1. The list in brief
2. Best overall
3. Best Nikon
4. Best value
5. Best lightweight
6. Best APS-C
7. Best detail
8. Best compact
9. How to choose
10. How we test
If it's scenic shots you're after, then you've come to the right place – we've rounded up all of the finest photographic companions for the great outdoors, whatever your budget. Landscape photography cameras have a specific range of skills: rather than burst modes or advanced autofocus, the most important factors are often resolution, build quality, weather-proofing and their overall size. After all, they're usually attached to tripods during single-shot exposures that are too long for handheld shooting.
While large sensor cameras can be pricey, you don't necessarily need the absolute latest models – so we've included a mix in this in-depth guide, based on countless hours spend out in the field. Opting for the previous version that is still available of any of the cameras below could get you the same image quality for landscape photography, for less.
Full-frame cameras like the Sony A7R V and medium-format cameras such as the Fujifilm GFX 100S II offer the highest resolutions for making large prints and offer the best noise handling at high ISO settings. The latter isn’t essential for landscape photography cameras, making smaller and lighter APS-C and Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras strong options if you need a camera that’s more comfortable to carry over long distances. Ultimately, professional landscape photographers can simply use the camera format that best suits their needs, any all the options below are crafted to a high standard and able to take on the great outdoors.
Tim is TechRadar's Cameras editor, with over 15 years experience in the photo video industry and most of those in the world of tech journalism. He is also a keen landscape photographer. Tim says, "Whatever the weather, I love seeing in a new day out on location, be it the coast or mountainside, with a camera in hand (or on a tripod)! Rugged build quality is a must, while sensor resolution is important for picking out fine details. However, you don't need the latest models for landscape photography, and all the options below are the best in their respective categories."
The quick list
If you love the outdoors and photography, you'll need a dependable camera capable of capturing fine detail. The options below are our favorite models covering a variety of budgets and needs, and you can use the links to fly down to our full write-ups.
The best for pros
The same best-in-class 61MP resolution, but with a revised sensor, new processing engine, and the price has come down to match the A7R IV.
The best Nikon
The same 45MP resolution as the pricier Z8 and Z9 models, and in a smaller body. If landscape photography is your sole focus, you'll save a packet.
The best value
It might be getting on in years, but the EOS R has a higher than average 30MP resolution full-frame sensor and can now be had for much less than its launch price.
The best lightweight
The OM System OM-1 is lovely in the hand and is part of the lightweight micro four thirds system. It's super rugged and comes with super clever computational photography modes, including ND filter effects.
The best APS-C
Majoring on resolution, the 40MP Fujifilm X-T5 is the ideal crop-sensor flagship for those who favor detail over outright performance.
The best detail
A medium-format sensor with 102MP resolution, choice of super sharp lenses, plus aggressive pricing makes the GFX 100S II a tempting alternative to full-frame for landscape photographers.
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The best compact
A slight curveball choice, but the Leica Q3 is the most powerful compact camera that boasts a high resolution 61MP sensor and an incredibly sharp fixed 28mm lens. If you want to keep landscape photography a simple experience, the Q3 is it.
The best cameras for landscape photography in 2024
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You'll find full write-ups for each of the best cameras for landscape photography in our list below. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
The best landscape photography camera overall
Like its predecessor the A7R IV, the latest A7R V has a best-in-class 61MP full-frame sensor, capable of exceptional detail, although you'll need a pricey high quality lens to realize the benefit of all those pixels. You won't save much by opting for the older A7R IV, and should you go for the A7R V, you will get much improved in-body image stabilization with up to 8-stops compensation, making sharp handheld shooting a real possibility despite the unforgiving high resolution sensor. The A7R V truly is a fantastic choice for landscape or studio pros.
You also get one of the best EVFs in the market; a high-resolution 9.44m-dot unit, and a highly versatile side-hinged vari-angle LCD screen for easy viewing from any angle. Should you shift gears from landscapes and into portraiture or wildlife photography, then you'll be equipped with industry-leading subject detection autofocus – an entirely new AF system using an AI-powered autofocus chip. Other landscape photgraphy-friendly features include focus stacking (that's a first for Sony) and Pixel Shift high resolution mode that takes multiple shots one after the other to be stitched together later for a larger image, you know, in case 61MP wasn't enough already, and it's now with motion correction to compensate for movement. If you want the best full-frame camera for landscape photography, we think the A7R V is the ticket.
Read our in-depth Sony A7R V review
The best Nikon camera for landscape photography
Nikon may have been late to the full-frame mirrorless camera party, but the Z7 II is the company’s most impressive offering to date. This 45.7MP professional camera is pricey and ideal for landscape photography, but if you need a full-frame Nikon mirrorless camera with an equally impressive feature set, then the 24.5MP Z6 II provides a more cost-effective alternative.
There aren’t as many native lenses available for the Nikon Z system as Sony E-mount, but for landscape photographers, there are all the wide-angle primes and zooms you could ever need, plus the promise of more to come. That’s alongside some impressive third-party options, although once again there are fewer than for Sony E-mount due to the infancy of the Z-mount. The Mount Adapter FTZ II, however, allows the use of an extensive catalogue of F-mount lenses to be used with the camera.
Features of interest include base ISO 64, an interval timer for time-lapse photography, class-leading weather sealing, and the ability to set the camera to take focus-stacked images to be merged in Photoshop for a larger depth-of-field in the final image. The camera offers dual card slots – one SD and the other XQD – with the latter being faster and more expensive than the former. This may be of use to action and sports photographers, but for landscape shooters dual high-speed SD card slots would have been preferable. Still, it's a minor black mark on one of the best landscape photography cameras around.
- Read our in-depth Nikon Z7 II review
The best value landscape photography camera
If you’re a Canon DSLR owner or someone looking for an affordable entry point to full-frame mirrorless cameras, the 30.3MP Canon EOS R is an attractive option. It's now well over three years old, and there are rumors of a possible successor later this year. But for landscape shooting, the EOS R continues to offer superior value to over the admittedly more future-proofed Canon EOS R5.
In terms of lenses, the Canon RF line-up is growing fast. Like Nikon’s Z-mount lenses, it’s still smaller than the longer standing Sony E-mount options. This will, of course, grow over time and third-party options will also improve, but for existing Canon DSLR owners and newcomers to the RF system, the optional Mount Adapter EF-EOS R makes it possible to use Canon’s extensive list of EF/EF-S lenses, as well as those from third-party manufacturers.
The EOS R uses a sensor that’s similar to the one in the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. This means it isn't as up to date as more recent EOS R models or those from Nikon and Sony, but it still provides a very respectable performance. There’s also only one SD card slot, but with excellent dust and water-resistant sealing, 5655 AF points, a low price and solid overall handling, it remains a fine landscape photography camera. Particularly for those who are on a budget but want to shoot with a full-frame mirrorless camera.
- Read our in-depth Canon EOS R review
The best lightweight system for landscape photography
Not everyone needs a full-frame camera. Like the Fujifilm X-T4, the OM System OM-1 embraces the benefits of a smaller sensor to create a compelling alternative for photographers who prioritize size, versatility and a fun handheld experience. Thanks to its stacked Micro Four Thirds sensor – the first of its kind – and a speedy TruePix X processor, the OM-1 performed admirably in most our tests. Quite simply, it's the one of the most enjoyable cameras you can buy. We found that the OM-1 performed well up to ISO 1600 and had slightly less aggressive noise reduction than its Olympus-made predecessors.
Its computational modes are also the best you'll find outside a smartphone, with the likes of HIgh Res Shot, Live ND and in-camera Focus Stacking going some way to compensating for its smaller sensor. On the downside, its autofocus tracking isn't quite up to the level of Canon or Sony, and the controls can be a little fiddly. That 20MP resolution also isn't huge for a camera of this price. But if you can overlook those drawbacks, then the OM-1 (and its huge range of Micro Four Thirds lenses) will make a fine companion.
Read our in-depth OM System OM-1 review
The best APS-C camera for landscape photography
The Fujifilm X-T5 is a photography-first mirrorless camera that deploys a best-in-class 40.2MP APS-C sensor, together with Fujifilm's X-Processor 5, for near identical image quality to the pricier Fujifilm X-H2. However, if landscape photography is your primary focus, then we suggest saving a little by going for the X-T5.
Those upgrading from an older X-T model will notice that the X-T5 is the first in the line to feature in-body image stabilization, plus it has superior battery life; two improvements that landscape photographers will appreciate, and for whom it won't matter that Fujifilm’s latest subject-detection autofocus can’t compete with Sony and Canon’s latest efforts.
We love the compact form factor of the X-T5, plus its photography-friendly controls, especially the retro dials for ISO, shutter speed and exposure adjustments. These methodical controls suit the pace of landscape photography. You also get a three-way tilting touchscreen that works better than a vari-angle for framing stills. The APS-C sensor limits low-light performance, but when the light is good you'll be extremely happy with X-T5 landscape photos especially with a decent XF lens in play.
Read our in-depth Fujifilm X-T5 review
The best for detailed landscape photography
Fujifilm did something unusual with the GFX100S II; created a newer camera that was cheaper than its forebears. We know what Fujifilm was doing – aggressively pricing its latest medium-format to tempt the many landscape photography pros that shoot full-frame, who might consider switching to Fujifilm's larger format. And those that do with the GFX100S II are in for a treat; it's a formidable camera with 102MP sensor that beats any other camera in this guide for outright detail. That's 11648x8736 pixels and with a base ISO 80 setting giving superb dynamic range. For images packed with detail, tone and rich color, you'll struggle to beat the GFX100S II.
It costs less than the GFX100 II which is a better hybrid camera, but features are still trickled down from the flagship model into the GFX100S II, including the new design and a two-way tilt touchscreen. Paired with a chunky GF lens, the 1.95lb / 883g GFX100S II isn't overly heavy, comparable to a mid-range full-framer like the Nikon Z8. We love the backlit top LCD that can display use info for landscape photography such as the histogram or exposure settings. Overall, if you take landscape photography seriously, this could be your best bet, just factor in the extra cost for a GF lens.
Read our in-depth Fujifilm GFX100S II review
The best compact camera for landscape photography
Compact cameras can be cost-effective alternatives to interchangeable lens cameras but that doesn’t mean there aren’t superb high-end options. Take the stunning Leica Q3: a full-frame monster that comes complete with the exceptional Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH fixed lens. Calling the Leica Q3 compact may be a slight stretch – it's around the same size as the Panasonic Lumix S5 II with a pancake lens – but it is the full package if you’re looking for superlative image quality and almost unparalleled build quality.
It’s this latter point that allows the Leica Q3 to stand out from the competition and smartphones. Put simply, the Leica Q3 offers a premium tactile shooting experience that even the best camera phones can’t hope to match. And, price aside, the Leica Q3 is an excellent performer. Unlike the well-known M-series rangefinders from the brand, the Q3 is fully autofocus capable, which makes it an excellent everyday carry for the well-heeled. Sure, the autofocus performance doesn’t quite match the best systems on the market right now but the Leica Q3 is the brand’s easiest to use camera yet - and one that scores full marks on style points.
Read our in-depth Leica Q3 review
How to choose the best camera for landscape photography
Buying any camera for a specific genre of photography involves weighing up your budget, personal preferences and other factors like existing lenses. For landscape photography, this certainly applies, but it's one subject where you can capture fantastic images with few, if any, bells and whistles – it’s resolution, size, weight and build quality that are most important.
The size and weight of a camera system are very much a personal choice; some photographers are willing to carry larger and heavier medium format cameras to enjoy the best image quality possible. While others opt for the middle ground with a full-frame camera. Then some prefer the size and weight advantages of APS-C and Micro Four Thirds cameras.
Weather-sealing is always important because it’s not uncommon to find yourself shooting in inclement weather. And although a rain cover is always useful to avoid putting a wet camera into a dry camera bag, knowing that your camera and lenses are dust and moisture resistant adds another layer of confidence in these situations.
Buying a new camera is always an exciting prospect, but it can also be fraught with risk. Choose the wrong model and you’ll be cursing yourself for years to come, or could even find yourself trading in prematurely. The camera market can be confusing, so we’ve compiled a list of the best landscape photography cameras suitable for all budgets and requirements.
How we test landscape photography cameras
Buying a landscape camera these days is a big investment, so every camera in this guide has been tested extensively by us. These days, real-world tests are the most revealing way to understand a camera's performance and character, so we focus heavily on those, along with standardized tests for factors like ISO performance.
To start with, we look at the camera's design, handling and controls to get a sense of what kind of photographer it's aimed at and who would most enjoy shooting with it. When we take it out on a shoot, we'll use it both handheld and on a tripod to get a sense of where its strengths lie, and test its startup speed.
When it comes to performance, we use a formatted card and shoot in both raw and JPEG (if available). For burst shooting tests, we dial in our regular test settings (1/250 sec, ISO 200, continuous AF) and shoot a series of frames in front of a stopwatch to see if it lives up to its claimed speeds. We'll also look at how quickly the buffers clears and repeat the test for both raw and JPEG files, even though this is less crucial for landscape cameras.
In various lighting conditions, we also test the camera's different autofocus modes (including Face and Eye AF) in single point, area and continuous modes. We also shoot a range of photos of different styles beyond landscape (typically portrait, low light and macro/close-up) in raw and JPEG to get a sense of metering and its sensor's ability to handle noise and resolve fine detail.
If the camera's raw files are supported by Adobe Camera Raw, we'll also process some test images to see how we can push areas like shadow recovery. And we'll also test its ISO performance across the whole range to get a sense of the levels we'd be happy to push the camera to.
Battery life is tested in a real-world fashion, as we use the camera over the course of the day with the screen set to the default settings. Once the battery has reached zero, we'll then count the number of shots to see how it compares to the camera's CIPA rating. Finally, we test the camera's video skills by shooting some test footage at different frame-rates and resolutions, along with its companion app.
We then take everything we've learned about the camera and factor in its price to get a sense of the value-for-money it offers, before reaching our final verdict.
What are the best settings for landscape photography?
Capturing great landscapes is more about location, composition, light and weather than settings. But even so, using the right settings to ensure the best possible image quality and a large depth-of-field is essential. Typically, ISO needs to be set to the base ISO setting which is usually ISO 64 or 100. This provides the maximum dynamic range available for the camera being used.
Beyond ISO, shoot in manual or aperture priority and set metering to Evaluative/Matrix for an exposure value that’s calculated according to light and dark areas in the scene, with white balance set to Daylight. Shooting in Daylight white balance will capture the natural color of the light rather than being neutralized by Auto white balance. Plus, you can adjust the white balance when processing raw files.
For landscape photography, shooting in raw provides a huge amount of scope for making adjustments to reveal, recover and enhance the rich detail you’re typically capturing. Plus, it ultimately helps you to enjoy the best image quality possible, because you’re working on the raw image data rather than a JPEG that has already been processed in-camera.
When it comes to focusing, for a large depth-of-field, it’s recommended that you focus a third of the distance into the scene beyond the foreground area that you’d like to be sharp and in focus. This can be applied manually or using autofocus. In terms of aperture, it’s best not to set the minimum aperture of f/16 or f/22 because diffraction (an overall softening of the image) will be an issue. Instead, shot at f/11-16 on a full-frame camera, f/8-f/11 with APS-C and f/5.6-f/8 for Micro Four Thirds.
- Check out our guide to the world's best cameras for photography
