Any compact camera which can be USB-controlled for 1 pic per second?

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Peter - 02 Jul 2009 16:15 GMT

I have an unusual requirement to take a still image, a few megapixels
or so, every second.

It should be saved over USB if possible but that may be a bit
difficult given typical USB speeds, so saving to an internal 8/16GB SD
would be fine.

Last time I looked into this, there were some old Canon cameras (not
very compact) for which one could buy a special controller card, etc.

I could do this with any webcam and some free software (ConquerCam
does it nicely, IIRC) but all webcams are crap quality for what I
need.
x----------x

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Trev - 02 Jul 2009 16:27 GMT

> I have an unusual requirement to take a still image, a few megapixels
> or so, every second.
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> need.
> x----------x

Most Dslrs can be I don't know the full range of all makes But I think the canon sure shooters range can. With the correct software Which is extra.

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Dudley Simons - 02 Jul 2009 16:39 GMT

> I have an unusual requirement to take a still image, a few megapixels
> or so, every second.
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> need.
> x----------x

IIRC you can do this with Canon Zoombrowser software and a something
like a Canon A640 camera - I use a 640 lashjed up to a microscope and
drive in entirely from the desktop. I am shooting full 10mb images down
down a cable to a USB 2 port on a desktop pc. If you drop the image
size right down it you might be able to run at 1 image every second.
That said I can't for the life of me remember what the time lapse
options are in Zoom browser and i am not in a position to be able to go
and fire it up at the moment. However it is a free piece of software
which you should be able to download and take a look at yourself - if
its not free on the Canon UK site go to Canon in the US where stuff we
pay for is often a free download

One problem you might have trying to write to an SD card is its size -
you may not be able to write to the full 8 or 16 GB with some cameras.
You will of course also need a mains adaptor for the camera - depending
on how long you want to run the camera for continuously without having
to change batteries.

Hope this helps

regards

Dudley

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Peter - 03 Jul 2009 22:44 GMT

Thank you all for the brilliant suggestions.

The Canon A640 and Zoombrowser is v. interesting. I would set it to a
fairly low res. I must have a dozen zoombrowser CDs kicking around,
from various Canon inkjet printer purchases over the years. And
transferring the images to the PC is better than storing them on an SD
card.

The end result will be used to make a 25fps broadcast quality movie so
10 megapixels is not required :)

Can the A640 be externally powered via a *cable* rather than via a
Casio-style base unit only?

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Dudley Simons - 06 Jul 2009 11:16 GMT

> Thank you all for the brilliant suggestions.
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> Can the A640 be externally powered via a *cable* rather than via a
> Casio-style base unit only?

definitely runs on a cable and not a cradle - thats how I power my one
up. It was supplied with the camera and microscope so I don't how much
they cost - I'd be prpepared that it is a ridiculous amount of money and
fleabay might be a better route.

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Peter - 09 Jul 2009 11:39 GMT

I wonder if the Canon A480 can do this?

The A640 is hard to find on Ebay and nonexistent elsewhere.

The 480 can do "continuous shooting" to its SD card at about 1.3fps
and could probably do more at 640x480, but no mention whether it can
send the images down via USB.

It is also SDHC compatible but does that mean 4GB max, or can go
bigger?

x----------x

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Richard - 02 Jul 2009 19:25 GMT

>I have an unusual requirement to take a still image, a few megapixels
> or so, every second.
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> does it nicely, IIRC) but all webcams are crap quality for what I
> need.

Some software here:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/digsoftware_cameractrl.html
I have, in the past, used the Olympus related stuff.

HTH

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Willy Eckerslyke - 03 Jul 2009 09:15 GMT

> I have an unusual requirement to take a still image, a few megapixels
> or so, every second.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Last time I looked into this, there were some old Canon cameras (not
> very compact) for which one could buy a special controller card, etc.

Do a web search for CHDK.
A colleague uses this on his Canon for timelapse photos. Basically, it's
a software utility that you put on the memory card. Switching on the
camera causes it to boot from the card, giving you loads of extra
functions. When you've done, you just remove the card, switch the camera
on again and it's back to normal.
My colleague uses an older DSLR, but I understand it also works on most
Canon compact cameras.

> I could do this with any webcam and some free software (ConquerCam
> does it nicely, IIRC) but all webcams are crap quality for what I
> need.

My choice would be a GentLED (do another web search) and a cheap,
secondhand compact camera. I use a GentLED on a Nikon D80 (and D70) with
great results, so recommended it to a friend who bought one (costs
around 20 pounds) and a 15 quid Minolta. He says it works perfectly, and
is 100% reliable.
The minimum image size on the above Nikons is miles higher than needed,
making them less than perfect, whereas an older compact that goes right
down to 640x480 probably makes more sense, and is of course a lot
cheaper and less of a liability if left unattended outside.

One small doubt, is that I've only shot with an interval of 2 seconds.
You'd need to be sure that the camera can turn around fast enough for 1
second intervals.
You may also need to rig it up to a car battery or something if you're
working outside for long periods.

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