10 Best Document Cameras for Online Classes in 2023

Document cameras are small devices that enable educators to share live video footage of objects, experiments, documents, books, and more with students. These devices integrate with webinar software, and you can also connect them to projectors in the classroom.

Further, a lot of the document cameras available in the market allow you to scan documents, simplifying creating and sharing material.

The size and convenience of using document cameras make it difficult to imagine that they evolved from clunky overhead projectors that occupied an entire rolling cart.

Some of the best benefits of using a document camera include:

• Using document cameras gives educators more flexibility in sharing information. You are no longer confined to reading from a textbook or writing notes on the whiteboard to complete your lesson.
• Research suggests that some students learn visually, while others understand and retain information better by listening to lectures. Document cameras open up both avenues of learning for students, making studying easier.
• Recording lectures and scanning documents with document cameras make creating materials a lot less burdensome. Digitally-shared documents also reduce paper use, making the approach better for the environment.

Finding the best document involves more work than you’d bargain for. While there’s no shortage of options, there’s a wide variety in the features offered. 

Here’s a collation of the ten best document cameras for online classes in 2023, with all of the features compared for your convenience.

Top 3 Document Camera Scanners for Online Classes in 2023

Document Camera	Camera Resolution	OS Compatibility	Connectivity	Built-in microphone	Warranty	Other Features
INSWAN INS-1 Tiny	8MP SONY CMOS sensor; up to 3264 x 2448 pixels at 30 fps	Windows 7/8/10, Chrome 38.0 or higher, Mac 10.11 or higher	USB only	Yes	One year	LED light, anti-glare sheet, microscope connectable, video recording and editing, image capture, and annotation
IPEVO VZ-X Wireless	8MP Sony sensor; Amberalla chip, 3264 x 2448 in USB mode, 1080p in other modes	Windows, Mac, Chrome, Andriod, iOS, Apple TV	USB, Wi-FI, HDMI	Yes; works only in USB mode	One year	LED light, 9-hour battery, excellent software compatibility
IPEVO V4K	8MP Sony sensor; 3264 x 2448 pixels at 15 FPS	Mac, PC, and Chromebook	USB only	Yes	One year	IPEVO Visualizer software

10 Best Document Cameras for Teachers

All document cameras listed below are compatible with webinar software, including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet.

1. INSWAN INS-1 Tiny

The INSWAN INS-1 Tiny document camera strikes the right balance between features and pricing. It features an 8MP SONY CMOS sensor and can capture a 3264 x 2448-pixel live image at 30 FPS.

It can capture a 15.74X11.81-inch area, and the auto-focusing lens makes switching between objects hassle-free. The document camera’s multi-joint design makes it easy for you to adjust the camera’s frame and capture 2D and 3D objects.

The built-in LED light and included anti-glare sheet helps you ensure that you capture high-quality videos and images without any compromises.

Documate, the bundled software, offers a large set of features, enabling you to rotate the image, digitally zoom in, record videos and capture images, and take snapshots.  

Installing the software will also mirror the image, ensuring that your viewers see your stream the right way.

The document camera works with Windows, Mac, and Chrome operating systems, making it one of the more versatile options on this list. The option to connect a microscope makes it one of the best document cameras for online classes.

2. IPEVO VZ-X Wireless

If you’re looking for a document camera that works with virtually every device you own, the IPEVO VZ-X is the perfect document camera for you.

You can connect the document camera to a monitor, TV, or projector via HDMI. But what’s more impressive is that the document camera can also connect and cast to any device – including phones and Apple TVs – over Wi-Fi. 

And that’s not even the best part. The document camera comes with a built-in battery. It has a nine-hour battery life, so you can connect to your computer over Wi-Fi and get through several online classes without having to plug it in. 

But it’s essential to bear in mind that it can only capture a 1080p image in Wi-Fi and HDMI modes.

When connected to a computer via USB, the document camera captures video and images in near-4K quality (3264 x 2448 pixels). Further, you can use the bundled IPEVO Visualizer to fine-tune the video feed. The camera is also compatible with tools like Seesaw, Camtasia, and OBS. 

3. IPEVO V4K

Finding a document camera that works with any computer you plug it into can be challenging. In addition to working with every operating system, the IPEVO V4K can be folded and put away neatly, making it one of the best document cameras for online classes if you have limited desk space. 

It features a Sony 8MP sensor, allowing you to stream a 3264 x 2448 pixel video on your online classes at 15 FPS. You can also stream a 1080p video at 30 FPS.

The high-quality sensor can auto-focus when you switch between materials, and its excellent noise reduction and color reproduction features make it perfect for streaming in dimly lit environments.

The shooting area is slightly smaller than the average document camera at 13.46 x 10.04 inches. However, this is a large enough frame for you to teach unless you need to show your class a huge chart or object.

But the best thing about this affordable document camera is that it is easy to tighten the joints. The fact that it’s designed to serve you for years without giving you trouble makes it one of the best document cameras of online classes in 2023.

4. OKIOLABS OKIOCAM S

If getting the best bang for your buck is the top priority, the OKIOCAM S won’t fail to impress you. While it’s the second-most affordable document camera on this list (second to the THUSTAND document camera), it offers several enticing features.

It features two cameras: one to capture your face and the other to capture the document. You can plug it into any computer and use it with any webinar software. 

Its joints and camera head are fully rotatable, and it folds away neatly for storage after use. You can use the company’s Chrome extensions to fix the mirroring issue. The OKIOLABS apps also enable you to capture snapshots and clips, stop motions, and time-lapses.

The arm is reinforced with glass fiber, and most of its parts are detachable. You don’t have to worry about it breaking. 

The OKIOCAM S is one of the best document cameras for online classes if you don’t want to spend much on equipment. 

5. HUE HD Pro

One of the most portable options on this list, the HUE HD Pro boasts built-in LEDs and a noise-reduction compatible microphone. 

To use it with any webinar software, all you have to do is plug it into your computer. It works on all operating systems.

At its highest, the document camera can capture an A3 sheet fully, making it one of the best document cameras for online classes. 

Further, the camera has a manual focus, giving you greater control over how the image looks in real-time. The optional HUE Intuition software unlocks its full potential, enabling you to capture snapshots, record clips, annotate live video and images, and more.

The only disadvantage with this document camera is that it captures 1080p video at 30 FPS steadily. The resolution cannot be increased even slightly with an FPS trade-off.

6. CZUR ET16-P

The CZUR ET16-P is a sophisticated document camera with a 16MP sensor. Its patented flattening curve technology uses lasers to analyze the contours of the page and flatten them digitally.

With a scanning speed of 1.5 pages per second, you will be able to scan 300 pages in a matter of ten minutes. The document camera can scan A3 pages without any quality loss and comes with OCR software, enabling you to convert anything you scan into an editable Word, PDF, or TIFF file. 

It also works perfectly with webinar software such as Zoom, and its high-quality sensor makes it one of the best document cameras for online classes that money can buy.

7. THUSTAND Document Camera for Teaching

The most affordable option on this list, the THUSTAND product is the best value for money document camera available. It works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS, and Android without any need for setting up.

It’s light and adjustable, with a 360-degree rotatable camera head. The focus can be adjusted manually, and the scanning range is freely adjustable from coins to A3 sheets. 

The document camera can capture a 1080p video at 30 FPS, which is excellent considering its price.  If you’re looking for an inexpensive document camera that is easy to use for taking classes online, the THUSTAND document camera is the best document camera in 2023 to buy.

8. iCODIS Document Camera

If you’re looking for a feature-loaded document camera for your Windows PC, the iCODIS document camera is the right one to get.

It features an 8MP camera that captures 3264 x 2448 video. With up to A3 coverage, you won’t need to worry about positioning the camera just right for your online classes.

The iCODIS document camera has four LEDs, which is impressive considering its compact design. The bundled software has features such as intelligent continuous shoot, automatic correction and segmentation, and OCR. 

But it’s important to note that the camera is not compatible with macOS and will only work with Windows PCs.

9. Lumens DC125 Ladibug

The Lumens DC125 is a moderately-priced document camera boasting a sturdy yet highly-flexible gooseneck. 

It can capture 1080p video at 30 FPS. Its hands-free auto-focusing feature saves you the trouble of manually focusing the camera every time you introduce a new object.

The document camera has a QXGA (2048 x 1536) mode, but the FPS will vary. The built-in LED helps illuminate the space, and the bundled Lumens software gives you access to features like a single or continuous image capture.

The built-in microphone removes the need for you to invest in a microphone for high-quality audio. Its impressive 420 x 315 mm shooting area ensures that even the most minor details are visible to your class if you have a large desk.

The document camera works with both Windows and Mac right as you plug it in, but you may need to download and install software from the company’s site if you’re using an older operating system like Windows 7.

10. CZUR Shine800-Pro

The CZUR Shine800-Pro is a neat-looking document camera capable of outputting 3264 x 2448 video. The bundled CZUR software enables powerful OCR functions, smart paging, auto-cropping, and several nifty image modes.

With a scanning speed of 1 page/sec, it’s one of the most impressive document cameras in 2023. It’s the best document scanner to buy if you want a compact and powerful document camera to capture A4 size documents.

Comparison Table of Top 10 Best Document Cameras

Document Camera	Camera Resolution	OS Compatibility	Connectivity	Built-in microphone	Warranty	Other Features
INSWAN INS-1 Tiny	8MP SONY CMOS sensor; up to 3264 x 2448 pixels at 30 fps	Windows 7/8/10, Chrome 38.0 or higher, Mac 10.11 or higher	USB only	Yes	One year	LED light, anti-glare sheet, microscope connectable, video recording and editing, image capture, and annotation
IPEVO VZ-X Wireless	8MP Sony sensor; Ambarella chip, 3264 x 2448 in USB mode, 1080p in other modes	Windows, Mac, Chrome, Andriod, iOS, Apple TV	USB, Wi-FI, HDMI	Yes; works only in USB mode	One year	LED light, 9-hour battery, excellent software compatibility
IPEVO V4K	8MP Sony sensor; 3264 x 2448 pixels at 15 FPS	Mac, PC, and Chromebook	USB only	Yes	One year	IPEVO Visualizer software
OKIOLABS OKIOCAM S	3MP; up to 1920 x 1440	PC, Mac, and Chromebook	USB only	No	N/A	Two cameras, Education Kit chrome apps
HUE HD Pro	1920 x 1080	PC, Mac, Chromebook, and Linux	USB only	Yes	N/A	LED lights, HUE Intuition software, manual focus
CZUR ET16-P	16MP Sony sensor; 4608 x 3456	Windows 10, Mac	USB only	No	One year	Two LEDs, OCR software, foot pedal
THUSTAND Document Camera for Teaching	1920 x 1080	Mac, Windows, Android, Chrome OS, Linux	USB only	Yes	N/A	–
iCODIS Document Camera	8MP sensor; 3264 x 2448	Windows only	USB only	No	N/A	Four LEDs, OCR, auto segmentation and correction
Lumens DC125 Ladibug	1080p, QXGA mode available	Windows and Mac	USB only	Yes	N/A	LED light, basic bundled software, easy access buttons
CZUR Shine800-Pro	8MP sensor, 3264 x 2448	Windows and Mac (Monterey 12 not supported at the time of publishing)	USB only	Yes	One year	Foot pedal, ultra-fast scanning, smart paging, auto-cropping, OCR, stamp mode, many color modes

Final Thoughts: Best Document Camera for Online Classes

Naming one best document camera for online classes isn’t right – people have different budgets and needs. 

If you don’t want to settle for anything less than the most feature-loaded document camera, consider purchasing the INSWAN INS-1 Tiny. 

On the other hand, if you need your document camera to be wireless, the IPEVO VZ-X Wireless is the best document camera on the market.

The IPEVO V4K is a solid, reliable option for a more affordable price. 

Also See:

• 10 Best Live Streaming Cameras
• 10 Best Webcams for Zoom Meetings
• 10 Best Digital Video Camera Recorders