Types of CCTV Cameras

CCTV cameras play an important role in securing premises. They allow the monitoring of vulnerable areas and provide evidence in the event of a security breach. However, there are many different types of surveillance cameras available, so selecting the most suitable cameras for your security is important.

Understanding the different types of CCTV cameras can help you select the right ones for your business or property. CCTV cameras are commonly classified by the following categories:

· By internet connectivity

· By shape/ Appearance

· By special features

CCTV Camera Types by Internet Connectivity

CCTV cameras can be divided into analogue and IP cameras depending on the connectivity technology used.

Analogue Cameras

Analogue security cameras capture video signals in analogue format and transmit them over coaxial cables to a recording device, such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) or video monitor. Compared to modern IP cameras, analogue cameras often lack advanced features such as motion detection, two-way audio, or video analytics. They are primarily designed for basic video recording.

IP Cameras

IP cameras, also known as network cameras, utilise digital technology. They encode and transmit video data over an IP network, such as the internet or a local network. An IP camera can use a Network Video Recorder (NVR) for recording or store footage on a network-attached storage device (NAS).

CCTV Camera Types by Shape/ Appearance

The most common classification criteria for security cameras are the shape.

Bullet Camera Bullet security cameras are the most common type of security camera. They are named for their rifle bullet-like shape. Bullet CCTV cameras are usually positioned to monitor specific areas, and they cannot pan or tilt unless manually adjusted.	Bullet Camera
Dome Camera Dome CCTV cameras are named for the distinctive casing surrounding the camera’s lens, a design that prevents intruders from determining the camera's direction. These types of CCTV cameras provide wider-angle coverage than bullet cameras.	Dome Camera
Turret camera Turret cameras are similar in design to dome models, although these CCTV cameras feature a ball-and-socket mount that allows operators to pivot the device during operation. Turret models are fairly discreet, with durable and compact casings to protect the camera from vandalism.	Turret camera
PTZ Sometimes called fully-functional Pan-tilt-Zoom (PTZ) surveillance cameras offer the benefit of remote security management, allowing security teams to track incidents as they unfold. Operators can adjust the camera’s field of view using pan, tilt, and zoom controls from an on-site control room or through a cloud-based platform on a secure smart device, providing real-time monitoring capabilities.	PTZ camera
Fisheye camera Fisheye CCTV cameras produce an ultra-wide-angle field of view, recording high-quality panoramic footage with 180- or 360-degree coverage. They offer excellent coverage with minimal blind spots, reducing the need for large multi-camera surveillance solutions. However, fisheye lenses can distort straight lines near the edges of the frame, creating circular or bubble-like image effects, similar to how a fish sees its surroundings.	Fisheye camera
Panoramic camera A panoramic security camera is designed to provide a wide field of view, typically 180 to 360 degrees. This type of camera uses multiple lenses to capture a panoramic view of its surroundings, eliminating blind spots and allowing for comprehensive monitoring of an area.	Panoramic camera

CCTV Camera Types by Special Features

CCTV Resolution Standards

When reading details about CCTV cameras, you will often find information about image resolution, which refers to the amount of detail an image holds. Digital images are stored on computer hardware, and the resolution is measured in columns of pixels (the width of the image) and rows of pixels (the height of the image). The greater the number of columns and rows of pixels, the higher the resolution and the more detail you will be able to observe in the image. The following table illustrates some commonly used terms.

Term	Pixels (W x H)	Total Pixels per Image	Aspect Ratio
1080p	1920x1080	2,073,600	16:9
4MP (1440p)	2560x1440	3,686,400	16:9
5MP (1920p)	2560x1920	5,017,600	4:3
4K (8MP)	3840x2160	8,294,400	16:9

Fixed vs. Varifocal Lens Camera

The difference between fixed and varifocal lenses lies in their ability to modify the focal length, enabling optical zoom adjustments and dynamic alterations to the field of view. A fixed lens has a static focal length and is therefore optimised for a specific distance or scene. Varifocal lenses have an adjustable focal length, allowing the field of view and optical zoom to change in order to cover a broader range of distances and scenes. Varifocal lenses are more customisable.

Varifocal lens with an adjustable focal length

ANPR Camera

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) is a technology that reads vehicle registration plates to create location data. This information is captured by scanners or cameras and then cross-referenced for various traffic and law enforcement purposes. An example of ANPR camera application is its use for car park entry or exit.

Thermal Camera

A thermal security camera detects heat from the infrared spectrum. These devices typically have two separate camera modules: one for thermal imaging and the other for regular use in the visible light spectrum. Thermal cameras are better suited for applications that require distinguishing long-distance objects based on the amount of heat they emit. They are also used to monitor temperatures in factories and other mission-critical facilities.