Understanding

Lux Ratings

Lux is the measurement of light falling on an object, but cameras record light reflecting off an object.

Lux rating is the subjective measure that tell you the lowest level of light that a manufacturer thinks their camera will still produce an acceptable image.

Lux is useless for brand A to Brand B comparisons, but great for comparisons within a brand.

Shop White Light Cameras Shop 0.001 lux Cameras Shop 0.003 lux Cameras


What is Lux measuring?

Lux is measuring the wrong thing, because the right thing is too variable.

Lux is a measurement of incident light, or the light that is falling on the object. On the other hand, your IP security camera sees and records reflected light, which is light that bounces off the object and makes its way to the camera lens. Remember the old adage to "wear light colored clothes at night?" This is because lighter colors reflect more light than darker ones. In addition, different materials reflect light differently. This means that even if you can accurately measure the amount of lux hitting an object, you are still going to have a lot of viability with the amount of lux reflecting off the object and into the camera's lens.

Also, since all we can measure is the light hitting an object - not the light reflecting off the object - measurements of lux in the atmosphere are pretty worthless. Two scenarios with the same lux rating, can produce different results because atmospheric differences, like bugs, humidity, fog, and other weather can how much of the light reflected off an object ends up hitting the camera image sensor.

Even with the level of atmospheric lux, differences in humidity, fog, air pollution, rain, object color, object material, and many other things can change how much light is reflected back.

Lux Ratings are Subjective

Lux Ratings are the the lowest level of lux that a manufacturer thinks their camera will still produce an acceptable image.

Even if you could standardize atmosphere, object color, and all the other variables above, Lux Ratings are difficult to compare because there's no standard definition of success. Each manufacturer has a different idea as to what an acceptable image means. Lux ratings can feel like science, but once you dive into it, it quickly starts to feel like that everything is made up and the points don't matter.

If you are in the industry, we can't recommend a subscription to IPVM more highly, but if you just a regular one-time shopper looking to make a wise decision, we've summarized this great guide by IPVM on why lux ratings aren’t reliable specs from Brand A to Brand B.

1. Unrealistic numbers

Lux is difficult to measure and the process of measuring lux isn’t very reliable or repeatable because conditions are always changing.

2. No standard process

Each manufacturer measures lux on their own with their own process.

3. Very few example images in low light

Everyone uses different measures of success, is that grainy low-light image good enough? Hard to tell since very few providers publish the image at that lux rating

4. No standard for success : motion blur

Slowing the shutter speed down allows more light into the sensor, which lets you take a color photo at low light levels at the cost of motion blur. Without a frame rate and shutter speed standardization, you can’t compare apples to apples.

5. No standard for success : signal to noise ratio

Low light always reduces the quality of an image. Increasing gain control can result in greying and signal noise and slowing the frame rate increases motion blur, so what constitutes success? There’s no standardized quality level for what counts: “can you actually identify someone?”

This creates an ugly system where even the most ethical and responsible manufacturers are trapped...

Worse, it rewards the most unscrupulous vendors who realize that they are rarely, if ever, called on their specs.
-IPVM

Wait. Your cameras have lux ratings. If it is such a terrible spec, why even include it?

Yes, there's no industry standards in measuring lux or even a standard definitions of success in low light imagery, so you should have absolutely zero confidence that Brand A's 0.01 lux camera is actually better than Brand B's 0.02 lux camera. But that also doesn't mean that Lux Ratings are 100% useless.

A subjective opinion is better than nothing.

Yes, there's massive challenges in standardizing the measurement of lux, but most brands do remain largely consistent in their testing environments and testing methodology when comparing their products to each other!

You can be 100% confident that Brand A's 0.001 lux camera is indeed better than Brand A's 0.1 lux camera.

You may not be able to compare Lux from brand to brand, but Lux Ratings do a tremendous job at telling you how a brand thinks about their own lineup of cameras.

Jump to: Shop White Light Cameras Shop 0.001 lux Cameras Shop 0.003 lux Cameras Shop all Low Lux and White Light Cameras

Cameras with White, Natural Lights Let you Ignore Lux


  1. The Paladin 8.0 - 26BF8M-L-A - 8MP (4x1080P)

    The Paladin 8.0 - 26BF8M-L-A - 8MP (4x1080P)

    In stock
    $325.00

    The Paladin 8.0 is a bullet camera with a unique feature set. The Paladin features a 2.8mm wide angle lens, a built in microphone and speaker, and active deterrence white light feature. The Paladin is a great choice for situations where you want a bullet, but want that giant wide angle view. Use the Paladin at gates to use two way audio through the SCW Go app with it's built in microphone and speaker. The Paladin also acts as a great restricted area camera thanks to the VCA activated white light feature with audio warnings.


  2. The Lookout Mini 5.0 - Mini PTZ with 4x zoom and active deterrence light

    Do you need to keep an eye on something?

    The Lookout Mini 5.0 is the perfect surveillance camera for any covert operation. It’s small enough to be hidden in plain sight, but powerful enough to get up close with a 4x zoom capability and see what’s going on from afar without being seen. This version has also been fitted with a white LED light as well as a red/white “siren style” light when day changes to night. Stealthy at 10FT and quick enough to catch thieves when they are completely unaware (at 30FT) The lookout name says it all.

    You can use your finger or mouse wheel to control the PTZ remotely, so you never have to leave your desk or stop working while keeping an eye on things. With our free app available for both iOS and Android devices, you can watch live video feeds from anywhere in the world! And if that wasn't cool enough already, we offer lifetime customer service through email and phone call - just in case anything goes wrong with your device!


  3. The Warrior 8.0 v3 - 26BF8M-V3 - 4K (8MP) Fixed Lens Mini Bullet Camera

    The Warrior is our most popular camera model. It is tied with the Deputy in terms of how easy it is to install and position since neither camera requires you to remove any part of the camera to screw it into the wall/ceiling/soffit. This makes it ideal for outdoor use as you don't have a tendency to trap moisture in the lens, as is common with dome cameras, where you have to remove the outer glass dome to mount them. The 86.5-degree lens with 4K resolution is a great balance between covering a large area and identifying faces and license plates. Although you can use this camera inside or out, the most common use of the Warrior models (the camera comes in 2MP, 4MP, or 8MP) is to cover the side of buildings or large sections of yards.


  4. The Deputy 8.0 v4 - 26DF8M-V4 - 4K (8MP) Fixed Wide Angle Lens Turret Dome Camera

    The Deputy is our second most popular camera model. It is tied with the Warrior in terms of how easy it is to install and position since neither camera requires you to remove any part of the camera to screw it into the wall/ceiling/soffit. This makes it ideal for outdoor use as you don't have a tendency to trap moisture in the lens, as is common with dome cameras, where you have to remove the outer glass dome to mount them. The 110 or 118-degree lens is best used to cover an entire room at once (by installing it in a corner) or to cover a wide area of a smaller yard, as wider lenses always decrease how far away you can identify a person or license plate. Although you can use this camera inside or out, the most common uses of the Deputy models (the camera comes in 2MP, 4MP, or 4K variants) are to install the camera in the corner of a room or to cover front doors and porches outdoors. Two Deputies are often installed back-to-back to make a 220-236 degree view, such as in the middle of a wall. (This two-camera solution has less of that dizzying "fisheye" look that is common with 180-degree cameras and is also usually cheaper.)


  5. The Watchkeeper Dual Vision 4.0 PTZ + Fixed Lens Camera

    At SCW we've often stressed the importance of having wide angle coverage when using a PTZ. Now we've got a PTZ where the wide angle coverage is built right in! See both the wide and details with the Watchkeeper 4.0 Dual Vision PTZ!

    This camera uses two streams on your NVR, and gives you both a 4MP 95° wide angle fixed lens camera and a 25x 4MP 30FPS PTZ camera! All with just one cable run!

    It also has a white light on the fixed lens camera - so the white light is on during night time constantly.

0.001 lux


  1. The Lookout 2.0 v2 - 26ZV2M - 2MP (1080P) IP PTZ Camera with 33x Optical Zoom

    The Lookout 2.0 v2 is the perfect PTZ for when you need to cover a wider area than just 100 feet away, like areas with wide-open spaces and heavy traffic. It's multi-directional viewing ability that can easily view up to sixteen preset locations in one go, this camera supports external mics as well. Panning movements across 360 degrees quickly with smooth transitions between each location.

    This device is perfect for any business that needs to monitor their warehouse or store from a distance without having to worry about missing anything important happening on the ground level. It's also great if you want an easy way to keep tabs on your employees while they're working remotely at different sites around town. You'll be able to see what they're doing and hear what they say all at once!

    With features like these, it's no wonder why so many businesses are turning towards The Lookout 2.0 today! If you have any questions about how this product could work best for your company then please contact us by phone or email anytime - we’re always happy to help our customers find the right solution for them!


  2. The Sharpshooter 4.0 - 26BV4M-XLP- 4MP Ultra Long Range, Low Light Bullet Camera with Motorized Zoom and Focus

    The Sharpshooter is a 4MP super long range, low light bullet camera with motorized zoom and focus. It's used in situations where there is extreme distance (250-600 feet) between the mounting location and a stationary point of interest. This is the ultimate camera for collecting video evidence and seeing what's happening at a distance in complete darkness. It's ideal for securing large areas and is perfect for low light environments like warehouses, parking lots, construction sites and more!

    This camera features Extreme Cold Temperature rated from -40°F to 140 °F, 650 foot IR illuminator, Infrared night vision up to 500 FT and full protection from dust, rain, snow, dew, frost and sprinklers. With an oversized image sensor to allow in more light and a super-long range lens, this unit can even take photos down to 0.001 Lux – which is like looking through smoke!

    It features ultra low ambient light capability and the latest PoE compatibility allowing easy installation without needing separate power cables.

0.003 lux


  1. The Viking 8.0 - 26BV8M-A - 8MP (4x1080P) Multi-Purpose Lens Bullet Camera with Motorized Zoom and Focus

    The Viking 8.0 is a popular choice for high-quality video surveillance. This Multi-Purpose Bullet camera is perfect for your home or business if you need to secure a long and narrow area such as roads, driveways, warehouse aisles and more.

    This 8MP (4x1080P) bullet camera suits a variety of uses and features a motorized varifocal lens that allows you to optically zoom in to see a distant area more clearly. You can adjust the angle of view with our apps, over the web, or via your SCW NVR. This camera is also frequently used in corporate environments and just like with a point-and-shoot camera or a pair of binoculars, when you narrow the field-of-view, you zoom in on an area to see more detail in that area.

    With its high resolution image sensor and wide dynamic range capability, The Viking provides clear images day or night while able to identify someone up to 125 feet. This plug & play bullet camera is built tough enough to handle any weather condition and ready to take on any job thrown its way.


  2. The Detective 8.0 - 26DV8M-A - 8MP (4x1080P) Multi-Purpose Lens Turret Dome Camera with Motorized Zoom and Focus and Audio Microphone

    The Detective has a motorized varifocal lens that allows you to optically zoom in to see a distant area more clearly. You can adjust the angle of view with our apps, over the web, or via your SCW NVR. Just like with a point-and-shoot camera or a pair of binoculars, when you narrow the field-of-view, you zoom in on an area and you can see more detail in that area. Although the Detective is a very popular camera for homes that have a mid-range (35-100 foot) points of concern like gates, roads or driveways, this camera is also frequently used is corporate environment such as long and narrow warehouse aisles.


  3. The Informant 4.0 v2 - 26DF4M-A - Mini Dome Camera with Microphone

    The Informant 4.0 v2 is a mini dome that also has an integrated microphone for audio surveillance It should be able to pick up a normal speaking voice at 15 feet. It has an 1K10 vandal proof glass dome surrounding the lens. Glass domes are iconic and what people usually think of with a security camera, but the glass has benefits and drawbacks. Despite our logo being a glass dome camera shape, most of our models don't have them anymore because they aren't that DIY friendly. To install most glass dome cameras, you have to remove the outer dome to reveal the mounting screws and then screw the dome back on after mounting the camera. In more humid areas, this can trap moisture inside the camera; for this reason, most glass dome cameras are installed indoors. The Informant comes with some silicon moisture absorbing beads to help combat this issue (please don't remove them). Glass domes are sometimes used outdoors especially in situations like college campuses or apartment complexes where "non-destructive vandalism," such as turning the camera away from its intended target, is common. Glass domes do not hide which way the camera is pointed. 1K10 is the highest measurement rating for protection from physical damage for security camera products, so it should protect against some destructive vandalism as well. Unlike recording video, recording audio is heavily regulated. It is very important when recording audio to follow the rules and regulations set out in the Federal Wiretap Act; because of this law, the microphone's default setting is "off." If you want to turn the microphone on, we will gladly help you, but you should make sure you are complying with the law before doing so.


  4. The Lookout Mini 5.0 - Mini PTZ with 4x zoom and active deterrence light

    Do you need to keep an eye on something?

    The Lookout Mini 5.0 is the perfect surveillance camera for any covert operation. It’s small enough to be hidden in plain sight, but powerful enough to get up close with a 4x zoom capability and see what’s going on from afar without being seen. This version has also been fitted with a white LED light as well as a red/white “siren style” light when day changes to night. Stealthy at 10FT and quick enough to catch thieves when they are completely unaware (at 30FT) The lookout name says it all.

    You can use your finger or mouse wheel to control the PTZ remotely, so you never have to leave your desk or stop working while keeping an eye on things. With our free app available for both iOS and Android devices, you can watch live video feeds from anywhere in the world! And if that wasn't cool enough already, we offer lifetime customer service through email and phone call - just in case anything goes wrong with your device!


  5. The Beacon 8.0 - 26ZV8M - 4K (8MP = 4x1080P) IP PTZ Camera with 40x Optical Zoom

    The Beacon 8.0 has a range of up to 2 miles and features high resolution, wide angle coverage that creates a fuller picture of the scene than any other camera, IR LEDs for nighttime visibility at distances up to 820 feet and weatherproofing so you can utilize this powerhouse wherever you need it most.

    With its powerful infrared night vision capabilities, you'll be able to monitor large spaces with ease no matter what time of day or night it is! This product will give your business all the tools it needs to succeed in today's competitive market. You won't regret investing in this long-range commercial-grade PTZ camera!

    The Beacon's 58.4-2.08 degree viewing angle let's you see more field of view than that offered by competitors while its automatic motion detection feature monitors boarder crossing without constant feed monitoring – just set your parameters and walk away!


  6. The Garrison 5.0 - Mini Indoor Wifi PTZ with 4x zoom

    The Garrison is an indoor only mini PTZ with both Wi-Fi and POE ethernet connections. It is extremely lightweight (for a PTZ) and can be ceiling mounted without a bracket.

    Although, we would never recommend doing an entire system based on WiFi cameras, sometimes running a cable is impossible for a single camera.

    It is best used in places where running cables may be extremely difficult, such as lobbies, convenience stores, churches and cathedrals, car dealerships, bank vaults, and elevators.


  7. The Watchkeeper Dual Vision 4.0 PTZ + Fixed Lens Camera

    At SCW we've often stressed the importance of having wide angle coverage when using a PTZ. Now we've got a PTZ where the wide angle coverage is built right in! See both the wide and details with the Watchkeeper 4.0 Dual Vision PTZ!

    This camera uses two streams on your NVR, and gives you both a 4MP 95° wide angle fixed lens camera and a 25x 4MP 30FPS PTZ camera! All with just one cable run!

    It also has a white light on the fixed lens camera - so the white light is on during night time constantly.

Not sure what you need?

Lean on the experts

We'd be happy to work up a custom quote or take your floorplan and create a security coverage map.

Get a Custom Quote

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