The bullet camera is the original type of CCTV camera. The bullet cameras got their name from being looking like rifle bullet cartridges. Because of their shape and size, bullet cameras are also known as lipstick cameras. Hence the reason why a lot of people call the mini bullet camera a lipstick camera. Bullet cameras are used heavily in commercial environments because they are great visual deterrents. As a result, they are designed to endure rain, heat, wind, and low temperatures. The camera can also be utilized indoors, for example, in offices or locker rooms. In this post, we’ll look at the benefits and drawbacks of the bullet camera:
Bullet Camera Advantages
Great visual deterrent
Especially in very large buildings, you might want to choose a bullet camera so that it will be known that you’ve got some security outdoors. Sometimes when the cameras are fitted very high, the bullet cameras can be great for that visual deterrent.
Easy installation
The bullet cameras can be easily installed. They come in both wired and wireless types. The camera can be ceiling mounted and it can be wall-mounted. You simply have to loosen the Allen wrenches and you can basically turn it in any direction. You can mount it anywhere you want. You can take the wireless camera everywhere and install them anywhere.
Large Lens
Bullet cameras are often capable of holding larger lenses because of their longer form factor. Bullet cameras with telescopic lenses are useful for covering big areas and settings, including parking lots, airports, and roadways, over longer distances. Mini bullet cameras include a wide-angle lens that can provide a broader viewing angle in tiny places, such as a traffic intersection, at a shorter distance.
Flexible positioning
Bullet cameras often have variable positioning, allowing installers to swiftly and simply place the camera in the desired location, as well as reposition it if necessary.
Night vision
Bullet cameras come with more advanced features. Infrared (IR) illuminators are included with most bullet cameras to improve and extend surveillance into the night. Infrared bullet cameras are capable of capturing high-quality photos in low-light environments. When there is a lack of light, they can use their infrared feature to capture a crisp image.
Can be used underwater
Because the camera can resist the pressure of 100 feet below the surface of the water, it can also be used underwater.
Weatherproof
Most of the bullet cameras are capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions such as heavy rainfall and extreme heat. They are built to be water-resistant. Many bullet camera manufacturers in the UK offer outdoor bullet cameras with built-in temperature meters and heaters, allowing the cameras to operate in extreme conditions.
License Plate Recognition
Bullet cameras are an excellent choice for recognizing license plates (LPR). While LPR requires special software to recognize license plates, Bullet cameras include a bigger lens, built-in IR illuminators, and protective coverings to shield them from intrusive lighting, which improves their capacity to detect license plates.
Lens+ Infrared Separator
These days, you normally have what’s known as a lens and infrared separator, which separates the lens from the infrared. It prevents what is known as IR bleed in other cameras where the infrared can essentially leak into the lens and give you a ghosted/ unclear image.
Bullet Camera Disadvantages
Aesthetic problems
One of the major disadvantages of bullet cameras is that they are not the most pleasing of cameras, especially at lower heights. Not only does it compromise your security because the CCTV camera can essentially be yanked off, but it doesn’t look that great either. This camera is ideal when it is out of reach. It doesn’t blend well with the surroundings.
Positioning issues
Bullet cameras do not have an auto-rotation feature. If the direction of the camera is changed somehow, the camera won’t position itself automatically. It requires one to position it manually.
Security problems
The bullet cameras can be hacked easily. The compromises the privacy of the owner as well as poses problems related to security
Home to birds and insects
Since the camera doesn’t blend well with the surroundings, it might become home to birds and insects. The birds and insects might end up building nests on top of the camera, reducing the camera’s efficiency as well as producing hygiene-related issues.
Transmission errors
Bullet cameras often face problems with the transmission. You won’t be able to record or see anything if there are any transmission problems.
Malfunctioning issues
The IR bullet cameras cannot be placed near reflective surfaces like the mirror since the IR rays if reflected can cause the camera to malfunction.
Vandalization issue
The camera can easily be vandalized and repositioned by anyone due to its easy reach. This increases the chances of the camera being stolen or destroyed when the camera is not fitted at a short distance.