Dome Vs Bullet Camera Explained

Courtney Durler ● Jan 15 ● 6 min read

This article aims to help you understand the critical differences between the dome vs bullet cameras. It can be used to help make a decision about which type of solution is best for your needs.

Dome cameras are a type of camera that attach to ceilings or eaves. They are known for their wide field of view. They are also considered more durable than bullet cameras due to their protective casing.

Bullet cameras, on the other hand, are usually mounted to walls and have a narrower field of view. However, they can be more easily installed than dome cameras.

What about my needs?

When choosing what is best between a dome vs bullet cameras solution, it is important to consider the specific needs of your situation. A dome camera may be the better option if you need to monitor a large area. If you are concerned about durability, then a bullet camera may be a better choice.

Ultimately, deciding between a dome and a bullet camera depends on your specific needs and preferences. Dome and bullet cameras perform pretty much the same but are advantageous to each camera.

As technology advances, so do the solutions to long-lived problems. This is more true than in the physical security sector. Here innovative ideas work together to create new, seemingly boundless security measures.

What Works Best?

However, any standard security system is incomplete without security cameras. As we’ve explored in past blog articles, there are many types of cameras to choose from when outfitting your home or business with a security system. But it is not a “one size fits all” decision, as everyone has different priorities and needs when it comes to securing their property.

The two most common designs are dome security cameras and bullet security cameras. These types of cameras have different strengths and weaknesses regarding their functionalities, making each better suited to different areas of the surveillance site.

Let’s examine the features of dome and bullet cameras, as well as the pros and cons of both.

DOME CAMERA

Known as a dome camera because of its dome-shaped design, this (typically) IP camera is built to withstand the elements of its environment, indoors and outdoors, because of the glass casing that protects the camera lens. Its wide-angle lens gives it massive area coverage, negating the need for multiple security cameras in nearby areas. Generally, dome cameras are installed on ceilings, making them better suited for inside security purposes.

PROS OF DOME CAMERA

• Built-in infrared LEDs allow for low light and night vision, creating a 24/7 effective surveillance camera system.

• Flexible capabilities allow different features to be utilized, like panoramic viewing, motion sensing, and pan-tilt-zooming

• Protective glass casing over the lens protects the camera from bad weather conditions and tampering

• Discreet design and placement allow for inconspicuousness; it can be difficult to determine where the camera is pointing, deterring vandals with a sense of uncertainty

• Wide angle lens provides a large field of view, allowing more area to be covered and less cameras to be needed

CONS OF DOME CAMERA

• Ceiling placement limits areas cameras can be installed, limiting their effectiveness in outside situations

• Protective glass casings require frequent maintenance for fingerprints, dust, and grime

• Slightly more difficult to install than a bullet camera

Like the dome camera, the bullet camera is named for its shape, which resembles a bullet. A larger lens and powerful optical zoom make this camera best suited for long-range viewing needs. Parking lots, open fields, and other expansive areas require a longer range than what dome cameras can offer, and the bullet camera’s easy installation and positioning fulfill that need effortlessly.

PROS OF BULLET CAMERA

• Built-in infrared LEDs allow for low light and night vision, creating a 24/7 effective surveillance camera system

• Very easy installation with wall mounts, allowing for flexible coverage

• The protruding shape acts as a deterrent to vandals and criminals

• Strong long-distance viewing provides excellent coverage for outside areas

• The powerful lens can capture details such as license plate numbers, creating an effective surveillance system for parking lots in particular

CONS OF BULLET CAMERA

• Easy for vandals to tamper with, as the wall-mounted camera can be repositioned to be facing a different way than the intended area

• The shape makes the camera more susceptible to spider webs and birds’ nests, requiring regular maintenance

• Lens has less protection from the elements, as there is no protective glass casing like the dome camera has

DOME CAMERA VS BULLET CAMERA

In summary, dome and bullet cameras function similarly, but their small differences are significant when deciding which is right when looking at dome vs bullet cameras.

Dome Camera

The dome camera is sleek and minimalistic. Its unobtrusive design allows for discreet placement, putting it out of the eyes of vandals and criminals. Its wide-angle lens provides massive area coverage that negates the need for multiple cameras in nearby areas, and its protective glass casing shields the camera lens from bad weather conditions and vandals.

Bullet Camera

The bullet camera is cylindrical and obtrusive, making it an effective deterrent for criminals and vandals. Its lens is much larger than the dome camera and has powerful long-range capabilities. The long-distance viewing is ideal for outside areas, specifically parking lots where a lot of crime occurs statistically.

Deciding what works for a dome vs bullet camera solution

Deciding which works best, either the dome vs bullet cameras in your home or business, depends on your security needs, but both dome and bullet cameras can be robust surveillance systems.

Monarch offers Verkada security cameras in both dome and bullet models, and these cameras do so much more than record. The Verkada system is cloud-based and has advanced AI capabilities that allow for facial and object recognition, analytical insights, and even license plate recognition. Footage can accessed from any platform with ease with a simple filter. Search features and instant alerts can be set up to notify the organization of threats that enter the premises.

So whether your security needs call for a dome security camera or a bullet security camera, Monarch has you covered. 

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