Long-range security cameras provide clear video recordings from hundreds of feet away from their mounting points. To monitor large areas like barns, farms, long driveways, front and back yards, or large parking lots in order to recognize faces or license plates, you will need a high-quality long-range security camera for both day and night use.
This comprehensive guide explains how to select a good long-range security camera and also includes information about two of the best long-distance security cameras available.
Editor’s Note: You don’t have to get a dedicated long range surveillance camera to watch your property located miles away and labor your wits on how to run wires and boost the WiFi signals that far.
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What Is A Long Range Security Camera
Long-range security cameras are capable of recognizing a person or vehicle from far distances, typically 75 feet or more. They are often used to monitor long, narrow areas such as hallways, as well as large properties like farms, ranches, and parking lots.
The distance capabilities of long-range security cameras vary greatly in the market, ranging from 100 feet to 300 feet or more. Long-distance security cameras are especially helpful for those who have trouble installing a camera near the monitoring area.
Long-range security cameras can be divided into three types: fixed-lens cameras, varifocal lens cameras, and PTZ cameras.
A fixed-lens long-range camera provides a fixed angle of view and cannot adjust its focal length or zoom. Fixed-lens cameras may not see as far, but they have a wider angle, making them ideal for monitoring places such as front yards, swimming pools, barns, front doors, etc.
Varifocal lens cameras allow you to adjust the angle of view, zooming in to see specific details with magnified images or zooming out for a wide-angle overview. They make it easier to identify things at a long distance and are often used to monitor hallways, farms, and other outdoor areas.
PTZ cameras have functions for panning left and right, tilting up and down, and zooming in or out. They are among the most powerful long-range security cameras and can see hundreds of feet away, making them ideal options for wide and open areas such as ranches, parking lots, etc.
Here’s a chart to help you quickly compare these three types of long-range security cameras.
| / | Fixed Lens | Varifocal Lens | PTZ Cameras |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viewing Angle | Fixed, wide | Flexible | 360° seamless |
| Distance | Fixed, not very far | Flexible, far | Flexible, far |
| Scenarios | Front door/backyards/swimming pool | Hallways/farms/outdoor areas | Farms/ranches/parking lots/wide&open areas |
What Makes a Good Long Range Security Camera Outdoor
When choosing a reliable long-range security camera for your property, there are several crucial features to consider beyond just the range distance.
A Long Range Security Camera Should Have High Definition
Many top security camera brands offer long-range cameras with extra-high definition capabilities like 4MP, 5MP, and even 4K. These HD cameras can capture images and videos with vivid details even when monitoring a large outdoor area from a distance.
Here’s a chart showing the PPF of long-range security cameras with different resolutions for your reference.
| Camera Resolution | Height Pixels | Field of view | ||||||
| 20 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 40 | 45 | 50 | ||
| Pixel Per Foot (PPF) | ||||||||
| 2MP(1080p) | 1920 | 96 | 77 | 64 | 55 | 48 | 43 | 38 |
| 4MP(1440p) | 2560 | 128 | 102 | 85 | 73 | 64 | 57 | 51 |
| 8MP(2160p) | 3840 | 192 | 153 | 128 | 110 | 96 | 85 | 77 |
Long Range Outdoor Security Cameras Feature Excellent Night Vision
Good long-range security cameras include high-quality infrared LED night vision for 24/7 surveillance. Make sure that long range night vision security cameras has built-in IR lights to help recognize people and events at night, the more quantity and higher quality the IR lights, the clearer video and longer distance it will see in poor lighting conditions.
C296 - Pan Tilt IP Security Cameras
- 4K Ultra HD/5MP Super HD
- Starlight Color Night Vision
- Pan & Tilt
- PoE/WiFi Connection
- Light & Siren Alarm
- Upgraded AI-Powered Detection
- 2-Way Audio
Maybe I should clarify that IR is actually invisible. Some night security camera manufacturers put some visible red IR LEDs in cameras to purposely be visible as a deterrent. A night thief who sees the red LED lights is likely to skip the next house, which effectively stops a home break-in.
Outdoor Security Cameras with Long Range Should Contain Optical Zoom Lens
Choose a long-range varifocal lens security camera equipped with a varifocal lens to allow you to zoom in to view more details and zoom out to see a wider area. Optical zoom is far more advanced and offers more detailed images than digital zoom, which can destroy the image/video quality.
Long Range Wireless Security Cameras Also Mean Long WiFi Range
If you prefer a wireless camera, pay attention to the Wi-Fi range, and for better signal strength, choose long-range dual-band wireless cameras that support dual-band Wi-Fi for a stable network connection. If you’re unable to maximize the Wi-Fi range, a 4G cellular security camera can provide an easy solution to long-distance monitoring without cables or Wi-Fi network constraints.
Best Outdoor Long Range Security Camera
“Best HD IP surveillance PTZ camera for long range distance with IR infrared night vision that will work in outdoor extreme temperatures?”
To find out a long range outdoor video security camera with all the advanced features is not an easy job. Lucky you, you’ve got 2 best picks here, both are easy to use and install, to suit your every security need.
Long Range Night Vision Security Camera: ZOSI IPC-2968Y
Besides the features talked above for a good long range CCTV camera outdoor, like the 8MP high definition,an excellent night vision up to 100ft, C289 is also a pan-tilt-zoom camera.
C296 - Pan Tilt IP Security Cameras
- 4K Ultra HD/5MP Super HD
- Starlight Color Night Vision
- Pan & Tilt
- PoE/WiFi Connection
- Light & Siren Alarm
- Upgraded AI-Powered Detection
- 2-Way Audio
Long Range Wireless Battery-Powered Camera: ZOSI 1NC-291
Running on rechargeable battery power (solar-powered optional), this kind of long range WiFi camera could be placed hundreds of miles away from your main house or the monitoring center, with no wires and power outlets limitation, offering you a real easy solution for long distance monitoring.
4MP Wireless Battery Powered PT Secrity Camera - 1NC-291
- 4MP Super HD
- Long Battery Life
- Customize PIR Alert
- 360° HD View
- Flexible Mounting
- Enhanced Night Vision
FAQs
1. What is the longest distance for a security camera?
A professional PTZ security camera can see things over 1,000 feet (almost 305m) away, making it ideal for monitoring large areas such as parking lots and ranches. However, regular security cameras typically have a range between 10 to 75 feet, which is enough for monitoring homes and small properties. Security cameras that can detect a person 75ft away are regarded as long-range security cameras, which are becoming increasingly popular for recognizing human faces or license plate numbers.
2. How far can a wireless security camera reach?
The reach of wireless security cameras varies according to their wireless technology, antenna quality, interference in the area, and other factors. On average, wireless security cameras can reach around 150 feet, while some devices can reach 350 to 500 feet.
3. How far can a security camera detect motion?
The motion detection range of security cameras typically ranges from 15 to 25 feet, which is shorter than their viewing range. However, some of the best security cameras can detect motion from up to 50 feet away and feature adjustable motion sensitivity.
Conclusion
Long-range security cameras have become increasingly common in the market. With upgraded camera lenses, people can clearly see 300ft or further away. If you need to protect a farm, ranch, or large property, investing in a long-range security camera from reputable brands may be the ideal solution.
