If You Thought Megapixel Cameras Were More Expensive, Think Again

Take an updated look at the price of networking in the 21st century

  • By Scott Schafer
  • Dec 01, 2012

There is a misconception in the security industry that megapixel cameras are more expensive than conventional cameras. Don’t believe it.

Megapixel cameras provide superior performance and imaging capabilities versus analog and standard-definition IP cameras. Megapixel cameras also are field-proven to deliver the most cost-effective video surveillance solutions. To understand real value, it’s important to focus not on the price of a single camera but on the overall system cost.

Analog and standard-definition IP cameras may be lowerpriced than megapixel cameras— on a per-camera basis—but these cameras are far more expensive if you evaluate system-wide costs. The truth is that analog and standard IP cameras provide a weak value proposition and a poor return on investment (ROI).

Purchasing Results, Not Cameras

When customers buy cameras, what they are really purchasing is the ability to view video that effectively achieves the goals of the application. They need video that provides facial identification, recognizes license plates and captures numbers off of shipping crates and/or images of activity in retail stores, bank branches, company or government facilities, border checkpoints, airports or ports. They are purchasing the capabilities, or the functionality, the cameras can provide. When you consider the price of analog or VGA cameras compared to their functionality, the picture changes dramatically. Megapixel cameras provide much more value for the price— bang for the buck, that is—than lowerresolution cameras.

Megapixel cameras do a better job of capturing more information than standard-resolution cameras, and that superior performance translates into ROI in multiple ways. If you consider the concept of pixels-per-meter (that a certain number of pixels are required to depict one meter of a scene for a specific application), it’s clear that more pixels equate to an ability to view larger areas. For example, where 10 standard-resolution cameras might have previously been required to cover a parking lot, the same application can now be served using three or four strategically positioned 3-megapixel cameras or even a single megapixel panoramic camera, depending on the application requirements.

Resolution per Dollar

A real value of megapixel cameras is the ability to provide more resolution per dollar than analog or VGA cameras. Using estimated pricing and numbers of pixels as a quantitative measure of resolution, it’s easy to demonstrate that megapixel cameras provide more resolution for the money.

The grid on page S18 illustrates the real cost-effectiveness of various camera resolutions. VGA or standard-definition cameras provide about 300,000 pixels per camera. Megapixel cameras provide 1.3 million to 10 million pixels per camera, or more.

The grid clearly shows that the most cost-effective solutions are multi-megapixel cameras. The VGA camera provides only 1,536 pixels per dollar. Compare that to 1080p cameras at 15,714 pixels/dollar and 10MP cameras at 15,385 pixels/dollar.

Understanding resolution-per-dollar makes it simple to evaluate which camera is—or what number of cameras are—appropriate for a given application. Based on pixels per meter, you know how many pixels you need to view a certain area. Resolution-per-dollar makes it clear which camera (or group of cameras) can provide that needed number of pixels most cost-effectively.

System Cost vs. Camera Cost

When crunching the numbers on a new system installation, it is helpful to have a broad view of overall system costs. The complete cost of the system is obviously a better measure than the price of a single component. The price of a single component is not a good reason to dismiss a new technology as too expensive without considering how the extra expense will be offset by added functionality and other system cost savings. In the case of megapixel cameras, beyond the lower resolution-per-dollar cost analysis, other factors include a decrease in installation costs by using fewer cameras, the elimination of mechanical pan-tiltzoom devices and a reduction in operations staff. Using fewer cameras to cover large areas also translates into cost savings related to infrastructure, such as cables, mounts and housings, which makes it easy to realize an ROI.

So, now you know. Analog and standard-definition VGA IP cameras provide the worst value and therefore are the most expensive cameras you can buy. Next time, go for the best image quality and best price by choosing megapixel cameras. They deliver the best ROI.

This article originally appeared in the December 2012 issue of Security Today.

Featured

  • Video Surveillance Trends to Watch

    With more organizations adding newer capabilities to their surveillance systems, it’s always important to remember the “basics” of system configuration and deployment, as well as the topline benefits of continually emerging technologies like AI and the cloud. Read Now

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

  • Overwhelming Majority of CISOs Anticipate Surge in Cyber Attacks Over the Next Three Years

    An overwhelming 98% of chief information security officers (CISOs) expect a surge in cyber attacks over the next three years as organizations face an increasingly complex and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital threat landscape. This is according to new research conducted among 300 CISOs, chief information officers (CIOs), and senior IT professionals by CSC1, the leading provider of enterprise-class domain and domain name system (DNS) security. Read Now

  • ASIS International Introduces New ANSI-Approved Investigations Standard

    • Guard Services

  • Cloud Security Alliance Brings AI-Assisted Auditing to Cloud Computing

    The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment, today introduced an innovative addition to its suite of Security, Trust, Assurance and Risk (STAR) Registry assessments with the launch of Valid-AI-ted, an AI-powered, automated validation system. The new tool provides an automated quality check of assurance information of STAR Level 1 self-assessments using state-of-the-art LLM technology. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.