An animation or rostrum camera is a camera that is specially adapted for frame-by-frame shooting, animation or stop motion. It is used to animate still pictures or objects in film and television.
You place the object you are going to film on the camera's moving lower platform, which often has lighting above and beneath it. The camera itself is then placed on a column above. A mechanism attached to the camera or a computer control lets you lower, raise and rotate the platform, along with zooming it in or out. These cameras can produce assorted visual effects, but they are commonly used to add some interest to relatively static objects.
With the advancement of scanners and video cameras, animation cameras aren't widely made anymore. You may not find one to buy, but you should be able to rent one.
