Camera Vs. Phone
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Unless you're told NOT to use it, I would.
I've answered those questions too. I have a camera, a digital recorder, a phone that takes photos etc.
I've seen guidelines where one is told NOT to use a camera in a phone...and some that don't mention it.
My opinion of course
I've answered those questions too. I have a camera, a digital recorder, a phone that takes photos etc.
I've seen guidelines where one is told NOT to use a camera in a phone...and some that don't mention it.
My opinion of course
There may be some unknown bizarre reason or scenario that they want you to have a camera for, instead of a phone. Honesty is always the best policy. (and easier to remember.)
Thanks.
Cindy,
I'm being honest in answering the question that I do own a camera. Am I being dishonest if the paperwork doesn't specifically tell me to use the camera and I use my phone?
Cindy,
I'm being honest in answering the question that I do own a camera. Am I being dishonest if the paperwork doesn't specifically tell me to use the camera and I use my phone?
Yeah, I'd agree with Cindy. Answering truthfully is always best, and should there be ambiguity in the questions, then to the best of your ability.
The question is do you own a camera ( not a camera phone ) If you do not, then the answer is no. If they request you to take pictures specifically with a digital camera, you can not use the camera in your phone. They may need to do something to it on their end, and the camera in the phone may not give them the type of picture they need to perform their end result. I have to take lots of pictures every week. I do have the option of what type of camera I want to use. However, if I use a cell phone camera, I have to send it to a different location than the place where I send my digital camera pictures. They are handled differently. The how's and whys are Techmans field, I just do as I am requested, that way I don't have to go back and take more pictures.
Of course. If they tell me to use a polaroid I'd use a polaroid.
The question is, however, If they ask if I own one and I truthfully answer yes but they never say I must use one than is it ok not to?
The question is, however, If they ask if I own one and I truthfully answer yes but they never say I must use one than is it ok not to?
Well, turns out the paperwork says I can use a camera or a smart phone. Still I'm curious in case it comes up in the future
Yes. If they don't make a specific request to use digital, use whatever you have. They may just be using old forms, or an option for people that don't have camera phones.
I have a camera but it doesn't work but I still answer yes. It is a camera.
I use both (but I'll usually use my actual camera). I've only once, I think, done a shop that, specifically, said not to use a camera on a phone because they felt the pictures would not be high enough quality (the shop was to take a bunch of pictures for the client detailing the construction progress of a new location).
Is a CD player built into your car not a CD player? A camera built within a phone is still a camera, so yes, you own a camera. Unless they want you to send in a film cannister, a digital photo is a digital photo. A lot of these guidelines are left over from the day when camera phones gave unreliable pictures. Today My Razor does higher resolution, deeper zoom, and more editing features and I have passed my Kodak Easy Share off on the kids.
~
up, up, down, down, left, right,left,right, B,A, start.
up, up, down, down, left, right,left,right, B,A, start.
If it says not a camera phone, and I don't have a camera that is separate from a phone, I would check 'no.'
I think the latest Windows phone claims to have a 40 megapixel camera. Perhaps schedulers would be better off requiring a minimum number of megapixels rather than saying it has to be a camera.
I'm not sure that all mystery shopping companies are up on the latest technologies. I just filled out an application that asked me if my internet access was through Compuserve, AOL Online, or Prodigy. Darn it all, where's GEnie!
hollis, if the guidelines don't specify then it is up to the Independent Contractor to use whatever tools they deem appropriate to complete the assignment.
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 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.
MSmichelle Wrote:
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> I think the latest Windows phone claims to have a
> 40 megapixel camera. Perhaps schedulers would be
> better off requiring a minimum number of
> megapixels rather than saying it has to be a
> camera.
Interestingly enough, I've found some companies actually do not want high resolution photos because they aren't "web friendly". (I can't help but grin about it when submitting work to them because it reminds me of the 90's when everyone was on dialup and you really had to worry about bandwidth and file sizes.)
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> I think the latest Windows phone claims to have a
> 40 megapixel camera. Perhaps schedulers would be
> better off requiring a minimum number of
> megapixels rather than saying it has to be a
> camera.
Interestingly enough, I've found some companies actually do not want high resolution photos because they aren't "web friendly". (I can't help but grin about it when submitting work to them because it reminds me of the 90's when everyone was on dialup and you really had to worry about bandwidth and file sizes.)
I am directed for work to take mine in 03M. That is 640 x 480. They have to compile everyone's photos for the client, so they need small format. I think this is the same size for the pictures if you sell on eBay, if my memory serves me correctly.
Let me add to my earlier statement. If the MSC specifies you must use a digital camera and not a phone you have two choices in the situation, either use the device they requested or contact the MSC, ask them to waive the requirement and be willing to provide sample photos. Most MSCs are reasonable, but be prepared if they have their reasons for wanting photos taken with a camera only and follow the guidelines.
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 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.
To add to what LisaSTL said, also, the metadata embedded in the photo will enable the MSC to tell if the photo was taken with a regular camera or a phone.
MSMichelle, the 40 MP phone camera is a joke. The lens on the camera might be glass, but it is a single-element lens. While you might not notice a difference up to 16x20, if you start going larger than that, my Nikon D-5100 with 16MP will outperform the Windows 40MP camera every time. On the other hand, if I'm shooting a picture that will be used on a billboard, or enlarged and put on the side of a building, then I'll resort to my Mamaya with the 80MP digital back.
MichaelC, your propensity to split hairs and encourage deceitful actions is a detriment to all mystery shoppers. The only asset we have is our integrity. When you purchased your Razor, did the salesperson sell it as a phone, or as a camera? Odds are it was sold to you as a phone. The problem with these devices that multitask is that compromises have to be made. A camera in a phone will more than likely have a plastic lens, and if it happens to be a glass lens, it will be a single element lens instead of a more accurate multi-element, multi-coated lens.
MSMichelle, the 40 MP phone camera is a joke. The lens on the camera might be glass, but it is a single-element lens. While you might not notice a difference up to 16x20, if you start going larger than that, my Nikon D-5100 with 16MP will outperform the Windows 40MP camera every time. On the other hand, if I'm shooting a picture that will be used on a billboard, or enlarged and put on the side of a building, then I'll resort to my Mamaya with the 80MP digital back.
MichaelC, your propensity to split hairs and encourage deceitful actions is a detriment to all mystery shoppers. The only asset we have is our integrity. When you purchased your Razor, did the salesperson sell it as a phone, or as a camera? Odds are it was sold to you as a phone. The problem with these devices that multitask is that compromises have to be made. A camera in a phone will more than likely have a plastic lens, and if it happens to be a glass lens, it will be a single element lens instead of a more accurate multi-element, multi-coated lens.
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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
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 really prefer my camera for taking pictures as I think my phone charge runs down a lot quicker than using a camera with batteries especially if one has to take a lot of pictures. Using a phone for a job that requires just a couple photos would be OK but it's a habit with me to use the camera.
If you have to convert your photos to a PDF, as that one mystery shop company requires, you'll have to have a really good camera on your phone. I agree, the key is megapixels.
I found this out the hard way when I had to retake photos after going back and forth with them. The MS company has an old-fashioned word for detective in it's name.
I found this out the hard way when I had to retake photos after going back and forth with them. The MS company has an old-fashioned word for detective in it's name.
Kona Kathie
Hollis, unless a specific shop's instructions say you MUST use a digital camera and not a camera phone, I imagine you're OK using your camera--especially if it takes better shots!
A high megapixel count isn't usually needed for photos that will be sent and viewed via the internet.... And, nobody needs a 40 MP camera!!!! Unless they're printing banner-sized prints. A high-quality lens and great focus are more important. I sell vintage fashions online as my main business (no, not eBay), and 3 to 6 MP photos are fine; any more and you have to size them down too much. I usually use my little point & shoot 3 MP digital camera or my husband's 6 MP P & S on shops where I have to take a photo of the exterior of a building--they're small enough so that I'm not totally obvious to anyone who might be looking out the window, and they get much better photos than my camera phone. Which is actually why I'm looking for a new phone right now; I'd like to get one that takes 3 to 5 MP photos.
When I know I won't be "seen," I use my DSLR, but very rarely. The little guys take really good photos that seem to be totally good enough for mystery shopping. But a good camera phone would be so much more convenient!!!!!
A high megapixel count isn't usually needed for photos that will be sent and viewed via the internet.... And, nobody needs a 40 MP camera!!!! Unless they're printing banner-sized prints. A high-quality lens and great focus are more important. I sell vintage fashions online as my main business (no, not eBay), and 3 to 6 MP photos are fine; any more and you have to size them down too much. I usually use my little point & shoot 3 MP digital camera or my husband's 6 MP P & S on shops where I have to take a photo of the exterior of a building--they're small enough so that I'm not totally obvious to anyone who might be looking out the window, and they get much better photos than my camera phone. Which is actually why I'm looking for a new phone right now; I'd like to get one that takes 3 to 5 MP photos.
When I know I won't be "seen," I use my DSLR, but very rarely. The little guys take really good photos that seem to be totally good enough for mystery shopping. But a good camera phone would be so much more convenient!!!!!
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I have only ever seen a few shops that have specifically said not to use a smartphone camera. I think basically they want the megapixel to be higher and most phones now have at least 8mp, the newer ones are coming out with 32. That is better than any actual camera that I own. I have an 8mp camera phone and a 16mp camera.
I have only ever used my phone (I never accepted any shops that forbid a camera phone) and I have never had shops rejected for pics. Just make sure they are the right size I have mine set to a larger than 1mb range and for those that require nothing larger than 1mb I either adjust my settings for that shop or sketch and skew it when I get home.
o.O
I have only ever used my phone (I never accepted any shops that forbid a camera phone) and I have never had shops rejected for pics. Just make sure they are the right size I have mine set to a larger than 1mb range and for those that require nothing larger than 1mb I either adjust my settings for that shop or sketch and skew it when I get home.
o.O
O.o o.O
Happily shopping New England and beyond!!!!!
Happily shopping New England and beyond!!!!!
Kathee70, take any image with a 32mp camera phone and print it as a 16x20 inch print, and then try to say "that is better than any actual camera I own" with a straight face.
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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
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
Megapixels determine image size and not quality. Many MSCs don't want high MP images because they take up too much "space." I've sent my 2 MP phone photos in for shop reports, and they've been fine. And for photos that will be viewed only on the web, you just don't need those mega-high megapixel counts. The final dpi count is more important--since a lower dpi gives you a "thinner" image, a higher dpi gives a richer, deeper image. Though you still don't need as high a dpi for web images as for printed ones....
James is right. I will put my Pentax k-7 (max. 14 MP) or even my ancient Pentax K100D Super (max 6 MP) images (printed or web) up against just about any camera phone image of any MP, and I bet they'll be better. Even those from my husband's ancient Panasonic Lumix.... I don't own a newer phone with a good camera in it, but I honestly don't see how a phone can possibly have a better, higher-quality lens and sensor than a high-end, or even a good mid-range digital camera. I guess if you have a several-hundred-dollar smartphone, it might be possible, but I don't know enough about those in-phone cameras to know.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/15/2013 05:05PM by BirdyC.
James is right. I will put my Pentax k-7 (max. 14 MP) or even my ancient Pentax K100D Super (max 6 MP) images (printed or web) up against just about any camera phone image of any MP, and I bet they'll be better. Even those from my husband's ancient Panasonic Lumix.... I don't own a newer phone with a good camera in it, but I honestly don't see how a phone can possibly have a better, higher-quality lens and sensor than a high-end, or even a good mid-range digital camera. I guess if you have a several-hundred-dollar smartphone, it might be possible, but I don't know enough about those in-phone cameras to know.
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/15/2013 05:05PM by BirdyC.
holliscary Wrote:
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> Of course. If they tell me to use a polaroid I'd
> use a polaroid.
>
> The question is, however, If they ask if I own one
> and I truthfully answer yes but they never say I
> must use one than is it ok not to?
As long as the guidelines don't specifically say not to use a phone camera, it should be fine. I used my phone camera for everything until I got my camera. I only bought a camera so I didn't have to go through the process of adding a date/time stamp and resizing. Of course if you are in doubt, contact the MSC and ask them.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Of course. If they tell me to use a polaroid I'd
> use a polaroid.
>
> The question is, however, If they ask if I own one
> and I truthfully answer yes but they never say I
> must use one than is it ok not to?
As long as the guidelines don't specifically say not to use a phone camera, it should be fine. I used my phone camera for everything until I got my camera. I only bought a camera so I didn't have to go through the process of adding a date/time stamp and resizing. Of course if you are in doubt, contact the MSC and ask them.
So the advantage of using a digital camera vs. cell phone pics is that pics do not need resizing and the addition of the date and time stamp???
What would be the other advantages of the camera vs. the cell phone pics please???
Many Thanks from a photo newbie!!!
What would be the other advantages of the camera vs. the cell phone pics please???
Many Thanks from a photo newbie!!!
Cameras with a vibration control feature also tend to produce better images, more reliably, when the feature is turned on. Also, cameras have vastly greater battery life, except for the worst of them! SD cards transfer photos more reliablly than usb connections. SD cards images are just so much easier to work with IMHO!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/26/2013 09:47PM by walesmaven.
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.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/26/2013 09:47PM by walesmaven.
James Bond 007.5 Wrote:
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> Kathee70, take any image with a 32mp camera phone
> and print it as a 16x20 inch print, and then try
> to say "that is better than any actual camera I
> own" with a straight face.
What MSC is printing our images at that size? I am thinking none but I could be wrong.
And I am pro camera over my high quality Samsung because I can shoot my Nikons in my sleep. And with the big glass, I can shoot from across the street and not be detected except for the occasional cop. They usually stop to ask if I need car assistance since I am on the side of the road with my flashers on.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Kathee70, take any image with a 32mp camera phone
> and print it as a 16x20 inch print, and then try
> to say "that is better than any actual camera I
> own" with a straight face.
What MSC is printing our images at that size? I am thinking none but I could be wrong.
And I am pro camera over my high quality Samsung because I can shoot my Nikons in my sleep. And with the big glass, I can shoot from across the street and not be detected except for the occasional cop. They usually stop to ask if I need car assistance since I am on the side of the road with my flashers on.
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“I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to.”
~ Jimi Hendrix
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” ~ Mark Twain
“To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.” ~ J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
“I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to.”
~ Jimi Hendrix
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” ~ Mark Twain
“To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.” ~ J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
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