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Bullet Camera Guide

So, what makes a good quality camera?

There are many companies (mostly in Asia) manufacturing miniature cameras (also known as 'bullet' or 'lipstick cameras') aimed at the security and extreme sports markets. Although these cameras look very similar, the quality can vary tremendously.

Here are a few tips to help you decide which is the right camera for you and to explain why we believe the cameras we sell are the best available in the £100-£250 price range. We spend a lot of time evaluating cameras and providing feedback to our manufacturer to help improve the product. Our current range of cameras have a number of features which make them stand out from the competition.

Here are two bullet cameras. The one on the left is the new Drivedata 580 line colour camera, the one on the right is a widely available make and model sold through a number of websites. Externally they look almost identical, but take a look below at some important features available only on the Drivedata camera and the advantages*
Drivedata bullet camera features
Other bullet camera features
  • Double 'O' ring seal on lens cover - Stops condensation forming on inside of lens
  • Screened cable - Prevents picture interference
  • Lock screw on lens prevents de-focussing caused by vibration
  • Lower power consumption than rival cameras. Up to 25% more battery life and longer running time
  • Lowest operating voltage 4.9V - picture still bright and clear even when battery is almost flat
  • Single 'O' ring seal - moisture can get in around lens cover
  • Unscreened cable - can cause lines across picture due to interference from power supply, other cameras nearby and vehicle ignition systems
  • Lens can defocus over time due to vibration and shock
  • Power consumption higher than Drivedata camera leading to lower battery life
  • Lowest operating voltage 7.5V - picture fades sooner when battery starts to run down
*comparison applies to our 480/36, 520/36 and 580/36 PAL and NTSC cameras