This is one of the most frequent doubts among our clients. The answer is: it depends on your goal. As our priority is quality, we choose and only use professional cameras (DSLR) in all events.

There are advantages and disadvantages to using each one, so you need to weigh each of the factors to make a decision.

Webcams:

Pros:

• They are more practical and lightweight
• No need for a battery: just plug in the USB, and it’s ready to use
  They are cheaper, and obviously, in case of replacement, the cost is lower

Cons:

• The quality may be lacking, even when using high-definition webcams like Logitech C920, C922, C920e
• Normally requires a computer with a Core i3 processor. Any configuration lower than this may result in slow image transmission

Professional Cameras (DSLR):

Pros:

• The captured photo quality is undeniably better than webcam photos. Your client will love receiving the photos after the event!
• Works well on more basic computers like Dual-Core or Core 2 Duo, for example

Cons:

• Requires basic knowledge of handling (adjusting zoom and focus, for example)
• They are more expensive, and obviously, the replacement also comes at a higher price
• You always need to keep at least 2 charged batteries for a 4-hour event, for example. However, this problem can be solved by using a battery eliminator

Other Factors to Consider

Lighting and pose size will also affect the final printed photo. The better the lighting, the higher the quality of the final photo. Normally, the more poses, the less space available, so they tend to be smaller. The smaller the image, the less noticeable the difference in quality will be. In any of our programs, you can set the size of the poses according to your goal!

A Special Case: Magic Mirror

If you are setting up a magic mirror and want to do it in the best possible way, the only option to consider for capturing photos is a professional camera. For 2 reasons:

1. The camera offers lighting adjustment (through the shutter opening, for example), which is crucial on the mirror since the camera is behind the mirrored film, making “visibility” more limited.

2. It can communicate with an external flash (by wire or hot shoe), which is your inseparable friend at this moment.

The webcam is out of the question because it does not have the mentioned characteristics of DSLR. But it can still be used if you don’t mind compromising the “magic” of the mirror by making a hole in it or using the webcam outside the structure (not very elegant, right?).

Still undecided? Contact us, and we’ll help you 🙂