Best Document Cameras in 2022

Last update: December 28, 2022

Are document cameras obsolete?

Document cameras are still relevant in today's classrooms. They provide a way for students to see a real-time image of what the teacher is writing or illustrating on a overhead projector. This can be especially helpful for students who are struggling to see the board from their seat in the classroom.

Can a document camera project onto a wall?

Yes, a document camera can project onto a wall. This can be done by setting up the document camera on a tripod and pointing it at the wall. The image will be projected onto the wall and can be seen by everyone in the room.

Can I scan a document using my phone?

Yes, you can scan a document using your phone. There are a few different ways to do this. One way is to download a scanning app. Once you have the app installed, open it and follow the instructions. Another way is to use the camera app on your phone. Open the camera app and point it at the document you want to scan. Once the document is in view, tap the screen to focus and then take the picture.

Can I use a document camera without a projector?

Yes, you can use a document camera without a projector. Document cameras are stand-alone devices that can be used to display documents, books, 3D objects, and more. Many document cameras also have built-in software that allows you to capture images and videos, which can be saved to a computer or external storage device.


iCODIS X7 Book & Document Scanner, 15MP High Definition Portable Document Camera, Auto-Flatten & Deskew, Capture Size A3, Multi-Language OCR, USB, SDK & Twain for Office and Education Presentation Review:


I scan a LOT of documents for a variety of reasons. I've been able to organize my garage, book shelves, and other spaces by scanning documents, training materials, books, and other materials to make them searchable.A portable scanner like the $260 Epson Workforce ES-65WR, which can scan one page at a time slowly, and a business-grade scanner that can read over 100 pages in just a few minutes at the touch of a button were the two sorts of scanners I was using up until recently. While the latter is immovable and unreasonably expensive, the former is incredibly quick but VERY sluggish.I noticed a device behind my Japanese colleague during one of our video conferences that drew my eye. It was an iCodis X3 scanner, he explained, and he had used it to scan some of the materials he had previously supplied me. I began looking online for any created by a recognised brand name because I had never seen such a device in the United States before. Surprisingly, there were none. I made the decision to try the most recent iCodis X7.PROS - Scan full books without removing the pages - Auto-corrects page curvature, alignment, and damaged parts (by filling the gaps accordingly)- Multiple language optical character recognition (OCR), which converts scanned text into searchable text. (Take note that scans are NOT translated. Simply choosing a language when scanning increases the OCR's accuracy.OCR was quite accurate. German, English, and handwritten notes were accurately scanned, and the files were exported into searchable Word, Txt (Text), and PDF formats. Spreadsheets can also be stored as Excel; OCR can read barcodes and QR codes to extract the hidden text and convert it to text that can be read by humans.- Recognizes unique photographs inside an album as long as a black background separates them, saving each on a separate scan. If not, it will scan every picture as a single page.- Scans pages up to A3 size (11.69" x 16.53" or 29.7cm x 42.0 cm)- Quick scan (page appears on the computer in less than 2 secs). I spent approximately an hour scanning a 600-page training manual. I wish there was an automated page-flip function on this scanner.- Automatic scanning as soon as a new page is placed on the scanning surface. Without having to repeatedly press a scan button, this REALLY saves time!- Folds away when not in use, albeit at 15" tall is not as ultra portable as my Epson. - Manually initiate a scan with a wired puck.- To scan and power the gadget, use a single USB cable. Costs approximately the same as my expensive Epson ES-65WR; LED lights illuminate the work surface so you can work and scan in the dark. Requires a computer with a USB connector.Only compatible with Windows 8 and newer. There is no Wi-Fi support, no mobile app, and no support for Mac OS. There is no travel bag to carry the scanner in when traveling; scans just go to the PC. A little misleading, "Multi-Language OCR" does NOT translate scanned text. It basically gives you the option to select the language for the scan, improving OCR accuracy.X7 vs X3My coworker's X3 is enhanced by the new X7 model in the following ways:- "Flattening Curve Technology": flattens curved scans automatically, making it the best option for scanning books. In general, flat sheets are scanned using the X3.- A 15 Megapixel camera (compared to the X3's 8 MP), enabling more thorough scanning.- Additional LED lights to brighten the work and scan area - An external scan puck to start a job manuallyThe X7 is around 1 lb heavier and a little bit bigger and taller than its predecessor.TIPS - You may download the scanner program if your computer lacks a CD drive (as do the majority of current PCs today) by searching the web for "iCODIS MegaScan Pro X7."I am VERY pleased with this scanner overall. It fills a need left by the lack of a quick method to scan books without tearing them apart.To encourage me to write more reviews, please click the "Helpful" button below if you found this one to be useful. I'm grateful.



iCODIS Document Camera X3, High Definition Portable Scanner, Capture Size A3, Multi-Language OCR, English Article Recognition, USB, SDK & Twain, Powerful Software Review:


This thing is extremely awesome. I'm not sure what the other reviewer is on about because I had no trouble getting theirs to operate. Although installing the software took a little while, that's fine. In approximately 20 minutes, I had it operating on my Windows 10 computer. The scanning application offers a ton of capabilities, which makes it incredibly cool. You may use a variety of different images, and some of them can perform OCR. I found this to be extremely accurate, even on the challenging newsprint that I tested it on! For a side-by-side comparison of the actual image and the text that the scanner captured, see the photographs. It also functions well as a document camera-style live view for presentations, which is a helpful tool. The ability to scan barcodes on the page and store the scan as whatever is encoded on the barcode was the coolest feature that I didn't get to use. I was quite impressed with this feature, which is only found in devices that cost a great deal more money. My main issues with the scanner are its enormous size, but I suppose I could find a smaller black mat to use since it doesn't appear like you have to use the one that comes with it. A longer USB cord would have been nice, but I suppose I can just buy an extension.Overall, this has really impressed me! Particularly for the cost! I heartily endorse it.



INSWAN INS-1 Tiny 8MP USB Document Camera with Auto-Focus and LED Supplemental Light… Review:


This document camera is AMAZING! I enjoy what the free software download makes it possible to accomplish, even though my technological prowess doesn't match what can be done: create a white board, a black board, draw, erase, record lessons, take still pictures, utilize it with a computer webcam, connect it to a microscope, and other features. Even the bulb portion may be tilted upwards or downwards, and the base has a wonderful weight to prevent the camera from toppling. It is portable and can fit in a computer bag. A user manual is available for download on the website inswan.com. A non-glare sheet, a quick reference sheet, and a small bag of adapters for microscope connection are included with the doc cam. Any emails I have sent to the company have gotten prompt responses. It's as simple as installing the program designed specifically for your camera, connecting the USB, then double-clicking the Documate software icon on your desktop, as others have stated.



IPEVO VZ-R HDMI/USB Dual Mode 8MP Document Camera (5-883-4-01-00) Review:


The majority of these reviews mention using this camera in a classroom. It also works very well as a medical aid for those with low vision, which is another usage for it.Without a magnifying device, an elderly parent with macular degeneration can no longer read books and newspapers. What a $2, 000–$3, 000 CCTV magnifier does, this device plus a TV also does. The best feature of this camera is how easily it connects to a monitor or TV's HDMI connector without a computer. For elders who are uncomfortable with computers, it thereby removes one more challenge. It works after just turning it on. The device has a number of zoom levels, the ability to change contrast, and a number of image-enhancing enhancements. The only thing missing from the CCTV magnifier are the sizable knobs used to change the settings. So, for elderly people who have lost fine motor abilities, this may not be a big deal. The stand has a sturdy base and is very adjustable. In contrast to the 20" to 24" displays that often come with the medical device version, you can plug this into a larger screen. Overall, a really well-designed tool that benefits those with impaired vision at a cheap price, as opposed to CCTV magnifiers that are overpriced.



IPEVO V4K Ultra High Definition USB Document Camera (5-880-4-01-00) Review:


Thank goodness I went with the IPEVO V4K document camera! I adore it. Dark forest green would not have been my color of choice, but this is what I love about this camera: the images are incredibly crisp; there is no distortion or problem focusing, whether projecting a paper or an item. works effectively in both bright and dim lighting. The stand and camera are built of high-quality materials, and the stand has a substantial, rectangular base that is roughly 3.5" x 5.25" in size. As a result, the camera won't readily topple over. Three hinged joints are also present, and they can all lay nearly flat. I could be mistaken, but I believe the stand is made of metal because of its substantial weight. Two rectangular rods, a hinge, two more rectangular rods, another hinge, and a single rectangular rod at the top make up the stand's bottom section. The arm holding the camera is held by the top hinge. Additionally, the camera has a side-to-side swivel. I'm sure there will be a lot more features of this document camera that I will love. The quality and value are outstanding thus far. Although it's a little too late in the academic year to utilize it much, I can't wait to use this little one in August!



Elmo 1349 Model TT-12ID Interactive Document Camera, 96X Total Optical + Digital Zoom and 3.4MP CMOS Image Sensor, HDMI Input Review:


Finally, after twelve years, my old Elmo quit functioning, and I needed a replacement. The newest model performs so much better than the older type: it has higher magnification, better picture quality, is lighter, and is just as durable. The newest model's recording feature is something I'd really like to explore.



IPEVO VZ-X Wireless, HDMI/USB 8 MP Document Camera (5-884-4-01-00) Review:


I have been utilizing an LCD projector and "smartboard" from the PolyVision brand as a high school math and computer programming teacher for the past four years. A state subsidy was used to purchase the Polyvision board, which was regrettably a mass-produced, minimally expensive device designed to be installed in as many classrooms as possible. It had just worn out by the end of 2013, and by then it was a nightmare. I looked for options that I could afford and that would let me escape the budgeting and purchasing bureaucracy (and avoid having it on record at the tech office, which means they could take it from me at any time). Even though it costs somewhat more than the other document cameras on the market, this was still very affordable for the pricing. Here are the top five justifications for choosing this one as a teacher over the competition.1) The ability to project directly onto an LCD screen is essential! There is no need to worry if your computer crashes for the day because your document camera is not linked to it. This is about as certain a thing as there is if you're searching for technology that is "disaster proof" in your lesson planning. Again, you'll pay $x more for this than the alternatives on the market, but having the direct to LCD projector functionality in the classroom is totally worthwhile.2) One of the "image size" options is HD, and there are other options as well. I place materials with font sizes ranging from 9 to 36 points under the camera. Students 20 to 30 feet away can still reasonably see with the HD option because it can catch even the smallest fonts. You must zoom in. Simply take hold of the camera, move it toward the paper, and then press the refocus button (or keep it in auto-focus all the time). In other picture sizes, a longer (vertical) image is displayed, allowing me to have a full 8.5 x 11 paper on the screen when I need one.3) It is really simple to use. You may start teaching after you plug it in, switch it on, and fiddle with the settings for five minutes.4) It weighs more than you imagine. When you swing your arm and bump it, it holds its position reasonably well, so that's not a problem.5) It provides excellent education. Books, novels, 3-D models, and artwork are all acceptable categories. Simply take a student's paper and place it under the camera so that the entire class can see it when they have a question about completing an equation. This will allow the entire class to participate in the conversation rather than just the two of you. If you run out of space when delivering notes, you'll know the kids will too, so you can flip the paper over and signal for them to do the same. It's challenging to show children how to use a large, cumbersome protractor to measure an angle on a chalkboard. Using the same paper and protractor your students do, and demonstrating on a large screen EXACTLY what to do in real time, is effective and efficient. absentee pupil? You have a copy of every piece of writing you produced the day before available for reference. You don't need to hear any more from me to understand why I believe this to be the best teaching tool I have ever used. Purchase this product because I'm giving you my word that it will work and your kids will be happy with their improved vision under the "teacher's oath" (if there is such a thing).When buying, there are two things to think about. First, prepare yourself for a lot of paper to be scattered around your desk; organization is essential. Second, keep your hands in good shape or invest in a nice pointer—the kids will be familiar with your cuticles!Additionally, I strongly advise purchasing it on your own rather than through your school district. Your intentions have failed if there is even a slight possibility that they might take it away from you.



Koolertron Professional Book Document Scanner Camera,Auto Focus 12MP High Definition Camera Capture A4 Size, Portable Automatic Scanning, Multi-Language OCR Convert Images to Word/Excel/PDF/TXT Review:


I truly enjoy this item. When I got it, I was quite surprised. It is ideally suited for use in my studio. It provides all of the features we require. It is quite easy to install. Additionally, using it is really convenient. It is really easy to use and very clear. Really practical for a very happy shopping experience



Epson DC-07 Portable Document Camera with USB Connectivity and 1080p Resolution Review:


I adore it! It has been a classroom lifesaver. I've been using an iPad to mirror, however the WiFi connection is constantly problematic. WiFi problems are over. I enjoy how simple and straightforward to use it is, and how good the picture quality is. Although there are times when I'd want a little bit more zoom and sharper focus, altogether, it's the best thing ever for the price! Since I use it to display text, I figured I don't always zoom, but occasionally the focus feature takes a little while to adjust, especially after I press the "focus" button.



AVerVision U50 USB FlexArm Document Camera Black (VISIONU50) Review:


I adore this product! My life as a teacher has totally transformed as a result! Now that I don't need to search online for manipulatives, I can quickly demonstrate problem-solving techniques to pupils. Students can also follow along while I read aloud. This has countless applications! This is a reliable piece of gear with a ton of unique features that the other models lack. With this, I can zoom, write, take pictures, and record movies. It is incredible, and I will never again be able to teach without it. highly suggestable


Can I use a webcam as a document camera?

Yes, you can use a webcam as a document camera. You can either purchase a document camera or use a webcam that you already have.

Can I use my laptop camera to scan documents?

Yes, you can use your laptop camera to scan documents. You can either use a scanning app or a document scanning website.

Can I use my phone as a document camera?

Yes, you can use your phone as a document camera. You can either use a phone holder that attaches to the document or place the phone on a flat surface. The camera on your phone will capture the document and you can save it as a photo or PDF.

Can you connect a document camera to a laptop?

Most document cameras come with a USB cable that can be used to connect the camera to a laptop. Many also have an HDMI port that can be used to connect to a TV or projector.

Can you use a document camera with zoom?

A document camera is a digital imaging device that can be used to capture large images or objects and project them onto a screen or monitor. They are commonly used in classrooms and presentations. Many document cameras now come with built-in zoom features, allowing you to get a closer look at the image or object being displayed.

Do document cameras take pictures?

Yes, document cameras can take pictures. Many document cameras have a built-in camera that can take pictures, and some document cameras even have a built-in scanner that can scan documents and photos.