The Hidden Cost of High Resolution
When it comes to choosing CCTV cameras for a facility, there’s one question we hear all too often:
“How many megapixels is it?”
It’s a fair question — but it’s also the wrong one.
In recent years, resolution has become the go-to measure for comparing camera quality. The assumption? Higher resolution = better image. But that’s only part of the story — and in some cases, it can lead you to choose the wrong camera for the job.
The Problem with Pixels
While higher resolution cameras can provide more detail in ideal conditions, they often perform poorly in low-light environments. Why?
It comes down to sensor size. Many high-resolution cameras cram more pixels onto a smaller sensor, meaning each pixel receives less light. The result? Grainier images, digital noise, and reduced visibility at night — which, let’s face it, is when many security events occur.
In fact, a well-placed 2MP camera will often outperform an 8MP camera at night, especially in areas with limited lighting.
DORI: The Smarter Way to Measure
Instead of chasing megapixels, we prefer to use the DORI standard to determine the right camera for each situation:
Detect – Is something there?
Observe – What is it doing?
Recognise – Who is it?
Identify – Can I prove it beyond doubt?
Every camera should be selected based on what you need it to do — not what it could do in theory.
More Pixels, More Problems
Choosing a camera with unnecessarily high resolution doesn’t just cost more upfront. It can:
Burn through your storage faster
Hog network bandwidth
Provide no meaningful improvement to image quality in the environment it’s installed
It’s like picking a vehicle based on horsepower alone. A tractor might have more torque than a sports car, but try taking it down the freeway — or filling it up at a petrol station — and you’ll quickly realise it’s not the right tool for the job.
Our Recommendation
Unless you’re in the business of counting pixels per centimetre (and we don’t expect you to be), camera selection can feel like a minefield. That’s why it’s critical to work with a security provider who understands that application, lighting, lensing, and coverage are just as important — if not more — than raw resolution.
We regularly see cameras oversold and underperforming — and not just by end users. Many installers and manufacturers fall into the same trap.
At Red Flag Security, we help match the right camera to the right job — not just the one with the biggest spec sheet.
