Looking for a new digital camera to capture your subjects from their very best angles? Consider these key features.
1. Compact or digital SLR? Compacts have a self-contained lens and can slip into a pocket or purse. They offer point and shoot simplicity for $300 or less. With bigger digital single-lens reflex cameras, you can use your choice of lenses. They're for serious shooters who want more options and creative control and who are willing to pay $500 or more to start building a system.
2. How many megapixels? A camera with an image sensor of 3 megapixels or more is plenty for photos destined for the Web or brochures. You don't need a larger sensor unless you plan to produce poster-sized prints.
3. Does it have a wide-angle lens? This should be a key consideration. For real estate, a wide-angle lens—28mm or less—is what you need to capture a whole room or the exterior of a home in a single image. Look for a lens that minimizes distortion.
4. What's the zoom? The more powerful the better. Optical zoom is what the camera can actually see and capture; digital zoom is a software function and isn't quite as sharp. For compact cameras, look for 4X or better. For DSLRs, you can find lenses that give you both wide angles and closeups as you zoom in and out.
5. Do I need extra flash? If you plan on shooting a lot of interiors, you'll want more than the built-in flash. Look for a camera with a hot shoe, which connects and synchronizes an auxiliary flash unit with the camera.
6. How big is the screen? Using a compact camera, you'll rely on the LCD screen to frame some shots, review pictures, and perform basic image editing. Consider both the size—ideally 2.5 inches or larger—and the brightness of the screen.
7. Can I shoot video? Look for the ability to record video at 30 frames per second. Optics are also important; some lenses' zoom doesn't work when you use movie mode.
