Spy cameras protect people from theft, vandalism, violence, and other dangerous situations behind closed doors. The most popular cameras are described below.
Hidden Spy Cameras
Hidden spy cameras are miniature units that can be placed on a bookshelf, attached to a vehicle’s dashboard, or carried in the palm of the hand. These units look like traditional cameras but are more compact, specially designed, and may be camouflaged with particular colors. The most common hidden spy cameras record video through a battery-powered hard drive that wirelessly sends images to a separate, concealed transmitter. In situations where invisibility is not needed, covert spy cameras can be wired directly into a power source or integrated into closed circuit television systems.
Disguised Cameras
Disguised cameras are similar to hidden spy cameras, but they are manufactured to look like everyday items. Common designs include stuffed animals, smoke detectors, and DVD players for home use or photo frames, books, and paperweights for office use. A disguised spy camera is most often used as a nanny cam to monitor babysitters and housesitters while parents are away. Advanced models are activated through motion sensors to conserve battery life. Due to advancements in technology, disguised cameras can be purchased in nearly any shape or size.
Wearable Cameras
Wearable cameras provide a wireless first-person perspective for sports activities, secret shopper programs, law enforcement operations, and undercover stings. These units are modeled after disguised cameras, but they are small enough to be worn in sunglasses, hats, helmets, ties, pens, mobile phones, or handbags. They may be integrated with the item itself or discretely attached to blend in with a pattern, button, or accessory. A high-end wearable spy camera typically generates color images, while less expensive models are often limited to black and white displays.
Spy Web Cameras
Spy web cameras offer real-time streaming video images at any time of the day or night. Camera owners typically login to a secured website in order to access the camera feed from any location around the globe. They do not need to be in the local area, in contrast with other camera types. Spy web cameras are popular with parents who want to check in on their children, homeowners who want to ensure their valuables are protected, hunters and researchers who want to monitor popular wildlife spots, and security personnel who want to ensure the safety of pedestrians in public spaces.
Night Vision Spy Cameras
The final category of popular spy cameras is designed to produce images when detection with the human eye would be virtually impossible. Night vision cameras generate quality images in low-light or no-light situations. They use infrared technology to conduct surveillance at night and then relay images to a processor that adjusts the picture to a daytime quality. Night vision spy cameras can be concealed, worn, or integrated into a web camera system.