What is Infrared Light for Night Vision in Cameras?

Ever wondered how security cameras can “see” in the dark? It’s all thanks to a clever technology called infrared light. When the sun goes down and everything looks pitch black to our eyes, some cameras can still capture clear footage, and that’s because they use invisible light to light up the scene.

Infrared night vision is one of the most common features in modern surveillance systems. In fact, over 85% of today’s security cameras come equipped with infrared LEDs that help them work even in total darkness.

In this blog, we’ll break down what infrared light really is, how it helps cameras see in the dark, and why it is reliable for night time security. We’ll help you understand how IR cameras work and is it worth installing on your property.

Infrared (IR) light is a type of light that’s invisible to our eyes, but it’s always around us. It’s part of something called the electromagnetic spectrum which is just a fancy way of saying all the different types of light and energy, like radio waves, sunlight, and even X-rays. The light we can actually see (like the colors in a rainbow) falls right in the middle of this spectrum. Infrared light starts just beyond the red part of visible light, and while we can’t see it, some cameras can. It has very tiny wavelengths, which makes it perfect for helping security cameras see clearly in the dark.

Now, security cameras mostly use something called near-infrared light, which is on the lower end of the IR range, usually between 700 and 950 nm. This kind of infrared light is close enough to visible light that cameras can detect it with the right sensors, but still invisible to the human eye. That’s why infrared LEDs in security cameras can light up a dark space without anyone noticing.

Infrared (IR) light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that is invisible to the human eye but can be detected by specialized sensors. It plays a crucial role in night vision cameras, which are designed to capture images in low-light or total darkness environments.

Night vision cameras use this invisible light to “light up” dark areas without needing actual light from a bulb or lamp. These cameras come with tiny built in infrared LEDs like small flashlights that shine IR light all around, but it doesn’t bother people or animals because it’s invisible.

The camera’s sensor, usually something called a CMOS or CCD sensor can detect this IR light and turn it into a clear image, even when everything looks completely dark to us. Most of the time, the footage is shown in black and white, because that’s how the camera sees the infrared world best.

Infrared light is great for night vision, but during the day, it can actually mess with the way colors appear on camera. That’s where something called an IR cut filter comes in. An IR-cut filter is a small piece of glass or coating inside the camera that blocks infrared light during the daytime. This helps the camera show true-to-life colors, like green grass and blue skies, instead of everything looking a bit off or washed out.

When the sun goes down or lighting gets low, the camera automatically removes or slides away the IR cut filter. This allows the infrared light to reach the camera sensor, so the camera can switch to night vision mode and start seeing in the dark using its infrared LEDs.

This smart switching between day and night is often called “IR-Cut Filter Auto Switch” or “Day/Night Mode.” During the day, you get clear, colorful video. At night, you get sharp black-and-white footage using infrared all without you needing to do anything. So, the IR cut filter makes sure your camera shows the right colors during the day and still sees clearly at night with infrared.

Infrared technology is used in many different types of night vision cameras, each designed for specific situations. While they all rely on invisible IR light to see in the dark, the way they capture and display the image can vary.

Let’s take a look at the most common types of infrared night vision cameras and how they work:

These are the most common and affordable types. When it gets dark, the camera turns on its infrared LEDs and starts recording in black and white. Why black and white? Because it helps the camera capture more detail in low light. These cameras are great for homes, driveways, and small businesses.

These cameras can stay in full color mode, even in low-light situations. Instead of just relying on infrared, they often use larger sensors or extra lighting (like low-light LEDs) to capture enough detail. They’re great if you need to see details like the color of a car or clothing at night.

These are a step up. They adjust the strength of the IR light automatically based on how close or far the object is. This helps avoid overexposed faces or washed-out images when someone walks close to the camera at night. The result? Clearer, more balanced footage.

These don’t use infrared LEDs like the others. Instead, they detect heat (thermal energy) from people, animals, or objects. They work in complete darkness, smoke, or fog but they’re usually more expensive and often used in military, wildlife, or industrial settings.

If you’re thinking about adding infrared night vision cameras to protect your property, you’re making a smart move. Whether it’s a warehouse, construction site, retail store, or office building, IR cameras help you stay protected even in complete darkness.

At Spotter Security, we’ve been helping businesses across Canada stay secure for over 20 years. We work with all industries from construction and logistics to commercial and corporate spaces and we only recommend trusted, high-quality camera systems that fit your needs and budget.

Our team can help you choose the right infrared night vision cameras, install them properly, and even offer live video monitoring or ongoing support if needed.

Want to get started? Reach out to Spotter Security today, we’ll help you see clearly, even in the dark.