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Why "point and shoot' cameras are no good for real estate photography

The vast majority of realtors shoot their own listing photographs with digital "point and shoot" cameras.

Although these new cameras can create some absolutely amazing photographs, with only two exceptions (the Canon G10 and Lumix DMC-LX3) point and shoot cameras do not offer enough of a wide angle lens to photograph a residential interior. As a result, most photographs on the MLS focus on objects or furniture, such as a sofa, a fireplace, a table, and in many cases, the corner of a room.

Buyers are buying a home - not furniture! Yet, as you can see over and over again on the MLS, this is primarily what the buyer is offered in terms of photographs of the home. That is because "point and shoot" cameras can't capture the entire space due to the limitations of the lens.

A recent study was done on the impact of visual marketing on the perceived value of a property.

Respondents that saw a property marketed with professional photography viewed the home as being worth 12.9% more than similar homes without professional photography! When asked how likely they were to visit the homes the were viewing, respondents were 7 times more likely to visit the home with professional photography.

Respondents also saw a property marketed with a video property tour viewed the home as having a 6% higher value than the description-only property!

[Note: As of today, a brand new camera (Samsung WB500) was introduced that has a 24mm wide angle lens, 10x optical zoom and 10.2 megapixels for about $288. The G10 is a 28mm lens. The Lumix is also a 24mm lens.]

Check out the full size comparisons with a 'point and shoot' camera.

Protect your commission structure!
See an example of how your property can be presented online AND on the MLS!

Posted by Fred Light - Real Estate Video Tours for MA and NH on 02/09/2009 07:31 AM

Comments (62)

Photography in the Online Marketing Channel

real estate photography, wide angle lens, point and shoot cameras

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62 Comments on Why "point and shoot' cameras are no good for real estate photography

FEB

Thank you for the info - I have been looking to purchase a new camera. I appreciate the heads up!

Fred - Very good post with an excellent video! We really appreciate the time you put into this post!

I was all ready to comment and prove you wrong when I read your title...until I read the post. I have the Lumix!

The Lumix is a nice little camera and goes down to 24mm - that's as wide as a point and shoot goes these days; 28mm for the G10 (and the older G9). The lens I use is a 10-22mm which is considerably wider. Years ago I owned a Nikon Coolpix 8400 which was also 24mm. It was discontinued very quickly as most people didn't WANT a wide angle. That camera sacrificed quite a bit on the zoom end (which I think most people actually want in a camera) in order to provide the wide angle range. I think the Lumix and the G10 are probably similar - skimping a bit on the zoom in order to provide more of a wide angle.

One HUGE issue I had with the Nikon is at 24mm, the verticals were horrible! Walls were caving in, doors were heavily angled. The photos looked like a funhouse more than anything. That's the key to a GOOD wide angle lens - the verticals! Sometimes going very wide you have to adjust a bit, but you shouldn't have to completely re-distort the photo to make it look 'normal'.... that was the biggest annoyance with the Nikon.

FEB

And the beat goes on. One of the problems is that the personnel in camera shops don't listen to us. Even when you tell them that the price is not important, it's hard to get them to even show a high end camera.

They seem to separate the consumer into two categories, professional photographers to whom they show and sell their quality cameras and the unwashed consumer which includes real estate agents to whom they sell their cheap stuff that will never do the job.

I have a collection of useless cameras. They just don't listen.

Good information. Many times I see no pictures on the MLS or only one. Something is much better than nothing.

I have the Lumix, love it. Until I find a really good photographer in my area, I will continue to shoot my own photo's. I have tried a few folks but I was not happy. The photos in the MLS get syndicated everywhere so they are very important.

MORNING FRED! Just exactly what I was thinking about yesterday - and researching this morning! Not only for better inside photos - but outside as well! -- Gabrielle

Fred - I tried very hard to watch your video, but it takes about 20 seconds of buffering in order to watch 15 seconds of video. I don't have any trouble watching youtube videos with my standard hi speed AT&T modem internet. I had to give up after four tries to see 1:20 of your video.

I have a Canon XTi SLR, but without a ultra-wide angle lens I only use it for exterior photos. I use the discontinued Kodak v570 with a 23mm wide angle lens. Very good for interior shots, and only cost me $150. I will wait till I save up for the $1200 SLR wide angle lens.

With photography being so critical as the first impression of a home, it is so important to invest in a good camera. I specifically sought one that takes good interior shots for lighting and wide angle lens. Thanks for the tips and advice!

I had the same problem with "buffering". I stayed all the way through because I need this. It is a problem.

I see this many times where the home staging is wonderful yet it is still does not translate well in the photos due to the camera restrictions. Glad to see you're in our area- we are always looking for photographers.

I just tested and I'm running

Download - 1.485 Mbps

Upload - 0.385 Mnps

That is just what I'm paying for and the most I can get in my location.

As a home stager I sometimes cringe at the photography that I see online. I once even spied a scary looking dog in a crate in the middle of a living room photo. I encourage everyone to carefully edit what is in the room when you take your photos. If you remove all the excess toys and food and toiletries, the space is bound to look more apealing. You could even go so far as to set the scene in a kitchen by styling things as they do in design magazines. For example, add a pair of wine glasses to the kitchan island. Even if you don't have a great camera you can make the space look more apealing with some careful editing.

Picture quality is critical. What is really frustrating to see are the photos that you know were taken with a camera phone. There is just no excuse for that. Thanks for including a great video and the link to the home with the photo and video tour.

Thanks for the info and the camera suggestions. Good points to remember. Good pictures remain critical in this market. (No probs with video here)

Nice presentation Fred. You illustrated the difference very dramatically. I also had the buffering problems -- but it was worth staying tuned in...

Fred, totally agreed. I actually link photo quality to quality of service a Realtor serves.

Fred - Love the presentation. A good camera can make all the difference. You also made great points about how the consumer goes about eliminating properties they view on line.

As an early adopter of the original Canon digital SLR, I've been shooting our listings with a 28mm lens for a number of years now. If by chance you have an aged Canon film SLR with the FD lenses, you can also use them on the digital SLR....this also might be true for other brands, and could be a purchase decision factor for some. My backup is a older Nikon non-SLR digital, and while it takes good wide-angle photos, not being able to view settings directly through the lens always seems problematic. And today's prices for a basic digital SLR are also relatively close to the best point-and-shooters, too.

I've found 24mm shots to be distorted...not a good choice for most home shooting; another option for avoiding the vertical lines problem is what's often referred to as an architectural lens, or "tilt-and-shift"....but that would be overkill for far more than most home photography.

Something we always emphasize on our listing appointments is not only the value of a Visual Tour (that's the online brand option we started with and have stayed with), but the fact that we do our own photography....to assure clients that when the tours (still photos and video) are completed, the only people who know the home better than us is them. Although shooting truly enticing home tours is no simple chore, it is not difficult to learn the basics....such as getting learning how to move your camera around to set the best available light reading (no dark photos, please), or what the old-fashioned called "bracketing" of light readings (does anyone ever say the word "f-stop" these days?).

Doing our own shooting also allows us to take more time to emphasize the little things that might make a difference, such as opening cabinet doors for closer shots of pull-out drawers, or tighter shots or varied angles emphasizing upscale fixtures.

Personally, I find standard flash photograpy of interiors to be a turn-off...especially with normal-angle lenses found on most point-and-shoot cameras. They render true colors very harsh, and the wash-out factor on the sides of shots is significant. You might also want to consider an inexpensive tripod, to allow for steadier low-speed interior shooting. But keep in mind that different brands of cameras will indeed render colors, true or not, differently....which can sometimes be fixed very quickly through simple photo editing software; you don't need to be a Photoshop wizard to efficiently produce at least primary photos that truly pop in your tours.

We work with both buyers and sellers, and I'm constantly amazed that sellers will accept listing that include only a handful of photos that are basically unappealing. Another issue that pops up periodically (but not often enough to be bothersome) is "the home didn't show as well in person as the photos lead us to believe." I've even heard agents suggest to folks that they don't want professional-type photos that might "mislead" potential buyers, and have heard this situation come up in real estate seminars or gatherings.....but I certainly wouldn't let it deter you from presenting your client's property in the best possible light or lighting....

Doug (& Karen) Parker, Prudential Calhoon, http://ikarensell.com

You can get wide angle lens attachments for the higher end point and shoot cameras. Panasonic is especially good with this and these attachments can also come in the form of a telephoto(zoom) lens. It is ofcourse always better to upgrade if possible, but there are definetely some point and shoot cameras which can do just as good of a job of taking wide angle photos if compared to a Nikon D-3 for example. Now if talking in terms of lighting then that's a whole other story, but generally if enough light is present, and if your pre-shot settings are correct, coupled with a copy of photoshop, then these are all minor things that can be touched up on later.

The exceptions you mention also have predecessors who also can house these camera attachments. For anyone interested in knowing more about them, let us know and we will link you to various websites where you can purchase these attachments for a really low price as we have investigated it in the past. (less than 80$). All in all, for about 500 dollars you can enjoy the simplicity of a point and shoot coupled with the quality of the low end DSLR's.

If upgrading to a high quality DSLR, then we suggest the Nikon D-90 as it can take both photos and video, but it is a larger and heavier camera for which you will need a camera bag to store it.

The current high-end Point-and-shoot Panasonic DMC cameras with about 12 megapixels(not relevant to good pictures) are our recommendation as they are lightweight, easy to handle and use, and as mentioned can equip the wide angle lens attachments

Great information, Fred. Still like my Kodak v705 for the price. And I take lots of photos, unlike some agents who can't even take 1. Wonder if their clients know?

Jeff

The problem with those cheap wide angle attachments is that they render everything curved.... horizons, walls, etc. If you're looking out for your seller's best interests, you want your photographs to look the best and the most natural they can. Why bother buying a cheap point and shoot camera plus a cheap $80 wide angle lens when for about $400-$500 you can get a good quality point and shoot with a good quality wide angle lens built in? That doesn't make any sense to me.

If you already have a cheaper point and shoot, it's a band aid at best. If you're going out to purchase a new camera, it's a silly way to go. If you want to do point and shoot, and do it RIGHT, buy one of the two cameras suggested above for about $500. You have a good quality camera AND a good quality lens - built in. Otherwise, you can get into the DSLR market these days for about $500... or even less (Canon Rebel, etc.) and you can buy at GOOD wide angle lens which will blow away all of the others!

I guess I can find the Lumix (seems like it is the most popular) at Ritz? I take a lot of before and after shots of home improvement projects. Thanks for the info.

Hi Fred, I thought some of my point and shoot stuff was pretty good until I saw some of the wide angle pics. Just bought a Nikon and plan to upgrade my skills - to the benefit of my customers.

Fred, I agree with most of what you said. After I extensively researched several cameras, my husban bought me a Panosonic Lumix and I LOVEEEE it! Affordable, wide-angle lense, crisp photos and not as bulky as an SLR. For my pricier listings I usually higher a photographer. Thanks for your expert advice.

Pictures are very important for your listings! I have seen great pictures make a bad house look good, and bad pictures make a good house look bad!!!

Fred, good pointer. Thanks for putting together and showing the difference.

Fred,

I'm presently using the Lumix LX2, and will enjoy looking into the LX3. Thanks for the post, and congratulations on the feature!

Mike in Tucson

I gave up trying to use point and shoot cameras when for as low as 59 bucks you can get a professional to do a much better job

Fred. I find it amazing how I respond to listings based on photos at times and totally believe it is worth the money for me to hire an expert if I feel like I am not getting the image and quality that the listing deserves. This is an area of business that we can control and make a big difference on whether a house is chosen to be viewed or not.

This is an excellent post. I have a G7 with a wide angle lense. My next camera is an SLR for sure.

James: It's true. I wish I could do it for $59 and still eat... but it's still just a little over $100... which includes the touching up of each photo, proper resizing for the MLS and Realtor.com, plus a large format presentation for use on the MLS and Realtor.com (sample)

Personally, I think it makes all the difference in the world, regardless of the price point of the property. (vacant condo sample)

That first impression online means everything.

Good post as usual Fred...your following is there with all the comments. Can't you just take a shoebox, poke a hole in the end with a pin or nail, and make a home made one that will work just as well? (smile) Seriously, the durability of the camera is important too..in cold weather climates I carry mine with me like a nitro bottle of pills to protect it. The old digitals used to suck battery life and I remember a Kodak where I quickly took eight pictures hoping it did not flat line on me. And memory was key with having to remove the worse image to make room for another. I remember taking film image and digital because I had to get use to trusting the digital would be there or take the whole series. Thanks again for sharing your expertise.

Doug (& Karen) Parker, Prudential Calhoon, http://ikarensell.com

Would this be the survey you're referencing?

http://budurl.com/saycheese

This survey compares NO PHOTOGRAPHS to professional photography.

Additionally, when asked how likely they were to visit the homes marketed with professional photography, seven times as many respondents indicated that they were “very likely” to visit the home as compared to those who said they would visit a home which showed only property information.

I'm seven times as likely to buy a cone of ice cream if the cone contains a scoop of Fudge Ripple as opposed to an empty cone.

There are some point and shoots that have the ability for a wide angle lens attachment. I have one for my Kodak and it gives me fantastic results. But when it comes to shooting photos for my million dollar listings, I pay a professional to do it.

one commenter wrote: Another issue that pops up periodically (but not often enough to be bothersome) is "the home didn't show as well in person as the photos lead us to believe." I've even heard agents suggest to folks that they don't want professional-type photos that might "mislead" potential buyers, and have heard this situation come up in real estate seminars or gatherings.....but I certainly wouldn't let it deter you from presenting your client's property in the best possible light or lighting....

As someone who provides professional photo services (for well under $100 Fred lol!) I have run into sellers who have asked about whether I use a "fisheye" lens because they have visited houses which they felt were misrepresented. One seller told me that they looked at a house because the rooms all looked HUGE in the photos, and were a typical size when they got there and they felt very disappointed.

and another wrote: The problem with those cheap wide angle attachments is that they render everything curved.... horizons, walls, etc.

Many people don't realize that there are different wide angle lenses. They have different minimums - some may be 25mm, 17mm or 13mm (I don't know if I'm getting each number right but you get the idea). Some are a single length, some are zoom.

When people complain of that exagerated curve along the edges the photos were usually the result of using a "fisheye" wide angle - the most extreme type. You don't have to go that low to get an increased field of view. I use a wide angle zoom that goes down to 17mm. At that level there may be a tiny bit of curving on some vertical lines on the right and left but they are barely noticable. The advantage too is that you can zoom in a tiny bit and not be as wide angle when you don't need it.

Amy Hunter, Hearth & Home Videos www.hnhvideos.com serving the MetroWest area of MA

Fred, we have been using the Nikon Coolpix 8400 for a couple of years with great success. We quit using OBEO because of their distorted verticals. We stitch photos together when we want a wider shot than it affords. But I can see what you mean. Your photos are definitely wider - you especially make your point with the bathroom shot.

Do you prefer either Canon or Nikon SLR? I had a Canon SLR film camera and loved it but am leaning towards Nikon for DSLR. I am thinking the D90 is the way to go. Can you hold it steady enough for video, though? That's my only concern. I now shoot the largest size photos just under RAW and have taken some beautiful shots.

Fred - All valid points. I use a cannon sd800IS w/a 28mm wide angle and it works out fine for me. I was going to get the Lumix camera as a backup. I still believe though that the Kodak camera v705 is the best for shooting interiors withouth too much distortion. Of course a lot of that can be photoshopped out. Good article. Bob H

Great Post! Could not agree more with the advice on the 'point and shoot'. just wondering which study you are referring to in the post and if you have a copy or link for me to give a read,

Thank you

Steve

Good information as usual Fred. Your pics are gorgeous! I'm very happy with my Nikon D40 and with enhancing with Photoshop Elements.

I like the viewer you display for larger photos. Which one is that? Like others who responded I do like my Visual Tours and find them to be very popular with both buyers and sellers and good for marketing me and the property to other sites.

Jim - you made me laugh about your fudge ripple :-)lol

Love this post. Will be writing and linking to it. Professional shots are a must!

I agree- professional photography is a must! It makes a huge difference in the presentation of the house, which is everything!

Thanks for the post, I have the Canon Rebel XTi, I just need to invest in a better wide angle lense.

You are so right, a picture is worth a thousand words.

I had no idea that most agents take their own pictures. I have been in business 28 years and have never taken a picture myself. I like professional photography as mine stink........

David: The Lumix doesn't seem to be sold at most mass electronics stores. Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. don't carry them (probably due to price). I would check online. The Canon G10 (or it's predecessor, the G9, which I hear is actually a better camera) is sold at Best Buy.

Jim: That's interesting... it depends on what you read in regards to that survey. I have a handout that I received from the company at Inman Connect this January that does not specifically state that it is in comparison to listings with NO photographs, but that's what it seems to imply from their press release online. The 'study' was commissioned by a company that does photography and videos as well... so who knows.... LOL I think there is some legitimacy to it. It makes common sense that a home that is professionally photographed would appear to be worth more than one that is not. The job of a pro is to make the space look as good as possible - as opposed to just running around snapping pix as most realtors usually do.

Frank and Sharon: Canon? Nikon? It really doesn't matter, they're both great companies. The important issue (and it's very important) is that you are basically "marrying" one camera company for life. Camera BODIES come and go (I have several). But the lenses last forever. And, of course, lenses cost far more money than the bodies. I have a zoom lens that costs almost $2000 and my wide angle lens costs about $1000. Those Canon lenses will ONLY work on a Canon camera. As I trade up my bodies, I can always use my investment in good quality lenses on a newer, more advanced body. So once you make a decision on a company, you stick with it because of your investment in the glass. And yes, it can be a very expensive (but fun!) hobby!

With video you need a tripod. Period. In fact, I think with STILLS you need a tripod. I take ALL of my still photos on a tripod with a remote controller to make sure that the camera remains absolutely still and in focus. My photos are also HDR - which means I take 3 bracketed photos at 3 different exposures and blend them together so you get the full dynamic range in color and texture, as well as to properly expose the interior AND the exterior (through the glass). That avoids the 'milky glass' that you see in most interior photos. Nikon or Canon are the leaders and both make great cameras that just keep getting better. Don't negate Sony, Olympus, Pentax... although not anywhere near the league of Nikon and Canon, they all make great products and hopefully will be around for a long time to come!

Judy: I use SlideShowPro for Lightroom which is what I use to process the photos.

I have to become a photography expert too ... when will this learning end.

Hi Fred,

I've read the post and the comments, and viewed the video (with no problem), which was excellent, by the way. Here's my problem, and I didn't see it mentioned in any of the comments. When a home is being sold by someone who has a cluttered home, or when the clients are in a short sale situation and caring how the photos come out is not high on their list of worries, I have to make the choice to not take many photos of the inside, as the photos will not help sell the home. I wonder how many agents out there run into that situation, and whether you still feel more photos are better than just a few.

Frances Sanderson, Franklin, NH REALTOR®, Certified EcoBroker^®

Frances: Hard call. But it is what it is! I had that awhile ago with a home. It was the most disgusting place I'd ever seen. Crap everywhere. Filthy. I just wanted to go home and take a shower. Sad thing is.. it wasn't a short sale or a foreclosure. Just lazy sellers.

We chose NOT to do a video tour, which this particular agent does for EVERY listing, and we did take fewer photos of the home than normal. But I took the important rooms as that's what people want to see. And... again.. it is what it is. Trust me when I tell you the photos make this place look STUNNING!

The reality is I guess... the place isn't going to look any different in person. If someone disregards the listing because of the photos, they're probably going to feel the same way if they take the time and effort to view it in person. At least this way, nobody wastes their time.

Hi Fred -- with the prices coming down and the features getting better every year, there is no excuse not to own a decent DSLR today and also know a fair amount of Photoshop Elements! After all, it's our profession, not a hobby.

If a high-school kid can take 1 photography class at school and out shoot us as real estate professionals, what does that say about our industry and how we represent sellers?

Chris: I know... you're preaching to the choir! You know what though? A) There are only so many hours in a day. You have to allocate your time to what makes you the most money and B) We all can't be good at everything, although that would be nice! I could then become my own lawyer, my own dentist, my own doctor and do my own plumbing!

Many realtors like to be their own web designers, their own marketing company, their own print designers, their own advertising companies, their own photographers, blah blah, blah! Unfortunately, the result is somewhat less than what one would expect from a professional marketing properties that sell for hundreds of thousands (or millions) of dollars! You can't use Mickey Mouse marketing to sell half million dollar products!

Many people enjoy photography, and it extends to their personal life as well. They enjoy learning how to USE a camera, and how to take PHOTOGRAPHS, as opposed to snapping a picture. They enjoy the learning process and have no problem putting money into their hobby. For example Margaret Hokkanen here in AR. She and her husband (realtors) could easily be professional photographers - they do amazing work. But they're realtors, and they're extending their hobby and what they love into their real estate business.

Others... not so much.

You need to learn to recognize your strengths AND your weaknesses. Oftentimes it's cheaper in the long run to let a pro do the work for you, someone with the proper equipment, someone who does this every single day, does it right and makes YOU look like the professional.

It's actually the same advice that Realtors always give FSBOs......

While I agree they aren't the best choice, I think it's a little strong to say they are "no good" for this purpose. Who among us wouldn't prefer to have professional photos for all our listings, but unfortunately there's not a Fred Light in every neighborhood where real estate is sold. ('Wish there were!)

Margaret: You're missing the point. Most point and shoot cameras aren't the right tool for the purpose, but there are three point and shoot cameras that ARE, if you choose to take your own photographs. They have a wide angle capacity that would be totally fine for real estate. Or the other option is to hire a photographer who has the proper equipment. If you choose to take your own photographs, then you need to have the proper tools to do the job correctly, and with few exceptions - the point and shoot cameras that most realtors choose to use are not the proper camera for THIS particular purpose. For any other purpose, any P & S cameras is awesome and takes great photos! I have one and love it!

Yes, you can use any old point and shoot, but you're not doing your seller OR you (as a professional) justice. You can also drive your customers around on a motorcycle in February to show them properties. It's not the best choice, but it will get you to your destination just like a nice car would.... but it's not the right vehicle for real estate if you want to make a professional impression on your clients.

The presentation of your listing online is hugely important. You only have one opportunity to make a good first impression. If you don't.... it takes two seconds to hit the NEXT button and move on to another listing..... there are plenty of the out there these days!

FEB

A wide angle lens does make a difference. The other option and the one I chose is having 30-40 photos on my virtual tours.

Fred - This is a timely article for me. I have been considering upgrading from my point & shoot. I have been looking at the D90 and The D60. The video is extremely slow, but I an hanging in there because I really want to hear what you have to say.

FEB

Never underestimate the power of professional photographs.

Well written my friend.

APR

Fred,

I just purchased a Lumix at Costco. It has 28mm wide angle, a 10X optical zoom. It is a bit clunkier than my little Sony CyberShot which I love carrying around. Have to see what interior photos look like. Thanks for the good information.

JUL

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