Do I Really Need 4K Security Cameras?

Probably not. 4K earns its price when you need to read a plate or a face at distance. On most homes, the 5MP line at $1,380 does the job — and it records in colour at night, which for recognising someone matters more than resolution.

What 4K actually buys

Detail at distance. On a wide shot — a parking lot, a yard, a storefront counter — 4K holds enough pixels to zoom into the recording afterwards and still read a plate or a face. At $1,980 installed with four cameras, and $350 for each one after that.

When it is more than you need

A camera four metres from a front door already sees that face clearly at 5MP. Zooming into a recording is what needs the extra pixels, and that only comes up on long shots.

There is also a cost nobody mentions when you buy: 4K fills the recorder faster. Same drive, fewer days of history. If you check the footage the same week, that is fine. If you want a month of recordings, it is a real trade-off.

How to decide

Look at where the camera will point. If it covers a wide area and you might need to identify someone you have never seen, 4K pays for itself. If it covers a door, an entrance or a hallway, 5MP gives you the same answer for $600 less.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 4K necessary for a home?

Usually not. For most home entrances and driveways, 5MP Full Color or 2MP analog is enough. 4K shines when cameras are far from their subject or you need to identify fine detail.

What's the price difference?

The 4K system starts at $1,980 installed for 4 cameras versus $1,380 for the 5MP system. Extra 4K cameras are $350 each; 5MP cameras are $250 each.

Does 4K use more storage?

Higher resolution does use more recording space, which we account for when we size your system. We'll set it up so your footage is stored long enough to be useful.