The doorbell camera 106 has a doorbell button, a camera module, a processor and memory including programs executed by the processor, and is electrically coupled to a remote chime device that rings in response to a user press on the doorbell button. The doorbell camera 106 operates at a first camera mode and a second camera mode. In both of these two modes, the doorbell camera 106 continuously records video information from a field of view of the doorbell camera 106, and communicates with a remote server 164 to receive instructions from and/or upload the recorded video information to the remote server 164. More importantly, the doorbell camera 106 is configured to detect whether there is a user press on the doorbell button. In accordance with a determination that no user press is being applied on the doorbell button, the first camera mode is activated to bypass the remote chime device and couple the camera module of the doorbell camera 106 to a remote transformer for receiving a power supply therefrom. Conversely, in accordance with a determination that a user press is being applied on the doorbell button, the second doorbell mode is activated to couple both the camera module of the doorbell camera 106 and the remote chime device to the remote transformer. For example, the camera module and the remote chimer device are electrically coupled in series and both powered by the remote transformer at the second doorbell mode, thereby enabling the remote chime device to ring concurrently while the camera module is recording the video information. In some implementations, while the doorbell button is being pressed i. e. , at a second doorbell mode, the camera module of the doorbell camera 106 is electrically decoupled from the transformer, and relies on the battery to provide needed power. The battery is recharged at the first camera mode when the button is not pressed.