Surveillance Camera Buying Guide: Choosing The Right One

Choosing a surveillance camera can be a daunting task, with many factors to consider. Firstly, define your purpose – do you want to monitor your mischievous pet or protect your property 24/7? The former may require a simple webcam, while the latter demands a comprehensive security system. Next, consider the camera's placement – will it be indoors or outdoors, discreet or a visual deterrent? This impacts features like mounting, housing, and environmental factors like temperature and lighting conditions. You should also assess the area you want to cover, as this determines the camera's field of view and whether you need additional features like pan, tilt, and zoom. Another key factor is video quality and storage – do you need high-resolution footage, and will you use cloud or local storage? Finally, consider your budget and any extra features you may want, such as audio integration, motion detection, or compatibility with smart home devices.

Indoors or outdoors

When choosing a surveillance camera, it's important to consider whether you want it to be placed indoors or outdoors. This decision will impact the camera's features, installation process, and price.

Installation

If you want to install a camera outdoors, a wireless connection is often the best option as it offers more flexibility in terms of placement. You can easily adjust the camera angle and view to cover the most vulnerable points around your home. Wireless cameras are typically battery-operated and can be installed without the help of experts, saving you money.

On the other hand, indoor cameras are more likely to be wired, plugged into an outlet, or hardwired into your home. This eliminates the need to worry about battery life but may require drilling holes or adding outlets.

Durability

Outdoor cameras need to be durable enough to withstand different weather conditions, such as temperature variations and exposure to rain, snow, or dust. They should have a weather-resistant design and a suitable IP rating, indicating their resistance to solids and liquids.

Video Quality

Both indoor and outdoor cameras should offer clear video quality, ideally with a resolution of at least 1080p to capture detailed footage. A wider field of view is also beneficial, especially for outdoor cameras, to cover more area with fewer devices.

Additionally, consider investing in a camera with night vision capabilities, either through infrared LEDs or a secondary spotlight, to ensure clear images even in low-light conditions.

Additional Features

Both indoor and outdoor cameras can benefit from additional features such as motion detection, two-way audio, and smart home integrations. Motion detection can alert you to any unexpected movements, while two-way audio allows you to communicate with visitors or intruders. Smart home integrations let you connect your camera to other smart devices, such as voice assistants or smart displays.

Some outdoor-specific features include automatic lighting functions, where motion detection triggers a security light, or solar charging panels that ensure your camera never runs out of power.

Cost

Generally, outdoor cameras tend to be more expensive than indoor cameras. The added features for durability and weather resistance contribute to the higher price tag. On the other hand, indoor cameras can be more affordable, with some options available for around \$100 or less.

It's important to consider not only the initial cost of the camera but also any ongoing costs, such as cloud storage subscriptions, which may vary depending on the camera's manufacturer and your specific needs.

Discreet or visual deterrent

When choosing a surveillance camera, one of the first considerations is whether you want the cameras to be discreet or to serve as a visual deterrent. Both options have their advantages and are suited to different scenarios and environments. Here is a detailed look at these two approaches to help guide your decision-making process:

Discreet Surveillance Cameras:

Discreet cameras are designed to be inconspicuous and often blend in with their surroundings. They can be hidden within objects or installed in locations that are not immediately obvious to the casual observer. This approach is ideal when you want to maintain a certain aesthetic, whether it's for a historical building, a stylish home, or a carefully designed office space. By hiding the cameras, you can avoid creating an atmosphere that feels like a high-security zone, which may be important for businesses that want to foster a welcoming environment. For certain applications, discreet cameras can also help to prevent vandalism or theft of the camera itself.

Another advantage of discreet cameras is the element of surprise. With hidden cameras, you can capture the natural behavior of individuals without them being aware they are being watched. This can be particularly useful in scenarios where you want to observe customer behavior in a retail setting without influencing their actions, or in situations where you want to monitor employee behavior to ensure compliance with regulations or company policies.

Visual Deterrent Surveillance Cameras:

On the other hand, visible cameras can serve as a powerful deterrent to potential intruders or criminals. By making the cameras obvious and difficult to miss, you create a psychological barrier that can discourage unwanted behavior. This approach is often favored by businesses and organizations that want to send a clear message that the premises are under surveillance and any criminal activity will be recorded. The mere presence of visible cameras can often be enough to make potential intruders think twice and move on to an easier target.

Visible cameras are also beneficial in situations where you want to promote safety and security. For example, in a parking lot or garage, visible cameras can provide peace of mind to those using the facility, knowing that their safety is being monitored. In a similar vein, in schools or public spaces, visible cameras can provide a sense of security for students, staff, and the general public, knowing that their well-being is a priority.

When deciding between discreet or visual deterrent cameras, it's important to consider the specific needs of your location and the purpose of the surveillance system. Both approaches have their merits, and sometimes a combination of the two can be employed, with some cameras acting as a deterrent while others remain hidden to capture specific activities or behaviors. Ultimately, the decision should be guided by a thorough assessment of your security needs and goals.

Size of area

The size of the area you want to monitor is a key consideration when choosing a surveillance camera. The larger the area, the more cameras you will need, and the more advanced your cameras' specifications will need to be to ensure adequate coverage.

For instance, if you want to monitor a large open area, a 4K camera can capture images that are up to four times clearer than a 1080p camera. This increased resolution can be the difference between unusable and useful camera evidence. A 4K camera will also be necessary if you need to identify a person's face. However, 1080p cameras are more than sufficient for most interior hallways and small to medium-sized rooms.

The distance from the camera to the area you want to view and the horizontal distance you want to cover are also important factors. For example, if you want to view an area that is 80 feet from the camera and need a horizontal distance of 20-24 feet, a 12mm lens would be a good choice. If the viewing area is under 50 feet from the camera, a 3.6mm fixed lens will suffice.

The type of camera you choose can also impact the area that can be covered. For instance, a 360-degree camera can provide a full view of a room, while a bullet camera is good for securing rooms' corners for the most coverage.

Image clarity

The quality of the images captured by your surveillance camera is of paramount importance. The whole point of a surveillance camera is to be able to identify people, objects, and situations. Therefore, you need to ensure that your camera has the requisite specifications to deliver the image clarity you need.

Megapixels

The more megapixels a camera has, the greater the detail it can capture. A megapixel sensor delivers an image with one million or more pixels. The more pixels an image has, the higher the quality and the greater the detail. This is important when you need to zoom in on an image to identify a person or object.

Resolution

The resolution of your camera will determine the clarity of the image. A 480p or 720p camera may not capture clear images. If you are using a 4-megapixel (1440p super HD) camera, make sure the resolution is set to 2560x1440 or 1920x1080.

Field of View

The field of view is how much area a camera can see through its lens. It is important to have a wide field of view, especially if you are monitoring a large area. Look for a field of view that is at least 110º.

Pixels-Per-Foot

This is how security-camera visual-acuity is measured. The more pixels-per-foot, the more detail will be available when reviewing footage. However, the wider the scene, the fewer pixels-per-foot are captured.

Lighting

The lighting conditions will affect the clarity of the image. If there is too much light, the image may be too bright. If there is not enough light, the image may be too dark. Infrared night vision is important for eliminating this issue in low- and no-light situations.

Lens

A dirty lens can cause blurry images. Make sure to keep the lens clean and free of dirt, dust, and spiderwebs.

Lighting conditions

Low-Light Conditions

Surveillance cameras with low-light capabilities are essential when there is limited ambient light. Without adequate lighting, cameras may struggle to capture clear and detailed footage, making it difficult to identify individuals or objects. Look for cameras with features such as large image sensors, low f-stops, infrared capabilities, or night vision to enhance their performance in low-light conditions.

Backlighting and Glare

Backlighting occurs when the background is brighter than the subject, resulting in a dark and challenging-to-see image. Glare, on the other hand, is caused by direct light reflection off surfaces like windows or mirrors. These issues can be mitigated by adjusting the camera angle, adding backlights, or using anti-glare coatings or window films.

Night Vision and Infrared Lighting

Night vision and infrared (IR) lighting are crucial for capturing clear footage in dark environments. However, too much IR lighting can lead to overexposure and washed-out images. When choosing a camera, consider the specific lighting conditions it will be used in and select one with appropriate night vision or IR capabilities.

Artificial Lighting

The use of artificial lighting can greatly improve the clarity of surveillance footage. It is important to select lighting fixtures with appropriate colour temperatures and intensities for the specific environment. Ensure that the lighting fixtures are positioned correctly to illuminate the subject without creating harsh shadows or reflections.

Natural Lighting

Consider the impact of natural lighting sources, such as the sun or moonlight, on the surveillance area. The movement of the sun throughout the day can create varying lighting conditions, resulting in areas of overexposure or underexposure in footage. Take into account seasonal changes, environmental factors, and potential obstructions that can affect natural lighting conditions when positioning cameras.

Lighting Fixtures

The choice of lighting fixtures is essential for achieving optimal video quality. Different types of fixtures, such as floodlights, spotlights, wall packs, and downlights, are suited for specific applications. Consider the area to be illuminated, the desired intensity of light, and the need for indoor or outdoor use when selecting lighting fixtures.

Common Lighting Mistakes

Be mindful of common lighting mistakes, such as insufficient lighting, over-reliance on infrared lighting, neglecting natural light, ignoring glare and reflections, and using non-compliant lighting fixtures. These mistakes can impact the effectiveness of the surveillance system and the quality of the footage captured.

Frequently asked questions