looking for a camera for passport type pics...

[casey]

hi,

i am an h.r. manager for a security company, and we are required by the state to provide a picture of every security guard that we hire.

the photo has to be a passport quality photo on photo paper.

first question:

1. what would you suggest for an affordable ( i have to purchase 12 of them ) digital camera that can be taken out on the field, easy to use, and perhaps even a passport type mode...if possible.

2. It would be nice if it had a removable card of some sort to make transferring the photos to computer for possible editing and printing a breeze, but not necessarily so if it will transfer other ways....

3. It must have a flash.

4. rechargeable would be cool, but not necessary. even AA's would work....

is there such a animal out there?

[another view]

I think most any digital P&S camera would work, but I've never heard of a passport mode. I think there's an official regulation to size, etc but it's not going to take anything with a lot of resolution (as in even 2mp would probably do it). Might want to make a set like they do at the driver's license places so that it's consistent.

[TEMPESTboy]

I don't know if this would fall in the affordable category, but check out the Casio EX-Z750. My cousin has one and it is a great camera with short start-up and shutter lag time and it's small enough to fit in your pocket. I was fooling around with it and there was an ID picture setting. From the site: ID photo function enables, with a single press of the shutter, the automatic layout and shooting of five differently sized portrait photos saved as 1 image, ideal for resumes and drivers licenses.

When you are on this setting, there is a template on the LCD screen. If I can remember correctly, there was something like an oval for you to frame the head. This sounds like what you are looking for.

It uses SD cards but also comes with a cradle for USB transfer, charging, and/or display onto a TV screen with it's AV outlet.

It has a lithium-ion battery that lasted for about a week of taking pictures, videos, and reviewing of pictures using the LCD. It had surprisingly good battery life.

This is a great camera, but might be a little expensive if you have to purchase 12. I'm not sure about the lower megapixel cameras, but I'd check to see if they have the same ID picture setting. Hope this helps you out.

EDIT: here's a picture I found of the ID mode on the camera

[casey]

thanks for the replies. ill check out that casio. any other suggestions?

[mdcalaska]

Any 1.3 Mega pixel + camera should do (being a small 2x2 output doesn't require high res) - the all important "sizing" is best done at the printing stage.

Sony sells a complete "Passport" package - camera and printer. Probably Mitsubishi does also. All of these use dye-sub printers that have the same grain structure as silver-halide prints.

Also any local quality digital lab can print and correctly size the "head". Less investment in the expensive printer part of equipment investment.

** I manage 11 retail locations where we take US Passport photos - 6 locations print on a Noritsu digital lab (silver-halide prints), 5 locations on a Kodak Print station or Picture Maker (dye-sub output). Both systems edit the ID prints to correct head size.

We use a variety of off-the-shelf point-and-shoot cameras, Kodak,Olympus, Minolta, Fuji - most in the 2.0 mega pixel class. We find the Olympus line the most durable in an "abusive" retail setting.

Hope this helps.

[mjs1973]

A woman at work just asked me about shooting passport photos yesterday. I have never done it before, but had it done a few years ago, at a travel agency. I don't remember what they used, but I know it was nothing special. I did some checking yesterday, and found this site:

http://www.ica.gov.sg/apples/faq/photo_image.html

Aslo, there are guidlines on the State Department website. Here is the link. You will have to scroll down and click on the link you want on the left side of the page such as, set up, composition check list, photo quality, etc...

http://travel.state.gov/passport/guide/guide_2081.html

Good luck, hope this helps.