iPads in the Parks as cameras

[ryels]

We were in WDW for 9 days last month and I witnessed something that I had not seen at WDW before.

I was truly amazed at how many people were carrying around their iPads and using them as cameras. (I'm not criticizing. It's your iPad; do you what you want with it!)

But I have to say, it surprised me. They just seem so bulky to lug around and use as a camera. And it made me nervous to think about somebody dropping it while they were trying to take a picture. It could be a pretty expensive mistake!

I guess I'm just kind of mystified by the whole phenomenon. Am I missing something? Do they make good cameras? Just genuinely curious.

[Robo]

Originally Posted by ryels

Do they make good cameras?

Good, yes.
Convenient, no.
Economical, no.

And, they can be very distracting to other guests due to their
large bright image screen in darker attractions.

And, their large frame can often block the view of other guests.

[lynypixie]

We will be bringing the Ipad, for the disney experience app (doesn't have it on my android), but I made my husband promise to NOT take pictures with it.

[ryels]

Originally Posted by lynypixie

We will be bringing the Ipad, for the disney experience app (doesn't have it on my android), but I made my husband promise to NOT take pictures with it.

Makes sense. I did use the app on my smartphone quite a bit while we were there. The wifi in the parks was a little flaky, and the app sometimes wouldn't recognize where I was. But, overall, the app was really handy for figuring out wait times without having to run all the way across the park.

[rebeccaariel]

I can't even tell you how many of my pictures were ruined by someone sticking an iPad in the way It always surprises me how many people use them because they seems really inconvenient and difficult to use as cameras.

[chartle]

Originally Posted by lynypixie

We will be bringing the Ipad, for the disney experience app (doesn't have it on my android), but I made my husband promise to NOT take pictures with it.

Why not? It would be much more convenient.

[boBQuincy]

After reading about how great a camera the iPhone has I needed to try it for myself. Not with a snapshot but with a real photograph and compared to a decent (but not really expensive) camera. The photos below were taken within a minute of each other, one with an iPhone5, the other with a Panasonic G3 (less than $500).

The iPhone does ok, actually very good for what it is but it is not even close to a real camera. I will continue to carry my G3 (or whatever) at WDW.

[Cheshire Figment]

Originally Posted by boBQuincy

After reading about how great a camera the iPhone has I needed to try it for myself. Not with a snapshot but with a real photograph and compared to a decent (but not really expensive) camera. The photos below were taken within a minute of each other, one with an iPhone5, the other with a Panasonic G3 (less than $500).

The iPhone does ok, actually very good for what it is but it is not even close to a real camera. I will continue to carry my G3 (or whatever) at WDW.

Was the photo on the right the one taken with the real camera? It just seems sharper and the color saturations are better.

[SueM in MN]

Originally Posted by Robo

Used to be true.
Not so much anymore, especially with the newer Apple products.

Check HERE.

Yes, iPads can take good pictures. The iPad 3 can take some good ones, but is kind of awkward to use. I have an iPad 3; have not seen the iPad 4 yet, but have read it has a better camera than the previous versions.
Here's another website with iPad 3 pictures.

Originally Posted by Disco

Can you take a good picture with an iPad? Yes.
Is the Ipad a good camera? No.
I think even the latest iPad is still using a 1/4" 5MP sensor. Most point and shoot cameras have a sensor around 3 times bigger. There is no comparison in quality.
Also the iPad has a fixed lens, so no zooming. Really no point in comparing it to a camera…
It would surprise me to see people lugging an iPad around for taking pictures. I would think it might be more they just happened to be using it and there was a picture they wanted to take.
Frankly I can't imagine lugging one of those things into a park regardless of an app or not. Way too big. However the new minis would be much better suited, so probably see those around a lot more. I think they have the same small camera sensor though so they still wouldn't be a very good camera.

You can zoom. You use two fingers on the screen to zoom in or out.

We just got back and I saw people using iPads and other tablets to take pictures.
I saw people taking pictures with an iPhone and apparently sending them directly to the iPad to view. You could do that with wifi or with a cellular connection. I also saw several people who were apparently visually impaired using the iPad as their camera. Because of the large size, they could take and see their photos.

My youngest DD uses an iPad as her communication device because she can't speak. We had the iPad in a very protective silicone case with a hand strap and a shoulder strap. So, her iPad was pretty well protected.
What really surprised me was the nu bet of people I saw carrying an iPad or other tablet around with a very light duty case, and even a few carrying it around with no case on at all.

[MouseEarsForAll]

Originally Posted by SueM in MN

Yes, iPads can take good pictures. The iPad 3 can take some good ones, but is kind of awkward to use. I have an iPad 3; have not seen the iPad 4 yet, but have read it has a better camera than the previous versions.
Here's another website with iPad 3 pictures.

You can zoom. You use two fingers on the screen to zoom in or out.

We just got back and I saw people using iPads and other tablets to take pictures.
I saw people taking pictures with an iPhone and apparently sending them directly to the iPad to view. You could do that with wifi or with a cellular connection. I also saw several people who were apparently visually impaired using the iPad as their camera. Because of the large size, they could take and see their photos.

My youngest DD uses an iPad as her communication device because she can't speak. We had the iPad in a very protective silicone case with a hand strap and a shoulder strap. So, her iPad was pretty well protected.
What really surprised me was the nu bet of people I saw carrying an iPad or other tablet around with a very light duty case, and even a few carrying it around with no case on at all.

The zoom you are describing is DIGITAL zoom. "Real" cameras have OPTICAL zoom, which moves the lens in for a closer high quality shot. Digital zoom cannot move the lens, therefore, you get a closer shot, but the quality falls off.

[mom2rtk]

Originally Posted by Robo

And, their large frame can often block the view of other guests.

Anyone who holds that thing up blocking my view of a parade or show is going to get a tap on the shoulder. I have seen this at school functions and it is phenomenally rude. I can't even imagine why people do the things they do.

[Cheshire Figment]

And the picture quality with any phone camera of any sort is terrible.

The cheapest camera with an adjustable lens is miles ahead of anything with the tiny glass ball.

[Reddog1134]

I think its more of people using their ipads for apps with the added benefit of it doubling as a camera.

And the most expensive ipad is way cheaper than higher end cameras.

[susanrose73]

Those things always block someone's view and quite frankly, the quality is horrendous.

[Danibelle]

Originally Posted by Reddog1134

I think its more of people using their ipads for apps with the added benefit of it doubling as a camera.

And the most expensive ipad is way cheaper than higher end cameras.

What did we ever do before apps?