Camera Buying & Setup Guide + Video Analytics Overview

Choosing and setting up security cameras has never been more important—or more confusing. Between resolution specs, lens types, storage options, network concerns, and a new wave of video analytics, buyers need a clear checklist to make practical choices. This guide walks you through what to look for when buying cameras, best practices for installation and configuration, and a non-technical overview of modern video analytics so you can get reliable recordings and useful alerts with minimal false alarms.

Camera buying guide: what matters and why

1. Use case first

   Home vs. business: Businesses often need higher reliability, multi-camera systems, and analytics (people counting, line crossing). Homes often prioritize ease-of-use and affordable cloud storage.

   Indoor vs. outdoor: Outdoor cameras must be weatherproof (IP65/IP66 or better) and resistant to temperature extremes.

2. Image quality: resolution, lens, and field of view

   Resolution: 1080p (2MP) is still fine for many uses; 4MP–5MP or 4K (8MP) gives more detail and cropping flexibility. Higher resolution increases bandwidth and storage needs.

   Lens & field of view (FOV): Wide-angle lenses cover more area but reduce detail at distance. Fixed lenses have a set FOV (e.g., 2.8mm = wide), varifocal lenses allow zoom adjustment during installation. Choose based on distance to target.

   Optical vs digital zoom: Optical preserves image quality; digital just crops and magnifies.

3. Low-light performance and night vision

   Starlight sensors or large image sensors perform better in low light than basic sensors.

   Infrared (IR) LEDs allow true night vision (black-and-white). Some cameras offer color night vision with low-light color sensors and supplemental lighting.

   WDR (wide dynamic range) helps handle scenes with both bright and dark areas (e.g., doorways with bright backgrounds).

4. Connectivity: wired, PoE, or Wi‑Fi

   PoE (Power over Ethernet): Reliable, single-cable power + data, preferred for professional installs.

   Wired (analog) systems still exist for NVR/DVR setups; IP cameras are standard now.

   Wi‑Fi: Easier installation but susceptible to interference, signal loss, and power outages; battery cameras are flexible but need charging and often rely on cloud services.

5. Power and backup

   Consider cameras with battery backup, or ensure power supply stability. For critical sites, use UPS for NVRs and