During initial construction, the design and size of a bullet camera closely resembled the structure of a gun muzzle. The purpose of the appearance was to make the camera discreet and less detectable than conventional box-style security cameras. Originally, they were very simple devices that were used to record and secure certain areas.
Over time, bullet cameras started to evolve. While their shape remained the same, the size changed dramatically. They can now be found in relatively large sizes. The purpose of the size change was to add more functionality and better picture quality. Extra features now offered with bullet cameras have made them one of the most versatile and popular security cameras on the market today.
Options Offered With Bullet Cameras
Long gone are the days of a simple recording camera. Now, bullet cameras can be used indoors or outdoors. They can record voices and surrounding sounds. They can record at night, during the day or in areas where no light is present. Some bullet cameras even have the ability to zoom in on objects up to 150 feet away.
Bullet cameras were not always manufactured for outdoor use. Now, nearly every bullet camera can be used outdoors. The encasing was altered to provide waterproof protection to the internal camera. Sadly, however, many outdoor bullet cameras are restricted in their viewing ability, only capable of viewing around 35 feet away. Still, in most settings and for most purposes, outdoor bullet cameras provide an ample amount of security protection.
Audio bullet cameras cannot be used in an outdoor setting. To allow for audio recording, the protective encasing had to be removed. This type of bullet camera can, however, provide an immeasurable benefit in some settings.
Varifocal bullet cameras are offered in a variety of models and are extremely beneficial in settings where distance viewing might be needed. Able to view up to 150 feet away, these are most commonly used in company parking lots and for traffic viewing.
Infrared bullet cameras are able to provide a clear image, even if there is no light present. When light is present, they are able to provide a clean, crisp image. In dim lighting, the picture quality is similar to that of a day/night camera during the day. This type of bullet camera can view, even in complete darkness, up to 30 feet away.
Disadvantages to Bullet Cameras
While bullet security cameras do provide a number of functions and benefits, they are not always the optimal choice. There are disadvantages and limitations that should be noted before purchasing a bullet camera.
In some settings, like shopping malls and department stores, a concealed focal point can prevent shoplifters from simply moving out of range of the camera’s viewing. The focal point of a bullet camera can be clearly seen, making them a poor choice in this type of setting.
If the camera is going to be placed in an area that could be subject to vandalism, unless the bullet camera is going to be mounted in a very high location, the bullet camera may not be the best option. While bullet cameras are designed to provide element protection, they are not strong enough to withstand abuse and vandalism.
Choosing the Right Bullet Camera
Not all bullet cameras are created equally and, depending on their intended purpose, some careful consideration may need to be made when selecting a bullet camera. In addition to the different types of bullet cameras and their purposes, pixels can play a big part in the level of security a bullet camera provides.
Say, for instance, that you are using your bullet camera to monitor your employee parking lot. One night, when everyone is leaving work, an intruder enters your parking lot and shoots one of your employees. To help solve the crime, you offer your camera footage. There’s only one problem – the resolution of your camera cannot pick up on exact facial features of the intruder or the license plate of the car they were driving. The best you can provide is the clothing they were wearing and the type of car they were driving.
What happened? While you can zoom in on the intruder, the resolution quality of the picture is compromised every time you zoom in. As a result, the picture becomes blurred. If you have ever seen footage from a convenience store camera, you understand just how poor the picture quality can become.
The best solution is to ensure that you have enough pixels for the type of security monitoring you need. If you are placing the camera in a doorway to ensure that you know the person at your door, you probably won’t need a high number of pixels. If, however, you want to be able to accurately monitor your business parking lot or identify a potential robber in your establishment, it is best to choose a higher number of pixels.