4MP Camera: 2024 Full Guide

The security camera industry has evolved a lot, and today, we have a lot of options whenever we want to buy a security camera. A common option is the 4MP security camera, which is known as a common choice for many people. When buying a security camera, people have different considerations and requirements. The 4MP camera satisfies most of those requirements.

However, at the same time, there needs to be more clarity about this camera, which we will explain here today.

Understanding 4MP Security Camera

A 4MP (megapixel) resolution measures how many details an image can capture. A megapixel, in technical terms, is one million pixels. Pixels are small dots that constitute a digital image, and the megapixel number tells how many pixels an image contains. A 4MP image has about four million pixels.

With a resolution of 4MP, one can describe the horizontal and vertical pixels as "2560 x 1440." This resolution offers more detail than a typical 1080p HD standard with around two million pixels.

A 4MP security camera is a security camera that records at four million pixels. The high resolution of these cameras allows for greater image clarity and definition than other lower-resolution cameras.

The increased clarity also makes it possible to have a wider coverage of the locations as well. It can result in minimizing the number of cameras that should be used for total surveillance. Furthermore, many 4MP cameras include advanced functionalities such as improved digital zoom that enables users to enlarge certain aspects of the footage without severe degradation in resolution.

Different Types of 4MP Security Camera

The megapixels offered by a camera are limited to its image capturing and processing unit only. There are several other components in addition to that which make a complete security camera. That is why we have multiple types of security cameras offering 4MP quality, as discussed below.

PoE 4MP IP Camera

These cameras work on Power over Ethernet technology, meaning they will use power and connectivity from an ethernet medium. They are the most common and widely used 4MP cameras. Although they require an ethernet cable to provide power and data signals, they are also one of the most stable camera options. Reolink CX410 is one such camera that provides 4MP image clarity and brings color night vision for the most accurate identification.

4MP Wired Wi-Fi Camera

Next up are the wired Wi-Fi cameras. These options take power from a wired source while their connectivity is wireless. A stable Wi-Fi connection is needed to operate these cameras efficiently, but it benefits from protection from signal interference or hardware issues. Reolink E1 Pro makes an awesome choice as an indoor camera that takes wired power but connects over 2.4 or 5 GHz dual-band Wi-Fi.

4MP Wireless Camera

The last type of 4MP camera is completely wireless. They take power from a built-in battery charged with solar panels and network from a Wi-Fi or 4G connection. These are the easiest to set up since you don't need to manage a lot of hardware. Reolink Argus 3 Pro falls in this category, and this camera provides motion spotlight features, person and vehicle detection, and colorful night vision features.

Pros and Cons of 4MP Security Camera

The 4MP security cameras are neither the most basic/low spec option that you can get. Nor are they the best available in the market. These cameras lie somewhere in between, and that makes these cameras beneficial for many users and non-beneficial for others.

Pros of 4MP camera

• A 4MP camera offers higher image resolution and clarity than other common options like 1080p or 720p cameras.
• Since these cameras are better than low-resolution options, you may get significantly better features.
• 4MP cameras are a cost-effective solution for most cases since they provide a fair enough result.
• 4Mp cameras are available in a wide variety. These are compatible with various security systems like rental and commercial.

Cons of 4MP camera

• 4MP security camera technology is not considered the industry standard for good clarity and resolution since we have better options at higher resolution.

• 4MP cameras are not the best value for money since you can find huge performance upgrades with a slight addition to the cost.

Bonus: Should I Upgrade to a 4MP or Higher Resolution Security Camera?

Whether you need to invest in a security camera better than 4MP or should continue using a lower resolution, 4MP one is determined by your needs and usage circumstances. Upgrading can be a good decision if the clarity of your current 4MP security camera setup is not enough to make important identifications. For example, when you must identify faces or license plates in a retail setting or an area requiring strict security measures.

The additional detail of higher megapixel cameras can be critical to both prevention and investigations. Further, if your surveillance zone is big, the wider coverage and impressive digital zoom offered by higher megapixel cameras like 16MP can be advantageous as they may reduce camera count.

If you find your situation requiring you to upgrade to a better security camera, then you may consider the Reolink Duo 3 PoE; it is a 16MP dual-lens security camera that provides seamless 180-degree security coverage. From color night vision to smart security features, it offers you everything.

The situation when it will not be worth it to upgrade.

Upgrading to 4MP may not be worth it if your current system is sufficient for basic surveillance and you have budgetary restrictions. Cameras like 4MP with higher resolution demand bigger storage capacity and stronger network bandwidth. So, their operational costs are higher for improving the technological infrastructure of data storing facilities and networks.

Moreover, suppose your surveillance is only limited to well-illuminated smaller areas, and precise identification is less critical. In that case, the additional benefits of a 4MP camera may not be vital. Hence, the choice you make must be consistent with your security needs as well as cost and surveillance environment constraints.

FAQs

1. Is 4MP good for a camera?

A 4MP camera provides a fair usage experience but is not as good as cameras with 16MP resolution and modern-day features, especially in surveillance settings. A 4MP camera delivers a 2560 x 1440 resolution, so its clarity and image definition are nowhere near the industry standards of today's security requirements, like identifying faces or license plates in bigger areas.

2. What is better 4K (8MP) or 4MP?

Considering 4K (8MP) and 4MP cameras, the former provides greater resolution for better image quality through more accurate details. This is why 4K works better in low light and bad imaging conditions. On the other hand, it is more costly and needs higher storage and bandwidth. So, your choice is determined by the needs and infrastructure.

3. What is a better 2MP or 4MP camera?

A typical camera with a resolution of two megapixels is worse than the one which has four. It has half the resolution, delivering fewer sharp images. This increased clarity from 4MP cameras is most notable in surveillance, where things can be identified by looking closely or using digital zoom.

Conclusion

One of the qualities that is marketed the most when it comes to cameras is their resolution. People make a huge deal of it since it impacts the image quality significantly. In this article, we discussed what value 4MP security cameras bring you and whether they are a good option for your needs or not. Always remember to pick your security camera according to your needs for the best experience.