What Kind of Camera do you use for photo audits?

Sonys have been good to me. I had a reconditioned one that I bought in an outlet store.
It served me well until I dropped it and jammed the lens. The Canon I currently have
is better. I think that if you skip the bells and whistles on some models you can get good
photos without paying too much for the camera. Mine are too old to give you specific
models. However, most smartphone cameras are just as good or better than cameras.
And, these days, for something like a menu audit it is easier and less obvious to hold up a
phone than a camera.

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I'm "Sandi" in the Middle!

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Mine wouldn't be good for menu audits either. Both my phone and my inexpensive Samsung have been just fine for gas audits. You may want to try what you already have for one if it is an announced audit. Any camera works better when you can take your time to adjust and preview your photos before leaving the site.

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.

I buy cameras refurbished on Ebay. My current one is a Nikon Coolpix S3500. Have done tons of shops with it with no problems.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

I had a Kodak that seemed to break too soon. I forgot the next one. I have had a super-duper GE which hasn't worked right in the two years I've had it. It is getting worse. It also has too many settings. The main reason I needed it is because with my other job I often photograph documents. It is in focus, something I never seemed to have with the blue bank shops and the other phone. I know I will have to get another one soon. I think I will have to go to a huge camera department. I got my last two by rushing to a Walmart for an emergency purchase.

For most of these audits, I use a Canon point-and-shoot 12 mp camera. We probably purchased it 4-5 years ago, so there are better models on the market now. I also use my DSLR at some locations in which the menu board is difficult to shoot without being seen. That way, I can take the photos from a distance after I have made my purchase.

The key to getting clear photos is to make sure you don't rush and that you hold the camera as still as possible. Any kind of movement will result in blurry photos, and it's easy to get a bit apprehensive taking photos while ordering while trying to conceal your camera. As many of these as I have done, I still get an occasional blurry photo and have to circle back around to reshoot. Also, check the photos before you leave the parking lot by zooming in on the numbers. If you need to, park the car, run over to the menu board, snap some additional photos, hop back in the car, and quickly drive away.

I have a Sony Cybershot DSLR. I had it before I started MS'ing but it's great for doing photo audits. It has a fantastic zoom feature so I can take photos from quite a distance and still get a crisp shot. The view screen is large and it tilts so I can view my shots even in the brightest sunlight. I've taken upclose face shots from the far upper deck of a professional sports stadium of people across the field from me--that's how nice the zoom is

. It's easy to upload to my computer and then resize if needed there. I love that camera!!! They sell in the $450 range so not cheep but not super expensive either......and, if you need it for work...well, save your receipt for a deduction

I have a Canon PowerShot SD 630. Takes great pictures! I got it years ago, maybe 6, and it's best feature (at the time) a huge screen (2" X 2.5"

to be able to see the pics. Now, of course it doesn't seem that big but it was the time.

I use a Nikon D60 DSLR with a D5100 as back-up. I also have a point and shoot Kodak.

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Have PV-500 & willing to travel.
"Answers are easy. It's asking the right questions which is hard." (The Fourth Doctor, The Face of Evil, 1977)

"Somedays you're the pigeon, somedays you're the statue.” J. Andrew Taylor

"I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him." Galileo Galilei

I love my Canon 12 mp Sureshot. I can set the resolution, date/time, and a few other settings but I use it mostly in "Auto" mode, generally override the flash setting except for pizza pictures, it has macro mode I use for closeups of the receipts. I can either plug it into my computer with a USB cord or take out the SD card and stick that in my computer. It uses AA batteries.

I keep it on a lanyard so I can hang it around my neck so I don't lay it down and forget it on audits. Simple little point and shoot camera that takes good pictures.

Time to build a bigger bridge.

Mine's a Nikon Coolpix S3300. It's small, light and has a good-size screen. I've never had a photo rejected on any shop.

I agree. I actually tell my Nikon Coolpix S3300 how much I love it. It's small and light weight and totally reliable....just like me.

(heart)

I intend to live forever. So far, so good.

I have a Nikon D80 with prime/zoom lens for photo audits but for regular audits where I have to take photos, I use my cell (Nexus 5) or tablet (Samsung)

Silver Certified ~ Shopping all of Toronto and beyond

I used my Sony 14.1 megpixals. Just bought a new Sony 21 megapixals. Put camera at 13 x 19 size. Great pics. Small camera to put in your pocket. I did 6 shops yesterday (menu audits). When I uploaded my photos on my computer the prices were clear abd easy to read to record. I only paid 100.00 for the camera at Best Buys.

I actually use my smartphone camera- 13MP is plenty big to read the menu boards. Its more natural feeling too to have your phone out.

I just used my pink colored GE H855 8.0 mp camera, purchased years ago to support Breast Cancer awareness initiatives, on an extensive three day announced audit. I had to relearn to take my photos on stabilization mode. That mode compensates for slight movements and keeps my photos clear. For small point and shoots I agree vabvol the key is to not rush.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/17/2014 08:47PM by Pooch5210.

I use my Samsung Note 3 smartphone's camera. The pictures are awesome. If I want to use a regular camera for some reason, I like my Sony Cybershot compact camera. They make great little cameras. I agree with what others have said about purchasing them refurbished.

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