There’s no doubt that landscape photography is an art form requiring skill and creativity. Whether shooting a busy seafront, the rolling hills of the countryside or the urban vista of a metropolis, landscape photography is both a gift and an opportunity. It is your chance to capture the world as you see it, to present it as your own and immortalize it for many years to come.
However, it isn’t as simple as heading out with your iPhone and snapping a few shots. An artist must have the right tools, and photography is no exception; Van Gogh didn’t paint in felt tip, and Michelangelo didn’t sculpt from silly putty. In much the same way, you won’t get the landscapes you want with the wrong camera.
That’s where our handy guide to selecting the right camera comes into play. We’ve selected one from each of the major manufacturers that will soon have you creating landscape photography to match even the legendary Ansel Adams and Charlie Waite.
Canon EOS 5DS R
The brand Canon and photography go hand-in-hand. Their products are almost a byword for quality, and whilst an entry-level Canon will get you started, the serious landscape photographer should be aiming higher with the EOS 5DS R. It’s a 50-megapixel full-frame camera which should be affordable to new starters, as it is reaching the end of its current life cycle.
Despite its age, it still stands up against newer models from other manufacturers, and the dampened shutter is a nice feature that landscape photographers will appreciate more than most.
Sony Alpha a7R
Sony might not be synonymous with cameras for many, but the Sony Alpha a7R mirrorless camera is one of the best pieces of kit a landscape photographer can buy. The 61-megapixel full-frame sensor is an industry leader and results in such high image quality it is hard to make a case for a Canon or Nikon over the Alpha a7R.
It is a good all-rounder with 10fps burst speed for those looking to branch out from landscapes, perhaps with some street photography. For landscape photographers, the lightweight body, just 655g, makes it perfect for climbing hills and looking for the right vantage point for your next shot.
Nikon Z7 II
The Nikon camera family is extensive, with lots of kit to choose from, but the Z7 II is popular with landscape photographers. The 45.7-megapixel full-frame sensor certainly delivers some great images, but the Z7 II benefits from being lighter than some of the glass in the Nikon stable, so it’s more portable if you’re hiking to get the right shot.
One of the benefits of the Nikon is the focus – whilst there are better pieces of kit out there, the Z7 II’s autofocus is strong, and it’ll do the job in the toughest of conditions. Like the Canon we selected, there are better cameras for landscape photography, but this represents the sweet cross point of value for money and performance.
Fujifilm GFX 50S
The Fujifilm we’ve selected is a bit different from the others, as it is a compact rather than a DSLR or mirrorless camera. Whilst that doesn’t sound ideal for landscape photography, the GFX 50S does have its advantages. For a start, it is much easier to take out and about with you; no kit back full of lenses weighing you down. If the photography comes second to a hike in nature, then this could be a good option.
There’s a 26.1-megapixel APS-C-sized sensor powering this little bit of kit, and a 34.5mm-equivalent f/2 prime lens helps drive the picture quality. That might be limiting for some, but the hybrid viewfinder is a nice touch, making this a different choice for landscape photographers. Be warned – it is a bit pricier than some compact cameras, at more than $1000.
If you enjoyed this piece, you might also like our article on the ‘Landscape Artist of the Year 2023’.
