--- title: "CCTV Resolution Explained: 2MP vs 4MP vs 5MP vs 8MP | Qyvea Kenya" url: https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-resolution-2mp-4mp-5mp-8mp-kenya description: "CCTV resolution explained: what 2MP, 4MP, 5MP and 8MP (4K) mean in pixels, how resolution affects detail, storage and bandwidth, and pixel density for identifying faces." updated: 2026-10-17 --- > Markdown copy of https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-resolution-2mp-4mp-5mp-8mp-kenya for AI assistants. Prices and stock change; check the live page. We deliver products across Kenya · same-day dispatch · delivered within 24 hours[CCTV Installation](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv)[Access Control](https://qyvea.co.ke/access-control-systems-kenya)[Biometrics & Attendance](https://qyvea.co.ke/biometrics)[Electric Fencing](https://qyvea.co.ke/electric-fence)[Automatic Gates](https://qyvea.co.ke/automatic-gates)[Fire Alarm Systems](https://qyvea.co.ke/fire-alarm-systems)[Security Guards & K9](https://qyvea.co.ke/security-guards)[Solar Installation](https://qyvea.co.ke/solar-installation)[Solar & Power Backup](https://qyvea.co.ke/solar-solutions)[Electrical Installation](https://qyvea.co.ke/electrical-installation)[Smart Home Automation](https://qyvea.co.ke/smart-home-automation)[Building Management (BMS)](https://qyvea.co.ke/bms)[Networking & Wi-Fi](https://qyvea.co.ke/networking)[IT Support](https://qyvea.co.ke/it-support)[Cyber Security](https://qyvea.co.ke/cybersecurity)[System Integration](https://qyvea.co.ke/system-integration)[Intercom Systems](https://qyvea.co.ke/intercom)[PA Systems](https://qyvea.co.ke/pa-systems)[POS Systems](https://qyvea.co.ke/pos-systems)[Queue Management](https://qyvea.co.ke/queue-management-systems)[Business Supply (B2B)](https://qyvea.co.ke/business-supply-kenya)[Maintenance & Repairs](https://qyvea.co.ke/maintenance) CCTV · Comparison # CCTV Resolution Explained: 2MP vs 4MP vs 5MP vs 8MP What megapixels really buy you, why 8MP isn't always the right answer, and how pixel density decides whether you can identify a face. Imagine something goes wrong at your gate tonight. Could you show exactly who, when and how? Read on: it takes a few minutes and could save you a lot more than that. **In this guide you will see:** - 2MP = 1920×1080, 4MP = 2560×1440, 8MP = 3840×2160 (4K). - What matters is pixels per metre on the target, not megapixels alone. - Doubling resolution roughly doubles storage and bandwidth at the same compression. Quick answer Higher resolution means more pixels and more potential detail, but detail on a person depends on pixel density: how many pixels land on the target. A 2MP camera close to a door can identify faces better than an 8MP camera covering a wide yard. More pixels also mean more storage and bandwidth. [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%20Resolution%20Explained%3A%202MP%20vs%204MP%20vs%205MP%20vs%208MP.%20I%20want%20CCTV%20sorted.%20Can%20you%20help%3F)Reply usually within 30 minutes. 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Real products, live prices, in stock now ## Key takeaways - 2MP = 1920×1080, 4MP = 2560×1440, 8MP = 3840×2160 (4K). - What matters is pixels per metre on the target, not megapixels alone. - Doubling resolution roughly doubles storage and bandwidth at the same compression. - Use higher resolution where you need detail across a wide view, not everywhere. ## The numbers | Resolution | Pixels (typical) | Common name | Typical use | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2MP | 1920 × 1080 | Full HD / 1080p | Doors, corridors, close-range views | | 4MP | 2560 × 1440 | 2K / 1440p | General all-round coverage | | 5MP | 2560 × 1944 (varies) | 5MP | Common on HD/Turbo HD systems | | 8MP | 3840 × 2160 | 4K / UHD | Wide areas needing detail: yards, car parks | ## Pixel density: the number that actually matters The international CCTV standard IEC 62676-4 describes what an image can be used for based on pixels per metre (px/m) on the target: | Purpose | Pixel density | What you can do | | --- | --- | --- | | Detect | 25 px/m | Tell that a person is there | | Observe | 62 px/m | See what a person is doing | | Recognise | 125 px/m | Recognise someone you know | | Identify | 250 px/m | Identify a stranger beyond reasonable doubt | A 1920-pixel-wide image covering a 7.5 m wide doorway area gives about 256 px/m (enough to identify). The same camera covering a 30 m yard gives about 64 px/m (only enough to observe). **Tip**: Decide the purpose of each camera first (identify at the gate, observe across the yard) and choose resolution and lens to hit that pixel density. ## The cost of more pixels - More storage per camera per day - More network bandwidth, especially for remote viewing - More demanding recorders and cameras - Poorer low-light performance on some small, high-resolution sensors Efficient compression like H.265 reduces the storage cost. See [H.264 vs H.265](https://qyvea.co.ke/h264-vs-h265-cctv-compression-kenya) and the [storage calculator guide](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-storage-calculator-guide-kenya). ## Frequently asked questions Is 4MP better than 2MP for CCTV? It gives more detail across the same view, which helps on wider scenes. For close views like a doorway, a good 2MP camera can be enough. Is 8MP (4K) worth it? For wide areas where you need detail, yes. It needs more storage and bandwidth, so it's usually used selectively rather than on every camera. Why is my high-resolution camera blurry at night? Low light, motion blur and compression all reduce detail at night. Sensor size, lens aperture and lighting matter as much as resolution. ## 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 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 · Comparison H.264 vs H.265 vs H.265+: CCTV Compression Explained Compression decides how much storage and bandwidth your cameras eat. What H.265 saves over H.264, and what the '+' versions add. 2 min read**READ FULL ARTICLE →**](https://qyvea.co.ke/h264-vs-h265-cctv-compression-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 [Best CCTV cameras (buying guide)](https://qyvea.co.ke/best-cctv-camera-kenya)[CCTV cameras in the shop](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-cameras-kenya) ### Related projects [CCTV installation, commercial property](https://qyvea.co.ke/projects#cctv-case-study) [← Previous**CCTV Night Vision: IR vs Full-Colour (ColorVu) vs Smart Hybrid Light**](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-night-vision-ir-colorvu-smart-hybrid-light-kenya)[Next →**: CCTV Showing 'Video Loss' or 'No Signal'? Fix It Channel by Channel**](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-video-loss-dvr-kenya) ## Not sure which system you need? Request an assessment and we'll recommend what fits your site. 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