Toolkit

Camera Guide

Capture photos and videos with sound from your device camera. All processing runs in the browser — no upload, no server.

Back to Camera

What does this tool do

The Camera tool captures photos and videos with sound from your device camera. Switch between Photo mode (still images) and Video mode (recordings with audio). All processing runs in your browser — no upload, no server.

How to use it

  1. Allow access — Click the button to enable your camera. For video mode, microphone access is also requested.
  2. Choose mode — Toggle between Photo and Video. In Video mode, the camera restarts to add microphone.
  3. Capture — In Photo mode, click "Capture photo" to take a snapshot. In Video mode, click "Start recording", then "Stop" when done.
  4. Download — Hover over any captured item in the gallery and click the download icon to save it.
  5. Play — Click the play icon on a captured video to watch it in the main area with playback controls. Use "Back to camera" to return to the live feed.
  6. Remove — Hover and click the remove (X) button to discard a capture and free memory.

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 and exporting as JPEG. Videos are recorded with the MediaRecorder API, which produces WebM chunks; these are combined into a single Blob and offered for download. All media is kept in browser memory as blob URLs until you remove it or leave the page.

HTTPS is required because getUserMedia only works in secure contexts (HTTPS or localhost). This protects users from accidentally granting camera access on insecure pages.

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.

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.

FAQ

Does the Camera tool upload my photos or videos to a server?
No. All capture runs entirely in your browser. Photos and videos stay on your device until you download them. Nothing is sent to any server.
Why does the camera require HTTPS?
Browsers require a secure context (HTTPS or localhost) for getUserMedia() to protect user privacy. This is a web standard.
What formats does the Camera tool produce?
Photos are saved as JPEG. Videos are saved as WebM (VP8 or VP9 with Opus audio). Most modern browsers and media players support WebM.
Can I use the Camera tool on my phone?
Yes. The tool works on any device with a camera and a supported browser. On mobile, you may need to grant camera and microphone permissions.
What if my camera or microphone is denied?
The tool will show a message. Check your browser's site permissions and allow camera (and microphone for video) access for this site.

All calculations and conversions run entirely in your browser. No data is sent to any server, so your input never leaves your device.