Congratulations to Javier Sotomayor, November 2023 PFRE Photographer of the Month! The theme this month was "Open." Javier Sotomayor - Entry #879 Dave Koch - Entry #877 Peter Wingfield - Entry #874 Here's what Javier has to say: Hello First of all I wa ...
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If you want a compact and lightweight walkaround camera, a mirrorless camera might be the ideal choice, as it doesn't have a bulky reflex mirror. The best mirrorless camera under $1000 features a flexible ISO that allows you to take photos even in difficult lighting.
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Considering that you might be getting a camera under $1000 because you are on a tight budget, the best mirrorless camera under $1000 should come with a lens, saving you the hassle of buying one separately. The following cameras are versatile, and you can use them in both
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Best Overall
Brand:
Sony Alpha ILCE A6400
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Best Image Stabilization
Brand:
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV
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Best GPS Support
Brand:
Canon EOS M50 Mark II 15-45mm
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Effective Still Resolution:
25 MP
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Effective Still Resolution:
20 MP
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Effective Still Resolution:
24.1 MP
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Special Features:
Shockproof, Temperature Extremes, Waterproof, X-Ray Proof
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Special Features:
Compact Size, Easy Sharing of Photos and Videos, Handheld 4K Video
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Special Features:
Webcam Alternative, Wireless Connectivity, Cloud Service
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4.7
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4.6
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4.7
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If you want a camera that you can use to track moving subjects, the Sony Alpha ILCE A6400 might be your best option. This unit features a 425 phase detection and 425 contrast detection autofocus system, allowing you to achieve fast and precise focusing when capturing a subject in motion.
It comes equipped with a 24.2 megapixels APS-C Exmor RS CMOS sensor whose performance in low light is more pleasing than that of the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV.
With a rechargeable NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery, this camera takes 360 shots per charge when using the viewfinder and around 410 shots per charge when working with the LCD screen, making it suitable for use in remote areas without electricity grids.
However, its weight of 1.14 pounds makes it the heaviest on my list, limiting its usability when shooting without a tripod for a prolonged period.
If you want a camera that can allow you to shoot in a wider range of conditions without worrying about blur or camera shake, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV might be the ideal choice.
Like the Canon EOS M50 Mark II, this camera has a 5-axis in-camera image stabilization mechanism that allows you to use slower shutter speeds instead of increasing the ISO, significantly reducing noise in the final image.
The unit comes equipped with a 121-point contrast and subject detection autofocus system, which can detect and track a specific subject in the frame, making this camera an ideal option for taking photos or filming videos of moving subjects.
This unit features a 20 megapixels sensor and a TruePic VIII image processor. Unlike the Sony Alpha ILCE A6400, this sensor is generally small, and the resulting images might look pixelated if you crop them or display them on large screens.
The Canon EOS M50 Mark II is a high-quality camera with EOS webcam utility software that lets you turn your camera into a webcam by connecting to a laptop using a USB cable.
This makes it a perfect choice for real estate professional photographers who love video conferencing or live streaming to showcase their properties through Zoom or YouTube.
The camera supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless connectivity for easy wireless image transfer, remote shooting, and camera operation using a smartphone or tablet.
Like the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV, this camera comes with a built-in flash that helps provide additional lighting when shooting in dimly-lit conditions, making it easier to capture sharp and well-exposed photos.
However, unlike the Panasonic Lumix G95D, without weather sealing, exposing this camera to moisture or dust when taking exterior photos can cause damage to the internal components.
The Panasonic Lumix G95D is a premium camera that features weather sealing that can withstand rain, snow, and dust, allowing you to shoot outdoors in harsh weather conditions without the risk of damaging your camera.
Unlike the Canon EOS M200, the camera features a 3.5mm external microphone and headphone port, giving you more control of the audio levels, resulting in high-quality videos without background or wind noise.
Unlike the Canon EOS M50 Mark II, this camera has a 12-60mm zoom lens, making it possible to use it right out of the box without purchasing additional camera gear.
Since this is a zoom lens, it allows you to frame your shot without physically moving closer or further away. This camera uses the DMW-BLC12 rechargeable lithium-ion battery that offers about 290 shots per charge. However, the camera drains the battery faster if recording 4K videos or shooting in burst mode.
The Canon EOS M200 is a versatile camera that comes equipped with a 15-45mm zoom lens, which is capable of shooting both wide-angle and normal perspectives.
Unlike the Panasonic Lumix G95D, this unit features a built-in GPS, allowing you to easily geotag your photos, adding the location data of the real estate property. With a 3.0-inch LCD screen that is tiltable from 45 to 180 degrees, this camera allows you to take selfies from varying angles.
It also features a dedicated self-portrait mode that employs a variety of tools, such as background blurring, skin smoothing, and a customizable self-timer, enhancing the overall appearance of your selfies.
Like the Canon EOS M50 Mark II, it comes with the EOS webcam utility, making it ideal for holding video calls and teleconferencing. However, it lacks the 3.5mm external microphone and headphone phone, limiting your ability to monitor the audio quality when recording videos.
Mirrorless cameras use a mechanical shutter that lifts to expose your image, making them produce better results than DSLRs. However, they vary in terms of resolution and weather-resistant design depending on the brand and model you go for.
If you are on a tight budget and you want a mirrorless camera under $1000, the following features can help you choose a camera with good resolution and battery life. Furthermore, the following table breaks down the key features for better understanding.
| Cameras | Sensor Size | Megapixels | Weight (Pounds) |
| Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV | Micro-four-thirds | 20 | 0.84 |
| Canon EOS M50 Mark II | APS-c | 24.1 | 0.85 |
| Panasonic Lumix G95D | Micro-four-thirds | 20.3 | 1.07 |
| Canon EOS M200 | APS-c | 24.1 | 0.66 |
| Sony Alpha ILCE A6400 | APS-c | 24.2 | 1.14 |
A sensor is a hardware in a camera that is designed to collect the light waves transmitted via the camera lens and convert them into a digital image. Normally, camera sensors come in different sizes, such as micro four-thirds, APS-C, and full frame.
APS-C sensors are smaller than full frame and larger than micro four-thirds sensors. Typically, APS-C sensors perform better in low light conditions than micro four-thirds sensors. This is because they have larger pixels, which can capture more light and produce less noise in low-light conditions.
Considering that the interiors of a real estate property might not have good ambient lighting and you want a sensor that can collect more light, consider getting a camera with an APS-C sensor, such as the Sony Alpha ILCE A6400, instead of a micro-four-thirds sensor.
Pixels are tiny dots of visual information that make up a digital video or image. A megapixel is a unit of measurement that is equal to 1,000,000 pixels. As a result, the number of megapixels refers to the number of pixels the camera's sensor can capture and process to create an image.
In general, a camera with many megapixels will produce larger and more detailed images, allowing you to zoom in or crop them with minimal loss in quality. A lower number of megapixels, on the other hand, results in lower-quality images that appear pixelated.
If you take real estate images for large-format printing, consider getting a camera with higher megapixels, such as the Canon EOS M50 Mark II. However, if you have a limitation on the image file size to upload on your real estate site, consider going for a camera with a lower number of megapixels.
The battery life of a camera is about the number of shots you can take under certain camera settings before having to recharge or switch batteries. That means a good battery lets you capture many shots per charge instead of one with a higher milliamp-hour (mAh) rating.
A longer battery life can allow for more uninterrupted shooting, which is great when photographing events, wildlife, or real estate exteriors in remote locations. For instance, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV lets you capture 360 shots per charge using the viewfinder.
However, the number of shots per charge might reduce if shooting in burst mode or using the camera flash. Since the electronic viewfinder uses power to reproduce the images, the number of shots per change can increase if you turn off the electronic viewfinder.
Generally, shooting in harsh weather conditions such as rainy, dusty, or highly humid areas put your camera at risk of damage. This is because moisture and dust can get inside the camera and cause short circuits to the internal components, such as the sensor, which can be expensive to repair or replace.
Weather sealing means the camera features special seals and gaskets around the buttons, dials, and battery compartment openings to prevent moisture and dust from entering the camera body.
If you are taking exterior images of a building in challenging conditions, it is advisable to consider getting a camera with weather sealing, such as Panasonic Lumix G95D.
When photographing car rallies and other sports events, putting your camera at strategic points, such as the track's corners, often yields the most spectacular shots. However, these areas can risk your safety as cars may skid off the track and collide with your position.
Luckily, you can avoid these issues by investing in a camera that you can easily control remotely. For instance, a camera that supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless connectivity, such as the Canon EOS M50 Mark II, lets you connect your camera to a tablet or smartphone and activate the shutter button remotely.
The wireless connectivity also allows you to transfer pictures and videos to the linked device and post them online or share them with friends or family members.
The size and weight of cameras vary depending on the size of the sensor and the materials used in construction. Although most photographers tend to overlook this feature, it is one of the most crucial to consider, especially if capturing real estate interiors in cramped spaces where you can't set up a tripod.
In the same way, if you walk around taking different real estate exterior images, you can consider getting a compact and lightweight camera such as the Canon EOS M200. With this camera, you can shoot handheld intermittently without having muscle fatigue issues.
The lighting within the interior of a real estate may not be sufficient for capturing bright photos using faster shutter speeds. If you opt to capture handheld at slower shutter speeds, there are chances of image blur due to camera vibrations.
On the other hand, increasing the ISO can cause digital noise and make your photos look grainy and pixelated. Fortunately, you can overcome this by getting a camera with an image stabilization system, such as the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV.
Mirrorless cameras are lighter than DSLRs because they lack a reflective mirror that bounces light to the viewfinder and sensor in DSLRs. Instead, its sensor is exposed to light directly, generating a live preview of your scene to the electronic viewfinder.
Yes, mirrorless cameras are better than smartphone cameras as they deliver superior picture quality. This is because they have more advanced image sensors that are around five times larger than those of smartphones. This allows them to capture sharp and more detailed images.
Yes, you can focus manually on a mirrorless camera as it features a mode dial button that allows you to switch between autofocus and manual mode. The manual mode allows you to determine and set the point of focus.
The best mirrorless camera under $1000 comes with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support that allows you to control it remotely using a mobile device. If you are taking exterior photos, consider getting a weather-sealed unit. If you are taking photos handheld, then get a lightweight unit.
