Table of Contents
- The Importance of the Camera in Real Estate Photography
- Resist The Temptation of Using Your Cell Phone Camera
- The Best Cameras for Real Estate Photography – Our Top 3 Picks
- Use Professional Real Estate Photo Editing – Use PhotoUp!
Want to learn about the best cameras for real estate photography — our top 3 picks? Then keep reading this post!
Real estate photographers need the right camera to get the best shots for their clients, no matter what property type they encounter.
If you’re a real estate photographer, having the best camera for the job is essential. But what is the best camera for real estate photography?
So, to answer that question, in this article, we will share the best cameras for real estate photography — our top 3 picks
The Importance of the Camera in Real Estate Photography
Experienced real estate photographers know that it’s not just the lens that makes for high-quality photos — the camera matters too.
And in today’s real estate sales market, the quality of the photos matters more than ever. For example, think about the following:
- Most buyers begin their home search online and high-quality listing photographs give them the confidence to take a deeper, longer look at the property
- Therefore, having the right camera — one that produces stunning results — is a necessity for real estate photography
In general, DSLR cameras are the favored choice for real estate photography. These cameras allow the photographer the greatest flexibility, ease of use, and settings options.
DSLR cameras produce accurate shots that help potential buyers see the full layout of a home, thereby getting a better feel and sense of the property.
Whether you choose a DSLR or not, 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 way that’s flattering and enticing.
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Resist the Temptation of Using Your Cell Phone Camera
Many real estate photographers and sales agents will almost instinctively use their smartphone cameras to capture their real estate images. In a way, this makes sense, because it’s the camera they carry with them most often.
But we urge you to think twice before using your cell phone camera for your real estate photography. Why?
- While it’s true that many modern smartphones are equipped with absolutely fantastic camera arrays, they still don’t capture the crisp, captivating photos a DSLR camera can
- And most cell phone cameras lack the filters and settings the higher-end cameras have — and these matter for the quality of the photos
However, if you are still set on using a smartphone though, try to add dedicated lens enhancers and motorized mounts that allow smartphones to capture better images and 3D virtual tours.
OK, now, let’s look at our top 3 picks of the best cameras for real estate photography.
Best Cameras for Real Estate Photography – Our Top 3 Picks
1. Canon EOS Rebel SL3
Overview: The best camera for real estate photography overall — it’s user-friendly and highly capable.
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)
With many useful features and at a pretty reasonable price, the Canon Rebel SL3 (known as the EOS 250D in Europe) is an excellent choice of DSLR for real estate photography.
Let’s take a look at 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 delightfully light option, making it 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 not the absolute cheapest in Canon’s range, it still arguably 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 own 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, read our blog post on best lens for real estate photography (top 15 picks).
2. Nikon D3500
Overview: The best real estate camera for total 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)
- Weight: 415 g (body only, with battery and memory card)
While the Canon EOS is designed for beginners, if you’re a total newbie to cameras, the Nikon D3500 might be an even better choice. Consider these features:
- It’s designed specifically to help new users learn all its functions, with many helpful guide modes and simplified controls
- It’s extremely light — a bit lighter than the EOS 250D
- And thanks to Nikon’s wide F-mount lens selection, there are plenty of compatible lenses 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 might be a better choice for capturing the best real estate images.
3. Nikon D850
Overview: The best professional camera 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)
- Weight:1,005g (body only, with battery and memory card)
If you’re looking for outstanding, professional-quality real estate photography, then the full-frame DSLR Nikon D850 will be perfect for all your needs. For example, look at these features:
- Preferred by real estate photography professionals worldwide, this camera produces astonishing image quality thanks to its full-frame sensor
- This workhorse comes complete with auto-focusing speed, and megapixels — everything you’d expect from a top-tier device
- It also features uncropped 4K video, allowing you to create amazing footage for video tours of your properties
While it may all be more than you need, if the utmost quality in your real estate photography is what you want, 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
- It is also a perfect partner for more specialist perspective-correcting tilt-shift lenses, such as the Nikon PC-E 24 mm f/3.5D ED
Hopefully the above helps point you in the right direction when looking for the best camera for real estate photography.
And while the right camera is vital to the best results in real estate photography, there are other factors to consider as well — such as photo editing.
Therefore, allow us to make one more recommendation — the best provider for real estate photo editing.
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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 will finely edit your real estate photos and make them simply stunning.
With more than 10 years in the real estate photography and marketing business and with several hundred skilled real estate photo editors around the world, it’s hard to beat their quality, service, and affordable pricing.
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Ready-to-hire editors for real estate photo editing, video editing, and more.
Starting at the low cost of $1.50 per image, PhotoUp’s photo editors can help with the following issues:
- 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 PhotoUp is more than just a real estate photo editing provider, it also offers the following real estate marketing services:
- Virtual staging
- Video editing
- Real estate photographer websites
- Single property websites
- House portraits
- Virtual Assistants
- And much more!
So, start now and make your real estate photography truly outstanding.
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We hope this post showed you the best cameras for real estate photography — our top 3 picks. If you found this post useful, you may also want to check out the following resources:
