Ranking of outdoor surveillance cameras: TOP 8

We have prepared a ranking of outdoor surveillance cameras based on the solutions we use for our clients. If you are looking for an outdoor security camera, you have come to the right place. In this blog post, we describe the ranking of the top 8 outdoor cameras in 2023.

What should a good outdoor camera be characterized by?

A good outdoor camera should meet the following requirements:

1. High Resolution: The camera should offer at least Full HD resolution to provide clear and detailed recordings.

2. Weather Resistance: The camera should have a sturdy housing that meets waterproof and dustproof standards (e.g., IP67) to ensure long-lasting operation in various weather conditions.

3. MicroSD Card Slot: The camera should offer the ability to record footage on a microSD card or in the cloud, making it easier to review and store recordings.

4. Good Live Viewing System: The camera should allow for easy live viewing through mobile applications or web browsers.

5. Motion Detection: The camera should have motion detection with event filtering capabilities, which notifies the user of suspicious activity on the monitored premises.

6. Good Night Vision: The camera should be equipped with infrared (IR) LEDs that enable recording at night with good contrast and sharpness.

7. Easy Installation: The camera should be easy to install and configure, even for individuals without experience in this field.

Additionally, it is worth consulting with specialists when choosing the appropriate type of camera and mounting accessories to ensure proper and aesthetically pleasing installation.

When choosing a good outdoor camera, it is worth considering products from brands such as Hikvision, Dahua, BCS, Kenik, or Reolink. However, remember to thoroughly analyze the offered models to choose the one that best meets your individual needs and requirements.

Ranking of outdoor cameras for home monitoring – TOP 8 cameras:

1. Best outdoor camera for its intelligent features: Reolink Trackmix WIFI OBROTOWA 8MPx

The best outdoor surveillance camera due to its smart features is the Reolink Trackmix camera.

The Reolink Trackmix WIFI ROTATING 8MPx IP camera is a dual-lens 4K PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) camera that offers accurate object tracking. It is equipped with a wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens, allowing for a dual view and dual tracking. With its 4K Ultra HD (8MP) resolution and dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz), it delivers very good image quality.

The camera automatically tracks the movement of objects, rotating and tilting (up to 355° horizontally, 90° vertically), presenting both a panoramic and zoomed view on the same screen. This refers to the two ways the camera uses to track an object – in the panoramic view, the camera rotates and tilts to keep the object in view, and in the zoomed view, the camera zooms in on the object to accurately track its movement.

The TrackMix camera uses advanced technology to restore details and sharpness of the zoomed image, improving image quality, enabling simultaneous tracking of the situation and details. Additionally, the camera can distinguish people, vehicles, and pets from other objects, providing more accurate notifications.

The camera is also equipped with white and infrared LEDs, which allow for full-color recording at night, even in the absence of light. It supports time-lapse recording, allowing events to be saved over several minutes.

With motion tracking and real-time alerts, the camera automatically tracks suspicious objects and sends instant push notifications to connected devices. The ability to preview live in two views – panoramic and zoomed – allows for easy situation control.

In addition to this, the camera offers smart playback, allowing filtering of recorded films according to detection modes and timeline control to quickly find interesting moments. The user can also customize the motion zone, deciding where the movement of objects will be detected, and where it won’t.

The camera is also compatible with the Google Assistant voice system, allowing the user to easily check what’s happening in the yard by saying “Hey Google, show me the yard” on a device like Google Nest Hub or a Chromecast-supported TV.

Advantages

• Dual-lens rotating camera with motion tracking.
• Wide-angle and telephoto zoom lenses
• 4K 8MP Ultra HD.
• Dual-band Wi-Fi 2.4/5 GHz.
• Automatic tracking and automatic focusing.
• Recognition of people, vehicles, and pets.
• Two-way audio.
• Full-color recording at night.
• Time-lapse video recording.
• Easy and intelligent playback.
• Customized motion zone.
• Google Assistant compatibility.
• Compatibility with Google Nest Hub and Chromecast TVs.

Disadvantages

• Animal detection in beta testing phase.
• Small night vision range of 15 meters.

2. The best outdoor camera up to $50: EasyCam Tuya 3MP EC-3PT12L16IR

The best outdoor camera up to 50$ is EasyCam Tuya 3MP EC-3PT12L16IR.

The EasyCam outdoor rotating WiFi LED 25m Tuya 3MP EC-3PT12L16IR IP camera is a smart camera equipped with advanced image processing technology, enabling the detection of moving people. It offers high image resolution of 3MP (2560×1440) and the ability to rotate both horizontally (355°) and vertically (90°). With 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network support and the Tuya app on your phone, the user can live view the camera feed, receive motion detection notifications, and communicate bi-directionally via the built-in microphone and speaker. The camera also features recording on a microSD card, support for IOS and Android operating systems, and the possibility of online software updates. It is also equipped with an antenna allowing for a strong network signal with a range of up to 50m in open space. The EasyCam IP camera has an IP63 waterproof rating, making it resistant to adverse weather conditions.

Advantages

• Rotating camera head.
• Two-way voice communication.
• Motion detection and notifications.
• Night illumination: up to 25 meters.
• Color mode at night.
• Simple installation and configuration.

Disadvantages

• Resolution only 3MP.
• Lacks 5 GHz support.

3. The best outdoor camera for up to 75$: IMOU Bullet 2 4MP IPC – F42FEP

4. The best outdoor camera for up to 100$: EZVIZ H8c 4MPx

The best outdoor camera for up to 400 PLN is the EZVIZ H8c 4MPx camera.

The EZVIZ H8c 4MPx IP camera is an advanced and aesthetically pleasing model with many technologically advanced features that make it easy to use, and high resolution of 2560 x 1440 (4 MPx), which allows for recording detailed images. Its most important feature is its ability to record panoramic images at a full 360° angle, allowing for a comprehensive overview of the surroundings.

Using advanced artificial intelligence, the camera is capable of detecting people and allows for their movement to be tracked automatically.

Additionally, the camera offers quick restoration of previously configured settings, which is particularly useful during complex object tracking. It is also equipped with active protection, which uses an alarm siren and strobe lighting to deter intruders.

EZVIZ, the camera’s manufacturer, has earned numerous certificates confirming its high information security and data protection standards, which is an additional advantage of the product.

Thanks to its built-in speaker and microphone, the camera allows for two-way conversations, which allows for communication with guests or couriers, even when we are away from home. It also supports microSD cards of up to 512 GB, which allows for significantly longer storage of recordings.

One of the interesting features of the camera is its ability to distinguish between humans and animals or other moving objects, which allows for more precise and effective responses to detected activities.

In night vision mode, the camera can operate in three different modes: color, monochrome, and smart. In smart mode, it automatically turns on the lights and illuminates the area when it detects human activity at night, providing additional protection for the home.

The EZVIZ app allows for easy control of the camera, allowing the user to define up to 12 target monitoring points. Simply click on the preset settings points, and the camera will automatically set itself to the selected positions.

It’s also worth noting that the EZVIZ H8c 4MPx IP camera provides excellent quality color night vision image at night, thanks to built-in spotlights. However, to maintain peace in the neighborhood, you can enable the monochrome night vision mode, which operates in invisible infrared.

Advantages

• High resolution 4 Mpx.
• Rotating camera head.
• Color night mode.
• People detection using artificial intelligence.
• Automatic tracking of detected people.
• Active protection using an alarm siren and strobe lighting.
• Supports microSD cards up to 512 GB.
• Differentiating between humans and animals or other moving objects.
• Simple configuration for restoring settings.
• The camera offers various night vision modes.

Disadvantages

• Lack of support for the ONVIF standard.
• Complex configuration and personalization.

5. The best outdoor camera up to 250$: ORLLO R2

The best outdoor camera for up to 250$ is the Orllo R2 camera.

The ORLLO R2 CCTV POE Outdoor Camera – equipped with a Sony IMX335 CMOS sensor measuring 1/2.8″, this camera provides excellent image quality under any conditions. Moreover, the ability to rotate 360 degrees and a 90-degree field of view ensures a wide viewing area, and a 22x optical zoom allows for precise zooming without losing sharpness.

One of the main advantages of the ORLLO R2 is the Intelligent Image Analysis (AI IVS). This system uses advanced machine learning algorithms to detect motion and recognize people, sending PUSH notifications to your phone when a human is detected. This feature enhances the effectiveness of the security system, reducing false alarms.

The ORLLO R2 camera copes excellently with low-light conditions. Its night range is up to 60 meters, and a built-in infrared reflector ensures excellent visibility in the dark. What’s more, the camera doesn’t have a mechanical infrared filter, which means you can use the infrared feature without worrying about mechanical damage.

In terms of connectivity, the ORLLO R2 supports WiFi and is ONVIF-compatible, which means you can easily integrate it with other monitoring systems. The RJ45 (10/100 Mbps) network interface ensures a stable connection, and network protocols such as TCP/IP, HTTP, FTP, RTSP, UPnP, DNS, NTP, RTP, UDP, IGMP, and P2P guarantee comprehensive management and configuration capabilities.

As for durability, the ORLLO R2 camera has an IP66 protection class, which means it is resistant to the effects of weather conditions, including rain and dust. You can install it outside buildings without worries, regardless of the weather conditions.

In summary, the ORLLO R2 CCTV POE Outdoor Camera is a powerful, intelligent, and reliable tool.

Advantages

• High 5 Mpx resolution.
• Sony IMX335 CMOS sensor.
• 360-degree rotation capability and a 90-degree field of view.
• 22x optical zoom.
• Intelligent image analysis (AI IVS).
• Good night range and built-in infrared reflector up to 60 meters.
• No mechanical infrared filter: Reduces the risk of mechanical damage.
• ONVIF compatibility.
• High IP66 protection class.

Disadvantages

• High price.
• Complex configuration.
• No built-in microphone and speaker.

6. The best outdoor camera for home monitoring: IMOU CRUISER IPC-S42FP

The best outdoor camera for home monitoring is the IMOU CRUISER IPC-S42FP camera.

The IMOU CRUISER IPC-S42FP IP Camera is an advanced device for external monitoring, offering high image quality and a multitude of features that enable effective protection and surveillance.

It is a 4-megapixel IP camera that allows you to record videos in QHD quality, that is 2560×1440 pixels. Its lens has a fixed focal length of 3.6mm, which allows for a wide viewing angle: 88°.

Thanks to Full Colour technology and night modes, the camera provides a bright, colorful, and clear image even in low light conditions. The night illumination can reach a distance of up to 30 meters.

The camera has a rotatable design, allowing you to adjust the shooting angle horizontally from 0 to 355 degrees and vertically from 0 to 90 degrees. This allows the camera to be directed to key spots around the house, ensuring comprehensive supervision.

The IMOU CRUISER is equipped with a built-in microphone and speaker, enabling two-way communication. You can remotely talk to people on the monitored property, such as calming children, directing a pet, or warding off uninvited guests.

The camera also has a built-in 110 dB alarm siren and blinding LED spotlights. These features help deter potential intruders and effectively secure the property.

IMOU CRUISER cooperates with a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network, allowing for wireless control and image transmission. It has a dual antenna, ensuring a stable connection at a distance of up to 120 meters in open space.

The camera offers various darkness modes, which can be adjusted to your needs. The infrared mode allows recording in black and white with a high level of brightness. The color mode allows for a colorful image, and thanks to the LED spotlights, the camera can serve as exterior lighting for the house. The smart mode automatically switches the camera from black and white mode to color upon detecting suspicious motion. Day mode is standard color imaging without active lighting from spotlights.

The camera is weather resistant, with an IP66 waterproof rating. This means it is protected against dust and waterproof, allowing for reliable operation in various weather conditions, such as rain, snow, or heat.

The camera allows for continuous recording on a MicroSD card with a capacity of up to 256 GB, enabling storage of recorded materials. In addition, it has a Geofencing feature, a virtual boundary that allows you to customize the camera’s operation depending on the user’s location.

Advantages

• High image quality 4MPx.
• Colorful image at night.
• Rotatable camera.
• IP66 waterproof rating.
• Two-way audio.
• Warning by spotlight and siren.
• Motion and person detection.
• Geofencing.

Disadvantages

• Lack of 5GHz network support.
• No optical zoom.

6. Best outdoor camera for home monitoring: IMOU CRUISER IPC-S42FP

The best outdoor camera for home monitoring is the IMOU CRUISER IPC-S42FP camera.

The IMOU CRUISER IPC-S42FP IP camera is an advanced device for outdoor monitoring that offers high image quality and multiple features that allow for effective protection and surveillance.

This is a 4-megapixel IP camera that allows you to record videos in QHD quality, that is, 2560×1440 pixels. Its lens has a fixed focal length of 3.6mm, which allows for a wide viewing angle: 88°.

Thanks to Full Colour technology and night modes, the camera provides a bright, colourful and clear image even in low light conditions. Night lighting can reach a distance of up to 30 meters.

The camera has a rotating design, allowing you to adjust the recording angle horizontally from 0 to 355 degrees and vertically from 0 to 90 degrees. This allows you to direct the camera to selected key places around the house, ensuring comprehensive supervision.

IMOU CRUISER is equipped with a built-in microphone and speaker, allowing for two-way communication. You can remotely talk to people in the monitored area, for example, to calm children, direct a pet, or deter uninvited guests.

The camera also has a built-in alarm siren with a power of 110 dB and blinding LED spotlights. These features help deter potential intruders and effectively secure the property.

IMOU CRUISER works with a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network, allowing for wireless control and image transmission. It has a dual antenna, which ensures a stable connection at a distance of up to 120 meters in open space.

The camera offers various dark mode operations that can be adapted to your needs. Infrared mode allows you to record in black and white with a high level of brightness. Colour mode allows for a colourful image, and thanks to LED spotlights, the camera can serve as outdoor home lighting. Smart mode automatically switches the camera from black and white to colour mode when suspicious movement is detected. Day mode is a standard colour image without active lighting from the spotlights.

The camera is resistant to weather conditions, and its tightness class is IP66. This means that it is protected from dust and waterproof, allowing it to operate reliably in various weather conditions, such as rain, snow, or heat.

The camera allows continuous recording on a MicroSD card with a capacity of up to 256 GB, which allows you to store recorded materials. In addition, it has a Geofencing function, a virtual boundary that allows you to adjust the operation of the camera depending on the user’s location.

Advantages

High image quality of 4MPx.

Colour image at night.

Rotating camera

The camera has an IP66 tightness class.

Two-way audio.

Warning via spotlight and siren.

Detection of motion and people.

Geofencing.

Disadvantages

Lack of support for 5GHz networks.

Lack of optical zoom.

7. The best WiFi camera with night vision: ORLLO TZ3 5Mpx Rotating Outdoor WiFi IP POE Camera

The best outdoor WiFi camera with night vision is the ORLLO TZ3 camera.

The Orllo TZ3 IP camera is an outdoor camera equipped with many advanced features. In color night mode, the camera uses LED lights with a range of up to 50 meters, allowing recording in color even in the dark. Thanks to infrared, the image range can reach up to 100 meters. These high parameters make it an excellent choice for night-time observation.

Furthermore, the Orllo TZ3 camera has a high 5MP image resolution, providing clear video recordings. It is equipped with a rotating head that can rotate 360° horizontally and 90° vertically, thus ensuring comprehensive coverage of the monitored area.

Intelligent image analysis allows for the detection and tracking of human movement, minimizing the number of false alarms. When a person is detected, the camera activates a sound alarm and turns on a strobe light alarm, deterring a potential intruder.

The camera offers two-way voice communication thanks to its built-in microphone and speaker, allowing you to talk to people within the camera’s range.

Power supply and data transmission can be carried out using a single computer twisted pair cable thanks to the support of the PoE standard or through WiFi and a local power supply that comes with the camera, which facilitates and simplifies installation. The camera also has the option of mounting on a wall or under the ceiling.

Thanks to the cooperation with the TUYA application in Polish on a phone or tablet, the user has a live view from the camera and receives alarm notifications when motion is detected. Recordings can be saved on a microSD card with a capacity of up to 128GB, and you can also remotely view and download recorded materials.

The Orllo TZ3 IP camera is also compatible with the ONVIF standard, so it can work with recorders, which further extends its capabilities.

Advantages

• High image quality both day and night
• Sony 5 MPx converter
• 36X Zoom
• Intelligent image analysis (AI IVS)
• Auto-tracking
• Easy integration with the TUYA app
• ONVIF compatibility
• Color night mode up to 50 meters
• Large infrared range: 100 meters
• Automatic patrolling
• Technical support and updates: Orllo Package

Disadvantages

• High price Complex configuration
• Low vandal resistance

8. Best outdoor camera for backyard monitoring: IP Camera Imou Bullet Pro 5MP IPC-F52MIP

The best outdoor camera for backyard monitoring is the Imou Bullet Pro 5MP IPC-F52MIP camera.

The Imou Bullet Pro 5MP IPC-F52MIP IP camera is an advanced monitoring device, equipped with a 1/2.7-inch CMOS sensor with a resolution of 5 megapixels.

The camera also provides the possibility of monitoring in the dark up to 30 meters. The fixed-focus lens of 3.6mm allows for a wide field of view, which is 90° horizontally, 45° vertically, and 107° diagonally.

The camera records images at a rate of 25 frames per second and offers an 8x digital zoom. Additionally, the camera has a built-in microphone, allowing for sound recording during monitoring.

The camera is equipped with features such as motion detection with the ability to configure the region, which allows for monitoring essential areas. Furthermore, the camera has functions for human and vehicle detection, which allow for more precise monitoring and the elimination of false alarms.

Regarding network options, the camera has one 100 Mbps Ethernet port and supports Wi-Fi connectivity compliant with IEEE802.11b/g/n standards, allowing for wireless communication with other devices. The Imou app available for iOS and Android devices enables remote access to the camera.

The camera is compatible with the ONVIF protocol, allowing integration with various devices supporting this standard, such as IP recorders, video door phones, and other devices. Additionally, it has a slot for a Micro SD card with a maximum capacity of 256GB, providing an additional option for storing recordings.

In short, the Imou Bullet Pro 5MP IPC-F52MIP IP camera offers high-quality 5MP resolution monitoring, providing comfortable and reliable monitoring in various weather conditions thanks to its metal housing and IP67 certification.

Advantages

• High video resolution of 5MP.
• Detection of humans and vehicles.
• Configurable detection region.
• Built-in microphone.
• IP67 weather resistance.
• Support for ONVIF standard.
• Solid metal housing.

Disadvantages

• Additional fees for cloud storage.
• No color night vision.

What outdoor camera should I choose for monitoring the backyard?

An outdoor camera for monitoring the backyard should meet the IP67 standard for protection against dust and water. It should have a wide viewing angle and high resolution to minimize the number of cameras required to cover the entire backyard.

It is advisable to choose wide-angle cameras with a viewing angle of at least 90 degrees, which typically have lenses with a focal length ranging from 2.8mm to 3.6mm. This significantly reduces the number of security cameras required. With such focal length of the lens, a standard rectangular-shaped house can be covered with just four cameras. An exception would be when our backyard is in the form of a long strip. In such a situation, it would be advisable to choose a camera with an adjustable lens, for example, 2.8-12mm, to accommodate the varying distance and width of the area to be covered.

Please check out our article on this topic

Outdoor Yard Surveillance Camera – Which One to Choose?

What kind of outdoor camera to choose for nighttime surveillance?

The outdoor camera for nighttime surveillance should have an IR illuminator or white light with a long range and a smartIR function to improve the uniformity of nighttime illumination..

Certainly, it must be a camera with an IR illuminator or white light. One should also pay attention to the range of the night illuminator, which should be at least 20% greater than the maximum desired viewing range. This will provide us with higher resolution at greater distances. It would be beneficial if the cameras were equipped with the SmartIR feature, which provides much more even nighttime illumination.

What outdoor camera should you choose for home surveillance?

The outdoor camera for home surveillance should be weatherproof, have infrared night vision or white light illumination, wide field of view, and high resolution.

Firstly, it should be weatherproof, preferably with an IP67 rating. Secondly, the camera should have infrared (IR) night vision or white light illumination, allowing it to continue recording even in low-light or no-light conditions. Thirdly, the camera should have a wide field of view to capture a broader perspective and provide a wider coverage area with clear visibility. Fourthly, the camera should have high resolution to capture fine details and ensure clear image quality.

Should I choose a wireless or wired outdoor camera?

Why is it better to use wired cameras?

WiFi cameras can be divided into two types based on power supply:

The first type is wireless cameras powered by an adapter, while the second type is powered by a battery.

Wireless cameras powered by an adapter function like standard wired cameras and are completely maintenance-free. Unfortunately, for such cameras, we need to provide local power supply voltage.

Battery-powered wireless cameras do not require any wiring.. The installation of such a camera is the simplest. Unfortunately, this solution requires a few compromises. One of them is the need for regular charging of the batteries. Most often, cameras are installed in such a way that they cannot be easily removed. However, there are solutions available with dedicated small solar panels, which can also be a good way to power such a camera.

The second issue is the need to conserve energy by recording only events detected by the motion sensor installed in the camera. The camera remains in constant surveillance mode and only activates the image recording on the SD card or sends a signal to the recorder when motion is detected by the motion sensor. This can mean that some events will be missed if the motion sensor does not detect them. It is unlikely to happen, but there is a greater risk compared to continuous recording.

The range of the implemented motion sensor is unfortunately limited to a maximum of twelve meters. The impact of radio interference on such cameras is not insignificant. In densely urbanized areas, their usefulness may be reduced.

The primary advantage of WiFi cameras is that they are wireless, allowing us to place them wherever we have Wi-Fi signal coverage. The camera communicates with its base station or router. This provides us with great flexibility and eliminates the need for unsightly wiring installations. We can install it at any time, even if we have been living in the house for years. It is also a great solution for tenants, as there is no need to interfere with the structure of the building or make any other changes to the property.

The last downside of wireless cameras is the price. A basic wireless camera can cost around 350 PLN, but most of them are priced over 500 PLN and require a base station. A set of two cameras and a base station can cost at least 1350 PLN. At that price, you can get a complete set of six analog cameras with a recorder, hard drive, cables, etc.

Wired cameras are free from all of these disadvantages.

The only disadvantage of wired cameras compared to wireless cameras is the need to run a cable from the camera to the recorder.

The basic functions of outdoor cameras are

Here are a few important features to look for when purchasing an outdoor camera:

• WDR (Wide Dynamic Range) is important for clear imaging in areas with high contrast lighting conditions (e.g., bright sunlight and shadowed areas). It helps to balance the exposure and capture details in both bright and dark areas of the scene. WDR, or Wide Dynamic Range, is capable of mitigating the differences in lighting between shadowed areas and regions directly exposed to bright sunlight. It can effectively equalize these variations, resulting in a more balanced image. Look for a camera with a dynamic range of 120 dB or higher.
• DNR, which stands for Digital Noise Reduction, helps eliminate graininess from the image. The best option is 3D DNR (Three-Dimensional Digital Noise Reduction)
• F-DNR (Fog Digital Noise Reduction) or Defog function is a feature that reduces the effects of fog or haze in the image, resulting in improved visibility and clarity.
• BLC (Backlight Compensation) and HLC (Highlight Compensation) are features that prevent the “blinding effect” caused by strong light shining directly into the camera lens.
• Motion detection triggers recording only when motion (a contrast change) is detected in the area observed by the camera.
• Intelligent motion detection with AI analytics offers significantly fewer false alarms compared to basic CCTV motion detection, and its capabilities for detecting defined events are extensive.
• ROI (Region of Interest) – This function allows you to select an area that will be recorded with a higher resolution than the rest of the frame. This reduces the amount of required bandwidth and storage space while preserving necessary details in the selected area.

Other useful shopping guides include:

• Ranking of IP cameras
• Ranking of home camera kits
• The best wireless WiFi CCTV cameras for 2023: TOP 6