Using the best cameras for landscape photography is key to getting great photos of the great outdoors. Shooting landscapes may seem like a comparatively straightforward subject to shoot compared to the split-second demands of action or wildlife photography. However, when you start looking at the details you discover a good landscape camera needs a few very specific things.
More than most other genres, landscape photographers need resolution and a large sensor. Lots of megapixels on a large sensor mean you can capture all of the tones and details in a big, gorgeous landscape scene, crop in if you need to, and print large-scale. You don't need to worry about features like burst mode or super-fast autofocus as you won't be shooting anything fast-moving.
Weatherproofing is also important, as landscape shooting can often involve long treks in inclement conditions. The physical weight of the camera and lens can also be crucial. If you're going to have to carry a kit through the desert, the forest or wherever else, you probably don't want something that becomes a huge burden on your back..
We've picked out the best landscape photography cameras with these features in mind. Our list includes a mixture of new cameras with all the latest tech, and older models that represent great value. There are plenty of different types of cameras here, including DSLRs, mirrorless models, compacts and medium format. They all have just one thing in common – they're the best cameras for landscape photography.
Phil Hall
Phil used to work on What Digital Camera magazine, and was the editor of Techradar's camera channel. He is an accomplished photographer - and although his passion is shooting cars, he also loves shooting landscapes (see his portfolio of seascapes here).
The Quick List
In a rush? Here's a quick list of the cameras in this guide, with links that let you jump down the page directly to a review of whichever catches your eye.
This is our favorite camera overall for landscape shooting, with a world-beatin 61-megapixel full-frame sensor. It's pretty compact too, with good weather sealing – and there is great choice of FE-mount lenses from Sony and others. Read more below
For landscapes, a huge sensor is the dream! This mirrorless medium-format camera is more lightweight, portable, useable, and much more affordable, than traditional medium-format cameras - but boasts a BIG 50-megapixel sensor. Read more below
With its 45MP sensor, the EOS R5 is Canon's highest-resolution current camera. It's party piece is that it can deliver huge 400MP images via pixel-shift technology – perfect for landscapes where there is zero movement! Read more below
The Z7 II is our pick if you want a Nikon camera for landscapes. It has a good 45MP full-frame sensor, and as a mirrorless system has an AF system that can focus on almost any point in these scene. Lens choice for its Z mount is improving all the time. Read more below
If you want a camera that oozes luxury, but has the specs to match, then Leica's new and improved SL3 is one to check out. Perfect for landscapes with a big 60MP full-frame sensor for capturing every little detail. The downside, of course that gorgeous build quality comes at a price premium.
This is undoubtedly one of the best DSLRs ever made - and is now something of a bargain for such a professional, full-frame camera. The weather-sealing is best in class - and you'll find lots of affordable FX-mount lenses still available, particularly secondhand. Read more below
The Fujifilm X100V is a compact camera - with a fixed wideangle lens - that makes this a great option for hiking or cycling through the countryside. With retro styling it delivers great images with its 24MP APS-C sensor
The Fujifilm X-T5 features the world's highest-resolution APS-C sensor - offering a 42MP resolution that is great for landscapes. It's small and lightweight compared to other cameras on the list thanks to the smaller sensor - and lenses are smaller too. Read more below
One of the last DSLRs introduced by Canon, the 90D uses a smaller sensor than its full-frame sensor cameras, but still offers a detailed 32MP resolution. The older EF-S/EF lens system means many bargain-priced lenses are to be found, particularly secondhand. Read more below
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You need to make use of custom buttons to get the best user expeience
At the A7R IV’s heart is a class-leading 61MP full-frame sensor – the highest resolution for a full-frame camera – and is wedded to Sony's FE full-frame lens mount. This has now been established for some years with some tasty pieces of glass to appeal to the serious landscape photographer - with many budget options from third-party lens manufacturers.
Aside from sheer pixels, the A7R IV delivers in other areas. The 10fps burst shooting speed is impressive if you're planning to shoot subjects other than landscapes, while the highly capable AF system doesn't disappoint. If you're shooting handheld then the 5.5 stops of in-body image stabilization (IBIS) system comes in handy, while the body is relatively lightweight at just 655g.
Handling is a weak area, based on our tests – not that it's bad, but rivals like the Nikon Z7 II are that much nicer to shoot with. Otherwise, though, the A7R IV is an incredible option. If you intend to shoot moving subjects then the newer, heavier Sony A7R V boasts better AF and all-round performance, but for pure landscape photography the A7R IVA remains better value.
For shooting landscapes, a large medium format sensor is the dream, but the expense and the bulk puts it beyond the reach of the majority of photographers. That's why Fujifilm's GFX series has been such a hit – these mirrorless medium format cameras are more lightweight, portable and useable than more traditional medium format cameras, and while the cameras are still expensive, they're cheaper than the likes of Hasselblad.
The GFX 50S II uses a 51.4MP sensor to capture images of stunning detail and dynamic range – thanks to it being 70% bigger than a full-frame sensor. In terms of resolution it is outstripped by the 100MP GFX models, such as the Fujifilm GFX 100S, but this is much more affordable and accessible option for most people. We love this clever camera, and any landscape photographer is likely to love it too.
Arguably the best camera that Canon has ever made, the EOS R5 is an obvious choice for landscape photography thanks to its 45MP sensor – the highest resolution of any current Canon product. However, the R5 has a trick up its sleeve: it can actually shoot 400MP images!
Thanks to the magic of pixel-shift, powered by the camera's in-body image stabilization system, the surface area of the sensor is artificially increased to deliver an almost tenfold boost to resolution. The caveat, however, is that both camera and scene have to be completely still with no movement whatsoever – which includes water and trees or foliage (so it is not ideal for all landscape shots).
The R5 also employs Canon's cutting-edge line of RF mount lenses, but it can also use EF mount DSLR lenses with native performance using an EF-EOS R adaptor – giving it one of the richest ranges of optics on the market. Throw in the stellar 8-stop IBIS, 8K video and 20fps burst shooting, and it is a persuasive choice if you shoot other subjects as well as landscapes.
The Nikon Z7 II is one of Nikon's most advanced mirrorless cameras and there's lots to attract the serious landscape photographer. The 45.7-megapixel full-frame sensor delivers brilliant images as you'd expect, while it's a bit lighter and more compact than the Z7 II's DSLR stablemate, the D850, making it a bit easier to live with if you're going to be lugging it about all day.
The electronic viewfinder is very good, but bear in mind that rivals like the EOS R5 and the Sony Alpha A7R IV enjoy even better resolutions. Autofocus is more than up to the job when it comes to landscapes as well - there are better systems out there, but focusing is swift and we were pleased to note that it achieves focus even in the poorest of conditions.
There's a growing range of dedicated Z series mirrorless lenses available for the Z7 II, while the FTZ II adapter means you can choose from a huge back catalogue of Nikon F-mount lenses should you prefer. Though it's not as new as the Nikon Z8 or Z9, cameras that focus more on sports and speed, the Z7 II represents better value for the landscape photographer.
With a 60MP full-frame sensor there is no arguing with the Leica SL3's ability to produce some beautiful landscape images – the caveat though is its lofty price tag. Leica cameras are luxury products, and because of that, they do come with a price tag to match, although, in the SL3's case, it does a lot to justify itself.
Our reviewer called the SL3 "the best camera that Leica has ever made", and I am inclined to agree. This is the most advanced L-Mount camera on the market, with Leica throwing all their latest tech into making this flagship model competitive with the competition.
And it almost succeeds. There images out of the camera are stunning to behold, and the versatility offered by the triple-resolution sensor gives flexibility in file sizes and dynamic range, which can be so key for landscapes. However, the latest autofocus system can't quite keep up with other rival systems.
As ever with a Leica the build quality is sublime, and the weather sealing can keep out those wet and windy conditions when out shooting landscapes. The screen also tilts which makes composing shots from low positions that much easier. Finally the Leica Fotos app makes it a breeze to get photos quickly onto a phone or tablet to check composition and detail – or share to social right away!
Mirrorless camera fans will often complain about the size and weight of DSLRs, and they have a point. The Nikon D850 is a big bruiser of a camera compared to the Nikon Z models.
But this size works in your favor if you're shooting with big, heavy lenses, and most pro lenses are big and heavy! This is a handling factor that many mirrorless users don't take into account. Being a DSLR, the D850 has a bright, clear optical viewfinder that many landscape photographers still prefer over a digital display, no matter how good the latter.
The D850's 45.7MP sensor produces quite a superb image quality, yet it can still maintain a shooting speed of 7fps. The D850 has an amazing battery life of 1840 shots – far more than any mirrorless rivals – and it comes with two memory card slots; one for an XQD/CFexpress card and one for regular SD/SDHC/SDXC.
Optional two-ring kit, that attaches to lens is needed to make this weatherproof
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Smaller sensor and less resolution than others in this guide
The Fujifilm X100V is styled like a classic rangefinder compact camera - and the appeal of to the landscape photographer it is more portable than interchangeable lenses - making it great for hiking trip, say. But despite its fixed, wide-angle lens, it delivers great image quality from its 24MP APS-C-sized sensor.
The tilting touchscreen on the back makes this camera much easier to use at awkward angles - allowing you to get down low to fill the foreground with a flower or a rock.
The X100V has external lens aperture, shutter speed, and ISO dials which, that those from the 35mm film SLR era will love. The X100V uses a hybrid optical/digital viewfinder, that is great for use in lowlight. And of course, we shouldn't forget the looks, which have helped make this one of THE most sought-after cameras in recent years.
Do note that you need to buy an optional kit in order to make this camera fully-weatherproof - which uses a filter to seal the lens against the elements.
The Fujifilm X-T5 is an evolution of the X-T series, rather than a revolution. It's a classically controlled SLR-style camera that puts photography first, it takes resolution to new heights with an industry-best 40.2MP APS-C sensor.
While it shares the same sensor and processor with the Fujifilm X-H2, that camera is more of a video and action specialist (capable of up to 8K, with a bigger buffer) – accordingly, it also costs a few hundred bucks more (and also accepts the pricier CFexpress memory card format).
The X-T5 offers a better prospect for landscape shooting – although the choice of a tri-directional tilting touchscreen instead of a vari-angle is certainly going to raise a few eyebrows! Though it's still perfectly functional for stills shooting.
Sitting at the top of Canon's APS-C DSLR range of cameras, the EOS 90D packs in a 32.5-megapixel sensor. One of the most densely packed APS-C sensors, this adds a little bit more in the way of resolution over its rivals.
While it feels a little plasticky places for our tastes, the EOS 90D is weather-sealed so should be up to the job when shooting out in the elements. We're big fans of its touchscreen interface, while the Dual Pixel CMOS AF system when shooting in live view delivers incredibly quick focusing, Add to that Canon's polished control layout and the wealth of affordable Canon EF and EF-S lenses out there, and this is a great option for those looking to shoot the great outdoors.
There are a number of things to take into account when choosing a camera for landsape photographer - your budget is key, of course, but also you need to decide how much kit you want to take with you. The following questions are good ones to consider to help you make your choice…
How important is sensor size?
Having lots of megapixels to capture of the detail of a mountain scene are important, up to a point. But it is the overall quality of the image that counts. So almost as important is the size of the sensor. We therefore recommend that you at least go for a camera with an APS-C sensor. But better still opt for a full-frame sensor that is over twice the size. For ultimate image detail however, you can go large and use a medium format camera. The downside, however, is that the bigger the sensor, the bigger the camera and the lenses…
What does weatherproofing on a camera actually mean?
Protecting your camera against rain, condensation, and dust is an important consideration if you are using it outdoors in all weathers. Unfortunately, it is not feasible to make mirrorless or DSLR cameras fully waterproof, as the interchangeable lenses, the memory card slots, and battery compartments are all weak points in the construction. However, cameras come with varying degrees of weatherproofing - thanks to the use of rubber-like seals at key joints and openings in the construction of the body. All the cameras in our selection have weather sealing - but generally the more professional the camera, the better this weather sealing will be. The one compact camera in our selection (the Fujifilm X100V) doesn't have a removable lens - however to make it weather-sealed you need to purchase an optional Weather Resistant Kit which comprises of an adapter ring and protective filter to attach to the front of the lens.
What's the best lens for landscape?
We usually think of wide-angle lenses as being the best option for landscape photography - as these allow you to include a wider sweep of a scene. On a full-frame camera, any lens with a focal length of 35mm or less is considered to be a wide-angle (that's 24mm or less on an APS-C camera, or 45mm or less on a medium format camera). A wide-angle zoom is a great all-round option for landscapes - allowing you to crop your angle of view to fit the landscape. A good all-round choice would be 16-35mm on a full-frame camera, or a 10-24mm on an APS-C camera.
However, telephoto lenses can be just as useful for landscape photography - allowing you to pull out details from the scene that are more interesting than showing the whole view.
Sony A7R IV being tested by one of DCW's camera reviewers (Image credit: Rod Lawton/Digital Camera World)
We test cameras both in carefully controlled lab conditions where we think appropriate - but for cameras for landscapes, the capabilities of a camera in real-world conditions are just as important. We therefore try out cameras in a range of shooting conditions, analyzing the images taken and comparing them to the hundreds of other models we have reviewed over the years.
For interchangeable lens cameras, our Lab Manager, Ben Andrews, tests measure resolution, dynamic range, and signal-to-noise ratio - which we can then compare to results in the huge database of other cameras we have tested. Resolution is measured using ISO resolution charts, dynamic range is measured using DxO Analyzer test equipment, and DxO Analyzer is also used for noise analysis across the camera's ISO range.
Phil is the Managing Editor of Top Ten Reviews, and is a former Editor of Techradar's camera channel. He is an accomplished photographer, and specializes in shooting cycling and fast cars.
