We’re doing a college project, and are trying to design a device that will, among other things, take pictures of its view every minute or two. It would not be connected to the internet nor a computer, but does need to be able to grab pictures and store them. (And being reasonably priced is important too!) The ability to rotate would be a nice plus. Image quality does not need to be particularly good.
I kind of like the idea of a webcam, but as far as I can tell they need to be connected to the computer during use. I haven’t found much online to store the pictures remotely. We don’t have a budget per-se, but it probably shouldn’t go much above 0, as a guess. Are there any cheap digital cameras, like for kids, that can be automatic for half an hour straight? Or a webcam storage solution?
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There are some compact cameras (along the lines of a powershot, coolpix or cybershot ETC) that has a time lapse feature. It takes a photo in intervals and makes them into a movie automatically. You can just lay it on a table in your backyard and watch the clouds pass, no computer in the moment but you would have to download it later.
A camera that has this goes for over $400. But there is a research project going on where they put a camera necklace on Alzheimer’s patients to do the same thing.
Check out the latest from Sony - the Party-shot IPT-DS1. Its a new accessory that works with several Sony compact digicams that have Smile Detection. It sits on a tripod and turns the camera into a robotic camera that can be left unattended. When it sees a face it composes and snaps a picture. It can pan through 360 degrees and tilt up to 24 degrees. B&H has it for $149.95. and, of course, you’ll need a compatible Sony digicam.
From a review in the Oct. 2009 issue of Rangefinder Magazine.
http://www.rangefindermag.com
B&H: http://www.bhphotovideo.com