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What is the best camera out there for Real Estate?

When I first started real estate, little did I know that I needed to take photography classes to capture the essence of a room. I soon found that the camera you have makes the difference between a room looking small and a room looking majestic. The camera is perhaps the most important tool that a realtor needs to present listings, next to their computer.

I pass this question out there to all the different realtors in the business, what camera do you use? Why would you recommend it or not?

Posted by Matthew Zgonc, Realtor, CFS, CVS on 11/15/2007 03:49 PM

Comments (18)

cameras, real estate, realtors, agents, classes, homes, buyers, sellers

18 Comments on What is the best camera out there for Real Estate?

NOV

2007

We use the Nikon D50. It has great picture quality and you can use different lenses. So it is very versatile. It is pricey, but we used it as a write off a year ago when things were selling better.

Thanks Matt for the question. I, too, am looking for a better digital camera to take pictures of my listings. It seems the Cannon's prefer Nikon!

NOV

2007

I use my Sony Cybershot! I have a 1GB memory stick and haven't had to clean it off for over 2 years!

I love my Kodak V705. It is the smallest wide angle camera available. It is extremely easy to use. It takes great interior shots. It is also very affordable. I think mine was around $250. Good luck.

DEC

2007

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3K Digital Camera

I have been reading on ActiveRain and other sites researching for a good, quality camera at an affordable price. The one I hear the most about is the Kodak V705. From what I have read the wide angle lense on it provides great lighting for indoor pictures.

JAN

2008

I just bought the Panasonic Lumix TZ3 tonight and took pictures of my own house... I love it so far. Anyone have experience with this camera?

I love my Nikon D50, not only does it take great pictures. I use it for my daughters horse riding jumps and my visual tours......LOVE IT!

I use 2 cameras, the first is the V705 which Janice uses. It's great for snapping tons of pictures and the wide angle is great. If I want really good quality I use my girlfriend's Fuji Finepix......can't remember the model but it's a 9.0 and does get good detail. I'm pretty sure the digital SLRs will do a better job than either of these, but for me they work fine.

Thanks for the input Tchaka. I know how important a camera is for listings.

APR

2008

looks like a lot of v705's....is the Kodak good quality??

Eric, I think it's good quality. I could probably get better pictures if I set it on a higher resolution however I use the philosophy espoused by Frank LLosa (AR member) in which he feels you're better off snapping a lot of pictures of the place (particularly if you're a buyers agent). If you're listing, then you want great quality all the way. At that point I might go elsewhere.

AUG

2008

Just bought the Panasonic TZ5. Looked at a a lot of reviews and blogs, ran up to Best Buy and sealed the deal. Lookin' forward to trin' it out.

Panasonics are the best point and shoot cameras. Lumix (actually leica) lenses are fantastic and the price range for a 12 megapixel camera with 15x optical zoom is also great. I personally own a lower end version of this (bought 2 years ago) which at the time was the highest end point and shoot camera and it's done the job. It had 6 megapixels and 12x optical zoom at the time. When you're ready to upgrade to an SLR, then get a Nikon D3. This camera is mostly used by Wedding photographers and has gotten great reviews online. Good luck with your search.

I should mention that panasonics have the best interface (easiest to learn) and attachments such as wide angle lenses cost next to nothing and do a great job at capturing 1 1/2 times the surface area of a regular picture.

JAN

The answer is D700 with 14-24mm lens; or if you want to stay with a compact digital camera, it's the Panasonic Lumix LX3, but handing the best camera to a REALTOR would be tantamount to handing a FOR SALE sign to a seller and saying, "Good Luck". There's more to selling a house than putting up a sign and there's more to photography than pointing and shooting. What I'm saying is that to get superb photos, you need to become a professional photographer, or hire a professional photographer.

JAN

Hello ~

I am trying to buy a good real estate wide angle easy to use digital camera under $400. I was all set to buy the Kodak V705 that many of you posted was great but can't find it anywhere as it appears to be discontinued now. Any other suggestions? Or did another model take the place of that one that anyone is aware? Any tips/feedback are greatly appreciated. Would love to buy one soon. THANKS!

FEB

Matthew - what do you currently use? I am thinking about new cameras as well. I think I need to just go try some out. I currently just use a Sony Cybershot and my photos are pretty good. I am really wanting something with a wider angle... I learned in a realtor.com class that you can purchase an accessory to go on most cameras to do this... can get one for around $40 at www.magneticlens.com i might try that out first and see if it does the trick. My only complaint about my camera is that the nighttime photos are awful. Best wishes!!!

FEB

I use a Konica-Minolta camera with a wide-angle lens to capture the essence of a room. My wife uses a Kodak v570 dual lens camera which takes great pictures of it. I never take pics at night, without the proper lighting or if there is backlight on the property.

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