Quick and dirty way to use the camera api from python:

import gst
bin = gst.element_factory_make("camerabin")
bin.set_property("videoenc", gst.element_factory_make("dspmp4venc"))
bin.set_property("videomux", gst.element_factory_make("hantromp4mux"))
bin.set_property("audioenc", gst.element_factory_make("nokiaaacenc"))
bin.set_state(gst.STATE_PLAYING)
bin.set_property("filename", "test.mp4")
bin.set_property("mode",1)
#starts recording
bin.emit("user-start")

# wait some time

# stops recording
bin.emit("user-stop")
bin.set_state(gst.STATE_PAUSED)
bin.set_state(gst.STATE_NULL)