Which DSLR for landscape and wild life photography?

My wife and I retired this year and we will be traveling around the US, full time in an RV. I have always been involved in photography in one way or another, but now I would like to concentrate on landscape and wild life photography as I travel.

I'm looking for recommendations on which DSLR would best fit this use. I will also need lenses, tripod . . . etc. I am looking for a prosumer camera and would like to stay under $5,000.

Thank you for your help.

I use two combos for wildlife and both include each a
D850 plus long lenses. Occasionally, I will use a D810
as well though its main purpose is landscapes.

Nikon Shooter wrote: I use two combos for wildlife and both include each a
D850 plus long lenses. Occasionally, I will use a D810
as well though its main purpose is landscapes.

Thank you "Nikon Shooter".

What makes the D810 a better landscape camera vs. the D850?

I would begin by looking at the cost of the lenses you would like to have. That will determine how much money is left for the body. Most any body will be sufficient. Does size and weight matter to you? How about video? I, personally would go for the newer technology because that's the direction things are going. That would mean looking into mirrorless options. Many good choices out there with the leading brands. Try to handle your candidates to determine what feels best for you. Image quality is not an issue. You may prefer one color science over another. I personally prefer Olympus and Nikon colors over the others but they are all pretty close. Have fun and enjoy the process. New gear is always fun. 

thetraveller333 wrote: What makes the D810 a better landscape camera vs. the D850?

Not at all better but as valuable and with 37.3 MP enough for
large prints and publishing.



Shadowfixer1 wrote: I would begin by looking at the cost of the lenses you would like to have. That will determine how much money is left for the body. 

Good tip here as lenses are waaaay more important then bodies in
terms of investment.

Granted, EVF is ok for landscapes but an OVF is a must for wildlife.

G'day T333

NS is quite correct in that 'glass' is most important (and the lump behind the glass recording the image has a part to play too)
Just look at his posts here to see many really magnificent images

As a fellow RV traveller Downunder - and on the road for 2/3 of each year, I am going to ask "What do you want a dSLR for? I used to run SLRs - lenses from 24mm to 1000mm - and I now run Panasonic fixed-lens superzoom / bridge cameras, and never wish to return to swapping lenses and carrying heaps of stuff around

You say that you 'have always been involved in photography in one way or another' - this makes it an easier start point. How would you like a top notch camera with a lens that covers the 24mm to 600mm range as an all-in-one? > look at the Panasonic FZ-300

Want a larger sensor? Wanna print 20" x 30" posters regularly?
> look at the Panasonic FZ-1000-ii or- the FZ-2500 with a lens that covers the 24mm to 480mm range ~ each costs under $us1000

And what makes these cameras so great? ....... they all run Leica lenses. Very sharp, beaut lenses that give great results

ps- have a sqwiz at my Flickr site -below- to see what's possible

Hope this helps
Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

Nikon Shooter wrote: 

Shadowfixer1 wrote: I would begin by looking at the cost of the lenses you would like to have. That will determine how much money is left for the body. 

Good tip here as lenses are waaaay more important then bodies in
terms of investment.

Granted, EVF is ok for landscapes but an OVF is a must for wildlife.

OVF is not a must for wildlife photography. Many, many photographers use mirrorless for wildlife. Here is just one example.
( Sony A7RIV & Sony A9 Capture Amazing Detail and Amazing Bird in Flight Osprey Photography - YouTube
Mark used to use DSLR's but has moved to mirrorless so an OVF isn't a must. There are many others.

Shadowfixer1 wrote: OVF is not a must for wildlife photography. Many, many photographers use mirrorless for wildlife.

Wildlife and sport photography are the most demanding for
both the gear and the shooter.

Even with an OVF, the fastest glass and the most recent AF
system, there are times when the gear is pushed over its abi-
lities by situations and ambitious shooters.

EVF is ok for slow moving and predictable subjects — thin-
king of Ospreys and other large birds like Swans or of golf
and tennis players — but would be overwhelmed  and out of
place by the ice rink or for small, fast, unpredictable flyers.

Nikon Shooter wrote:

Shadowfixer1 wrote: OVF is not a must for wildlife photography. Many, many photographers use mirrorless for wildlife.

Wildlife and sport photography are the most demanding for
both the gear and the shooter.

Even with an OVF, the fastest glass and the most recent AF
system, there are times when the gear is pushed over its abi-
lities by situations and ambitious shooters.

EVF is ok for slow moving and predictable subjects — thin-
king of Ospreys and other large birds like Swans or of golf
and tennis players — but would be overwhelmed  and out of
place by the ice rink or for small, fast, unpredictable flyers.

You can say it until the cows come home, but it's just not true. I've seen too many use mirrorless for every scenario. I know what I can and can't do with mine. OVF is better than the lower end mirrorless cameras but the upper echelon cameras have no problem keeping up. I have no more of an issue than I did with my D200. I actually get better results than with my D200 but it is an older camera.  

Landscape will work well
in that budget.  Wildlife not so much.

Shadowfixer1 wrote: You can say it until the cows come home, but it's just not true.  

That sounds like a strong opinion, Randy, but
my experience is an other.

I never heart that with the cows before… funny!

Nikon Shooter wrote:

Shadowfixer1 wrote: You can say it until the cows come home, but it's just not true.  

That sounds like a strong opinion, Randy, but
my experience is an other.

I never heart that with the cows before… funny!

Just curious. How many hours have you spent using a mirrorless camera?

About two and a half days, intensively over a weekend.
The delay of the EVF killed it for me and battery life too.

Thank you all for the recommendations.

I am leaning more towards the D850, but I would like something with in-body stabilization.

What would be an equivalent camera to the D850, but with in-body image stabilization?