You can’t use just any kind of camera when it comes to landscape photography, to get the best images possible.
However, there are various different types of cameras on the market, therefore it can be scary knowing where to start looking for the perfect camera that will suit your needs.
When it comes to landscape photography, it is important to look at the amount of megapixels a camera has. While also considering if you want it compact and lightweight.
However, in this article, we have done all the work for you. In this guide, you will find the most affordable camera that is perfect for landscape photography.
Best Affordable Camera For Landscape Photography – Comparison Table
Best Affordable Camera For Landscape Photography – Reviews
The Canon EOS T7 is a DSLR camera that makes a really great budget camera. We have enjoyed how lightweight this camera feels, which then makes it really easy to carry and very portable.
This camera has a very sensitive and responsive touch screen and a special image stabilization feature. Thus, you can produce really clear and stable images while using this camera.
Cameo EOS uses a 24.1 megapixel CMOS sensor and auto white balance features. In addition to that, this camera has built in NFC technology and Wi-Fi settings.
There is an optical viewfinder as well, which gives you 95% viewing coverage. Overall, this camera produces strong images due to its high quality sensors.
Also, available to purchase from Canon and Focus Camera.
- Touchscreen – Canon uses a very sensitive touch screen that allows you to get the perfect composition. .
- 24.1 Megapixel Sensor – This sensor allows you to capture vibrant colors and intricate details in your images..
- Auto Focus – A lot of customers have praised the autofocus on this camera, as it helps to take images even easier, and the results are really crisp. .
- Camera Body – While this camera is incredibly lightweight, the body of this camera feels cheap and plastic-like.
The Panasonic LUMIX has been known as a great option for anyone who wants to start out vlogging. However, they are also a great option when it comes to landscape photography.
This camera is great for photographers of all ages, therefore a beginner will be able to understand how this camera works easily.
This camera is built with an18.1 megapixel sensor, which we found can capture distant views easily.
It also features a high resolution viewfinder, which makes landscape photography so much easier when the sun is shining from behind you.
This camera makes it easier to access the composition, color and exposure. You can also record 4K using this camera, and capture the perfect moments in low lighting conditions too.
Also, available to purchase from Panasonic and B&H.
- Low Light – This camera works perfectly when you are limited on light, thus still producing amazing results. .
- View Finder – We really enjoyed the high resolution view finder, which helps to composite your images much easier. .
- Zoom – You can easily capture far away moments with these cameras thanks to its strong sensors and long zoom. .
- 4K Video– Some customers have commented that they weren’t impressed by the video quality on this camera.
The Nikon D3500 is a discontinued camera, but you can still find these cameras available to buy.
We enjoyed how easy this camera was to use, also its compact nature made it really easy to carry around while traveling.
This product uses a powerful 24.4 megapixel sensor alongside EXPEED 4 image processors.
As a result, this is a really sensitive and versatile camera that can be used in a range of different lighting conditions.
The optical viewfinder gives you a natural view instead of what your camera sees. Although, you can compose images using the Live View mode.
If you are a beginner, you may want to consider this camera, as it comes with a guide mode that will teach you how to use this camera easily and all the features it has as well.
Also, available to purchase from Nikon and Best Buy.
- How To Use Guide Mode Included – A guide mode comes with this camera, that is ideal for anyone who is new to photography or someone who needs help to really learn how to use this camera effectively.
- Lightweight – The Nikon D3500 is a very lightweight and compact camera that you can take with you anywhere easily.
- 24 Megapixel Sensor – This camera uses a 24 megapixel sensor, which helps to pick up tiny details on your camera and produce vibrant final images.
- Discontinued – This model has been discontinued, therefore you may be limited on where you can get your hands on one.
The KODAK PIXPRO is a great starter camera at an affordable price for anyone starting out.
This product is built with a powerful 16.1 megapixel sensor, that gives you the ability to zoom, crop and enlarge your images to your preference.
Yet through our tests, you can do all these things, and it never affects the quality of your images.
The 42x optical zoom and 24 mm wide angle lens helps you get even closer to your subject for more detailed images.
What makes this camera different is that it also comes with a panorama mode.
With this mode, you can easily take seamless 180 degree images by panning your camera and continuous shooting.
The KODAK PIXPRO will pick up on every detail in your image, to produce super clear images.
A li-Ion battery is used within this camera, so you can easily recharge it and also retain its battery for much longer as well.
Also, available to purchase from B&H.
- 16 Megapixels – With 16 megapixels, this camera will be able to capture every detail in its frame, thus you can produce breathtaking images easily.
- Battery – The KODAK PIXPRO is installed with a rechargeable Li-Ion battery, which can retain its charge for long periods of time.
- Wide Angle – This product comes with a 24 mm wide lens angle. This will help you to produce wider images. There Is also panoramic mode that helps you to produce 180-degree angle images as well.
- No View Finder – Some customers have pointed out that this camera doesn't have a viewfinder. This is only an issue if you cannot see what you are shooting in your view screen.
Fujifilm X-E3 is seen as an entry level camera, but anyone could see this camera easily. This camera sports a 24.3 megapixel sensor and a high performance processor.
These two qualities combined have created a camera that we found will give you outstanding colors and graduation in tones in your videos and still images taken with this product.
This is the first camera in the Fujifilm range which uses Bluetooth technology, so you can pair your camera with your smartphone/tablet.
This makes transferring images from your camera to another device even easier.
Alongside that, the X-E3 uses a touch function, which uses pinch and flick features to help you get the perfect composition for your images.
Also, available to purchase from Fujifilm and B&H.
- Bluetooth – The Bluetooth function on this camera allows for easy transferable of images from one device to another.
- 24.3 Megapixel Sensor – A strong 24.3 megapixel sensor has been used within this camera for you to be able to produce vibrant and clear images.
- Compact – This product is quite slim and small, which makes it easy to carry around and use.
- Settings – Some customers found it difficult initially to change the settings on the camera, as the instructions weren't clear. Yet, once you get the hang of it, it's a really simple process.
Buyer's Guide
There are a few things to think about when you are purchasing an affordable camera for landscape photography.
The first thing you will have thought about is your budget, especially as you are looking for an affordable camera.
Even If you have a budget, you can still purchase a really high quality camera for under $1,000. You just need to ensure that you do your research.
You need to be aware of what kind of components you want your camera to have. Cameras feature a lot of various components, some are better than others.
However, there are a few factors that you should pay special attention to when purchase a camera for landscape photography.
We have gone through these important elements below, so you can have a better understanding on what you should be looking out for.
Look At The Resolution
The first thing that will come up when you start researching cameras is their megapixels.
A long time ago, the difference in megapixels made a large difference to the quality of the camera. However, today, most cameras have very similar megapixels.
For the majority of photography purposes, the resolution doesn't appear to be as important as it was once before.
Yet, when we are talking about landscape photography, the resolution of your camera is vital for a couple of reasons.
The main reason being is that when it comes to landscape photography, you want to be able to capture as many details as possible in your view.
Thus, you will need more pixels, to make sure you have the best resolution.
Also, as people who partake in landscape photography, they are more likely to print their images on a bigger scale.
Therefore, it is important to have a camera that has more megapixels, to make sure your images still look clear and crisp when printed on a bigger scale.
Also, with a higher resolution and more pixels, makes your life easier if you want to edit or crop your images afterwards.
Then you can edit and crop your images, and you don’t have to lose any of the details or quality of your image.
The majority of cameras we have mentioned above have quite high resolutions and pixels that will be able to meet your needs.
DSLR Or Mirrorless
DSLR are still seen as an older model of camera, while mirrorless cameras are seen as new. Yet they both still perform as well as one other.
Therefore, you could use either type of camera for landscape photography, what will make your mind up is your personal needs.
DSLR cameras have a reflex mirror that is found inside the camera.
This allows for light to pass through the lens and hits a mirror and the image is then sent to your optical viewfinder.
While a mirrorless camera, it does not have a mirror inside the camera or a viewfinder. Inside, it uses an electronic viewfinder, and you see the image on an LCD screen.
There are pros and cons to using DSLR and mirrorless cameras. It is knowing that mirrorless cameras are much lighter and easier to carry around.
In addition, they also use image stabilization, which makes taking images a lot easier as well.
However, DSLR also offers image stabilization as well, and they have a much longer battery life.
As a result, there is no straight forward answer on which type of camera you should go for.
New evidence has shown that more photographers are switching away from their DSLR camera and favoring mirrorless cameras, mainly as they are easier to carry around.
However, both work really well for landscape photography, so it really is up to personal preference.
Sensor
The sensor on your camera is really important. The seniors are part of the camera, whose job is about capturing as much light into your image.
There is no right size sensor to have for landscape photography.
Although, you should be mindful that a smaller sensor means that your camera will capture much less light.
Thus, a larger sensor will capture more light and produce better quality images, with a lot more details.
Yet, cameras with smaller seniors are much cheaper than those with larger sensors.
It is all about finding the right balance between a good-sized camera sensor and a good price, especially if you have a budget in mind.
Weight
When it comes to landscape photography, you may end up traveling to particular places to get the perfect shot.
Therefore, you want your camera to be as light as possible to make it easy to travel with.
No one wants to be carried around heavy equipment as they try to make their perfect shot.
As mentioned before, mirrorless cameras are much lighter than DSLR cameras. This may be something worth considering if you plan to do a lot of traveling with your camera.
The quality of the image produced between mirrorless and DSLR may not be significant, however, if you want a lighter and more compact camera to be able to carry around with you, then you will want to think about a mirrorless camera.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Megapixels Do You Need In Your Camera For Landscape Photography?
When it comes to landscape photography, you should be looking for a camera that has a minimum of 16 megapixels.
The amount of megapixels is just enough for you to be able to produce really clear and bright images.
It is quite uncommon to find cameras, today, to be created with fewer megapixels than this. Therefore, you have plenty of cameras to choose between.
Is Medium Format Good For Landscape Photography?
Yes, by using a medium format you will be able to create a really large depth of field.
This is really important when it comes to landscape photography, as you want everything in your image to be in focus and clear.
Medium format can create really professional looking images.
Are Mirrorless Cameras Better Than DSLR Cameras?
As we have mentioned in the article, there are a lot of pros and cons when it comes to either type of camera.
On the one hand, DSLR cameras will offer you a longer battery life, interchangeable lenses, and you are able to shoot in lower lighting conditions a lot more easily.
While with mirrorless cameras, they are overall more compact, lighter, can shoot at much quicker shutter speeds and offer better quality in your images and videos.
It is all about finding the right balance between price and camera that will influence your decision. However, more people are turning away from DSLR and to mirrorless cameras recently.
Does More Megapixels Mean A Better Camera?
For a while, the more megapixels you had, did mean you had a better-quality camera. However, nowadays, this isn't the case anymore.
However, it is true that the more megapixels that your camera has means that you are able to crop and enlarge images more easily without losing the quality of your images.
Thus, you can enlarge an image and the picture will still look crystal clear, it won't become blurry or pixels won't become within the image.