What is the best security camera for commercial use?

Security cameras are essential tools for any business that wants to protect its assets, employees, customers, and reputation. Best security cameras can deter crime, monitor activity, collect evidence, reduce insurance costs, and improve safety. All this can only be done if you pick the right security camera.

There are a few considerations when choosing a security camera system, and this blog talks about the best security cameras for commercial use.

According to a study by the American Society of Criminology, installing best security cameras reduces crime rates by creating a psychological deterrent for potential criminals. Security cameras can also help you:

When choosing a best security camera for your business, there are a few considerations that can help you decide which camera to go for. You should look for the following features:

Commercial sites need cameras that can capture clear and detailed images and videos, especially in low-light or dark conditions. A higher resolution means more pixels, which means more details. The resolution of a camera is measured in megapixels (MP) or horizontal lines (TVL).

For example, a 2MP camera can produce images with 1920 x 1080 pixels, while a 700TVL camera can produce images with 700 horizontal lines. Generally, a higher resolution camera will cost more, but it will also provide better quality and performance.

Commercial sites usually span a large area where specific focus on details is needed. A wide-angle lens can capture a wider field of view, which is useful for monitoring large spaces like warehouses, parking lots, or lobbies.

A zoom lens can magnify an image, which is useful for identifying faces, license plates, or logos. Some cameras have fixed lenses, which means they have a fixed focal length and angle of view. Other cameras have variable lenses, which means they can adjust their focal length and angle of view.

Some cameras also have pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) capabilities, which means they can move horizontally, vertically, and diagonally to follow a moving object or change the viewing angle.

Modern IP security cameras can connect to your network and power source easily and reliably. A wireless IP camera uses a Wi-Fi or cellular connection to transmit data and a battery or solar panel to power up. A wired camera uses a cable to connect to a digital video recorder (DVR) and a power outlet.

A wireless camera is more convenient and flexible to install and move, but it may also have a weaker signal, lower battery life, and higher risk of interference or hacking. A wired camera is more stable and secure, but it may also require more wiring, drilling, and maintenance.

You want a camera that can withstand the environmental conditions of your location. An indoor camera is designed for use inside a building, while an outdoor camera is designed for use outside a building.

An outdoor camera is usually more durable and weather-resistant than an indoor camera, and it may also have features like infrared night vision, motion detection, and built-in lights. However, an outdoor camera may also cost more and require more protection from vandalism or theft.

Modern best security cameras come with advanced AI features that can detect and deter threats and help you keep a better eye on your business. Features like motion detection, vehicle tracking, License Plate Recognition and more can be enabled for your security system based on your needs.

When picking security cameras to protect your business, consider the following factors to help you make the right choice:

You want a camera that fits your budget and gives you the best value for your money. The price of a best security camera depends on many factors, such as the brand, the model, the features, the quality, and the warranty. Compare different options and look for discounts, deals, or bundles.

Consult a security company to determine what the best fit is for you. Factors like maintenance, installation and storage costs also have to be considered.

You should think about what you want to monitor, how you want to monitor it, and how you want to use the data. For example, if you want to monitor employee productivity, you may need a camera that can record continuously and store data for a long time. If you want to monitor customer behavior, you may need a camera that can capture facial expressions and emotions.

If you want to monitor inventory, you may need a camera that can scan barcodes and track items. Modern IP security cameras come with loads of features but getting them all costs a lot, so pick the ones most crucial to you and get the best possible value for those.

Consider the size, shape, and lighting of your area, as well as the number and position of your cameras. Depending on this, the type of best security camera can be determined, for instance bullet cameras are good for outdoor use, while dome cameras are great indoors. PTZ cameras offer greater flexibility if a fairly large area is to be monitored.

Also consider the legal and ethical implications of installing security cameras in your location. For example, you may need to obtain permission, inform, or notify your employees, customers, or neighbors before installing security cameras. You may also need to comply with privacy laws and regulations, such as the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) in Canada.

You do not have to go it alone. Security service providers like Spotter Security specialize in securing businesses from various industries. Harness their expertise in picking out the right cameras, installing, running and maintaining them to get the most out of your investment and keep your assets, employees and customers safe and secure.

Depending on your usage and the set of features that you want for your site, here are the top picks for best security cameras for commercial use:

Bullet cameras are cylindrical-shaped cameras that can be mounted on walls or ceilings. They are suitable for outdoor use and offer long-range coverage and high-resolution images. The Avigilon H5A Bullet Camera features Next-Generation Video Analytics, which can detect and classify people and vehicles in a scene.

It also has content adaptive IR, which adjusts the IR illumination based on the scene conditions. The camera has a 8 MP max. resolution and a 30 fps max. frame rate.

Avigilon cameras can seamlessly integrate with Avigilon Control Center (ACC), which is a video management software. Avigilon also offers Cloud Service ACS that allows remote operations for the security system.

This best security camera can also integrate with third-party video management systems and technologies through widely supported ONVIF open protocols, such as Profile S, T, G, and ONVIF compliant extensions. This gives the user flexibility and compatibility to use Avigilon cameras with your existing or preferred security solutions.

These are dome-shaped that can be mounted on ceilings or walls. They are discreet and versatile, and can provide wide-area coverage and great detail. Axis P32 Dome Camera Series offers all-around varifocal domes with high performance and reliability.

The cameras have Lightfinder 2.0, which delivers true colors and great detail in low-light conditions, and Forensic WDR, which ensures clarity in high-contrast scenes. The series includes models with different resolutions, from 2 MP to 5 MP, and different lens options.

Axis Cameras also come with the new Zipstream technology that reduces bandwidth usage and storage requirements without compromising on quality. They also come with two way audio and can be integrated with other security systems to offer a seamless security experience. Axis Communications cameras also come with a 5-year warranty.

These cameras get the name because of their ability to pan, tilt, and zoom to provide both wide-area coverage and greater detail. They are ideal for large and complex sites, and can be controlled remotely or automatically.

Avigilon H5A-PTZ Camera offers 360-degree area coverage and long range detail with up to 36x zoom. It also features Next-Generation Video Analytics, which can detect and track people and vehicles of interest.

Avigilon PTZ cameras have rugged designs fit for both outdoor and indoor usage. They also have the ability to automatically track, follow and zoom in on a person of interest and generate alerts for the security system. This camera also has an IR version that allows capture of up to 300m in the dark.

These cameras have multiple sensors that can be positioned to monitor different areas with a single camera. They are cost-effective and efficient, and can provide seamless panoramic views and eliminate blind spots.

Axis P37 Multi-directional Camera Series: This series of cameras offers high-resolution multidirectional cameras with powerful analytics capabilities. The cameras have Forensic WDR, which ensures great detail in scenes with both bright and dark areas, and Lightfinder 2.0, which delivers true colors and low noise in low-light conditions.

The cameras also support AI-based analytics for object detection and classification. The series includes models with different resolutions, from 4 MP all the way to 15 MP and 4K recording with different lens options.

Thermal cameras are cameras that capture images based on the heat radiating from objects. They are useful for detecting and verifying events in challenging environments, such as complete darkness, smoke, mist, and foliage.

Axis Q19 Thermal Cameras offer high-quality thermal imaging and temperature monitoring. The cameras have OptimizedIR, which provides uniform IR illumination for night vision. The cameras also have thermometric capabilities, which can measure and monitor temperatures and trigger alarms based on temperature thresholds or changes.

The series includes models with different resolutions, from 384×288 to 640×480, and different lens options.

Spotter Security has been operating in Canada for over 20 years, helping secure businesses from various industries. If you are looking to secure your site and equip your system with the best security cameras that offer the latest features at your price point, Spotter Security can help you with our security consultation.

Spotter Security offers security system installation, maintenance and management so you can feel secure.