Choosing a security camera: what to look for

This is general buying advice. It does not describe any particular product: check each product page for what is actually listed.

A security camera is only useful if it records what you need to see and you can get to the footage when you need it. These are the choices that matter most.

Where it will live

Start with the spot. An outdoor camera has to cope with rain, dust and heat, and the box should state an ingress protection rating (IP rating) such as IP65 or IP66. An indoor camera does not need to be weatherproof. Think about what you want to see: a gate, a front door, a passage, a driveway. Mount it high enough to be out of easy reach but low enough to see faces.

ZS - IP HD 360 Wifi Camera With V380 App — R399.99

Picture quality

Resolution: shown as 2 MP (1080p), 4 MP, 8 MP (4K) and so on. Higher resolution gives more detail, which helps to recognise a face or read a number plate, but it also needs more storage and a better connection.
Field of view: a wide lens covers more area but makes things look smaller. A narrower lens zooms in on a gate or door.
Night vision: most cameras use infrared lights for black and white night images, and some offer colour at night. Check the stated range, and remember that real-world range is often shorter than the figure on the box.

Wired or wireless

A wired camera, powered through a cable, is generally the most reliable. A wireless or Wi-Fi camera is easier to place, but it still needs power, from a plug, a battery or a solar panel, and it needs a strong Wi-Fi signal where you mount it. Battery cameras need recharging, and during load-shedding a Wi-Fi router without backup power will drop the connection.

ZS 360 degree panoramic WiFi bulb security camera on white background — ZS - 360 Degree 1080P Wireless Panoramic Home Security WiFi Smart Camera uses FTY CAM App — R200.00

Storage

Footage has to go somewhere:

Memory card inside the camera is simple, but if someone steals the camera they take the footage with it.
Recorder (DVR or NVR) stores footage on a hard drive in a safe place.
Cloud storage keeps footage off site, usually for a monthly fee.

Check how many days of footage the storage holds at the resolution you choose.

Useful features

Motion detection and alerts to your phone so you are not watching all day.
Two-way audio to speak to a visitor.
A phone app that is simple to set up and use.
Privacy: only point a camera at your own property. Cameras that capture the street or a neighbour's yard can cause problems and may breach privacy rules.

ZS - JORTAN Wireless NVR Kit 4 Channel, 4 Camera 1080P Outdoor Camera System — R1,968.99

Keep it secure

Change the default password the first time you set it up, use a strong one, and keep the camera's software updated. An unprotected camera can be viewed by strangers.

Alarms and other devices

A camera records, but it does not stop anyone by itself. Many people combine cameras with a siren, door sensors or an armed-response service. Cameras and alarms work best as part of a plan that includes good locks, lighting and neighbours who look out for each other.

Products from our range

The list below is taken live from in-stock products in our shop, with the price as listed. For details such as resolution, power and storage, open the product page.