Spy Pen Cameras
How to choose a spy pen camera
Why a pen works
Clipped to a shirt pocket, a pen camera sits at chest height and points wherever you face, close to the framing of a body camera. Laid on a desk it covers the table in front of you. It suits an office, a meeting room or a site visit because a pen is expected to be there and it records what you are part of, hands free.
Card only or WiFi
Most models record straight to internal memory with a single button press and no app. A few add live viewing over WiFi. Recording time is limited by the barrel, one to three hours depending on the model, so check the stated runtime against how long you need. 1080p suits notes and meetings; the 4K pen records 2K video and 4K stills, which suits anything you will review closely.
Compare the pens
 1080p pen |  4K pen |  WiFi pen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Records to | Built in memory or microSD, by model | microSD card, up to 512GB | Built in memory, live view over WiFi |
| Resolution | 1080p | 2K video, 4K stills | 1080p or 2K |
| Battery | Up to three hours on some models | Shorter than 1080p, check the listing | Shorter with live view on, check the listing |
| Suits | Meetings and notes | Detail you will review closely | Checking the view from your phone |
Buying guides
Spy Pen Camera Buying Guide AustraliaWhich one to buy
Spy Camera Glasses Buying Guide AustraliaHow to choose the right pair
Voice Recorder Buying Guide AustraliaStandby is the number that matters
Related
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Common questions
Does the pen actually write?
Yes, and the ink refill can be replaced.
How do I know it is recording?
Most confirm with a short vibration or a small LED when you press the button. The listing and the manual say which.
How do I get the video off?
The pen plugs into a computer over USB and appears as a drive; on models with a microSD card, the card also slots into a reader.
Is it legal to record with a camera I am wearing in Australia? Australian law
Yes, in public places and in your own dealings with people. Surveillance devices laws differ by state and territory: filming people where they expect privacy, such as a bathroom, a bedroom or a changing room, is not allowed, and recording private conversations you are not part of is generally not allowed either. If you wear it for work, people should know they are being recorded.