Selecting the right camera for your needs can be daunting and with over 1000 cameras available on our site we understand why. When in the process of narrowing down the cameras for your application it is important to think about a few key points: 

 

  • - Where are you going to be placing the camera? For example, is it for indoor or outdoor use, and what are you aiming to achieve (read number plates, cover your garden, monitor traffic in your shop etc). 
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  • - What camera type are you thinking of? Some people instantly have a preference and others are not too sure but it is worth looking at the types and styles and thinking about what would fit your application.
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  • - Resolution and Megapixels
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  • - Field of View
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  • - Light Performance
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  • - Motion Detection/Analytics
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  • - Audio
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  • - Durability 

Camera Use

What are you intending to use the camera for?

There are so many IP cameras available on the market but not all will be the right one for your application and so it is important that you are clear on what you want to achieve with the camera. 

For example, you are looking for an outdoor camera that will overlook your drive, you want it to cover both cars normally parked on your drive as well as the path leading up to the front door. 

When you have decided on this you can then start looking into the finer details. 

Camera Type

Do you have a preference for the type of camera you want? Dome, Bullet, Turret etc. 

A different camera type may have different features, for example, outdoor dome cameras are typically equipped with vandal-resistant housings which are ideal when a camera is going to be mounted lower down/in easier reach of people. However, domes in the past have experienced issues with rain on the lens interfering with IR or just generally blurring the image, something a turret doesn't experience as it has a flat face. 

Read more below about camera uses and types to help narrow down your search:  

Camera Use

Camera Type

Indoor cameras are perfect for shop, home, and business interiors. They are often easier to install and slightly cheaper than outdoor cameras.

Box cameras are usually supplied without a lens fitted so users have more flexibility to choose the exact lens that suits their requirements.

Outdoor cameras come with an amount of weather resistance, known as the IP rating, to help you decide the appropriate camera for your solution.

Bullet cameras come large or small, with a huge range of options available, making them a great all-rounder.

Vandal-resistant cameras are built to withstand impacts from objects without breaking. The IK rating lets you know how resistant the camera is.

Cube cameras are small, cost-effective, and easy to install making them perfect as the starting point for an indoor system.

ANPR/LPR cameras have onboard hardware to utilise number-plate recording and capture, perfect for car parks or driveways.

Dome cameras are typically vandal-resistant, and so are perfect for installations where there is a risk of tampering.

PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) cameras are able to be moved and adjusted electronically, either manually or via programmable software.

Turret cameras are small and inconspicuous and tend to come with more powerful EXIR LEDs, making them great at night.

When you have decided on your camera use and type then it is time to start looking at specific features:

Resolution and Megapixels

The resolution of the camera will determine the clarity of the image produced by the camera. Megapixel count in cameras refers to the size of the image outputted by the camera, measured in terms of the width x the height of the final image. The greater the megapixel count, the more information the camera can capture and the higher the quality of the final images produced. 

For example an image with 3840 x 2160 pixels = 8MP/4K and will provide more detail than 2592 x 1944 pixels = 5MP

It is worth noting that you will only experience the full benefit of 8MP/4K if you are viewing on a 4K monitor. 

Field of View 

Another point to consider when selecting your camera is the focal length, many cameras have a range of focal lengths to choose from. Most commonly, 2.8mm, 3.6mm, 4mm and 6mm. Having a range of focal lengths to choose from means you can mix and match within your system depending on the application requirements. It is also more cost-effective than purchasing a varifocal camera.

The smaller the mm the larger the field of view (FOV), both the camera's focal length and lens sensor will determine the FOV of the camera (the overall area of coverage that you will get from the camera). Not all 2.8mm cameras have the exact same FOV but will likely be around the same size give or take a few degrees. 

Light Performance

The light performance of a camera is something that needs to be taken into account when selecting your camera. Is the area you want to cover always well-lit, or is it dark? In this case, you will need to find a camera with a low light lux rating or built-in IR illuminators. 

The majority of cameras now do have built-in IR and are designed for use in a range of different light environments. As well as this many cameras will have features such as wide dynamic range which enables the camera to provide true colour representation even in challenging light areas. 

Motion Detection/Analytics

Many people are now looking for cameras that feature motion detection or specific analytics. Motion detection is not an exact science however and so we have always and do still recommend continuous recording rather than relying on motion detection. This is not to say that it doesn't have its place, with technology constantly improving motion detection is getting more and more accurate. More specific features within motion detection include:

Line crossing detection - an alarm can be triggered when an object crosses a predefined line
Intrusion detection - detects when an object has moved within and stayed in an area for longer than the predefined time
Region entrance and exit detection - detects when an object enters or exits the predefined space created

Each manufacturer has their own analytics technology and so the features and how they work can vary slightly as well as what they are called. 

For example, Hikvision has AcuSense - 'Accurate Sensing' uses Hikvision's deep learning algorithms in order to distinguish people and vehicles from other moving targets, reducing false alarms. Axis has Axis Object Analytics which like AcuSense classifies objects humans and vehicles (types: cars, buses etc) for higher accuracy. 

Audio

Do you require your camera to have sound? This is a feature that should be considered carefully and expectations should be managed. 

If you do need/want your camera to have audio then you will need to look for a camera with a built-in microphone, or the ability to have a microphone connected. Bear in mind, that the quality of the microphone can be dependent on external factors, environmental noise etc. 

Durability

This is particularly important for cameras that are to be placed outside. Any camera that is to be placed outside needs to have an IP rating of 66 or above, we NEVER recommend placing an indoor camera in outdoor applications even if the camera is to be placed under a structure etc as it is still susceptible to the outdoor elements. 

It can also be helpful to check camera reviews and the camera warranty when looking at durability. 

When you have considered all of the above and made your decisions you can then look at the exact camera you wish to purchase. Please see below some of our most popular brands: 

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