Types of CCTV Cameras and Which to Choose | Queen

Choosing the right CCTV camera starts with knowing the types. Here are the most common ones and where each fits best.

By location and connection

• Indoor and outdoor (weatherproof) cameras
• Wired and wireless cameras
• IP/network cameras for remote access
• Solar-powered cameras for remote sites

By capability

Pick resolution and features based on your needs — higher megapixels for detail, night vision for dark areas, and PTZ for wide coverage.

• Night-vision for clear dark footage
• High-resolution for plates and faces
• PTZ cameras for wide areas

The main types, and where each fits

Choosing CCTV cameras starts with knowing the types rather than the brands — each was designed for a different situation, and matching the type to the situation matters more than the price:

• By connection: analogue HD over coax (cheaper, reuses old cabling) vs IP over network with PoE (scales, higher resolution).
• By placement: indoor vs weatherproof outdoor (IP66+).
• By night vision: infrared (black and white) vs full-colour night cameras.
• By movement: fixed vs PTZ that pans and zooms over a wide area.

Below the type, the details decide the result: component quality, correct positioning, and adequate supporting infrastructure. A mid-range choice installed correctly beats a premium one installed poorly.

The main types, and where each fits

Choosing CCTV cameras starts with knowing the types rather than the brands — each was designed for a different situation, and matching the type to the situation matters more than the price:

• By connection: analogue HD over coax (cheaper, reuses old cabling) vs IP over network with PoE (scales, higher resolution).
• By placement: indoor vs weatherproof outdoor (IP66+).
• By night vision: infrared (black and white) vs full-colour night cameras.
• By movement: fixed vs PTZ that pans and zooms over a wide area.

Below the type, the details decide the result: component quality, correct positioning, and adequate supporting infrastructure. A mid-range choice installed correctly beats a premium one installed poorly.

Before you decide

Ask for a survey before a price — a number given over the phone is a guess that changes on site. For this system in particular, ask specifically about storage — how many days of retention this system actually gives, in writing — and for a night-time site check before you accept it. And ask what happens the day something fails: who responds, how fast, and whether the handover left you the documentation to let anyone service the system.