9 Different Types of CCTV Cameras

In the last three decades, CCTV technology has come on leaps and bounds. No longer do CCTV cameras produce grainy, pixelated footage, with some cameras able to capture crisp, 4K images.

The largest breakthrough for the industry has been the surge in accessibility for CCTV cameras in home settings, helping you to keep your property safe. Join us as we discuss the various types of CCTV cameras available.

Bullet CCTV cameras

Bullet CCTV cameras are the most famous type of CCTV camera, with an iconic shape and look. Because most people can identify them as a CCTV camera, they serve just as much purpose as a deterrent as they do a detector. However, they serve a strong working purpose, as they are effective over both long and short distances.

Bullet cameras are commonly found in busy, metropolitan areas, as well as on the outside of industrial buildings.

Benefits:

• Weatherproof
• Able to capture long-range images
• A useful deterrent

Negatives:

• Not the best picture quality
• Rigid

Pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ)

Pan, tilt, and zoom cameras, commonly known as PTZ cameras, are excellent for sites that have multiple blind spots. They offer exactly what their name suggests, the ability to move the camera from side to side, tilt and zoom in.

They are commonly found in supermarkets, construction sites, airports and large open spaces. They are not often used as part of home security systems as their functionality is simply not required.

Benefits:

• Ability to pan the lens for a wide field of view
• Discreet
• Eradicate blind spots

Negatives:

• Short lifespan
• Low image quality

Night-vision cameras

Night-vision CCTV is highly useful for monitoring areas that require 24/7 surveillance. They are mostly utilised in outdoor settings, including car parks, construction sites and the grounds of important buildings.

They include ultra-sensitive imaging chips, which ensure the pictures remain crisp and clear, even in low-light settings. While other forms of CCTV cameras may have night vision, the video quality is often far worse than what’s offered by specialist systems.

Benefits:

• Able to capture clear images in the dark
• Offer 24/7 surveillance

Negatives:

• Not great in adverse weather
• Expensive to purchase and install

Dome cameras

One of the most effective features of a dome camera, named after its shape, is its ability to monitor a 360-degree radius discreetly. The tinted lens casing keeps those below the camera unaware of what direction the lens is facing.

In fact, most people tend to be blissfully unaware of the camera’s existence, as they tend to be placed up high. These types of CCTV cameras are commonly used in banks, casinos and restaurants.

Benefits:

• Capture a 360-degree radius
• Can be mounted on ceilings
• Very discreet

Negatives:

• Difficult to move once installed
• No option to zoom in
• Casing can cause unwanted glare

C-Mount cameras

C-mount cameras look like the more sophisticated cousins of bullet cameras, with a similar cylindrical shape. They fare just as well in outdoor settings, with their detachable lenses making them a more versatile option.

The ability of c-mount cameras to monitor large areas makes them popular on construction sites and in industrial estates.

Benefits:

• Weatherproof
• Detachable lenses make them versatile
• Can cover large areas

Negatives:

• Too large for compact setups
• Detachable lenses can be expensive

ANPR/LPR cameras

Automatic Number Plate Recognition and License Plate Recognition cameras serve a more specialised purpose. They are used to read and store number-plate data for parking payment and to keep track of who has entered a car park.

ANPR/LPR cameras can be found in hotels, shopping centres and car parks.

Benefits:

• Intuitive for parking companies
• Can monitor who enters and leaves an area
• Discreet

Negatives:

• Limited use
• Struggle to read dirty license plates
• Prone to mistakes

Network cameras

Network CCTV cameras are ideal for home or business use, as they allow you to access live footage over the internet. They enable you to keep an eye on your property even if you aren’t present.

They are easy to set up, don’t require a great deal of maintenance, and offer great peace of mind to their users.

Benefits:

• Provide a live feed to users
• Don’t require much maintenance
• Perfect for home security systems

Negatives:

• Potential risk of hacking
• Often require additional accessories to work

High-definition CCTV cameras

High-definition (HD) CCTV cameras offer a standard of picture quality far higher than most CCTV cameras. They are usually used in areas vulnerable to theft, such as casinos or banks, as the picture quality makes it easy to identify suspects.

Resolutions on HD CCTV cameras range from 1080p all the way up to 4K. The picture quality is a league above the more primitive CCTV options used around two decades ago.

Benefits:

• Present supremely clear images
• Able to identify offenders with ease

Negatives:

• Expensive
• Require regular maintenance

Wireless CCTV cameras

Wireless cameras are another type of CCTV camera popular with those setting up a home security system. As they are wireless, they are easy to set up and can be placed strategically around your home.

They are discreet, unobtrusive and small enough to fit into a variety of different areas. Like network cameras, most wireless CCTV cameras will be able to link to the internet so you can log into a live feed.

Benefits:

• Ideal for use in home security systems
• Discreet and easy to disguise
• Easy to install

Negatives:

• Dependent on Wi-Fi strength
• Can be vulnerable to signal interference

Protect your property with Incognito Systems

With a large variety of security cameras as well as industry-leading expertise, Incognito Systems can guide you toward your ideal home security system. We won’t sell you anything you don’t want or need, just the bespoke security system that suits you.

Our customers in Northampton and its surrounding areas have access to the very best CCTV cameras in the business, installed by our experts. In short, leave nothing to chance, and neither should you.

Contact us to find out more about how you can keep your property safe.