texashill Loc: Texas Hill Country

I really appreciate this forum; teaches me about things that I didn't know I didn't know. I have come to understand that sensor size correlates to image quality; full frame is superior to smaller sizes. But I don't know much about lenses. As a realtor, I have always used high end point and shoots and my current model has a four thirds size sensor . For compositions purposes, I value the tilting/articulating view finder. I am surely not a professional photographer but I am a professional home shower and I believe that my knowledge of Buyers has led me to appreciate proper view finders that enable me to shoot down on kitchen counters and shoot under tree limbs in a way not possible with a tripod. But I am starting to realize that interchangeable lens cameras also have tilting/articulating views and image stabilization. So my question is: What is gained from using interchangeable lens in terms of image quality? I can see the improvement in my last upgrade; from 1/1.7 to four thirds sensor size. The images are better and I have much better fill light capability in post processing.

In the last year or two, I have noticed some high quality images in the MLS listings. These are high value properties and I believe that they are professionally done. The compositions and the angle selections are poor, in my opinion, but the image quality is better than my camera can produce. I wonder: How much of the difference is because the professional uses a better quality lens, or because they use a larger sensor, or perhaps skill?

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

It sounds like you purchased an Olympus or Panasonic. Both have upper end lenses of 7-14 which are very useful for interiors. The Olympus 7-14 will be my next purchase since the 14mm end of my 14-54 is not really wide enough. I get only 1 to maybe 5 minutes to shoot the rooms for my wife when we review locations. You, fortunately, will have a little more time to setup shots. I have not had time to go to the site here, but there is an architectural section in UHHs where you should be able to get some very good answers for any questions. I think you will find that you camera will be able to better meet your needs with more than a kit lens (an assumption on my part). Write the new lense off in your business expenses.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Current cameras from Olympus and Panasonic use a micro 4/3rds sensor and are capable of creative pictures from a large assortment of interchangeable lenses. You don't necessarily have to use a heavy DSLR.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

The beauty about intercdhangable lenses is that the camera can be tailored for a particular shooting situation.
Also the image quality may be better when the lens that came with the camera ("kit lens") is repaced with another lens.
Some leness also allow perspective correction in camera. These lenses are known as tilt/shift lenses.

The IQ is dependant on the sensor size (there are few variables with this), the lens quality, the lighting (very important) and the skill of the photographer.

I am not a real estate photographer.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

All three are a factors, especially post processing skill.

The other benefits include muscles, endurance, and improved health by schelpping the equipment around.

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

From your discussion, I am guessing you are using a Lumix/Panasonic camera. If that is the case it has Leica lens and that is good glass. We may not be talking about the quality of glass, but rather about what the camera can do and can not do. Another part of the answer might include post-processing.

The sensor is the film of digital cameras. Sony at the moment is leading the way for sensor technology. Sony sensors are in iphones, many Nikons, and at least one Canon, as well as the new 100 mp Phase One camera. Sony mirrorless technology is in the Hubble teleacope. My point is about what your camera can and cannot do because of it's sensor.

Another part of the answer has to the limitations of a short to long zoom lens (all lenses have limitations). Lenses were made to a specific task good. If you decide to get another camera, you may only use one lens (i.e. 24-70mm) for your properties.

I am sure others will give you more technicle things about your question.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

A little of all these but skill is probably the most valuable. You can probably get fine images with equipment that isn't professional grade equipment if you know what you are doing. So it's really hard to answer your question. But if you put a point and shoot in the hands of a pro and put a pro camera with lenses, tripods, lighting etc in the hands of that same pro, you'll see better results. You should google the subject of real estate photography or photographers. I've seen some great articles on how it's done professionally and you can really see what a pro can do with the techniques they use. Most of it's done with lighting. Also, the pros seem to know how to use the available light in and on each property to their advantage.

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

This section http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-122-1.html just might be more specific to the type of shooting you are asking about. It's a new section that many are not aware of yet.

Paul J. Svetlik Loc: Colorado

You didn't mention the size of your intended prints.

Your work - according to your description indicates a dilemma:

!. Convenience
2. Quality

Is the size 16"X 20" about your maximum size?
For the convenience purpose, your equipment is probably sufficient and a larger sensor might not do the magic you are perhaps expecting? A light, smaller sensor camera with a good zoom lens from 20mm to let us say about 600mm, image stabilization, with tilting screen and a hot shoe for auxiliary flash light is hard to beat.

On the other hand, for the quality images, you will definitely need a good solid tripod - especially for those interior, poorly illuminated conditions.
A full frame camera with a load of lenses is great - but a complicated proposition. Imagine a 600mm telephoto in your travel bag?
Good Luck!

texashill Loc: Texas Hill Country

Current camera is a Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II. Specs: Sensor size 1.5″ , 24–120 mm, tilting LCD, Maximum aperture F2.0 - F3.9.

The angle is wide enough for most rooms except small bathrooms. I don't like the way that very wide angles highlight the foreground. I am happy with 24.

My real question is how do fixed lens compare, pertaining to image quality, to interchangeable lens?

texashill Loc: Texas Hill Country

I have noticed :-) My first was a 1 megapixel Kodak in 1998. I didn't even know about image editing software. Some of the photos were very bad but everyone was amazed because, for the first time, people could look inside a home without having to physically go. After a while, I discovered Paint Shop Pro and began to be able to battle some of the biggest problems. I am sure that nothing will ever match the degree of upgrade that discovering image editing software achieved for me. About 2005, I purchased a .28 wide angle Cannon S70. The wide angle and increased megapixels was a big improvement. About 2010, I purchased a .24 wide angle Samsung TL500 with fully articulating LCD. Particularly in photographing kitchens, this was a big improvement as I can hold it over my head and better show countertops and flooring. I can hold a camera over my head right into one corner of a bedroom. Up until a few years ago, MLS systems greatly deteriorated photos and imposed a 640 x 480 limit. Under that circumstance, composition can be emphasized but image quality is lost.

I have since upgraded to Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II. It does a good job and allows me to lighten shadow. But none of my analysis has considered lens quality. All of my cameras have been fixed lens.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Fixed or prime lenses have a slight advantage over a zoom lense in sharpness. Also, they tend to be faster lenses which may not be that important since wide open limits your depth of focus. Still the faster lenses tend to be the higher quality lenses. It also sounds like you might be using only the on camera flash. Getting an external flash, putting it on a bracket, and learning how to bounce the light from the flash will help prevent foreground burnout. Interchangeable lenses will also let you go beyond the 24mm when it is needed for the shot.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

What you are asking is- are interchangeable lenses better that a P&S or a bridge camera, with regard To IQ. The answer is a definite- maybe, maybe not. I know that's a smart ass answer, but it is actually correct. No question the a top quality lens on a top quality camera in a pro's hands will make much better shots that a P&S in an amateur's hands. OK- you don't need a full frame camera to make descent interior photos. A crop frame will do just as well since you nwill most probably not be making large (greater than 16X20) prints. Something like the Canon 70 D (or any other equivilent) will do just fine. You also will need a couple of wide angle, fast prime lenses. I just spent about 5 grand of your money. Not to mention that if you are not a pretty good photographer, you won't make descent photos anyway. So my advice is to hire a pro.

birdpix Loc: South East Pennsylvania

The single biggest factor in RE photography is lighting. Broad, even lighting with well lit shadows that can even be balanced with the outdoor view through the window. Since nearly all of these photos are going to be viewed on a computer screen, resolution is rarely an issue. A smaller sensor will give you more depth of field f/stop for f/stop over a full frame sensor. A tilt/shift lens might be a help but simply keeping the camera level fore and aft is more important to keeping the verticals from converging. I have done some of this work for my wife. I understand what needs to happen here.

texashill Loc: Texas Hill Country

Exactly, yes, that is my question. I have experience in seeing what an increase in sensor size can accomplish. But I have no experience in upgrading lenses. In other words: how would my Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II fixed lense compare with an interchangeable lens on a camera body with comparable size sensor? Based on the answers that I am receiving, I am beginning to conclude that my fixed lense may be pretty good. No company makes a full frame fixed lense but if they did then, based upon the answers that I am receiving, that would be my next purchase and I am wondering why and I am wondering what is gained from using interchangeable lens other than super zoom for shooting a bird or something?