Document cameras are key devices for teachers to be able to teach at a distance as well as in the classroom. Being able to capture an image in real time and show details of all kinds of different objects is very useful. Not sure which doc cam to buy? Here we review 5 of the very best document cameras for teachers to help make your search a bit easier!
We’ve also included a short buyer’s guide at the end which should hopefully answer some of your questions and help you make the right choice.
In a hurry? Looking for just the best document camera for teachers? Our top pick is the IPEVO V4K USB Document Camera, a solid choice at a reasonable price point. Above all, it will be a great teaching aid for you!
Document Cameras for Teachers Comparison Table
Here are the top document cameras for teaching compared!
The 5 Best Document Cameras for Teachers You can Buy
1) IPEVO V4K USB Document Camera
Pros
- 8MP Camera
- Full HD Video streaming
- Low-light performance
- Fast focusing speed
Cons:
- Needs Powerful Computer to Run Smoothly
Our pick for the very best document camera for teachers goes to the IPEVO V4K USB Document Camera which is simply perfect for scanning books and documents. This document camera has an 8 Megapixel camera for capturing HD live images up to 3264 x 2448 pixels. You can capture tiny details without pixelation, which allows for smooth presentation of books, magazines, documents, QR codes, 3D objects of various kinds, photographs, and more.
Not only does it make classroom presentation smooth, but you can archive photographs and other materials at a touch of a button. Anything can be photographed and stored for use in future lessons or presentations.
It has a high frame rate so it enables live streaming at 30 fps at full HD, and has a fast focusing speed. This enables you to switch between subjects or move over to different areas of your map, document or other object without too much interruption.
This doc cam also has a Sony CMOS Image Sensor for effective noise reduction and color reproduction, and works well in a dimly lit classroom.
It has a built-in microphone and flexible neck, and is on a multi-jointed stand. The stand has a bolt for each connecting joint which are tightened by turning clockwise with a coin. This enables you to capture objects at different heights and angles quite easily.
It is compatible with various software and applications on Mac, PC and Chromebook. All that’s needed is for the application or software to be able to recognize the video source coming from the V4K’s standard UVC camera.
If you have software such as Seesaw, Camtasia or OBS you can create flipped classroom videos. You can also use this document camera as a webcam for online meetings or remote teaching using Zoom, GoToMeeting, Skype, or Google Hangouts.
2) iOCHOW S5 Book & Document Camera
Pros
- 22MP camera
- Built-in LED lamps for high brightness
- Multipurpose scanner up to A3 size
- OCR recognition to convert jpg to Word/Excel/Txt/PDF format in one click
Cons:
- Only works with Windows, not Mac OS
Next up, this top-of-the-range document camera has a ‘page flattening algorithm’ which enables you to easily project HD images in an open book and the images will appear to be flat.
It also acts as a scanner, and will allow you to perform real-time video classes, perfect for distance lectures and learning.
You can take pictures and it will scan up to A3 size documents, as well as do video recording. It is powerful and portable.
Its autocorrection feature will fill in any gaps in pages, so a ripped page will appear whole and complete (useful for scanning students’ homework!)
3) INSWAN INS-1 Document Camera
Pros
- 8MP Camera
- Can connect to a microscope
- Built-in microphone
- Live streaming
Cons:
- The software is difficult to install
Thirdly, this camera is tiny but powerful. It fits easily on a desktop, and it’s easily portable so you can take it from one class to another.
The INSWAN INS-1 Document Camera has ultra-high definition with output for TVs and large monitors and projectors, and is suitable for all lighting conditions (an extra LED light is included). The sensor can capture live images up to 3264 x 2448 pixels at 30 fps. It has an anti-glare sheet that enables you to capture images in very bright environments.
The arm has a multi-joint design so it is adjustable depending on the objects you want to scan.
It has auto focus and livestream capabilities and it comes with an adaptor to connect it to a microscope. Perfect for showing small details to a class, such as tiny striations in a rock or cells in a petri dish.
4) Elmo 1349 Model TT-12ID Interactive Document Camera
Pros
- 96x Zoom
- Can switch quickly between the computer and a projector
- Built-in microphone that can record audio
- USB port and SD card slot
Cons:
- Not portable – the neck becomes loose with too much movement
The camera head is adjustable, and the arm and lens rotate so that you can use this device as either a webcam or a document camera. You can also save photographs, documents and lectures to a USB drive or other removable device.
5) INEBIZ 30fps Lightweight Document Camera
Pros
- 5MP auto focus camera
- Automatic brightness adjustment
- Built-in microphone
- SD card slot for long video recordings
Cons:
- Not as high-resolution as some other document cameras (but does the job)
Finally, the INEBIZ 30fps Lightweight Document Camera is another solid choice for teaching purposes. This camera comes with one VGA cable and one USB cable, a remote control, a power adaptor, a CD and manual. You can set the zoom settings so that the camera jumps from one to the other.
It has a 5MP auto focus camera and can take in documents up to A3 size. In high-speed mode, the camera can output an image at 1080HP with 30fps for real-time experiments and other situations.
Additionally, the photography feature provides 5MP photography for high-quality JPEG format and full HD 1080P audio video recording.
The main body of the camera can rotate 180 degrees, so it can shoot from the front as well as from the rear. The camera is light, so it’s easy to move it around the room.
The gooseneck allows the camera to rotate 360 degrees and there is a large-angle LED as an extra light source to be used in dim light circumstances.
This camera also has an SD card slot which supports 32G SDcards for massive photo shoots and long HD video recordings.
Document Cameras for Teachers – Buyers Guide
What Makes a Good Document Camera for Teaching?
Here are some key features to look for:
- Portability
- Built-in microphone
- Interactivity
- Microscope adaptor
- Annotation
- A flexible neck
- Remote control
- Reference monitor
- Learning software integration
- Easy web uploading
If you would like to learn more about what features to look for, see our in-depth guide on how to choose a document camera.
How to Use a Document Camera in the Classroom?
Document cameras have many uses in the classroom:
- Showing math operations
- Annotating texts
- Showing details of small objects such as leaves or rocks
- Labeling diagrams as a class
- Showing details of a map or diagram
- Creating mindmaps together
- Time management (you can put the timing for a given activity on the screen and children will know when to finish and move on to the next task)
- Going over answers to quizzes and homework (doing this together keeps children engaged when it’s their work on the big screen!)
- Displaying a list for children to work with (a to-do list or other list such as a schedule for the day)
If you still need more ideas, see our article with 12 tips on how to use a document camera in the classroom.
Conclusion
There you have it, our top picks for the best document cameras for teachers. Have a good think about what features you need for your classroom, and hopefully this article has helped you make an informed choice.
Document cameras are transforming the way children learn, and they are fast becoming an essential tool for keeping children engaged, while saving teachers precious time.