摄像机
shè xiàng jī · HSK 5
video camera
📹 摄 capture + 像 image + 机 machine = video camera
摄 means to capture or absorb, 像 means image or likeness, and 机 means machine or device. Together: a machine that captures images — a video camera. Compare 照相机 (still camera) which uses 照 shine instead of 摄 capture.
像 — person radical 亻 + elephant 象
Originally 象 alone meant 'elephant' and by extension 'image/likeness,' since elephants were rare and people knew them mainly through depictions. The 亻 (person) radical was later added to specialize the meaning as 'image, likeness, resemble,' leaving 象 for the animal itself.