Which is the best CCTV camera

Which CCTV camera is the best

To answer this question, we will see how CCTV cameras are classified and the features they have.

What is CCTV Camera?

A CCTV camera is a simple item that cannot work alone and it must be connected in a system. A system contains a video recorder to take footage from all cameras.

1. Types of CCTV cameras (technology-wise)

1.1 Analog cameras

These are the classic cameras who send the video signal through a coaxial cable? These cameras can’t operate alone, and they can’t work without a signal receiver unit which is a Video recorder, or at least a TV to watch live. These cameras are still in Top and because of the cheap price, technology developments and they can get the resolution up to 8MP. Analog and IP CCTV cameras have no difference in quality. They work best if you install them in a small and medium home or business where the distance between the cameras and the video recorders do not exceed 300m. Otherwise, the signal will drop and footage will not be recorded.

1.2 Network IP cameras

have been developed in parallel with the evolution of the internet, they send the video signal through the internet network. They can also work in standalone mode since they can be accessed through the internet for a live view. They even keep small recording if the camera is featured with an SD card slot. But it is highly recommended to connect all the IP cameras to an NVR (network video recorder) for a professional recording.

IP cameras are more expensive. Therefore, investing in such products for a small home or business is not justified because is no quality difference between IP cameras and analog cameras. However, they have additional features and hence they are preferred in large commercial and industrial applications. Features like face recognition, zoom, behavior analyses, etc. work better with IP cameras.

1.3. Wireless cameras

Wireless cameras are usually IP cameras but video signal is sent through WI-FI. These cameras have developed with Wi-Fi technology. The range of this camera is not so big therefore they are recommended only, where wired cameras cannot be used. Depending on how the footage is recorded there are two types of Wi-Fi cameras:

A: The first type of cameras works in the system with a Wi-Fi video recorder making a small Wi-Fi network and the cameras work continuously. The cameras send 24hours footage to the recorder depending on how the recorder is set i.e. whether it will record continuously or motion and it will keep the footage or not.

B: The second type is standalone cameras where the footage is recorded on an SD card or in cloud storage. These cameras have a motion detector incorporated, and the camera will record only if the detector feels movement in 10 meters range of the detector. If something happens beyond that range, the footage will not be recorded.

2. CCTV Cameras on the basis of brand

Actually, the brand is the most important due to the quality of the CCTV camera. According to the brand, there are three types of CCTV cameras:

2.1. International brands

Many audio, video or other electronics manufacturer have a special department to produce CCTV products for example Sony, Samsung, JVC, Bosh, Honeywell, Axis, etc. These are expensive and mostly used in large commercial and industrial applications.

2.2. Chinese best brands

Some Chinese brands like Hikvision, Dahua, TVT, Uniview are the big and best brands. They offer the best solution as a price-quality ratio.

2.3. Small Chinese brands

Small Chinese brands and no-name cameras are also an option but only if they are guaranteed or rebranded by a well-known distributor.

3. CCTV Cameras on the basis of features

CCTV cameras have many features. Let’s analyze some essential features.

3.1 Camera resolution

It is the most important feature. The higher is the resolution, the better the quality images you will get.

3.2 Infrared range

Cameras can have 20, 40, 60, 80m infrared illumination. You can choose the camera depending on the distance to be protected.

3.3 Camera lens

This feature has a close connection with the horizontal angle of view of the camera. If the camera lens is larger, the angle of view will be smaller respectively. Depending on the lens, we have three types of cameras.

A. Fixed lens camera: In this type, the lens can have 2.8mm, 3.6mm, 6mm, 8mm, 12mm ranges. For example, if the distance to be protected is less than 10m around the house or in the shop, the best lens is 2.8mm that will give a horizontal angle of view of 90 degrees. For 20m, it will be a 3.6mm lens, and so on.

B. Varifocal lens cameras: In these cameras, the lens can vary from 2.8mm to 16mm. It has a mechanical setting so you will set the lens when the camera is fitted and working. With the live image, you can make the settings to avoid the blind spots as much as possible.

C. Motorized lens cameras: these types of cameras are expensive and technically are not justified as well. The security cameras are better if they stay focused on fixed points around the premise. There is a different type of motorized cameras named as “speed dome cameras” and these are recommended if there are CCTV agents who will watch and control them.

3.4 Illumination level

It is the ability of the camera sensor to take pictures in the dark. The lower is the illumination level, the better the quality images you will get in the dark. But this feature has been overtaken by new technologies like ColorVu and Starlight that contain 24h color images. Color Vu and Starlight are similar technologies developed first by Hikvision and the other one by Dahua.

Conclusion

We can say, there is no one camera which is the best on the market. The best camera depends on the premise to be protected. You can choose great cameras by seeing your requirements,