7 Cameras That Connect to Your Smartphone

Camera manufacturers are producing smaller, sleeker models that take sharper photos and connect to mobile devices for fast uploading and sharing. More cameras offer 4K cinematic video quality this year, but virtually all offer HD video capability. This slide show offers a sampling of the latest products to hit the market, ranging from around $200 to $2,000.

Canon PowerShot ELPH 360HS
$209.99

This slim point-and-shoot camera offers high-quality images in a small product.

• 20.2 megapixel CMOS sensor
• 12x optical zoom lens
• Optical image stabilizer
• A dedicated Wi-Fi button for easy sharing and transferring of images to mobile device
• 1080p Full HD video
• Hybrid Auto feature records quick video clips before each still and compiles them to make a short highlight reel
• 3.0-inch LCD screen

Panasonic HC-V380
$329.99

This camcorder is part of Panasonic’s midrange full HD camcorder line-up. You’re probably thinking that a camcorder sounds so 1990. But the new features are very 21st century. The Wireless Multi Camera function enables picture-in-picture recording using a Wi-Fi–connected smartphone as the second camera. Connect to as many as three smartphones and record up to two mini-window images for greater impact in your videos.

• 90x zoom (50x optical zoom)
• 28 mm wide-angle lens
• Full HD 1080p recording
• Connect it to your smart-home network to use as a baby monitor or security camera

Nikon D3300
$449.95

The small but powerful DSLR has all the versatility a real estate practitioner needs in a camera.

• 24.3 megapixel APS-C sized CMOS sensor (DX)
• 5 frames-per-second shooting
• ISO range of 100–12,800
• Full HD 1080p video mode
• Many filters and in-camera editing features to play with
• Pair with Nikon’s WU-1a Wireless Adapter ($60) to instantly upload to your compatible smartphone or tablet

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS100
$699.99

This is a compact camera with a 1-inch sensor that shoots 4K video. If you’re looking for high quality that’s extremely easy to use, check it out.

• 10x zoom range of 25–250mm
• 4K video-recording capability, and you can extract 8-megapixel still images from the video
• 3-inch 1,040k-pixel touch screen
• 10 frames-per-second burst photo mode (5 fps at full resolution with autofocus)
• Full wireless control and photography via the Panasonic Image app
• Manually set the aperture, shutter speed, manual focus, and ISO level 
• Maximum ISO of 12,800

Sony α6300
$1,000 (body only; available March 2016)

This new mirrorless model claims the world’s fastest autofocus. Sony’s new 4D Focus system can lock focus on a subject in 0.05 seconds. Not only that, but it’s incredibly sharp with 425 phase detection autofocus points — the highest number of AF points on any interchangeable lens camera.

• Shoots up to 11 frames per second
• 24.2 MP APS-C sensor
• High-resolution 4K video recording
• An LCD screen (if used to shoot, the camera can still capture up to 8 frames per second)
• ISO range of 100–51,200
• Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity; works with Sony’s PlayMemories Mobile app

Olympus PEN-F
$1,199.99 (available March 2016)

If you’re a classic 35 mm film lover, the new Olympus Pen-F is for you. It’s the first-ever half-frame DSLR camera, complete with a 1960s throwback look.

• 20 MP Live MOS sensor
• Olympus’ 5-axis image stabilization
• Shoots RAW images at 10 frames per second
• Built-in 2.36 million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder
• Built-in Wi-Fi along with instant photo sharing capability through the Olympus Image app
• Includes monochrome and color profile control functions to emulate your favorite film
• When you flip over the 3-inch LCD, the camera looks even more like it came from the 1960s

Nikon D500
$1,999.95

This is Nikon’s new CMOS sensor (DX) flagship DSLR camera that the company touts as creating “images that match your vision.”

• Multi-Cam 20K autofocus system provides 153 AF points, including 99 cross-type points
• 20.9 MP APS-C (DX) format CMOS sensor
• Nikon’s Expeed 5 processor shoots 10 frames per second
• Shoots 4K cinematic video
• ISO range of 100–51,200
• Touchscreen display
• Send images and video to your mobile device via the built-in SnapBridge connectivity (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities)