Recommend a Camera

[mavhc]

I thought we should start some recommendation threads, as hardware is always going EOL and we need to know what will survive pupils/teachers for the cheapest amount possible. And places to get them that might discount for bulk purchases. If you've bought something that's working great, start a thread!

 

So, can you recommend me the cheapest 3x zoom, sd card camera that won't break easily or eat batteries? Micro usb connection preferred.

[Oaktech]

Ok, we've got 50 of these and 9 months in, nobody has broken one...

 

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800 Digital Camera in Silver - Jessops - Digital Compact Cameras

 

We bought ours from a local camera shop and as we were buying 50 they did them at £50 +vat each.

[jmak]

Ok, we've got 50 of these and 9 months in, nobody has broken one...

 

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800 Digital Camera in Silver - Jessops - Digital Compact Cameras

 

We bought ours from a local camera shop and as we were buying 50 they did them at £50 +vat each.

Off topic:

 

Just as you've mentioned this exactly as the issue arose 😁:

 

How do you change the resolution on these? We just want quick snaps as evidence of the kids' work, so the 20MP resolution is producing file sizes far too big.

 

We've just bought one (camera seems good but really annoying as all other camera in the school are Panasonic Lumix, so I have loads of spare cables and chargers. Just waiting for the only cable to go missing for the Sony).

 

Thanks

 

/Back to topic

[Oaktech]

Off topic:

 

Just as you've mentioned this exactly as the issue arose :

 

How do you change the resolution on these? We just want quick snaps as evidence of the kids' work, so the 20MP resolution is producing file sizes far too big.

 

We've just bought one (camera seems good but really annoying as all other camera in the school are Panasonic Lumix, so I have loads of spare cables and chargers. Just waiting for the only cable to go missing for the Sony).

 

Thanks

 

/Back to topic

 

Menu structure, you need to select, I think, 5mp 4:3 otherwise windows photoviewer throws a hissy and won't print them.

[mavhc]

I was thinking rugged/waterproof cameras, because the flaps holding the battery/sd card in keep getting broken, also could do with them using micro usb not mini/weird

[jmak]

Menu structure, you need to select, I think, 5mp 4:3 otherwise windows photoviewer throws a hissy and won't print them.

Thanks - I haven't got it to hand, but couldn't see the option when I looked before.

 

Our printer didn't like the high res pictures either. One teacher sends 50 photos to print - cue a very long queue.

[LeMarchand]

Menu structure, you need to select, I think, 5mp 4:3 otherwise windows photoviewer throws a hissy and won't print them.

 

Do they retain that after a battery change?

[Oaktech]

Do they retain that after a battery change?

 

They never have a battery change - the battery is charged in the camera. We had AA powered cameras and they were a disaster because people just nicked them for remotes and stuff.

[LeMarchand]

They never have a battery change - the battery is charged in the camera. We had AA powered cameras and they were a disaster because people just nicked them for remotes and stuff.

 

...or a loss of power? The problem I found with most cameras waw that the memory that retains settings was lost if the cameras changed battery/were drained and then reverted to the default settings which were usually "everything to the max" .

[mavhc]

In the end I went with PANASONIC Lumix DMC-FT30EB, £105.

 

Pro: lens internal, pretty tough, lithium battery, 200MB internal flash

Con: can't charge battery when in camera, usb not microusb, have to open case for usb (not that surprising, it's waterproof after all)