Camera Equipment
If you have a camera already it may be fine for this job.
If you do not have a camera please see our recommendation below.
We recommend the Nikon CoolPix 5000 camera. We have had great results with this camera and you are able to find them in good condition on eBay for around $70.00 to $200.00
You will also need a top-mount flash, tri-pod and a wide angle lens.  If you need help locating a camera contact us.
The flash we recommend for the above camera is (Sunpak Auto 433AF) eBay $30 - $80
The wide angle lens we recommend for the above camera is (Nikon WC-E68)  eBay $15 - $40
The wide angle lens StepDown Ring Adapter For Coolpix 5000 (Nikon UR-E5)  eBay $4 - $18

Wide Angle Lens - The wide angle lens needs to be 35mm or wider. If you have a built in wide angle and its not at least 35mm you will need to purchase a separate wide angle lens for your camera.
What To Look For When Buying A New Camera
 
Like all things technology related, digital cameras get better and cost less every year. If your camera is 4+ years old you should consider replacing it with a new one. There are a variety of small, easy-to-use, high quality cameras in the $300 -$400 price range that will take great real estate photos.

Things to consider:

Megapixels - Contrary to popular belief, more megapixels does not mean better pictures. It just means that you will have the ability to create larger pictures (like 8X10 or larger) at full density - hardly a necessity for most real estate photos.
While most cameras today have 5+ megapixels, anything more than 3 megapixels for online photo use is excess. Additionally, photos taken at the maximum size will take substantially longer to upload to the Internet. You can either change the photo size setting in your camera or reduce the size of the photos after they have been downloaded to your computer to reduce "upload" time.

Top Mount Flash - It is very important that the camera you choose has a top mount flash attachment or hot shoe.
If you are not able to attach a top mount flash on to the camera you may be able to purchase a slave flash attachment.
If you have to purchase a slave flash for your camera we suggest calling a local camera shop to make sure of the correct one to purchase. Many slave flash attachments do not work on all cameras.

Camera Size - Compact "Point and Shoot" cameras have the advantage of size and convenience. Their disadvantage comes in some areas that are important to real estate photos. Typically, their "low light" capability and the "maximum width" of their lenses are not as good as a larger camera. But there are a few compact point and shoot cameras that will provide the features you need, as noted below. Also with the small compact cameras you may not be able to attach a wide angle lens.
Also - Small compact cameras the size of a credit card do not give the customer the impression that you are a professional. In this business - the impression you give the customer is very important. This is just another reason we require the use of a tri-pod camera stand. It's all about the impression our customers have and the quality of the photos they receive.

Quality - Newer cameras (less than 2 years old) will usually have improved image processing chips and software so the quality of the photos will typically be better than an older camera of the same caliber. Higher priced cameras in the same megapixel range as lower priced cameras will typically have better image processing chips, software and lenses which will result in better photo quality. In other words, you usually get what you pay for.

Features to look for:

Low Light Capability - Interior shots are almost always taken in "low light" conditions so it is important to get a camera with a good "low light" sensitivity rating (referred to as the "ISO range"). Cameras with average to poor low light sensitivity will produce grainier photos in low light situations. A lower priced camera will typically not have as high an ISO range as a similar higher priced camera. Your camera choice should produce good quality photos at 800 ISO or higher.

Wide Angle Lens - Most Point and Shoot cameras have a minimum focal length of 35+ mm. A few cameras have a minimum focal length of 28mm which will take a wider angle photo without distorting the picture. While the difference between 28mm and 35 mm doesn't sound like much, getting more of a room into the shot is important when taking real estate photos. You will need a camera that allows you to attach a wide angle lens. The built in wide angle cameras just have not with our experience produced a wide enough photo. This is something we advertise to our clients - Super Wide Photos - We recommend checking on eBay for a wide angle lens attachment for your camera.

Image Stabilization - A camera with image stabilization will reduce natural hand shake and take a clearer photo. Also, in low light conditions the shutter stays open longer to let more light in making image stabilization even more important, since so many real estate photos are shot in low light conditions. Sine we do require the use of a tri-pod - this will help with any image stabilization problems you may have. The photographers that show up with Tri-pods will receive less customer complaints.