Why are security cameras so expensive?
Something bad happened. A home invasion, car break-in, incident in front of the house—Something. Now you want to make sure you catch it on camera next time. So you open up the web browser and see huge dollar signs next to most security camera systems. Why is that?
While there are very expensive cameras on the market, there are also very cost effective options as well, as low as $20 per camera.
In this post we’re going to take a look at what makes those super expensive security cameras so special. Yes, it’ll have some technical bits, and we’ve got pictures too, so stick around.
Down to the specs
Let’s do a quick side by side specification comparison between a few drastically different price point cameras. To match the price point we’ve set for ourselves at $20, we’re going to use a Wyze Cam V2 as the sample budget security camera.
| Wyze Cam V2 | Hanwha Techwin XND-6081V | Hanwha Techwin PNM-9030V |
 |  |  |
| $20 | $609.82 | $1531 |
| 2Megapixel 1080p resolution (1920×1080) | 2Megapixel 1080p resolution (1920×1080) | 15Megapixel (6096×2540@180˚) (7744×1936@220˚) resolution |
| Wireless only | Wired Only | Wired Only |
| Power from USB | Power from PoE | Power from PoE |
| Indoor | Indoor/Outdoor | Indoor/Outdoor |
| Only usable with Wyze App on mobile devices | Limited mobile app, easily added to MIlestone, Genetec, or other common Video Management Systems | Limited mobile app, easily added to MIlestone, Genetec, or other common Video Management Systems |
| 30 ft IR Nightvision | Uses Wide Dynamic Range, no IR | Uses Wide Dynamic Range, no IR |
Can I just get the cheapest?
Absolutely you can, and they might do what you need. I figure if we’re going to go through the process of doing the camera install, we may as well use equipment that won’t need replaced for a long time.
I didn’t put it in the graph, but there are plenty of inexpensive outdoor cameras out there also.
Camera planning hit list
I have a list of things to consider when planning a new camera installing project. Here’s the list of considerations in a semi-cheat sheet format.
For each camera view you would like, consider:
- Is this an indoor or outdoor installation? If outdoor, be sure to rule out cameras that are indoor only, like the Wyze Cam V2.
- How will I access the camera for data? Wifi? Ethernet? If ethernet, is this a Power over Ethernet device? (See next question)
- How do I power the device? Is it Power over Ethernet? If it is, that means only one wire needs to be pulled to the camera’s location and an electrician won’t be required.
- How wide of a view is this camera looking at? If it’s a really wide shot with distance, try to make sure the camera you select has a higher Megapixel count. Ex: A 1080p 2 Megapixel camera would not be good for viewing an entire Walmart parking lot. You would want something more like the Hanwha Techwin PNM-9030V for example.
- How will I view the cameras?
- How much recording time do I want to keep?
- Should I record on motion or continuous?
Different applications at different price points
Capturing a good picture of an entire parking lot is difficult for a single camera, which is why many structures will have several cameras mounted right next to each other looking in different directions.
Being able to consolidate those 3 or 4 cameras into one camera like the Hanwha Techwin PNM-9030V means only one wire needs to be run to the side of the building. Only one hole needs to be drilled.
Of course, that camera would be worthless if you used it in an indoor hallway. It would probably drive you mad, actually, with it’s loud internal heater and blower fans.
The variety of applications means there is a variety of camera options on the market at any time. While I can’t give you a perfect one size fits all best camera, what I can do is guide you in deciding what camera is best for you.
