What are Starlight Cameras?
As the name suggests, starlight cameras are cameras that can clearly see objects even with the weak illumination of starlight. This is done by using a specialized starlight standard sensor like the starlight sensor and Sony Starvis sensors.
The human eyes interpret illumination below 20 Lux as pitch darkness. With the starlight cameras, even at 0.01 Lux, you’ll get very clear and sharp images. This translates to being able to see in the ‘dark’!
These cameras are a giant leap from traditional night vision. However, it’s normal to be confused after hours reading through the Wiki and Google definitions for starlight. It’s also normal to suffer from an overload of information and come out empty from your search, still undecided about what a starlight IP camera is, how the security camera works, what makes it miles away from the basic night vision and most importantly, which of them perfectly suits your needs and which you should go for?
Types of starlight security cameras
There are many two types of starlight cameras available on the market. These can be grouped into two categories with one really straightforward criterion. The two types of starlight camera are;
• Starlight cameras that record black and white images with extremely high clarity, and
• Starlight cameras that produce really clear color images just as your eyes would see under full sunlight.
The type of camera depends on the sensor that the starlight camera uses.
How do they work?
The standard starlight sensor works just like the retina of the human eyes which is sensitive to ambient light; how much light the starlight sensor receives determines the image quality.
It’s challenging for most security cameras to take clear high-quality images at night because it’s completely dark and their sensors are not designed to ‘see’ with just the “Starlight”.
Starlight camera technology makes use of highly sensitive sensors, wider aperture and goes a step further in its bid to obtain the best of images at night. Their cameras reduce their shutter speed so it collects sufficient light for extremely clear images invisible to the naked eye.
Difference between starlight night vision and IR
The main differences between them is the way they produce images, image colors and night vision capability, and distance. I’ll just bump in here and say that the starlight cameras win in all rounds.
As stated in the previous section, starlight cameras utilize natural light and their specialized sensors to produce clear high-quality images. You also have the option of getting clear color images based on the sensor you go for and light conditions.
The IR night vision, on the other hand, depends on the emitted infrared light to ‘see’ objects around them. This makes them have a vastly limited night vision distance. Also, unlike starlight cameras, IR light isn’t visible to human eyes so ALL images will be black and white. There’s no option for a color image with an IR night vision camera.
Another way of getting night vision apart from these two methods; involves combining security lights and regular cameras.
This way, the light illuminates the scene making it easier for the security camera to monitor the lit-up area.
The IR night vision is popular among the security cameras which is solely down to its relatively low price. However, starlight cameras are gaining growing in popularity as it offers all the IR night vision offers and more advantages.
Starlight cameras: Pros and Cons
So having read all that, you should know that the starlight camera offers much more than just excellent night vision. Below are the pros of starlight cameras, what makes them stand out and what is gaining them great attention in the industry.
PROS
Starlight Security Cameras gives Greater Clarity
Like we mentioned, starlight cameras possess super-sensitive sensor and specialized lens to ensure the most exceptional night vision; ensuring full HD resolution and even surpasses the popular 1080p. What this means is you’ll never have to worry about possible IR reflection of a license plate, this is as starlight cameras provide crystal clear as day photography.
Starlight cameras use its own smart algorithm to better present the images and guarantee real high-quality night vision, whether black & white or color. Of course the issue of whether a film is black or color shouldn’t matter that much when this is used as a security camera. The reason is security cameras are used solely for collecting evidence of a crime and doesn’t matter whether this is done in color or not.
Starlight Cameras See Much Further
IR night vision cameras rely on IR light reflection to produce images, however, starlight cameras collect natural lights that come from other objects; the way our eyes work. This means that the starlight cameras “see” much further than the normal IR night vision cameras. The IR cameras see just the areas illuminated with IR or the area the security light shines on, starlight cameras, on the other hand, can see further, like the signboard across the street, people in faraway buildings, etc.
As with every technology, there does exist certain inconveniences you have to bear when you decide to go for starlight cameras. There are listed below
CONS
Starlight Cameras are Priced higher
It should be a surprise to absolutely no one that the high-tech starlight cameras which carry superior sensors cost more than the normal night vision cameras. The upside to this is that starlight security cameras would be more cost effective everything considered. Look at it from this angle, starlight cameras make use of natural light, and so are more durable than other types of night vision cameras. Another upside is the fact that you’ll end up saving the cost of electricity bills up to 12 hours of the day for IR or external light.
Most Starlight Cameras exhibit Light Trails Effect
Like we stated earlier, starlight cameras slow down its shutter speed to get enough light for night vision. This means a reduction in the number of pictures it takes each second; this results in blurry images of fast-moving objects.
Again, this issue can be avoided when you go for starlight cameras from the reputable brands, we personally recommend Veer24.
We provide a variety of famous brands in CCTV industry, such as Hikvision, Dahua, Avtech, Vstarcam, SAFEVue, and more. We ensure top quality and high service standard to serve our customer better.
You may contact or visit us to let us know your requirements and your site condition, and then we will provide you the professional consultation on CCTV camera system. You can also request an obligation free site survey, our installer will visit your place and discuss with you on site.