What type of security camera should I choose for my surveillance camera system?

Security cameras come in many different styles, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The security camera that will work best for your purposes will depend on several factors, such as will the cameras be inside or out, used during the day, night, or both, and will the subject know they are being recorded.

Bullet style security cameras are the most popular security cameras used in security camera dvr systems. They can be used inside or out. These security cameras come with all of the required mounting hardware and weather-resistant casing for external protection. Most of our bullet cameras have a fixed 3.6mm lens that allows you to see facial features out to about 35 feet and provides a 70 degree angle of view. This is the widest angle you can have without distorting the picture. Bullet cameras are relatively inconspicuous since they are small and do not have an obvious presence.

Infrared security cameras are also very popular, as they allow for recording in little or no lighting conditions. Most infrared security cameras are bullet style with weather-resistant housing for use either inside or out. The cameras have infrared LEDs installed around the edge of the lens which allows image capture from 20 to 90 feet in complete darkness depending on the number of LEDs and even further with a little bit of ambient light. As infrared cameras are typically bullet-style, these cameras are also relatively inconspicuous to the subject.

The advantage to PTZ (pantel zoom) security cameras is that the lens can be changed. This is important if your application requires focus on a particularly distant area beyond the focal view of a typical bullet camera. Day and night security cameras have an extra sensitive imaging chip which allows for high quality image capture in low light situations without the use of infrared LEDs. While security cameras make great indoor cameras, additional housing is required to use these cameras in an outdoor application. These cameras are larger in size than bullet cameras, which makes them noticeable and preferred for applications where you want the subject to know they're being recorded.

Dome security cameras basically provide a different look. Domes provide a popular means of monitoring a specific area in a more discreet manner than a traditional camera. As dome cameras are often less intimidating, most sites will utilize these security cameras where a non-aggressive atmosphere is ideal. Housed inside a plastic casing, usually with a smoked or tinted finish, dome cameras offer protection from tampering while preventing observers from detecting the target area of surveillance.

IP Based Security Cameras are becoming more popular. The Pelco Spectra IV IP Camera is one of the most popular IP cameras currently on the market. Seamless integration into all video security applications while delivering first-of-its kind, true hybrid functionality. Spectra IV IP Changes Everything. Featuring all of the advantages of a network camera with the performance of an analog system, Spectra IV IP is the best of both worlds and is guaranteed to be the benchmark for every IP-based positioning system to follow.

In many applications, various security camera types will be used for certain areas of the application. For instance, in a store environment, it would not be uncommon to have dome cameras in the store interior, professional cameras in the back warehouse, and bullet cameras monitoring the external entryways.

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