In your quest for finding the perfect security cameras for your residential or commercial security system, you have more than likely discovered day/night security cameras. Day/night security cameras might seem like the perfect solution for your security camera needs, since they claim to capture clear footage in bright light and in darkness. However, day/night security cameras offer different quality footage depending on the model, so it is important to take a closer look at these cameras before depending your entire security system on them.
What Are Day/Night Security Cameras?
As technology has improved, so have day/night security cameras. A day/night security camera can capture video footage in both bright lighting and in darker settings. Day/night security cameras automatically switch from full-color footage during the daytime to black and white, which is better for taping in the dark, in the evenings.
What Are The Pros and Cons Of Day/Night Security Cameras?
One of the best features of day/night security cameras is that they can function in a variety of lighting situations, and that they automatically adjust to color in bright light, and then to black and white when the lighting gets low. A color picture is often preferred during the day time, but black and white footage is best for video footage that is taken at night and in situations where the lighting is minimal.
Day/night security cameras can often provide an excellent picture in situations where there is low light, such as in the moonlight or by the light of a nearby street light. They also work just as well during the daylight, only in full color. Having cameras that are so versatile can be a benefit because no matter what time of day it is or how the weather is outside, you are sure to have a constant stream of reliable, clear video.
Although you should always check a specific model to be certain, you can pretty much rely on most day/night cameras to be weatherproof, meaning they can be used both indoors and out. Since day/night security cameras are so versatile for both indoor and outdoor and low lighting or full lighting situations, it is easy to understand why many people prefer day/night security cameras over other options for their security systems.
Many day/night security cameras do not have infrared technology, so they can not actually “see” in complete darkness. Typically, there will be enough light in the vicinity of your day/night camera for it to function, rather it be by the moonlight or a streetlight outside, or a dim light that is left on in your building or home at nighttime. In fact, you might be surprised how little lighting these cameras require in order to capture high quality video footage. However, in complete darkness, day/night security cameras that do not have infrared technology will not be able to capture video footage.
Why Do I Need Day/Night Security Cameras?
A day/night security camera is a good addition to any security system because of its versatility. Even if you already have a sufficient set of security cameras in your home or business, you might find that adding a few day/night security cameras is a worthwhile investment, as you are then ensured maximum security, no matter what the lighting of the area is.
How Can I Determine The Best Day/Night Security Cameras?
The best day/night security cameras include infrared technology so that they can capture high quality video in complete darkness. If you are planning on using day/night cameras for your primary security footage, you will want to find a day/night security camera that has infrared technology. This ensures maximum security at all times, so you will never have to worry about what is going on in your home and business when you aren’t watching.
If the day/night security camera you are looking at does not include infrared technology, take a look at its Lux, or minimum illumination rating. This rating lets you know how much lighting is required for the camera to capture good footage in dark situations. If the number is very low, then very little lighting is required; for example, an infrared security camera has a Lux rating of 0.0, so the closer your Lux rating is to 0.0, the less light it requires to take high quality footage in the dark.
It is also important to assess the quality of color video that is taken during the daytime. A video that is in full color can still be blurry, making it difficult to identify people that are captured on camera.
Day/night security cameras are available in several styles, from your average mounted camera to a domed camera that mounts on the ceiling. People have different preferences when it comes to different camera styles, so you should choose the style that you prefer. Many retail stores choose domed cameras, as they are darkly tinted, making it difficult for customers to tell in which direction the camera is pointing. Bullet cameras and other cameras that mount on walls make it a bit more obvious where the camera is facing, but this does not have to be a problem. An adequate security system uses enough cameras that every square foot of the inside and outside of a business is covered by a security camera, so if one camera is not covering an area, another one should be.
How Will Day/Night Security Cameras Fit Into My Security System?
Depending on the day/night security cameras that you choose, you may be able to strictly use day/night security cameras. If you are planning on switching to day/night security cameras exclusively, it is important to make 
sure that these cameras do contain infrared technology and that they can still capture footage in complete darkness.
If your day/night security cameras can not see in complete darkness, they will still be very effective, but you will want to add a few infrared, or night vision, security cameras to your system to ensure full coverage of your property at all hours of the day and night. You could also consider adding more lighting to your property to accommodate your new day/night security cameras. Extra lighting helps in a security sense for a couple of reasons. Outdoor security lights will probably be enough to allow your day/night security cameras to take good surveillance footage, even if they do not include infrared technology. Also, having ample lighting is a known way to deter crime. A criminal will not feel as daring in the broad light that is provided by a security light or street light, and obviously prevention is even better than catching a criminal after he has already committed a crime. Also, security lights or street lights will make you, your employees and your customers feel much safer and more secure when walking through your parking lot at night. In fact, adding security lights to the parking lot of your business can increase your business, as customers who feel safe at your establishment are more likely to frequent it and to forgo the business with the dark, scary parking lot.
It is sometimes a good idea to mix and match your security cameras for maximum protection. Using several types of security cameras can help you to get different angles, different views and different pictures of the activity that goes on inside and outside of your home or business.
When purchasing security cameras of any type, including day/night security cameras, it is important to make sure that the cameras you are purchasing are compatible with your existing security system. You also want to make sure that you have a good quality monitor from which to view your security footage, because even if your cameras are capturing high quality, high resolution footage, you will not be able to view it if your monitor is not clear. A good quality monitor is one of the cheapest components that you will purchase for your security system, so it is worth your while to put a little extra money and consideration into this investment.
Last but not least, no matter what type of security cameras or system that you have, if you do not use it, it will not help you. Since you are spending the time to research the best security cameras, and since you are willing to spend the necessary money to purchase the best security cameras, it is important that you get your money’s worth. Many people become comfortable after realizing that no foul play or theft has occurred on their property or in their area, and when they do, they often stop turning on their security cameras or watching their surveillance footage. No matter how safe you think you are, it is important to allow your security cameras to do their job by keeping them on at all times and by routinely reviewing your surveillance footage.