Just because you are on a budget it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy sharp and clear landscape photos. Check out our review of the best affordable cameras for landscape photography to find your best pick.
Nobody likes to take low quality landscape photos, however, to guarantee better quality, you must have a good camera. The good news is that you don’t have to break an arm and leg to get a good quality landscape camera. Thanks to the wide range of the best affordable cameras for landscape photography, there are different options to choose from.
After a long day of basking in the beautiful scenery and natural panoramas, affordable cameras still guarantee you incredible photo and video qualities. These cameras come with high quality lenses, intuitive sensors, and a cross section of settings to allow you to relieve the outdoor bliss from the comfort of your home.
So to make the shopping process easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of the 8 best affordable cameras for landscape photography. All that’s left is to choose whichever model appeals the most to you!
1. Nikon D3500 W/ AF-P
The Nikon D3500 DLSR camera is ideally designed to be used by anyone. The magic is: if you can use a smartphone to take photos, you can definitely use this camera. Additionally, the camera comes with a guide mode to assist you when you take photos with simple on-screen instructions.
Its built-in auto mode delivers incredibly amazing photo quality. The D3500 digital camera comes with an image sensor that is 15 times larger than those used in smartphones for sharper and clearer photos with richer details.
To make it easier to use the camera, the camera features a lightweight and balanced body, even with its full lenses attached. Its intuitive buttons and dials on the other end provide a user friendly finish.
Compatible with the Nikon SnapBridge app, you can post photos from this camera to your favorite sites or even remotely trigger the camera to take photos with a smartphone or tablet. Plus, its wifi and Bluetooth connectivity allow you to explore more features that the camera offers.
Features
Focus type: Automatic
Maximum resolution: 24.7 megapixels
Optical zoom: 3x
Weight: 0.86 lbs.
Pros
- Auto mode guarantees great photo qualities
- 15 times larger image sensors than smartphone ones for sharper and clearer photos with richer details.
- The compact and lightweight body makes it great for travel and special events
- Compatible with the Nikon SnapBridge app for sharing photos and to remotely take photos with a smartphone or tablet
- Allows you to take 1080p HD videos with monaural sound
- Deep JPEG buffer (100 frames) and RAW buffer (13 frames)
Cons
- The screen cannot turn or tilt
- No automatic dust removal
- No headphone, external mic, or accessory jacks
2. Nikon D5600 DX-format Digital SLR Body
Integrating a fast shooting action at 5 frames per second, you can never miss the perfect picture moment. The Nikon D5600 features an Expeed image processor that combines incredible autofocus system and high quality shooting for a guaranteed high degree of image details.
Additionally, the Expeed image processor provides an expanded ISO sensitivity of 6,400 in night landscape mode to help take perfect photos in low light scenes and difficult lighting situations. When the lighting is extremely dim or if you want to get rid of shadows, the built-in flash provides the ample illumination needed.
The camera allows you to explore both automatic and manual modes. With the manual mode, you can enjoy a wide variety of dynamic settings with the built-in HDR.
The optical viewfinder on the other end provides a clear view through the lens when you want to focus on a subject, as it helps to block out sunlight and other distractions. The camera is built with a high quality full HD video capacity which offers sharp video quality and a clear stereo sound.
Features
Focus type: Manual/automatic
Maximum resolution: 24.2 megapixels
Optical zoom: 1x
Weight: 1.20 lbs.
Pros
- Fast shooting action of 5 frames per second
- Expeed image processor for high photo quality in both brightly lit and low lit conditions
- Built-in flash to illuminate dark areas and to eliminate shadows
- The viewfinder allows you to focus on a subject by eliminating sunlight and other distractions
- Pairs with AF-P lens for smooth, near-silent autofocus, and crystal clear sound
- Large and intuitive 3.2-inch touch screen
Cons
- The video quality is not 4K
- Shallow buffer depth when shooting RAW images
- The Bluetooth connectivity is somewhat slow
3. Canon PowerShot SX730 Digital Camera
Built with a powerful 40x optical zoom and an all-new 180 degrees tilt-type screen, the Canon Powershot produces properly centered photos with super clear and sharp details. The 180 degrees tilt screen makes the camera great for taking selfies.
You can push the screen down 90 degrees for a longer angle view. Its zoom framing function on the other end comes in handy when using longer focal lengths. To give your images more natural features, a skin effect function is included.
To capture the right moments, the customizable self timer gives you enough time to master your facial expressions. Furthermore, the digital camera comes with Bluetooth 1 technology; allowing you to connect to your smartphone’s GPS and to geotag your photos. With this connectivity, you can embed your image location data and time stamp them to give you access to this data when needed.
Features
Focus type: Manual/automatic
Maximum resolution: 20.3 megapixels
Optical zoom: 40x
Weight: 0.66 lbs.
Pros
- Self portrait mode to take the best selfies
- All new 180 degrees screen tilt to position your face for a perfect self
- The screen tilts to 90 degrees for photos with longer focal lengths
- A customizable self timer to get give you time to get ready for the photo
- Skin effect function to smoothen your skin tone and background brightness
- Compatible with wifi connectivity
Cons
- Small sensor design restricts low light performance
- The camera is not tropicalized so don’t use it in extreme conditions
- No Raw capability
4. PANASONIC LUMIX FZ1000 4K Point and Shoot Camera
Experience the true- world view with the Panasonic Lumex digital camera’s 4K video and still picture capture. Additionally, the camera is equipped with incredible audio recording with optional stereo/shotgun microphone which offers you the freedom to adjust sound gathering quality to match your video shootings.
Its manual operation allows you to switch to creative video mode and dramatic slow motion in full HD 120 fps video. On the still picture side, the camera is built with a large sensor quality. With a 1-inch 20.1 megapixel MOS sensor, the digital camera offers improved low light capture and large sensor background defocus effects.
to complement the camera’s high quality video and still picture capture, bright and ultra sharp Leica DC lens which measures 25,400mm is fitted to the camera. Its hybrid O.I.S stabilizer with a 5 axis correction on the other end deliver blur less, single-handed video shooting. Its integrated smartphone Wifi connectivity offers remote imaging control via its proprietary Panasonic image app.
Features
Focus type: Manual/ automatic
Maximum resolution: 20.1 megapixels
Optical zoom: 16x
Weight: 1.83 lbs.
Pros
- The camera boasts 4K video and photo quality
- Built variable touch LCD screen
- Quick autofocus function
- The camera has an audio input
- Very low shutter lag
- Fast full-res burst mode at 9+ fps with generous JPEG buffer
Cons
- Very compact compared to an interchangeable-lens camera
- Doesn’t have splash or dust protection
- The camera doesn’t have a built-in ND filter
5. Canon PowerShot SX420 Digital Camera
With the big 42x optical zoom and 24mm ultra wide angle, the Canon PowerShot bridge-style camera delivers incredible photo quality and a comfortable ergonomic grip, making it easy to carry and operate. Additionally, the camera allows you to keep enjoying your photo and video shooting for longer thanks to its eco mode, which significantly reduces battery consumption.
In addition to its still picture shooting, the camera allows you to make great instant HD movies with 720p in MP4 format. The optical zoom and dynamic image stabilizer allow you to enjoy more video customization.
Thanks to the 20-megapixel resolution and DIGIC 4+ processing, you can also opt to create good looking poster sized prints. With a single touch of the auto button, the smart auto provides the perfect camera settings whilst complemented with the creative filters.
Features
Focus type: Manual/ automatic
Maximum resolution: 20 megapixels
Optical zoom: 42x
Weight: 1.4 lbs.
Pros
- Eco mode reduces battery consumption for longer shoots
- 42x optical zoom for better image details
- 24mm ultra wide design for ergonomically comfortable handling
- Optical zoom and image stabilizer provides you with better video shooting
- Creative filters for more customization of your videos and sill pictures
- Effective 1008mm good tele lens
Cons
- The camera has no viewfinder
- Low battery life allows only 195 shots
- No manual exposure
6. Sony (DSCW800) 20.1 MP Digital Camera
Featuring a Super Had CCD 20.1 megapixel sensor, the Sony digital camera delivers high quality and crispy clear photos with intricate details. Its 26mm lens offers a wide angle which allows you to take full photos without missing out on the memorable elements.
With an optical zoom capacity of 5x, the camera allows you to get your subject closer so you don’t miss out on the key details. Its 5 cm macro focus distance on the other end allows you to capture your subject up close. When you are indoors, during the night time or at dusk, the camera’s advanced flash function allows you to enjoy the same brightly lit photo quality.
Yet, this camera doesn’t only offer high performance. Thanks to its sleek finish and ultra portability, you can easily slip it in your pockets. Plus, during picture taking, you won’t only enjoy excellent photos and videos, but you will also look great doing it. The camera comes in two sleek color options to choose from as well.
Features
Focus type: Manual/automatic
Maximum resolution: 20.1 megapixels
Optical zoom: 5x
Weight: 0.275 lbs.
Pros
- Available in sleek silver and black finish
- Ultra lightweight and compact body that you can stash in your pockets
- 5 cm macro focus distance to get you closer and clearer to the subject
- Advanced flash for brighter photos in the indoors, at dusk, and in the night time
- 5x optical zoom to get you closer to your subject
- The camera offers panoramic shooting
Cons
- Doesn’t have wifi connectivity
- Not very durable plastic construction
- No manual focusing
7. Kodak PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ252-WH 16MP Digital Camera
The Kodak PIXPRO Astro digital camera offers a vivid view thanks to its 3 inch LCD screen. With this screen size, you can see everything you are shooting as well as adjust our settings. Built with a 16-megapixel resolution, you can capture optimal clarity without losing quality – whether you choose to zoom, or crop your photos.
Plus, with up to 22 modes, the camera offers you more customization. The modes include sports, fireworks, and fish eye which automatically adjust for light, movement, and overall quality depending on the scene you are shooting.
Plus, by choosing the mode, you don’t have to spend too much time worrying and fumbling with the technical aspect before you take your shots. To complement the image modes, the optical image stabilization helps to smoothen out the bumps on your photos.
Features
Focus type: Manual/automatic
Maximum resolution: 16 megapixels
Optical zoom: 25x
Weight: 0.8 lbs.
Pros
- Built-in quick start guide to get accustomed to the operation
- up to 22 modes to choose from
- Optical image stabilizer to smoothen your photos for better quality
- USB cable to easily transfer your photos from camera to the computer
- Can be used with 4 x AA batteries
- Built-in camera flash
Cons
- You have to separately purchase an SD card
- Increased battery power consumption
- The camera is not equipped with a horseshoe
8. Nikon COOLPIX P900 Digital Camera
The Nikon COOLPIX P900 lets you unleash your creativity thanks to its powerful construction and powerful 83xx optical zoom. Its Moon Mode allows you to capture extraordinary pictures of the moon. Additionally, the camera is capacitated to offer full HD 1080p video recording with superior stereo surround sound.
After your shooting, simply connect the camera to an HDTV to watch your videos come to life! Furthermore, the camera features a Nikon technology to improve image stability by dampening camera shakes. Its Target-Finding AF feature instantaneously assesses your subject and automatically adjusts the AF area according to the size to guarantee a perfectly focused image.
On Live View mode, you can maintain focus on a moving subject using the contrast detection system to maintain image quality and eliminate blurs. A High 6400 ISO camera also guarantees high quality images. After all, the 6400 ISO is the maximum available ISO.
Features
Focus type: Manual/ automatic
Maximum resolution: 16 megapixels
Optical zoom: 83x
Weight: 7.74 lbs.
Pros
- Live View mode to capture moving subjects with precision
- TargetFinding AF feature to assess the subject and automatically adjust AF area for a perfectly focused image
- Nikon technology dampens camera shakes for improved image stability
- High optical zoom value for sharper and detailed images
- Comes with other photo taking equipment such as tripod
- Low shutter lag
Cons
- It is not Bluetooth compatible
- It is somewhat heavy
- No RAW file support
FAQs
Q: Is Canon Or Nikon Better For Landscape Photography?
A: Nikon cameras are a better choice for landscape, architecture and travel photography. However, if you want to shoot sports, wildlife, or action, a good range of telephoto lenses go a long way. This makes a Canon camera a better choice.
Q: How Many Megapixels Do I Need For Landscape Photography?
A: The ideal megapixel resolution for landscape photography is 16 megapixels. Generally, a 16-megapixel camera offers ample resolution for most photoshoots. You can make a good quality A2 print using a 16-megapixel camera.
Q: Do I Need A Full Frame Camera For Landscape Photography?
A: The issue between which one is a better choice between a full frame camera and a crop sensor one for landscape photography depends on your needs. Typically, a full frame camera offers a higher resolution and a better low light performance.
Q: Do Mirrorless Cameras Take Better Pictures?
A: Just like before, it depends on your needs. Both mirrorless and DSLR cameras provide better pictures, depending on their quality. Yet, mirrorless cameras are favored for their shutter speed (they allow you to shoot more photos per second).
Q: What Else Do I Need For Landscape Photography?
A: In addition to a landscape camera, you should also invest in other supporting tools. These include a bubble level to accurately measure the horizon, graduated neutral density filters, a tripod, a waterproof memory holder, a shutter release, and ultra wide angle lenses.
Q: What Is The Best ISO For Landscape Photography?
A: The ISO is especially relevant when you want a quick shutter speed to capture a moving subject. Typically, it is recommended to go for a base ISO which ranges between 100 and 200.
