It can be difficult to select the right camera for real estate photography, considering all the market choices, but no worries. To help you narrow down your options, we’re here.
There are many choices you will need to consider when you begin the selection process for choosing a camera for real estate images.
- What is your camera budget?
- Do you need video capability?
- Are you looking for a compact, high-performing camera?
- Do you want a full-frame or crop sensor camera?
- Are additional lenses needed?
- Should you get a mirrorless or DSLR camera?
As we study the best cameras for real estate photography in three categories, we’ll answer these questions: affordable cameras, mirrorless cameras, and DSLR cameras. We’ll also talk about the average consumer and suggest cameras that we think are the best for your needs in real estate photography.
Having said that, let’s move on to the actual cameras. The models below are the best cameras on the market for real estate photography. In each of the categories discussed below, we picked a few cameras: affordable, mirrorless, and DSLR.
All 6 of the Best Cameras For Real Estate Photography
Best Affordable Real Estate Photo Cameras
For taking high-quality real estate images, many affordable cameras work well. Due to the ability to aim the camera at a subject and instantly shoot the image, the affordable category includes cameras under $500, also called point-and-shoot cameras.
The cameras have comprehensive shooting modes and numerous settings in this category, including fully automatic, which makes it easy to take great real estate pictures. Cameras have a rich range of features in this group, such as large zoom lenses that generate high-quality images, controls for touchscreens, and wireless connectivity.
Who suits these cameras?
It is possible that affordable cameras are best used by real estate photographers who are on a budget and like light travel. With an optical zoom lens supplemented by digital zoom capabilities, affordable cameras often come standard. Without buying additional lenses, the single multi-purpose lens helps budget photographers to take interior and exterior shots.
Good and bad features in this category
They cost less than most mirrorless and DSLR cameras and take great photographs. Some cameras have both LCD screens and optical viewfinders in this category, while others may only have an LCD screen.
Many affordable cameras have flexible lenses that are both wide-angle and zoom capabilities. Some models have the technology for 4K video and vibration reduction. Resolutions for the sensor range from 12-18 megapixels.
Some models in this affordable category of cameras, however, may have image noise issues at higher ISO settings, a restricted range of capabilities, or have limitations on image quality at higher levels of zoom. Most point-and-shoot cameras do not use interchangeable lenses, but wide-angle lenses with excellent zoom capabilities are available in some models.
All feature-packed cameras that produce high-quality images and videos adequate for real estate photography are affordable cameras based on the reviews. Feature limitations are few in this group of cameras, but they exist. Photo quality can be diminished by low-light conditions and extensive zooming.
1. Canon EOS Rebel T7
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In a compact package, the Canon Rebel T packs a lot of great camera technology. It comes with impressive features even as an entry-level DSLR, including a nine-point autofocus system, an 18 MP sensor, and a high-performance image processor. As a real estate camera, in good lighting, it shoots sharp images out of the box.
Key Features
- 24 1 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor with is 100–6400 (H: 12800)
- Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC technology
- 9-Point AF System and AI Servo AF
- Optical Viewfinder with approx 95% viewing coverage
- Use the EOS Utility Webcam Beta Software (Mac and Windows) to turn your compatible Canon camera into a high-quality webcam
2. Nikon Coolpix P900
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As a real estate camera, the P900 is an entry-level camera that is fairly priced. Its 83x, 24-2000mm zoom makes it simple and effective to take home and property images.
Key Features
- 16MP CMOS sensor; 6 level brightness adjustment
- 24 2000-millimeter 35-millimeter equivalent focal length. Sensor size: 1/2.3 inch
- 83x optical zoom Nikkor super ED VR lens
- Vari angle TFT Lcd screen
- Electronic viewfinder. Highest ISO sensitivity: 6400
- Full HD 1080/60p video
- Built-In Wi-Fi, NFC, and GP
- 166x dynamic fine zoom, 332x Digi zoom
Best Mirrorless Cameras for Real Estate Photos
Mirrorless cameras refer to digital lens cameras that are interchangeable. With a smaller, lighter camera body, mirrorless cameras have quicker auto-focus speeds than DSLR cameras.
Optical mirrors are used by DSLR cameras to reflecting the light passing through the lens up to the viewfinder and the image sensor. The sensor displays a preview of the image in the viewfinder and the rear view of the camera.
Sometimes, mirrorless cameras only have LCD displays, but some have both a monitor and an electronic viewfinder (EVF). They project the preview image, which is a near approximation of the final image captured, to both the monitor and the viewfinder.
Lenses can vary in size and capability for mirrorless cameras. The variations are mainly due to camera sensor sizes. For mirrorless cameras, there are several lenses available, and while some share the same mounting hardware, the majority of major brand lenses are not interchangeable.
Who suits these cameras?
The cutting-edge technology of mirrorless cameras and their lightweight, compact nature will really be appreciated by experienced real estate photographers. Mirrorless full-frame sensor cameras produce very high-resolution photos and hence are an excellent choice for high-end images of real estate.
For more serious real estate photographers who choose to use more technical photo equipment, the potential to use multiple lenses and custom shooting options make using a mirrorless camera an alternate solution to point-and-shoot cameras.
Good and bad features in this category
With mirrorless cameras, useful features abound: lightweight, compact camera bodies, faster autofocus speeds over DSLRs, image previews on the screen (or EVF), 4K video, and faster shooting speeds are all among the excellent features of mirrorless cameras. However, cameras in this class have a shorter battery life as opposed to DSLRs, and fewer accessories and lenses available. In low lighting conditions, compared to DSLRs, EVFs and screens also do not display subjects well. With mirrorless cameras costing slightly more than the more affordable point-and-shoot camera class but less than higher-end DSLRs, price is also a factor. Compared to a DSLR camera, mirrorless cameras are more lightweight, lighter, quicker, and better for video and still images. Fewer lenses and accessories available are the trade-off.
1. Nikon Z6
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The Z6 allows you to use Nikkor Z lenses as a real-estate camera but is also compatible with over 360 F-mount Nikkor lenses. That makes it a little less painful to switch from the Nikon DSLR world to the Nikon mirrorless camera world if you’ve invested in a lot of Nikon accessories. Intuitive buttons, an LCD touchscreen, and EVF make this an excellent real estate photography camera.
Key Features
- Large, full-frame Z mount for revolutionary optical performance
- Nikon-designed 24. 5MP backside illuminated image sensor
- 273-Point on-sensor phase-detect AF system
- Up to 12 fps; 4K Ultra-HD video; 6K time-lapse; 1080P/120Fps slow motion
2. Fujifilm X-T4
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The X-T4 has all of the professional-grade features that you find in a camera in this class, as a real estate camera. Sharp images are generated by the high-resolution. It comes equipped with an electronic and manual shutter and has two modes of burst shooting.
Key Features
- 26MP BSI CMOS sensor
- In-body image stabilization (up to 6.5EV correction)
- 20 fps shooting with AF (15 with new mechanical shutter)
- 4K video (DCI or UHD) at up to 60p
- 1080 video at up to 240 fps, output as 4-10x slow-motion footage
- The fully articulated rear touchscreen
- 3.68M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder (up to 100 fps refresh rate)
- New NP-W235 battery rated to give 500 shots per charge
- Dual UHS-II card slots
- USB-C type connector allowing USB PD charging
- 12 Film Simulation modes, including Eterna Bleach Bypass
Best DSLR Cameras for Real Estate Photos
A prototype for the first digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera was developed in 1986 by Nikon. DSLR cameras have developed in so many directions since that time. Some examples of the product improvements DSLRs have enjoyed since the 1980s are sensor resolution, image processing capabilities, optical viewfinders, fast auto-focus and shooting speeds, different operating modes, and, more recently, full-frame sensors and built-in wi-fi.
Who suits these cameras?
DSLR cameras are used by real estate photographers of any skill level. They are the professional camera photographer’s go-to and take photographs of higher quality than smartphone cameras, point-and-shoot cameras, and many mirrorless cameras.
Even after upgrading camera bodies, real estate photographers who have invested in lenses and accessories for DSLR cameras often continue to use these products, especially if they have invested in proprietary equipment that they cannot use with other brands of camera.
Good and bad features in this category
The autofocus speed and low-light shooting capabilities of DSLRs have long been superior. While mirrorless cameras have recently shown some improvements in these fields, the best camera for action photography is still DSLRs. Resolutions for the camera vary from 24.5 to 45.7. Selections for video quality vary from 1080p to 4K.
If you shoot in good light regularly, then either kind of camera works well, but if your real estate images require low-light or other challenging conditions to be taken regularly, then the best camera to use is a DSLR.
DSLRs are not as well-suited as their high-end mirrorless counterparts for video shooting. They use a slower, less efficient approach than mirrorless cameras to focus the camera when shooting video. However, they are adding phase-detection for better autofocus capability to their DSLR camera sensors.
DSLR cameras have a greater range of lenses and an optical viewfinder that works better than the other camera classes in variable light conditions (low or extremely bright light). They are, however, more complex to use, more costly, bulkier, and a little heavier than mirrorless cameras.
1. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
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The Mark IV is lightweight but has a full-frame body. The camera has a supportive grip, improved by an optional battery grip that enables you to shoot with two power-worthy batteries. The whole frame is filled by the optical viewfinder, showing you the same results as what you see.
The 30 MP full-frame sensor, as a real-estate camera, produces beautiful images, and the 61-point AF system frames your subject quickly and effectively. GPS and wi-fi are also supported by the camera. In low light, professional-grade Nikkor lenses allow you to photograph interior spaces.
Key Features
- New 30.4 Megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor for versatile shooting in nearly any light, with ISO range 100-32000; expandable up to 50-102400 (equivalent ISO).
- 4K Motion JPEG video (DCI cinema-type 4096 x 2160) at 30p or 24p; in-camera still frame grab of 4K 8.8-Megapixel images; multiple video options include Full HD up to 60p and HD up to 120p.
- Superb Dual Pixel CMOS AF for responsive and smooth AF during video or live view shooting; LCD monitor has a full touchscreen interface, including a selection of AF areas.
- Excellent performance – up to 7.0 fps continuous shooting speed with high-performance DIGIC 6+ Image Processor for improved speed and excellent image quality.
- Use the EOS Utility Webcam Beta Software (Mac and Windows) to turn your Canon camera into a high-quality webcam, or do the same using a clean HDMI output.
2. Nikon D850 FX
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The D850 is professional-grade as a real estate camera. The full-frame 45.7 MP sensor captures incredible details. You can zoom or shoot wide-angle views with your choice of Nikkor lens, and the D850 FX supports previous-generation lenses. The D850 is a powerful contender for best in class according to its outstanding battery efficiency and top of its class resolution.
Key Features
- Nikon designed backside-illuminated (BSI) full frame image sensor with no optical low pass filter
- 45.7 megapixels of extraordinary resolution, outstanding dynamic range, and virtually no risk of moiré
- Up to 9 fps1 continuous shooting at full resolution with full AF performance
- 8k6 and 4k time-lapse movies with new levels of sharpness and detail; file system: DCF 2.0, EXIF 2.31, Pict bridge
- Tilting touchscreen, focus shift shooting mode, outstanding battery performance, and much more; total pixels: 46.89 million
- 4K Ultra HD video recording, slow motion up to 120 FPS at 1080p
