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For years now, you could enjoy a CCTV solution to covering larger areas like parking lots, basketball courts, prayer halls, and more, thanks to the innovation of PTZ and panoramic cameras. Whereas normal CCTV causes a headache for such areas, these two options allow for an expanded view. John Honovich of IPVM wrote an article on the subject in 2012 comparing the two, but advancements have dated the information considerably since then. Indeed, while some of the information still applies, the benefits, drawbacks, and uses have evolved. Not only that but the options for you to choose from are constantly changing to your benefit. Here we offer all of it so you can have a comprehensive understanding of what PTZ and panoramic cameras offer!
Benefits: PTZ vs. Panoramic
PTZ
- Automated movement
- Improved zoom
- Motion-based tracking
- People and vehicle tracking
- Remote control
Panoramic
- Comes in 180° and 360°
- Digital zoom
- Massive field of view
- People counting
- Reduces blindspots
More specifically covered in past articles like “What is a Speed Dome Camera?” and “Best Security Cameras for Multiple Entrances” these types of products handle as much work as multiple normal security cameras thanks to how each is designed. While each covers its designated area differently, both do so in an advanced fashion, especially when CCTV software and video analytics are introduced.
AXIS M5525-E is a great deal. The affordably priced camera is packed with the kind of top-of-the-line features you’d normally expect in high end cameras. It’s particularly suitable for stores, schools, building lobbies and other open areas, both indoors and out.
PTZ or pan tilt zoom cameras can be viewed as an advanced version of normal IP cameras. Offering the ability to be controlled or automated to move on a swivel, these devices moreover can automatically follow passing people or vehicles to allow for better record keeping. Panoramic cameras with 180° or 360° come in multiple designs for indoor and outdoor environments. Providing massive coverage at its base, these products offer far more potential when video analytics are applied, offering to count incoming or passing people, detect specific features, and more.
Drawbacks: PTZ vs. Panoramic
Drawbacks: PTZ
- Automation can be clunky
- Blindspots occur when tracking
- Lags when directly controlled
- Reduced coverage when zoomed in
Drawbacks: Panoramic
- Bad for compact areas
- May require dewarping software
- Reduced quality at greater distances
- Relies on digital zoom
There’s no getting past it, PTZ and panoramic (in the case it is multisensor) have more parts and have more malfunctions or errors. While certainly not prone to constant failure, it is a fact that these products are in need of special care when a problem occurs. Furthermore, neither are good when placed in small and compact spaces as they are designed for something more expansive. Moreover, in larger spaces, both are prone to have blindspots with PTZ being restricted when zoomed in and panoramic only relying on digital zoom regardless of design.
Best selling options PTZ vs. Panoramic
Best Selling PTZ Cameras
AXIS M5525-E is a great deal. The affordably priced camera is packed with the kind of top-of-the-line features you’d normally expect in high end cameras. It’s particularly suitable for stores, schools, building lobbies and other open areas, both indoors and out.
AXIS P5654-E PTZ Network Camera is a cost-effective PTZ camera that offers wide area coverage with 77° field of view. Thanks to the newest generation of Axis chip, it offers excellent video quality, even in the most challenging light conditions, and a high level of defense to protect your system.
The XNP-9300RW PTZ PLUS features our Wisenet 7 chipset, to deliver a 4K resolution 30X optical zoom camera. Featuring increased look up tilt range, 360° endless pan, wiper, and IR illumination, in a new compact, lightweight form factor for easy installation.
Best Selling Panaromic Cameras
8MP Panoramic Multi-sensor IP Security Camera with Advanced Analytics, 3.3mm x 4 fixed lens
Ideal for school corridors and hallways, AXIS P3715-PLVE lets you easily monitor two different areas with a single camera, around the clock and even in challenging lighting. You can count on excellent overviews and detailed coverage thanks to the brilliant design of this cost-effective solution.
The MS9390-HV is the latest and most efficient panoramic network camera offered in surveillance. Through the use of two wide angle lenses, electronic image stitching, and high resolution sensors, the 8MP 180° MS9390-HV is in a new class all by itself.
In both cases, PTZ and panoramic cameras have experienced rising popularity year after year with the most popular being in short supply throughout 2022. However, here you will find some of the best-selling examples of each available at A1 Security Cameras!
Ideal environment: PTZ vs. Panoramic
Ideal environment: PTZ
- FieldsIntersections
- Loading docks
- Overlooking entrances
- Near streets and roads
- Parking lots and garages
- Store fronts
Ideal environment: Panoramic
- Basketball courts
- Driveways
- Exhibit halls
- Facing gas pumps
- Lecture halls
- Lobbies
- Main entryways
- Material storage (internal)
- Parks (with lights)
- Prayer halls
Depending on your security camera, the ideal environment might be drastically different, especially when considering the ingress rating and video quality. Panoramic cameras (both 180 and 360 cameras) work far better indoors than PTZ due to the lack of zoom and capability in low light. PTZ cameras likewise excel in outdoor environments as not only can they surveil a large area, but they can track people and vehicles passing through while offering better performance in low light. However, keep in mind that the PTZ can be overwhelmed even in its best environment when automated, while the panoramic (180 and 360 cameras) are only limited by the programs supporting it.
Expensive and a lot of parts
Like all things, advancement brings a boost to cost. That does not change with PTZ and each type of panoramic camera. Both have multiple moving parts, especially when considering multi-sensor panoramic cameras, that naturally cause the base price to be greater than the average IP camera. Not just that, but the repair costs for both can be considerably more over time due to deterioration, environmental causes, or due to physical damages. Less notably, PTZ cameras also require more bandwidth and internet due to how they function. While both will be heavy on the quality side and already require high capacities in such channels, it is worth mentioning.
Enhanced coverage, but with a catch
Both PTZ and panoramic cameras are by no means perfect. As mentioned above, the former reduces coverage of the surrounding area when zooming in on a point of interest. Moreover, while it can be automated to act on a swivel and focus on people or cars passing by, heavier traffic can overwhelm the system. While this will not destroy the system, settings will need to be adjusted or monitored until the best possible performance can be achieved. While it may take time, PTZ cameras fitting your needs are some of the best in catching evidence for criminal activity or catching moments you are interested in.
While arguably equally as effective, panoramic cameras also have their own set of issues that must be addressed. Firstly, most types of this product do not operate well in low light conditions and need surrounding light for support. For example, parks and warehouses will pose a challenge when there is not enough light for the camera to see. While the addition of light need not be heavy, there needs to be some applied for maximum effectiveness.
Purchase both PTZ and Panoramic cameras from A1 Security Cameras today!
If practical and you can afford it, having both PTZ and panoramic cameras in your system is one of the best decisions to make especially when you’ve got a medium to a large company. Businesses in Dallas Fort Worth can easily enjoy the best installation of these devices with the help of our security camera systems installation in DFW team after purchasing from our store. For more information on a product-to-product basis, contact A1 Security Cameras today!
Recommended Product
- Compression : H.265, H.265 Plus, H.264, H.264 Plus, MJPEG,
- Field of View (Horizontal) : 53.3°Field of View 2.6°Field of View
- Max. FPS and Resolution : 30fps at 2560 x 1440
- Lens Type : Motorized (Automatic Zoom) Lens
- Lens Size : 4.8~120mm Lens
- Sensor Type : CMOS
- Sensor Size : 1/2.8″ Sensor
- Protection Code : IP66
- Color : White
- Environmental : Outdoor
- Aperture : F1.6
