CCTV is a relatively new surveillance gadget in the market aimed at enhancing safety and security measures. It is a closed-circuit television which is also known as video surveillance. Video cameras are used to transmit a signal to a specific place, on a limited set of monitors.

Equipping the home or business setups with surveillance cameras is a perfect way to keep the area safe and secure. The quite popular saying PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE is very apt for this topic. Investing in a CCTV and staying secure is better than waiting for something to go wrong and then think about the security solutions. It certainly is easier to prevent a break-in rather than dealing with the aftermath.

Recently, we see almost every other building has CCTV installed. It has become a very common household/commercial gadget, which can be seen in individual houses, apartments, schools, shops, malls, small eat outs, big hotels, restaurants and bars, religious places, party halls, parks, jewellery shops, theatres, roads, etc. With increasing crimes, there is more need of being vigilant at all times, an all-round surveillance is becoming a necessity.

Once the decision has been taken to add a security system, the next most important step is choosing the right one, i.e., the type or the variant of the camera that needs to be installed. There are two main types of cameras which are bullet cameras and dome cameras. There are some very subtle differences between these two security cameras that we should be aware of.

With advancement in technology more new and unique features get added every now and then. Every new feature has its own unique property and value. Same is the case with the dome CCTVs and bullet CCTVs. Both are a mixed bag of pros and cons. One feature could suit one person’s need better and the other feature may suit another person's need better. Both dome CCTVs and bullet CCTVs have their own unique features which sets them apart, but each certainly have some short comings. Let us quickly have a look at the characteristics and the differences of these 2 variants of the CCTV.

Dome Camera - In Brief

As the name is suggestive dome CCTV cameras get their name due to their circular, dome shape. The camera is encased in a transparent protective dome. These cameras can be used both indoors and outdoors. These cameras are most often used in many businesses including hotels, restaurants, jewellery shop due to their distinctive design.

The main benefit of a dome camera is that due to the camera being encased in the dome, it is difficult to determine which direction the camera is pointing to. In addition, dome cameras are more durable and resistant to vandalism as the camera lens is protected. Not to forget, there are also some vandal proof dome cameras that are encased with durable covers which are resistant to vandalism.

In comparison, bullet cameras can be knocked off or manually repositioned to point in some other direction.

The shape and design of dome cameras allow for monitoring wider angle as the lens are movable while in bullet cameras the lenses only point in one direction.

Dome cameras have a shorter range than the bullet cameras. As the dome cameras are more prone to getting dirty often, cleaning regularly needs to be scheduled. The installation process can be somewhat burdensome. Dome cameras are difficult to reposition.

Dome Camera Highlights:

1.Discreet-can blendwith the surroundings

2.Both indoor and outdoor usage

3.Due to being sturdier it is vandalism resistant

4.Rotating camera with wide angle

5.Night Vision

6.Weatherproof

Bullet Camera - In Brief

Both the cameras get their name from their shapes. Bullet camera is named due to its distinct cylindrical shape, which almost looks like a bullet shell or a lipstick tube. These are one of the most common types of security cameras. These cameras are a visible deterrent. Like the dome cameras, even the bullet cameras can be installed both indoors and outdoors.

Bullet cameras tend to stick out and be noticeable unlike the dome cameras. Though bullet camera can be used indoor, their deterring properties and long-range capabilities make it the perfect outdoor camera.

The salient features of the bullet cameras are the range of the camera and the ease of installation. These variants have a longer range which is suitable for viewing large areas like roads, huge campus, parking lots, etc. Added to this, bullet cameras installation is quite easy. Due to its shape bigger lenses can be fitted to its body. It is ideal for outdoor use. The tip of the bullet camera helps protect against glare and weather.

Bullet Camera Highlights

1.Ease of installation

2.Longer range

3.Weatherproof

4.Night Vision

5.Both indoor and outdoor use

Dome Cameras Vs. Bullet Cameras

1. Installation

Dome cameras can be installed both indoors and outdoors and can hang from the ceiling or be mounted on the walls. Dome security cameras are less visible. It is quite a task to install the dome cameras. When there is a need to change the field of view, the dome cameras need to be remounted.

Bullet cameras can also be installed both inside and outside. These cameras are mostly mounted to the side of the wall. The installation process is very easy for the bullet cameras because they come with a mounting handle. The camera lens can be easily positioned and repositioned if there is need to change the field of view without needing to be remounted.

2.Camera Range

A lot of factors influence the range of the camera such as the sensor chip, the type of lens, wide range dynamic, lines of resolution, and backlight compensation. In general, dome cameras have smaller lenses than the bullet cameras, as the shape of the bullet camera makes it easier to fit a larger lens. Basically, bullet cameras are more suitable for areas that require a camera with a longer range.

3.Light

As both of these variants have infrared LEDs that ensure light availability. The infrared LEDs are capable of performing well even in low light situations.

Conclusion

There are not many major differences between the dome and bullet cameras. They have very minor differences. As mentioned above both the cameras have their own distinctive features. When looking for security options, both the bullet cameras and the dome cameras come with pros and cons. There are scenarios where using only one type of camera can be both viable and effective. Both the dome cameras and bullet cameras have some similar features as well as different features.

Either of it cannot be written off as not good enough. Depending on the need, the most suitable can be decided.

The main differences remain the range of view, ease of installation and repositioning, vandalism resistant due to the sturdy build, wide angle. It is up to the customer to decide what features are required for their setup. For a normal house CCTV a far range of view would not be necessary, where as for a farm house, roads, huge playgrounds and campuses, etc., a far range of view is important. Due to the differences in the dome cameras and bullet cameras there are more options to choose from. The requirement criteria for everyone is not the same. The dome cameras cater to the segment which requires a discreet camera setup which can blend with the surroundings and is vandalism resistant due to the sturdy build, and can provide camera with wide angle. The bullet cameras cater to the segment which requires a visible deterrent, easy installation with the cameras having longer range feature.