Choosing between a colour CCTV camera and a black and white camera is an important decision to make when installing a CCTV system. An important aspect to look at is the lux rating of a particular camera. A lux rating is a measure of the available light intensity at which a camera can produce a picture. A lower lux figure means that less light is required by the camera to produce a picture. Colour CCTV cameras on the whole usually require more light to produce a quality picture, whereas black and white cameras need less light. This means that if you’re thinking of getting a colour surveillance camera you’d better make sure that the areas which you want to monitor are well lit.
Light intensity is where a black and white camera is better than colour, but colour does offer more detail when it comes to identifying individuals in the cameras field of view. For example, a colour CCTV security surveillance camera will help you to differentiate between blues and reds. So if you’re viewing your camera footage you’ll be able to identify a person wearing a blue shirt. You’ll know for sure that the individual in the picture is wearing a blue shirt, which can be very useful in identifying individuals for prosecution purposes. A black and white camera obviously makes it more difficult to identify colours and therefore more difficult to identify individuals.
Going back to light intensity, black and white cameras are better able to capture images at a lower light intensity than colour cameras. But this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get a colour camera. Colour CCTV camera systems do offer technology which is able to make up for low levels of light. IR (infra red) colour cameras compensate for low levels of light, allowing these cameras to be placed in low light locations. Also, some colour cameras are able to switch to black and white mode when the light level is too low.
Whether you want a home camera system or if you want to monitor your business, CCTV cameras provide the solution. Remember to consult with a certified installer to find out which cameras would suit your needs best.
