How Many IP Camera Megapixels Do You Need?

If you are thinking about getting a Megapixel IP camera, you might be wondering how many megapixels should my camera have? IP camera megapixels come in a range between 1.3, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10 and higher megapixels (depending on how old this article is when you reading it )

You need to decide how much video quality you are looking to get from your IP camera. The higher the camera megapixels, the higher the quality. Deciding on your IP camera megapixels would include the following questions:

1) Will I be mainly viewing recorded video? Pan/Tilt/Zoom (PTZ) IP cameras offer the ability to zoom in while you are viewing live video if you need to get a clearer view of a person or object however you cannot do this on recorded video. Megapixel IP cameras allow you to get better a quality picture when zooming in on recorded video than standard IP cameras. This gives you the advantage of being able to zoom in on recorded images to get higher detail when you cannot be viewing the IP camera live. The higher the camera megapixels, the better quality image you will get.
2) How far of a distance will I be needing to zoom in? The higher the camera megapixels, the further you will be able to zoom in with a good view.
3) Will I need to read license plates? If you are monitoring a parking lot or an area that will require you to view license plates, you will need to make sure the IP camera offers a good enough quality image so the license plates are legible. The more camera megapixels the IP camera has, the easier it will be to read license plates. If the area is large, a high megapixel camera would be recommended as this will give you the option to have a larger viewing distance and still have the ability for legible license plates.
4) Will I need to identify persons or objects? Traditional IP cameras can sometimes hinder efforts for facial recognition however megapixel IP cameras allow you to get a clear view of a persons face. A high megapixel IP camera is recommended for large areas such as malls, parking lots or any other location with a large viewing area.
5) Is this for a government building with regulations on video quality? Some government buildings have regulations on how detailed the video quality will need to be. A high camera megapixel rate would solve this issue as you would get a good clear image that would meet most regulations. This is something you should confirm to make sure the IP camera offers the quality required.
6) Is cost an issue? The more megapixels your IP camera has, the more it is going to cost. This is a given. Evaluate how much you can spend and don’t forget to include installation costs if needed.

Considering every IP camera installation is different, be sure to evaluate what you expect from your megapixel IP camera and how much you want to spend. Think about where the camera will be placed and how large of a viewing angle it will need to see. Once you have your expectations in line with a price, start shopping and be sure to check reviews on the camera. The camera megapixels will define the quality of the video so make sure you have enough for what you need.

Meet the First HDTV IP Camera – The Axis Q1755

Axis Communications introduces an outstanding IP camera with true HDTV performance in compliance with the SMPTE standard in resolution, color representation and frame rate. AXIS Q1755 Network Camera connected to an HDTV monitor is the perfect solution for securing areas where greater image detail is required, such as airports, passport controls and casinos.

AXIS Q1755 Network Camera“The HDTV performance of AXIS Q1755 Network Camera, with crisp and clear images at full frame rate fulfills the professional market’s demands for greater image detail and true color representation.” says Erik Frännlid, Director of Product Management, Axis Communications. “In addition, bandwidth and storage demands are considerably reduced by H.264 compression, maintaining true HDTV resolution at full frame rate.”

AXIS Q1755 delivers HDTV 1080i or 720 resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio and supports both H.264 and Motion JPEG in full frame rate. With day & night functionality and progressive output, this camera provides exceptional quality images even of fast moving objects in all lighting conditions – without any motion blur. 10x optical zoom and 12x digital zoom paired with auto focus deliver the desired field of view in perfect focus.

For optional storage of video and further flexibility, the camera has a built-in slot for an SD/SDHC memory card making it possible to store days of recording without any external equipment. Power over Ethernet (IEEE 802.3af) supplies power to the cameras via the network, eliminating the need for power cables and reducing installation costs.

AXIS Q1755 includes video intelligence such as enhanced video motion detection, audio detection and detection of camera tampering such as blocking or spray-painting. In addition, AXIS Q1755 incorporates the new Gatekeeper functionality which automatically zooms in when there is activity in the scene, and then zooms out after a preset time interval. The camera offers the market’s most advanced suite of security and network management capabilities, including HTTPS encryption, IEEE 802.1X authentication, IPv4/IPv6 and Quality of Service.

AXIS Q1755 Network Camera is supported by the industry’s largest base of video management software through the Axis Application Development Partner program as well as by AXIS Camera Station. The camera will be available through Axis’ distribution channels in January 2009. For more information or for a demo, please contact your local Axis sales representative.

About Axis Communications

Axis is an IT company offering network video solutions for professional installations. The company is the global market leader in network video, driving the ongoing shift from analog to digital video surveillance. Axis products and solutions focus on security surveillance and remote monitoring, and are based on innovative, open technology platforms. Axis is a Swedish-based company, operating worldwide with offices in more than 20 countries and cooperating with partners in more than 70 countries. Founded in 1984, Axis is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Stockholm, under the ticker AXIS. For more information about Axis, please visit our website at www.axis.com.

For further information, please contact

Erik Frännlid, Director Product Management, Axis Communications
Phone: +46 46 272 18 00, E-mail: erik.frannlid@axis.com