Landscape Photography Gear Guide (2025)

Landscape photography is one of the most accessible genres of photography to get into. You don’t need big lenses, expensive primes, studio lights, or massive apertures. All you really need is a camera and a lens to start taking incredible images. Through this guide I’ll be covering general recommendations with budget in mind. If you’re someone who’s likely to spend over $2000 on their first camera, this guide likely isn’t for you. Ideally the goal is to recommend the best equipment you can get for the value. This includes buying used or utilizing markets such as eBay and Facebook marketplace on equipment such as tripods, bags, and other accessories.

This entire guide is written with landscape photography as the goal. This means things like image quality will heavily outweigh autofocus, or weight/size will be a bigger priority than a large aperture. My approach is quite minimal considering the majority of my own work can be taken on just a camera and two lenses. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying gear, but it also feels great to know we can accomplish a lot with very little!

Updated November 2024

Cameras

Choosing your first camera can be really intimidating. I remember researching for weeks between Canon and Nikon back in 2009 (basically the only options at the time). Staring at comparison images, stat sheets, and forum posts. The choice seemed impossible as both camera brands traded blows. How did I eventually decide on the Canon 50D? I went to the store and held both cameras in my hands. I shot photos on both. I used the menus, buttons, and interface. Doing this turned a decision I had spent weeks mulling over quite easy. I simply liked how the Canon balanced and felt in my hand - that was it!

15 years later and we have more choices than ever, but the truth is you really can’t go wrong anymore. Every camera you can pick up today will take great images. My best suggestion for deciding is pick your budget, research a few camera brands in that budget (like with this article), and then figure out how you can try them out in your hands! A few key things you’ll encounter when looking for a new camera:

Sensor Size - This refers to the physical size of the cameras sensor. The four standards you’ll hear are Micro Four Thirds (MFT), APS-C, Full Frame, and Medium Format. Most rhetoric will explain to you that the bigger the sensor, typically the better the image quality. However we’ve reached a plateau in sensor technology and realistically you’re going to get excellent image quality out of all sensor sizes. Bottom line is to not worry about this too much.

Resolution - Just like a screen, this describes how big the final image produced will be. Measured in megapixels and denoted as 24mp, 33.3mp, 48mp, and so on. As long as your camera is in the 20mp or above range, it will produce print worthy images. Not all resolutions are the same, so don’t always think the higher the resolution, the better. This is not always true.

Auto-focus - As technology gets better, auto-focus improves year over year. However for landscape photography it’s not a stat we care all that much about. One caveat to that is autofocus in astrophotography, which can be mildly helpful!

Frame rate - The speed at which your camera can take photos, typically denoted as Frames per second (FPS). Another stat we basically don’t care about in landscape photography. Some of the most expensive and arguably highest image quality cameras have slow frame rates.

Dynamic Range - To put it simply, a measurement of how much light a camera can capture without losing detail. The higher the dynamic range, the better. This is a metric we care a lot about in landscape photography, but it hasn’t really gotten much better in the past 8 years.

Stacked Sensor, Global Shutter, raw Video, etc - As image quality has plateaued, other metrics are evolving to help sell and improve cameras. Mostly all of these we don’t really care about in landscape photography. Stacked sensors sometimes even hurt landscape photography performance. Global shutter and raw video are both for video work. Don’t worry too much about these!

If there’s one thing you take away from this entire article it’s that the majority of all the photos that have inspired you to get into landscape photography were taken on cameras released before 2020. Thus don’t get too caught up in the next best thing or needing a brand new camera. Once you realize you can take incredible images on any camera from the last 10 years, it really opens the door to whats possible.

Cameras Under $1,000

There are good options for new cameras under 1,000 but the real winners of this category will be used cameras. You can get some fantastic workhorse DSLRs for under a thousand dollars plus the lenses for these cameras will also be more abundant (and cheaper). Just keep in mind that you’ll likely need to adapt those lenses once you replace your camera with a new mirrorless camera in the future. Over the years of using these adapters, there is no image quality loss or auto-focus issues in my experience what-so-ever. The adaptation is seamless and you can use those lenses for years but it is something to be aware of.

Cameras will be listed in order of best value, but this doesn’t mean the bottom camera is bad at all. Many times this is just in order of newest to oldest release date.

New

  • [BEST] Nikon - Nikon Z50 II ($909) - Arguably the best camera you can buy for under $1,000 currently as it’s not even release at the time of writing this article but definitely the best value in the new list. If you want full-frame you can pick up the older Nikon Z5 but the overall experience of the Z50 II will be better.

  • Fujifilm: Fuji X-T30 II ($999 w/lens) - The XT30 is a great camera and this one even comes with a lens. You can grab it without the lens but you’ll only save a little bit of money and even though the lens isn’t great - it’s enough to get your feet wet. Fuji Lenses will also be substantially less expensive than Canon, Nikon, or Sony.

  • Canon: Canon RP ($899) - The only Full-frame for under $1,000 on this list. Great image quality, mediocre everything else, and the oldest camera on this list (nearly 6 years). If you plan on needing better auto-focus, look at the Canon R10 instead. If you have the budget, the much newer/better Canon R8 is sometimes on sale for just over budget.

  • Sony: Sony a6600 ($998) - Another old “new” camera that is nearing 6 years old. Great camera, less great ergonomics. Sony doesn’t have much offering for new cameras under $1,000 unlike Canon or Nikon. Landscapes aside, this will have better autofocus than most other cameras in this list.

  • OM: OM-5 ($999) - I’m not familiar enough with this specific camera to recommend it, but I know it’s bigger version is highly regarded and thus I think this should be in your research.

Used

Buying from used camera stores such as KEH or MBP will be more expensive on average than buying directly through places like eBay or Facebook marketplace. That being said, the cameras sold through the stores might provide you with more peace of mind regarding their condition. The best deals will likely come through buying local and patiently waiting for well taken care of cameras from trustworthy people in person.

  • [BEST] Sony: Sony A7 RIII - This one sits right outside of the budget unless you find a good deal. This is absolutely the best camera in this price range and one to really grow into. If you can’t find one in your budget, look into the Sony A7 III (no “R”). The A7 III has lower megapixels but essentially the same image quality unless you need those extra pixels for prints.

  • Canon: Canon R or 5D Mark IV - The Canon R is essentially the mirrorless version of the 5D Mark IV. That’s my first recommendation but if you want to save more money then grab the 5D Mark IV and more discounted used lenses. If you plan on growing, just start mirrorless now with the Canon R but be aware your lens purchases will likely cost more than the camera itself.

  • OM: OM-1 Mark I - This camera system has a lot of special features others brands don’t have, like the ability to show you long exposures as you take them, focus stack for macro, and quite a few other boutique perks. Absolutely worth looking into and researching.

  • Fujifilm: Fuji X-T4 - I owned this exact camera and it takes great images. That being said, Fuji is lower on this list because the overall value you get for your dollar just isn’t as good as some older models from other brands. A lot of Fuji cameras have inflated prices and while I rated them high on the list for new cameras, their value proposition in the used market is not nearly as good. The Fuji X-T3 might be a better budget option considering the image quality is relatively the same but it would still be hard to recommend over other camera brands on this list.

  • Nikon: None - Sorry Nikon Lovers. Theres really no good used option available in this price. Both the D750 and D810 are good cameras but are both 10+ years old and not cameras I’d suggest over anything else on this list. The D850 should be in this list but because it’s still one of the best sensors you can buy, it sits well above this budget. The D780 would be my only suggestion close to this price range but it’s still too expensive in this category.

Cameras Under $2,000

Currently in this budget it seems to be better value to buy new within this budget, unlike in the under $1,000 category. Specifically if you can spend at the upper end of the budget, you can get basically some of the best sensor technology money can buy for landscape photography. The used options within this range are not nearly as good as they are in the less expensive budget. Overall if you’re buying used, somewhere between $800-$1200 seems to be the sweet spot. Spending any more than that, it’s likely best to get a new model camera as many of them are using the same sensors as the used cameras they are competing against.

Cameras will be listed in order of best value, but this doesn’t mean the bottom camera is bad at all. Many times this is just in order of newest to oldest release date.

New

  • [BEST]Nikon: Nikon Z 7II ($1999) - In this budget, the two best cameras are the Nikon Z7II or Canon R6 Mark II. I’m giving the edge to Nikon here with their new Nikon Z 6III that was recently released, which will give you a lot more creature comforts with slightly worse image quality, not to mention a little out of budget. Definitely look into both these models as you might prefer the features of the newer Z6III.

  • Canon: Canon R6 Mark II ($1999) - This is a fantastic all around camera compromises a bit on extra features that the Nikon Z6III has. If you want to spend less, the Canon R8 would be my biggest recommendation for a new camera under $1500. It’s sometimes even on sale for almost $1,000.

  • OM: OM-1 Mark II ($1899) - I’m putting this higher on the list because of the wonderful things I’ve heard about the new OMSystem innovations and the reception this camera has had. Don’t sleep on this camera and definitely give it some research. It will also be the lightest and most compact system as well. Their lens lineup, while smaller than other brands, is also going to be the best budget option.

  • Sony: Sony A7 IV ($2098) - Researching for this article, I realized Sony really doesn’t have a good mid-range option. Even this one is out of budget and would not be what I recommend in this price range. They have other models between $1,000-$2,000 such as the Sony A6700 or Sony A7CII but neither of those will give you as good of an experience as other cameras in this category.

  • Fujifilm: Fuji X-T5 ($1599) - This camera saves you money in comparison to everything else in this list, but it’s harder to recommend because a used X-T4 is much better value as the image quality will be very very similar.

Used

Anyone spending close to $2,000 on a used camera likely isn’t looking for the most budget options so I’m just going to list some notable cameras to check out in this category: Fujifilm GFX 50R (Medium Format under 2k!), Sony A7RIV, and Canon R5.

Lenses

Unlike cameras, choosing a lens is much more about what you intend to shoot, rather than what brand you want to shoot with.

Choosing a Focal Length: The best way to choose what focal length to start out with is to find the images that inspire you and try to mimic those. You might be into photographers who take super wide-angle images, or you might be into photographers who like more intimate scenes, or you simply might not know how to decide. In that case, your best option is to get a mid-range zoom that covers a bit of both ends.

Best Apertures: One of the reasons landscape photography is so accessible is because we typically shoot with small apertures, such as f11 or f8. Rarely do we need wide apertures which allows us to save money and weight because most lenses get more expensive with wider apertures. This also means lenses that have variable apertures don’t impact our work nearly as much as other genres of photography.

Primes vs Zooms: One question you might run into is trying to decide between primes and zoom lenses. While I try to avoid giving advice in absolutes, one of my strongest opinions in landscape photography is to prioritize zoom lenses that are lightweight, and versatile. Prime lenses have their place, especially in astrophotography, but for the most part (especially if you’re new to photography) zoom lenses should be a priority.

I can’t possibly cover lenses made by every brand, thus for this section I’m simply going to break it down by focal range and recommendations within each brand. Specifically omitting “flagship” wide aperture lenses as they are not a priority in landscape photography. Keep in mind recommendations for systems like Fujifilm incorporate a crop factor of 1.5x.

Lastly, I have not listed any older, used lenses here but you can save quite a bit of money picking up old DSLR lenses for Canon or Nikon and adapt them to a new mirrorless body.

ultra-wide-angle-example

Ultra-Wide (14-24mm)

Most people associate landscape photography with this range and is likely the range I’ve shot the most within. Images like the one on the left require ultra-wide angles.

Mid-Range (24-105mm)

This is the range I’d suggest for anyone who hasn’t an idea of what they want to shoot. Theres also some CRAZY focal ranges available nowadays that i’ll include here.

Telephoto (70-200mm+)

You might not think of telephoto lenses when you think of Landscape photography, yet I’ve found myself choosing this focal range more often than not recently. This could be for you!

Tripods

You do NOT need a tripod to start to accomplish landscape photography. However you will eventually reach a point where you likely want one. Tripods are necessary for long exposure work, shooting in low light situations, grow exponentially more useful the larger your focal length, plus a myriad of other situations. That being said, they can also slow you down and get in your way so don’t hesitate to try making images without one.

As is everything else in this article, the goal is to recommend the sweet spot for the best value for your money. This is typically in the $100-$200 range. Utilizing the used market will take your money further as many people tend to buy tripods and rarely use them. Sometimes certain companies such as B&H have super sales on tripods, which is where I’ve picked up a few of my own at more than half off. Below are a few recommendations I have:

  • Mefoto GlobeTrotter Carbon Fiber (Sale Required) - I’ve used this model of tripod since 2012 and still think it has incredible value. This one goes on sale from time to time, especially from B&H.

  • Benro Mach3 Carbon Fiber (Sale Required) - The link will take you to a $450 tripod, but I’ve gotten this exact tripod on sale for less than $200. Plus you can configure it to the aluminum model for less than $200. This is a great tripod. The heaviest in this group and you’ll still need a ballhead that you can also find on sale sometimes.

  • SIRUI AM-284 Carbon Fiber - I see Sirui tripods quite often and they look like great budget options. This tripod will be a bit on the shorter side but it fits right into the sweet spot for budget and has great reviews.

  • Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ - This is likely the best tripod you can buy new without any sales for the budget between $100-$200. You can get this with different style heads as well, but the ball head is my standard recommendation for most!

  • SmallRig AP-20 Carbon Fiber - SmallRig typically makes good products for their cost, the biggest downside to this tripod is the double center column to give you height, but this is a good place to start and doesn’t require a discount.

  • Vanguard VEO3+ - A smaller, more travel centered option to the Vanguard Alta Pro 2+

Filters

Polarizer Filter: Most filters aren’t necessary for the majority of landscape and nature photography, besides a polarizer. I’d actually suggest grabbing a polarizer as the first accessory you purchase, even over a tripod. There are a lot of options out there for polarizers but my personal recommendation is made by Maven. A company I’ve used for years and cannot recommend enough. These are magnetic which allows you to switch between lenses easily, add and remove at will, and overall the experience I prefer for using filters. If you want to know more about polarizers, I’ve got you covered.

Splash/UV Filter: These aren’t necessary but they are highly recommended. Essentially these act as a screen protector for your lens. Thus in the course of wiping the front clean from water or dust or even worse if you drop your camera, the outer element will not be damaged. I have one of these on the outside of all my lenses:

ND/GND Filters: You won’t need ND filters until you start shooting scenes with moving water, typically. As for GND filters - don’t bother. Once you need ND filters, once again I highly recommend the filters made by Maven.

Bags, Batteries, & Accessories

Camera bags are a very personal choice when it comes to photography. Something most photographers do though is end up buying a bunch of bags until they find the right one, so be sure to check the used market for cheap bags to get you started. Many times it takes years, and reading reviews online can be misleading because we all have different use cases for our bags. For example, I would not recommend my giant Shimoda Action X70 bag to basically anyone because it’s just way too big for most people.

One avenue I HIGHLY recommend, especially for landscape photography where I can assume you might be out in nature exploring, is to not get a camera bag at all! Just get a camera insert and use that in your favorite hiking bag. Camera inserts are essentially cubes where you can safely house your camera gear in any bag. The upside is you can get the size you need, put them in any bag you already love, or grow with them in your journey. The biggest downside is that typically you’re using them in bags that don’t have quick access to your camera equipment, but thankfully many inserts are made by camera bag brands that you can… wait for it… also purchase a bag from! Camera bag insert recommendations:

Shimoda Core Units | F-stop Gear ICUs | Peak Design Insert | Osprey Camera Insert

While camera bags can house a bunch of camera equipment, I have yet to find one that is something I ever want to wear more than a couple miles. No camera bag has the hip support and weight distribution you’ll get from a proper hiking bag. If you need a backpack recommendation I own both an Osprey Stratos 24 and now an Osprey Stratos 44 for more room. This is my favorite daypack and overnight pack, with the best hip support in it’s size. Cannot recommend it enough and will never hike with a normal camera bag if I can get away with it.

Batteries

For now I’m keeping this simple, you’ll need some extra batteries! While you’ll likely get the absolute longest battery life out of camera branded batteries, those are quite expensive. My favorite batteries on the market right now feature USB-C charging ports directly on the battery. This can be highly helpful if you forget your charger or your camera doesn’t support USB charging. All batteries here from a reputable brand such as SmallRig:

  • Canon LP-E6NH - Canon R5 II, R5, R6, R7, R6 Mark II, R, R5 C, 5D II/III/IV, 6D, 6D II, 7D, 7D II, 60D, 70D, 80D, 90D

  • Nikon EN-EL15C - Nikon Zf / Z8 / Z7 / Z6, Z7 II, Z6 II, Z5, D850, D810, D810A, D780, D750, D610, D500

  • Sony NP-FZ100 - Sony A7R V, A7 IV, A7S III, A7R IV, A7R III, A7 III, A7C, A7C II, A7CR, A6700, FX3, FX30, ZV-E1, ZV-E10 II

  • Fujifilm NP-W235 - Fujifilm X-T5, X-T4, GFX100S, X-H2S, X-H2, GFX50S II, VG-XT4, X-S20