By shape & function
The physical type decides where a camera fits and what it's good at.
- Dome — discreet, vandal-resistant, great for indoor ceilings and entrances.
- Bullet — long and visible, a strong deterrent with good range for outdoor walls and gates.
- Turret / eyeball — flexible aiming with less IR glare than a dome; a popular all-rounder.
- PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) — motorised to cover large areas and follow movement; ideal for yards and car parks.
- Fisheye / panoramic — one camera for a wide 180°/360° view of a room or area.
By technology — IP vs analog
Analog HD cameras (HD-TVI, AHD, HD-CVI) run over coaxial cable to a DVR — the economical route at 2MP, good for homes and small shops.
IP (network) cameras run over your network with PoE — one cable for power and data, resolutions from 4MP to 4K, and on-camera AI. They're the better base for offices, larger homes and commercial sites.
Wired vs wireless
Wired (especially PoE) is the most reliable for continuous 24/7 recording. Wireless/Wi-Fi is ideal where cabling isn't practical — rented homes, awkward spots — and battery/solar or 4G cameras work where there's no mains or internet.
Special features worth knowing
A few features change what footage you actually get, especially at night.
- ColorVu / full-colour night — colour footage in low light instead of black-and-white IR.
- AI person/vehicle detection (AcuSense/WizSense) — cuts false motion alerts.
- ANPR/LPR — reads and logs vehicle number plates at gates.
- Varifocal / motorised zoom — adjust the field of view without swapping the camera.