Hi Tigard, The Alpha NEX-13 Sony is a very cool camera. Small and so easy to change lenses if you eventually want a wide angle lens. The Panasonic Lumix is a point and shot and they have several models depending on features you might like and budget. If you are ready for a SDLR, I like both the Nikon and the Canon. They have a number of different models depending on budget.

I've been researching this to death myself lately and agree with Bill on the Canon and Nikon, if you can spare the $600-$800.  Here are the results of several hours of research that I did nont this, including links to listings on Amazon that I saved of specific models I had pre-selected, but have yet to purchase:

 

Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera and DIGIC 4 Imaging

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004J3V90Y/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller=

 

Nikon D5100 16.2MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera

 

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-16-2MP-Digital-18-55mm-3-5-5-6/dp/B004V4IWKG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344047272&sr=8-1&keywords=nikon+d5100

 

I also stumbled onto a nice Fujifilm camera for around $320 if these two are too expensive:

 

Fujifilm FinePix HS25EXR Digital Camera

http://www.amazon.com/Fujifilm-FinePix-HS25EXR-Digital-Camera/dp/B006T7QZ02/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

 

Hope that helps. Of course, there are many others out there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Tigard, my point and shoot canon died a couple of weeks ago. I bought another canon point and shoot and can't believe I paid one third the price I paid for the other one 4 yours ago and has all the same features and more. It is the Canon powershot A2300 and has macro shooting. Also has a great feature where you can shoot HDR "Live" - this is great for interiors when you need a boost for low light. Also has the nice wide-angle lens that many of us agents love. It cost about $118.00 at Walmart of all places!! I scored! It's a great little camera. I'm not ready to move up to the SLR's yet. They're too expensive and I don't think they're all that necessary for what agents need. Hope this helps, have a great week,

Hey Wayne - 

I saw your list and the other recommendations... 

I'll suggest and recommend a sony - the WX series are all good, as the model number goes up, you get more zoom... WX50 (best buy) less zoom - WX150 more zoom. 

The reason I suggest Sony over all other, is that they have a built in HDR function (as do canon and nikon), however, the sony flavor, will take up to 6 frames in serial, nikon only takes two. HDR is great as it will allow you to get those nicely lit images. 

It has built in closeup for macro and HD video in a series of flavors. 

I have the WX9 - last years and it is my goto camera all day long. Most of my videos are shot with this thing. 

That said - your old kodak with that turntable lens was a great camera. 

Wayne-Thanks for starting this line of inquiry. I think the camera is one of the top three tools a professional real estate person needs. Having good equipment is necessary to do a good job.

Tigard - I couldn't find anything I liked as much as the Kodak V705 so I recently paid $350 for a barely used one on EBay after my old one died this year. I have now decided to make the leap to the Pentax K-5. It will cost more for the wide angle zoom lense than the camera. I'm willing to sell my Kodak v705 to help pay for my new camera. Let me know if you or anyone else is interested. Otherwise I will keep it as my backup camera. It takes great photos. I can't believe no camera manufacturer has even tried to capture the real estate agent market with a point and shoot wide angle since Kodak.

Wayne ~ I've had my Kodak V705 wide-angle lens camera for about 4 years, and still use it for my "Before" shots.  A couple of years ago I added a Canon Rebel xsi with an Ultra-wide angle lens and tripod for my "after" shots.  Between the two of them I get some great shots!  I love that little Kodak since it fits so easily in your pocket!  Glad to see all your recommendations here, which will definitely help others make their selection.

Hi Wayne, from reading the comments it looks like you foundyour camera, I have a Lumix DMC-ZS5, with the zoom and wide angle it's a pretty good little camera.  My bigger SLR mostly stays home now...happy shooting Wayne

Decisions decisions! Some really good info here. Leaning toward the Sony Powershot S100 I'm thinking, just a tick wider at 24mm than the SX260.

Don't go crazy on MP.  Most computer screens can't even display pixel for pixel images over about 10MP.  10 MP = 2592 by 3872 pixels.  My 24" imac screen only displays 1920x1200 so every other pixel is combined with it's neighbor to create a new pixel.  It even gets worse when putting the photos on the internet or in the MLS.  While high MP cameras are great and take great photos, you really only need them if your are going to print the image.  So when trying to pick a camera don't go for the one with 18 MP over the one with 16 MP.  most of us will never notice the difference. 

How much do you plan to spend?

I have a Nikon D7000 with few lances for different occasions. Yet, camera is just the beginning, you need an editing soft-wear too:)

 

I just read your comments:) One of a versatile cameras that can capture video and allow you to easily upload and share photos on the Web is Panansonic's Lumix ZS20, which costs near $300.