Over time, the idea of taking pictures of properties has become a simple process for real estate agents. Many have smartphones with apps that can give them almost any images they need to promote a property for rent or sale. Smartphones are is ideal choice for agents with busy schedules. Many do not need to wait until they return to their laptops to retrieve the photos. They can upload the photos directly from their phones to a promotion site and move swiftly to their next task.
Some real estate agents prefer the traditional digital camera. As a tool of the trade, the digital camera radically upgraded the way that agents could advertise. The usual handbills seemed to be upstaged by more sophisticated interactive sites that could offer updated photos, panoramic views and slide shows. Agents learned that high quality photos were crucial to a home sale.
The minimum most agents choose for resolution is 16 megapixels. This gives clear photos that are not grainy or out of focus. Even the low-end cameras have come a long way since the time of 5 megapixel photographs. Current minimum standards for the industry also find most agents with cameras that have wide angle lenses, Wi-Fi capabilities, GPS mapping and high definition for video. Here are five cameras that work well for real estate.
Sony Alpha 6000
With 24 megapixel capabilities, the Sony Alpha 6000 ranks top of the line for quality and speed. Agents love this camera’s fast ability to autofocus and the fact that it can take both photos and videos. There is a rear tilting display, Wi-Fi and downloadable camera apps. Users have reported a sensitive eye sensor and the electronic view finder is slow when photographing in dim light. These drawbacks are small things when considering the quality of the picture that the Sony Alpha 6000 produces. Agents choose this camera for its ability to deliver the most attractive photos for their clients and buyers.
Olympus OM-D E-M10
Th Olympus OM-D E-M10 is a great entry level camera for the agent who just needs to point and click without a lot of fuss. Its compact body makes it easy for carrying and its price point, about half of the Sony Alpha 6000, make it an ideal investment for busy realtors. It is very reasonably priced for mirrorless cameras and offers a built-in flash, fast focusing and in-body image stabilization. One of the drawbacks for this model is that it is not weather-sealed, making it a bit more vulnerable to work conditions for agents. It will need to be protected in a case and kept from extreme temperatures at all times. The OM-D E-M10’s 16 megapixels and Wi-Fi make it simple to shoot property photos and upload them immediately.
Pentax K-3
The agent who does not take a lot of videos would be right at home with the Pentax K-3. Its 24 megapixel abilities make it a great choice to stage clean home shots. There are a few challenges with video for this camera, though it does have video capability. Users have reported a limited autofocus during video taping and it is comparatively slow starting up. The Pentax is also missing the GPS mapping and Wi-Fi features found in other brands, so it really is a basic camera. Realtors who use it will need to have access to their laptops in order to upload photos to the Internet. The PC sync flash socket makes this very easy to do. The tools the Pentax has for standard photos is impressive. It has a 27-point autofocus system and in-camera shake reduction. The only way to take a bad picture is to point the camera in the wrong direction.
Nikon D5300
The Nikon D5300 is a great choice for the agent who needs to showcase a house or a room from many different angles. Sometimes, the special features of a room or interesting architecture makes it necessary to capture the room from several vantage points. This 24 megapixel camera has a 39-point autofocus system, vari-angle display and is designed for continuous shooting. Agents who are skilled with cameras and looking for fancy features may be slightly disappointed with some of the things that are missing from this model. It does not have a depth of field preview and the self-timer deactivates after every use. It may feel a bit of a time waster to have to keep resetting the timer. Users also have reported the actual picture-taking itself is a bit noisy when the camera is clicking. For those looking for quality photos and a quick way to load them to website, however, the Nikon D5300 is worth the noise.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II
Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II is a serious investment for the realtor who places a lot of weight on his photos. It is a high-end camera with a high-end price. As most agents who make this purchase realize, however, it is a long-term investment in great photos. It is one of the few cameras on the market that offers a 1-inch image sensor with customizable controls. The wide aperture lens and large, tilting LCD comes with minimal shutter lag. This camera offers superior noise control. The renowned 1-inch image sensor in located on the back side of the camera and illuminated. It significantly reduces the amount of noise that happens during picture taking. The one drawback users report is that the camera has a limited zoom range. Agents who use this will have to place themselves at a respectable closeness to get the best images.
There may be some agents who choose to focus more on the properties they represent and not place too much attention on photos. They are happy with the standard 12 megapixel photos that are good enough to give buyers a good idea of how the property looks. These agents are missing out on an entire level of service to their clients, though. Those who recognize the importance of good pictures have found their jobs to be much easier. The pictures do a large part of the selling. Even when they do not sell right away, they keep a potential buyer’s interest.
For this reason, a good quality camera should be one a real estate agent’s most important tools for his job. He should be able to take a photo that allows a buyer to see what he sees. The decision to invest in a good camera is a decision to boost his sales game.
Shopping for the right camera will require an agent to know his own needs and habits. He should not buy a camera that is not weather-sealed if he does not own a camera cover and if he has a habit of leaving his camera in the car, for example. He should also know if he is an agent who prefers standard quality shots or videos to showcase a property. The camera market is flooded with cameras that can fit almost any imaginable need. It is important to have done some self-talk and know these needs specifically before making a purchase. Agents should have cameras that really work for their unique sales approaches, and those cameras should be purchased to last for years.