SAS ITNot All CCTV Cameras Are Created Equal
Installing the wrong camera type in the wrong location results in wasted spend and unusable footage. Here is how to match camera type to application.
Camera Types: What to Use Where
Dome Camera
Round, ceiling-mounted, discreet. Cannot tell which direction it is pointing — a deterrent in itself.
Best for: Indoor offices, corridors, retail floors, reception areas.
Typical cost: AED 200 to 500 for 4MP. AED 400 to 900 for 4K.
Bullet Camera
Cylindrical, wall or ceiling mounted, directional. Clearly visible — strong deterrent.
Best for: Outdoor perimeters, car parks, building entrances, warehouse loading bays.
Typical cost: AED 250 to 600 for 4MP. AED 500 to 1,200 for 4K with IR.
PTZ Camera (Pan-Tilt-Zoom)
Motorised camera that can rotate and zoom. Usually controlled by an operator or auto-patrol preset.
Best for: Large open areas — warehouses, car parks, public spaces where one camera needs to cover large areas.
Typical cost: AED 1,500 to 5,000 depending on zoom ratio and resolution.
Turret Camera
Hybrid of dome and bullet — ceiling mounted with a ball-and-socket that can be repositioned after installation. Most popular for Dubai offices in 2026.
Best for: General office indoor and outdoor use. Flexible repositioning.
Resolution Guide
| Resolution | Use Case | Storage per Camera |
|---|---|---|
| 2MP (1080p) | General indoor, low-risk areas | 5 to 10GB per day |
| 4MP | Office standard, entry points | 8 to 16GB per day |
| 8MP (4K) | Cashiers, entry/exit, vehicle plates | 20 to 35GB per day |
SIRA Dubai requires minimum 2MP for general areas, 4MP for entry/exit points.
Lens Selection
| Lens | Field of View | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 2.8mm | Very wide (100°+) | Small rooms, corners, close corridors |
| 4mm | Wide (80°) | General indoor use |
| 6mm | Medium (55°) | Longer corridors, outdoor perimeters |
| 8mm or varifocal | Narrow to medium | Entry points needing face detail at distance |
Rule of thumb: For face recognition quality, a person should occupy at least 10% of frame width. Calculate distance and choose lens accordingly.
IR Range: Night Vision for Dubai
Dubai has near-zero cloud cover — outdoor IR cameras work excellently at night. Specify IR range beyond the monitoring distance:
- Corridor or indoor: 20 to 30m IR
- Outdoor perimeter: 50 to 80m IR
- Car park: 80 to 120m IR or white-light spotlight cameras
For colour night footage: Hikvision ColorVu or Dahua Full-colour cameras add white-light LEDs for colour 24/7 footage without IR grey images.
SAS IT provides free camera selection advice and site surveys across Dubai. Book a survey | +971-526716178
*Related: Commercial CCTV Installation Dubai | Access Control System Dubai*
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