Every few months, a new digital camera comes on to the market with more megapixels, bigger screens and nifty gadgets. But how much of this is needed in primary schools?
I’m going to be investing in some digital cameras. I think every classroom should have one – it saves the hassle of running around the school to see who’s got the camera which inevitably will have no battery power left!
However, how much should I spend? I do have the temptation to go all out thrifty and use old mobile phones but the quality is never great. For instance, there’s rarely a decent flash and the resolution is rarely good. While most mobile phones now have integrated cameras, to get a decent photographs would probably require a phone that costs more than a camera.
I’d like to buy a digital camera that has no other function other than being a camera. Maybe it can record short videos but that’s about it for me. However, I don’t think I should spend any more than €100 on them.
Aldi sometimes sell their older model cameras for €50 and shops like Argos, TK Maxx, Lidl and Heatons often do similar offers. I’m aware there are a number of considerations, including the type of battery used but I can’t see any reason to spend that much on them. Does anyone out there have any tips and ideas?
Last Update: August 17, 2017
I think you’re right to be a bit thrifty, as there’s no need for a class to have a top quality camera, just one that does the job well. €100 would be my limit too, and you can get great value on cameras these days e.g http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/5593866.htm
We bought two cameras the year before last and when they are plugged into a computer, two drives appear in Windows Explorer. This resulted in some teachers thinking the photos weren’t on the camera when Scanner and Camera Wizard scanned the wrong partition. A little annoying and I couldn’t find a way to disable the application partition.
Thanks guys for sharing your tips. Cheap hardware can sometimes have its drawbacks so it’s important to check the labels!
I have a sony cybershot DSC N2 point and shoot camera. Great camera still even though it is pushing on in years. I would reccomend any of the Nikon, Kodak, Panasonic cameras as they tend to be pretty similar on features but do vary greatly on price. Shop around but I wouldn’t spend more than €120/camera. Don’t rule out E-Bay as well!
http://www.ebay.ie/sch/Digital-Cameras-/31388/i.html?Brand=Sony|Nikon%2520|Panasonic%2520&_catref=1&_dmpt=UK_CamerasPhoto_DigitalCameras_DigitalCameras_JN&_fln=1&_ssov=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282&_mPrRngCbx=1&_udlo=59&_udhi=129
Yes, good idea – forgot about eBay. It is a place I have been stung a couple of times but overall there’s much more honesty on eBay than not!