1. What does this tool do
This free online camera lets you capture photos and record videos with sound from your device camera—no app, no sign-up. Use it as a webcam or video recorder in the browser for quick selfies, short clips, or when you need a camera without installing software. Switch between Photo and Video mode; all processing runs in your browser so nothing is uploaded. Ideal for quick selfie, short video with commentary, document scanning, or video message.
2. How to use it
Quick start: Allow camera (and mic for video), choose Photo or Video mode, capture or start/stop recording, then download from the gallery. Use full screen and Adjust (brightness, contrast, filters) as needed.
- Allow access — Click the button to enable your camera. For video mode, microphone access is also requested.
- Choose mode — Toggle between Photo and Video. In Video mode, the camera restarts to add microphone.
- Capture — In Photo mode, click "Capture photo" to take a snapshot. In Video mode, click "Start recording", then "Stop" when done.
- Full screen — Click the full-screen icon to expand the live preview. Click "Exit full screen" or press Escape to return.
- Adjust — Click "Adjust" for brightness, contrast, saturation, and filter presets (None, Grayscale, Sepia, Vintage). These apply to the live preview and to captured photos; recorded video is unfiltered.
- Download — Hover over any captured item in the gallery and click the download icon to save it.
- Play — Click the play icon on a captured video to watch it. Use "Back to camera" to return to the live feed.
- Remove — Hover and click the remove (X) button to discard a capture.
3. How it works
The tool uses the browser's MediaDevices API (getUserMedia) to access the camera and microphone. Photos are captured by drawing the current video frame to a canvas (with any adjustments you set) and exporting as JPEG. Videos are recorded with the MediaRecorder API, producing WebM chunks combined into a single Blob for download. All media is kept in browser memory as blob URLs until you remove it or leave the page. HTTPS is required for getUserMedia. All processing runs in your browser. No data is sent to any server.
4. Use cases & examples
- Quick selfie — Capture a photo without opening a separate app.
- Screen recording alternative — Record a short video with commentary (camera + mic).
- Document scanning — Snap a photo of a document for later use.
- Video message — Record a short message with audio.
5. Limitations & known constraints
- HTTPS required — The tool does not work on plain HTTP (except localhost).
- Browser support — getUserMedia and MediaRecorder are supported in all modern browsers; older browsers may not work.
- WebM format — Video is saved as WebM. Some older players may not support it; convert if needed.
- Permissions — You must grant camera (and mic for video) access. Denying blocks the tool.
- Filters — Brightness, contrast, saturation, and filter presets apply only to the live preview and to captured photos; recorded video is not filtered.