candid camera

American  

noun

1. a small, handy camera, especially one having a fast lens for informal pictures.

---

candid camera British  

noun

1. 1. a small camera that may be used to take informal photographs of people, usually without their knowledge

   2. ( as modifier )

      a candid-camera photograph

---

Etymology

Origin of candid camera

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

It’s like when you catch someone on a candid camera, like a candid film or video; it’s very revealing.

From Los Angeles Times

Was that a flash of the candid camera that caught you slipping through on red?

From Washington Times

For police officers today, whether they like it or not, candid cameras are the new reality.

From Washington Times

And I learned Google’s candid camera isn’t an evil all-seeing eye.

From Seattle Times

The incident, it turned out, was a shockingly cruel prank – : the kidnappers were a candid camera crew from the state-run Ennahar television TV station.

From The Guardian