One of the experts in this field of photography is Nicco Valenzuela. A writer and digital content creator, Nicco is a well-known landscape and architectural photographer who has developed his own signature style of capturing skylines and city views with his reliable Sony gadgets.

Nicco shares some of his favorite features and provides practical advice for beginners in landscape photography as he reviews the Sony Alpha 7 IV camera and SEL70200GM2 lens.

In analyzing the various features of the Alpha A7 IV, this camera can shoot both stills and video, making it the ideal hybrid camera. It has a true-to-life resolution and remarkable-powered autofocus with many other features this is designed to bring to life the artistic shots of all photographers. Nicco shows how a landscape photographer should use the camera, "Without a doubt, Sony has put a lot of thought into what and where everything has been placed to give the users of this camera a better shooting or video experience" he points out.

First, Nicco shares that the Alpha 7 IV’s bulkier hand grip provides a better shooting experience. "When shooting with a larger lens for landscapes or cityscapes, a better grip provides more stability for the photographer" he shares. 

The Sony Alpha 7 IV also has a lens change protection feature, something that Nicco emphasizes is especially important for landscape photography. "I myself am guilty of changing lenses often," he admits. "But especially when outdoors, this could expose the camera's sensor to dust and cause damage". On the Alpha 7 IV, the shutter automatically closes when the camera is turned off or when lenses are changed, preventing dust and moisture from entering the bare sensor. 

With a vari-angle screen that can be flipped forward or angled to help compose better low or high-level shots, the Alpha 7 IV provided added comfort for landscape photography. "This means a lot especially when I am shooting cityscapes and have the camera clamped on a high ledge," Nicco explains. On the flip-out screen, Nicco also praises the camera's Touch Tracking feature, which allows for sustained focus on a subject – perfect for filmmakers and product photographers. 

Among Nicco's favorite features of the Alpha 7 IV are the customizable dials and buttons, settings that he believes will make it easier for beginners and other first-time users to have a more straightforward workflow when using the camera.  "I use the front dial for shutter speed, the rear for aperture, and the third for Kelvin temperature when using Kelvin white balance," Nicco explains. 
 
Because the Alpha 7 IV gives the user more freedom to adjust the dials, the highest standard ISO 32000 can be achieved and noise can be reduced in the low and medium sensitivity ranges, resulting in high-quality images. 
 
For beginners in landscape photography, the Alpha 7 IV offers several key features that ensure quality photographs. The in-body 5-axis image stabilizer algorithm has been optimized to maximize the performance of the high-resolution 33.0 MP image sensor, helping its users take better photos even when there are obstacles. It also minimizes the shutter release time for smoother, more responsive flash photography with continuous flash shooting at up to 10 fps. 
 

Capturing cityscapes and landscapes has always had its fair share of limitations when it comes to finding a clear vantage point. "It's not so easy to take a few steps forward to get the framing you want," Nicco explains. 
 
When he first started out, Nicco had the idea that he would always use ultra-wide lenses because they were necessary to get the most out of a view. But that has not always been the case and not for several years now. 
 
Today, Nicco achieves his beautiful shots with the Sony G Master Lens SEL70200GM2, every landscape photographer's best friend. 
 
Knowing that landscape photography requires more than just a camera, Nicco has grown fond of his SEL70200GM2 in comparison to ultra-wide angle lenses. Thanks to features like the G Master Bokeh, achieved through advanced optical design, an F2.8 aperture, and a new 11-blade aperture unit, the Sony SEL70200GM2 is truly worth considering for any landscape photographer.
 
"This lens is 200 grams lighter," says Nicco, "and as someone who travels a lot for landscape photography, you should always consider the weight of your lens." Despite its light weight of 1,045 g (36.9 oz), the SEL70200GM2 offers outstanding optical quality and AF in the world's lightest F.28 70-200 mm zoom. 
 
The SEL70200GM2 features four of Sony's original XD (Extreme Dynamic) linear motors, which provide high thrust and increase the speed of AF by 4 times compared to the previous model. This new lens offers completely new possibilities for landscape photographers who want to perfect their craft.
 
The aperture panel is equipped with 2 switches: 
1.    Click Switch, which turns the click of the aperture on and off and is perfect for users who shift the aperture to achieve certain effects when taking photos and videos; 
2.    Iris Lock, which works in combination with the aperture and prevents unwanted changes in exposure when you have a physical aperture

With its zoom range, the SEL70200GM2 delivers excellent image quality at all distances, giving photographers the ability to achieve the right projections and compositions, even when the skyline is far away. "You can't just find a certain spot and get there because you need a permit, especially during the height of the pandemic," Nicco shares from recent experience. "With this lens, I can zoom in with the telephoto and capture all the details in one frame and stitch the photos together to ultimately get a larger photo." 

Try landscape photography and get that picture perfect view just like Nicco with Sony's A7M4 and SEL70200GM2.