Hi - I currently use a webcam to take still pics to sell stuff online. I used to take pics with a digital camera, but I do a lot of volume so downloading all the pics and managing them took too much time. Plus, I use a software application that's setup to work with webcams. However, the quality of the pics is pretty poor now. I've heard that some digital cameras have webcam utlities. If so, can you tell me of some inexpensive ones? Also, will the resolution be as good as if I took a picture with the camera?
Any help appreciated!
PS - if you want to look it up, i currently use the Creative Webcam Pro Live! which is supposed to get 640x480. The pictures are pretty crappy (not enough detail and a little bit fuzzy). there are a number of factors involved...the camera itself being only one of the components...
the connection speed is far more relevant in terms of broadcast quality for webcams...ie...USB, Firewire or DV..
USB is the slowest/least expensive with DV on the other end of the scale...Firewire is a good middle ground.
Creative's software isn't exactly the best for capturing stills as it is written mostly for correcting for motion, lighting etc...
I'm a little unclear as to why you would use a webcam for still captures as opposed to a digital camera built specifically for that purpose...however, if you want good still photos, but with movie/webcam capabilities...buy a digital camera with a high megapixel count CMOS (6 or higher) and movie capabilities....the Sony Cybershotk is one such camera and can be had at Wal-Mart for 400.00 or so these days...It has Mpeg capabilities and relatively high MegaPixel count. You can attach your camera as a webcam and snap still photos at the same time....do you have an example of what you are trying to do? You could use any of the Canon D-SLR's with their USB cable and direct capture software to capture straight to your computer and bypass the CF card capture method. My old D30, 10D, and new 5D all have this capability. I have not used it except once on my 10D to try it out for a studio setup. Works Ok but a bit slow. You don't have to use a web cam just because you want your picture to have a small size.
Actually you have to options. first if you want to use a web cam to get a photos with a good quality when you take a picture you should have a good lighting plus do not hold the web cam put it in a tripod or in table the web cam is sensitive when your hand is moving or shaking.
Second, you still use your digital camera by means of adjusting the size and resolution of the picture through your camera settings. if you don't know how to adjust that check it on your owners manual. Still if you don't know how to adjust it in your camera there is 1 more change for you to re-size you picture by means of loading your picture in the computer and use Microsoft Office Picture Manager to open the picture then click the tan on top say EDIT PICTURE. A tool bar will appear on the right side. Then click re size and then you can select how small your picture you want to be by selecting percentage, predefine or customize size. try it and it will work. Hope I can help you with your problem. | 