Swann HD PenCam - Mini 720p
- Price: $46.00
- Calculate Shipping
- In Stock
- B&H # SWVPEN720GL
- Mfr# SWVID-PEN720-GL
Product Highlights
- Records Color AVI Videos & Audio
- Recording Resolution - 1280 x 720
- JPEG Images at 1600 x 1200 Resolution
- Photo to Video Mode Toggle
- Date & Time Stamping
- Easy File Transfer & Backup
- Built-in Rechargeable Battery
- Functional Ballpoint Pen
- Accepts microSD Card (up to 16 GB)
Remember the Essentials
A memory card is required but not included with this item. Please be sure to purchase a memory card that suits your needs.
The Swann HD PenCam - Mini 720p is a video camera and recorder hidden in an elegant, functional ballpoint pen. This high-tech spying device allows you to capture color AVI videos at 1280 x 720 resolution or even JPEG images at 1600 x 1200. In addition, this PenCam also supports audio recording.
You can insert a microSD card (up to 16 GB) into the PenCam's SD slot to store recorded data. This data can be easily transferred to a computer via the PenCam's USB plug or a microSD card reader. Additionally, you could use the USB port to charge the PenCam’s lithium ion battery. The date and time stamping feature makes the PenCam a perfect tool for capturing video evidence.
- HD Surveillance
-
- Elegant ballpoint pen with a neatly concealed camera that records color AVI videos at up to 1280 x 720 resolution and captures JPEG images at up to 1600 x 1200 resolution
- Also records audio
- Efficiency
-
- Switch for effortlessly toggling between photo and video modes
- Runs for up to 45 minutes on a single charge
- Memory expandable up to 16 GB with a microSD card
- Easy file transfer and backup via the USB plug, which is also used to recharge the built-in lithium-ion battery
- Compatible with Windows 7 / Vista / XP, Mac OS X, Windows Media Player, RealPlayer, and QuickTime Player
- Wide Applicability
-
- Date and time stamping feature for using the recorded video for evidence purposes
- Video and images can be uploaded on any website including YouTube, MySpace, Facebook, etc.
- Ideal for lawyers, law enforcement, mystery shopping, covert surveillance, or even use as a webcam
| Video | |
|---|---|
| Video Format | AVI |
| Resolution | 1280 x 720 pixels |
| Video File Size | 100 MB per minute |
| Photo |
Photo Format: JPEG Resolution: 1600 x 1200 pixels Image file size: 200 KB |
| Recording | |
|---|---|
| Recording Mode | Video or Still Images |
| Total Record Time per Charge | Approximately 45 minutes |
| General | |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Mac OSX |
| Internal Memory | microSD card up to 16 GB (not included) |
| Backup Type | USB |
| Battery Type | Rechargeable Lithium-ion |
| Charging | USB via computer |
| Battery Charging Time | Approximately 90 minutes |
| Dimensions | 5.9 x 0.6 x 0.6" (150 x 15 x 15 mm) |
| Weight | 1 oz (30g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 10 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
75%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Compact (7)
- Discreet (7)
- Easy to set up (7)
- Accurate (3)
Cons
Best Uses
- Recording (7)
- Safety (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid do-it-yourselfer (4), Professional (3)
- Primary use:
- Personal (7)
Most Liked Positive Review
Handy
Disclaimer: I have only tested this product in my office, not in the field.
The pen is perfectly disguised in its size and shape so that no one would guess what ...Read complete review
Disclaimer: I have only tested this product in my office, not in the field.
The pen is perfectly disguised in its size and shape so that no one would guess what it really is. The ball point pen fully functions and comes with a few refills. Access to the memory card slot is easy, as is setting the pen to picture or video mode.
The pen confirms recording with a subtle blue light, which can be noticed by anyone sitting near you. In low light situations that light will shine on your hand or the table during recording.
As you might expect, the 720p HD image falls apart in low light. The image is still usable, but it becomes very noisy. The unit corrects for exposure and white balance quite well, though.
The activation button is a bit unfriendly. I have yet to do a test where the pen begins to record upon the first button depression.
Practice recording is ESSENTIAL to making use of this item. The field of view is limited (to get a medium shot of a person you need to be about 5-feet away). To be successful in your recordings you need to know where to aim the camera, how wide the shot will be, what the best angle for light is and how to activate the product with confidence.
Audio is only clear for subjects that are very close (within 3 feet), which makes it difficult to have the speaker in the video frame.
Do not expect that you will be proficient with this right out of the box.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
It works well enough
I bought this as a fun thing to have...and the rebate made it VERY accessible. The images are pretty good, even in low light - though the resolution is not particularly fantastic....Read complete review
I bought this as a fun thing to have...and the rebate made it VERY accessible. The images are pretty good, even in low light - though the resolution is not particularly fantastic. Video resolution is not much better - Not sure what the HD means on this - it's pretty grainy in regular room light.
Figuring out the procedure for turning the pen on was a bit of a challenge - the directions are not quite accurate...it says Press and Hold, and you want to Press and Release to turn it on. Press and Hold doesn't leave it ready for pictures.
The other thing is that the switch from picture to video modes is located within the pen - you have to unscrew the pen to access the dip switch...too bad it wasn't built into the pen some other way.
Still, it does what it's supposed to do and it does work. It's discreet and fun and cool.
And the pen isn't bad as a pen, either!
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 10 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-10
Pros
- Compact
- Discreet
Cons
- Controls Are Inconvenient
- Grainy In Room Light
Best Uses
- Recording
Comments about Swann HD PenCam - Mini 720p:
I bought this as a fun thing to have...and the rebate made it VERY accessible. The images are pretty good, even in low light - though the resolution is not particularly fantastic. Video resolution is not much better - Not sure what the HD means on this - it's pretty grainy in regular room light.
Figuring out the procedure for turning the pen on was a bit of a challenge - the directions are not quite accurate...it says Press and Hold, and you want to Press and Release to turn it on. Press and Hold doesn't leave it ready for pictures.
The other thing is that the switch from picture to video modes is located within the pen - you have to unscrew the pen to access the dip switch...too bad it wasn't built into the pen some other way.
Still, it does what it's supposed to do and it does work. It's discreet and fun and cool.
And the pen isn't bad as a pen, either!
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Swann HD PenCam - Mini 720p:
I wasn't so sure about buying this pen especially since it was expensive, but it is really a great camera, with excellent video quality.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Compact
- Discreet
- Easy To Set Up
- Price Quality
Cons
- Noisy
Best Uses
- Recording
- Safety
Comments about Swann HD PenCam - Mini 720p:
Well made and easy to use, works well for what it is. No need for a micro SD adaptor, the reader fits into a standard USB which is nice. Comes with 3 ink refills as well!. I had to knock off one star because the picture does not look like 720 to me, it has the appearance of 480 stretched to 720 in my opinion...especially indoors with medium light. But.... All in all it is an amazing piece at a very fairy price.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Easy To Set Up
Cons
- Faulty
Best Uses
- Recording
Comments about Swann HD PenCam - Mini 720p:
The pen feels solid but the on/off is intermittant. Video quality is surprisingly good. Audio is acceptable.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Easy To Set Up
Cons
- Low Quality
- Unreliable
Best Uses
Comments about Swann HD PenCam - Mini 720p:
Obviously I had expected more than what I actually got. It's a fun cam, but the thing is it is also hard to control since you've no idea if your shooting target is successfully captured in your video. The lens is narrow-angle. And, the frame rate is not authentic 30fps. It's only about 16fps or so. And most importantly, I feel uneasy shooting in public with it because it's not like "invisible". It's still something big that people can easily notice and be suspicious of.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Compact
- Discreet
Cons
- Insensitive Record Button
- Noisy
Best Uses
- Discretion
- Recording
Comments about Swann HD PenCam - Mini 720p:
Disclaimer: I have only tested this product in my office, not in the field.
The pen is perfectly disguised in its size and shape so that no one would guess what it really is. The ball point pen fully functions and comes with a few refills. Access to the memory card slot is easy, as is setting the pen to picture or video mode.
The pen confirms recording with a subtle blue light, which can be noticed by anyone sitting near you. In low light situations that light will shine on your hand or the table during recording.
As you might expect, the 720p HD image falls apart in low light. The image is still usable, but it becomes very noisy. The unit corrects for exposure and white balance quite well, though.
The activation button is a bit unfriendly. I have yet to do a test where the pen begins to record upon the first button depression.
Practice recording is ESSENTIAL to making use of this item. The field of view is limited (to get a medium shot of a person you need to be about 5-feet away). To be successful in your recordings you need to know where to aim the camera, how wide the shot will be, what the best angle for light is and how to activate the product with confidence.
Audio is only clear for subjects that are very close (within 3 feet), which makes it difficult to have the speaker in the video frame.
Do not expect that you will be proficient with this right out of the box.
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
- Compact
- Discreet
- Easy To Set Up
Cons
Best Uses
- Recording
- Safety
Comments about Swann HD PenCam - Mini 720p:
Easy to use & do the job
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Accurate
- Compact
- Discreet
- Easy To Set Up
Cons
Best Uses
- Early Warning
- Recording
- Safety
Comments about Swann HD PenCam - Mini 720p:
Excellent Pen Camera. Works great and extremely easy to use. I have used the camera since I purchased it at B&H many times with excellent results.
USB operation is also fantastic. Also the camera takes excellent video quality and still photo quality.
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
- Accurate
- Compact
- Discreet
- Easy To Set Up
- Just like any other pen
- Sensitive
Cons
- No problems at all
Best Uses
- Early Warning
- Recording
Comments about Swann HD PenCam - Mini 720p:
Very good quality video. It functions just the way it's supposed to. I would buy more from this company if I needed more gear.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Accurate
- Compact
- Discreet
- Easy To Set Up
- Sensitive
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Swann HD PenCam - Mini 720p:
very nice!
very discrete
Displaying reviews 1-10
Media Cards & USB Storage
Show more >Required item: A memory card is not included, be sure to purchase enough storage capacity.
- Price: $13.95
Power
Show more >
- Price: $17.99
Care & Cleaning
Show more >
- Price: $4.99
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