Recommendations for compact real estate appraisal digital camera???

Features needed include: wide angle lens, zoom, view finder, decent flash and compact design to fit into a pocket.

I would recommend the Panasonic Lumix TZ1 because it is small and powerful. Excellent zoom too.

My experience with Real Estate photos is trying to get everything in the photo. Normally you have a 3x lens which is 36 by 110mm or you get a big 10x zoom lens which is 38 by 300mm. The problem is not getting close to the subject but rather you have to get back so far away from the property in order to get the complete photo.

Well, you are in luck as Panasonic has just released the Lumix DMC-LX2. LX2 has Optical image stabilization, 10mp and 4x zoom (28-112). Thats wide angle but the real feature of this camera is that it is a wide-screen 16:9 format for photos and movies and it will fit in your pocket or purse. Dimensions are 4.2 x 2.2 x 1.0in

If you want widescreen movies, the Lumix LX2's movie mode takes full advantage of the 16:9 format with a higher-than-average movie resolution of 848 x 480 pixels at 30 frames per second with sound. It can also record with VGA (640 x 480) resolution at 4:3 (std TV), The wide screen is not high definition.

The camera can easily be adjusted between 16:9, 3:2, and 4:3 settings. When shooting at 16:9 the camera uses all 10mp. When you flip to 3:2, resolution drops to 8.5 megapixels, at 4:3 it goes to 7.5 megapixels. Remember the camera uses the widest sections of the 16:9 10mp and crop shots for 3:2 and 4:3.

On-line price $400.

Another option is the Canon SD800. Image stabilization, 7.1mp and 3.8x lens (28 - 105mm) Another wide angle and besides its a Canon. Great in low light and will take movies with sound. Picture quality is GREAT. On-line price under $375

You can not go wrong with either. I am a Canon fan but for your use I recommend the LX2.

Happy movie and picture taking.