What is the current best camera for under $1k????

Question

hey BP - a critical piece of AirBnB listings is to have nice, sleek professional photos. I just realized that whenever I list my properties, my photos are usually not that appealing (or at least nothing special).

I wanted to buy a camera to take some sleek pictures of each of my properties, and then just hold these pics on file for whenever I want to rent them out.

So, without further ado... what is your favorite camera under $1k for taking really nice, crisp photos of your rentals? How about under $500?

Jeff B. · Answer

Usually good photos depend more upon the photographer than the equipment.

Jonathan Thrasher · Answer

I highly recommend the Sony mirrorless systems.  Small/compact and extremely good sensors.  I'm a real estate photographer and use the Sony A7R2.  It's not $1000 or less but Sony does make some good cameras for under $1000.   With real estate you want something that will do well in low light conditions unless you're planning on using a tripod (which I recommend)

I would also consider hiring a professional photographer.  It's more than just the equipment you have but the knowledge of how to use it properly and how to compose the best shots/angles.  If the photos are for personal use, it's probably fine to take them yourself but if you are using the photos to sell your property OR use them for marketing on a website.... I highly recommend hiring a pro.

Blair Russell · Answer

You can pick up the basic Canon EOS DSLR for $400 and a wide angle lens for $100-200. If you can find a sale or order online  (ebay, amazon, craigslist, etc) you can probably get the whole package cheaper.  I actually think there is a big difference in the quality of photos even if you don't spend too much time editing. Cell phone pictures work and I've used them before, but they don't  have the depth and detail you can get from a good entry-level DSLR. Spend a day going through an intro to photography blog and look up some tips for interior photography and you'll be good to go with the free editing software available online.

Rohan J. · Answer

Thanks for the tips everyone.

I should have clarified that these pictures would be used for when I list my properties for rent on Craigslist/zillow/etc, not AirBnB (I was just using Airbnb as an example of why photos are critical).

I think it would be nice to have some professional photos stored for anytime I need to find a new tenant... ill ask around KCMO for someone just entering the professional photography world :)

Andrew Postell · Answer

@Rohan J. I am an amateur photographer.  I would not suggest buying a camera for this purpose.  House pictures that look extremely sharp usually have twice the time  and money spent on editing them than actually taking the picture.  So while you may spend $500 on a camera, editing software could run $1000.  For just listing the home on Air BNB I doubt that anyone will notice a difference in your pictures on your phone and your pictures on a camera - unless you edited them.  Your phone camera should be able to take pictures of about 2Meg.  That is completely fine for listing a house online.  I would encourage you to google "how to take pictures of a house" for some tips on how to take the pictures first (like taking the pictures from hip distance from the ground or which position to have the blinds and curtains in for best lighting) and using some free software online (search for pixlr).  Doing that will take your pictures up a notch and it's 100% free.

Mike Cumbie · Answer

Hi @Rohan J.,

I have to agree with @Jeff B. on this one. I have a photographer that is just getting into the business. Happily snaps pictures (moves stuff around) for $100. Her pictures put anything I can do to shame pretty easily. If I was just looking at doing a property or two I would recommend finding a new photographer (local college, fresh grad) and giving them some work. Now if you have plenty of properties it may be worth it to get a decent camera and learn a bit about it.

Good Luck!

Chinmay J. · Answer

@Rohan J. - Go to best buy and ask the nerdiest kid. Not kidding. Some of them kids are smart.

What is the current best camera for under $1k????

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