5 Best Cameras for High-End Real Estate Photography

What you Need to Know Before you Shop For Professional Real Estate Camera Equipment—and The Five Best Options on the Market.

High-quality photography is one of the main features that sets Rancho Santa Fe homes for sale apart from others on the market. Whether you want to take pictures of your property before putting it on the market or you’re working with an Encinitas realtor to take images of homes they are putting on the market, you need to have the right equipment to be successful. If you’re ready to start taking images of high-end real estate in the San Diego area, here’s what you need to know about the best cameras on the market and how to choose one to fit your needs.

Understanding Your Needs

Before you rush out and buy a top-of-the-line camera with all the bells and whistles, you first need to understand your needs. Here are some questions to ask yourself before you go shopping:

Do I plan to use the camera for anything other than real estate photography? If so, which features do you need for those other uses? There’s a difference between photographing Rancho Santa Fe homes for sale and taking portraits or images of food.
Do I plan to make my photography efforts into a business? If so, you should consider your camera purchase an investment and opt for a higher-end model.
What is my budget? There is a wide range of prices when it comes to cameras, and knowing that you’re willing to spend will have a big impact on your decision.
How much control do I want over my images? Some photographers like to manually process their photos, while others swear by automatic features.

Choosing the Best Camera

Before you settle on a camera, you need to understand what makes them different from each other and what features you want. Here are some features to look for when you start shopping:

The sensor. Most cameras have either a cropped sensor or a full-frame sensor. Full-frame sensors are generally better for photographing real estate because they take in more light and have a different mount that allows you to use more high-end lenses.
Video capture options. If you want to take videos of properties as well as still images, invest in a camera with video capture options. For most real estate videos, you don’t need incredibly high-quality video, so don’t go for the most expensive option on the market.
How user-friendly it is. How much experience do you have with photography? If you’re just learning, don’t jump to the most complicated camera on the market. Consider asking the salesperson to demonstrate using the camera to you. If you’re lost after the first step, it’s a sign you should choose a simpler camera.

The Best 5 Cameras for High-End Real Estate Photography

Now that you know which features are important and how you’ll use your new camera, it’s time to look at the five best on the market today. Remember, just because a camera ranks high on this list doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the right one for you. Before you buy, match the features up with your wish list and, if possible, talk to other people who own one, so you can be fully informed before you buy.

Nikon D850: If you want high-resolution images, the full-frame Nikon D850 could be the right choice for you — that is, if you’re ready to pay the $3,000 price tag. The most interesting feature of this camera is the sensor, which uses new technology to help it bring in better light. That means taking pictures of Rancho Santa Fe homes for sale in low light will be less of an issue. The D850 can also shoot 4K video if that’s on your list of needs.

Canon EOS R: A full-frame mirrorless camera, the EOS R features the C-Raw file format, which allows you to reduce file sizes by 40% from traditional RAW images. The EOS R has 4K video capability as well. However, one drawback is the new lens mount, which could affect the type of lenses you can use with the camera. The camera runs for around $1,800.

Canon 5D Mark IV: At around $2,500, you’ll pay for the quality of this camera, but it’s worth it if you’re doing professional work for an Encinitas realtor. The list of features on this camera are seemingly endless, from the capture of Dual Pixel Raw images (which allows you to make small adjustments to your point of focus after taking a photo) to the Wi-Fi capability and ability to handle low-light situations. The Mark IV also has video covered with its ability to capture 4K.

Nikon D750: A slightly less expensive model at around $1,500, the Nikon D750 will fulfill all your real estate needs with a full-frame sensor, built-in Wi-Fi, and a 24MP resolution. This one won’t shoot 4K video, though, so if high-quality video is on your wish list, this likely isn’t the right choice.

Sony a7 III: Sony has a great option in the a7 III. It comes in at around $1,800 and is a full-frame mirrorless camera with a 24MP resolution. The true selling point of this camera is the in-body stabilization. Regardless of the lens you use, this will help you capture great images in low light situations.

If taking photos of Rancho Sante Fe homes for sale is in the future of your business or if you’re working with an Encinitas realtor who needs high-quality images of homes they’re putting on the market, a high-quality camera is an absolute must. However, if you simply want high-end images of your home to sell it for a great price, consider forgoing the hefty investment in a camera and instead work with an experienced agent like Zach Weinger. Not only will Zach make sure to hire the best photographer to take your images and show off your home, but he’ll also help you navigate the entire selling process for a low-stress and successful transaction.