Devices with a Built-in Camera

If youre the kind of person who likes to take pictures occasionally, but you dont feel putting money into a camera is worth it, then there may be options you should consider. There are an increasing number of gadgets out there that host a built-in camera that may suit your needs. I dont suggest you buy these to substitute for a camera, but they can do a nice job if the device is something you want and use anyway. Here are a few to consider:

Camera PhonesCamera phones are popular for good reason. Most people own a cell phone and keep it with them constantly. This means that the camera is very portable and nearly always on hand, so that catching an impromptu shot is easy. The other advantage that these cameras offer is simplicity. They tend to have fewer features than a standalone camera and are therefore easier to master. They also make sharing photos easy as you can send them immediately after taking them.

The disadvantage of camera phones is that the quality of the photos, although greatly improved in recent years still doesnt compare to most compact point and shoot cameras on the market. These phones generally have a lower resolution and fewer features to help you get a high quality shot. For instance, optical image stabilization which helps to reduce blurry images due to small movements of the hand, is rarely present on a camera phone. Some camera phones also tend to do poorly in low light situations, as they have weak flashes and their lenses dont tend to be as good. However, if you wont be shooting in a variety of situations, such as at night time, and dont have a need to create large prints, they may do a reasonable job for you.

Camcorders with Still Image CapabilitiesModern camcorders generally offer the ability to take still images. Some allow you to do this by taking a photo independently and others allow you to simply grab a still image as youre recording video. These devices still dont produce as good of a still image as a standalone camera but they can do a pretty reasonable job. You have to be sure that the features you want can be used for the still images as well as for recording video. For instance, if you want optical zoom, you need to be sure that you can use it while taking still photos. You also want to verify how many effective pixels it has for still images. I would suggest 2 as the minimum acceptable.

Camcorders with still image capabilities can be a great choice for those who do want to record great video with the ability to take still images occasionally. The drawback is that most camcorders are larger than the average point and shoot camera and often more expensive. There are exceptions of course, as many pocket camcorders such as Flip Mino and others are very small and affordable.

GPS Devices with a Built-in CameraFor those who enjoy outdoor activities, a GPS device with a built-in camera may be a good choice. These devices provide the map information needed to find your way and the ability to take pictures as well. They are great for geotagging pictures, for sharing route information with fellow hikers, backpackers, hunters, and so forth, and for obtaining a camera with a rugged design that can survive some rough handling and the outdoor elements. The Garmin Oregon 550T is the first of these to be introduced. The photos are still lower quality than most standalone cameras and the camera works primarily in well lit conditions. Still, its ideal for someone whose priority is a GPS device and only secondarily a camera for photos. If the priority is reversed, and photography is the main need with a GPS function merely for geotagging photos, then a digital camera with GPS capabilities would be a better option.

MP3 players with a CameraThere arent many of these on the market, but that might be changing. Again, the current offerings provide a very basic digital camera. Names like V-Touch and V-Motion are among the manufacturers but it sounds likely that the iPod line may add a camera to their players in the near future. Again the advantage, just as with the camera phones, is that these devices offer portability. However, they tend to offer only 1 to 3 megapixels, and some dont even have a flash or control over focus. Carefully reviewing the device to assure it has such minimum features is important if you want to be satisfied with even basic portrait type shots.

These devices might be right if music is your main interest and taking photos just an occasional need. Of course if photography is a greater interest and music secondary, there are digital cameras with MP3 player capabilities on the market. The Samsung NV3 is one such option.

When its all said and done, if you want the best photos, a standalone digital camera is stillthe best choice. However, if your needs are basic and money is tight or you want to minimize devices, then these other options might work. Which one is best depends on what other types of functions you will use the most.

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