Choosing a surveillance camera relies on answering three questions: where it will be installed, what you need to see in the recording, and how you will provide power and network connectivity to it. The rest are technical details. In this guide, we will go through each sequentially.
1. Resolution — How many megapixels do you need?
More megapixels do not automatically mean a better image. Pixel density on the object and lens quality are important.
| Resolution | Where to use | Price at ITGS |
|---|---|---|
| 2MP (Full HD) | Corridor, entrance, small yard | 50₾–250₾ |
| 4MP | Home, office, store — optimal choice | 148₾–450₾ |
| 5MP | Where detail is important: retail area, warehouse | 170₾–600₾ |
| 8MP (4K) | Vehicle license plate and face recognition | 356₾–2110₾ |
Practical rule: For face recognition, a minimum of 250 pixels across the face is required. This means that a 4MP camera with a 2.8mm lens can recognize a face up to approximately 6–8 meters.
2. Lens and Field of View
| Lens | Field of View | Effective Distance |
|---|---|---|
| 2.8 mm | ~100° | 6–8 m (face recognition) |
| 3.6 mm | ~85° | 10–12 m |
| 6 mm | ~55° | 18–20 m |
| 2.7–13.5 mm (varifocal) | Adjustable | Precise during installation |
For small rooms and entrances, 2.8mm is suitable; for long corridors, yard perimeters, or parking lots — 3.6–6mm.
3. Night Vision
- IR (Infrared): Black-and-white image in complete darkness. Sufficient if you only need to detect movement.
- ColorVu / Full-Color: Color image 24/7. Essential if you need to describe vehicle color or clothing. See Full-Color cameras.
- Smart Dual Illumination (-IL): IR in normal mode, but white light and color image during motion. An energy-efficient compromise.
4. IP or HD Camera
If coaxial cable is already installed at the site and you want to replace old cameras — an HD camera is a more affordable option. For a new site where you need AI analytics, high resolution, and PoE power — an IP camera.
5. Protection Class
For outdoor installation — at least IP66 or IP67. For entrances and public spaces — vandal-proof IK10 casing.
6. How many cameras and how many days of archive
- Apartment — 2–4 cameras (entrance, corridor, balcony);
- House with a yard — 4–8 (perimeter and entrances);
- Store — 4–8 (cash register, sales floor, warehouse, entrance);
- Warehouse or factory — 8–16 or more.
Archive calculation rule: 4 cameras with 4MP resolution — 2TB for approximately 7 days, 4TB for approximately 14 days. Recording with motion detection extends the archive 2–3 times.
7. What not to forget
A camera is only part of the system. For a complete kit, consider a recorder (NVR/XVR), hard drive, PoE switch, cable, and UPS. A simple option for beginners is a ready-made kit.
Conclusion
For an average home, the optimal choice is: 4 cameras with 4MP, 2.8mm lens, IP67, PoE, and a 4-channel NVR with a 2TB disk. The equipment costs approximately 800₾–1400₾, and installation is from 70₾ per camera.
Contact us for a free consultation: +995 571 753 527 · Sales@itgs.ge