Best Mirrorless Camera for Landscape Photography
Since there is no mirror mechanism, the cameras can be much smaller and lighter while delivering the same photo quality as DSLR cameras. However, one of the downsides to this is the lower battery life of mirrorless cameras.
Best Selling Mirrorless Cameras for Landscape Photography for Amateurs and Enthusiasts
In 2023 there are great mirrorless cameras for every photographer from amateurs, to bargain hunters and enthusiasts.
For beginners and photographers looking for simple and affordable landscape cameras, a mirrorless camera can be ideal. If size and usability are what you need, the Panasonic Lumix GX85 / GX80 is aimed at the beginner with intelligent automatic features or the photographer who wants full manual control over all exposure settings such as shutter speed and aperture.
For enthusiasts looking for great all-round cameras, the latest mid-range mirrorless cameras can match or even surpass the best DSLRs in terms of features and performance. Take the Nikon Z50 for example, probably one of the best mirrorless cameras for its price range. Introduced in late 2019, this APS-C mirrorless camera has risen to the top of the mirrorless camera wars and is definitely worth considering as a go-to for enthusiasts willing to spend a little more.
Top 5 Best Mirrorless Camera for Landscape Photography
1. Canon EOS R
One of the cameras that is most suitable for landscape photography is definitely the Canon EOS R because of its specifications.
The autofocus on this camera is great for keeping your shots in focus while moving the camera around to get different angles. The camera’s automatic focus can work up to -6EV if needed, and the rear screen has a variable angle for simpler compositions without an additional monitor. This vari-angle touchscreen is also useful for capturing those awkward shots where you have to be in the frame.
Its full-frame sensor offers a good dynamic range. 30.3 megapixels means your images will be large, detailed and clear – perfect for professional landscape photography. You can also record in 4K, which is great for creating stunning stop motion animations. The only drawback of this camera is that it is quite expensive. But if you’re serious about landscape photography, it’s definitely worth the investment.
To help with the integration between the camera and the computer, a stop motion firmware is provided that raises the resolution of the live view to 1920 x 1280. It should be noted that when this firmware is active, the HDMI output stops working, so you will only need to use a computer for your creation and live view.
However, once the firmware is installed, focus position memory is enabled when using any RF lens, and it also allows for manual focus via USB. Some users have noted that the firmware is a bit difficult to master and you have to play around with the settings.
Stop motion software can also be used to regulate focus and aperture lock, preventing compositional errors when operating the camera while shooting.
You can add mirrorless lenses to the EOS R, which would be a great option for better landscape photography.
Another thing to note is that this camera has a very long battery life so you can shoot hundreds of frames (even up to 900) on a full battery.
2. SonyAlpha A6100
The Sony a6100 isn’t just the best mirrorless; it was also the best camera overall, thanks to its exceptional image quality, extensive feature set, and low price.
The A6100 is a small, well-built camera with good ergonomics: it sits nicely in the hand, but all functions are within easy reach. Everyone was particularly impressed by the Sony a6100’s capacity to produce sharp, clear photos in all circumstances during testing; its intelligent, fast autofocus, as well as its 11 fps shooting speed, certainly helped.
Plus, with a battery life of 420 shots, you should be able to go all day without needing a charge, which is a great option when you’re hunting landscapes all day. The A6100 also features a microphone connector for better audio reception and can record 4K video.
The sensor has a unique design that uses thin copper wires, improved circuit processing, and an improved front-end LSI to enhance light-gathering capabilities, reduce noise, and increase readout speed for the benefit of video recording. The combination of the sensor and BIONZ X processor also uses a top continuous shooting speed of 11 fps with AF and AE and enables 14-bit raw file output for a wide tonal and color gamut.
3. Nikon Z6 II
More speed, more versatility, more performance, the Nikon Z6 II is an updated version of the all-round mirrorless camera designed for high-end photo and video applications. Despite its wealth of upgrades, the Z6 II retains its familiar form factor and prized picture quality for the benefit of multimedia image workers.
For a long time, the Nikon Z6 was the undisputed monarch on this list. Although the Z6 II is only a minor upgrade, it should be considered by anyone connected to a full camera. The Z6 is still a great deal, but if you can afford it, we believe the Z6 II is worth the extra money and is one of the best mirrorless camera for landscape photography.
Its added Expeed 6 processor adds a host of new features, including a powerful 14fps burst mode (up from just 12fps on the Z6) and some useful autofocus improvements (especially with eye/animal face detection). The firmware update added a new 4K/60p option to the current XQD/CFexpress slot, as well as an additional UHS-II card slot to join the existing XQD/CFexpress slot.
The 24MP-filled BSI CMOS sensor works efficiently at high ISO values in a variety of circumstances. Additionally, the Z6 II offers class-leading build quality and feels more robust in the hand than its competitors.
4. Fujifilm X-S10
It’s hard to think of another camera that offers the same combination of power, performance, price and appeal as the Fujifilm X-S10. It is a good choice for both hobbyists and professionals looking for a small mirrorless camera that can process both images and video. You get the proven 26.1 MP APS-C sensor (same as the Fujifilm X-T4, see above) as well as outstanding in-body image stabilization for such a small camera (IBIS).
This feature, which helps you maintain image quality while shooting handheld, is also present in several smaller Sony and Olympus cameras, none of which offer the handling or feature set of the X-great S10. It has a useful screen with a variable angle, good build quality and the ability to record 4K video. It’s a great travel or street camera with a prime lens, but because of the S10’s X-broad grip, it also works very well with longer lenses. Because of all the above, this camera belongs to the best mirrorless camera for landscape photography.
5. Sony Alpha a6000
The Sony A6000 has a magnesium frame, but all external materials are made of plastic. The grip is rubberized and perfectly shaped, but the A6000 leaves the general impression of a slightly cheaper device than the NEX-6, primarily due to the small, short-travel buttons and the type of plastic used. The number of external controls is generous, so more advanced users will be satisfied. It is possible to reprogram 7 different keys.
The LCD is tilted up to 45° down and 90° up, but not completely forward (selfie mode). It displays 921,600 dots on a 3-inch diagonal; the screen is visible from all angles, but not touch-sensitive. The electronic viewfinder is solid, but of lower resolution and poorer display than the previous NEX-6 – we don’t see a clear reason why it was downgraded?
Auto focus has been improved and now uses a combination of contrast and phase autofocus with 179 points. In practice it works great, but we still have the impression that it doesn’t “fly” as fast as in Olympus and Panasonic mirrorless. There is a built-in pop-up flash that reaches up to 6 meters in the dark, and you can also tilt it for a pop-up light. There is also a Hot-shoe connector for more serious flash lighting.
The APS-C size sensor (same as a DSLR camera) has 24 megapixels. ISO sensitivity ranges between 100 and 25600. Photo quality is expectedly excellent, but it does not offer any significant improvements compared to the 16 megapixel sensor in the NEX-6 model. The high ISO is perhaps a shade better, but the difference is too small to advise owners of the NEX-6 model to upgrade to the A6000. In any case, the A6000 offers one of the best results for this sensor size.
