Over the last couple of years I have bought (and returned) a number of cameras relating to hedgehog surveillance. I agree it is a minefield when looking for the right one. For starters there are high end cameras which might include Bushnell, but at £150+ you need deep pockets.
I personally have three cameras and the most expensive one (£88) has very good daylight video quality but very poor night time quality, which of course is no good for hedgehog filming.
All of my cameras were bought on Amazon, the main reason being its easier to send them back if there are issues. I had intended to use my ‘bad’ camera for other things but with the amount of Hog activity have resorted to using it again for that purpose. Couple of related points:
1) If you look at the pictures showing the inside of the cameras they all look very much the same. I am convinced the camera components are all made in the same factory in China and its only the external plastic cover and lens/IR leds/PIR sensor configuration that differs between brands. So I am not sure it makes a great deal of difference which you buy and often comes down to luck in getting a good one. I have two good ones which cost between £64-£75.
2) Beware of 5 star reviews – I was approached by a Chinese company that I bought a Trail camera from asking me to purchase a new product they had released and if I then wrote a 5 star review they would refund me the full cost. I refused. I then looked at all the 5 star reviews that had been posted in the previous week !!!
3) Photo megapixels only relevant if you take photos rather than video.
4) Look for a 130deg+ wide angle lens (different to PIR coverage) as this will enable to set the camera nearer to the target object (house/feeding station etc) and be in focus and have a greater depth of field.
5) Some cameras have multiple On-Off timers and some only one.
6) IR/Led range not significant for hedgehogs as almost all footage will probably be taken from within a few metres. Mine are all within 2m.
7) I now use rechargeable batteries for my cameras, although in the past I have connected them to a constant DC supply. If you want to use the latter there are a few things to look for, but I won’t take up any more space !!
Lots more to say on this topic, but I will shut up as others will be better informed.
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