In a fully guarded world, where we are constantly surrounded by cameras of all kinds, IP cameras are one of the best options for protecting your home or business. Thanks to the Internet connection, they allow you to instantly access your content, at any time and from anywhere.
IP cameras use the network connection to transmit what is framed by their lens to a remote device, which can be a video surveillance device but also a simple smartphone. These are devices expressly designed to keep under control what happens outside or inside homes and offices, depending on the versions chosen. In this page, we focus on outdoor models which, as a first feature, must have a resistant body, able to withstand the action of atmospheric agents, humidity and sunlight.
They are commonly used for video surveillance and to monitor children or pets. Nowadays there are two main types of models: those intended for outdoor use and those designed for indoor use. However, when choosing an IP camera, other criteria should also be considered. We will talk about it in this guide.
Below we offer a series of tips on which features to evaluate before making a choice and the list of best outdoor IP cameras that impressed us most.
- 【Motion-Tracking&Alerts 】 Motion-Tracking allows the camera to track objects in motion. When enabled the camera will begin to...
- 【Floodlight&Alarm Siren】The floodlight can be set to turn on when the moving objects detected in the darkness,you can also set...
- 【Pan Tile 4xDigital Zoom&1080P Night Vision】View live video in up to 1080p (1920x1080) day and night,4x Digital zoom, with...
- 【 All Platform Supported 】Support 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi(NOT 5Ghz Wifi) ,Supports smartphones (iOS, Android), tablets (iPad, Android),...
- 【3rd Party Software Support】 The home security camera allows you to connect most famous NVR , NAS and 3rd Party surveillance...
- 5MP ULTRA-HD – Stunning 5-Megapixel 2592 x 1944p video resolution with enhanced low light capability on this POE outdoor camera...
- SMARTER SECURITY – Adjust motion detection zones and sensitivity and receive email/phone alerts and review footage via the...
- DAY OR NIGHT, RAIN OR SHINE – This outdoor POE IP camera features a heavy-duty metal weatherproof IP67 housing, as well as a...
- SECURE CLOUD VIDEO BACKUP – The optional Amcrest Cloud remote video storage subscription service allows you automatically store...
- SIMPLE, RELIABLE, SECURE – This Amcrest POE camera features a secure SSL/HTTPS connection, FCC and CE certificates and receives...
- CMOS ILLUMINATION & MIC – Stunning low-light 5MP performance with CMOS 1/2.7” image sensor and 5MP resolution (2592x1944)....
- SMARTER SECURITY & STORAGE OPTIONS – Receive motion alert notifications and review footage via your smartphone with the Amcrest...
- DAY OR NIGHT, RAIN OR SHINE – Built to weather any storm and the darkest of nights, this 5-Megapixel Turret PoE IP Camera...
- SECURE REMOTE STORAGE – The optional Amcrest Cloud remote video storage subscription service allows you automatically store your...
- SIMPLE, RELIABLE, SECURE - This camera features a secure SSL/HTTPS connection, FCC certificate, and received regular firmware...
- 👍【Ultra 4K HD & 20X Optical Zoom】This 8MP PTZ camera outdoor features ultra-high clarity of 4K Ultra HD, which is 1.6 times...
- 👍【Auto Tracking & Human Detection】Equipped with auto-tracking and humanoid detection function, detection area or...
- 👍【Power Over Ethernet & Upgrade High Coding】The 8MP POE IP Security Camera features a POE function. Only one Ethernet cable...
- 👍【320ft Night Vision & Remote Access】Advanced night vision with 6 high-performance infrared LED lights, can extend the...
- 👍【Two Way Audio & IP66 Waterproof】The built-in microphone and speakers allow you and your visitors to have a real-time...
- EXPERIENCE ULTRA HD 4K – Stunning ultra-high quality 4K (8-Megapixel / 3840x2160) resolution featuring enhanced low light...
- SMARTER SECURITY – Receive motion alert notifications and review footage via your smartphone with the Amcrest View app. Playback...
- DAY OR NIGHT, RAIN OR SHINE – Built to weather any storm and the darkest of nights, this Dome 4K PoE IP Turret Camera features a...
- SECURE CLOUD VIDEO BACKUP – The optional Amcrest Cloud remote video storage subscription service allows you automatically store...
- SIMPLE, RELIABLE, SECURE - At Amcrest, we want to ensure the safety of our customers, their loved ones, homes and businesses....
- 4K ULTRA HD & 5X OPTICAL ZOOM: Boasting an ultra-high clarity of 4K Ultra HD, which is 1.6X sharper than the 5MP cameras, this...
- SMART DETECTION & AUTO TRACKING: Advanced person/vehicle detection based on leading-edge detection algorithms helps to identify...
- TIME LAPSE & FLEXIBLE RECORDING OPTIONS: Start to shoot time-lapse videos to view the changes of a day in minutes or seconds....
- MULTIPLE ALARM METHODS: Once the cam detects something abnormal, the built-in siren and spotlights can be triggered while two-way...
- DAILY PATROL WITH PRESET POINTS: With the 360° pan & 90° tilt capability, this 4K PTZ PoE camera can focus on minor details in...
- AI FEATURES - This PTZ Speed Dome PoE AI Camera features Smart Motion Detection (SMD) which allows the camera to detect and filter...
- SMARTER, SAFER, SECURITY - Utilize intelligent alerts that send notifications to your computer or smartphone via the Amcrest View...
- ALWAYS RESILIENT - Whether it's rain or shine, day or night, this outdoor pan tilt zoom camera has an IP67 rating which means it's...
- FIND SOLACE IN THE CLOUD - Amcrest Cloud was created to ensure that you don’t miss a thing, no matter where you are. With an...
- SIMPLE. RELIABLE. SECURE - At Amcrest, we want to ensure the safety of our customers, their loved ones, homes, and businesses....
- Ubiquiti Networks UniFi UVC-G4-PRO 4K Ultra HD IP Video Surveillance System Outdoor Network Bullet Camera (3-Pack)
- The UniFi Protect Camera, model UVC-G4-PRO, represents the next generation of cameras designed for use with the UniFi Protect...
- This camera offers 4K Ultra HD resolution for day or night use and integrates with the UniFi Protect software for powerful and...
- The G4 Pro camera features a powered zoom lens and crisp 4K Ultra HD video performance with infrared capability.
- Power: 802.3af/802.3at PoE
- AI FEATURES – The PTZ Speed Dome PoE AI IP Camera features; Face Detection, Deep IVS (Tripwire, Intrusion, Abandoned Object,...
- Smarter, Safer, Security - Utilize intelligent alerts that send notifications to your computer or smartphone via the Amcrest View...
- Always Resilient - Whether it's rain or shine, day or night, this outdoor pan tilt zoom camera has an IP66 rating which means it's...
- Find Solace in the Cloud - Amcrest Cloud was created to ensure that you don’t miss a thing, no matter where you are. With an...
- Simple. Reliable. Secure. - At Amcrest, we want to ensure the safety of our customers, their loved ones, homes, and businesses....
- 8MP PTZ IP CAMERA 18x OPTICAL ZOOM, 30x DIGITAL ZOOM: model 4818X-IZ, outdoor security ptz camera with 4.7~84.6mm, 18x optical...
- TWO-WAY AUDIO, SMART DETECTION & AUTO TRACKING: It comes with listen-in audio come with a built-in microphone that can hear and...
- POE, IP66 WEATHER-PROOF: the outdoor ptz camera support PoE(Power over Ethernet), only single network cable for power and data...
- COMPATIBLE for HIKVISION : Featured with Hikvision Private Protocol, this PTZ dome camera is able to Plug & Play with Hikvision...
- Easy P2P Monitoring via Smart Phone APP：visit the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store to download the ‘Danale/AC18PRO’...
Choosing the Best Outdoor IP Cameras Buying Guide
For greater security of your home or business, you may want to consider purchasing an IP camera. Since there are many models available on the market, we decided to create this guide to choose the best outdoor IP cameras that allow you to choose the one that best suits your needs.
A professional security system can cost quite high figures, so an IP camera could be a good solution to keep an eye on the exterior of your home, the forecourt of your business or even your pet when you are out home.
IP, What Does It Mean?
Before purchasing, however, you should take into account several features that could make a difference in choosing the right model. First of all, it is important to know that with the abbreviation IP (Internet Protocol) we identify the cameras that are able to send data (in this case video and sometimes even audio) through the Internet to other devices, such as PC, smartphone and Tablet.
Many models are also Wi-Fi, so apart from the power cable, no other type of cabling is needed. Other devices are equipped with an ethernet port: in this case a LAN cable is needed that connects the camera to a NAS or to a DVR or NVR system. If the camera is a PoE (Power Over Ethernet) type, the power supply is via the ethernet cable, so only one is needed for data transmission and for its operation.
Weather Resistance
If you opt, as in our case, for an outdoor camera, it is important to evaluate the degree of protection against bad weather, classified with the IP scale (not to be confused with the first abbreviation which is a computer term). At a minimum, that choice must have an IP66 protection rating, which guarantees that the camera will work even if exposed to rain, wind, snow, sunlight and dust.
Having said that, compare the prices, but in choosing a model, you could consider purchasing an easy-to-install camera so that you don’t have to add the payment of a specialized technician to the expense. Usually, the best outdoor IP cameras have a simple mounting system consisting of a few connections, moreover they can be easily configured with your PC, smartphone or tablet thanks to the integrated apps or programs.
Quality
As far as the quality of the video is concerned, at least one must look for a model capable of transmitting images in HD to see clearly what is going on. Let’s say that, in this case, it is not essential to opt for a Full HD product but you can also settle for a simple 720p HD, however more than adequate to better interpret the recorded images. There are several factors that affect the quality of the image: it ranges from shooting resolution, color management, viewing angle and more.
Brightness
The brightness of the LED can also be important as the clarity of the movies depends on it when night vision is activated. In this regard, you should know that some models automatically set it in the dark hours.
Remote Control
Make sure that the cameras are always connected to the electrical network present only inside the apartment or company. In this way, no attacker will be able to disconnect the power cable without entering the viewing cone of the same.
For remote control, it is necessary to open the dedicated application and select the desired camera to instantly see what is happening. However, if you don’t have the possibility to check during the day, you could opt for models that allow you to save the recordings when, for example, they detect movements, on an SD card. On your return home you can then check the records. Then make sure that they have the function of motion detection, this element is essential to warn you, wherever you are, of any intruders in the video surveillance room.
Email Alert
A service offered by practically all models, even the cheapest ones, is the sending of email notifications every time a suspicious movement is recorded by the camera. As we have seen, in fact, activation via a motion sensor is a common feature of all modern cameras. The email sent typically contains the date and time of the detection and three or more frames taken by the video camera. Some models may also include sending a short movie clip.
Push Notifications
In some cases, for those models that provide integration with a specific mobile application, it is possible to receive the same type of alert through the app instead of the email, by sending a push notification similar to those that are received , for example, when an email or text message is received.
Let’s see each point in more detail :
Resolution : All models offer a range of resolutions to choose from. The best ones come up to a Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 p), while among the mid-range models a maximum resolution of 1280 x 720 p is very common. Lower-end cameras stop at VGA resolution (640 x 480 p)
Brightness : the best models, especially those for outdoors, automatically balance the exposure based on the brightness of the environment, so that the images are always clear and legible. In many cases there is also a filter called IR-Cut that blocks infrared radiation during the day, to ensure that the color rendering of the image is true.
Viewing angle : the width of the viewing angle depends on the camera lens, and can range from approximately 45 ° to 75 ° in the models indicated as “wide angle”. This data expresses the portion of the visual field framed by the camera and not, as we have seen above, the overall portion that the camera can cover by performing a panoramic.
Infrared : most models on the market are equipped with infrared LEDs that allow viewing and recording even in total absence of light, up to a maximum distance of 40 m in the most advanced models.
Audio : all surveillance cameras are in fact equipped with a microphone that adds an audio recording to the video footage, but only in some models the microphone is bidirectional . In these cases, the presence of a loudspeaker on the video camera allows those who have control of it to communicate with those who were near the device.
How to Use an Outdoor IP Camera
More and more users, considering the low cost of cameras today, decide to have an electronic eye capable of supervising their private property. To avoid thefts, break-ins and the approach of attackers, there is nothing better than a camera that acts as a bollard.
Opting for outdoor cameras, if you had a house of your own, could be the best solution, in this way you will be able to outline a sort of perimeter to monitor doors and windows. In this way, you will not need to install visual points inside the home, thus avoiding violating the privacy of your family members. The best models are also the ones with the best reviews, and this could already be a good yardstick.
Proceed with the Installation
These cameras usually do not need to be connected to control devices, but you just need to combine them with your Wi-Fi network to access them via smartphone, tablet or computer application. First of all make sure that the network has good coverage, installing if necessary Wi-Fi repeaters to allow the signal to reach even remote or external areas of the apartment or company, providing to set an alphanumeric access key to prevent someone not authorized to do so can connect.
Look for the Right Spot
Essential for the good installation of an outdoor camera is to identify the best points to position the device, possibly in high points and not easy to reach or see from afar. Our advice is to monitor the access points to the apartment or your company, therefore preferring doors and windows, taking care not to create any type of blind spot. Carry out tests while installing each camera, accessing them through the application to better understand the viewing angle. However, this is also determined by the integrated CMOS sensor: the wider the better, it will be possible to keep an eye on various portions of the external area of the house or company.
Read the Instruction Manual
If you are unable to install the camera, please read the instruction manual carefully. Since the procedure is different for each device, it is necessary to understand what is the standard adopted by your product.
Some cameras require registration with a proprietary authentication system while others simply use an intuitive application. If the instructions are not enough, it is always worth the advice to search the Internet for suggestions and advice from other users who have already installed your own camera.
Conclusions
IP cameras are surveillance and monitoring devices that connect to the Internet and allow you to access images and content also via your mobile phone. Your videos are password protected, so they are completely safe. It is possible to make a clear distinction between internal and external cameras.
Most integrate automatic activation systems with movement and even night vision and movement. Some have an SD and microSD card slot, so you can store your pictures internally. Still others offer the option of archiving in the “cloud”. Choosing the most suitable one implies taking into consideration criteria such as compatibility, installation and configuration.
