--- title: "Dome vs Bullet vs Turret vs PTZ Cameras Explained | Qyvea Kenya" url: https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-camera-types-explained-kenya description: "CCTV camera types compared: dome, bullet, turret, PTZ and fisheye. Where each works best, their strengths and limits, and how to mix them on one site." updated: 2026-10-17 --- > Markdown copy of https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-camera-types-explained-kenya for AI assistants. Prices and stock change; check the live page. 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Where each camera shape works best, and why most sites use a mix. Most people only find out what their cameras missed on the day they needed them. Read on: it takes a few minutes and could save you a lot more than that. **In this guide you will see:** - 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. Quick answer 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. [Photo: Alan J. Hendry / Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/KNt4zd8HPb0) Why this matters now ## Every night without proper recording is a night you cannot prove anything. ### If you wait - A theft or a dispute becomes your word against theirs - You hear about it hours later, if at all - Police and insurers ask what you can show them ### What you get - Every entrance recorded day and night - Playback on your phone within minutes - A visible camera changes how people behave [Hikvision DS-2CD1023G0E-I 2MP Bullet](/products/hikvision-ds-2cd1023g0e-i-2mp-bullet-network-camera-132 "Hikvision DS-2CD1023G0E-I 2MP Bullet Network Camera")[Dahua HDCVI 2MP Dome](/products/dahua-hdcvi-2mp-dome-camera-14357 "Dahua HDCVI 2MP Dome Camera")[Hikvision DS-7616NI-Q2 16CH 4K](/products/hikvision-ds-7616ni-q2-16ch-4k-nvr-189 "Hikvision DS-7616NI-Q2 16CH 4K NVR") [Get my free quote on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/254113301244?text=Hi%20Qyvea%2C%20I%20read%20your%20guide%3A%20CCTV%20Camera%20Types%3A%20Dome%20vs%20Bullet%20vs%20Turret%20vs%20PTZ.%20I%20want%20CCTV%20sorted.%20Can%20you%20help%3F)Reply usually within 30 minutes. Free site survey in Nairobi and nearby counties. Real products, live prices, in stock now ## 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. ## Side-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 | ## What 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. ## Choosing by location **Gate / entrance**: Turret or bullet at face height angle, plus a camera for plates if needed **Perimeter wall**: Bullets with longer lenses along the wall line **Reception / corridor**: Dome or turret, ceiling-mounted **Car park / yard**: Bullets for fixed coverage, PTZ for flexible zoom **Warehouse aisles**: Bullets or turrets aimed down each aisle **Cash point / till**: Dome close to the counter for detail **Tip**: Choose the lens and resolution for each position first, then pick the housing that fits the mounting point. See [CCTV lens sizes](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-lens-sizes-fixed-vs-varifocal-kenya). ## See 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. [About this sample project →](https://qyvea.co.ke/hikvision-ptz-bullet-camera-installation-video-kenya)[More sample projects →](https://qyvea.co.ke/security-installation-videos-kenya) ## Frequently 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. ## Why customers choose Qyvea **Genuine brands**: Manufacturer warranty on what we sell, so you are not gambling on the box. **One team, start to finish**: The people who advise you also install and support it. **Fast answers**: WhatsApp replies usually within 30 minutes, and delivery within 24 hours in Nairobi. **Easy to buy**: Pay by M-Pesa, bank transfer or card. Free delivery in Nairobi on orders over KES 5,000. **Risk taken off you**: 7-day returns and exchanges on products, and a workmanship warranty on installations. **Customers say so**: Rated 4.6/5 from 57 Google reviews. **Your next step takes one minute:** send us a photo of the place on WhatsApp and we will tell you what it needs. ## Related articles [CCTV · Technology Explained CCTV Explained: How a Complete CCTV System Works Camera, cable, recorder, storage, network and phone: how each part of a CCTV system works, and why the weakest link decides how good the whole system is. 4 min read**READ FULL ARTICLE →**](https://qyvea.co.ke/how-cctv-works-kenya)[CCTV · Technology Explained CCTV Lens Sizes: 2.8mm vs 4mm vs 6mm, Fixed vs Varifocal Smaller millimetres mean a wider view with less detail; larger means a narrower, more detailed view. How to choose the right lens for each position. 2 min read**READ FULL ARTICLE →**](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-lens-sizes-fixed-vs-varifocal-kenya)[CCTV · Guide CCTV Camera Positioning: Heights, Angles & Blind Spots Where cameras go matters more than how expensive they are. Heights, angles, glare and overlap, and how to find the blind spots on your site. 2 min read**READ FULL ARTICLE →**](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-camera-positioning-blind-spots-kenya) ### Related services [CCTV Installation](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv) ### Related products [CCTV cameras in the shop](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-cameras-kenya)[Best CCTV cameras (buying guide)](https://qyvea.co.ke/best-cctv-camera-kenya) ### Related projects [CCTV installation, commercial property](https://qyvea.co.ke/projects#cctv-case-study) [← Previous**CCTV Camera Shows No Picture / Black Screen**](https://qyvea.co.ke/camera-no-picture-black-screen-kenya)[Next →**: CCTV Explained: How a Complete CCTV System Works**](https://qyvea.co.ke/how-cctv-works-kenya) ## Not sure which system you need? Request an assessment and we'll recommend what fits your site. 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