By Tati Taylor 3 days ago, Cameras & Lenses
Top-rated cameras for real estate photography.
Choosing the best camera for real estate photography isn’t easy since taking pictures of property and interiors often comes with a long list of challenges. Your goal is to present a location or building in a way that flatters the venue without being deceitful in any way.
You should also strive to encompass as many details as possible while using a wide perspective that captures the entire scene. Typically, cameras suitable for real estate photos cost somewhere between $500 and $800 for cheaper models and between $1400 and $3500 for premium models.
The market is overflowing with cameras for real estate photography, making it nigh impossible to choose the optimal option for your needs. This review goes over a plethora of quality models, allowing everyone to find an option for their budget, while immediately boosting the number of real estate photography contract offers you’ll receive.
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Type: DSLR | Sensor: 30.4MP Full Frame CMOS | Lens Mount: Canon EF | Video: DCI 4K | Screen: 3.2-inch touchscreen, 1,620,000 dots| Weight: 1,85 lbs
This model is among the most popular Canon cameras, and a fantastic choice for real estate pictures. Being equipped with a cutting-edge 30.4MP full-frame sensor, this camera allows you to convey every single detail of a scene while also being suitable for producing 4K videos at 30fps.
The 5D Mark IV has a native ISO cap of 32000, provides useful auto-bracketing, and delivers terrific results in subpar lighting conditions. This real estate camera offers over 60 cross-type focal points, which you can pick by tapping the display, while the Dual Pixel Raw function is there to help you introduce small adjustments to the focal point even after you’ve snapped a picture.
Type: DSLR | Sensor: 30.3MP full-frame CMOS | Lens Mount: Canon RF | Video: 4K | Screen: 3.15-inch titl-angle touchscreen 2.1m dots | Weight: 1.46 lbs
The EOS-R is a fantastic camera for real estate photography and a terrific replacement for the Mark IV. Its performance and functionality are almost on par with the latter while the price is noticeably smaller. The EOS-R offers a reliable design and allows taking crisp, detailed photos in proper lighting conditions, while also being supplied with an adjustable button layout.
The RAW image format for this model is named C-RAW and it produces files that only take up about 40% of space compared to a regular RAW photo with the quality loss being virtually non-existent. The camera also offers 4K video support, making it a reasonable choice for real estate video marketing projects.
Type: Mirrorless | Sensor: 26.1MP back-illuminated X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor| Lens Mount: Fujifilm X | Video: 4K (DCI and UHD) to 30p | Screen: 3-inch touchscreen 1.04m dots | Weight: 2.20 lbs
This Fujifilm camera represents a trendy and sturdy model that comes with a plethora of features that will be to the liking of even the most demanding photographers. As you’d expect from arguably the best camera for real estate, the X-T30 offers a state-of-the-art sensor with a resolution of 26.1MP.
This model also has highly precise autofocus with facial recognition technology. It actually seems like a challenge to produce bad real estate photos using this mirrorless camera.
Despite being a lightweight model, the X-T30 provides fantastic picture quality. As for navigational convenience, this camera offers an intuitive UI in a 3” touchscreen that can be tilted in any way you like to make shooting in unusual angles more manageable.
Type: DSLR | Sensor: 45.7MP Full Frame CMOS | Lens Mount: Nikon F | Video: 4K Ultra HD | Screen: 3.2-inch touchscreen 2.35m dots | Weight: 2.07 lbs
This full-frame model is among the most powerful Nikon photography cameras, as it allows you to take photos in an incredible resolution of 46MP. The implemented sensor relies on the latest technology that ensures its edges have superior light reception, which significantly improves the peripheral picture quality.
Thanks to that, the D850 might be considered the best camera for real estate photos, especially when you need to work in poor lighting conditions like dark room interiors or cellars. This model also provides 4K video support and a handy WiFi feature. That said, the WiFi can be enabled exclusively by using Nikon’s Bluetooth-based application. Overall, this is a fantastic option for high end real estate photography as long as you can afford it.
Type: Mirrorless | Sensor: 20MP Four-thirds CMOS | Lens Mount: Micro-Four Thirds | Video: 4K Ultra HD | Screen: 3-inch touchscreen 1.04m dots | Weight: 1.45 lbs
The Lumix G9 is supplied with a mirrorless sensor that provides fantastic functionality for a reasonable price. Packed with a 20MP resolution, integrated stabilization, and WiFi, this camera also allows you to record 4K footage, making it a fantastic option for real estate videos. Additionally, the G9 comes with a high-resolution mode that enables you to perform focus stacking straight in your camera. As a result, you’ll be able to encompass and highlight all the details in the shot.
This model allows you to achieve perfect framing and visibility by including a large high-res 3680k-dot OLED Viewfinder. When used as a video camera, the G9 provides an impressive dynamic range, letting you increase the exposure by several stops during image editing without any quality loss.
Type: Mirrorless | Sensor: Full-frame stacked CMOS sensor, 42.2MP | Lens Mount: E-mount | Video: 4K | Screen: 3.0-inch tilt-angle screen, 1,44m dots | Weight: 1.45 lbs
This model is among the most popular Sony cameras and is a solid contender for being the best camera for real estate agents. The 7R III comes with a 42MP full-frame sensor, 5-axis stabilization, and the ability to take highly sharp photos even when used in handheld mode.
The camera also features a big 3-inch touchscreen that allows you to conveniently frame shots, while the high resolution and full-frame coverage allow you to see all the details in the scene. Another impressive feature of this model is the fantastic native ISO range that can go up to 32000, meaning you can receive bright interior shots even in nearly dark lighting conditions.
Type: DSLR | Sensor: 24.3MP Full Frame CMOS | Lens Mount: Nikon F | Video: Full HD | Screen: 3.2-inch touchscreen 1.22m dots | Weight: 1.65 lbs
This camera has a 24MP resolution, full-frame sensor, and integrated WiFi. It can also be used for recording video footage, but it doesn't support 4K resolution. It's a rather pricey model, making it an option aimed primarily at photographers with a large real estate photography salary.
The D750’s UI is intuitive and convenient, while the highlight-weighted metering feature is one of the most interesting additions you can find in a wide angle digital camera for real estate. This inclusion enables the camera to meter light by basing its calculations on the highlights in the shot. As a result, you get to enjoy superior control over bright areas that are typical for interiors like windows and mirrors.
Type: DSLR | Sensor: 24.2MP APS-C CMOS | Lens Mount: Canon EF-S | Video: Full HD | Screen: 3-inch touchscreen 1.04m dots | Weight: 1.2 lbs
This beginner-grade DSLR is primarily designed for new photographers that want to get into real estate photography and move on from taking pictures exclusively with their smartphones. The T6i is pleasantly lightweight and its display is well-illuminated making it simple to use even in direct sunlight. This Canon camera offers a solid resolution of 18MP and is capable of recording footage in Full-HD quality.
It also offers WiFi and NFC support that makes file transferring a lot more convenient. The beginner-friendly philosophy behind this camera is also reflected in its simple controls and user-friendly menus. It also packs a solid battery that can endure an entire day of shooting.
Type: 3D camera | Sensor: Structured light (infrared) 3D sensor | Lens: 4K Full Glass | Megapixels: 134MP | Screen: OLED display | Weight: 7,5 lbs
If you want to take up 3D real estate photography, you need to have an appropriate camera for the job. This model 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. Using 3D capture requires minimum effort and all it takes is one button press.
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. This model also comes with a long-lasting battery and is probably the best real estate camera if you want to take photos of houses, apartment complexes, hotels, and office spaces, and are interested in 3D functionality.
Type: DSLR | Sensor: 26.2MP Full Frame CMOS | Lens Mount: Canon EF | Video: 1080p video capture | Screen: 3-inch touchscreen 1.04m dots | Weight: 3.45 lbs
The gadget has large matrix resolution that leads to clear exterior and interior photography where even the smallest details are visible. Compared with the previous model, the EOS 6D Mark II became better: the resolution is increased to 26 megapixels, the working ISOs is increased too, the rate of fire’s increased to 6.5 frames / s, the autofocus system now consists of 45 cross points.
This real estate camera has wide wireless capabilities. Camera control and transferring pictures from the camera are possible via Wi-Fi. NFC and Bluetooth are used to simplify the connection.
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Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
OUR CHOICE
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Panasonic Lumix G9
FOR VIDEO
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Canon EOS Rebel T6i
BUDGET
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CHECK PRICE → |
If you want to build a thriving real estate photography business, you need to make an educated decision since it involves a rather large monetary investment. Below, you'll find a rundown of criteria that you need to consider when making your choice.
The main difference between a full-frame and a crop model comes down to how much light is received by the sensor. 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. As a result, the optimal choice is to get one of the full-frame DSLR cameras featured in this review.
If you want to approach commercial real estate photography professionally, you should also ensure the camera can be paired with various lenses. Full-frame models come with a different mount type than cropped sensor ones while giving you an array of premium lenses to choose from.
The first lesson you’ll learn when visiting real estate photography classes is how crucial Automatic Exposure Bracketing is. AEB is particularly relevant for HDR photography, as it lets the camera automatically take multiple photos at different exposure settings. Of course, you can adjust the exposure manually, but AEB makes this process a lot more convenient and quicker.
When working in high-contrast venues, you have to take 3 or more photos divided by 2 EV or 5 photos with 1 EV apart. Be sure to learn the number of photos and EV spacing for AEB offered by a specific model when choosing a camera for HDR real estate photography.
The weight and size of your camera have a notable effect on how you can approach real estate photo shoots. Even though professional and experienced photographers tend to rely on tripod brands and their products to stabilize the camera, lightweight models like mirrorless cameras are a fantastic choice for taking handheld photos or putting together a compact setup.
The first thing clients pay attention to when looking at real estate photography business cards is whether you only offer photography services or videography as well.
Purchasing a camera that can handle both 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.
The usual go-to answer is to get wide angle lenses since they are the perfect lenses for real estate photography, providing you a better field of view and encompassing a larger scene in the shot.
Post-processing can be essential for ensuring your images will impress the customer. I suggest using presets to achieve professional results in a matter of minutes.
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 for real estate photography to stabilize your camera, and a drone for real estate photography if you want to amaze your clients with real estate aerial photos.