No doubt that security nowadays has become an essential need. One way to make sure that property owners have peace of mind is by installing different types of security cameras in their homes or businesses.
With all the security cameras floating around in the market, it is crucial that you choose the best one.
Dome cameras vs. Bullet Cameras, which did I choose? Dome cameras take the win for me because it’s cheaper than the bullet camera, and it has a vandal-proof encasing feature. It also has a sleek design where you can easily place it on a wall or ceiling, making it discreet and unnoticeable by other people.
Never neglect your security by choosing a camera that’s not right for your needs. I took the liberty of comparing dome cameras and bullet cameras to see which is the best one to use.
This article will talk about the features of each camera as well as the disadvantages that they bring. It will also talk about five dome cameras and five bullet cameras that are a hit in the market today.
The following table shows a comparison of the different features of dome cameras and bullet cameras:
| Bullet Cameras | Dome Cameras | |
| Installation | ✅ | |
| Design | ✅ | |
| Visibility | ✅ | |
| Vision Range | ✅ | |
| Vandal Proof | ✅ | |
| Easy Maintenance | ✅ | |
| Price | ✅ |
All About Bullet Cameras
Bullet cameras are named because of their distinct cylindrical shape that looks like a bullet rifle shell, and the smaller version of the bullet cameras are known as lipstick cameras. These cameras are designed for areas that have insufficient light and where lighting equipment cannot be installed at night. If you are monitoring a particular position or movement, this is the best camera to use.
Bullet cameras are some of the commonly used cameras in different properties. The best features of these types of cameras are their range and installation. It can be installed both indoors and outdoors, making them ideal for viewing large areas. The installation process is easy because of the shape of the camera.
The camera has a small lip in its tip, which helps protect against glare and weather, making it great for the outdoors. Bullet cameras are commonly used in parking lots, airports, traffic intersections, hallways, schools, hotels, manufacturing sites, gas stations, hospitals, and libraries.
Pros of Bullet Cameras
Installation
Bullet cameras are easy to install because of their ball joint mounts. The installation process is pretty simple, and the only tool that you will be needing is a hand drill. The first step that you will be doing is to tape the drill template on the wall. Then, drill the three screws on the holes indicated on the template.
Once that’s done, drill a snug hole for the cabling of the camera. The hole should be just right so you can place the cable through. When that’s done, push the cabling through the hole and hammer in the screw anchors on the holes you made on the second step.
You can leave the drill template on the wall or just peel it off when you’re done. The next step is to connect the cable to the camera and push the cable into the wall. Make sure to line up the camera’s screw holes with the holes you have drilled earlier into the wall. Then, unscrew the camera from the base.
Install the screws on the holes, and once that’s done, twist the camera back to its base. Aim the camera where you want and plug it into your NVR (network video recorder). Then, test your camera on the feed to see if everything is okay.
There you go! You have installed your bullet camera on the wall with just a few easy steps.
Long Range Vision
Bullet cameras have a much longer range compared to other cameras making them great for the outdoors. The ideal position for these cameras is in the parking lots or backyards. The field of view of bullet cameras is narrow, yet the camera’s shape allows for a larger lens. Due to its narrow viewing, you can view clear images from a distance.
Imagine looking into binoculars; that’s precisely how the bullet cameras work. These cameras are also great at capturing clear images of people and license plates at a distance, making it easy to identify different objects whenever a person is looking back through particular footage.
Types of Bullet Cameras
There is a wide range of bullet cameras in the market. The following are the different types of bullet cameras that you can buy.
Mini Bullet Camera
These cameras are easy to install and provide a shorter distance while having wider viewing angles. It has a mounting bracket that allows the camera to have flexible positions for creating the perfect viewing angle. The mini bullet cameras are perfect for entrances and smaller areas outside of buildings.
Pant-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) Bullet Cameras
The PTZ bullet cameras are great if you want to monitor large areas because they can adjust the zoom and direction of the lens. Depending on the model, these cameras have flexible viewing angles since the camera’s body can be positioned in any direction because of its mobility of the mounting bracket.
This camera is perfect for building exteriors, parking lots, or where you want to cover wide areas.
Outdoor Bullet Cameras
Outdoor bullet cameras are effective in deterring vandalism and theft because of how visible they are. Due to the exposed mounting arms, outdoor bullet cameras are easier to access and are more prone to be tampered with. This is great for viewing footage recorded at night due to its infrared feature. It can support extended distance images at night.
IP Bullet Cameras
The IP Bullet cameras can be connected via Ethernet or a Wi-Fi connection. Depending on the system, this camera will either connect to a DVR system or connect directly to the internet for cloud-based storage and access. However, this camera may lead to more significant potential for vulnerabilities with on-site access, port forwards, out-of-date software, and an insecure ecosystem.
Analog Bullet Cameras
These are also known as a bullet CCTV camera (closed-circuit television). These cameras rely on recorders like DVRs where the footage is recorded via coaxial cables and require all cameras to be directly connected. It may be considered a safe solution, but there are other things that you need to take note of.
It comes with accessible recording hardware that may be vulnerable to threats. A port forwarding and opening firewalls should have remote access to footage required.
Cons of Bullet Cameras
Since bullet cameras are visible and not easy to hide in an environment, it is easy to vandalize. Due to its flexibility in repositioning, anyone can move the camera at different angles. You would also need additional brackets to hide the main cable, and there is no auto-rotate feature.
Infrared bullet cameras are not ideal for places where there are reflective surfaces. Also, transmission problems may occur on wireless bullet cameras. Due to its shape, outdoor nature can lead to small birds building nests around the devices.
Since they are easy to spot, criminals may be able to damage them by throwing objects, reposition them manually, or interfere with the camera’s ability to record. When this happens, evidence of an indicant could go unrecorded, which can be a huge setback to any attempt at an investigation.
All About Dome Cameras
Dome cameras have a circular, dome shape, thus the name. The security camera is encased in a transparent protective dome. Dome cameras are perfect for indoors, outdoors, as well as many businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and retail stores. Due to its discrete design, it is difficult to determine where the camera is pointing, which makes it a significant feature of the camera.
They are also durable and resistant to vandalism as an encasing protects the camera lens. Vandal-proof dome cameras are encased with durable covers that are resistant to any act of vandalism. Unlike the bullet camera, where it can be easily damaged or repositioned, dome cameras have a sturdy metal casing that prevents the said events.
The dome cameras’ shape provides a wider angle since the lens moves while the bullet camera only points in one direction.
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Advantages of Dome Cameras
Installation
Installation of dome cameras is slightly more challenging than bullet cameras since they must be installed on a wall or a ceiling. You must screw straight up, which can lead to dust falling in your eyes. The installation also includes screwing, just like the bullet camera.
Dome cameras come with a drill template where you can place them on the mounting surface you prefer. Once that’s done, drill the mounting points as well as the home to run the cable through the wall, if needed. Use the appropriate drill bit for the surface that you are mounting the camera to.
Next, mount the electrical box and be sure to use the proper fastener for your application. Then, you can run the cable to the electrical mount box and install the weatherproof connector. Connect the cameras to the cable drop and mount the camera to the electrical mounting box.
When that’s done, you can position the camera and reinstall the dome cover. You have to take note that before installing the dome cover, make sure to remove any residue such as fingerprints, dust, grease, etc. You can use a lint-free cloth to clean the lens. Now, you have correctly installed your dome cameras!
If you are unable to do this on your own, you can always hire professionals to get the job done. Installation usually costs an additional $75 for each camera that needs to be installed. It might be a great idea to call professional installers for cameras that need to be mounted on the ceiling.
Available in All Shapes and Sizes
Dome cameras offer a variety of shapes, sizes, and angles. Some dome cameras have night vision, while others have pan-tilt-zoom features as well as motion sensors. These types of cameras can be placed anywhere, from cross-roads to parking lots to anyone’s backyard. It also offers a wide-angle camera, which provides a maximized viewing area.
When equipped with the proper sensors, it can act as a panoramic surveillance camera.
More Discreet
The dome cameras are perfect in blending with the surroundings and are best for interior use. Most people install these cameras in front doors, churches, or anywhere visitors may not anticipate surveillance cameras. With the simple design, it tends to go unnoticeable. It also has a low profile nature where it would be hard to be vandalized by other people.
Disadvantages of Dome Cameras
Of course, there’s no perfect technology. Dome cameras come with different disadvantages, such as when it is not appropriately positioned, it would be hard to fix. If you want to reposition it, the camera should be reinstalled, and the same thing goes for changing locations. Vandal-proof dome cameras are way more difficult to disable.
Unlike the bullet camera, dome cameras have a shorter range. These types of cameras need higher maintenance than bullet cameras. It would be best if you made sure to schedule daily or weekly cleaning to keep the cameras clean because it is easy to get dirty.
As mentioned above, the installation process can be challenging, which makes it another disadvantage.
Different Types of Dome Cameras
PTZ Dome Cameras
These dome cameras make it possible to monitor large areas because of the ability to adjust zoom and the lens’s direction remotely. Security buyers are looking for security cameras that can be highly rugged, flexible, and have the ability to be controlled directionally.
These cameras are perfect for parking lots and guard stations where security personnel have the ability to move the camera from different angles.
Outdoor Dome Cameras
The outdoor dome cameras are perfect in avoiding voiding vandalism, preventing theft, and capturing footage of suspicious behaviors. You need to make sure to find outdoor dome cameras that have infrared features for night vision. Also, you need to look out for waterproof outdoor dome cameras that can withstand any weather condition.
PoE Dome Cameras
Power over the Ethernet dome cameras has a plug and play installation. This requires a single ethernet cable to power and connect to connect it to the network. Since ethernet cables are already distributed all over the house, it will be an easy installation. When it comes to installing this type of dome camera, you don’t need additional wires for it to work.
4K Dome Cameras
These types of cameras are usually used indoors and in places that require high-resolution images. 4K dome cameras are perfect for places where security cameras should be discreet such as retail stores. In comparison to 3K cameras, these 4K dome cameras can record up to eight megapixels making the images clear and crisp.
Different Bullet Cameras in the Market – Features & Prices
Here are some of the different bullet cameras you can find in the market, and the following will discuss their features and prices.
Reolink 6 Cameras
The Reolink bullet camera kit comes with six cameras. The ONVIF-conformant system can support up to eight cameras. However, the kit only comes with six. This system is a PoE bullet camera where you can just plug and play. You can see up to 100 feet in darkness with a powerful infrared LED.
It has a quick remote access and playback feature where you can control the whole system remotely through a mobile app. You can also customize specific zones to minimize any false alerts. It will send you an email with photos and a 30-second video when it detects any movement in your property.
The package includes 8CH NVR and six PoE cameras, 48V NVR adaptor, USB mouse, 18M Cat5 cable, 1M Cat5 Cable, 1M HDMI cable, and a quick start guide brochure. The cost of this bullet camera is $499.99.
Reolink 5 Cameras
This Reolink kit has the same features as the one above. However, it only has five cameras included in the package. Reolink has customer support available 24/7 if you have any issues or concerns about your camera.
The package includes 8CH NVR and six PoE cameras, 48V NVR adaptor, USB mouse, 18M Cat5 cable, 1M Cat5 Cable, 1M HDMI cable, and a quick start guide brochure. The cost of this bullet camera is $399.99.
Anpviz
The Anpviz is another PoE bullet camera kit that has five cameras included in the package. It has a 5MP super HD resolution that provides detailed and clear images. It can detect images 100 feet during the night with a 2.8mm lens for a wider field of view. The Anpviz also has stable wiring and digital signal.
You can remotely access the camera via a free app with motion detection alerts. You can also set up zones to avoid any false notifications. It has a two-year warranty and has a 90-day money-back guarantee. The cost of this bullet camera kit is $338.
Amcrest
The Amcrest bullet camera will provide you a 4K resolution experience with a low light capability utilizing its latest Sony Starvis image sensor. It has smarter security where you would receive motion alerts and review footage via your mobile phone with the Amcrest app.
It is also built for different weather conditions as well as day and night. This bullet camera has a heavy-duty metal weatherproof housing with infrared lighting great for night vision. It has 131 feet vision during the night with an 8MP quality.
When you have a storage subscription, it will allow you to store your videos through a third party off-site location automatically. You can also access the footage through a web-based Flash interface for PC (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge) and its app.
The Amcrest outdoor bullet camera costs $94.99.
Kingkong Smart
The KingKong Smart bullet camera has a 5MP HD resolution with 100 feet night vision. This camera is part of the PoE plug and play system where all you need is a Cat5 cable for both power and data transmission. When the camera detects movement, it will instantly send a notification via email and push notifications.
The camera uses a heavy-duty metal housing that can withstand any weather conditions, making it perfect for the outdoors. It also has audio that can reach up to 15 feet. It supports Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows XP operating systems. However, there are no available SD card slots available.
The cost for the KingKong Smart bullet camera is $45.99.
Five Dome Cameras in the Market – Features & Prices
Here are some of the dome cameras that you can find in the market, and the following will discuss the features and prices of each camera.
Hikvision DS
The Hikvision DS has a four-megapixel high resolution with 1080p full HD video. With this dome camera, it has dual video streams with a three-axis adjustment. The infrared night vision can reach up to 30m (90 feet). It also comes with a built-in micro SD slot up to 128GB. You can also configure zones and adjust them according to the location that you want to view.
Aside from that, it has motion detection and tampering alarm notifications that will be sent to you. The package comes with four sets of screws plus the camera itself, but the power supply is not included. The cost for the Hikvision DS is $114.
TRENDnet
Another excellent choice for a dome camera is the TRENDnet with 4MP HD video with 20fps. The motorized varifocal lenses are adjustable to 2.18 to 12mm. The TRENDnet dome cameras are perfect for home and commercial purposes. It’sIt’s night vision can reach up to 98 feet. It also has 120dB wide dynamic range image balancing.
It also has full feature support with internet explorer. However, it has limited features with Google Chrome and Firefox. It is also under the category of PoE cameras where you can just plug and play the dome cameras, which also lessens the cost of installation fees.
The package contains the camera itself, an installation guide, and the camera mounting hardware. The cost of this camera is $199.99.
Eversecu
The Eversecu dome camera has 1080p video with 25fps and humanoid recognition intrusion detection. When a target is detected with the auto-tracking function, the camera will automatically rotate towards the targeted position. The eight high-quality infrared lams support low-light or backlighting.
With the Eversecu, you can have clear images and a waterproof design. It is also compatible with Blue Iris, Security Spy, Milestone, Geovision, Synology, and QNAP. It is also considered a PoE dome security camera where you can just plug and play the camera.
This dome camera also has remote access via free-app with easy viewing on iPhone, iPad, Android devices, and PC. The cost of this camera is $179.99.
Infityle
Infityle is a solar security camera where it is 100% Wi-Fi free. It runs on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and stays fully charged with a solar panel. It also has a multi-view angle that’s adjustable with a pan-tilt-zoom wireless IP. Night vision is also available with four pieces of white LED lights and two pieces of infrared lights.
When it comes to storage, you have two options, which are SD cards and cloud storage. You will also get free cloud storage for 30 days. The package includes a solar panel, universal bracket, accessories, and instructions. The cost of the Infityle dome camera is $135.99.
Reolink
The Reolink comes with a four-piece outdoor camera kit. It provides a stunning HD display that displays 2560 × 1920 HD detailed images. You can expect crystal clear images both day and night. It has a PoE plug and plays a system with 60 feet network cables that allow for easy installation.
It provides stable wiring and a digital signal that will not lose its quality even though it is connected via an IP network. The Reolink has a pre-installed 2TB hard drive, and users can add a 4TB hard drive via the camera’s SATA port. With the free Reolink app, you can playback videos on any smart device.
The package includes an eight-inch NVR, four 5MP PoE camera, 48V NVR adaptor, USB mouse, 1M Cat5 bale, 1M HDMI cable, and a quick start guide brochure. The price for this dome camera kit is $399.99.
Conclusion
The perfect security solution for your property is to have a mix of bullet and dome cameras. However, for me, the better choice is the dome camera because it is discreet and has a vandal-proof feature that you can take advantage of. Knowing the right factors for your security cameras is vital for you to have peace of mind.
If you’re enjoying this article then why not check out these related articles after finishing this one:
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