The digital world has taken a direction towards compact and convenient technologies. Millions of people have opted for mini spy cameras, so small that they can be hidden in small objects.
Did you know that there are cameras hidden in light bulbs? Just imagine how small these cameras can go!
These cameras are there to protect you and your work as home security, or just something that can be used to keep an eye on your family or pets when you are not around.
Here is a complete beginner’s guide to mini spy cameras; the what the how and the why are all answered.
What Is A Mini Spy Camera?
A mini spy camera is a device that captures and records live footage or saves the footage captured in its memory. The true wonder of mini spy cameras is the size: They are so small that they can be hidden anywhere.
What is the Use of Mini Spy Cameras?
The use of mini spy is versatile. Since they are extremely compact, they can be used for many different purposes:
- Surveillance for your office
- Surveillance for your home
- Surveillance of a rented space (for example Airbnbs)
- On the go recorder (convenience because of the size)
- Monitoring Business Meetings
- Baby Monitor
Features of Mini Spy Camera:
Many features of spy cameras include:
- These cameras can record at a wide-angle.
- These cameras have motion sensors to save an excessive and useless recording.
- Some can record audio as well as video.
- Can record for a few hours.
- When an SD card is added (e.g. 32GB), it can record for a few weeks (due to its motion sensors).
- Some cameras can record without an internet connection.
- Can be connected to your phone.
- Doesn’t make noise while recording.
- Has the option to be wireless.
- It is cheap in costs.
- The camera can be activated manually, via remote, or attached to a motion sensor.
- Some have night vision.
- New cameras have high resolution (1080p).
How do Mini Spy Cameras Work?
The working of a mini spy camera is mostly dependent on the model you have, but overall the functionality of all cameras is pretty simple. Most cameras come with the instruction manual, so it can be easy to follow through.
Simply turn on the camera, activate the night vision made if it has one, place it in the designated area you desire, and let it record.
Most spy cameras are wireless and give the least trouble when it comes to charging them. These cameras are also equipped with motion detectors, so it saves up battery and space.
Not all spy cameras come with an SD card, so make sure you have one in hand when you set up the camera.
The most popular Cameras of 2021:
- Let’s start with MHDYT wireless camera with 1080p camera from Amazon, which is a pretty popular spy camera. (Amazon Link: https://tinyurl.com/y4mua9z7 )
This version of the camera comes with a set of instructions, a USB cable for charging and attaching to the computer, an LED wire to attach to a monitor, and mounts for clipping and wall mounting the camera.
All of the stickers of the camera are removable to make it more discrete. The camera itself has the size of the thumb pad and is extremely tiny. The camera has motion sensors and IR mode (which is the night vision camera).
To start, charge your camera with a charger and the USB wire provided along with it. Once done, the top two buttons, namely ‘M’ and ‘power’ button can be used to activate different features. The M is used to activate 1080p mode and the power button is used to
- Turn on recording
- Turn on Night Vision Mode
- Take a picture
- Turn off the camera
This camera, when recording, does not have any lights turned on. This ensures the camera remains discrete. Here is a YouTube review of the product:
- As mentioned before, Light Bulb mini spy cameras are also one of the popular items as they are disguised as ordinary light bulbs. (Amazon link: https://tinyurl.com/y6x4u4bd)
This light bulb camera has a 3600Feature (Fisheye lens), which can be an extremely handy tool for surveillance purposes. This camera is connected to the phone via Wi-Fi. An app is used to connect to the phone and the camera to have a live view.
This camera gives amazing 960p quality video that is clear to watch. It also has night vision lenses for surveillance at night time.
The camera needs an SD card in it (which is sometimes provided in the box). The Camera is set up just like a normal bulb and it also emits light like a normal bulb.
The live footage captured by the camera can easily be recorded and the camera captured. Since this camera has a motion sensor, any activity suspected by the camera is automatically noted and a warning is sent to the cellular device that is connected and shows up as a push notification.
Other features of this light bulb camera are audio capturing (where the bulb is set-up) and a speaker so that the person whose phone is connected can speak through their phone.
Here is a YouTube review of the product:
- Wall Clock Spy Camera has one of the best-hidden cameras in terms of hiding the lenses. Let’s discuss a little about its features. (Amazon Link: https://tinyurl.com/yyvl9snj)
This spy camera has a 1080p camera for a clear view. The camera lens is well hidden in the number 10 on the clock (hidden in the 1 digit). This clock looks like an ordinary clock. It shows the time like a regular clock.
The clock is connected to Wi-Fi and then connected to the phone by the app that is recommended by the company selling the clock. There is a hidden compartment in the clock where you can charge the camera and attach the SD card.
The view of the clock is adjusted manually by the wheel in the back. An alert by the camera is set off with movement as it has motion sensors in it. Talking about night vision, the camera records in monochrome when it is in dark.
The camera also can record audio as well but it needs to be activated. Not all models have the option to record the audio though. The camera comes with a user manual and a USB cable for charging.
- The Smoke detector mini spy camera is once again another example of well-hidden surveillance cameras. (eBay link: https://tinyurl.com/y687fthz)
This camera is disguised as a smoke detector, which is a pretty neat way of hiding a camera. The camera has a 900view. The camera gives a maximum resolution of 1080p, which provides a clear image. This smoke alarm has the option to:
- Record video
- Record Audio
- Capture pictures
- Turn on night vision.
This device is not connected with the Wi-Fi; hence the recordings and captured items are saved into the SD card directly. The device comes with a user manual, a USB cable to charge the camera and transfer the recorded content into a computer.
This also comes with a remote that controls all the actions as the smoke detector itself does not come with any buttons except the one that turns on the device itself.
Here is a YouTube review of the product:
- The Plug USB Charger mini spy camera is also one of those cameras that are cleverly disguised. It looks and feels like an ordinary charger, but it has a very tiny camera in it that captures everything in a 900 angle lens. (Amazon Link: https://tinyurl.com/y6kqjxn6)
This charger comes with a user manual that has a QR code to their preferred app. The camera is connected to the Wi-Fi through the app on the cellular device. The camera itself looks sleek and ordinary. It has an SD card slot in the back to save recorded footage.
It is equipped with showing live footage, motion sensors, night vision camera, and recording options as well as screenshot options. It also records audio. All of the settings of the camera can be easily done via the recommended app.
Here is a YouTube review of the product:
FAQ’s:
- What is the smallest spy camera?
Spy cameras can be as small as a keychain, a coin or a prick. The smallest one up to date is the MHDYT wireless camera (the size of a five cent coin). But the smallest camera to date is the OmniVision OV9648 (used for surgeries)
- How can I hide my spy camera?
There are many ways to hide a spy camera. You can hide them in common household objects such as tissue box, toys, between books, curtains or door spaces (height advantage), etc.
- What is the best spy Camera?
The best spy camera depends on the settings you want to place the camera in, but the best one overall is the MHDYT wireless camera in terms of its size and qualities.
Conclusion:
A mini spy camera is a wonderful tool that can be used for security purposes and as an on the go portable camera that takes little to no space. It is cheap and affordable. It can be easily installed and used by everyone, hence making it convenient to use.
There are many options to choose from. The designs allow it to be discrete and you to be safe in your space.