TYPES OF CAMERAS
With so many different types of CCTV cameras on the market, there are now a variety of solutions for every industry. As a result of this huge range, it can be difficult to choose which CCTV camera is right for your business. We’ve summarised the benefits of each of the different types of CCTV systems below. Use our expert guide to select a solution that is fit for purpose and provides the level of security you require, in order to safeguard your property and staff.
TURRET CAMERAS
A turret camera, also known as a mini dome, eyeball or flat-faced dome camera, has a ball-and-socket type of design. It is like a sliced sphere, which can be easily swiveled around in its "socket" once the base has been mounted.
Most outdoor and indoor turret surveillance cameras in the market now are PoE type, since it's quite challenging to add external antennas to make this type of security cameras wireless due to its unique structure.
Turret security cameras are becoming more popular than dome and bullet security cameras when used outdoors, including your doorway, backyard, front driveway, soffit, eave, etc. They don't have the spider web attracting qualities of a bullet style, not the reflection issues of a dome type.
The easy angle adjustment also makes turret security cameras overshadow bullet and dome cameras. Unlike dome security cameras with the glass housing, the lack of dome shell makes turret cameras free from glare effects. The price of turret security cameras is much more favorable than dome and PTZ security camera types.
​
Like the other sections below i would add a Pros and Cons list but to be fair their really isn't an cons to a turret camera. Some say they can be moved by vandals, this is true but only if they haven't been installed correctly or the vandal has the right tool to release the locking bolt.
​
Turret Cameras are available with WizMind, WizSense or TiOC technology
​
BULLET CAMERAS
DOME CAMERAS
Dome security cameras are easily recognizable for their circular, dome encasing. Dome surveillance cameras are highly versatile and can be used in both indoor and outdoor settings, providing unparalleled coverage for nearly any use case. Most dome security cameras have a vandal-proof dome encasing, IR for night vision, and a sturdy metal base to protect it from vandalism or tampering, making it an ideal solution for reliable surveillance in rugged conditions.
Types of Dome Cameras:
​
-
PTZ Dome Camera: Pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) dome cameras make it possible to monitor large areas because of the ability to remotely adjust zoom and the direction of the lens. With PTZ dome cameras, security buyers are looking for security cameras that are highly rugged, flexible, and have the ability to be controlled directionally. PTZ dome cameras are ideal for areas like parking lots and guard stations, where security personnel may require the ability to move the camera in response to an incident.
​
-
Outdoor Dome Camera: Outdoor dome cameras are critical in deterring vandalism, preventing theft, and capturing footage of suspicious behaviors. It’s particularly important to find an outdoor dome camera that has infrared illuminators to capture usable footage in low-lights when witnesses or faculty isn’t present to respond to situations in real-time. In addition to night vision features, outdoor dome cameras need to be waterproof, ensuring the ability to monitor through sun, rain, or snow.
​​
-
4K Dome Camera: 4K dome cameras are typically used indoors, in areas that require high resolution and incredible levels of detail. 4K dome cameras are ideal for those looking to have discreet monitoring blend into surrounding environments, such as high-end retail stores or point of sale systems. In comparison to dome cameras that offer 3MP, 4K dome cameras record at 8 megapixels, making image clarity much better.
Pros of Dome Cameras
-
Wider field of view, greater area coverage with fewer cameras
-
Can be mounted on the ceiling (if 3-axis gimbal)
-
Discreet and low-profile, can catch out burglars
Cons of Dome Cameras
-
Prone to degradation if subject to high humidity or poor weather (condensation)
-
IR performance issues in some models
-
Harder to install and orient initially
BULLET CAMERAS
Bullet cameras are named after their elongated design which allows these cameras to accommodate a more telescopic style of zoom lens. With such a lens, varifocal bullet cameras can often achieve great image quality even when zoomed in to the max and situated far from the area of interest. This does, however, also result in a necessarily narrower field of view than a camera with a less telescopic lens would have (like a dome camera, for example).
The combination of great zoom range and a narrower field of view (which, incidentally, is part of what helps to preserve image quality when zoomed in further) makes bullet cameras particularly adept at capturing detail at key locations, for example when aimed directly at points of entry and exit to a building.
​
Bullet Cameras are available with WizMind, WizSense or TiOC technology
Pros of Bullet Cameras
-
High zoom capabilities
-
Resists loss of picture quality during zoom
-
Often strongly vandal- and weather-proof
-
Conspicuous - an effective deterrent
-
Good IR performance
Cons of Bullet Cameras
-
Narrower field of view - blind spots
-
Conspicuous (can be avoided by determined burglars)
PTZ CAMERAS
FISHEYE CAMERAS
.jpg)
.jpg)
When comparing the different types of surveillance cameras, one type of camera that may come up are fisheye cameras. These cameras are not commonly used, but they can have many benefits. But with anything, there are a few cons to keep in mind as well. The biggest benefit of fisheye cameras is that they are able to capture a wider view. There are different types of fisheye lenses, but all of them can capture angles of at least 180° and some can go up to 360°. Regular cameras are not able to capture panoramic images which means that they are more susceptible to having blind spots. In order to remedy this issue, more cameras would need to be installed to capture more angles. Since fisheye cameras have a wider angle of view, they have less blind spots which means less cameras needed.
​
Fisheye Camera Pros
​
-
PTZ Capabilities: PTZ stands for pan, tilt, and zoom. Since fisheye cameras are able to capture wider angles, users can pan, tilt, and zoom in on recorded footage to evaluate incidents. PTZ cameras do exist, but these features can only be used in real-time, not on footage that has already been recorded. Fisheye cameras can use PTZ capabilities on live or recorded footage.
​
-
Tamper Resistant: Like dome cameras, these cameras are protected by an external casing. Since there’s a covering on the lens, it is difficult for someone to get access to the camera inside and tamper with the angle. In addition, the dome shape prevents people from grabbing onto it and disconnecting it.
​
-
Night Vision: Since these cameras are able to capture a wider view, they are common for outdoor use to monitor parking lots and large areas. Because of this, most fisheye cameras are made to withstand harsh weather. In addition, many are equipped with infrared (IR) lights so they can function in darkness.
Fisheye Camera Cons
​
-
Lower Resolution: The main reason why people opt to use fisheye cameras is because their range of view is wider. However, a wider view means a lower resolution. This means that recorded images can look blurry or pixelated. Fisheye cameras do capture more areas, but in return, image detail is sacrificed.
​
-
Image Warping: A common issue with using fisheye lenses is that the image will appear warped. Since it captures a panoramic view, the image can take on a curved appearance and be distorted. In order to fix this issue, fisheye images will need to be dewarped.
​
-
Wrap Up: These types of cameras would be a good option for those that want to monitor large outdoor areas. However, you should remember that capturing a panoramic view will produce a lower quality and distorted image.