Which Camera Is The Best To Film Your Model Railway?

[@120ingram]

Thank you for doing this review. I am in the US and the cube camera has been replaced but in amazon, using your part number, I was able to find it and the newly available alternatives. This was a really good review because you explained many of the technical details about the use of these cameras.

[@dathpo]

Thanks for the great review. I though about getting a camera a long time ago and never looked into them until now. I didn't realize how affordable they were.

[@hamshackleton]

Interesting, but I've mentioned previously the camera I use - the Mobius - It's a small, rectangular cam, with the lens on one end, records 1080p to a micro sd. charged via micro usb on the opposite end, along with the microphone., battery is good for about an hour continuous, or 12v external via the usb. Good audio quality. Needs protection from wind, of course. It measures 61mm l, 35mm w, 18 h. One button start/stop, or 12v external, weighs 25.5 gms, and comes supplied with an assortment of mounts, with others available separately, including a waterproof case. Can also be set to motion-detect, adds the time and date-stamp if required. Can be model-mounted, hand-held, used as a dash-cam, etc. Download via usb lead, or by transferring the sd to the pc. Last time I looked, they were priced around £70 on that auction site. If/when the battery dies, it can easily be replaced - two tiny screws open the case, and the battery is on a mini-plug and a bit of sticky-tape. A duplicated multi-colour led, one on the top, one on the rear, shows what the cam is doing. There's a website for setting up various recording options, or software updates, but apart from that, it is a completely stand-alone unit.

[@WardleRestorations]

Excellent review, will have to look into one of those for the O gauge for sure!

[@rogercarltonhunter]

Getting one of these thanks for the video

[@ILikeTransport]

Both look very good. Not sure which to get! Very well put together video and very enjoyable.

[@richardswiderski4985]

Thanks for another great review Jen.Iwill definitely look into getting one.Stay safe you two.

[@RonsGardenRailway]

HI Jenny i use a Akaso EX 7000 4 K Wi-fi full ultra HD it around £34 Pound from Amazon UK i was the cam i use to film GMRC and all the filming i do on the garden railway. the other cam is a run cam that fit on the wagons and is full wi-fi full HD. but has the sam problem as your can on the wi-fi . it around £79 then have the same cam the cub that you have . Regards Ron

[@richardswiderski4985]

Thanks for agreat review Jen.Will definitely look into getting one.Staye safe you two.

[@pauljohnson8341]

Nice review nice little cameras to film your layout 👍

[@matthewbannister5951]

If you want good small cameras, look to the model aircraft/drone industry. The have been making tiny cameras for years. Mobius and runcam spring to mind. Great review.

[@UkGeoFF09]

I've used the Mobius action camera for filming my railway. Its size and shape means it's a perfect fit on a one or three plank short wheelbase open wagon, while being compact enough for lineside shots.

[@andrewgoldberg4280]

To avoid wind noise, stick some open cell foam in front of the microphone capsule. Easy cheap and effective.

[@paulshepherd9999]

I use the Polaroid Cube (720) and GoPro Cube (1080) and can recommend both, the former can be bought cheap on EBay. Both are steady and easily placed on a wagon or anywhere on the layout for various views.

[@jamesgilbart148]

Interesting stuff! I've used an SQ9 cube camera on my layout - cheap as chips and allegedly has full 1080p resolution! - The focus isn't that great - especially on the move. It doesn't work via a smartphone but some settings are altered by editing a txt file saved on the micro TF/SD card - which is clunky. It also has IR night vision and motion detection which I feel aren't really needed.

[@rolandhersom239]

I have used my smart phone to set the resolution s of my sq13 camera but only need to start and stop the camera only by its buttons on any future recording sessions without any requirement to use the phone. I do not use the wi fi for anything other than changing settings and I record everything on the micro SD card.

[@grim-up-north2951]

Hi Jenny. Great video. I have been reviewing cameras to start making videos of the layout and not being a smart phone zombie, I opted for the older SQ11. It records everything to a mini SD card. To capture all kinds of footage it might be worth having the SQ13 also. There's obvious advantages to both. Particularly like the idea of the sideways passenger view, didn't think of that!

[@JamieMakin]

I just started using an SQ11 cube camera on my N scale layout. I 3D printed a well car for it to ride securely in. The video quality is so-so, but there's not a lot of options in the smaller scales. Cool to see your comparison of cameras for larger scales.

[@SBCBears]

Good info from an experienced user.

[@Pixie586]

Nice one Jenny, enjoyed the video. I've got the SQ11 and it's not good so I bought myself a Polaroid Cube Cam which I had previously and know it has great picture quality. Susannah

[@jrco1010]

is the polaroid cube cam same sized as the SQ11?

[@macnavi]

After seeing your review, but also knowing the SQ13 camera, I am more convinced the SQ13 is a superior camera over the Panasonic, At around $25 (on Aliexpress), the SQ13 is first of all a steal. It has a very high picture quality for its size. But you have missed some outstanding features. First, you don't need the app to record video on the camera. The manual shows this, on the top of page 3. Although a bit in Chinese English, when on, you'll have to push the Mode key (the small button next to the power button) shortly, then shortly again. It will then record to the TF card. It would have been strange if you could only record with your phone and an app.
But the thing I love most about it, is the ability to connect through wi-fi with your computer and control the train with the controller, while watching the stream live on your large computer monitor. For that, you connect with your computer to the wi-fi of the SQ13, then go in your webbrowser to 192.168.25.1:8080/?action=stream . This would be a great way to show your layout live on your Monday club, from the driver or passenger point of view. I hadn't thought of putting it sideways, but then again, there is nothing to see on my layout in that direction... In any direction, for a matter of fact.
Sven (of the Tramfabriek)

[@ibiubuok]

This was a very helpful video. Thanks for uploading.

[@film49uk]

Excellent review of the 2 cameras and i have a cube camera already ,however it does not have the wi fi and this means i have to review the footage on computer later so this one does offer real time viewing..will be having a look for one ...thanks for the clip

[@medwaypeninsulaMR]

Hi Jenny Thanks for the reviews as I was looking for a camera for track cam shots and I would go for the Cube option I think although I have heard good things about the Polaroid Cube...…......……..Cheers Kev

[@PaulSmith-pl7fo]

Hi Jenny. Very interesting video. I have seen a video from Charlie Bishop (Chadwick) on using the Polaroid Cube (latest version) that is very similar to the SQ13 (it was a while ago and I don't remember all the details). It seemed to be a great little camera and didn't seem to suffer from restricted wireless range, etc. I think a comparison between the two cube cameras would be great.

[@2x1mtrainmodeldioramaatliv46]

I have the same panasonic camera as what you show in the video, but its color is orange. Panasonic camera is the only one i found which is suitable for n gauge. for the scale greater than HO such as O OO, a cube camera is ok. you can choose a good one. For n gauge and less most dimensions suitable camera is self assemble by the camera that mini drone used. But all the cameras has a same issue is short working time(maybe less than 1 hour). So the better one is get power supply from tracks.

[@samuraifool912]

Great video stuffed full of useful information. Luv ya work.
'Cupboard Monkey' I like it.!! It's a new one to me..!!
Thanx for your efforts.
Cheers kim in Oz. 😎

[@TheyMakeItLikeThat]

I’ve been trying to find the best camera. I should try these out.
Cheers!

[@ericyou1828]

Hello. I live in usa. I'm looking for a camera transmitter and reciever for my ho train set. Can you recommend one

[@alanmccarthy8592]

Hello,i alway watch your film about ,modal railway where do you buy telescope camera from,Alan

[@rolandhersom239]

I have used the sq13 on my layout. What resolution etc on the video taken on your review of the sq13

[@geoffwbaU]

According to the Amazon seller, the SQ13 doesn't record audio, which makes it useless for me.

[@MRacer001]

would a raspberry pi/arduino based camera solution be better? i know you can make them very small, would they be small enough?

[@rolandhersom239]

I have a sq13. What capture and resolution settings did you use in the review.

[@ModelTrainsTV]

I want to buy a 'train cam' so I watched with interest. You (and no-one else) addresses the issue of frame rate. These cameras come as standard set at 30fps which is fine for countries with 60hz electricity supply but in the UK we have 50hz so need 25fps. You can see a stuttery effect in all your videos with these cameras and at 55 seconds and at 3 minutes 35 seconds you can see flickering lighting from recording at 30fps under fluorescent lights at 50hz. I use a gopro which we have to set at 25fps for European PAL systems but it's just a bit big for model railways.
Can you set your 2 cameras at 25fps or are they fixed at 30fps? What frame rate do you set for your main videos? 25fps I bet because they dont stutter and flicker. Thanks. Adrian

[@patrickwalker6039]

Hi Jennifer I just found your interesting video on cameras for model railways. I model in N scale and have come to use drone cameras for my drivers eye views. I copy here three URLs that illustrate the first, second and final cameras I have used. First camera ua-cam.com/video/pkRp_btnVXQ/v-deo.html second camera ua-cam.com/video/ASih2kr-JhY/v-deo.html current camera ua-cam.com/video/zJRaUP8Op64/v-deo.html