By Tati Taylor 3 days ago, Cameras & Lenses
Produce stunning property images with the real estate photography camera
Choosing the best camera for real estate photography isn’t easy since taking pictures of property and interiors often comes with lighting and composition challenges. Your goal is to present a location or building in a way that flatters the venue without being deceitful in any way.
With the right equipment and a little know-how, you'll capture stunning images that will make any property shine. Typically, cameras suitable for real estate pictures cost somewhere between $750 and $2,000, but some premium models can cost up to $3,200.
There are several camera types that are commonly used to capture stunning images of properties. These include DSLRs, mirrorless and action cameras. When paired with lenses for real estate photography, these cameras can help you capture stunning real estate footage.
Photographers choose DSLRs for their exceptional image quality and extensive settings options. Such cameras also offer built-in automatic exposure bracketing, which is a handy feature for capturing well-balanced images in different lighting conditions.
Mirrorless cameras offering both excellent image quality and a compact design. They use electronic viewfinders instead of optical ones, which allows you to see the exact exposure and white balance settings in real-time. They also tend to have fast autofocus systems, making it easier to capture sharp and clear images. However, mirrorless cameras can be quite expensive.
Photographers also have several types of real estate photography cameras for special tasks. They use action cameras to show real estate in motion, and 3D cameras for virtual tours.
Camera type: DSLR | Resolution: 24MP | Video: 4K UHD 2160p | Weight: 2.17 lbs
The Canon EOS Rebel SL3 is actually a great choice for real estate photography, especially if you're just starting out. It captures stunning photos with great detail, which is important when showcasing properties.
This Canon camera has various focusing modes, including face detection and tracking, making it easier to capture sharp images of people in the properties. The SL3 also offers different picture styles and scene modes, allowing you to customize the look of your photos.
The battery life is impressive, so you won't have to worry about running out of power during your sessions. Additionally, the real estate photography camera can be controlled remotely using the Canon Camera Connect app, which is a huge bonus for real estate photographers who want to avoid carrying extra devices.
Recommended lenses for Canon EOS Rebel SL3:
Camera type: DSLR | Resolution: 24.2MP | Video: Full HD 1920 x 1080p | Weight: 5.99 lbs
The Nikon D3500 has a powerful APS-C sensor with a high resolution, which means you can capture stunningly detailed images of your properties. The autofocus system is excellent, ensuring that your subjects are sharp and in focus. Plus, the wide range of lenses available for this camera for photography allows you to experiment and capture different perspectives of your properties.
Another great feature is the built-in Wi-Fi capability. This allows you to quickly transfer images from the camera to your smartphone or tablet, which is super convenient if you want to show potential clients your work right away. Additionally, the SnapBridge technology provided by Nikon ensures a seamless connection between your smart device and the camera, making image transfer even easier.
The user interface of this camera for real estate photography is beginner-friendly, making it easy for newcomers to learn how to use the camera effectively. A built-in flash can also be beneficial for low-light conditions, and a tilting screen can provide more flexibility when shooting on uneven surfaces.
Recommended lenses for Nikon D3500:
Camera type: Full Frame DSLR | Resolution: 30.4MP | Video: 4K UHD 2160p | Weight: 2.73 lbs
You can use the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV for both stills and videos while shooting property. It even has a weatherproof body, which is a bonus when shooting outdoors.
The 5D Mark IV has a high resolution sensor and a fast processor. This means improved noise performance and dynamic range, which is essential for capturing those sharp and clear real estate photos. It also performs well in low light conditions, thanks to its wide ISO sensitivity range.
The touch panel LCD is large and easy to navigate, making menu settings a breeze. It has a built-in GPS and Wi-Fi, which is super convenient for location tracking and easy file transfer.
The high-speed continuous shooting function may be useful for real estate video marketing purposes allows you to capture fast-paced real estate events. Plus, the customizable button is a handy feature that lets you control the camera without taking your eye off the viewfinder.
Recommended lenses for Canon EOS 5D Mark IV:
Camera type: DSLR | Resolution: 45.7MP | Video: 2160p | Weight: 2 lbs
The Nikon D850 excels in its high-resolution capabilities. The real estate camera quickly and accurately focuses on the subject, ensuring that each shot is sharp and clear. This is especially important when photographing interiors, where there may be varying depths and distances to focus on.
Low-light conditions are often a challenge in real estate photo session, but the Nikon D850 handles them remarkably well. Its large sensor size enhances its sensitivity to light, allowing for detailed and well-exposed images even in dimly lit spaces.
This Nikon photography camera boasts an impressive dynamic range, allowing for detailed captures of both bright and dark areas in a scene. This is particularly useful when photographing interior spaces with windows, as it helps to maintain details in both the indoor and outdoor areas.
Recommended lenses for Nikon D850:
Camera type: Mirrorless | Resolution: 20.3MP | Video: 4K 60p | Weight: 1.27 lbs
The Panasonic LUMIX G9 boasts a high-resolution sensor and an optical viewfinder that really helps capture all the details of a property in a stunning way.
The camera's high ISO performance allows you to shoot in low-light conditions, such as twilight or at night, which is a big plus. Additionally, the G9's autofocus system is top-notch, quickly locking on to your subject and ensuring your photographs are crisp and clear.
Another cool feature of this one of the best cameras for real estate photography is the automatic exposure bracketing, which lets you capture images with different exposure settings in one go.
In terms of build quality, this Panasonic camera is impressive. It's made of magnesium-alloy with extensive sealing, making it weather-resistant and durable. This is great if you find yourself shooting outdoors often or in less-than-ideal conditions.
Recommended lenses for Panasonic LUMIX G9:
Camera type: Full Frame Mirrorless | Resolution: 31MP | Video: Full HD 1920 x 1080p | Weight: 3.09 lbs
The Canon EOS R camera offers both stills and video shooting capabilities, making it a versatile option for real estate needs. It can capture high-quality raw and JPG files, delivering sharp, crisp images with impressive contrast and rich colors.
One standout feature of this mirrorless camera is the effective HDR bracketing. This allows you to capture a range of exposures for different parts of the scene and merge them into one image, saving you valuable time.
It even has an HDR mode, which is perfect for real estate as it captures more detail in shadowy and dark areas, resulting in well-balanced images. However, it does come with a higher price tag, slow autofocus in low light, and a limited battery life.
Camera type: Full Frame Mirrorless | Resolution: 45.7MP | Video: Ultra HD 4K | Weight: 1 lbs
The Nikon Z7 offers real estate photographers high image quality with its large sensor and advanced autofocus system. Another great feature is the built-in stabilization, which helps prevent blurry images.
One of the main factors to consider when choosing a camera for real estate photography is its dynamic range. The Nikon Z7 does a good job in this area, with a low base ISO of 64 and an extended ISO up to 25600. This means it can capture a wide range of brightness in a scene, which is crucial for real estate images.
When it comes to usability, the Z7 has a tiltable touchscreen display, making it easy to operate. It's clear and vibrant with its high resolution. The camera also boasts a high-speed processor, which makes it faster than many DSLR cameras out there.
Camera type: Mirrorless | Resolution: 26.1MP | Video: 2160p | Weight: 1.19 lbs
The Fujifilm X-T3 offers the f2.8 aperture that is a lifesaver in low-light conditions. Plus, the autofocus feature is a blessing for beginners, ensuring your property images are in focus without much effort. This camera primarily designed for real estate agents that want to get into real estate photography and move on from taking pictures exclusively with their smartphones.
The EVF viewfinder is a great addition as well, showing you exactly what your final image will look like, saving you time and energy.
The zoom lens is perfect for capturing wide-angle shots of property interiors, and the optical image stabilization helps eliminate any blur, reducing the need for a tripod. It's also worth mentioning that this real estate photography camera is lightweight and compact, making it super convenient to carry around while you're on the go.
Camera type: Full Frame | Resolution: 26.2MP | Video: Full HD 60p | Weight: 1.51 lbs
This camera has large sensor resolution that leads to clear exterior and interior photography where even the smallest details are visible. The Canon EOS 6D Mark II boasts a high dynamic range and broad ISO ranges, which are crucial for producing sharp images in various lighting conditions.
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II can record video in Full HD, giving you the flexibility to showcase a property through both real estate videos and photos. The dedicated movie button makes it easy to switch to video mode, and the touchscreen interface allows for convenient camera control without constantly looking through the viewfinder.
The inclusion of a fully articulated screen allows you to capture shots from awkward angles, which can be extremely helpful in real estate shoots. Whether you need to shoot from a low or high perspective, the screen can be tilted, flipped, and rotated to face forward for video recording.
Camera type: Handheld action | Resolution: 64MP | Video: 4K Ultra HD | Weight: 0.26 lbs
One of the main characteristics that make the DJI Pocket 2 camera a great option for real estate is its compact size. Plus, it's user-friendly, so you won't have to worry about complicated setups or technical difficulties.
This video camera has a zoom function, allowing you to get closer to your subject and capture those intricate details that make a property unique. Additionally, the camera has object tracking capabilities, which saves you time and effort when trying to capture moving subjects.
Plus, the battery life is impressive, offering up to 140 minutes of usage, so you won't have to worry about running out of power during your shoots.
Camera type: Action | Resolution: 16.6MP | Video: 360: 5.6K; 1440/1080p | Weight: 0.34 lbs
The GoPro MAX is perfect for showcasing rooms and their grandeur. It can shoot 360-degree videos at a high resolution of 6K. This GoPro camera can also record spherical audio, making your videos sound like you're right there in the room.
Plus, it's waterproof and has GPS, great for showing off locations. The camera for real estate photography itself has a sleek GoPro design and is compact enough to fit in most places you want to take it. It also has a convenient touchscreen on the back, making it easy to use.
GoPro Max can be used as a regular action camera, perfect for vlogging or recording yourself during active moments. The TimeWarp mode is a super cool feature that creates a moving timelapse, setting it apart from other 360 cameras.
Camera type: 3D camera | Resolution: 134MP | Video: - | Weight: 7.6 lbs
If you want to take up 3D shots, you need to have an appropriate camera for the job. This real estate photography camera is built to fulfill that purpose, as it’s equipped with a state-of-the-art 3D sensor, offers a fantastic field-of-view, and can capture even the smallest detail in the shot.
It takes less than 20 seconds to scan each space and transmits the data to an iPad or iPhone. You can even mark mirrors and windows to ensure the 3D camera captures objects behind them accurately. This helps the software create better alignment of the model.
In addition to the virtual tours, Matterport also offers high-resolution 2D stills that can be used in brochures, listing descriptions, and marketing materials. That said, the Matterport Pro2 is a rather expensive option that also asks you to pay for a monthly virtual tour software subscription if you want to take full advantage of the provided features like schematic floor-plan rendering.
If you want to start real estate photography business, you need a camera with a high resolution and good dynamic range. This is particularly important when shooting indoor spaces with large windows and doors, as you want to avoid overexposure or excessive digital noise.
Type of sensor. A larger sensor means better light sensitivity, which is crucial in real estate shooting. Some camera types such as full-frame models get more light than their counterparts, which can be a vital difference when working in poor lighting conditions or interiors with no windows.
Resolution. High-resolution images showcase properties accurately and highlight all the necessary details. Choose the camera with at least 20MP stills resolution.
Video capabilities. Purchasing a camera that can handle both photo and video tasks will not only boost the number of services you can provide but the profitability of your business as well. That's why it's advised to look for a model that allows recording videos in 4K or at least Full-HD resolution.
Lenses. A good wide-angle lens is a must-have for real estate pictures, allowing you to capture the entire space. A zoom lens is also handy for close-ups and capturing details. And don't forget about distortion – choose a lens that minimizes it, especially for wide-angle shots. If you want to get fancy, a tilt/shift lens can help you capture unique angles and achieve more accurate compositions.
Advanced features. Look for a real estate photography camera with automatic exposure bracketing. This handy feature allows you to capture a range of exposures, giving you more control over the lighting and ensuring well-balanced photos.
If you want to set the optimal real estate photography camera settings, it’s advised to set a low ISO value and go for an aperture in the F8-F11 range.
Other than the lens, there’s additional real estate photography equipment you should consider getting for your kit. You should think about purchasing a tripod to stabilize your camera, and a drone if you want to amaze your clients with stunning shots.
Consider factors such as sensor size, lens compatibility, and budget. DSLRs are popular due to their ability to capture high detail in low-light conditions. Alternatively, mirrorless cameras offer a smaller and more compact option. Research different models, compare features, and consider your specific needs before making a decision.
