Continuing my series on what to look for in a camera you intend to use to photograph items for eBay purposes today I’m wrapping up my list of ideal camera features and providing the names of specific brands to consider purchasing.
So what are some other components you want to look for in a camera you plan to use to shoot online auction material? Take a look:
Aperture Setting. Aperture refers to the lens opening. The ability to select a smaller lens opening allows you to achieve depth of field. Basically, you want a camera that is going to be able to focus on items that are close to you and far away without losing focus.
Exposure Adjustment. This feature has to do with the camera’s internal light meter. Since most eBay sellers shoot their auction items against white backgrounds you need a camera that can adjust for overexposure.
White Balance Adjustment. The role of a camera’s white balance feature is to account for different color temperatures of light. Almost all cameras have an automatic white balance, but if you are using your camera for shooting auction items you want to make sure you get one that allows you to manually select the white balance between daylight, fluorescent and incandescent.
Tripod Connector. Almost all cameras have a standard tripod screw mount located on the bottom. If you are a serious eBay seller you know how important it is to use a tripod when shooting auction items. A tripod allows you to avoid blurred shots that occur when you are shooting freehand.
As for specific cameras to look for, currently Casio is the only camera on the market that offers an eBay Best Shot mode. The feature is exclusive to the Casio EXILIM line of digital cameras. As I mentioned in a previous blog, the feature allows you to take photos at a size that is image optimized for display on the Internet auction site. The eBay Best Shot mode includes Auto Macro, an ideal setting for capturing images of small items such as jewelry. The camera also automatically adjusts the focus from capturing fine details in close up shots to documenting large items from a distance.
Nikon, Sony and Canon all offer cameras that feature the eBay friendly components I listed above (and in previous blogs). The Nikon 2100 and the Nikon 3100 both fall into the “affordable” category retailing in the $100-$200 range.
I prefer to shoot with Canon cameras. The Canon PowerShot A70 and A75 are great cameras for shooting items you plan to list on eBay. The prices for the Canon cameras range from $200-$300.
Finally, I know a few eBay sellers who own Sony Cybershot cameras. They too include all the features I outlined above. The mid-range models are priced in the $300 range.
Related Articles:
More Tips on How to Choose the Right eBay Camera
Choosing the Right eBay Camera
Photography Potpourri–More Matting Tips and the Perfect Camera for eBay Users
The World’s Slimmest Digital Camera
Digital Photography 101: Choosing The Perfect Ultra Compact Camera
Digital Photography 101: Picking The Perfect Camera
Cameras: Knowing When To Upgrade