4K Security Cameras – Are They Worth The Money?
If you’re familiar with cameras, you know there are endless options when looking for a surveillance camera. Each one has different resolutions, fields of view, and installation methods. An average person will find it difficult to understand many terms associated with these devices. With the rise in criminal activity and the need for hard facts, residential and commercial establishments are keeping track of everything by upgrading their security. And you’ll find many of them investing in 4K security cameras nowadays. To understand if these devices are worth your money, you must be familiar with their features and drawbacks. So, let’s review 4K cameras and find out if they’re good enough to boost your security system. What Are 4K Security Cameras And How Do They Work? 4K security cameras are cameras with a horizontal pixel count of around 4,000. They capture video footage in the resolution 3840 x 2160 and have 8,294,400 total pixels. They are equipped with 8 megapixels (MP) and have an aspect ratio of 16:9. Because these cameras have a large number of total pixels, images have minimal chance of getting pixelated even when you zoom in. These cameras also have advanced sensors with low-light sensitivity. The resolution of 4K cameras is 4 times better than HD 1080p cameras. They are also called UHD (Ultra High Definition). By comparison, 1080p cameras have a resolution of 1920 x 1080. The cameras capture light in their field of view and store it as data in your desired storage option, be it local or in the cloud. Types Of 4K Security Cameras Like many others, 4K security cameras are available in many variants. Knowing how each type functions will help you decide which one will fit your security requirements best. Bullet Camera: These 4K cameras are cylindrical and shaped like bullets. They are primarily used for capturing high-resolution footage of a particular outdoor area. But they are also well-suited for long-distance surveillance and can work well when placed in high-traffic areas. They typically have a longer and wider range compared to dome or turret cameras. They are easy to reposition if needed but are not discreet. One of the big downsides of this security camera is that it is pretty easy to be vandalized or manually adjusted by criminals. Expert vandals can easily direct the camera in a different direction. Dome Camera: As it’s name suggests, 4K dome cameras have a dome-like circular structure. They are typically used indoors and can come in vandal-proof or resistant housings. Its field of vision is larger when compared to the bullet camera, but the quality isn’t any less. Dome cameras are also typically more discreet compared to bullet, turret, or PTZ cameras. Cons of dome cameras include repositioning them. Once installed, they don’t have the flexibility of a bullet or PTZ. The domes can also get dirty blocking the view and require cleaning. They are also prone to IR bounce where the illuminator causes the light to bounce back off the dome and into the lens, distorting the view. Turret Camera: 4K dome cameras are typically used indoors. They are smaller and more discreet than a bullet or PTZ, but not as much as a dome. An advantage over domes include their built-in IR. Because there is no dome, you don’t have to worry about IR bounce. They are also easy to mount.The big downside to the turret camera is they can be damaged more easily than a dome since they have no housing to protect to the lens. PTZ Camera: 4K pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras are versatile, and you can control them via remote. You can use them to cover an extensive area, zoom in on a particular target, or have it automatically patrol a given area looking for motion. All these processes are achieved without losing image quality. The major downside to these cameras is the high price. They typically start out at two to three times the cost of a dome, turret, or bullet camera. These cameras are also prone to malfunction as they have many moving parts. Best Applications For 4K Security Cameras 4K security cameras provide a new and better solution to documenting videos that HD cameras fail to provide. They serve as a good source of evidence whenever needed. Because they are detail-oriented, these camera systems are a convenient investment for those needing to cover large areas with minimal installation. For instance, store owners of small and medium business can have a couple of 4K cameras on prominent corners and easily acquire a broad view. Identifying facial features and details of vehicles is much easier with a 4K camera. So, places that require excellent security systems, such as large businesses and organizations, will find 4K security cameras well suited to their needs. But an HD camera system will suffice if you only need something for your porch or yard. Specifications Of 4K Security Cameras 4K security cameras can be versatile and convenient for any purpose. Features that make them exceptional include: Night Vision Nights are an active time for lawbreakers, so strong night vision becomes an essential feature. Fortunately, 4K cameras have it sorted out for you. Most of these cameras are equipped with 3D Dynamic Noise Reduction (DNR), which significantly reduces infrared-caused noise and static. You are guaranteed crisp and clear video footage no matter the time of day. In addition, most 4K security cameras come with larger image sensors. Regular cameras need a good light source to produce a quality image, but 4K cameras can work well in low light. Just make sure the sensor is large enough as the higher the resolution camera, the larger the sensor size is needed for acceptable night vision. Something like a 1/1.8″ or 1/1.2” would work great. If your security system needs more activity during the nighttime, cameras with 3D DNR will help as well. Magnification Options A 4K security camera can have one or both digital and optical zoom. These add more functionality to the security system. Digital
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