The Best Real Estate Video Equipment For Any Budget In 2023
It’s no secret that video is key to any real estate agent’s business in today’s market. But oftentimes the cost of paying a professional videographer can be upwards of a thousand dollars per video!
Back in 2017, I decided that I would purchase the equipment and learn the skills to make my own real estate video. I figured the initial investment in the real estate video equipment would pay itself back after a few videos. Plus, then I’d have an excellent quality camera for other real estate (and family) videos I wanted to make! I mean, the equipment is a tax deduction after all!
Since that time, I’ve created real estate listing videos, vlogs, and tutorial videos for YouTube. I’ve learned a ton about real estate video equipment and it’s become a hobby of mine to stay up-to-date with the latest and greatest! The question I get asked most often is, “What do you use to make your videos?”
In this post, I’ll share all the current real estate video equipment I use for filming and editing. Also, I’ll explain why I’ve chosen it. This post is the culmination of four years of trial-and-error. I finally feel like today I’ve compiled what’s the most value-based combination of real estate video equipment.
The equipment on this page is my current setup. If you’re looking for other options, both cheaper and more expensive, check out my post on the best real estate cameras between $500 to $5,000.
I’ll continue to update this list over time with my latest setup and recommendations.
Types of Real Estate Video I Create
When you’re learning how to shoot real estate video, there are three main types of videos you can shoot:
Real Estate Listing Videos
Most real estate agents are familiar with listing videos as a means to showcase a home’s interior and exterior for prospective buyers. Impress your clients and get professional quality footage with the right camera equipment. Below is an example of a listing video I’ve filmed using my equipment.
Vlogs
If you want to get more personal with your audience, vlogs are the perfect way to achieve a more intimate connection. Use vlogging as a form of real estate content marketing to attract more organic traffic to your YouTube channel, create a closer relationship with your clients, and give them a glimpse into your daily life. You should make sure your vlogs have just as good video and audio quality as your other videos. Below is an example of a vlog I’ve filmed.
Talking Head Videos
Talking head videos are the perfect way to deliver information, whether your audience is buyers and sellers or other Realtors. Your audience comes to your video as a resource to learn something new or to answer a question they have. In talking head videos, you are sitting or standing directly in front of the camera, and the video is typically focused on your face as you speak. Below is an example of a talking head style video from my YouTube channel.
My Real Estate Video Equipment
My $1000 Camera Combo (Best Budget Setup)
The Sony ZV-1 digital camera is perfect for content creators who want to produce high-quality videos and photos. With a 20.1 megapixel stacked back-illuminated 1” Exmor RS CMOS sensor, large-aperture 24-70mm F1.8-2.8 ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T lens, and fast Hybrid Autofocus, this camera will help you take great shots and videos with ease. The Side flip-out 3.0” LCD screen also makes it easy to compose selfie shots and talking head style videos.
This lens pairs great with the Sony ZV-E10 for talking-head style videos with buttery smooth backgrounds. For just over $1000 with the camera, this lens/camera combo is one of the best for the money, in my opinion.
My More Expensive Setup ($3000)
If you’re wondering how to shoot real estate videos, you’re probably wondering what camera you should get. The Sony Alpha 7C is the fourth digital camera I’ve owned, and it perfectly balances features and portability. It’s a full-frame, mirrorless camera, 4K quality video, and 120fps footage.
Before this camera came out, I used a Sony A7III, which lacks a screen you can flip around for vlogging. The Sony A7C adds this feature, and it’s a bit smaller and cheaper than the A7III. If you’re looking for a mid-range camera, the Sony Alpha 7C is a great option.
Out of all the wide-angle lenses I've used for Sony e-mount cameras, this Tamron 17-28mm f2.8 lens has the best overall value when paired with a full-frame Sony camera. The Tamron 17-28mm gives you that perfect wide-angle shot, and the f2.8 aperture creates a blurry background that is perfect for vlogs or shooting home interiors for real estate listing videos. The Tamron 17-28mm lens is available for under $800, a bargain compared to other lenses. It's also compact and lightweight, making it easier to carry along with you on a full day of shooting.
Microphone and Speakers
If you are learning how to shoot real estate videos for any reason, it's essential to realize that audio quality is often more important than video quality. Many people will not watch your video if the audio is muffled and unclear. The Rode Video Mic Pro mounts on top of your DSLR and picks up better audio than the camera's internal microphone can. The audio quality is not as good as my Shure selection below but that's more for a stationary studio setup, while the Rode is for the on-the-go.
Good audio separates the videos that get watched from those that get passed up. It amazes me that people will create video content but not invest in a quality microphone. This USB mic has excellent quality audio and best of all, plugs into your USB port on your computer. This is a great addition to a 1080p or 4k webcam. You can either have it sit on your desk or mount it on a mic arm (linked below). For nearly half of 2019, I rocked a webcam (linked below) and this mic for all my YouTube videos. This is the best audio quality you'll get for your video but is limited to mostly being used in a studio with a computer nearby.
This mic arm clamps to your desk and allows you to swivel your mic back and forth and set it in the perfect position, about a fist length away from your mouth. When you’re done recording you can swivel the whole setup out of the way to keep a clean workspace. In addition, it comes with a cable management system to hide the mic cord and keep things nice and tidy.
OneOdio Studio headphones deliver powerful bass and comfort, perfect for DJing, mixing, monitoring, or listening to music. The soft padded ear cushions are designed to monitor headphones' comfort and noise isolation. At the same time, the headband is adjustable and stretchable to find the desired angle you like to fit in.
With the DJ-style coiled cord (9.8Ft Stretched) quickly reaching from the TV or stereo to your chair, both the headphone cable and plug are completely detachable.
Good speakers can be beneficial if you are creating video content, making Zoom calls through your computer, watching videos, or just listening to music.
These Edifier Bookshelf speakers are less than a hundred dollars on Amazon and offer high sound quality for your buck.
Real Estate Video Lighting
The Aputure AL-M9 is the best small, external LED light. Use it when you don't have enough light or when you want to create backlighting in your video or image background.
If you plan to shoot any video outside, you will need this filter. If you want to achieve that cinematic look in your outdoor videos, you'll need a neutral density filter on your lenses. All of the Tamron lenses linked above will work with this Tiffen 67mm filter.
This Neewer 700W Professional Photography Lighting Kit is a great way to get started in studio photography. It includes three light heads, three light stands, a softbox, and a carrying case. The light heads are adjustable, so you can control the direction and intensity of the light. The softbox diffuses the light, making it more flattering for portraits. And the carrying case makes it easy to take your lighting gear with you wherever you go.
The GVM RGB LED Video Lighting Kit is a set of three lighting kits that have been designed to be used in conjunction with your DSLR camera. The kit includes a key light, fill light, and backlight. These lights are multi-purpose and can be used for many different situations. Whether you’re shooting an interview, taking photos of your family, or even filming the latest viral video, these lights will bring it all together! I use two of these lights to add color to my background in my videos and one as a fill light in front of me.
Video Editing Computer
Introducing the new 2020 Apple MacBook Pro with an all-new design, an 8-core CPU for powerful performance, and up to 20 hours of battery life. The MacBook Pro also has the longest battery life ever in a Mac, so you can get more done on the go.
This ultra-rugged and sleek USB-C portable drive is ready to take on any challenge. From the office to the outdoors, it’s built to withstand a 6.6 ft drop onto concrete, crush resistance of 1 ton, and water resistance of IP56 (1 m for 30 min). Transfer data quickly with USB 3.0 speeds up to 130MB/s and use the reversible USB-C cable for connecting your latest computers. LaCie also includes a standard USB 3.0 adapter for legacy computers so you can easily access all your files from one device.
A wireless keyboard that’s crafted for comfort and precision. The Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad has a full-size keyboard in a sleek, compact design that won’t take up your valuable desk space. And it pairs immediately with your iPad Pro or iPad (5th generation). It also works seamlessly with your Mac computer and requires no setup. So you can start typing right away.
This Apple Wireless Keyboard is made of aluminum, and the keys are individually backlit for precise typing—even in the dark.
The new and improved Magic Mouse from Apple is perfect for anyone looking for an easy-to-use, responsive mouse. With its sleek design and low profile, it can be used on almost any surface. The Magic Mouse also has a built-in rechargeable battery that lasts up to a month on a single charge, and it's easily charged using the included Lightning cable.
A stunning view: The three-sided ultrathin bezel design in 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) resolution lets you enjoy immersive viewing in incredible clarity and fine detail with 4 times the resolution of Full HD. Supports HDR content playback for a more lifelike visual experience.
Beautiful look: Modern, elegant design with a subtle textured pattern at the back of the monitor has its own unique look. It brings the feeling of a harmonious blend of great style and quality into every living space.
Leisure gaming: Smooth, tear-free experience with AMD FreeSync technology
Newer Mac laptops don’t offer a variety of ports.
One solution to this USB C Docking Station. It not only provides an answer to the port problem but can charge your laptop at the same time using a single cord.
This dock has plugs for SD cards, a headphone and microphone jack, USB plugs, USB-C plugs, ethernet cables, and even a DVI port for your monitor.
Video Editing Software
When you’re learning how to shoot real estate videos, editing is a crucial step of the process. Final Cut Pro X and Adobe Premier are the two best editing programs. Since I use a MacBook, Final Cut Pro X was the logical choice for me. It’s easier to learn, and it utilizes your Mac’s hardware better than Adobe Premier.
LUTs are a photo editing tool that makes it look like you used an Instagram filter on your entire video. I use Cody Blue’s Tahoe LUT, which works with both Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro X. It’s available for download online, and it makes your footage look cinematic.
To load the Cody Blue Tahoe LUT into your Final Cut Pro X software, you’ll need to install a LUT loader. The FCPX LUT loader works excellent and is available for free.
Real Estate Video Camera Accessories
- [5.7inch FHD Screen] Feelworld F6 native resolutions 1920x1080. 450 nits brightness. 1400:1 High contrast.With sunshade included. An ideal monitor for indoor and outdoor shootings.
- [Swivel Arm] Tiny smart swivel arm which can mount on camera hot shoe and adjust the viewing angles of the monitor. There is a clod shoe on the side of the arm which can attach the microphone or other on-camera staff.
- [Smart 8V DC power output]The monitor with the DC 8V power output interface, with the help of the DC coupler(Not included), DSLR cameras can drain the power from the monitor’s back battery pack. (Include F550 battery and battery chargers)
Looking for a tripod that can do it all? Look no further than the SwitchPod Tripod for DSLR Cameras. This tripod is perfect for traveling, as it folds up to a compact size and fits easily into your luggage. It's also great for shooting video or photos in tight spaces, as it can be rotated 360 degrees. And don't forget about its versatility - the SwitchPod Tripod for DSLR Cameras can be used as a traditional tripod or converted into a monopod!
This SwitchPod Ball Head Aluminum Mount is the perfect way to mount your SwitchPod. It's made of aluminum for durability and has a ball head for easy adjustment.
When shooting RAW images and 4K videos, having a large memory card is extremely important. There is something called a buffer in your camera, which temporarily stores your videos and images before saving them to the memory card. If you are shooting multiple photos at once or plan to take a 4K video, you'll want a UHS-II memory card so that you can fit all your files. This memory card is more expensive but works much faster than the previous UHS-I version.
When you are on the go with your equipment, you’ll need a place to keep it all organized and protected.
I really like the LowePro Protactic 450 AW Camera Backpack. It offers a really great amount of storage compartments and is fairly lightweight for how much it can hold.
Avoid tangled cables with this Cable Management travel bag. It stores massive amounts of cables to keep your camera bag or home office organized.
Use the MindShift Gear Filter Pouch to store all your camera's filters and keep them organized.
These Elastic Cable ties can be used to bundle your cords together and keep them from getting tangled. You can also use these to strap items onto your backpack.
The Lavalier Microphone is perfect for capturing audio when you're more than five feet away from the camera or for cutting back on external noise in your filming environment.
Lightweight and compact, DJI Ronin-SC is the perfect camera stabilizer for filmmakers and content creators in almost any situation. With the Ronin app and Ronin-SC working together seamlessly, you can achieve smooth, precise gimbal movement at all times, allowing you to focus more on creating the shot that matches your vision. Even in action-packed scenes, Ronin-SC gives a perfectly stable shot. Continuous stabilization makes it more effective in fast follows, sudden motions, and even complete changes in direction.
Additional Real Estate Video Equipment
The DJI Mavic 2 Pro has been one of the most significant additions to my current equipment list. The Mavic 2 Pro is my third drone, and it's by far the best "prosumer" drone out there for the price. With a 1" camera sensor, the image and video quality from this small drone is remarkable! Compared to the drone's original version, the DJI Mavic 2 has better HDR, hyper-lapse, shoot in lower light, and make use of a more accurate "follow me" mode. I prefer this drone over the Mavic 2 Zoom because of the better video quality. You can also imitate the zoom ability of the Mavic 2 Zoom with the Mavic 2 Pro when you're editing in post-production.
You aren't always going to have your big DSLR camera with you whenever you need to film video or capture an image. When this happens, you need to film with whatever you have on you, which is likely your smartphone. For this very reason, you should look for a smartphone with a good quality camera. I use the iPhone 12 Pro. The camera on this phone is the best on the market. You can shoot incredible 4k and 120fps videos with ease. It may not have the bokeh as a DSLR would, but it will do just fine in a pinch. I use the max version because it has a larger screen, but the regular version works just as well.
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I’ve helped hundreds of real estate agents, team leaders, & brokers all over the country increase their sales, online presence, and create scalable systems. I would love the opportunity to work with you. Together, we can make this year your best yet!
Hi Kyle,
This is Sondra from your team. (Still hanging out at the beach in Corpus waiting for my Texas license to come in so I can actually work)
I am planning to start using video for my business soon. Any day. So, thanks for sharing this list of equipment that you are using. I had not even thought about filters.
Nice to see that the Sony camera batteries are lasting better than the ones that came with the model that I bought a few years ago.