Discreet dome housing:

• Due to its minimal design, the dome camera is a subtle but equally effective surveillance solution. Its lowkey profile makes it ideal for places like front doors, churches, or areas where people may not expect there to be a surveillance camera. The dome housing can also hide the direction in which the camera is pointing, which makes it useful in retail settings to deter shoplifting. The protective encasing also makes it difficult for vandals to change the direction of the camera.

Wide field of view:

• Although there are also wide-angle bullet cameras, dome cameras are known to cover a wide field of view. Those equipped with a varifocal lens provide a variable focal length, which gives you the flexibility to adjust the camera lens to the desired distance. The shape of the dome housing also allows for monitoring at a wider angle since the lens has the flexibility to move.

Installation:

• The dome camera is typically found mounted to ceilings or eaves, but can also be mounted to walls and adjusted to suit a variety of settings. Though the dome camera can be flexibly deployed, once installed, it can be a challenge to reposition. Changing the field of view may require the hardware to be remounted.

Durability:

• The dome camera tends to last longer and is generally considered more durable than the bullet camera. This is mostly attributed to the dome casing, which helps protect the camera — especially if a vandal-proof option is chosen. Another indicator of durability is the camera’s Impact Protection (IK) rating, which measures the degrees of protection provided by its dome enclosure against brute force. The most vandal-resistant dome cameras are certified with an IK10 rating, meaning they can sustain up to 20 joules of external mechanical impact.

Covert or Overt Surveillance:

• With its discrete design and dome cover, the dome camera makes it hard to determine where the lens is pointed. This makes it less intrusive for covert surveillance settings where people may not feel comfortable having a camera pointed at them. Intruders also have a harder time determining which areas are being monitored, thus making it an effective deterrent against crime.