Color Night Vision Security Cameras: What You Need to Know

Full-color night vision security cameras are one of the most widely used types of night vision surveillance cameras available. These cameras differ from traditional black-and-white cameras, as they provide true color images and videos, even in low-light conditions, making it easier to distinguish finer details like faces and license plates.

If you’re considering full-color night vision surveillance cameras, there are several key aspects you should be aware of, such as how these cameras operate, how they differ from regular night vision security cameras, and more.

How Does a Color Night Vision Security Camera Work?

Color night vision cameras are equipped with sensitive image sensors that are designed to capture both visible light and near-infrared light, providing better image quality even in low-light conditions.

The latest color night vision camera series by Zosi, the AuroraLux cameras, are a testament to this advancement. Equipped with a 1/1.8” sensor and F1.0 aperture, these cameras are capable of absorbing more light to produce clear and colorful images or videos in poorly-lit locations.

Conversely, regular cameras would shift to black-and-white mode automatically when the lighting conditions drop at night.

On the market, there are three main types of night vision security cameras: infrared security cameras, color night vision cameras, and starlight cameras. We have a detailed article on these various types, which you may access by clicking here for the ultimate guide to different types of night vision security cameras.

How to Choose Color Night Vision IP Camera?

So now you might be all set to buy a good color night vision IP camera for your house or office. But, there are some things that you need to consider before you make your pick. There are a lot of color night vision cameras available in the market these days and to make sure that you are making the right choice, here are the important factors that you need to consider:

1. Image Quality

If you are looking for an excellent outcome from the night vision security camera, then try using it on black and white mode. Yes, it will work in low light and provide you colored images too but black and white is more efficient. But, you can always look for starlight night color vision cameras as these sensors are more powerful and provide you an amazing image quality in color as well. So, try looking for starlight image sensors. This is where the aperture plays a crucial role as well. It is the main component which has to funnel the light into the lens. This might seem a bit ancient, but the truth is that a larger aperture will funnel in more light into the lens which will result in a better quality image or video. Thus, make sure that you do pay attention to the aperture as well.

2. Range coverage

Before you pick a color night vision camera, make sure that you know the range it is covering for you. Yet again, black and white cameras offer more coverage than the color night vision ones. But you always have different range coverage with every camera; so research before you buy.

3. Outdoor vs Indoor

Furthermore, you need to know that there are indoor and outdoor night vision security cameras available. It is best to research about both before you pick one. You might end up buying an indoor camera system if you are clueless. Research on your own so that you know what the retailer is showing you, is accurate. Moreover, do mention it again and again that you are looking for an outdoor night vision camera or an indoor one.

4. Storage

As the color night vision cameras have different modes and settings, then require more storage capacity as well. Thus, choose widely. If you are very concerned about the storage then the black and white vision might be good for you as it doesn’t have a lot of options.

5. Budget:

There are different types of color night vision security cameras and obviously the starlight sensor ones are more expensive than the regular ones. Thus, you need to see what fits in your budget and how much are you willing to spend.

Where To Place Color Night Vision Security Cameras

One helpful question to ask when considering color night vision security cameras is, “Where should I install them?”

This inquiry can help you determine the desired type of color night vision CCTV camera; whether indoor or outdoor.

Indoors:

For indoor infrared security cameras with Color Night Vision, never place the cameras behind glass windows, as this may result in washed-out and blurry images.

Additionally, if you decide to place the color night vision security cameras in your kids’ room, they might be frightened by the red glow at night.

Blocking the red circle of your color night vision security system with tape is not recommended as it will render the camera ineffective.
A feasible solution is to introduce an IR light that you can place anywhere in the room, allowing you to turn off the IR light on the color night vision camera.

Outdoors:

Outdoor color night vision security cameras should typically contain an IP 65 weatherproof rating, enabling them to withstand extreme heat or cold. (Additionally, check out security cameras that are capable of withstanding cold weather.)

It’s advantageous if wireless outdoor color night vision security camera systems come fitted with protective housing or skins.

This not only shields your camera from vandalism and natural disasters but also allows it to blend in with the environment and serve as a wireless hidden color night vision security camera.

Recommended Color Night Vision Security Cameras

Here are the top 2 picks for color night vision security cameras based on the above considerations.

1. Outdoor PoE Camera with AuroraLux True Color Night Vision – IPC-186

ZOSI all new IPC-186 low light security camera with AI human detection, color night vision and light and sound alerts, providing a more powerful and all-round way to protect your home and deter crimes.

Becoming the best pick for color night vision camera with 5MP QHD resolution seeing up to 80 feet in pitch-dark night. It also comes with 3 kinds of night vision modes: Infrared (black & white), full Color and Smart night vision mode. So you can customize your night vision mode via the App to suit all your needs at nighttime surveillance.

What’s more, with 12pcs powerful white LEDs and built-in siren, IPC-186 can emit strong flashing light and set off sound alert to deter the intruder.

Night vision specifications:

• Resolution: 5MP full HD
• Warm White LED: 12pcs
• IR Effective Distance: 80ft in total darkness, 130ft in ambient light
• Day/Night Mode: ICR infrared filter
• Viewing angle: 90°WDR (digital wide dynamic range): yes
• BLC (Backlight Compensation): yes
• HLC (Highlight Compensation): yes

2. Color Night Vision WiFi Camera with Pan Tilt Zoom – 1NC-296

This color night vision camera can offer a solid monitoring and protection for your home and business every day and night. Its 1080p full HD resolution, 100 feet night vision range, and 90°~100° wide viewing angle are just a few factors that makes up the perfect combination of this camera. Plus, it also combined with three night vision modes and intelligent alarm system.

What’s the most important is that, its ability to rotate 355° horizontally and 90° vertically and zoom in close, this PTZ camera has cleared up the blind spots and fulfill increased surveillance coverage especially for large areas without limitation.

Conclusion

Color night vision security cameras offer immense advantages by capturing true-color images and videos even in low-light conditions, providing exceptional clarity and detail that enables effortless identification of particular features such as faces and license plates.

When compared to standard night vision cameras that typically provide black-and-white images, color night vision cameras provide a more detailed and realistic surveillance experience. Understanding how these cameras function and their capabilities can significantly assist in making well-informed choices when selecting the ideal night vision security camera for your specific requirements.