Boot times of 3-4 seconds are achievable with a customized buildroot [1] [2] if you don’t need network, USB, HDMI, and other services.

[1] https://mitxela.com/projects/thermal_paper_polaroid

[2] https://himeshp.blogspot.com/2018/08/fast-boot-with-raspberr...

There are boatloads of 12 megapixel or better point and shoots in the used market that will produce excellent pictures. A much better experience than a phone because it's a dedicated device. And because they usually have a substantial zoom range from wide to tight.

With only a slight bit of patience, you can pick up something like a Panasonic Lumix ZS-6 for $30 on US eBay including shipping. Long battery life, fits in a pocket.

I removed the hot-mirror, epoxied a 720nm filter to the front and use mine for infra-red.

Only slightly larger, the Sony NEX C3 is a tiny APS-C camera, not much bigger than a point and shoot. It was the second iteration of the NEX3. Paired with the slightly more recent 16-50mm pancake zoom, it is a great everyday carry with 16mp.

To me, an rPi camera is an interesting idea and for a specialized use, its programmability would be an advantage. As an everyday camera, it's a bit absurd beyond telling people about it. YMMV.

I think the bit I missed out was, I'd like a way for when I take pictures for them to be automatically synced to my cloud storage (not one of the main providers) and/or published on my website.

Buy a point and shoot with WiFi.

Put a rPi in your other pocket.

Run chron.

At least it's not a pony and free M&M's.

I have to wonder what phone you've got. I have a Pixel 4a 5G and it takes the best pictures out of any camera I've had (usually cheap Canon PowerShot's, which are GREAT cameras). I've been extremely impressed with its abilities. I can't imagine that any homebrewed solution could match it without thousands of hours of work.

I think it's me tbh. Trying to hold the phone, and press the on-screen buttons just isn't a nice workflow for me. I miss using a proper camera form factor.