What’s the best affordable camera for landscape photography? Well, you probably want one with an APS-C or full frame sensor for low-light performance. And you also want decent resolution for large prints and weather sealing for “go-anywhere” travel.
Unfortunately, you get what you pay for. Landscape photography cameras with larger sensors and more features are generally more expensive. But we’ve limited the budget for these camera bodies to about $1,200 and under. Our top choice is the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9. It hits the mark with high resolution, weather sealing, and customization.
There are two types of cameras on our list—mirrorless and DSLRs. Each has pros and cons.
Most mirrorless cameras and lenses are smaller and lighter than their DSLR equivalents. And their autofocus (AF) systems usually cover the entire frame. So you don’t have to focus and recompose.
They have electronic viewfinders (EVFs) and LCD screens showing a real-time view of the exposure and white balance. So “what you see is what you get” (WYSIWYG). EVFs are also usable in bright sunshine—unlike the LCD screen of a DSLR.
But the recent development of the format means fewer wide-angle lenses are available. And it doesn’t help that Canon and Nikon refuse to let third-party manufacturers make competing lenses.
DSLR cameras offer similar sensor sizes and resolutions. The weather sealing is also usually better than with mirrorless cameras. You also get a fantastic range of lenses—whichever brand you choose.
But manufacturers are investing less and less in DSLRs as mirrorless cameras overtake them. And more and more models are being discontinued, such as the Nikon D3500 and D5600.
Nikon now only has one DX-format DSLR, and even Canon might stop releasing new DSLR cameras at some point. That’ll leave Pentax as the last one standing!
Let’s have a quick look at a summary of the best options. And jump to our buying guide and camera FAQs at the end of this article If you need more help choosing a camera.
Let’s look at the best budget alternatives currently on the market for landscape photographers.
Some cameras remove the anti-aliasing (AA) filter or let you switch it off for added sharpness. And it’s best to have a wide choice of wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle lenses. This is especially true if you choose a crop-sensor camera.
I’ve mostly chosen 24 MP APS-C and full frame models rather than compact cameras. But there’s one very good Micro Four Thirds camera that might surprise you!
The best affordable camera for landscape photography has to cover several bases. Landscape photographers want high resolution and good low-light performance. Weather sealing, portability, and a user-friendly experience are also desired.
Plenty of high-end cameras offer that, such as the Sony a1 or a7R V. Unfortunately, they’re all much more than $1,200! But our top pick is the Panasonic DC-G9. It’s an affordable option for budding landscape photographers.
If you have to make trade-offs to keep within budget, you have a few options:
If you like low-light photography, you might prefer full frame cameras like the Canon EOS RP. But most landscape photographers use the lowest ISO, choose a narrow aperture like f/16, and let the camera choose the shutter speed.
This means you don’t only need a large sensor or wide ISO range to help you in low light. There’s a risk of motion blur with moving subjects.
But you don’t get many of those in landscape photography! And you can always use a long shutter speed even if you’re shooting waves or clouds.
If you want sharpness or the ability to crop in, having as many megapixels (MP) as possible is important. That’s where the Panasonic G9‘s Hi-Res Capture mode comes in handy!
Another factor is the AA filter. You’ll get slightly sharper images if there isn’t one. (Or you can switch it off). And you might get moiré effects. But that’s not usually a problem when shooting landscapes.
If portability is most important to you, the answer is probably a mirrorless model. There are good options like the Panasonic G9 or the Sony a6100.
Both camera bodies and lenses are smaller and lighter. It’s a big deal if you’re always hiking up and down mountains to find suitable landscapes!
Here are the most common questions about the best affordable camera for landscape photography. We hope this helps you make the most informed decision when you buy one.
Strangely enough, the best camera is likely the Panasonic G9, even though it’s only a Micro Four Thirds! That’s because the image quality is still good, and you can even use the 80 MP Hi-Res Capture mode for extra detail and higher dynamic range.
Other mirrorless models with larger sensors include the Sony a6100, Fujifilm X-S10, and Nikon Z50. If you prefer a DSLR, you could buy the Pentax KF or the Canon EOS Rebel T8i.
The more, the merrier! As a landscape photographer, you’ll probably want your images to be as sharp as possible from front to back. More megapixels (MP) help you achieve that. (All other things being equal.)
There are plenty of other factors, and higher-resolution cameras normally cost more. But when it comes to sensors, a good big one will always beat a good little one!
There’s always a trade-off between features and the cost of a camera. If you’re looking for the best cameras for landscape photography, you have a couple of options. You can buy a new camera for as much as you can afford. Or you can buy a second-hand or “renewed” model for the same price.
You’ll usually get better specs on paper with the latter. But the risk is that there might be a fault with the camera.
EOS cameras are simply Canon DSLRs. So the question is, “Are DSLRs or mirrorless models better cameras for landscape photography?” The answer depends on what you’re looking for.
DSLR cameras usually have an optical viewfinder and better weather sealing. But mirrorless models have WYSIWYG EVFs and LCD screens. Plus, they have AF systems covering the whole frame. Mirrorless is also a good way to future-proof your purchase.
If you’re still not sure which landscape camera to choose, try our guides to the best cameras for outdoor photography or night photography next!
