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CCTV cameras are installed not only to prevent potential property intrusion, but the footage they capture also makes for great evidence in the case of intrusions and other crime in the area.
A bullet camera is the type of security camera that is best installed in conspicuous places. Bullet cameras are useful for identifying faces and other small details in the captured footage.
You can even trace plate numbers of passing vehicles when installed at a proper vantage point.
What makes a bullet camera system preferable among other types of security cameras is its neat features like resolution.
What Is Camera Resolution and Why Does It Matter?
When buying lenses, camera resolution is one of the most important considerations. If you are not particularly adept with cameras, it’s easy to overlook this detail. But for the purpose of recording a better and clearer image, the camera resolution does matter.
The camera resolution refers to the level of detail that a camera captures to produce a sharp image. It is measured in pixels or dots and squares that make up the photo if you zoom in.
Higher pixels mean there are more pixels in the image, making it look more accurate and clearer. With higher-resolution cameras, you can crop and print images without ruining their quality.
You see, a low-resolution camera produces a printed image with an almost jagged look and an obvious square of pixels. Those are called pixelated images, which are not useful for providing small details.
Which Camera Resolution Is the Best?
When it comes to security cameras, you will encounter resolution labels like 2MP, 4MP, 5MP or 8MP. Sometimes, you will read 720p, 1080p, 2K or 4K.
We know that resolution is the amount of detail that the camera captures. The width and height of the image determine it.
A camera that captures 1920x1080 pixels can produce an image with a resolution of 2,073,600 pixels or around 2MP. The height of the image, in this case 1080p, represents the resolution. So, a 2MP security camera records videos in 1080p resolution.
You may also hear terms like HD, FHD, 2K, or 4K, which refer to its horizontal resolution. A 1080p resolution is considered Full HD (High Definition).
Use the following guide to identify the resolution of security cameras and their terminologies.
- 2MP resolution (1920x1080) Full HD
- 4MP resolution (2560x1440) 2K
- 5MP resolution (2560x1920) 2K+
- 8MP resolution (3840x2160) 4K
In the past, IP security cameras had the standard 720p resolution, but manufacturers have done away with that and prefer higher pixels nowadays.
Please note that camera resolution alone is not the only factor in producing sharp images. The camera and lens’ focal length, frame rate, sensor size and even the resolution of the monitor itself affect the quality of the images produced.
Bullet Camera Resolution
The typical resolution for security IP cameras like the bullet camera is between 2MP to 8MP. There are different types of specialty cameras, to begin with: dome camera, bullet camera, Network/IP camera, wireless, PTZ pan-tilt-zoom, infrared and C-mount.
The bullet type, getting its name from its barrel shape, is preferred for its long-range surveillance and high weather resistance.
Bullet cameras are cameras with a cylindrical shape and are highly recognizable as CCTV. It is often installed outdoors, with its design meant as a preventative measure that deters potential intruders.
Depending on the brand, make, and model, bullet camera resolution starts at 1080p. The premium options are available at higher MPs for greater detail.
The camera shape enables it to house a larger lens. So, it can capture high-resolution images at a long distance. At most, a bullet camera can capture sharp images at a distance of about 25 to 30 meters (82 to 98 ft).
One downside of the high-res and clear images is the storage space and download time. You may need cloud storage to store the large files from the captured videos.
Advantages of the Bullet SecurityCamera
Bullet cameras are often used in commercial and public places like airports, traffic intersections, and parking areas. They are installed anywhere where building owners communicate openly to people that they are being monitored.
Weatherproof
Bullet cameras are built with a sturdy casing that is dust, water and weather-resistant. They often have ratings of IP65 or higher to indicate resistance to solid and liquid elements. The protective casing of bullet cameras also provides glare and rain protection.
Easy to Install
They are easier to install in places that don’t require an adjustment in camera placement. Installers only identify a good location where it can sweep a wider view. The cameras are then mounted in position, and the cable is wired into the power source and home ethernet.
Long Range Vision
Bullet cameras are useful for capturing sharp details from a distance, even something as crucial as license plate viewing. It has a motorized varifocal lens that is flexible for various uses.
Bullet cameras may have a telephoto lens for longer and larger coverage. It may also have a wide-angle lens for smaller areas that need wider viewing.
Night Vision
Many of the bullet camera models have infrared (IR) illuminators. The IR distance illuminator enables the camera to still function at night for enhanced security within the IR range.
Overt Presence
The presence of a bullet camera can be enough to prevent break-ins and crime, knowing that they are monitored. It improves the deterrence value in the property for which a security camera system is mainly installed. It may be both an advantage and disadvantage, knowing that criminals may be able to estimate its range of coverage.
Disadvantages of a Bullet Camera
Some of the drawbacks of bullet cameras are:
- Inability to change the angle of view
- No 360-degree viewing with its fixed lens
- Repositioning means reinstallation of the entire unit
- The neck-like base can be tampered with or bent by force
- More obvious
Buying a Bullet Camera
Before buying a bullet security camera, consider not only its resolution but also a few more factors and features. Determine the span of the area to cover, visibility such as infrared, IP rating, operating temperatures, and requirements for installation.
Once you figure these things out, find the best bullet camera from All Security Equipment. We will help you pick out the best one for your property, guided by your preference and general considerations. With the bullet camera, you are assured that your home is thoroughly guarded all the time.
