Portable wifi security camera

[1DogGuy]

I'm looking for a discreet wifi surveillance camera that I can move around a commercial property for investigations. I'm hoping to stay at $200 or less and be able to receive alerts on an app or email in case the camera is discovered and stolen/vandalized.

I considered a Blink camera, but I don't want an ongoing subscription. I can put large SD cards in a camera or attach a USB storage device if needed.

[Kings Gambit]

Sounds kind of nefarious. There was a guy in January who posted that he was looking for a wifi camera that he could hide.

Isnt part of the purpose of having a security camera is the visual deterrence? Why discreet? Will it need to be connected to the commercial property's wifi?

[1DogGuy]

Originally Posted by Kings Gambit

Sounds kind of nefarious. There was a guy in January who posted that he was looking for a wifi camera that he could hide.

Isnt part of the purpose of having a security camera is the visual deterrence? Why discreet? Will it need to be connected to the commercial property's wifi?

I didn't ask for a pinhole bathroom camera. I conduct investigations at a well known company. I'm just not familiar with portable wifi cameras besides the ones marketed for your house. That may be what I go with.

I'll register for a security forum. I just get a ton of sales pitches and spam, and I'm trying to avoid that.

[akrausz]

In other words your requirements are small, SD card, and battery? What does a homeowner type camera not do?

[TurcoLoco]

Indoor or outdoor use?
Sounds like he needs something like a spy cam or nanny cam.
Typically, due to their low profile, they would have to be either hidden inside an air duct or something like that.
There are some cameras that come already hidden inside an common household item like a smoke detector or plant (for indoor use). For exterior/outdoor, your best bet is probably a wild life cam that you would have to hide in a bush or on a tree.
More expensive ones come already disguised to blend in with nature and even solar panels to charge themselves.

Some indoor models to have Wi-Fi but then which Wi-Fi would they connect to? If you are piggybacking onto someone else's wireless, they could easily be detected and their cover blown.

For remote monitoring, you might be better off with a camera that supports a large TF/SD card and long battery life and adjust its motion sensitivity according to your needs. Wild Life cameras typically have a Video/Photo option as well so if a series of photos (1-2 secs apart) would suffice, instead of video recording, you could opt for photo mode to prolong battery life as well as the memory card usage. Night vision mode is also available but can suck up battery a little faster.