If stunning mountain vistas, breathtaking sunsets or lofty waterfalls inspire you, then finding digital cameras for taking scenery pictures is likely a top priority.
Taking Scenery Shots with Digital Cameras
Outdoor photography has become more popular than ever thanks to digital camera technology. Today, digital cameras are more affordable, and therefore more accessible, to amateur photographers than in years past. As a result, an increasing amount of nature lovers are purchasing digital cameras. When they do, naturalists find that taking impressive outdoor images is a snap, since most digital cameras are equipped with a range of easy-to-use scenery modes.
To capture crisp details of awe-inspiring landscapes, consider experimenting with the following modes on your digital camera:
- Landscape mode: This mode adjusts the camera's aperture so that objects near and far are sharp and clear.
- Manual settings: Another way to get sharp photos of pretty landscapes is to manually set your aperture to a high f-number, such as f6.3. This will provide a wide range of focus and ensure that everything near and far is in focus.
- Panorama: Some digital cameras allow you create sensational vertical or horizontal panoramic shots by stitching together up to five images in a sequence.
Top Digital Cameras for Taking Scenery Pictures
Photographers who are looking for digital cameras for taking scenery pictures need the basics, including high megapixel resolution (at least 12-megapixels), autofocusing systems, and excellent metering. However, if you are a demanding outdoor photographer, then you might consider purchasing a digital camera that offers video capability, advanced image processors, and powerful flash features. The following digital cameras are top picks for outdoor photographers:
Canon EOS Rebel T1i
Canon's DSLR camera comes equipped with:
- 15.1-megapixel resolution
- A 3.0-inch, 920K-dot LCD monitor
- Canon's EOS integrated cleaning system, which automatically removes dust from the sensor assembly each time you switch the camera on or off
- Auto lighting optimizer and highlight tone priority, which helps maintain detail from shadows through highlights
- Lens peripheral correction, which [[Lighting Techniques for Taking Pictures Outside|automatically brightens image]] corners
- Video capability, which adds new dimensions to images by adding motions and sounds of nature, including chirping birds and crashing waves
Nikon D5000
Nikon's video enhanced DSLR is equipped with a new subject-tracking mode that follows a subject as it moves across and even briefly out of the frame. Nature lovers, who enjoy taking photos of wild animals in their natural habitats, especially appreciate this feature.Other notable features of the D5000 include:
- A LCD monitor that tilts and rotates
- Grid line system that helps align the horizon or vertical lines in a scene
- 12.3-megapixel resolution
- Wide ISO range (200-3200, expandable to 100-6400)
- 11-point auto-focus system
- Active D-Lighting feature, which expands highlight and shadow detail
- Sensor-dust removal system, which keeps the sensor clean despite lens changes in the field
- HD video capability
Pentax K-7
Pentax's new top-of-the-line DSLR is designed for the advanced amateur market and includes a number of features of interest to outdoor photographers. For example, the camera is very compact and features a magnesium-alloy body, which is rugged and weather-, dust- and cold-resistant. In addition, the K-7 comes equipped with a new HDR (High Dynamic Range) capture mode, which has the abilty to blend three bracketed exposures in-camera to bring out detail from dark areas through light.
The K-7 also includes:
- 14.6-megapixel resolution
- A 3.0-inch, 921,000-dot LCD monitor
- Live View mode, which makes odd-angle shooting easy
- Electronic Level function to keep horizons horizontal
- Built-in, sensor-shift shake reduction, which works with any lens you attach to the camera
- Sensor-dust removal system
- HD video feature
Benefits of Shooting Scenery with DSLR Cameras
Professional photographers concur that the best digital cameras for taking scenery pictures are DSLRs for the following reasons:
- DSLRs can accommodate a wide range of high-quality interchangeable lenses, which gives them a huge advantage over compact point-and-shoot digital cameras in regards to framing.
- DSLRs have much larger image sensors than compact point-and-shoot digital cameras, so the pixels are much larger. This translates into much better high-ISO and low-light image quality.
- Larger sensors also mean DSLRs with video capabilities can produce "movie-like" images not possible with small-sensor camcorders.
