Looking for a low budget camera with 0.5 zoom.

[Zoe]

These new cell phones/iphones can take professional quality pictures if you know what you are doing.

You may have to put it on a camera stand so it is not moving and make al the adjustments. It has good flash on it too. Pretty decent flashlight if you need it at night.

Battery charge last longer on the newer models. Of course you can charge it while your riding too. Or even use a small backup mobile charger.

they can do video. You can video on the subject.

 

[Zoe]

You see all these reports on news now where somebody videoed the subject and probably sell it to the news station.

Police will pay for information like that in some cases.

 

[Tom4value]

I started using a digital camera back before we sent appraisals digitally, in the 90’s. Had one camera for about 6 years….ancient for a digital camera in those days. Finally, half way though an inspection, it remembered that it wasn’t supposed to last that long and quit. In a pinch, I used my phone to finish the inspection and appraisal. I was amazed that it took better photos than my camera! In my come to Jesus moment, I realized that I always had my phone (no forgetting the camera at home), it was always charged (no batteries to die halfway through an inspection) and I always upgraded the phone every 2 years.

For single family appraisals I now use my iPhone with Inspect-a-Lot and my phone for condos and multis. Haven’t looked back.

 

[Fernando]

I'm very picky how my photos look in my report.
When I go on driveby and have my daughter or wife take photo of comps, I'm not satisfy with their photo takin from the car. It takes skill to take that "perfect" comp photo to be put into my report.
Anyone can randomly take photos with cell phone but iphone doesn't capture the photos interiorly and exteriorly I desire.

 

[Digger88]

I love reading how everyone does pics different and how much attention they pay to comp pics. In case you were wondering, lol... no one cares what your comp pics look like it's just to prove you were there. As soon as cell phone pics became acceptable, I'm thinking 640 x 480 my brick cameras were done.

Thousands and thousands of comp pics later shot through dirty windshields, rain covered side windows with the side mirrors and car interiors in frame (further proof I took them) and the reverse over the shoulder blurry pic so the homeowner doesn't see me as I drive past. Nary a complaint. From Casio/Nokia indestructotrons to top line Samsung/iPhones never lost one to damage or rain too. Just stick it in your arm pit when not in use.

As for the .5 or .6 zoom this is a must for 1 shot wide angle room pics. No distortion just a wide angle setting perfect for point-click-go and the zoom feature on cells is a quick index finger swipe while you're pointing at the house! What's not to like

 

[Fernando]

I take pride in my photos. It does take skill and I hope readers appreciate my "quality" photos which fit well into my story telling report.
Otherwise you can just be a PDC and take whatever photo.
Anyone can be a PDC collector.
It's my pet peeve if appraisers can't take good photos. It should come naturally. And iphones never good in capturing good appraisal photos.

 

[Digger88]

I take pride in my photos. It does take skill and I hope readers appreciate my "quality" photos which fit well into my story telling report.

It doesn't and I can assure you they don't

 

[Fernando]

Notice even my avatar I tried to take good photos.
If not appraiser, I think I would have been an artist or some job being creative.
Then again, my appraisal reports can be creative and made into a convincing story.

 

[TC]

I take pride in my photos. It does take skill and I hope readers appreciate my "quality" photos which fit well into my story telling report.
Otherwise you can just be a PDC and take whatever photo.
Anyone can be a PDC collector.
It's my pet peeve if appraisers can't take good photos. It should come naturally. And iphones never good in capturing good appraisal photos.

Hey, I resemble that remark! I use a Canon with a 16mm wide-angle lens. I thought most appraisers were camera geeks.

 

[TerryRohrer]

The same standard of care is typically applied through most or all aspects of developing and reporting an appraisal. Rare are appraisal reports that are sound and meticulous in all aspects, but with intentionally shoddy photos.