What are the Best Cameras for Nature Photography?
- Features Desired In a Nature Photography Camera
- Good Nature Photography Camera - Nikon Z8
- Better Nature Photography Camera - Canon EOS R5
- Best Nature Photography Camera - Fujifilm GFX100 II
- Displaying Your Nature Photography
- Recommended Photography Gear
- 3 Features of a High-Quality Canvas Print
- 5 Unique Landscape Photography Ideas to Try
- 4 Keys to Great Landscape Photography
Photography gear recommendations like this topic are constantly changing. There are two reasons for that, at least in my case. One, my tastes keep evolving. Two, photography gear keeps on getting better and better.
On the other hand, a few things seem to stay the same when looking for the best camera for nature photography. One, we want the highest quality images. Two, we need robust cameras to withstand the rigors of nature landscape photography.
I’ll use the standard PhotographyTalk practice of listing my camera choices for landscape nature photography in a Good / Better / Best configuration. Afterward, I’ll give you a bonus tip about the best way to display the fantastic images you capture with your new nature photography camera gear with a high-quality print.
Table of Contents:
Features Desired In a Nature Photography Camera
photo by Stivog via iStock
When looking for the best nature photography camera, the two main concerns mentioned above are being rugged and capable of capturing the highest quality image. For these concerns, I’ve narrowed down my search to pro-level mirrorless cameras with high-resolution sensors.
Professional-level mirrorless cameras are incredibly rugged tools for nature photography. Mirrorless cameras have fewer moving parts than similar-level DSLR cameras because they have no mirror box.
Without a mirror box, these pro-level cameras can be made lighter yet still be very substantial with metal construction since that mirror box takes up a lot of space and adds considerable weight when designed for the extra ruggedness necessary to be pro-level.
To qualify for the best nature photography camera, the other important feature needed is a very high-quality, high-resolution sensor. Some photographers are concerned that the higher resolution sensors sacrifice a little bit of low-light capability. In general, the higher the MP count of a sensor, the smaller the individual pixels, thus the lower performance for low light imaging.
So, for my list of the best nature photography cameras, I’m sticking with Full Frame format sensors and larger. Full Frame format refers to the same size image area format as 35mm film, 24x36mm with an aspect ratio of 3:2. Larger format sensors in digital cameras are referred to as Medium Format.
Good Nature Photography Camera - Nikon Z8
Our Good label camera in this list of best nature photography cameras is Full Frame format, mirrorless professional camera from Nikon, the Nikon Z8.
The Nikon Z8 is a Full Frame format mirrorless professional camera with the Nikon Z-mount lens mount. It has a 45.7 MP 24x36mm sensor and can record in 14-bit RAW for ultra-high resolution image files.
It has an extended ISO range of ISO 32 to 102,400, records 8K video, shutter speeds from 1/32,000 to 900 seconds, 5-axis sensor shift in body image stabilization, dual card slots, tilting LCD touchscreen, and rapid autofocus. It can take a full range of legacy Nikkor lenses with the FtZ adapter.
The Nikon Z8 is positioned as the mirrorless version of the highly regarded Nikon D850 DSLR pro camera for Nikon F-mount lenses. As a mirrorless camera, it is both smaller and lighter than the DSLR pro lineup from Nikon. It adds some special features for nature photography, such as image stabilization.
Better Nature Photography Camera - Canon EOS R5
In the Better slot for our list of amazing landscape nature photography cameras is the Canon EOS R5.
The Canon EOS R5 is the current high-resolution champ from Canon in Full Frame format with a 45 MP sensor that has an ISO range of ISO 50 to 102,400 and 8K video recording capability. The special IBIS High-Resolution shot mode that creates image files up to 400 MBs in size puts it in this higher slot for our landscape nature photography camera list.
Using the Canon RF-mount for lenses, you can also use Canon EF legacy lenses with the proper lens mount adapter from Canon. 8K video, IBIS, dual pixel CMOS AF with over 1000 AF points, dual card slots, and a fully articulated viewscreen round out the list of features and benefits, making this camera so highly recommended for nature photography.
Best Nature Photography Camera - Fujifilm GFX100 II
Our Best level choice for nature photography camera is the Medium format mirrorless Fujifilm GFX100 II.
The Fujifilm GFX100 II has a medium format sensor that is larger than Full Frame format. The sensor measures 32.9x43.8mm and has a resolution of 102 MPs. That equals ultra-high resolution, adding together the larger size and the very high MP count. This, in turn, means it captures image files that are exceptional in quality.
Sensor shift IBIS provides up to 8 stops of stabilization, and it can also record 4K video on the full width of the format. Extremely rugged, this camera is perhaps the perfect landscape nature photography camera. Fujinon lenses, ISO range of ISO 40 to 102,400, shutter speeds of 1/32,000 sec to 60 full minutes, and film simulation modes round out the features of the amazing camera.
Check out this YouTube video from Taylor Jackson covering many of the fine features and benefits of this amazing camera:
Though it’s a Medium format camera, the mirrorless design and Fuji innovation bring you a nature photography camera no bigger than a film era pro level 35mm camera. If you’re looking for the highest level of lightweight, compact, rugged, and ultra-high resolution for nature photography, this camera fires on all cylinders.
Displaying Your Nature Photography
Now that you have your awesome nature photography camera, you’ll want to display the images you create with it in the best possible way.
Pure Art Printer is a professional printing company that produces fantastic prints of your digital image files, such as metal prints, fine art paper prints, and canvas prints. I’ve ordered numerous prints from this company this year, and each time, I’ve been thoroughly impressed. See what I mean in my review of my Pure Art Printer metal print in the video below:
Canvas prints from Pure Art Printer also showcase your beautiful images in a superb way. Each one is handcrafted, made from the highest quality canvas material and wooden stretcher bars, and is archival quality, giving years of viewing pleasure. Of course, metal and canvas are just two options for printing your photos. You can also get your nature photos printed as velvet fine art prints.
Pure Art Printer has excellent tools and services for pro shooters, too. Combined with the best mirrorless cameras for nature photography, you will be on top of your game as a nature and landscape photographer!
Recommended Photography Gear
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