candid camera

Although used as its name, the term predates the long-running American television program Candid Camera (first broadcast in 1948).

candid camera (plural candid cameras)

1. (photography, hyphenated when used attributively) A camera which is concealed or unobtrusive, used to obtain candid photographs of people who usually are unaware; the practice of taking such photos.
   • 1937 October 4, “Candid Camera Shots Of College Co-eds Minus Trappings Has Officials Disturbed”, in Prescott Evening Courier, retrieved 21 November 2017, page 1:

     A candid camera’s role in higher education, with photographs of co-eds in the nude, commanded public interest today.

   • 1938 October 11, Frederick C. Othman, “Sally Stole My Fan Act, Faith Says”, in Pittsburgh Press, retrieved 21 November 2017, page 12:

     Miss Rand . . . is wanted in criminal court to face charges of biting a theater customer who tried to take her picture with a candid camera.

   • 1938 October 14, “Students Hold Short Impromptu Pep Rally”, in Daily Journal-World, Lawrence, Kansas, retrieved 21 November 2017, page 5:

     Dorothy Netherton, who with Grace Valentine went to Europe this summer, has more than 400 enlarged candid-camera pictures of scenes taken during the tour.

   • 1954 January 18, “Business Abroad: Camera Comeback”, in Time, retrieved 21 November 2017:

     Last week, after nine years of development work, Zeiss brought out a new camera with which it hopes to regain leadership in the high-quality candid-camera market.

   • 2000 October 7, Stephen Holden, “Film Festival Review: Sparks of Lyrical Meditation Fly From the Cutting Edge”, in New York Times, retrieved 21 November 2017:

     Mr. Dorsky's Arbor Vitae conveys more acute feelings of sadness and ecstasy. . . . Mr. Dorsky's candid camera also catches people rapt in thought.

2. A humorous television show that uses hidden candid cameras to make jokes to people.

• hidden camera