Want higher security camera resolution to read license plates or identify an intruder’s face?
You are not alone.
However, many said-to-be high definition security cameras may not offer the ideal resolution and their images even become blurry when you zoom in for more details.
So, to avoid buying the fake ones, your safest bet is to learn what is the best resolution for home security camera and how to choose security camera resolution before making a purchase. Let’s get going.
Security Camera Resolution (Part I)
Security Camera Resolution: Read This to Know More About High & Low Definition
“What is the best resolution for a security camera? What is a good resolution for a security camera?”
At present, high resolution has become a must-have feature for a quality security camera.
But how to measure a good resolution? Can you rely on the specification from product pages for good image quality?
What Is Security Camera Resolution
IP security camera resolution is the total number of pixels that make up an image, which is measured by the image width and height.
For example, the width and height of a 2MP image are 1920 and 1080 respectively. By multiplying these two figures together, you will get 2,073,600, which is the total number of pixels contained in the image.
Also, the height of an image is used to symbolize the resolution and thus, you can say 1080p resolution when talking about an image with 2 million pixels.
The most common resolution for home security camera in the market includes 2MP (1080p), 4MP (1440p), 5MP (1920p) and 8MP (4K/2160p).
Take the following security camera resolution comparison chart into account:
| Aspect Ratio | Pixels per Images | Image Size | Resolution |
| 16:9 | 2,073,600 | 1920×1080 | 1080p |
| 16:9 | 3,686,400 | 2560×1440 | 4MP (1440p) |
| 4:3 | 5,017,600 | 2560×1920 | 5MP (1920p) |
| 16:9 | 8,294,400 | 3840*2160 | 4K (8MP) |
Besides, these are the best resolution for home security cameras since such surveillance cameras can deliver stable and outstanding image quality day and night and are within the reach of virtually every budget.
Bonus: 1080p vs 4MP vs 5MP, Which to Choose
What are the differences among 1080p, 4MP (1440p) and 5MP (1920p) security cameras?
- Image Quality: Generally speaking, a 1440p (2K) security camera can record super HD videos, which is twice good as the 1080p (1K) one.
In terms of the 1920p, as you can see from the chart above, the horizontal pixels of 1440p and 1920p are the same but the latter has more pixels vertically. So, a 1920p IP security camera can produce images with more pixels than a 1440p one.
Simply put, a security camera with 5MP resolution can deliver better image quality than that with 4MP or 1080p resolution, especially when capturing objects in the distance.
- Live Stream Resolution: Also, you can live stream a 5MP security camera in 1920p, 1440p and 1080p resolution, a 1440p CCTV camera in 1440p, 1080p and 720p resolution and a 1080p surveillance camera in 1080p and 720p resolution.
- Field of View: Generally speaking, megapixel security cameras are packed with wide-angle lenses. Compared to 1080p security cameras, 4MP and 5MP ones have a wider field of view and thus, they can cover larger areas.
- Bandwidth & Storage Consumption: Most 5MP, 4MP and 1080p security cameras apply H.264 video standard. So, under the same compression standard, security cameras with higher resolution will take more bandwidth and storage space.
Analog Security Camera Resolution
Comparing to IP security camera resolution, analog security camera resolution is measured differently by the number of horizontal and vertical television lines (TVL) displayed in an image.
Why television lines?
Because the analog video technology is derived from the television industry and the highest resolution for a traditional analog security camera is “D1”, also called “4CIF”, entails 704*480 pixels.
Later, new video technology called analog high definition is applied to analog security cameras, making it possible for them to produce 720p and 1080p high resolution videos.
Here is an analog security camera resolution chart for your reference:
| Resolution | Image Size |
| QCIF | 176*120 |
| CIF | 352*240 |
| D1 (4CIF) | 704*480 |
| 960H | 960*480 |
| 720p AHD | 1280*720 |
| 1080p AHD | 1920*1080 |
To help you understand the resolution offered by IP cameras and analog camera, we have made up a picture as security camera resolution examples below.
Compared to IP security camera resolution, that of analog security is too low for you to read license plates or identify intruders’ faces.
Given that the price of high resolution security camera is becoming more affordable today, it is best to purchase IP cameras with sharper image quality for your home and business.
Have no idea which is the best resolution for home security cameras? Read on to learn more.
Adapted from Reolink
