If you are considering a home and Business CCTV security system, then you will be faced with the choice between several different types of the camera like a bullet vs dome camera, turret vs dome camera, etc. Each camera comes with its benefits and limitations, making the selection an important factor in getting the best security system for your home.
Whether it is a home or a business, installing surveillance security camera system can be one of the smartest moves you make. Along with recording video of any incident in the event of a crime, cameras also act as one of the most effective crime deterrents. When a person knows that they could be caught on video, they are much more likely to think twice before committing a crime.
Once you have decided to protect your property with a security camera system, you will have some decisions to make. One of these decisions is the type of camera you will use in different locations. In the security systems industry, the two most common designs are dome cameras and bullet cameras. Both can work to provide enhanced security systems for businesses and homes, but there are some differences. In this article, we are going to express a compare between bullet vs dome camera.
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Dome Camera vs Bullet Camera: Which Features Are Best?
- Appearance
- Installation
- Resolution
- Lighting
- Adjustments
- Range
- Obvious or Stealthy
Difference Between Dome and Bullet Camera
1. Appearance
With bullet vs dome camera, you can get a clue as to how they look from their names. With dome cameras, the camera is housed in a transparent dome cover. With the bullet cameras, you have a design that looks similar to that of a bullet.
While dome vs bullet camera difference in appearance might seem superficial, it can make a difference depending on your security goals. Dome security cameras are usually less noticeable, so they are preferred for locations where the owner wants the cameras to blend in with the surroundings. Bullet cameras are a little more obvious, so they are the better option for when you want the maximum deterrent effect.
2. Installation
Both of these camera designs score well for ease of installation. Dome cameras can be a little more complicated to install, but if you hire a professional security camera installer, they will have no problem working with either type. Both designs can be installed on walls or ceilings, and you can find dome cameras and bullet cameras that will work for indoor and outdoor use.
As an additional benefit, you can find both bullet cameras and dome cameras that work wirelessly. If you are looking for the easiest installation option, wireless cameras are the way to go. With no need to run a wire from a DVR or control panel, you can set a wireless camera up at almost any location, and it will save a lot of time on the installation.
3. Resolution
Mindless of the type of camera you use for home or business security, you no longer have to worry about low-resolution cameras that capture grainy video. Security camera technology has come a long way, and you can now find cameras of every design that capture video in HD.
You can find both bullet and dome security cameras that record in 720p, 1080p and even 4k resolution. While going with 1080p or 4k might seem appealing, 720p is probably enough for most homes and businesses. It will provide video that is clear enough for almost all practical purposes. Furthermore, the 720p recording will take up less storage space.
4. Lighting
Another common concern with CCTV cameras is how well they work in low-light conditions. Fortunately, you can find bullet and dome cameras that work well in the dark. That said, there are some differences in the way different cameras may compensate for low-light conditions.
When it comes to security surveillance cameras solutions, the two most common options for recording clear images in the dark is to use infrared LEDs or to use some image intensifier to amplify the ambient light. You also have some cameras that use a combination of the two technologies.
5. Adjustments
Bullet cameras are better when it comes to the ability to adjust the field of view. This goes back to how they install. With a dome camera, the camera itself mounts to the wall or ceiling. On the other hand, bullet cameras have a mounting arm that fixes to the wall or ceiling, and then the camera is attached to the arm.
If you need to make any significant adjustments to the field of view of a dome camera, you are going to have to take it down and remount it to change what it sees. With a bullet camera, you can usually pivot the arm or adjust the way the camera is seated on the arm to change the view.
6. Range
The range of a camera is not an effect of the body design. When it comes to the range of a camera, it has more to do with the lenses and the security camera image sensor.
For the most part, you can find dome and bullet cameras that have a comparable range. That said, the housing design of a bullet camera makes it easier to accommodate larger lenses, and it also makes it easier to build in a more effective optical zoom. For the average property, this won’t be necessary, but if you do need the camera to record an area that is far away, you would be better off with a bullet camera designed for working at long distances.
7. Obvious or Stealthy
As I mentioned before, bullet cameras tend to be more prominent, so they work as a better deterrent. Dome IP cameras tend to be less noticeable, so they are better for when you do not want the cameras to stand out. This makes dome cameras suitable for when you don’t want the fact that you are recording to be obvious, but there is another consideration.
Even when people can see the cameras, do you want them to know exactly where the device is recording? With a bullet camera, the field of view is obvious to any observer. You look at the camera, and you can see where it covers. With a dome camera, it is less obvious. Unless you get close to the camera, it can be hard to tell if you are in its field of view or not.
At Cornerstone Protection, we design and install security camera systems that are customized to the needs of the client. Contact now to discuss with one of our security systems professionals.
