How Many SD Cameras Can A 5MP One Replace?
Stephen, pick an application you are familiar with and tell us how many SD cameras could be replaced with a 5MP one.
James, good example. How low was the light? Did you measure with a lux meter? How many cameras did you wind up replacing? i.e., 2 5MP cameras instead of how many total analog ones?
I am leaning more toward one 5 MP camera can replace one SD camera. Sure maybe in some applications I think maybe it could replace two or three SD cameras. A lot of people just say that it could replace about four in most applications. Sure it really depends on many variables so I would probably just stick with it replaces one and adjust the pixel count to the amount of detail required per camera taking into account where it can be mounted and distance to the object or area of interest and lighting etc.
There is no real answer to question. There are way too many variables to consider. The only answer is to consider the site that you are looking to put the cameras in and figure out what you need then to cover the area or fill the regulations. I have had a site that had to remove the control cables from PTZs and use them becasue that is what the regluators required.
It's really tough to flat out say 15 SD cameras can be replaced by one 5MP camera. Yes, based solely on pixel count, it makes sense. However, there are too many factors to account for, and it all depends on the scene in which you are installing the cameras. For example, take the inside of a gas station, where you can easily spot tens of cameras. They are pointing at the door, in the corners, hallways to the office and bathrooms, and all over the counter area. No matter where you decide to place a 5MP camera, you won't even come close to being able to get the same amount of coverage. There would be too many blind spots from everything in the scene. It would be tough to significantly reduce the number of cameras in this scenario. In a smaller area that had many cameras, and was very open, such as a court in a gym, or an open warehouse, I think it would be possible to reduce the camera count more significantly, because there are considerably less obstructions.
Lighting also plays a large factor in this decision as well. With the gas station, you have to account for day and night, where there could be a dropoff in quality with a MP camera. Whereas with the warehouse scenario, assuming the lighting is constant, you wouldn't have to factor in day/night problems.
The variation in the answers proves there is no one correct answer. There are far too many variables to give a blanket statement. While its a useful exercise the only way to know what will work best is to test it. When time permits we have started bringing different test cameras to unique installs to get an idea of what is possible with not only different resolutions, but different manufacturers. While the theoretical knowledge is a good starting point the more practical experience we gain the more effective we can be for our clients at providing the best possible solution.
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