Security camera systems are an essential tool for both crime prevention and accident investigation. Although some customers may go years without needing to use their security cameras, others are grateful for the detailed footage captured. Camera resolution largely determines the quality of the footage captured by CCTV cameras, as it determines how many pixels are captured and displayed on a monitor or phone. Understanding camera resolution can be a daunting task, particularly when selecting a system for your company. However, we have you covered with everything you need to know about camera resolution before making your CCTV purchase, starting with the factors that determine the quality.
What decides camera resolution?
frame rate:Frame rate is closely related to camera resolution as it plays a critical role in determining the quality of your video footage. While camera resolution captures pixels to create an image, frame rate determines how many pictures a camera captures within a given time frame to produce the footage. A higher camera resolution for high definition security cameras enhances the quality of the footage, and the frame rate can also contribute to smoother video
Internal Settings :Internal Settings play a critical role in the effectiveness of your high definition security cameras after installation. It is essential to adjust the camera resolution according to your specific preferences to achieve the best results.Secure It Global’s Security Cameras offers a free guide to assist anyone in need of adjusting their camera settings for optimal performance.
Lens/Focal LengthThe lens focal length is a crucial aspect of every CCTV camera that determines the width of the shot captured. Larger lenses result in wider shots and a broader view of the scene. However, more detail and movement in a shot may affect the resulting video footage. For instance, a high-pixel IP LPR security camera with a large focal length placed on a low-traffic road will capture every license plate, but the camera resolution might deteriorate. On the other hand, the same high-resolution security camera with a smaller focal length lens will have a tighter shot but be more focused on the subject.
Local Network In today’s world, it is common to monitor high-definition security cameras remotely using smartphones and computers. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that your local network can handle the demands of your camera resolution when viewing recordings or streaming from a remote location using any device. A1 Security Cameras provides a free bitrate calculator to help determine if your system requires additional hardware or if it is sufficient for your highest definition camera.
Sensor Size: The size and type of sensor in your high definition security cameras determine the level of detail captured in your footage. Unlike the lens, the larger the sensor, the narrower the visual angle you get from each camera.
Conclusion
In addition to the factors mentioned above, the quality of your connected hardware and the location of your high definition security cameras also play a critical role in determining the overall performance. For instance, even if you have the highest definition camera with maximum settings, it may still provide suboptimal results if there are any obstructions or if you are using an outdated monitor. Ensuring that the camera resolution required for your system is compatible with your hardware is advisable.. The graph below outlines the sensor sizes that are still commonly in use
Examples of each CCTV resolution
1MP is nearly equivalent to 720p in terms of camera resolution, and both are typically the lowest settings available for high definition security cameras. Although they may lack the visual quality of higher resolutions, recording at 1MP or 720p takes up significantly less storage space. While some high definition cameras may allow you to record at lower resolutions to conserve hard drive space, 1MP and 720p are typically the lowest settings available to maintain a semblance of HD quality
2MP is one of the most commonly used settings for high definition security cameras, as it provides excellent camera quality. With a resolution similar to 1080p, a 2-megapixel camera is suitable for most businesses and can provide sufficient camera resolution even in areas with high activity.
It’s important not to confuse 4 megapixel resolution with 4K camera resolution. A 4 megapixel resolution camera is still an excellent option for those seeking high definition footage without requiring an excessive amount of storage space. With just under 4 million pixels, a 4MP camera can capture a significant amount of detail, making it ideal for use in commercial and industrial work environments.
Capable of matching 4K resolution when connected through analog, 8MP is one of the best options for high definition camera resolution, surpassed only by 12MP and higher. Although 8MP can provide highly detailed footage, it requires a significant amount of storage hardware for use in high definition security cameras. The setting is ideal for capturing precise details such as faces and license plates, even when zoomed in. However, pushing the zoom to its limit can deteriorate the overall camera quality.
When it comes to motorized zoom, zooming in doesn’t necessarily bother video quality until pushed to the limit. However, even at the limit, motorized zoom provides you with enough detail to go off of when gathering information when needed. The feature with your high resolution security camera can gather a substantial amount of detail, as shown below.
As can be seen, there is relatively little difference in camera resolution until the zoom is pushed to its maximum. With that said, these results are far better than a camera that features digital zoom.
There is relatively little difference in camera resolution until the zoom is pushed to its maximum, as can be seen. With that said, these results are far better than a camera that features digital zoom.
What is the highest resolution security camera available?
As of my knowledge cutoff in 2021, the highest camera resolution available for high definition security cameras was 8K. However, 4K cameras are still more commonly used due to their practicality for performance and camera resolution. It’s worth noting that high definition security cameras with this resolution setting require camera systems with servers. Here are some of our recommended 4K security cameras:
1MP, 2MP, 4MP, 8MP, 4K, and more: Purchase yours from secure it global’s Security Cameras today!
When it comes to getting everything you need for surveillance,Secure It Global’s Security Cameras has plenty of high definition security cameras available to you for immediate purchase. Offering products from the best brands in CCTV , you can get a system with the smoothest camera resolution that keeps your business as safe as possible. Get the best possible security cameras for your needs today by shopping with secure it global’s Security Cameras!