Direct answer
The short answer
Choose a business CCTV camera by the evidence required at its exact location. Resolution matters, but lens, target distance, angle, shutter speed, low-light performance, WDR and placement usually decide whether the recorded image is useful.
Assign a purpose to every view
An overview camera shows movement through an area. An identification view is positioned and framed to show a face. A vehicle-context camera shows make, colour and direction. A dedicated LPR camera is designed specifically for plates.
Match the lens and lighting
Wide lenses cover more area but show fewer pixels on a distant subject. Narrower lenses show more detail in a smaller scene. Backlit entrances need strong wide dynamic range, while dark scenes may use IR or full-colour low-light imaging.
- Target distance and width
- Expected subject movement
- Day and night lighting
- Glare and reflections
- Mounting height and angle
Select recording and retention
Storage depends on camera count, resolution, frame rate, bitrate, compression, scene activity and recording mode. State those assumptions in the estimate and give authorized users separate live, playback, export and administration permissions.
Treat AI as a search tool
Person and vehicle classification, line crossing and intrusion zones can reduce irrelevant events and speed review. They do not repair poor placement or guarantee perfect detection. The analytic must be supported by the selected camera and tested in the real scene.
Want advice for a specific property?
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