Turret vs Dome vs Bullet Cameras: Which to Buy?
Turret vs dome vs bullet cameras: which should you buy?
The three most common security camera shapes compared in plain words, with the Silarius X camera to pick for each.
Side by side
| Turret | Dome | Bullet | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shape | Ball in a socket, open lens | Lens under a clear dome cover | Long tube on an arm |
| Night vision | IR sits outside the lens, so no dome glare | The dome cover can reflect IR and catch dust or rain | IR sits outside the lens, strong at night |
| Tamper resistance | Good | Best: hard to tell where it points, hard to knock out of aim | Lowest: easy to reach and turn |
| Deterrence | Medium | Low (discreet) | High: clearly a camera |
| Easy to aim | Easiest: turn the ball | Harder: aim inside the cover | Easy |
| Best for | Most indoor and outdoor spots, entrances, eaves | Indoors, ceilings, low mounts, public areas | Fences, driveways, long aisles, parking |
| Silarius 5MP pick | SIL-XT5MP28AU | SIL-XD5MP28AU | SIL-XB5MP28AU |
| Silarius 4K pick | SIL-XT8MP28AU | SIL-XD8MP28AU | SIL-XB8MP28AU |
Which one should you buy?
- Not sure? Pick a turret. It works almost anywhere, is the easiest to aim and gives clean night video.
- Low ceilings, lobbies, stores and schools: pick a dome. It is the hardest to knock out of aim.
- Long views and visible deterrence: pick a bullet for fences, driveways, parking and aisles.
- Wide areas: one SIL-PD5MP28AU 180° panoramic can replace two fixed cameras.
Silarius X picks
All Silarius X cameras are NDAA compliant, have a 3-year warranty and can record straight to Silarius Cloud with no recorder.
Popular model comparisons
- Hanwha ANO-L7012R vs AXIS M2036-LE (4MP bullets)
- Hanwha QNO-8080R vs ANO-L7012R (bullets)
- Hanwha ANV-L7012R vs AXIS M4216-LV (4MP domes)
- Hanwha QNV-8080R vs QNV-8010R (5MP domes)
- Hanwha QND-8080R vs QND-8011 (indoor domes)
- AXIS P3268-LVE vs Hanwha PNV-A9081R (4K domes)
- AXIS M3086-V vs M3088-V (mini domes)
- Hanwha QNP-6250R vs AXIS Q6075-E (PTZ)
Questions
Is a turret or dome camera better?
A turret is better for most spots because its IR sits outside the lens, so night video stays clear. A dome is better where tamper resistance matters, like low ceilings and public areas.
Is a bullet camera better than a dome?
For long views and deterrence, yes. For low mounts and public areas, a dome is harder to tamper with.
Which Silarius camera should I start with?
The Silarius X SIL-XT5MP28AU 5MP turret fits most indoor and outdoor spots.
Are Silarius cameras NDAA compliant?
Yes. Silarius cameras and recorders are NDAA compliant.
What warranty do Silarius cameras have?
Every Silarius camera and recorder has a 3-year full Silarius warranty (solar products have their own terms).
Do Silarius products ship free?
Yes. Every Silarius-brand product ships free in the US, at any order size.