Rain, dust, darkness, glare and vandalism — IP66/67, night vision, WDR, the lens and mounting height — what to check before buying an outdoor camera.
A camera inside an office will work with almost any model. In a yard, car park or on a facade, conditions are completely different: rain, frost, dust, darkness, direct sun — and people who might want to damage the camera.
1. Weather protection — IP66 or IP67
The IP rating shows how well a device is protected against dust and water. For an outdoor camera, look for IP66 (fully dust-tight and protected against powerful water jets) or IP67 (also withstands temporary immersion). Don’t forget that the cable connection needs protection too.
2. Night vision
- IR (infrared) illumination — gives a black-and-white image at night; compare the range stated by the manufacturer with the actual size of your yard;
- Colour night vision — a sensitive sensor or built-in white light; you see colours at night (e.g. the colour of a car).
💡 One steady outdoor light often improves night footage more noticeably than an expensive camera.
3. WDR — for high-contrast scenes
If a camera faces a gate, a window or a garage entrance, the frame contains both very bright and very dark areas at the same time. WDR (Wide Dynamic Range) shows detail in both — especially important outdoors.
4. Lens and field of view
- Wide angle — an overview of a large area, but less detail at a distance;
- Narrow angle — gates, number plates, faces — detail, but a smaller area;
- Varifocal lens — the angle is adjusted during installation.
The right answer is often not one camera: one wide for the area and one detailed for the entrance.
5. Vandal resistance — IK10
If the camera is within reach, choose an IK10-rated housing (impact resistant), often a “dome” type.
6. Mounting height
Too low and it’s easily damaged; too high and you only see hats and the tops of heads. Aim for a height from which face detail is still visible, with the cable protected in a conduit.
7. Cable and power
For outdoor cameras, the best option is often an IP camera with PoE: a single outdoor-rated network cable, protected in a conduit or flexible tubing.