Dome cameras are a popular type of security camera characterized by their darkened plastic dome-shaped housing. The dome housing serves both aesthetic and functional purposes. It provides a discreet appearance and makes it difficult for individuals to determine the direction the camera is pointing. The dome housing also protects against vandalism and tampering. Dome cameras are commonly used in indoor and outdoor environments to monitor a wide range of areas, including retail stores, office buildings, public spaces, and more.
There are three main kinds of dome cameras: standard, mini, and recessed.
Standard is the largest type of dome and usually has a varifocal lens, which allows you to adjust your field of view from wide for a general view to narrow (also known as telephoto) for a tight, detailed view. The high-resolution and varifocal capabilities make this the most versatile type of dome camera.
Mini dome cameras are the smaller cousins of standard domes and often lack varifocal lenses. These tend to be popular among customers with high aesthetic standards because they don’t attract too much attention.
Recessed dome cameras are not only small but are effectively recessed into the ceiling to minimize their appearance. They are even more popular than mini-dome cameras and are requested by many high-end stores. However, these cameras can be difficult to install since you need 6 inches of vertical ceiling space and 3 inches of horizontal ceiling space to mount the cameras.