Define the job before comparing resolution
A camera for checking a garden, reading a license plate, streaming a distant landscape, and monitoring a shop entrance needs different optics and storage. Start with subject distance, required detail, viewing angle, available power, network path, and whether recording must continue during an outage.
- Wide overview: prioritize usable field of view and distortion control.
- Distant subject: prioritize optical zoom or the correct fixed focal length.
- Identification: judge pixels on target and shutter performance, not megapixels alone.
Weather resistance is an installation system
An IP rating describes tested enclosure resistance, not the quality of cable joints, power supplies, wall penetrations, or mounting. Water often enters through poorly protected connectors or runs along a cable. A drip loop, suitable junction box, corrosion-resistant hardware, and an installation position within the product specification matter as much as the camera body.
Night image quality is more than infrared range
Infrared light can overexpose nearby walls, insects, rain, and window reflections. Useful night performance depends on sensor size, lens aperture, shutter choices, scene lighting, and placement. Test the actual mounting position before committing to several identical units.
Plan power, network, and storage together
PoE can simplify a stable fixed installation, while Wi-Fi may reduce cabling but still needs dependable power and radio coverage. microSD is convenient at the edge; an NVR or NAS can centralize retention. Check supported protocols, encryption, update policy, replacement media, and recovery after power loss before buying.