--- title: "CCTV Camera Guide: Which Camera for Which Job | SPS Technical" url: https://sps-technical.com/services/cctv/camera-guide description: "Turret, dome, bullet, panoramic, PTZ, thermal and ANPR cameras explained: what each does, where it works best and the detail you need." lang: en-GB --- Image: Commercial CCTV camera (https://sps-technical.com/img/opt/11edfd56d_ChatGPTImageJun22202610_46_35PM7.webp) 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. Book a free site survey: https://sps-technical.com/contact#type=survey Back to the CCTV hub: https://sps-technical.com/services/cctv 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 Ask about turret cameras for your site (https://sps-technical.com/contact#type=survey) 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 Ask about dome cameras for your site (https://sps-technical.com/contact#type=survey) 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 Ask about bullet cameras for your site (https://sps-technical.com/contact#type=survey) 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 Ask about 180° panoramic cameras for your site (https://sps-technical.com/contact#type=survey) 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 Ask about ptz (pan-tilt-zoom) cameras for your site (https://sps-technical.com/contact#type=survey) 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 Ask about thermal cameras for your site (https://sps-technical.com/contact#type=survey) 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 Ask about anpr number plate cameras for your site (https://sps-technical.com/contact#type=survey) 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. 1 ### Detect About 25 px/m See that a person or vehicle is there. 2. 2 ### Observe About 62 px/m See what someone is doing and how they are dressed. 3. 3 ### Recognise About 125 px/m Recognise someone you already know. 4. 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. FAQs ## Camera questions ### How close does a camera need to be to identify someone? 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. ### Will my cameras work at night? 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. ### Do you offer NDAA-compliant cameras? Yes. For public-sector and high-security sites we supply NDAA-compliant cameras and recorders. ### How do I know my CCTV is actually recording? 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. CCTV Storage and Retention Calculator How much recorder storage you need for 30 days or more, and how many days your current recorder should hold. Start the tool: https://sps-technical.com/tools/cctv-storage-calculator CCTV Health Check A five-minute check of recording, footage retention, camera views and maintenance, with an instant result. Start the tool: https://sps-technical.com/tools/cctv-health-check ## Not sure which cameras you need? We'll survey your site and recommend the right camera for every position. 01482 226570: +441482226570 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.org (https://www.ssaib.org/) ### BAFE SP203-1 Certificate 104302 · Organisation ID 303286 Fire alarm design, installation, commissioning and maintenance to BS 5839-1 Verify at bafe.org.uk (https://www.bafe.org.uk/) ### ISO 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. 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