How to Choose a Suitable Security Camera

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Updated: February 12, 2019

If you are trying to choose a security camera, the choice can be mind-boggling. Here are some tips to help you out.


  1. 1
    Understand the variety of security camera types available:
    • Infrared (IR) security cameras.
    • Dome cameras
    • Pro box cameras
    • Pan tilt zoom cameras
    • Hidden cameras.
  2. 2
    Consider the advantages of using an infrared (IR) security camera. This is a popular type of camera for both business and home.
    • Infrared Cameras produce high resolution color video during the day. In low lux (light) or no light conditions they are the preferred camera type.
    • They are able to “illuminate the area” by automatically switching from color to black and white. The infrared illuminators turn on and allow you to see much cleared that the human eye in both low light and no light.
    • Whether being used indoor or outdoor, they provide a huge advantage in low light or no light situations.
    • They can be weatherproofed and can withstand hot and cold temperatures without any additional camera housing needed.
    • Indoor infrared cameras offer a clear video image in the light and in the dark.
  3. 3
    Consider the advantages of a dome camera. The different styles of domes include infrared domes, indoor domes, outdoor domes, vandal proof domes, and pan tilt zoom controllable domes. Classic “smoked” dome cameras offer an additional degree of surveillance as friends, customers, employees, and burglars have a difficult time seeing where the lens is actually pointing. The smoked cover does not affect picture quality.
    • Expect a clear color high resolution picture with the dome camera.
    • Most pan tilt zoom cameras are in a dome type housing as well.
    • Professional “box type” cameras are used both indoor and outdoor with a camera housing.
  4. 4
    Consider the advantages of a pro box camera. These cameras are known for their high video quality. Pro box cameras are often found in banks, supermarkets, convenience stores, etc.
    • Lenses can be changed on the pro box camera based on the viewing angle and zoom that is required.
    • Some Pro Box Cameras are called day / night cameras as they can switch from color during the day to black and white in the evening or in low lux (light conditions).
    • The lower the lux, the better the camera can see in complete darkness.
    • Infrared cameras are considered night vision cameras and have a 0 Lux rating. You might prefer a box camera if you do not need or want infrared and are more concerned with quality daytime video.
  5. 5
    Consider the benefits of a pan tilt zoom camera. These are cameras that can be controlled through the DVR, remote viewing software, and/or a joystick. They can go up, down, left, and right. They also have zoom capability.
    • For example, you can capture a license plate or zoom in on a face from far away.
    • You can also program them to do preset tours where you can have them monitor certain areas while you are away.
    • Airports, casinos, large department stores such as Target or Walmart are examples of places that use PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom Cameras).
    • Pan tilt zoom cameras are expensive, starting at $500 and up. The question is, “do you need a pan tilt zoom camera”, or can you use fixed cameras to get the desired solution?
    • Pan tilt zoom controllable cameras require one additional cable for operation. A CAT5 cable is needed in addition to the power/video RG-59 Siamese coax cable in order to control it live and over the internet. Simply run a CAT5 cable next to the RG-59 to control your pan tilt zoom camera.
  6. 6
    Consider the benefits of hidden cameras. These offer perhaps the highest degree of surveillance. If you do not want someone to know that there is a camera, use a hidden camera. Fake smoke detectors, motion detectors, clocks, sprinklers, EXIT signs are examples of the type of hidden cameras that are used.
    • The main disadvantage is that hidden cameras do not have infrared capabilities which limit their performance in low light.
    • In addition, many hidden cameras are not weatherproof, so they take are not as useful as infrared bullet and dome cameras when being used outdoors.
    • Pharmacies, hallways of hotels, assisted living facilities, and homes are examples of some of the applications in which hidden cameras are used.
  7. 7
    Decide whether you want wired or wireless cameras. Wired cameras offer a larger selection of cameras and more importantly, much better video quality than wireless cameras. Wireless cameras can somewhat be misleading as they need to be powered at the camera location. In addition, they require a line of sight with no obstacles, which often poses an issue.
    • Reliability and video quality are the main reasons that you should use a wired camera. Wired cameras are powered back at the DVR location and only a single cable (RG-59 Siamese coax power/video in one) needs to be run from the DVR to each individual camera. You can run cameras up to 800 feet (243.8 m) away with this particular cable. If going over 800 feet (243.8 m) you will need to use CAT5 cable with video baluns and/or amplifier.
    • Expect a much longer lifespan and much higher quality with wired cameras.
    • Obstacles are not an issue with wired cameras. With that in mind, occasionally you may have a location of two that absolutely need it. In that case, you can plug the transmitter to the back of the DVR.
  8. 8
    Different type of Security Cameras- Analog, AHD, HD-SDI, HD-CVI, HD-TVI and IP .

Community Q&A

Add New Question
  • Question
    I am looking for a camera for my property gate. There is no phone reception and no proximity to power. Is there a camera that can send a VHF signal 3,000 feet to a receiver/laptop?
    Community Answer
    • RF over WiFi can operate 2 - 12km, depending on conditions. Look for outdoor long range aerial on eBay, you will find many suppliers out there for this type of equipment.
    Thanks! 6 3
  • Question
    Is there a camera with a built-in recording device?
    Community Answer
    • Yes, there are some IP cameras with a memory card slot for recording directly to a memory card without the need of a dvr, but the drawback of using a memory card is that it is only suitable for a few cameras (2 or 3); when more cameras are needed you might want to try a full fledged solution such as a DVR or NVR that stores the data directly to hard disk drives. Memory cards and SSDs aren't a fit for 24/7 continuous recordings due to lifespan, but they can be used.
    Thanks! 1 0
  • Question
    I am in charge of several large construction projects. My employees are consistently having personal tools stolen from their work area or storage containers on the job sites. Do you recommend a product that may help reduce the loss of these personal tools?
    Viktor Ollári
    Community Answer
    • Consult with a professional security installer. CCTV plus some special kind of EAS/RFID-like tracking system could be the answer.
    Thanks! 2 1
  • Question
    Is a HDCVI or IP CCTV camera better for a bank?
    Community Answer
    • IP CCTV Cameras are for big banks. Normally HDCVI can only connect 64 PCS security cameras; it is very hard to set the security network more than 64 channels.
    Thanks! 2 1
  • Question
    I want to buy a CC TV and camera for my sandalwood garden. What types of cameras are suitable?
    Community Answer
    • As the camera location is outdoors and it should monitor 24/7, use weatherproof IR PTZ/fixed cameras.
    Thanks! 0 0
  • Question
    I have a small cold storage that gets down to -10 degrees. What kind of indoor camera or sensors should I get for my business?
    Community Answer
    • There aren't many indoor cameras that can handle that type of cold. You may need to invest in an all weather outdoor camera. Make sure that it can handle the extreme cold.
    Thanks! 0 0
  • Question
    We need a non-IR camera to see low light. It has to see through security glass that gets tagged all the time. The camera can't be outside because it will just be hit by a baseball bat again.
    Community Answer
    • Glass is bad for both IR and non-IR cameras, especially in low light conditions. You would be best increasing the amount of outdoor light if possible if an outdoor camera isn't possible.
    Thanks! 0 0
  • Question
    What cameras will capture a clear image of somebody's face 200-300 feet away?
    Taylor Shawn
    Community Answer
    • Generally you will need somewhere along the lines of 160 px/ft to accurately identify a human face. Most expensive cameras can accomplish this within about 30 feet away. I'm currently unaware of any camera on the market that can do what you are needing.
    Thanks! 0 0
  • Question
    How do I find a CCTV camera that shows a large area?
    Viktor Ollári
    Community Answer
    • The higher the angle of view value (lens), the wider is the shown area. The high sensor (CMOS) resolution is needed as well. The drawback: the wider area results smaller chances for object (e.g. a face) identification from larger distance from the camera.
    Thanks! 0 2
  • The side mirror of my car was stolen. To avoid this again, which type of camera is suitable to be placed inside my car?
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  • Always prefer high resolution cameras that you can expect to have superior quality to many other cameras on the market. Cameras with 480 lines or more (called high resolution compared to normal resolution 380 and 420 lines cameras) are good value. And there are now super high resolution cameras with over 500 lines of resolution.
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Co-authors: 17
Updated: February 12, 2019
Views: 265,696
Categories: Security Cameras

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