Digital cameras forum: photographing documents

You didn't give any SPECIFICATIONS of what DPI you need of what SIZE PAGE you were going to photograph. But here's how many pixels you would need for an 8x10 photo at 300 dpi.

8 x 10 = 80 square inches

300 x 300 = 90,000 pixels per square inch

80 x 90,000 = 7,200,000 pixels.

You'll be looking at the 8 to 10 megapixel cameras.

Bob

It does a fine job on documents, but use a tripod to hold it absolutely steady and parallel to the document. If you can't use a tripod, figure out a way to brace yourself to take the shot. For large documents, you can take shots of parts of the page and stich them together in a photo program.

Screens display about 72 dpi, and printers will do ok with 150 dpi (a bit more, say 200 dpi, is better). You DON'T need a 7-8 megapixel camera. You can't get one of those for $300 anyway.

They will get a far better image for less money. If you are in a library or in the field, then they won't work. The drawback to film is that you don't know if you've got a good shot.