Looking for Mini Video camera recommendations

[Bart1701]

I have a N-Gauge layout and would like to be able to shoot videos from moving trains with a video camera.

I did experiment with an SQ8 Mini DV Camera (about $15 on the internet - so not a big investment!). I did not expect super high quality video from it; just wanted to use it to determine if I wanted to continue to pursue this idea.

The 2 things I did notice with the camera were:
1) The color can seem a little off. My green fir trees often look like blue (literally) spruces. The room is lit with CFL bulbs, so I am guessing that they may affect the color balance.
2) The depth of field is not that great. The focal point seems to start about 4-5 inches from the lens. From my knowledge of film and cameras, usually the more light you have, the better your depth of field will be since the F-Stop will be a larger number (the aperture will be smaller). Not sure if this applies to video or not...so maybe more light in the room might help.

In any case, I'd be interested in any recommendations for other cameras that might deliver better color quality and a better depth of field for an N-Gauge layout. Affordability also enters into this, too; I don't want to spend an arm and a leg on a camera that will get limited use at best.

Thanks,
Bart

[C855B]

Let us know how this goes.  I've been looking for a decent on-board vidcam for a while, closely watching developments in HD micro-cams being sold for drones.

Now are you looking for real-time wireless over Wi-Fi? That seems to be my stumbling block. The couple (...don't recall brands...) I did find were limited to smartphone output, or worse, requirement of an expensive subscription to a streaming service if you wanted the output someplace else, like a big screen - my objective.

I also found very few and maybe no HD wireless-capable cams small enough to fit on N scale rolling stock and fit within the NMRA clearances template. There are cheap NTSC 240-line and 320-line cams that fit, but NTSC resolution is toy-quality and not worth my time.

[Bart1701]

To clarify - I am looking for a camera that will record video to a Memory Card. Once I import the video into my PC, I'll do whatever editing I need to do. Not necessarily looking for a device that could stream it live.

Bart

[RBrodzinsky]

I have used a Looxcie camera with lots of success. Has an internal card and microUSB port. I know that the company went out of business a couple years ago, but you may still find some available.

[C855B]

To clarify - I am looking for a camera that will record video to a Memory Card. ...

Ah, OK. I have seen some small cameras out there that are basically USB sticks, you record and then plug into your desktop. I'll see if I can search one up.

BTW, Looxcie, which was a promising small-format "action" camera, went out of business three years ago. You can still find them on eBay.

EDIT: Here's another possibility. Super-cheap: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Full-HD-1080P-DC-5V-DV-Sports-Action-USB-Camera-Spy-DVR-Recorder-Camera-BK-/332255918661

[Santa Fe Guy]

I purchased one of these a couple of years ago and it does a super job.
   http://www.replayxd.com/product/1080-mini/
I have used in on my now dismantled N Scale RR several other N Scale layouts a very large SN3 and a HOn3 layout all with great results.
I use a flat car either up front or tagging along behind and hold it on the flat car with Blue Tac.
Just need to adjust it ti get it vertical, however that is not that difficult.
Full HD with a card and then fiddle with the shots in the production software of your choice.
Might be worth a look even on EBay.
Rod.