If you have a business in San Francisco, CA, one of the things you always need to implement is good security. A good security system in place can mean the difference between crime prevention and easier investigation, or theft with no way to determine who did it and prosecute them.

Security cameras can play an essential role in the protection of your business and property in San Francisco, CA, but which one is the right one for you? There are a few different choices for security camera implementation, and it’s important to find the right one for the right job. Dome or bullet cameras are two of your choices, and we’ll explain what they can do for you.

The Dome Camera

The dome camera is a popular choice indoors, especially in retail settings. The reason this camera gets its name is that it is protected within a transparent dome-like structure that allows the small camera inside to see out. Depending on the type of dome used, the camera may or may not be seen by visitors, though, of course, the camera itself has a clear, unobstructed view of its surroundings.

Dome cameras, despite their smaller appearance, and confinement to a dome, can be built with a variety of different functions, including infra-red, so they can see even when the lights are out. They can also be built with PTZ, or pan-tilt-zoom functions, meaning someone can remotely control them and direct them to areas of interest.

The Bullet Camera

This is the larger, traditional security camera that most people see outside buildings, in stairwells, and other areas. This camera gets its name due to its long shape, though in most cases, it more accurately resembles a shotgun shell than a traditional bullet in a handgun.

Bullet cameras can have all the functionality of dome cameras. They can be equipped with infra-red to see in the darkness. They can also have PTZ functions built in so that people who want to maneuver a camera to get a closer look at something and increase the field of view can do so. Like dome cameras, they can also be wired or wireless, depending on what you need.

The Big Difference

So when would you use a bullet camera and when would you use a dome camera? This depends largely on placement. Bullet cameras are bigger, bulkier, and more durable. They are built to resist the elements, specifically being outdoors where it may rain, the sun may shine, or winter and freezing temperatures set in.

Dome cameras are not so well equipped to endure the rigors of outdoor surveillance, which is one of the reasons why they can sometimes be much cheaper. Because they are built to be installed in ceilings, and not touched or interfered with by anybody in a controlled climate, they can afford to be built more cheaply and more delicately.

Ultimately, both the bullet and the dome camera can be excellent security devices for any business here in San Francisco, CA. It all depends on which situation you have a security need for. If you’d like to know more contact us and let us help you find the right camera for your security concern.