Camera

The camera HUD icon in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.

A camera is a device used to capture images, either as still photographs or as sequences of moving images (movies or videos). The term as well as the modern-day camera evolved from the Latin camera obscura for "dark chamber" for an early mechanism of projecting images where an entire room functioned as a real-time imaging system.

Description

The first Grand Theft Auto game to feature an interactable camera was Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, although, like later games Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, the player could only use it in one mission and will be unable to use afterwards without the use of mods or trainers. The player can zoom in and out using the camera, similar to sniper rifles while using the same button that is used to zoom in with sniper rifles.

The device is also available in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, albeit with more functionality, allowing the player to use it freely. It can be used in San Fierro to collect snapshots, which are required to achieve 100% completion. Pictures taken with the camera can be saved. If the player recruits a gang member, the player can give the camera to him by walking up to him and following the prompt. After that, the game is viewed through the perspective of the gang member and pictures of CJ can be taken. The player can also aim the camera at a girlfriend or a Grove Street gang member and CJ will say unique dialogues related to photo-shooting. Girlfriends and recruited gang members will wave to the camera.

In Grand Theft Auto IV, the player acquires a Whiz camera phone during the mission "Photo Shoot." The camera is used in certain missions where a picture is required. Outside of missions, snapshots can be taken, but there is no way of saving them. Accessing the camera function of the phone when in a cable car or train allows for first-person view. In a player-controlled vehicle however, the car will stop immediately when the camera is selected, no matter what speed (this glitch was fixed in the PC version).

Prominent appearances in missions

GTA Vice City

• Martha's Mug Shot

GTA San Andreas

• Badlands
• Photo Opportunity
• Architectural Espionage

GTA Liberty City Stories

• Snappy Dresser
• Stop the Press (Unusable)

GTA Vice City Stories

• The Mugshot Longshot

GTA IV

• Photo Shoot
• First mission from Jeff
• ...I'll Take Her

GTA IV: The Lost and Damned

• Phone Ho

Gallery

Scope

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  The Camera's magnifying scope in action in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.

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  The Camera's magnifying scope in action in Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories.

In-game model

• The camera used in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, GTA San Andreas, GTA Liberty City Stories and GTA Vice City Stories.

  The camera used in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, GTA San Andreas, GTA Liberty City Stories and GTA Vice City Stories.

HUD icons

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  The camera's HUD icon in GTA Vice City.