TechPro
CCTV cameras are very critical in the security of people today. They deter crimes, enable security staff, property owners to monitor vulnerable spaces, enhance employee productivity, accountability and provide evidence in the courts of law in the event of a security breach.
We all have seen plenty of different shapes and sizes of CCTV cameras on buildings and inside properties. But what many people don't know is that there are a variety of different types of CCTV cameras which suit different situations or premises, and that selecting the right camera for the right application is crucial for the effectiveness of the camera.
If you've been wondering what type CCTV camera to buy then you have come to the right place, because the experts here at TechPro are providing a comprehensive guide covering different types of CCTV cameras, their features, benefits, ideal use cases, including the pros, cons to help you settle for the best CCTV cameras for your exact needs.
CCTV cameras can be categorized and re-categorized according to different factors as below;
CCTV cameras by Physical design:
Indoor CCTV cameras:
Outdoor CCTV cameras:
Wired CCTV cameras:
Wireless CCTV cameras:
Infrared CCTV cameras:
Discreet CCTV cameras:
Visual deterrents:
Other types:
Now let's explore these CCTV camera types in more detail based on different factors;
The Physical shape and design of CCTV cameras do affect their operation, installation, appearance and effectiveness in different environmental conditions.
Dome CCTV cameras are named for their dome-shaped housing, making it difficult for onlookers to determine where the camera is focusing. It has a discreet appearance that blends in with the surroundings making it ideal for indoor uses and sometimes outdoor use, especially on the ceiling of verandas or corridors.
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Bullet cameras are the most recognizable type of security camera. They have a cylindrical shape and a clear, visible presence that effectively deters crime. These types of security cameras have good long-range capability for observing large open areas, meaning they're often installed to cover outdoor areas like building perimeters and parking lots. Bullet cameras are also easier to install compared to dome cameras, and usually come with low-light or night vision settings.
Although bullet cameras are suitable for outdoor use, these security cameras aren't effective in situations where cameras need to be operated discreetly and may produce blind spots when installed in tight indoor locations like offices and storage rooms. In addition, these types of CCTV cameras can only be adjusted manually and may be vulnerable to vandalism without additional protection like tamper-proof external casings.
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PTZ cameras can be adjusted remotely to help security personnel monitor unfolding events in real time. Each camera's field of view can be adjusted remotely to pan left and right, tilt up and down, zoom in and out to view live activities. This enables PTZ cameras to provide 360-degree coverage of large spaces without the need to install multiple cameras. These CCTV camera types can be controlled from on-site control rooms or via secure smart devices and cloud management systems.
While PTZ cameras are ideal for viewing real-time events, they don't offer substantial wide-angle coverage, meaning they're most effective when viewing angles are manually adjusted by CCTV operators.
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Turret cameras are among the most flexible CCTV camera types. They feature a three-axis ball and socket mount that allows each camera to be rotated in different directions to achieve optimal coverage of large indoor and outdoor spaces.
Turret cameras can capture high-definition images at both short and long ranges and can be used to observe movements in high-traffic locations like lobbies, reception areas and retail floors.
Additionally, turret cameras feature multiple moving parts that allow the camera to move during operation, making them prone to failure and needing frequent maintenance.
A fisheye camera incorporates an ultra-wide-angle lens, which allows it to monitor a wide area or capture panoramic images of a target location. These security camera types can be a cost-effective solution, covering large spaces like parking lots and warehouses that would otherwise require multiple cameras to achieve optimal coverage.
The main drawback to these types of CCTV cameras is that captured footage is displayed as a circular image, which can become distorted if de-warping software is not utilized. In addition, the camera's field-of-view cannot be adjusted remotely, meaning the entire device will need to be removed and reinstalled to adjust viewing positions. However, this can be offset by the cameras' low general maintenance requirements.
Miniature cameras, also known as spy or covert cameras, are designed for discreet surveillance. These compact devices can be hidden in everyday objects, making them nearly invisible to the unsuspecting eye.
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Connectivity refers to how CCTV cameras communicate with monitoring devices and security systems, affecting installation, flexibility and data transmission.
Wired CCTV systems are permanent installations that use physical cables to connect CCTV cameras to monitoring devices and wider security systems. The footage is sent via Ethernet or coaxial cables to a central monitoring room, where video recording and storage solutions process incoming data to be reviewed, analyzed and organized by security professionals.
Analog installations use coaxial cables, while Internet Protocol (IP) cameras use Ethernet cables to transmit data over a secure internet connection. Power-over-Ethernet camera systems are particularly popular, as both power and data can be transmitted via a single Ethernet cable, reducing the amount of cabling infrastructure required to operate CCTV installations.
These types of CCTV systems are common in high-security environments, as wired solutions are resistant to interference, receive a constant mains power supply and are able to produce a consistent video signal. However, they're expensive to develop and not particularly flexible, requiring cables to be removed and reinstalled when monitoring positions need to be altered.
Wireless (Wi-Fi) CCTV cameras transmit data to monitoring solutions via a secure Wi-Fi connection, enabling property owners to install these types of security cameras almost anywhere. Cameras usually have individual power cables that must be connected to a physical power supply, although some models with batteries allow for more flexibility.
Wireless cameras are best suited for smaller installations or in situations where installing cabling infrastructure is deemed too costly or impractical. While the flexibility of wireless CCTV systems can be a major advantage, wireless communications are susceptible to interference and will require cyber security protection to prevent data from being intercepted.
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IP or network CCTV cameras communicate data over a secure Internet connection. Live footage is processed in the camera and sent to video storage systems to be organized and viewed. There are many different types, including wired and wireless solutions, although all IP surveillance camera models share the ability to process data internally and transmit footage to monitoring solutions over the Internet.
The main benefit of IP cameras is their ability to view live footage from any location, enabling teams to observe key areas from secure smart devices 24/7. However, as IP cameras transmit footage over the Internet, they can be susceptible to cyber-attacks, meaning that data must be e ncrypted to prevent hackers from accessing real-time footage.
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These types of cameras allow for discreet placement which means you can capture good footage of theft and criminal damage. Discreet CCTV cameras are beneficial because criminals will be less likely to spot them and therefore, they are less likely to be damaged in the process.
Key benefits
The types of CCTV cameras are supposed to be visible to everyone approaching the property. They indicate that your property is under surveillance potentially discouraging and scaring away criminals.
These cameras are usually pointed or elongated, the best examples of these cameras is the bullet camera, PTZ cameras and C-mount cameras.
CCTV cameras are designed for specific environments, such as indoor or outdoor use, and offer features like weatherproofing or discrete monitoring capabilities.
Indoor cameras usually feature small and discreet casings, as they don't require protection from the elements. These cameras typically offer wide-angle coverage to observe indoor environments like shop floors, offices and access points.
Dome, turret cameras and fisheye cameras are suitable for environments where a subtle appearance is important and security does not need to be obvious, like hotel lobbies or high-end retail outlets. Low-light or night vision features should also be prioritized if 24-hour surveillance is required.
Outdoor CCTV cameras monitor building perimeters and outdoor spaces such as parking lots, access roads, playgrounds and public spaces. While the majority of CCTV camera types can be used outdoors, effective solutions will have weather-resistant casings to protect against the elements, dust, vandalism and physical interferences.
Outdoor cameras may also be used as a visual crime deterrent and must be capable of capturing high-quality footage at long distances, meaning bullet types of CCTV cameras are usually among the most popular outdoor solutions. In addition, night vision and low-light settings are essential features for outdoor installations to ensure properties remain secure 24/7.
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Some CCTV cameras come equipped with specialized features to meet unique security needs as described below:
C-mount surveillance cameras allow changeable lenses to fit different surveillance needs, offering the flexibility to cover greater distances or wider areas by simply switching the camera lens.
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High definition cameras have such a high resolution that they're mainly used in high risk establishments such as banks and casinos. This is to capture a good image of anyone who enters and exits to maintain high security and maximum safety. These cameras are great for spotting misconduct and allows the user to zoom in for extra clarity, should the footage need to be used in court. They are also great for identifying faces, license plates, and other critical details in security footage.
They offer the highest quality images. Can deliver up to 4k resolutions. No grainy or distorted images.
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Day/night cameras are designed to capture images in various light conditions, from bright sunlight to low light and near total darkness. They feature extra-sensitive imaging chips that allow the lens to adjust to prevailing light conditions. Some models include adjustable filters that automatically switch in response to light fluctuations, ensuring that images are always clear.
These types of security cameras are best suited for outdoor environments that require 24/7 security, although they can also be effective for indoor use in areas that aren't always well-lit. While day/night cameras are incredibly effective at capturing footage in low-light conditions, they still require some light to work effectively, making them ineffective in complete darkness.
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Infrared (IR) or night vision cameras are specially designed CCTV cameras that can detect infrared radiation to produce usable footage in complete darkness. IR sensors pick up infrared radiation reflected from objects in the camera's view. This data is then processed internally to produce viewable footage, regardless of external light conditions.
These types of CCTV cameras are best used to monitor building perimeters, access points and storage spaces overnight. However, as IR systems are typically much more expensive to develop than comparable day/night camera systems, they're reserved for use in high-security installations like medical facilities, energy plants and industrial security systems.
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Thermal imaging cameras use infrared rays to detect intruders during the day or at night. These cameras can detect motion at long distances of up to 300 meters, even in complete darkness, making them useful for observing large outdoor areas round-the-clock.
Thermal cameras are similar to IR cameras in that they contain special sensors designed to detect IR radiation. However, these types of security cameras pick up heat variations, rather than differing levels of reflected light radiation. Data is then processed and represented in a color image. This enables thermal cameras to detect movement beyond visual obstructions, although this comes at the cost of lowered image quality compared to IR or night vision cameras.
Varifocal cameras are used in types of CCTV systems where the cameras need to focus on different areas at different times. These cameras utilize high-quality zoom lenses that retain sharp focus at variable focal depths, returning a much higher quality image than is possible when using the digital zoom functions in other types of security cameras.
Varifocal cameras are typically installed indoors and used to monitor locations where assets of high value require protection, such as storage rooms and display cabinets in high-end retail stores. These CCTV cameras can help eliminate blind spots by allowing operators to adjust viewing positions.
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras are specialized types of CCTV systems used to monitor and analyze passing vehicles. Cameras are equipped with LPR software that can capture license plate data as a car passes by the cameras, with Optical Character Recognition used to produce legible text.
LPR cameras can be installed to cover vehicle access points, private roads and parking lots around commercial properties. The devices can produce time-stamped footage of vehicle movement to help teams identify suspicious activities. These CCTV types can also be used to automate vehicle access control systems by granting or denying entry based on license plate information.
Main benefits
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A wide range of CCTV camera types has unique benefits and limitations that help determine ideal use cases. In terms of surveillance systems, there's no one-size-fits-all approach, meaning all options must be carefully considered.
To identify the best cameras to suit specific security requirements, property owners and security teams will need to account for several determining factors, including:
The image sensor is the most important part of a good CCTV security camera. Light (image) passes through the lens on to an image sensor (pixels). The quality of the image sensor will determine how well the image is reproduced inside the camera; such as, reproduction of colors, black & white tones, day & night etc.
When choosing a CCTV camera, consider the size and type of sensor, as this will affect the camera's sensitivity and image quality.
The lens determines how wide or narrow a view the camera can capture and how detailed the image will be.
You'll want a decent field of view. If a user has a specific area they want to monitor, they will need a security camera whose field of view matches the area's size.
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Varifocal lenses offer flexibility by allowing you to zoom in and out without sacrificing image clarity. Selecting a camera with the right lens type is essential for surveillance areas requiring specific focus.
High-definition (HD) security cameras provide clearer and more detailed images, making it easier to identify faces, license plates, and other important details. If image clarity is required then go for at least 1080p resolution.
Consider the installation process for the CCTV camera system. Wireless cameras offer easy installation and flexibility, as they can be placed almost anywhere without cables.
Wired cameras, while requiring a more complex, tedious installation process involving coaxial cables or Ethernet cables and other accessories, tend to offer more stable and reliable connections.
Will CCTV cameras be indoors or outdoors? Do they require tamper-proof casings? Do they need to be physically accessible to allow routine maintenance?
How large is the target area? Will zoom functions be necessary? Does one camera need to cover a large area? Are remote controls required?
Will the camera be exposed to harsh weather? Will contaminants like dust be a problem? Will glare or visual obstructions impact the camera's operability?
Should cameras act as a visible crime deterrent? Does the business have issues with vandalism or loitering? Is Visual deterrence or discreet surveillance required?
is remote viewing necessary? Is a stable video feed imperative? Is the business a target for cybercrimes? Will installations need to be moved or scaled?
is 24/7 surveillance required? Are cameras operated on a permanent basis? Are automated security systems required?
How large is the business' security budget? How much will maintenance cost? How many cameras are required to monitor key locations?
Audio is necessary, however, if you want to opt for audio there are systems where you can speak to a person who has broken into the property. Audio can be used to deter criminals by automatically playing something when they get a certain point inside, an ideal way to make them think they have been spotted by people inside and may be confronted anytime soon.
Some CCTV cameras come with built-in storage but these are not reliable and sustainable. As long as you have a solid internet connection, cloud storage is generally safer than using local storage because there's always a risk of theft or physical events - like fire or flood - wiping out video stored on the latter.”
Finally, think about whether you want CCTV cameras that can integrate with other home tech systems such as intruder alarms and access control or home lighting systems. If your outdoor camera detects motion, a smart home can then switch lights on to save you time and stress of moving up and down switching on the individual lights. Some systems can even recognize family members and then switch the entrance light on in response.”
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There you have it, the complete guide to all the different types of CCTV cameras based on many different factors. Hopefully this article has been helpful to you, so go ahead and choose the best CCTV camera for your exact needs.
