What is the best DSLR for Outdoor Photography?

What DSLR Camera should I buy for Outdoor Photography?

One of the most popular questions I receive as a DM (or a direct message) via instagram is ‘which DSLR should I get if I’m going to be shooting outdoors’. I wanted to take a moment and provide a few considerations for you if you’re having this same thought.

Usually when I’m taking landscape photographs, I need to first travel to where I’m shooting. Then, I have to make sure my equipment can hold up against the elements and weather conditions such as freezing temperatures, rain and extreme heat. After that, I want to make sure my editing software and computer system are correctly set up. As you can see, there are quite a few items to take into consideration when it comes to purchasing a DSLR for Outdoor Photography. Today, I’ll share with you a few of the top considerations.

Outdoor Photography DSLR Considerations

Camera Body for Outdoor Photography

As mentioned above, often times you have to travel to capture outdoor, landscape, nature and wildlife photography. One of my biggest criteria for purchasing a DSLR for outdoor photography is how it will hold up against ‘bumps and bruises’. Whether the bumps and bruises come from traveling (squishing a back pack under an airplane seat) or from a brush with the ground as I hike up a mountain. Yes - in a perfect world we would bubble wrap our cameras, lenses and tripod but practically speaking, if you want fantastic outdoor photographs, you will need to get out of the house.

Nikon D810 FX DSLR Camera Body

I have lived in Florida and have taken outdoor photography portraits and landscapes there. Often times, I find myself in the PNW (Pacific Northwest) and Alaska where its usually chilly and it rains often. I needed a camera that could handle both of of those elements along. I was looking for a full-frame with a wide aperture and a fast shutter speed. I didn’t go into photography seeking out extreme conditions or really wanting to push the boundaries with my camera; however, I knew there was a chance that as I grew as a photographer, I would really want to test my cameras limitations. For Outdoor Photography, I would highly recommend the Nikon D810 FX DSLR Camera Body.

Why Do I Recommend the Nikon D810 Camera Body for Outdoor Photography

From shooting outdoor portraits on the beach to orcas and bald eagles in Alaska, my Nikon D810 Camera Body has been with me every step of the way. It has a wide range of ISO sizes, allows me to shoot in raw, 36.3 MP and a 51-point AF system. If you’re looking for the detailed specs, please see below. This is a versatile camera body allowing me to photograph outdoor night photography, a fast-moving breeching Orca and family portraits.

Outdoor Photography DSLR Specs:

• 36.3 MP FX-format CMOS sensor without an Optical Low Pass Filter (OLPF)

• 30% faster EXPEED 4 image processing engine

• 51-point AF system and 3D Color Matrix metering III with a 91,000-pixel RGB sensor

• ISO 64-12,800 expandable to 51,200

• Featuring a new RAW Small Size option, which produces 16MP images with much smaller file sizes

• Professional video and audio capabilities

Questions About Your DSLR for Outdoor Photography

If you have any questions about a camera and it’s performance for outdoor photographs or have specific questions about the Nikon D810, please reach out to me on my Contact page! I would love to provide guidance and any useful tips or considerations.