performer
MEGAPIXELS: 20.2
WEIGHT: 1.70lbs
PROS: Excellent image quality, superior HD video-shooting capabilities, built-in Wi-Fi, built-in GPS and geotagging
CONS: Expensive, no built-in, pop-up flash, basic 11-point autofocus system, mediocre burst speed.
CANON POWERSHOT SX710 HS
BEST FOR: Portability, budget-friendly
MEGAPIXELS: 20.3
WEIGHT: .59lbs
PROS: Built-in Wi-Fi, image stabilization, robust remote shooting capabilities
CONS: Lower-quality images in low light, no panorama mode, no touchscreen interface, no viewfinder
PANASONIC LUMIX DMC-LX10K
BEST FOR: Low-lighting conditions, budget-friendly
MEGAPIXELS: 20.1
WEIGHT: .68lbs
PROS: Built-in Wi-Fi, fast lens, great for low light
CONS: Camera includes a lens cap
SONY DSC-RX100/B 20.2 MP EXMOR
BEST FOR: Portability, budget-friendly, high-end compact camera
MEGAPIXELS: 20.2
WEIGHT: .53lbs
PROS: Excels in low-lighting conditions, image stabilization, RAW format, f/1.8 lens
CONS: Doesn’t include a charger, some aberrations at high-end of exposure
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST LANDSCAPE CAMERAS
TYPE OF CAMERA
First, you’ll want to decide what type of camera you’re after. While DSLRs have long been the camera of choice for most serious photographers, mirrorless cameras are quickly catching on.
Point-and-shoot models are also a viable option for many beginning photographers, especially for those who appreciate the portability of these cameras. Here’s a look at all three options:
MIRRORLESS
Weighing less than most DSLRs, mirrorless cameras are a popular option for many on-the-go landscape photographers today. These cameras have come a long way over the years, and today’s models offer features like electronic viewfinders as well as focus peaking; making focusing much easier.
DSLR
Finally, the classic DSLR is still a popular choice for many professional landscape photographers. DSLRs generally have a longer battery life than mirrorless cameras, better optical viewfinders, and a wider selection of lenses as well.
POINT-AND-SHOOT
While some photographers may scoff at the idea of a point-and-shoot, don’t rule these cameras out too quickly. Technology has advanced considerably in recent years and today’s point-and-shoots offer a number of features and can be used to create high-quality images. Easy to use, lightweight and at a fraction of the cost of most DSLRs or mirrorless cameras, these cameras offer a great entry-level option for landscape photography.
WEIGHT
Weight may not seem like a big deal, but when you’re carrying a camera and your gear around all day, the weight can quickly add up. If you’re planning to do a lot of hiking to remote locations you may want to consider sticking with a lightweight camera, such as a point-and-shoot or a mirrorless to save the toll on your back.
MEGAPIXELS
The term megapixel refers to one million pixels, and is an easier way to refer to the number of pixels in an image. A higher megapixel count will allow you to print larger images but keep in mind that there’s more to image quality than megapixels.
The camera’s sensor, ISO sensitivity and the lens that’s used on the camera will all have a bigger impact on the resulting image than the number of megapixels alone, so be sure to keep these in mind when weighing up your options.
DURABILITY
Durability is another important feature when it comes to landscape cameras. Being out in the field often involves working in harsh weather conditions, and you’ll want to find a camera that can hold up well even after extensive use.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Which camera features are important to you? One feature that’s essential to many photographers today is live view; which allows you to preview composition, focus, and exposure on the camera’s LCD screen. Many cameras today also offer built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, allowing you to share your images as soon as you take them.
Others offer the ability to shoot in RAW, which will give you the most flexibility during post processing. Another feature that you may want to consider is video – many cameras now offer 4k video recording, allowing you to create amazing videos in addition to your images.
BUDGET
Finally, you’ll want to keep your budget in mind when searching for the best landscape camera. Prices range anywhere from $150 for a basic point-and-shoot on up to almost $3,000 for a full-featured high-performance DSLR. Having a price range in mind before you begin your search will help you to narrow down your fields a bit sooner.
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