Everybody knows of the common digital video cameras and has used one at some point. They are a popular choice when it comes to recording family events we want to remember for later or making simple movies together with friends. Nowadays we also often use cameras that come equipped together with our smartphone – the video quality in the newest models is simply remarkable.

But the human ingenuity knows no bounds. We have come up with so many different types of video cameras that it is hard to keep track of them all. Here are just two of the most useful ones:

Backup cameras

Backup cameras, also called rearview cameras, are a special type of camera that is attached to the rear of a motor vehicle. They give the driver an unobstructed view of what is going on behind their vehicle. The image taken by the camera is then displayed in real-time on the screen of the car’s head unit. They eliminate the precarious blind spot. As such, backup cameras are extremely useful to drivers who don’t have a good view out of their rear window – truck drivers or people carrying a lot of baggage in the back.

They are also loved by people who struggle with parking. Many backup cameras can display ‘parking lines’ on the screen that will indicate what is the safe distance between your car’s back and other objects, such as a wall or another car. Before you purchase a backup camera, make sure that it has technology that allows it to display quality images even in the dark. To find the best one, check out backup camera reviews by NobleRate.com.

However, remember that you should not ever rely on the backup camera alone when in reverse gear. While they are very useful, make sure to glance out the sideview and rearview mirrors as well.

Nanny cameras

Nanny cameras were first invented so that parents could monitor their nanny from a remote location. Leaving your child with a stranger is stressful so nanny cameras were able to put the parents’ worries at ease. People also use nanny cameras for different purposes – home surveillance or checking up on their pets just to name a few. Some question the morality of using nanny cams without the nanny’s knowledge, but as of now, there is nothing illegal about it. Some US states prohibit recording someone’s speech but there are no laws against capturing employees’ movements on video footage.

If you are buying a nanny camera, the most important choice you need to make is whether you want to conceal it or not. Hidden nanny cameras are often disguised as everyday objects, like a clock or a toy, so that the person being monitored doesn’t realize it’s there. The drawback to these cameras is the image quality. Hidden cameras often don’t provide such clear footage as the ones that don’t need to be concealed. To get the best nanny camera, you will also want the motion detection feature (so that you don’t use up memory space on recording an empty room) and the ability to watch the live feed.