Looking to take beautiful nature & landscape photos? You’re in luck – there are thousands of great used camera and lens deals out there.
What’s important for a landscape camera:
- High resolution (especially if you want to print your photos)
- Good dynamic range
- Weather-resistant (optional, but very handy)
Here are some great Camera & Lens combinations available on the used market:
DSLR Cameras
- Nikon D3300: 24 megapixel APS-C sensor, fixed LCD, not weather resistant. Amazing value with the excellent and sharp Nikon AF-P 18-55mm kit lens. $250 used.
- Nikon D7100: 24 megapixel APS-C sensor, fixed LCD, weather resistant. Two card slots. $350 used. Pair it with the excellent Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 OS HSM ($150) and you’ve got a great setup for $500 total.
- Nikon D610: 24 megapixel Full Frame sensor, fixed LCD, weather resistant. Two card slots. $350 used. Pair it with the Nikon AF-S 18-35mm F3.5-4.5 G ED ($350), and you’ve got a killer full frame setup for under $750!
- Nikon D810: 36 megapixel Full Frame sensor, fixed LCD, weather resistant. $800 used. Pair it with the Nikon AF-S 20mm F1.8G ($400) and Nikon AF-S 24-120mm F4 VR ($400), and you’ve got a phenomenal do-it-all kit for $1,600.
Note: there’s nothing wrong with Canon DSLRs! The Canon 80D (APS-C sensor) would be a great choice on the used market.
Mirrorless Cameras
- Olympus E-M5 Mark II: 16 megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor, 2.36mp EVF, articulated LCD, weather resistant, 5 stops of IBIS (in-body image stabilization). Throw on a Panasonic Lumix 12-32mm F3.5-5.6 kit lens and you’ve got a great compact setup for $300 + $100 = $400.
- Nikon Z50: 21 megapixel APS-C sensor, tilting LCD screen, 2.36mp EVF, weather resistant, not stabilized. $700 used (with the excellent Nikon 16-50mm F3.5-6.3 VR kit lens).
- Nikon Z5: 24 megapixel Full Frame sensor, tilting LCD screen, 3.69 mp EVF, weather resistant, stabilized. $750 body + $350 lens (Nikon Z 24-70mm F4 S) and you’re all set for just $1,100.
- Nikon Z7: 46 megapixel Full Frame sensor, tilting LCD screen, 3.69 mp EVF, weather resistant, 5 stops of IBIS. $1500 body + $650 lens (Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR) and you’ve got a very competent, high-res landscape setup for $2,150.
Note: again, nothing wrong with Canon either. I just think there’s better value in the Nikon mirrorless lineup right now.
PS. Any of our “Beginner Camera” choices would be absolutely fine for taking great landscape photos. You can get far better results if you learn to process your RAW files!
PPS. Be sure to save some money for the other Landscape essentials: a nice sturdy tripod (value brands: Sirui, Benro, used Manfrotto) and filters (start with a HOYA Circular Polarizer).