Clients often come to us with an existing system that produces unusable footage after dark. The camera specification is rarely the problem. Here is what actually determines night performance.
Sensor size beats megapixel count
A 4K camera with a small sensor gathers less light per pixel than a 2MP camera with a large one. In low light, the 2MP camera often produces the more usable image. Ask about sensor size, not just resolution.
Infrared range is measured in ideal conditions
A camera rated for 30 metres of IR will not illuminate 30 metres of open car park. That figure assumes a reflective surface directly ahead. In practice, plan for roughly half the stated range.
Lens choice determines whether you can identify anyone
This is the failure we see most often. A wide-angle lens covering an entire yard gives you a person-shaped blur at 15 metres. Identification requires a minimum pixel density on the target — which means either a narrower lens or a camera positioned closer. One camera cannot both survey an area and identify faces within it.
White light and thermal alternatives
For entrances and tills, colour night vision with discreet white-light illumination gives dramatically better evidential footage than infrared, because clothing and vehicle colour are preserved.
The practical answer is a site survey. We walk the property, identify what each camera actually needs to achieve, and specify accordingly.
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