From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishcameracam‧e‧ra /ˈkæmərə/ ●●● S2 W3 noun [countable] 1 
TCPa piece of equipment used to take photographs or make films or television programmes → camcorder, video cameraon/off camera (=while a camera is recording or not recording) The crime was caught on camera by police.2 → in cameraCOLLOCATIONSverbspoint a camera at somebody/somethingA group of Japanese tourists were pointing their cameras at the cathedral.focus a camera on somebody/something (=point it very exactly at someone or something)The TV cameras were focused on his face.pose for the camera (=sit or stand in a position in order to be photographed)Can you pose for the camera?be caught on camera (=be photographed, especially doing something wrong)The boys were caught on camera leaving the station.load a camera (=put a film in it)I had loaded my camera with a black and white film.set up a camera (=make a camera ready to use)The team set up their cameras some distance from the animals.install a camera (=in a building or public place, for security)Cameras have been installed on almost every street corner.types of camera a digital camera (=an electronic camera that does not use film)The magazine has a review of the best digital cameras.a compact camera (=a small, simple camera that uses film)There are some very good compact cameras around.a video camera (=that records moving pictures)They hired a video camera to use at their wedding.a television cameraHe never felt comfortable in front of television cameras.a film/movie cameraKarl trained the movie camera on him.a security/surveillance camera (=a camera that takes photographs of people in buildings or public places)He was seen on a car park security camera.camera + NOUNa camera lensA high quality camera lens is the key to taking good photographs.camera equipmentCamera equipment worth £3000 was stolen in the robbery.a camera case (=for carrying a camera in)A camera case is essential for protecting your camera.a camera crew (=the people who work the cameras that make a film or programme)We can provide a professional camera crew for any type of production.
TCPa piece of equipment used to take photographs or make films or television programmes → camcorder, video cameraon/off camera (=while a camera is recording or not recording) The crime was caught on camera by police.2 → in cameraCOLLOCATIONSverbspoint a camera at somebody/somethingA group of Japanese tourists were pointing their cameras at the cathedral.focus a camera on somebody/something (=point it very exactly at someone or something)The TV cameras were focused on his face.pose for the camera (=sit or stand in a position in order to be photographed)Can you pose for the camera?be caught on camera (=be photographed, especially doing something wrong)The boys were caught on camera leaving the station.load a camera (=put a film in it)I had loaded my camera with a black and white film.set up a camera (=make a camera ready to use)The team set up their cameras some distance from the animals.install a camera (=in a building or public place, for security)Cameras have been installed on almost every street corner.types of camera a digital camera (=an electronic camera that does not use film)The magazine has a review of the best digital cameras.a compact camera (=a small, simple camera that uses film)There are some very good compact cameras around.a video camera (=that records moving pictures)They hired a video camera to use at their wedding.a television cameraHe never felt comfortable in front of television cameras.a film/movie cameraKarl trained the movie camera on him.a security/surveillance camera (=a camera that takes photographs of people in buildings or public places)He was seen on a car park security camera.camera + NOUNa camera lensA high quality camera lens is the key to taking good photographs.camera equipmentCamera equipment worth £3000 was stolen in the robbery.a camera case (=for carrying a camera in)A camera case is essential for protecting your camera.a camera crew (=the people who work the cameras that make a film or programme)We can provide a professional camera crew for any type of production. Examples from the Corpus
camera• The 33-year-old physicist lashed his camera to an ice-pick and took the photo by setting the timer.• Mike climbed the steps without speaking, and unloaded his cameras and camera bag on a mat.• Its cameras followed the candidates around on the campaign, showing unabridged speeches, press conferences, walkabouts.• Moments later as the Monsignor began to pass out the diplomas, flashbulbs popped and a few home movie cameras whirred.• Smoke could be seen seeping in front of the television camera.• This is the pattern of the squid and octopus eye as well as of the artificial mechanical one built by man, the camera.• Few illustrations survive of the interiors of funeral furnishing establishments prior to the introduction of the camera.• Here was proof, it was said, that the camera was not merely a simple mechanism.caught on camera• Ulrika, who once dated Prince Edward, was caught on camera walking in the arms of the mystery man.• They were caught on camera by amazed police officers in an unmarked car.Origin camera (1700-1800) camera obscura “box with a hole through which an image is made to appear on the inside of the box” ((18-21 centuries)), from Modern Latin, “dark room”; → CHAMBER 