What’s the best camera for home inspectors?2026 Survey Results

Quick Summary: Smartphones have overtaken digital cameras as home inspectors’ go-to tool, but the best camera for home inspectors still depends on how you work. Phones for speed and convenience, dedicated cameras for zoom and durability. Beyond the device itself, smart habits around shooting, storage, and equipment coverage are what really protect your business. 

If pre-inspection agreements are your first line of defense, inspection photos are a close second. Capturing what was (and wasn’t) there on inspection day, photos are one of the primary stumbling blocks to meritless accusations. As home inspector insurance providers, we at InspectorPro believe you cannot take too many pictures. After all, the more inspection photos you take, the more evidence you have for your defense.

But inspection photos aren’t just for you; they’re for your clients, too. Property inspection photos can help clients understand and contextualize your findings. They can bring reports filled with descriptions and technical jargon to life. And photos can draw attention to important areas of concern that, if left unaddressed, could lead to problems later.

So what lies between you and the best home inspector pictures for your business and clients? Arguably it’s what you use to take them. What’s the best camera for home inspectors? It depends on what you’re looking for. We asked home inspectors what they use as their go-to home inspection camera and why.  We then discuss some of the ways you can manage your risk against insurance claims while taking photos—regardless of which device you choose.

What cameras are you using?

Section Summary: Survey data shows a clear shift away from dedicated digital cameras toward smartphones as the go-to home inspection camera, with tablets holding steady as a smaller share. 

The times are a-changing. 

In 2022, our survey of 65 home inspectors found that 60 percent of responders still used digital cameras as their primary home inspection camera. Four years later, in 2026, that number has dropped by nearly a third. 

In our latest survey of 132 inspectors, 41.7 percent said they still prefer digital cameras. But there appears to be a new camera of choice among inspectors: the device already in their pocket. Just over 46 percent of the inspectors surveyed said they now use their phone for their home inspection pictures, with 11.8 percent choosing tablets. 

The Rise of Phones: Is a smartphone the best camera for home inspections?

Section Summary: Inspectors are relying on their phones as their primary home-inspector cameras due to speed, low-light performance, and seamless integration with report-writing software.

Smartphone cameras have closed most of the image-quality gap that once separated them from dedicated cameras, and they bring a few practical advantages that are hard to beat on a busy inspection day. 

Those who prefer phones as their home inspection camera—including many who recently made the switch away from digital cameras—often have their report writing software on that same phone. That makes it easy for inspectors to add photos to their reports onsite. 

“I have switched from using DSLR cameras to using my phone for pictures, as my phone ties in seamlessly with my report writing software,” said Brett Cortez of Academy Home Inspections.

Even if you don’t do that, cloud technology allows you to upload photos to your computer quickly, saving time.

“With the cloud, my photos are in my computer before I get home for the day. No more waiting for downloads,” said Ken Steverson of KS Home Inspection in California.

Some inspectors even argue that their phone cameras—be it an iPhone, Samsung, or other models—are better in low-light situations and more responsive than digital cameras, making them a more convenient home inspector camera. 

“I used to use a pocket digital camera, but the flash wasn’t very responsive,” said Vincent DiCicco of Cardinal Home Inspection in Massachusetts. “A phone can take pictures very quickly, especially if the flash is off. Plus, the phone camera incorporates within the home inspection software, so pictures can go directly into the report. Transferring the pictures is a snap. I just connect the phone to my laptop, and I can drag and drop all the photos for backing up.”

The Case for Digital Cameras: Zoom and Durability

Section Summary: Superior zoom and rugged, shock-resistant builds are reasons why some still consider digital cameras the best camera for home inspectors.

The majority of inspectors we surveyed who opted for digital cameras did so due to their superior zoom capabilities and durability. 

Case 1: Zoom

Zoom comes in handy when magnifying defects or when you want to capture a system or component up close, but it isn’t safe to get any closer to it.

For example, there may be an attic you can’t traverse that has some worrisome water spots on the ceiling opposite the entrance, or a roof that is unsafe to mount so you photograph it from your ladder. Situations like these are where a dedicated attic-inspection camera or long-zoom digital camera earn their keep. 

“I want a camera that can zoom in pretty far so I can get good photos of issues that are a good distance away, especially for roofs and for attics,” said Michael Valtierra of TNT Home Inspections in Texas. “I also want the camera to be able to take high-quality photos so they are not blurry in my report. I have an iPhone 16, and it takes very good photos. However, my phone camera does not zoom in nearly as well as my Canon camera.”

That powerful zoom comes in handy for inspectors. 

“I can stand on the ground, 40 feet from the chimney cap and zoom into a single brick,” said Bill Hawkins of Hawkeye Inspection Service, LLC in Indiana.

Case 2: Durability

Durability is an important consideration when your camera for home inspection work is likely to encounter water, dirt, and other debris on inspection sites. Many inspectors advocate investing in a home inspection camera that can take a fall. After all, when you’re getting on ladders and roofs regularly, accidentally dropping your camera several feet isn’t far-fetched. Thus, surveyed inspectors encourage others to look for shock-resistant, weather-sealed cameras to take property inspection photos.

“I need a camera that is resilient and tough,” said Christopher Brunetto of Aloha Property Inspections in Florida. “It needs to be waterproof and compact. I need to be able to drop it repeatedly, and it to be as strong as Day 1.”

Added Michael Burroughs of QED Services in Louisiana: “As inspectors, we go into areas of the home that are hostile to us and our equipment. We go under homes in the dust. We go into hot attics with high moisture. So our cameras must be somewhat tough.”

Tablets, GoPros, and Other Digital Field Tools for Home Inspectors

Section Summary: Tablets for onsite photo review and GoPro-style cameras for hands-free shooting have their fans as well. 

Tablets (11.8%) offer a middle ground with a larger screen for reviewing photos and writing notes onsite, often paired with report-writing software. GoPro-style cameras remain a niche choice (0.8%), typically favored by inspectors who need a wide field of view or hands-free shooting in confined spaces, like crawlspaces or attics—cases where a dedicated building inspection camera may outperform a phone. 

Best Digital Cameras for Home Inspectors

Section Summary: It’s no surprise that some of the biggest names in cameras—Canon, Olympus, and Fujifilm—are considered to have the best cameras for home inspectors. 

Looking for inspection camera reviews before you buy? These are the models that surveyed inspectors mention most as the best digital inspection cameras on the market. 

• Canon Powershot series. “I have used several different Powershots over the years, and they continue to be excellent cameras,” said Toby Karlquist of The Inspector Home Inspections in Arizona. “I keep it in a ‘holster’ on my belt and can easily grab it with one hand and take quick photos. It has an awesome zoom for capturing details like serial numbers, water stains on the ceiling, etc.”
• Olympus Tough series. “I want a powerful zoom, but more importantly, I want the zoom lens to stay on the inside of the camera,” said Chris Knack of Comfort Home Inspections in Colorado. “I like this for two reasons: It doesn’t get dirty from little particles of sand and need to be fixed or replaced, and I don’t have to wait for the lenses to retract when I want to put it away quickly.”
• Fujifilm XP series. “It took me a number of years to find the right camera,” said Todd Kirkpatrick of A-1 Home Inspections in Missouri. “The one that I found is very durable. It is drop-proof, waterproof, and rechargeable. … It fits in the palm of your hand and takes great pictures!”

How to Protect Yourself, Regardless of Device

Whether you decide that a digital camera, a phone, or a tablet is the best camera for home inspectors, you can manage your risk against potential insurance claims in the following ways.

1. Know what to use and how to use it.

Section Summary: Good technique and tools like a 360 camera for property inspection work can turn a photo into real evidence. 

Shooting with intention means reaching for the right tool. For Philip Kimmel of AMO Home Inspections in Missouri, that includes using a 360 camera to capture entire rooms.

“I have added a 360-degree camera to my inspection process so I can take pictures on the roof and inside using a 360-degree format,” Kimmel said. “That camera provides a really good picture of a room which you can use as a reference if needed. I also like the format where you can add an arrow or circle to a problem area.”

And, as with any tool, a home inspection camera is only as good as its operator.

How can you get better at taking property inspection photos? Practice in your own home or at a friend’s or neighbor’s. Ask other inspectors what they do to take quality photos. And, if you’re really serious about improving your skills, consider taking a basic photography class.

2. Photograph more than defects.

Section Summary: Capturing property inspection photos beyond obvious problem areas—representative shots, non-defect rooms, and concealed spaces —guard against future claims. 

While taking photos of defects is essential, you should be capturing more with your camera. Examples of additional home inspection photos you should take to manage your risk include:

• Representative Shots: Taking wide shots or 360 photos of entire rooms helps give your other, closer-up photos more context and perspective.
• Non-Defect Areas: While they may not end up in your report, pictures of non-defect areas can testify to the home’s condition and defend against allegations regarding defects that occurred post-inspection.
• Concealed or Inaccessible Spaces: While you’re only responsible for inspecting what’s visually identifiable, it helps to be able to prove what was and wasn’t visible at the time of the inspection by taking photos of obstructions and hazards.

It may seem tedious taking photo after photo. However, property inspection photos are one of the best ways to manage risk. Don’t let your next allegation be a battle of “he said, she said.” Take lots of pictures so you have a photo to back you up in every scenario.

Learn more by reading about what inspection photos you should take to manage risk.

3. Store photos for at least seven years, ideally indefinitely.

Section Summary: Keep inspection photos on file for a minimum of seven years, but ideally indefinitely, since statutes of limitations vary by state and can change. 

Some states require inspectors to keep inspection assets for a certain amount of time. However, while statutes of limitations can deter and defend claims, they cannot prevent them. Clients can still make claims against your business long after your statute of limitations expires. (We’ve even received a claim 18 years after the allegedly negligent home inspection occurred. Yes, years.)

Furthermore, statutes of limitations can change. While your state may say that inspection clients have two years to make a claim today, your state could change the law tomorrow to allow clients seven years or more to make a claim. Thus, claims professionals urge home inspectors to keep inspection assets for a minimum of seven years. 

Remember, though, that’s just a minimum. There’s no reason to purge photos after seven years, and many inspectors store photos indefinitely. To do so, consider using external hard drives or cloud storage. However, there is no mandatory method. In fact, many home inspectors store their inspection assets across storage methods.

To learn more about storing inspection photos, click here.

4. Carry equipment coverage.

Section Summary: Inland marine coverage protects your home inspection camera and other field equipment from damage or loss, wherever the job takes you. 

Formally known as inland marine coverage or a commercial property floater, equipment coverage insures your inspection tools and equipment—including your camera for home inspection work. Unlike standard property insurance, inland marine coverage protects your tools and equipment regardless of their location. This is important in the home inspection industry since, rather than housing your tools and equipment in an office, you usually have your materials in your work vehicle or on inspection sites.

Through InspectorPro with the ASHI Advantage, ASHI members can get up to $20,000 in equipment coverage for $200 annually. Some inspectors have spent north of $1,000 on their home inspection cameras, and many replace their cameras every few years due to wear and tear. Since a reliable camera is so integral to inspecting, carrying equipment coverage can give you significant peace of mind—whether your setup is a smartphone, a tablet, or a dedicated digital inspection camera.

There are two exclusions—or instances in which your policy wouldn’t provide coverage—that would apply to your camera’s equipment coverage: mechanical breakdown and wear and tear.

To learn more about inland marine coverage, click here. Current clients can request equipment coverage by contacting their InspectorPro brokers. Prospective clients can apply for insurance via InspectorPro’s online application.

So, what’s the best camera for home inspectors?

There’s no single right answer. The “best” camera for home inspectors is the one that fits how you work. If speed, portability, and one-device convenience matter most, a phone is likely your best bet. If zoom range and durability are non-negotiable, a DSLR remains a smart investment.

Whatever you choose, remember that the camera is only half the equation. How, what, and how long you photograph is what really protects your business.

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This article appeared in the ASHI Reporter in December 2022.