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If scenery’s your favorite subject matter, you need one of the best cameras for landscape photography. After testing hundreds of cameras, we’ve learnt that a good landscape camera needs certain attributes: a high sensor resolution, solid build quality and weather-proofing. Because you’ll often be using a tripod, its size and weight is usually a matter of personal preference.
The camera we’d personally choose for landscape photography is the Sony A7R V, mainly because its full-frame sensor is capable of capturing such incredible detail. But you’ll find a range of alternative options below, including smaller Micro Four Thirds and APS-C models that will appeal more if you plan to travel to shoot certain landscapes.
While some landscape cameras can be pricey, you don’t necessarily need the latest model to capture impressive stills, which is why you’ll find a mix of options in our guide. Based on the results of hours of in-depth testing out in the field, we’ve pulled together this list of our favorite landscape cameras for every need and budget.
Top 3 picks
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.
Read more below
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.
Read more below
The best value
It might be getting on a bit, but the EOS R has a 30MP resolution full-frame sensor and can now be had for much less than its launch price.
Read more below
Best by use-case
The best lightweight
A lightweight yet rugged Micro Four Thirds camera, the OM-1 is lovely in the hand and benefits from clever computational photography modes.
Read more below
The best APS-C
With a resolution of 40.2MP, the Fujifilm X-T5 is an ideal crop-sensor flagship for those who favor detail over outright performance.
Read more below
The best detail
Offering a 102MP resolution at a competitive price, this is a tempting medium-format option for landscape photographers.
Read more below
The best compact
If you want a high-res compact for travel-friendly landscape photography, the Q3’s sharp fixed 28mm lens and 61MP sensor make it a strong choice.
Read more below
Timothy Coleman
Tim is TechRadar’s Cameras Editor. He has more than 15 years’ experience as a photographer and journalist. Tim lived in Kenya for several years, where he had the privilege of shooting incredible landscapes. He notes, “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 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
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Buy it if:
✅ You want detailed landscapes: With a 61MP full-frame sensor, the Sony A7R V is capable of capturing exceptionally detail.
✅ You like shooting with a viewfinder: The A7R V benefits from one of the best EVF’s on the market, with 9.44m dots.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You have a limited budget: The A7R V delivers top performance at a price, especially when you factor in the cost of lenses.
❌ You don’t need so much detail: If you’re not planning to print stills at large dimensions, you’ll find better value from a 40MP camera.
Like the A7R IV, the 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. Based on our tests, the A7R V truly is a fantastic choice for landscape or studio pros.
You also get one of the best EVFs in the market, as well as a versatile vari-angle LCD screen, which we found makes for easy viewing from any angle. Should you shift from landscapes to wildlife photography, you’ll also be equipped with industry-leading subject detection autofocus. Other landscape photgraphy-friendly features include focus stacking and a Pixel Shift high resolution mode that takes multiple shots one after the other to be stitched together later for a larger image. 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
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Buy it if:
✅ You want an accomplished all-rounder: Improvements across the board make the Z7 II once of the most versatile landscape cameras.
✅ You want a rugged camera: Built tough enough to withstand wild conditions, the Z7 II is designed as a reliable tool for the pros.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You already have the Nikon Z7: A range of upgrades make the Z7 II the better camera, but not enough to justify paying to switch.
❌ You want best-in-class autofocus: The Z7 II has improved autofocus, but others do better, particularly when shooting fast subjects.
A modest evolution of the Nikon Z7, the Z7 II is a compelling mirrorless camera for landscape photography. While the Z6 II is a more cost-effective option, the sharper 45.7MP sensor of the Z7 II makes it the professional camera we’d choose for shooting scenery. Paired with one of the best Nikon Z lenses, we found it capable of capturing fantastic detail. Noise was also controlled well, meaning we were able to pull impressive amounts of clean detail out of shadows.
In our review, we commented positively on the the ability to set the Z7 II to take focus-stacked images to be merged in Photoshop for a larger depth of field. We also value the presence of dual card slots, as well as class-leading weather sealing, which reflects the rugged build quality and pro-friendly handling of the camera as a whole. Autofocus isn’t the absolute fastest out there, but it’s plenty good enough for landscapes, making this one of the best options for shooting scenic scenes.
The best value landscape photography camera
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Buy if it:
✅ You want a mirrorless alternative to DSLR: With great handling and a versatile top-plate LCD, the EOS R has a lot of DSLR hallmarks.
✅ You want a good value full-frame camera: There are many newer Canon EOS R models, but the original now offers the best value.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You need multiple SD card slots: With just a single SD card slot, the Canon EOS R is edged out by other professional tools with two.
❌ You need greater versatility: If you want a hybrid camera for shooting more than just landscapes, the EOS R5 is a better bet.
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 launched way back in 2018, but for landscape photography, the EOS R continues to offer superior value than the Canon EOS R5. And with more and more variety among the best Canon RF lenses, we think this is now a system you can confidently buy into.
Similar in size to an SLR, we praised the EOS R’s handling, touchscreen and useful top-plate LCD in our review. Our tests also found that its sensor offers very respectable performance, even if newer models are faster and sharper. You do only get a single 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.
The best lightweight system for landscape photography
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Buy it if:
✅ You want a portable landscape camera: Combining small dimensions with a weatherproof build, the OM-1 is ideal for travelling with.
✅ You shoot landscapes handheld: Superb stabilization means the OM-1 is a camera you don’t need a tripod to shoot stills with.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want the highest resolution: At 20MP, the OM-1’s Micro Four Thirds sensor has one of the lowest resolutions in this round-up.
❌ You want a full touchscreen interface: The OM-1 is lovely to shoot with, but its touchscreen doesn’t work with the menu system.
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.
Based on our tests, 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, we found in our review that 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
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Buy it if:
✅ You want a lightweight APS-C camera: Relatively small and light, the X-T5 packs flagship smarts into a smaller body.
✅ You value the shooting experience: With a generous array of direct-access controls, the X-T5 is a tactile camera to use.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You need the best autofocus around: Autofocus performance is lens-dependent and lags behind rivals from Canon and Sony.
❌ You shoot a lot of low-light landscapes: The X-T5 can handle changing light, but a full-frame sensor is better for night landscapes.
The Fujifilm X-T5 is a stills-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. We think that makes it a great value choice for landscape photography. It benefits from in-body image stabilization and solid battery life, both of which landscape photographers will appreciate. It’s also less important that the X-T5’s subject-detection autofocus can’t compete with Sony and Canon’s rival efforts.
We loved the compact form factor of the X-T5 in our review, plus its photography-friendly controls, especially the retro dials for ISO, shutter speed and exposure adjustments. These methodical dials suit the pace of landscape photography. You also get a three-way tilting touchscreen which we think works better than a vari-angle for framing stills. We did find in our tests that 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
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Buy it if:
✅ You want superior image quality: A 100MP medium-format sensor means the GFX100S II is capable of incredible stills quality.
✅ You value good ergonomics: When paired with lighter GF lenses, the GFX100S II offers lovely balance and handling.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want the fastest performance: It’s no slouch, but the GFX100S II is beaten in the speed stakes by cameras like the A7R V.
❌ You don’t need pro-grade resolution: It’s relatively reasonable for what it does, but the GFX100S II is still quite an investment.
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 11648×8736 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
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Buy it if:
✅ You want a beautifully designed camera: True to Leica’s reputation, the Q3 is a stunning camera, that feels impeccably put together.
✅ You want a high-res compact: Combining a fixed lens with compact dimensions and a 60.3MP sensor, this one powerful compact.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You’re on a tight budget: The Leica name comes with a premium, which will put the Q3 beyond the budget of many enthusiasts.
❌ You need a professional tool: While the Q3 has plenty of impressive features, it’s designed for everyday rather than pro use.
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
How to choose the best landscape photography camera
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
☑️ 100s of cameras reviewed
☑️ 15 years of product testing
☑️ Over 16,000 products reviewed in total
☑️ Nearly 200,000 hours testing tech
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.
