Walk into any CCTV shop and you will see a wall of cameras that look similar but behave very differently. Here is what each type is for, so you can understand your installer's recommendation.
Dome cameras
Rounded cameras mounted on ceilings. The dome hides which way the camera is pointing and makes it harder to knock out of position, so domes suit shops, offices, corridors and lobbies. Vandal-resistant (IK10) versions are used in public areas.
Watch out for: infrared light can reflect off the dome cover at night if it is dirty or badly installed, causing a hazy image.
Bullet cameras
Long, cylindrical cameras on a wall bracket. They are visible, which deters intruders, and they often have stronger infrared for long distances. Bullets suit perimeters, driveways, gates and car parks.
Watch out for: they are easier to tamper with, so mount them high enough and out of reach.
Turret (eyeball) cameras
A ball-shaped camera in an open mount. Turrets combine the look of a dome with a bullet's night performance, and because there is no dome cover, there is no infrared reflection. They are our default choice for many villa and shop entrances.
PTZ cameras
Pan-tilt-zoom cameras can be moved and zoomed by an operator, or follow a pre-set patrol. They suit large yards, car parks and building exteriors where a guard is watching. A PTZ can only look one way at a time, so it is always paired with fixed cameras.
Fisheye (360°) cameras
One camera with a 360° view, mounted in the centre of a ceiling. Good for open-plan offices and retail floors where you want an overview from one device. They are not a replacement for an entrance camera that needs to recognise faces.
ANPR / LPR cameras
Specialist cameras that read number plates and can trigger a gate or barrier. Used at building car parks, compounds and industrial yards, often with gate automation.
Colour night vision
Not a camera shape but a feature available across types. These cameras use very sensitive sensors, sometimes with a soft white light, to show colour at night. That helps when you need to describe clothing or a vehicle.
IP versus analogue
New installations should almost always be IP cameras: they offer higher resolution, power over the network cable (PoE) and better integration with recorders and apps. Analogue (HD-TVI / HDCVI) cameras still make sense for budget upgrades that reuse existing coaxial cable.
Which do you need?
Most properties need a mix: turrets or domes at entrances to identify people, bullets or wide-angle cameras on the perimeter, and possibly a PTZ or ANPR camera for large areas and vehicles. A site survey turns that into a specific plan. Book one with us.