For surveillance evidence there is nothing better than Video Cameras as they capture video as it’s exactly what they are built to do. Lately though, more and more private investigators are using their phones to capture evidence. Are they dead?
The first place to discuss Video Cameras and their demise has to be the general open market.
Sony haven’t released anything super decent like the Sony AX700 since 2017! Why Sony, it’s the main brand PI’s are using on the circuit.
Panasonic, which is another favoured brand have released the HC-V900 only in 2024 but nothing similar since.
Why have the manufacturers stopped making more? People aren’t buying them, we all have movie quality cameras in our phones now. The video cameras market simply cannot compete with cell phone cameras as the need has been killed off, well and truly.
The video cameras market won’t be fully dead, it will, in my opinion simply shift to professional level video cameras only. This will leave hobbyist level (which in all honesty is what we use) video cameras and development on the shelf.
As with any industry the working practices of all are discussed and the PI world is no different. The topic of using mobile phones for surveillance evidence is one that comes up every other month in the various groups and membership bodies.
Some of the old and bold believe that the evidence handling is compromised if a mobile phone is used, as SD cards need to be retained and held as evidence.
Some believe that using a phone camera is simply unprofessional and not covert in nature. Leading to ruining an entire job, which in fairness I have seen happen on more than one occassion..
All that said and done, I do use my phone to snap pictures and even use the slow-motion feature sometimes to get a crystal clear picture of someone’s face. Mobile phones as cameras definitely have their place in the PI’s tool box for me.
The most popular camera in use at the moment is the Sony AX-53 and as these video cameras get older without new ones entering the market, their value is increasing whilst supply is dwindling. Currently on eBay these are listed anywhere from £500 to £800. Getting them is proving only harder and harder.
One thankful benefit is they are still fixable and can be serviced via Sony repair specialists when they break which with the use and beatings they take can be often!
The other models include Panasonic of which do offer an incredible function called ‘Pre-Record’ which enables you to record the 3 seconds before hitting the record button which can massively help build evidence. The Panasonic downfall though is the lack of wiring for remotes which is essential for recording whilst driving. However, Panasonic’s latest models are showing wired remotes for recording so watch this space.
Other camera equipment will always include DSLR and Mirrorless cameras however these are expensive and their use isn’t generally as covert, especially when using them in a vehicle in view of the public. Despite it being the leading PI marketing image – even used by me..
These cameras will never die off even for hobbyists as the market for them is still huge despite the mobile phone competition. These cameras allow you do so much more and the inter-changeable lenses mean the zoom can be almost unlimited compared to mobile phones.
At the moment the UK civilian surveillance sector relies heavily on video cameras. Whether this be conventional hand held handy cams or hidden covert spy cameras we mainly capture video evidence as it cannot be misconstrued or manipulated to look a certain way.
I think we will be forced into buying the more expensive hardware starting around £1000.00 a pop for a handy cam of decent quality as supply of hobbyist video cameras simply dies off. This will have massive impacts to new starters into the industry who rely on cheaper equipment as they build their workload.
We’ve already seen huge price rises in reputable spy cameras suppliers as they compete against the cheap Chinese tech market.
My best advice right now is stock up whilst you can if you can on Sony AX53s and the like as they will hold their value and keep your evidence at the level required for professional standards.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time! Dan
