360-degree fisheye cameras are a popular topic in the security industry today, and the technology seems to be cropping up in nearly every vertical. In fact, 360-degree cameras represent one of the strongest areas of growth in surveillance technology, with global unit shipments forecast to increase by more than 60 percent year-on-year, according to recent research from IHS.
The rapid growth of 360-degree cameras is prompting many end users to wonder what the technology has to offer for their own facilities—especially when compared to all the alternatives available on the market. Fisheye cameras offer a 360-degree view from just one lens, and give users the ability to digitally pan, tilt and zoom in live and stored video.
360-degree cameras offer several unique benefits for all types of installations. Here, we take a closer look at a few of the most significant:
Comprehensive coverage. 360-degree cameras offer the widest field-of-view available, without blind spots, making them ideal for wide areas, such as warehouses, parking lots, casinos, critical infrastructure sites, municipal parks and more. With digital PTZ, operators get a closer look at any area of interest, both in live video and after the fact.
Cost-savings. Thanks to a wider field-of-view, fewer cameras and infrastructure are required to monitor a given area. In many locations, end users can reduce their camera counts by 50 percent or more using fisheye technology. Fewer cameras not only reduce upfront costs, but also keeps maintenance expenses at a minimum over the life of the system. Meanwhile, hemispheric cameras help minimize network bandwidth requirements by using lower frame rates during periods of low or no activity.
No moving parts. 360-degree fisheye cameras offer several benefits over mechanical pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) devices, making them a better fit for certain installations. Since 360-degree cameras have no moving parts, they avoid the lag (latency) associated with PTZ devices. In addition, fisheye cameras tend to have a longer life, since all of their parts are stationary and do not wear out as quickly.
Improved flexibility. Fisheye cameras provide a higher level of operator flexibility by enabling both live and recorded viewing of a given scene, whereas PTZ cameras focus on one area and may miss the rest of the action.
With these benefits, it’s no surprise that a growing number of end users are incorporating 360-degree cameras into their security infrastructure. Thanks to these powerful devices, surveillance customers are starting to see the whole picture—better than ever before.