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What are the Hot Camera Types and Key Features?
Camera Types
There are three main types of cameras available for installation today. They are known
as the
Dome, Turret (Eyeball) and Bullet. Choosing the right one should be based on the
individual
scenario and environment requirements. Here are how dome, bullet and turret cameras
compare with
one another in major purchase consideration categories.
|
Type |
Dome |
Turret |
Bullet |
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Appearance
|
|
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Overview
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The Dome camera is the most common type of camera that you are likely to see in
modern
installations. It has a cover so harder to damage – commonly used in areas that
are
reachable.
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The Turret or ‘Eyeball' camera offers the same high-quality imagery of the dome
but
without the pitfalls caused by the glass housing. It's basically a ball in a
socket, so
it has a full range of motion.
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The Bullet camera is more popular for commercial and rural installations where
lighting
is poor. With its shape and size, the body can house large zoom capabilities and
extended IR.
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Pros
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Highly vandal proof.
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Smaller form factor (vs Turret).
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With its dome shape, it's difficult to tell which direction it's facing
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No IR Bounce (small dots during night time mode)
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Can be easily mounted vertical or horizontal
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Available in Dark Grey
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High zoom capabilities.
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Extended IR.
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Cons
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If mounted vertically, water droplets blurring lens
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If the dome cover is dirty, it can cause blurry images at night (due to
the IR
reflecting off the cover)
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Less vandal proof than dome
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Largest form factor
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Restricted Angles due to body
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Key Features
1. High-Resolution
Mainstream CCTV manufacturers provide resolution options from 1080P to 4K. No matter how
you use
your surveillance system, the quality of the video should be a top consideration. To
capture the
best level of detail with the camera, it's advisable to choose higher resolution cameras
– 4
megapixels (2K) or higher.
2. View Angle (Field of View)
The viewing angle will determine where you position the cameras and exactly how much
they can
see at a time. A camera with a narrower field of view will capture less, but it also
offers
greater detail, as it will appear closer to the subject. You can choose based on what
you want
to monitor and where you will place the camera.
3. Low-light or infrared mode
Low-light cameras use image intensifiers to amplify very small amounts of ambient
(visible)
light and create a significantly brighter image with discernible details. If you own or
manage a
large building like a grocery store or office, you can save money on your electric bill
by
installing this kind of camera – no more needs on lights 24/7.
4. WDR (Wide Dynamic Range)
When part of an image is extremely dark but another part is bright, you can't see any
details in
the dark area without WDR (wide dynamic range) in the camera. So when choosing the
cameras for
entrances or near windows, make sure the camera has the WDR feature.
5. Motion sensing
If you want to record any suspicious activity that may go on while the camera is active,
motion
sensing is important. With motion sensing, you can pause recording until something moves
in the
frame. You can also receive alerts on your computer or phone if something moves when it
shouldn't.
6. Weather Resistance
Surveillance cameras have to prove reliable both indoors and outdoors. However, for
outdoor
cameras that are constantly exposed to the elements, weather-resistant features of the
security
camera systems are a must. This ensures that the cameras are protected against adverse
weather
elements and able to provide quality images and video footage at all times.
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