Security Camera Buying Guide

What Is A Security Camera?

Security cameras are cameras that can be installed both inside and outside of your home to help you monitor and protect your property.

Why Should I Get A Security Camera?

Let's say you've lived your entire life without security cameras. You may be asking yourself, "Why invest in them now?". What do homeowners have to gain from creating their own home security system? Whether or not you need security cameras is up to you but here are a few benefits we think you should consider:

• You can monitor packages delivered to your home
• You can protect your property from intruders
• You can get a potential home insurance discount
• You can assist law enforcement in catching criminals with video evidence
• You can keep an eye on your home when out of town
• You can effectively deter theft with the sheer presence of cameras
• You can gain a greater peace of mind over your home, your belongings and your loved ones

Types of Security Cameras

There are several different kinds of security cameras, but there are also several different ways to differentiate some cameras from others. The most basic way to categorize them is indoor cameras and outdoor cameras, which sound exactly like their names. Indoor cameras can cover accessible areas of your home, some are wired and some are wireless/Wi-Fi compatible. Outdoor cameras are installed outside of the home to help survey your front and back yards. They are typically wireless, as there's not an abundance of outlets on the exterior of homes. And don't worry, they're built to withstand the elements (learn more about this in the Durable Design section). While indoor and outdoor cameras are fairly self-explainable, there are two more common types that we'll break down further: video doorbells and floodlight cameras.

Video Doorbells

While outdoor cameras in general can be installed almost anywhere outside of the home, video doorbells are installed specifically by your front door, just as a standard doorbell would be. They're meant to fully replace your doorbell as they're equipped with a chime to alert you when guests arrive. When someone shows up at your front door, you'll be able to see and speak to them remotely through a compatible app (refer to our section on Apps). The cameras can do this thanks to a built-in microphone and speakers, enabling a feature called two-way talk. Two-way talk is available on all video doorbells, but only on some standard wireless security cameras. Most video doorbell models utilize the already existing low-voltage wiring from past doorbell installations, but some are battery powered too.

Floodlight Cameras

The name of these security cameras may give away their biggest differentiating factor. Floodlight cameras are security cameras equipped with bright LED lights to use at night. These lights can spotlight potential intruders and can efficiently scare them off (especially if your floodlight camera comes with built-in sirens). These devices are another example of a security camera that can feature two-way talk, though it's not available on every model. Floodlight cameras are a good option for those wanting full visibility of their yards after dark, without having to invest in a camera with night vision.

Wired vs. Wireless

Perhaps the most popular way to shop for security cameras is by choosing between a wired and a wireless model. We'll break down exactly what each style consists of, along with their pros and cons.

Wired security cameras are hardwired to a full-time electrical power source, which is why it's typical for these cameras to be permanently or semi-permanently installed. This wiring can also assist some cameras with internet connectivity and footage/data transfer. Because wired security cameras have a consistently steady connection, one pro is that the quality of your video footage never has to suffer. Another pro is that even if your internet goes out, your camera will not go offline. And because wired security cameras don't technically have to be connected to the internet, the risk of hacking and other potential breaches is low. As far as cons go, the actual wiring and installation of your camera can end up being costly and time-consuming. The "permanent" installation of the cameras will also prevent you from changing the location of your camera easily. And if your home's power goes out, so will your cameras.

Wireless security cameras don't require wires and instead are powered by standard or rechargeable batteries (some even come with solar panels). If the wireless camera you're browsing does have some sort of plug-in, this is a sign of an always-on system. Completely wireless security cameras are likely only activated by a sensor once activity is detected. Once your wireless camera is connected to your Wi-Fi, it will be able to communicate with and send footage to a cloud server. One pro of wireless cameras is that their Wi-Fi connection gives them the power to connect to other internet-powered devices (check out the section on Smart Home Integration for more information). Because they don't require hardwiring, installation is fairly easy, even for DIY homeowners. This simple setup allows these devices to be lower in price, so users can add more cameras to their system without breaking the bank. And if your power goes out, your wireless camera will continue operating. If your Wi-Fi network isn't too strong or it gets spotty, one con of wireless cameras can be a less reliable connection. If your internet goes out altogether, the cameras won't be able to operate. Should someone hack into your network, all of your wireless camera footage will be compromised too.

Factors To Consider When Choosing A Security Camera

Video Quality

Your security camera won't be of much help if the actual quality of the video stream is poor. Most cameras these days offer 1080p HD resolution, but there are also more advanced cameras that offer 2K or 4K resolution. Keep in mind, though, that the higher the video quality is, the more bandwidth you'll need. Video quality becomes even more important when you're shopping for outdoor security cameras vs. indoor security cameras, as factors like sunlight, shadows and glare can cause issues. HDR, or high dynamic range, is a visual enhancement that can compensate for bouts of brightness by providing more contrast and clarity.

Field of View

Field of view refers to the camera's range of motion, or how wide the footage is, and it's typically expressed through degrees. At a minimum, we suggest investing in a security camera with a 120-degree field of view, but most cameras these days can offer a range of motion up to 180 degrees. That being said, there can be benefits to purchasing a camera with a narrower field of view. For example, if you're placing the camera in a tighter spot or the corner of your home, you may not need to spend extra on a wider range of motion. It's important to keep in mind that the field of view of your security camera relies on the focal length of the lens itself. One common fixed lens focal length is 2.8mm or a 90-degree horizontal field of view. Dome and bullet security cameras may list the focal length rather than the degree measurement, so it may benefit you to become familiar with this conversion.

Pan, Tilt & Zoom

The larger your home is, or the larger your front/back yard is, the harder it will be for your security camera to capture motion that's further away. That's why pan, tilt and zoom capabilities are an important factor when picking a camera. There are two different types of zooming security cameras can do: optical and digital. Optical zoom means the actual camera lens is moving closer to the object or person. Digital zoom can be accomplished by opening your security camera app and zooming into the live stream by pinching your fingers onscreen. Basically, digital zoom is enlarging the pixels in your area of focus. Unfortunately, this can lead to loss of detail and blurriness. Optical zoom will typically be higher resolution, so this type is preferable.

Night Vision

If you're planning to purchase outdoor security cameras, it's obvious that light is not always guaranteed. When the sun goes down, homeowners need a way to visually survey their property. That's where night vision comes into play. Typically, there are two types of night vision: infrared and color. Infrared night vision relies on LED sensors to produce black-and-white footage. Color night vision, on the other hand, is provided via bright built-in spotlights. Color night vision is a nice luxury for homeowners to have, but the spotlights likely give away the presence of the camera. This has its drawbacks, but it also has its benefits, as thieves will likely not want to burgle a home if they know it has security cameras. More modern, advanced security camera models have starlight sensors to assist with color night vision. These sensors allow homeowners to "see" color, even in extremely low-light environments, without needing any floodlights or spotlights. As far as the quality of your camera's night vision goes, you can find the distance or reach of the night vision technology expressed in feet in the specs of your camera. Some cameras can reach up to 200 feet with their night vision.

Video Storage

If you have security cameras running all day every day, that's hours and hours of surveillance footage you are now responsible for. With this much content, some users may be wondering where or how it gets stored. Typically, there are two different ways: cloud and local. Cloud storage means the footage will be automatically uploaded onto a cloud server. This sometimes requires a paid subscription; every brand offers different pricing so be sure to research this beforehand. Local storage, on the other hand, can save footage in several places, including a hard drive or a micro-SD card. The hard drives these cameras use are either built into the device or they're external, also called network video recorders (NVRs) or digital video recorders (DVRs). NVRs connect to security cameras through an Ethernet cable and they're able to digitize your footage before sending it to storage, resulting in less data traffic and faster processing. DVRs connect to security cameras through coaxial cables and they can only digitize your footage after it's sent to storage. It is possible to invest in a model with both local and cloud storage, which is ideal should one system fail. It's important to keep in mind that security video files are usually fairly large too, so they will likely fill up a memory card faster than a cloud server.

Camera Connectivity

You'll likely only need to worry about connectivity if you're investing in a wireless security camera, as they rely on Wi-Fi for performance. Cameras that do not require Wi-Fi are called analog. These models record directly to several different types of storage systems and therefore, they cannot produce livestream footage. If you're interested in a wireless, Wi-Fi-powered camera, first determine whether or not you have a 2.4GHz or a 5GHz network in your home. Most security cameras support 2.4GHz networks only, and it's ideal to match your camera frequency to your wi-fi frequency to avoid connectivity problems. Looking for more flexibility? Invest in a dual-band router, as it supports both frequencies. It should be noted that the more cameras you have, the more powerful your Wi-Fi network needs to be. If you're purchasing security cameras for a larger home or a business, we recommend investing in a mesh network as it will provide several broadcast points and allow you to place cameras further away from your router.

Apps & Alerts

Most security camera systems these days are considered to be "smart", which means they are capable of connecting to Wi-Fi, opening up access to more online features. And most of these smart security systems come with a compatible app. Security camera apps allow users to watch a live stream of their camera footage remotely, so you can monitor your home when you're there and when you're not. If you have a battery-powered security camera, this live view of your home can be turned off to help preserve the life of your device. You'll also be able to control the camera and receive alerts when a person or overall motion is detected. Users will have the power to choose which notifications they do and do not want to be sent to their smartphones too.

Activity Zones

Security cameras with compatible apps can sometimes offer what's called "activity zones". This means users can customize what areas their cameras do and do not look at. Ultimately, with activity zones, you can better focus your home security system on the places that matter most to you. For dog owners, this could be the backyard. For online shoppers who receive an influx of packages, this could be the front doorstep. You may even be able to tell your camera to focus solely on humans rather than objects, so you don't get alerts every time a car pulls in or when a tree sways in the breeze.

Shared Access

Some security camera apps feature an option to share access to your camera feed with other users. But this doesn't just allow other people to watch your camera feed; it also allows them to arm and disarm the cameras as needed. This technology may be ideal when homeowners are out of town, as you can share access with family, friends or a house sitter for additional protection.

Smart Home Integration

These days, most smart devices are optimized to pair or communicate with one another, and this is the same with smart security cameras. Some models are compatible with voice assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa so users can adjust their camera with a verbal command. If you have a smart home hub or smart lights, you can connect your cameras to your already-established smart home system and get even more control over your property.

Artificial Intelligence

While a security camera's ability to detect motion is extremely helpful for homeowners, it can also lead to false or unnecessary notifications. This can include the movement of inanimate objects, cars and wild animals; sometimes setting up activity zones can still not prevent the occasional alert from coming through. To further double down on this, try looking for a security camera with artificial intelligence technologies like person detection or pet detection. This gives your camera the power to differentiate humans and animals from everything else. More advanced models may even be able to perform facial recognition, so they can recognize specific faces of your friends and family.

Privacy

While security cameras are meant to give homeowners peace of mind, streaming live footage of your property on an app through a wi-fi network can cause privacy concerns. How does one know for sure that no one can remotely access their footage or their in-app controls? The first step is to choose a unique username and a complex password, ideally something that does not reference any personal info that can be easily guessed. Outside of your login, the biggest way camera brands have combatted these breaches is through two-factor authentication. This technology requires users to enter a passcode, press a fingerprint or use Face ID to get access to their camera accounts. Some two-factor authentication services may even send a one-time-use passcode to your smartphone or email address.

Durable Design

If you're interested in purchasing outdoor security cameras, their durability and design are of the utmost importance. This can refer to several factors, including the temperature range the device can handle and the IP rating. An IP rating is a way to gauge how resistant the camera is to dirt, dust, liquids and more. Many brands may label their cameras as waterproof, weather resistant or weatherproof. While these labels are not incorrect, the IP rating is a more accurate way to determine how durable your device is.

Shop Security Cameras at Abt

If you're looking for ways to make your home smarter, the security cameras at Abt are an amazing place to start. There are so many ways to create an interwoven smart system in your space, with products like smart thermostats, smart lighting, smart locks, virtual assistants, security cameras and more. As you collect this technology and allow these devices to work together, your daily routines, tasks and chores are bound to be optimized and simplified. With support from security cameras, you'll be able to spend more time with your family or participating in your favorite hobbies and spend less time trying to protect your home by yourself. Plenty of security camera models are available at Abt for you to purchase and install, but Abt also offers custom security, which includes 24/7 customer service, installation and remote control over your cameras. To learn more, contact us on our custom security service page. You can also learn more about video doorbells and get helpful home automation information from our guides. For all other questions about security cameras and home security systems, you can speak to our experts at 800-860-3577.

Q&A Summary

What is the best security camera?

The best security camera for you depends on what you're looking to protect, the size of your home, the quality of your Wi-Fi network, the special features you want and more. Any of Abt's high-quality brands, including Ring, Eufy, Honeywell Home and Google Nest, are guaranteed to offer a safe, top-notch experience.

How do I install security cameras?

The installation process of your security cameras will vary depending on which type you've purchased. Wired, wireless, indoor and outdoor all require different steps, so we recommend referring to your product manual or the manufacturer's website before beginning. However, if you've invested in a video doorbell, we have a handy installation guide available for our customers.

How long do security cameras keep footage?

Every security camera model is designed differently, so the length of time they'll store your video feed will also be different from camera to camera. The following information provided is based on our three most popular security camera brands: Ring, Google Nest and Eufy. Without a paid security camera subscription, your footage will be stored anywhere from three hours to 60 days. With a paid security camera subscription, your footage will be stored anywhere from 60 to 180 days. Some brands like Eufy offer a hub/home-base accessory that can be paired with your cameras and these can store footage for up to six months.

Where do I place security cameras?

The placement of your security cameras depends on two factors. First is the type of cameras you've purchased. For example, cameras with no IP rating or weatherproof design should be placed indoors. If you have wired cameras, they may need to be installed closer to an outlet or power source. The second factor to consider is what you're interested in protecting. If you want eyes on your porch for package deliveries, installing a camera above your front door is a good option. If you want to monitor your pets in the backyard, installing a camera by your back door could work.

How many security cameras do I need?

How many cameras you need depends on how many rooms or spaces you want to survey, how large your home/property is, the crime rates in your city, your budget and more. We suggest buying one camera for every room and yard you want to cover. See how much coverage this provides for your space and if parts are missing that you wish to monitor, add more from there. Do remember, though, that placing security cameras in bathrooms and bedrooms can invade your own privacy and the privacy of others living in your home.