Digital Camera SDK?

Question

Cameras

You need to find a budget digital camera with SDK support, or to paraphrase - with the ability to preview, shoot and get a frame.
Of the solutions found:
- Canon SDK (which stopped supporting new cameras and there are practically no cameras on sale);
- Olympus SDK (no budget cameras available).
If I understand correctly, then the alternative is via PTP (PictBridge). Some cameras support the desired set (take a shot, get it).
Unfortunately webcams are not suitable. There is experience even with an HD camera from MS, but the quality is just as disgusting, and taking into account the fact that the native Windows API functions do not produce more than 640x480.
Of the platforms - preferably Windows-like & visual basic, although the linux-way is not a problem.

Answer 1

Have you tried looking towards chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK ?

Answer 2

Maybe my answer will not be so useful, but I often use one program that allows me to fully control my camera from a computer. LiveView works, changing all the basic settings (shutter speed, aperture, ISO, WB, size and quality when shooting in JPEG, bracketing, timers, etc.). It works by connecting the camera via USB, I tested it on my Nikon D5000 and Nikon D7000 - everything is fine. The list of supported cameras is very large.
Unfortunately, it is for OS X, but I am sure that if there is, then analogues should have been written long ago. So in a pinch, you can find software like this, because obviously modern, even the cheapest cameras have ways to control them like this. Without hacks and firmware, but straight out of the box.
I'm sorry that I didn't exactly answer your question, just giving food for thought and another way of thinking. Might be useful.
Here is a screenshot:

Answer 3

Look at www.gphoto.org/ - a library that supports the management of a large number of cameras, both via PTP and proprietary protocols. You can also consider "hardware" options - but they may not fit the budget:
- a camera with IR or a connector for a wired remote control
- Arduino to control the camera via IR or by wire (you can also control via IR via LED on Com, LPT or audio card )
- EyeFi card for uploading photos to a computer

Answer 4

I don’t know the budget and the required camera parameters, but I think any modern smartphone could fit - all these functions are there, plus a bunch of extras, for example, it’s completely possible to do all or part of the image processing right on the device, the built-in ability to wirelessly control and receive data, additional sensors, etc.