say i think that is something that needs to be run off the server, and unless someone makes a package it would't interface with the filemanager

there's not a single possible answer. It depends on your camera. A lot of cams have their own software, others upload files via ftp..

In most situations it's probably a bit difficult to import files into the file manager.

I'd try to upload the files using ftp and fetch them using a very simple custom block.

Yea, it does seem like FTP is the best solution.

I was thinking I could use the "incoming" folder in my "files" directory to store the images and run a script that would add it to the file manager and automatically add it to a specific set, then add that set to a slide show, while limiting the set to the 5 most recent images. But, that sounds like a bigger hassle than this feature is worth.

Making your video stream available as stream,
you could connect using podcast block?

Yes, but both solutions aren't difficult.. You could at least use the slideshow block out of the box, that's worth something as well.