With IP66 waterproof design and sharp night vision, this 1920p high definition security camera can fit in almost every scene and stand guard keenly rain or shine.

Key Features:

• 5MP super high resolution

• Sharp night vision (up to 100 feet)

• Wide viewing angle (80°)

• IP66 Waterproof

• Built-in Microphone

• Easy PoE Configuration

• Instant motion alerts

Want to check out the security camera resolution examples? Skip to part 4 in this paragraph.

#2. Use Multiple High Resolution Security Cameras to Cover Large Areas

To determine which security camera resolution do you really need, consider the area that you want to cover as well.

Though a high definition security camera can capture images with great details, it may not cover every corner of your house since its field of view is limited.

So, if you plan to monitor a large area like the front of your house, a parking lot or the entrance of your store, it is best to install high resolution outdoor security systems like ZOSI 8TN-261W to monitor various spots, instead of applying a single fixed lens security camera.

This home security kit packs with four outdoor surveillance cameras, which allows you to monitor every desired concern of your house effortlessly.

Boasting 4K ultra high security camera resolution, this CCTV camera system is capable of capturing crisp images around the clock.

Key Features:

• 4K ultra high security camera resolution

• Sharp night vision (up to 100 feet)

• Wide viewing angle (97° for each IP camera)

• IP66 Waterproof

• Built-in Microphone

• Easy PoE Configuration

• Instant motion alerts

Check out the video sample below and see how clear the footage is (don’t forget to choose 2160p in the video quality).

Video Transcription

Two cars crashed into each at a crossroad and one even rolled over. This horrible accident was caught on the camera. Luckily, no one is seriously injured.

#3. Operate High Resolution Security Cameras over Stable Network

Another factor to look for when considering how many megapixels do you need for security cameras is the network status.

Higher resolution IP cameras will require more bandwidth when transmitting high quality images and videos. So, if your network is not fast and stable enough, your CCTV cameras may deliver videos in lower resolution.

Hold Up: Check out this post and learn more about the bandwidth requirement for megapixel security cameras.

#4. Watch Security Camera Resolution Examples & Reviews

Another way to examine the best resolution for outdoor security cameras is to look into the reviews from top tech media or true users and of course, the video samples that they attach as well.

Since others may set up surveillance cameras in various places, you are able to check the performance of security cameras with different resolution under multiple scenes and conditions, like rain or shine, indoors and outdoors, etc. before making a purchase.

Here we will take a 5MP IP security camera, ZOSI IPC-2612D, as an example.

First, you may take a look at the detailed review from top tech media like TechHive.com.

This is the verdict given by Michael, one of the contributors from the tech website:

“Given the system’s design, it seems best suited for serious surveillance of your business, the area around your home, or a remote property.”

Then you may take a look at the video sample captured by this high definition security camera (shared by a true user).

Video Transcription

A porch pirate got into someone’s porch, opened the storm door, grabbed a package and left in less than 20 seconds. Luckily, the package thief was soon identified with the footage posted to social media.

#5. Prepare Enough Storage Space for IP Security Cameras with High Resolution

Higher security camera resolution brings you better image quality, which on the other hand, require greater storage capacity as well.

So, to run high resolution CCTV cameras around your home, you’d better use multiple storage options to save video footage and back them up regularly.

If you neither have large storage space nor plan to enlarge the space, select security cameras with advanced compression formats and think twice before buying surveillance cameras with 4K+ ultra HD resolution.

Read More: Click here to learn how much storage space your CCTV cameras need.

Note: Security Camera Resolution Is Not the Only Contributor to Sharp Images

Believe it or not:

Security camera resolution is not the only factor that affects the videos that you finally see on a screen.

And here are some of the other factors that will make a difference to the image quality:

Focal Length:

The focal length of the lens determines how wide the viewing angle of a high resolution security camera will be. The longer focal length that your security camera has, the wider field of view you will get. However, that may end up with lesser details you will get in the longer distance.

So, if you want to monitor a large area like the front of your house, a crossroad or a parking lot, it is best to apply multiple fixed lens security cameras or a varifocal lens security camera with sharp image quality like ZOSI ZPTZ-B220W.

Sensor Size:

You will get more details in the images by using CCTV cameras with a smaller image sensor. For example, a security camera with a 1/3” image sensor produces a narrower field of view and images with greater details than one with a 2/3” image sensor.

Frame Rates:

By recording your security camera footage at a higher frame rate, you will get a smoother video without any blurry images. So, chances are higher that you can recognize the license plate or intruder’s face (and it may slow down your network as well).

Monitors:

The security camera resolution can be affected by the screen that you are looking at as well. In fact, most security cameras with high resolution will resize their stream display automatically to fit on a screen that doesn’t support a higher resolution.

For example, you wouldn’t be able to view the videos captured by a 5MP security camera on a monitor that supports 1080p only.

Installation Spots:

If you face high resolutions security cameras to the sun or any light sources directly, you will only get washed-out images without any details.

In addition, it is not a wise choice to install high resolution behind glass windows since the IR reflection may result in overexposed images, making it impossible to identify any details. (Check out this post and find the best installation spots for home security cameras.)

Hottest Questions on IP Security Camera Resolution (Answers Included)

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions on security camera resolution.

Read on to find the explicit answers in case you have the same questions.

#1. When Viewing a 4K Resolution Security Camera Remotely, Will the Videos Be Transmitted in 4K

The answer is yes, definitely.

Under most situations, the video of a 4K security camera will be transmitted into 4K when you monitor remotely under the stable network connection via your phones, PCs and even TVs & monitors, as long as they support 4K image format.

And this applies to 5MP, 4MP and 1080p CCTV cameras as well – videos can be transmitted in the highest resolution.

However, as explained earlier, if the network status is unstable, your 4K security cameras may transmit videos in lower resolution like 5MP or even 1080p.

#2. I Can’t Tell Different Security Camera Resolution Apart When Viewing on My Smartphone. Why

Some complaint that when they watch CCTV footage via cellphone, videos in 1080p and 5MP resolution look alike, making it hard to tell any difference.

Wait…are you fooled by the 5MP security cameras?

Of course, NOT!

That’s because the size of the screen may also affect the image that you finally see and screen on your smartphone is too small to show the differences in each resolution. So, you may think they are quite the same.

When you view security cameras with the different resolution on larger screens like TVs or PC monitors, you can tell the difference immediately: videos in higher resolution show more details than that with lower resolution when shown on bigger screens.

#3. Why Security Camera Resolution Is Lower Than That of Smartphones

Two major factors can explain: working time and storage.

Most security cameras record videos when they are triggered by motion or even throughout the day, while you only use the phone or camera to take photos and record videos when necessary.

So, the surveillance cameras can produce a large amount of video footage during the day, which requires a lot of storage space.

Meanwhile, the higher the resolution is, the larger the storage space a security camera needs.

With these factors combined, most users prefer security cameras with moderate and sufficient resolution at present.

Leave Your Ideas Below

What are the other things on security camera resolution that you concern the most? Do I miss anything important? Leave anything you can think of in the comment section and we will add them to the post as well!