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The best document cameras let you zoom in on documents, books, or small objects and show them on bigger screens to students, coworkers, or conference delegates. If you buy a good document camera, you can use it instead of an overhead projector, which will make your presentation more interesting and easier to run.
Since these capture devices can show live footage of books, writing, and even art demonstrations, they are most likely to be used in the classroom. However, they can also be used in conference rooms to help get rid of the boring PowerPoint. Here is a full guide to some of the best document cameras to help you find the right one for you.
Best Document Cameras Comparison Table
| Product Name | Manufacturer | Dimensions | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVerVision M5 | AVer | 10.6 x 4.2 x 14.2 inches | 2.64 lbs | $439.99 |
| IPEVO Do-Cam | IPEVO | 3.78 x 10.79 x 1.89 inches | 0.84 lbs | $139 |
| Aver U50 | AVer | 15.8 x 4.7 x 5.5 inches | 1.94 lbs | $299.99 |
| INSWAN INS-1 | INSWAN | 9.45 x 3.35 x 1.77 inches | 0.62 lbs | $99 |
| iCodis X3 Document Cam | iCodis | 7.2 x 2.2 x 1.9 inches | 0.5 lbs | $169.99 |
| Ipevo VZ-X | IPEVO | 10.43 x 3.15 x 3.54 inches | 1.83 lbs | $329 |
| CZUR Shine800 Pro | CZUR | 11.81 x 11.22 x 16.14 inches | 8.16 lbs | $659 |
| Joyusing V500 | Joyusing | 9.45 x 3.35 x 1.77 inches | 0.62 lbs | $129.99 |
AVerVision M5
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 5 Megapixels |
| Zoom | 8X Digital |
| Frame Rate | 30 fps |
| Connectivity | USB |
| Weight | 1.2 pounds |
The M5 has more than enough resolution to record HD video at a smooth 60fps. But what gives it its real power is the AVerVision software, which makes it easy to handle areas larger than A3 and do things like rotation and sharpening on the fly.
The app, AVerTouch, also lets you store files in the cloud. It’s easy enough to connect with a USB cable. Even though that’s the only option, the camera and 10-LED light array can both get their power from the USB cable, making this a very convenient device.
The Good
- Camera with a high resolution
- 30 fps smooth frame rate
- Easy to carry and not too heavy
The Bad
- Limited zoom capabilities
- Only connects via USB
IPEVO Do-Cam
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 8 Megapixels |
| Zoom | 8X Digital + 2X Sensor |
| Frame Rate | 30 fps |
| Connectivity | USB |
| Weight | 0.65 pounds |
This 2020 model from Ipevo is made to be easy to use and move around. This place also has a great look and a design that works well. The IPEVO Do-Cam has a neat cable holder built into the hinge, which makes it easy to put away. It also comes with a stylish band and a simple cover to protect it.
This is a USB thing that works with a laptop just by plugging it in and turning it on. Note, though, that this uses a standard USB-A socket, so if you have a newer MacBook with only USB-C sockets, you will need an adaptor.
The Good
- Camera with a high resolution
- The ability to zoom in and out
- Easy to carry and not too heavy
The Bad
- Not enough ways to connect
Aver U50
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 5 Megapixels |
| Zoom | 8X Digital |
| Frame Rate | 30 fps |
| Connectivity | USB |
| Weight | 1.39 pounds |
The AVer U50 is a very flexible document camera because its arm can be moved and it works with a lot of different devices. It works well with Mac, Windows, and Chromebook devices because it is USB-based. The 5MP CMOS camera is more than powerful enough, and the 8x digital zoom makes it even better.
This camera has a wide-angle lens and six LED lights that make the picture clearer and are powered by a USB connection. The camera is small and light enough to carry around, but the head could move even more freely. It’s not too expensive, and it’s a very powerful and easy-to-use option that’s backed by stable AVer software.
The Good
- Camera with a high resolution
- 30 fps smooth frame rate
- Flexible arm makes it easy to place.
The Bad
- Only connects via USB
INSWAN INS-1
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 8 Megapixels |
| Zoom | 8X Digital |
| Frame Rate | 30 fps |
| Connectivity | USB |
| Weight | 1.6 pounds |
The Inswan INS-1 is a great choice for anyone who wants a document camera that costs less but still has a lot of useful features. This one can deliver Full HD 1080p video with 30 frames per second through a simple USB connection that works with Mac, Windows, and Chromebooks.
This device doesn’t fold up as well as others, but it’s still light and easy to carry around. Even though it’s small, the LED light works well with the 8MP CMOS sensor. Buttons on the head can be helpful, but when they are being used, they make the head wobble.
The Good
- Camera with a high resolution
- 30 fps smooth frame rate
- LED lights and a built-in microphone are included.
The Bad
- Limited zoom capabilities
iCodis X3 Document Camera
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 8 Megapixels |
| Zoom | 8X Digital |
| Frame Rate | 30 fps |
| Connectivity | HDMI, USB |
| Weight | 2.64 pounds |
The iCodis X3 is one of the more expensive entry-level document scanners, but for the extra money you pay, you get a couple of cool features. First of all, this choice isn’t great for traveling because of its large base and the fact that it isn’t compatible with macOS.
This won’t be a problem for people who keep their document camera in the same place and don’t have a Mac, since the 8MP camera, 4 LED lights, and up to A3 coverage give you a lot to work with. It also has a lot of fun things to play with, like intelligent continuous shooting, automatic correction/segmentation, and filling in broken edges of scanned pages.
The Good
- Camera with a high resolution
- There are many ways to connect.
- Easy to use because it comes with a remote
The Bad
- Heavy compared to other models
- Limited zoom capabilities
Ipevo VZ-X
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 8 Megapixels |
| Zoom | 12X Digital |
| Frame Rate | 30 fps |
| Connectivity | HDMI, USB, Wi-Fi |
| Weight | 1.46 pounds |
Ipevo is a big name in document cameras, and it’s easy to see why the VZ-X is a popular choice. It’s very expensive compared to the other items on this list, but this is mostly because of how many ways you can connect it and how well it works overall.
Those who want to use it with Wi-Fi and HDMI can shoot in HD, while those who need a USB connection can shoot in 3264 x 2448. It can also connect to your iOS and Android devices, Apple TV, and projectors, as well as your computer or monitor.
The Good
- Camera with a high resolution
- The ability to zoom in and out
- There are many ways to connect.
The Bad
- Costs more than other models.
CZUR Shine800 Pro Portable
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 8 Megapixels |
| Zoom | N/A |
| Frame Rate | 60 fps |
| Connectivity | USB |
| Weight | 0.61 pounds |
The CZUR Shine800 Pro Portable can also be used as a small, portable scanner. A flat A4 document can be scanned by the CZUR Shine800 Pro Portable in less than one second per page. It will be easy and quick to scan multiple pages. Documents like contracts, photos, receipts, IDs, and other similar things are easy to capture.
It can be used in the classroom as a camera projector as well as for other things. When the room isn’t very bright, an LED light around the lens lights up the scan area. A button on the stand’s base can change how bright the LED light is.
The Good
- Camera with a high resolution
- Very light and easy to carry.
- Fast frame rate of 60 fps
The Bad
- Can’t zoom in very far
Joyusing V500
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 8 Megapixels |
| Zoom | 16X Digital |
| Frame Rate | 30 fps |
| Connectivity | USB, HDMI, Wi-Fi |
| Weight | 1.5 pounds |
The Joyusing V500S is a mid-range document camera that works with macOS, Windows, and Chrome OS. It has a built-in microphone and an autofocus lens. The 8MP camera has a 100x digital zoom and macro focus. It can scan 2D or 3D objects from a full shot to a close-up view, and the scan area is almost as big as an A3 sheet of paper.
The Joyusing V500S was made to be flexible. It has two arms that can move 90, 180, and 270 degrees at the joints. Your classes will be more interesting if you zoom in to see things up close, turn the camera head to see things from different angles, or zoom out to see as much as possible. If the display window is still too small to show the whole document or object, just turn the camera head to the left or right or pan it.
The Good
- With 8 megapixels, the camera has a high resolution.
- Digital zoom of 16X gives you more zooming power.
- There are many ways to connect, like USB, HDMI, and Wi-Fi.
- LED light built in to shine on the subject
The Bad
- Some models are heavier than others.
- There is no microphone built in, so an external microphone is needed to record sound.
FAQs
What is the best use for document camera?
The best document cameras let you zoom in on documents, books, or small objects and show them on bigger screens to students, coworkers, or conference delegates. In this way, they are like the old overhead projectors, but they are much more flexible now that new technologies have been added.
Can I use my phone as a document camera?
You’ll need a way to mirror your Android phone’s screen to your computer if you want to use it as a document camera. I do this with the help of Vysor. Vysor can be put on both Windows and Mac computers for free. Once it’s set up, you can use a USB cable to mirror the screen of your Android phone.
What is the benefit of document camera?
With a document camera, teachers can take a picture of an area of interest and use it in videos or live presentations. Document cameras make things bigger and easier to see on a student’s phone, a projector, or any computer that shows the image.
Do document cameras need a projector?
Even if you don’t have a projector, you can still use a document camera. Since there is a camera, users can use their personal computers to show what is caught on camera.