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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As a beginner real estate photographer, you might want to gain experience using the latest cameras that will expose you to
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The best beginner Nikon camera has a flexible ISO that you can crank up and take bright photos in poor lighting, even if the lens has no bright aperture. The following cameras are versatile, and you can use them to record videos or capture still photos.
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Best Overall
Brand:
Nikon Z 6II
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Best Versatile
Brand:
Nikon Z 30
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Best Vibration Reduction
Brand:
Nikon Z 5
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Lens Type:
Zoom
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Lens Type:
Wide Angle
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Lens Type:
Zoom
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Maximum Shutter Speed:
1/8000 seconds
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Maximum Shutter Speed:
1/4000 seconds
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Maximum Shutter Speed:
1/8000 seconds
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4.8
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4.4
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4.6
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The Nikon Z6II camera tops my list thanks to its versatile design that suits both beginner and professional photographers.
Although the 24.5 megapixels sensor in this camera is just slightly higher than the 24.2 megapixels of the Nikon D3500, it's a full-frame sensor, and the individual pixels are way larger. This results in better light collection, making it the best unit for photographing in dim conditions such as poorly lit interiors.
The camera features a 3.2-inch LCD screen, which is 0.2 inches larger than that of the Nikon Z30. This gives a clear view of the scene, enhancing your ability to monitor the composition and camera settings without eye fatigue.
The LCD is also a touchscreen, enhancing the convenience of adjusting the camera settings, almost like you would on a smartphone. Unfortunately, the play and delete options are located on the left, which can cause inconveniences when photographing with one hand.
If you want to showcase real estate property features through video blogging, you can upgrade from a smartphone camera for enhanced video quality by getting the Nikon Z30 camera.
This camera is equipped with a 20.9 megapixels sensor capable of capturing ultra HD 4K videos at up to 30 frames per second. Generally, these videos are crisp and can be played on large monitors without a noticeable quality loss.
The camera features an APS-C sensor size, which provides a crop-factor effect of 1.5x. This benefits the use of telephoto zoom lenses, as the resulting focal range is extended by 1.5 times. Note that the APS-C sensor is smaller than a full-frame sensor like the one in the Nikon Z6II.
That means the overall surface area of collecting light is smaller, which is a downside when taking stills or videos in difficult lighting. Unlike the Nikon Z5, the unit doesn't have a headphone socket, making it impossible to attach headphones or earphones to monitor the audio quality.
The Nikon Z5 camera is one of the best units for beginners who are shooting in harsh climates, thanks to the sturdy magnesium alloy construction and weather-resistant design. This unit features a 24.3 megapixels full-frame sensor, which generally takes higher-resolution images compared to the APS-C sensor of the Nikon Z30.
On top of the large sensor that benefits working in difficult lighting, this unit has a flexible ISO that you can crank from the base ISO of 100 up to 51200, further boosting its low light performance.
Most beginner photographers who are upgrading from smartphones might not have tripods or monopods. Fortunately, like the Nikon Coolpix P950, this unit features a sophisticated 5-axis sensor-shift vibration reduction system that smoothens the shakes of the hands, allowing you to record stable videos and take sharp images.
However, the camera records ultra HD 4K videos with a 1.7x crop, which disadvantages the use of ultra-wide-angle lenses as they appear zoomed in.
One of the key reasons you might want to get a Nikon D3500 DSLR as a beginner photographer is the 18-55mm kit lens it comes with. This allows you to use the camera right from the box, almost like the Nikon Coolpix P950.
Unlike a mirrorless camera such as the Nikon Z6II, the Nikon D3500 is a DSLR with an optical viewfinder that allows you to compose your shots with a more natural view. However, the optical viewfinder doesn't allow you to see the actual image quality and exposure the sensor is going to capture.
This makes it challenging for beginner photographers to know whether they are using the right settings unless they take a test shot.
Although the APS-C sensor in this unit can't take bright photos in poor lighting like the Nikon Z5, the camera features a built-in popup flash that can provide additional lighting when taking photos in dim interiors.
The camera only supports a maximum resolution of 1080 pixels, and the resulting videos might look lower-quality when projected on a large screen.
Since smartphone cameras generally fail in zooming, the Nikon Coolpix P950 might be the most impressive camera for beginner photographers due to its excellent zoom capability. Typically, this camera features an 83x zoom lens with an incredible focal range of 24-2000mm.
If you are just transitioning from a phone camera and don't have a computer you can use to transfer the files from
the camera to the phone, this camera takes care of that using the SnapBridge app.
Like the Nikon Z6II, the unit supports Bluetooth and WiFi wireless connectivity, allowing you to transfer your photos and video footage from the camera to your mobile device.
The wireless connection is also an advantage if you don't have a tripod, as you can place the camera on the ground or a firm object and then control it remotely. This removes the chances of camera shakes, especially when zoomed in.
Unlike the other cameras on this list, this unit weighs 2.22 pounds and might cause muscle fatigue if you don't have a tripod.
A camera is made of electronics that are responsible for converting the light signal collected by the lens into an image. As a result, the efficiency and effectiveness of the camera in processing the light signal and producing an image can impact the overall image quality.
If you are a beginner and you don't have advanced camera gear such as tripods and flashlights, the following features can help you choose a versatile camera that can produce quality images in a wide range of conditions. The following table breaks down the key features for easier understanding.
| Camera | Megapixels | Sensor Size | Camera Type |
| Nikon Z30 | 20.9 | APS-C | Mirrorless |
| Nikon Z5 | 24.3 | Full-frame | Mirrorless |
| Nikon Z6II | 24.2 | Full-frame | Mirrorless |
| Nikon D3500 | 24.2 | APS-C | DSLR |
| Nikon Coolpix P950 | 16 | 1/2.3 | Mirrorless |
Like in smartphone cameras, the number of megapixels in a DSLR or mirrorless camera affects the overall image resolution. The camera image sensor collects the light signal using photoreceptors known as pixels. Like in other measurements, one megapixel is one million pixels.
Considering that pixels are like small boxes that make up a digital image, a higher number of megapixels means a higher resolution. When you display the images on a small monitor, the pixels are close together, and you might not realize a quality difference between images of different megapixels.
However, when you display the same image on a larger display or print in a large format, the pixels spread to fill the display or the printing material, making the image look pixelated. As a result, it's advisable to go for a camera with a higher resolution, such as the Nikon Z6II.
The camera sensor is an area in a camera that captures light. Usually, the sensor's surface is covered by pixels, which are the photoreceptors. Digital cameras come in different sensor sizes, common being full-frame and APS-C.
A full-frame sensor measures 35mm, like the traditional
As a result, the individual pixels of a full-frame camera is larger than that of an APS-C camera. Since the pixels collect light, full-frame cameras such as the Nikon Z5 can capture more light and take brighter photos than APS-C cameras under the same conditions.
Nikon makes two main camera types: DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. Generally, DSLR can be considered to be an older technology compared to the mirrorless design as Nikon has stopped developing new DSLR models. DSLR cameras use the reflex mirror to reflect the scene to the optical viewfinder.
As a result, a DSLR camera such as the Nikon D3500 gives you a natural view of the scene you are capturing, enhancing your ability to compose. On the other hand, a mirrorless camera uses a live view where the camera sensor reproduces the image on an electronic viewfinder.
This allows you to see the image as it will be captured by the sensor, with the camera settings such as the exposure already applied. As a beginner, a mirrorless camera such as the Nikon Z30 might be a good option, as you can adjust the camera settings before taking the shot.
A camera is an electronic device that requires power to operate. Most digital cameras are powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, rated in mAhs, such as 1230mAh. Technically, a battery with a higher mAh should last longer.
However, in cameras, things are different as you have to consider the camera's power consumption. As a result, the battery life in cameras is usually rated in terms of the number of shots per charge. In most cases, the power consumption in cameras varies depending on the type of viewfinder.
For instance, most mirrorless cameras have shorter battery life as the electronic viewfinder needs to be continually powered even when composing the shot. If you're taking exterior photos where you might not be connected to a power supply, go for a camera with an optical viewfinder, such as the Nikon D3500.
Cameras come with varying designs, including the ability to interchange the lenses. That means you can attach and detach the lens from the camera body. Usually, this allows you to attach the right lens depending on the shooting conditions.
Although this is a good option for professional photographers, it can be challenging for beginner photographers unfamiliar with Nikon's different formats and lens compatibility. It also means you won't use the camera right out of the box if it doesn't come with a kit lens.
If these are your worries, consider using a camera with a built-in lens, such as the Nikon Coolpix P950. In most cases, cameras with built-in lenses have versatile zooms that cover wide-angle to telephoto perspectives.
It is common for beginner photographers not to have camera gear such as tripods or monopods. Even if you have experience shooting handheld with a smartphone, shooting without your hands shaking can be challenging due to the camera's heavier weight.
It is, therefore, advisable to get a camera with an image stabilization system, such as the Nikon Z5. This system smooths out the small vibrations, allowing you to take sharper pictures and record stable videos.
Again, a heavy camera can cause muscle fatigue and exhaustion if you're shooting handheld. That means you might want a compact and lightweight camera. In most cases, the weight and size of a camera depend on the construction quality, the sensor size, and whether it is mirrorless or a DSLR.
Generally, an APS-C mirrorless camera is smaller and lightweight as it doesn't have a reflex mirror, and the sensor size is smaller. If you're taking photos handheld for an extended time, consider getting an APS-C mirrorless camera such as the Nikon Z30.
On the other hand, if you have a tripod or a monopod with a base, consider getting a heavier camera, such as the Nikon Coolpix P950. Usually, the heavy weight helps to stabilize the tripod, minimizing the chances of the setup toppling over.
The LCD screen is a display that allows you to see what the camera sensor is viewing. The LCD screen can also display information such as camera settings and battery usage. In most cameras, you can vary the angle of the LCD screen so you can monitor the scene from varying angles.
For instance, you can tilt the LCD downwards for easier viewing when you have lifted the camera with your hands or a monopod to shoot over a crowd. Adjusting the camera settings using knobs and buttons can be challenging as you can't tilt them to face you.
For ease of use, consider getting a camera with a touchscreen LCD, such as the Nikon Z6II. This makes it easier to change the camera settings even with the camera lifted high on a monopod.
Getting a Nikon mirrorless camera is advisable as it is the latest technology. This allows you to learn and gain experience using the latest rather than outdated technology. However, DSLR cameras have more lens options than mirrorless cameras, making them a better option if you want versatility.
The best Nikon lens for a beginner real estate photographer is Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8. This lens has a bright aperture that allows you to take interior photos in poor lighting or close-ups with a shallow depth of field. The focal length is versatile, allowing you to take photos in cramped rooms.Â
With the best beginner Nikon camera, you can still take sharp and bright pictures even if the lens doesn't have a wide maximum aperture or a vibration reduction system. The above cameras can take high-resolution images for large-format printing or display on large monitors.
