How to Choose CCTV Cameras for Your Home
Posted on April 09 2026
How to Choose CCTV Cameras for Your Home in South Africa
South Africa has one of the highest home burglary rates in the world, which means choosing the right CCTV system isn't just a nice-to-have, it's a necessity. This guide cuts through the noise so you know exactly what to look for.
Start With Your Coverage Needs
Before you look at a single camera spec, walk your property and identify the areas you need to cover. Most South African homeowners prioritise:
- The front gate and driveway — where most incidents begin
- The front door and entrance — for visitor verification
- The perimeter and side passages — often the most vulnerable areas
- The garage — especially for double garages where vehicles are stored
- Indoor common areas — lounge, entry hall, or home office
Rule of thumb: One camera per entrance point, plus one covering each side of the property. A typical freestanding home in SA needs between four and eight cameras for full coverage.
Resolution: What You Actually Need
Resolution determines how clearly you can identify a face, read a number plate, or spot details in footage.
| Resolution | Megapixels | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 2MP | Budget setups, indoor rooms |
| 2K | 3–4MP | Driveways, gates, general outdoor |
| 4K | 8MP | High-security areas, wide-angle coverage |
Our recommendation: For most SA homes, 4MP (2K+) is the sweet spot. It gives you enough detail to identify faces and read number plates without requiring enormous storage or expensive NVRs. Avoid 1080p for outdoor cameras, the detail often isn't sufficient for identification when reviewing footage after an incident.
Night Vision: IR vs Colour
This is one of the most important decisions you'll make and one most buyers get wrong.
Standard IR Budget
- Switches to black & white at night
- Loses colour information
- Clothing, vehicle colour lost
- Lower cost
- Good for secondary cameras
Colour Night Vision Recommended
- Full colour in near-darkness
- See clothing, car colour, faces
- Critical for police reports
- F1.0 aperture + LED spotlights
- Use for gate, driveway, entrance
Check out our video on Colour modes comparisons👇
Wired vs Wireless
Both have a place in a South African home security setup.
Wired (PoE / Analogue)
- Most reliable, no Wi-Fi interference
- Continuous recording
- Best for large properties
- Requires cable runs
- Not affected by Wi-Fi dead spots
Wireless (Wi-Fi)
- Easy install, no cable runs
- Ideal for rentals
- Battery models need no power cable
- Dependent on Wi-Fi signal
- Some recording delay on trigger
For most South African homeowners, a hybrid approach works best: wired cameras at the gate, driveway and perimeter and Wi-Fi cameras for secondary positions like the garage or back garden.
While still on Wireless Cameras, check out the video below of this Hikvision 4G AOV Camera👇
Available here 👉 AOV Camera
The Load Shedding Factor
This is unique to South Africa and something no overseas buying guide will tell you. Any camera system that relies purely on mains power will go dark during load shedding, which can be exactly when opportunistic criminals strike.
Battery cameras
Continue operating on internal battery regardless of Eskom. e.g. EZVIZ HB8 (210-day battery)
Solar-powered cameras
Entirely off-grid. e.g. Hikvision DS-2CFSP4/4G with 8W solar panel and 9000mAh battery
UPS-backed systems
Keeps wired cameras running during outages. Budget for at least 4–6 hours of backup capacity.
4G cameras
Use a SIM card instead of your home network, router-killing load shedding won't take them offline.
Indoor vs Outdoor Cameras
Don't use indoor cameras outdoors. Outdoor cameras need:
- IP67 or IP66 weatherproofing — dust and water resistant
- Operating temperature range suitable for SA conditions (some areas exceed 40°C)
- IR or colour night vision for exterior darkness
- Vandal resistance — look for IK08 or IK10 ratings for exposed positions
DVR vs NVR: What's the Difference?
DVR
- Works with analogue cameras
- Connected via coaxial cable
- More affordable
- Good for most homes
NVR Recommended
- Works with IP cameras
- Connected via ethernet or Wi-Fi
- Higher image quality potential
- Easier to expand
For a new installation in 2026, we recommend going with an NVR and IP cameras, the image quality, flexibility, and smart features are significantly better at similar price points.
Smart Features Worth Paying For
- AI human and vehicle detection — distinguishes people and cars from trees, pets, and shadows. Dramatically reduces false alerts.
- Auto-tracking — pan and tilt cameras that follow a moving person automatically. One camera does the job of several fixed cameras.
- Active defence — cameras that flash spotlights and sound a siren when motion is detected. A deterrent, not just a recorder.
- Two-way audio — speak to whoever is at your gate or door from your phone, from anywhere in the world.
Quick Decision Summary
| Your situation | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Front gate / driveway | 4MP+, colour night vision, IP67 |
| Large open property | Pan & tilt camera with auto-tracking |
| No cabling options | Wi-Fi or battery-powered camera |
| Frequent load shedding | Solar, battery, or 4G camera |
| DIY installation | EZVIZ Wi-Fi cameras |
| Professional installation | Hikvision wired IP system |
| Tight budget | 2MP analogue system with DVR |
Need help choosing the right system?
TG Security is a Hikvision authorised resellers and installers based in Benoni, Gauteng. Fast delivery nationwide.