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Today we’re going to look at the 5 best mirrorless cameras for landscape photography in the market this year. First, we’re going to show you our five best picks, and we will talk about what you should look for before buying a mirrorless camera for landscape photography🌆.
Without delays, let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Best Mirrorless Cameras for Landscape Photography
Sony a7R
The Sony a7R is an excellent landscape camera based on its resolution and dynamic range. Its reliable autofocus and revamped controls make it an even more tempting option for those that’s been their photographic time outdoors. The ceiling has been updated, and it’s also purported to be better sealed against the elements than its predecessor.
A high-resolution model can produce 240-megapixel files using Sony’s proprietary software though any movement in the scene caused by the wind, for example, will be problematic. But the embody image stabilization system that enables this feature is handy and means you don’t necessarily need a tripod to extract the maximum potential from this camera.
Fujifilm GFX 100
It’s now been three years since Fujifilm introduced its GFX medium format system to the market. Since then, the company has gained a lot of traction by releasing a number of top notch lenses for the system, as well as a total of three medium format cameras.
The Fujifilm G of X 100 is the latest and most capable of the three featuring a 44 by 33-millimeter high res Ellucian 100 megapixel sensor supported by the first of its kind for medium format 5 axis image stabilization system.
The Fuji engineers have put quite a lot of effort into the GFX 100 to differentiate it from all other medium format cameras on the market.
It sports on-sensor phase-detection autofocus – The world’s first 4 MF Jul UHS-II compatible SD card slots, dual battery compartment, programmable OLED information screens, a powerful processor capable of handling 4k video recording- All tucked and a weatherproof magnesium alloy camera body.
Hasselblad X1D
Hasselblad is best known for its professional medium format camera systems and their dollar 5,000 plus price tags. But the X1D is a radical new step as its mirrorless design means it’s a fraction of the size of a regular medium format camera. It is scarcely more extensive than a 35-millimeter full-frame model, and while it’s a long way from cheap, its price puts a Hasselblad within reach of more professionals and well-heeled enthusiasts.
So, what’s the big deal about medium format?
It’s all about image quality at 50 million pixels – The X1D seems to have no inherent advantage over canon’s 50-megapixel EOS 5Ds, for example, but there’s more to it. The bigger sensor means a bigger photo size, which should mean less noise and a more comprehensive dynamic range. Hasselblad claims up to 14 stops.
Fujifilm GFX 50s
The 50s is a medium format camera; its sensor is smaller than what you will find in a camera like the medium format Phase one XF 100 MP. The GFX 50s imager is a 51.4 megapixel 43.8 by 32.9 millimeter Bayer filtered CMOS sensor.
It’s worth pointing out that the largest image size of the GFX producers is 51.1 megapixels or 8256×6190 pixels. In case you’re curious, the larger medium format sensor in the XF 100 MP is 53.7 by 40.4 millimeters. It is not a recommended pick for sports or high-speed car photography, but it is perfect for landscapes.
Panasonic S1R
Panasonic Lumix DC S1R is the company’s high-end high-resolution full-frame mirrorless camera. It uses a 47-megapixel sensor built around Leica’s L lens mount, which both Panasonic and Sigma now adopt. The S1R shares a body with a 24 megapixel s1 whose size and level of dedicated controls sets it apart from other full-frame mirrorless camera rivals. The s1 boasts a very high resolution 5.7m dot ViewFinder, top plate LCD panel, 2 SD card slots, and pro level build quality that promises to be weather resistant.
Now that we’ve shown you the best mirrorless cameras for landscape photography there let’s talk about a few things
Things you should look for before buying:
- ✔Sensor Size: without trying to start a debate about the merits of various synthesizers, it’s fairly safe to say that in the realm of landscape photography, bigger is better. Dynamic range, ability to work with various wide-angle lenses, lower noise levels, and sheer image quality benefit the largest sensor sizes. In contrast, more extended reach in a more compact form factor on smaller sensors’ primary services is not hugely beneficial to landscape shooting.
- ✔Image Stabilization: Seen in both camera bodies and lenses, image stabilization is a feature sold and used for landscape shooting due to tripods’ omnipresence in many instances. However, when a handheld shooting is a must or preferred, image stabilization can be a beneficial sensor since it permits working with slower shutter speeds and subsequently smaller apertures for the increased depth of field.
- ✔ISO: Unlike sports or wildlife photography, landscape photography doesn’t need high-speed cameras with a large FPS capture rate. A sophisticated water focus setting is also not needed here and would be redundant. What is needed especially if you wish to combine landscapes with shots of a milky way, is a high-performing ISO range. Higher ISO with minimal noise is key in landscape photography.
- ✔Weather Sealing: this one is a huge bonus as you’ll find times where you’re battling the elements for that great shot. Severe weather conditions make most people stay at home. But for landscape photographers, this is a unique time to catch some amazing shots. Just think of all those enlightening shots that wouldn’t exist otherwise.
- ✔Video Recording: When it comes to video, mirrorless cameras can exceed DSLR’s in a couple of ways. A mirrorless camera has more consistent autofocus performance in Live View mode. Currently, only the most expensive DSLRs can shoot video in 4k. But there are some great mirrorless options from Sony with 4k recording for significantly less as a bonus, 4k video capability means faster processing and better overall image quality. Some mirrorless models even offer time-lapse and slow-motion video.
So first let’s figure out,
📷 What is a Mirrorless Camera?
When you take a photograph, you have a mirror between your lens and the camera sensor. Every time your camera takes a picture, that mirror is flipping up and down. So that’s the noise you hear whenever you’re taking a photograph is that mirror moving up and down inside your camera.
A mirrorless system eliminates that mirror from the camera and reduces cost, reduces size, and reduces weight from the camera. So, you’re left with a smaller and lighter camera.
Some of the mirrorless cameras also come with a flip screen and thus can be used for vlogging purposes as well.
Why Go for a Mirrorless camera for landscape photography?
Now, I’ll be convincing you why you need to switch to a mirrorless system for your landscape photography, lets look at the points below:
- Weight: You need to invest in a mirrorless camera and stop lugging around your bulky DSLRs. There are many benefits with mirrorless systems, and honestly, since I switched a few years ago, I haven’t even had any drawbacks to my photography or what I could do with a camera.
- No disadvantages: I’ve seen no drawbacks in my own experience of using a mirrorless system, and I have used DSLRs for many years before switching to a mirrorless system, and I will never go back.
- More Space: When photographing landscapes, you often need to hike or travel a lot. Carrying a mirrorless camera would ensure that you have got a reduced size and more space. This would provide you the extra room that can be utilized for other essential accessories.
- Less Fatigue: Being in landscape photography means a lot of travel. Being lighter and slimmer in profile would ensure that you can travel/hike more, and at the same time, you will feel less tired.
