Hi all,
New inspector here and have been learning a lot from this forum. Thanks to all!
Does anyone have a recommendation for a camera with decent wifi capabilities? The camera I bought loses connection with my phone anytime it gets more than about 15 ft away from my phone on my camera pole. I’m ideally looking for something under $200 or so.
Thanks!
Amanda
A decent digital camera under $200 with wifi? Let us all know when you find one.
Welcome to the forum Amanda,
Very hard to find these days, you might want to check pawn shops. I’ve been using Canon SX610 for years, if you can find one. SX600, 620 also work well.
Used cameras on Ebay work well also - just be sure to buy from a reputable seller (someone with good review numbers).
From what I’ve seen, used digital cameras on Ebay, etc. are significantly more expensive than a few years ago since new ones are barely being manufactured compared to a few years ago. Our industry is a great example - How many of us carried a digital camera 10 years ago? Basically, all of us. How many carry one now? Pretty few I’d guess. It’s all app-based on our phones now.
They are trying to phase out the stand alone cameras in lieu of the “phones” to collect data.
Thanks all! Very helpful. I’ll check out these recs.
Matt, that’s good insight to know many are just using phones. I’d been told by some veteran inspectors to use a point-and-shoot, not a phone, for better quality - but phones are so good now that maybe they are outpacing the point-and-shoots.
Yeah, I was one of the last hold-outs…. I was still using a Cannon digital but am back working for my old company (that I sold) and the new owner went to Spectora so now I’m starring at my phone all day 
Morning, Amanda. Hope to find you well.
Bridge camera? Point and shoot? That is all I used over 15 years in the industry. I have 5 point and shoot hi zoom wifi carcases on my dinning room table. I am hard on cameras.
First professional tool.Lumix FX45. Back then it was $485.00. I paid 1/2 price at Sears, now defunct. Use to be the first person to order certain electronic products not in stock paid 50%. The sales people knew me at Sears.
Then Sony Cyber Shot. Best buys. ><$400.00.
This topic has come up before and unfortunately point and shoot bridge cameras cameras have increased in price, when available, at least 2 fold.
Good price. Bridge camera. Point and shoot. WiFi. 52x zoom.
KODAK PIXPRO AZ528 Astro Zoom BSI-CMOS Bridge Digital Camera 16MP 52X 1080p Wi-Fi (Midnight Blue)
Wish I was working again. Health…
What about your book; (Home Inspector Confidential) by Matt Fellman.
How are sales?
LOL….. Can’t remember the last time i sold one I’ve never really marketed it. The company I published through has sold a couple times and I’m not even sure who’s selling it. Once a year or so I get a check for literally a few dollars.
I agree, the phone is the way I have been taking most of my pictures for several years now. I used to use the Olympus Tough cameras for years, I used to get a new camera about every year and a half, I’ve now been using my S-21 Ultra for more than 4 years and it’s still going strong, before that I had a Note 9 and before that a Note 5.
I do have a compact zoom camera (Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS70) if needed for far away shots that can tend to get pixilated with my phone. Although they are more than $200.00 or so.
I love my S21 Ultra. Before that I had a note 9. The stylus comes in handy. For my telescoping pole I just use a go pro white that I have had for the last 7 years. Still going strong.
Hello Amanda,
In the beginning of my career I would use a Canon G7Z Mark II on an extendable pole sometimes for roof and high wall inspections. A mount at the bottom had my Iphone with a Camera Connect app connected via WiFi to the camera. It works really well. However, it’s rare to see a used one for less than about $600 dollars now. It’s surprising to see my camera holding that much value after having it for more than five years. Here’s an ad for one (not mine) that will probably get pulled once the unit(s) sell out:
It sounds like you might have an Iphone?
Here’s a possible solution for around $200 that would require you to purchase a second Iphone, in this case an Iphone 12.
Put the second Iphone into a clamp that you get from B&H photo. The clamp screws to the top of your camera pole.
Use the Remote Shutter: camera connect app that’s available for free on the App Store:
I just confirmed that I can remotely take photos from one Iphone while triggering the shutter with my second Iphone. You’ll have to find out on your own if the Bluetooth works between the two when the pole is fully extended.
Yeah, I should really have a second phone in case I drop my one and only into the sump or off the roof. Been telling myself that for years.
I tried a handheld - too clunky for me and the phones these days just make adjustments all by themselves to mostly take great shots. I think the larger handheld cameras have an advantage with aperture size, but not typically the point and shoots.
