On this page
01. Side-by-side comparison02. What each looks like on site03. Choosing by location04. See it in a real installation05. FAQ
Camera shape affects where a camera can be mounted, how visible it is, how easy it is to aim and how it performs at night. Domes suit ceilings and eaves; bullets suit long outdoor views and act as a visible deterrent; turrets avoid night-time dome glare; PTZs cover large areas but only see one direction at a time.
Key takeaways
- The shape matters less than the sensor, lens and placement, but it decides where a camera fits.
- Turrets are often the easiest all-rounder: easy to aim, no dome glare.
- A PTZ never replaces fixed cameras: it can be looking the other way when an incident happens.
- Most good designs mix types: bullets on the perimeter, turrets/domes at doors, a PTZ for large yards.
01Side-by-side comparison
| Type | Best for | Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dome | Indoors, ceilings, under eaves | Discreet, vandal-resistant versions, hides where it's pointing | Dome cover can reflect IR at night; harder to re-aim |
| Bullet | Perimeters, driveways, long views | Visible deterrent, longer lenses and IR, easy to aim | More exposed to tampering; spiders like the hood |
| Turret | Entrances, walls, general use | Easy to aim, no dome glare, good night images | Less vandal-resistant than a hardened dome |
| PTZ | Large yards, car parks, estates | Pan, tilt and zoom; can follow activity | Covers one direction at a time; costs more |
| Fisheye | Open indoor spaces | 360° view from one camera | Less detail at the edges; needs dewarping |
02What each looks like on site
A PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) camera can be moved by an operator or set to patrol preset positions, and many can auto-track moving targets. Because it only looks one way at a time, it's used alongside fixed cameras, not instead of them.
03Choosing by location
04See it in a real installation
Hikvision PTZ & Bullet Camera Outdoor Installation
An outdoor Hikvision installation: a PTZ dome camera on a steel pole with a weatherproof junction box, and bullet cameras covering the site.
05Frequently asked questions
Which CCTV camera type is best?
There is no single best type. Turrets are a strong all-rounder; bullets suit long outdoor views; domes suit ceilings; PTZs suit large areas alongside fixed cameras.
Why do dome cameras look foggy at night?
Infrared light can reflect off the dome cover, especially if it's dirty or scratched. Turret cameras avoid this because the lens and IR sit outside any cover.
Can a PTZ replace several fixed cameras?
No. A PTZ only sees one direction at a time, so it can miss events elsewhere. It works best as an addition to fixed coverage.
