CCTV cameras have become an increasingly popular tool for enhancing security in homes, businesses and public spaces. With advancements in technology, CCTV cameras now come in various types based on their housing, each designed for different environments and purposes. Choosing the right type of CCTV camera for your security needs can be overwhelming, so we've created this guide to CCTV camera types by housing. In this blog post, we'll discuss the most common types of CCTV cameras based on their housing, features and ideal use cases, so you can make an informed decision when securing your property.
Dome cameras:
Dome cameras are housed in a dome-shaped enclosure that protects the lens and makes it difficult for people to tell which direction the camera faces.
Dome cameras can be ceiling- or wall-mounted, commonly used in indoor settings like retail stores, offices, and schools.
Some dome cameras have a movable dome that can be adjusted to point in different directions.
Bullet cameras:
Bullet cameras are housed in a cylindrical enclosure that is often long and narrow, resembling a bullet shape.
Bullet cameras are usually wall-mounted and are ideal for outdoor surveillance in areas like parking lots and building exteriors.
They have a long-range and are typically weather-resistant, making them suitable for harsh environments.
Turret cameras:
Also known as eyeball or turret dome cameras, these cameras have a flat design and are enclosed in a housing that covers the camera lens.
Turret cameras can be ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted and are suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
They offer better IR performance, lower maintenance, and increased coverage compared to other types of cameras.
PTZ cameras:
PTZ cameras are enclosed in a housing that allows them to pan, tilt, and zoom. PTZ cameras are often used in large areas like stadiums and parking lots where a single camera needs to cover a wide area.
They can be remotely controlled to focus on specific areas of interest and have advanced features like automatic tracking.
Panoramic cameras:
Panoramic cameras have cylindrical or spherical housing that contains multiple camera lenses.
Panoramic cameras can capture a full 360-degree or 180-degree view of the area they are monitoring, making them ideal for large open spaces.
They are often used in shopping malls, airports, and sports arenas.
Fisheye cameras:
Fisheye cameras have a wide-angle lens that captures a full 360-degree or 180-degree view of the area they monitor.
They are often used in settings where a single camera needs to cover a large area, such as shopping malls or convention centres.
Fisheye cameras can be ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted and can also be used for virtual reality applications.
Box cameras:
Box cameras are enclosed in rectangular or box-shaped housing that can be mounted on a wall or ceiling.
They are highly customizable, with interchangeable lenses and various housing options.
Box cameras are often used in industrial settings, as well as for surveillance in homes and businesses.
Covert cameras:
Covert cameras are designed to be discreet and are often disguised as everyday objects like smoke detectors or alarm clocks.
Covert cameras can be used for surveillance when a visible camera is too obvious or intrusive.
They are often used for security purposes in homes or businesses and in law enforcement investigations.