Spy cameras, as one would expect, are constantly being improved. Today we have tiny spy cameras built into pens that can help you spy on anyone. Or help someone spy on you. Spy pens are very convenient and portable and their cameras are hidden in plain sight.
A pen camera is exactly what the name depicts. It is good old, regular stationery, but this time with extra features to make it even better! It doubles as a writing tool and a security device. With a pen camera, you can take pictures, and record audio, and video clips, all in stealth mode. They can be used for different personal security purposes. It can either be handheld, or even better, body-worn, and perfectly disguised. It makes you feel like a secret agent straight out of a James Bond or Kingsman movie.
Choosing a pen camera may be an uphill task as there are so many different models. When making a purchase, one of the things you may have to consider is the price of the spy pen. The prices of spy cameras differ according to the specs of the camera built into the pen you want to buy. In this post, we will be reviewing the price of spy cameras to save you the stress and inconvenience of racking your brain about the right spy pen to buy.
Factors Affecting the Price of Spy Pen Cameras.
The cost of spy pen cameras ranges between $7.79 to almost $90.00. The prices vary and are influenced by certain factors. Some of these factors include:
Resolution
This is a major area of concern especially if your camera isn’t just for fun. Resolution is a fancy way of referring to the video quality. In the past, spy cameras were known to have poor video resolution compared to other cameras. However, the narrative has now changed. Most spy cameras even have better resolution than professional cameras.
Spy pen cameras with 4k, 2k, and 480P resolutions are still making their way into the market. Cameras with 640×480 video resolution are also available. If you’re on a budget, then you can get any of these. But it’s advisable to buy 1080P and 720P cameras which have better video resolution compared to the past. The higher the resolution of your camera, the more expensive it will be.
Storage
Some spy pen cameras come with built-in local storage systems. Others have expandable memory which can be supported with SD cards of different sizes. The SD card is used to retrieve data for viewing, transfer, or even to delete, so you can free up space and record new videos. Spy pens with built-in memory systems have USB ports that can be plugged into a PC to retrieve data.
The resolution of the camera can affect its storage capacity. High-resolution videos naturally take up more space than lower ones. The Price of memory cards varies depending on the size and manufacturers. It is advisable to get a known brand with top reviews to prevent issues with your storage while the pen is in use. For pens with inbuilt storage, the higher the storage capacity, the higher the price. Those with 36GB storage systems are valued at higher prices than those with 16GB storage.
Viewing Range
The viewing range of a camera is simply the distance at which details can be captured. Some cameras have a wider view range than others, and this also affects their pricing. The price of pen cameras with a view range of 10-15 m varies between $11.23 to $85.86. While higher ranges between 20-25m cost more.
Noise.
All digital images have internal noise. Noise can be considered to be grain marks on films. Noise is affected by the ISO settings of the camera. Lower ISO cameras have fine film grain which reduces the noise and gives good image quality. Low image noise gives higher image quality.
Noise is created by the digital sensor of the camera. It also occurs during the conversion of the analog signal received from the sensor to its digital form. With all other things being in place, larger pixels equal lesser noise. Most spy pens just like other cameras have the same pixel size. The difference is in the ISO setting. The higher ISO settings, the more expensive your camera will be. That is because higher ISO settings equal better image quality.
Other Factors
Other factors like aesthetic features can also affect the price of your spy camera. Consider the colour, camouflage design, and cartridge inks. Some spy cameras have more to offer in terms of battery life. The battery of some spy cameras can only last for 2 hours while others have longer battery life. You also have to consider how well it writes, whether it is refillable or not, microphone quality, etc.
In conclusion, the overall quality of your spy camera influences the price. The more advanced your spy pen is the higher its price. Some pen cameras have all-around features like video recording, audio recording, cloud storage, photo shoots, night mode, wide viewing range, motion sensors, and an inbuilt storage system. Others are only equipped to record videos. If your spy camera has more appealing features, it will naturally cost more. Before you go shopping, consider these factors to determine which ones are more important to you. You can also read our review article on the best spy cameras.