Security cameras are now a must-have for many households across the country. With one or even a few, you can keep your family and house safe from intruders and unwelcome guests. One major priority to consider when selecting a security camera is the image quality. In this post, we’ll explain what the best resolution for security cameras is and how it’s measured.
With security cameras, vision is everything. The best security cameras should offer crisp and clear image and video resolution. With clear resolution and images, we can clearly see everything that’s going on outside our home. We don’t want to be dealing with blurred images to the point of not recognizing any faces that come up to the front door.
As I was researching for security cameras to install around my home for safety measures, I realized there were so many resolutions security cameras offer. And I’m not going to lie, I was confused at first. But with enough research, I caught an understanding of the differences between these resolutions.
If you are as confused as I was and want to understand resolution in security cameras, I’ve got you covered below.
What is Security Camera Resolution?
Today’s security cameras boast of very high quality images and video resolution. Gone are the days that people have to settle for blurred details when zooming in on security camera footage and images. With today’s technological advancements, even more, budget-friendly cameras offer reliable resolution.
First, what is a security camera’s resolution?
Security camera resolution will simply tell you the video quality you can expect. Resolution is the total count of pixels that make up a video or image, and it’s measured by the height and width of the video or image.
A higher pixel rate number means a clearer and more detailed image and resolution. This means you can still get a clear and crisp image even when zooming.
The Best Resolution for Security Cameras
Generally, security cameras come with any of the following video resolutions:
| Security Camera Resolution | |
| 2MP | 1080p |
| 4MP | 1440p |
| 5MP | 1920p |
| 8MP | 2160p/4k |
As we’ve mentioned, the higher the pixel rating, the clearer and better the image and video resolution would be. Right below, we will be diving in on each resolution and explain the differences between each.
2MP (1080p)
2MP security cameras can produce a resolution of 1920 x 2160 pixels per unit. This has an aspect ratio of 16:9. This is the most common video and image resolution in most of today’s security cameras out in the market.
Though not the highest video resolution security cameras can offer, this provides clear enough images and footage for general purpose monitoring. This can fare well if you want to be monitoring your front door or backyard.
The one drawback to this specific resolution is it might have trouble dealing with finer and smaller details, especially if you’re zooming in from a distance.
This is also a great security camera resolution for people who don’t want to be spending tons on security measures but still want that extra blanket of security for their home.
4MP (1440p/2k)
4MP or 2K security cameras can produce a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels per unit. This has an aspect ratio of 16:9 and is one of more common security camera resolutions the market has to offer today.
Almost twice the size of a 2MP/1080p security camera, this produces a much clearer image and video resolution than the former.
With very high quality and very high-definition (HD) video resolution, this is capable of showing you far greater details, even at a distance. This can be installed anywhere in your home, from your front door to your backyard to your garage.
A much clearer video and image resolution, this is definitely pricier than a 2MP/1080p security camera. If you have the budget for it, we recommend getting this one instead of a 2MP/1080p camera.
5MP (1920p)
5MP security cameras are capable of producing a resolution of 2560 x 1920 pixels per unit. Unlike the rest of the security camera resolutions, this has an aspect ratio of 4:3.
5MP has, what many would consider, a super HD resolution. This is able to provide clear, crisp, and vivid images, even when you zoom in at a specific detail from afar.
It can be installed anywhere in your home. If you want to make sure you get clear images from your front door, your backyard, or your garage and driveway, this is a good way to go, especially if you’re willing to pay for it.
8MP (2160p/4k)
8MP or 4K security cameras have a high res rate of 3840 x 2160 pixels per unit. This has an aspect ratio of 16:9 as well.
Twice the resolution of a 4MP security camera, this has an ultra HD camera resolution. This offers very high quality and super clear and crisp images and video resolution.
8MP ultra HD cameras are able to provide you with greatly enhanced footage and images. Even things at a great distance, you can clearly see with great details.
Though these can absolutely be installed for home use, this is perfect for businesses. 8MP cameras are great if you’re planning on installing security cameras in large commercial spaces or a garage/parking lot.
As these are typically the highest resolution for most security camera manufacturers, they are not the most budget-friendly option. But if you want to ensure you can clearly see even the smallest details in times of accidents or a break-in, many find this worth the investment.
Which Security Camera Resolution is Right For You?
Now that we’ve gone through a deep dive on the different security camera resolutions, it’s time to determine which one is right for you.
All this talk about camera resolutions can often be confusing and at times daunting. If you’re still not sure which camera resolution you should go for, don’t worry because we’ll help you through it.
Your budget
One of the first things you want to factor in in looking for a security camera resolution is your budget. Security cameras with different video resolutions do not come in the same price range. Some are more budget-friendly while some are pricier.
Generally, the lower the video resolution is, the more budget-friendly it is. But with all the technological advances in the world of security and CCTV cameras, you won’t have to break the bank just to get clear and crisp images.
Because manufacturers aim to make security cameras and other security measures more accessible to everyone, even high quality resolution cameras aren’t that much expensive. Today’s IP security cameras are far more advanced than the traditional analog security cameras, but still won’t need you to spend too much.
If your budget allows it, it would be best to get one with ultra HD and the highest resolution. If you like to work with a certain budget and don’t want to splurge too much, a 2MP security camera is more budget-friendly but still provides good enough resolution.
What you want covered
The next thing to think about is what area you want to cover with your security camera and how big the area is.
If it’s for general security purposes only like keeping an eye on what’s happening around the house, even a security camera with a lower resolution should suffice.
But if you’re planning on installing a security camera to cover a big area like a business, a commercial space, or parking lot, it’s best to get one with a much higher resolution. The higher resolution will let you see details even at a distance.
Your internet connection
Before you decide to go for the highest resolution security camera, check your network/data connection speeds.
High resolution security cameras need a fast and strong connection for transmitting high video and image quality. The higher the resolution of your security camera is, the more it needs a more stable internet connection. Quality can be compromised with a poor connection.
Conclusion
Security cameras give home and business owners an extra blanket of security as it gives them eyes around the property to see whatever’s going on and notice intruders.
When it comes to security cameras, a good resolution is a must. With high quality images and videos, you can see details you need to see when it comes down to it. There are a variety of image and video resolutions most security cameras have to offer, commonly ranging from 2MP (1080p) to 8MP (2160p/4k).
Whichever resolution you choose would depend on a variety of factors including your budget, what you want covered, and the status of your internet connection.
And that has been our detailed guide on the best resolutions for security cameras!
