In the modern world, Spy cameras have gradually become so popular. They are sometimes known as hidden cameras. Spy cameras are usually compact and tiny, making them perfect for security surveillance. Unlike typical surveillance cameras, spy cameras are powered by rechargeable batteries, meaning you can either use them plugged in power or on battery. This brings us to the question most people tend to ask:
How long can a spy camera record? On average, a spy camera lasts anywhere between one to five hours of recording time. However, there are other factors that can significantly affect the duration in which a spy camera can record. Such factors include video resolution, camera features; for example, if it has a night vision feature, then during the night, it may last for about an hour since night vision consumes more power.
When it comes to selecting security surveillance, better known as spy cameras, recording time is an essential factor to consider. Due to their compact and small size, spy cameras do not have room for huge and powerful batteries. Most spy cameras use wireless internet connections to transmit video signals to mobile devices such as phones, tablets, laptops, or PCs.
Keep reading this article to find out more as we uncover all you need to know about spy cameras.
Types Of Spy Camera
We all know that the camera industry has taken an enormous leap in terms of technological advancement. From film to memory card storage, from 144p video quality to 4k resolution, from cabled connection to wireless internet connection. These are some of the advancements we have witnessed with the evolution of cameras.
Camera size is also a notable change. Today camera manufacturers are building tiny yet powerful concealable cameras for security surveillance. These cameras are small so that they are cleverly hidden and disguised in the form of different products such as USB flash drives, wall clocks, Bluetooth speakers, electrical wall outlets, etc.
There are many different types of spy cameras ranging from size to shape. Some have either a removable SD card or built-in storage. More advanced cameras use cloud storage. Here are some of the types of spy cameras available:
1. Wall Clock Spy Camera
Besides showing time, a wall clock adds beauty to our walls. Wall clocks have become an essential part of everyday living. Today some manufacturers have devised a way to embed a spy camera on wall clocks.
These wall clocks come with high-resolution hidden cameras that capture explicit videos without drawing the attention of people in the room. If you are on a mission to find a wall clock spy camera, be sure to check our spy camera clock reviews here.
2. Radio/Bluetooth Speaker Camera
These cameras are made in different shapes and sizes, depending on the radio or speaker design. Radios or Bluetooth speakers with digital displays usually have various sensors and knobs, so it’s a pretty challenging task to spot a camera’s pinhole lens.
3. Flower Vase Spy Camera
These security cameras are embedded in flower pots. Flower vase spy cameras are one of the hardest to suspect hidden cameras. Most of these cameras are Wi-Fi enabled and capture high-resolution videos.
4. AC Adapter Camera
AC Adapter spy cameras are usually concealed on a regular-shaped power adapter. They even plug into the wall outlet like any other power brick but actually don’t charge anything. The lenses of these AC adapter spy cameras are often hidden on the polarity symbol of the adapter. Hard to see from a distance. Some are Wi-Fi enabled, while others use SD cards for storage.
5. Electrical Wall Outlet Camera
These are not actual electrical wall outlets; instead, they are spy cameras in disguise. One significant advantage is that they can be attached anywhere on the wall since they have an adhesive backside.
6. Smoke Detector Camera
A smoke detector camera is a spy camera that resembles a regular smoke detector sensor. It features high-resolution video recording, 1080p. Some have motion detection and night vision features and can also automatically take photos.
Smoke detector security cameras are suitable for indoor use at home and in offices. Like smoke detectors, these cameras are fitted on the ceiling board and record panoramic videos of the entire room.
How Long Can A Spy Camera Record?
This is one of the frequently asked questions about spy cameras. Really, there is no specific answer to this since there are several factors that directly or indirectly affect. Averagely, most spy cameras have a 1000 to 3000 mAh built-in rechargeable battery.
If you have a 1000 mAh battery spy camera, you can anticipate getting approximately two hours of recording time. To get a longer recording run time, you may need to select a spy camera with the highest battery capacity. This goes hand in hand with storage memory. You do not want a scenario where your camera is powered but cannot record due to insufficient memory.
Can The Recording Time Of A Spy Camera Be Increased?
Unfortunately, No. You may not be able to increase the recording time of your spy camera. Since most spy cameras are factory-made, small, and compact, they do not have room for upgrade. You cannot swap the battery for a higher-capacity one.
The only sure way to go about this is to shop for the highest battery and memory capacity spy camera available in the market. This might come at a higher cost, but it is the only option you have.
How Does A Spy Camera Get Power?
Spy cameras have gradually become an essential part of security setups in many businesses, offices, and homes. Even though they are tiny, these cameras are built with electrical circuits that need to be powered to work. The majority of the spy cameras get powered through a plug-in power adapter.
Some internet-enabled spy cameras support PoE (Power over Ethernet). This means they get power from an internet router through an ethernet cable. It requires a hard-wired connection. Having a wireless security camera has more advantages than a hard-wired spy camera. This is one of the factors you may need to consider before purchasing one.
Occasionally do you find spy cameras using built-in battery power, bearing in mind the amount of energy these cameras consume. However, most camera manufacturers have worked hard to have powerful batteries in their products.
Conclusion
Spy cameras come in different sizes, shapes, and with various functionalities. Although there are cameras that require a plugged-in power source to operate, there are spy cameras that have built-in rechargeable batteries. Battery-powered spy cameras offer a lot more flexibility and convenience as far as security surveillance is concerned. Because these cameras do not require an external power source, they can be set up anywhere for better monitoring.
We hope you found this article informative and you now know more about spy camera types and how long they can record. If you are looking for one, go out there and buy confidently.
