Digital Cameras For Mystery Shops

Hi,

I am fairly new to this and do not own a camera. I see many shops that require a photo and I am not sure what kind of camera is best and cheapest!

Does anyone out there have any recommendations?

Thank you!

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MaryLynn Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hi,
>
> I am fairly new to this and do not own a camera. I
> see many shops that require a photo and I am not
> sure what kind of camera is best and cheapest!
>
> Does anyone out there have any recommendations?
>
> Thank you!

i have a "Nikon Coolpix S3100".

i wouldn't personally recommend a camera that costs less than $100. i tried a couple of cheapo cameras first, but just had to return them due to low quality. the pictures just don't turn out well enough for what most MSC's require, in my personal opinion.

basically, i went to the best buy store, and decided to get the best camera that i could find for $100. i found one on sale for $100 that had started out at $150. so now i have my $150 "Nikon Coolpix S3100" that i paid $100 for.

I use a Canon Rebel XT SLR however, it's getting old and I think for my next camera I'll get the Sony Cybershot. I also wouldn't get a camera under $100 because most of the MSC require good quality photos. Also some of them won't accept pictures under 8 Gig.

I use my iPhone. It takes better and clearer pictures than my Vivitar. I think the cames is 8 mega pixels and the camera is 0nly 5.

Something I'm going to look for with my next camera is thanks to techman. I want one that uses the SD cards that can sync over WiFi. No more hunting for a cable is a good thing.

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.

If you can find a camera with at least 5 megapixels and image size settings of 1400x1050, then you'll do well. Some phones have that. My smartphone has a camera almost as good as my Cannon (had a Sony Cybershot, too). The only difference is my digital cameras have better zoom than my smartphone's camera. But my smartphone takes NICE photos!

Right now, I and the MSCs I report for, are satisfied with my EASYSHARE from Kodak pictures. I have a Canon (Coolpx 100) that I not sure of but the ES works for me.

Most of the companies will ask you to take pictures in a small format, thus you need a camera that can provide a good quality when you select smallest format.
I used to have a 10 mega pixel camera which worked great. My wife noticed that the lens is getting a little bit scretched, but this does not affect the pictures yet, and for my b-day bought me a 16 Mega one. Now even that big mega cameras can come cheap (I think she paid $80-90). I would not go under the 10 mega.

Moreover you have to consider what you will be doing. I mostly do audits now, rarely I mistery shop, so I need the camera daily. For mistery shops you will find yourself using the camera in very few occasions. So for me a good camera is something I cannot do without, you might survive with a middle level one.

Shopper and auditor since March 2012.
Cover all center/north Oklahoma and south Kansas.

I have the Canon Powershot SD750 that I got on sale for $199 several years ago and I absolutely love it. It has 7.1 megapixels with a 4x zoom and it takes excellent pictures, especially close-ups (perfect for photographing receipts). It also records video and the quality is above average.

I have a Panasonic Lumix that takes awesome pictures. Even the receipt pics are amazingly clear without having to even hit the macros button. I got it on a deal about 1.5 years ago for $79.

It looks like there is a similar one with 12 megapixels and 5X zoom on Amazon at the moment for $35.

I got a refurbished Polaroid I1237 12.0 MP Digital Camera earlier this year for $39 on ebay. It works great and is more than I need for mystery shopping.

I use my Android phone and I've never had a problem. it takes better photos than my $150 Casio camera. Plus I can instantly upload the photos to my computer, much easier than messing around with moving the SD card.

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