Active9 years, 9 months ago
I'd like to be able to take pictures of documents I've on my desk using a digital camera mounted above my desk. What I'm looking for is some software/camera that allows me to press a button/run a script from my Mac (happy to do it on my Unix box as well if easier) and have the image file land on my desktop (so I can run OCR ectra)
Any ideas of software or cameras that might help - ideally cheap camera...
Big Mac index - global prices for a Big Mac 2018. Ranked by number of users in Spain in 2015 and 2016 (in 1,000 people). Number of camcorders and digital cameras sold on the consumer market.
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1 Answer
The term you're looking for is tethered shooting mode. You can get a list of cameras that work in tethered mode with gphoto here http://gphoto.sourceforge.net/doc/remote/ . If they work in gphoto, then you know that they'll also work on Mac, but you may need expensive Mac software such as Lightroom or Aperture.
It is possible that some of the camera vendors also offer the software. Googling on tethered shooting should give you quite a few good links, such as http://www.awardsounds.co.uk/how-take-tethered-photos-using-iphoto
If you want to go the linux route, it looks like gphoto will do it for you.
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The Rundown
- Best Overall: Canon PowerShot SX620 HS at Amazon, “You’re likely to capture some stunning, high-resolution images that most smartphones simply can’t compete with.”
- Runner-Up, Best Overall: Nikon COOLPIX B500 at Amazon, “A Wi-Fi-enabled camera on a tight budget, there may be no better option.”
- Best Design: Canon PowerShot ELPH 190 at Amazon, “A compact form factor that doesn’t disappoint when it comes to quality.”
- Best Value:Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II at Amazon, “A lot of high-end features, tremendous versatility, and powerful hardware at a mid-range price.”
- Best Zoom: Canon PowerShot SX740 at Amazon, “A well-rounded device with a lot of features.”
- Most Versatile:Nikon COOLPIX B700 at Amazon, “It’s an all-around impressive shooter for the point-and-shoot space.”
- Best Compact:Canon PowerShot SX730 HS at Amazon, “This pocket-friendly camera is built for travelers on the go.”
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Canon PowerShot SX620 HS
4
Some folks want the power and versatility of a DSLR or mirrorless camera, but are intimidated by all the controls. Crossover point-and-shoots—devices that offer a bit moe versatility than your average compact camera—are designed to meet this demand. Like our top pick, the COOLPIX B700, the Canon PowerShot SX620 is designed for people who want the best of both worlds. With the 20.2-megapixel high-sensitivity CMOS sensor, you’re likely to capture some stunning, high-resolution images that most smartphones simply can’t compete with. Add in the DIGIC 4+ Image Processor and you see why, when it comes to point-and-shoot sensors, the SX620 is one of the best around. The camera also features an 25x optical zoom, Full HD (1080p) video recording, intelligent image stabilization, and, of course, Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity. You can also engage the remote shooting function to use your smartphone as a control.
Runner-Up, Best Overall: Nikon COOLPIX B500
4.2
When you’re looking for a Wi-Fi-enabled camera on a tight budget, there may be no better option than the Nikon COOLPIX B500. The camera measures 3.74 x 3.08 x 4.47 inches and weighs 1.19 pounds, which is pretty good for a budget pick.
The most impressive feature on the B500 is its 40x optical zoom and 80x dynamic fine zoom, so you can always get a good shot even if you’re far away. It also features a 16-megapixel low-light sensor, a three-inch LCD screen that can adjust to various angles, 1080p HD video recording at 30 frames per second, as well as the ability to move photos directly to smartphones and tablets via Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth.
Looking specifically for video functionality? Check out our picks for the best video cameras.
Best Design: Canon PowerShot ELPH 190
4
Design is always a subjective category, but we love the PowerShot ELPH 190 for its compact form factor that doesn’t disappoint when it comes to quality. It comes in blue, red and black and weighs just under five ounces, making it easy to slip into your pocket. It features a 20.2-megapixel, 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor, plus a DIGIC 4+ Image Processor, which together deliver top-notch image quality. It also captures HD video in 1080p HD and has a 12x optical zoom, as well as an optical image stabilizer.
It has a limited ISO setting limit of 3200, which means it lacks performance in low light settings, but its beautiful three-inch, 461,000-pixel LCD screen might distract you from this fact.
Best Value: Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II
Sometimes value is a hard thing to measure, but in our book it simply means the most bang for your buck. The Canon Powershot G7 X Mark II fits that description with a lot of high-end features, tremendous versatility, and powerful hardware at a mid-range price.
What makes the Powershot G7 X Mark II stand out most is its one-inch 20.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, which ensures that both light and dark parts of an image are captured in high quality and you can get amazing low-light photos. Another standout feature is the camera’s multi-angle three-inch touch LCD screen that makes it easy to shoot at any angle you can dream. On top of this, the model has a 24–100mm optical zoom lens, intelligent image stabilization, in-camera RAW conversion, easy photo sharing via Wi-FI and NFC, the ability to capture 1080p HD video and high-speed continuous shooting up to eight frames per second.
Best Zoom: Canon PowerShot SX740
If you’re looking for something a little less intimidating than our top pick, but you still want some serious zoom power, the SX740 is certainly worth looking into. It features a 40x optical zoom and an impressive 20.3-megapixel high-sensitivity CMOS sensor, 4K video and time-lapse recording, Optical Image Stabilization and a Zoom Framing Assist function. With Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, you can connect your camera to your smartphone to remotely control the camera. The camera can also automatically transfer your photos to your mobile device or your desktop for instantaneous sharing. And there’s a huge variety of shooting modes for novice shooters. It’s a well-rounded device with a lot of features, but not too many for any beginner to handle.
Still can't decide on what you want? Our round-up of the best Canon cameras can help you find what you're looking for.
Most Versatile: Nikon COOLPIX B700
Point-and-shoot cameras tend to get a bad rap, if only because of the increasingly competitive cameras found in smartphones. The Nikon COOLPIX B700 is an attempt to assert the power, performance and versatility of the point-and-shoot space.
It features a 20.2 MP CMOS sensor ideal for low-light conditions, Full 4K video recording, target-finding autofocus (AF), and full manual exposure. Why would you want full manual exposure? Because you know enough about photography to take your game to the next level and begin setting the ISO, shutter and aperture settings yourself—something you can’t do on a smartphone. The B700 also has a stunning 60x zoom through the solid NIKKOR lens. It’s an all-around impressive shooter for the point-and-shoot space, one that offers a lot more than the thing in your pocket.
Take a peek at some of the other best Nikon cameras you can buy.
Best Compact: Canon PowerShot SX730 HS
If you like to have the newest gadgets, you’ll want to spring for the Canon PowerShot SX730. Released in June 2017, this pocket-friendly camera is built for travelers on the go. It packs a sizeable 20.3-megapixel CMOS sensor into its petite 4.3- x 1.6- x 2.5-inch body. Where it really impresses, though, is with its zoom: you get a 40x optical zoom lens, plus Canon’s 80x ZoomPlus digital zoom technology. It can also capture 1080p Full HD with a maximum 60p frame rate.
With an ISO range of 80 to 1600, it captures decent low-light images considering its small form factor. You’ve also got built-in image stabilization, built-in flash, built-in Wi-Fi2 technology, face detection technology and a three-inch LCD screen that flips up. A touch screen would have been nice, but we won’t get too greedy now.
Looking for something extra small? Check out our roundup of the best ultra thin cameras.
Tested by
How We Tested
We bought three top-rated WiFi cameras that our reviewers tested for 25 hours. We asked our testers to consider the most important features when using these cameras, from their zoom to their picture quality. We’ve outlined the key takeaways here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.
What to Look for in a WiFi Camera
Zoom -There are two types of zoom you’ll see touted by manufacturers — optical zoom and digital zoom — although they certainly aren’t equal. Optical zoom measures the increase in the lens’s focal length, while digital zoom adjusts the image in the camera itself, essentially cropping the image. Optical zoom is the more meaningful spec, and most high-end cameras will offer at least 40x optical zoom.
Picture quality -For optimal picture quality, the image sensor is crucial. While it’s the most expensive part of the camera, it’s well worth the investment. In general, the larger the sensor, the pricier the camera. The most common types of sensors on the market today are CMOS and CCD. The former is cheaper to produce but also is more susceptible to image noise. For premium quality, aim for 16 to 20 megapixels.
Brand -When it comes to cameras, there are many brand loyalists. Photographers usually fall into the Nikon and Canon camps, largely depending on the compatibility of lenses. If you already have a handful of peripherals, buy a camera that’s compatible, but if you’re just starting out, don’t hesitate to consider other brands, too.
Test Results: Canon PowerShot SX620 HS (Best Overall)
4
What We Like
- Portable
- Great image quality
- Good battery life
- Easy to transfer photos
What We Don't Like
![Best digital cameras for mac Best digital cameras for mac](/uploads/1/2/5/1/125130711/513737154.gif)
- Video is grainy in low lighting
- Doesn’t come with a USB cable
Our testers found this camera to be portable, easy to use, and a good value for the price. “It's very light and it takes great quality videos and pictures,” explained one of our reviewers. Plus, one of our testers said “transferring photos was easy and fast” and the battery lasted “longer than expected.” While one of our reviewers praised the overall video quality, he also noted “it’s a little grainy in low light.” Overall? “It’s a great point-and-shoot camera for the price,” one of our testers declared.
Test Results: Nikon COOLPIX B500 Digital Camera (Runner-Up, Best Overall)
4.2
What We Like
- Great features
- Convenient app for photo sharing
- Good photo and video quality
One of our testers recommended this camera for its “good picture quality and other camera features, like zooming, connectivity with devices, [and] wide angle photography at a decent price range.” While one of our reviewers found the mobile app was great for sharing photos, she also cautioned, “Initial setup and connectivity were easy, but I wish connecting again (auto-connecting) would be smoother.” One of our testers also wished for a touchscreen. The consensus? While our reviewers recommended this camera for an average photographer, if you’re looking for exceptional photo and video quality with an extensive zoom, they said you’ll want to invest in something a little more advanced.
Test Results: Canon PowerShot ELPH 190 (Best Design)
4
What We Like
- High-quality photos and video
- Compact size
- Good battery life
This camera came highly recommended by our testers for the quality of photos and videos and ease of being able to share to your phone and social media. While not a professional camera by any means, one of our testers observed, “It performs in low light better than my phone camera, has much better zoom, and takes better-quality video.” Our reviewers also liked its compact size and how easy it was to use. In terms of negatives, one of our testers revealed, “The only downside is that it’s a little frustrating to set up, but you only have to do that once.” According to one of our reviewers, this camera is “more than suitable for everyday use and sharing on social media.”