With the ever-changing world and improvement of technology, offices and corporate jobs also need to adapt. More and more people are now switching to working from home as opposed to at an office. In fact, over 70% of professionals are now expecting work from home to be the standard. Not only has working from home become a necessity but studies also show that it can help improve work quality and boost productivity.
To keep workers connected with their colleagues and teams and employees with employers and clients, technology is a must. From laptops, headsets, and microphones, all these are needed for work. Meetings and conferences are now held online instead of in person. If you have attended or even hosted a Zoom meeting, then you know how important it is to have the right equipment. If you are looking for the best document camera for Zoom, you’ve come to the right place.
The Top Document Cameras For Zoom
Document cameras are essentially high-resolution web cameras. Think of it as an opaque projector that is used in physical meetings. But instead of projecting onto a wall, you will be projecting on everyone’s screens. And of course, document cameras have more features than an opaque projector. Here are our 8 picks on top document cameras for Zoom:
AVer M5 USB Document Camera
One of the easiest document cameras to use, the AVer M5 has a USB connection that works on both PC and Mac as well as Chromebooks and Microsoft Windows. It has an 8MP camera that delivers 60fps and 1080+ HD to give you amazingly clear and crisp captures.
It’s not just for documents, the AVer M5 boasts a 360-degree swivel head that can also capture 3D objects and projects. Just imagine if you have to present a test product or pitch a new item design. The AVer M5 camera can show all of the details of your presentation. What’s more, it comes with a built-in LED light and microphone.
With a small footprint, this camera leaves space for other items on your desk. Even better, the AVer M5 is portable, so you can take it with you on the go.
- Built-in microphone
- Just plug-and-play, USB connection
- Up to 16x zoom
- 8MP camera: 1080p+ HD, 60fps
IPEVO V4K Ultra High Definition Document Camera
The impressive IPEVO V4K is an ultra high definition document camera that is built to last. Made and designed in Taiwan, this document camera boasts a Sony CMOS Image Sensor, which offers outstanding color reproduction and noise reduction even in dimly lit areas.
The document camera has a high frame rate, so you won’t experience any lagging during meetings. Streams are 30fps on full HD and 15fps at 3264 x 2448. The 8MP camera also does a great job in scanning books with the use of IPEVO’s software.
The IPEVO V4K document camera comes with a built-in microphone for easy and hands-free presentations. Its multi-jointed design fixes any tightening that may occur due to regular use. You can use this document camera with a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.
- 8MP camera, up to 3264 x 2448 pixels
- Sony CMOS Image Sensor
- Built-in microphone
- Ideal for heavy and daily use
OKIOCAM S
Designed for use in classrooms and meeting rooms, the OKIOCAM S is very user-friendly. The plug-and-play camera is compatible with a wide range of meeting and conferencing tools, including Zoom, GoogleMeet, Mac Facetime, and Skype. Its 3MP camera has a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1440 pixels and can go up to 30fps at 1920×1080 pixels.
Designed for use in classrooms and meeting rooms, the OKIOCAM S is very user-friendly. The plug-and-play camera is compatible with a wide range of meeting and conferencing tools, including Zoom, GoogleMeet, Mac Facetime, and Skype. Its 3MP camera has a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1440 pixels and can go up to 30fps at 1920×1080 pixels.
OKIOCAM S also allows for multiple-angle captures and videos with its rotatable camera head and multi-jointed arm. Adjusting the white balance or color temperature, exposure or brightness, and focus is quick, thanks to the camera on the button.
Weighing only 0.59lbs, the foldable OKIOCAM S is easy to store and bring along to different work sites. The 2-in-1 camera comes with an excellent kit that allows Stop motion and Time Lapse.
- 2-in1- camera, webcam + document camera
- Plug and play, wide compatibility
- Portable and foldable, less than 1lb
- 360-degree rotating camera
THUSTAND Document Camera
The THUSTAND Document Camera is an excellent addition to any desktop. The sleek and black camera is lightweight and has a retractable arm. With a wide-angle lens, you can capture documents that are as large as an A3. At the same time, it can zoom in on objects as small as a coin.
The 2MP camera has an initial resolution of 640 x 480 pixels that can increase to a high resolution of 1980 x 1080 pixels. You can expect delay-free Zoom calls as the THUSTAND document camera has a high frame rate of up to 30fps.
One of the best things about this plug-and-play document camera is it allows fine-tuning of focus to avoid blurry and exposed images. The THUSTAND document camera also works as a webcam and is compatible with Mac and PC.
- Captures up to A3 size documents
- Sleek and compact
- Plug and play, no need for drivers
- Manual focus capability
CZUR Shine500 Pro
If you usually present heavy-text documents, the CZUR Shine500 Pro might just be the perfect document camera for you. This amazing device boasts quick scanning, less than 1 second per page for objects and documents smaller than an A4.
This smart document camera also has amazing AI features including auto-cropping, smart paging, stamp mode, and combine sides. It has the ability to scan over 100 languages and convert documents into PDF. JPG, Word, or Excel.
The CZUR Shine500 Pro is has a CMOS sensor and a 5MP camera to deliver images and documents with a resolution of 210 DPI and 2593 x 1944 pixels. All these amazing features and yet this document and web camera is lightweight and has a 90-degree foldable arm.
- Powerful and fast scanning
- Dual-use: webcam + document camera
- 5MP camera, 210 DPI, 2593 x 1944 pixels
- With AI tech features
INEBIZ SH800
Not only does the INEBIZ SH800 have an impressive 8MP camera that delivers an image resolution of up to 3840 x 2160 pixels but it also has built-in functions such as a shortcut knob for Zoom.
This document camera is compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac and can be used as a USB camera with just a USB connection. You need to install drivers to enjoy all of the features of the INEBIZ SH800, which includes auto and manual focus that can be adjusted on the base of the unit. You can also use the remote for other functions of the camera, like ecording and playback.
The INEBIZ SH800 has different interfaces to allow connection of external audio equipment and even annotation tools. The storage function on the document camera is compatible with SD cards and USB flash disks.
- 180-degree lens rotation, 360-degree gooseneck bending
- 8MP camera with auto and manual focus
- Remote control base + built-in mic
- Multi-interface with option for USB or SD storage
JOYUSING V500S
The JOYUSING V500S boasts an 8MP camera that can deliver a maximum resolution of 1080 pixels. One of its key features is the ability to zoom in up to 100x. You can easily display the tiniest details of any project. To further enhance this ability, the document camera has 2 arms with 5 joints, so you can adjust the lens to be really close to objects or papers.
You can experience smooth streaming during Zoom meetings, as JOYUSING V500S offers up to 30fps. It comes with an autofocus lens plus intelligent fill-in light so you can direct your attention to your Zoom call instead of tinkering with the projections.
The JOYUSING V500S document camera weighs around 2lbs (900g) and comes with a built-in microphone. It works with Chromebook, Windows, and Mac.
- 8MP, up to 100x zoom
- Auto fill-on light with LED dimmer
- Built-in mic
- Multi-jointed arms for quick adjustments
GBC Discovery 1100
The GBC Discover 1100 is a smart choice for your regular Zoom conferences. This camera has an intuitive control panel, making it easy to documents and items. It has an 8MP camera with the ability to zoom up to 8x. You can expect clear texts and images from the GBC Discover 1100 and it even offers the option to annotate images with your computer.
Even without a computer, the GBC Discover 1100 can be used for presentations. You can do picture-in-picture, highlight, and other functions, thanks to the intuitive control panel on the base of the unit. You may also use the remote control so you can move around during your presentation if needed.
You can say goodbye to blurred and dark documents, the GBC Discover 1100 comes with a built-in LED light with 3 brightness settings.
- Intuitive control panel + remote control
- Built-in LED light with 3 settings
- 8MP camera with 8x zoom
- Plug and play, plus computer-free functions
Buying Guide For Document Cameras
There are definitely many document cameras available in the market. But if you are looking for the best document camera for Zoom, here are some factors you need to consider:
Resolution
Almost all document cameras are pretty good at delivering clear images, the question is how clear do you need the images to be. If you are working with 3D objects, then you should opt for document cameras that have higher megapixels or resolutions. You should also check the zoom function on the document camera.
However, if you are just presenting regular documents with normal-sized texts, then a document camera with a lower resolution will do.
Special Features
When you shop around for document cameras, it should be according to your needs. What are you looking for in a document camera? If you tend to move around during presentations, opt for a camera that has a remote. If you have a dimly lit home office, check out a camera with built-in lights.
User-friendliness
Not all document cameras are the same. Most of the time, the simple ones are more user-friendly. However, if you require special functions from your document camera, this will require drivers that you need to install. There are also camera units that come with remote controls that may be too advanced for some users.
If you aren’t too techie, make sure to get a document camera that is plug-and-play. You just attach the USB to your computer and you should be good to go.
Connectivity
You have to check if the document camera will work for your computer. You don’t want to end up buying a pricy camera only to find out it is not compatible with the best laptops for data science students or an older desktop with a Linux OS.
There are also document cameras that allow other tools to be connected to it. Look into that if you have external audio equipment, a mouse, or handwriting boards to link to your document camera.
Portability
If you are just working from home, you might not think that portability is important, but it is. What if you need to go back to the office or you have something to present that isn’t at your home office? It is helpful to have a portable document camera, so portability shouldn’t be a feature you should easily brush off.
Final Thoughts
A document camera for Zoom can really do wonders for your presentations. It can help you impress clients or better put across information to your team. Utilizing document cameras may even boost your productivity as some models can be used for more than just Zoom calls.
When choosing a document camera, make sure that it meets your needs for your work requirements. The best document camera is the one that will work on your computer and will work for your office setup too.
