NAR Library & Archives has already done the research for you. References (formerly Field Guides) offer links to articles, eBooks, websites, statistics, and more to provide a comprehensive overview of perspectives. EBSCO articles (E) are available only to NAR members and require the member's nar.realtor login.
REALTORS®' Use of Digital Cameras
Frequency of use of digital cameras:
Daily . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25%
A few times per week . . . .18%
A few times per month . . . 8%
Rarely or never. . . . . . . . . 40%
Source: 2024 National Association of REALTORS® Member Profile
Choosing a Camera
The Best Digital Cameras for 2025 (PC Mag, Feb. 3, 2025)
Cameras come in all shapes and sizes, but you'll find some of the best of each type here, including the Fujifilm X100VI compact, the Nikon Z6III full-frame, and the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro action cam. We're always reviewing the latest and greatest models, so check back often to see if there's a new one that suits your fancy.
Top Essential Tips on Choosing and Buying a Digital Camera (ePHOTOzine, Jan. 12, 2025)
What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Advanced Compacts?
Pros:
- Small size
- Nowadays they have 16MP plus, making them more than adequate for most photography
- Many effects and filters
- They have many of the programs and manual features that were previously only found on DSLRs a few years ago
Cons:
- Less zoom capability than cameras with interchangeable lenses and bridge cameras
- Lesser image quality than cameras with bigger sensors
- Sometimes can be difficult to get a good grip on due to their small size and slim designs
- Less control over exposure settings
Best Camera for Beginners to Digital Photography (ShotKit, Jan. 10, 2025)
At this point, ‘DSLR’ cameras are still a very popular choice for beginners. Their main advantages over ‘mirrorless’ cameras is affordability, battery life and ergonomics.
Whilst I’d usually recommend mirrorless cameras to beginners who wish to learn photography, due to budget restrictions, it’s not always possible. Around the $500 mark, it’s hard to beat a beginner DSLR camera.
So if you’re looking for the best DSLR camera for beginners, look no further – the Nikon D3400 with 18-55mm lens is it. It is a good camera for beginners and even immediately skilled photographers alike.
Digital Cameras (Consumer Reports, 2025) E
What You'll Pay
For advanced point-and-shoots, $600 to $1,500 and up. For mirrorless cameras, $500 to $3,600. For SLRs, $400 to $2,800.
How-To Tips: Shooting, Editing, & Storing Digital Photographs
Cloud Storage for Photographers: 11 Options to Consider in 2025 (Aftershoot, Mar. 13, 2025)
It is common practice to have more than three copies of the documents you want to keep – and they should not all be stored in the same location. The best image cloud storage providers take the stress of keeping track of backups and whether they're truly safe off your plate by doing automatic backups and giving professional photographers a place to store photos securely.
How to Take Real Estate Photos: Sell Faster and for More Money (HomeLight, Jan. 21, 2025)
iPhones have less control than a high-quality camera. Wide lenses take better shots of real estate, so ideally rent, borrow, or purchase a high-quality camera (DSLR), tripod, and wide-angle lens.
Everything You Should Know About Real Estate Videography (Luxury Presence, Dec. 11, 2024)
The importance of real estate videography in today’s digital age cannot be overstated. It has become a pivotal marketing tool, offering a competitive advantage in a saturated market. In addition to offering potential buyers a more dynamic view of a property, video content helps generate higher engagement and expedites the selling process.
What Are Benefits of Editing Photographs in Real Estate? Enhancing Visual Appeal and Sales Potential (Phixer, May 22, 2024)
Professional editing can enhance the appearance of photos, making them more attractive to potential buyers and increasing the likelihood of a quick sale. With real estate photo editing software, agents can easily remove unwanted objects or adjust the photo look to highlight the best features of a property. In today’s competitive market, professionally edited real estate photos can make a significant difference in the overall look of the photo and ultimately help properties sell faster.
Marketing Your Listings with Digital Images
8 Real Estate Photography Tips for Stunning Listing Photos (The Close, Jul. 10, 2024)
First impressions mean everything when you’re listing a home. The pictures you use will be your first chance to make your potential buyers stop scrolling through Zillow and pick up the phone to call you. Knowing how to photograph real estate makes all the difference by using high-quality photos. Pictures can make a property shine, catching the eye and sparking interest immediately.
Elevating Real Estate with Professional Photography (A Brilliant Tribe, May 20, 2025)
Beyond facilitating quicker sales, professional photography can also lead to higher sale prices. Homes in the $200,000 to $1 million range that feature high-quality images sell for $3,000 to $11,000 more than those with standard photos. This price premium reflects the perceived value that professional images add to a listing, making it more appealing and competitive.
How Important are Professional Property Photos for a Real Estate Listing? (PhotoUp, Apr. 29, 2024)
In today’s digital age, where 99% of home searchers use the Internet to search for a home, a listing’s visual appeal is non-negotiable.
Statistics reveal that listings featuring professional photos garner more online attention, receive more views, and have a higher chance of selling quickly compared to those with amateur images. For instance, listings with professional photos earn a 1,200% increase in social media shares. And 68% of potential buyers say that great photos made them want to visit the home.
Virtual Tours
3d Virtual Home Tours (Three Sixty Tours, Mar. 22, 2025)
Unlike static photos, virtual tours allow buyers to:
• Examine every detail of a home.
• Measure spaces to see if furniture will fit.
• Get a realistic feel for the layout.
Preparing Your Home for the Virtual Tour (Cape Gazette, Mar. 22, 2025)
Just as you would prepare for an open house, prepare for your virtual tour shoot by removing clutter. Move personal belongings out of sight or use this as an opportunity to donate or throw away items that you no longer use. The goal is to maximize the space of your home and depersonalize it enough to allow potential buyers to imagine themselves living there.
How Virtual Tours Can Help Your Home Sell Faster (Century 21 Wright Real Estate, Jan. 30, 2025)
Every home has special attributes that make it stand out. Virtual tours can be designed to emphasize these unique selling points, whether it's an open-concept living area, a stunning kitchen, or a beautifully landscaped yard. With the ability to zoom in, pan around, and move between rooms, buyers gain a more comprehensive understanding of your property's layout and charm.
In addition, virtual tours can showcase spaces in ways that static images cannot. Panoramic views of outdoor areas or a 360-degree view of a spacious living room give buyers a sense of scale and proportion, helping them imagine how their furniture and belongings might fit.
Useful Websites
Digital Camera World — Digital Camera World is the world's fastest-growing photography website, covering every aspect of image-making, from DSLR and mirrorless cameras to mobile photography, drones, post-production and printing. This site also has buying guides, tutorials and product reviews.
Digital Photo Mentor — Whether you're a beginner photographer, intermediate or seasoned shooter, you'll find photography articles here to help you take your skills to the next level.
Digital Trends — The photography section covers news, reviews, and discussion about camera tech including digital cameras, DSLRs, and the latest events in the world of photography.
Digital Photography Review – Digital Photography Review's mission is to provide the most authoritative coverage of digital photography gear in the world, including news, articles and expert reviews.
Fro Knows Photo — Professional photographer, Jared Polin, offers product reviews, discussion forums, advice, instructional videos, and photo critiques. A useful website for both beginner and advanced photographers.
Imaging Resource — Comprehensive site features product reviews, comparison charts, news, tutorials, and other key information about all aspects of digital cameras and photography.
PopPhoto — Comprehensive website with news, reviews, how-to articles, gear and inspirational photo galleries.
Shortcourses — Online tutorials on various digital camera topics, with a glossary of terms and links to other digital camera websites. A valuable feature of the Shortcourses site is the collection of printable, portable guides to using specific Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Olympus digital camera models.
eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following eBooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Digital Video (eBook)
Digital Photography All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies® (eBook)
Digital Photography For Dummies® (eBook)
Digital Photography Just the Steps For Dummies® (eBook)
Digital Video Essentials (eBook)
Digital Video for Dummies® (eBook)
How to Do Everything: Digital Camera (eBook)
How to Do Everything with Online Video (eBook)
How to Do Everything with Your iPhone® (eBook)
How to Shoot Video That Doesn’t Suck (eBook)
Smart Photos (eBook)
Video Marketing for Dummies (eBook)
Have an idea for a real estate topic? Send us your suggestions.
The inclusion of links on this page does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked in this page complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.
