Abstract: A camera and a camera system as well as methods of using the camera and the camera system. The camera is very preferably portable and hand-held and includes a wand or probe for insertion into a mouth or other body cavity for the purpose of obtaining an image of regions in such cavity. The images are transmitted onto a display screen for viewing by a doctor or an oral surgeon, by a patient, or by another person. In the preferred embodiment, the camera includes various ways of automatically disabling and enabling operation of the camera, thereby conserving energy.