I recognize my own limitations and my Sellers appreciate professional photographs every time . . .  one of the reasons they approach me in the first place.

interesting question - will be back to read the responses

Suzanne and Chris Rumsey go to a camera store and tell them what you need it for and they will suggest a product that will meet your requirements. 

I have enjoyed reading the answers to this question, and have learned a lot.  Thanks for asking the question!

I have a Nikon D5100 and it works very very well.  I have 4 lenses

We have a Canon DLSR and I think its a Sigma wide angle lens.  Also a Canon detachable flash.  Works really good on auto setting.  Just don't take too wide of pictures as thing "curve" in the photos.  I've shown several buyers homes recently with really nice photos with the perfect soft, warm lighting.  I'm talking Fine Living magazine perfect.  The first things buyers say when we walk in, "Well, this isn't like the photos".  So get a nice camera, lens and flash and take good photos, but keep it real.  I also NEVER photoshop or retouch digitally. I've seen some grass in front yards retouched due to pet urine.  You see the true front yard when you get there.  I think it's a little unethical.   I know great photos get people in the house, but I also don't want them to be let down when they walk into a home.  Many buyers just get frustrated and feel a little "tricked".

What is your budget and what is your background and interest in photography?  Will you be using the camera for other types of photography?  Are you looking for automatic settings or do you want full manual control with sophisticated editing abilities?  Do you have a preference for certain brand names for glass?  These are only a small number of questions that would need answers for recommendations.

Find a reputable camera shop and try them out. Learning features from a tiny owner's manual without hands on use is difficult at best Suzanne & Chris. If it's not easy to use or understand the features it does you no good. Don't get carried away with "wide-angle" lenses. There is such thing as too much of a good thing in real estate photography! Happy hunting.

To do it right, you need a camera with a detachable flash and you need to spend $$ on additional "slave" lights.  This can run in the thousands, especially if you go the DSLR route.

I use my Nexus 6p phone, it has an HD 18mp camera and 4k Ultra HD video camera.  In most lighting situations, it does a fantastic job.  I've had several compliments on my photos.  Had a waterfall shot where you could see the individual water drops from the waterfall's spray.

I photograph homes with the Canon 5D Mark III, usually with a Canon 16-35mm f2,8L wide-angle lens.

Whatever you do, buy a camera body with a full-frame sensor. Otherwise you are just wasting the power of whatever expensive, high-quality lenses you might buy.

Go online and get yourself a copy of Stan Barron's e-book, "How to Photograph Houses" (you can download it free).  You might also want to check out the kenrockwell.com website for camera and lens reviews, such as his review of the Canon 5D Mark III.

Hi Suzanne & Chris - I use a Nikon D40x for real estate stuff, and my go-to lens is an 18-50mm Nikkor. If I wasn't competent at Photoshop, however, I'd probably use a professional - Photoshop keeps me in the game, but it's a steep learning curve. You might want to look at Photoshop Elements, about $70 on Amazon - has everything you need except time to learn it :)

There is so much more than just throwing money at equipment to consider. I suggest taking an architechural photo course at your local adult evening college; it could save you alot of money and trouble.

There is no one right answer. Many cameras will work even with the kit lenses that come with them. Set a max price because cameras with accessories can run from $500.00 to $5000.00 +. Check out www.dpreview.com.

I have a Canon and like it.  I know Dick Greenberg got a new camera about a year or so ago and he is very happy with it. 

Suzanne and Chris Rumsey Any good DSLR camera will take good photos. It's the person behind the lens that will determine an average snapshot vs. a great photograph.

I'm with Susan Emo, hire a professional.

Hire a professional photographer! But if you want a camera for yourself anyhow, I have a Sony, and I have heard good things about Canon. And that professional can recommend cameras for your budget

I'll be watching for the techy replies.  Mostly I'd say having a professional take photographs would be worthwhile... and, dare I say, becoming expected.  

Like Susan Emo and unless it is for a lease listing, I prefer to have a professional photographer.  I am fortunate that I  know some photograhers that if I was inclined to take my own photos, I would seek their advice.  Of course followed by a nice lunch.   

I like the canon EOS but my son's mother-in-law takes photos of weddings and families.  As a professional photograher she recommends Nikons.

I can't help on the lenses, but I can share that I've noticed that the professional photographers I used, all seem to shoot with digital NIkon camera except one that uses a Minolta. Those are the two brands I see consistently. I pay attention, because I'm a photo-hobbiest. I love shooting photos & videos.

I have a Nikon, but would prefer to have a professional photograph most of my listings.   If it is a small condo, or a home in bad repair, I will take them, but they aren't that good.

Look at the Canon website for your selection and check the prices on Amazon.

I have a great camera with a wide angle lens, but while I'm a decent photographer, I use a professional for my listing photos.

What is your comfort level with a camera? Start there. Some have more bells and whistles than others. There are a lot of great ones out there, and a lot of them have a wide angle lens built in. 

Suzanne and Chris,

It is important to know what you can do better than anyone else, which is why we would hire a professional.  Everyone rags on FISBO's and many agents act exactly like FISBO's.  We are professionals, not jack of all trades, that is our opinion.  A

Keep it simple and cheap, take lots of pics and pick out the best.