The 100k population German city I live in recently reported they made 2 million Euro in this year so far (using speed cameras alone.) That doesn't seem like nothing.
A lot are actually missed by not getting a good photo and probably other reasons. I've seen the flashing light around 4 to 5 times already, but have only ever gotten 1 ticket (where they changed the speed from 50 to 30 and immediately put up a camera - bastards.)
They probably get great photos but the camera may be set to the actual limit whereas the fine only comes when you exceed that limit by a certain amount.
> i'm pretty sure that's only a legit business model in the usa
lolwut? i haven't gotten a single camera-based ticket, ever - many decades of driving in the US - unlike say Italy where every time i drive (about once in 5 years) i seem to break some stupid minor rule and get a photo ticket