By Michael Turner
Security camera spec sheets are full of numbers that sound important but are rarely explained. This guide translates every major spec into plain English so you can compare cameras confidently without a technical background.
Resolution: What 1080p, 2K, and 4K Actually Mean
Resolution describes how many pixels make up the image. 1080p = 1920×1080 pixels. 2K = roughly 2560×1440. 4K = 3840×2160. More pixels means more detail — particularly useful when digitally zooming into footage to identify a face or licence plate. For most doorbell and indoor positions, 1080p is sufficient. For wide outdoor areas and driveways, 2K or 4K is worth the upgrade. See our 4K vs 1080p guide.
Field of View: Degrees Matter
Field of view (FOV) describes the width of what the camera can see. A 90° FOV is narrow — useful for a specific entry point. A 160° FOV is wide — covers a large porch or driveway in one frame. Most outdoor cameras offer 110°–130°. Video doorbells typically offer 155°–180° to capture a wider approach. Wider is generally better for outdoor coverage but can introduce distortion at the edges.
Frame Rate: 15fps vs 30fps
Frame rate describes how many images per second the camera captures. 30fps is smooth video — you can clearly track fast-moving subjects. 15fps is choppier — subjects can appear to jump between positions. Most 2026 cameras default to 30fps but reduce to 15fps in low-light to conserve battery. 30fps is preferred for outdoor areas with fast-moving vehicles.
IP Rating: What IP65 and IP67 Mean
IP ratings describe weather resistance. The first digit (6) means fully dust-tight. The second digit means water resistance: 4 = splash resistant, 5 = low-pressure water jets, 6 = high-pressure water jets, 7 = temporary submersion. For outdoor cameras in USA conditions, IP65 is the minimum you should accept. IP66 is better for exposed positions without roof cover.
Compression: H.264 vs H.265
H.265 (also called HEVC) compresses video more efficiently than H.264 — meaning better quality at the same file size, or the same quality at half the storage space. For NVR systems or cameras storing to microSD, H.265 significantly extends how much footage you can retain. Check the compression format when comparing cameras for local storage setups. See our NVR vs cloud storage guide.
More buying advice: security cameras hub, best outdoor cameras 2026, no-subscription cameras guide.
