What Types Of CCTV Camera Are There?

When thinking about public safety technology, the first equipment people usually think about is a CCTV camera. CCTV security systems are essential for any business or organization. Therefore, it is crucial that you select the right CCTV camera for you.

There are plenty of different CCTV cameras that you can choose from today, with different options and features, which results in a confusing array of styles and configurations. But which one is the best for your security application?

1. Dome CCTV camera

These cameras are usually used for indoor security and surveillance public safety applications. Dome cameras are so-called because they have a dome shape. These housings make dome cameras unobtrusive. These cameras are often used in retail, where the camera is designed to be visible.

The dome shape means that it is difficult to tell where the camera is facing and is, therefore, a great deterrent for criminals. Bad guys can be sure that the facility is being watched, and customers can be assured that their public safety is being taken care of.

Speed dome CCTV cameras give the user the option to move the camera. They are also cameras that have automated zoom/tilt/pan functionality, where a camera moves automatically on a timer. They are used to cover large areas with a single camera, or for avoiding poor light conditions.

2. Bullet CCTV camera

Bullet CCTV cameras have a shape that is long and cylindrical, and similar to that of a rifle bullet. They are often used for public safety technology where long-distance viewing is required. The camera is not usually designed to have a pan/zoom control, but can instead capture images at a fixed location.

Bullet CCTV cameras are usually made for indoor use, but they are occasionally used for outdoor too. Most bullet cameras can be made waterproof by giving them inside a protective casing, which provides the cameras from dust, rain, dirt, alongside other harmful elements.

3. C-mount CCTV camera

C-mount CCTV cameras have detachable lenses, which fit many different types of applications. Normal CCTV cameras can only cover distances of 35 to 40 feet, while C-mount cameras can be used with special lenses, which allow distances of greater than 40 feet to be covered.

4. Day/night CCTV camera

A day/night CCTV camera has the advantage of being able to operate in both normal and poorly-lit situations. These cameras do not have infrared illuminations, as they are able to capture video images in different light conditions.

These cameras are great for outdoor surveillance, at times when infrared CCTV cameras are not able to function well. They are designed for outdoor applications.

5. Infrared CCTV camera

These CCTV cameras have night vision, meaning that they can see images in pitch blackness, using infrared LEDs. They are great for outside environments where lighting is either poor or non-existent.

6. Network CCTV camera

These cameras transmit images across the internet and are usually compressed so that images can be transmitted quickly. These cameras are easier to install than analog cameras, as they don't require a separate cable or power booster with which to send images over long distances.

7. Wireless CCTV camera

Not all of these are IP-based. Some use alternative types of wireless transmission. No matter what the method used, the first benefit of these is the same: extreme flexibility when they are being installed.

8. HD CCTV camera

HD cameras are often considered a niche market and are often only used in places such as casinos and banks. They give the operators the option to zoom in with excellent clarity, so that they, for example, can be used to see whether a poker player has something up their sleeve.

Apart from this list, there are plenty of other CCTV cameras, but they are usually related to the application in which they are used rather than the type of camera.

Wrap

We hope that you find this guide useful when you are choosing a CCTV camera that will keep your environment safe. Remember that it is often better to be a little over-zealous when providing your environment with CCTV cameras, as they are an incredibly effective way of protecting your environment.

The cost of a CCTV camera is far less than the cost of employing a security guard either around the clock or for the time that your business is open. This is worth taking into account when you are shopping for CCTV cameras, as you can consider yourself to have already made a saving.