4 Gadgets All Writers & Bloggers Should Have

I love technology. I don’t purchase as many as I’d like or upgrade to new stuff because I’m trying to reduce my distractions. However, the spirit of gadgets and electronics is really upon me.

Following are  four gadgets that all writers and bloggers should have. In addition to enhancing your projects, they will reduce your risk of violating copyright laws, as you will be creating original stuff. Besides, you just might like them.

Digital Camera

I have a Canon Rebel Xsi digital camera and it’s still da’ bomb. I bought it in 2008 or 2009 and the pictures are amazing. It makes the most rookie photographer look like professional…kinda.

Can I be honest? I’m a Canon Girl. I think the first camera my mother ever bought me when I was kid was a Canon, as well as my very first digital camera (it had a whopping 5 megapixels) and the little pocket camera I carry in my purse (Canon PowerShot SD1000). I still have the last regular camera that I bought before my digital obsessions took over. And guess what it is.

The only time I cheated on Canon was when Kodak made those disc cameras. The size and function made it appealing. And I am currently eye-balling the Polaroid Instant Camera. My little sister came home from her class trip with a photo her teacher had taken and I was jealous for a good 5 minutes. I have got to check this out.

Even though Canon is my favorite, I will consider a Nikon because I see most professional photographers using it just to compare the two myself. Also, I’m definitely considering upgrading to a new camera with video by the end of this year.

Digital Voice Recorder

I’m digging my trusted old Olympus WS-331M. This was my first digital voice recorder that I purchased about five years ago and it still works. It’s very lightweight; has a large capacity for my purposes; and is easy to use. The best feature, though, is the ability to transfer files directly from the recorder to the computer.

Even though my recorder still works, I’m considering upgrading to a newer model. I haven’t decided which brand just yet but I am almost certain that it will either be Olympus or Sony. OR, I may go even smaller with a digital recording pen.

Camcorder

Yep, it’s a Canon. I bought my Canon Vixia HV30 the same time I bought my camera and I was in electronic heaven, and I had the light bill to show it. I bought that particular model for two reasons: 1) the reviews were good and 2) I liked the fact that you could record directly to a mini cassette.

Based on the reviews I read, it was better to record to the cassette than to a DVD directly. I can’t speak on the latter, but I do know that extra steps are taken with the former.

Mini Camcorder

I keep my purple Sony Bloggie Duo Camcorder on hand even when I have the big guns. I like this gadget because you can record on either side of the device and you can take pictures while it’s recording. How cool is that? It also has a light you can turn on if needed. It’s good for situations with good lighting and short distances.

I can say that it records well based on its size and limited capabilities. I’ve recorded everything from family functions to roller skating shows to community events. The only complaint I can think of right now is the lighting. If that is improved, it would be better. Overall, though, it’s pretty cool.

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If you are a writer or a blogger, you should at least have a small digital camera or Bloggie for its duo capabilities of taking photos and recording videos. You can always pull the audio from the video, if it’s good quality. Of course, you can perform many of these functions with your mobile device if you have a smart phone. Even that has limitations.

I would encourage you to conduct research before purchasing these items and create a budget. Without actually knowing, you can get a camera for under $150; voice recorder for under $100; camcorder for  under $300; and a Bloggie for less than $150. You can get them from popular sites like Amazon and Ebay or do a general search. If you can hold off, wait until Black Friday. You’ll find a lot of good sales at that time.

What About You?

Are there other gadgets that you think writers and bloggers should have? If so, share them in the contact form below.

 

 

Images: www.steves-digicams.com, www.walmart.com, www.pcmag.com, www.olympusamerica.com