1. Define what must be identifiable
Watching general movement is different from identifying a face, reading a vehicle plate or seeing cash handling. State the target and distance before choosing resolution and lens.
2. Match the camera body to the location
| Type | Useful for | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Bullet | Outdoor direction and visible deterrence | Can attract tampering if mounted low |
| Dome / turret | Clean indoor or sheltered coverage | Some domes can suffer IR reflection if dirty |
| PTZ | Active monitoring of a large area | One PTZ cannot watch every direction at once |
| WiFi PT | Simple room monitoring | Dependent on WiFi and often SD/cloud recording |
3. Evaluate night performance, not the brochure
Ask for genuine samples in similar lighting. Bright IR can wash out nearby faces; glass can reflect; color night view may need supplemental light.
4. Plan storage and recorder capacity
Higher resolution and frame rate require more storage and recorder bandwidth. Decide the retention target first, then size the HDD and recorder.
5. Check security and app access
- Use unique device and app passwords.
- Remove unused shared accounts.
- Keep firmware and apps updated.
- Restrict remote access to necessary users.
- Document who owns the administrator account.
6. Compare total installed cost
Include cable, accessories, mounting, networking, power backup, storage and handover—not only the camera unit.