This is a good point.While it makes it look bright, if the dispersion is not out past the house more than a few feet, then IR would probably be needed.
The simple solution is to buy a varifocal and test out each location. No guess work involved that way.
Most of us will run a combo so that we can get good detail from B/W/IR but then color to be able to get the color details missing from B/W.
Looking at HIKvision. Question, would it better to get a 4MP colorVu DS-2CD2347G2-LSU/SL or something like the 5MP PCI-T15F2SL with Acusense and darkfighter with an Iluminar invisible IR light?
Trying to get people/vehicle detection, line crossing.
Strobe light and audible alarm would be great but I can't find it on any cameras with people/vehicle detection.
It is simple LOL do not chase MP - do not buy a 4MP camera that is anything smaller than a 1/1.8" sensor. Do not buy a 2MP camera that is anything smaller than a 1/2.8" sensor. Do not buy a 4K (8MP) camera on anything smaller than a 1/1.2" sensor. Unfortunately, most 4k cams are on the same sensor as a 2MP and thus the 2MP will kick its butt all night long as the 4k will need 4 times the light than the 2MP... 4k will do very poor at night unless you have stadium quality lighting (well a lot of lighting LOL). Starlight, ColorVu, Full Color, etc. are simply marketing terms, so don't be sold on those names.
Ok .... dumb question. I understand 1/3", the 1/2" etc ... but how does the decimal point fit in? Like 1/2.8" .... what does the .8 refer to? I've Googled it but they show little pictures and some with rectangles with the horizontal being larger than the vertical but still ....? The 1/3 = .333 is easy ...but 1/2.8" not so much for me anyway ...There is a direct relationship between resolution and sensor size versus low light performance. Never chase megapixels, chase sensor size. This cannot be stressed enough. A nice day picture and a useless night picture equals a useless camera.
720P - 1/3" = .333"
2MP - 1/2.8" = .357" (think a .38 caliber bullet)
4MP - 1/1.8" = .555" (bigger than a .50 caliber bullet or ball)
8MP - 1/1.2" = .833" (bigger than a 20mm chain gun round)