CCTV (closed-circuit television) cameras often have night vision capabilities. The ability to see in low-light or no-light conditions is an important feature for security and surveillance applications.
There are a few common ways CCTV cameras achieve night vision:
Infrared (IR) LEDs: Many CCTV cameras are equipped with infrared LED lights around the lens. These LEDs emit infrared light that is invisible to the human eye but can be detected by the camera's image sensor. This allows the camera to capture usable footage even in complete darkness.
Low-light sensors: Some CCTV cameras use image sensors that are highly sensitive to low levels of ambient light, such as CMOS or CCD sensors. These can produce clear monochrome images without the need for IR illumination.
Dual-sensor design: More advanced CCTV cameras may have both a standard color image sensor and a separate low-light or night vision sensor. This allows the camera to automatically switch between color and monochrome modes depending on the lighting conditions.
The range and quality of night vision can vary between CCTV camera models. Higher-end models may have longer infrared illumination distances or better low-light performance. But in general, night vision is a standard and essential feature for most professional and consumer-grade CCTV security cameras.