I build most of my forms in Excel, usually adding the Excel sheet into a word document because I have templates with company logo or disclaimer built in to those. Once this is done, you just call-up the word document, click on the main body and it opens the Excel file allowing you to add data. Once the reports are complete, I convert to an Adobe (.pdf) file. Mostly for security, but some of my reports have several pages of photographs and Adobe creates a smaller file making it easier to e-mail. The newest version of Adobe allows you to create fill-in-the-blank forms from any form (computer generated or scanned). This is very handy if you need to use non-electronic forms.
I have been through many cameras in 30 years. High and low end SLR's, Polaroid's and about 5 digital models. I like the upper end models (as photography is a hobby) but job site's will take their toll on cameras. The Sony "H" series cameras have been very good to me ($500 range) and late last year I purchased a couple of Canon 570's ($180 range) There are many good camera choices for documentation out there. You need to review features and your budget.
Some things I would recommend would be:
1. A camera that uses rechargeable AA batteries. These are the easiest to work with and in a real bind, you can use standard AA's.
2. Get a camera with a screw on lens extension and a clear filter. This keeps all of the dust out of the moving parts of the camera lens. The clear filter also takes all of the splatters or stray sparks.
3. A camera with a large preview screen. Small screens make it impossible to accurately preview your pictures. Also get clear protector sheets for the screen.
4.. Buy a good hard side case. In mine you can see a mini tripod, batteries, USB cables, memory cards and USB card reader.
5. Get a good photo program for your laptop. Some digitals tend to shoot "undersharp" pictures which can be easily corrected, as can conditions of poor lighting or contrast. You will also be able to add specific identification, notes or arrows to your photographs as well.
6. Remember that most digital cameras also record video, sometimes even a 30 second video can show much more information than a series of photos.