Best Nikon Camera for Real Estate Photography
The best Nikon camera for real estate photography depends on if you are looking for a DSLR or a Mirrorless camera. If you want a DSLR, the best option is the Nikon D850. If you want a Mirrorless camera, the best option is the Nikon Z7 II.
If you want to read about cameras for real estate from other brands as well, check out this article: Best Camera for Real Estate Photography
If you’re interested in seeing a few more budget friendly options from Nikon with in-depth reviews and recommendations, then read on!
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Best Nikon Camera for Real Estate Photography
The best Nikon camera for real estate photography could be different for each photographer depending on what services you plan to offer and how you plan to expand your business. There are 2 main factors you should consider before buying:
- What is your budget?
- Do you plan to photograph more than just real estate?
First off, your budget is obviously a major deciding factor. It’s easy for us to say that the D850 or the Z7 II is the best Nikon camera for real estate photography because they’re two of the best Nikon cameras period. But being the best comes with a higher price tag.
Second, you’ll need to decide if you’re only going to photograph real estate, or if you would like to photograph other genres as well. This can mean anything from architecture and interior design to portraits and weddings.
Transitioning into commercial architectural photography is a common goal for many real estate photographers. If you have hopes like this, then you’ll want to buy a great camera now rather than needing to upgrade your camera later.
Doing this will save you money in the long run and provide you with higher quality images immediately. This is the balancing act that you’ll need to perform between stretching your budget and buying the highest quality possible.
All four Nikon cameras below are going to be great for real estate photography. They are all good in low light, which is extremely important. You just need to decide which one is the best for you and your future business plans.
And now, the best Nikon camera for real estate photography!
Best Overall DSLR
Nikon D850
Top of the line for almost all types of photography. The Nikon D850 is one of the best cameras on the market, period.
This camera is a workhorse and will serve your Real Estate Photography business for a decade plus. It’s been one of the best DSLRs available for years now and with very good reason.
Pros:
- Top Nikon DSLR
- Excellent sensor for low light situations
- 4k video abilities
- Great for all types of photography
- 45.7 megapixels
- Dual memory card slots
Cons:
- Somewhat expensive
- Much larger than Mirrorless options
Best Mirrorless Options
Nikon Z7 II
The Nikon Z7 II is the camera that I currently use every day. I absolutely love it and highly recommend it to anyone that wants a Nikon Mirrorless camera.
This camera is perfect for me because I also photograph commercial architecture quite regularly in addition to real estate. That means the nearly 46 megapixels are extremely helpful and important.
You’ll need a Nikon FTZ Adaptor to use non-mirrorless lenses, but it’s very affordable and works perfectly.
Pros:
- Top quality Nikon Mirrorless camera
- 4k video abilities
- Dual memory card slots
- Great in low light situations
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Expensive
- Will need adaptor to use non-mirrorless Nikon lenses
Nikon Z6 II
This Nikon Z6 II is a good option for those that want to enter the mirrorless camera arena but don’t have the budget for the Z7 II.
24 megapixels is definitely enough for real estate photography purposes, but you may want to upgrade eventually if you’re shooting a lot of higher end jobs like commercial architecture or interior design.
Still, if your goal is simply to purchase a good mirrorless camera for real estate photography, this camera is a great choice.
Pros:
- Affordable mirrorless option
- 4k video capabilities
- Great image quality
- Dual memory card slots
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Lacking in high end quality when comapred to the Z7 II
- Will need adaptor to use non-mirrorless Nikon lenses
Best Budget Option
Nikon D750
The Nikon D750 was to be the camera that I used every day for nearly 5 years. It’s been extremely reliable and I definitely recommend it as an affordable option.
Before upgrading to the Nikon Z7 II, this D750 was an absolute work horse for me. I love this camera as my back up and know that it will work perfectly if my Z7 II malfunctions for some reason.
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Great in low light
- Good value for price
- Dual SD card slots
Cons:
- No 4k video
- May need to upgrade eventually depending on high end needs
Recommendations
If budget is no concern and you simply want the best Nikon camera for real estate photography, then you’ll want either the Nikon D850 or the Nikon Z7 II. If you want a DSLR, the D850 is the choice for you. If you want to go Mirrorless, go ahead and get the Z7 II.
Both the D850 and the Z7 II are cameras that will be able to handle any situation you encounter, both in real estate photography and in other genres. They’re especially excellent cameras if you plan to photograph high end jobs like commercial architecture or interior design some day.
Remember, if you choose a mirrorless camera, you’ll need a Nikon FTZ Adaptor in order to use non-mirrorless lenses, but it’s very affordable and works perfectly.
If you don’t have a preference about DSLR or Mirrorless technology and just want the best Nikon camera for real estate photography overall, then we’d give a slight edge to the Nikon D850 as the superior camera of the two.
If budget is a concern and you simply cannot stretch it enough to purchase the D850, then we recommend the Nikon D750. Even without 4k video capabilities, the 24 megapixels and great low light abilities make it an excellent camera for real estate photography.
Check out our article Best Nikon Lenses for Real Estate Photography to see all the best options to complete your Nikon real estate photography kit.
Be sure to check out our Beginners Guide. It’s full of articles with helpful tips exactly like this one. Our Business Resources page has all the resources you’ll need to get your Real Estate Photography business started on the right path.
Additionally, if you are looking for real estate photography courses to help you learn more, including the best lighting techniques, check out our article Best Real Estate Photography Classes.
Finally, go check out our Gear page to get up-to-date reviews and recommendations on todays best gear for Real Estate Photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cameras do realtors use?
Generally, realtors use their phones for photos. Ideally, if they want good photos, they hire a professional real estate photographer.
How many megapixels do you need for real estate photography?
The minimum you need is 20, although most professional cameras come standard with 24 megapixels. More doesn’t necessarily mean better, but anywhere between 24 and 30 is a great range.
What do real estate photographers use?
The basics needed for real estate photography are a good camera, a wide angle lens, and a tripod. To see a full list of a professional real estate photographers gear, check out our Gear page.