Camera that uses USB Memory Stick?

[AZStang]

Hey Everyone,

I am looking for a camera for work and could really use some help. I work in a test lab and we are looking for a new digital camera to take photos of our test setups and associated hardware. All photos would be indoors under fluorescent lights. A lot of the time, we will need to take close up pictures of small metal pieces.

The problem is getting the photos from the camera onto the computer since this camera will be used by upwards of 20 people and 20 different computers. We currently have an old Sony Mavica that takes the 3.5” floppies. That works pretty well since most everyone’s computer still has a floppy drive. If we switch to a new camera, that takes some other form of media, how can we download the pictures onto all the different computers? Does anyone make a camera that takes a USB Memory Stick? That would be perfect, but I can’t find any.

Thanks for your help,
Shawn

[tim11]

What exactly is a USB memory stick? Do you mean the USB flash drive/jump drive/whatevernametheyfancycallingit?
Most popular digital cameras now either use SD, xD or MS cards, and uploading the images to the computer has never been easier and faster. It's just a matter of plugging a cable from the camera to USB port; WinXP is recommended.

[AZStang]

What exactly is a USB memory stick? Do you mean the USB flash drive/jump drive/whatevernametheyfancycallingit?
Most popular digital cameras now either use SD, xD or MS cards, and uploading the images to the computer has never been easier and faster. It's just a matter of plugging a cable from the camera to USB port; WinXP is recommended.

Yes, a USB flash drive is what I was referring to.

I realize the ease of downloading the images to a single computer. However, this camera will be shared between 20 people using 20 different computers. I was hoping to avoid buying 20 USB cables. We all carry the USB flash drives and it would be really easy if a user could just plug in his flash drive, take the photos, put the camera away and download the photos to his computer later. I suppose we could just keep the cable with the camera. Kind of a pain to carry the cable around with the camera though.

[tim11]

USB drives come in all shapes and sizes - the only thing common about them is the interface. Maybe for this reason, there is no camera in the market that use USB drive; as you already realised.
A cable is included as a package when you buy the camera, and I haven't seen many cameras that shared the same cable yet [so you can't lose it between those 20 people].
If you and your co-workers are happy with 3.5" floppy, you will be more than happy with a smaller size SD cards (128MB); they are not expensive. Then buy a portable card reader for each computer, they are not expensive either.

Edit: This is a SD card reader similar to what I have. You can even leave the memory card inside it.
http://www.mobymemory.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Reader%5FUSB2%5FSD%5FMMC

[ktixx]

Not exactly what you were looking for, but it is pretty close. Any camera that uses SD memory can use a "USB Drive". Sandisk has a new product that is a combination SD card /USB Drive. See the links below

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=380335&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

http://www.sandisk.com/Products/Catalog(1096)-SanDisk_Ultra_II_SD_Plus_Cards.aspx
Ken

[tim11]

That's neat. Basically it's a SD card with built-in card reader. And no cable is needed.

[AZStang]

That is pretty cool. Do you know if they can function like a USB Flashdrive and hold data files as well as photos?

[ktixx]

That is pretty cool. Do you know if they can function like a USB Flashdrive and hold data files as well as photos?
Yea, that is a flash drive that is also an SD memory card.
Ken

[AZStang]

Okay, I'm sold on the SD/Flashdrive Card. Now, which camera?

Budget -
Under $1,000


Size -
Does not matter.


How many megapixels will suffice for you? -
Probably at least 4.

What optical zoom will you need? -
Standard = 3x-4x

How important is “image quality” to you? -
8

Do you care for manual controls? -
The fewer the better.


General Usage -

Camera will only be used indoors under fluorescent lights for taking pictures of large stationary structural assemblies and small metal parts. Photos will not be blown up any bigger than 8 x 10. It also must use the SD card.

[tim11]

Can flash be used? I'm thinking it might create flash spot on the metal parts resulting in unusable images.

[AZStang]

With the Sony Mavica we have now, we rarely use the flash for just that reason. It just washes out the whole picture.

[Norm in Fujino]

Okay, I'm sold on the SD/Flashdrive Card. Now, which camera? . . . . It also must use the SD card.

I don't understand why you limit yourself to SD cards--not that I have any objection to them specifically, but you can get generic card readers that plug into USB ports for ALL the major memory formats (SmartMedia, xD, SD, CF). They're cheap and like other USB devices, universal. Some readers plug directly into the USB port like a flash memory stick, some use a short cord (CF), but functionally they're the same.

In your specific case, the type of memory used should be your last consideration, IMO, so long as you don't use something totally out of date or proprietary to one manufacturer alone.

[tim11]

No flash, indoors and SD. That's the challenge.
New generation of Panasonic, Canon cameras have higher ISO enable them to be used indoors without flash. But I am not sure how they handle in real life.
If you are happy with xD card and card reader then the best bet is FujiFilm F10. Hopefully, someone will come up with suggestions for your needs.

[AZStang]

I don't understand why you limit yourself to SD cards.

I guess I didn't know enough about the different types of card readers that are available. After spending some time looking, I see that you are correct.

So, let's forget about the SD card requirement and work on which camera would be best.

Thanks for the enlightenment!

[tim11]

This Fuji F10 is the performer of lowlight, no flash. Here is the preview. Do pay attention to its NATURAL LIGHT MODE. It doesn't have too many manual controls as per your requirement.
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/fuji/finepix_f10-review/

About the interface: I'm not sure if the combo memory card/card reader also comes in xD form. You may have to buy a card reader for each computer.

[Prospero]

Perhaps this is a crazy suggestion, but since you have such a large budget (under $1000) this might also work for you. What if you would buy the Nikon D-50 with the f/1.8 50mm lens (or a third party alternative). This camera will still work with the SD / flashdrive combo card, it can take great pictures without flash in low light, it lies within the budget, and you don't necessarily need to use all these manual features which it has, you might just as well use program auto.

[ktixx]

Whats all this talk about low light problems and the need for flash?
Camera will only be used indoors under fluorescent lights for taking pictures of large stationary structural assemblies and small metal parts. Photos will not be blown up any bigger than 8 x 10. It also must use the SD card.
Key words.. Only and Stationary :) :D

The only thing you need is a $300 Point and Shoot (Something with good Macro for your small objects) and a Tripod.

Ken

[ktixx]

So, let's forget about the SD card requirement and work on which camera would be best.
I don't know if I agree with this statement. The original purpose of your post was to find a way for all the users of your office to be able to easily download the pictures to their computers without needing USB cables, etc. Carying a card reader around (although Small) is going to be a nusance and one that is slightly annoying. Plus if you are going to ask someone to carry a reader around, why not just ask them to cary the cable that comes with the camera and save a few bucks. SD memory is probably one of the most widely used memory on the market right now, I really don't think you will be limiting yourself by going with it. The addition of a USB drive built into the memory will be very convinient and will minimize what the user needs to cary/get to upload the photo's.
Ken

[tim11]

Let's step back a little.
It really depends on how much available where AZStang's lab is. And we are talking about getting 20 people to use a tripod when carrying a cable is considered a nuisance.
I suggest a card reader since it is faster and wear and tear to camera socket is minimal; and you can't afford to lose that cable since replacement will cost so much time and money.
So.... if an SD card or whatever card to be used, what's the suitable camera when flash is not used?
With the Sony Mavica we have now, we rarely use the flash for just that reason. It just washes out the whole picture.

[Jason25]

Whats all this talk about low light problems and the need for flash?

Key words.. Only and Stationary :) :D

The only thing you need is a $300 Point and Shoot (Something with good Macro for your small objects) and a Tripod.

Ken
The man has a point!

[penz]

I would say get the Fuji and an xD Card reader like this one. (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1069878&Sku=L61-4104&SRCCODE=YAHOODF&CMP=SPC-YAHOO) (This was the first one I found on Google)

Keep it with the camera and you are good to go.

[AZStang]

And we are talking about getting 20 people to use a tripod when carrying a cable is considered a nuisance.

Tim11 has a good point. No way would a tripod ever get used. This camera is used to take quick pictures. If we need professional photos of something, we bring in a professional photographer.

Thanks for all the discussion guys.
Shawn