So called "bullet" or "Lipstick" cameras are small video cameras that are easily wearable or portable. After researching performance and features I purchased 2 cameras from EyeSpyVideo. I highly recommend EyeSpyVideo. They have a lot of truthful technical information about video imagery on their website, be sure to bone up if you are rusty. In fact it is so good, I don't need to caveat any of it here. They also carry the best Sony Exview and SuperHAD imagers, no they are not all created equal. Just because a product says Sony or Exview or SuperHAD doesn't mean it is the best Sony Exview or the best Sony SuperHAD imagers available. They also include a 7 piece accessory kit with each camera which is a nice touch.
After reading their reviews you may not come to a simple conclusion right away so I'll state it here. Expect the black and white (B/W) cameras to have lower light requirements than the color and expect the color cameras to have a better quality image than the B/W.
For the ultimate in low light video, you will want the Sony Ex-View imager. For the ultimate in picture quality you will want the Sony Super HAD imager.
For my purposes I wanted the best picture quality in a bullet camera for color and the lowest light performance in a bullet camera for B/W. For color I selected the CC-5HR and for B/W I selected the BW-4HR. At this time these are the two best bullet/lipstick cameras available.
Both of these cameras are powered by 9-14.5 volts dc (Vdc). This allows use of a 110Vac to 12Vdc power supply, a standard 9Vdc battery or a 9Vdc battery pack that uses standard AA size batteries, all provided in the 7 piece accessory kit (batteries not included). This also allows use of these cameras in an automobile with suitable 12Vdc regulated adapter. Both cameras have a 3.6mm fixed focus board lens.
The CC-5HR has a 3X zoom lens that can be operated with the RMT-3X remote control. The only other remote function that works on this camera is the brightness. The CC-5HR is substantially larger than the BW-4HR.
I fashioned a head mount unit from a wilson sweat band and elastic strap from walmart. This is a comfortable and light weight way to wear the cameras and have them aim where you are looking.
 Both cameras, RMT-3X, and 6mm lens. |
 Camera Backs |
 Camera Height |
 Camera Lense |
 7 Piece Accessory Kit |
 Camera connectors, three on left are for CC-5HR, two on right are for the BW-4HR |
 RMT-3X remote face |
 RMT-3X remote back |
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Headband |
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The CC-5HR boasts the High resolution / high density Sony Super HAD 1/3" CCD imager, weatherproof / outdoor design, exchangeable micro board lens, 1.0 lux performance, 530 horizontal lines of video resolution, and includes a 3x digital zoom that is activated with the RMT-3X / RMT-3XL remote controls.
The BW-4HR boasts the Sony Ex-View 1/3" CCD imager, weatherproof/outdoor design, exchangeable lens, 600 horizontal lines of video resolution, and amazing low light performance 0.0003 lux.
