Security cameras — types placement and what to look for

This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Local codes, regulations, and best practices vary by region.

Security cameras are everywhere now. Doorbell cameras, outdoor cameras, indoor cameras, and systems that monitor multiple angles at once. They serve two purposes: they deter some criminals because they’re visible, and they provide footage if something happens. But most residential camera footage is never reviewed, and low-quality footage helps no one.

Choosing cameras requires understanding what you actually need to monitor, what resolution matters, and what storage means.

Types of Cameras

Doorbell cameras are small, integrated with your door’s power, and instantly familiar to deliveries. They show who’s at the door and record comings and goings. They’re cheap ($50 to $200) and easy to install. They cover the front porch only.

Outdoor wired cameras mount on walls or soffits and connect to a system or internet. They offer good flexibility in placement and recording, but installation requires running wires or drilling.

Outdoor wireless cameras mount on walls with no wiring and transmit via WiFi. They’re easier to install than wired but depend on WiFi range. Battery-powered versions exist but need occasional recharging.

Indoor cameras monitor interior spaces. They’re useful if you have valuables, pets, or concerns about who’s accessing your home.

Resolution and Footage Quality

Resolution matters for identifying people. 720p (standard HD) captures people at close range but might not show faces clearly at a distance. 1080p (full HD) is better. 4K is better still but uses more storage and bandwidth.

Night vision is useful for outdoor cameras. Most outdoor cameras have infrared for dark conditions, though it shows grayscale. Color night vision exists but costs more and uses more power.

Compression affects file size and storage needs. H.264 is standard. H.265 is newer and more efficient. Most systems use one or the other automatically.

Frame rate (frames per second) affects smoothness. 30fps is standard. Higher fps uses more storage and bandwidth.

Placement Strategy

Front door camera is the most useful for home security. It shows who’s arriving and leaving. A side or driveway camera covering vehicle access is second priority. Back door camera is less important unless your back door is exposed.

Garage entry warrants coverage if valuable items are stored there. An interior camera monitoring the safe or valuables room adds security if you have high-value items.

Don’t obsess over total coverage. A few well-placed cameras are better than many poorly-placed ones. Focus on entries, vehicle access, and any area with valuables.

Field of view matters. A wide-angle lens (120 to 170 degrees) covers more area but distorts the image. A narrower angle provides better face detail but covers less area.

Recording and Storage

Continuous recording requires significant storage. A 1080p camera records about 300GB per month in continuous recording. Most homeowners use motion-triggered recording instead, which is much more efficient.

Cloud storage costs $5 to $20 monthly per camera. Local storage (a hard drive or SD card) costs more upfront but has no monthly fees. Many systems use hybrid approaches: local storage for motion events and cloud backup.

Retention period depends on storage capacity. If space is limited, older footage gets deleted automatically. One month of motion recording is reasonable. If you need longer retention, plan accordingly.

Integration and Ease of Use

Most modern cameras connect to a smartphone app, letting you view live feeds and recorded footage from anywhere. This is convenient but dependent on internet connection quality.

Integration with other systems (smart locks, lights, alarms) creates a cohesive system but requires compatibility. Different manufacturers don’t always play nicely together.

Ease of setup varies. Some cameras require app configuration and network setup. Others are plug-and-play. If you’re not technical, go with reputable manufacturers known for simplicity.

Privacy and Legal Considerations

Recording video of your own property is legal. Recording people on others’ property without consent is not. Position cameras so they monitor your property, not neighbors’.

Audio recording has stricter rules than video. Check local laws before using microphones.

Visible cameras deter some crimes but advertise that valuables might be monitored. Fake cameras exist but provide no recording. Real visible cameras are a reasonable deterrent.

Practical Reality

Most homeowners never review footage unless something happens. The real value is the deterrent of visible cameras and being able to identify intruders if a crime occurs.

Don’t buy more cameras than you’ll actually monitor. Two well-placed cameras reviewed occasionally are better than six cameras providing footage no one watches.

Install cameras in places where they actually matter: front door, driveway, valuable items. Skip cameras monitoring empty hallways or boring siding.

A basic system with doorbell camera and one or two outdoor cameras costs $300 to $800 total. More elaborate systems cost thousands. Start with basics and expand if needed.

© The Whole Home Guide