2K vs 4K Security Cameras

Before we get into the finer points of security camera image quality, let’s spend some time going over some important details about image quality.

Resolution is a technical term typically used to describe the image quality for images or videos. It determines the level of detail that is observed in an image. Normally, the resolution range is shown by the number of pixels of the width and height of an image. Higher resolution indicates more details and clarity in the recorded image or video.

2K Super HD is 2560×1440 pixels, or 3,686,400 total pixels. 2K refers to the approximately 2000 pixels across the screen whereas 4MP refers to the total pixels in the frame.

4K is 3840 x 2160 pixels, or 8,294,400 total pixels. An 8MP camera, having 8 million pixels, records in 4K because there are roughly 4000 pixels across the screen.

2K Security Camera

2K security cameras have dominated the market for years. There have been several updates over time, and right now there are two types commonly available.

• 2K Full HD Security Cameras: Full HD security cameras have a resolution of 1920*1080 pixels. The release of these cameras created a resolution standard for later products on the security camera market.
• 2K Super HD Security Cameras: Super HD security cameras have a resolution of 1440*2560 pixels, which is double the resolution of the 1080p HD cameras. These cameras allow you to view much clearer and sharper images compared to other models.

4K Ultra HD Security Camera

If you have searched for 4K cameras online, you may have encountered two resolution standards: 3840 x 2160 and 4096 x 2160. Generally, when security professionals talk about 4K IP cameras or 8MP security cameras, they are referring to the ones with 3840 x 2160 resolution.

With this resolution of 3840×2160 or 8 megapixels, 4K security cameras are currently at the high end of surveillance video quality. Compared to 2K, they capture a much larger area and offer superior image quality. They provide four times the clarity of 1080p HD cameras, which means that you can zoom in on images without losing any detail, making it easier to identify faces, license plates, and other important details.

With the launch of a wide variety of 4K 8MP security cameras, businesses and homeowners that need a higher level of security have many options and can choose the one that best suits their needs.