One of the fastest growing trends among security cameras, is the infrared security camera. This security camera has infrared LEDs installed around the outside of the lens of the camera giving the camera the ability to capture a clear image in no light at all – 0 lux. This camera can produce images in total darkness. Buyers interested in purchasing infrared cameras are interested in using these infrared security cameras for businesses and homes where the light conditions are poor. Most infrared cameras are water and weather proof. This makes them suitable to be used indoor or outdoors without a need for housing.
Infrared cameras are often called “Night Vision” cameras because of their ability to see at night; however, do not confuse “Night Vision” with “Day / Night Cameras”. Day / Night cameras use a different technology to produce images at low light and they do not have infrared lights built in.
Infrared security cameras will produce full color pictures during day time, but when it gets dark, the camera will switch to infrared mode and illuminate its built-in infrared LEDs. In infrared mode, the image is captured in black and white - this is true of all infrared cameras. The level of light required to capture a good picture is referred to as a camera’s lux, the lower the lux the better the camera can see in low light.
Other comparisons with infrared cameras are based on how far they can see in total darkness. This visible distance is determined by the strength of the infrared light and how far the light will reach out and reflect back. Some of our infrared cameras can reach up to 300 feet.