How to Read a Security Camera Spec Sheet: What Every Specification Actually Means
• Tommy Tang

Introduction: Why Understanding Spec Sheets Matters

Ever stared at a security camera datasheet and felt completely lost? You are not alone. Between sensor sizes, compression codecs, and IP ratings, spec sheets can feel like they are written in another language. But here is the thing: understanding these specifications is the difference between buying a camera that actually meets your needs.

In this guide, we will break down every section of a typical security camera spec sheet using real-world examples. By the end, you will know exactly what to look for and what each number actually means for your security setup.

Part 1: Camera – The Heart of Your Security System

The Camera section covers the core imaging components that determine your overall picture quality.

1.1 Image Sensor: Why Sensor Size Affects Low-Light Performance

The image sensor is the most critical component of a camera—it captures light and converts it into video.

When you see a specification like:

Image Sensor: 1/1.8" Progressive Scan CMOS

 Here is what it means:

  • 1/1.8" refers to the sensor size. Larger sensors or smaller denominator capture more light, resulting in better low-light performance. A 1/1.8" sensor is significantly better than a 1/2.8" sensor.
  • Progressive Scan means the sensor captures entire frames at once (versus interlaced, which captures alternating lines). This produces smoother motion and is standard for modern cameras.
  • CMOS is the sensor technology. There are two main sensor technologies used nowadays, CCD and CMOS. CCD sensors offer higher image quality, suitable for low-light environments, but have higher power consumption and cost; CMOS sensors are low power, cost-effective, and suitable for high-speed shooting, but have lower image quality in low-light conditions.

1.2 Resolution Decoded: What 2MP, 4MP, 5MP, and 8MP Really Mean

Resolution determines how much detail your camera captures. From a spec sheet:

Max. Resolution: 3840 × 2160 (8MP)

The numbers tell you the pixel dimensions: 3840 pixels wide by 2160 pixels tall. Multiply them together and you get approximately 8 million pixels, or 8MP.

Resolution Pixel Size Common Name Best For
2MP 1920 × 1080 1080p / Full HD Indoor, small areas
4MP 2560 × 1440 2K / QHD General-purpose surveillance
5MP 2592 × 1944 5MP Larger coverage areas
8MP 3840 × 2160 4K / UHD License plates, facial recognition

Pro tip: Higher resolution is not always better. 4K cameras require more storage and bandwidth. For most home applications, 4MP offers an excellent balance of detail and efficiency.

1.3 Shutter Speed and Minimum Illumination

Two related specs that affect low-light performance:

Shutter Speed: 1/3 s to 1/100,000 s

Min. Illumination: Color: 0.0005 Lux @ (F1.0, AGC ON)

The shutter speed range shows how the camera adapts to different lighting. Slower speeds (1/3 s) let in more light for dark scenes but can cause motion blur. Faster speeds (1/100,000 s) freeze fast action in bright conditions. Minimum illumination tells you how little light the camera needs to produce a usable image. Pro tip: Lower is better—0.0005 Lux is excellent and means the camera can see in near-total darkness with just starlight.

Part 2: Lens – How Much Can Your Camera See?

The lens determines your field of view and how much detail you can capture at distance.

2.1 Focal Length Explained: 2.8mm vs 4mm vs 6mm vs 12mm

From a typical spec sheet:

Focal Length: 2.8 mm; 4 mm

Focal length is measured in millimeters and works inversely with field of view:

Shorter focal length 2.8mm = Wider view, less detail at distanceLonger focal length.

12mm = Narrower view, more detail at distance.

Focal Length

Horizontal FOV

Best Distance

Ideal For

2.8mm

~107°

0-5m

Small rooms, wide coverage

4mm

~87°

3-10m

Medium rooms, entrances

6mm

~54°

5-15m

Driveways, yards

12mm

~25°

15-30m

Long corridors, parking lots

2.2 Aperture and F-Stop: Why F1.0 Beats F2.0 in Low Light

Aperture: F1.0 / F1.4

The F-stop number indicates how much light the lens allows in. Counter-intuitively, lower F-numbers mean larger apertures that let in more light:

  • F1.0 – Excellent low-light performance (lets in the most light)
  • F1.4 – Very good low-light performance
  • F2.0 – Standard, adequate for well-lit areas

Pro tip: For cameras that need to perform well at night, look for F1.6 or lower.

2.3 Field of View: Understanding the Angles

Field of View: 2.8 mm: H: 107°, V: 56°, D: 127°

FOV is expressed in three measurements:

  • H (Horizontal): How wide the camera sees left-to-right – most important for coverage planning
  • V (Vertical): How tall the camera sees top-to-bottom
  • D (Diagonal): Corner-to-corner measurement

Part 3: DORI- Detection, Observation, Recognition, Identification

DORI is a standardized measurement that tells you exactly how far away your camera can perform specific tasks.

DORI Distance: 2.8 mm: D: 89 m, O: 35 m, R: 17 m, I: 8 m

Level

Distance (Example)

PPM Required

What You Can Do

Detect (D)

89m

25 PPM

See that something is there

Observe (O)

35m

62 PPM

Determine general characteristics

Recognize (R)

17m

125 PPM

Recognize a known person

Identify (I)

8m

250 PPM

Identify an unknown person

PPM stands for Pixels Per Meter. More pixels on the target = more detail. This is why a 4K camera can identify faces from further away than a 1080p camera with the same lens.

Pro tips: If you need to identify visitors at your front door (8 meters away with the example camera above), this 2.8mm lens will work. But for identifying someone in your backyard 20 meters away, you would need a longer focal length lens.

Part 4: Illuminator – See Clearly Day and Night

4.1 IR Night Vision: What Does "30m IR Range" Mean?

Illumination Distance: Up to 30 m

IR Wavelength: 850 nm

IR (infrared) LEDs provide invisible light for the camera to see in darkness. The distance rating tells you how far the IR light reaches effectively.

850nm wavelength produces a faint red glow visible to humans. Some cameras use 940nm which is completely invisible but typically has shorter range.

4.2 Smart IR and Supplement Light Types

Smart Supplement Light: Yes

Supplement Light Type: IR / White Light / Hybrid

Smart IR automatically adjusts LED intensity based on scene conditions, preventing overexposure when subjects are close to the camera.

Light types explained:

  • IR only: Black and white night vision, covert surveillance
  • White Light: Full-color night vision, works as a deterrentHybrid: Switches between modes based on conditions or events

Part 5: Video – Compression, Frame Rate & Bandwidth

5.1 Video Compression: H.264 vs H.265 vs H.265+

Video Compression: H.265+/H.265/H.264+/H.264

Compression determines how efficiently video is stored and transmitted:

Codec

Storage Efficiency

Compatibility

Best For

H.264

Baseline

Universal

Older systems

H.265

~50% less than H.264

Most modern systems

4K cameras

H.265+

~80% less than H.264

Brand-specific NVRs

Maximum storage savings

Pro tips: For a 4K camera recording 24/7, choosing H.265+ over H.264 could mean the difference between needing a 2TB drive versus an 8TB drive.

5.2 Frame Rate: Why 15fps Cameras Are a Bad Idea

Video Frame Rate: Main stream: 25/30 fps @ 4K

Frame rate is how many images per second the camera captures

Pro tips:

  • 25/30 fps: Smooth video, captures fast motion clearly – recommended minimum
  • 15 fps: Choppy video, may miss critical moments – avoid if possible
  • 60 fps: Very smooth, useful for fast-moving traffic – requires more storage

5.3 Bit Rate and Stream Configuration

Video Bit Rate: 32 Kbps to 16 Mbps

Bit Rate Control: CBR / VBR

Bit rate determines video quality and file size.

Pro tips:Higher bit rate = better quality but more storage needed.

  • CBR (Constant Bit Rate): Predictable bandwidth usage, consistent file sizes
  • VBR (Variable Bit Rate): Better quality, adjusts based on scene complexity

5.4 Main Stream vs Sub Stream

Main Stream: 50 Hz: 25 fps (3840 × 2160, 1920 × 1080, 1280 × 720)

Sub-Stream: 50 Hz: 25 fps (1280 × 720, 640 × 480, 640 × 360)

Most cameras output multiple streams simultaneously:

  • Main Stream: Full resolution, used for recording
  • Sub Stream: Lower resolution, used for remote viewing on phones to save bandwidth
  • Third Stream: Often used for analytics or additional remote connections

Part 6: Image – Getting Crystal Clear Footage

6.1 WDR: True WDR vs Digital WDR

WDR: 120 dB (True WDR)

WDR (Wide Dynamic Range) helps cameras handle scenes with both very bright and very dark areas—like a person standing in front of a window.

  • True WDR: Uses hardware (multiple exposures) for best results. Look for 120dB or higher.
  • Digital WDR (DWDR): Software-only processing, less effective but better than nothing.

The dB rating indicates the range of light the camera can handle.

Pro tips: Higher is better: 120dB is good, 140dB is excellent.

6.2 BLC, HLC and Noise Reduction

BLC, HLC, 3D DNR, Distortion Correction, Defog

These image enhancement features each solve specific problems:

  • BLC (Backlight Compensation): Brightens subjects against bright backgrounds
  • HLC (Highlight Compensation): Reduces glare from headlights and spotlights
  • 3D DNR (Digital Noise Reduction): Reduces grain in low-light footage by analyzing multiple frames
  • Defog: Digitally enhances visibility in foggy or hazy conditions

Part 7: Audio – More Than Just Video

Audio Compression: G.711/G.722.1/G.726/MP2L2/PCM/MP3/AAC-LC

Audio capabilities enable two-way communication and sound-triggered recording:

  • Built-in Microphone: Captures ambient sound. Dual-microphone arrays provide better noise cancellation.
  • Built-in Speaker: Enables talk-back functionality for communication or warnings.
  • G.711 is the most common audio codec, providing good quality with low bandwidth requirements.

Part 8: Network – Connectivity & Remote Access

8.1 Protocols and Compatibility

Network Protocol: TCP/IP, HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, DHCP, DNS, DDNS, RTP, RTSP, NTP, 802.1X

SDK and API: ONVIF (Profile S/G/T), ISAPI, SDK

Key protocols to understand:

  • ONVIF: Open standard that ensures cameras work with third-party NVRs and software
  • RTSP: Streaming protocol for accessing live video feeds
  • HTTPS/802.1X: Security protocols for encrypted connections

8.2 Remote Access and Storage

Network Storage: NAS (NFS, SMB/CIFS), ANR

ANR (Automatic Network Replenishment) is a valuable feature—if the network connection drops, the camera records to its SD card and automatically uploads the footage when connection restores.

Part 9: Power – Keeping Your Camera Running

Power Supply: 12 VDC ± 25%, PoE (IEEE 802.3at)

Power Consumption: Max. 18 W

Understanding PoE standards:

Standard

Max Power

Common Use

802.3af (PoE)

15.4W

Basic fixed cameras

802.3at (PoE+)

30W

IR cameras, PTZ, heaters

802.3bt (PoE++)

60-100W

High-power PTZ, heated housings

Pro tips: With a max consumption of 18W, this camera requires 802.3at (PoE+). Using a standard 802.3af switch would not provide enough power.

Part 10: Environment – Built to Survive the Elements

10.1 IP and IK Ratings Decoded

Protection (IP Rating): IP67 (IEC 60529-2013), IK10 (IEC 62262:2002)

IP Rating (Ingress Protection) has two digits:

  • First digit (6): Dust protection – 6 means completely dust-tight
  • Second digit (7): Water protection – 7 means can withstand immersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes

Rating

Dust Protection

Water Protection

IP65

Dust-tight

Low-pressure water jets

IP66

Dust-tight

High-pressure water jets

IP67

Dust-tight

Temporary immersion (1m/30min)

Pro tips: IK Rating measures impact resistance. IK10 is the highest standard rating, withstanding 20 joules of impact—equivalent to a 5kg object dropped from 40cm.

Conclusion: Quick Checklist Before You Buy

Now that you understand what each specification means, here is a quick checklist for evaluating any security camera:

  • Resolution: 4MP minimum for most applications, 8MP for identification needs
  • Sensor Size: 1/2.8" or larger for better low-light performance
  • Aperture: F1.6 or lower for night use
  • Compression: H.265 or H.265+ for storage efficiency
  • Frame Rate: 25fps minimum, avoid 15fps
  • WDR: 120dB True WDR for challenging lighting
  • Smart Detection: SMD or equivalent for fewer false alarms
  • IP Rating: IP67 or others for outdoor use
  • PoE: Match camera power requirements to your switch capabilities
  • ONVIF: Ensure compatibility with your existing or planned NVR

Remember: the best camera is the one that matches your specific needs. A 4K camera is overkill for a small stockroom, while a 1080p camera might not cut it for parking lot surveillance. Use these specifications to make informed decisions—and do not hesitate to reach out if you need help choosing the right camera for your situation.

This guide is brought to you by Smarket. Your trusted source for professional security equipment in Australia.

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