This article uses affiliate links
The 6 Best Nikon Lenses for Real Estate Photography in 2024
The best Nikon lenses for real estate photography are going to be their wide angle lenses that produce extremely sharp photos.
The best lens for Nikon DSLRs is the Nikon 16-35mm f4 ED VR and the best lens for Nikon Z Mirrorless cameras is the Nikon Z 14-30mm F4 S.
If you want to learn more and check out some other options, including the best budget choices, read on!
Table of Contents
The Best Nikon Lenses for Real Estate Photography
The best Nikon lenses for real estate photography will all have a few things in common:
- Wide focal lengths to show as much of the room as possible
- Zoom capabilities so you can narrow in on the perfect composition
- Good low-light performance
- The ability to produces very sharp images
These 4 qualities are extremely important since they are going to help you create the best real estate photos possible.
Personally, when I used to shoot with my Nikon D750 (read a full review of the D750 here) I used the Nikon 16-35mm F4 listed below and absolutely loved it for daily real estate photography.
I even used it after upgrading to my Nikon Z7ii (read a full review of the Z7ii here) using the FTZ adaptor, but have since purchased the Nikon Z 14-30mm F4 S and I have to say, it’s easily my favorite lens for real estate photography now.
Both lenses are excellent and great choices depending on what Nikon camera you have. However, there are other good options from Nikon as well.
Here’s our list of the best Nikon lenses for real estate photography:
Best Nikon Lenses for Real Estate Photography: Budget Options
Normally, I would not recommend this lens for real estate photographers. BUT, if you are on a tight budget and want to get started as soon as possible, this lens can get you there.
It’s a kit lens, so it won’t be the sharpest, but it does give you great focal lengths at an extremely cheap price point. You’ll want to upgrade once you have the budget, but this will get you started.
Pros:
- Extremely affordable
- Decent focal lengths
Cons:
- Kit lens quality
- Plastic build
- Not very sharp
Nikon AF-P DX 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR
The Nikon 10-20mm DX will give you sharp photos at a focal length that’s going to be great for interiors. You can also buy it brand new at a very affordable price.
The only issue that you’ll run into with this lens is getting those tighter shots necessary for details and some exteriors.
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Good focal length for interiors
- Good sharpness
Cons:
- No focal length for tighter shots
- Will need to buy another lens eventually to pair with it
Best Nikon Lenses for Real Estate Photography: Top Overall Options
Nikon 16-35mm f4 ED VR
As stated in the the beginning of this article, this is the lens I used to use for the bulk of my real estate photography work. It’s wide enough to capture the entire room without creating too much distortion and narrow enough to get tighter shots.
In my opinion, this lens offers you the best value for price and quality. I love this lens and it was a workhorse for me, so naturally I highly recommend it.
Pros:
- Perfect focal lengths for interiors
- Strong build quality
- Extremely sharp
Cons:
- Somewhat expensive
Nikon 14-24mm f2.8G ED
Although the 14-24mm offers you less focal lengths that the 16-35mm above, if you are the type of real estate photographer that loves shooting really wide, this lens is extremely sharp and fantastic in low light conditions.
If you value the F2.8 aperture that this lens has over the F4 aperture of the 16-35mm above, this is the lens for you.
Pros:
- Strong build quality
- Extremely sharp
- Excellent low light performance
Cons:
- Small range of focal lengths
- Expensive
Best Nikon Lenses for Real Estate Photography: Mirrorless Options
Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S
A top option for Nikon mirrorless lenses for real estate photography. This 14-24mm f/2.8 S offers excellent focal lengths for interior photos and produces extremely sharp images.
It’s great in low light and one of the best mirrorless lenses from Nikon period. Much like the DSLR 14-24mm F2.8 listed above, if you always shoot very wide angle images and value the F2.8 aperture, this is the lens for you.
Pros:
- Top quality lens
- Extremely sharp
- Great focal lengths
Cons:
- Expensive
- Ideally would have tighter focal length
Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S
This is the lens that I currently use every single day for real estate photography. It pairs perfectly with my Nikon Z7ii and is pretty much the ideal focal lengths for real estate photography.
To me, the difference in focal lengths is more important than the F4 vs F2.8 apertures, which made this Nikon Z 14-30mm F4 S the perfect lens for me. As you can guess, I highly recommend it to anyone with a mirrorless Nikon camera.
Check out our article, Nikon Z 14-30mm F4 Review for Real Estate Photography, to read a complete review with sample images.
Pros:
- Extremely sharp
- Great focal lengths
- Good build quality
Cons:
- Somewhat expensive
Recommendations on the Best Nikon Lenses for Real Estate Photography
The Nikon 16-35mm f4 is just such an amazing value for its quality and price that it’s my top recommended lens for anyone with a Nikon DSLR. It offers the perfect focal length for real estate photography is as super sharp.
If you have a Nikon Z Series (mirrorless) you can still use any Nikon lens by purchasing the Nikon FTZ Mount Adaptor, which means you can still use the 16-35mm mentioned above.
Although, I have to say that I much prefer to use the Nikon Z 14-30mm rather than use the 16-35mm with the FTZ adaptor. If you’re in the market for a mirrorless Nikon lens, the Z 14-35m is the best overall choice and I highly recommend it.
Finally, I have to caution against buying the 18-55mm kit lens. Although it is the best option for someone with a very small budget, you’re just going to have to buy a better lens in the future.
It’s always better to spend a little more now and make one purchase than have to buy another lens in a few months because you aren’t happy with the quality.
Additional Resources
Give our article, Best Nikon Camera for Real Estate Photography, a read to see which camera will best be paired with your new Nikon lens.
If you’re just getting started in real estate photography, check out our Beginners Guide. It’s full of helpful articles and tips that will guide you in the right direction as you begin your real estate photography journey.
You can check out our Gear section as well to see reviews and recommendations on the latest real estate photography gear.
If you’re more interested in other resources that can help your real estate photography business, check out our Business Resources page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What focal length is best for real estate photography?
What is the best aperture for real estate photography?
In general, the best aperture for real estate photography is going to be right around f8. F8 is open enough to allow a good amount of light to enter the camera while also being closed enough to keep everything in good focus.
How many megapixels do I need for real estate photography?
24 megapixels is the general consensus for the minimum amount needed for real estate photography. Slightly less is manageable, but most professional cameras will have at least 24 megapixels.
