BS EN IEC 62676-4:2025Current
CCTV design and image detail
Agree what each camera is for before it is fitted: detect, observe, recognise or identify.
What BS EN IEC 62676-4 means for you →
CCTV camera guide
Which CCTV Camera for Which Job?
Turret, dome, bullet, panoramic, PTZ, thermal and ANPR cameras explained: what each does, where it works best and the typical features to expect. Brand-neutral advice from local engineers.
Camera finder
Which CCTV camera is right for your site?
Choose a camera type to see what it does, where it works best and the typical features to expect. We confirm the right mix for every position at a free site survey.
Illustration. We install and maintain all leading brands.
Our most-fitted camera
Turret cameras
A compact, adjustable camera for walls and ceilings, inside or out. There is no glass dome, so there is no infrared glare at night, which gives the clearest all-round picture for most commercial sites.
- 4–6MP typical
- Infrared to about 30m
- Person and vehicle detection
- IP67 weatherproof
- Built-in mic option
- Best for
- Entrances, offices, yards
- Typical range
- Identifies a face to about 6m with a 2.8mm lens
- Watch out for
- Wider lenses trade distance for coverage
Illustration. We install and maintain all leading brands.
Discreet and vandal-resistant
Dome cameras
The lens sits behind a tough dome, so it is hard to see where the camera is pointing and hard to tamper with. Motorised zoom versions can be adjusted remotely after installation.
- 5MP typical
- Remote zoom
- Infrared to about 30m
- IK10 vandal-rated
- Best for
- Receptions, corridors, public areas
- Typical range
- 2.8–12mm motorised zoom
- Watch out for
- The dome needs keeping clean to avoid night-time glare
Illustration. We install and maintain all leading brands.
Visible deterrent
Bullet cameras
A clearly visible camera with long-range night vision. Used along fence lines, building elevations and car parks where you want people to know they are being recorded.
- 4–6MP typical
- Long-range infrared
- Person and vehicle detection
- IP67 weatherproof
- Best for
- Perimeters, car parks
- Typical range
- Infrared typically 30–80m
- Watch out for
- Easier to knock or spray than a dome
Illustration. We install and maintain all leading brands.
One camera, wide view
180° panoramic cameras
Two lenses stitched into one seamless 180° picture, replacing two or three standard cameras on a corner or open area. Many include lights, a siren and a speaker for two-way talk.
- About 8MP stitched
- 180° view
- Infrared and warm light
- Two-way talk
- Best for
- Building corners, playgrounds, yards
- Typical range
- 180° coverage, infrared to about 25m
- Watch out for
- A wide view means less detail at distance
Illustration. We install and maintain all leading brands.
Large open areas
PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) cameras
One camera that pans, tilts and zooms to follow activity across a yard or car park. Auto-tracking versions lock on to a person or vehicle and follow them automatically.
- 25x optical zoom
- Infrared to about 150m
- Auto-tracking
- IP67 / IK10
- Best for
- Yards, depots, estates
- Typical range
- 25x zoom, infrared up to about 150m
- Watch out for
- It only sees where it is pointing
Illustration. We install and maintain all leading brands.
Detection in darkness
Thermal cameras
Detects people and vehicles by body and engine heat, so it works in total darkness, fog and smoke. Many also detect overheating and fire. Paired with a standard lens for a usable image.
- Works in total darkness
- Person and vehicle detection
- Heat and fire detection
- IP66–67
- Best for
- Perimeters, remote and high-risk sites
- Typical range
- Tens to hundreds of metres
- Watch out for
- Not for identifying faces
Illustration. We install and maintain all leading brands.
Vehicles and access
ANPR number plate cameras
Reads number plates at entrances and exits, checks them against your lists and can open a barrier for approved vehicles. Available across most leading camera manufacturers.
- Lane-specific lens
- Infrared for plates at night
- Allow and block lists
- Best for
- Car parks, gates, yards
- Typical range
- Plates to about 30m at up to 70mph
- Watch out for
- Camera angle and lighting are critical
We install and maintain cameras from all leading manufacturers, including NDAA-compliant ranges for public-sector and high-security sites.
Image detail
How much detail do you need?
Every camera position is designed for a purpose. We agree the purpose of each one at survey, then choose the camera, lens and position to match.
-
1
Detect
About 25 px/m
See that a person or vehicle is there.
-
2
Observe
About 62 px/m
See what someone is doing and how they are dressed.
-
3
Recognise
About 125 px/m
Recognise someone you already know.
-
4
Identify
About 250 px/m
Identify a stranger beyond reasonable doubt. SPS designs these views to 120% screen height.
Pixels per metre (px/m) is the amount of image detail across one metre of the scene.
Standards that apply
The standards behind choosing CCTV cameras
The British Standards and laws we work to, in plain English. Each one links to a summary page with the current edition and the official source.
UK GDPR / DPA 2018Current
UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 for CCTV and access control
Put up clear signs saying CCTV is in use, who runs it and how to contact them.
What UK GDPR means for you →Got a question about choosing CCTV cameras?
Ask the Standards Library. Answers come only from our library and quote their sources.
Try one of these:
Answers come only from our standards library and quote their sources. They are general guidance, not advice for a specific building, and are produced automatically, so check the source before relying on them. Please don't include names or personal details in your question.
Editions checked 12 October 2026 by the SPS Technical team.
FAQs
Camera questions
Long-standing Home Office guidance is that a person should fill at least 100% of the screen height to be identified; modern standards express this as about 250 pixels per metre. SPS designs identification views to 120%. We agree the purpose of each camera (detect, observe, recognise or identify) at survey.
Yes. Cameras switch to infrared black and white in the dark, or stay in colour where there is enough light or the camera has its own white light. For evidence-quality footage at night we often recommend extra lighting or colour-at-night cameras.
Yes. For public-sector and high-security sites we supply NDAA-compliant cameras and recorders.
With remote health monitoring, your system is checked every hour. If recording stops, a camera goes offline or a hard drive starts failing, we are alerted and act on it, rather than you finding out when you need the footage.
Free tools
Check your CCTV in a few minutes
No account needed. Results are indicative only.
Not sure which cameras you need?
We'll survey your site and recommend the right camera for every position.
Accreditations
Why trust SPS Technical
Independently certified, working to British Standards. Check every accreditation on the official register.
SSAIB
Registration HUMB018
Intruder alarms to PD 6662, CCTV to SSAIB Code of Practice SS2003, access control to SS2002, and fire alarm systems
Verify at ssaib.orgBAFE SP203-1
Certificate 104302 · Organisation ID 303286
Fire alarm design, installation, commissioning and maintenance to BS 5839-1
Verify at bafe.org.ukISO 9001 and ISO 14001
1208-QMS-001 · 1208-EMS-001
Quality and environmental management, certified by Alcumus ISOQAR. ISO 9001 held since 1997
Safety and procurement
CHAS-0004703 · Constructionline 92018 · SafeContractor PE5040
SSIP health and safety approval, procurement registration and Paxton Gold Installer status
Police-response intruder alarms
For intruder alarms, SPS Technical is an approved installer of police-response systems with the following forces, so your intruder alarm can be issued a police Unique Reference Number (URN) under the NPCC Police Requirements for Security Systems.
- Humberside Police
- Lincolnshire Police
- North Yorkshire Police
- South Yorkshire Police
- West Yorkshire Police
- Nottinghamshire Police
- Derbyshire Constabulary
- Greater Manchester Police
Police approval applies to intruder alarms only.
Since 1992
Established in Hull
1,750+
Systems maintained
2,850+
Scheduled service visits a year
4
Regional offices: Hull, Grimsby, Lincoln, Sheffield
Trusted across universities, NHS and healthcare, local authorities, schools and academy trusts, logistics and industrial sites, transport, and stadiums and venues.
Reviewed by the SPS Technical team · Last updated October 2026
Full accreditation details