Spy cam

A Spy Cam is a type of micro DVR which is built into a deceptive package and made to resemble a small object, such as a key fob, wristwatch or lipstick case. Known by numerous terms such as cam stick, gum cam, thumb cam, etc., these devices will often function according to their apparent purpose, as in a pen cam that actually writes. They are often very cheap mini electronic devices with great flexibility.

A typical spy cam is powered by a rechargeable lithium ion or lithium-ion polymer battery, has small, colored LEDs to indicate its operational status, and is controlled by switches and/or buttons on its surface. It may also have a slot/receptacle for a micro SD flash memory card which will expand its recording capacity by several hours. In order to offload the recorded video, it must be connected to a computer's USB port, at which point it will function as a conventional thumb drive that contains standard video files.

Hidden camera

A hidden camera is a still or video camera used to film people without their knowledge. The camera is "hidden" because it is either not visible to the subject being filmed, or is disguised as another object. Hidden cameras have become popular for household surveillance, and can be built into common household objects such as smoke detectors, clock radios, motion detectors, ball caps, plants, and mobile phones. Hidden cameras may also be used commercially or industrially as security cameras.

Description

A hidden spy camera can be wired or wireless. The former will be connected to a TV, VCR, or digital video recorder (DVR), whereas a wireless hidden camera can be used to transmit a video signal to a receiver within a small radius (up to a few hundred feet). Consequent to the wide proliferation and lower costs of electronics devices, hidden cameras are increasingly finding wider applications.

Nanny cam

Hidden cameras secretly installed within a common household object to monitor and record the activities of caregivers are commonly referred to as "nanny cams." Legality of using hidden cameras are usually a subject of controversy. For example, a case involving a nanny that was allegedly caught violently shaking a baby was thrown out as worthless evidence (but due to issues regarding video quality, not legality).Some hidden camera television shows have also led to lawsuits or being denied to air by the people who were trapped in set-ups that they found unpleasant. In the United States nanny cams are legal although most are sold without audio capabilities since it is prohibited to intercept audio communications by a surreptitious manner.

Miniaturized cams

Ultraminiature still cameras have long been used for surreptitious photography, using film as small as 8×11 mm. In particular, Minox cameras were used for clandestinely photographing documents close up for espionage. Today, spy cameras can be bought by anyone for as low as $6 USD, and these modern cameras can be as small as a keychain and take high resolution video.