Table of Contents
- Why You Shouldn’t Use Your Cell Phone Camera
- How to Choose the Best Camera for Real Estate Photography
- Best Camera for Real Estate Photography – Our Top 4 Picks
- Always Use a Professional Photo Editing Service
Are you wondering what’s the best camera for real estate photography?
So much in real estate sales depends on captivating photos of the property – choosing the right camera for the job is therefore crucial.
But what is the best camera for real estate photography? Opinions differ on which cameras are best. In this article, we will show you how to choose the best camera for real estate photography.
But first, let’s talk about why you shouldn’t use your cell phone camera for real estate photography.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Your Cell Phone Camera
Yes, using your cell phone camera to take your listing photos is tempting and convenient. But don’t, and here’s why:
- Even though many smartphones are equipped with impressive camera arrays, they still don’t capture the crisp, captivating photos that a DSLR camera will
- Further, most cell phone cameras have limited settings and lack other options the higher-end cameras offer — and these make a difference in the quality of the photos
Additionally, you need to keep in mind the importance of camera sensors and image quality:
- Smartphone camera sensors tend to be small, resulting in more pixelated and lower-quality images
- Sensors in DSLR cameras are better for low-light settings, such as indoor real estate photography More sophisticated sensors will result in much better photos
Lastly, shutter speed is also crucial, so think about the following:
- Slower shutter speeds are necessary for lower light levels
- A DSLR camera allows complete control over the camera’s shutter speed, something the typical smartphone can’t match
As any experienced photographer knows, proper lighting conditions are essential, therefore, you’ll want a camera with a greater variety of shutter speeds.
Since the quality of the photos matters tremendously for the sale, choose to work with only the best camera possible, and that’s not your cell phone.
If you’re completely stuck and have to use your smartphone for a few photos, you should read this article on how to take real estate photos with your iPhone.
Next, we discuss what to look for when choosing the best camera for real estate photography.
How to Choose the Best Camera for Real Estate Photography
In a real estate market where most prospective home buyers start their search online, and you only have a few seconds to capture their attention, the quality of your listing photos is vital.
Here are specific criteria you should keep in mind when choosing the best camera for real estate photography:
- Mirrorless and DLSR cameras – delivering the sharpest photos
- HDR bracketing capabilities – saving you time and effort
- Video quality for shooting walk-through videos
- Dynamic range – ensuring you flexibility in your shot options
- And last but not least, the cost in comparison to your budget
Buyers look to the listing photos to help them decide to see the home in person, so having the best camera possible is crucial.
That being the case, in real estate photography, you’ll want the camera that helps your property look its best and allows you to capture images of the property in a flattering and enticing way.
While the right camera is fundamental to good photography, the quality of your supporting gear matters, too. Make sure you have the right tripod for the shoot. And knowing which flash to use for which shot also helps.
OK, now, let’s look at our top 4 picks for the best camera for real estate photography.
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Best Camera for Real Estate Photography – Our Top 4 Picks
Based on the above criteria, here are our top 4 picks for the best camera for real estate photography.
1. Nikon Z7 II
Overview: The Nikon Z7 II’s numerous bracketing settings, excellent image, and video quality, and good low-light performance make it an ideal choice for real estate photography.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Sensor: 45.7 Megapixel full-frame
- Bracketing: Up to 9 frames, 1/3, 2/3, 1, 2, and 3 EV
- Video quality: UHD 4K 60p
- Weight: 1.4 pounds (body only)
- Excellent image quality
- 4K video
- Good build and body quality
- Battery life could be better
The Nikon Z7 II is a fantastic camera for real estate photography in that it offers robust bracketing options:
- It can bracket up to nine frames, with increment options
- Additionally, it has a base ISO of 64, which is ideal for light-soaked exteriors
Another nice feature is the ability to decide what settings to carry over from stills to video, saving you considerable time.
2. Canon EOS Rebel SL3
Overview: One of the best cameras for real estate photography— it’s extremely user-friendly with broad capabilities.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Camera type: DSLR
- Sensor: APS-C
- Megapixels: 24.1MP
- Lens mount: Canon
- EFISO range: 100 to 25,600 (exp. 51,200)
- Image stabilization: No (in lenses only)
- Weight: 451 g (body only, with battery and SD card)
Reasonably priced, the Canon Rebel SL3 (known as the EOS 250D in Europe) is a superb choice of DSLR for real estate photography.
Here are some of the advantages of this camera:
- The varied-angle touchscreen is great for getting images from all sorts of different angles
- It’s a lightweight option, meaning its easy to carry around
- The generous ISO range will cover you in almost any lighting situation
- And the APS-C sensor represents a serious step up from any smartphone
While it’s somewhat pricey, it still offers better value than models like the EOS 2000D or 4000D.
Also, there are several good lens choices for the EOS Rebel SL3/250D, including:
- Canon’s EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
- And the Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM lens
With either one of these lenses, the Canon EOS 250D will provide a highly effective setup for all forms of real estate photography.
And if you’re interested in learning more about lenses, check out our blog post on the best lens for real estate photography (top 15 picks).
3. Nikon D3500
Overview: The best real estate camera for beginners, with helpful guide modes.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Camera type: DSLR
- Sensor: APS-C
- Megapixels: 24.2MP
- Lens mount: Nikon
- FISO range: 100 to 25,600
- Image stabilization: No (in lenses only)
- Weighing in at 415 g (body only), it’s an easy camera to work with
While the Canon EOS is designed for beginners, the Nikon D3500 might be an even better choice if you’re a total newbie to cameras. Consider the following features:
- It’s specifically designed to help new users learn all its functions, with many helpful guide modes and simplified controls
- It’s extremely lightweight — even lighter than the EOS 250D
- And with Nikon’s array of F-mount lenses, you’ll have plenty of lens options to choose from
While the lens that comes standard with the camera will more than do the job, a lens like the affordable Nikon 10-20mm f4.5-5.6 G AF-P DX VR Nikkor lens might be better for capturing the absolute best real estate images.
4. Nikon D850
Overview: One of the all around best cameras for real estate photography.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Camera type: DSLR
- Sensor: Full frame
- Megapixels: 45.7MP
- Lens mount: Nikon
- FISO range: 64 to 25,600 (exp. 32 to 102,400)
- Image stabilization: No (in lenses only)
- At 1,005g (body only, with battery and memory card) it’s a decent camera to work with
If you’re looking for outstanding, professional-quality real estate photography, the full-frame DSLR Nikon D850 will be perfect for all your needs. For example, look at these features:
- A favorite of real estate photography professionals worldwide, this camera delivers outstanding image quality due to its full-frame sensor
- It features auto-focusing speed and megapixels — everything you’d expect from a top-tier device
- It also features uncropped 4K video, allowing you to create fantastic footage for video tours of your properties
Granted, this model may be more than you need, but if you’re seeking outstanding quality in your real estate photography, then this is a superb choice.
What about lenses for this camera? We recommend either of the following:
- The Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM Art
- Or Nikon’s own Nikkor AF-S 16-35mm f/4G ED VR
- A great choice for perspective-correcting tilt-shift lenses, such as the Nikon PC-E 24 mm f/3.5D ED
Hopefully, the above provides you with useful information to help you choose the best camera for real estate photography.
And while the right camera is vital for the best results in real estate photography, there are other factors to consider, such as photo editing.
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Always Use a Professional Photo Editing Service
Professional photo editing is the last major component to high-quality real estate photography, ensuring crisp, clear, outstanding photos that will get noticed.
If you’re using one of the best cameras for real estate photography, you should also use the best real estate photo editing service – PhotoUp!
PhotoUp’s real estate photo editing team can quickly help with all your real estate photo editing needs, including:
- Improper exposure levels
- Excessive shadows, lack of light, etc.
- Distorted or blurred images
- Cropping and other effects
- Color and tone adjustments
- Lawn greening and sky replacements
- Clutter and object removal
- Line and angle corrections
- And much more!
PhotoUp will make every one of your images look their best.
Also, PhotoUp’s quality, service, and pricing are superb, with most photo editing costing $1.10 to $9.00 per image, depending on the complexity and subscription.
The turnaround time for most editing jobs is 24 hours or less.
And PhotoUp does much more than just real estate photo editing. Their marketing services also include the following:
- Virtual staging
- Virtual house tours
- Single property websites
- Real estate photographer websites
- Floor plans
- Property flyers
- Video editing
- Virtual Assistants
- And house portraits
So, do yourself and your clients a favor, and have all your listing photos look their absolute best.
Sign-up for a free PhotoUp account to get stunning marketing images for real estate sales. And as a bonus, you get 10 free edits when you sign up.
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