When it comes to security cameras, many people tend to think that the only important factor is the megapixels; while the resolution is a big factor, there is much more that needs to be considered before making a purchase. There are a lot of things to consider when getting a security camera system, and it’s easy for users to miss or overlook truly critical components, which determine whether or not their surveillance will provide them with protection. Therefore, if you are considering setting up a new surveillance system, let us explore why the megapixel numbers might not tell the whole story.
The problem with choosing a camera solely based on resolution
If you purchase a system solely based on resolution and price, then you are risking not getting the best value for your money. One wrong choice can result in.
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System bottlenecks
There is a possibility for your network’s performance to be hindered by bottlenecks, creating a frustratingly slow workflow.
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Missed incidents
The system fails to capture video properly and you miss an important incident, rendering your system useless.
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Inconsistent image quality
The system delivers inconsistent image quality, leaving businesses vulnerable and unprotected.
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Poor night performance
The system is unable to perform well in low-light or dark environments, leaving you with unusable video images.
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Overexposed images
They often get blinded by bright lights from vehicles or windows and doors, diminishing their effectiveness.
5 specs to consider in your security camera other than megapixels
Don’t waste your money on a subpar security camera system that fails to meet your needs. Every business has different safety requirements, so it’s important to get the perfect customized solution tailored to your business. To ensure that you buy the correct product, take into account these five essential features in your security camera to get the best video surveillance system.
Compression and bandwidth
Bandwidth and Compression are important factors to consider when setting up any security camera system. Compression is used to reduce the size of video files so they require less storage space and can be transferred more quickly over networks. Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be sent through a network connection in a given time period.
When it comes to security cameras, the compression and bandwidth settings have a direct impact on the quality of images and videos captured by the camera. Higher compression settings will result in smaller files that can be stored or transferred more quickly, but they may also lead to lower image quality. Similarly, higher bandwidth settings allow for more data to be transferred at once, but they also require more computing power and can slow down the security camera system.
For these reasons, it is important to strike a balance between compression, bandwidth, and image quality when setting up a security camera system. Doing so ensures that your security cameras can capture high-quality images and videos while also transferring data quickly and efficiently.
Similarly, the correlation between compression and bandwidth in the License Plate Recognition Camera System is an important factor to consider, which allows for faster processing and therefore quicker recognition of license plates. In short, compression and bandwidth play a crucial role in the effectiveness of any security camera system.
Camera lens type
The type of camera lens used in a security camera can have a major impact on the overall quality and effectiveness of the system. When choosing a security camera that is right for your needs, it’s important to consider the type of lens you’ll be using. Different lenses offer different features and benefits that may make them better suited for certain situations or needs.
- Wide-angle lenses provide a greater field of view, allowing you to capture more area at once, which is particularly useful for larger areas or when more detail needs to be captured.
- Telephoto lenses allow for zooming in on particular objects or people, providing higher clarity and detail from further away.
- Vari-focal lenses offer the most flexibility, allowing you to adjust the angle of view and zoom in and out as needed.
The right camera lens type can also determine how well your security camera will perform in low-light conditions. Wide-angle lenses are usually more sensitive to low light, meaning they can capture clearer images with less noise or graininess than telephoto lenses. Varifocal lenses are the most versatile and can be adjusted to either improve low-light performance or zoom in on objects. By choosing the right type of lens, you can ensure that your security camera system is as effective and reliable as possible.
Recording setting and accuracy
Security cameras provide a visual record of activity, enabling businesses and homeowners to monitor what is happening on their property in real-time, or review recorded footage. For this reason, the detection and recording accuracy of these devices must be as high as possible.
Detection accuracy refers to the camera’s ability to identify objects of interest and accurately detect their presence in the video feed. A high level of accuracy helps ensure that important events are not overlooked by the security system, allowing for a more comprehensive assessment of activity on the property.
Recording accuracy relates to the quality of footage captured by the camera. Clear images that are easy to interpret are key for effective video monitoring and review. A low-quality recording can make it difficult to determine what is happening in the video feed, leading to misunderstandings or false alarms.
In summary, accuracy is a major factor when considering security cameras as part of a security system. High levels of detection and recording accuracy ensure that important events are not overlooked and that footage is of sufficient quality to interpret. This helps businesses and homeowners be more aware of the activity on their property, allowing them to respond quickly if necessary.
Infrared and night vision
Infrared and night vision are key features that are essential for any security camera system. This technology allows cameras to capture clear images in a variety of low-light conditions, including total darkness. Without infrared and night vision capabilities, your security cameras will be unable to record usable footage at night or in darker environments.
Having this feature means that you can be sure your security camera system will provide you with a reliable source of footage no matter the time of day or lighting conditions. This ensures that you will have usable surveillance data even in complete darkness and can help identify suspicious activity that would otherwise go unseen.
Infrared night vision also helps to extend the range of surveillance coverage, allowing you to monitor larger areas and capture events in the dark. This can help increase your security coverage, giving you a better overall view of the area that is being monitored.
Camera type and location
The type and location of a security camera play an important role in the effectiveness of its surveillance capabilities. Different types of cameras are better suited for different environments and can be used to capture specific details or angles from a given area. For example, dome, bullet, fisheye, cube, PTZ, and Multisensor cameras, dome cameras are ideal for indoor use because they have a discreet design that is difficult to detect. In contrast, bullet cameras are well-suited for outdoor areas due to their sleek and weatherproof construction.
Similarly, certain camera locations may be more effective than others depending on the layout of the space being monitored. For example, mounting a camera in an elevated area provides a better view of any activity happening below it while placing cameras near entrances or exits can help identify people coming and going. By taking into account camera type and location, security cameras can be better positioned to provide optimal surveillance coverage.
Final thoughts
It’s important to keep in mind that a security camera is not just about getting the best resolution. The best security cameras are also able to provide great low-light performance, have good image stabilization, and can handle diverse weather conditions. With so many options on the market, it can be hard to know where to start. But by knowing what features to look for in a camera, you can narrow down your choices and find the perfect security solution for your home or business.
Written by : Carlo Di Leo
At the age of 24, with no experience in the security industry or any money in the bank, Carlo quit his job and started Spotter Security from his parent's basement. Founded in 2004, Spotter grew from a single man operation into a multi-million dollar security system integrator that caters to businessess and construction sites across Canada.