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Many people keep in mind the previous overhead projector from our faculty days. Consider a doc digicam as a up to date model, able to taking or relaying a picture of no matter is positioned beneath its lens – be it paperwork, maps, diagrams and even three-dimensional objects – for easy sharing. It might probably additionally amplify element, once more to make the dissemination of data a lot simpler.
Arriving in a smooth, padded case for carrying between classroom, laboratory and lecture theatre, or just retaining the mud off at dwelling between Groups conferences and Zoom calls, the futuristic-looking Epson ELPD21 Doc Digicam does its finest to make one thing utilitarian and sensible nearly thrilling and fascinating.
In contrast with even essentially the most fundamental point-and-shoot digital cameras, nonetheless, headline spec is fairly run of the mill: a tiny 1/2.7-inch CMOS sensor able to capturing a two-megapixel efficient picture. If utilized in impact as a standalone scanner, stills and even video might be saved to an elective detachable SD reminiscence card for which a vacant slot is offered on the facet. We additionally get a plethora of cables out of the field to allow a large number of connectivity choices on the other facet of the bottom unit, for if we’re pairing it with a projector or PC or just plugging it into the mains. There’s no built-in battery for distant use, though we do get a battery-operated distant management bundled with it.
Epson ELPDC21: Specs
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Decision |
2MP, 1920×1080 pixels |
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Sensor |
1/2.7-inch CMOS |
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Magnification |
12x optical zoom, 10x digital zoom |
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Taking pictures space |
As much as 297x526mm at 1080P output decision |
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Dimensions |
375x122x120mm when folded, 270x328x502mm when prolonged/open |
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Energy |
By way of mains adapter |
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Weight |
3kg |
Epson ELPDC21: Value
Accessible since 2017, the Epson ELPDC21 Doc Digicam has definitely lasted the course by way of its know-how staying related. Provided that that is very a lot a specialist instrument designed primarily as an academic / visualisation help, the worth being requested by Epson on the time of writing for what was the flagship mannequin in its doc digicam vary seems excessive but truthful. As a result of it is a area of interest system, paying a premium is inevitable. If it’s nonetheless too wealthy to your blood, then fortunately, there are price range options for establishments and people on tighter budgets, not simply from Epson itself however rivals additionally.
Epson ELPDC21: Design & Dealing with
Resembling one thing from a late Seventies/early Nineteen Eighties sci-fi film, the plastic construct Epson ELPDC21 Doc Digicam is a reassuringly hefty 3kg in weight. This ensures it received’t simply be by chance jogged or knocked off whichever floor we perch it on. It’s designed to be hooked as much as a show display screen, PC, or projector, with output ports to match. As famous in our intro, there’s additionally the flexibility to seize photographs to an SD/SDHC card, which labored nice for me, though curiously the blurb claims SDXC isn’t supported.
In addition to considering of it as a present-day equal of an overhead projector, Epson’s system might additionally show helpful as an alternative choice to a chunky desktop scanner for once we want a picture of one thing simply barely bigger than an A3 sheet of paper, equal to a small poster. I’ve a Canon A4 scanner at dwelling, however battle to breed a print unfold from {a magazine}, for instance, with out individually scanning two A4 pages.
Right here I can accommodate all the unfold directly, although if I’m capturing straight to a detachable SD card, I’ll want a separate technique of reviewing the outcomes, as sadly, there isn’t a built-in display screen on the unit itself. By way of USB, I can hook the system as much as a PC so I’m capable of view the picture by way of the lens in actual time and make any changes to framing, lighting, or focus as needed.
It appears Epson has considered the whole lot with this one; the digicam on the system has a built-in LED mild with two completely different depth settings encircling the lens to assist present higher readability. If we need to go additional, there’s a microscope adapter that may be fitted with this mannequin for even nearer close-ups. As it’s, the closest the non-augmented digicam can give attention to a doc or object is 10cm, whereas the arm that the digicam is hooked up to is restricted to a rotation of 90 levels about its base unit. There’s some stiffness and resistance to shifting these components round, however I really feel the quantity of resistance is about proper. In spite of everything, who’d desire a floppy digicam arm?
Because the above suggests, the development right here, from the chunky footprint of its button-festooned base to broad, hinged arm and digicam itself, is strong regardless of its flexibility. There’s a very good quantity of metallic, not simply plastic, concerned within the development. At no level did I really feel like something was going to by chance snap off if I used to be a little bit too fast or enthusiastic with my changes. Operation’s very quiet too. There’s no hum of inside cooling fan, sound of shutter firing, or bleeps of notification to distract right here, simply my finger urgent on plastic.
Epson ELPDC21: Efficiency
Buttons and controls are nicely labelled and laid out on this unit, and of sufficiently chunky dimension that they’ll readily be present in a dimly lit room or lecture theatre. They’re so clearly marked, the truth is, that operation with out frequent recourse to the handbook is feasible from the outset. One button, one operate, avoids the necessity to waste time on deep diving menus.
Whereas I didn’t have an Epson projector to check this unit with, which might enable the topic my digicam was pointed at to be displayed on a wall for sharing in a lecture theatre or classroom, when connected, the unit detects the facet ratio of the projector and routinely adjusts output decision to match. What’s clear is that it could actually assist us showcase paperwork, comparable to double-page spreads in textbooks, or bigger pictures than a regular A4 desktop scanner can usually deal with.
In reality, the most important space that the digicam atop its articulated arm can seize is 297x526mm, so roughly 30cm by 53cm if we’re feeling beneficiant, which broadly equates to an space barely bigger than the double web page unfold of an A4 / US letter sized guide or journal, or certainly a sheet of A3.
If presenting workings or notes on a sheet of paper to a bunch in actual time, both in individual or on a Zoom name, sticking to A4/US letter dimension is sensible in order I’m comfortably capable of get all my workings into shot with out something being misplaced towards the sides.
When internet hosting displays, there’s the flexibility to zero in on element with out dropping definition courtesy of the doc digicam’s 12x optical zoom. If this isn’t fairly sufficient, then this mannequin’s built-in 10x digital zoom can come to our help, with the inevitable degradation in high quality as all that’s occurring is the picture is being incrementally cropped to make it seem as if zooming in.
One other bonus for anybody giving talks or displays utilizing the Epson ELPDC21 Doc Digicam as a visible help is that the digicam head with built-in microphone has the choice of being turned to face no matter picture is being projected and report stated presentation to a detachable media card. Helpfully, there are separate massive and apparent buttons for nonetheless and 30fps video picture seize, denoted by a digicam and movie digicam icon, respectively.
It is price noting that if taking a photograph of a guide unfold or comparable that has shiny pages, activating the LED mild can introduce a sheen to the floor that adversely impacts visibility. I experimented with the 2 lighting depth choices, opting most frequently to depart it switched off solely if there was loads of pure mild wherever I used to be utilizing it. Nonetheless, if utilizing it alongside a projector in a darkened room, then the LED clearly turns into extra of a should. Focus might be readjusted routinely if swapping out paperwork, or just tilting the digicam in nearer, by way of a press of the massive and apparent ‘focus’ button on the bottom unit.
Whereas the photographs deriving from a digicam with a comparatively tiny 1/2.7-inch sensor are solely ever going to be of snapshot high quality, it does ship adequate element and definition that nice print on a web page is completely legible, which is once more an absolute should. Glare and extra reflective surfaces is usually a problem, however to not the extent of being a deal breaker.
Epson ELPDC21: Verdict
A distinct segment product for certain, however the Epson ELPDC21 Doc Digicam feels well-built and sturdy sufficient with its weighted base for repeated use, both domestically or within the classroom, laboratory or lecture theatre. We’ll get essentially the most out of it when used with a projector; probably one from Epson itself. It’s weighty, with a chunky control-festooned base unit and a padded case offered to make life simpler when carrying it between instructing or demo engagements.
Shows apart, due to the integral digicam and SD card slot, it may also be used standalone as a extra versatile dwelling or office scanner, with the flexibility to angle the digicam by way of its extendable arm/ adjustable head to accommodate paperwork or objects of various sizes. We missed a built-in display screen for framing pictures like we’d discover on a daily digicam or smartphone. Display screen entry is offered by hooking up a USB cable to the closest laptop computer, Mac or PC. Whichever set-up we select, connectivity choices are pleasingly plentiful, as anticipated at this premium value.
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Design ★★★★☆ |
Resembles a futuristic angle poise lamp with a digicam instead of the place the bulb could be. The 3kg mixed weight ensures it sits firmly in place to make sure a gentle picture. |
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Efficiency ★★★★☆ |
The doc digicam is operational as quickly as we’ve plugged it in and hit the massive and apparent energy button, although there’s a interval of adjustment and basic fiddling about required as we line up digicam and documentation. |
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Worth ★★★☆☆ |
Inevitably we’re going to be paying a premium for a specialist instrument that’s not precisely your run-of-the-mill client buy. Epson likewise goes to command a premium over much less recognizable manufacturers. |
✅ Purchase it…
- In order for you a tool to hook as much as a projector to share no matter is positioned beneath the built-in digicam in actual time, or to make use of with a PC, whereby we will share our paperwork in actual time on a digital assembly or use it as a webcam
❌ Do not but it surely…
- If a desktop scanner, an precise digital digicam and even our smartphone will do the job meant simply as nicely – and can be utilized for rather more in addition to
Alternate options
In terms of options, this mannequin already has a few doc digicam siblings sitting slightly below it within the Epson lineup within the DC-07 and DC-13, which, just like the flagship DC-21, are additionally aimed toward educators. Go for the DC-13 mannequin if, just like the DC-21, the flexibility to report your displays on video could be a bonus, or a microscope adapter would show helpful. It might additionally make sense to contemplate these two fashions if you have already got an Epson projector as a part of your setup and are viewing this digicam to increase its usability.
Casting our web additional afield in the case of doc cameras, our personal finest doc cameras consumers information additional singles out various manufacturers and fashions. Easy to function and like this Epson moveable with it’s the Ipevo Do-Cam, whereas comparatively cheap is the 8K, 30fps video capturing Inswan INS-2. Ipevo’s line-up additionally boasts the robotic-looking bigger footprint VZ-X doc digicam, whereas much more versatile, not simply by way of these on a price range however how its digicam might be positioned, is the ultra-bendy Hue HD Professional. The Inswan INS-3 goes one additional nonetheless. The digicam right here is removable, permitting for much more free-flowing three-dimensional displays.