Budding young photographers (and curious adults) can put together their own camera with Bigshot, a DIY point-and-shoot aimed at teaching kids tech hardware basics. Developed partially with funding from Google, the kit includes everything needed to construct the camera including a 3 megapixel image sensor, 1.4 inch LCD and a wheel with three built in lens options – standard, panoramic and stereo for 3D images (all are fixed focal length). A rechargeable lithium-ion battery is also included, complemented by a hand crank for a little extra power when the battery dies.
The Bigshot kit includes a chassis and all of the inner-workings needed to build a fully functional point-and-shoot.
An accompanying interactive online guide explains the concepts behind the hardware components. Recommended for children ages 8 and older, part of the Bigshot mission is introducing these advanced tech topics to elementary or middle school students. A portion of Bigshot sales will help get these cameras into the hands of underprivileged children around the world.
The Bigshot website features a 'learn' section which contains a lot of admirably clear, comprehensive technical information about digital cameras. It's an excellent learning resource - and not just for beginners.
Originally developed by a professor at Columbia University, Bigshot has been licensed for production and distribution around the world. It's currently available online for $89 (not including shipping), though online orders are limited to North America.
My 6 year old and I just built this camera. He's super excited and proud of it and so far loves taking pictures with it. Overall a fun 30 minute project but it really does take lousy quality pictures. It's a fairly easy build. The tiny assembly screws are a bit hard for a 6 year old so I had to tighten them. For the price I would say skip this project, mainly because of the grainy & blurry pictures even when in timer mode on a flat surface.
Just got it as a birthday present for my son. The idea is nice, the hand crank cute, but the image quality is just a disaster. I really did not expect much, but it's FAR below even the lowest expectations. The flash is completely useless. Too bright for close things, to weak for far ones. I will give a try tomorrow outdoor, but the intension was to get a cam for stop motion movies. My little one loves this. Naturally they are taken indoor - looks very very bad. What a waste, it costs around 100 Euros incl. shipping here. For 30 Euros I wouldn't be sad, mounting it is fun. But for the price it's just a nightmare. Need to find another present tomorrow, because this one is an offense even for a 7 year old child.
Kids these days have short attention spans. They're not interested in carrying around a camera let alone build one. They have their smartphone cameras and Instagram app. That's about as far they'd go with photography.
I think the point of this camera (which a lot of people are missing) is to get kids excited about going out and taking pictures... How many kids can go and take pictures with a camera they "built"? I think for most, it would be a huge sense of accomplishment to capture and see images from an instrument that they assembled themselves, regardless of the level of complexity. Besides, what 8-10 year old is really going to, or wants to understand focal ratios and depth of field and ISO settings... The best camera is the one you have with you and it's quite possible a kid would be more likely to have this camera with them, purely from the pride they have for it. Ok, now can we have some adult kits please? ;-)
Too bad other cameras aren't as friendly to tinkering or rebuilding. Of course, then they might not be as small or snuggy constructed. Anyone who dismantles a P&S to clean a sensor also discovers that dust ingested by the operation may exceed the dust removed.
Oh, how about a medium format version of the same instructional "toy"?
One thing you can't do, however, is build your own sensor. Home brewing or gardening are an easier reach.
It is cute and in the same ballpark as other kits go. It brushes too much off the actual camera module and operation, it is more like building a dynamo flash light - practically what the kid learns is how a gear works as that is the only real assembly. But cute, 20 minutes project.
Great idea, but when you dig a bit deeper, it's useless. I had tons of kits like these as a little kid. I learned next to nothing from them. Look at the software. It's closed. Look at the spec sheet. Even the spec sheet doesn't mention lens specs (aperture? focal length? etc.), sensor specs, etc.
To actually build a kit that's helpful, you need more depth of technical information. Kids should be able to build something, and at the very least, come out understanding what they've built, but ideally, be able to tweak it and modify it.
I'd kill for a kit that did that. Open firmware. Open software. Full specs. Clearly written kid-readable explanations not just of how to put things together, but of why. Step 1 should be assembling a kit. There needs to be room for steps 2-5, where most of the learning happens (there are very good kits which do this).
The best educational toy was my PC. At the time, all PCs came with BASIC and similar tools. Other good toys were things like Legos (the fancy ones with gears and motors and things), and similar kits.
The worst ones were like this. Actually, the worst one was a !@#$%^ 101-in-1 electronics kit from Radio Shack. It had a bunch of components, schematics for how to assemble them into e.g. a superhetrodyne radio, or a sound maker, or similar. Each of these would come with a 3 paragraph explanation for how the circuit worked. I'd spent 20 minutes assembling the gizmo, and hours trying to read and reread those explanations trying to understand how it worked. It wasn't until a decade later that I learned that the circuits were far more complex in operation than a 3-paragraph description could capture, required more math than an elementary student could handle. The main thing I learned there was perhaps patience and how to deal with frustration...
Yes, I also thought about the Radio Shack kits. I wondered if anyone would mention them.
This thing sounds more like the Lego wit motors set, though. Larger pieces. Sensor assy. in place of motor and then gear/housing/etc. Of course, you didn't wind your own motor with the Legos so about the same...
I had no Lego motor. Did get to play with erector set. Patience to futz with screws... Are erector sets still sold? Tinker Toys...?
I had been thinking already that a ful, decent qualityl sensor & screen module would be something great for tinkerers. Imagine 3D printing a replacement back for a great classic camera like a Nikon FM2 or F3 in which such a module would perfectly fit, that would be really cool.
Dear American children, learn how to make cameras and become engineers, then get up and go to Japan or Korea because your stupid MBA parents killed American industry.
Children in China , Korea, India etc go to school to become engineers , children in the US go to school to become party animals and that is why the tech industry has to go over there to get the people they need.
Wrong, the US has the best engineers in the world, half of them foreign born who came from Chine/India etc. But the corporate management, totally illiterate MBAs who know nothing about the businesses they supposedly "manage" and don't want to know (after all they went to MBA to avoid learning anything in an engineering school in the first place)... Appointed by the socialist boards who "represent" owners (mutual funds owned by pension funds "owned" by hundreds of millions of people a few cent per person - true "everybody is an owner=nobody owns it" al-la Soviets) and who don't personally own any significant part of the company themselves.
Looks interesting, but it needs some work to be competitive.
I'll hold out for the Mk2 version. Rumor is that it will have a backside illuminated sensor, 2.0 aperature, 20x zoom, and full frame sensor! I read it on cameraRumorsRUs.
A great idea. And love that crank. Wouldn't it be great to have a crank like that on other cameras. We've all been there, when the battery dies and need to take just one more shot - just turn the crank!
Very cool. Hopefully there will be a number of camera modules in the future. It would be nice if they make the connection specs publically available, so we could build/adapt our own modules too.
Particularly good to see 3D appearing in a camera at this price point!
Cool that it's a ready-to-go kit for assembly instructions, etc. Another avenue for parents with older children capable of more intricate work would be to take a old, cheap digital, disassemble it, and then reassemble...
I don't remember how long ago I first heard of this, but it's been a while. Very nice instructional thing for kids... but I think it would be better if they also opened-up the camera software so that kids could script it to take photos, etc. Probably using a chip set that doesn't make that too easy, but that's where I'd go next.... ;-)
You know, I really want to love my Pi, but it doesn't quite cut it. You have to add so many bits & pieces (SD card, power, wireless, housing, keyboard+mouse, etc.) it ends up costing as much as a netbook with a comparable total size (but no built-in battery or display on the Pi). As an embedded thing, there are lots of smaller and cheaper choices than Pi. Anyway, the real programmable camera bargain is still a Canon PowerShot running CHDK. A used 8MP one cost me $10, the processor is decent, and it has a display and will run off batteries (AA for that particular model).
I think that slightly older kids will appreciate this camera more because they have more intelligence. This camera would be perfect for kids aged of 13-14 years old.
I built my first desktop computer when I was 12 so I probably thought this would have been a joke then, and with kids being exposed to technology at even younger ages (I see 1st graders operating iPads with more finesse than their parents), I wouldn't doubt an 8-year-old could handle building this camera. Perhaps we will be giving medium format digital backs to newly-born babies in a few years!
The EOS R5 has been a long time coming – we knew it had 8K and we knew it had an AF joystick. But now that's it's here, what is it really like to use? Find out in our initial review based on hands-on time with the camera.
Canon's EOS-1D X Mark III is one of the best DSLRs ever made. With fast burst speeds, great video quality and impressive autofocus, the 1D X III is equal parts cinema rig and sports shooter. Find out how it fares against steep competition in our full review.
The Panasonic Lumix DC-G100 (G110 in some regions) is a mirrorless camera designed for vlogging. Its 20MP Four Thirds sensor is paired with clever tracking audio technology, but we have our reservations.
The Olympus PEN E-PL10 is the latest in the company's entry-level mirrorless line-up. It's a beginner-friendly camera that does many things well, but ultimately doesn't stand out amongst its competition.
What’s the best camera for under $2000? These capable cameras costing less than $2000 should be solid and well-built, have both speed and focus for capturing fast action and offer professional-level image quality. In this buying guide we’ve rounded up all the current interchangeable lens cameras costing under $2000 and recommended the best.
What’s the best camera costing over $2000? The best high-end camera costing more than $2000 should have plenty of resolution, exceptional build quality, good 4K video capture and top-notch autofocus for advanced and professional users. In this buying guide we’ve rounded up all the current interchangeable lens cameras costing over $2000 and recommended the best.
We've updated our 'best cameras over $2000' buying guide, and the Sony a7R IV is now our favorite mirrorless camera in the $2000-4000 price range. It sits alongside the Nikon D850, which is our choice for those who prefer DSLRs.
If you're looking for a high-quality camera, you don't need to spend a ton of cash, nor do you need to buy the latest and greatest new product on the market. In our latest buying guide we've selected some cameras that might be a bit older but still offer a lot of bang for the buck.
What's the best camera for shooting sports and action? Fast continuous shooting, reliable autofocus and great battery life are just three of the most important factors. In this buying guide we've rounded-up several great cameras for shooting sports and action, and recommended the best.
Canon's mirrorless EOS R5 comes with a ton of features and capability stemming from its design inside and out. Come along with us on a guided tour of Canon's new high-end, high-megapixel camera and check it out for yourself.
Announced alongside the EOS R5, the R6 offers a lot of the same technology but in a more affordable, slightly more enthusiast-focused model. Take a closer look.
Alongside the EOS R5 and R6, Canon has announced a brace of lenses, all in the short to long telephoto range. Filling out the 'long' end are one L-series zoom, and two innovative primes.
Alongside a trio of telephoto lenses, Canon also announced a new 85mm this week. The RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM is a compact, affordable alternative to the pro-oriented 85mm F1.2L.
The EOS R5 has been a long time coming – we knew it had 8K and we knew it had an AF joystick. But now that's it's here, what is it really like to use? Find out in our initial review based on hands-on time with the camera.
Think you've read everything there is to know about the new Canon cameras? Chris and Jordan share eight important things you may have missed from today's Canon EOS R5 and R6 announcements.
We've been shooting around with the new Canon EOS R6. Initial impressions of image quality are positive, and out-of-camera JPEGs appear similar to that of the gold award-winning Canon EOS-1D X III. Have a look for yourself.
Canon has officially released the long-awaited EOS R5, the company's top-end full-frame mirrorless camera. Featuring a new 45MP CMOS sensor, Dual Pixel AF II system, 8K video capture and 20 fps bursts, this is the RF-mount camera we've been waiting for.
Although the Canon EOS R6 doesn't have the 45MP sensor and 8K video capture of the higher-end R5, it's still an incredibly capable camera with specs that outshine similarly priced peers.
The Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM is the company's first super-zoom lens for RF-mount. Despite a relatively slow aperture range, it's very versatile, offering five stops of stabilization, weather-sealing and compatibility with Canon's new teleconverters.
Canon's RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM is an inexpensive telephoto prime lens with a minimum focus distance of just 0.35m (14") and a 0.5x magnification. When attached to the new R5 and R6, it offers a whopping eight stops of shake reduction.
Canon has announced a pair of super-telephoto fixed-aperture primes. The 600mm and 800mm use diffractive optics to keep their size and weight down. They'll also be compatible with new 1.4x and 2x RF teleconverters.
Canon has announced a new small-footprint inkjet photo printer, the imageProGraf Pro-300. it will produce prints up to 13 x 19" and it goes on sale later this month for $900. A new textured photo paper will also arrive in July.
The new compression standard is set to reduce video file sizes by half to save space and speed-up transmission, paving the way for more portable 8K footage.
Sony recently confirmed plans to launch a successor to the video-centric a7S II. We don't even know the name of the camera, but Jordan already has a feature wish list for the new 'a7S III' – and it doesn't include 8K.
The Pixii camera is an interesting little rangefinder camera that features a 12MP APS-C sensor and lacks a rear LCD display, opting instead to pair with your mobile device, which can be used to view and transfer images.
Sirui is launching an Indiegogo campaign for a wide-angle answer to its existing 50mm F1.8 anamorphic lens. The 35mm APS-C lens will come in a Micro Four Thirds mount with adapters for other systems.
Sony has added a 12-24mm F2.8 to its top-shelf 'G Master' series of lenses. It's the widest constant F2.8 zoom currently offered for full-frame, with a hefty price tag to match: it will sell for $3000 when it ships in mid-August.
Canon's EOS-1D X Mark III is one of the best DSLRs ever made. With fast burst speeds, great video quality and impressive autofocus, the 1D X III is equal parts cinema rig and sports shooter. Find out how it fares against steep competition in our full review.
The Verge Video Director, Becca Farsace, shows how she built a custom Raspberry Pi camera with effectively zero coding knowledge over the course of just three days.
The EOS R5 has been in the works for some time, and Canon has published a handful of specifications, but there's still plenty we don't know. What are you hoping to see from Canon's forthcoming flagship camera?
Canon's CE-SAT-IB satellite camera was destroyed alongside six other satellites during Rocket Lab's ironically-named 'Pics or It Didn't Happen Mission.'
This sample gallery includes images from our recent review of the Tamron 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD zoom lens. Check out these photos to see how it performs, from wide-angle to telephoto and everything in between.
The Tamron 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD provides a wide zoom range in compact, weather-sealed design. Find out why it's Chris and Jordan's new favorite travel lens.
Kodak Portra 800 is a wonderful and versatile color film. And any rumors of it being discontinued, we're pleased to report, are simply untrue. That's a good thing, because it's capable of producing lovely results in all sorts of conditions.
Comments