A video camera is a camera used for electronic motion picture acquisition. Originally, the video camera was a special purpose, stand-alone device that just captured motion pictures on magnetic tape. Tube video cameras were used experimentally as early as the 1920s. In the 1980s, cameras based in solid-state image sensors were developed, and became the main kind of motion picture camera in use until the advent of digital video cameras.
These days, nearly every smartphone and tablet has the facility to be used as a video camera, as do many SLR photo cameras, making standalone video cameras seemingly redundant. However, standalone video cameras are still in use for higher-quality and professional video productions, as well as by those who want special purpose video cameras such as the GoPro and other adventure/waterproof devices.