Today, many people feel the need for video filming. These are travelers, and intelligence officers, and private detectives, etc.
It is often impossible to put professional equipment in a backpack. It is quite massive, and besides, it is vulnerable and susceptible to water. And today, small cameras are the optimal solution. They have no identified disadvantages and are great helpers in everyday life.
Motives for shooting
The desire to capture what is happening indoors or in a certain area can imperceptibly have several motives:
- Surveillance of the object on the instructions of the police or special services.
- Controlling the territory.
- Getting certain evidence.
- Just amateur filming for fun.
The smallest wireless camera allows you to get a clear picture. This consumes a minimum of electricity. Data is transmitted universally by specific protocols.
If you need to arrange video surveillance without changing the interiorand in communication lines, the smallest camera will effectively help you with this.
Main principles for evaluating such optics
There are many devices for secret surveillance. The main criteria for their evaluation are not their parameters and characteristics.
For example, there are video eyes. They are like spy devices. These are devices that any resident can install in their door, so they can monitor the area near the front door.
If a hidden mini video camera is required for any purpose, then its installation is carried out strictly according to the instructions attached to it, or it is worth inviting a specialist for this work.
Parameter and matrix format
Today the smallest camera is usually based on a CCD sensor, it is a semiconductor sensor and its choice is logical.
The matrix is characterized by small parameters. Progressive scanning is used here, and even if there are a small number of active pixels, the picture is obtained in good quality.
Sensor parameters depend not only on the type of camera mounting, but also on its functionality. So, if the camera has a good capacious battery, it has a fairly large body, it can easily fit a massive matrix.
About optics
Wireless surveillance cameras have the main specifics - a very modest eye clearance. In area, it can reach a fraction of a millimeter. Such optics can be classified as spy devices.
The covert surveillance device operates according to the following principle:
The technology of light transmission to the sensor can be positioned differently. Devices whose optics are focused directly on the case have become widespread.
Other devices have a detachable lens. In this scenario, the light is first converted, and then follows the light-sensitive component. The feed path is fiber optic cable. The path length can be significant. For example, it is necessary to mount equipment behind the wall of the room where the observation will take place.
About Processor
Spy CCTV cameras have processors that perform the following functions:
- Processing the touch signal.
- Generate a video stream for transmission.
- Maintenance of applicable broadcast protocols.
Wireless surveillance cameras with a recording option fall into the exception category. Their processor can handle a variety of media video formats.
All designated tasks can be performed without problems by chips whose architecture is referred to as ARM. They are carefully crafted, energy efficient and generate heat.
All processing methods, working with protocols and formats are the basic options of many modern microcircuits.
Data recording and transmission option
Camera manufacturers consider recording and broadcasting data to be their most energy-intensive task. The miniature parameters of the cameras do not allow you to arrange a battery with high power. In this regard, two methods are used for storing and transmitting data:
- Recording inflash memory, which has a modest power consumption. In spy devices, its volume is strictly limited.
- Wireless metered signal transmission. It takes place after a set period of time. Often a partial spectrum of functions is in effect. For example, a camera can only provide photos taken at different time intervals. Some models form video with a modest number of frames per second.
Rarely in such devices put memory cards. The reason is that recording on them and their maintenance involves high energy costs.
Hidden Wi-Fi devices
Wi-Fi uses a lot of power. And even the smallest camera with such a system can be triggered by a schedule or a signal from a motion sensor. Expensive spy modifications have their own means of fixing objects in the work area.
Spy surveillance cameras that perform remote video control can work on android. Connection to the broadcast occurs at any time from any corner of the planet. To do this, the device must have the following options:
- Your transmitter.
- Connecting to a router.
- Permanent communication with the cloud.
- Act as motion sensor.
- Recording a stream to a computer or cloud storage.
Wi-Fi camera is convenient when powered from an external source.
Autonomous Hidden Devices
They are very popular, equipped with their own battery andenergy-independent memory. Also implement wireless video stream.
Although there are some restrictions. For example, in spy devices with wireless operation and a recording option, it is often impossible to view the recorded material. But it can be recorded again when connected to the device wirelessly (protocol). This uses very little power.
Disguise as objects
The smallest camera can be disguised in a figurine, jewelry and other decorative items. This is a great method for video surveillance. True, it is prohibited by law.
For example, you can build a camera into your watch.
If the item is oversized, you can arrange in it:
- Battery. It will power the camera for a very long time.
- Data containment tool.
- Devices for wireless transmissions.
- Antennas that stabilize the signal.
- Sims, memory cards, etc.
Inside the object, you can create protection against moisture and mechanical influence. However, the camera can be difficult to find.
About installation
Mounting the camera is determined by its design and parameters. Before purchasing the device, study suitable corners to see if external power can be supplied there. It is also important how the signal will pass, and what kind of illumination will result.
The main aspect is that the camera should be invisible and maximize its potential.
A question of legality
Thispretty tricky question. In Russia, such hidden devices are devices of special action. They can be bought with the permission of special authorities.
Their use without a license can be allowed by the police, the FSB and other similar structures. Moreover, they should be given appropriate sanctions.
Ordinary citizens need to know what is banned:
- Instruments with a Pin Hole optical mechanism and a peephole whose diameter is less than 5 mm.
- Wireless devices disguised as household items (books, figurines, etc.).
- Devices embedded in household appliances (lamps, alarm sensors, clocks, telephones, etc.).
- The backlight setting of the camera is less than 0.01 Lux.
The use of such technology by citizens without the approval of the authorities and the existence of regulatory documents can cost them their freedom. There are cases when people got sentenced for real terms of 2-3 years for this.
About the most popular models
Today the assortment of the smallest cameras is decent. If you have settled questions with the legality of their use, you can purchase such a product. But how to choose the most suitable one? Here a lot depends on your goals, conditions and duration of the recording.
The following are some of the most popular models, these are:
- Polaroid Cube.
- Polaroid Cube+
- GoPro Hero 4 Session
Polaroid Cube
This is one of the smallest action cameras in the world. It is arranged in a cubic case. His rib is 3.5 cm.
Camera data:
- Weight - 45 g.
- Fixed focal length.
- Viewing angle - 124 degrees.
- Photo - 6 MP.
- There is an option for video shooting with parameters 1920 X 1080.
- The presence of a microphone. You can record with sound.
- There is a 32 GB microSD card for storing files.
The camera also has a built-in battery. Thanks to him, she can work autonomously for 90 minutes. It has a Micro USB port for power. Through this port, you can communicate with a PC.
Water resistant housing available as a separate option. With it, the camera can work with a maximum immersion of up to 10 m. Without it, the device can only cope with water splashes.
You can only control the camera with one button.
Color variations of her body: blue, red and black.
The price tag of the camera is 6570 rubles
Polaroid Cube+
This is a modernized variation of the previous optics. Her virtues:
- Photo - 8 MP.
- Video - 1440r.
- Wi-Fi connection.
- 128 GB memory card.
- The battery has become more powerful. This allows the camera to run for 107 minutes.
- Work with iOS and Android devices using the Polaroid Cube+ app. The smartphone acts as a viewfinder and monitors data recording.
- You can edit photos and videos.
- Images can be stabilized.
- There is a defense against blows.
Price tag – RUB 9860
GoPro Hero 4 Session
This is also one of the smallestcameras for video surveillance. Its shape is a cube.
Her details:
- Weight - 74 g.
- Maximum video parameters - 2560 × 1440 pixels. In this case, 30 frames occur per second. Under the condition of 1080p, 60 fps comes out.
- The presence of two microphones, so the sound is recorded better.
- Photo - 8 MP.
- There is a battery powered via Micro-USB port. Due to it, the camera works autonomously for about 2 hours.
- There are integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth options for data exchange.
To manage all the options there is a special application. It runs on a smartphone.
You can control the camera using one button.
Also, the camera can be immersed in water, but no more than 10 m. And this does not require additional devices.
Price tag – RUB 26,300
